If you have a relatively modern Android phone, the famous side button (the power or lock button) can do much more than just turn the screen off or on. With a few adjustments you can turn it into a true multitasking shortcut to instantly open the camera, launch the assistant, activate the wallet, or even control accessibility without touching the screen.
Most people leave this button with its factory settings, but Android and the different manufacturer skins hide a lot of very useful options. Learn how to customize the side button It allows you to save time every day, avoid accidental touches, and take advantage of features you may not have even known existed on your mobile phone.
What exactly is the side button and what can it do?
On almost all current smartphones, the power button has become a multifunction side buttonDepending on the manufacturer, it may be called a lock button, power button, side key, or even function key. While its basic use is obvious (locking, turning the phone on, or turning it off), Android and custom interfaces allow you to assign many more actions to it. single, double or prolonged pulses.
In addition to locking the screen, this button is usually responsible for Turn off or restart the device, take screenshots next to the volume buttonIt can quickly launch the camera or open voice assistants like Google Assistant, Bixby, or others. On some models, it also serves as a shortcut to specific apps, accessibility features, or mobile payment services.
Depending on your phone, you'll see that the default behavior of the side button changes: On some models, a long press opens the voice assistantIn some cases, it opens the classic power menu, while in others it opens the standard power menu. Adjusting this to your liking is key to making the button work for how you use your phone on a daily basis.
Differences between manufacturers: your side button doesn't behave like others'
Not all Android phones handle the side button the same way. Each manufacturer adds its own menus and options, so the most important thing is to know. Where is that button configured in your specific brand?Although the general idea is the same, the menu names and possibilities can vary greatly.
On phones with almost pure Android (Pixel, some Motorola, Nokia and similar) the options are usually within the system settings or in the Buttons and Gestures sectionThe available functions focus on basic shortcuts such as opening the camera, activating the assistant, or displaying the traditional power menu.
In interfaces such as One UI (Samsung), MIUI/HyperOS (Xiaomi, Redmi, POCO), EMUI and derivatives, or in brands such as OPPO, realme or vivo, the side button can be configured in more detail. Some add specific actions for double tappingOthers allow you to change the function of the long press, and in several cases you can launch almost any installed app with a specific combination.
Some models even add an extra side button, often called smart buttonaction key or configurable buttonAlthough it's not exactly the same power button, it's part of the same idea: to take advantage of the side of the phone to do more than just raise or lower the volume.
How to configure the side button on standard Android?
On Android devices closer to Google's standard (like Pixel phones), configuring the side button is usually simple but very useful. Typically, you'll have an option available for Open the camera quickly with a double tap and another to decide whether a long press displays the power-off menu or calls the assistant.
On these phones, the typical path in settings is usually something like this: Settings > System > GesturesWithin that menu you'll find options like "Double-tap the power button to open the camera" or "Press and hold the power button to activate the Assistant," and gestures for Turn on the screen without touching itActivating double tap for the camera is one of the quickest ways to avoid missing an impromptu photo.
In many cases, you can also combine the side button with the volume buttons. For example, Press the power and volume down buttons simultaneously to take a screenshotor press and hold both to activate emergency mode. While this depends on the manufacturer, it's advisable to check the gesture and quick access settings, as they are often disabled or not configured as you might prefer.
Configure the side button on Samsung phones with One UI
On modern Samsung devices, the power button is usually called side keyIts behavior is customized in Settings. By default, a double tap usually opens the camera, and a long press can be configured to open Bixby or the power menu, depending on your One UI version.
To adjust its behavior on a Samsung, the typical path is something like: Settings > Advanced features > Side keyWithin this menu, you can decide what happens when you double-tap and when you press and hold. With a double-tap, in addition to the camera, you can usually choose to open any installed application, so you can use it to, for example, launch the flashlight, the notes app, or your favorite social network.
Regarding long press, Samsung lets you choose between display the power off and restart menu or open Bixby. If you don't use Bixby, the easiest thing to do is usually to revert to the classic power menu and assign the Google Assistant to another gesture or shortcut. By configuring these shortcuts, you ensure the side button does exactly what you need it to do, without accidental presses that take you to functions you don't use.
Side key options on Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO (MIUI / HyperOS)
On Xiaomi, Redmi, and POCO phones with MIUI or HyperOS, the power button also offers extra combinations thanks to double pressing or using them together with the volume buttonsThe menu here may vary slightly from version to version, but it is usually found within Additional Settings, Buttons and Gestures, or a similar section.
On many of these phones you can activate the option to double tap the power button to open the camera or an appSometimes it's combined with other MIUI gestures, such as double-tapping the back of the phone or using the volume button to open the camera. If you fine-tune these functions, you can make your phone react almost instantly every time you tap the side.
MIUI also frequently includes shortcuts related to the side button when activating emergency mode or accessibility features. For example, Holding down the power button along with the volume up button can initiate an emergency alert or activate a special menu. Reviewing these settings is important to avoid unwanted calls or alerts and to truly take advantage of the quick access options when you need them.
Side key shortcuts on OPPO, realme, and others with custom overlays
In brands like OPPO, realme, OnePlus, and vivo, the side button is integrated into fairly comprehensive gesture and shortcut systems. The exact path varies between models, but it's usually found within... Settings > Practical tools, Buttons and gestures or Quick accessThere you'll see options to decide what the side key does when you press it repeatedly.
