On Android 12, you can launch the Snapchat app by simply double-tapping the back of your Pixel phone. Google’s latest Pixel update has improved the features by giving us access to a shortcut from the lock screen. This means you are seconds away from taking photos, videos and stories. But first, you need to set up and customize where you want to land when Snapchat opens.
This feature is called “Quick Press”and only works on Pixel 4a (5G) and newer Pixel models. When you activate it, you can choose what happens when you double-tap the back of your phone. You can set the gesture to open Google Assistant, show recent apps, play and pause media, take screenshots, show notifications, or open any supported app. The last one is what we will use to open Snapchat.
Open gesture settings
The Quick Tap feature is hidden in your Pixel’s gesture settings, so head there to get started. There are many ways to get there; try one of the following.
From Pixel Launcher:
- Swipe up on the home screen to access all apps, then type “Quick Tap”in the search bar and select “Quick Tap (System > Gestures)”from the results.
- Swipe up on the home screen to access all apps, select Settings, then go to System -> Gestures.
- Tap the “Settings”shortcut on the home screen page if you’ve added a shortcut, then go to “System”-> “Gestures”.
From anywhere:
- Swipe down with two fingers from the top of the screen (or swipe down twice in a row), tap the gear icon under the quick settings tiles, then navigate to System -> Gestures.
- Activate Google Assistant as usual and then say “Quick Press Settings”.
Turn on quick press
In “Gestures”, select the “Quick Press”option. Then, if the “Use Quick Tap”toggle isn’t already on, turn it on.
Customize quick touch settings
There are a few quick tap options, but we need the “Open Application”option. However, simply selecting “Open App”won’t automatically open Snapchat because you haven’t selected an app that works with the double-tap gesture on the back of your phone. Tap the gear icon next to Open App.
The Quick Tap settings lists all supported apps that work with this feature. Scroll down the list until you find Snapchat. If you want Quick Tap to just open Snapchat, you can select the dot to the left of the icon and the feature should work as soon as you return from the Quick Tap settings.
Customize Quick Tap Options in Snapchat
If you want your Pixel to open for a specific feature in Snapchat, you can set it up in the “Open app”quick-tap settings. Find “Snapchat”again and tap the gear icon to the right of it.
In the Snapchat Quick Tap settings, select the action you want to perform with Snapchat when you double-tap the back of your phone. You can open conversations with friends, check stories, view the map, or open the camera to take a selfie. Once you’ve made your selection, exit the Quick Tap settings and you’re done.
When you first use the Tap to Snap feature on your Google Pixel 4a (5G), Pixel 5, Pixel 5a, Pixel 6, or Pixel 6 Pro, a message should appear in Snapchat asking you to confirm that you want to use Quick Tap with it. Select “Start”and you’re done.