An XDA writer this week named the Pixel feature they miss most: Active Edge, the squeeze gesture that shipped on the Pixel 2, 3, and 4. Squeeze the phone’s sides and it would launch your chosen app or action without unlocking or looking at the screen. Google killed it after 2019 and never explained why. Modern Pixels are silent when squeezed, and no native Android alternative exists. The gesture itself, though, is still useful—a physical affordance that feels faster than tapping and works when the screen is off or locked. The good news: Android has a mature ecosystem of third-party apps that recreate squeeze, edge-swipe, and side-button shortcuts on any phone, without requiring root access. We’ve tested seven Android apps that bring back edge-squeeze gesture shortcuts and let you pick which button or edge does what.
What to look for in a gesture shortcut app
- Works without root. The app should trigger shortcuts on unmodified Android, respecting system-level gesture guards.
- Supports multiple input methods. Physical buttons (volume, power, Bixby), screen edges (swipe from left/right/bottom), or both.
- Custom actions. Launch an app, run a Tasker task, open a link, or toggle a system feature—not just pre-wired shortcuts.
- Low battery cost. Gesture detection should not drain the battery noticeably in standby or active use.
- Reliable on modern Android. Gesture apps often break after OS updates. Pick one with recent maintenance and clear user reports on current versions.
Quick comparison
| App | Best for | Platforms | Free plan | Starting price | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Button Mapper | All-round button remapping | Android 5+ | Yes, full access | Free | 4.6 |
| Edge Gestures | Screen-edge shortcuts | Android 6+ | Yes, 1 trigger | Free, $2.49/yr | 4.5 |
| Multi-action Home Button | Floating home button | Android 7+ | Yes | Free | 4.4 |
| sideActions | Minimalist edge trigger | Android 8+ | Yes | Free | 4.3 |
| Fluid Navigation Gestures | Full gesture navigation | Android 5+ | Yes, limited | Free, $1.99/mo | 4.7 |
| Assistive Volume Button | Floating volume/action | Android 7+ | Yes | Free | 4.2 |
| Bixby Button Remapper | Samsung Bixby remapping | Android 5+ (Samsung) | Yes | Free | 4.5 |
The apps
1. Button Mapper
Button Mapper is the most flexible physical-button remapper on Android. Map the power button, volume keys, or Bixby button to any app, shortcut, or system action. Double-tap the volume down button to launch your launcher, long-press power to open your camera app, or create multi-press sequences that trigger different actions on the second press. The app works on all Android versions from 5.0 onward and handles both single devices and multi-device profiles.
Where it falls short: Recent Android versions (12+) impose stricter limits on accessibility-service apps, and some actions may fail silently on newer devices. Edge detection (screen-side gestures) is limited compared to dedicated edge apps.
Pricing: Free
Platforms: Android 5.0+
Download: Google Play
Bottom line: The most complete button remapper and our top pick for anyone with a remappable physical button.
2. Edge Gestures
Edge Gestures specializes in screen-edge shortcuts—swipe from the left, right, or bottom bezel to trigger an action. It mimics the gesture system popularized by Samsung’s Edge lighting and adds true gesture triggers instead of just notifications. Define multiple actions per edge (e.g., swipe left once for Messages, twice for Phone) and choose whether each triggers on the lock screen or home screen only.
Where it falls short: The free plan limits you to one edge gesture; the paid subscription ($2.49/year) removes this cap. Edge detection can be finicky on phones with aggressive edge rejection or curved screens.
Pricing: Free (1 trigger), $2.49/year (unlimited)
Platforms: Android 6.0+
Download: Google Play
Bottom line: The most polished edge-swipe app, ideal if your phone has flat edges and you want quick app launchers without buttons.
3. Multi-action Home Button
Multi-action Home Button replaces or supplements your phone’s physical home button with a floating button that supports single-tap, double-tap, and long-press actions. It floats over any app and is fully customizable—tap it to go home, double-tap for recent apps, hold it to launch Assistant, and configure each press independently. The button follows Android’s accessibility gesture conventions and works across all modern versions.
Where it falls short: The floating button consumes screen real estate even when not in use. Some apps (games, full-screen video) may cover or disable it unpredictably.
Pricing: Free
Platforms: Android 7.0+
Download: Google Play
Bottom line: Best if you want a visible, always-present button that mimics a physical home key.
