Optimised Navigation bar functions on Galaxy devices

The navigation bar on Galaxy devices is one of the ways to move between your home screen, recently viewed screens and applications. You can change the settings depending on your preference to use swipe gestures or buttons. Galaxy devices offer simplified navigation and digital assistant functions to make your smartphone even more convenient to use.

A person using Swipe gestures on the Galaxy S24

The navigation bar settings have been updated on Galaxy devices with a more concise set of menu choices for configuring your smartphone. These changes include:

  • Removing the swipe gesture options for “Swipe from bottom”
  • Removing “Gesture hints” from the Swipe gestures menu
  • Adding Digital Assistant Switch On/Off
  • Adding the ability to activate Circle to Search

Use the NavStar app in Good Lock to activate the "Swipe from bottom" and "Gesture hints" swipe gesture features.

Install Good Lock and NavStar

Step 1. Download Good Lock from Galaxy Store > Open Good Lock.
Step 2. Select Make up tab > NavStar > Tap the download icon.

Enable extra gesture settings

Step 1. Open the Good Lock app > Select Make up tab > NavStar.
Step 2. Tap Start > Allow > Swipe gestures > Tap the switch to On.

Set up the Galaxy Swipe gesture (Swipe from bottom, Gesture hints)

Step 1. Open Settings > Display > Navigation bar.
Step 2. Select Swipe gestures > More options > Select the desired swipe gesture and button order / Enable Gesture hints by tapping the switch to On.

Please Note: Regardless of the type of navigation you have set, you can launch the digital assistant by swiping inward from one of the bottom corners of the phone screen.

Navigation bar settings for Buttons and Swipe gestures can be found in device settings, with Buttons enabled by default. The information below explains how to select a navigation type and customise each to fit your needs.

Setting up navigation bar - Buttons

Settings home screen. Settings home screen.

Step 1. Open Settings > Display.

Display settings screen. Display settings screen.

Step 2. Tap Navigation bar.

Navigation bar settings screen. Navigation bar settings screen.

Step 3. Select Buttons > Tap More options.

Buttons setting options. Buttons setting options.

Step 4. Customise the buttons by selecting from the on-screen options.

Setting up navigation bar - Swipe gestures

Settings home screen. Settings home screen.

Step 1. Open Settings > Display.

Display settings screen. Display settings screen.

Step 2. Tap Navigation bar.

Navigation bar settings screen. Navigation bar settings screen.

Step 3. Select Swipe gestures > Tap More options.

Swipe gestures settings options. Swipe gestures settings options.

Step 4. Customise the swipe gestures by selecting from the on-screen options.

Enabling Swipe gestures on your phone helps to create more space on the screen and allows you to move between applications and screens with the motion of your finger. Here are some details regarding the swipe motions you can use to navigate.

Returning to the Home screen:

  • Swipe upward from the bottom of the phone screen to return to the Home screen.

Viewing recent apps:

  • Swipe upward from the bottom of the phone screen and hold for one second to view the apps you have recently opened.

Going back:

  • Swipe from the left or right sides of the phone screen to return to the previous screen.

Activating Digital Assistant:

  • Open Digital assistant by swiping inward from the bottom left or right corners of the phone screen.

Please Note: This function is enabled regardless of which navigation type (Buttons or Swipe gestures) is set on the device.

Activating Circle to Search:

  • Touch and hold the Home button or the navigation handle at the bottom of the phone screen to activate the Circle to Search feature.

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