Samsung Bixby: Everything you need to know!

By Joe Maring
published

Bixby is Samsung's take on the pocket assistant, combining machine learning, voice assistance, visual help and more into an all-encompassing helper. Whether you're rocking a Galaxy S8 or you're eyeing a shiny Galaxy Note 8, we can help you get started with Bixby the right way.

The latest Bixby news

February 22, 2019 — Samsung updates Bixby with Routines, Voice Unlock, and other features

Samsung made a lot of announcements at its Unpacked event on Wednesday, and while most of our attention was focused on the S10 series and Galaxy Fold, Samsung also unveiled some new additions to Bixby (opens in new tab).

Out of all these, the most exciting was definitely Bixby Routines. Similar to something like Siri Shortcuts or Google Assistant's Routines feature, Bixby Routines allows you to create a string of actions that are performed at once. However, rather than having to manually trigger these with a voice command, Bixby Routines are performed automatically in certain situations. For example, you can use Samsung's pre-made "Before Bed" routine that turns on Night Mode, lowers your phone's brightness, and mutes sound when it detects your usual bedtime.

As of right now, Bixby Routines are exclusive to the Galaxy S10, S10+, and S10e.

Thankfully, Samsung also announced a few other Bixby features that will be coming to other Bixby-enabled devices that are running Android Pie. These include:

  • Upgraded Lens Mode in Bixby Vision — New AR features that allow you to try on things like sunglasses, hair styles, or see how a piece of furniture would look in your home. You can also scan a movie poster and Bixby will automatically pull up its trailer.
  • Voice Unlock — Say "Hi Bixby" to initiate a voice command even when your phone is locked.
  • Bixby Key Customization — If your phone has a physical Bixby button, Bixby Key Customization will finally allow you to remap it. While you can't disable the button, you can switch Bixby to a double press and have a single press of the button do something else.

January 7, 2019 — Samsung's adding Bixby integration to Google's biggest apps

During its CES 2019 press conference today, Samsung announced something pretty impressive — it's working directly with Google to create new Bixby integration with Google's most popular apps.

This means that YouTube, Google Maps, Gmail, and more should soon offer deeply integrated experiences while using Bixby.

It's currently unclear when we can expect these integrations to roll out, but even with the announcement in its current form, it's still something exciting to look forward to.

All the big details

Everything you need to know about Bixby Voice

Up until the latest preview, all we knew about Bixby is that it enabled you to press a button to control the phone with your voice. Well, now that we've had some time with it, we can confirm that Bixby Voice really is all about talking to the Galaxy S8 or Note 8. It's not quite the same as Google Assistant, though, as Bixby is more conversational and apologetic when it messes up. This is a voice-activated virtual assistant that truly aims to please.

Everything you need to know about Bixby Voice

Best tips for wrangling Bixby to get it to do what you want

Bixby Voice delivers a pocket assistant that you can talk to in order to get things done. However, if you can't seem to get Bixby to do what you're asking, then using the assistant can feel like more of a hassle than a help. These tips will help to ensure that when you tell Bixby Voice to do something, it listens.

Best tips for wrangling Bixby Voice to get it to do what you want

How to disable Bixby Voice

Bixby Voice lets you ask a question out loud to your Galaxy device and have your phone answer right back. While this is handy for some people, not everybody wants to have Bixby answering questions for them. By turning off Bixby Voice, holding the Bixby button will now launch the app instead of a speech bubble. Turning Bixby Off — or back on — only takes a few moments, and we've got the details for you here!

How to disable Bixby Voice

How to access your Bixby History

Bixby Voice records all of the questions you ask, along with all the answers that it has delivered in response. If you've been wanting to take a look back at something you've asked in the past, you can access the history feature from within the Bixby app. It only shows you the last 7 days' worth of questions and answers, but it can be totally worth it.

How to access your Bixby History

How to use Bixby Vision

Bixby Vision is a feature that's unlike any other and designed to take your pocket assistant to the next level. Using Bixby Vision you can extract or translate text, search for images similar to what your camera sees, shop for those items, and plenty more. With so much going on it can be hard to get a decent grasp on everything when you're just starting out. That's why we've done the hard work for you, and detailed out what you need to know to get the most out of everything Bixby Vision can do!

How to use Bixby Vision

How to replace Bixby Voice with Google Assistant

Not everyone wants to use Bixby Voice, and if you'd prefer Google Assistant, then you're in luck! There are a few things you can do in order to replace Bixby with Google Assistant.

