How To Turn Off Bixby Button | Stop Accidental Launches

If your phone keeps popping open Bixby when you meant to lock the screen, take a screenshot, or power down, you’re not alone. On many Galaxy models, a long press on the Side button can wake Bixby by default. The fix is a simple settings change, and it sticks after updates.

This walkthrough covers the two layouts you’ll run into: newer Galaxy phones where the Side button doubles as the power button, and older models with a separate Bixby button. You’ll get step-by-step taps, quick tests to confirm it worked, and troubleshooting for the common “my menus don’t match” moments.

What People Mean By The “Bixby Button”

Samsung has used a few different button layouts over the years. Most people say “Bixby button” to mean any button press that launches Bixby, even when the hardware is labeled as the Side button or power button.

Newer Galaxy Models: The Side Button

On many recent Galaxy devices, the Side button does different things depending on how you press it. A quick press locks or wakes the screen. A double press can open the camera or an app. A long press can bring up the power menu or wake Bixby, based on your choice in settings.

Older Models: A Separate Bixby Button

Some older Galaxy phones included a distinct button mapped to Bixby. Those models still let you change how that button behaves. The wording inside Settings is different, yet the goal stays the same: make the press stop launching Bixby.

Before You Start: Find The Right Settings Screen Fast

Samsung changes labels a bit across One UI versions and regions. Two habits keep you from chasing the wrong menu:

• Use Settings search. Open Settings and type “Side button,” “Side button settings,” or “Bixby.”
• Look for “Advanced features.” Button actions often live there.

Turn Off Bixby Button Actions On Newer Galaxy Phones

This is the most common fix. It changes what happens when you press and hold the Side button, so Bixby no longer opens from that gesture.

Set Press And Hold To The Power Menu

1. Open Settings.
2. Tap Advanced features.
3. Tap Side button.
4. Under Press and hold (or Long press), choose Power off menu.

Now a long press shows power options. Bixby won’t open from that button press.

Stop Bixby From Opening On A Double Press

Double press is often set to Camera. If yours is set to open Bixby or something you don’t want, change it:

1. Stay in Settings → Advanced features → Side button.
2. Under Double press, select Quick launch camera or Open app.
3. If you choose Open app, tap the small settings icon and pick your app.

Confirm The New Behavior In 10 Seconds

• Press and hold the Side button: you should see the power menu.
• Press once: the screen locks or wakes.
• Double press: camera or your chosen app opens.

Turn Off A Dedicated Bixby Button On Older Galaxy Models

If your phone has a separate button that triggers Bixby, you may see options named “Bixby button” inside Settings, or controls inside the Bixby app itself. Your goal is to switch the button away from “Open Bixby” or “Wake Bixby.”

Try The Built-In Button Options First

1. Open Settings.
2. Tap Advanced features.
3. Tap Bixby or Bixby button (names vary).
4. Choose the option that removes Bixby from a single press, double press, or press-and-hold.

If You Don’t See A Button Option

Some models tuck the control inside Bixby’s settings. Open Bixby, open its settings, then look for the button mapping or activation settings. If you get stuck, use Settings search for “Bixby button.”

Quick Map: Which Switch Fixes Which Annoyance

Use this table to match the behavior you see with the switch that fixes it. It’s the same set of controls, translated into plain language.

What Happens	Where To Change It	What To Set
Long press opens Bixby	Settings → Advanced features → Side button	Press and hold (or Long press) → Power off menu
Double press opens Bixby	Settings → Advanced features → Side button	Double press → Camera or Open app
Single press triggers Bixby on older models	Settings → Advanced features → Bixby button	Set to require double press or remove shortcut
Side button menu is missing	Settings search	Search “Side button” or “Bixby”
Long press still wakes an assistant	Side button screen	Confirm Press and hold is not set to Bixby
Power menu feels hidden	Quick settings panel	Use the power icon in Quick settings
Button launches something after an update	Side button screen	Re-check Press and hold and Double press
You want the button to open an app	Side button screen	Double press → Open app

Turning Off The Bixby Button Without Losing Power Controls

A common worry is losing easy access to power off and restart once you stop using Bixby. You still have solid options, and you can pick the one that feels natural.

