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Samsung Routines can automate Galaxy phone actions when a chosen condition is met: for example, change a setting at bedtime, launch an app when you start driving, or turn on Wi-Fi when you arrive home. Each routine pairs an If condition with a Then action. The options you can combine depend on your Galaxy model and software version, so treat the ideas below as adaptable setups rather than guaranteed presets.
Find Routines on your Galaxy
On Android 13 and Android 14, Samsung places the feature under Settings > Modes and Routines. On Android 11 and Android 12, it is provided through the Bixby Routines app. Menu names and layouts can vary by device, software version, and app version. If you do not see the menu, search Settings for “Modes and Routines” or check which Android version your phone is running. Samsung’s guide to using Routines
Create a routine
- Open Modes and Routines and select Routines. On older software, open the Bixby Routines app.
- Tap Add.
- Under If, choose a condition, such as a time, a location, or use of an app. Follow any additional instructions shown for that trigger.
- Under Then, choose an action from the options available on your device. Documented examples include controlling Wi-Fi, launching an app, changing brightness, and silencing notifications.
- Save the routine with a name and icon. Before depending on it, run it in a low-stakes situation and confirm that the condition and action behave as you intended.
Samsung’s Modes and Routines setup guide explains custom routines and editing. Not every trigger and action necessarily appears on every Galaxy device, and the presence of a trigger does not guarantee that it can be paired with every action.
Seven practical routine ideas
1. Make work arrival quieter
Set arrival at your workplace—or a scheduled work period—as the If condition. For Then, choose a quiet or notification-related action if your device offers one. Samsung includes going to work and leaving work among its recommended routine ideas, but the exact notification controls available can differ.
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2. Prepare your phone for bedtime
Use a bedtime schedule as the condition, then select a display or notification adjustment that is available on your phone. Samsung lists preparing for sleep among its recommended routines and documents time-based conditions and screen-setting actions. Choose changes that will not prevent you from noticing anything you need overnight.
3. Set up a morning handoff
Choose your wake-up time as the condition. Then add an available sound, brightness, or app action that suits your morning—for example, opening an app you use to plan the day. Samsung’s guide gives a wake-up-time routine as an example of a custom routine; the action choices still depend on your device.
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4. Prepare for driving
If your phone offers a driving or activity-related condition, use it to start an appropriate app-launch or notification action. Samsung describes driving as a possible usage-pattern-based condition when Customised services is enabled, but this option may not be available on every device. If automatic detection is unavailable or you would rather not use it, start the routine manually instead. Do not treat a routine as a substitute for safe driving practices.
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Set opening a chosen app as the condition, then change an available setting such as brightness or notification behavior. This can suit an app you use in a specific context, but check the result when you open and leave the app so you understand which actions run and when.
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6. Turn on Wi-Fi when you get home
Use arrival at a home location as the condition and select the Wi-Fi action to turn it on, if that action is offered. Samsung documents location conditions and Wi-Fi control as examples. If location-based activation is not available or you prefer not to use it, a manually started routine is an alternative.
7. Make a travel-preparation shortcut
If your device offers a travel-related suggestion, use it as a starting point; otherwise, create a routine you can start manually before a trip. Choose only the device settings that make sense for your situation. Samsung lists travelling abroad as a possible usage-pattern-based condition when Customised services is enabled. A routine does not itself manage roaming, travel costs, or travel safety, so check those separately.
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Choose a trigger that fits the situation
| Trigger approach | Useful for | What to consider |
|---|---|---|
| Time | Bedtime, wake-up, or a regular work period | Useful when the schedule is predictable; adjust it if your routine changes. |
| Location | Arriving at work or home | Check whether the location condition is offered and whether you are comfortable using it. |
| App use or activity | Changing settings for an app or responding to an available activity condition | Activity-based options can depend on device support and, for some suggestions, Customised services. |
| Manual start | Driving or travel preparation when automatic detection is unavailable or unwanted | Requires you to start the routine yourself; Samsung also documents adding a routine widget to the Home screen. |
There is no universally best trigger. Prefer automatic activation when its condition reliably matches the situation and you are comfortable with the required personalization. Prefer a manual start when you want direct control or the relevant automatic option is missing. For an action where a mistake could be disruptive, test the routine first and keep the change easy to reverse. Samsung describes manual starts and Home screen routine widgets in its Modes and Routines management guide.
Check a routine or find out why it ran
If an app opens or a setting changes unexpectedly, check whether a routine is running, then review its conditions and actions. Samsung says running routines can be inspected on the Routines screen, and a routine notification can be reviewed from the Quick panel. The active mode may also appear in the lock-screen Now bar on supported software.
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- Open the Routines screen and inspect the routine that is active or recently ran.
- Review its If condition for a schedule, location, app, or activity that may have matched.
- Check its Then actions and edit or disable anything you do not want to happen.
- If an automatic trigger is not available or does not suit you, consider a manual start or Home screen widget where your software supports it.
Feature names, screen paths, and available controls can change across Galaxy models and software versions. Samsung’s current instructions are the best reference for the labels shown on your particular phone.
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