Use Modes and Routines on your Galaxy phone or tablet

Galaxy S21 displaying Bixby Routines app on screen

Modes and Routines on your Galaxy phone or tablet can help you navigate your day. For example, when you get to work in the morning, Bixby can mute notification sounds and turn on Wi-Fi. Or, when you’re going to sleep, Bixby can lower your screen's brightness level.

Note: This availability of Modes and Routines may vary by device and software version.

Access Modes and Routines

  1. Navigate to and open Settings, and then tap Modes and Routines.

  2. To make accessing Modes and Routines easier, you can add an icon to your phone's App screen. Tap More options (the three vertical dots), and then tap Settings

  3. Tap the switch next to Show Modes and Routines on Apps screen. You can also tap the switch next to Show routines on Lock screen if desired.

Bixby Routines switched on and highlighted in the Advanced features menu

Add or edit a routine

From getting out the door in the morning to getting ready for bed, there’s a Bixby Routine for every part of your day. You can activate recommended routines or make your own:

  1. Navigate to and open Modes and Routines on your phone, and then tap the Routines tab. Next, tap the Discover icon (it looks like a circle with arrows) in the top right corner. You’ll see routine suggestions and categories, such as Useful on the go and Adaptive routines. 

    Discover Bixby routines on Samsung Galaxy Phones
  2. Tap a routine category, and then tap a routine to customize it – you can change the conditions and some other basic settings.

  3. Tap Edit to customize additional settings to your liking, such as adding more actions.

  4. When you're finished, tap Save. Your new routine will appear on the Routines tab.

Once you've set up your routine, you can trigger it from Modes and Routines, or use Bixby or Google Assistant. If you need to make changes to a routine, navigate to the Routines tab, and then tap the routine you need to change. Tap Edit and then make your changes.

Create a custom routine

Routines are powerful tools that you can use to customize your experience in very specific ways. You can choose from a wide variety of triggers that can perform almost any task on your phone.

  1. Navigate to and open Modes and Routines, and then tap the Routines tab. Tap Add (the plus sign).

  2. Tap the sentence under If. Tap an item on the list of possible triggers. Each trigger will have additional options and instructions.

    Add routine screen in Bixby Routines
  3. Once you've set up the trigger, tap the sentence under Then. Tap a category for the action you'd like to perform, and then tap the action you'd like to perform. Many actions will have additional options and settings.

  4. When your trigger and action are set up, tap Save. You can set a name for your custom routine, as well as an icon and color that will be displayed on the Routines tab. Then, tap Done.

  5. Depending on the routine you just set up, you may be prompted to add its widget to your Home screen. Tap Add on the pop-up if desired. 

If you need to make changes to a routine, navigate to the Routines tab, and then tap the routine you need to change. Tap Edit and then make your changes.

Use or edit a mode

We've got some frequently used preset modes ready for you to set up and use to get you started.

  1. Open Settings, and then tap Modes and Routines.

  2. You'll see a list of common modes, tap the one you'll be setting up, and then tap Start.

  3. Follow the on-screen instructions to set up the mode. You'll be guided through the options for the mode so it can work how you like.

  4. Once you've set up the modes you'll use, you can access them from the Modes icon in quicksettings, or turn them on and off with Bixby or Google assistant.

Highlighted on Modes tab screen on Galaxy S23

If you need to make changes to a mode, navigate to the modes tab, and then tap the mode you need to change. Make your changes and then tap Back to exit.

Create a custom mode

In addition to the preset suggested modes, you can create your own mode that does exactly what you want.

  1. Open Settings, and then tap Modes and Routines.

  2. Tap Add mode, and then tap Custom.

  3. Give your custom mode a name, color, and icon, then tap Done.

  4. If you'd like the mode to be triggered by an event, tap Turn on automatically. You can choose from some common triggers, or tap Add condition for even more options. Tap Done, once you've set the triggers.

  5. Tap Do not disturb, to silence calls and notifications while the mode is enabled.

  6. Tap Restrict app usage to limit the apps that can be accessed while the mode is enabled.

  7. Tap Change settings to see more actions that can be performed. Don't see the action you're looking for? Tap Add action for the full list of settings that can be changed, and actions you can trigger.

  8. Tap Wallpaper to set a wallpaper for your device so you'll know this mode is enabled at a glance.

Modes and Routines Custom Mode setting screen on a Galaxy S23

Once you've set up the custom mode, you can access it from the Modes icon in quicksettings, or turn it on and off with Bixby or Google assistant. If you need to make changes to a mode, navigate to the modes tab, and then tap the mode you need to change. Make your changes and then tap Back to exit.

Modes and Routines settings

There's a few things you can configure to customize how Mode and Routines behave on your device.

  1. Open Settings, and then tap Modes and Routines.

  2. Tap More options (the three vertical dots), and then tap Settings.

     

    You will see the following options:

Modes and Routines settings screen on a Galaxy S23
  • Samsung account - The Samsung account you are currently signed in with. If you are not signed in, tap here to add a Samsung account.

  • Notifications - Control the notifications that Modes and Routines can send.

  • Show Modes and Routines on Apps screen - Create an icon on your apps screen for quick access to Modes and Routines.

  • Show routines on Lock screen - Create shortcuts to your selected routines that you can trigger without unlocking your device.

  • Privacy Notice - See the Privacy notice to understand how Samsung will use your data for Modes and Routines.

  • Permissions - Control what features of your device Modes and Routines is permitted to use.

  • Customization Service - Enable the use of your usage data to provide a personalized experience.

  • About Modes and Routines - See the current version of the app, and check for updates.

  • Contact us - Leave feedback and get troubleshooting through Samsung Members.

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