I exploit Google Pockets every single day and this...

Android 16 is formally out now, and if in case you have a Pixel 6a or newer, you possibly can obtain the replace proper now. At present, 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 predicted to launch later this 12 months.

That mentioned, Android 16 does embrace a couple of new options so that you can discover, resembling 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.

Nonetheless, for me, one of many standout options of Android 16 is not notably flashy, nevertheless it does signify a big quality-of-life enchancment nonetheless. When you regularly 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 gadgets.

Google has launched a brand new setting that means that you can double-tap the ability 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 ability button to open the digital camera 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 digital camera app, it is in all probability value contemplating altering this setting.

Tips on how 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 an alternative of the digital camera app, it’s extremely simple to do. Simply go to Settings > System > Gestures > Double press energy button and alter the setting to Pockets as an alternative of Digital camera. Now, if you double-tap the ability button, your Pixel will open Google Pockets fairly than the digital camera 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 digital camera app, as a result of you possibly can simply entry the pockets app from the Fast Settings menu and the digital camera is what extra folks scramble to achieve quicker as an alternative.

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 ability button to open Apple Pockets. This new Android 16 setting permits my Pixel to do the identical, which I favor, as I usually change between the 2 gadgets and I wish to maintain 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 supplies considerably extra customization choices for adjusting the double-tap performance on the ability button. You may set it to open not solely the digital camera app but in addition any app in your system. This implies you possibly can set it to Google Pockets, X, Instagram, TikTok, or no matter app you want 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 favor, fairly than simply opening the digital camera or pockets.

I am completely happy Google has made this modification although, and making purchases with Google Pockets simply acquired far more handy due to it. You may 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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