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How to Use One-Handed Mode on Android, by Manufacturer

Tap each step to follow along in order.

  1. Know that the menu location varies by manufacturer

    One-handed mode isn't a standard Android feature β€” it's something each manufacturer adds on its own, so the setting's location and name differ slightly between brands like Samsung and Google's Pixel.

  2. Turn on one-handed mode on a Samsung Galaxy

    In the Settings app, go to 'Advanced features' and find 'One-handed mode' to switch it on.

  3. Turn on one-handed mode on Pixel and other stock Android devices

    Go to 'System' β†’ 'Gestures' in Settings and turn on 'One-handed mode.' Some devices don't have this menu at all, depending on the manufacturer.

  4. Learn the gesture to trigger it

    On Samsung phones, swipe down briefly from the bottom center of the screen or double-tap the home button, while Pixel-style phones shrink the screen by swiping the bottom gesture bar toward either corner.

  5. Adjust the position and size of the shrunk screen

    Once one-handed mode is active, the screen shrinks to one corner; you can drag the top bar to move it side to side, or drag a corner to resize it.

  6. Return to full size

    Tapping the empty area outside the shrunk screen, or using the same trigger gesture again, brings the screen back to its normal size.

Why It Looks So Different from Phone to Phone

One-handed mode isn't part of the core Android operating system β€” it's a feature each manufacturer, like Samsung or Google, adds separately to its own interface. That's why the menu location and trigger gesture vary by device, and some phones don't offer the feature at all.

Worth Exploring Developer Options Too

If you're curious about more of your phone's hidden settings, it's worth checking out how to turn on Android Developer Options and what to watch out for.

Frequently Asked Questions

I don't see one-handed mode in my Settings menu at all.

Some manufacturers and smaller-screen devices simply don't offer a one-handed mode feature. In that case, there's no substitute besides operating the full-size screen directly.

Does turning on one-handed mode lower the screen resolution too?

No β€” the resolution itself doesn't change. The entire screen's content is simply shrunk down and displayed in a smaller window.