4. sideActions
sideActions is the minimalist edge-trigger app. Swipe from the phone’s left or right edge to launch a single app or action without complex gesture recognition. The app is tiny, open-source, and intentionally simple—no subscription, no upsell, no gimmicks. Perfect for users who want a single edge squeeze equivalent without paying for or learning a full gesture system.
Where it falls short: Limited to one action per side. No multi-press or customizable gestures. Edge detection is basic and may miss swipes on some devices.
Pricing: Free
Platforms: Android 8.0+
Download: Google Play
Bottom line: The lean choice for a single edge action without distraction.
5. Fluid Navigation Gestures
Fluid Navigation Gestures replaces Android’s on-screen navigation buttons with full gesture navigation (swipe up from bottom to go home, swipe left from bottom-left to go back). It adds customizable back and recents gestures and works on Android 5.0 through 12. The app creates a cohesive gesture interface and, crucially, still respects physical-button remaps underneath—you can use both at once.
Where it falls short: Complex setup with many options; the free version locks some features. The gesture detection can conflict with apps that use edge-based navigation (like drawing apps or games).
Pricing: Free (limited features), $1.99/month (full)
Platforms: Android 5.0+
Download: Google Play
Bottom line: Best for replacing Android’s native nav buttons with a full custom gesture system.
6. Assistive Volume Button
Assistive Volume Button floats a large button over your screen that you can configure to control volume, launch an app, or run a shortcut. It’s specifically designed for accessibility—a persistent, tappable target that doesn’t require fine motor control or screen unlocking. The button respects your phone’s theme and can be hidden during full-screen media or games.
Where it falls short: Like Multi-action Home Button, it takes up screen space. No edge detection or physical-button support.
Pricing: Free
Platforms: Android 7.0+
Download: Google Play
Bottom line: Best for users who prefer a large, always-visible floating action target.
7. Bixby Button Remapper
Bixby Button Remapper specifically targets Samsung phones and remaps the side-mounted Bixby button to your choice of app, shortcut, or system action. Samsung’s Bixby is rarely used, making the button prime real estate for a personalized gesture. The app adds single-press, double-press, and long-press options to that physical button alone.
Where it falls short: Samsung-exclusive (other Android phones won’t have a Bixby button to remap). Newer Samsung devices with One UI updates sometimes reset or block the remap, requiring a reinstall.
Pricing: Free
Platforms: Android 5.0+ (Samsung devices only)
Download: Google Play
Bottom line: Best for Samsung owners who want to reclaim the Bixby button without flashing ROMs.
How to pick the right one
- You have a physical button you can remap? Use Button Mapper or Bixby Button Remapper. Both are free, instant to set up, and never run out of battery triggering a software edge detector. This is the fastest gesture method on Android.
- You want an edge swipe without touching a button? Edge Gestures is the industry standard. The paid tier is cheap and worth it if you’ll use this every day.
- You prefer one visible, tappable target? Multi-action Home Button or Assistive Volume Button. Both float a single button that you customize for the gesture you use most.
- You’re replacing your entire nav system? Fluid Navigation Gestures. This is a full replacement for Android’s back/home/recents buttons, not a single shortcut app.
- You use a Samsung Bixby button and want it gone? Bixby Button Remapper is built for this one job and does it reliably without requiring root or a custom ROM.
FAQ
Can I bring Active Edge back to a newer Pixel?
No. Google removed the squeeze sensors from the Pixel 5 and later, so there’s no hardware to detect a squeeze anymore. These apps work with your phone’s existing buttons and edges, not phantom sensors.
Does Button Mapper need root?
No. It uses Android’s accessibility service framework, which is built-in to every Android phone. No root, no custom recovery, no ROM flashing required.
What is the best edge gesture app for Android?
Edge Gestures is the most polished, but it depends on your phone. Flat edges work best; curved edges are finicky with edge detection. Try the free version first and upgrade to the yearly subscription if you use it daily.
Do gesture apps drain battery?
Barely. Edge-detection apps consume slightly more battery than button remappers because they run a gesture recognizer in the background, but not enough to notice in daily use. Button Mapper has nearly zero battery cost.
Can I use multiple gesture apps at once?
Yes, but they’ll compete for the same gestures. Use one for physical buttons (Button Mapper) and another for edges (Edge Gestures) and they’ll coexist fine.
