Samsung’s most popular phones are big, almost too big to work comfortably. If you’ve been using Android for a while now, you’re familiar with the one-handed mode that comes with phones from the Galaxy to the Pixel. However, I recently discovered a similar but largely unknown Samsung Galaxy feature that has changed the way I use my phone.
No, it’s not just a one-handed mode in the settings menu of Galaxy phones, but a secret Samsung app that changes everything.
Go beyond the one-handed mode and get this app
Get invisible handle gestures with One Hand Operation +
The standard one-handed modes useful on most Android phones, sure, but they still leave a lot to be desired. I don’t want a smaller screen or a keyboard squeezed into a corner. No, I want my whole phone to be faster and easier to use.
I said a few months ago I still use the 3-button navigation on Androidand the comments were all over the place. Since then I’ve started messing around with the built-in gesture controls, but haven’t been able to get on board. Then I found an app that changed everything.
As we all know Samsung is one of the best in providing everything to the users. Throws everything in the kitchen sink to see what sticks, or a more advanced suggestion Features and controls in Good Lock or as additional add-ons.
This is one of those features and programs One Hand Operation +and it is an absolute game changer. As we all know, current phone gesture controls rely on awkward thumb stretches, free-handing of your phone, reaching for icons, and similar gestures. With the hidden One Hand Operation + app (or Good Lock Module), you can replace these gestures with a simple, smooth, easy swipe.
After installing the app, you’ll start by placing little “gesture handles” (almost like Sidebars) along the edges of the screen, then adjust them to your heart’s content. The app is wildly customizable and it will do more than just let you swipe to go back or forward.
For example, One Hand Operation + can track and distinguish between straight and angled swipes; each angle triggers a different action, and even the length of your swipe can perform another action or open an app. Basically, one or two gestures are now 4-5 unique controls, and you can turn every side of the screen into a fully customizable set of gestures.
You can swipe inward or diagonally up or down the screen, and match each of these three directions to a specific action, navigation, or process. It sounds a bit technical and of course there is a learning curve, but once you get the hang of it, you’ll never go back to anything else.
How I upgraded my Galaxy with the app
Run your phone exactly the way you want
The interface is certainly confusing, and the lines and boxes all around the phone can be intimidating. Trust me, put it away, change a few settings and give it a try for a day or two. You can check out a few Posts on Reddit for installation ideas.
All the different gesture directions, lengths and customizations are truly limitless. The potential here is absolutely wild. For example, anyone who uses gesture controls understands how annoying the “back” gesture on Android can be. Either it accidentally snaps back when you try to swipe, or the UI interferes with other apps. With this new system, these problems are eliminated.
First, the “handles” are the large river blocks on either side of the screen, but that’s just the beginning. You can make them as thin and short as you want, change their color, and then learn what each gesture does inside those handles, change vibration patterns, slide distances, and more.
Ignore the on-screen navigation buttons in my screenshots above, as this was during my initial setup and I still needed the old-school buttons. Over time, I changed each left/right handle to handle all my navigation needs, screenshots, quick settings, quick controls, and more.
You can even convert certain gesture lengths into shortcuts to open specific apps, adjust quick actions, or even add app exceptions so that One Hand Operation + grips are considered for usability.
Don’t even get me started on all the system checks. One Hand Operation + is a shortcut machine at your fingertips. You can set a long swipe (like the play and hold gesture) to intervals and use it to open menus, quick tools, turn off BT, turn on the flashlight, and anything else you can imagine.
As you can imagine, it’s incredibly powerful.
While I absolutely love (and am still learning about) all these new controls on a big phone like the Galaxy S26 Ultra, I’m pretty sure they’ll be lifesavers on something like the Galaxy Z Fold 7.
Say goodbye to hand gymnastics
If you want to say goodbye to all the hand gymnastics and long thumb stretches you’re used to, be prepared for a learning curve. Don’t get me wrong, this Samsung app has completely changed the way I use my phone, but it took some serious getting used to. The menus are a bit confusing and a bit intimidating at first glance. Take it out.
I made countless mistakes, muscle memory is a thing, and I changed settings a few times as I used it. As a result, I’ve accidentally taken dozens of screenshots, hit the back button by mistake, or used the wrong gesture while trying to do something else and turned on my flashlight.
However, after 4-5 days I started learning it, I realized the potential, I changed everything again and now I feel cheated. I replaced my entire phone and now I can’t imagine ever going back to a basic setup. People all over Reddit agree. And if someone takes my phone, good luck finding it. I agree with that.
