How to Get Full Control of Samsung Galaxy Buds on Windows
Bluetooth earphones, especially true wireless earbuds, are usually made with smartphones in mind. The idea of it being used with your Windows computer comes as an afterthought for most manufacturers. This is especially true with Samsung’s Galaxy Buds range of products. The official Galaxy Buds app for PC pales in comparison to its Android counterpart.
Fret not, however!
Thanks to a developer namedTim Schneeberger, you can now get full control of your Galaxy Buds on your Windows PC.
Table of Contents
Why Is the Official App Not Good Enough
The Official Galaxy Buds app for PC is a clear example of manufacturers ignoring PC users. The app only provides half of what it offers in the Android version. Basic ANC control, preset EQs, factory reset option, and firmware update are all you get. Users have also reported bugs like connection issues and a frequent “Couldn’t perform this action” error as well.
Another glaring problem is that the official app only supports the latest iterations of Samsung’s TWS devices (namely, Galaxy Buds Live, Galaxy Buds Pro, and Galaxy Buds 2).
Yes, Samsung has forgotten about your perfectly working Galaxy Buds+ and previous devices before that.
Enter, Galaxy Buds Manager Unofficial
What if there is a way to get full control of your Galaxy Buds on PC? The Galaxy Buds Manager application is just that plus more. It supports all the Galaxy buds devices that were released by Samsung ever. It also has all the features that are native to the Android application. Galaxy Buds Manager is also totally free and open-source. The whole source code of the program is available to the public for anyone to take a peek at. Being open-source also means that you can use the program without any fear of security threats and malicious content
Note: While this program is unofficial, it also shouldn’t technically affect your warranty under normal circumstances. It doesn’t make any permanent modifications to the software or hardware of your Galaxy Buds There are, however, options like firmware upgrade and downgrade which may break your device and void the warranty. Use such advanced options at your own risk.
Installing Galaxy Buds Manager Unofficial
1.Boot your Windows PC and open your preferred browser.
2.Go to the official Github page ofGalaxy Buds Managerby ThePBONE/Tim Schneeberger.
3.Scroll down until you find theReleasessection on the right side of the page. Proceed to click on the latest version available belowReleases.
4.On the page that loads, scroll down to find theAssetssection and click on the latest Windows 64bit version todownload the Installer.
Note:The application is also available for Linux and therefore.binfiles are also available in theAssetssection. The windows version that we are downloading ends with the .exeextension.
5.Wait for the download to complete and click on it to start the installation process.
6.On the dialogue box that appears, click onnextto Continue.
7.On the next dialogue box that appears, checkI agree to the terms of the license agreementand proceed to click onNext.
8.In the next dialogue box that appears, you may choose the location that you want the program to be installed at. Proceed to click onInstall.
9.After the installation is complete, uncheckRun Galaxy Buds Managerand click onFinish.
Connecting Your Galaxy Buds to Windows
Now let us see how to connect Galaxy Buds with a Windows computer.
1.Click on thequick settings iconon the right side of the Taskbar.
2.Right-click on theBluetoothbutton and click onGo to Settings.
3.On the menu that comes up,turn on Bluetoothby clicking on the toggle right next to the Bluetooth option. Proceed to click onAdd device.
4.Put your Samsung Galaxy buds in pairing mode by opening up the case.
Note:Different models may have varied pairing methods. Refer to your user manual or the internet to find out how to put your galaxy buds into pairing mode. The device being used here in the guide is a Galaxy Buds+.
5.On theAdd a devicemenu that appears, click on theBluetooth.
6.Wait for your device to get detected and proceed toclick on your device namefor the pairing process to complete.
7.After the pairing process is complete, you can see that your Galaxy Buds is connected to your PC.
Using Galaxy Buds Manager Unofficial
1.Open the Galaxy Buds Manager application from your desktop or using the Start menu.
2.The Galaxy Buds Manager application launches into a similar interface to that of the Android version. The battery level of the individual buds, as well as the case, is displayed at the top. It also shows additional stats liketemperatureandvoltage. We can also see the different menus and controls available for your earbuds like in the Galaxy Buds app.
3.Ambient soundmenu can be used to control the amount of ambient noise that is let through the earbuds. There is also anExtra-high ambient volumemode to increase the mic sensitivity. For models with ANC support, those options will be accessible as well.
4.Find my earbudsis a feature that is only officially available on the Android version. It can be accessed in the Galaxy Buds Manager. Click on the button inside the menu to make the connected earbuds emit a high-pitched sound. Doing so makes it easier to find the buds when it is still connected to your PC.
5.Equalizer menu provides options to enable and choose between a bunch of preset EQs.
Control PC Keyboard Shortcuts With Your Galaxy Buds
Another cool feature available in the Galaxy Buds Manager is the additional functionality to control the touchpads on both earbuds.
1.In thetouchpadmenu, select the earbud in which you want to change the function.
2.Among the usual options available, you will also findCustom action.
3.In thecustom actionmenu, you can see various extra options.Press hotkeyallows users to assign keyboard hotkey combinations to the long touch gesture of your Galaxy Buds.
For example, entering the keyboard shortcut for the copy command (Ctrl + C) in theHotkey recorderbox lets you use the command with a long press of the touch button.
Start Windows Programs With Your Galaxy Buds
you’re able to also use the touchpads on both earbuds to launch Windows programs.
2.Among the usual options available, you can also see an option calledCustom action.
3.In thecustom actionmenu, you can see various extra options.Run external applicationsenable users to assign the long touch gesture of your galaxy buds to launch any executable file.
4.Do remember that the file has to have the .exe extension. After selecting the program, you can use the long-press gesture on the touchpad to execute the assigned .exe file on your Windows PC.
Use Keyboard Hotkeys to Control Your Galaxy Buds
1.In the Advanced settings menu, you shall find features likeResume/start playback if buds are worn. There is also an additional feature that lets you use keyboard shortcuts to control your Galaxy Buds. Click on Keyboard Shortcuts to configure it.
2. Click onAssign new hotkeyto start assigning hotkey.
3.In the Hotkey Editor Menu, you can select anyModifierkey first and then add to it.
4.Click on the drop-down menu belowActionto select the action you want to assign to the hotkey. Click onApplyto set and enable the hotkey. Pressing the Modifier key + the key assigned will let you control the earbud for theActionthat you set from then on.
Managing Galaxy Buds on Windows
The Galaxy Buds series by Samsung are one of the best when it comes to wireless audio. The lack of good software stopped it from becoming the ultimate everyday device for many users though. Thanks to Galaxy Buds Manager, you can get all the functionality that the official Galaxy Buds app for PC never provided. As a bonus, here are some excellenttips and tricksto make the most of your Galaxy Buds.
Alfred Shaji Mekkaden
Alfred is a tech enthusiast from Kerala. He is interested in everything from the boring aspects of tech like Computational humanities to mindlessly modding out an old Android device just for the sake of it. Current interests include Linux, FOSS, Single Board Computers, and Digital Anthropology.
