I take advantage of Google Pockets day-after-day and this hidden characteristic made it much more handy

Android 16 is formally out now, and when you’ve got a Pixel 6a or newer, you’ll be able to obtain the replace proper now. At present, 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 anticipated to launch later this 12 months.

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

Nonetheless, for me, one of many standout options of Android 16 is not significantly flashy, however it does symbolize a big quality-of-life enchancment nonetheless. In case you ceaselessly 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 units.

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 homeowners 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 making an attempt to open the digicam app, it is in all probability value contemplating altering this setting.

Easy methods 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’s totally straightforward 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, once you double-tap the facility button, your Pixel will open Google Pockets somewhat 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 achieve 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 favor, as I typically change between the 2 units and I wish to hold 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 gives considerably extra customization choices for adjusting the double-tap performance on the facility button. You’ll be able to 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 method for Pixel units as properly, permitting you to set it to any app you like, somewhat than simply opening the digicam or pockets.

I am glad Google has made this variation although, and making purchases with Google Pockets simply received rather more handy due to it. You’ll be able to 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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