How to turn off the Galaxy S7 and S7 edge capacitive keys backlighting

posted by Peter K. / Mar 27, 2016, 1:18 AM

How to turn off the Galaxy S7 and S7 edge capacitive keys backlighting

Sadly, among the first unlucky victims of Samsung's trimming down of TouchWiz was the ability to configure the backlighting behavior of the capacitive keys. Previously, users were allowed to completely disable it, manage for how long it will stay on, or even leave it always on, because why not?

Despite the nifty added value that this feature offered, the times are a-changing and we will have to accept that. Luckily, as with almost all things Android-related, there is an easy way to modify the backlighting of said keys with the help of a free third-party app. This method works with the Galaxy S6, S6 edge, Note 5, and now, with the Galaxy S7 and S7 edge as well.

Let us show you the ropes:

How to disable the capacitive button backlighting on the Galaxy S7, S7 edge

Step #2

Step #3

Step #4

How to disable the capacitive button backlighting on the Galaxy S7, S7 edge

First of all, head to the Play Store and download Galaxy Button Lights. It's a nifty free app that does what Samsung doesn't want to do anymore.

Options

13 Comments

1. Fellwalker

Posts: 520; Member since: Apr 04, 2014

Those capacitive buttons are the worst thing about my galaxy tab s. They are never quite where I expect them to be, even after over a year. On is FAR TOO BRIGHT! They aren't dimmable. Worst of all : They are the wrong way round compared to stock Android (I previously had a nexus 7 and 7 2013, but didn't like the 9, I had a nexus 4 and now a nexus 5) . It puts me off Samsung devices. When I saw this article I thought - finally someone had found a way to dim then to the same level as the screen. But it is just replacing the inadequate adjustments that already exist.

posted on Mar 27, 2016, 3:48 AM 0

3. tyrionTheWise unregistered

Capacitive buttons on a tablet is a bad idea.

posted on Mar 27, 2016, 4:33 AM 0

6. TechieXP1969

Posts: 14967; Member since: Sep 25, 2013

Why? Even though the screen is big enough for onscreen buttons, I would prefer the least amount of possible touches to the screen. I don't think they are a bad idea, and their are tablets that don't have them. In Samsung case, I wished their tablets had to more button for specific functions or could be programmed, like for splitscreem.

posted on Mar 27, 2016, 6:31 AM 3

8. tyrionTheWise unregistered

well, tablets are supposed to be held by the bezel, and they sometimes have to be held in landscape. I prefer capacitive buttons in phones, but they are all kinds of wrong on a tablet.

posted on Mar 27, 2016, 6:41 AM 0

5. TechieXP1969

They are the wrong way around? Really? The buttons are exactly where they have been since the first S/Tab/Note. They aren't qromg, they were purposely meant to be different from other brands. You knew this when you bought it and you bought it anyways.

posted on Mar 27, 2016, 6:28 AM 0

9. zeeBomb

Posts: 2318; Member since: Aug 14, 2014

I remember MKBHD talked about it in his S6(?) Impressions video. How isn't this an option n their own settings?

posted on Mar 27, 2016, 9:37 AM 0

12. Subie

Posts: 2295; Member since: Aug 01, 2015

In some countries you drive on the right side of the road, and in other countries the left. It's all relative to what your used to, but doesn't necessarily make the button placement the "wrong" way around on one device to the next.

posted on Mar 27, 2016, 10:41 AM 0

15. Adreno

Posts: 755; Member since: Mar 12, 2016

Samsung's capacitive buttons are intentionally meant to be different from Android's buttons, but that doesn't make it wrong. Samsung is simply standing out to differenciate themselves from others. Nothing wrong in that.

posted on Mar 27, 2016, 2:02 PM 0

17. xondk

Posts: 1904; Member since: Mar 25, 2014

Alright, ......have to ask........too bright capacitive keys? and the capacitive keys are putting you off Samsung devices? really? They have always been dimmer then screen on all those phones I've had from Samsung? And no I'm not brand loyal, if another producer, even Apple, makes something I see as being most useful for me, then I will chose and use that product.

posted on Mar 27, 2016, 3:47 PM 0

4. emmawilliam834

Posts: 241; Member since: Feb 09, 2016

Good news for Canadian users that Wind has price dropped the Galaxy S7 by $100http://www.smartphonesupdates.com/wind-mobile-slashes-100-off-price-samsung-galaxy-s7/

posted on Mar 27, 2016, 6:01 AM 0

10. zeeBomb

Thank you for the best news I've woken up to. Easter is going to be a good one

posted on Mar 27, 2016, 9:40 AM 0

16. yemkoid

Posts: 40; Member since: Aug 17, 2015

Same app I used to disable my s6 key baclight on 6.0.1

posted on Mar 27, 2016, 2:19 PM 0

19. MuhammadHasan

Posts: 2; Member since: Mar 30, 2016

The trimmed version of TouchWiz has made it incapable to configure the back-lighting behavior of the capacitive keys. The new features are no doubt commendable but there are still some inconsistencies and loop holes in the design if android OS samsung had embedded in it's device. Backlights on capacitive buttons not only give it a ugly look but it degrades the preciousness of the device as well. Plus it suck a bit of battery too. :) if you guys want to disable these backlights from your capacitive touch button so here's the best solution mentioned in the tutorial. Enjoy and Cheers! :p mobilesiri.com/how-to-disable-the-capacitive-button-backlighting-from-galaxy-s7-and-s7-edge/