How to switch between gestures and 3-button navigation on a Google Pixel (Android 17)

Device

Android

Shown on

Google Pixel 10a, Android 17 (build CP3A.261005.005)

App

Settings

Path

Settings › Display and touch

Real screenshots

7 of 7 steps

Checked

October 2026

Sources

1 official, linked below

Step by step

1. 

   Open Navigation mode

   Open Settings and tap Display and touch. Navigation mode is on that page; ours said Gesture navigation. Tap it.

   Done

2. 

   Gesture navigation

   The page says: to go home, swipe up from the bottom of the screen. To switch apps, swipe up from the bottom, hold, then release. To go back, swipe from either the left or right edge. Ours was selected.

   Done

3. 

   Or 3-button navigation

   Tap 3-button navigation to go back, home and switch apps with buttons at the bottom of your screen.

   Done

4. 

   Open the gesture settings

   Tap the gear on the right of Gesture navigation.

   Done

5. 

   Set the back sensitivity

   Under Back sensitivity, Left edge and Right edge each have a slider from Low to High. The page warns that higher sensitivity may conflict with app gestures along the edges of the screen.

   Done

6. 

   Swipe to invoke the assistant

   Under Digital assistant, this switch lets you swipe up from the bottom corner to open the digital assistant app. Ours was off.

   Done

7. 

   Try a demo

   Try a demo at the top lets you practise the gestures.

   Done

If you do not see this option

• Looking under System? Google says that on a Pixel it is Settings, System, Navigation mode. Our Pixel 10a has it there too, and also on Display and touch, where we took the picture. Source: Get around on your Android phone
• Not a Pixel? Google says other phones use Settings, System, Gestures, Navigation mode, and that if System or Gestures doesn't show, the phone's maker has the steps. On our Redmi it is Settings, Home screen, System navigation. Source: Get around on your Android phone
• Older Android? Google says that if System navigation doesn't show on a Pixel, the steps for older Android versions apply. Source: Get around on your Android phone

If this does not work

• Back swipe fires by accident in an app? Move the Left edge or Right edge slider towards Low. The page warns that higher sensitivity may conflict with app gestures along the edges.
• Back swipe hard to do with a case on? Google says that if your phone case gets in the way of swiping from the edge, setting the sensitivity higher can help. Source: Get around on your Android phone

About this guide

A Pixel can be used with swipes or with the three buttons older Android phones had. You can switch any time.

The screenshots are from our Google Pixel 10a with Android 17 (build CP3A.261005.005), in Dark mode. Ours used Gesture navigation. We only looked and didn't switch.

Good to know

3-button navigation has its own gear. Google says it lets you change the button order to Back, Home, Recents or Recents, Home, Back. We didn't open it.

More Pixel shortcuts: how to use Quick Tap and other gestures on a Google Pixel.

Screen hard to reach with one hand? See how to use one-handed mode on a Google Pixel.

In short: Settings, Display and touch, Navigation mode: Gesture navigation or 3-button navigation. Gear for back sensitivity.