Get Comfortable with Navigation
The Pixel 2 XL relies on a gesture-based navigation system. Swipe up from the bottom to go home, swipe up and hold to open recent apps, and swipe from either edge to go back. You can enable a classic three-button navigation bar in Settings > System > Gestures if you prefer. Learning these swipes reduces reliance on on-screen buttons and makes one-handed use much easier.
More from this site
Keep reading the latest coverage
Extend Battery Life
Battery management starts with Adaptive Battery, which learns your app habits and limits power for rarely used ones. Enable it in Settings > Battery. Turn off Adaptive Brightness only if you prefer manual control, and use Dark Theme to reduce power draw on the OLED panel. For critical situations, Extreme Battery Saver restricts background activity and turns off non-essential connectivity. You can also check Battery Saver usage by app in Settings to identify hidden drains.
Camera Settings and Shortcuts
Google's camera software remains one of the Pixel 2 XL's strongest features. Use the voice command "Hey Google, take a picture" to snap photos hands-free. Enable Night Sight for low-light scenes and Astrophotography mode for long-exposure night sky shots. In the camera settings, turn on RAW capture if you edit photos externally, and use the portrait mode depth controls after taking a shot. You can also assign the Action Dot feature to trigger specific shortcuts like scanning a document or starting a voice recording.
Optimize the Display
The 6-inch P-OLED panel supports a dark theme that saves battery and reduces eye strain in dim environments. Enable it via Settings > Display. The Always-On Display can show notifications, time, and battery level without fully waking the screen; customize what appears in Settings > Display > Advanced. If colors look oversaturated, switch the rendering mode to sRGB in Developer Options to get more accurate, true-to-life tones.
Improve Everyday Workflow
Use Now Playing to identify music playing around you without needing to open an app. The feature works offline and can be toggled in Settings > Sound & Vibration. Set up Digital Wellbeing to track screen time and app usage, and use App Timers to enforce limits on distracting apps. For multitasking, split-screen mode lets you run two apps side by side; long-press the recent apps button to enter it.
Keep the Phone Running Smoothly
Regular maintenance helps the Pixel 2 XL stay responsive over time. Clear cached data from individual apps in Settings > Apps, and uninstall software you no longer use. Check for system updates in Settings > System > System Update, as these often include performance improvements and security patches. If the phone feels sluggish, restarting it clears temporary memory and resolves many minor software hiccups.
Accessibility and Extras
The Pixel 2 XL includes several accessibility features that double as useful tools. Toggle Captioning under Settings > Accessibility adds real-time captions to media playback. Use the accessibility menu for quick access to features like magnification, color correction, and Switch Access. You can also set up a personal safety feature that shares your location with trusted contacts during emergencies.