Learn gestures

You can use gestures on your touch screen to move between apps and choose or manipulate items.

There are also gestures, which you can turn on/off, to perform everyday tasks like screenshots or turning on the flashlight.

Touch, drag, swipe, zoom

GestureDescription
Touch

Press with one finger and lift.

Result: Open something (app or email) or choose something (checkbox, icon).

Touch & hold

Press and wait before lifting one finger.

Result: Select something (app icon, text on a page) and see possible actions.

Try it: Touch & hold text on this page to see the copy feature.

Drag

Touch & hold an item and then, without lifting, slide your finger until you reach the target position.

Result: Move elements on the screen; for example, change a toggle from on to off .

Try it: Drag an app shortcut from one spot on your home screen to another.

Swipe

Quickly move one finger across the screen, without pausing when you first touch (so you don’t drag instead).

Result: Switch between home screens or between tabs in an app. Or, move quickly through a list.

Try it: Open the Phone app and swipe left/right to switch between tabs.

Pinch out to zoom

Put two fingers on the screen and then drag them apart.

Result: Zoom in to see larger version of photos and maps. Or, open expandable notifications.

Try it: Open a photo and pinch out to zoom in on an area.

TipIf you have visual impairments, you can enable additional magnification gestures.
Pinch in to zoom

Put two fingers on the screen, far apart, and then drag them together.

Result: Zoom out to see smaller version of photos or maps. Or, close expandable notifications.

Open camera with Power button

Don’t miss a shot! Open your camera from any screen, even your lock screen. Just press the Power button twice quickly. Your viewfinder opens, and you’re ready to shoot.

If you don’t want others to access your camera, you can turn this gesture off. But if you use a screen lock, don’t worry--only your Camera app is accessible. To view existing photos or access other apps, you must unlock your phone.

To adjust whether the Power button opens the camera:

  1. Go to Settings > System > Gestures.
  2. Touch Jump to camera and turn it on or off .