How to Completely Disable Bixby on Your Samsung Galaxy: A Comprehensive Guide
Bixby, Samsung’s voice assistant, comes pre-installed on many Galaxy devices. While some users find it helpful, others may prefer Google Assistant or simply want to avoid accidental activations. If you’re in the latter group, this comprehensive guide will walk you through various methods to completely disable Bixby on your Samsung Galaxy phone or tablet.
Before we dive in, it’s important to understand that Samsung has made it progressively harder to completely remove or disable Bixby over the years. However, by combining several techniques, you can significantly reduce its presence and prevent unwanted activations.
## Understanding Bixby and Its Components
Bixby isn’t just a single app; it’s a suite of services and features deeply integrated into the Samsung ecosystem. This includes:
* **Bixby Voice:** The core voice assistant functionality, allowing you to control your device with voice commands.
* **Bixby Home (or Samsung Free):** A card-based interface that provides news, weather, reminders, and other information. It often appears when you swipe left on your home screen.
* **Bixby Routines:** Automates tasks based on your location, time, or device status.
* **Bixby Vision:** Uses your camera to identify objects, translate text, and shop online.
* **Bixby Button:** A dedicated physical button (on older Samsung models) that launches Bixby Voice.
* **Power Button Activation (on newer Samsung models):** Long-pressing the power button activates Bixby Voice by default, instead of showing the power menu.
Disabling Bixby involves addressing each of these components individually. The specific steps may vary slightly depending on your device model and software version (One UI version), but the general principles remain the same.
## Step-by-Step Guide to Disabling Bixby
Follow these steps in order to effectively disable Bixby on your Samsung device. We’ll start with the most obvious and easily accessible methods and then move on to more advanced techniques.
### 1. Remap the Bixby Button (If Applicable)
This step only applies if your Samsung device has a dedicated Bixby button. Samsung eventually allowed users to remap this button to launch other apps or perform different actions.
* **Open Settings:** Go to your phone’s Settings app.
* **Search for Bixby Key:** Use the search bar at the top of the Settings app and type “Bixby key”. Alternatively, navigate to **Advanced features** (or **General management**) > **Bixby key** (or **Side key** on newer devices).
* **Choose an Option:**
* **Double Press to Open Bixby:** Select this option if it’s available. This requires you to press the Bixby button twice to launch Bixby, reducing accidental activations.
* **Use Single Press to Open App:** Select this option to assign the Bixby button to another app. Choose an app you frequently use, such as the camera, a web browser, or another assistant like Google Assistant.
If you *can’t* remap the button and are stuck with only the double-press option, move on to the next step. On some older devices, you may need to update the Bixby app itself before you can remap the button. Check the Galaxy Store for updates to Bixby Voice.
### 2. Disable Bixby Voice
This step prevents Bixby from responding to voice commands and accidental button presses (if you couldn’t remap the Bixby button effectively).
* **Open Bixby Voice:** Activate Bixby Voice by pressing the Bixby button (if applicable) or by long-pressing the power button (if configured that way). You might also find the Bixby icon in your app drawer.
* **Access Settings:** Look for a three-dot menu (usually in the top-right corner) or a gear icon to access Bixby Voice settings. If you’re using the power button to activate Bixby, go to **Settings > Advanced features > Side key** and disable “Double press” for Bixby.
* **Disable Voice Wake-Up:** In the settings menu, find options like “Voice wake-up,” “Wake with voice,” or similar. Disable this feature to prevent Bixby from listening for its wake word (“Hi Bixby”).
* **Disable Bixby Voice Completely (If Possible):** Some versions of Bixby allow you to disable the service entirely. Look for an option like “Disable Bixby Voice” or a similar setting. This option is becoming increasingly rare in newer versions of One UI.
### 3. Disable Bixby Routines
Bixby Routines automates tasks based on triggers you define. Disabling it prevents Bixby from automatically performing actions without your explicit instruction.
* **Open Settings:** Go to your phone’s Settings app.
* **Navigate to Bixby Routines:** Search for “Bixby Routines” in the Settings app or navigate to **Advanced features > Bixby Routines**.
* **Disable Routines:** Toggle the switch at the top of the screen to disable Bixby Routines completely. Alternatively, you can review individual routines and disable or delete them as needed.
### 4. Disable Bixby Home (Samsung Free)
Bixby Home (now often branded as Samsung Free) is the card-based interface that appears when you swipe left on your home screen. Many users find it cluttered and irrelevant. Disabling it is a straightforward process.
* **On the Home Screen, Long-Press an Empty Area:** This will activate the home screen editing mode.
* **Swipe Left to Access Bixby Home (Samsung Free):** You’ll see a panel to the left of your main home screen.
* **Toggle the Switch to Off:** There will be a switch at the top of the Bixby Home (Samsung Free) panel. Turn it off to disable the service. The panel will disappear when you return to your home screen.
### 5. Revoke Permissions for Bixby Apps
Even if you’ve disabled the main Bixby features, the Bixby apps may still have access to various permissions, such as your location, contacts, and microphone. Revoking these permissions can further limit Bixby’s functionality.
* **Open Settings:** Go to your phone’s Settings app.
* **Navigate to Apps:** Search for “Apps” or navigate to **Apps** (or **Applications**) in the Settings menu.
* **Find Bixby Apps:** Search for and select each of the Bixby-related apps, including:
* Bixby Voice
* Bixby Vision
* Bixby Routines
* Samsung Free (if it appears as a separate app)
* **Go to Permissions:** Within each app’s settings, tap on “Permissions”.
