What happens to my Galaxy Note 4 hardware menu button? It is not working!
When you get your Galaxy Note 4, you will find similar button layout as that in the old Galaxy Note phones (Galaxy Note 3, Galaxy Note 2 and Galaxy Note).
But the left button (left to Home button) is no longer a hardware menu button.
In Galaxy Note 4, the left button is now assigned as “recent apps” button. Touch it to bring out previously opened apps. You can quickly resume or re-open these apps.
Where is the Galaxy Note 4 hardware menu button?
There is no dedicated hardware menu button in Galaxy Note 4.
But you can still use hardware menu button on Galaxy Note 4.
Touch and hold the recent apps button to call out menu of the current app. This is probably the only way to access Galaxy Note 4 hardware menu button.
Is hardware menu button obsolete?
Yes, hardware menu button has been dead since Android 2.3 (Gingerbread). Samsung is probably the last Android vendor who finally buried the dedicated hardware menu button since Galaxy Note Pro.
Most apps have implemented software menu button following Android apps design guidelines. For these apps, hardware menu button may cause confusions and inconsistency for apps on different Android devices.
This is one of the motivations Google is pushing software buttons, not hardware buttons: Google cannot control hardware.
So, why Samsung didn’t totally remove Galaxy Note 4 hardware menu button?
Most Android vendors follow Google’s guideline: implementing software buttons (Home, Back and Recent apps).
But, Samsung may think differently. So, hardware buttons are implemented in almost all Android devices (except the old Galaxy Note 10.1). Some agree. Some disagree.
For previous Samsung phone owners, you may still try to press the menu button. So, Samsung implemented Galaxy Note 4 hardware menu button by touching and holding left button. This is consistent with Galaxy Note Pro and Galaxy S5.
For some old apps whose developers abandoned the projects, there may be no software menu button at all. For example, my favorite RSS reader: RssDemon has no software menu button. The developer stopped updating it since 2012. But it is still one of the best RSS reader.
So, the Galaxy Note 4 hardware menu button is a life saver for such apps.
You can also use Galaxy Note 4 side key panel to access the menu button
Galaxy Note 4 side key panel also allows you to put menu button (together with up to 3 other buttons on the screen all the time).
Please check this guide on how to activate and use Galaxy Note 4 side key panel.
Can you access the Galaxy Note 4 hardware menu button now?
If you have any problems to use the Galaxy Note 4 hardware menu button, please let us know it in the comment box below.
More how-to guides , tips and tricks for using Samsung Galaxy Note 4 are available at Galaxy Note 4 how-to guides page.
Dave says
Hi,
The Hardware Menu Button is necessary! I personally have more than one app where I cannot access the Settings for the app, as well as other features without it.
Even for the device’s settings it’s good to have, rather than scrolling through the App Drawer for the “Settings” icon.
I have probably used the Menu button on every phone I’ve had, a minimum of 30 times a day and that’s no exagerration!
And I HATE “Recent Apps”! I use a TaskSwitcher that only shows me the apps that I currently have open and am using (I close any app that I’m done using). It’s just SO COOL that way! 🙂
Now I’m switching to a Note 4 and lacking it is the one suck factor I’m not wanting to face! But I need the S-Pen in a bad way! 🙂
I got it, even though the Note 7 is the current model, since the Note 5 has no SD Card slot, the Note 6 doesn’t exist and the Note 7, well….. 🙂
TTYL
Reyansh says
Hey, when ever i try to open my settings in Samsung Galaxy Note 4 it asks me for an unlock code which I don’t remember.I have tried all possible codes but yet unable to unlock it. can any one help me reset that without loosing any data from my phone?
Simon says
It is not clear what you are talking about. can you use other apps?
Our Facebook page || Galaxy S9 Guides || Galaxy S8 Guides || Galaxy S6 Guides || Galaxy S7 Guides || Android Guides || Chromecast Guides || Gaalxy S20 Guides.
Deborah Stich says
HI, I have the galaxy note 4 and no longer have the ability to swap or put one call on hold when another comes in. It disconnects the first call. There is no button that gives me the option to do that. How do I get this feature back on my phone. It is most frustrating. Thank you
Simon says
It depends on your mobile network. You can check sim card settings under settings- mobile network , or inside phone app, under call settings – more settings.
