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On a supported Samsung Galaxy phone, use Modes to apply a set of focus and device settings for a situation, and Routines to trigger actions when conditions you choose are met. Open Settings > Modes and Routines to get started. The names and available options depend on your Galaxy model and software version.
Modes vs. Routines: choose the right tool
| Feature | What it does | How it starts |
|---|---|---|
| Mode | Groups focus settings and other device behavior for a context, such as work or sleep. Options may include Do not disturb, restricting app use, additional actions, and appearance changes such as wallpaper. | Manually, or automatically when a configured condition is met. |
| Routine | Runs one or more actions when a condition is met. It follows an If condition and Then action structure. | Automatically when its condition occurs, or by a shortcut where available. |
For Samsung’s setup guidance, see Samsung US Support and Samsung Gulf Support.
Find Modes and Routines on your Galaxy phone
On supported devices, start at Settings > Modes and Routines. Samsung’s guidance places the feature in Settings for Android 13 and 14, while Android 11 and 12 guidance refers to the Bixby Routines app. Menus and availability vary by model and software; use the labels shown on your phone rather than expecting every screen to match Samsung’s examples. See Samsung UK Support.
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To make controls easier to reach, open the feature’s More options > Settings and, if available, turn on Show Modes and Routines on Apps screen. Samsung also documents an optional Show routines on Lock screen switch. These are shortcuts, not prerequisites. Modes may also be available from Quick Settings, and a routine may offer a home-screen widget. Availability varies by device; Samsung describes these options in its US setup guide and Gulf guide.
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Set up a routine with an If condition and Then actions
- Open Settings > Modes and Routines, then select Routines. If your device uses a separate Bixby Routines app, open that instead.
- Tap Add (+).
- Under If, choose a condition and configure it. Depending on what your device offers, this might be a time, a work location, or an app or activity trigger. Use only conditions that appear on your phone.
- Under Then, choose the actions to run. Samsung’s examples include muting notification sounds, turning on Wi-Fi, and changing screen brightness.
- Save the routine. If prompted, give it a recognizable name, icon, and color. A home-screen widget may be offered as an optional shortcut.
Samsung’s routine instructions also describe using Discover: choose a suggested routine, review and adjust its conditions and actions, then save it. The UK guide gives “Going to work” and “Wake-up time” as examples of suggestions that can be edited. Treat suggestions as starting points; inspect what each one will do before relying on it.
Create a mode for a context
- Open Modes and Routines > Modes and select a preset, or choose Add mode to create one.
- For a custom mode, choose a name, color, and icon.
- Choose Turn on automatically or Add condition if you want an event to start the mode. Otherwise, leave it for manual activation.
- Set the mode’s focus behavior and any other available actions or appearance changes. Samsung documents options including Do not disturb, restricting app usage, and changing wallpaper.
- Save the mode. Start it from the Modes page or Quick Settings if that control is available on your device.
Samsung’s mode screens and labels can differ by software version. Its US guide and Gulf guide describe related options with slightly different interface wording.
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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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Adapt the setup for work, travel, and personal time
Work: quiet the phone or prepare it for arrival
If your phone offers a work-arrival or work-hours condition, you can use it to start a routine that mutes notification sounds or turns on Wi-Fi. Alternatively, set up a work mode and choose focus settings such as Do not disturb. Add only actions that suit your workplace; Samsung gives arriving at work as an example for muting sounds and enabling Wi-Fi in its US guide.
Travel or commuting: inspect a suggested routine
Check Discover for a suggestion such as “Going to work” or one of the on-the-go routines Samsung lists. Review its exact condition and actions, then edit them to fit your trip. Samsung’s examples do not establish a universal travel mode or guarantee that the same location trigger appears or behaves identically on every Galaxy device. See the UK routine guide and US guide.
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Personal time: choose the interruption level
Create a personal or sleep mode and select the notification and app restrictions you want. If you prefer a routine, Samsung gives sleep-related screen brightness as an example of an action. Check each available setting on your phone and choose the level of quiet and access that suits you. See Samsung US Support and Samsung Gulf Support.
Automatic or manual activation?
Automatic activation is useful when a condition reliably marks the start of a context; manual activation gives you deliberate control when timing or circumstances vary. Modes can be set up for either approach. Routines are built around conditions and actions, while shortcuts such as an available widget can make a routine easier to access. Exact triggers and shortcut options depend on the device.
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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
- MEMORIES MADE PICTURE PERFECT: Capture every angle in stunning clarity, from wide family photos to close-ups of friends, with the triple-lens camera on Galaxy A17 5G.
- 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
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Review availability, permissions, and privacy settings
Before building a setup around a particular trigger or action, check that it appears in the options on your Galaxy phone. Compatibility and menus depend on the model and software version, and Samsung’s instructions do not promise that every feature is available on every device. In Modes and Routines settings, Samsung lists Privacy Notice, Permissions, and Customization Service, among other settings. Review the on-device privacy notice and permissions relevant to your configuration; those menu entries alone do not establish broader privacy guarantees. See Samsung US Support.
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