Galaxy S23 Ultra Customize the Side button or Bixby key on Galaxy phones
If you can’t find the Power button on your Galaxy phone, don’t panic. Depending on your phone model, there won’t be a separate Power button and Bixby key. Instead, they have been combined to create the Side button! This button can be programmed to perform different tasks, such as turning off your phone, calling Bixby, or opening an app. Since certain models have a Side button and other models have a Bixby key, you can review our explanations for the button and key, and their functions, so you’ll know exactly what your phone's button or key is capable of.
Note: Menu options and settings will vary by device model and OS version.
About the Side button
Note: Devices running One UI 5.1.1 or higher will have a side button instead of side key. The Side button or key can be customized to open Bixby or perform other actions
All newer Galaxy phones have a Volume button and a Side button, though on some devices they may be labeled as keys. As the name suggests, the Volume button can be pressed to adjust the phone’s volume. The Side button, or the Power/Bixby button, can be short pressed, long pressed, or double pressed to access different functions. Depending on what phone model you have, the buttons will be located on either the left or right side.
Alone, the buttons have their own functions, but together, they can be used to create your own shortcuts for a more streamlined experience. Here are the default button functions you can use:
Bixby Voice: Long press the Side button or key.
Turn screen on or off: Short press the Side button or key.
Power on: Long press the Side button or key while the phone is off.
Screen capture: Short press the Side and Volume down buttons or keys simultaneously.
Power off menu: Long press the Side and Volume down buttons or keys simultaneously while the phone is on.
Launch Camera or open app: Double press the Side buttons or keys to open your desired choice.
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.
For additional details about setting up and using Bixby, please check out our Bixby guide.
Note: You can also power off your phone with the Quick settings panel. Swipe down from the top of the screen using two fingers, then tap the Power icon in the top right corner of the screen, and then tap Power off.
Customize the Side button
Note: Devices running One UI 5.1.1 or higher will have a side button instead of side key. The Side button or key can be customized to open Bixby or perform other actions
Keep opening Bixby by accident when you press the Side button or key? You can remap the Side button or key to open any app of your choice. Navigate to and open Settings, tap Advanced features, and then tap Side button or Side key. From here, you can select your desired settings.
For Double press, you can choose between:
Quick launch camera
Open app (Tap the Settings icon to select an app.)
For Press and hold, you can choose between:
Wake Bixby
Power off menu (You can also use the Quick settings panel or Bixby to turn off your phone.)
For additional details about setting up and using Bixby, please check out our Bixby guide.
About the Bixby key
Note: The Note 9, S8 series, and S10 and lower have a dedicated Bixby key on their left side.
The Bixby key on certain phones can be used for multiple things, such as waking up Bixby or opening specific apps. You can also choose what happens when pressing the Bixby key once or twice. Just remember that pressing and holding the Bixby key will always activate Bixby Voice.
For additional details about setting up and using Bixby, please check out our Bixby guide.
Customize the Bixby key
Note: The Note 9, S8, S9, and S10 series or lower have a dedicated Bixby key on their left side.
If you don’t want the Bixby key to launch Bixby, then you can remap the key to open something else, like a frequently used app.
Open Bixby Assistant Home by pressing the Bixby key.
Then, tap Menu (the three horizontal lines), and then tap the name of your desired device.
Tap Settings, tap Bixby key, and then select an option.
You can use a single or double press to open Bixby. If you choose to open Bixby with a single press, you can double press the Bixby key to open another app or run a quick command - and vice versa.
For example, tap Double press to open Bixby, and then tap Use single press. Tap the switch, and choose what app to open or what quick command to run when you single press the Bixby key.
Note: This function may be turned off when you reset Bixby or deactivate the chosen app or quick command.
For additional details about setting up and using Bixby, please check out our Bixby guide.
Customize the buttons with Accessibility settings
If you want quick access to the Accessibility options on your phone, you can customize your phone’s Side and Volume buttons or keys, so they open up certain Accessibility settings. Now they’ll be much easier to reach.
Navigate to and open Settings, and then tap Accessibility. Tap Advanced settings, and then tap the Side and Volume up buttons or Side and Volume up keys.
Select the different shortcuts you'd like to appear, such as the Accessibility menu, Magnification, and whatever else you need.
To use your added shortcuts, press the Side and Volume up buttons or keys at the same time, and then tap the Accessibility setting you want to use.
You can also customize the Volume up and down buttons or keys to open up certain features that you use often. Follow the same steps described above but select Volume up and down buttons or Volume up and down keys instead. The same options will be available.
Note: If you choose only one Accessibility setting, it may activate immediately after pressing the Side and Volume up buttons or keys.
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