Don’t Forget: Three-Button Navigation Is Getting A Much-Needed Upgrade With Android 16

After debuting the predictive back navigation as a developer option in Android 13, Google finally enabled it by default in last year’s release. The feature previously only worked when using gesture-based navigation, but Google is extending it to three-button navigation in Android 16.

We first spotted evidence of predictive back support for three-button navigation in the second developer preview of Android 16 earlier this year, and it went live with the first Android 16 beta release. The feature is now finally making its way to users with the stable Android 16 update today. It’s a helpful addition if you still use Android’s three-button navigation, as it lets you preview where the back button will take you.

Thanks to the feature, when you long-press the back button in Android 16, you’ll see a preview of the previous screen before navigating back. This will ensure you don’t accidentally return to the home screen, which can be incredibly frustrating.

In addition, Google says apps targeting Android 16 will now have system animations for back-to-home, cross-task, and cross-activity by default. The update introduces new APIs to help app developers enable predictive back system animations in gesture navigation.

Predictive back support for three-button navigation is one of several new features available with Android 16. Check out our recent coverage to learn all about the new features included in the latest platform upgrade.

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