* **Revoke Unnecessary Permissions:** Review the list of permissions and revoke any that seem unnecessary or intrusive. For example, you might want to deny access to the microphone (if you’ve already disabled Bixby Voice), location, contacts, or camera (if you don’t use Bixby Vision).
Be cautious when revoking permissions, as it might affect the functionality of other apps that rely on the same permissions. If you notice any issues, you can always re-grant the permissions later.
### 6. Disable Power Button Activation of Bixby (One UI 3.0 and Later)
Newer Samsung devices running One UI 3.0 and later often default to activating Bixby Voice when you long-press the power button. This can be annoying if you prefer to use the power button to access the power menu (power off, restart, emergency mode).
* **Open Settings:** Go to your phone’s Settings app.
* **Navigate to Side Key:** Search for “Side key” or navigate to **Advanced features > Side key** (or similar wording).
* **Change the Press and Hold Action:** Under the “Press and hold” section, choose “Power off menu” instead of “Bixby.” This will restore the standard power menu functionality to the power button.
### 7. Disable Auto-Updates for Bixby Apps in the Galaxy Store
To prevent Bixby from automatically re-enabling itself or installing unwanted updates, you should disable auto-updates for Bixby-related apps in the Galaxy Store.
* **Open the Galaxy Store:** Launch the Galaxy Store app.
* **Access Settings:** Tap on the three-line menu (usually in the top-left corner) and select “Settings”.
* **Disable Auto Updates:** Look for an option like “Auto updates apps” or “Automatically update apps.” Set it to “Never” or “Ask every time.” If you choose “Ask every time,” make sure to decline updates for Bixby-related apps when prompted.
### 8. Using ADB (Android Debug Bridge) for More Advanced Disabling (Advanced Users Only)
**Warning: This method is for advanced users and requires familiarity with ADB. Incorrect use of ADB can potentially cause problems with your device. Proceed with caution and at your own risk.**
ADB (Android Debug Bridge) is a command-line tool that allows you to communicate with your Android device from your computer. It can be used to uninstall or disable system apps, including Bixby components, that cannot be removed through the standard settings menu.
* **Install ADB on Your Computer:** Download and install the ADB tools for your operating system (Windows, macOS, or Linux). You can find instructions on how to do this by searching online for “install ADB” followed by your operating system.
* **Enable Developer Options on Your Phone:**
* Go to Settings > About phone > Software information.
* Tap on the “Build number” repeatedly (usually 7 times) until you see a message saying “Developer mode has been enabled.”
* **Enable USB Debugging:**
* Go to Settings > Developer options.
* Toggle the switch to enable “USB debugging.”
* **Connect Your Phone to Your Computer:** Use a USB cable to connect your phone to your computer.
* **Open a Command Prompt or Terminal:** On your computer, open a command prompt (Windows) or terminal (macOS/Linux).
* **Authorize Your Computer:** When you connect your phone to your computer, you may see a prompt on your phone asking you to authorize USB debugging for your computer. Grant the authorization.
* **Use ADB Commands to Disable Bixby Packages:** Use the following ADB commands to disable specific Bixby packages. Replace `
bash Here are some common Bixby package names you might want to disable (note that these may vary depending on your device and software version): * `com.samsung.android.bixby.agent` (Bixby Voice) For example, to disable Bixby Voice, you would use the command: bash To re-enable a package, use the following command: bash **Important:** Disabling the wrong packages can cause instability or other issues with your device. Only disable packages that you are certain are related to Bixby and that you are comfortable potentially re-enabling if necessary. * **Reboot Your Phone:** After disabling the desired packages, reboot your phone for the changes to take effect. ### 9. Consider Using a Package Disabler App (Use with Caution) Several apps on the Google Play Store claim to be able to disable or uninstall system apps, including Bixby components. However, it’s essential to use these apps with caution, as they may require root access or have other potential risks. * **Research and Choose a Reputable App:** If you decide to use a package disabler app, research different options and choose one with good reviews and a proven track record. Be wary of apps that request excessive permissions or have a history of causing problems. **Note:** Samsung may actively try to prevent package disabler apps from working effectively, so the success of this method may vary depending on your device and software version. ## Conclusion Completely disabling Bixby on a Samsung Galaxy device can be a multi-step process, but by following the methods outlined in this guide, you can significantly reduce its presence and prevent unwanted activations. Remember to proceed with caution when using advanced techniques like ADB or package disabler apps, and always be prepared to re-enable packages if necessary. By taking these steps, you can reclaim your device and customize it to your preferences, free from the interference of Bixby.
adb shell pm disable-user –user 0
* `com.samsung.android.bixby.service` (Bixby Service)
* `com.samsung.android.bixbyvision.service` (Bixby Vision)
* `com.samsung.android.app.settings.bixby` (Bixby Settings)
* `com.samsung.android.app.intelligentpanel` (Samsung Free/Bixby Home)
* `com.samsung.android.routines` (Bixby Routines)
adb shell pm disable-user –user 0 com.samsung.android.bixby.agent
adb shell pm enable
* **Understand the Risks:** Be aware that disabling or uninstalling system apps can potentially cause instability or other issues with your device. Make sure you understand the risks before proceeding.
* **Follow the App’s Instructions Carefully:** Carefully follow the app’s instructions for disabling or uninstalling Bixby components. Only disable packages that you are certain are related to Bixby and that you are comfortable potentially re-enabling if necessary.