Google quietly resurrects a Pixel gesture we first spotted over a year ago

Google is introducing a double-tap-to-lock feature for Pixel smartphones, allowing users to lock their devices by tapping the screen. While this functionality has been available on other manufacturer devices, including those from Samsung, it has been absent from the standard Pixel software experience. Recent sightings indicate the feature is moving toward an official release after previously appearing in development builds over a year ago.

Android Authority notes the long duration between the feature's initial discovery and its current re-emergence. PhoneArena adds that the update is expected to span a wide range of hardware, potentially supporting models from the Pixel 6a through the upcoming Pixel 11. Despite widespread reports of the feature's return, Google has not confirmed a specific rollout schedule or finalized the list of supported devices.

Whether the feature will be restricted to newer hardware or integrated into older models remains subject to software compatibility. Coverage does not yet specify the exact date when users can expect the update to appear on their handsets.