Smartphone users have long enjoyed innovative features thanks to brands like Xiaomi, which consistently set trends in mobile technology. Now, with the release of Android 16 Beta 4 for Pixel devices, Google once again adopts a feature that Xiaomi and other Android OEMs introduced years ago. The addition of the double-tap screen lock is the latest example of how Xiaomi’s early innovations continue to shape the future of Android. In this article, we’ll explore how this new feature works on Pixel phones, look back at Xiaomi’s influence on Android development, and guide current Pixel users on how they can access this functionality even without the latest beta update.
Xiaomi’s Lasting Impact on Android Development
The gradual rollout of Xiaomi-driven features into stock Android is a clear sign of the company’s strong user-focused design and innovative spirit. It reinforces how Xiaomi’s early initiatives have shaped the broader Android experience and continue to influence the way smartphones are developed today.
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Google Integrates More Xiaomi-Inspired Features in Android 16 Beta 4
Google continues its trend of bringing innovative features that were first implemented by Xiaomi and other Android OEMs into its stock operating system, as seen with the recent rollout of Android 16 Beta 4 for Pixel devices. This trend highlights Xiaomi’s pioneering role in smartphone feature development and shows how much influence the company has had on the evolution of Android. By integrating such features into the base Android system, Google is essentially acknowledging Xiaomi’s proactive approach to enhancing the user experience for smartphones.
Double-Tap Screen Lock Now Available on Pixel
One of the most noticeable additions in Android 16 Beta 4 is the double-tap screen lock feature, allowing users to double-tap the lock screen to turn off the display. Xiaomi users will instantly recognize this feature, as it has long been available in HyperOS, along with smartphones from other Chinese brands. However, in the current beta version, this feature only works when the device is on the lock screen. There is no toggle in settings to enable or disable the function yet, but Google is expected to introduce configuration options in future updates. This small feature significantly improves one-handed usability, especially on larger devices.
Xiaomi’s Innovations Adopted Over Time by Google
This is not the first time Google has adopted features that Xiaomi had introduced several years earlier. Xiaomi launched split-screen multitasking in 2014, while Google introduced it to stock Android in 2016. Reading Mode, which Xiaomi implemented in 2015, only appeared on Android in 2019. Dark Mode, a highly popular feature today, first appeared on Xiaomi phones in 2016, well before Android added it in 2019. Additionally, Xiaomi’s MIUI global versions had the app drawer years before Android made it compulsory.
How Pixel Users Can Access the Feature Now
For Pixel users who are not using Android 16 Beta 4, there are still ways to enjoy the double-tap screen lock feature. Apps like “Pixel Toolbox” offer similar functionality, while many other gesture control apps available on the Play Store provide alternatives. Moreover, custom ROMs often bring these features to users well before their official rollout, allowing for early access to the latest smartphone enhancements.
