Article 3WTJR How to completely disable Bixby

How to completely disable Bixby

by
Daniel Bader
from Android Central RSS Feed on (#3WTJR)

galaxy-s8-plus-review-bixby.jpg?itok=HRY

Get rid of the Galaxy's most disappointing feature.

The Galaxy Note 9 is coming August 24, and it also integrates Bixby. While we're still evaluating the software, we believe that these steps will be the same on the Galaxy Note 9.

Ever since Samsung announced the Galaxy S8 with its onboard assistant, Bixby, people have been asking for ways to disable it and forget the button ever existed in the first place. With the Galaxy S9, that chorus is even louder.

While the hardware's not going anywhere, we can definitely do something about the software. Here's how to get rid of Bixby Voice and, if you're using Samsung's launcher, Bixby Home.

Why do you want to disable Bixby?

One of the biggest frustrations with the Bixby button is its placement; the button is right under the volume keys and nearly directly opposite the power buttons. On larger phones like the Galaxy S9+ and Note 8, this often leads to accidental presses and unintended Bixby launches, especially when double-pressing the power button to launch the camera.

The Bixby button is also not mappable to another action; Samsung wants you to use it for Bixby, or not at all. This isn't ideal, so many people will inevitably choose to just forget it exists and move on.

How to disable Bixby Voice

Bixby is divided into two distinct categories: Bixby Voice and Bixby Home. Voice is the feature that lets you get stuff done by holding down the Bixby button for a moment, walkie-talkie-style. It's useful but can get frustrating when it doesn't work, so you're going to want to turn it off before you disable Bixby Home (which is accessed by short-pressing the Bixby button).

  1. While on the Samsung home screen, swipe right until you get to Bixby Home.

    • Alternatively, press the Bixby button on the left side of the phone, right under the volume rocker.

    bixby-button-3-1.jpg?itok=cIbmyZRW

  2. On the top menu bar, tap the three vertical dots.
  3. Tap Settings.
  4. Uncheck Bixby Voice.

bixby-button-2.jpg?itok=2Sw35c_s

That's it! Now Bixby Voice won't bug you when you accidentally hold down your finger on the Bixby button. Next, we have to prevent the Bixby button from accessing Bixby Home.

How to disable the Bixby button

Now that Bixby Voice has been disabled, we have to disable Bixby Home from popping up whenever we accidentally press the side button.

  1. Press the Bixby button on the left side of the phone, right under the volume rocker.
  2. In the top menu bar, tap the Settings button (looks like three cogs).
  3. Uncheck Bixby Key.

bixby-button-1.jpg?itok=c_3nk0az

That's it! Now when you press the Bixby button once, it won't open the Bixby Home

How to disable Bixby Home from the home screen

Now, the final step to disabling Bixby entirely is to disable Bixby Home access from the home screen which, by default, puts it on the left-most panel.

  1. From the home screen, hold down on empty space until the menu appears.
  2. Swipe to the right to reach the left home panel.
  3. Disable Bixby Home.

bixby-button-disable-2.jpg?itok=LIGMUleZ

That's it! Now neither the Bixby button nor the Bixby Home screen will work and you can move on with your life, Bixby-free.

Should you want to access Bixby again, though, you'll need to follow these steps in reverse, first enabling Bixby Home from the launcher and then the Bixby button from inside the menu.

Questions? Comments?

Got any questions about this process, or just want to share your sheer joy at being able to disable Bixby? Let us know in the comments below!

Update August 14, 2018: This article is still accurate, and we're looking into whether the steps still work for the Galaxy Note 9.

Samsung Galaxy S9 and S9+

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