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Samsung Removes Bixby Button Remapping Feature On Galaxy S8 & S8 Plus

Samsung recently introduced the latest flagship killer smartphones, Galaxy S8 and Galaxy S8 Plus. These two devices were the most awaited smartphone of 2017 and both are beast in terms of performance. These two devices were also the first devices from Samsung to feature the company’s own assistant, Bixby. According to Samsung, Bixby is way more functional and can do many things as compared to its competitors. The Galaxy S8 and S8 Plus have also got a dedicated button on the left side to launch Bixby.

Although Bixby is an interesting voice assistant but many users may want to see an option to remap the Bixby dedicated button. While there was no official way to do so, people were still able to remap it through an unofficial method. Just by installing an app called ‘All In One Gestures’ and by altering the accessibility features, it would create a custom key within the app. After doing so, users were able to choose different actions when the Bixby button is pressed. This method didn’t even need root access to do its task.

Samsung Bixby button

https://twitter.com/philipberne/status/854020503908089862

Recently Samsung pushed an OTA update and now you no longer can remap the Bixby button via any third party app. Samsung confirmed that it has removed the ability to remap the Bixby button in the new update. Samsung’s Marketing Manager, Philip Berne clearly said in a tweet that it was exploiting a system-level behavior and such thing will never be supported officially.


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However this update has been pushed only for Telus variant (build version NRD90M.G950WVLU1AQD9) as of now but other regions should receive this update soon. This update can be bit disappointing for many people out there but what is more disappointing is the fact that Galaxy S8 & S8 Plus users may never be able to remap the Bixby button.

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Abhishek Bhatnagar

Abhishek Bhatnagar, a known technology blogger & YouTuber from India. A Software Engineer by qualification, now he works as the editor-In-Chief, Webmaster, & Managing Director at Gadgets To Use. He runs a number of other technology websites as well.