How to bring back Android's 3-button navigation

Android 10 and subsequent versions prefer gesture navigation, but there is no absolute difference between good and bad, the key lies in personal habits. This article will introduce three navigation modes to help you find the most comfortable options: classic three-button navigation, mixed double-button navigation, and pure gesture navigation.

Specific settings vary by phone brand and model, but it is usually not difficult to find. For example, on a Pixel phone, open Settings , select System, and select Gestures. If you have any questions, you can search your phone model for relevant settings.

Classic three-button navigation

This is the navigation method adopted by Android in the early days. It was originally a physical key, and then it became a software key on the screen as the border narrowed. Although it is no longer the default mode, you can still enable it easily. In Settings, enter the system, and then click System Navigation. The default choice is gesture navigation. Click three-key navigation to display the buttons at the bottom of the screen. These three keys (from left to right in native Android system) are: return, home page and overview. Some Android versions (such as Samsung) allow for changes in the key order, but the functionality remains unchanged.

This mode does not require learning gestures and is easy to get started. Return to the previous level, Home page key returns to the home screen (some phones can long press to start Google Assistant), Overview key displays the most recently used applications and can switch between them - double-click to quickly switch between the current application and the previous application . Swipe the Home key up to view all applications.

However, the buttons take up space at the bottom of the screen. Although this method has made great contributions to Android, it is gradually being eliminated in the native Android system.

Mixed double-button navigation

This mode began with Android 9 Pie in 2018 and can be regarded as a compromise between old-style keys and new gesture navigation. Android 12 no longer offers this option, but you can still choose this mode if your Pixel device is running an older operating system.

The return key remains, the home page key becomes a smaller pill shape, and the overview key disappears. To view the recently used apps, you need to swipe up and hold the Home key. Swipe up quickly from other positions of the screen to enter the complete app drawer.

Touch the Home page key to return to the home screen, and long press to start Google Assistant on a compatible phone. Quickly swipe right on the Home key to switch between the last two apps (the same effect as the double-click on the Overview key). The return key function remains unchanged.

This mode cleverly combines keys and gestures, saving a little screen space than three-key navigation.

Pure gesture navigation

If you want to abandon the keys altogether, you can choose gesture navigation. The app will occupy the entire screen, with a floating bar similar to iOS style displayed at the bottom.

In this mode, briefly swipe up from the bottom of the screen to return to the home screen; swipe up and hold the center of the screen to view the list of recently used apps (equivalent to the old version overview key); on the home screen, from the bottom left corner or right of the screen Swipe up to the lower corner to access Google Assistant (if enabled).

The return operation is: slide inward from the left or right edge of the screen. Gesture navigation may conflict with gestures within the app, and you may need to adjust the sensitivity to make sure everything works properly. Click the gear icon next to the gesture navigation to make adjustments. If the return slides correctly, an arrow will be displayed on the side of the screen.

This mode maximizes screen space, but may take some time to adapt.

Navigation options for other devices

Not all phones offer these three options, depending on the device manufacturer and Android version. Newer Pixel models running Android 12 use gesture navigation by default, with only three-key navigation as an alternative.

For Samsung phones, open

Settings and select to display and navigation bars . There are only two options here—three-key navigation or gesture navigation—but you can change the key order and swap the return and overview keys as needed.

Old Android systems such as Android 9 Pie may only provide double- and triple-key navigation, but it also depends on the make and model of the phone.

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