What Is Bixby Routines and How to Use it on Samsung
Bixbyis one of the most disliked features of Samsung Galaxy devices. However, if you look past the unjustified hatred, you might notice the awesomeness of Bixby’s features. Whether it’s the Bixby vision or the Bixby Routines. But what exactly are Bixby Routines? And how do you use them like a pro? Read our guide to know all the answers.
Table of Contents
What Are Bixby Routines
Just like real-life routines,Bixby Routinesare tasks or patterns that you repeat regularly on your phone. Instead of performing these tasks manually each time, you can automate them using Routines.
Bixby Routines are based on theIFTTT (If This Then That)principle. That is, action will be carried out once certain conditions are met. The conditions can be a location, time of day, certain app, or setting on your phone. Basically, you may automate sequences and actions that you perform regularly on your phone using Bixby Routines. They can have multiple triggers and actions.
Bixby Routines actually make your phone a smartphone. They are similar toGoogle Assistant Routines,Alexa Routines, and Siri Shortcuts. There are endless possibilities with Routines. You can use Routines to get what you have always wanted from your phone. Once you get hold of Routines, you will feel like a programmer because you can do things that aren’t possible otherwise.
Bixby learns your behavior and preferences over time and suggests routines based on them. You can have morning routines, sleep routines, controlsmart home devices, and much more. You can either use one of the suggested routines or create your own routine.
Now that you know the meaning of Bixby Routines, let’s check how to create, turn on, edit, and do other things with them.
How to Enable Bixby Routines
To create or edit Bixby routines, you must first enable them.
1.OpenSettingson your Samsung Galaxy phone.
2. Go toAdvanced features. Enable the toggle next toBixby Routines.
How to Create Bixby Routines
You can create a Bixby Routine from scratch or use an existing one after modifying it to suit your requirements.
1. Customize Existing Bixby Routines From Suggested Routines
1. Go toSettings > Advanced features. Tap on theBixby Routinestext.
You will reach the Suggested Routines screen where you will find a number of useful routines suggested by your phone. Tap on a Routine to view and edit its existing conditions.
You will see two sections: If and Then. The conditions are mentioned under the If section and the action under the Then section. Tap on the routine name at the top to edit its name, icon, and color.
If you are satisfied with the routine conditions, tap on theSavebutton to create the routine.
Alternatively, if you would like to edit the routine, tap on theEditbutton at the bottom. Then tap on the condition or action that you want to edit and select a new item. To remove any condition or action, tap on the – (remove) icon next to that item. Tap onNextfollowed bySave.
Tip:The When routine ends section helps you in reversing the actions after the routine ends.
2. Create Custom Bixby Routine
1.On the Bixby Routines screen (Settings > Advanced features > Bixby Routines), tap on theAdd routinetab at the bottom.
2.You will see the+(Add) buttons under the If and Then section. Tap on the+button under the If section to create a condition for your routine.
Let’s suppose you want to create a routine where your phone beeps and vibrates when the battery is 100% charged. Select Battery level and set the percentage to 100%.
- Tap on the+button under the Then section. Here you need to set the action. You can choose from various settings, accessibility features, effects, functions, and even run a Macro.
In our example, since we need the phone to beep and vibrate, tap on the Effects option and select Beep once. Again, tap on the + button under the Then section, and go to the Effects option, select Vibrate once. Similarly, you may add multiple actions.
4.Tap on theNextbutton. Here you can set a routine name, icon, and color. Tap onDoneto save the changes.
How to Run or Play a Routine
Once a routine is saved, it will run automatically after it meets the conditions specified in the If section. If your routine needs to start manually, add a Routine widget just as you would add any other widget. Press the Start button in the Routine widget to play it.
How to Edit Routines
After you create a routine using any one of the methods mentioned above, you will find it under theMy routinestab inSettings > Advanced features > Bixby Routines.
Tap on a routine that you want to edit and press theEditbutton at the bottom. Change the condition or action.
How to Turn off a Routine
If you want to pause or turn off a routine without deleting it, follow these steps:
1. Open theMy Routinestab under the Bixby Routines settings.
2.Tap on the routine and press the three-dot icon at the top. SelectDisable this routine.
The routine will be disabled and won’t run until you enable it again.
How to Turn on a Disabled Routine
The disabled routines are of a different color than the regular routines in the My Routines tab. To enable a routine again, tap on it and hit theTurn onbutton.
How to Delete Routine
In case you want to delete a routine completely, open it and press thethree-doticon. ChooseDeletefrom the menu. You will need to recreate the routine in case you intend to use it again.
How to Create a Macro
While Bixby Routines are powerful, they are still limited when it comes to individual apps. What if you want to automate actions in a particular app? Let’s say, your favorite app requires you to tap multiple times before you reach the desired screen. This isn’t possible with regular Bixby Routines. That’s where Macros in Bixby Routines come to our help.
A Macro consists of several steps or touch actions that you perform regularly rolled into one. You simply need to record the Macro once like you would record your screen to teach Bixby Routine what it needs to do. Later, when you run that Macro, it will automatically press the buttons and open screens. Thus, Macros further extend the capabilities of Bixby Routines.
To use this feature, you will need to install theGood Lock appand use its Routines+ module. Then to create a Macro Routine, selectRoutines+under the Then condition of a Routine followed byTouch Macro.
Tap onAddto create a new Macro. Choose an app whose Macro you want to record.
A Macro recording toolbar will appear. Press theRecordbutton to start recording the touches. When done, press theSavebutton.
After you have recorded a Macro, select the same under the Touch Macro option.
How to View Routine History
you’re able to easily check the time at which a routine was triggered and when it ended using the routine history feature. To view it, tap on the three-dot icon on the Bixby Routines page. SelectHistoryfrom the menu.
How to Turn off All Routines
If you don’t want any of the routines to start for some time, you can disable all of them with one button. Go toSettings > Advanced features. Turn off the toggle forBixby Routines.
Alternatively, press the Bixby Routines button in the Quick Tile Menu.
Cool Bixby Routines Examples
Here are some useful Routine ideas.
Play With Routines
Hope you enjoyed reading this guide on Bixby Routines. Explore all the possibilities of routines and create ones that you would use regularly. Also, check out thebest Samsung notification settingsandGallery app featuresto use Samsung phones like a pro.
Mehvish Mushtaqis a tech lover from Kashmir. With a degree in computer engineering, she’s always been happy to help anyone who finds technology challenging. She’s been writing about technology for over six years, and her favorite topics include how-to guides, explainers, tips and tricks for Android, iOS/iPadOS, Windows, social media, and web apps. You can also find her work onMake Tech Easier,Guiding Tech, andNerds Chalk
