Sometimes, what really makes the smartphone experience is the number of gestures you can use. These are quick and easy ways to perform different actions, activate functions, open apps, etc. Different versions of Android have different sets of functions, and some of these functions characterize an entire company’s lineup of phones. Motorola recently launched the Moto G Power – 2024, and this phone comes with a set of amazing gestures you can use to augment your experience. Here’s a rundown of these gestures.
This is a rundown of the gestures you can use for this phone, but it is not a list of exclusive gestures. Some can be performed using other devices from other manufacturers. However, they are a package deal with this phone, so they are worth a mention. If Motorola happens to deliver any software updates that will add any additional gestures, we will update this article to reflect that.
Before getting into this article, if you want to know more about the Motorola Moto G Power – 2024 (Review), you can check out our full review. We go through all the ins and outs of this phone, from the design to the software. So, if you have any questions about the phone, you can start there. Lastly, we have a handy how-to guide that will help you customize the theme of your Moto G Power – 2024. It’s extremely useful to help you personalize your device’s theme to suit your own personal style.
Moto G Power- 2024: Screenshots
If there’s something going on on your screen that you want to get a quick picture of, getting a screenshot is a very easy task. While it’s a simple thing to do, there are a few ways you can go about doing it.
Power + volume buttons
Firstly, there’s the oldest method. Simply press the power button and the volume down button at the same time. Traditionally, you would have to hold these buttons down for a second to take the screenshot. However, you don’t have to anymore. You can simply press the buttons once, and the screenshot will be taken. This is the quickest way of taking a screenshot.
Three-finger method
This is a method that’s more or less exclusive to Motorola phones. All you have to do is hold three fingers down on the screen for a second. The phone will then take the screenshot.
This is a simple method, but it may not be the best if there’s something on the screen that will be affected by your fingers. Say, you’re using a drawing app, and you want to take a screenshot of what you drew. Well, there’s a chance that your fingers could make a mark on the drawing before the screenshot.
Also, it does take a second for the phone to take the screenshot using this method so, if there’s something time-sensitive on your display, you may not want to use this method.
Google Assistant method
All you have to do is summon the Google Assistant by either holding down the home button (if you use three-button navigation), swiping up diagonally from one of the bottom corners of the phone (if you’re using gesture navigation), or using the “Hey Google” hotword.
When Google Assistant pops up, all you have to do is say “Take a screenshot”. After that, the assistant will instruct your phone to take the screenshot. Obviously, this is the slowest method, so, you will need to keep that in mind before you take the screenshots.
Moto G Power – 2024: Software gestures
Here are the gestures that you can do by interacting with the screen. They allow you to interact with certain functions of the phone by simple swipe gestures.
Navigation settings
First and foremost, you want to be sure that you can navigate the software comfortably. Android has two main modes of navigation. There is three-button navigation which has been around since the very early days of Android. You’ll see three buttons at the bottom of the screen (a triangle, square, and circle) used to navigate the software. These are all basic Android things.
Gesture navigation has been around for several years. It will allow you to navigate the software by swiping up from the bottom of the screen and swiping on the edge of the screen.
To switch between the two modes of navigation, go to your settings, head to the Gestures button, and tap on the Navigation mode button. Here, you will be able to choose your mode of navigation.
Summoning Google Assistant
To quickly summon the Google Assistant, all you have to do is perform a simple gesture. If you are on three-button navigation, simply hold your finger down on the home button. This will summon the assistant.
In order to use this method, you have to be sure to enable it. Go back to the navigation settings, tap on the little gear icon next to the Three-button navigation button, and flip the toggle.
If you want to summon the Assistant with gesture navigation on, go to the Gesture navigation button under the Navigation settings. There, you will flip the toggle saying “Swipe to invoke assistant.” Then, to summon the Google Assistant, swipe inward diagonally from one of the bottom corners of the screen.
One-handed mode
The Moto G Power – 2024 is a rather tall device. Thus, reaching the top of the screen can be a bit of a hassle, especially if you have smaller hands. This is why Android has a one-handed mode. When you activate this mode, half of the screen will be lowered so that you can reach the top of the screen.
If you want to use this gesture, you’ll have to have gesture navigation turned on. This is a weird omission because if you use three-button navigation, you’re going to be out of luck.
To bring the screen down, simply swipe down on the lowest portion of the screen. From that point, whenever you interact with the screen, it will go back to normal. So, if you summon the notification shade or open an app, it will go back to regular mode.
Swipe to split
Over the years, the implementation of split screen mode in Android has changed a few times. Now, if you want to put an app into split-screen mode using your Motorola phone, it’s pretty simple.
When you are using an app that uses split screen mode, put your finger on one side of the phone display, and swipe all the way across and back again. You will then be able to select another app to share the screen with. Just know that the app needs to be actively opened for you to put the phone in split-screen mode
Sidebar
If you want to quickly access some of your favorite apps, then you should look into the sidebar. The concept of this feature has been around for quite some time. Once activated, you will see a small bar appear on the very right-hand side of the screen. When you swipe inward from the bar, it will open a panel containing apps. You will be able to customize the panel to hold whatever apps you want to access quickly.
Physical button gestures
There are a few gestures you can do with the power and volume buttons. For starters, double-tapping the power button will summon the camera. This gesture will even work if your screen is off. You will just have to go to the gestures menu and enable it
You can set it to summon the Google Assistant if you press and hold the power button. If you select this option, then you will access your power menu by pressing the power and volume up button at the same time.
Lastly, when the screen is off, you have the option to use your volume buttons to skip music tracks.
Kinetic gestures
These require you to physically move your device. It might sound a bit odd, but they allow you to perform actions on your phone without needing to turn on the screen. Some of these gestures were actually around for several years.
Double-tapping the back of the phone will activate certain functions. Find the Double-tap option in the Gestures menu, and tap on it. You will see a page letting you choose what action happens when you tap the back. You have the option to open an app, switch back to the last app, go back to the home screen, screen record, take a screenshot, play/pause media, or open the audio recorder.
To quickly open the camera, you can simply twist your wrist quickly two times. This is for those times when you don’t feel like taking out your phone and opening the camera app.
To activate the flashlight, perform two chopping motions with your phone facing perpendicular to the ground. This is something that has been available on Motorola phones for years.
Next, you are able to lift your phone to wake the screen rather than pressing the button, pick up your phone while it’s ringing to silence it, and flip your phone over for Do Not Disturb mode.
