Android 16 Beta 2 fixes broken app switching function from gesture bar

Android 16 Beta 2 has addressed a frustrating issue that left users struggling with app switching while using third-party launchers. The problem, which affected gestures like swiping left or right on the navigation bar to switch between apps, had been a sore spot since Beta 1. Many relied on workarounds or dealt with the glitch until this week’s update finally smoothed things over.

Early adopters noticed the fix almost immediately after installing Beta 2. One Redditor who uses Microsoft Launcher on a Pixel 7, shared their relief in a post titled “Third Party Launcher App Switching Fixed!!!” They confirmed the gesture now works as intended without requiring any updates to the launcher itself. Another user chimed in to say Nova Launcher 8.1.1 was also back to normal. “That was the only thing driving me mad in the Beta,” they wrote. “Happy again.”

The update seems to have resolved the issue across multiple popular launchers. Comments from the Android Beta subreddit mentioned fixes for Niagara, Hyperion, Octopi, and Square Home. One Niagara Launcher user simply stated, “Works perfect for me!” while a Square Home fan celebrated the return of “flawless” app switching.

I tested the fix myself on a Pixel device running Lawnchair Launcher and Nova Launcher. Before this, I just couldn’t switch between apps using the gesture bar. It would automatically close the app and go to the home screen. But now, swiping along the navigation bar instantly brings up the next app without delays or visual glitches. It’s a small change but one that makes the overall experience feel polished again.

I’ve even recorded the screen for a before and after comparison. Here’s the before:

Here’s the after:

While the app-switching fix is the standout improvement for many, Beta 2 also tackles other bugs. The update addresses system crashes during calls, resolves Google Home app instability, and fixes a keyboard language picker glitch. Google’s release notes didn’t explicitly mention the gesture bar fix, leaving users to discover it organically — a welcome surprise for those who’d grown accustomed to the hiccup.

Reactions to the update have been overwhelmingly positive. “16 Beta 2 is buttery smooth. I’m blown away,” one Reddit user commented. For now, Beta testers can breathe easier knowing one of Android 16’s most irritating quirks has been squashed.