Galaxy S6 Guide

Galaxy S6 buttons

Understanding the functions of Galaxy S6 buttons and Galaxy S6 edge buttons

Galaxy S6 and Galaxy S6 edge share identical buttons. The functions of Galaxy S6 buttons are identical to those on Galaxy S6 edge.

There are 5  physical buttons on Galaxy S6 (and on Galaxy S6 edge).

Table of Contents hide
1) Galaxy S6 Home button
2) Galaxy S6 Power button
3) Galaxy S6 Back button
4) Galaxy S6 Recent Apps button
5) Galaxy S6 Volume button (Volume rocker)
6) Summary of the main functions of Galaxy S6 buttons
6.1) Are you familiar with Galaxy S6 buttons? Can you use them now?

Galaxy S6 Home button

Galaxy S6 Home button is located below the screen. You may refer to this page on Galaxy S6 layout.

Galaxy S6 fingerprint sensor is also embedded into the Home button. When you touch the Home button, Galaxy S6 may also scan you fingerprint.

When the Galaxy S6 screen is locked, press the Home button to turn on the screen. But you are still on the lock screen.

When you are using any apps on Galaxy S6, press the Home button to suspend the app and return to home screen.

When the screen is not locked and you are on any other pages, press Galaxy S6 Home button to return to home screen.

When the screen is not locked, press and hold Galaxy S6 Home button to launch Google Now.

Galaxy S6 Power button

Galaxy S6 Power button is located in the right side of Galaxy S6.

When the phone is powered off, press and hold Galaxy S6 Power button to power on the phone.

When the phone is powered on, press and hold Galaxy S6 Power button to get power options, including restarting the phone and powering off the phone.

When the screen is on, press Galaxy S6 Power button to turn off the screen and lock the screen by default.

When the screen is off, press Galaxy S6 Power button to turn on the screen. In this case, the function is same as pressing Home button.

You may also configure the galaxy S6 power button for other functions, e.g., ending a phone call.

Galaxy S6 Back button

The main function of the Galaxy S6 Back button is to return to the previous screen of the app you are running.

The actual behavior of Galaxy S6 Back button may depend on individual app. Some apps may just exit once you tap the Galaxy S6 Back button.

In Samsung Galaxy S6  and Galaxy S6 edge, by default, the light duration (when touched) of Back button and Recent buttons are NOT user-configurable, unlike previous generation Galaxy S or Galaxy Note devices. If you want to change the light duration or turn off the light for Galaxy S6 Back button and Recent Apps button, please check this guide.

Galaxy S6 Recent Apps button

Galaxy S6 Recent Apps button allows you to access previously-opened apps.

Tap Galaxy S6 Recent Apps button to see a list of apps opened since last phone reboot.  You can tap any of these apps in the list to re-open it.  The behavior of re-opening the app depends on individual apps and system available resources.

Tap and hold Galaxy S6 Recent Apps button to launch the split screen view. This allows you to access the new multi-window feature on Galaxy S6.

Galaxy S6 Volume button (Volume rocker)

Just like other smartphones, Galaxy S6 Volume button  let you control the volume of the phone.

Tap Volume up (top part) to increase the volume. Volume down (bottom part) to lower the volume.

Some apps may also use volume button for special functions. For example, in the messaging app, you can use volume button to increase or decrease the font size. In camera app, you can use volume keys to take photos or to record videos or to zoom in/out the camera (please check this page on how to use volume key to control Galaxy S6 camera).

Summary of the main functions of Galaxy S6 buttons

galaxy_s6_buttons

Are you familiar with Galaxy S6 buttons? Can you use them now?

If you have any questions or encounter any problems on using Galaxy S6 buttons, please leave your questions or problems in the comment box below.

For other features of Galaxy S6, please check Galaxy S6 online manual page.

For detailed guides on how to use Samsung Galaxy S6, please check Galaxy S6 how-to guides page.

