How to reprogram the Samsung Galaxy Watch 5’s buttons

Samar Haddad / The Verge

The customizability of theGalaxy Watch 5 is more than that of its predecessors. The ability to reprogram the home button and back key is part of that. Now that Wear OS 3 has a default assistant in the form of the Google Assistant, you don't have to worry about choosing one over the other.

If you double- press the home button, you can go to the most recent app you used or long press to bring up Bixby. The back button will bring you back to a previous screen with a short press, and then you can use the long press to make a payment. You can change the controls if they don't work for you. You will not be allowed to change that hard-coded control.

It isn't unusual for buttons to be reprogrammed in the SAMSUNG GALAXY SWATCH. You can do this with most watches. There are a few extra steps to take if you want to launch the Google Assistant with a long press. This is how to start.

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Reprogramming buttons on the watch itself

• Swipe up to access the main app menu.
• Tap the Settings icon (it looks like a gear).
• Scroll down and tap Advanced Features.
• Tap Customize keys.
• Under Home Key, you can then customize the Double Press and Press and hold options.
• Double Press lets you either Go to most recent app or launch a specific app. Tap the app icon that best suits your needs.
• You have fewer options for the Press and Hold option. Here you can launch Bixby, Google Assistant, or the Power off menu. If you want to launch Assistant, you’ll first have to download Google Assistant by going to the Play Store, installing the Assistant Update, and then following on-screen prompts. You’ll be instructed to activate Assistant for use on your smartwatch via the app on your phone. Note: If you’re upgrading from a Galaxy Watch 4 or Watch 4 Classic that already has Assistant Update installed, you may have to restart your phone.
• You can also scroll down to the Back key section from the Customize keys menu in order to reprogram the short press. There are two options: Go to previous screen or Show recent apps. Select which one is most convenient for your needs.

Photo by Amelia Holowaty Krales / The Verge

Reprogramming buttons using your phone

• Open the Galaxy Wearable app.
• Tap Watch settings.
• Scroll down to Advanced Features.
• You should see the Home key and Back key sections. Under Home key, you can tap Double press or Press and Hold to reprogram the buttons. Under Back key, you can tap Short press. The options for all these are the same as on the watch.