Skip to main content

Gesture navigation

There are a few different ways to navigate with gestures, depending on the navigation settings you choose.

Get started on Android
Top

Settings and features vary by device and Android version. The steps might be different on your phone.

Gesture navigation

  • Access apps

    To access your apps, swipe up from the bottom of the screen.

  • Find open apps

    To see your open apps, swipe up from the bottom, hold, then let go.

    From here you can:

    • Close an app: Swipe up on the app image.
    • Open an app: Tap the app image.

  • Go back

    To go back, swipe from the left or right edge of the screen.

  • Go Home

    To go Home from any open app, swipe up from the bottom of the screen.

  • Switch between apps

    To switch between apps, at the very bottom of the screen, swipe from left to right.

  • Find notifications & quick settings

    To see your notifications and quick settings, swipe down from the top of your screen.

    Swipe down again to expand your quick settings menu.

2-button Navigation

  • Access apps

    To access your apps, swipe up from the bottom of the screen.

  • Find open apps

    To see your open apps, from the bottom of your screen, swipe up to the middle.

    From here you can:

    • Close an app: Swipe up on the app image.
    • Open an app: Tap the app image.

  • Go back

    To go back, tap Back .

  • Go Home

    To go Home from any open app, tap Home .

  • Switch between apps

    To switch between your most recent apps, swipe right on Home .

  • Find notifications & quick settings

    To see your notifications and quick settings, swipe down from the top of your screen.

    Swipe down again to expand your quick settings menu.

3-button Navigation

  • Access apps

    To access your apps, swipe up from the bottom of the screen.

  • Find open apps

    To see your open apps, tap Overview .

    From here you can:

    • Close an app: Swipe up on the app image.
    • Open an app: Tap the app image.

  • Go back

    To go back, tap Back .

  • Go Home

    To go Home from any open app, tap Home .

  • Switch between apps

    To switch between apps, tap Overview . Swipe right until you find the app you want then tap it.

  • Find notifications & quick settings

    To see your notifications and quick settings, swipe down from the top of your screen.

    Swipe down again to expand your quick settings menu.

Was this lesson helpful?

Thanks! You can also provide feedback if you'd like.

Related lessons

Backup & restore data with Google Drive

Before you switch phones, back up content, data, and settings from your old phone with Drive. When you sign in to your Google Account on your new phone, your data will be restored.

Begin lesson
Back up & sync device contacts

You can back up & sync contacts on your device by saving them as Google contacts. Google contacts are available across Google services.

Begin lesson
Backup your messages

Before you switch phones, you can allow Google to backup your texts so you can restore your messages to a new phone.

Begin lesson
Send & receive text messages

To send text messages, photos, voice messages, videos, and more with your friends and family, use the Messages app.

Begin lesson
How to recover your Google account or Gmail

If you’re unable to sign in to your Google Account and use services like Gmail, Photos, and Google Play, you can use Google’s account recovery process to regain access to your account.

Begin lesson
Keep your Google account secure

Your Google Account automatically protects your personal information and keeps it private and safe. You can change your account security settings to make your phone even more secure.

Begin lesson
Choose how to get around on your phone

To move between apps, find settings, and more, you can choose to swipe or use buttons.

Begin lesson