How To Remap Bixby Button: What’s the best part about Android? It’s the personalization that comes along with it. Owners of Samsung Galaxy S8 and S8+ did just that when they remapped the Bixby button to open Google Assistant instead of Bixby. Samsung did not like that and rolled out an update to block the workaround. What Samsung doesn’t know is “Where there is a will, there is a way”. In the small tutorial below we will show you how to remap the Bixby button.
Warning
Make sure to create a TWRP backup before you edit the file. We are not responsible for any bricked devices.
Pre-requisistes
You need a rooted Samsung Galaxy S8 or S8+. As of now, root is only available for Exynos variants of Samsung Galaxy S8 and S8+. Hit the link below for a tutorial on how to root Samsung Galaxy S8.
How to root Samsung Galaxy S8 and S8+
How To Remap Bixby Button
Use any root explorer (for example Solid Explorer) to navigate to /system/usr/keylayout.
Find and rename the file Generic.kl to Generic.txt
Open the file Generic.txt with any text editor
Search for the number 703, until you find below a line
# input_fw Intelligent Key for Dream key
703 WAKE
Change the above line to whatever you want, choose from the possible values mentioned below.
# input_fw Intelligent Key for Dream key
703 VOLUME_DOWN
The above line will ensure that the Bixby button now acts as Volume Down.
Rename the file back to Generic.kl. If you fail to do so, you won’t be able to use any hardware keys after reboot. Make sure permissions are the same as before (-rw-r-r- or 644).
Reboot and you are done.
Possible Bixby Button Remap Assignments
VOLUME_DOWN – sets volume down
VOLUME_UP – sets volume up
HOME – Homebutton
POWER – Powermenu
MUSIC – starts your favorite music player
CAMERA – starts camera app
APP_SWITCH – Recent apps button
VOICE_ASSIST – Google Assistant
Here’s a link to the stock Generic.kl file in case things go south. The file will be downloaded as Generic.txt, Just rename it to Generic.kl and you should be good.