Use The Power Menu With Press And Hold

When Press and hold is set to the power menu, you get the classic “hold to power off” behavior on newer Galaxy devices. It’s the closest match to older Android phones.

Use Quick Settings When Your Hand Is Full

Swipe down twice from the top of the screen to open Quick settings, then tap the power icon. This can be easier when your phone is on a stand or a case makes the Side button stiff. Samsung’s support notes these shutdown options on its Side button settings guidance: how to customize the Side button.

Know The Forced Restart Combo

If your phone freezes and won’t respond, a forced restart uses the Side button with Volume down. Save it for the rare moments when the screen won’t react to taps.

When You Still See Bixby After Changing Settings

If Bixby still opens after you changed the Side button setting, it’s almost always one of these situations. Work down the list and you’ll spot it fast.

You Changed Double Press Instead Of Press And Hold

The Side button screen has two separate areas. One controls double press. One controls press-and-hold. If Bixby opens on a long press, the fix lives in the press-and-hold section.

Bixby Is Being Launched From A Shortcut

Some users pin Bixby on the home screen, add a quick panel button, or use a widget. Removing that shortcut changes what you bump into day-to-day, even if Bixby is still installed.

Bixby Voice Setup Pulled Defaults Back

On some phones, finishing Bixby Voice setup can nudge defaults back toward waking Bixby. If you just signed in or restored a backup, check the Side button screen again.

Reduce Accidental Presses After You Disable The Bixby Launch

Once Bixby is off the button, you can make the Side button feel calmer in daily use. These settings won’t fit each person, yet they help if your phone lives in a pocket, a tight case, or a car mount.

Turn Off Double Press If You Never Use It

1. Open Settings → Advanced features → Side button.
2. Toggle Double press off.

This stops surprise camera launches when the button gets bumped twice.

Pick A Case That Doesn’t Pre-Press The Button

Some cases sit too tight on the Side button, so a long hold starts without you meaning to. If the button feels mushy or always half-pressed, loosen the case fit or try a different case style.

Check Accessibility Shortcuts If You Use Them

If you use accessibility shortcuts tied to buttons, check that your shortcut combo isn’t mapped to an assistant launch. These are useful tools, so change them with care.

Troubleshooting Checklist When Menus Don’t Match Your Screen

Samsung’s menus vary by model and One UI version. This table lists the common roadblocks and the fastest fix for each.

Roadblock	What To Try	Why It Works
No “Advanced features” entry	Use Settings search for “Side button”	Search jumps you to the right screen even when menus shift
You see “Side button” but no press options	Scroll for Press and hold or Long press	The control is often lower on the page
Press and hold choices are missing	Install updates, then restart once	System updates can restore missing preference screens
Bixby opens from a gesture	Check Bixby’s in-app settings	Gestures are separate from button mapping
Restoring a backup changed the button action	Re-set Press and hold and Double press	Backups can restore prior mappings
You want fewer Bixby prompts	Disable Bixby apps you don’t use	Reduces prompts while keeping system tools stable
Bixby setup prompts keep returning	Turn off Bixby Voice wake options	Reduces triggers that feel like button launches

If You Want To Quiet Bixby Beyond The Button

Remapping the button fixes the “press problem.” If you want fewer Bixby prompts across the phone, you can disable Bixby-related apps in Settings, or sign out of features you don’t use. Samsung notes that Bixby can’t always be removed fully, yet you can limit how often it appears by remapping button actions and adjusting Bixby options: remap or turn off Bixby.

Final Check: Test The Button The Way You Use It

Do one quick pass that matches your day. Lock the phone, pull it from a pocket, press the Side button once, then press and hold. If you see the power menu, you’re set. If Bixby opens, return to Side button settings and confirm Press and hold is set to the power menu.