Using your phone without touching the screen sounds like a small convenience, but once you get used to it, voice commands can become surprisingly useful. You can open apps, make calls, send messages, control settings, create reminders, and perform several everyday tasks simply by speaking.
Samsung’s Bixby remains one of the easiest ways to control compatible Galaxy devices with your voice. On ASUS Zenfone 12 Ultra, you can set up Bixby, customise its wake-up options, and use voice commands for hands-free control.
In this guide, we’ll walk through how to enable voice commands on ASUS Zenfone 12 Ultra, show you useful commands to try, and cover a few troubleshooting steps if Bixby doesn’t respond properly.
Table of Contents
- What Are Voice Commands on ASUS Zenfone 12 Ultra?
- How to Enable Bixby Voice
- How to Use Voice Commands
- Useful Bixby Commands to Try
- Customise Bixby Voice Settings
- Use Voice Commands With Phone Settings
- Voice Commands for Apps
- How to Improve Bixby Voice Recognition
- Bixby Voice Not Working? Try These Fixes
- FAQs
- Conclusion
What Are Voice Commands on ASUS Zenfone 12 Ultra?
Voice commands allow you to interact with your phone by speaking instead of tapping through menus.
With Bixby enabled, you can ask your phone to perform supported tasks such as opening applications, changing certain settings, creating reminders, checking information, or sending messages.
This can be particularly handy when you’re cooking, driving with appropriate hands-free setup, working, or simply don’t want to keep reaching for the screen.
Why use voice commands?
Here are a few reasons to give them a try:
- Open apps without touching the screen
- Make calls using your voice
- Send or dictate messages
- Set alarms and timers
- Create reminders
- Control compatible phone settings
- Ask Bixby questions
- Control compatible smart-home devices
- Perform certain actions inside supported apps
The exact commands and available features can vary depending on your software version, language, region, account, and installed apps.
How to Enable Bixby Voice
Setting up Bixby is straightforward. The menu names can vary slightly between One UI versions, so don’t worry if your screen looks a little different from the steps below.
Step 1: Open Bixby
Start by opening the Bixby app on your ASUS Zenfone 12 Ultra.
If you can’t immediately find it, use the phone’s search function and search for Bixby.
Step 2: Sign in to your Samsung account
Bixby may ask you to sign in to your Samsung account.
Follow the on-screen instructions and accept the required terms if prompted.
Step 3: Allow the required permissions
Bixby may request access to features such as the microphone and other information needed to perform certain commands.
Review the permissions and allow the ones required for the features you want to use.
Step 4: Configure voice wake-up
Look through Bixby’s voice settings for the option to activate Bixby using a wake-up phrase.
If voice wake-up is available on your software version, enable it and follow the voice-training instructions.
Step 5: Test Bixby
Once setup is complete, try saying your configured wake-up phrase.
Then give Bixby a simple command such as:
“Set a timer for five minutes.”
If Bixby understands the request and performs the action, you’re ready to go.
How to Use Voice Commands
There are generally two easy ways to activate Bixby.
Method 1: Use the wake-up phrase
If voice wake-up is enabled, say your configured Bixby wake-up phrase.
Wait for Bixby to start listening, then speak your command clearly.
For example:
“Set an alarm for 7 AM.”
Method 2: Use the Bixby button or shortcut
Depending on your ASUS Zenfone 12 Ultra model and One UI version, you may be able to launch Bixby using a side-key shortcut or another configured shortcut.
Open Bixby and then speak your request.
If the side button currently opens another assistant or performs another action, check the Side button settings to see whether the shortcut can be changed.
Useful Bixby Commands to Try
Once everything is working, don’t stop at basic commands. There are plenty of everyday tasks worth trying.
Open an app
Say:
“Open Camera.”
Bixby can launch supported applications installed on your phone.
Make a phone call
You can say:
“Call [contact name].”
Make sure the contact is saved correctly so Bixby can identify the person you’re trying to reach.
Send a message
Try something like:
“Send a message to [contact].”
Bixby may ask you to confirm the recipient and message before sending it.
Set an alarm
You can ask:
“Set an alarm for 6:30 AM.”
This is much quicker than opening the Clock app and setting everything manually.
Set a timer
Try:
“Set a timer for 15 minutes.”
This can be especially useful when you need a quick countdown.
Create a reminder
You can ask Bixby to create a reminder for a particular task.
For example:
“Remind me to check my email at 5 PM.”
Change supported settings
Depending on your software version, Bixby may be able to change certain phone settings.
For example, you can try commands involving Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, volume, or other supported controls.
Customise Bixby Voice Settings
Bixby isn’t limited to its default configuration. Spend a few minutes exploring its settings and you may find options that make voice control much more comfortable.
Open Bixby and look for its Settings.
Depending on your software version, you may find options related to:
- Voice wake-up
- Voice response
- Language
- Voice feedback
- Wake-up sensitivity
- Voice recognition
- Connected devices
- Privacy and permissions
Not every option will appear on every device or in every region.
Adjust wake-up sensitivity
If Bixby activates accidentally, check whether a wake-up sensitivity setting is available.
Reducing the sensitivity can help prevent unintended activations.
