Free tools Windows power users keep installed
One-click scans. No signup required.
On a supported Samsung Galaxy phone, assign the Side button’s double press to Camera or another available app from Settings > Advanced features > Side button > Double press. Turn the feature on, choose the app, and use two quick presses of the Side button to launch it. Menu names and available choices can differ by Galaxy model, software version, carrier, and region.
What the Side button shortcut does
The shortcut is a double press of the physical Side button. Once enabled, pressing the button twice launches the app or feature you selected instead of requiring you to find its icon on the Home or Apps screen. Camera is a common choice, but Samsung’s current guidance also lists examples such as Samsung Wallet, Flashlight, Magnifier, Voice Recorder, Samsung Notes, Samsung Capture, Modes and Routines, and other installed apps. The list shown on your phone is the authoritative one for your device.
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
This setting is separate from a long press. In Samsung’s described software context, a long press launches Gemini, while a double press launches the app or feature assigned under Double press. Long-press behavior is not identical across every Galaxy model or region, so do not change the long-press setting when you only want to configure the double press.
Quick wins for a faster PC:
Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Before you start
- Use a Galaxy phone or tablet that includes the Side button customization screen. Samsung does not expose exactly the same controls on every model.
- Make sure the device is running software that provides Settings > Advanced features > Side button. Samsung says the options can change with the model, software version, carrier, and region.
- If you want to open a third-party app, install that app first. Only apps or features offered in the Double press list can be assigned.
- Keep the phone unlocked while you configure it so you can see the complete settings screen. The shortcut itself is a built-in phone setting; no accessory or repair part is required.
Set a double press to open Camera
- Open Settings.
- Tap Advanced features.
- Tap Side button.
- Tap Double press. If the switch is off, turn it on.
- Select Camera.
- If your phone presents a second choice, tap Open Camera. Samsung’s Galaxy A37 5G support instructions include this extra selection after choosing Camera.
- Leave Settings and press the Side button twice in quick succession. The Camera app should open.
If you see only one Camera entry and no separate Open Camera screen, select the Camera option that your phone provides. The additional label is model- and software-dependent, not a requirement on every Galaxy device.
#1 Best Overall
- PRIVACY DISPLAY: Automatically hide your screen from those beside you. The built-in privacy display can be preset¹ to turn on when receiving notifications, typing passwords, or using specific apps
- TYPE IT IN. TRANSFORM IT FAST: Enhance any shot in seconds on your smartphone by using Photo Assist² with Galaxy AI.³ Add objects, restore details, or apply new styles by simply typing or tapping
- NIGHTS, CAPTURED CLEARLY: From gigs to city lights, record and capture moments after dark with clarity using Nightography so your photos and videos stay crisp and clear on your Samsung Galaxy
- MAKE IT. EDIT IT. SHARE IT: Turn everyday moments into something personal with creative tools built right into your mobile phone, whether it’s a special contact photo, custom wallpaper, an invitation or more⁴
- HELP THAT KEEPS UP: Stay in the moment while Now Nudge with Galaxy AI helps you respond faster and stay organized with smart suggestions⁵ that appear exactly when you need them on your phone
Assign the Side button to another app or feature
- Return to Settings > Advanced features > Side button > Double press.
- Confirm that Double press is enabled.
- Choose the app or feature you want from the displayed list.
- If the entry has a gear icon, tap it to inspect any supported in-app action and choose the action you need.
- Press the Side button twice to test the assignment.
A gear icon does not mean every app has extra commands. It appears only where Samsung provides a supported action for that entry. For example, the menu may let an app open a particular function rather than merely opening its main screen. The exact actions and app names vary by phone.
Choose between Camera, an app, and an in-app action
| Choice | What a double press launches | When it is useful | What can vary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Camera | The phone’s camera entry, followed by Open Camera on models that show that step | Quick access when you need to take a photo or video | The extra Open Camera label and related choices depend on model and software |
| Another listed app | The selected app’s available launch target | Useful for a frequently used app that is not convenient to reach from the Home screen | Only apps Samsung exposes in the list can be selected |
| An in-app action | A specific function offered through the entry’s gear icon | Useful when you need a particular task rather than the app’s general start screen | Gear icons and actions are not available for every app |
There is no universal “choose any installed app” guarantee. The available list is generated for your Galaxy model, installed software, region, and carrier configuration. If an app does not appear, the Side button menu cannot assign it on that software build.
