Samsung Once Again Blocking Bixby Remapping Apps on Galaxy S8

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Published 10 Jul 2017

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Galaxy S8+ plus - front view

Soon after Samsung launched the Galaxy S8 and Galaxy S8+, many third-party apps popped up on the Play Store that allowed one to remap the physical Bixby button. The Korean company, however, was quick to roll out a software update which blocked the functionality of such apps. 

That was over two months ago, and since then most Bixby remapping apps on the Play Store were updated once again with a workaround to work with the Galaxy S8 and its Plus sibling. However, the cat and mouse game continues as Samsung has once again disabled Bixby remapping apps from working properly on its flagship handsets with the June security update.

T-Mobile Galaxy S8 and S8+ owners who have received the June security update on their handset have been complaining about all Bixby remapping apps like BixBye, bxActions, Bixby Button Remapper not working properly.

The June security update also introduced the ability to hide the navigation bar on the handset, while removing the option to set the navigation bar color to black. These features were rolled out to the international variant of the Galaxy S8 last month itself.

While other carrier variants of the Galaxy S8 are also receiving the June security update, all Bixby remapping apps seem to be working just fine on them.

With Bixby still not available on the Galaxy S8 and Galaxy S8+ months after the release of the phone, Samsung should just end up allowing users to remap the functionality of the button instead of playing this cat and mouse game.

[Via AndroidPolice]