Our Facebook page || Galaxy S9 Guides || Galaxy S8 Guides || Galaxy S6 Guides || Galaxy S7 Guides || Android Guides || Chromecast Guides || Gaalxy S20 Guides.
Eugeni says
Hi Simon! At last I understand why Samsung replaced the menu button – thanks!
Is it possible to set the long press the home button to the recent app?
Simon says
I don’t think you can do this. Hardware button functions are usually hard-coded in the firmware. Customization is usually very limited.
Our Facebook page || Galaxy S9 Guides || Galaxy S8 Guides || Galaxy S6 Guides || Galaxy S7 Guides || Android Guides || Chromecast Guides || Gaalxy S20 Guides.
Chris C says
Is it possible to add a Home button next to the recent or back buttons?
Simon says
Galaxy note 4 already had the big home button. What do you actually want?
Our Facebook page || Galaxy S9 Guides || Galaxy S8 Guides || Galaxy S6 Guides || Galaxy S7 Guides || Android Guides || Chromecast Guides || Gaalxy S20 Guides.
Krystal Talbott says
Having problems adding Widgets and apps to main screen when I long press.It used to work perfectly and doesn’t do anything now Plz help.
Simon says
Tap and hold any empty area in the home screen.
Our Facebook page || Galaxy S9 Guides || Galaxy S8 Guides || Galaxy S6 Guides || Galaxy S7 Guides || Android Guides || Chromecast Guides || Gaalxy S20 Guides.
vineeth says
Hi..i am having problems with both hardware buttons(left and right side buttons)..i bought this phone about 25 days ago and since a week these buttons are not lightning when touching but still it works.and occasionly noticed it gets slow action while using…these are normaly light when we use the phone freequently but now it is not . , and other thing as it is like that i dont feel whether there is any buttons..
Can any one tell why this is happening?
is it somthing related with settings where i can sort it?
If i can sort this in settings How to access Galaxy Note 4 hardware menu button?
Simon says
Please check this guide: https://allaboutgalaxynote.com/galaxy-note-4-how-to-guides/how-to-turn-offon-the-touch-key-light-return-and-recent-on-galaxy-note-4/
Our Facebook page || Galaxy S9 Guides || Galaxy S8 Guides || Galaxy S6 Guides || Galaxy S7 Guides || Android Guides || Chromecast Guides || Gaalxy S20 Guides.
Ali says
thanks for this info.
mufazir says
i buy new samsung galaxy note edge then the back and option button light is not working what the hell isgoing on i need a solution
Simon says
You probably turn on battery saving. Please check this guide: https://allaboutgalaxynote.com/galaxy-note-4-how-to-guides/how-to-turn-offon-the-touch-key-light-return-and-recent-on-galaxy-note-4/
Our Facebook page || Galaxy S9 Guides || Galaxy S8 Guides || Galaxy S6 Guides || Galaxy S7 Guides || Android Guides || Chromecast Guides || Gaalxy S20 Guides.
screenname says
Thanks. This was very helpful.
Steve says
Why can’t I shut this stupid button off? It was an annoyance when it was a menu button now it makes the entire phone completely worthless. I constantly hit this button on accident all the time when I’m typing especially when going for the space bar. What happens when your typing an email or letter and you accidentally hit recent apps just before hitting space? Use loose everything you were working on! With no way to shut it off without root, combined with the VPN problems Verizon is having with these phones, it makes it un-usable for me. I will be returning this phone and going back to the note 3.
Simon says
Almost all Samsung Android phones has these hardware buttons. Most Android vendors followed Google’s guideline to migrate to on-screen buttons. Unfortunately, you cannot turn it off.
They even put these buttons on tablets (except the old Galaxy Note 10.1). There are more complaints. For tablets, when you use them in portrait mode, it is proven to be problematic.
Our Facebook page || Galaxy S9 Guides || Galaxy S8 Guides || Galaxy S6 Guides || Galaxy S7 Guides || Android Guides || Chromecast Guides || Gaalxy S20 Guides.
