How to use Pinch Control and Earbuds control on your Galaxy Buds3 and Buds3 Pro

With the Galaxy Buds3 and Buds3 Pro, you can control your music, phone calls, and a number of other features by using the Pinch Control.

Follow our quick guide to get the most out of your Galaxy Buds3 and Buds 3 Pro, as well as tips on what to do if Pinch Control isn't working properly.

A person using the Pinch Control feature on the Galaxy Buds3 Pro.

Pinch Control
Press the pinch area until you hear a clicking sound.

An animation demonstrating how to use the Pinch Control feature.
  • Single pinch: Play/pause song, Answer/end call, Stop using the “Read notifications aloud” feature, Stop using “Voice detection” or “Siren detection” feature

  • Double pinch: Play next song

  • Triple pinch: Play the previous song (If you pinch the earbuds three times 3 seconds after the song has started, the current song will play from the beginning)

  • Pinch and hold: Turn on preset function (default: noise control mode), reject call

Swipe Control
Slide your finger along the swipe area.

An animation demonstrating how to use the Swipe Control feature.
  • Swipe up and down: Adjust volume

Please note: The video used is simulated for illustrative purposes.

Set up Earbud controls
“Earbud controls” settings in the Galaxy Wearable app allow you to enable or disable various Pinch Control features on your Galaxy Buds3 / Buds3 Pro.

* The Galaxy Buds3 / Buds3 Pro’s charging case needs to be opened to activate the settings menu.

Galaxy Wearable home screen. Galaxy Wearable home screen.

Step 1. Open the Galaxy Wearable app > Tap the icon to view the connected devices.

* You can also swipe the device image at the top to move to the settings screen of other connected devices.

A list of devices in the Galaxy Wearable app that are paired with the Galaxy device. A list of devices in the Galaxy Wearable app that are paired with the Galaxy device.

Step 2. Select your earbuds.

Selected earbuds home screen. Selected earbuds home screen.

Step 3. Select Earbud controls.

Earbud controls screen in the Galaxy Wearable app. Earbud controls screen in the Galaxy Wearable app.

Step 4. Enable the features you'd like to use.

Please note: The information is based on the Galaxy Buds3 and Buds3 Pro. For exact model-specific features and usage, please refer to the user manual for each model.

If your Galaxy Buds3 / Buds3 Pro are not responding or working properly when you pinch or swipe them, use the troubleshooting guide below to assist you.

Check the pinch/swipe area of ​​the earbuds

  • Ensure that you are using the swipe/pinch area of your earbuds correctly.

  • The shape of your ears as well as whether or not you wear your earbuds correctly can make recognising the pinch/swipe area difficult to recognise.

  • Do not pinch or swipe the earbuds hard with your fingertips. This may cause injury to your ears.

  • Do not pinch or swipe the earbuds with sharp objects. This may damage or break the earbuds.

  • Pinch the area and listen for a click. If there is no sound, the wear recognition is not working correctly, so try wearing the earbuds again.
A Galaxy Buds3 Pro earbud with the Pinch Control and Swipe Control areas highlighted.

Restart your earbuds
Insert the earbuds into the left and right slots of the charging case and then take them out after 7 seconds.

Update to the latest software version
Make sure your Galaxy Buds3 / Buds3 Pro, mobile device, and the Galaxy Wearable app is updated to the latest software version.

  • Galaxy Buds
Galaxy Wearable home screen. Galaxy Wearable home screen.

Step 1. Open the Galaxy Wearable app > Tap the icon to view the connected devices.

* You can also swipe the device image at the top to move to the settings screen of other connected devices.

A list of devices in the Galaxy Wearable app that are paired with the Galaxy device. A list of devices in the Galaxy Wearable app that are paired with the Galaxy device.

Step 2. Select your earbuds.

Selected earbuds home screen. Selected earbuds home screen.

Step 3. Select Earbuds settings > Select Earbuds Software Update.

“Earbuds software update” screen. “Earbuds software update” screen.

Step 4. Tap Download and install.

  • Galaxy mobile device
“Settings” home screen on a mobile Galaxy device. “Settings” home screen on a mobile Galaxy device.

Step 1. Go to Settings > Software Update.

“Software update” screen on a mobile Galaxy device. “Software update” screen on a mobile Galaxy device.

Step 2. Tap Download and Install > Follow the on-screen instructions.

Please note: If the problem persists despite the above methods, contact one of our Samsung Experts who can provide technical product support.

Please note: Images used are simulated for illustrative purposes and the actual UI may vary by OS version, device model, region, etc.

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