This article explains how to use one-handed mode in Android 12, including how to enable the gesture, how to activate it when you need it, and how to exit out of one-handed mode.

What to Know

  • Enable through Settings > System > Gestures > One-Handed mode.Activate with a downward swipe from the bottom of the screen.Exit by locking the phone or tapping above the short screen.

How to Activate One-Handed Mode

One-handed mode works through a gesture enabled in your phone’s settings. After it’s enabled, using it is easy: just a simple swipe-down motion. The working area will instantly shorten to the bottom half of the screen so you can use just one finger to easily reach things at the top.

  • Go to Settings > System > Gestures > One-Handed mode.
  • Tap Use one-handed mode. You can take this time to also adjust the other options here, such as exiting one-handed mode when switching apps or to shorten or lengthen the timeout setting.
  • Swipe down from the bottom of the screen to activate one-handed mode. Everything you do while in this mode will happen within the half-sized window.

How to Turn Off One-Handed Mode

To completely disable this feature, return to step 2 above and turn off the gesture.

Go to Settings > System > Gestures > One-Handed mode.

Tap Use one-handed mode. You can take this time to also adjust the other options here, such as exiting one-handed mode when switching apps or to shorten or lengthen the timeout setting.

Swipe down from the bottom of the screen to activate one-handed mode. Everything you do while in this mode will happen within the half-sized window.

If you just want to exit one-handed mode, either wait for the timeout duration to be reached (if you’ve chosen one) or do one of these things:

  • Tap in the blank, dark space above the small screen.Swipe upward, past the short screen.Lock your phone.Rotate to landscape mode.

  • Do Pixel phones have a one-handed mode?

  • Yes. Pixel models from 3 to 5 are compatible with Android 12, and Google includes one-handed mode at the system level in Android 12.

  • How does one-handed mode work on a Samsung phone?

  • Samsung has its own built-in one-handed mode that differs from Android 12’s one-handed mode. One-handed mode on Samsung shrinks the entire screen to one side. On Samsung Galaxy devices running Samsung’s One UI, access one-handed mode by going to Settings > Advanced Features. Tap Motions and gestures, then select One-handed mode and toggle on the feature.

Yes. Pixel models from 3 to 5 are compatible with Android 12, and Google includes one-handed mode at the system level in Android 12.

Samsung has its own built-in one-handed mode that differs from Android 12’s one-handed mode. One-handed mode on Samsung shrinks the entire screen to one side. On Samsung Galaxy devices running Samsung’s One UI, access one-handed mode by going to Settings > Advanced Features. Tap Motions and gestures, then select One-handed mode and toggle on the feature.

Get the Latest Tech News Delivered Every Day