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Adrian says

    Hey i think i got something like a bug on my s6 edge
    sooo there is the “back-button” and the “recent-apps” button… buut on my s6 edge sometimes, suddenly the “back-button” has the same function like the “recent-apps” button, somtimes it’s normal, but somtimes its changing… is there any way to solve that problem…?

    Reply

  2. Jack says

    I don’t know what I press for luck’ and now. I can unluck it anymore!it show a blue line go up and down and I don’t know what to do

    Reply

  3. Tamra says

    My grandson (1 year old) knows how to turn on my phone with the home button. How can I disable this feature. Even it the phone is on lock he can still make 911 calls so i need to make it so he cant turn it on.

    Reply

  5. Aj says

    So i just bought my phone 2 days ago, and suddenly my recent apps and back button don’t light up nor even work. Is there anything to fix this?

    Reply

  7. Movietajm says

    Ok.. So Im used to the Galaxy S4 where the “recent apps”-button actually is a regular button for settings of the current app used. I dont know how to get to the settings easy now of current app using, no matter what app Im using. Its very annoying. Is there a way to change the function of this button?

    Reply

  8. Deborah coffey says

    Why in the world would they change the lower left button to a recent apps button. How do you navigate through the phone without a menu button. I am so disgusted. I feel like returning my new phone. So stupid. What is the reasoning for this? Is there a way they can rectify this?

    Reply

  9. HAJIJAH DOLLAH says

    I have Problem with my Samsung S6 edge…i left my hp in my handbag..this morning when i wanted to use it…it did nt functioning…i could not start or even off it …. It just stay like that without any changes..i mean the screen is blank…what should i do

    Reply

  10. Hannah says

    What do I do my back button on the s6 edge is acting like the folder button on the left side so I’ve basically lost the back button.. help

    Reply

  11. michele says

    So when I hit the lock button and go back on my phone like 3 minutes later it doesn’t lock right after I hit the power button what should I do

    Reply

  12. Fay Harris says

    Ive pushed the right hand side button to turn my Samsung s6 phone after it went flat (had it now on charger over 1 hour) and still it will not turn on. Its 3 weeks old….any suggestions?

    Reply

  15. Rebecca says

    How do i turn off the volume rocker button on the side?
    The volume keeps getting turned all the way down, and i miss Calls.

    Reply

  17. Helen says

    After the last update to my Galaxy S6, volume button doesn’t change font size anymore. I have turned off phone and rebooted several times. Is there another way to change text font size other than the volume button.

    Reply

  20. Hannah says

    Hello!

    Could you help me out please?
    Trying to find a way to change the settings of my home-button on the Samsung Galaxy S6.
    I don’t want Google Now to start when I hold it.

    Thanks

    Reply

  21. Amanda says

    Is there a way to set it up to turn the screen off with the home key instead of the power button?

    Reply

  24. Ozzy says

    How to “wake up” s6 edge plus without pressing power button?

    I have read that previous galaxy models have option to hold down VolDown button then to connect phone via USB cable to PC, and then Download mode should start automatically. Is there any way to start s6 edge plus if my power button is broken?

    Reply

  25. Richard says

    About a week ago, I dropped my standard model S6 in water. I immediately got it out, toweled it off and got it into rice. I took it out three days later and it seemed to be fine, but after a couple of hours the recent apps button started playing up, activating when I wasn’t pressing it. I have tried clearing the cache and running safe mode in case it was a coincidence, but the same thing is still happening, and running All-In-One Gestures has not stopped it from happening either. Have you got any recommendations for other things I could try instead of getting it repaired/replaced?

    Reply

  26. Melissa says

    Why is my home button not doing all the features.like for instance it’s not opening in the home screen page and it’s not allowing me to do screen shots

    Reply

  27. charlie says

    can any body tell me how to find the call divert button i cannot talk to any one the calls go to message bank

    Reply

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