I’ve waited far too long for Pixels to get this stupidly simple gesture
Google is still developing a double-tap-to-sleep gesture for Pixel phones, and Android 17 QPR2 Beta 3 suggests it could finally work from the home screen too.
For years, I have been frustrated by the absence of a particular gesture when switching from an Android phone to a Pixel device. Turning off the display with a double-tap on the empty home screen screen is a feature that Samsung and Xiaomi have offered for a while. The Pixel phones still require pressing the power button, which can be inconvenient, especially for larger models.
Recently, Android Authority discovered updated code strings in Android 17 QPR2 Beta 3 that indicate Google may soon implement this long-awaited feature. This functionality could be available not only on the lock screen but also on the home screen, making it more convenient for users. Google has been working on a narrower implementation previously, but it was limited to the lock screen.
The latest string now includes the home screen as well, and there is underlying support for this feature in Android's framework. However, even though the feature is in development, it cannot be enabled on a Pixel device yet. Google hasn't announced the feature in the official Android 17 QPR2 Beta 3 release notes, so it remains to be seen if it will make it to the public release.
Despite Google's late arrival to this feature, the convenience of double-tapping to turn off the screen is undeniable, especially for larger devices. Google missed a valuable opportunity to improve the user experience, but a simple tap or two could go a long way in making the Pixel devices smarter and more user-friendly.
Written by urgent.news from Digital Trends's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