How to replace Bixby Voice with Google Assistant on your Galaxy S8

There is plenty that Bixby is capable of doing simply by using voice commands, from playing music from your favorite app, to adding items to your calendar. We've got the details on the most awesome commands to aid you in your Bixby adventures!

Most popular Bixby Voice commands

How to customize Bixby Home

Bixby Home is the central hub where Bixby delivers summaries of what is going on in your apps in the form of cards. We've got the details on how to customize the look of Bixby Home, as well as the information it displays for you!

How to customize Bixby Home

How to improve Bixby Voice using Samsung Feedback

Bixby Voice can easily answer your questions and help you access the apps you want with just a few words. However, if Bixby Voice doesn't understand what you are saying, then you definitely aren't going to get the results that you've been hoping for. There is an easy way to help fine tune what Bixby hears while you're speaking to it using custom feedback to correct incorrect words or phrases.

How to improve Bixby Voice using Samsung Feedback

How to change the language and speaking style of Bixby Voice

Like most other virtual assistants, Bixby talks back — but some folks might not want to listen to Bixby's default voice "Stephanie". Or maybe you might like to have Bixby respond in a different language. Either way, it's a pretty simple process from within the settings of the Bixby app, and we'll show you how.

How to change the language and speaking style of Bixby Voice

How to customize Hello Bixby

You can conveniently access Bixby on the Galaxy S8 or Note 8 by swiping right on the home screen or by pressing the Bixby button (on the left, below the volume buttons) at any time.

But Bixby is only going to be useful if you make it your own. Here's how to customize your Bixby experience.

How to customize Hello Bixby on your Galaxy S8

How to completely disable the Bixby button

Thanks to a new update from Samsung, you can now completely disable the Bixby button on your Galaxy S8, or Galaxy Note 8 so that hitting the button has no action whatsoever.

How to completely disable the Bixby button

Questions?

Do you still have questions about a feature on Bixby? Have you been leveling up in Bixby, or do you miss Google Assistant? Tell us about it in the comments below!

Updated October 2017: We've updated this post with new information about Bixby and the Note 8, as well as how to completely disable the Bixby button!

Joe Maring
Joe Maring

Joe Maring was a Senior Editor for Android Central between 2017 and 2021. You can reach him on Twitter at @JoeMaring1.

