• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

Android Guides

  • Android 101
    • Dual SIM Android phones: Dual standby vs dual active
    • How to make two SIM cards always available in dual SIM dual standby Android phones?
    • How to auto rotate home screen in Android phones (use home screen in landscape mode)
    • Understanding Android battery usage
    • How to check version of Android in your phone or tablet?
  • Lollipop
    • How to enable Flash Player on Android Lollipop?
    • How to use quick settings in Android Lollipop?
    • How to use screen pinning in Android Lollipop?
    • How to use Android Lollipop’s notification and interruption?
    • How to use smart lock in Android Lollipop?
    • What’s battery saver in Android Lollipop?
    • How to use Android Lollipop guest user mode and multiple users?
    • Top 5 new features in Android Lollipop 5.1
    • How to bypass device protection in Android Lollipop 5.1 when you do a factory data reset?
  • Marshmallow
    • Top 12 new features in Android Marshmallow 6.0 for users
    • How to use system UI tuner in Android Marshmallow?
    • How to get Android Marshmallow 6.0 update for your device?
    • How to use micro SD card in Android Marshmallow?
    • How to use micro SD card as internal storage in Android Marshmallow?
    • How to use micro SD card as portable storage in Android Marshmallow?
    • USB options in Android Marshmallow
    • How to use Now on tap in Android Marshmallow?
    • How to manage app permissions in Android Marshmallow?
    • How to use Android Marshmallow text selection?
    • How to use redo and undo features in Android Marshmallow?
    • How to silence Android Marshmallow phones?
    • How to use Do Not Disturb (DnD) in Android Marshmallow?
    • How to manage app notifications in Android Marshmallow?
    • How to use Android Marshmallow RAM manager?
    • How to use application manager in Android Marshmallow?
    • How to manage, use and reset default apps in Android Marshmallow?
    • How to use Android Marshmallow battery optimization?
  • Nougat
    • Android Nougat 7.0 New Features
    • New features in Android Nougat 7.1
    • How to use split-screen mode (multi window) in Android Nougat 7.0/7.1?
    • How to use Android Nougat quick settings bar?
    • How to change display size in Android Nougat?
    • How to use data saver in Android Nougat?
    • Use Android Nougat call blocking to block unwanted calls and SMS without using any apps
    • How to customize quick settings panel in Android Nougat?
    • How to get Android Nougat update for my device? and when?
    • How to use new features of Android Nougat notification panel: bundled notifications, directly reply and notification control?
    • How to set up Android Nougat lock screen wallpaper?
  • Oreo
    • Top 10 New Features of Android Oreo 8.0
    • What’s new in Android Oreo 8.1: Android Oreo 8.1 vs Android Oreo 8.0
    • How to use picture-in-picture (PIP) mode in Android Oreo 8.0 and 8.1?
    • How to use notification dots (notification badges) in Android Oreo?
    • How to use notification snooze in Android Oreo?
    • How to use and manage notification channels in Android Oreo?
    • How to use smart text selection in Android Oreo?
    • How to play Android Oreo Easter egg game?
  • Pie
    • Top 20 new features of Android Pie (Android 9)
    • How to use the Android Pie navigation gestures?
    • How to use the screenshot shortcut to take a screenshot on Android Pie?
    • How to use overview selection in Android Pie?
  • Android 10
    • Top 10 new features of Android 10
    • How to use Android 10 dark mode (dark theme)?
    • How to use the Android 10 Emergency button?
    • How to Use Location Access Control in Android 10?

How to use overview selection in Android Pie?

by simon Leave a Comment

use overview selection in Android PieYou can use overview selection in Android to quickly select text and images and share and use them without leaving the overview screen.

Table of Contents hide
1) What is overview selection in Android Pie?
2) Steps of using overview selection in Android Pie
2.1) Step 1: Enable overview selection
2.2) Step 2: Navigate to the overview screen
2.3) Step 3: Select text or image
2.4) Step 4: Choose actions
3) Why I cannot use overview selection in Android Pie in my phone with Android Pie?
4) Can you use the overview selection in Android Pie?

