Android
How to Completely Disable Bixby on the Galaxy S9
In this guide we’ll show you how to completely disable Bixby on the Galaxy S9 and Galaxy Note 8. We’ll help you disable the Bixby button, get rid of Bixby voice, and take it off your home screen. Bixby is Samsung’s virtual assistant similar to Siri, Alexa, or the Google Assistant. And while it’s pretty useful, some will want to turn it off.
Read: 175 Awesome Things Bixby Voice Can Do
While Bixby has a lot to offer, the dedicated button on the side of the phone is in the way and gets hit by accident. The other problem is we can’t reconfigure that button to do something else, like open the camera. So, follow our instructions or video below to get rid of Bixby once and for all. We’ve updated this guide for those running Android 9 Pie (One UI) also.
How to Disable the Bixby Key
To prevent Bixby from automatically popping up every time you accidentally hit the button, follow these steps.
- Press the Bixby Key on the middle left side of the phone
- At the top right corner, tap the 3-dots menu button (or settings icon)
- Tap Settings from the menu
- Scroll down and select Bixby Key
- Set to Don’t Open Anything
Keep in mind that once you do this the button still works, but you have to long-press the key to open Bixby. That means those accidental taps won’t do anything, but you’re not losing functionality either.
However, if you want to completely get rid of Bixby, you’ll need to disable Bixby Voice too.
How to Disable Bixby Voice
While you’re in the Bixby settings menu, hit back and scroll back up near the top. Instead of disabling the key, uncheck Bixby Voice as you see in our screenshot above.
- Press the Bixby Key on the middle left side of the phone
- At the top right corner, tap the 3-dots menu button (or settings icon)
- Tap Settings from the menu
- Flip the Bixby Voice switch to OFF
Once you disable both Bixby Voice and disable the button on the side of the phone, you’re almost done. Take note that the button does absolutely nothing now, even if you hold it down. You’ve successfully completely killed the frustrating and mostly useless Bixby for good.
Disable Bixby Home & Other Details
However, Bixby is still all over your home screen, but we can get rid of that too, which is the last step. When you swipe all the way to the left you’re greeted by a Bixby landing page full of information.
Push and hold any blank area on your home screen. The screen will zoom out to an edit mode, where you can change wallpapers and such. Swipe to the far left until you land on Bixby. Now, just disable Bixby with the slider at the top of the screen. Hit the home button and we’re all done. You’ve now successfully killed Bixby throughout the Galaxy S9.
How to Disable Bixby 2.0 on Android 9 Pie (One UI)
If you have a Galaxy S9, Note 9, etc with the new One UI Android 9 Pie update, you have Bixby 2.0 software. This is a new and improved Bixby, but it’s still not worth using. Plus, the steps to disable Bixby changed again, and we can no longer completely disable the button. We still have you covered.
Instructions
- Press the Bixby Key on the middle left side of the phone
- At the top right corner, tap the 3-dots menu button (or settings icon)
- Tap Settings from the menu
- Scroll down and select Bixby Key
- Change this to Press Twice to open Bixby
You’ll notice the option to make the button do nothing is gone, and now the only choice is “Press twice to open Bixby”. This does prevent accidental taps, but we can no longer completely disable Bixby. Still, it’s better than nothing so go ahead and change it to a double-tap.
If this isn’t good enough you can still use 3rd party software to hack and disable the button, but they’re not an ideal solution. Either way, this guide should alleviate some of the frustration from Bixby.
If at any point you want to bring back Samsung’s virtual assistant simply follow these steps in reverse. Long-press the button or long-press on the screen and enable Bixby Home, then open the app and turn the button back on. While you’re here, take a look at these best Galaxy S9 screen protectors. Or, read our Galaxy S9 problems and fixes guide.
April Magyar
12/16/2018 at 7:38 pm
Your article does not turn it off when using voice to text. I have yet to find how to do this because the Bixby voice to text is horrible. And I want the default back.
Jon Engeman
02/01/2019 at 10:34 am
There is no Bixby Key in the Settings tab in my version of Android Pie. Any suggestions for that?
Don Abrams
02/06/2019 at 2:25 pm
I’ve just called Samsung for advice on removing Bixby Vision from my phone. Their response is that it’s no longer possible. So, after the update, you’re forced to have the Bixby system controlling your camera. Samsung, if you’re listening, this is a very bad move.
Leo Rom
02/11/2019 at 10:23 am
This has been a very bad choice by Samsung. If I want limitations put on my phone I’ll get some fruit. Now I will just look for another brand for my next phone.
Erwin
02/17/2019 at 6:55 am
In this way… I’ll choose another brand.
Bye bye Samsung
GD
05/07/2019 at 4:09 am
They just ruined the Gallery! I liked the albums lined up on the left. I mean honestly, do they have to dork everything? Bixby is the MOST ANNOYING product and they are forcing it down your throats. I will never by another Samsung phone. It has been beyond frustrating. Back to Moto for me!
Tony
05/31/2019 at 5:43 am
Download “bxactions” you can map the button to something else. Pro allows a full disable through adb but it works fine on its own.
Tony
05/31/2019 at 5:45 am
Download “bxactions” you can map the button to something else. Pro allows a full disable through adb but it works fine on its own.