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On a supported Samsung Galaxy phone, you can make a double press of the Side button open the camera or another available app. Go to Settings > Advanced features > Side button > Double press, enable the shortcut, and choose Camera (then Open Camera on Samsung’s Galaxy A37 5G instructions) or another listed app. The exact labels and choices can differ by model, software version, carrier, and region.
What the Side-button shortcut does
The setting controls a double press of the Galaxy Side button. It is separate from a long press. Samsung’s current guide describes double press as a way to launch a selected app or feature, while its described software context uses long press for Gemini. That long-press behavior is not a universal promise for every Galaxy model, carrier, region, or software build.
A double press can be assigned to the Camera app, another app, or—in some entries—a specific action inside an app. You configure it in the phone’s built-in Settings app; no accessory, replacement button, or repair part is required.
Before you start
- Use a Samsung Galaxy phone or tablet that exposes the Side button settings. Samsung says availability varies by device model, region, software version, and carrier.
- Make sure you can unlock the device and open Settings.
- Decide whether you want the shortcut to launch the complete Camera app, another app, or an available in-app action.
- If the labels in this article are not visible, use the Settings search field and search for Side button. You can also browse to Settings > Advanced features.
Set a double press to open the camera
The following path is the standard Samsung route. Samsung’s Galaxy A37 5G support instructions add one extra confirmation: after choosing Camera, choose Open Camera.
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- Open Settings.
- Tap Advanced features.
- Tap Side button.
- Tap Double press.
- If the switch is off, turn on Double press.
- Select Camera. On the Galaxy A37 5G path, tap Open Camera after selecting Camera.
- Press the Side button twice in quick succession to test the shortcut. The Camera app should open.
If your phone shows only one Camera choice, select that entry. If it shows a follow-up action, choose the option that explicitly opens the camera. Menu wording can change with the phone’s software and regional configuration.
Assign the Side button to another app
- Open Settings.
- Go to Advanced features > Side button.
- Open Double press and enable the switch if necessary.
- Review the choices under the double-press action.
- Select the app you want to launch.
- Press the Side button twice to verify that the selected app opens.
Samsung lists examples such as Samsung Wallet, Flashlight, Magnifier, Voice Recorder, Samsung Notes, Samsung Capture, Modes and Routines, Camera, and other apps. This is an example list, not a guaranteed list for every Galaxy device. Your phone may show fewer choices, different names, or no entry for a particular app.
Choose an in-app action when one is available
Some choices in the list have a gear icon. That icon indicates that the entry may support a more specific action within the app instead of merely opening its main screen.
- Return to Settings > Advanced features > Side button > Double press.
- Tap the app or feature with the gear icon.
- Review the actions shown for that entry.
- Choose the supported action you want, then use a double press to test it.
The available actions depend on what Samsung and the app expose on your particular software build. If no gear icon or action list appears, that entry can be used only in the way shown by the menu.
Camera versus another app: which choice fits?
| Choice | What a double press does | What to check |
|---|---|---|
| Camera | Opens the phone’s camera app; some models then ask you to choose Open Camera. | Confirm that Camera and any follow-up option appear on your device. |
| Another listed app | Launches the selected app. | The app must appear in the available list; Samsung does not promise every installed app will be listed. |
| An app action marked with a gear | Runs a supported action inside that app, if your build provides one. | Open the gear menu and select one of the actions shown there. |
| Feature entries such as Flashlight or Magnifier | Activates the listed phone feature rather than opening a conventional app screen. | Availability varies by model, region, carrier, and software version. |
There is no universally best assignment. Camera is useful when you need a fast way to capture a moment. A notes or recorder shortcut can be more practical for work, while a wallet or accessibility feature may be more convenient for daily use. Select the choice that appears on your phone and matches what you actually need to reach quickly.
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How to test the shortcut correctly
After saving the selection, test it from more than one starting point:
- From the home screen, press the Side button twice and confirm the expected app or feature opens.
- Return to Settings and check that Double press remains enabled and that the intended choice is still selected.
- If you selected a gear-icon action, verify that the specific action occurs rather than only the app’s home screen opening.
- Repeat the test after restarting the phone if the shortcut behaved inconsistently. This distinguishes a one-time app delay from a setting that was not saved.
A double press is not the same gesture as holding the button down. Use two distinct presses; do not hold the button through the second press while testing.
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Change the shortcut later
You can replace the current assignment without resetting the phone:
- Open Settings.
- Tap Advanced features.
- Tap Side button.
- Tap Double press.
- Choose a different app, Camera option, or available feature.
The new selection replaces the old one. If you want to stop accidental launches, return to the same screen and switch Double press off. Turning it off removes the shortcut but does not uninstall or disable the selected app.
Troubleshooting when the option is missing
“Side button” is not visible
Use the Settings search field for Side button, then open the matching result. If search returns nothing, your model or current software may use different controls or may not expose this feature. Samsung says the menu can vary by device model, region, software version, and carrier, so do not assume that another Galaxy phone’s menu will be identical.
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The menu exists, but “Double press” is absent
Check that you opened Advanced features > Side button, not a separate button, gestures, or accessibility menu. If the setting is still absent, install any software update offered by your phone, restart it, and search again. An update may change labels or availability, but Samsung’s materials do not establish that every update adds the feature to every model.
