Latest Bixby update completely kills the Bixby key if it is disabled

Samsung is rolling out a new update for Bixby for the Galaxy S8 and Galaxy Note 8 today. The company had implemented an option to disable the Bixby key from firing up Bixby Home nearly two months ago, putting an end to the misery faced by many users. Samsung is making things even more permanent with the latest update: The Bixby button will no longer even wake up the device when pressed.

Bixby button can finally be fully disabled

Some of you may not have noticed, but even after disabling the Bixby button, it did respond to a press and wake up the device. To be more precise, it was acting like the power button, resulting in the screen turning on accidentally at times. With the latest update, that’s no longer the case, and the Bixby button is not going to respond in any way for those who disable it from the Bixby settings.

We’re not sure what else has changed, but Samsung has also updated the Bixby service that analyses saved contacts when a call command is issued to Bixby, so we’re hoping it will now be able to call up people whose names might be spelt a little differently. To grab these Bixby updates, open Galaxy Apps on your Galaxy S8, S8+, or Note 8, tap the three-dot button on the top right, tap My apps, followed by Update, and then the Update all button.

Have you disabled the Bixby key, or are you using Bixby enough to warrant the existence of the dedicated Bixby button?