How to Replace Bixby with Google Gemini AI in Samsung Phones

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Written by Nishant Kumar Yogesh
Expertise Software Engineer
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In this detailed guide, I’ll walk you through how to replace Bixby — the default voice assistant on many Samsung Galaxy phones — with Google Gemini AI. The instructions are based on the method published by Digital Inspiration.

Whether you prefer Gemini’s capabilities, already use Google Assistant/AI tools, or just want to streamline your phone experience, this guide will show you step-by-step how to swap things over and map your side/power button to Gemini instead of Bixby.

Why you might want to do this

  • Samsung’s Bixby is deeply integrated into many Galaxy phones (especially via the side/power key long press).

  • You may prefer Google’s ecosystem (Google Assistant, Gemini, search, etc.) and want one unified voice/AI assistant.

  • Mapping the side key to open Gemini gives you quicker access to advanced generative-AI capabilities, chat, etc.

  • For users who rarely use Bixby and find the persistent “Press and hold for Bixby” annoying, this is a convenient customization.

Important prerequisites & things to check

Before you dive into the steps, make sure you’re ready:

  • Your Samsung device is compatible with Google Gemini (check the Play Store and Google’s requirements).

  • You have the latest updates installed for your phone (system, apps) to avoid unexpected issues.

  • You are comfortable installing modules/apps like Good Lock and its plugin Registar via the Galaxy Store (these sometimes vary by region).

  • You understand that you’re replacing a pre-set assistant behaviour, and some Samsung system features might still invoke Bixby under certain contexts (hardware button, Home key shortcuts, etc).

  • Backup or note any custom settings you currently have (side key behaviour, Bixby routines, etc.) so you can revert if needed.

Step-by‐Step Guide

Here are the detailed steps to swap out Bixby and make Gemini your primary assistant.

Step 1: Install Google Gemini

  1. Open the Google Play Store on your Samsung phone.

  2. Search for Google Gemini and install the app (if it’s available in your region).

  3. After installation, open Google Gemini and complete any setup or login steps required.

Step 2: Replace Google Assistant with Gemini

  1. Although your goal is to map Gemini to the side key, first ensure Google Assistant is set up properly (if not already).

  2. Open the Google Assistant app (or search “Assistant settings”) and in the settings look for Default digital assistant app.

  3. Select Google Gemini as your default assistant. According to the reference, this makes Gemini act as the main voice assistant from Google on your phone. 

    • Note: If you don’t see “Gemini” listed yet as an option, the app or region availability may be limiting; check for updates or wait for rollout.

Step 3: Map the Power/Side Button to Gemini

This step uses Good Lock + Registar to remap the long-press of the side key (often launching Bixby by default) to launch Google Gemini.

  1. Open the Galaxy Store and install the Good Lock app.

  2. Within Good Lock, go to the Plugins tab and find/install the Registar module.

  3. Launch Registar → Navigate to “Side-key press and hold action”.

  4. Change the action from “Wake Bixby” (or whatever it currently is) to Access your Google Voice Assistant (i.e., Gemini). Optionally, you can map the side key to “Open app” → then select Google Gemini (or any other AI/chat app). This allows you to launch Gemini directly instead of going through Assistant. Save/apply the configuration, test by pressing and holding the side/power key. It should now bring up Google Gemini rather than Bixby.

Troubleshooting & Tips

  • If long-press still triggers Bixby: Revisit the Registar setting and ensure the side key action is properly configured. Some Samsung phones may have overrides or regional limitations.

  • If Gemini isn’t listed as default assistant: Check for updates to the Gemini app, Google Play, and device OS. Some regions may not yet support Gemini as full default assistant replacement.

  • Want to revert to Bixby? Return to Registar → Side-key press and hold action → Set it back to “Wake Bixby”.

  • Using a newer One UI version: Samsung’s UI may alter behaviour for side keys (power vs Bixby separate keys). Be sure you know which key you’re remapping.

  • Other apps you might map: You aren’t limited to Gemini — you can map the side key to open any chat/AI app (e.g., ChatGPT, Perplexity). The same method applies. 

  • Consider voice-wake vs button-wake: Mapping the side key is button-based. If you still use voice activation (“Hey Google”), make sure Gemini supports the wake-phrase on your device.

  • Samsung routines or Bixby integrations may still trigger: If you have Bixby routines or Samsung-specific integrations (e.g., Smart Home via Bixby), they may not automatically shift to Gemini. You’ll need to recreate or adapt them.

  • Be mindful of region limitations: Not all Samsung devices in all regions allow full override of the Bixby key or remapping side keys easily — UI versions differ.

Why this works technically

  • Good Lock + Registar is a Samsung-approved customization module that lets you override side-key functions and remap actions.

  • By selecting “Access your Google Voice Assistant”, you direct the side-key to invoke whatever default voice assistant app is set (which you changed to Google Gemini).

  • Essentially, you’re replacing the handler for the side-key long-press — from Bixby to Google’s assistant infrastructure — achieving a seamless swap from a user-interaction standpoint.

Final Thoughts and Recommendations

Swapping Bixby for Google Gemini can make your Samsung phone feel more aligned with the Google ecosystem — especially if you already use Google services, AI-based chat tools, and want a unified assistant experience. The steps are fairly straightforward, relying on Good Lock/Registar which many Samsung power-users already employ for customisation.

However, always keep in mind:

  • Some Samsung-specific features tied to Bixby may not carry over automatically.

  • You may need to adapt if Samsung issues software updates that change side-key behaviour.

  • Always test after configuration (press & hold the side key) to ensure the mapping works as expected.

If you follow the steps above, you should now be able to press and hold your side/power key on your Samsung phone and have Google Gemini, not Bixby, open up — giving you access to advanced generative AI, chats, and Google’s ecosystem with just one button press.

Nishant Kumar Yogesh

Software Engineer at Yourskart Technologies

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