How to Totally Disable Bixby on Samsung Galaxy

Samsung’s Bixby assistant may be useful for some users, but many find it intrusive, redundant, or simply unnecessary—especially if they already use Google Assistant. If you’re one of those users and you’re wondering how to get rid of Bixby for good, you’re in the right place. This guide walks you through every step needed to totally disable Bixby on your Samsung Galaxy device.

TLDR: How to Totally Disable Bixby on Samsung Galaxy

If you want to disable Bixby entirely, you’ll need to tackle multiple aspects: turning off the Bixby button, removing Bixby Home from the home screen, and disabling the voice wake-up feature. While Samsung doesn’t allow complete deletion of Bixby, you can effectively shut it down so it no longer launches or reacts. The process involves tweaking settings and permissions. Follow the step-by-step instructions below for a Bixby-free experience.

Why You Might Want to Disable Bixby

Before diving into the how-to, it’s worth exploring the why. Here are some of the most common reasons users choose to disable Bixby:

• Unintended Activation: The Bixby button or voice command may trigger accidentally, especially if it’s located near volume or power buttons.
• Redundancy: If you already use Google Assistant, having two smart assistants can feel redundant and potentially confusing.
• User Interface Annoyances: Bixby’s interface may interrupt your workflow or overload you with unnecessary information.
• Resource Usage: Background functionality and updates consume system resources.

Step 1: Disable the Bixby Side Button

On newer Galaxy phones (Galaxy S20 and later), the once-dedicated Bixby button has been integrated with the power button, known as the “Side Key.” Fortunately, you can reassign this key and prevent it from activating Bixby.

1. Go to Settings > Advanced Features > Side Key.
2. Under the Press and Hold section, select Power Off Menu instead of Wake Bixby.
3. If you want to change Double Press behavior, you can assign it to launch a different app or do nothing at all.

This small change ensures you don’t inadvertently open Bixby by long-pressing the power button.

Step 2: Remove Bixby From Home Screen

If you swipe right from your main home screen, you likely see a Bixby “card” page. This is called Bixby Home or, in newer models, Samsung Free. Here’s how to remove it:

1. Long press on an empty area of your home screen.
2. Swipe all the way to the left to access the Bixby panel.
3. Disable Bixby Home or Samsung Free by toggling it off at the top corner.

Once this is done, swiping right will no longer call up Bixby content.

Step 3: Disable Bixby Voice and Wake-Up Functionality

Bixby’s voice activation can still respond even after disabling its interface. To ensure Bixby Voice doesn’t eavesdrop or activate unexpectedly:

1. Open the Bixby app manually (you may need to first launch it once if you haven’t).
2. Tap the Menu icon (three dots) in the top-right corner of the screen.
3. Navigate to Settings.
4. Toggle off all options under:
   • Voice Wake-Up
   • Use While Phone Locked
   • Marketing Notifications (if you prefer fewer notifications)

This minimizes both background listening and notifications from Bixby.

Step 4: Revoke Bixby Permissions

Although Bixby is built into Samsung software and can’t be fully uninstalled, you can still limit its access through permission controls. Here’s how:

1. Go to Settings > Apps.
2. Tap the menu (three dots in the top right) and select Show System Apps.
3. Type “Bixby” in the search bar and open each visible Bixby-related app (e.g., Bixby Voice, Bixby Routines, Bixby Vision).
4. For each app:
   • Tap Permissions and revoke everything unnecessary.
   • Disable background data and remove battery permissions if available.

This will drastically reduce Bixby’s ability to operate or interfere with your daily usage.

Step 5: Disable Bixby Routines

Bixby Routines are Samsung’s way of automating tasks based on location, time, or device status. While some may find them useful, they still rely on Bixby infrastructure.

1. Go to Settings > Advanced Features.
2. Tap on Bixby Routines.
3. Toggle it Off.

With this completed, Bixby no longer runs any background routines or triggers based on your behavior.

Optional: ADB Method for Advanced Users

If you’re looking for a more advanced, albeit more technical option, you can use ADB (Android Debug Bridge) on your computer to disable Bixby apps at the system level. This method should only be used by those comfortable with entering terminal commands.

1. Enable Developer Options on your phone (Settings > About phone > tap Build number 7 times).
2. Enable USB Debugging under Developer Options.
3. Install ADB on your computer and connect your phone via USB.
4. Run these commands in terminal or command prompt:
   • adb shell pm disable-user --user 0 com.samsung.android.bixby.agent
   • adb shell pm disable-user --user 0 com.samsung.android.bixby.wakeup
   • adb shell pm disable-user --user 0 com.samsung.android.app.spage

Note: Disabling core services can impact system updates or app compatibility, so proceed with caution.

Is It Really Gone?

Even after going through these steps, it’s important to realize that Bixby is a core part of Samsung’s One UI ecosystem. You can disable everything relevant to it, but unless you’re using a custom ROM—or Samsung makes it optional in the future—the app itself will remain on your phone in some dormant form.

However, following all the steps above ensures Bixby won’t activate, listen, or interfere in any way. For most users, this represents a “complete” disablement, even if the software remains in the background.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

• Can I uninstall Bixby completely?
  No, Samsung does not permit you to uninstall Bixby as it is tightly integrated with the system UI.
• Will disabling Bixby affect my phone’s performance?
  In most cases, disabling Bixby can actually improve performance slightly, by freeing up system resources.
• Will updates reactivate Bixby?
  Yes, sometimes updates can reset Bixby settings. It’s a good idea to recheck your settings after major software updates.
• What about Samsung Smart TVs or wearables?
  This guide is specifically for Samsung Galaxy smartphones. TVs and wearables have separate methods for Bixby control.

Conclusion

Bixby may be deeply embedded in Samsung’s vision of the smart device experience, but that doesn’t mean you have to use it. Whether you’re trying to maximize battery life, minimize distractions, or just streamline your device’s functionality, disabling Bixby can make your Galaxy phone feel much more tailored to your needs. While you can’t delete it outright without extreme measures, this guide helps you successfully silence