The hidden Android display option that completely fixed my one-handed texting struggle

With every update and every new phone comes a slew of new features. So much so that I barely keep up with the interesting or new things my phone can do.

This is a great thing; don’t get me wrong. Still, I struggle to take advantage of some of the lesser-known features since they are buried in the settings.

So let’s talk about the newest one I dug up and honestly love in all its obscurity. It’s the one-handed mode UI. Read on because it might not be what you think.

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Posts By  Dhruv Bhutani

What is it, and who is it for?

It’s a lot more useful than I gave it credit for

What is the one-handed UI mode?

When I first went poking around and saw it, I assumed it was a condensed keyboard. Which I’m sure might come in handy (pun intended) once in a while, but wouldn’t help me in the grand scheme of things.

When I turned it on, I suddenly realized it was a bit more practical than a condensed keyboard.

When it is activated, your phone’s screen shrinks to occupy a bit less room than your full screen.

Depending on your device, it may shrink the screen to bring the top closer to your hand, or it may shrink the entire screen and anchor it to a lower corner (more on this in the next section).

If you are like me and have small hands (or a big phone, or both), this is such a cool feature to use.

I can’t reach the top corners of my phone with one hand, and I’ve dropped it many times while attempting to do so.

The keyboard on my device scales with the new, smaller screen as well, making one-handed texting a dream.

I can see this mode being fantastic for anyone who might have limited mobility in one hand as well. It’s such a clever and clean way to make the screen more accessible.

How to find it and what options to set

When it’s on, you don’t have to navigate the menus anymore

Don’t worry, I hear you, reader. You don’t want a shrunken screen on all the time or when you’re using two hands. You don’t want to navigate a settings menu every time you want to make this change.

That’s the beauty of this feature; it can be easily toggled on and off with a quick tap or gesture.

To turn on this option, it will depend on what device you are using.

On my Samsung Galaxy S22+, I tap Settings > Advanced features > One-handed mode. When on the page, you toggle the slider to the On position. Below you’ll see a choice for Gesture or Button. This is your shortcut to toggling the feature on and off.

I chose the button option because I like a simple double-tap on my home button to enable it.

On my partner’s Google Pixel 9, I tap Settings > System > Gestures > One-handed mode. When on the page, toggle Use One-handed mode to the On position. Below, make sure the radio button for Pull screen into read is clicked.

The animation at the top of the Google Pixel page is misleading. It shows a person’s thumb swiping from the middle of the page to the bottom.

We struggled to get it to work until we realized the solution. Your starting position for the swipe-down is only half an inch from the bottom of the screen. Otherwise, this gesture will not work.

You’ll notice in the screenshots above that the one-handed UI works a bit differently depending on your device, but both options are great for users who can’t reach the top of their screen with one hand easily.

I love that my Galaxy S22+ condensed the screen both width-wise and length-wise, making my keyboard a lot easier to type on.

Best times and places to use One-handed mode

I bet you know at least one person in your life who might benefit

I get a lot of use out of this mode, especially when I leave the house. There are many instances where using your phone one-handed is just the easy answer.

When I’m at the grocery store holding my basket in one arm, I like being able to check my rewards app and digital coupons easily without straining my hand.

When I’m riding on public transit and have to hold on to a pole or handle to stand, it’s convenient to reply to a text on a condensed screen.

I imagine this would be great for people who have children as well, and likely have their hands full already.

As I mentioned above, I can really see this as a great option for people with limited mobility. It would be a great suggestion if someone in your life is in a sling, has carpal tunnel syndrome, or experiences any other limiting circumstances with one of their hands.

Just buy a smaller phone?

Simple answer, I don’t want to

The simple solution for some people might be to buy a phone with a smaller screen. And I hear you, I do.

But I really love having a large screen for watching videos, playing games, and scrolling through Reddit posts. I also don’t have great eyesight, so I don’t like sacrificing screen size just because my hands tend to be on the smaller side.

I like having this option available to me because it’s quick, easy, and can be toggled on and off with a single tap. It lets me enjoy my big ol’ screen without sacrificing one-handed usability.

Tons of usability, spread the word!

I love being able to text quickly with One-handed mode without worrying about dropping my phone. This mode is very usable, and I’m surprised it’s hidden away in the settings.

It seems a bit odd to me that it doesn’t get sorted into Accessibility as well. Many accessibility users could benefit from this.

For now, I’ll be happily using it while I’m in line at the store, clipping my digital coupons and replying to my significant other’s text.

But it really makes you wonder what other features might be hidden in your phone that could make your day-to-day life just a little easier.