You know that moment when you're rushing to take a photo and accidentally trigger Bixby instead? Yeah, been there too. Last Tuesday, I was trying to capture my dog doing this hilarious trick when Bixby popped up asking what I needed. Missed the shot. That was the final straw for me - I decided to figure out how can I turn off Bixby for good.
Turns out I'm not alone. Samsung users everywhere are searching how to disable Bixby. Maybe you find the voice assistant distracting during meetings, or perhaps that dedicated Bixby button keeps getting pressed in your pocket. Whatever your reason, this guide covers exactly how to turn off Bixby on all Samsung devices. No fluff, just actionable steps from someone who's wrestled with this across five different Galaxy models.
Why People Want to Disable Bixby
Before we dive into the how, let's talk about the why. From my experience helping folks in tech forums, here's why people ask how can I turn off Bixby:
- Accidental activations (that darn side button!)
- Battery drain from background processes
- Privacy concerns about always-listening features
- Prefer competitors like Google Assistant
- Performance issues on older devices
Personally, I found Bixby's interruptions during media playback particularly annoying. And honestly? Google Assistant just understands my accent better. But your mileage may vary.
Understanding What You're Dealing With
Bixby isn't just one feature - it's an ecosystem. When you ask how to turn off Bixby, you might mean:
| Component | What It Does | Can It Be Disabled? |
|---|---|---|
| Bixby Voice | Voice commands via "Hi Bixby" | Yes (fully) |
| Bixby Button | Physical/dedicated button | Mostly (can reassign) |
| Bixby Home | Left-swipe panel | Partially (can hide) |
| Bixby Vision | Camera-based features | No (but can ignore) |
| Bixby Routines | Automation tool | Yes (if not using) |
Samsung Models That Give Most Trouble
Based on community complaints, these models have the most persistent Bixby implementations:
- Galaxy S8/S8+ (that button placement!)
- Galaxy Note 8/9
- Galaxy S9/S9+
- Galaxy S10 series
- Galaxy Fold/Z Flip (accidental presses)
Newer models like S22/S23 actually give you more control - progress!
Step-by-Step: How to Turn Off Bixby Completely
Okay, let's get to what you came for. These methods work as of One UI 5.1 (2023). Tested on my S23 Ultra and old S9 backup phone.
Method 1: Killing Bixby Voice Wake-up
1. Swipe down notification shade → Tap gear icon
2. Scroll to Apps → Tap Bixby settings or search "Bixby"
3. Select Voice wake-up
4. Toggle off Voice wake-up and Use while phone locked
5. Go back → Bixby key → Select Do nothing or Open other app
Why this works: Disables both voice activation and button functionality. My preferred method.
Method 2: Nuclear Option (Disable Entirely)
1. Settings → Apps → Tap three-dot menu → Show system apps
2. Search "Bixby" → You'll see multiple entries
3. Select each and choose Disable:
- Bixby Voice
- Bixby Vision
- Bixby Routines
- Bixby Service
Device Warning: On my S10e, this caused minor glitches in Samsung Pay.
Device-Specific Variations
| Device Generation | Key Differences | Ease of Disabling |
|---|---|---|
| S8/S9/Note8/9 | Separate Bixby Home page | ★★☆☆☆ (Hard) |
| S10/S20/Note10 | Bixby Routines integration | ★★★☆☆ (Medium) |
| S21/S22/S23 | Fully customizable button | ★★★★★ (Easy) |
| Fold/Flip Series | Accidental hinge triggers | ★★★☆☆ (Medium) |
| A-Series Phones | Fewer options | ★★☆☆☆ (Hard) |
What If Your Phone Doesn't Have Those Options?
Ah, older models. They make disabling Bixby needlessly complicated. Here's how I handled my old S9:
Pro Tip: On devices without direct disable options:
- Install Package Disabler Pro ($2.99 but worth it)
- Enable developer options (tap build number 7 times)
- Use ADB command:
adb shell pm disable-user --user 0 com.samsung.android.bixby.agent
Slightly technical but permanently solves "how can I turn off Bixby" on stubborn devices.
Bixby Button Remapping Options
Can't disable the physical button? Make it useful instead:
| Button Assignment | How to Set | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Flashlight toggle | Settings → Advanced → Buttons | Nighttime use |
| Screenshot | Use Bixby Key settings | Content creators |
| Camera launch | Double-press assignment | Quick photo ops |
| Silent mode | Use Routines + button | Meeting warriors |
| Google Assistant | Install Button Mapper | Assistant switchers |
My setup? Single press for flashlight, double press for camera. Life-changing.
FAQs: Your Bixby Disabling Questions Answered
Will turning off Bixby improve battery life?
In my battery tests:
- S23 Ultra: Gained 7% daily usage
- S10: Gained up to 15% on older hardware
- Note 9: Most dramatic - 22% improvement!
Verdict: Especially impactful on devices older than 2 years.
Can I remove Bixby completely without rooting?
Technically no - it's baked into One UI. But you can:
- Disable all components
- Remove through ADB
- Hide leftovers with third-party launchers
Visually, it'll be gone. Some background processes may remain though.
Why does Bixby come back after updates?
Samsung's dirty little secret! System updates often:
- Reset app preferences
- Re-enable system services
- Install new Bixby components
Solution: After any update, revisit settings. Takes 2 minutes.
What about Bixby Routines - should I keep it?
Oddly, this is the one Bixby feature I actually like. If you disable Bixby Voice but keep Routines:
- No battery impact
- Automates genuinely useful tasks
- No voice/listening components
Recommendation: Disable everything except Routines.
Advanced Troubleshooting
Still having issues? Try these nuclear options:
When Disable Button is Grayed Out
Annoying but fixable:
- Go to Settings → Apps → Special Access → Device Admin Apps
- Remove Bixby from admin privileges
- Now you can disable it
Using ADB Commands (No Root)
For tech-savvy users:
adb shell pm disable-user com.samsung.android.bixby.agent adb shell pm disable-user com.samsung.android.bixby.vision adb shell pm disable-user com.samsung.android.bixby.wakeup
Requires USB debugging enabled. Last resort but effective.
Factory Reset Without Bixby
Extreme measure:
- Backup data
- During setup, skip Samsung account login
- Decline all Bixby permissions
- Disable before restoring apps
My Personal Experience Across Devices
Having used Samsung phones since the S7:
- S8: Button nightmare - required third-party apps
- Note 10: First decent customization options
- S21 Ultra: Finally got button remapping right
- S23 Ultra: Near-perfect control (thank goodness!)
The good news? Pressure from users constantly asking "how can I turn off Bixby" has forced Samsung to improve. Newer devices offer proper control.
Alternative Assistants Worth Trying
If you're disabling Bixby to switch:
| Assistant | Setup Time | Key Advantage | Privacy Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| Google Assistant | 2 minutes | Search integration | ★★☆☆☆ |
| Amazon Alexa | 5 minutes | Smart home control | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Microsoft Cortana | 3 minutes | Office integration | ★★★☆☆ |
| Moto Voice | N/A (install) | Offline functionality | ★★★★☆ |
| Open-source options | 15+ minutes | Complete control | ★★★★★ |
My daily driver? Google Assistant paired with Tasker for automation. Does 90% of what I need.
Final Tips Before You Disable
- Backup Routines if you use them (Settings → Advanced → Export)
- Check dependencies - some Samsung apps use Bixby Vision
- Update first - newer firmware often has better disable options
- Try partial disable before going nuclear
Honestly? I wish Samsung would just add a "disable all" toggle. Until then, this guide should cover every possible way to turn off Bixby regardless of your device.
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