From Engadget · Isaac Egbon · · 1m 40s
Customize your Samsung side button in seconds
Samsung's side button does way more than power on and off, and you can remap it to do almost anything.
In brief
Samsung's side button does way more than power on and off, and you can remap it to do almost anything. Your Samsung phone's side button is fully customizable through Settings > Advanced features > Side button, letting you launch apps, activate assistants, or trigger routines with a single press. Originally reported by…
Samsung ditched the power button
Since 2019, Samsung replaced the traditional power button with a multifunctional side button that also handles the old Bixby button's duties on newer Galaxy phones.
What the side button does by default
Short press powers the screen on and off, long press activates Bixby, double press opens the camera, and combinations with volume buttons control power menus and screenshots.
How to remap your side button
Go to Settings, then Advanced features, then Side button to customize what each press does. Double press can open apps like Camera, Flashlight, Voice Recorder, or Samsung Notes.
Long press options are limited
Long press can only activate assistant apps like Bixby, Google Gemini, ChatGPT, or Claude, or pull up the power-off menu. Older Galaxy S8 to S10 models with dedicated Bixby buttons have fewer customization options.
Use Modes and Routines for power
Pair the side button with Modes and Routines to trigger complex actions. For example, set it to activate Driving Mode, which enables hands-free calling, opens maps, reads messages aloud, and auto-replies to texts.
“There are myriad things you can do when you pair Modes and Routines with your Samsung phone's side button.”
Quick recording without unlocking
Assign Voice Recorder to a double press to start recording instantly without unlocking your phone or hunting for the app. Perfect for capturing meeting notes or sudden ideas.
“You can begin recording the moment inspiration strikes.”
The one thing
Your Samsung phone's side button is fully customizable through Settings > Advanced features > Side button, letting you launch apps, activate assistants, or trigger routines with a single press.
