Google’s Android 16 update introduces several changes to Quick Settings, including new sizing options for tiles. But tucked away in the update is a hidden double-tap gesture that makes editing your layout faster and far more precise.
Normally, customizing Quick Settings requires a bit of dragging and dropping, which can be clunky if you’re trying to get icons exactly where you want them. With this new shortcut, the process becomes much smoother—once you know it exists.
To try it out, swipe down twice from the top of your screen to fully expand Quick Settings, then tap the pencil icon to enter the edit view. From there:
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Tap the icon you want to move.
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Instead of dragging it, double-tap the icon.
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Now, simply select the tile you want it to sit next to, and Android will place it directly in that position.
The system is smart about placement, too. If you’re moving a tile higher in the list, it will drop just to the left of the chosen icon. If you’re moving it lower, it appears to the right. This works across all tile sizes, and you can repeat the process as many times as needed until you have the perfect arrangement.
For example, if you double-tap the camera access tile in the bottom row and then select the airplane mode tile, Android will automatically slot the camera shortcut neatly to the left of airplane mode.
Interestingly, Google hasn’t documented this gesture anywhere—there are no prompts, guides, or tips within Android 16 itself. The feature only came to light thanks to a reader tip shared with Android Authority, making it one of those small but clever additions that you’ll only discover if someone points it out.
It may not save a ton of time compared to drag-and-drop, but for those who obsess over their Quick Settings layout, this hidden gesture is easily the most precise editing tool Android has ever offered.