How to find the setting when the labels differ
Samsung’s menu wording is not guaranteed to match across Galaxy devices. Start by opening Settings and using its search field for Side button. Select the result that leads to the Side button controls, then open Double press. If search does not find it, browse to Advanced features and look for Side button there.
Rank #2
- YOUR CONTENT, SUPER SMOOTH: The ultra-clear 6.7" FHD+ Super AMOLED display of Galaxy A17 5G helps bring your content to life, whether you're scrolling through recipes or video chatting with loved ones.¹
- LIVE FAST. CHARGE FASTER: Focus more on the moment and less on your battery percentage with Galaxy A17 5G. Super Fast Charging powers up your battery so you can get back to life sooner.²
- MEMORIES MADE PICTURE PERFECT: Capture every angle in stunning clarity, from wide family photos to close-ups of friends, with the triple-lens camera on Galaxy A17 5G.
- NEED MORE STORAGE? WE HAVE YOU COVERED: With an improved 2TB of expandable storage, Galaxy A17 5G makes it easy to keep cherished photos, videos and important files readily accessible whenever you need them.³
- BUILT TO LAST: With an improved IP54 rating, Galaxy A17 5G is even more durable than before.⁴ It’s built to resist splashes and dust and comes with a stronger yet slimmer Gorilla Glass Victus front and Glass Fiber Reinforced Polymer back.
A Galaxy S23-series manual hosted by Samsung places the Side button options under Settings > Advanced features > Side button. Other models may put the same controls behind slightly different labels or present fewer choices. Do not assume that a menu shown on a different Galaxy model will be present on yours.
Test the shortcut and change it later
Test with two deliberate presses
After saving the choice, leave Settings and press the Side button twice in succession. The first press may wake or lock the screen depending on the phone’s current state; the important test is whether the second press triggers the selected app or feature. If nothing happens, return to the Double press page and verify that its switch is still on.
Switch to a different destination
Changing the destination does not require resetting the phone. Open Settings > Advanced features > Side button > Double press, select another listed option, and test again. Your previous choice is replaced by the new one.
Rank #3
- TYPE IT IN. TRANSFORM IT FAST: Enhance any shot in seconds on your smartphone by using Photo Assist¹ with Galaxy AI.² Add objects, restore details, or apply new styles by simply typing or tapping
- MAKE IT. EDIT IT. SHARE IT: Turn everyday moments into something personal with creative tools built right into your mobile whether it’s a special contact photo, custom wallpaper, an invitation or more³
- FAST. POWERFUL. AI-READY: Power through your day with AI-accelerated performance from our fastest, smoothest and most powerful Galaxy processor yet, built to keep up with everything you do
- IMMENSELY IMMERSIVE: No matter where you are or what you’re watching, your favorite videos and more come to life with the vibrant display on Galaxy S26
- FIT EVERYONE IN THE SHOT: Group selfies are easier on your Samsung phone with a wider front camera⁴ that captures more of the scene, so no one gets left out of the moment
Turn the shortcut off
To stop accidental launches, open the same Double press screen and switch the feature off. The Side button will continue to perform its ordinary button functions; only the double-press assignment is disabled.
Troubleshoot a Side button shortcut that does not work
The Double press option is missing
- Search Settings for Side button rather than browsing by memory.
- Check Settings > Advanced features for a Side button entry.
- Confirm that the device is a Galaxy model and software build that supports the customization. Samsung states that options vary by model, software version, carrier, and region.
- If the menu is still absent, the feature may not be offered on that device or build; do not substitute the long-press control.
The switch is present but the app list is different
Compare the list with the apps actually shown on your phone. Samsung’s examples are not a promise that every Galaxy device will display Camera, Wallet, Flashlight, Magnifier, Voice Recorder, Notes, Capture, Modes and Routines, or third-party apps. A carrier or regional software build can change the list. Select an available option rather than trying to recreate a menu from another model.
Camera appears, but Open Camera does not
On the Galaxy A37 5G support path, selecting Camera is followed by Open Camera. Other models may combine those steps or use different wording. If your phone does not show the second screen, choose the Camera option that is available and test the double press.
Rank #4
- YOUR CONTENT, SUPER SMOOTH: The ultra-clear 6.7" FHD+ Super AMOLED display of Galaxy A17 5G helps bring your content to life, whether you're scrolling through recipes or video chatting with loved ones.¹
- LIVE FAST. CHARGE FASTER: Focus more on the moment and less on your battery percentage with Galaxy A17 5G. Super Fast Charging powers up your battery so you can get back to life sooner.²
- MEMORIES MADE PICTURE PERFECT: Capture every angle in stunning clarity, from wide family photos to close-ups of friends, with the triple-lens camera on Galaxy A17 5G.
