Introduction
Welcome to this guide on how to turn off Bixby on your S9! If you are a Samsung Galaxy S9 user, you might be familiar with Bixby, Samsung’s virtual assistant that aims to make your smartphone experience smarter and more intuitive. While Bixby offers a range of features and capabilities, it may not be everyone’s cup of tea. Thankfully, Samsung provides a variety of options to turn off Bixby completely or disable specific Bixby components, giving you more control over your device.
Before we dive into the methods of turning off Bixby, it’s essential to understand why you might want to disable it in the first place. While Bixby can be beneficial for some users, others may find it intrusive or unnecessary. It can activate accidentally, interrupting your workflow or taking up valuable screen space. Some users may prefer alternative virtual assistants or simply wish to reclaim the Bixby button for other functions.
In this guide, we will walk you through several methods to turn off Bixby on your Samsung Galaxy S9. Whether you want to disable Bixby Voice, remove Bixby Home, disable the Bixby button, or even uninstall Bixby updates, you will find the appropriate steps here. So, let’s get started and regain control of your device!
Why would you want to turn off Bixby?
Bixby is undoubtedly a powerful virtual assistant, but it may not align with everyone’s preferences or needs. Here are some reasons why you might want to turn off Bixby on your Samsung Galaxy S9:
- Unwanted Activations: Bixby can sometimes activate unintentionally, disrupting your workflow and causing frustration. Accidental presses of the Bixby button or unintended voice commands can interrupt your tasks and lead to a less optimal user experience.
- Screen Space: Bixby Home, which is accessible by swiping right on the home screen, consumes valuable screen real estate. If you prefer a minimalist home screen or want to prioritize other widgets or apps, disabling Bixby Home can help free up space and provide a cleaner interface.
- Preference for Other Virtual Assistants: Some users might have a personal preference for virtual assistants like Google Assistant or Amazon Alexa. If you find yourself using these alternatives more frequently or prefer their functionality, you may want to disable Bixby to avoid duplication of features and streamline your virtual assistant experience.
- Personalization: Bixby offers personalized recommendations and suggestions based on your usage patterns, which some users may deem intrusive or unnecessary. If you value your privacy or prefer to have full control over the content displayed on your device, turning off Bixby can prevent it from collecting and analyzing your data.
- Button Remapping: The dedicated Bixby button on the side of the Samsung Galaxy S9 can also be a reason to turn off Bixby. While it’s meant to provide quick access to Bixby, some users may prefer to assign the button to launch other apps or perform different actions. By disabling Bixby, you can repurpose the button to suit your needs.
Now that we understand why you might want to turn off Bixby, let’s explore the different methods you can use to disable or remove various aspects of the virtual assistant on your Samsung Galaxy S9.
Method 1: Disabling Bixby Voice
If you find Bixby Voice unnecessary or if it frequently activates accidentally, you can disable it by following these simple steps:
- Swipe right on your home screen to access Bixby Home.
- In the top-right corner of the screen, tap the three-dot menu icon to open the Bixby Home settings.
- Scroll down and find the “Voice” option. Tap on it to access the Bixby Voice settings.
- Toggle off the switch next to “Bixby Voice” to disable it.
Disabling Bixby Voice will prevent it from activating when you say “Hi, Bixby” or use the Bixby button to summon the assistant. However, note that other Bixby features, such as Bixby Vision or Bixby Routines, will still be active, unless you disable them separately.
By disabling Bixby Voice, you can regain control over accidental voice activations and eliminate any annoyances associated with its unintended triggering. This method is ideal for users who prefer not to use voice commands or those who find Bixby Voice unnecessary for their day-to-day smartphone usage.
Method 2: Disabling Bixby Home
If you want to free up screen space and remove Bixby Home from your device, you can disable it by following these steps:
- Swipe right on your home screen to access Bixby Home.
- In the top-right corner of the screen, tap the three-dot menu icon to open the Bixby Home settings.
- Scroll down and find the toggle switch next to “Bixby Home”.
- Toggle off the switch to disable Bixby Home.
Once you disable Bixby Home, swiping right on your home screen will no longer bring up the Bixby page, giving you more space for widgets, app shortcuts, or a cleaner interface overall. This method is ideal for users who find Bixby Home unnecessary, prefer a simpler home screen layout, or want to make room for other widgets and apps.
Note that disabling Bixby Home does not disable Bixby Voice or the Bixby button. If you want to disable those aspects as well, you can follow the respective methods outlined in this guide.
By turning off Bixby Home, you can personalize your home screen experience and tailor it to your preferences, creating a clutter-free environment that suits your needs.
Method 3: Disabling Bixby Button
If you find the dedicated Bixby button on the side of your Samsung Galaxy S9 to be more of an annoyance than a convenience, you can disable it by following these steps:
- Press the Bixby button on the side of your device to launch Bixby.
- In the top-right corner of the Bixby screen, tap the three-dot menu icon to open the Bixby settings.
- Scroll down and find the option labeled “Bixby key”.
- Tap on “Bixby key” to access the Bixby Button settings.
- From the available options, select “Don’t open anything”.
Once you disable the Bixby button, it will no longer launch the Bixby interface when pressed. This allows you to repurpose the button for other functions or simply prevent accidental activations that may disrupt your workflow.
