Quick Buttons
Watch: Galaxy Watch Ultra | WearOS 6
The Quick Button on my Galaxy Watch Ultra has two functions: single-tap (customizable) and long press (emergency siren only). Only single-tap can be configured based on what you use most.
Single-Tap Configuration
Single-tap provides instant activation but is limited to Samsung's core functions. No third-party apps allowed. I use Voice Recorder here since I frequently need to capture quick thoughts during meetings.
While the button press is instant, Samsung's orange animations need to finish before the function actually starts, which slows down the experience unnecessarily. This is a shame since it defeats some of the speed advantage.
I wish I could assign Gemini to single-tap since that has become the most useful feature on the watch, but Samsung restricts this to basic functions only. This limitation is frustrating because the most useful functions are locked behind slower interactions when they would benefit most from instant access.
Long Press Configuration
Long press is completely uncustomizable and only activates an emergency siren that produces a 5-second alarm sound. It would be cool if long press could be configured for Gemini or other functions, but Samsung has locked this to emergency use only.
My Configuration
- Single-Tap: Voice Recorder
- Long Press: Emergency Siren (uncustomizable)
Finding the Right Setup
Many individuals use their Quick Button for starting specific exercises, but I personally rely on the auto workout exercise detector. I recommend tracking which functions you manually navigate to most often, then configuring the button accordingly. The button placement works well during activities where you cannot look at the watch.
Home Button Configuration
The Home button offers more flexibility than the Quick Button. Single-tap defaults to going home, but double-tap can be configured for any third-party app. I use YouTube Music here since it provides the app access that the Quick Button lacks. Long press can start Gemini, which finally gives you quick access to AI assistance.
Back Button Configuration
The Back button defaults to going to the previous screen but can also be customized to show the recent apps screen instead. This provides an alternative way to switch between apps quickly.
Configuration Limits
Samsung restricts the Quick Button's single-tap to core functions for reliability. Long press is locked to emergency siren only. Despite having multiple buttons (Quick Button, Home Button, Back Button), the customization options are quite limited, forcing users to use the watch in a very specific manner. The problem is that useful functions like AI assistance have no quick access option since only single-tap is customizable and it is limited to basic functions.
InventorBlack