This Android Pie guide explains what overview selection in Android Pie is and steps of using this feature.

Please note, overview selection currently is only implemented in the Pixel launcher and works only on Pixel phones (all 3 generations).

What is overview selection in Android Pie?

Overview selection in Android Pie allows you to select text or images from the overview screen directly.  You can then paste or share the selected text or images.

Some actions, for example, calling or messaging may also be provided in the overview screen.

For images, Google Lens can be fired to check the image details, in addition to sharing the picture.

The most interesting feature is that the overview selection is not constrained by apps.

For example, you cannot copy some texts like the navigation menu inside the app. Some apps may do not allow you to copy their contents in the browser of the app. But now, in the overview screen, you can copy  ALL text as long as they appear on the overview screen.

Of course, as a security feature, some banking apps do not show any contents in the overview screen. In this case, you cannot copy.

The bottom line is that you can copy and share whatever you can see in the overview screen of the app.

In a nutshell, overview selection in Android Pie is an application of smart selection in the overview screen.

Steps of using overview selection in Android Pie

You may follow these steps to use overview selection in Android Pie.

Step 1: Enable overview selection

By default, overview selection is enabled in Android Pie on all Pixel phones.

In case you disabled it, you need to enable this feature before proceed.

As shown in the screenshot below,  you can tap and hold (aka long tap) any blank area on the home screen, then tap Home settings.

enable overview selection enable overview selection

In the Home screen settings, tap Suggestions as shown above.

Now, you can enable Overview selection as shown below.

Of course,  you can also disable it if you want.

Please note. the switch on the right side (and in blue) means the feature is enabled.

enable overview selectionNavigate to the overview screen

Step 2: Navigate to the overview screen

You can tap the Recents button to navigate to the Recents screen as shown above.

Of course, you can also use the new Android Pie navigation gestures to navigate to the overview screen.

 

Step 3: Select text or image

In the overview screen, as shown below, you can select text using the smart selection.

Once the text is selected, the possible actions will be prompted as shown below.

In this tutorial, because the plain text is selected, there are only Copy, Search and Share options.

If you select a phone number, you will get the additional call and messaging options. If you select a web address, the open option will appear.

Select text or image Select text or image

Similarly, you can select an image (or part of the image) as shown above.

The available options for the selected image in the overview screen is  Google lens and Share.

Step 4: Choose actions

Once the text or image is selected, you can then choose one of the actions.

For example, as shown below, if you tap Google Lens, then Google Lens will analyze the selected picture and give you relevant information.

step 4: Choose actions step 4: Choose actions

Of course, as shown in the screenshot above, you can also share the picture with other apps.

Why I cannot use overview selection in Android Pie in my phone with Android Pie?

Although the overview selection was announced as one of the Android Pie (Android 9) new features, currently it is implemented only on Pixel phones (Pixel, Pixel XL, Pixel 2, Pixel 2 XL, Pixel 3, Pixel 3 XL,  Pixel 3a, and Pixel 3a XL).

If you are using other Android Pie phones (including Android One phones), you will not be able to use the overview selection. For example, in Galaxy S10 recents screen, you cannot select text or images.

Can you use the overview selection in Android Pie?

If you have any questions regarding the overview selection feature in Android Pie (Android 9), please let us know in the comment box below.

For questions on Android Pie (Android 9), please check Android Pie guides page.

For questions on Android Oreo (Android 8.0 and 8.1), please check Android Oreo guides page.

For questions on Android Nougat (Android 7.0 and 7.1), please check Android Nougat guides page.

For questions on Android Marshmallow (Android 6.0), please check Android Marshmallow guide page.

For questions on Android Lollipop (Android 5.0 and 5.1), please check Android Lollipop guide page.

For other Android questions or problems, please check Android 101 page.

