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It could be that Bixby isn’t for you. It’s fine. However, if you want to stop seeing Bixby pop up on your phone, there are a few things you can do, such as remapping the Bixby key.
Disabling the AI voice assistant, Bixby, has become easier than ever since Samsung made serious updates. This article explains all about disabling Galaxy’s Bixby button in particular and Bixby in general.
What is Samsung’s Bixby?
Most Samsung phone users are familiar with its AI-enabled voice assistant – Bixby. However, for those who don’t, it is a digital assistant that uses your voice to activate. The Samsung Galaxy S8 series was introduced with this feature back in 2017. But earlier models are also eligible for Bixby support. Sideloading Bixby on earlier Android Nougat devices is possible.
Before Bixby, users had only Samsung’s S Voice app, which was released in 2012 for the Galaxy S III. Bixby has many more capabilities and abilities than S Voice, which was highly sophisticated for its day.
When it was first introduced, Bixby was considered a gimmick by some. But it appears like Amazon is planning to expand the digital assistant’s reach beyond smartphones. Bixby will be built into Samsung’s new line of Family Hub 2.0 refrigerators, which were first announced in 2017.
Samsung Bixby isn’t available in every language, which is something to remember. As of now, the following languages are supported – English, Mandarin, French, Korean, Italian, German, Portuguese, and Spanish. Even then, its language support capabilities are impressive given the complexities and nuances involved.
Why Does Bixby Keep Popping Up?
Even if you haven’t summoned Bixby, he’ll show up at the most inconvenient times. The first step is to take a look at the problem. Did you find Bixby waking up unnecessarily while you were listening to a podcast or music on your phone? Even while listening to music or podcasts, many Samsung users have had this problem.
Like Siri, Bixby also uses your voice as its cue for activating. Its voice recognition capabilities allow it to listen, detect, and respond to your voice commands. But Bixby’s ability to recognize voice is not at par with some other AI voice assistants in the market. It may also respond to other people’s voices from time to time. This may lead the AI assistant to play your podcast or song if its lyrics have words that sound like ‘Bixby.’
Perhaps you’ve deleted the app’s cache after deleting all data. Even then, as you may have sadly discovered, Bixby may activate. If all else fails, you can always try to uninstall Bixby. However, there is a lot easier way to keep Bixby from waking up when listening to music or podcasts: Using sleep mode. On Bixby’s settings, you need to switch off an option.
[FIXED] Bixby Keeps Activating Randomly
Discussed below are some methods you can apply to prevent Bixby from opening out of nowhere:
Method 1: Disable Bixby
You can disable but not remove the pre-installed service, Bixby, which is incorporated in the firmware. It implies that even if you stop the personal assistant from functioning, it will remain on your device.
- In order to do so, swipe down and then tap the cogwheel in Settings.
- Search down a bit to discover Advanced Features; once there, touch on it.
- To access the Side key settings, locate the Side key on this screen and tap on it. We need to alter the behavior of the Side key when it is pressed and held.
- Bixby is configured to wake up automatically by default, however, we want to adjust it such that the power menu is displayed instead of Bixby. So click on the Power off option. You can no longer wake up Bixby just by pressing the side key and holding it for a lengthy period of time. As a result, the next step is to disable all services and settings related to Bixby.
- Take a moment to return to the Advanced features screen by pressing the back button once. Bixby Routines can now be turned off by clicking on the button right next to this feature.
- In order to prevent Bixby from running in the background even if it is disabled, there are still a few options that must be disabled.
- As a result, return to the Home screen and tap the Bixby symbol.
- When the app has been opened, look for the Menu icon in the screen’s upper left corner.
- To access the Bixby app settings, press the cogwheel.
- Bixby dictation, marketing notifications, and Notifications are all now disabled.
- Bixby will now be replaced by the power menu when you press and hold the power button.
Even though we haven’t totally uninstalled the service from your phone as root access is required, we have modified the way the service and your phone operate, notably with regard to your Power button.
Method 2: Turn Off Quick Access
On the latest Samsung phones, the ‘Quick Access’ button is located on the side. Bixby can be activated by simply calling ‘Bixby’ instead of giving voice commands. This feature is especially useful when you don’t wish to speak but still want to activate Bixby. However, some users find this feature to be annoying as they accidentally hit it on attempting to lock or unlock the phone.
If your Bixby also keeps waking up, try altering the options for the Bixby or Side key.
In order to prevent Bixby Voice from starting up by accident, you can’t delete it completely. You can change the app that opens when you press the Bixby key on your phone if it has one.
Side buttons can be configured to open the power-off menu instead of Bixby if your phone has one.
Google Assistant is also pre-installed on your Galaxy phone. You have the option to employ that assistant in place of Bixby if you so desire. Even if you disable or remap the Bixby key, Bixby will still be operational on your phone.
If Bixby activates without your knowledge, there may be negative consequences. This especially holds true if your AI assistant activates while you’re in the middle of something critical. No matter what you’re doing on the phone, the same will immediately stop once Bixby is summoned. Hence, it’s better to disable Bixby in case it activates every time you click the button.
