Introduction

Samsung’s Bixby is an intelligent virtual assistant designed to make your phone smarter and your daily tasks easier. From setting reminders and making calls to controlling smart home devices, Bixby integrates deeply with Samsung’s One UI system.

If you’ve recently disabled Bixby or you’re using a new Samsung phone and want to activate Bixby again, this guide will walk you through how to turn on Bixby Voice, enable Bixby key shortcuts, and customize its wake-up settings — all step by step.

This tutorial applies to Samsung Galaxy phones running One UI 5, 6, and newer versions.

1. Make Sure Bixby Is Installed and Updated

Before turning it on, let’s confirm that Bixby is available and up to date on your device.

Steps:

  1. Open the Galaxy Store app.

  2. Tap the Search icon 🔍 and type “Bixby”.

  3. Check if Bixby Voice and Bixby Vision are installed.

  4. If you see an Update button, tap it to install the latest version.

💡 Tip: Keeping Bixby updated ensures compatibility with your current One UI version and prevents app crashes.

2. Open the Bixby App for the First Time

Once updated, it’s time to activate it:

Steps:

  1. Press and hold the Side Key (Power button) to open Bixby.

    • If that doesn’t work, swipe up on the Home screen and search “Bixby” in the Apps drawer.

  2. Tap the Bixby icon to launch it.

  3. Sign in with your Samsung Account when prompted.

  4. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the setup.

✅ Now, Bixby Voice is active and ready to listen for your commands.

3. Enable Voice Wake-Up (“Hi, Bixby”)

You can use Bixby hands-free by saying “Hi, Bixby” to wake it up. To activate this:

Path:
Bixby App → Menu (☰) → Settings → Voice wake-up

Steps:

  1. Open the Bixby App.

  2. Tap the Menu (☰) icon in the top-right corner.

  3. Choose Settings.

  4. Select Voice wake-up.

  5. Turn on the toggle next to “Wake with Hi, Bixby.”

  6. Follow the voice training steps if prompted, so Bixby recognizes your voice better.

💬 Now you can simply say “Hi, Bixby” anytime — even when your screen is off (depending on your settings).

4. Set Up the Bixby Side Key Shortcut

Many Samsung devices let you launch Bixby using the Side (Power) Key.

Path:
Settings → Advanced features → Side key

Steps:

  1. Open Settings.

  2. Scroll down and tap Advanced features.

  3. Tap Side key.

  4. Under Press and hold, choose Wake Bixby.

  5. Optionally, set Double press to open Bixby if you prefer that shortcut.

✅ Now pressing and holding the power button will launch Bixby instantly.

5. Allow Bixby Access to Permissions

To work properly, Bixby needs permissions like microphone, contacts, and location.

Steps:

  1. Go to Settings → Apps → Bixby Voice.

  2. Tap Permissions.

  3. Allow access to:

    • Microphone (for voice recognition)

    • Contacts (for calls and messages)

    • Location (for smart suggestions)

    • Calendar (for reminders and events)

  4. Tap Allow while using the app or Allow all the time, depending on your preference.

💡 Granting permissions ensures smoother performance and better personalized responses.

6. Set Your Preferred Bixby Language and Voice

Personalize your experience by choosing how Bixby sounds and which language it speaks.

Path:
Bixby App → Settings → Language and voice style

Steps:

  1. Open Bixby App → Tap Settings.

  2. Select Language and voice style.

  3. Choose your preferred language (e.g., English US, UK, Korean, etc.).

  4. Tap Voice style and pick from available voices (male/female tones).

✅ Bixby will now respond in your chosen language and voice tone.

7. Enable Bixby Routines (Optional Automation)

Bixby Routines automate actions based on time, location, or behavior — for example, turning on Wi-Fi at home.

Path:
Settings → Advanced features → Bixby Routines

Steps:

  1. Open Settings.

  2. Tap Advanced features.

  3. Select Bixby Routines.

  4. Toggle the switch ON at the top.

  5. Tap Add routine to create custom automation.

💬 Example: “If time is 11 PM → Turn on Do Not Disturb → Lower brightness.”

8. Set Bixby as Default Digital Assistant (Optional)

If you use multiple assistants (like Google Assistant), you can set Bixby as your main one.

Path:
Settings → Apps → Choose default apps → Digital assistant app → Bixby Voice

Steps:

  1. Open Settings.

  2. Tap Apps.

  3. Choose Choose default apps.

  4. Tap Digital assistant app.

  5. Select Bixby Voice.

✅ Now pressing and holding the Home button (or using voice command) will open Bixby by default.

9. Test Bixby Voice Commands

Try out a few basic commands to confirm everything’s working:

🗣️ Say:

  • “Hi, Bixby, what’s the weather today?”

  • “Hi, Bixby, open YouTube.”

  • “Hi, Bixby, set an alarm for 7 AM.”

If Bixby responds accurately, you’ve successfully activated it!

10. Troubleshooting Tips

If Bixby doesn’t wake up or respond properly:

  • Check microphone access: Go to Settings → Apps → Bixby Voice → Permissions → Microphone → Allow.

  • Update One UI: Settings → Software update → Download and install.

  • Reset Bixby settings: Open Bixby → Menu (☰) → Settings → Reset Bixby.

  • Restart your phone and try again.

FAQs About Turning On Bixby

Q1: Why can’t I find Bixby on my Samsung phone?
It might be hidden or disabled. Go to Settings → Apps → Bixby Voice and tap Enable if it’s turned off.

Q2: Can I use Bixby without an internet connection?
Only some features, like offline commands (volume, brightness), work offline. Most tasks require an internet connection.

Q3: Is Bixby available on all Samsung phones?
Bixby comes preinstalled on most Galaxy devices running Android 9 (One UI 1.0) or later, including Galaxy S, Note, A, and Z series.

Conclusion

Turning on Bixby on your Samsung Galaxy phone is quick and easy. Whether you’re setting it up for the first time or re-enabling it after disabling it, the process only takes a few minutes.

By updating Bixby, enabling voice wake-up, configuring the Side Key, and granting permissions, you unlock the full potential of Samsung’s AI assistant.

✅ Quick Summary Path:

  • Update Bixby → Galaxy Store → Update

  • Enable Voice → Bixby App → Settings → Voice wake-up → ON

  • Set Shortcut → Settings → Advanced features → Side key → Wake Bixby

  • Allow Permissions → Settings → Apps → Bixby Voice → Permissions → Allow all

Once set up, just say “Hi, Bixby” — and your phone is ready to help with calls, reminders, searches, and more.

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