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To activate voice commands on a Samsung Galaxy phone, choose the feature that matches what you want to do: set up Bixby or Google Assistant for spoken requests, or enable Voice Access to control the screen by voice. For Bixby, the general path is Settings > Advanced features > Bixby > Voice registration; register your voice and choose a wake-up phrase.
Choose the kind of voice command you need
Samsung offers several voice features with different jobs. Bixby and Google Assistant respond to requests, while Voice Access lets you navigate and interact with the phone screen using spoken commands. Samsung also lists voice-to-text as a voice-control option, but the steps below focus on activating an assistant or controlling the screen.
| Feature | Primary purpose | How you activate it | Setup dependency |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bixby | Ask an assistant to carry out requests | Selected wake-up phrase or configured Side/Bixby button | Voice registration and a Samsung account; availability can vary by region, language, device, and software |
| Google Assistant | Ask an assistant to carry out requests | “Hey Google” or a configured Side button | Set Google as the default digital assistant; Voice Match is available in Google account settings |
| Voice Access | Navigate and control the screen by voice | Turn on Voice Access in Accessibility settings | Enable the accessibility feature; exact availability and menus can vary |
Activate Bixby with a wake-up phrase
- Open Settings and tap Advanced features > Bixby.
- Tap Voice registration. Allow any requested permissions.
- Follow the on-screen prompts to register your voice and choose a wake-up phrase.
- Say the selected phrase to wake Bixby, then speak your request.
Samsung says Bixby requires a Samsung account. If voice wake-up was not enabled during initial setup, it can be configured later in Bixby settings. Samsung’s Canada guide, updated September 17, 2026, describes the setup path; menu names and feature availability may differ on another model, software version, language, or regional configuration. Samsung: Set up and use Bixby on your Samsung Galaxy.
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Use a button to open Bixby
After setup, press and hold the Side button or the dedicated Bixby button, depending on your device and button settings. On some Galaxy phones, the Side button is configured to show the power menu instead. You can still open Bixby from its app. Samsung’s setup guide covers the button option: Set up Bixby on your Galaxy phone or tablet.
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- Please note, this device does not support E-SIM; This 4G model is compatible with all GSM networks worldwide outside of the U.S. In the US, ONLY compatible with T-Mobile and their MVNO's (Metro and Standup). It will NOT work with other CDMA carriers, and it is also not compatible with their MVNO (Visible, Xfinity Mobile, US Mobile, Cricket Wireless, etc).
- 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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Control the screen with Voice Access
Use Voice Access when you want spoken commands to navigate the phone rather than simply ask an assistant a question. Open Settings > Accessibility > Interaction and dexterity > Voice Access, then turn it on. Samsung examples of commands include “Go Home” and “Show notifications.” The precise path may differ; if you do not see the menu, search Settings for “Voice Access.” See Samsung’s guide to using your voice to control a Galaxy phone, tablet, or watch.
Set up Google Assistant instead
- Open Settings > Apps > Choose default apps > Digital assistant app.
- Select Google as the digital assistant.
- To use voice activation, follow Google’s Voice Match setup in your Google Account’s data and privacy settings, then say “Hey Google.”
- Alternatively, configure the Side button to invoke the digital assistant and hold it to activate the selected assistant.
Samsung states that Google Assistant is supported on Galaxy phones and tablets running Android 5.0 or higher. Samsung also notes that “Seamless action across apps is not supported”; that limitation is Samsung’s statement about its documented setup and should not be read as a description of every Google Assistant feature. See Samsung’s Google Assistant setup guide.
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If Bixby does not recognize the wake-up phrase
- Check Bixby settings to confirm that Voice wake-up is enabled.
- Register your voice again if recognition is unreliable.
- Adjust wake-up sensitivity in the voice wake-up settings.
- If you prefer, use the settings that delete voice recordings.
Samsung documents these options in its guidance for Bixby Voice wake-up and Bixby voice commands that are not working.
When the settings path is different
Samsung cautions that Bixby availability, features, content, and menus can vary by country or region, language, device model, and software version. If a path above does not match your phone, search Settings for “Bixby” or “Voice Access,” then open the matching result. Bixby’s wake phrase also depends on voice registration and the feature being enabled, so opening Bixby by button is a practical alternative when hands-free activation is unavailable.
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- YOUR CONTENT, SUPER SMOOTH: The ultra-clear 6.7" FHD+ Super AMOLED display of Galaxy A17 5G helps bring your content to life, whether you're scrolling through recipes or video chatting with loved ones.¹
- 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
- 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.
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