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You probably already know you can squeeze the sides of your Pixel 2 to activate Google Assistant.
It turns out that this feature, Active Edge, can be configured to activate any function you'd like.
SEE ALSO:Google's Pixel 2 and 2 XL are perfect if you don't want to spend $1,000 on a new phoneThe process, which was pieced together by an ambitious XDA forum developer, is incredibly complicated. It doesn't technically change the function of Active Edge; it just makes your phone do something else when it senses that Google Assistant is about to pop up.
Here's how to do it: You'll need your computer, a USB connector, and a good chunk of time.
1. Download the application Button Mapper from Google Play, and open it.
Credit: monica chin/google2. At the bottom of your screen, you'll see an option to enable Button Mapper's accessibility service. Do so.
Credit: monica chin/google3. You'll be redirected back to the Button Mapper app. Tap Buttons > Active Edge > Customize. You'll be prompted to connect your phone to a computer and run a script.
Credit: monica chin/google4. Go to Settings > System > About Phone. Tap Build Number seven times. You'll be informed that you are now a developer. Congratulations!
Credit: monica chin/google
Credit: monica chin/google5. Pop back into System > Developer Options, which is now a thing you can access. Enable USB Debugging.
Credit: monica chin/google6. Here's where it gets tricky. You now need to install Android Debug Bridge on your computer. Download the appropriate ADB file for Mac, Windows, or Linux.
7. Open the Terminal and enter "cd /path/to/extracted/folder" without the quotation marks, plugging in the location of the folder you just downloaded.
Credit: monica chin/apple8. Plug your phone into your computer. Swipe down from the top of your screen to change your UBS connection to "File Transfer."
Credit: monica chin/google9. Head back to the Terminal. Execute "adb devices", and allow USB debugging when prompted. Then, run the following command: "adb shell sh /data/data/flar2.homebutton/keyevent.sh".
10. On your phone, when prompted, restart Button Mapper.
11. When Button Mapper re-opens, select Customize, and choose the feature you want.
Credit: XDAIf you've made it this far, congratulations! You've now replaced that annoying Assistant with something more useful.
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TopicsArtificial IntelligenceGoogleGoogle Assistant