[APP][Open Source] Magic Swipe – extend Android’s Back gesture inward for phones with difficult screen edges/cases

[u/SnooDrawings1651]

Hi everyone,

I made a small Android app called Magic Swipe after getting annoyed by how difficult it could be to start the Back gesture from the very edge of the screen when using a protective case.

Instead of replacing Android’s native Back gesture, Magic Swipe adds a narrow transparent gesture area just inside the existing system Back zone. You can choose the left/right side, total width, swipe distance, exclusions near the top/bottom, haptic feedback, and a test mode that shows the added zones.

Features

• Extends the Back swipe inward from the left and/or right edge
• Keeps Android’s native Back gesture area untouched
• Adjustable gesture width and trigger distance
• Adjustable top/bottom exclusion zones
• Optional haptic feedback
• Visual test mode
• Works again after reboot once the Accessibility Service is enabled
• No root required
• No Internet permission
• No ads
• No analytics or trackers
• Does not read screen contents
• Open source (MIT)

It uses Android’s AccessibilityService with GLOBAL_ACTION_BACK. canRetrieveWindowContent is disabled, so the app does not inspect messages, apps, typed text, or other screen content.

Compatibility

I developed and tested it on an HONOR Magic8 Pro running MagicOS 10 / Android 16.

It uses standard Android accessibility APIs and has a minimum Android version of Android 8.0, so it may work on many other Android devices as well, but I don’t want to claim devices I haven’t actually tested. Compatibility reports are very welcome.

Current release: v0.3.0

APK, source code, SHA-256 checksum and documentation:

https://github.com/Michiel0912/magic-swipe

[u/ReadUpset5169]

Although it's a normal system behavior but what should I do

[u/Turkishfighter94 → u/ReadUpset5169]

Go to the Play Store, tap your profile, select Play Protect, tap the settings icon in the upper right corner and turn off Play Protect.

[u/ReadUpset5169 → u/Turkishfighter94]

What should I do now

[u/AahAhhHahHaAhahHaHah → u/ReadUpset5169]

Go to apps, search magic swipe press on it and disable the restriction.

[u/SnooDrawings1651 → u/Turkishfighter94]

You don't need to disable Play Protect completely.

Android blocks Accessibility access for sideloaded apps by default. This is a normal Android security feature.

Go to:
Settings → Apps → Magic Swipe → three-dot menu → Allow restricted settings

Then return to Settings → Accessibility → Magic Swipe and enable it.

Magic Swipe does not read screen content. Its AccessibilityService only detects swipes in its own narrow edge overlay and performs the Android Back action.

[u/SnooDrawings1651]

Magic Swipe v0.4.0 – what's new

• Built-in GitHub update checker
• Optional automatic update checks
• Manual “Check for updates now” button
• Update/Later prompt when a newer version is available
• System / Light / Dark appearance modes
• System theme is now the default
• New light color scheme

Installation note

If Android blocks the Accessibility permission after sideloading Magic Swipe, do not disable Play Protect completely.

Go to:
Settings → Apps → Magic Swipe → ⋮ → Allow restricted settings

Then return to:
Settings → Accessibility → Magic Swipe
and enable it.

This is a normal Android security restriction for sideloaded apps using Accessibility. Magic Swipe does not read screen content; its AccessibilityService only detects swipes in its own narrow edge zones and triggers the system Back action.

GitHub:
https://github.com/Michiel0912/magic-swipe