Customize the Side key on your Galaxy phone
If you can’t find the Power button on your Galaxy phone, don’t panic. There’s no longer a separate Power and Bixby button. They have been combined into one and include Bixby functionality. This new button is called the Side key, and it can be programmed to perform different tasks, whether you want to turn off your phone, call Bixby, or perform other actions.
Information provided applies to devices sold in Canada. Available screens and settings may vary for smartphones sold in other countries.
All newer Galaxy phones have a Volume key and a Side key. As the name suggests, the Volume key can be pressed to adjust the phone’s volume. The Side key, or the Power/Bixby key, can be short pressed, long pressed, or double pressed to access different functions. Depending on what phone model you have, the buttons are located on the left or right side.
Alone, the keys have their own functions, but together, they can be used to create your own shortcuts for a more streamlined experience.
Here are the default key functions you can use:
- Bixby Voice: Long press the Side key.
- Screen on or off: Short press the Side key.
- Power on: Long press the Side key while the phone is off.
- Screen capture: Short press the Side key and Volume down key simultaneously.
- Power off menu: Long press the Side key and Volume down key simultaneously while the phone is on.
- Launch Camera: Double press the Side key. If you've already set up Bixby Voice, double pressing may open Bixby Assistant Home instead.
If you are using a foldable phone like the Galaxy Fold or Z Flip, make sure the phone is opened when pressing these shortcuts. They may not work the same way when the phone is closed.
You can also power off your phone with the Quick settings panel. Swipe down from the top of the screen, tap the Power icon in the top corner of the screen, and then tap Power off.
Maybe you’re used to that key just doing one thing, like waking up Bixby. No worries, you can customize the key to make it work for you.
From Settings, search for and select Side key, and then tap Side key again.
Here you can select your desired settings.
- For Double press, you can choose between: Quick launch camera, Open Bixby, and Open app (tap the Settings icon to select an app).
- For Press and hold, you can choose between: Wake up Bixby, and Power off menu (you can also use Quick settings or Bixby).
If you want quick access to the Accessibility option on the phone, you can customize your phone’s Side key, so it opens up certain Accessibility settings. Now they’ll be much easier to reach.
From Settings, search for and select Direct access under Advanced settings. Tap Side and Volume up keys, and then tap the switch to turn this feature on. Then, tap the switch next to Accessibility settings to add them to this shortcut.
To use your added shortcuts, press the Side key and Volume up key at the same time, and then tap the Accessibility setting you want to use.
If you chose only one Accessibility setting, it will activate immediately after pressing the Power and Volume up keys.
You can also customize the Volume up and down keys to open up certain features that you use often.
From Settings, search for and select Direct access under Advanced settings. Tap Volume up and down keys, and then tap Selected service. You can choose from a variety of services, although the available ones will differ depending on your phone or carrier.
Some common services are: Your Phone Companion, Universal switch, Voice Assistant, and Live Transcribe.
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