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 quite a bit to love in regards to the software program, one notable downgrade has sadly endured on Samsung’s newest units, and it has to do with Gemini.
One among my favourite shortcuts to set off Gemini is the Swipe for Assistant, a gesture obtainable on many Android telephones, together with Pixels, OnePlus, and Motorola units. 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 motive, Samsung eliminated this gesture on its telephones in some unspecified time in the future over the previous few years.
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Good Lock and One Hand Operation +
Should you personal a Samsung cellphone, you might or will not be aware of Good Lock, which is an app that allows you to add numerous plugins to customise your cellphone. Every plugin focuses on a unique 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 suggest downloading it, particularly if you happen to wish to tinker.
One of many plugins obtainable 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 necessary as the typical cellphone show dimension continues to develop.
The module means that you can customise handles on both aspect of the show that may set off numerous options. That is what makes it a nearly-perfect alternative for the lacking Gemini gesture, and if you happen to’re like me and have been attempting to determine the way to get that set off again, I will stroll you thru this helpful different.
How one can arrange One Hand Operation + to allow Swipe for Assistant
Earlier than you are able to do something, you may need to obtain the Good Lock app, which you will discover within the Galaxy retailer in your Samsung cellphone. When you do this, open Good Lock and set up the One Hand Operation + module and some other plugins it’s your decision. Faucet on One Hand Operation + to open the module.
1. You might 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 go away 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.
Elective: Evaluation different choices and toggle on as you see match. Faucet Animation to vary the model, dimension, and colour, or toggle it off if you happen to’d favor to not have a swipe animation. The Disguise 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 degree, however regulate them as you see match. You may see the handles on both aspect 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 do not need the deal with to be seen.
8. That is non-obligatory, however in Gesture settings, you’ll be able to toggle on Fast motion in order that Gemini begins to seem earlier than you launch your finger from the show. You too can regulate the gesture angles, swipe distance, and vibration settings to your liking.
With that, you need to now have the ability to invoke Gemini by swiping from the world near the underside nook of your show, so long as you keep in mind the place you set your handles. It isn’t excellent, for the reason that handles do not go all the way in which right down to the corners of the show, however they get fairly shut. When you get used to the location, 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 largest 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, an extended press of the ability button is about because the default set off for Gemini, and the button has been relegated merely because the “aspect button.” Nevertheless, I am not a fan of this methodology of invoking Gemini.
My largest drawback with that is that it has modified the way in which to energy off a smartphone. I refuse to vary this established habits that corporations have instilled in us for thus a few years, all as a result of Samsung (and Google, by extension) is just too lazy to implement a separate AI button on its telephones.
The ability button ought to stay the ability button (I will die on this hill), and I should not should awkwardly press two buttons to show off my cellphone, particularly when the strategy is so just like taking a screenshot. For this reason I like having the Swipe for Assistant possibility in its place, as a result of I can nonetheless activate it from practically any display. However Samsung’s removing of the characteristic feels just like the OEM is attempting too onerous to make the aspect button set off occur, and it is simply not going to occur, at the very least for me.
That is additionally why the very first thing I do once I get a brand new cellphone is to make sure that the aspect button is about to open the ability off menu. On the Galaxy S26 collection, you are able to do this by navigating to Settings > Superior options > Aspect button > Lengthy press, then setting it to Energy off menu. This manner, I solely should press and maintain the ability button to show off the cellphone, and Gemini can get its personal set off, even when it’s a workaround.