It’s worth noting that disabling the Bixby button does not affect other Bixby components like Bixby Voice or Bixby Home. If you want to disable those as well, you can follow the respective methods outlined in this guide.
By disabling the Bixby button, you gain more control over the functionality of your Samsung Galaxy S9, allowing you to utilize the button in a way that better suits your needs and preferences.
Method 4: Removing Bixby Home Access with a Third-Party Launcher
If you want to completely remove Bixby Home from your device and have more control over your home screen, you can achieve this by using a third-party launcher. Here’s how:
- Install a third-party launcher from the Google Play Store, such as Nova Launcher, Apex Launcher, or Microsoft Launcher.
- Set the third-party launcher as your default home screen by going to your device’s settings and selecting “Home screen” or “Launcher” (this may vary depending on your device).
- Once you have set the third-party launcher as your default, swipe right on your home screen to access the Bixby page. Instead of Bixby Home, you will now see the home screen of your third-party launcher.
By using a third-party launcher, you can effectively remove Bixby Home from your device and have more control over your home screen customization. You can enjoy features like customizable app icons, widgets, gestures, and more, depending on the capabilities of the launcher you choose.
Keep in mind that using a third-party launcher may require some setup and customization to achieve the desired look and functionality. However, the level of customization and control it provides can greatly enhance your device’s user experience.
This method is ideal for users who want to take full control over their home screen and remove any limitations imposed by the default Bixby Home interface.
Method 5: Disabling Bixby Routines
If you find Bixby Routines unnecessary or if you no longer want Bixby to automate certain actions based on your usage patterns, you can disable it by following these steps:
- Swipe right on your home screen to access Bixby Home.
- In the top-right corner of the screen, tap the three-dot menu icon to open the Bixby Home settings.
- Scroll down and find the toggle switch next to “Bixby Routines”.
- Toggle off the switch to disable Bixby Routines.
Disabling Bixby Routines will prevent Bixby from automatically adjusting settings, launching apps, or performing actions based on certain triggers or conditions. This gives you more control over your device’s behavior and ensures that your smartphone operates according to your preferences rather than predefined routines.
If you prefer to have manual control over adjusting settings and launching apps, or if you find Bixby Routines interfering with your desired usage patterns, disabling it can be a suitable option.
Note that disabling Bixby Routines does not affect other Bixby components like Bixby Voice or Bixby Home. If you want to disable those as well, you can follow the respective methods outlined in this guide.
By disabling Bixby Routines, you can take charge of your device’s automation capabilities and personalize your smartphone experience to better suit your individual needs and preferences.
Method 6: Uninstalling Bixby Updates
If you want to go a step further and remove Bixby from your Samsung Galaxy S9 entirely, you can uninstall the updates for the Bixby app. Although this method will not completely remove Bixby from your device, it will revert it back to its original version and remove any updates that have been installed. Here’s how you can do it:
- Go to your device’s settings and select “Apps” or “Applications”.
- Scroll through the list of apps and find “Bixby”. Tap on it to open the Bixby app settings.
- In the Bixby settings, you will find the option to uninstall updates. Tap on it to remove the updates for Bixby.
Once you uninstall the updates, Bixby will be restored to its original version, without any updates or new features that may have been added over time. This method can be useful if you want to minimize the presence of Bixby on your device and reduce its impact on system resources.
It’s important to note that uninstalling the updates for Bixby may limit certain features or functionalities that were introduced in the updated versions. Additionally, future updates for Bixby may automatically be installed again unless you disable automatic app updates in your device’s settings.
This method is suitable for users who want to reduce the prominence of Bixby on their device and minimize the impact it has on system resources, without completely removing it.
Conclusion
Turning off Bixby on your Samsung Galaxy S9 can provide you with more control over your device and cater to your preferences. Whether you want to disable Bixby Voice, remove Bixby Home, disable the Bixby button, or even uninstall Bixby updates, the methods outlined in this guide offer a range of options to suit your needs.
By disabling Bixby Voice, you can prevent accidental voice activations and ensure a smoother user experience. Disabling Bixby Home allows you to reclaim screen space and personalize your home screen layout. Disabling the Bixby button allows you to repurpose it for other functions or prevent accidental Bixby launches. If you prefer a complete removal of Bixby Home, using a third-party launcher can help you achieve a clutter-free home screen experience. Disabling Bixby Routines gives you manual control over settings and actions, while uninstalling Bixby updates minimizes the impact of Bixby on your device.
It’s important to note that while these methods can effectively turn off or remove various aspects of Bixby, some features may still be accessible or require additional steps to fully disable. Additionally, future software updates from Samsung may re-enable certain aspects of Bixby, so it’s a good idea to periodically check your device settings to ensure your preferred configurations are still in place.
By following the methods outlined in this guide, you can customize your Samsung Galaxy S9 to better suit your preferences, maximize screen space, and optimize your device’s performance. Whether you simply prefer a different virtual assistant or want a more streamlined user experience, these methods offer flexibility and control over Bixby on your device.
Now that you’re equipped with the knowledge to turn off Bixby on your Samsung Galaxy S9, go ahead and tailor your smartphone to your liking. Enjoy the modified user experience and make the most out of your Samsung device!