If Bixby rarely hears you, increasing the sensitivity may help.
Use Voice Commands With Phone Settings
One of the most useful things about having a voice assistant is controlling common phone functions without digging through menus.
Depending on your software version and permissions, you can try commands related to:
- Wi-Fi
- Bluetooth
- Volume
- Brightness
- Screen settings
- Alarms
- Timers
- Reminders
- Music
- Calls
For example, instead of opening several menus, you could try asking Bixby to turn a supported setting on or off.
If a command isn’t recognised, try saying the same request in a shorter and more direct way.
Voice Commands for Apps
Bixby can also interact with certain apps.
For example, you can try commands such as:
- “Open Maps.”
- “Open Camera.”
- “Play my music.”
- “Open Messages.”
- “Show my calendar.”
- “Set a reminder.”
- “Call Dad.”
Third-party app support can change over time, so a command that works on one software version may not work exactly the same way on another.
That’s normal.
How to Improve Bixby Voice Recognition
Sometimes Bixby works perfectly in a quiet room but struggles when you’re outside or surrounded by noise.
Fortunately, a few simple changes can improve recognition.
1. Speak naturally
You don’t need to shout.
Speak clearly and use a normal voice.
2. Reduce background noise
If you’re in a noisy environment, move somewhere quieter when possible.
Fans, televisions, traffic, and people talking nearby can make voice recognition more difficult.
3. Check the microphone
Make sure the microphone openings aren’t blocked by dust, dirt, a case, or another accessory.
Don’t insert sharp objects into the microphone openings.
4. Check Bixby permissions
Open:
Settings → Apps → Bixby
Then review the available permissions and make sure the microphone permission required by the feature is enabled.
The exact menu can differ depending on the One UI version.
5. Check your internet connection
Some Bixby functions require an internet connection.
If Bixby suddenly stops responding correctly, check whether Wi-Fi or mobile data is working.
Bixby Voice Not Working? Try These Fixes
If you’ve enabled voice commands but Bixby isn’t responding, work through these fixes one at a time.
Fix 1: Restart ASUS Zenfone 12 Ultra
A simple restart can clear temporary software glitches.
Open the power menu and select Restart.
After the phone boots again, test Bixby.
Fix 2: Check microphone access
Go to:
Settings → Apps → Bixby → Permissions
Check the available microphone permission.
If microphone access is blocked, voice commands may not work correctly.
Fix 3: Update your software
Go to:
Settings → Software update → Download and install
If an update is available, install it and then test Bixby again.
Fix 4: Update Bixby-related apps
Open the Galaxy Store and Google Play Store and check for available updates.
Keeping Samsung system applications updated can resolve compatibility problems.
Fix 5: Clear Bixby cache
If Bixby has started behaving strangely, clearing its temporary cache may help.
Go to:
Settings → Apps → Bixby → Storage → Clear cache
Avoid clearing app data unless you understand that doing so can reset some application settings.
Fix 6: Restart after changing settings
If you have recently changed Bixby permissions, voice wake-up options, or other assistant settings, restart your phone before testing again.
This simple step is easy to overlook.
A Few Bixby Tips You Should Know
Voice assistants work best when you keep commands reasonably simple.
Instead of giving Bixby a long, complicated sentence, break the task into smaller requests.
For example, rather than asking for several actions at once, ask Bixby to complete the first task and then give it the next command.
Also remember that Bixby isn’t available with exactly the same capabilities everywhere. Language support, region, apps, account configuration, and One UI version can all affect which commands are available.
FAQs
1. How do I activate voice commands on ASUS Zenfone 12 Ultra?
Open Bixby, complete the initial setup, grant the required permissions, and enable voice wake-up if the option is available on your device.
2. Can I use Bixby without touching my phone?
Yes. If voice wake-up is enabled and supported, you can activate Bixby with your configured wake-up phrase.
3. Why isn’t Bixby hearing me?
Check microphone permissions, make sure the microphone isn’t obstructed, reduce background noise, and verify your internet connection.
4. Can Bixby open apps?
Yes. Try commands such as “Open Camera” or “Open Messages.” Availability can vary by software version and app.
5. Can Bixby send messages?
Bixby can support messaging-related commands on compatible devices and apps. You may be asked to confirm the recipient or message before it is sent.
6. Does Bixby require the internet?
Some Bixby functions require an internet connection, while certain device functions may work differently depending on the feature and software version.
7. Can I change Bixby’s voice?
Bixby provides voice and language options in supported regions and software versions. Open Bixby settings to see what’s available on your device.
Conclusion
Learning how to enable voice commands on ASUS Zenfone 12 Ultra doesn’t take long, but it can make everyday phone use considerably easier.
Start by setting up Bixby, granting the necessary permissions, and enabling voice wake-up if available. Once everything is ready, experiment with simple commands for alarms, reminders, calls, apps, and supported phone settings.
If Bixby doesn’t respond, don’t assume something is seriously wrong. Checking microphone permissions, updating your software, clearing the app cache, and restarting the phone can often solve temporary problems.
The best approach is to start with a few commands you actually use every day. Once those become second nature, you can explore Bixby’s more advanced capabilities.
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