Pixel to Get Double-Tap Screen Off Feature in Future Updates
Google Pixel devices, celebrated for their software prowess and AI-driven features, have surprisingly lacked a common feature found in many competing Android devices: the ability to turn off the screen with a simple double-tap. This omission has been a point of frustration for users transitioning from brands like Samsung, Xiaomi, and OnePlus, where this gesture is a standard convenience.
Currently, Pixel phones allow users to double-tap the screen to wake the device, but the reverse action – double-tapping to turn the screen off – is absent. This contrasts sharply with other Android manufacturers who have long integrated this intuitive gesture into their user interface.
Potential Implementation in Future Updates
Recent findings within the beta version of Android 16 suggest that Google is finally preparing to introduce this functionality to Pixel devices. While the gesture is not yet active in the current beta release, evidence indicates that the underlying code is in place. Preliminary tests confirm that the feature operates as expected, allowing users to turn off the screen by double-tapping an empty area of the lock screen.
The reasons behind Google's delayed adoption of this gesture remain unclear. However, the company's apparent move to integrate it into future updates is a welcome development for Pixel users. The exact timeline for the official rollout remains uncertain. Given its absence in the current beta, it is unlikely to be included in the initial stable release of Android 16. A possible release could coincide with the first quarterly update for Android 16, but this remains speculative.
For users eager to enable this functionality immediately, third-party applications like Pixel Toolbox offer a temporary solution. However, the expectation is that Google will soon provide a native implementation, eliminating the need for external apps.
The addition of the double-tap screen-off gesture would align Pixel devices with the broader Android ecosystem and enhance the overall user experience by introducing a convenient and intuitive way to manage the display.
Source: AndroidAuthority