Does the Nothing Phone (4a) Pro have an Essential Key?

howtosimply.com/guides/does-the-nothing-phone-4a-pro-have-an-essential-key/ · Checked October 2026 · 4a) Pro (A069P, EEA), Nothing OS 4.1, Android 16 (build FroggerPro-B4.1-260424-1447-EEA · Nothing Phone

4 of 4 steps with real screenshots · 3 official sources below

Device

Android

Shown on

Nothing Phone (4a) Pro (A069P, EEA), Nothing OS 4.1, Android 16 (build FroggerPro-B4.1-260424-1447-EEA)

App

Phone

Real screenshots

4 of 4 steps

Checked

October 2026

Sources

3 official, linked below

Step by step

1. 

   Open Essential Space

   It is an app icon on the Home screen. Tap Get started; the screen says that by continuing you agree with Nothing's Terms of Use and Privacy policy.

   Done

2. 

   Read the feature list

   Insights from your captures, transcribing and summarising, and memories. The note says some features may require you to sign in with your Nothing account. Tap Continue.

   Done

3. 

   See where the key is

   QUICK ACCESS: Double-Click Essential Key from anywhere to enter Essential Space. The picture marks the key on the left edge.

   Done

4. 

   Double-click the Essential Key

   After Got it, the setup waits with "Double-Click to Continue" next to the real key on the left edge.

   Done

If you do not see this option

• Settings search finds no Essential Key? Ours said No results for Essential Key, even though the key is there. Use Essential Space's setup screens to find it.

  

• What does a short press do? Nothing says a short press of the Essential Key takes a screenshot and a second short press saves it; a double press opens Essential Space. Source: How do I take a screenshot with the Essential Key? · Source: How do I access Essential Space?
• Want it without the key? Essential Space is also an app icon on the Home screen, as in step 1.

If this does not work

• No AI summaries? Nothing says full Essential Space features, including AI summaries of your recordings, need you to be logged in to a Nothing account. Source: How do I access Essential Space? · Source: What is the intelligent analysis of Essential Space?
• Screenshot not saved? Nothing says a short press opens the screenshot preview; short press the Essential Key again while the selection is active to save it. Source: How do I take a screenshot with the Essential Key?
• Screenshot without the key? Press Power and Volume Down, or turn on the three-finger swipe. See take a screenshot.

About this guide

The Essential Key is Nothing's extra button: a double-click opens Essential Space, and a short press takes a screenshot. We checked where it is on the (4a) Pro.

The screenshots are from our Nothing Phone (4a) Pro, the European model A069P, with Nothing OS 4.1 and Android 16 (build FroggerPro-B4.1-260424-1447-EEA), in Dark theme. We went through Essential Space's setup and stopped at the double-click prompt.

Good to know

To filter which alerts light up, set up Essential Notifications.

For screenshots on this phone, see take a screenshot.

In short: Yes: the Essential Key is on the left edge; double-click it to open Essential Space. Settings search misses it.