- NEED MORE STORAGE? WE HAVE YOU COVERED: With an improved 2TB of expandable storage, Galaxy A17 5G makes it easy to keep cherished photos, videos and important files readily accessible whenever you need them.³
- BUILT TO LAST: With an improved IP54 rating, Galaxy A17 5G is even more durable than before.⁴ It’s built to resist splashes and dust and comes with a stronger yet slimmer Gorilla Glass Victus front and Glass Fiber Reinforced Polymer back.
The selected app does not launch after two presses
- Open Settings > Advanced features > Side button > Double press and make sure the switch remains enabled.
- Check that the intended app or feature is still selected.
- Press the button twice in a single, deliberate sequence rather than making two widely separated presses.
- If the entry has a gear icon, reopen it and confirm the in-app action.
- Try another listed destination. If another option works, the original app or action may not be available in the current software configuration.
The wrong action opens
Return to the Double press page and inspect whether you selected an in-app action through a gear icon instead of the app’s general launch option. Choose the desired entry again, then test from outside Settings. Also verify that you are double-pressing, not holding the button down; a long press is a separate control.
The shortcut changed after a software or carrier update
Updates can change labels, available apps, or the behavior exposed by the Side button screen. Reopen the settings path and review the current selection. If the option is no longer listed, the updated software may not support that destination on your model or in your region.
What’s actually slowing this PC down?
Pick the symptom - the matching free tool is one click away.
Double press versus long press
| Gesture | Where it is configured | Purpose described by Samsung | What not to assume |
|---|---|---|---|
| Double press | Settings > Advanced features > Side button > Double press | Launches a selected app or feature, such as Camera | The same app list appears on every Galaxy phone |
| Long press | A separate Side button control | Samsung’s current guide describes Gemini launching in its software context | That long-press behavior is universal across all models, regions, or versions |
When a guide says “press the Side button to open Camera,” the relevant gesture for this customization is normally the double press. Holding the button is not an alternative way to trigger the same assignment.
Best Value
- Please note, this device does not support E-SIM; This 4G model is compatible with all GSM networks worldwide outside of the U.S. In the US, ONLY compatible with T-Mobile and their MVNO's (Metro and Standup). It will NOT work with other CDMA carriers, and it is also not compatible with their MVNO (Visible, Xfinity Mobile, US Mobile, Cricket Wireless, etc).
- Compatibility with certain third-party devices and accessibility accessories, including some hearing aids, may vary depending on manufacturer support, Bluetooth protocols, software compatibility, and regional firmware limitations. For additional hearing aid compatibility information, please refer to Samsung’s official support documentation.
- Camera: 50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/2.76", 0.64µm, AF | 50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/2.76", 0.64µm, AF | 2 MP, f/2.4, (macro). Battery: 5000 mAh, non-removable | A power adapter is NOT included.
What the setting does—and does not do
- It changes the action associated with the Side button’s double press; it does not create a new app or install anything.
- It can launch Camera or another choice that Samsung exposes in the menu.
- Some entries can expose a more specific supported action through a gear icon.
- It does not guarantee access to every installed app.
- It does not make the same menu, labels, or long-press behavior appear on every Galaxy model.
- It does not require buying hardware, replacing the button, or using a repair service.
Quick reference
| Goal | Path or action |
|---|---|
| Open Camera with the Side button | Settings > Advanced features > Side button > Double press > enable the switch > Camera; choose Open Camera if your model shows it |
| Open another listed app | Settings > Advanced features > Side button > Double press > enable the switch > select the app |
| Choose a specific app action | Select the app entry, then use its gear icon when one is provided |
| Find the menu when you cannot see it | Search Settings for “Side button,” then open the Double press controls |
| Stop the shortcut | Return to Double press and turn the switch off |
Frequently asked questions
Can I assign the Side button to any app?
No. You can assign only an app or feature that appears in the Double press list for your device. Samsung’s list varies by model, software version, carrier, and region.
Is this the same as holding the Side button?
No. The Camera or app shortcut uses a double press. Long press is a separate gesture with separate behavior.
Why does one Galaxy phone show more choices than another?
Samsung says supported options vary by device model, region, software version, and carrier. Different menus are therefore expected rather than evidence that the setting is broken.
Do I need an accessory to use the shortcut?
No. The assignment is a built-in setting in the phone’s software.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
