Learn how to add an iPhone-style AssistiveTouch button to your Android phone screen for quick access to essential controls.
AssistiveTouch is an iOS accessibility feature that places a floating button on your iPhone or iPad screen, allowing you to easily access the Home Screen, Notification Center, Siri, Control Center, take screenshots, lock the device, and more.
The primary purpose of this feature is to let you perform actions without pressing the physical side, volume, or Home buttons, or reaching distant parts of the screen. It’s also useful if your hardware buttons are broken or not working.
If you enjoy using Apple’s AssistiveTouch on your iPhone and want similar convenience on your Android phone or tablet, you can get it using built-in options or free third-party apps.
Use Accessibility Menu on stock Android phones
Android has a bare-bones AssistiveTouch alternative called Assistive Menu. You can’t customize it by adding or removing options, but it’s there, and here’s how you can use it in its default state.
- Launch the Settings app on your smartphone running stock Android, preferably the latest version.
- Tap Accessibility.
- Select Accessibility Menu under the Interaction Controls headings.
- Turn on the switch for Accessibility Menu Shortcut and tap Allow in the permission pop-up. Then, tap OK.
You’ll now see a light green button with three dots on the edge of your Android phone screen. Tap it to access the assistant, change the volume, adjust display brightness, lock the screen, open Quick Settings and notifications, take screenshots, and more. As mentioned, Android doesn’t currently allow you to customize this panel to suit your preferences.
Return to Android Settings > Accessibility > Accessibility Menu and tap Accessibility Menu Shortcut. Then, tap the More Options link and do the following:
- Use button or gesture: The button method is selected by default, but if you choose to go with a gesture, you’ll have to swipe up from the bottom of the screen with two fingers to trigger the Accessibility Menu.
- Size: Pick a small or large size for the on-screen button.
- Fade when not in use: Keep it enabled so the AssistiveTouch lookalike button isn’t that intrusive when you aren’t using it.
- Transparency when not in use: Decide how dark or light the button appears in its ideal state.
Note: After tapping Accessibility Menu Shortcut in your device settings, you can check the box for “Hold volume keys” to activate the Accessibility Menu using both physical volume buttons. You can use this option in addition to, or instead of, the on-screen button or swipe gesture.
Use Assistant Menu on Samsung phones
Taking a cue from iOS, Samsung phones have a built-in Assistant menu feature that’s similar to the iPhone’s AssistiveTouch, allowing you to perform tasks without using physical buttons or standard on-screen controls. It’s well designed and offers more functions than the stock Android option.
- Open the Settings app and tap Accessibility.
- Select Interaction and Dexterity.
- Enable the toggle for Assistant Menu.
- Hit Allow so the Assistant Menu can control your phone.
You’ll now see a circular icon with four tiny squares. Tap it to access recent apps, go home, lock the screen, take screenshots, open the Notification panel, etc.
Unlike Android’s stock Accessibility Menu, Samsung’s approach is more versatile, allowing you to add and remove features from the virtual button to suit your needs.
Tap the on-screen Assistant Menu button and select Menu Settings. Or, go to your Samsung phone Settings > Accessibility > Interaction and Dexterity > Assistant Menu, and tap Select Assistant Menu Items. Now, use the plus (+) and minus (-) buttons to add or remove options.
Automatically show app-specific options
Samsung takes things up a notch compared to iOS and stock Android by allowing app-specific controls in its Assistant Menu. For example, when you’re in the Camera app, the virtual button includes options to switch between front and rear cameras and access your photo gallery. Similarly, in the Messages app, it shows additional buttons to compose a new message, delete texts, and search through them.
You can turn this on by going to Samsung phone Settings > Accessibility > Interaction and Dexterity > Assistant Menu > Select apps to show contextual menus with, and turn it on for all apps or just the selected ones.
Go to the Assistant Menu settings page, and manage the following:
- Assistant menu shortcut: Put a tiny accessibility icon at the bottom right corner of the screen so you can toggle this feature on and off quickly.
- Assistant menu size: Choose to make the virtual button small, medium, or large.
- Transparency: Adjust how dark or light the on-screen button appears.
- Show as edge icon: The circular button appears as a half circle protruding from the edge of the screen.
Use third-party apps on any Android phone
If you’re not satisfied with the built-in features, you can use a third-party Android app to add an on-screen button similar to iPhone’s AssistiveTouch.
These apps from the Google Play Store offer the closest experience to an iOS-style AssistiveTouch on an Android device, at least regarding the visual interface (see the top image of this post). However, you’ll need to allow the third-party app multiple device permissions like “Display over other apps,” “Modify system settings,” “Camera,” “Accessibility settings,” etc. Not everyone is comfortable with this.
Secondly, most of these apps show ads at every step, and it takes a toll, but you need to see them only when setting things up. Thereafter, it’s usually smooth sailing.
With the pros and cons considered, here are four free apps to get an iPhone-like AssistiveTouch button on your Android phone screen.
Also, check out: