It’s amazing what can be squeezed into such a small screen these days. Taking the Galaxy Watch 8 as an example, it features a 3-nanometer 5-core processor with 2GB of memory and 32GB of storage, all with a 1.34-inch or 1.47-inch AMOLED display, depending on the model. The device has many features that take advantage of these specifications, but some people may have difficulty navigating such a small device. Don’t worry, though, because Samsung has a nifty accessibility solution.
In 2023, Samsung launched its Universal Gestures feature when it began rolling out the One UI 5 Watch. Aimed at providing more accessibility to users, this feature came with four different options for controlling a Galaxy Watch by performing specific gestures with their hands. As useful as this feature is, it needs to be enabled first, and there are also additional gesture controls that we can show you how to enable.
Since universal gestures can make a Galaxy Watch an even more useful wearable device for older adults, the hands-free feature can be useful to anyone who needs help navigating their device. Of course, if you’re in the market for a new smart wearable, you may want to consider the additional accessibility features that Galaxy models provide – just be sure to avoid some of these common mistakes people make when shopping for a new smartwatch.
How to enable universal gestures on a Galaxy Watch
If Galaxy Watch users have difficulty tapping a finger on a screen measuring less than two inches, Samsung offers Universal Gestures to issue Watch commands. Users can clench their fist to select an item, clench their fist twice to open the Action menu, make a pinch gesture to move to the next item, or pinch twice to return to a previous item. This can be an incredibly useful feature for those who need it, but it needs to be enabled in the settings menu to get started.
Here are the steps:
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Open Settings on your Galaxy Watch.
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Select Accessibility.
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Under “Interaction and dexterity,” choose Universal gestures.
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Enable the feature with the toggle.
Your Galaxy Watch will give you a tutorial on how to use gestures correctly. Once that’s done, you’ll just need to clench your fist twice (make a fist, open your hand, then clench your fist again) to switch between the touch method and these gesture controls. You’ll know gestures are enabled when a colored outline appears around your watch screen.
In addition to universal gestures, a Galaxy Watch also offers additional gestures that users can enable for more hands-free control. You can find them on your watch by selecting Settingswhile typing Advanced Featuresthen choosing Gestures. These gestures include raising your arm to answer a call, rotating your wrist to dismiss alerts, or even quickly launching apps. Like Universal Gestures, it’s a Galaxy Watch feature that you have to enable yourself, but those who rely on accessibility features will definitely find them useful.
