Update 1: FAQs on Galaxy S4 Air Gesture were added at the bottom of this page. PDF version of all these FAQs can be downloaded from this post.
Waving your hand at the Samsung Galaxy S4 to accept calls, change music, or browse the web and your photos? This sounds ridiculous. But it is true.
This feature is called Galaxy S4 Air Gesture. Control phone functions without touching the screen!
Near the Samsung logo, there is a dedicated sensor to detect the motion of your hand. Galaxy S4 will take some actions corresponding to the motion pattern and current phone state.
At this time, only selected (not all) apps can respond to Galaxy S4 Air Gesture. Maybe gradually, more apps can be controlled by these air gestures. Currently, you can use 5 air gestures.
- Quick glance.
When the Galaxy S4 screen is off, move your hand above the sensor to view notifications, missed calls, new messages, time and date, and more.
- Air jump.
While viewing emails or webpages, move your hand up or down across the sensor to scroll the page up or down.
- Air browse.
Move your hand to the left or right across the sensor to browse images, webpages, songs, or memos.
- Air move.
Tap and hold an icon with one hand, and then move your other hand to the left or right across the sensor to move the icon to another location.
While using the daily or weekly calendar, tap and hold an event, and then move your other hand to the left or right to move the event to another day or week.
- Air call-accept.
When a call comes in, move your hand to the left, and then to the right across the sensor to answer the call.
To use air gesture, you need activate this feature in Galaxy S4. You can do so through Settings– My device — Motions and gestures –Air gesture. Drag it to right to activate it.
Here is the cheat sheet of Air Gesture:
FAQs on Air Gesture
Q1 : A palm-shaped icon has appeared on the status bar. What is this?
A : The air gesture feature has been activated. When Galaxy S4 air gestures are available, the palm-shaped icon will appear on the status bar at the top of the screen. To check if this feature has been enabled go to:
Path : Setting → My device → Motions and gestures → Air gesture
You can control your device by making specific gestures with your hand above the sensors via Air gesture.
Q2 : The gesture recognition via Air gesture isn’t working well.
A : The sensor recognizes gestures best when you make smooth, steady movement about 7cm from the sensor.
If you perform them too far from the device or while wearing dark-coloured clothes such as gloves, the device may not recognize your gestures.
Q3 : The screen moves up and down. Why is that?
A : The Air jump function has been activated. To check if this feature has been enabled go to: Path : Setting → My device → Motions and gestures → Air gesture → Air jump
When air gestures are available, you can scroll web pages by moving your hand up or down above the sensor in Internet/ Email. (for Samsung browser / Samsung account)
Q4 : I find that photos and music skip between “next” and “previous”. Why is that?
A : The Air browse function has been activated. . To check if this feature has been enabled go to: Path : Setting → My device → Motions and gestures → Air gesture → Air browse
When air browse are available, you can go to the next or previous item by moving your hand left or right above the sensor in Gallery / Internet / Music Player / Music on lock screen / S memo page view.
Q5 : I try to go to the next or previous item in “Music” on the lock screen, but it does not work in my device. What is the problem?
A : Please check that “Music” on the lock screen feature in Air browse is turned on.
Path : Setting → My device → Motions and gestures → Air gesture → Air browse → Music on lock screen. When you select the “Music on lock screen box”, it will work normally.
Q6 : Incoming calls are answered as I go to pick up the device by itself. Why is that?
A : The Air call-accept function has been activated. To check if this feature has been enabled go to: Path : Setting → My device → Motions and gestures → Air gesture → Air call-accept
You can accept incoming calls by moving your hand above the sensor.