I am still grieving the loss of the most satisfying Pixel feature Google ever gave us
Android Police 2026-07-11 12:30:10
Context: The author, Oluwaniyi Raji, a tech content specialist, is lamenting the loss of the Active Edge feature on Google Pixel phones, which allowed users to silence alarms and perform other actions with a squeeze of the phone. This feature was first introduced on the Pixel 2 and was available until the Pixel 4a, but was discontinued due to reduced hardware requirements. The author fondly remembers using Active Edge and notes that it has not been replaced by any new feature.
Key Facts
- The Active Edge feature was first introduced on the Pixel 2 and was available until the Pixel 4a, where it was discontinued without any official explanation from Google.
- Active Edge used strain gauges built into the sides of the phone to detect a deliberate squeeze from the user, which could be used to launch the Assistant, silence alarms, and perform other context-specific actions.
- The feature was developed based on HTC's squeeze feature introduced on the U11, and Google brought the engineering in-house after acquiring part of HTC's team.
- A third-party app called SideSqueeze+ attempts to replicate Active Edge on any Android device, but it relies on the barometric pressure sensor and is not accurate, making it prone to false triggers.
- A reader poll from October 2025 found that Active Edge was the retired Pixel feature that people miss the most, beating System UI Tuner and other departed extras.