Hint for DrawerLayout or MenuDrawer for new users?

Question

I created some apps in which I used DrawerLayout or MenuDrawer and trust me some android users don't even know about drawers.

I need a reference of how to show them that they can swipe left or right to see the options that are hidden. Obviously HomeUp button doesn't give them a clue about sliding. I hope you understand my question.

Answer 1

A couple of ideas:

1. You can either begin your first launch with the app drawer open. The user would then need to close it and would know of its existence.

2. Again on first launch, you could animate a slight opening and closing, sort of a "jiggle" to hint that there's something there. Can I open the drawer layout with animation programmatically?

Answer 2

The official design guidelines suggest opening the drawer by default the first time the app is opened by the user. This is probably the least hostile option to users that are familiar with the drawer layout, which is going to be most of your users, but it still makes it obvious that there is a drawer and how it works.

Answer 3

It sounds like you want a reference for your users, to explain to the users how to get to these option pages. I've personally not had an issue with the drawer layout apps I've come in contact with, but I honestly can't remember if the first one might have had a little pop-up that explained "Swipe from the left edge for options, swipe from the right edge for tools" or some such.

But that is what I'd recommend: an FYI popup/alert with a "don't show this again" checkbox, runs once when the app opens unless they've checked the box.