Learn the controls for the Google Pixel Buds

With just a few simple gestures, the Google Pixel Buds allow you to control your media, manage your calls or activate Gemini. All gestures can be performed with either earbud. You can also disable touch controls entirely.

How To Use Touch Controls Google Pixel Buds Pro | Google Pixel Buds Pro

Head gestures (the Pixel Buds Pro 2 only)

	Nod up and down Answer call Tip: If you turn on Spoken notifications, you can also respond to a text message with a nod. Text replies are only available in English.
	Head shake from left to right Reject call Tip: If you turn on Spoken notifications, you can also dismiss replying to a text message with a head shake.

Touch controls

Tap

• Play/Pause media
• Answer call
• The Pixel Buds Pro only: Leave Conversation Detection mode

Double-tap

• Next track
• End/Reject call
• Stops Gemini

Triple-tap

• Previous track

Swipe forwards

• Raise volume (not available on the Pixel Buds A-Series, also referred to as the Pixel Buds A)

• You can also control the volume by saying 'Hey Google, turn up the volume'.

Swipe backwards

• Lower volume (not available on the Pixel Buds A)
• You can also control the volume by saying 'Hey Google, turn down the volume'.

Press and hold (requires Android 6.0+)

Turn Active Noise Cancellation off or on

• Switch between Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) and Transparency mode. This gesture is configured to switch between noise control modes by default, but you can customise it in the Pixel Buds app to activate Gemini instead.

Tip: You can also switch to Adaptive Audio for the Pixel Buds Pro 2.

Use Gemini

• For the Google Pixel Buds Pro (that are configured to a digital assistant), Google Pixel Buds and Pixel Buds A:
  • Listen to notifications (release after chime)
  • Activate Gemini (speak while holding)

Activate Gemini

How you activate Gemini depends on how you've configured the left and right buds of your Pixel Buds Pro.

If your LEFT bud is configured for:	And your RIGHT bud is configured for:	Then to activate Gemini:
Noise control	Noise control	Use hotword ('Hey Google')
Noise control	Gemini	Use hotword ('Hey Google') or touch and hold the RIGHT bud
Gemini	Noise control	Use hotword ('Hey Google') or touch and hold the LEFT bud
Gemini	Gemini	Use hotword ('Hey Google') or touch and hold the LEFT or RIGHT bud

Tip:

• At least one of your worn earbuds must be configured for a digital assistant if you want spoken digital assistant notifications. An example of a spoken notification is 'You have a message from [contact name]'.
• When you touch and hold either Google Pixel Bud, wait for a chime and then speak to Gemini. You can also say 'Hey Google' to talk to Gemini without touching your earbuds.
• Gemini on the Google Pixel Buds is only available on Android and requires a digital assistant-enabled Android 6.0+ device, a Google Account and an Internet connection. Data rates may apply. Refer to minimum requirements.

Turn off touch controls

If you'd rather not use touch controls for your earbuds, you can turn them off.

When you turn off touch controls, your Pixel Buds won't respond to any touches or taps. However, you can still get hands-free help from Gemini by saying 'Hey Google'. You can turn off touch controls from your phone or by asking Gemini.

From your phone:

1. On a Pixel phone with Android 10+: Go to Settings Connected devices Pixel Buds' settings .
   On other Android devices: Open the Google Pixel Buds app .
2. Tap Touch controls.
3. Turn off touch controls.

Pixel Buds (2017)

Important:

• Gemini on the Google Pixel Buds is only available on Android and requires an assistant-enabled Android device and data connection. Data rates may apply.
• For minimum requirements, go to Google Pixel Buds requirements. A Google Account is required for full access to features.
• Google Translate on the Google Pixel Buds is only available on Pixel phones. Internet connection required. Fees may apply.

With just a few simple gestures, your Google Pixel Buds allow you to control your media, manage your calls, use your digital assistant or translate spoken languages. The available gestures performed with the right earbud are:

Touch and hold

Tip: You don't have to wait for a tone. As soon as you press and hold your right Google Pixel Bud, you can speak to Gemini.

	Tap
	Double-tap To customise double-tap: Connect your Pixel Buds (2017) to your phone. Touch and hold the centre button on your phone to activate Gemini. Tap Customise double-tap Check notifications or Next track. Tip: If you tap Next track, it will disable the spoken notifications function.
	Triple-tap
	Swipe backwards

Gesture with a finger to perform commands

To do this…	Perform this gesture
Answer call	Tap the right earbud
End call	Touch and hold the right earbud
Ignore call	Touch and hold the right earbud
Play or pause media	Tap the right earbud
Increase volume	Swipe forwards on the right earbud
Decrease volume	Swipe backwards on the right earbud
Invoke Gemini	Touch and hold the right earbud
Confirm your choice with Gemini	Tap the right earbud
Stop Gemini	Double-tap the right earbud
Listen to notifications with Gemini	Double-tap the right earbud
Wake or sleep your Pixel Buds	Triple-tap the right earbud

_{Google Assistant requires an Assistant-enabled Android 6.0+ device, a Google Account and an Internet connection. Data rates may apply. For available languages and minimum requirements, go to g.co/pixelbuds/help}