Google is testing Pixel Fold's swipe-up gesture for app continuity

With Android 15, the Pixel Fold could finally allow you to continue using apps on the cover screen after folding the device. Google is readying a new setting to let you choose when to transition apps from the inner display to the cover screen. It is borrowing the swipe-up gesture for app continuity from the OnePlus Open. We already have early visuals of the new tool thanks to Android expert Mishaal Rahman.

Pixel Fold will let you swipe up on the cover screen to continue apps

Currently, the Pixel Fold doesn’t support app continuity for all apps. It works automatically when you are watching full-screen videos on the inner display or using Google Maps for navigation. The video or navigation continues on the cover screen. However, most other apps don’t transition similarly. The cover screen simply goes off when you fold the device. You have to manually turn it on and re-open the app, which can be a hassle.

Thankfully, Google is working on a fix. Spotted in the first Developer Preview (DP1) of Android 15, the company is testing an app continuity tool called “swipe up to continue”. After you fold the device, you can swipe up on the cover screen to continue using the app you were using on the inner display. If you don’t want to continue the app, leave the cover screen untouched and it will be locked in a few seconds.

As said earlier, a similar feature already exists on the OnePlus Open—the screen is locked three seconds after folding the device if left untouched. This is in addition to having app continuity always enabled or disabled, though neither option may be always ideal. The swipe-up gesture gives you control over when to transition apps to the cover screen. Rahman recently shared a screenshot showing the in-development setting for the Pixel Fold.

Google is currently testing this feature

Google has been working on app continuity for the Pixel Fold for a long time. The company first introduced the feature with Android 14 QPR1 Beta 1 in September 2023. It added a setting called “Continue using apps on fold” to let you have app continuity always enabled/disabled or only turn it on for apps that prevent the screen from going idle, like games and videos.

However, much to the disappointment of Pixel Fold users, Google removed the feature from subsequent beta builds. The updated version—with the swipe-up gesture instead of limiting auto transition to games and videos—was spotted in the code for Android 14 QPR3 Beta 1, released earlier this month. It exists on Android 15 DP1 too. Google might roll it out publicly with the stable Android 15 update for the Pixel Fold.