Do more with your phone's side button

You probably know how to use your phone's side button (called a power button on a Pixel) to turn your screen on and off. But did you know it can also be used to launch your assistant or end phone calls quickly? Here are some tips and tricks to make the most of this powerful button.

Note: These instructions may vary depending on your device's model, manufacturer and software version.

By default, if you press and hold your phone's side button, it will activate your assistant automatically – Bixby on Samsung phones or Google Assistant on a Pixel. You can then use your assistant to ask what song is currently playing, check the weather or even call up friends in a flash.

To shut down your phone, you can press and hold the side button to activate your phone's assistant, then say 'Power off' into the microphone to bring up the Power off menu.

Alternatively, you can change the side button's function so that it works solely to power off your phone. On a Samsung phone, go to Settings > Advanced features > Side button, then select 'Power off menu' in the 'Press and hold' category. On a Pixel, go to Settings > System > Gestures, then tap 'Press and hold power button'. From here, select 'Power menu'.

If your side button is set for another function, you can turn your phone off in other ways. Press and hold your Samsung's side and volume down buttons (or the side and volume up buttons on a Pixel) at the same time to launch a menu with options to power off or restart your phone.

The swipe method: You can also turn your Samsung off by swiping down from the top of the screen to open the quick panel and then swiping down again to expand it. From here, you'll see a power button in the top right-hand corner, which you can tap to open the Power off menu. Have a Pixel? Swipe down twice from the top of the screen, then tap the power button that appears on the bottom right to pull up your phone's Power off menu.

Your side button can also help you take screenshots. Seen a funny social media post that you want to save? Press the side and volume down buttons at the same time to instantly take a screenshot and save it to your photos.

Finally, you can set up your side button to end phone calls quickly. On Samsung phones, go to Settings > Accessibility > Interaction and dexterity > Answering and ending calls. From here, just toggle on 'Press side button to end calls'. On a Pixel, go to Settings > Accessibility > System controls, then toggle on 'Power button ends call'.