How to switch to 3-button navigation on Android

In short

Open Settings, tap System, then Navigation mode, and choose 3-button navigation. On a Samsung Galaxy it is Settings, Display, Navigation bar, Buttons. The Back, Home and Recents buttons then appear at the bottom of the screen.

9 of 9 steps show a real screenshot from our Pixel 10a (Android 17) and Galaxy S26 (One UI 9.0).

Steps

1. 1

   Open Settings and tap System

   Scroll down and tap System.

   On our Pixel 10a, System sits between Battery and About phone, with the line Languages, gestures, time underneath.

   Done
   
2. 2

   Tap Navigation mode

   On our Pixel 10a, Navigation mode is under the Interaction heading on the System page, below Software updates and Language and region.

   Underneath it shows the current choice, Gesture navigation.

   Done
   
3. 3

   Choose 3-button navigation

   On our Pixel 10a the page offers two options, Gesture navigation and 3-button navigation, and Gesture navigation was selected at first.

   Tap 3-button navigation.

   Done
   
4. 4

   Check that it is selected

   The circle next to 3-button navigation fills in, and the bar with three buttons appears at the bottom of the screen straight away.

   Done
   
5. 5

   Learn the three buttons

   On our Pixel 10a the order is Back, Home, Recents, with Back on the left.

   Back returns to the previous screen, Home opens the Home screen and Recents shows your open apps.

   Done
   
6. 6

   Samsung Galaxy: open Display, then Navigation bar

   Samsung puts the setting under Display. Open Settings, tap Display and scroll down to Navigation bar.

   Done
   
7. 7

   Samsung Galaxy: choose Buttons

   The page offers Buttons and Swipe gestures. Our Galaxy S26 was already on Buttons, with a Circle to Search switch below.

   Done
   
8. 8

   Samsung Galaxy: check the button order

   Tap More options. On the Buttons page, Button order offers two layouts. On our Galaxy S26 it was Recents, Home, Back, so Back is on the right: the opposite of the Pixel. Pick Back, Home, Recents if you want Back on the left.

   Done
   
9. 9

   Samsung Galaxy: check the buttons

   The three buttons sit at the bottom of the Home screen, here in the order Recents, Home, Back.

   Done
   

If you do not see this option

• Navigation mode is not under System On our Pixel 10a it sits under Settings, System. On our Samsung Galaxy S26 it is under Settings, Display, Navigation bar (steps 6 to 9).
• You cannot see Navigation mode on the System page On our Pixel 10a it is under the Interaction heading, below Language and region and Live Translate, so scroll down a little.
• The options have different names On our Pixel 10a they are called Gesture navigation and 3-button navigation. On our Samsung Galaxy S26 the choice is Buttons or Swipe gestures.

If this does not work

• The buttons do not appear Don't worry, this is quick to check. Go back to Settings, System, Navigation mode and check that the circle next to 3-button navigation is filled in. On our Pixel 10a the buttons appeared at once.
• You want gestures back Open Navigation mode again and choose Gesture navigation. The three buttons disappear and swiping takes over.
• Back is on the wrong side on a Samsung Galaxy On our Galaxy S26 the order was Recents, Home, Back. If your thumb learned Back on the left, it will keep landing on Recents, so it is worth the switch. Change it under Navigation bar, More options, Button order (step 8).

Good to know

If you ever want to give gestures another go, choose Gesture navigation in the same place. Then you swipe up from the bottom for Home, swipe in from the left or right edge for Back, and swipe up from the bottom, hold, then release to switch apps.

About this guide

Device

Android

Shown on

Google Pixel 10a, Android 17 (build CP3A.260905.009), Samsung Galaxy S26 (SM-S942N, Korean model), One UI 9.0, Android 17 (build CP2A.260605.016.S942NKSU5BZJB)

App

Settings

Path

Settings › System › Navigation mode

Real screenshots

9 of 9 steps

Checked

November 2026

Sources

1 official, linked below

Sources

• Android Help: Get around on your Android phone

Links checked November 2026. Menus and features can change with updates.

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