Method 3: Turn Bixby off While Phone Speakers are in Use
If you’re using Samsung speakers, you can turn Bixby off by following the steps below:
- Bixby features can be accessed immediately after hitting your Samsung device’s Bixby button.
- Click on the ‘Menu’ symbol available in the top left-hand corner of the screen.
- On the menu, click on the gear icon for Bixby’s settings.
- You will find the ‘Voice Wake-up’ option on the menu.
- Click on the toggle, and you will find the ‘Use when phone speaker is playing’ option. Turn it off.
- Now, you can try improving Bixby’s voice recognition capabilities by navigating to the same settings. Bixby will now record your voice again to detect the right time to respond. Other than this, you can use this same setting to choose whether or not you want Bixby to unlock your phone.
Method 4: Switch Bixby off While the Phone is in Lock Mode
It is possible for Bixby to be awake all the while your phone is locked. This feature is indeed useful as it enables you to give commands to Bixby in case you can’t use your hands at the time. For instance – connecting to your car’s Bluetooth while driving. However, while some appreciate this feature, others may find it to be a nuisance. Don’t worry if you fall into the latter category. When your phone is locked, you may prevent Bixby from waking up. Just follow the steps mentioned below:
- Press the dedicated Bixby button on your Samsung device to open the Bixby app.
- You will locate the ‘Menu’ option on the top left hand side of the screen.
- Open Bixby’s settings by tapping the gear icon in the menu.
- Finally, turn off the ‘Use while phone locked’ feature.
Method 5: Reset Bixby
It’s also possible to start over with a fresh copy of Bixby Voice. Bixby will no longer appear if you press and hold the Bixby key if you perform this action. As though Bixby had never existed before. After the reset, Bixby can also be disabled.
- In order to reset Bixby, go to Settings and select Reset.
- Select Bixby Voice from the Apps menu by swiping to the right.
- To clear the cache, go to Storage > Clear cache.
- The phrase “clear cache” appears in bold on a Samsung Galaxy phone.
- Then, press Clear data. To confirm, press OK.
- Once you’ve done that, go back and hit Disable.
- To confirm, click the Disable app button. When pressing and holding the Bixby key, Bixby will no longer launch.
Smart Things You Can Do With Bixby
Following are a few handy things you can do with Bixby that can make your life easier:
Add quick commands
Having trouble remembering extensive lists of instructions? You can shorten these lists by going to ‘My Bixby’, followed by ‘Quick Commands’ on the app. Once you’ve done that, select Create Your Own Quick Command from the menu. Then, tap on +Bixby Command and choose the command that you want to alter. You’ll have to record the new command by clicking on the microphone icon. For instance – the turning on of WiFi and turning off of Bluetooth can be renamed as ‘Home Settings.’
Find out where you are
Lost in the middle of nowhere? Fret not! Bixby can help you identify the spot. First, open your phone’s camera and select Bixby Vision > AR. Now, point your phone groundward. You will notice that Bixby begins searching for details about the location as the same appears on the screen.
Kill the Bixby button
It could be possible that the Bixby button gets hit accidentally every time you change your phone’s volume. This issue can be fixed to a certain extent. Given below are the steps for removing the Bixby button. Don’t worry! You won’t affect Bixby’s functionality by removing it.
Enable Real-Time Translation via Bixby Vision
The next time you’re puzzled, use Bixby’s Live translation feature.
All you need to do is snap a shot of the words you want Bixby to translate and tap the Vision button (it’s the icon that resembles an eye). Then, crop the words and select them before hitting ‘Translate.’ As Bixby detects your finger over the letters, it will translate those words accordingly.
Use Vision to turn a photo into text
You can also type whatever words you see instead of typing them yourself by pressing the Vision button on your keyboard. When you need to replicate a colleague’s meeting notes or utilize a quote from a book, this is a valuable tool.
You may do this by launching your camera, focusing the camera on the words, and pressing the Vision button. Tap Text, then select Extract. After that, you’ll be able to make changes, save, and even send the text to others.
Put Bixby cards on your lock screen
On touching the Bixby button, small cards appear that offer sports-related news, weather forecasts, as well as your social media updates. These cards can also appear on your phone’s lock screen so that you’re notified of new information every time you switch on.
To activate this feature, visit your phone’s ‘Settings.’ Against the app you want on the lock screen, tap the ‘Show’ option. That’s it! Updates of the selected app will now appear as a part of the lock screen.
Fix Bixby when he’s being stubborn
Have trouble getting Bixby to respond when you ask it a question or give you directions? Perhaps there are glitches with your AI assistant’s listening sensitivity. This can be fixed by selecting ‘Settings’ followed by ‘Voice Wake-Up,’ an option available on Bixby’s button. Then, all you need to do is set the sensitivity bar at ‘High’ or ‘Medium.’
Take notes
Long notes on the keyboard can be tedious to type. Let Bixby do your typing. When your note-taking app is open, say, “Hi, Bixby, dictate.” Say what you want Bixby to type, then say “dictate.” In a sense, it’s like having a personal secretary always available.
Post to social media
With a single command, you can share a photo on social networks. Bixby can share your most recent photo on Instagram by saying “Hello, Bixby!” The app will open and a new post will be started by Bixby. It’s as simple as adding a caption and pressing the “publish” button.
