Galaxy S20 Side key is a combination of traditional Power key and Bixby key. You can remap it to different functions.
This Galaxy S20 guide explains the functions of the Galaxy S20 Side key, how to remap the functions to different gestures and how to use the side key on Galaxy S20, S20+, and S20 Ultra.
This guide applies to all three models of Galaxy S20.
What is Galaxy S20 Side key?
Samsung introduced the Bixby key on Galaxy S8. It was located below the volume keys on the left side of the phone as explained in Galaxy S8 layout.
This configuration was maintained in Galaxy Note 8, S9, Note 9, and S10 with the hope of increasing adoption of Bixby services.
But unfortunately, it did not work well. Most owners do not use Bixby and don’t like the useless physical button.
Since Android Pie update, Samsung finally allows owners to remap the Bixby key to other functions. It becomes one of the most welcomed features in Android Pie update for Galaxy S9 and S8.
In Galaxy Note 10, Samsung eventually gave up the efforts of pushing Bixby key.
So, in Galaxy Note 10, Samsung combined the Power key and the Bixby key into one and named it Side key.
But Samsung put the new Side key in the left side of Galaxy Note 10. This created unnecessary confusions among the owners because the Power key of all previous Galaxy phones was on the right side.
So, in Galaxy S20, Samsung relocated the Side key into the right side (together with the Volume key) as explained in Galaxy S20 layout.
Essentially, Galaxy S20 Side key is still a combination of the Power key and the Bixby key. And the owner can customize the functions.
What are the gestures supported by Galaxy S20 Side key?
As a hardware button, Galaxy S20 Side key supports 4 gestures:
- Single press.
- Double press. The default function is Galaxy S20 camera quick launch.
- Long press (press and hold for more than 2 seconds). The default function is the revamped Power Off menu.
The first gesture (single press) is not customizable. It is reserved for wake up/turn off the screen, just like what the old Power key does. You can also configure it to lock Galaxy S20 instantly as explained in Galaxy S20 lock screen settings.
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