How to control gestures on Samsung Android smartphones: from navigation to hidden functions

Gesture control on smartphones Samsung with shell One UI became a de facto standard after the abandonment of the classic navigation buttons. However, not all users know what the system offers much more options than just swipes to return or switch applications. From fine-tuning sensitivity to hidden combinations for simultaneously launching functions, the gesture interface on Galaxy can radically change the experience of interacting with the device.

In this article we will look at not only the basic settings of navigation gestures, but also little-known tricks: how to use split-screen gestures, configure Edge Panels for quick access, or even create your own combinations using Bixby Routines. We will pay special attention to the problems that users encounter after updates One UI 6.x —for example, random triggering or conflicts with gestures in games. All instructions are relevant for models Galaxy S23/S24, Z Fold5/Flip5, A54/A34 and other devices based on Android 14+.

If you just switched from iPhone or another Android smartphone, the first section will help you quickly adapt. For experienced users, we recommend that you immediately go to hidden functions or creating custom gestures.

Basic navigation: how to enable and configure gestures

By default on new smartphones Samsung activated navigation gestures, but if you see the classic three buttons (Back, Home, Recents), they are easy to replace. To do this:

1. Open Settings → Display → Navigation bar.
2. Select an option "Gestures" (usually the second or third item in the list).
3. Click More (or Advanced) to adjust the sensitivity and appearance of the indicator.

In One UI 6.1 an option has appeared - a thin white line at the bottom of the screen that helps you navigate. It can be disabled for a clean interface, but for beginners it is better to leave it for the first time. Also here you can adjust "Show gesture strip" - a thin white line at the bottom of the screen that helps you navigate. It can be disabled for a clean interface, but for beginners it is better to leave it for the first time. It is also regulated here sensitivity of edge swipes (useful if gestures work accidentally when holding the phone).

It is important to understand the difference between the two types of gestures on Samsung:

• 👆 Swipe up - returns to the main screen (analogous to the Home button). If you hold your finger, it will open recent applications.
• 👈 Swipe from the edge - works like the “Back” button. On some models (for example Galaxy Z Fold), you can select the left or right edge.
• 🔄 Swipe on diagonals - quickly switch between the last two applications (analogous to double tapping the “Recents” button).

⚠️ Attention: On folding smartphones (Z Fold/Flip), gestures may differ in unfolded and folded modes. For example, swiping from the side on an external screen Flip5 opens Bixbyby default, and does not work as “Back”. This is configured separately in Settings → Additional functions → Laboratory.

Edge Panels: gestures for quick access

Edge Panels - these are hidden side panels that are called up by swiping from the edge of the screen. They allow you to quickly open applications, contacts, tools, or even launch DeX. By default, the panel is activated by swiping right, but the direction and content are customizable.

To configure Edge Panels:

1. Go to Settings → Screen → Edge panels.
2. Turn on the switch at the top of the screen.
3. Click Panelsto add or remove elements (for example, Applications, Tools, Contact).
4. In the section Location select which edge the panel will be called from (left or right).

Tip: if the panel works too easily (for example, when you hold the phone with one hand), reduce edge sensitivity in the same settings. You can also set panel transparency and size icon for convenience.

Enable the panel in screen settings|

Select a convenient edge (left/right)|

Add frequently used applications|

Adjust sensitivity|

Test swipe in different applications-->

On Galaxy Z Fold and Flip Edge Panels work differently: on the external screen they can open mini-applications (for example, a calculator or flashlight), and on the internal screen - full-fledged windows in multitasking modeThis is especially convenient for Fold5, where you can keep your toolbar always at hand.

Hidden gestures: what your Samsung can do

In addition to the standard navigation, in One UI hidden gestures that many do not know about. Here are the most useful:

• 📱 Double tap on the screen: wakes up or locks the device (configurable in Settings → Additional features → Motions and gestures → Double tap to wakeWorks even on a locked screen.
• 👆 Swipe down on the main screen: opens the notification panel (similar to swiping from the top, but more convenient with one hand).
• 🔍 Holding your finger on the lock screen: launches Smart Search (search by device).
• 📲 Swipe with two fingers on the keyboard: converts text to upper/lower case (works in Samsung Keyboard).

On folding smartphones (Z Fold/Flip) have unique gestures:

• 📏 Swipe with four fingers on the bottom of the screen: expands the application to full screen mode (on Fold).
• 🔄 Double swipe on the side: switches cameras when taking a selfie on Flip.

Another hidden feature — gestures in the split screen. When you have two applications open at the same time, you can:

• 🔄 Drag the separator up or down to swap applications.
• 📱 Swipe down on the separatorto collapse one from windows to an icon (it will continue to work in the background).
• ❌ Swipe the application icon upto close it.

⚠️ Attention: Some gestures may conflict with applications (for example, swiping in games or reader applications like Moon+ Reader). In this case, disable navigation gestures for a specific application: Settings → Applications → [select application] → Full screen mode → Hide navigation bar.

