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Developers find workaround to allow Samsung Galaxy S8 users to remap Bixby button (again)

by Cosmin Vasile / Jul 12, 2017, 1:51 AM

Developers find workaround to allow Samsung Galaxy S8 users to remap Bixby button (again)

Samsung continues to force Galaxy S8 and S8+ owners to use the Bixby-dedicated button exclusively to launch the personal digital assistant. Since the release of the flagship, many developers have found a way to enable users to remap the Bixby button to open other apps or do other useful operations.

However, the South Korean company pushed software updates that prevent the remapping of the Bixby button. It happened last week in the United States where Sprint and T-Mobile released updates that included new security patch updates and minor fixes.

What Galaxy S8 and S8+ owners didn't know is that these updates also blocked the option to remap the Bixby button. The good news is developers have already found a way to avoid Samsung's restrictions and enabled the option to customize how the Bixby button works once again.

After deep research, i found a way to make Bixby remapping working again! I added a “compatibility mode” for those with latest T-Mobile or Sprint update, and it's free of charge of course! My US community members tested the update and reported bxActions is working fine again. Developers 2:1 Samsung :)

It will be interesting to see whether or not Samsung will continue to deploy updates that would limit the use of the Bixby button, seeing that developers find new workarounds every time that happens.

source: AndroidPolice

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15 Comments

1. Nopers unregistered

Bets on for how long it takes for Samsung to fix it? I think 9 days.

posted on Jul 12, 2017, 2:09 AM 0

2. Arthurhkt

Posts: 713; Member since: Apr 19, 2012

At this point it will be better Samsung just leave it be, they can't even release the full version of Bixby so why forcing people using it?

posted on Jul 12, 2017, 2:11 AM 0

5. Arthurhkt

And not to mention that Samsung should really rethink about their patching skill when developer keep finding a way to remap the buttons, so why still bother release patch to lock it up? I rather them spend more time to polish the Bixby rather than releasing patch for this.

posted on Jul 12, 2017, 2:52 AM 0

7. trojan_horse

Posts: 5868; Member since: May 06, 2016

"I rather them spend more time to polish the Bixby rather than releasing patch for this." Releasing patches to lock the Bixbly button does not jeopardize the full development of the Bixby assistant.

posted on Jul 12, 2017, 4:31 AM 0

9. Bankz

Posts: 2454; Member since: Apr 08, 2016

Lmao. So true. Is there anything software related samsung is even good at?

posted on Jul 12, 2017, 5:05 AM 1

14. ShadowSnypa786

Posts: 413; Member since: Jan 06, 2017

Better music player than Googles and Apples offering. Better internet mobile browser than Firefox and Opera. Wasn't Samsung one of the few phones at the start that did multi window and to this day has the best implementation? So there is plenty of good Software from Samsung. I still take touchwizz over ios, stock android, emui and miui due to the raft of the features and options you get.

posted on Jul 12, 2017, 8:11 AM 0

3. joey_sfb

Posts: 6794; Member since: Mar 29, 2012

Samsung just doesn't get it. If your user made an effort to remap the S8 button to another feature that means they reject your original idea and therefore you decided it's going to be in your best interest to fight them. Gee! Tell about big giant overgrowth ego.

posted on Jul 12, 2017, 2:13 AM 1

10. Bankz

Exactly. Nobody wants it.

posted on Jul 12, 2017, 5:06 AM 0

4. Scott93274

Posts: 6021; Member since: Aug 06, 2013

If Bixby were a superior product, then people wouldn't be trying to remap the button. Stop trying to limit your customer's choices so you can steal a bit of the virtual assistant market for yourself, especially when you're incapable of releasing fully functioning software.

posted on Jul 12, 2017, 2:21 AM 0

6. tedkord

Posts: 17041; Member since: Jun 17, 2009

Bixby quality is irrelevant. Many people simply don't use any assistant.

posted on Jul 12, 2017, 4:18 AM 1

12. apple-rulz

Posts: 1840; Member since: Dec 27, 2016

"Bixby quality is irrelevant." Wow ted, you just took deflection to level 1,000,000.

posted on Jul 12, 2017, 6:58 AM 1

8. trojan_horse

"especially when you're incapable of releasing fully functioning software." What you're basically saying, is that devs who release beta versions of their software aren't capable of releasing the full version? Bixby is in beta, FFS. Samsung needs some consumer feedback on the assistant before releasing it as complete.

posted on Jul 12, 2017, 4:35 AM 1

11. Bankz

Stop lying. Samsung never said it was in beta. When did samsung ever say that? They just couldn't release a fully functioning software and you're here making up lies for their inability.

posted on Jul 12, 2017, 5:11 AM 1

15. Scott93274

Well it's Android we're talking about "FFS", not Apple. if the consumer wants to customize their user experience and use what the industry has stated is the best virtual assistant in place of some second rate alleged beta software then why the hell shouldn't they be allowed to?

posted on Jul 12, 2017, 9:50 AM 0

13. tokuzumi

Posts: 1751; Member since: Aug 27, 2009

Cat and mouse game. No one uses Bixby. Let the users decide what apps they want to use. Even Mr Mobile hates the Bixby button, and presses it all the time when trying to snap photos with the camera.