Beto says
Thank you. I was going crazy because some of my apps don’t have the “software” menu button
Handy says
THANK YOU, works great on the Note Edge
Ced says
Just got the note 4 and I don’t know what happened but my recent app and back button are not working. Every time I tap the recent app button it shows active apps and close apps but when I try the back button it does nothing, they don’t even light up. What did I do wrong?
Simon says
The recent apps button should list recently used apps. There are two buttons in the bottom for you to clear the list. You can tap any of the apps listed to re-open them.
For the light for the two keys, you maui check this guide https://allaboutgalaxynote.com/galaxy-note-4-how-to-guides/how-to-turn-offon-the-touch-key-light-return-and-recent-on-galaxy-note-4/
You can change the lighting duration in settings – display and wallpapers – touch key light duration.
Our Facebook page || Galaxy S9 Guides || Galaxy S8 Guides || Galaxy S6 Guides || Galaxy S7 Guides || Android Guides || Chromecast Guides || Gaalxy S20 Guides.
VY says
Thank you editor for this. I was just about to get rid of 3 really useful (older) app’s as they were not showing menu option at bottom of screen (as in Android 4.2) but now it is all good.
Walter Boring says
Man this is a major step backwards in user experience. I really like my Note 4, but this ‘feature’ really stinks.
Raul says
GREAT!! Finally the Menu button is working back. Thanks!
Eduardo says
Hi raul. I have problem with my home button key, do you have any solution for this matter? thanks in advance
Aric says
Thank you for this. Got the phone today, and so far love it, but am being thrown off by the lack of the menu button. I can adjust to long pressing the left key.
Simon says
Google wants to make sure all apps work in a similar way in all android devices. Most apps now have own software menu button. Only a few ancient apps may miss the software menu button. After a few weeks, you will get used to it.
Actually, the recent apps button is very useful. In note 3, you have to long press home button to get it.
Our Facebook page || Galaxy S9 Guides || Galaxy S8 Guides || Galaxy S6 Guides || Galaxy S7 Guides || Android Guides || Chromecast Guides || Gaalxy S20 Guides.
stone says
Do you believe this new method of no hard menu progressive and more efficient than a button? I only ask because I got a note 4 today and dont really like there not being a menu button but ive been on a note 2 for the last two years and maybe I just need to get used to it. But I didnt know about the long press that totally remedies the situation for the most part thanks alot author/editor !!
Simon says
I think recent apps buttons are more useful, especially on Note 4 with the new multi-window feature.
Anyway, most apps have own software menu button already. Most Android manufacturers (except Samsung) are adopting software buttons as well. So, as a consumer, we really don’t have the option for hardware menu button.
Our Facebook page || Galaxy S9 Guides || Galaxy S8 Guides || Galaxy S6 Guides || Galaxy S7 Guides || Android Guides || Chromecast Guides || Gaalxy S20 Guides.
working4change says
simple google loves to change what does not need to change.
rthe 3 buttons were just fine, should be ableto change them back. but google is pissed people are avoiding using their search on their devices so they force its use. used to have recent more handy and menu was one click away. perfect for onee handed use. now i have to use 2 hands. the left soft key i used dozens of times a day to share links or change setting for different sights. now it is longer, phone slipps from hand often as it is thiner and well …..
your forced to used their voice commands and still 2hands for what used to be done with ease one handed.
how do i change my bottum 3 keys to function like my NOTE 2 did. it would have zero effect on apps and only eliminate the google search we rarely use.
just because a few like to things one way does mean it makes sense to change it for all…. google is acting like microxxxxx with forcing Win8 on all platforms.
jedi2155 says
I hate having old software disabled just because of new design changes. I’m a big fan of having alternatives versus orphaning old software. We’re using Android because its more powerful than iOS. If i wanted to be forced to told what to do then I would’ve gone with an iPhone.
ilma630 says
IMHO, progress is to standardise, i.e. to use a common menu button to activate an app’s menu. Why is having to look at every app to see where the menu soft-button more ‘user-friendly’ than using a common-always-in-the-same-place (hardware) button? It’s not!
Thankfully the long-press option allows access to the hardware menu button.
The 3 major advantages that (now clearly only Samsung) Android has over Apple, is (1) a file system, (2) a common menu button, and (3) a common back button.