How to remap the side button on Samsung Galaxy phones

What the side button does by default

Samsung’s support page lists the defaults: press and hold activates Bixby Voice, a short press switches the screen on or off, and a double press launches the camera or another app (Samsung Support, “Set up the Side button or Bixby key on your Galaxy phone”).

In Settings > Advanced features > Side button you can set the double press to Camera, Flashlight, Magnifier, Voice Recorder, Samsung Notes, Samsung Capture, Modes and Routines, or an app of your choice. The long press can be the digital assistant, Bixby or the Power off menu. On older models with a Bixby key, the setting is under Settings > Advanced features > Bixby > Bixby key.

How to remap the side button with KeySnap

1. Install KeySnap and finish the setup on HomeOpen KeySnap and follow the three setup steps on Home. They start with turning on the Accessibility service, which is how Android lets an app notice a hardware key.
2. Use Samsung’s own settings firstIn Settings > Advanced features > Side button, set the double press and the long press to what you want. If that already covers your need, you do not need KeySnap for this key.
3. Turn on Advanced ModeAccessibility alone does not see the side button, so this key needs Advanced Mode. Open Settings > Setup tools in KeySnap and follow Turn on Advanced Mode. It pairs with your phone’s own Wireless Debugging, needs Wi-Fi and Developer options, and does not need root.
4. Create the shortcutTap New shortcut, then in When choose Key press. Pick a press pattern: Single press, Double press or Long press. This key also turns the screen on and off, and KeySnap does not stop that, so a single press will still switch the screen.
5. Detect the side buttonTap to record, then press the side button. KeySnap shows Listening… and then Key recorded. Tap Save key. If nothing is recorded, KeySnap does not see the key on your phone yet. Check that Advanced Mode is running, then try again.
6. Choose what it doesUnder Do, tap Add action, search the catalogue and pick one, for example Flashlight. Tap the check mark at the top right to finish, then press the key to try it. You can add another shortcut with a different press pattern on the same key.

Limits to know about

Support varies by phone and Android version, and only keys that KeySnap detects can be remapped.

• The side button also works as the power key. KeySnap listens to it but does not stop the phone’s own action, so a press still turns the screen on or off, or runs Samsung’s function. KeySnap says the same about the Power key: the phone’s own Power action still happens.
• There is no setting on the pages above that turns the side button off, so we cannot recommend a “set it to nothing” step as we do for other keys.
• KeySnap can only use a key it detects. If the side button does not register when you record it, KeySnap cannot use it.
• We have not tested KeySnap on a Samsung phone, so we cannot say which press patterns work on it.
• Advanced Mode needs Wi-Fi and Developer options for setup. After you restart the phone, open KeySnap again to bring it back.
• Support, press types and actions vary by phone and system version.

Other phones and keys

See the overview of special keys for how detection works, or read the guide for another key:

• OPPO Snap Key
• Nothing Essential Key
• HONOR AI Button
• OnePlus Plus Key
• ASUS Smart Key