The Samsung Galaxy S8 and Note8 both come with a headset that has buttons for controlling music and using voice commands. If you’re wondering how to use the headset controls, this tutorial is for you.
There are three buttons on the Galaxy headset. Volume Up, Volume Down, and a third one in between the volume buttons that we’ll call “Select”.
Using Google Search
Press and hold “Select” to bring up Google search or Bixby. You can then use any of the supported voice commands. Once you press and hold the button, you’ll hear a beep and the Google screen will appear.
Voice command scan be used to open apps, play a specific music track or check traffic and weather.
Here are some examples of voice commands you can use with your phone:
- “Check for missed calls”
- “Open Camera”
- “Check Schedule”
- “Play AWOLNATION”
- “Record Voice”
- “Find pizza place”
- “Navigate to Chicago”
- “Check weather”
- “Make appointment for lunch tomorrow at 12”
- “Call my wife”
The amount of commands are endless. It understands keywords in any sentence you provide. Trail and error is the best way to make it work best for you.
Controlling Music
Most music apps will support the feature for controlling your music from the headset.
- Volume Up/Down can be used to turn the volume up and down.
- Press “Select” once to pause or stop music.
- Double-press “Select” to skip forward to the next track.
- Triple-press “Select” to skip backwards to the previous track.
You can even use the buttons on the headset to control music while you are using other applications.
Phone Calls
- Press “Select” once to pick up a phone call.
- Press “Select” once while on a call to hang up.
If you ever lose the headset that came with your Samsung Galaxy S8 or Note8, you can easily find a replacement. Many third-party headsets are available with the same 3 button configuration and will work just the same as the once that came with your device.
Do you know of any other ways you can use the Samsung Galaxy headphones? Please share them in the comments section below.
Sean says
Galaxy headsets work awesome with Xbox One controllers they are made for Dolby Atmos fully 3D sound complete immersion in gameplay.
Dimas says
How to change from bixby to google (vice versa) on headset hold “select” button.
Go to setting, default apps, set as default, find Bixby Voice, clear defaults.
hold “select” button again, it will prompt which assistant to open.
Evan says
using pandora with the akg headphones does not work. you have to manually take your phone out of your pocket. it would make it easy to multi task if i could skip songs without taking my phone out of my pocket.
Jaycee C. says
How do you turn off the headset controls they keep randomly raising /lowering the volume of music, and randomly switch songs. It’s extremely annoying, and the only way to fix it is to turn off, or have the galaxy ignore the headset controls
Mitch Bartlett says
Bottom left corner in the headphone jack.
Paul Dye says
Where exactly do I plugin my akg earbuds on note 8
Mario says
Hold the ‘Select’ button to mute yourself in calls.
Alistair says
Still looking how to change back to Google from Bixby when pressing the Select button on earphones. The above solution didn’t work.
I’m guessing a factory reset would work..
Joseph says
How do I change it to google instead of Bixby I accidentally click Bixby instead of goole
Sucheta says
I want to know how do we answer whatsapp calls. Headphones allow normal dialed calls to be answered but i am unable to answer whatsapp calls through select button on headphones. Can someone help?
Trish says
How do you switch the headset button back to Google and not Bixby?
Joe says
The triple press does not work to skip backwards. Galaxy s8+ using the headphones that came with the phone.
Daniel says
Hi,
I found the solution. At first you have to use the select button with the phone unlocked to select a default option Bixby/Google. After that it will work with the phone locked. I tried at first only with the phone locked.
Thanks again.