How to Disable Bixby Button and Voice Wake-Up on Samsung Galaxy S24 (Step-by-Step Guide)

Introduction

Samsung’s Galaxy S24 lineup — including the S24, S24+, and S24 Ultra — comes with Bixby, Samsung’s voice assistant, deeply integrated into the system. While Bixby can control apps, automate routines, and handle voice commands, many users find it intrusive, especially when it activates accidentally with the side button or the “Hi Bixby” command.

If you prefer using Google Assistant or want a cleaner experience without Bixby interruptions, this step-by-step guide will show you how to disable both the Bixby button and voice wake-up safely and effectively.

1. What Is Bixby and Why It Keeps Appearing

Bixby is Samsung’s AI-powered voice assistant designed to help you perform actions using natural speech. You can:

• Launch apps (e.g., “Open Settings”).

• Change settings (e.g., “Turn on Bluetooth”).

• Create routines and smart home automations.

However, because Bixby is baked into One UI 6.1 and the new Galaxy AI features, it’s always active in the background. The Side Key often triggers it accidentally, and the voice wake-up feature listens for “Hi Bixby.”

To truly disable Bixby, you’ll need to turn off both.

2. Why You Can’t Fully Uninstall Bixby

Bixby is part of Samsung’s system framework, meaning it cannot be fully removed without rooting your device. Samsung uses Bixby as a key component for certain smart features, including:

• Modes and Routines

• SmartThings voice control

• Voice commands for accessibility

Fortunately, you can disable Bixby completely without uninstalling it, and it will stay hidden until you choose to reactivate it.

3. How to Turn Off “Hi Bixby” Voice Wake-Up on Galaxy S24

The first step is to stop Bixby from listening for your voice commands.

Steps:

1. Open the Bixby app by pressing and holding the Side Key once.

2. Tap the three-dot menu in the upper-right corner.

3. Select Settings.

4. Scroll down and find Voice wake-up.

5. Toggle Voice wake-up Off.

✅ Result: Saying “Hi Bixby” will no longer activate the voice assistant.

4. How to Disable the Bixby Button (Side Key)

By default, pressing and holding the Side Key launches Bixby Voice. To disable it or change its function:

Steps:

1. Go to Settings → Advanced features → Side key.

2. Under Press and hold, select Power off menu instead of Bixby.

3. (Optional) Under Double press, choose:

   • Quick launch camera, or

   • Open app → Google Assistant if you prefer using it instead.

✅ Result: The Side Key will no longer launch Bixby, and you can use it for power control or your preferred app.

5. How to Disable Bixby Services Completely

Disabling Bixby services ensures that it doesn’t run in the background or restart automatically.

Steps:

1. Go to Settings → Apps.

2. Tap the search icon and type Bixby.

3. Select Bixby Voice, then tap Force Stop and Disable.

4. Repeat this for:

   • Bixby Service

   • Bixby Vision (if available)

✅ Result: Bixby will no longer consume battery or background data.

6. How to Remove Samsung Free / Bixby Home from the Home Screen

If you see a news or content page when swiping left on your home screen, that’s Samsung Free (formerly Bixby Home).

Steps:

1. Long-press an empty area on your Home screen.

2. Swipe to the leftmost panel.

3. Toggle Samsung Free off at the top.

✅ Result: The left home screen will be blank, giving you a cleaner layout without Bixby content.

7. Disable Bixby Routines (Optional)

If you don’t use Bixby automation or don’t want it to run background routines:

1. Open Settings → Modes and Routines.

2. Tap the Routines tab.

3. Turn off or delete any active routines.

✅ Result: Your Galaxy S24 won’t perform Bixby-based automation in the background.

8. How to Set Google Assistant as Your Default Voice Assistant

If you prefer Google Assistant over Bixby, you can set it as your main voice assistant.

Steps:

1. Open the Google app.

2. Tap your profile picture → Settings → Google Assistant.

3. Tap Assistant devices → Phone.

4. Turn on Hey Google.

5. Optional: Reassign the Side Key →
   Go to Settings → Advanced features → Side key → Double press → Open app → Google Assistant.

✅ Result: Your Galaxy S24 will use Google Assistant instead of Bixby for all voice commands.

9. Stop Bixby from Auto-Launching After Updates

After One UI or system updates, Bixby may reactivate automatically. Here’s how to prevent that:

• Turn off Auto-update in the Galaxy Store for all Bixby-related apps.

• Periodically recheck Side Key and Voice wake-up settings after updates.

• Optionally, use Good Lock’s RegiStar module to permanently customize Side Key functions.

✅ Pro Tip: Good Lock’s RegiStar lets you completely redefine what happens when the Side Key or gestures are triggered — with zero Bixby interference.

10. Advanced (Optional) ADB Method to Disable Bixby

For advanced users comfortable with ADB (Android Debug Bridge), you can disable Bixby components without root access.

Steps:

1. Enable Developer options (tap Build number seven times).

2. Enable USB debugging.

3. Connect your phone to a PC with ADB installed.

4. Run these commands one by one:

   adb shell pm disable-user --user 0 com.samsung.android.bixby.agent
   adb shell pm disable-user --user 0 com.samsung.android.app.spage
   adb shell pm disable-user --user 0 com.samsung.android.bixby.service
   

⚠️ Note: This doesn’t uninstall Bixby; it hides and disables it system-wide.

11. Does Turning Off Bixby Affect Other Features?

Mostly no — but here’s a quick reference:

Your phone will work normally, just without any Bixby interruptions.

12. Common Issues and Fixes

Bixby Keeps Popping Up:

• Go to Settings → Apps → Bixby Voice → Clear cache and data.

• Restart your phone afterward.

Side Key Still Opens Bixby:

• Recheck Advanced features → Side key.

• Use Good Lock → RegiStar to remap it permanently.

Voice Command Still Activates:

• Confirm Voice wake-up is toggled off in Bixby settings.

• Check Permissions → Microphone access for Bixby and disable it.

13. Why Samsung Keeps Bixby in the Galaxy S24 Series

Samsung continues to ship Bixby for several reasons:

• Integration with SmartThings and Galaxy AI features.

• Offline functionality for essential tasks.

• Independence from Google’s ecosystem.

Even so, users still have full control to disable or replace Bixby entirely.

14. Final Thoughts

If you find Bixby unnecessary or intrusive on your Samsung Galaxy S24, S24+, or S24 Ultra, you can safely disable both the Bixby button and voice wake-up feature using the simple steps above.

Once disabled, you’ll enjoy a cleaner and faster Galaxy experience — no more accidental triggers, no pop-ups, and no background usage. For those who still want a voice assistant, Google Assistant remains the best and most integrated alternative.