Android 12 has a new feature called One-handed mode, and it is exactly what it sounds like – a handy feature made for when you are unable to use both hands and want to navigate your phone with one hand. It allows you to navigate the phone by only using the lower half of the screen to quickly compose texts or browse apps. If you’re unable to trigger the on-screen prompt, you can also use an accessibility shortcut to trigger it instantly. Join us after the break where we show you how to toggle the one-handed mode on and off in easy-to-follow steps.
Note: The following was done on a Pixel 4A 5G. The steps may vary depending on your OEM. The easiest and fastest way to find the feature is to search for ‘one-handed mode’ in the search bar in your setting app.
First off, the steps may vary depending on your OEM. The easiest and fastest way to find the feature is to search for ‘one-handed mode’ in the search bar in your setting app. The steps may vary depending on your OEM. The easiest and fastest way to find the feature is to search for ‘one-handed mode’ in the search bar in your setting app.
Here are the steps to doing it on your Android 12 phone.
Open your Settings app, and navigate down to System.
Open up Gestures.
Scroll down until you see One-handed mode.
From here, you just have to enable the toggle for the feature and follow the on-screen steps to trigger it. It can be a little tricky, but it's a handy shortcut for when you’re unable to use the full screen.
Alternatively, at the bottom of the same menu, you will see an accessibility shortcut that will always hover over your screen and will automatically put your home screen or app into one-handed mode.
Here is the feature in action with the help of the accessibility bubble.
This is a handy accessibility feature that has been around for the last couple of Android versions and is especially useful for users who have a flagship phone with a large display or are unable to use both hands in a certain situation. Android 12 is aiming to bring one-handed mode across the board to every other OEM, and will greatly change the way you use your phone.
Let us know if you found the feature to be useful for you and if you would like to see other guides like this from us in the future!