Please note, this is an owner-help-owner community. If you need official technical support or have warranty/sales related questions, please contact the vendor directly.


Share this:

  • Reddit
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • LinkedIn
  • Pocket

Filed Under: Android Pie Guides Tagged With: Android Pie, Google Lens, Home screen, Home screen settings, navigation button, navigation gesture, overview selection, Smart text selection

Reader Interactions


Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Primary Sidebar

Follow Us

  • View gadgetguideonline’s profile on Facebook
  • View MadeBySimonMa’s profile on YouTube
  • View +SimonMaSg’s profile on Google+

RSS Galaxy S10 Guides

  • Top 5 new features added in Galaxy S10 September Update
  • How to move apps to the micro SD card to free phone storage on Galaxy S10 ?
  • Galaxy S10 wireless charging guide
  • How to use app folders on Galaxy S10 Home screen and Apps screen?
  • How to enable and use Galaxy S10 developer options?
  • How to hide suggested apps on Galaxy S10? and how to stop Finder uploading your data to Samsung servers?
  • How to use 5 shooting methods for Galaxy S10 camera?

RSS Galaxy S9 Guides

  • How to use the new Recents screen in Android Pie update for Galaxy S9 and S9 Plus?
  • How to update Galaxy S9 or S9 Plus to Android Pie (Android 9)?
  • Official user manuals for Galaxy S9 and S9 Plus with Android Pie update
  • Top 9 new features of Android Pie update for Galaxy S9 and S9+
  • How to use Samsung DeX Station for Galaxy S9, S9+, S8, S8+, Note 8 and Note 9?
  • Samsung DeX Station vs Samsung DeX Pad vs Samsung DeX cable
  • How to use app pair on Galaxy S9 and S9+?
  • How to use Galaxy S9 camera Pro Mode on Galaxy S9 and S9+?
  • How to use super slow motion mode (super Slow-mo) on Galaxy S9 and S9+?
  • How to use adapt sound on Galaxy S9 and S9+?

RSS Galaxy S7 Guides

  • 5 different shooting methods to take selfie on Galaxy S7 and Galaxy S7 edge
  • How to find out the app pushing pop up ads in Galaxy S7 and S7 edge?
  • How to disable and adjust touch button light in Galaxy S7 and S7 edge?
  • How to use tasks edge in Galaxy S7 edge, Galaxy Note 7, Galaxy S6 edge and Galaxy S6 edge+
  • How to silence Galaxy S7 and S7 edge?
  • How to use direct dial, direct message and contact shortcuts in Galaxy S7 and Galaxy S7 edge?

RSS Galaxy S8 Guides

  • How to use the new features in Android Pie update for Galaxy S8 and S8+?
  • How to use app shortcuts in Galaxy S8 Home screen in Android Oreo update for Galaxy S8 and S8+?
  • Use notification dots/notification number badge in Galaxy S8 Android Oreo update
  • How to Install Galaxy S8 Android Oreo Update for Galaxy S8 and S8+?

RSS Galaxy Note 10 Guides

  • How to use the Dynamic Lock screen on Galaxy Note 10?
  • Galaxy Note 10 LED View Cover Guide and Review
  • Install S Note app and Extension pack on Galaxy Note 10
  • How to Use Galaxy Note 10 Camera App?
  • Galaxy Note 10 SIM Card Guide
  • How to use Samsung DeX for PC with Galaxy Note 10 and Galaxy Note 10+?
  • How to use Galaxy Note 10 Clear View cover (S View cover)?
  • How to charge Galaxy Note 10 battery?
  • How to use and remap Galaxy Note 10 Side key?
  • Galaxy Note 10 Layout

RSS Google Home Guides

  • Google Nest Mini vs Home Mini: what’s new and what’s not changed?
  • How to adjust alarm volume and timer volume in Google Home, Google Home Mini and Google Home Max?
  • Google Home Mini Guides
  • How to reset Google Home Mini?
  • How to use Google Home as a Bluetooth speaker?
  • How to rename Google Home?

