Bixby is Samsung's voice assistant, and you can disable it in settings or remap its button

Bixby is Samsung's built-in voice assistant that listens for commands and controls your phone. It comes turned on by default on most Samsung devices. You can turn it off entirely, disable just the voice set up, or remap the physical Bixby button to do something else instead. The method depends on whether you want to stop it from listening, stop the button from launching it, or remove it completely.

Most people disable Bixby because they accidentally trigger it, find it slower than Google Assistant, or straightforward do not use voice commands. The good news is you have several options, and none of them require rooting your phone or installing third-party apps.

Key Takeaways

  • You can disable Bixby Voice in Settings under Apps, which stops it from listening for voice commands but keeps the button functional.
  • The Bixby button can be remapped to launch Google Assistant, the camera, or any other app you choose through the Bixby app settings.
  • Disabling Bixby entirely requires going into Settings, Apps, and turning off the Bixby app itself, though this may not be possible on all Samsung models.
  • If you cannot fully disable Bixby, turning off microphone permissions in Settings prevents it from hearing anything even if it launches.

Disable Bixby Voice in Settings

The fastest way to stop Bixby from listening is to turn off Bixby Voice. Open Settings, then go to Apps. Find and tap Bixby (or Bixby Voice on some models). Tap Permissions, then toggle off Microphone. This prevents Bixby from hearing anything, even if the button still launches the app.

On some Samsung phones, you can also go directly to the Bixby app itself. Open Bixby, tap the menu icon (three horizontal lines), select Settings, and look for Voice Wake-up or Bixby Voice. Toggle it off. This disables voice set up without removing the app from your phone.

Remap the Bixby Button to Another App

The physical Bixby button on the side of your phone does not have to launch Bixby. Open the Bixby app, tap the menu icon, go to Settings, and find Bixby Key. You will see options to remap the button to Google Assistant, the camera, or any app installed on your phone. Select your choice and confirm.

If you want the button to do nothing at all, some Samsung models let you set it to No Action or Disabled. On older Galaxy phones, you may need to use a third-party app like Button Remapper from the Google Play Store to fully disable the button, though this is rarely necessary on recent models.

Fully Disable or Uninstall Bixby

On some Samsung devices, you can disable the Bixby app entirely. Go to Settings, tap Apps, find Bixby, and tap Disable. On newer Samsung phones, the button may be Uninstall instead, which removes it completely. Note that Samsung does not allow you to uninstall Bixby on all models — some phones treat it as a system app that cannot be removed.

If the Disable button is grayed out, your phone does not allow full removal. In that case, turning off microphone permissions (as described above) is your best option. You can also disable Bixby Home, which is the separate widget that appears when you swipe left on your home screen. Go to Settings, tap Apps, find Bixby Home, and tap Disable.

Turn Off Bixby Notifications and Suggestions

Even with Bixby disabled, you may still see notifications or suggestions from it. Open Settings, go to Notifications, find Bixby, and toggle off all notification options. This stops Bixby from sending you alerts or tips.

You can also manage Bixby Home separately. If you see a Bixby Home widget on your home screen, long-press it and select Remove. This removes the widget without affecting the app itself, though the app will still be installed on your phone.

What Happens After You Disable Bixby

Disabling Bixby does not slow down your phone or cause problems with other features. Your Samsung device will continue to work normally, and you can still use Google Assistant or any other voice assistant you prefer. If you change your mind later, you can re-enable Bixby by going back to Settings, finding the Bixby app, and tapping Enable.

Remapping the Bixby button is reversible too. Open the Bixby app, go to Settings, find Bixby Key, and change it back to Bixby at any time. There is no permanent consequence to disabling or remapping it.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will disabling Bixby affect my Samsung phone's performance?

No. Bixby is a separate app, and turning it off does not impact your phone's speed, battery life, or other functions. Your phone will work exactly the same whether Bixby is enabled or disabled.

Can I use Google Assistant instead of Bixby?

Yes. Google Assistant comes pre-installed on most Android phones, including Samsung devices. You can remap the Bixby button to launch Google Assistant, or straightforward use the Google Assistant app directly. Many people prefer Google Assistant because it integrates with more services.

What if I accidentally press the Bixby button?

If you have remapped the button to another app or disabled it, pressing it will either launch that app or do nothing. If Bixby is still enabled but you have turned off microphone permissions, it will open the Bixby app but cannot hear your voice commands.

Is Bixby the same as Samsung Internet or Samsung Health?

No. Bixby is the voice assistant only. Samsung Internet is the web browser, and Samsung Health tracks fitness and health data. You can disable Bixby without affecting those apps.

Can I remove Bixby completely from my Samsung phone?

On some newer Samsung models, yes — you can uninstall it like any other app. On older models, Samsung treats Bixby as a system app that cannot be removed. If you cannot uninstall it, disabling the app or turning off microphone permissions achieves the same practical result.