How to switch between buttons and swipe gestures on a Samsung Galaxy phone

howtosimply.com/guides/how-to-switch-between-buttons-and-swipe-gestures-on-a-samsung-galaxy-phone/ · Checked October 2026 · Samsung Galaxy A57 5G (SM-A576B), One UI 8.5, Android 16

3 of 5 steps with real screenshots · 1 official source below

Device

Android

Shown on

Samsung Galaxy A57 5G (SM-A576B), One UI 8.5, Android 16

App

Settings

Path

Settings › Display

Real screenshots

3 of 5 steps

Our phone

Shown on Galaxy A57, One UI 8.5

Checked

October 2026

Sources

1 official, linked below

Step by step

1. Open Display

   Open Settings and tap Display.

   Done

2. 

   Open Navigation bar

   Scroll down the Display page and tap Navigation bar.

   Done

3. 

   Choose Buttons or Swipe gestures

   Tap Buttons for the three buttons, or Swipe gestures to remove them and use swipes instead. The change applies straight away.

   Done

4. 

   Change the button order

   With Buttons selected, tap More options to swap the order of the Back and Recents buttons.

   Done

5. Use the gestures

   With Swipe gestures on One UI 6.1 and later: swipe in from either side to go back, swipe up from the bottom to go home, and swipe up and hold to see recent apps.

   Done

If you do not see this option

• There is no Gesture hint switch Samsung says gesture hints are not available on One UI 6.1 or later, and the swipe direction can no longer be changed there. Source: Customize the Navigation bar on your Galaxy phone or tablet
• The gestures work differently on your phone Samsung says that on One UI 6.0 you swipe up from the left for recent apps, the middle for Home and the right for Back, instead of swiping in from the sides. Source: Customize the Navigation bar on your Galaxy phone or tablet

If this does not work

• The bar disappears in a game or video Samsung says the navigation bar can hide in full-screen apps; swipe up to bring it back for a moment. Source: Customize the Navigation bar on your Galaxy phone or tablet
• Back swipes trigger too easily, or not at all Samsung says to tap More options under Swipe gestures to adjust the gesture sensitivity. Source: Customize the Navigation bar on your Galaxy phone or tablet

About this guide

Galaxy phones can be navigated with three buttons at the bottom of the screen or with swipes. Neither is better; pick the one your thumb prefers.

Good to know

Circle to Search, on the same page, works with both: touch and hold the Home button or the navigation handle.

In short: Settings, Display, Navigation bar: Buttons or Swipe gestures. More options for the button order.

📷 See real photos from the Galaxy A57 in our Camera Lab, next to 10 other phones.