The Handheld Portal Device in Portal 2 behaves somewhat differently to its Portal counterpart. While holding an object, the primary fire function will push the object forward very slightly, while secondary fire will drop the object.

The Handheld Portal Device also has the ability to pick up and manipulate objects directly in front of it in the same manner as the Gravity Gun from the Half-Life series. The glass chamber and a light on the top of the device will glow with the color of the previously placed portal. Nothing will happen if a portal is shot at an enemy or other object. If a portal of the same color is already placed, it will be closed and the new one will be used instead, limiting the player to the use of only two portals at a time. If a portal of the other color is already placed, these two portals will be linked. If the projectile strikes a valid surface, a portal of the corresponding color will be formed. When the device is fired, a burst of energy will be released from the end of the device. The Handheld Portal Device is designed to create and place portals on immobile surfaces, or surfaces covered with Conversion Gel that are big enough for the Portals to be opened.