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How to Create Custom Bixby Routines for Daily Tasks on Samsung

Written by

Benjamin Noah

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In the quest for a smarter, more efficient smartphone experience, Samsung offers a powerful automation feature known as Modes and Routines. While originally branded as “Bixby Routines,” reflecting its connection to Samsung’s intelligent assistant, it has evolved into a standalone, highly capable automation hub. This feature allows your Samsung Galaxy phone to automatically change settings, launch apps, and perform various actions based on specific triggers or conditions, without any manual input from you.

Think of Modes as pre-configured sets of settings for specific scenarios (like Sleep Mode, Driving Mode, Work Mode). When a mode is active, it adjusts multiple phone settings simultaneously (e.g., Do Not Disturb, app restrictions, wallpaper changes). Routines, on the other hand, are highly customizable “If this, then that” statements. You define a trigger (the “If” part) and then specify a series of actions (the “Then” part) that your phone should perform when that trigger occurs.

The beauty of Routines lies in its ability to adapt your phone to your daily habits and environment, from dimming your screen when you open a reading app to turning on Wi-Fi when you arrive home. With each One UI update (such as the anticipated One UI 7 and future versions), Samsung continues to expand the range of triggers and actions available, making Routines an increasingly indispensable tool for daily task automation.

This guide will walk you through the process of creating custom Bixby Routines, empowering you to automate your Samsung Galaxy for enhanced convenience and productivity.

Step 1: Accessing Modes and Routines

The “Modes and Routines” feature is integrated directly into your Samsung Galaxy’s settings.

  1. Open Settings:
    • Go to your phone’s Settings app.
  2. Navigate to Modes and Routines:
    • Scroll down and tap on “Modes and Routines.”
  3. Explore the Interface:
    • You’ll see two main tabs at the bottom: “Modes” and “Routines.”
    • Modes contains pre-set profiles (like Sleep, Driving, Work) that you can customize.
    • Routines is where you’ll create your custom automations. Tap on the “Routines” tab.
  4. Add to Apps Screen (Optional but Recommended):
    • For quicker access, you can add Modes and Routines as a dedicated app icon.
    • While in “Modes and Routines,” tap the three vertical dots (More options) in the top right corner.
    • Tap “Settings.”
    • Toggle on “Show Modes and Routines on Apps screen.” You’ll now find an icon for it in your app drawer.

Step 2: Creating a New Custom Routine

All routines follow a simple “If this, then that” logic. This step focuses on setting up the basic framework.

  1. Start a New Routine:
    • On the “Routines” tab, tap the “+” icon (Add routine) in the top right corner. This opens the routine creation interface.
  2. Define the “If” Condition (Trigger):
    • Under the “If” section, tap “Add condition.” This is what will trigger your routine.
    • You’ll see a vast list of possible triggers, categorized for easy navigation. Common categories include:
      • Time: Specific time, time period, sunrise/sunset.
      • Place: Arrive at a location, leave a location (requires location permissions).
      • Device Status: Wi-Fi network connected/disconnected, Bluetooth device connected/disconnected, charging status, battery level, call status, headphone connected.
      • Event: App opened/closed, alarm dismissed, button press (e.g., Bixby button double-press), S Pen actions (for Note/Ultra series).
      • Connectivity: Mobile data on/off, Airplane mode on/off.
      • Sensor: Accelerometer (for movement), light sensor (ambient light).
    • Select your desired trigger. For example, tap “Time period” if you want a routine to run at night. Set the start and end times, and select the days of the week.
    • Tap “Done.” You can add multiple “If” conditions if you want the routine to trigger only when all conditions are met.
  3. Define the “Then” Action (What Happens):
    • Under the “Then” section, tap “Add action.” This is what your phone will do when the “If” condition is met.
    • You’ll see another extensive list of actions, also categorized:
      • Connections: Turn Wi-Fi/Bluetooth/Mobile data on/off, change Wi-Fi network, turn Airplane mode on/off.
      • Sounds and vibration: Change sound mode, volume, notification sounds, vibrate.
      • Display: Change brightness, screen timeout, Dark mode, Eye comfort shield, always-on display, screen resolution, motion smoothness.
      • Notifications: Do not disturb, allow notifications from specific apps.
      • Apps: Open an app, open an app with specific actions, close an app.
      • Phone: Make a call, send a message.
      • SmartThings: Control SmartThings devices or scenes.
      • Modes: Activate a specific Mode (e.g., “Sleep mode”).
      • Advanced options: Wait before next action, show notification, speak text.
    • Select your desired action(s). For example, if you chose a “Time period” for night, you might select “Dark mode” and set it to “On,” then “Do not disturb” and set it to “On.”
    • Tap “Done.” You can add multiple “Then” actions to a single routine.
  4. Save Your Routine:
    • Once you’ve set both the “If” and “Then” parts, tap “Next” (or “Save”) at the bottom.
    • Name your routine: Give it a descriptive name (e.g., “Bedtime Automation,” “Morning Commute”).
    • Choose an icon and color: Select an icon and color to easily identify your routine.
    • Tap “Done.” Your new custom routine is now active and will appear in the “Routines” list.

Step 3: Practical Custom Routine Examples for Daily Tasks

Let’s look at some common and highly useful routines you can create.

