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Samsung Galaxy Note 8 – How to Disable Bixby Assistant Completely

Key takeaways:

  • Bixby is Samsung’s virtual assistant that comes pre-installed on Galaxy Note 8 and other Samsung devices
  • You can disable Bixby Voice, Bixby Home, and other Bixby features through the phone’s settings
  • Remapping the Bixby button and clearing app data can further minimize Bixby’s presence on your device

Samsung’s virtual assistant, Bixby, has been a part of the Galaxy ecosystem since 2017. While some users find it helpful, others prefer to use alternatives like Google Assistant or simply want to declutter their device. If you own a Samsung Galaxy Note 8 and want to disable Bixby completely, this guide will walk you through the process step by step.

Understanding Bixby’s Features

Before we dive into disabling Bixby, let’s take a quick look at its main features:

  • Bixby Voice: Allows you to interact with your device using voice commands
  • Bixby Home: Provides a personalized feed of information and suggestions on your home screen
  • Bixby Vision: Uses your camera to identify objects, translate text, and more

While these features can be useful, they may not be for everyone. Fortunately, Samsung allows users to disable Bixby on their Galaxy Note 8 devices.

Disabling Bixby Voice

To turn off Bixby Voice, follow these steps:

  1. Open the Bixby app
  2. Tap the gear icon to access Settings
  3. Toggle off the “Bixby Voice” option

This will prevent Bixby from responding to voice commands, but you can still access it by pressing the Bixby button.

Remapping the Bixby Button

The Galaxy Note 8 has a dedicated Bixby button, which can be frustrating if you accidentally press it often. While you can’t disable the button completely, you can remap it to perform a different action:

  1. Open the Bixby app
  2. Tap the gear icon to access Settings
  3. Select “Bixby key”
  4. Choose “Double press to open Bixby”

Now, you’ll need to press the Bixby button twice to activate the assistant, reducing the chances of accidental triggers.

Removing Bixby Home

Bixby Home is a dedicated screen on your home screen that displays personalized content. To remove it:

  1. Press and hold on an empty space on your home screen
  2. Swipe right to access the leftmost panel
  3. Toggle off the “Bixby Home” option

Your home screen will now be free of Bixby Home, giving you more space for apps and widgets.

Disabling Other Bixby Features

To further minimize Bixby’s presence on your Galaxy Note 8, you can disable additional features:

  1. Open the Bixby app
  2. Tap the gear icon to access Settings
  3. Disable the following options:
  • Bixby Voice wake-up
  • Marketing notifications
  • Bixby Labs

This will prevent Bixby from activating unintentionally and reduce the number of notifications you receive related to the assistant.

Clearing Bixby App Data

If you want to completely reset Bixby and remove all your interactions with the assistant, you can clear its app data:

  1. Go to your phone’s Settings
  2. Select “Apps”
  3. Find and tap on the following Bixby apps:
  • Bixby Home
  • Bixby Service
  • Bixby Voice
  1. For each app, tap “Storage” and then “Clear data”

This will erase all data associated with Bixby, giving you a fresh start if you ever decide to use the assistant again in the future.

Using Alternative Virtual Assistants

If you prefer using a different virtual assistant, such as Google Assistant, you can easily set it up on your Galaxy Note 8:

  1. Download and install the Google Assistant app from the Play Store
  2. Open the app and follow the setup instructions
  3. Use the “Hey Google” voice command or long-press your home button to activate Google Assistant

With Google Assistant set up, you can enjoy a more familiar and widely-supported virtual assistant experience on your device.

Conclusion

Disabling Bixby on your Samsung Galaxy Note 8 is a straightforward process that allows you to declutter your device and minimize unwanted interactions with the virtual assistant. By following the steps outlined in this guide, you can turn off Bixby Voice, remap the Bixby button, remove Bixby Home, and disable other Bixby features. If you prefer using an alternative assistant like Google Assistant, setting it up is just as easy. Ultimately, the choice to use or disable Bixby is yours, and Samsung provides the flexibility to tailor your device to your preferences.

FAQ

Can I completely remove Bixby from my Galaxy Note 8?

While you can’t uninstall Bixby entirely, you can disable its main features and minimize its presence on your device by following the steps in this guide.

Will disabling Bixby affect other features on my phone?

No, disabling Bixby will not impact other features or apps on your Galaxy Note 8. You can still use your device as usual without the virtual assistant.

Can I re-enable Bixby after disabling it?

Yes, you can easily re-enable Bixby features by toggling them back on in the Bixby app settings or by clearing the app data to reset the assistant.

Is it possible to use Google Assistant instead of Bixby?

Absolutely! You can download and set up Google Assistant from the Play Store and use it as your primary virtual assistant on your Galaxy Note 8.

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