An electronic device and a method for gesture recognition are disclosed. The electronic device includes a radar transceiver and a processor operably connected to the radar transceiver. The processor is configured to detect a triggering event. In response to detecting the triggering event, the processor is configured to transmit, via the radar transceiver, radar signals. The processor is also configured to identify a gesture from reflections of the radar signals received by the radar transceiver. The processor is further configured to determine whether the gesture is associated with the triggering event. Based on determining that the gesture is associated with the triggering event, the processor is configured to perform an action indicated by the gesture.