Google has expanded its double-pinch and wrist-turn gesture controls to older Pixel watches following the launch of the Pixel Watch 5, letting users control device features single-handedly.
How Double-Pinch and Wrist-Turn Controls Work
The updated gesture suite allows users to manage multiple watch functions without needing a second hand. According to source testing, a universal wrist turn acts as a back command across apps, while the double-pinch handles actions like pausing music, dismissing or snoozing alarms, and interacting with contextual notifications known as At a Glance. The system integrates with Android’s Live Notifications from third-party apps like Bolt and AllTrails, bringing relevant data directly to the watch face.
Pro Tip: To enable these controls, navigate to Settings > Gestures > Hand gestures on your Pixel Watch and ensure both Double-pinch and Wrist turn are toggled on.
Customizing Actions on the Pixel Watch 5
While the Pixel Watch 4 restricted alarm interactions to snoozing, the new model lets users choose between snoozing and dismissing alarms. Users can also configure media controls to play, pause, or skip tracks, and adjust watch face notifications to either open ongoing alerts or keep the notification tray visible.
Current Limitations of Google’s Smartwatch Gestures
As noted in product testing, apps like Calendar, Gmail, and Weather do not currently support double-pinch, and users cannot launch the app drawer using hand movements alone. Google relies entirely on the double-pinch action without differentiating between scrolling and selecting in every menu, meaning functionality varies by app.
Common Questions About Pixel Watch Gestures
Which Pixel watch models support the expanded hand gestures?
The expanded gestures are available on the Pixel Watch 5 and have rolled out to older Pixel watch models via recent software updates.
How do I change what the double-pinch gesture does?
On supported models like the Pixel Watch 5, go to Settings > Gestures > Hand gestures > Customize actions to adjust settings for media, alarms, and watch face notifications.
Can I use gestures to open the app drawer?
No. Launching apps and opening the app drawer are not currently supported by hand gestures on Pixel watches.
Do wrist turns work inside all third-party apps?
Yes. The wrist-turn gesture acts as a universal back command that functions across apps, even those that do not explicitly build custom gesture support.