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A Samsung Galaxy phone can change settings on its own once you set up a routine. A routine pairs a condition (the “If”) with an action (the “Then”). When the condition is met, the phone carries out the action without you touching anything. The phrase “practically runs itself” is a shorthand for that. The phone is not making its own decisions. It is following rules you wrote.
Samsung describes the feature in its support guidance this way: “Modes and Routines on your Galaxy phone or tablet can help you navigate your day.” This guide is based on Samsung’s official support pages, not on hands-on testing of the phone. Menu names and availability differ by model, software version and region, so treat the labels below as the standard path and check your own screen.
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How the If and Then model works
Every routine has two parts:
- If (condition): the trigger that starts the routine, such as a time of day or arriving at a location.
- Then (action): the setting or behavior the phone applies once the condition is met, such as muting notification sounds or lowering screen brightness.
You can build a routine from scratch with a name of your choice, or start from a suggested routine that Samsung offers and then customize it. Both kinds are saved in the same list, so you can edit or remove either one later.
Where to find routines on your phone
The path depends on your Android version. Samsung’s India support guide (updated 2026-03-16) lists the following:
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| Android version | Where routines live |
|---|---|
| Android 14 and Android 13 | Settings > Modes and Routines |
| Android 12 and Android 11 | The Bixby Routines app |
To check your version, open Settings > About phone > Software information and look at the Android version. Samsung’s guidance presents this split as its stated support path, not as a promise that every model and region offers identical menus.
Set up your first routine
On Samsung’s US support path (Android 14 or 13), follow these steps:
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- 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.
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- Open Settings, then tap Modes and Routines.
- Select the Routines tab.
- Tap Add (+).
- Under If, choose a condition.
- Under Then, select one or more actions.
- Set a name for the routine and, if you want, an icon and color.
- Save the routine.
To use a suggested routine instead, look under Discover, select the one you want, and customize its condition and actions before saving. If your labels read differently, look for the same If, Then and save structure.
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Samsung’s support material includes several example configurations. Treat them as starting points, because the exact trigger and action options depend on your device.
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| Routine idea | If (condition) | Then (action) |
|---|---|---|
| Quiet at work | Arriving at work | Mute notification sounds and turn on Wi-Fi |
| Dim the screen at night | Bedtime | Lower screen brightness |
| Wind down before sleep | Before sleep | Turn on the blue-light filter |
These examples come from Samsung’s US and Japan support pages. The Japan page (updated 2026-08-17) also includes a model list specific to that market, so do not assume the same list applies to your phone.
Routines versus modes
Samsung places both features in the Modes and Routines area, which makes them easy to confuse. They do different jobs.
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| Feature | What it represents | How it starts | Typical contents |
|---|---|---|---|
| Routine | A rule that carries out selected actions | When its chosen condition is met | One condition under If and one or more actions under Then |
| Mode | A state or activity, such as focusing or relaxing | Started manually or automatically | Preset or custom; custom modes can include Do not disturb, restricted app use and appearance changes |
The practical consequence is that a mode is not a list of arbitrary settings. If you want a specific setting to change at a specific moment, build a routine. If you want the phone to enter a whole focus or relaxed state, use a mode.
When a setting changes unexpectedly
If a setting changes and you did not expect it, the cause is usually a routine that is running or a mode that is active. Samsung India’s guide suggests this sequence:
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- Open Settings > Modes and Routines and check whether a routine is currently running.
- Open the routine and review its condition under If and its actions under Then. Adjust or turn it off if it no longer fits.
- Check the routine notifications on your phone for information about what ran.
- If a mode is active, look for it in the lock-screen Now bar where your phone shows one.
The exact indicator and path can differ by device and software version. If you cannot find the Now bar, rely on the routine list and the condition-and-action review.
Why menus and availability vary
Samsung’s support pages state that availability may vary by device and software version. Four things can change what you see:
- Model: some features are limited to certain phones. Check your model against the list for your market.
- Software version: Android 14 and 13 use Settings > Modes and Routines, while Android 12 and 11 use the Bixby Routines app.
- App version: menu labels and options can change with updates to the Modes and Routines or Bixby Routines app.
- Region: support pages are published per country, and the models and features listed can differ.
Setting up routines does not require an accessory or a separate tool, based on the steps Samsung describes. You also do not need to buy a new phone to use them. You only need to check that your model and software support the options you want.
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Sources
- Samsung US Support, “Set up and use Bixby Routines on your Galaxy phone”: https://www.samsung.com/us/support/answer/ANS10002624/
- Samsung India Support, “How to use Routines on your Samsung Galaxy device,” updated 2026-03-16: https://www.samsung.com/in/support/mobile-devices/how-to-use-routines-on-your-samsung-galaxy-device/
- Samsung Japan Support, Galaxy Modes and Routines usage guide, updated 2026-08-17: https://www.samsung.com/jp/support/mobile-devices/how-to-set-up-and-use-the-bixby-routines-feature-on-your-galaxy-phone/
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