  1. “Good Morning” Routine
  • If:
    • Time period: 7:00 AM – 7:01 AM (or your alarm dismisses)
    • Day of week: Monday-Friday
  • Then:
    • Sound mode and volume: Sound
    • Display brightness: 70%
    • Eye comfort shield: On
    • Open an app: Weather app, News app, or Spotify
  1. “Arriving Home” Routine
  • If:
    • Place: Arrive at [Your Home Address]
  • Then:
    • Wi-Fi: On (and connect to your home Wi-Fi network)
    • Mobile data: Off
    • Sound mode and volume: Sound (if it was muted/vibrate when away)
    • SmartThings: Activate a scene (e.g., “Welcome Home” scene to turn on lights)
  1. “Driving Mode” Routine
  • If:
    • Bluetooth device: Connected to [Your Car’s Bluetooth Name]
  • Then:
    • Sound mode and volume: Volume > Media volume to 80%
    • Open an app: Google Maps or Waze
    • Open an app: Spotify or YouTube Music
    • Screen orientation: Auto rotate
    • Allow notifications from apps: (Select only essential apps like messaging or calls)
  1. “Reading Time” Routine
  • If:
    • App opened: [Your Reading App, e.g., Kindle, Google Books]
  • Then:
    • Display brightness: 30%
    • Eye comfort shield: On
    • Sound mode and volume: Mute
    • Do not disturb: On (for the current session)
  1. “Low Battery Saver” Routine
  • If:
    • Battery level: Below 30%
  • Then:
    • Power saving mode: On
    • Motion smoothness: Standard (60Hz)
    • Dark mode: On
  1. “Charging Overnight” Routine (Advanced)
  • If:
    • Time period: 11:00 PM – 6:00 AM
    • Charging status: Wired charging OR Wireless charging
  • Then:
    • Do not disturb: On
    • Always On Display: Off
    • Protect battery: On (limits charge to 85% – only if available on your One UI version, check Settings > Battery > Battery protection)
    • Turn off Fast Charging/Super Fast Charging: (Requires “Routines+” Good Lock module for this granular control)

Step 4: Managing and Editing Routines

Your Routines are dynamic and can be easily adjusted as your needs change.

  1. View and Edit Existing Routines:
    • Go to Settings > Modes and Routines > Routines tab.
    • Tap on any routine in the list to open its details.
    • Tap “Edit” at the bottom to modify its “If” conditions or “Then” actions.
  2. Disable/Enable Routines:
    • In the “Routines” list, each routine has a toggle switch next to its name.
    • Tap the toggle to quickly enable or disable a routine without deleting it.
  3. Delete Routines:
    • To remove a routine, long-press on it in the “Routines” list.
    • Tap “Delete” at the bottom of the screen.
  4. Use Routines+ (Good Lock Module for Advanced Features):
    • For even more advanced triggers and actions (like custom button actions, S Pen gestures, or more granular control over settings), consider installing the Routines+ module from Samsung’s Good Lock suite (available in the Galaxy Store or Google Play Store). This module significantly expands what you can do with Bixby Routines.

Conclusion

Samsung’s Modes and Routines (formerly Bixby Routines) is a remarkably powerful and often underutilized feature on Galaxy phones. By understanding its “If this, then that” logic and exploring the extensive list of available triggers and actions, you can create highly personalized automations that perfectly adapt your device to your daily tasks and lifestyle. From optimizing battery life and managing distractions to enhancing your driving or bedtime routine, mastering custom routines will unlock a new level of convenience and efficiency, making your Samsung Galaxy truly work smarter for you.

FAQ Section

Q1: What is the difference between “Modes” and “Routines” in Samsung’s feature?

Modes are predefined profiles for specific scenarios (e.g., Sleep, Driving, Work) that adjust multiple phone settings simultaneously to create a particular environment. Routines are highly customizable “If this, then that” automations, where a specific trigger (e.g., time, location, app opened) causes a series of actions to occur. You can think of Modes as broad environments and Routines as specific automated tasks.

Q2: Do Bixby Routines require Bixby (the voice assistant) to be enabled?

No. Despite the historical name “Bixby Routines,” the feature operates independently of the Bixby voice assistant. You do not need to use or even have Bixby voice commands enabled to create and run custom routines. The feature is simply part of Samsung’s broader intelligent ecosystem.

Q3: Can I create a routine that turns off Wi-Fi when I leave home and turns on mobile data?

Yes, this is a very popular and practical routine.

  • If: “Place” (select your home address) + “Leave”
  • Then: “Wi-Fi” (set to “Off”) + “Mobile data” (set to “On”) This routine ensures you seamlessly switch to mobile data when you step out.

Q4: Can a single routine have multiple “If” conditions or multiple “Then” actions? A4: Yes, absolutely.

  • You can add multiple “If” conditions, and the routine will only trigger if all of those conditions are met simultaneously (e.g., “If Time is 10 PM AND Charging Status is Wired Charging…”).
  • You can also add multiple “Then” actions, and all selected actions will be performed sequentially when the routine is triggered (e.g., “…Then turn on Dark Mode, set Do Not Disturb, and open the Sleep Tracker app”).

Q5: What is “Routines+” and why would I need it?

Routines+ is a separate module found within Samsung’s Good Lock suite (available in the Galaxy Store or Google Play Store). It significantly expands the capabilities of Modes and Routines by adding more advanced triggers and actions that are not available in the default feature. Examples include triggering routines with specific button presses, S Pen gestures, or more granular control over charging settings.

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