50 Comments
  • Zero comments, Shocking for a cheap SIRI rip-off.
  • Nothing like Siri
  • Just getting to grips with bixby but I can see the future with it.
    But samsung really need to work at for it to really hit the market
  • Bixby, Google Assistant's retarded brother.
  • Better choice in wording please.
  • Says a person who never used it........
  • Bixby works surprisingly well for controlling settings on the phone itself. In combination with Google Assistant, you have a pretty powerful voice assistant duo.
  • the problem I have with the Samsung ecosystem is that I dont use the Samsung eco system because I have an Android phone, I'm already immersed in the Google ecosystem. It just seems redundant to me. Stop it samsung.
  • If you don't have a Samsung phone, then no need to worry about Bixby. I'm pretty sure it'll never show up on any other Android phones.
  • But I have a Samsung phone. which is already an Android phone.
  • You know Google makes there own phone . You don't have to buy a Samsung Galaxy . Not even sure how that works you bought a phone that you don't the UI
  • I can get around the UI I just don't really bother with all the Samsung apps. Bixby seems redundant.
  • Buy a Google phone
  • no water resistance or s-pen. otherwise I'd be all over it.
  • I get what you're saying. Samsung is notorious for duplicating Google apps. Sometimes they come up with good things however. Not saying Bixby is one of those...yet.
  • It's not.
  • Praise be, praise be...
  • My main issue with Samsung's ecosystem at the moment is that there is no web interface. So, if I back up all my info to them and my phone breaks/gets stolen then the only way to get my data is to get another Samsung device. With Google, I can just log on from a web browser and get my stuff.
  • Bixby has to be used along with Google assistant. The combo covers all the bases that a voice assistant ought to. The main problem with bixby is that the correction that we give when it get things wrong aren't learnt. It keeps making the same mistake all over again, even after days. Google Assistant on the other hand learns things quite quickly.
  • If you don't like what samsung is putting on there phone font but it. They have three right to put on what they want. They have come along way.
  • Apple must be enjoying Bixby. It keeps Siri from being the lamest virtual assistance. Well done, Samsung.
  • You again dude you really need to stop trolling Samsung post. There's other new phones on the way . Was at Best buy today an folks where over the top about the return of the note 8 despite your attempt to sabatage all the Samsung post
  • Are you a shareholder in Samsung? You sure act like one. I was at BestBuy today too, and I bought my wife an S8+ today since they are pretty reasonably priced unlocked ($650). If you are a shareholder -- you're welcome. And yes, there was a person there looking to preorder a Note8 so I don't doubt your story. I doubt more than a handful of people read my posts here. My wife hit the Bixby button and I had to explain why she has another virtual assistant. She likes the face unlock feature more than using a fingerprint scanner. So far she likes her S8+. There's an honest assessment of a Samsung device that I just purchased. :)
  • -
  • One of the very reasons I cannot wait to get my Note 8 is that it will not only have Bixby but also will continue to have my Google Assistant. A co-worker uses her Google Assistant every evening before the car pool leaves so that they know what to expect for traffic back to NYC. Lately I have used mine to find out when certain stores were either opening or closing
  • When will bixby come to s7 edge....
  • It's possible s7 could get it in the future being that they put it on the n7 fe addition which doesn't have a bixby button
  • Geez I ask Bixby to simply "OPEN GMAIL" and it replies "We need to download it" WTF!
    It's installed!
  • It is a shocking pile of crap. It really is, which makes you wonder why Samsung even bothered! What's even more laughable is that the Bixby service only understands US English. So as I am based here in the UK, I am unable to even train the Voice to use the service! Unless I speak with a mock american accent, which is ridiculous. It will never get used and the button is annoying because I can't even disable the bloody thing. Big steaming pile of crap. Sticking with Google, which works
  • Try using it for more that 2 minutes
  • I mainly hate that 50% of the time I grab for my phone or put it in my pocket etc., my finger accidentally hits the stupid Bixby button and launches Bixby. Ugh, wish they never added the extra button.
  • ^THIS. I sold my S8+ and don't miss stupid bixby button one bit. The only thing I needed to know about Bixby was how to disable it.
  • I agree oh Alfie, they didn't need the button just the wake up command. I have mine disabled and it still comes up when I accidentally hit the button.
  • People just hate being told what to do. It especially goes against the Android ethos. Incredible arrogance on Samsung to dedicate a physical button to some fringe experiment app giving it the same importance as volume and power/sleep .
  • Another thing about Android is you don't have to buy Samsung so stop complaining
  • happily using Google Assistant on my Note 8. It's like Bixby isn't even there!
  • Tell Google to open galaxy photos and send a picture from last Wednesday to some and let's see how it does
  • I rather quite enjoy Bixby. There's alot of native features it can do that Google Now can't. Very integrated in the native apps that I test between the two to see its limitation. I actually prefer Bixby Over Now only because it's integration into the phone. However, Google Now is much more accurate with voice recognition.
  • I'm actually enjoying Bixby now that it's working like it should . I think Bixby was miss understood . It's not supposed to be a Google replacement if you get that idea out the way first then you'll realize it's purpose which is to make Your inner reaction with your phone much simpler . Kind of dig it now
  • Exactly! Thank you!!
  • So you can become one with your phone
  • Bring on the voice assistant competition. This is the only way things get better. My only complaint is that damn Bixby button..
  • Disable it an keep it moving
  • No ****... Wow your powers of stating the obvious are amazing..... You could be super hero. May I be the first to suggest a name, Da Derp.
  • Your welcome glad I could help the obvious uninformed
  • It's crap, that's all you need to know.
  • Works great for me. Just spend a few minutes with it and you'll see
  • Exactly to many folks just go by what they hear . I heard all the BS used it anyway an it works an does what it's supposed to do . Heard the same thing about the battery of the note 8 ....only to find out it's a beast
  • I probably will never find out if Bixby is good or not. Got my Note yesterday and from all the bad press I followed I immediately flashed an app to remap the Bixby button. I soon realized that this wasn't a solution either. The main problem is that darn button. I drive a lot and have my phone in a holder. Every time I pull it out I hit that stupid button and start the app I put on it. Literally an hour ago I deleted the remap app and disabled everything Bixby on this phone. Doubt I would have used it anyway.
  • I really like using Bixby on my Note 8, but I seriously need a way to backup my Bixby settings, quick commands and custom chats. I tried relying on Samsung's stupid cloud to get the job done, but it only partially restored my quick commands and all my custom chats have to be recreated 😒 Really need a way to locally backup my Bixby quick commands and Bixby custom chats. Any suggestions?