How to change navigation mode on a Nothing Phone

howtosimply.com/guides/how-to-change-navigation-mode-on-a-nothing-phone/ · 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

Settings

Path

Settings › Special features › Gestures › Navigation mode

Real screenshots

4 of 4 steps

Checked

October 2026

Sources

3 official, linked below

Step by step

1. 

   Open Special features

   Open Settings and scroll near the bottom.

   Done

2. 

   Tap Gestures

   Near the top.

   Done

3. 

   Tap Navigation mode

   The first row; ours said Gesture navigation.

   Done

4. 

   Pick a mode

   Gesture navigation: swipe up to go home, swipe up and hold to switch apps, swipe from the left or right edge to go back. 3-button navigation: back, home and switch apps buttons.

   Done

If you do not see this option

• Not under Special features? Google gives Settings, System, Gestures, Navigation mode on most phones and says to ask the maker if those menus are missing. On Nothing OS 4.1 it is Special features, Gestures. Source: Get around on your Android phone
• Want buttons instead? Google describes 3-button navigation: Back, Home and Overview buttons along the bottom of the screen. Pick 3-button navigation in step 4. Source: Get around on your Android phone

If this does not work

• Back swipe unreliable? Google says to swipe from the far left or right edge, and to raise back sensitivity if a phone case gets in the way. On ours that setting is behind the gear next to Gesture navigation. Source: Get around on your Android phone
• Circle to Search keeps popping up? It triggers on touching and holding the home button or navigation handle. Turn it off at the bottom of the page.
• Camera opens by itself? That is Double press power button in the same Gestures list. Nothing says setting it to Camera opens the camera from the lock screen with two presses. Source: How do I open the camera from the lock screen?

About this guide

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. Ours used Gesture navigation, with Circle to Search on.

Good to know

To change what holding Power does, see power button shortcuts.

To keep one app on screen, Nothing says to turn on app pinning, open Overview, tap the app icon at the top and tap Pin; swipe up and hold to unpin.

In short: Settings, Special features, Gestures, Navigation mode.