Bixby key customization confirmed for Galaxy flagships running Android Pie

Samsung has confirmed it will support Bixby key customization on previously released “flagship” phones that receive Android Pie. Samsung revealed this earlier today in a blog post, suggesting the feature would come to the Galaxy S8, S8 Plus, Note 8, S9, S9 Plus, and Note 9.

Samsung’s Bixby key is a hardware button found on the side of its recent flagships, underneath the volume rocker. Pressing the key activates Samsung’s Bixby assistant — similar to how saying “OK, Google” launches the Google Assistant. Galaxy owners who have long called for an option to change the default assistant will be pleased that they can now do so and more.

Samsung previously restricted that possibility (though some developers found workarounds) but earlier this week it was suggested Samsung would support button customization on the Samsung Galaxy S10. Samsung also confirmed the S10 support in its post.

Galaxy flagship owners will be able to remap it to open third-party apps with a single or double-tap, or map it to a Quick command (such as reducing the display brightness or putting the phone on silent).

Samsung has already rolled out Pie to its Galaxy S9 flagships and it’s rolling out to the Galaxy S8 and S8 Plus in some regions. We don’t know exactly when these phones will receive the Bixby customization support, but it’s likely to arrive in an OTA sometime after the Galaxy S10’s release.