Pixel double tap gesture to turn off screen is finally in the works

Google is finally adding a double tap to turn off the screen—yes, really

It’s about time. Google looks like it’s finally bringing a basic feature to Pixel phones that just about every other Android phone already has: a double tap gesture to turn off the screen.

According to Mishaal Rahman over at Android Authority, the feature was spotted in the latest Android 16 beta. It’s not live yet, but code strings suggest Google is actively working on it. So unless it gets scrapped last minute, you might soon be able to double tap the lock screen to turn it off—just like you already can to wake it.

Right now, Pixel phones let you double-tap to wake but not to sleep, which creates a weirdly incomplete experience. If you check your notifications, you either have to wait for the screen to time out or press the power button to turn them off. It’s clunky, especially compared to phones from OnePlus, Samsung, Xiaomi, and even lesser-known brands, which have had this gesture for years.

There’s no word yet on whether this will launch with Android 16’s stable release or get bundled into a Pixel Feature Drop. But considering how basic this is, it’s safe to say Pixel users have been waiting long enough.