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Camera is not listed
Review the complete list under Double press and look for Camera or a similarly labeled camera entry. On the Galaxy A37 5G instructions, the path is Camera followed by Open Camera. If neither appears, the option may not be supported on that model, software build, carrier configuration, or region.
The app you want is not listed
The shortcut can use only the choices Samsung exposes in that menu. An installed app is not automatically guaranteed to appear. Check for a gear icon on related entries, but do not expect an unsupported app to become selectable through another setting.
A double press opens the wrong thing
Return to Settings > Advanced features > Side button > Double press and read the selected entry. If a gear icon is present, open it and verify the action as well as the app. Then press twice again using two separate, quick presses. A long press invokes a different behavior and should not be used to test the double-press assignment.
The shortcut works once and then stops
Check whether Double press is still enabled, confirm that the selected app has not been removed, and restart the phone. If the setting disappeared after a software or carrier change, search Settings for Side button again because the menu may have moved or been renamed. Persistent absence indicates a device or software availability difference rather than a need for an accessory.
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- LIVE FAST. CHARGE FASTER: Focus more on the moment and less on your battery percentage with Galaxy A17 5G. Super Fast Charging powers up your battery so you can get back to life sooner.²
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- NEED MORE STORAGE? WE HAVE YOU COVERED: With an improved 2TB of expandable storage, Galaxy A17 5G makes it easy to keep cherished photos, videos and important files readily accessible whenever you need them.³
- BUILT TO LAST: With an improved IP54 rating, Galaxy A17 5G is even more durable than before.⁴ It’s built to resist splashes and dust and comes with a stronger yet slimmer Gorilla Glass Victus front and Glass Fiber Reinforced Polymer back.
Understanding model and software differences
Samsung’s support material describes the feature broadly but warns that the exact options depend on the phone’s model, region, software version, and carrier. That affects both the wording of the menu and the number of apps or actions shown. A Galaxy A37 5G support page documents the Camera-to-Open-Camera sequence, while a Samsung-hosted Galaxy S23-series manual identifies Settings > Advanced features > Side button as the place to choose a Side button option. Those references confirm the general location, not an identical menu on every Galaxy product.
For that reason, use the labels displayed on your own phone as the final authority. If this article says “Camera” but your screen says “Open Camera” immediately, select the equivalent option. If your screen offers a different feature list, choose from that list rather than trying to force an unavailable app.
Double press and long press are different controls
| Gesture | Configured where | Role described by Samsung |
|---|---|---|
| Double press | Settings > Advanced features > Side button > Double press | Launches a selected app or feature, including Camera when offered. |
| Long press | Separate Side-button behavior | Samsung’s guide describes Gemini in the software context covered by that guide; the default should not be generalized to every model or region. |
Changing the double-press assignment does not, by itself, establish or change the long-press action. Treat the two gestures as separate settings and follow the choices shown on your device.
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The shortcut launches a capability already installed on the phone. It does not grant a new permission merely by being selected. The app may still request its normal permissions when it opens—for example, a camera or recorder may ask for access the first time you use it. Review those prompts on the phone and grant only the access you are comfortable providing.
Because the gesture is easy to trigger, consider which app is appropriate for a button you may press while the phone is in a pocket or being handled. If accidental launches become a problem, disable Double press or choose a less disruptive feature. Samsung’s documented setting is reversible, so you can change the assignment whenever your habits change.
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- Compatibility with certain third-party devices and accessibility accessories, including some hearing aids, may vary depending on manufacturer support, Bluetooth protocols, software compatibility, and regional firmware limitations. For additional hearing aid compatibility information, please refer to Samsung’s official support documentation.
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Quick reference
- Camera: Settings > Advanced features > Side button > Double press > Camera; on the Galaxy A37 5G instructions, continue with Open Camera.
- Another app: Use the same path, enable Double press, and select the app shown in the list.
- Specific in-app action: Tap the gear icon beside an eligible entry and choose one of the actions provided.
- Disable: Return to Double press and switch it off.
- Missing options: Search Settings for Side button and account for model, region, carrier, and software-version differences.
Frequently asked questions
Can I assign the Side button to any app installed on my Galaxy?
No. The shortcut uses the apps and features Samsung exposes in the Double press list. An installed app may not be offered, and the available list can vary by model, region, carrier, and software version.
Do I need to buy anything to enable this shortcut?
No. It is a built-in phone setting configured in Settings. The documented setup does not require an accessory or repair part.
What if my phone uses different wording?
Search Settings for “Side button,” then follow the closest matching path under Advanced features. Select the camera or app option that your own menu provides; Samsung does not promise identical labels across Galaxy devices.
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Does assigning Camera change the normal camera icon or camera settings?
The assignment adds a Side-button launch route. It does not, by itself, indicate that the Camera app’s ordinary icon or internal settings have been changed.
Why does Samsung show “Open Camera” after “Camera” on some phones?
Samsung’s Galaxy A37 5G support instructions use Camera as the category and Open Camera as the follow-up selection. Other models may show a single Camera entry or different wording.
Can I use a long press instead of a double press?
This guide covers the Double press shortcut. Long press is a separate behavior, and Samsung’s described default is tied to a particular software context rather than every Galaxy model or region.
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