How to change the navigation bar on your Samsung Galaxy phone
Whether you’re switching between apps or just trying to go back mid-scroll, clunky controls can slow you down.
How you navigate your phone matters. Whether you’re switching between apps or just trying to go back mid-scroll, clunky controls can slow you down. If your Samsung Galaxy’s navigation bar feels outdated or just not quite right, a quick tweak in Settings can change everything.
Fortunately, Samsung gives you two great options. Stick with classic three-button navigation if you love tapping, or switch to sleek swipe gestures for a more modern, full-screen experience. You can even fine-tune things like button order or gesture sensitivity.
The best part is that it takes less than a minute. No tech expertise needed. In this guide, we will show you how to change the navigation bar on your Samsung Galaxy Phone.
How to Change the Navigation bar on your Samsung Galaxy phone
Step 1: Open Settings on your phone and select Display.

Step 2: Scroll down and select Navigation Bar.

Step 3: In the navigation bar, select Buttons if you prefer buttons, or select Gestures if you prefer swiping to navigate.

Step 4: Tap More options after selecting your preferred mode to make slight tweaks.

Step 5: If you selected buttons, you can change the button position.

Step 6: If you select Gestures, you can also adjust the swipe gesture to use. But commonly:
- Swipe from the sides returns you to the previous screen.
- Swiping up from the bottom takes you back to the Home screen.
- Swiping up and holding displays your recently used apps.

Conclusion
So there you have it, your navigation bar, your rules. Buttons or gestures, left-handed or right-handed, minimalist or classic, your Samsung Galaxy adapts to you, not the other way around. And if your first try doesn’t feel perfect, just tweak it again until it clicks.
Think of it like rearranging your desk: small change, big difference. Swipe fans might need a day to unlearn button habits, but once it sticks, you’ll wonder how you ever tapped those tiny icons. Button loyalists get to keep their muscle memory, just maybe in a better layout.
Image Credit: Oyinebiladou Omemu/Techloy.com