You can disable Bixby without fully removing it, or uninstall it entirely depending on your device and Android version

Bixby is Samsung's voice assistant, and it comes pre-installed on most Samsung phones and tablets. You cannot completely remove it from all devices, but you can disable it so it does not launch accidentally or respond to voice commands. On some newer Samsung phones running Android 11 or later, you can uninstall it through the Google Play Store. On older devices, you can only turn it off and remove its shortcuts.

The method depends on which Samsung device you own and which version of Android it runs. A Galaxy S21 or newer phone gives you more options than an older Galaxy S10. This guide covers both the disable route (which works on all Samsung devices) and the uninstall route (which works on some newer models).

Key Takeaways

  • Disabling Bixby works on all Samsung devices and prevents it from launching when you press the Bixby button or say "Hi Bixby".
  • Uninstalling Bixby is only possible on newer Samsung phones running Android 11 or later, through the Google Play Store.
  • Remapping the Bixby button to do something else (like launch Google Assistant) is faster than disabling Bixby entirely.
  • If you disable Bixby and later change your mind, you can turn it back on in the same settings menu.

How to disable Bixby on any Samsung device

Disabling Bixby stops it from responding to voice commands and prevents the Bixby button from launching the app. Open Settings, then tap Apps or Applications. Search for or scroll to Bixby (or Bixby Voice on some devices). Tap it, then select Disable. If you see Uninstall instead of Disable, your device allows full removal — see the next section instead.

After disabling Bixby, the Bixby button on the side of your phone will no longer work. If you want to remap that button to launch a different app instead, go back to Settings, find Advanced Features or Bixby Key, and choose what happens when you press it. Many people set it to open Google Assistant or Google Lens instead.

How to uninstall Bixby on newer Samsung phones

If your Samsung phone runs Android 11 or later (usually Galaxy S20 and newer), you may be able to uninstall Bixby through the Google Play Store. Open the Play Store app, search for Bixby, and tap the app listing. If you see an Uninstall button, tap it and confirm. If you only see Open or Update, your device does not allow uninstallation through the Play Store — use the disable method above instead.

Uninstalling through the Play Store removes Bixby entirely and frees up storage space. However, Samsung may reinstall it when you update your phone's system software. If that happens, you can disable it again using the method in the previous section.

Remapping the Bixby button instead of disabling it

If you want to keep Bixby installed but prevent the physical button from launching it, remapping is often faster than disabling the whole app. Go to Settings, then Advanced Features, then Bixby Key (the exact name varies by device). You will see options like Open Bixby, Open Google Assistant, Open Google Lens, or Custom app. Select whichever you prefer.

This approach leaves Bixby installed and functional if you ever want to use it, but removes the accidental button presses that annoy most users. You can still say "Hi Bixby" to launch it by voice if you change your mind, though you can disable voice activation separately in the Bixby settings.

Turning Bixby back on if you change your mind

If you disabled Bixby and want to re-enable it, open Settings, tap Apps, find Bixby, and select Enable. The button will work again and voice commands will respond. If you uninstalled it through the Play Store, search for Bixby in the Google Play Store and tap Install.

Re-enabling takes less than a minute, so there is no risk in trying the disable route first to see if you prefer your phone without it.

Why Bixby cannot be removed from all Samsung devices

Samsung pre-loads Bixby as a system app on most of its phones and tablets, which means it is part of the core operating system rather than a downloadable app. Older Samsung devices and budget models cannot uninstall system apps through normal settings. Newer flagship phones (S20 and later) began allowing uninstallation because Samsung moved Bixby to the Google Play Store, where it can be managed like any other app.

Even on devices that allow uninstallation, Samsung may reinstall Bixby when you update your phone's Android version or security patches. This is normal behavior — the company considers Bixby part of the Samsung experience and reserves the right to restore it.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will disabling Bixby slow down my phone?

No. Disabling an app does not improve performance noticeably on modern phones. Bixby uses minimal resources when you are not actively using it, so turning it off will not make your phone faster. The main benefit is removing accidental button presses and unwanted voice activations.

Can I disable Bixby voice but keep the button?

Yes. Open Settings, find Bixby, then look for Voice Wake-up or Voice Activation and turn it off. The button will still work if you press it, but saying "Hi Bixby" will not launch the app. You can also remap the button to do something else entirely.

What happens if I uninstall Bixby and then update my phone?

Samsung may reinstall Bixby when you update your phone's system software. If that happens, you can uninstall it again through the Play Store or disable it in Settings. This is not a permanent removal, but you can repeat the process after each update if you prefer.

Is Google Assistant better than Bixby?

Google Assistant works across more apps and services than Bixby, and most people find it more useful. However, Bixby integrates more deeply with Samsung-specific features like Samsung Health and Samsung Pay. The choice depends on which services you use most.