Pixel smartphones, such as the new Pixel 11 (Pro / XL), will reportedly be able to be locked by double-tapping the home screen in the future, without having to press the power button at all. Code discovered in the latest beta build of Android 17 QPR2 indicates that Google is working on exactly this feature, as reported by Android Authority. However, it’s still unclear when the feature will roll out to all Pixel users.
- What: Double-tapping an empty area of the home or lock screen will turn off the display in the future.
- Source: APK teardown by Android Authority in Android 17 QPR2 Beta 3; no official announcement from Google.
- For whom: All Pixel models that will be updated to Android 17.
- When: Unclear. The first signs of this feature appeared as early as 2025 in an Android 16 beta, though Google did not release the feature at that time.
What the code discovery in Android 17 QPR2 Beta 3 reveals
Once again, the basis for this report is an APK teardown by Android Authority. The editorial team dug through the system files of Android 17 QPR2 Beta 3 and discovered a revised string in the settings. Previously, the text essentially stated that double-tapping an empty area of the lock screen would turn off the display. In the new beta, however, there’s also mention of the home screen, meaning the gesture should work even when the smartphone is unlocked and the home screen is displayed.
In addition, according to the report, there are new strings for a dedicated settings page that will likely allow users to enable or disable the feature separately. Google has not yet officially commented on this, which is not unusual for features still in the middle of beta testing.
A gesture Pixel users have long been missing
On devices from Samsung, Xiaomi, OnePlus, and a few other manufacturers, turning off the display with a double-tap has been a standard feature for years. Anyone switching from one of these manufacturers to a Pixel has had to get used to the power button again, since Google has never implemented this option. At least on current Pixel models, the display can already be turned on with a double-tap; it’s just the reverse function that’s been missing until now.
| Manufacturer | Double-tap to turn off |
|---|---|
| Samsung | Yes, for several generations |
| Xiaomi | Yes |
| OnePlus | Yes |
| Google Pixel | Not yet, but in the works according to beta code |
This isn’t a new topic: The history of this goes back to 2025
The idea isn’t entirely new. Hints of a similar feature had already appeared in an early beta of Android 16 QPR1, but it ultimately didn’t make it into a public release. The fact that Google is now revisiting the topic in Android 17 QPR2—and even expanding its functionality—suggests that development is ongoing. Android Authority notes that this doesn’t look like a feature Google has abandoned. However, that’s no guarantee it will be released: Android betas frequently include features that don’t make it into the final version.
When will the double-tap lock feature be available to all Pixel users?
Google hasn’t provided a specific date. Android 17 QPR2 is currently still in the beta phase, during which Google regularly releases new builds with bug fixes and minor feature changes. It’s unclear from this latest discovery whether the double-tap gesture will be available to all users in one of the upcoming beta releases or only with the final QPR2 version. Anyone who wants to try out the feature for themselves as soon as it’s rolled out should keep an eye on the Android Beta Program and install system updates promptly.
Conclusion
The double-tap lock isn’t a earth-shattering innovation, but it’s exactly the kind of detail that makes the difference between a seamless and a clunky user experience. For anyone who’s switched from Samsung, Xiaomi, or OnePlus to a Pixel, the absence of this gesture has likely been one of those small but annoying adjustments to get used to. If Google does indeed release the feature with Android 17 QPR2, it would close one of the last gaps between Pixel and its competitors. Until then, all we can do is keep an eye on the upcoming beta versions.
