Free app in Google Play Store allows Bixby button to be remapped to Google Assistant

by Alan Friedman / Apr 22, 2017, 2:02 PM

The BixRemap app allows you to remap the Bixby button to Google Assistant

Samsung's decision to prevent Samsung Galaxy S8 and Samsung Galaxy S8+ users from remapping the dedicated Bixby button resulted in a range of comments from "Who cares," to "How dare they!" Today, a new app has been added to the Google Play Store called BixRemap that will allow the button to be remapped to Google Assistant without requiring any rooting. All you need to do is install the app, toggle on one setting, and when the button is pressed, Google Assistant runs over Bixby.

It is a simple, basic app that developer Dave Bennett calls a test. He says that he might expand the capabilities of the app if there is any interest from users. After installing the app, you will have to allow it to access your usage data. A simple toggle switch on will do the trick. One thing we should point out is that after installing BixReMap, when activating the button, you will first see Bixby start up before the app takes over and runs Google Assistant on top.

Bennet has been open to suggestions from those who have installed the app. If you install BixRemap and have some ideas on how to improve it, make sure that you pass them along to him.

Download BixRemap by clicking on this link.

source: Reddit via AndroidAuthority

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32 Comments

1. PHYCLOPSH

Posts: 638; Member since: Jun 28, 2014

That's awesome news for the Samsung crowd. I'm sad to say this is yet another blow to the G6 (that dedicated Google Assistant button is pretty bad-ass if you ask me), it shows Samsung moving in opposite directions from LG as they removes features (IR blaster, removable battery, notification LED etc.) while Samsung adds things. I hope LG does a lot better with the G7 or I'm done.

posted on Apr 22, 2017, 2:06 PM 0

2. Rampage_Taco

Posts: 1005; Member since: Jan 17, 2017

The button was Bixby Dedicated not GA. This is an after market App that Samsung will find a way to block. Holding the Home Button is dedicated enough for any phone. Also Samsung already removed the IR Blaster and the Removable Battery

posted on Apr 22, 2017, 2:27 PM 4

24. epdm2be

Posts: 816; Member since: Apr 20, 2012

...after first removing these same features too :-( Naah, i went with a Honor for now. Not only does it have an IR-blaster. But its IR-blaster can be programmed from other remotes (2-way IR) unlike the one from previous Samsung phones. Which all these reviews kindly neglect to tell.

posted on Apr 23, 2017, 1:35 AM 0

30. Chrisubuntu

Posts: 4; Member since: Apr 23, 2017

How's life with emui? I've been using a mate 8 for a couple of months. Good phone, great battery life, fairly fast. But I'm about to try another brand because of emui's notification mess, "battery optimization" and lack of playback controls for music apps. There's so much annoyances with it like data monitor work incorrectly because you clear all apps, they're removed from the memory even if they're in "protected apps".

posted on Apr 23, 2017, 4:08 AM 0

3. andrewkb

Posts: 24; Member since: Jan 04, 2016

all in one gestures did the same thing

posted on Apr 22, 2017, 2:29 PM 1

4. Mxyzptlk unregistered

Or Samsung could just allow users to map Bixby button to Google Assistant. Isn't that the point of Android, choice? Or did Samsung forget that?

posted on Apr 22, 2017, 2:55 PM 1

6. Tziggy14

Posts: 623; Member since: Sep 02, 2014

Manufacturers don't care about choice, they only care about keeping you attached to their brand in any way possible. Android is just a ready tool for OEMs to differenate themselves, nothing more.

posted on Apr 22, 2017, 3:13 PM 6

8. MrElectrifyer

Posts: 3960; Member since: Oct 21, 2014

Yes it is all about choice, regardless what Samsung tries to dictate to its users like a bunch of sheep. If they don't want to provide a first-party option, I'll use a third-party option readily available on the Play Store to make the device work as I want. Doesn't void any warranty.

posted on Apr 22, 2017, 4:34 PM 1

25. epdm2be

Posts: 816; Member since: Apr 20, 2012

I'd rather have a button to answer incoming calls because these assistants only work properly in English and my native language isn't English. Or even a re-map yo camer-shutter would be more useful.

posted on Apr 23, 2017, 1:39 AM 0

11. ShadowSnypa786

Posts: 485; Member since: Jan 06, 2017

Yeah if people dont want Samsung and bixby then they can have previous generation of phones like S7 Edge or s6 Edge. And if they not into samsung well thats fine they have plenty of choices like LG, Huawei, Sony, One Plus and Google Pixel phones. One Plus doesn't have an SD card slot did One Plus forget about choices??? Google Pixel doesn't have dual curve screens why didnt they give me a choice between a flat version and a curved one? Not everyone gives you 100 percent choices its just how it is. Some things the OEM don't let you change.

posted on Apr 22, 2017, 5:23 PM 3

17. Settings

Posts: 2943; Member since: Jul 02, 2014

Samsung returned the microsd support after the S6. Consumers brought Samsung to where it is today, at least they should listen

posted on Apr 22, 2017, 10:43 PM 0

20. rd_nest

Posts: 1656; Member since: Jun 06, 2010

They only listen to shareholders. If you want to know why S6 removed SD card, read a bit before commenting. It's not about consumer choice or about anything else. It was a dispute regarding royalty.

posted on Apr 23, 2017, 12:14 AM 0

22. ShadowSnypa786

Posts: 485; Member since: Jan 06, 2017

Wow about Apple and other OEM's?? Didn't there customers bring them where they are?? Especially Apple's, at least Samsung brought SD Card back and havent removed 3.5mm audio jack yet. Unlike others have done and will continue to do so.