Creating custom gestures with Bixby Routines

If the built-in gestures are not enough, you can create your own using Bixby Routines (present on all flagships Samsung starting from Galaxy S20). For example, configure:

• 🎵 Double tap on the back panel to launch Spotify.
• 📵 Flip the phone screen down to turn on silent mode.
• 🔋 Connecting charging to launch automatically DeX.

Instructions for creating a custom gesture:

1. Open Bixby Routines (can be found through the search in the settings).
2. Click + in the upper right corner, then select If.
3. In the section Movements and gestures select the desired action (for example, Double tap the back panel).
4. Click Then and add an action (launch an application, change the volume, etc.).
5. Save the routine and test.

On Galaxy Z Flip i Fold you can configure gestures for external screen:

• 📸 Double tap —quick launch of the camera.
• 🔦 Swipe up —turn on the flashlight.
• 📱 Swipe down —unlock (if enabled Always On Display).

These settings are in Settings → Lock screen → External widgets screen (for folding models).

Gestures in games and conflicts with applications

One of the most common problems is random triggering of gestures during games (for example, swiping from the edge of the screen to PUBG or Genshin Impact can return you to the main screen). (for example,

1. Disable gestures for a specific application:
   1. Go to Settings → Applications.
   2. Select a game (eg Call of Duty: Mobile).
   3. Click Full screen mode → Hide navigation bar.
2. Using game mode:
   1. Enable Game Launcher (if disabled, download in Galaxy Store).
   2. Add the game to Game Launcher and activate the option Block gestures.

For Galaxy Z Fold and Flip there is an additional problem: gestures on the external screen can interfere with horizontal games. In this case:

• Open Settings → Additional functions → Laboratory.
• Find option Disable gestures on the external screen in games (name may vary).

adb shell settings put global policy_control immersive.full=*

This will forcefully hide all system elements, but may cause problems with some applications.-->

Another conflict arises with gestures in browsers (for example, swiping from left to right in Chrome or Samsung Internet can return to the previous page instead of the “Back” navigation). To fix this:

1. Open the browser settings.
2. Find the section Gestures or Navigation.
3. Disable Swipe to move between pages.

Solving problems with gestures

If gestures stop working or are not working correctly, try the following steps:

1. Reboot the device: sometimes helps with temporary failures One UI.
2. Reset gesture settings:
   1. Go to Settings → General management → Reset → Reset gesture settings.
   2. Confirm the action (this will not delete the data, it will only return the settings to factory settings).
3. Software update: check for updates in Settings → Software update. Many bugs with gestures have been fixed. One UI 6.1 Many bugs with gestures have been fixed.
4. Checking screen sensitivity:
   1. Open Settings → Display → Touch sensitivity.
   2. Increase the sensitivity if gestures are not recognized.

If the problem persists, it may be the culprit damage to the display or sensor. You can check this using. test:

1. Dial the code in the phone application #0#.
2. Select Touch (or Sensor).
3. Swipe finger across the screen - if the trace is interrupted or disappears, the sensor is faulty.

On Galaxy Z Flip/Fold additional problems may arise due to flexible screen:

• 🔧 Screen recalibration: sometimes it helps with “floating” gestures. To do this, reboot the device and let it sit for 10 minutes in the unfolded state.
• 📱 Display firmware update: check in Samsung Members (section Updates).

⚠️ Attention: On some models (Galaxy S22 and older) after updating to Android 14 the gesture may disappear. This is a known bug - a temporary solution: use the button combination ( "Swipe to capture screen". This is a known bug - temporary solution: use the button combination (Volume down + Power).

Advanced tweaks: ADB and third-party utilities

For advanced users who want complete control over gestures, there are several advanced methods:

1. Setting up via ADB:

Using ADB you can change the settings of gestures that are not available in the standard interface. For example, disable animations or change the width of the swipe zone:

adb shell settings put global navigationbar_height 48 # Changes the height of the navigation bar
adb shell settings put global navigationbar_width 100 # Changes the width of the zone swipe

2. Applications for customization:

• 📱 Fluid Navigation Gestures: adds additional gestures (for example, swiping diagonally to launch Google Assistant).
• 🎛️ Edge Gestures: allows you to create your own gestures for any actions.
• 🔧 MacroDroid: automation of gestures with triggers (for example, shaking to turn on the flashlight).

3. Modification of system files (only for firmware devices):

On devices with root-access or custom firmware (for example, LineageOS), you can edit files in /system/usr/keylayout/to reassign gestures at the hardware level. However, this is risky and can lead to losing the warranty.

adb shell cmd overlay enable com.android.internal.systemui.navbar.threebutton

adb shell cmd overlay disable com.android.internal.systemui.navbar.threebutton

On Galaxy Z Fold i Flip there is a unique opportunity - setting up gestures for the stylus S Pen:

• 🖊️ Hold button + touch screen: quick launch Smart Select.
• 📝 Double tap with button: open Samsung Notes.
• 🔍 Swipe up/down button: change volume.