Get Your Free Guide to Bixby Settings and Controls

Understanding Bixby's Core Functions and Voice Commands

Bixby is Samsung's artificial intelligence assistant that comes built into many Samsung devices, including smartphones, tablets, and smart home products. Unlike some other voice assistants, Bixby is designed to work deeply within Samsung's ecosystem and can control specific features of your device that other assistants might not reach. This guide explores the various ways you can interact with Bixby and what it can do across your Samsung devices.

Get Your Free Check Payment Status Guide →

The primary way most people use Bixby is through voice commands. You can activate Bixby by saying "Hi, Bixby" or by pressing the dedicated Bixby button on your Samsung phone (if your model includes one). Once activated, Bixby listens to your spoken request and attempts to complete a task or provide information. For example, you might say "Hi, Bixby, turn on the flashlight" or "Hi, Bixby, what's the weather tomorrow?" Bixby can handle these requests without you needing to unlock your phone or open specific apps.

Bixby also works through text input if you prefer typing rather than speaking. You can open Bixby and type your request directly. This feature is particularly useful in situations where voice commands aren't practical, such as in a quiet library or during a video call. The text-based interface shows the same responses and options you'd receive through voice.

Understanding the difference between Bixby Voice and Bixby Text is important. Bixby Voice focuses on natural language understanding—it tries to interpret what you mean even if you don't use exact phrasing. Bixby Text is more literal and works best with specific commands. Both serve different purposes depending on your situation and preference.

Bixby can also learn your routines and preferences over time. If you regularly ask Bixby to perform certain tasks at specific times, Bixby may suggest automating these actions. This personalization feature means the more you use Bixby, the more tailored it becomes to your habits and needs.

Practical Takeaway: Start by using simple voice commands like "Hi, Bixby, open [app name]" or "Hi, Bixby, take a screenshot" to become comfortable with how Bixby responds. Try both voice and text input to see which method works better for your daily routine.

Configuring Bixby Voice Settings for Your Preferences

Bixby Voice settings allow you to customize how Bixby responds and interacts with you. These settings control everything from voice recognition sensitivity to how Bixby announces information. Accessing these settings is straightforward: open the Bixby app, tap the menu icon (usually three lines), and look for "Settings" or "Voice Settings." The exact menu structure may vary depending on your device model and Android version, but Samsung devices follow a similar pattern.

Learn About Points Redemption Programs and Options →

One of the most important voice settings is the wake-up command. By default, Bixby activates when you say "Hi, Bixby," but you can customize this phrase if you want something different. This is particularly useful if you have multiple people in your household and want to make sure only you can activate Bixby with a specific phrase. Some people change their wake-up command to their own name or a personal phrase that's less likely to be triggered accidentally.

Voice recognition language and accent settings let you specify how Bixby interprets your speech. If you speak English with an Australian, British, Indian, or American accent, you can tell Bixby which accent to expect. This helps Bixby understand your pronunciation patterns and respond more accurately. You can also select different languages if you're multilingual, allowing Bixby to switch between languages as you use them.

Response settings determine whether Bixby speaks its answers aloud or displays them silently on your screen. Some people prefer voice responses because they're useful while driving or cooking, while others prefer visual responses to avoid disturbing others nearby. You can also adjust Bixby's speech speed—if Bixby talks too fast or too slow, you can modify this setting to match your listening preference.

Feedback sounds are another customizable element. These are the small beeps and chimes that let you know Bixby is listening or has completed a task. You can turn these sounds on or off, or adjust their volume. Some users find feedback sounds helpful for confirmation, while others find them distracting and prefer to disable them.

Practical Takeaway: Visit your Bixby Voice settings and adjust at least two settings that match your needs: your wake-up command and your response preference (voice or text). Test these changes over a few days to confirm they work well for you.

Managing Privacy and Data Collection Settings

Privacy is an important consideration when using any voice assistant. Bixby continuously listens for its wake-up command, which means it's processing audio in the background. Understanding what data Bixby collects and how you can control that collection is essential for making informed decisions about using this feature.

How to Make Rose Water at Home Guide →

Samsung's privacy settings for Bixby are located in the same settings menu where you adjust voice preferences. You'll find options related to voice recording, data usage, and what information Bixby stores. One key setting is whether Bixby stores your voice commands and interactions. If you disable this, Bixby will still function, but it won't build a history of your requests or learn your preferences over time. This trade-off between personalization and privacy is something each user must decide for themselves.

You can review and delete your Bixby voice history at any time. This history includes transcripts of commands you've given and sometimes audio recordings of those commands. Samsung typically stores this information on their servers to improve Bixby's performance, but you have the right to see what's stored and remove it. To access this, go to your Bixby settings and look for "Voice History" or "Interaction History." From there, you can delete specific entries or clear your entire history.

Another privacy-related setting concerns what information Bixby can access. You can limit which apps and features Bixby controls, which can prevent accidental or unauthorized use of sensitive functions. For example, you might allow Bixby to read your calendar but not access your banking app. These permissions work similarly to app permissions on your device—you grant Bixby access to only what you're comfortable with.

Connected services also involve privacy considerations. If you link Bixby to your Samsung account, Google account, or other services, you're allowing Bixby to access information from those accounts. You can review these connections in your settings and disconnect any services you no longer want Bixby to use. This gives you ongoing control over what personal data Bixby can see and interact with.

Practical Takeaway: Check your Bixby voice history this week and review what data has been collected. Then adjust your privacy settings to match your comfort level—whether that means clearing history regularly, disabling voice recording storage, or limiting which apps Bixby can control.

Exploring Bixby's Control Over Device Features and Apps

One of Bixby's strengths is its ability to control many features built into your Samsung device. Unlike some voice assistants that primarily provide information, Bixby can actually execute actions on your device. Understanding what Bixby can control helps you use it more effectively in daily life.

Learn How to Wash and Care for Lola Blankets →

Basic device controls include turning features on and off. You can tell Bixby to enable Bluetooth, WiFi, airplane mode, do not disturb, or other connectivity and notification settings. Bixby can also adjust display settings like brightness and screen rotation. For example, saying "Hi, Bixby, increase brightness to 80 percent" will adjust your screen immediately. These commands are particularly useful when your hands are full or you're unable to easily access the settings menu.

Camera and photo functions are areas where Bixby excels. You can tell Bixby to open the camera, switch between front and back cameras, take a photo, or record a video. More specifically, you can say "Hi, Bixby, take a selfie" or "Hi, Bixby, record a video," and Bixby will complete these actions. Bixby can also help with photo management by opening your gallery or searching for specific photos based on criteria like date or location.

App launching is one of the simplest