Stop Bixby From Opening on Samsung Side Button

If pressing the side button on your Samsung Galaxy phone launches Bixby instead of showing the power menu or locking the screen, you are not alone. This guide shows you exactly how to change that setting so the side button does what you expect. The fix takes about a minute and only requires your phone.

What You’ll Need

• Your Samsung Galaxy phone (Galaxy S, Note, Z Fold, or Z Flip series)
• About one minute of time

Step-by-Step

1. Unlock your phone and go to the home screen.
2. Open the Settings app. You can find it in your app drawer or by swiping down from the top of the screen and tapping the gear icon.
3. Scroll down and tap Advanced Features. On some newer models (running One UI 6 or later), this option may be called Advanced Features or simply Side Button depending on your software version.
4. Look for the option labeled Side Button or Side key. Tap it.
5. Under the Press and hold section, you will see two choices:
   • Wake Bixby (or just “Bixby”)
   • Power off menu (or “Power menu”)
6. Select Power off menu (or “Power menu”). This changes what happens when you press and hold the side button.
7. If you also want to change what happens when you double press the side button, look at the Double press section just below. You can set it to open the camera, a specific app, or do nothing.
8. Exit Settings. Your change is saved automatically.

That is all there is to it. Now, when you press and hold the side button, you will see the power menu with options like Restart, Screenshot, and Emergency mode. Bixby will no longer launch from that button.

Common Mistakes

• Looking in the wrong Settings section: Some people search for “Bixby” in the Settings search bar and end up in Bixby’s own settings, which do not control the side button. Always go to Advanced Features → Side Button.
• Changing the wrong toggle: There may be a separate toggle for “Bixby wake” that lets Bixby respond to voice commands. That is not the same as the side button setting. Make sure you are in the Side Button menu.
• Forgetting to test the press-and-hold: After changing the setting, some users only try a quick press. Remember, this setting affects the press and hold action, not a single tap. A single tap usually just turns the screen on or off.
• Assuming the change applies to the double press: Changing the press-and-hold behavior does not automatically change the double-press behavior. You must adjust those separately if you want them different.

Tips

• Use the double-press shortcut wisely: If you set double-press to open the camera, you can launch it quickly even from the lock screen. This is a handy shortcut for capturing moments fast.
• If you still want Bixby sometimes: You can still use Bixby by saying “Hi Bixby” if voice wake is enabled, or by opening the Bixby app manually. You are not removing Bixby, just changing the button behavior.
• On older models (One UI 4 or earlier): The menu might be labeled Side key instead of Side Button. The options are the same.
• Check for software updates: Samsung occasionally changes menu names. If you cannot find the exact option, update your phone to the latest software version first.

Troubleshooting

If you followed the steps but Bixby still opens when you press and hold the side button, try these fixes in order:

1. Restart your phone. A simple restart can apply the setting if it did not take effect immediately.
2. Re-check the setting. Go back to Settings → Advanced Features → Side Button and confirm that Power off menu is selected. Sometimes a system update can reset this setting.
3. Check for a Bixby app update. Open the Galaxy Store or Google Play Store, search for Bixby, and update it if available. A buggy Bixby version can sometimes override the system setting.
4. Clear Bixby’s cache. Go to Settings → Apps → Bixby → Storage → Clear Cache. This does not delete your data, just temporary files that might cause issues.
5. Check if you are using a third-party launcher. Some launchers can interfere with system gestures. Try switching back to the default One UI home screen temporarily to see if the problem persists.
6. Boot into Safe Mode. Press and hold the power button, then tap and hold the “Power off” icon on the screen until the Safe Mode prompt appears. In Safe Mode, third-party apps are disabled. If the side button works correctly there, a downloaded app is likely interfering. Uninstall recently installed apps to find the culprit.
7. Factory reset as a last resort. If nothing else works, back up your data and perform a factory reset. This will restore all settings to default and usually resolves any software conflicts.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does Samsung force Bixby on the side button?

Samsung originally designed the side button to launch Bixby to promote its virtual assistant. They have since made it customizable, but the default setting on many models is still Bixby, which is why many users need to change it.

Will changing this setting break anything else?

No. Changing the press-and-hold behavior only affects what happens when you hold the button. The power button still turns the screen on and off with a quick press, and the volume buttons work normally.

Can I still use Bixby after changing this?

Yes. You can still say “Hi Bixby” if voice wake is enabled, or open the Bixby app from your app drawer. You are only changing the button shortcut, not disabling Bixby entirely.

Does this work on all Samsung Galaxy phones?

Yes, this setting is available on all Galaxy phones that have a side button, including the S series, Note series, Z Fold, and Z Flip. The exact menu name may vary slightly depending on your One UI version, but the option is always under Advanced Features.

What if I want the side button to do nothing when held?

Unfortunately, Samsung does not offer a “Do nothing” option for the press-and-hold action. Your choices are typically Bixby or the Power off menu. If you want no action, you would need to use a third-party app, but that is not recommended as it can interfere with system functions.

I changed the setting but Bixby still opens. What now?

Try restarting your phone first. If that does not work, check for software updates and clear Bixby’s cache as described in the Troubleshooting section. If the issue persists, a factory reset is the most reliable solution.

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