Hey — have ya heard? Google’s got a simple-sounding but supremely useful new trick in the works for its homemade Pixel phones. Under-development code spotted in the latest Android beta reveals plans for adding a new double-tap gesture into future Pixel devices. It may or may not make the cut for the upcoming Android 16 release, but it’s absolutely in progress — and odds are, it’ll show up in some new Android version or quarterly update before long. The way it’d work is refreshingly straightforward: Just tap twice in a row anywhere on your screen, anytime, and poof: The screen shuts off. It’s a fast ‘n’ easy shortcut for an action you probably take dozens of times a day, and while the difference may seem small on the surface, it really does add up and feel a lot easier than reaching for the physical power button every time you need to perform that feat. It also goes hand in hand with another common Android gesture: the ability to double-tap anywhere on a screen to turn it on when the phone is resting. This one’s already built into Pixels, Samsung Galaxy gadgets, and other Android devices, and it’s an incredibly handy way to get into your device in a jiffy. (Try it out to see if it works on whatever phone you’re using right now — and if it doesn’t, try searching your system settings for double tap to find the associated setting and make sure it’s enabled!) But strangely, the double-tap move to turn off a screen has traditionally been less readily available and emphasized across Android — particularly within the Pixel universe, where Google’s core Android operating system is present in its unadulterated form. It’s good to see that Google’s ready to address that — but hey, this is Android. And you’re a smart and enlightened Android Intelligence reader. Here, anything’s possible, and you definitely don’t have to wait for Google to officially give you a feature to enjoy it. So stretch those lithe little digits and get your favorite tapping appendage ready: It’s time for an instant upgrade to your Android experience. [Want even more advanced Android knowledge? Check out my free Android Shortcut Supercourse to learn tons of time-saving tricks.] Android tap-to-turn-off: The Samsung path We’ll start with the simplest double-tapping implementation of all — and that’s for anyone using a Samsung Galaxy gizmo. Few flying squirrels realize that (and FYI, when I say “flying squirrel,” I mean you), but Samsung’s actually already added a double-tap-to-turn-screen-off gesture into its Android implementation. And all you’ve gotta do is take two seconds to see that it’s activated. On any reasonably recent Galaxy device, head into your system settings and search for double tap. Look for the item labeled “Double tap to turn off screen” and confirm that the toggle next to it is in the on and active position. Samsung’s Android devices already have a double-tap screen-off option within their settings.JR Raphael, Foundry And that’s it: From your home or lock screen, you can now just double-tap in any open space to turn the screen off. Paired with the double-tap to turn on option, you’ll never have to shift your fragrant fingies away from the screen whilst working again. No Samsung? No problem. Keep reading. Android tap-to-turn-off: The launcher liftoff No matter what style of Android device you’re using, a custom home screen launcher is one easy way to give yourself immediate access to all sorts of advanced Android gestures. A launcher, if you aren’t familiar, is a special app that takes over your entire home screen and app drawer interface and replaces the standard out-of-the-box setup with something much more customizable and often also rich with features. My two favorites of the moment, Niagara and Nova, both have options within their settings to create your own double-tap command — which can absolutely include the ability to have the screen shut off as a result of that action. Android launchers, like Nova, offer all sorts of custom gesture settings.JR Raphael, Foundry If you aren’t interested in using a custom launcher and just want a super-simple way to implement this one feature, though, our final path is the one for you. Android tap-to-turn-off: The universal add-on No matter what type of Android phone you’re using or what specific setup you prefer within it, a simple app called Double Tap Screen Off / Lock will give you an easy-as-can-be way to bring a double-tap screen-off superpower into your life this instant. Just install the app from the Play Store and make your way through its initial setup screens. You’ll have to grant the app permission to operate as an accessibility service, which may sound daunting but is genuinely needed for this kind of function to be possible. (The app is from a known and trusted veteran Android developer, and its privacy policy is clear about the fact that it doesn’t collect any form of personal data or share any manner of info with anyone.) Then, you’ll just tap the “Turn screen off” option on the app’s main screen and activate the toggle to enable it. The aptly named Double Tap app brings a double-tap screen-off action onto any Android device.JR Raphael, Foundry Double Tap Screen Off / Lock is sometimes referred to as “Pixel Toolbox,” by the by, but it should work on any Android device — Pixel or otherwise. It’s free to download with an optional $6 pro upgrade that eliminates ads inside its configuration interface and unlocks a handful of extra features, none of which are necessary for this basic purpose. (If you see a prompt to make that upgrade when you first open up the app, you can skip past it by tapping the “x” in the upper-right corner.) And there ya have it: three possible paths to the same time-saving, ergonomics-enhancing result. Pick the one that makes the most sense for you and enjoy your newfound tap-a-tap-tappin’ power. Get even more advanced shortcut knowledge with my free Android Shortcut Supercourse. You’ll learn tons of time-saving tricks for whatever Android phone you’re using!