Samsung introduced One UI 6.1 with the Galaxy S24 series nearly two weeks ago. The update brings many new AI-based features, but there's also a change that might displease users: the removal of the gesture navigation option.
On One UI 6.1, you will no longer have the "Swipe gestures" option, also known as gesture navigation, like before. Previously, Samsung allowed users to swipe up from the bottom, or swipe from Recents, Home, and Back. This option first appeared on the Samsung Experience interface, based on One UI 8.0 Oreo.
Samsung's gesture navigation is an alternative for those who don't like the default Android navigation bar. Unfortunately, it is no longer available. Not only that, Samsung has also removed the option to hide the gesture bar, a thin horizontal bar at the bottom of the screen. This is probably because the "Multifunctional Search Area" feature requires pressing and holding the gesture bar to be able to perform.
Will Samsung bring back the gesture navigation option through a future update? It's hard to say anything, but since the company is still working with Google to add AI features to the Galaxy S24, it's difficult for that to become a reality. SamCafe will update as soon as the latest information is available.