RSS Moto G Phone Guide

  • Moto G8 Plus vs Moto G8 Play: Differences and common features
  • Official Moto G7 user manual
  • Moto G7 vs Moto G7 Play vs Moto G7 Plus vs Moto G7 Power: what are the differences?

RSS Samsung Galaxy S5 Guide

  • How to set Galaxy S5 photo size and video size?
  • Galaxy S5 battery guide
  • How to get additional Galaxy S5 camera modes (animated photo, sports shot, sound and shot, sequence shot, and surround shot)

RSS Moto X Owners Community

  • Official Moto X4 User manual (User guide for Moto X 4th Gen , Moto X 2017)
  • What’s new in Android Marshmallow update for Moto X (Moto X 2015, Moto X 2014, Moto X Style and Moto X Pure edition)?
  • Top 5 new features in Moto X 2015 (Moto X Style, Moto X Pure edition and Moto X Play) vs Moto X 2014

RSS Moto E Guide

  • Moto E4 vs Moto E4 Plus: major differences between Moto E4 and Moto E4 Plus
  • Moto E 2nd Gen (Moto E 4G): the best value-for-money smartphone in 2015

RSS Galaxy S4 Guides

  • Galaxy S4 User Manual and Handbook in English
  • Galaxy S4 User Manual and Handbook in Korean (한국어)

RSS Galaxy S6 Guide

  • Android Nougat Update Guide for Galaxy S6, Galaxy S6 edge and Galaxy S6 edge+
  • Official Galaxy S6 user manual with Android Nougat update
  • how to use widgets in Galaxy S6 and Galaxy S6 edge?
  • How to disable multi window in Samsung Galaxy S6, S6 edge and S6 edge+?

Footer

RSS Drive In Singapore

  • Understand COE Price by 10 Simple Questions
  • How to convert a foreign driving license to a Singapore driving license?
  • How to get a Touch ‘n Go card as a Singapore driver?
  • What is covered in the car warranty in Singapore? What is not?
  • What is the Singapore Road Speed Limit?
  • How to register, collect and use Malaysia Vehicle Entry Permit (VEP)?
  • Why are cars in Singapore are so expensive?
  • Drive to Malaysia
  • Car Maintenance and Servicing in Singapore
  • Driving in Singapore

RSS All About Chromecast

  • Chromecast Preview Program: Everything you need to know
  • What are the 3 compatible audio cables for Chromecast Audio? and why it matters?
  • How to use the new Chromecast app?
  • What’s new in the new Chromecast (Chromecast 2015)
  • How to change Chromecast time format and time zone?
  • Screen mirroring with Chromecast
  • How to use Chromecast to share desktop screen (and audio) to TV?
  • How to change Chromecast WiFi network?
  • How to stream local video to Chromecast?
  • All About Chromecast: a community for Chromecast owners

RSS Headphone Guides

  • Top 10 new features of AirPods Pro (vs AirPods 2)
  • How to use Samsung Galaxy Buds?
  • What is active noise canceling (ANC)? How active noise-cancelling headphone works?
  • What are the differences among in-ear, on-ear and over-ear headphones?
  • Wireless Earbuds Guides
  • Sports headphone guides
  • Noise-canceling headphone guides
  • Bluetooth Headphone Guides
  • Headphone 101
  • Headphone Guide Pro: how to choose and use headphones

© 2015–2019 · GadgetGuideOnline.com is a online community for Gadget Owners! · Hosted by PTRHosting
Android Guide, Android tips, tricks and hacks. Everything you need know about Android. These guides will teach you how to use your Android phones and other Android gadgets.
Powered by Genesis framework for WordPress
Disclaimer: Android is a trademark of Google. This website is NOT affiliated with Google in any way. All the information provided on this website is provided on an "as is" and "as available" basis and you agree that you use such information entirely at your own risk.

We use cookies to give you the best online experience. By using our website you agree to our use of cookies in accordance with our cookie policy.OKRead more