How to Change Side Key Functions on your Samsung Galaxy S24

The Samsung Galaxy S24 comes with a customizable side key that allows you to quickly access your most-used apps and features. This key is located on the right side of the phone, within easy reach of your thumb or finger. By default, the side key can be short-pressed, long-pressed, or double-pressed to access different functions, such as turning off your phone, calling Bixby, or opening an app. This post walks through how to change the side key functions on your Galaxy  S24.

Why you might want to change Side Key functions

Customizing the side-key functions on your Samsung Galaxy S24 can enhance your user experience by providing quick, one-tap access to your most-used apps and features.

For example, you can set the side key to launch the camera app, allowing you to instantly open the camera to capture fleeting moments. Other users might prefer to use it for even quicker access to apps like Gmail or their favorite social media.

Customizing the side key allows you to optimize your phone for your own personal usage, streamlining your experience and putting your most important apps right at your fingertips.

Steps to changing Side Key functions on Samsung Galaxy S24

While the default settings are useful, you may want to customize or remap these keys to better fit your usage needs. To change the side key functions on your Samsung Galaxy S24, follow these steps:

• Open the Settings app and select Advanced Features.
• From the Advanced Features menu, tap the side key.
• Now you’re in the sub-menu, where you can start to play around with different options.

• • For Double press, you can choose between:
    • Quick launch camera
    • Open app to select the App you would like to quick launch e.g. Flashlight.
    • Double pressing on your Side key will now launch the seleted App.

• • For Press and hold, you can choose between:
    • Wake Bixby
    • Power off menu.
    • Samsung merged the Bixby and Power Buttons into a single button. Therefore, if you wish to use this button as your device’s power off menu, you will need to adjust some settings to bring up the power off menu.

Customizing Side Key functions for different scenarios

When customizing the side-key functions, consider the following tips:

• Press and hold if there’s an app you want to easily access but not accidentally launch. The longer press prevents misfires.

• Assign apps strategically. Put your phone, camera, or calculator on the side key and reserve home screen space for less frequently used apps.

Troubleshooting common issues

If you encounter any issues while customizing the side key functions, consider the following troubleshooting steps:

• Ensure that your phone is updated to the latest software version.
• Restart your phone and try the customization process again.
• If the issue persists, consider reaching out to Samsung support for further assistance.

Tips and tricks for maximizing the use of Side Key functions

To get the most out of your customizable side key, consider the following tips:

• Experiment with different apps and features to find the best combination for your needs.
• Adjust the side-key functions based on your daily usage patterns.
• Keep your side-key functions simple and intuitive to avoid confusion.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Can I change the side-key function to open a specific app?
   Yes, you can customize the side key to open any app of your choice.
2. What happens if I accidentally press the side key?
   You can set the side key to perform a long press, which will prevent accidental launches.
3. Can I change the side-key function on older Samsung Galaxy models?
   Yes, the process for changing side-key functions is similar across different Samsung Galaxy models.

Conclusion

Customizing the side key functions on your Samsung Galaxy S24 can significantly enhance your user experience by providing quick, one-tap access to your most-used apps and features. By following the steps outlined above and considering the tips and tricks provided, you can create a personalized experience that truly fits your needs and preferences.