Samsung recently integrated Perplexity AI into its flagship Galaxy S26 series, allowing users to summon the smart assistant hands-free with a simple "Hey Plex" voice command. However, following the device's first major software update, this convenient feature has suddenly stopped working.

Currently, Galaxy S26 owners can choose between three default digital assistants: Bixby, Gemini, and Perplexity. While long-pressing the power button still successfully launches Perplexity to answer queries, fetch information, or navigate apps, the hands-free voice wake capability vanished entirely after the device received the February 2026 security patch.

Users have reported that the "Hey Plex" detection toggle no longer appears in the Perplexity app's settings. Tests conducted on the Galaxy S26 Ultra confirmed that the assistant's listening interface fails to trigger when the wake word is spoken, even with the screen turned off.

Previously, enabling this feature was a straightforward process. Users simply navigated to Perplexity's settings, selected the 'Assistant' menu, toggled on 'Hey Plex detection,' and recorded a voice sample to ensure accuracy. With this menu now completely hidden, owners have no way to reconfigure the voice prompt.

Samsung has not yet issued an official statement regarding the change, leaving it unclear whether this is a temporary software bug or an intentional system adjustment. Until a fix is rolled out, users must rely on the physical side button rather than hands-free activation.

In related news, the latest Galaxy S26 update also introduces a new 'Inactivity Restart' security measure. The smartphone will now automatically reboot if left idle for 72 hours, requiring a PIN or biometric authentication before users can access their data.