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How to enable fingerprint gestures on the Nexus 6P with Android Beta

If you are running the Android beta on your Nexus 6P, the latest update brings the OS up to Android Nougat 7.1.2. One of the new features for the Nexus 6P includes fingerprint gestures, a feature previously available on the Pixel. With the feature, you can swipe from top-to-bottom of the fingerprint reader to bring the notification tray down or swipe up to close the notification tray.

In order to take advantage of this new shortcut, first you’ll have to update to the latest version of the beta. Then, head into Settings to enable the new feature. You’ll find this option included in Moves (in the ‘Device’ section). The new setting is labelled ‘Swipe for notifications’ with a description of:

“To check your notifications, swipe down on the fingerprint sensor on the back of your phone”.

Simply toggle the setting on to enable the feature. No restart required. You can immediately start swiping the fingerprint reader to access the notification tray easily now.

I was already in the Android Beta program because my Nexus 6P has been having issues powering off when the battery reaches anywhere from 50% to 15% since updating to Android 7.0 and will only power back on when plugged into a charger. I found that I am far from alone and though there is an official bug posted, Google has not prioritized a solution. Some say they have received replacement phones from Support though some report that the replacements continue to have the same problem.