As a frequent user of various smartphones, dealing with Google’s unconventional button placement can present its own set of challenges, a fact that I am currently rediscovering with the Google Pixel 11 Pro.

The double-tap-to-lock gesture, previously seen in an Android 16 beta about a year ago, has made a return in the latest Android 17 QPR2 Beta 3 build, as recently discovered by Android Authority.

Recent updates to the dormant code related to this feature suggest that users will now be able to put their Pixel device to sleep from both the lock screen and the home screen, resembling a reverse version of LG’s double tap to wake feature.

Google has also included a reference to a dedicated Settings menu section for the “Double tap to turn off screen” option, providing users with the ability to toggle it on or off as needed.

AI Battery Usage Monitoring

Another notable software feature introduced in the latest Pixel update, as reported by Android Authority, involves Google’s artificial intelligence technology being utilized to monitor the battery usage on your device.