Universal switch

Samsung's switch-access feature for controlling the phone with external switches, taps or head movements. You can disable it, with a caveat: read what stops working first.

What it does

Universal switch lets people with limited mobility control a Galaxy phone with one or more switches: an external button, a tap on the screen, or head movements and facial expressions seen by the front camera. It scans through items on screen so the switch can select them. Device surveys find it as a separate package on the Note8 and Note9; newer phones include the feature in Samsung's accessibility package.

If you disable it

Universal switch stops working on phones that use this package. Leave it on if you or someone using the phone relies on switch access.

How to disable it

On most phones Settings greys out Disable for this package, so ADB is the way to turn it off. The commands below work without root and can be undone.

adb shell pm disable-user --user 0 com.samsung.android.universalswitch

adb shell pm enable com.samsung.android.universalswitch

The stronger option removes it for your user only; the original copy stays on the phone and a factory reset brings it back. Prefer disabling: it is easier to undo.

adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.samsung.android.universalswitch

adb shell cmd package install-existing com.samsung.android.universalswitch

New to ADB? Set it up in about ten minutes.

Data and battery

Uses the front camera on the phone when camera switches are set; nothing is uploaded.

Where it appears

• Made by Samsung Electronics.
• Android versions: 8 to 10.
• Seen on: Galaxy Note9, Galaxy Note8.