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Hidden Ways to Use the Galaxy Side Button That Most Users Never Set Up

Turn the Galaxy Side button into a shortcut for more than Camera: learn how to set double-press actions, choose an assistant, and keep power controls accessible.
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Your Galaxy’s Side button can do more than launch the camera: it may open the flashlight or magnifier, start a recording, jump to a camera function, or trigger a routine. Set these actions under Settings > Advanced features > Side button (called Side key on some devices). The choices depend on your Galaxy model, software, region, and carrier.

How to change what the Galaxy Side button does

  1. Open Settings.

  2. Tap Advanced features, then Side button. Some products use the label Side key.

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  3. Tap Double press and turn it on if needed.

  4. Choose a shortcut. If the selected app has a gear icon, tap it to see whether you can assign a specific action inside that app.

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  5. Return to the Side button settings, tap Long press, and select an available assistant or the power-off menu.

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  6. Test your choices and make sure you know how to reach the power menu if long press is assigned to an assistant.

Samsung’s menu examples and instructions are documented in its UK Side button guide and US customization guide. Samsung cautions that available features may vary by device model and region; software and carrier can also affect the choices.

Useful double-press shortcuts beyond Camera

Samsung lists several possible double-press targets. The most useful option is often the one that saves you from navigating through menus for a task you perform frequently.

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Turn on the flashlight or open the magnifier

Select Flashlight for quick access to the light, or Magnifier if it appears in your device’s list. Samsung’s current US guide includes both among its shortcut options. Availability is not universal, so check the actual menu on your phone.

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Start a voice recording or note

You may be able to set Voice Recorder to start recording directly, rather than merely opening the app. Samsung also lists a Samsung Notes voice-note action. If an app’s gear icon appears beside it, check there for the task-level choice.

Jump to a camera function

Instead of opening the camera at its usual starting point, Samsung gives selfie mode as an example of a specific camera function that can be assigned through the app’s settings gear when available.

Start a routine

If Modes and Routines is offered, its settings may let you assign a routine such as Sleep. This is useful when you want a button press to begin a configured mode rather than open an app.

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Open Samsung Wallet or another app

Samsung lists Wallet in its UK guide, along with installed apps. Wallet availability and app shortcuts vary by country, device, and configuration; do not assume it will appear on every Galaxy.

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Choose the right action for each press

A single press normally wakes or locks the screen. Double press can be assigned to an app or feature, while long press controls either an assistant or, on supported configurations, the power menu. Samsung’s UK guide describes these behaviors, but labels and choices can differ by device.

  • Want a quick utility? Try Flashlight or Magnifier if listed.

  • Need to capture something immediately? Check for Voice Recorder’s start-recording action or a camera function such as selfie mode.

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  • Prefer a hands-off device change? Look for a Modes and Routines action such as Sleep.

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  • Want an assistant on long press? Choose the assistant you actually use, while keeping an alternate way to reach power controls in mind.

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How to get Bixby back—or choose another assistant

Samsung says One UI 7 changes the long-press default to Gemini. Its Gulf support article, updated 19 May 2025, describes Gemini as the primary action when the Side button is held and explains that Bixby can be selected in Settings > Advanced features > Side button > Long press. Samsung’s UK guide notes Gemini or Google Assistant where Gemini is unavailable. The available assistant choices can therefore differ by software and region.

To switch, open the path above, tap Long press, and select Bixby or another option shown on your phone. For the One UI 7 change and Bixby setting, see Samsung Gulf’s One UI 7 guidance.

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How to turn off a Galaxy when long press opens Gemini

Assigning an assistant to long press means that holding the Side button no longer opens the power-off menu that way. Samsung documents two alternatives:

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  • Open the Quick panel (also called Quick settings in some guidance) and use its power control.

  • Press Side button + Volume Down to access the power-off menu. Samsung also documents this combination for screenshots: a short press takes a screenshot, while a long press brings up power-off or Emergency SOS on supported devices.

Check the button behavior on your model before relying on a particular combination; Samsung notes that menus and functions vary.

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Why your menu may not match Samsung’s examples

Samsung’s instructions cover different Galaxy devices and software versions, not one universal layout. Options can vary by model, One UI version, region, and carrier. The One UI 7 default change is a specific software qualification, not proof that every Galaxy phone has the same assistant default or shortcut list.

Also distinguish a modern Side button from older devices with a dedicated Bixby button. Samsung’s US guide identifies older models including the Note 9, S8 series, and S10 and earlier in its Bixby-button guidance; those devices may not follow the same setup path or offer the same controls.

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