posted on Apr 23, 2017, 1:11 AM 1

19. rd_nest

Posts: 1656; Member since: Jun 06, 2010

You must be an idiot to think the point of android is choice. Everything is about money. If it was about choice, why don't google give the ability to block ads in chrome? It can very easily allow this feature, it's very simple to implement. But you don't have the 'choice' to block ads in chrome. Don't act naive.

posted on Apr 23, 2017, 12:11 AM 1

5. Jason2k13

Posts: 1447; Member since: Mar 28, 2013

I'm very disappointed in Samsung, they shouldn't put soo much effort in advertising Bixby and release with just half of it working. I was actually looking forward to it.

posted on Apr 22, 2017, 3:01 PM 5

10. darkkjedii

Posts: 30832; Member since: Feb 05, 2011

Same here.

posted on Apr 22, 2017, 5:10 PM 0

7. scarface21173

Posts: 636; Member since: Aug 17, 2014

Bixby died before it even started.

posted on Apr 22, 2017, 3:25 PM 2

9. darkkjedii

Posts: 30832; Member since: Feb 05, 2011

Dare I say it..Bixbygate lol. I wish it was fully functional

posted on Apr 22, 2017, 5:09 PM 1

16. Trex95

Posts: 2358; Member since: Mar 03, 2013

This the things hate it about Samsung galaxy phones to many bloatware - Samsung store google store - 2 browser both Samsung including google chrome total 3! - Samsung bay google bay And now bixby Google assistant

posted on Apr 22, 2017, 9:12 PM 0

18. Podrick

Posts: 1284; Member since: Aug 19, 2015

Samsung Browser+ Chrome= 3? 2 Samsung Browser? What? And Samsung Browser is better than the resource hog Chrome.

posted on Apr 22, 2017, 11:46 PM 2

21. rd_nest

Posts: 1656; Member since: Jun 06, 2010

google assistant is also dysfunctional is most countries and in major languages. I guess you people still think US is the center of the universe. Maybe you people need to get out of your us-centric mentality and open your eyes (if you have one).

posted on Apr 23, 2017, 12:17 AM 2

26. epdm2be

Posts: 816; Member since: Apr 20, 2012

Just as Samsung thinks the world is Korean. But indeed these assistants are useless for the majority of people. I can't understand what all the fuss is about. These reviewers write about it as if it's the next best thing since sleeved bread.

posted on Apr 23, 2017, 1:42 AM 0

27. epdm2be

Posts: 816; Member since: Apr 20, 2012

That should have been "sliced bread". Goddamn predictive google keyboard!

posted on Apr 23, 2017, 1:44 AM 0

12. nikhil23

Posts: 416; Member since: Dec 07, 2016

one day into the phone, I actually like Bixby, especially as it integrates well with my outlook account( google assistant cant do that) and breifing and has all my preferences in one page. The only problem I have is yesterday I got an update and post update, bixby button doesn't work properly. Sometimes I have to double click the button to open.I'm on AT&T BTW

posted on Apr 22, 2017, 5:50 PM 2

13. therealestmc

Posts: 679; Member since: Jul 23, 2012

Bixby is a gimmick. Google assistance is way better. There is no needing running 2 assistants on the phone, wasting resources. When is Samsung ever going to learn to stop stuffing their devices with useless crap?

posted on Apr 22, 2017, 5:56 PM 0

15. nikhil23

Posts: 416; Member since: Dec 07, 2016

tbh bixby is great. you should use it before jumping to conclusions. GA provides my transit info and it has good gmail intevration and stories related to my search is super good. Bixby suggestions for apps based on my phone usage, integration with other email accounts, contact, music suggestions and calendar integration is good (better than google)

posted on Apr 22, 2017, 6:08 PM 1

23. ShadowSnypa786

Posts: 485; Member since: Jan 06, 2017

Because sometimes there Samsungs versions are superior, just a few days ago there was an article saying how Samsung devices will have google music player and not samsungs and it was obvious in the comments Samsungs music player was better. I dont use google calender or google keep i prefer to use samsungs alternate versions, same when it comes to the internet browser. You get choice whatever you dont like just disable simple.

posted on Apr 23, 2017, 1:14 AM 1

28. epdm2be

Posts: 816; Member since: Apr 20, 2012

GA is better for online searches but crap at searches on the phone itself. Vlingo/nuance/bixby/whatever is better for searches on the phone e.g. to dial contacts when used in car. It is the same with e.g. Hauwei devices, they provide hi-voice for in-phone searches and GA for internet-related searches.

posted on Apr 23, 2017, 1:50 AM 1

14. nikhil23

Posts: 416; Member since: Dec 07, 2016

Battery life is great on s8+ btw. My settings : WQHD+ Performance Mode : Normal Brightness : slider at about 40% Bixby On ,GA on ,GMaps Location history On After 6h 22 min of usage( heavy usage), my battery was still at 58%. with 3h 11 min screen on time.

posted on Apr 22, 2017, 6:03 PM 1

29. btbotimtim

Posts: 271; Member since: Dec 08, 2010

personally i like bixby and samsung browser and music player. samsung music player integrates well with my car's bluetooth audio whenever i turn the ignition on and off. bixby is better with phone integration. google assistant is better at internet searching. samsung browser is just easy and convienient to use.

posted on Apr 23, 2017, 2:58 AM 1

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