Customize the Samsung Galaxy S25 Side Button

You can change what the Galaxy S25 does when you double-press or press and hold its Side button. Use the built-in settings to launch the camera or another app with a double-press, and to choose between the power menu and the voice assistant for a long press.

What You’ll Need

A Samsung Galaxy S25, S25+ or S25 Ultra with its screen unlocked.
About a minute to change the settings. Menu labels can differ slightly with software version, carrier configuration or language.

Step-by-Step

Open the Side button settings. Open the Settings app, then tap Advanced features and Side button. If you do not see that path, use the search icon at the top of Settings and search for “Side button.”
Choose what a double press does. Under Double press, switch on the feature if it is off. Tap the displayed action or its settings control to see the available choices.
Select a double-press action. Choose Quick launch camera to open the camera quickly, or choose Open app and select an installed app from the list. The options shown may vary with software and device configuration. If you select an app, return to the Side button page and check that the chosen app is displayed.
Test the double press. Lock the screen or return to the Home screen, then press the Side button twice in quick succession. Confirm that the camera or selected app opens. If the phone instead locks or wakes, try two deliberate, closely spaced presses and check that Double press remains enabled.
Choose what press and hold does. On the same page, find Press and hold. Select Power off menu if you want a long press to show the restart and power-off controls. Select Digital assistant if you prefer to start the assistant configured on the phone. The available assistant choice depends on what is installed and enabled.
Check how to power off with your new setting. If you assigned press and hold to an assistant, holding the Side button will no longer bring up the power menu. To open the power menu, press the Side button and Volume down together, or swipe down from the top of the screen twice and tap the power icon in Quick settings. Use either method to restart or turn off the phone.
Verify both actions. Try a double press and a press and hold separately. A short, quick pair should trigger the double-press action; keeping the button down should trigger the long-press action. If one action is not what you expect, return to Settings > Advanced features > Side button and review its selection.

Common Mistakes

Expecting a single press to open an app. A single press normally turns the screen off or wakes it. The customizable shortcuts are the double press and press-and-hold actions.
Confusing the two controls. Changing Double press does not change the long-press behavior. Set each action separately.
Holding the button when you mean to double-press. Press twice quickly without keeping the second press down. A sustained press is treated as the press-and-hold action.
Choosing the assistant and then looking for the power menu by holding the button. Use the button-and-Volume-down shortcut or the Quick settings power icon instead.
Assuming every app will appear as a shortcut. The list is based on apps installed and available to the phone. An app that is absent, disabled or restricted may not be selectable.

Tips

Camera launch is useful when you want to capture something without searching through the Home screen. Choose an app you use often if a different shortcut better fits your routine.
If you frequently restart or switch off your phone, leaving Power off menu assigned to press and hold may be more convenient. You can still reach power controls another way if you select the assistant.
Test shortcuts with the screen both locked and unlocked. What opens can depend on the selected app, its lock-screen behavior and the phone’s current state.
Use Settings search if a software update changes the menu layout. Search for the setting name rather than following an old screenshot or instructions for a different Galaxy model.

Troubleshooting

The Side button page is missing: Open Settings and search for “Side button.” Confirm that you are using the phone’s Settings app, not a separate launcher’s settings. If search finds no result, restart the phone and check again.
Double press does nothing: Return to the Side button page and make sure Double press is enabled and has an action selected. Press twice promptly, with a clear release between presses. Remove a thick or poorly fitted case temporarily if it makes the button difficult to press.
The wrong app opens: Reopen the double-press options, select Open app, and choose the intended app. If it is not listed, install or enable it, then revisit the setting. A restart can help if the app was just installed.
The assistant opens instead of the power menu: This is expected when Digital assistant is selected for press and hold. Change the setting to Power off menu, or use Side button + Volume down or the Quick settings power icon.
The button seems unresponsive: Check whether the case obstructs it, then restart the phone using the on-screen power control if available. If it remains physically stuck or fails across all actions, contact Samsung support or a repair provider rather than forcing the button.
Settings differ from these steps: Menu wording and available choices can change with software updates, region, carrier and installed apps. Use Settings search for “Side button,” inspect the options actually shown, and install available system updates if the setting appears to be missing.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I make the Side button open any app?
For a double press, select Open app and choose an available installed app. The list may not include every app on the phone.

Can I use one action for a double press and another for a long press?
Yes. Configure Double press and Press and hold independently in the Side button settings.

How do I turn off the S25 if holding the Side button starts an assistant?
Press the Side button and Volume down together, or open Quick settings by swiping down twice and tap the power icon.

Can I disable the double-press shortcut?
Yes. Open the Side button settings and switch off Double press.

Does this change what a single press does?
No. These settings control double-press and press-and-hold behavior; a single press continues to control the screen.

Why is my preferred app not listed?
The app may not be installed, enabled or available as a launchable choice. Install or enable it, then check the app list again.

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

More in this bed

The whole Tech How-To bed →