These layers usually allow double-tapping of the side key Open the camera, launch the voice assistant, or start a specific appThey often also offer combinations with the screen off. This means that you can, for example, take your phone out of your pocket and open the camera with a double tap without even turning on the screen first.
Some models add a "smart button" or "action button" separate from the power button, but the philosophy is the same: turn the side of the phone into a physical shortcut panelIf your phone has that extra button, you can usually assign an app or system function to a single press, double press, or long press, further multiplying the possibilities.
Essential functions you should assign to the side button
Although everyone has their own preferences, there are some features that are common to almost all mobile phones because they are particularly practical. One of the most important is Open the camera with a double press of the side buttonBy setting this up, you ensure you can take a photo or record a video without unlocking your phone or searching for the icon on the home screen.
Another very useful function is using a long press to display the power off, restart and emergency mode menuOn some phones, a long press is associated with the voice assistant, but if you don't use it frequently, it's more practical to return to the power menu and leave the assistant for another gesture, such as the bottom edge or an icon in the navigation bar.
It also makes sense to use a double tap or a specific combination to open the app you use most often. It could be... flashlight, a notes app, a QR code reader, or your password managerThis reduces the number of taps needed to reach what matters most, especially when you're in a hurry or have one hand occupied.
Use the side button for the voice assistant
Voice assistants like Google Assistant, Bixby, or Alexa can be very useful, but activating them by voice isn't always the most convenient. Assigning the assistant to the side button allows you to... Call it with a long press or a series of quick taps, without needing to say any commands out loud.
On many mobile phones, this option is already enabled by default: Holding down the power button invokes the assistantIf you get used to using it, you can dictate messages, set reminders, change settings, or ask for information without touching the screen. However, if you prefer to always have the power menu handy, you'll have to disable this feature in the settings and use another way to activate the assistant, such as the swipe down gesture.
It's also worth checking if the assistant can be configured to prevent accidental activation by pressing the side button. Some users feel like the assistant is constantly popping up unintentionally, and the cause is usually a... overly sensitive long press setting or a combination of buttons that doesn't suit how you hold the phone.
Emergency quick access linked to the side button
Many manufacturers take advantage of the side button to offer functions of emergency and securityThese options usually allow you to call emergency services or send your location to trusted contacts by pressing the power button several times quickly.
On Android, it's quite common to find a setting that triggers an emergency call or alert when You press the side button five times in a rowThis feature may include automatically sending your location, recording audio, or capturing photos, depending on the model and operating system version. It's important to know if your phone has this option and how to configure it to avoid accidentally activating it.
Within the security or emergency settings, there's usually a section to customize what happens when that combination of taps is used. You can define which contacts receive the alert, whether an SMS is sent, whether a direct call is made, or whether only an emergency menu is displayed on the screen. Having this shortcut properly configured can make all the difference in a critical moment..
Accessibility features from the side button
Accessibility options are another area where the side button gains prominence. Android allows you to use it as Quick trigger to open accessibility menus or activate specific aids for people with vision, hearing or mobility difficulties, but also for any user who wants quick shortcuts.
For example, many mobile phones allow you to configure a specific function to be activated when the side button is pressed several times in succession: screen reader, content magnification, magnifying glass, high contrast modeInstant subtitles, etc. This combination avoids having to navigate through long menus when you need to activate or deactivate these aids.
In the Accessibility menu, there's usually a section for shortcuts. There you can choose whether you want to use a floating icon on the screen, a gesture on the sides, or the power button itself to launch these features. Choose the side button as the actuator It is especially useful for those who have difficulty making precise gestures on the touch screen.
Disable annoying or unnecessary actions
Sometimes the problem isn't that the side button does little, but that it does Too many things that don't interest youSome mobile phones come pre-configured to activate the assistant by long press, emergency calls with several quick presses, or opening the camera without unlocking, and this can lead to unintentional activations.
If you notice your assistant frequently popping up unexpectedly, your phone going into emergency mode when you put it in your pocket, or the camera opening unexpectedly, it's time to check these settings. You'll usually find switches in the buttons and gestures or advanced functions menu to adjust these settings. completely disable certain combinations of keystrokesIt's okay to forgo some features if it prevents unwanted uses.
Ideally, you should only keep the actions you actually use: for example, Double-press for the camera and long-press for the power menudisabling the rest. This way, the side button will still be a powerful tool, but without any surprises every time you grip the phone tightly or it gets pressed inside a pocket or bag.
Tips for choosing the best configuration for you
There's no single right way to configure the side button; the important thing is that it suits how you use your phone. A good starting point is to think about... What functions do you repeat several times a day? And you'd like to have it with just one physical touch. From there, adjust each type of press to a specific action.
A well-balanced combination is usually: double tap for the camera, long press for the power menu, and, if your phone allows it, several quick taps for emergency mode or an accessibility shortcutThis way you have quick photography, device control and security covered, all from the same button.
It's also a good idea to test a new configuration for a few days before finalizing it. If you see that You frequently activate something unintentionally.Try changing that function to a different combination or turn it off. The side button should help you, not hinder you.
After spending a few minutes reviewing your phone's settings and adjusting what the side button does with one, two, or several presses, that small button goes from being a simple power switch to becoming a true quick control for your daily life: Instant camera access, customized emergency functions, one-touch accessibility aids, and key system menus always at handall without hardly looking at the screen. Share this information so that more users can take advantage of the side button on their mobile phones.
