One UI

Side Button: Samsung One UI 7 expands double press domain

Published

3 weeks ago

January 4, 2025

One UI 7 is arguably the most decorative software upgrade for Samsung devices and it has numerous features, which change the way we interacted with previous One UI versions including the side button.

This is a smartphone hardware component, which sits on top (mostly) of the volume button. Initially, the button was used to lock/unlock and turn on/off the device. Later, smartphone makers utilized the power button to trigger the voice assistant with a long press instead of only the shutdown feature.

Soon, the button received double press capability to launch an app even when the phone was locked. One UI 6 users have options to customize the power button for the following options:

Double press

Quick launch camera – you can trigger the camera by pressing the power button twice
Quick launch Samsung wallet
Open app – select an app from the gallery

(Credit – sammyfans)

One UI 7

This software expands the double press to a new domain by including specific app features. It means you can not only open an app but also launch one of its key features.

For example, the double press option for the camera app can now open video recording, portrait shots, or selfie camera screens. Meanwhile, you can only launch the camera app in One UI 6 and prior versions.

Below you can check the app features added in this new One UI update.

Voice recorder

Open voice recorder
Start recording

Samsung Notes

Open Samsung Notes
Paint with brush
Record voice note
Type note
Write with pen

Capture

Screen Recorder
Screenshots
Smart select

Modes and Routines

Here you can select modes and routines on your smartphone. You can also browse and set different apps for double press, which is also available in the previous One UI version.

Long press

The Press and hold button feature is now renamed as “Long press”, but its features remain the same for the following