Android Side Button: What Each Press Does & How to Set It

On most Android phones, the side button (often called the power button) does more than just turn the screen on and off: a single press locks or wakes the screen, a long press summons the power menu or Google Assistant (depending on your settings), and a double press can open the camera or another app you choose. You can customize these actions in the system settings, and this guide explains each press type and walks you through setting them up on stock Android and common manufacturer skins.

Background: The Side Button’s Evolution

Early Android phones had a dedicated power button and a separate home button, and pressing the power button only locked the screen. As phones grew bezel-less and buttons merged, manufacturers added extra functions to the side button. Samsung, for example, renamed it the “Side key� and made it wake Bixby by default. Google’s Pixel phones kept the power button but added a double-press shortcut for the camera. Today, the side button is a multi-function input that you can often reprogram to suit how you use your phone.

What Each Press Does by Default

The exact behavior depends on your phone model and Android version, but here are the standard actions:

Single press: Locks the screen when on, or wakes the screen when off. On some phones, a single press also ends an active call.
Double press: Opens a shortcut – usually the camera on Pixel and many other devices. You can change this to open any app or trigger a Google Assistant routine.
Long press: On stock Android (Pixel), this opens the power menu with options like Restart, Screenshot, and Emergency. On Samsung, it opens Bixby or Google Assistant by default, but you can change it to open the power menu.
Press and hold with screen off: Some phones let you launch the camera or a specific app by holding the side button when the screen is off.

If your phone has a dedicated Google Assistant button (like some older LG or Sony models), that is separate from the side button.

How to Set the Side Button Actions

Settings menus vary, but the general path is similar. Here’s how to customize it on stock Android (Pixel) and Samsung One UI:

Pixel (stock Android): Open Settings > System > Gestures > Power button. Here you can choose what the double press does (default: Camera) and toggle “Press and hold for Assistant� on or off. If you turn off “Press and hold for Assistant,� a long press will open the power menu.
Samsung (One UI): Open Settings > Advanced features > Side button. You can set “Press and hold� to open the power off menu or wake Bixby/Google Assistant. Under “Double press,� you can choose to open the camera or a specific app you select.
Other brands (Xiaomi, OnePlus, etc.): Look in Settings > Additional settings or Buttons & gestures. Search for “power button� or “side key� in the Settings search bar if you can’t find it.

If your phone runs an older Android version, the long press may always open Google Assistant, and you may not be able to change it. That’s a limitation of the OS, not a bug.

Common Problems and Fixes

Users often report the side button not doing what they expect. Here are common issues and solutions:

Long press opens Assistant instead of the power menu: Go to Settings > System > Gestures > Power button and toggle off “Press and hold for Assistant.� On Samsung, change the “Press and hold� setting to “Power off menu.�
Double press does nothing: Make sure the double-press shortcut is enabled in the same settings menu. If it is, try restarting your phone – a temporary glitch may be blocking it.
Screen turns off when you press the button accidentally: You can adjust the screen timeout in Settings > Display, but the side button will always lock the screen when pressed. Some cases or grips can cause accidental presses; consider using a case with a raised lip around the button.
Side button is stuck or unresponsive: This is usually a hardware issue. Try cleaning the button with a soft, dry brush, but if it still doesn’t work, you may need a repair.

Comparisons: Side Button vs. Gesture Navigation

Many modern Android phones let you use gesture navigation instead of on-screen buttons, but the physical side button remains. Gesture navigation controls the back, home, and recent apps – it does not replace the side button’s lock/screen-wake function. Some users prefer to use the side button for all power functions, while others use “double tap to wake� or “lift to wake� gestures to avoid pressing the button. You can often enable these in Settings > Display > Lock screen, but they drain a little more battery.

Safety and Accessibility Considerations

If you have a phone case with a built-in screen protector, the side button may require a firmer press. For users with limited hand mobility, Android offers an accessibility feature called “Accessibility Menu� that adds a floating button on screen, letting you lock the screen, adjust volume, and more without pressing the physical side button. You can enable it in Settings > Accessibility > Accessibility Menu. Also, be aware that pressing the side button five times quickly triggers the Emergency SOS feature on many devices – this is a safety feature, but you can customize or disable it in Settings > Safety & emergency.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does my side button open Google Assistant instead of the power menu?

On stock Android, the long press is set to open Google Assistant by default. You can change this in Settings > System > Gestures > Power button by turning off “Press and hold for Assistant.� Once disabled, a long press will show the power menu with options like Restart, Screenshot, and Emergency.

Can I make the double press open any app?

On Samsung phones, yes – in Settings > Advanced features > Side button, you can choose “Open app� under “Double press� and select any installed app. On Pixel phones, the double press is limited to the camera or a Google Assistant routine, but you can use an app like Button Mapper (requires accessibility permission) to remap it to any app.

How do I take a screenshot with the side button?

On most Android phones, press the side button and the volume down button at the same time. On Samsung, you can also use the palm swipe gesture or the side button’s power menu (if enabled). If that doesn’t work, check your phone’s gesture settings – some models require you to hold both buttons for a second.

What does pressing the side button five times do?

On many Android phones, pressing the side button five times quickly triggers Emergency SOS, which can call emergency services or send your location to emergency contacts. You can customize or disable this in Settings > Safety & emergency > Emergency SOS. It’s a safety feature, but you should be aware of it to avoid accidental triggers.

Can I disable the side button completely?

You can’t disable the physical side button entirely, but you can change its long-press and double-press actions. If you want to avoid pressing it, enable “Double tap to wake� or “Lift to wake� in Display settings, and use the on-screen Accessibility Menu button for locking the screen.

General steps for current mainstream versions; menus can differ by device and version. See the disclaimer or report an error.

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