I exploit Google Pockets every single day and this hidden characteristic made it much more handy

Android 16 is formally out now, and in case you have a Pixel 6a or newer, you possibly can obtain the replace proper now. Presently, Android 16 is a comparatively small replace that lays the inspiration for Google’s future plans, together with its Material Expressive 3 design language, which is anticipated to launch later this 12 months.

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

Nevertheless, for me, one of many standout options of Android 16 is not significantly flashy, but it surely does symbolize a big quality-of-life enchancment nonetheless. Should you incessantly use Google Pockets for on a regular basis purchases, like shortly 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 (by way of Android Authority). Earlier than Android 16, Pixel homeowners might 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 most likely value contemplating altering this setting.

The right way to open Google Pockets shortly with Android 16

Google is taking part in 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 extremely 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 fairly than the digicam app, permitting you to shortly choose a card and make a purchase order with it.

Some folks might argue that it is higher to maintain the double-press setting on the digicam app, as a result of you possibly can simply entry the pockets app from the Fast Settings menu and the digicam is what extra folks scramble to achieve quicker 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 want, as I usually change between the 2 units and I prefer to preserve comparable 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’ll be able to set it to open not solely the digicam app but additionally any app in your machine. This implies you possibly can set it to Google Pockets, X, Instagram, TikTok, or no matter app you need to open immediately.

It could be nice if Google adopted this strategy for Pixel units as nicely, permitting you to set it to any app you like, fairly than simply opening the digicam or pockets.

I am joyful Google has made this alteration although, and making purchases with Google Pockets simply received way 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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