I have been testing the Galaxy S26 Plus for simply over per week now, and the brand new Samsung flagship is filled with upgraded AI options as a part of One UI 8.5. And whereas there isn’t any doubt lots to love in regards to the software program, one notable downgrade has sadly endured on Samsung’s newest gadgets, and it has to do with Gemini.
Certainly one of my favourite shortcuts to set off Gemini is the Swipe for Assistant, a gesture accessible on many Android telephones, together with Pixels, OnePlus, and Motorola gadgets. When enabled, you merely swipe diagonally from the underside nook of the display, and Gemini will pop up. It is extremely helpful, however for some cause, Samsung eliminated this gesture on its telephones sooner or later over the previous few years.
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Good Lock and One Hand Operation +
For those who personal a Samsung telephone, chances are you’ll or might not be aware of Good Lock, which is an app that allows you to add varied plugins to customise your telephone. Every plugin focuses on a special space of the UI, from the house display to the Settings app and even notifications administration. It is an extremely helpful Samsung app that elevates the software program expertise, and I extremely advocate downloading it, particularly for those who wish to tinker.
One of many plugins accessible in Good Lock is One Hand Operation +. The aim of this specific module is to make it simpler to make use of telephones and tablets with one hand, which is turning into more and more essential as the common telephone show dimension continues to develop.
The module means that you can customise handles on both facet of the show that may set off varied options. That is what makes it a nearly-perfect substitute for the lacking Gemini gesture, and for those who’re like me and have been making an attempt to determine find out how to get that set off again, I will stroll you thru this helpful various.
Easy methods to arrange One Hand Operation + to allow Swipe for Assistant
Earlier than you are able to do something, you will wish to obtain the Good Lock app, which you will discover within the Galaxy retailer in your Samsung telephone. When you try this, open Good Lock and set up the One Hand Operation + module and every other plugins it’s your decision. Faucet on One Hand Operation + to open the module.
1. Chances are you’ll have to toggle the module on earlier than you are able to do something.
2. Faucet Left deal with.
3. Faucet the Diagonal up possibility. Within the menu, choose Help app. I depart the Straight proper and Diagonal down choices set to None. Do the identical with the Proper deal with.
4. In the primary menu, open Superior settings.
5. Toggle on System again gesture. This lets you retain again navigation when swiping exterior the set deal with space.
Non-compulsory: Assessment different choices and toggle on as you see match. Faucet Animation to vary the type, dimension, and colour, or toggle it off for those who’d want to not have a swipe animation. The Cover deal with part will disable the gesture on choose screens, whereas App exceptions will do the identical when choose apps are open.
6. On the primary menu, scroll down to regulate the dimensions of the handles. I set every to the bottom stage, however regulate them as you see match. You will see the handles on both facet of the display shrink in dimension and transfer as you regulate them.
7. Faucet Deal with colour to regulate the way it seems in your display. Set the opacity to 0% if you don’t need the deal with to be seen.
8. That is non-compulsory, however in Gesture settings, you possibly can toggle on Fast motion in order that Gemini begins to look earlier than you launch your finger from the show. You can even regulate the gesture angles, swipe distance, and vibration settings to your liking.
With that, you need to now be capable of invoke Gemini by swiping from the realm near the underside nook of your show, so long as you bear in mind the place you set your handles. It isn’t good, because the handles do not go all the best way right down to the corners of the show, however they get fairly shut. When you get used to the position, the gesture works fairly nicely, and I have been fairly pleased with it.
I like this higher than Samsung’s default set off
One of many greatest causes I am such a fan of the Swipe for Assistant gesture is the change Google started forcing on customers after the discharge of Android 12. On the Galaxy S26 collection and different Samsung fashions, a protracted press of the ability button is ready because the default set off for Gemini, and the button has been relegated merely because the “facet button.” Nonetheless, I am not a fan of this technique of invoking Gemini.
My greatest downside with that is that it has modified the best way to energy off a smartphone. I refuse to vary this established habits that firms have instilled in us for thus a few years, all as a result of Samsung (and Google, by extension) is simply too lazy to implement a separate AI button on its telephones.
The facility button ought to stay the ability button (I will die on this hill), and I should not must awkwardly press two buttons to show off my telephone, particularly when the strategy is so just like taking a screenshot. That is why I like having the Swipe for Assistant possibility instead, as a result of I can nonetheless activate it from almost any display. However Samsung’s elimination of the function feels just like the OEM is making an attempt too exhausting to make the facet button set off occur, and it is simply not going to occur, not less than for me.
That is additionally why the very first thing I do once I get a brand new telephone is to make sure that the facet button is ready to open the ability off menu. On the Galaxy S26 collection, you are able to do this by navigating to Settings > Superior options > Facet button > Lengthy press, then setting it to Energy off menu. This fashion, I solely must press and maintain the ability button to show off the telephone, and Gemini can get its personal set off, even when it’s a workaround.
