Pressing and holding the physical power button on an Android smartphone traditionally brought up the familiar Power menu, allowing you to quickly turn off your device, perform a reboot, or enter emergency lockdown. However, starting with Android 12, Google and many smartphone manufacturers remapped the long-press power button gesture to summon Google Assistant or Gemini by default. This forces users into an awkward two-button combination (Power + Volume Up) just to turn off their phones. Fortunately, you can restore classic single-button power controls in settings.
Why Restore the Classic Power Menu Gesture?
Reverting the long-press power action back to the power menu delivers immediate convenience:
- One-Handed Restarting: Effortlessly power off, reboot, or trigger lockdown using one thumb without needing both hands to squeeze opposing side buttons simultaneously.
- Prevent Accidental Triggers: Stops digital voice assistants from popping up unexpectedly when you firmly hold your device during exercise, driving, or handling.
- Faster Access to Emergency Tools: Restores direct access to Medical ID and Emergency SOS buttons on the power screen with a simple long press.
How to Restore the Power Menu on Stock Android (Pixel & Motorola)
On Google Pixel, Motorola, and devices running clean Android, the gesture remapping is located in System settings:
- Open the Settings app on your Android smartphone.
- Scroll down and tap on System.
- Tap on Gestures.
- Scroll down to the bottom and select Press and hold power button.
- Under the Hold for Assistant section, you will see two primary options:
- Digital assistant: The modern default that summons Google Assistant or Gemini.
- Power menu: The classic behaviour that displays Power off, Restart, and Emergency dials.
- Select Power menu.
- Test the configuration immediately: press and hold your physical power button for one second. The familiar Power Off, Restart, and Lockdown tiles will immediately appear on your display.
How to Change the Side Button on Samsung Galaxy (One UI)
Samsung calls the physical power key the Side button and configures it to trigger Bixby out of the box:
- Open Settings on your Samsung Galaxy device.
- Scroll down and tap Advanced features.
- Tap Side button.
- Under the Press and hold section, change the selection from Wake Bixby to Power off menu.
- Optional: In the same menu, you can customize the Double press gesture to quickly launch your Camera or open a specific favourite app.
Still Want Access to Google Assistant?
Restoring the physical power button to the power menu does not mean losing access to voice assistance. You can still trigger Google Assistant or Gemini anytime by saying “Hey Google”, swiping inward diagonally from either bottom corner of your display, or tapping the microphone icon on your home screen search bar.