I exploit Google Pockets day-after-day and this hidden characteristic made it much more handy

Android 16 is formally out now, and if in case you have a Pixel 6a or newer, you’ll be able to obtain the replace proper now. At the moment, Android 16 is a comparatively small replace that lays the muse for Google’s future plans, together with its Material Expressive 3 design language, which is predicted to launch later this yr.

That mentioned, Android 16 does embody a number of new options so that you can discover, similar to reside replace notifications (much like the iPhone’s reside actions) and a brand new Superior Safety safety setting that provides stronger safeguards on your telephone towards on-line assaults and dangerous apps.

Nevertheless, for me, one of many standout options of Android 16 is not significantly flashy, nevertheless it does symbolize a big quality-of-life enchancment nonetheless. If you happen to continuously use Google Pockets for on a regular basis purchases, like rapidly grabbing a espresso, this new setting Google has added to Android 16 will make it simpler than ever to entry Google Pockets on Pixel gadgets.

Google has launched a brand new setting that lets you double-tap the facility button to open Google Wallet, making it simpler and faster to entry the app, choose a card, and make a contactless fee (through Android Authority). Earlier than Android 16, Pixel house owners may solely double-tap the facility button to open the digicam app. Whereas this was useful, if you end up making extra Google Pockets purchases all through the day than trying to open the digicam app, it is most likely price contemplating altering this setting.

The best way to open Google Pockets rapidly with Android 16

Google is enjoying meet up with this new characteristic

If you wish to change your energy button to open Google Pockets as a substitute of the digicam app, it is very simple to do. Simply go to Settings > System > Gestures > Double press energy button and alter the setting to Pockets as a substitute of Digital camera. Now, whenever you double-tap the facility button, your Pixel will open Google Pockets moderately than the digicam app, permitting you to rapidly choose a card and make a purchase order with it.

Some individuals could argue that it is higher to maintain the double-press setting on the digicam app, as a result of you’ll be able to simply entry the pockets app from the Fast Settings menu and the digicam is what extra individuals scramble to succeed in sooner as a substitute.

That is a sound level, however as somebody who has used an iPhone most of their life, I am very used to double-pressing the facility button to open Apple Pockets. This new Android 16 setting permits my Pixel to do the identical, which I choose, as I typically change between the 2 gadgets and I wish to preserve related functionalities like this if I can.

Whereas it is good to see Google lastly implement this with Android 16, it nonetheless lags behind Samsung. With One UI 7, Samsung offers considerably extra customization choices for adjusting the double-tap performance on the facility button. You possibly can set it to open not solely the digicam app but additionally any app in your gadget. This implies you’ll be able to set it to Google Pockets, X, Instagram, TikTok, or no matter app you need to open immediately.

It will be nice if Google adopted this strategy for Pixel gadgets as effectively, permitting you to set it to any app you like, moderately than simply opening the digicam or pockets.

I am pleased Google has made this transformation although, and making purchases with Google Pockets simply acquired far more handy due to it. You possibly can obtain Android 16 now on a Pixel 6a and newer. I examined this characteristic on my Pixel 8a working Android 16 and it really works flawlessly.

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