Owners of modern Samsung smartphones often encounter a situation where, when they swipe left, an aggregator of news and services from the Yandex search engine appears on the main screen. This element, built into the shell One UIcan be useful for quick access to the weather or exchange rates, but for many users it becomes a source of information noise and unnecessary traffic consumption.
The process of configuring this space is not always obvious, since the settings menu is scattered across different sections of the system and the application itself. In this material, we will analyze in detail how to completely disable the ribbon, limit its functionality, or, conversely, customize it to suit your own needs, using standard Android tools and specific Samsung options.
The interface of mobile devices is constantly evolving, and the location of the switches may differ depending on the firmware version. We will look at current methods for managing widgets and system pages that apply to most Galaxy models, from the budget A series to the flagship S.
The nature of Yandex integration into the Samsung interface
The feed that users are used to seeing to the left of the first screen is technically a system Google Discover widget or a third-party aggregator pre-installed by the manufacturer. In the case of Russian versions of Samsung firmware, the Yandex service is often activated by default. This is not a separate application in the classical sense, but a deeply integrated shell module One UI Home.
Such integration allows the system to display contextual information without the need to launch the browser. However, the operation of this module requires constant background data updating, which may affect autonomy devices. Understanding that this is part of the launcher, and not just a shortcut, is critical to the correct management of this element.
Many users mistakenly try to remove this component through the standard application manager, which is impossible without obtaining root access. The correct approach is to disable the page display through the desktop settings. This allows you to maintain the stability of the system, avoiding conflicts that may arise when you try to forcefully remove system components.
⚠️ Attention: Disabling the system news feed can lead to the fact that when you swipe left, the screen simply remains blank or switches to the first desktop. This is the standard behavior of the shell after deactivating the module.
Completely disabling the feed through the desktop settings
The most effective way to remove the news aggregator is to use the built-in launcher settings. This method does not require the installation of third-party software and is the safest for the stability of the smartphone. You will need to go to the home screen configuration menu, where all visual interface elements are controlled.
First, you need to call the context menu. Make a long tap (press and hold) on any empty space on the main screen. A toolbar will appear at the bottom of the display. Select item Settings (or gear icon). In the list that opens, find the section responsible for additional screens.
In different firmware versions, this item may be called differently: “Google Feed”, “Samsung Global Goals” or simply “Additional pages”. Find the switch responsible for displaying the left panel and move it to the inactive position. After this, swiping to the left will no longer bring up the news feed.
☑️ Algorithm for disabling the feed
If the feed is still visible after completing these steps, it may be pinned as a separate widget. In this case, check the list of widgets in the screen editing menu. Sometimes users accidentally add a Yandex panel manually, and then it needs to be deleted just like any other weather or clock widget.
Customizing content and personalizing results
If you don’t want to completely abandon the feed, but you are annoyed by irrelevant content, the system can be trained to show only the information you need. Yandex algorithms analyze your search queries and browsing history in the browser Yandex Browser, generating personal results.
For fine-tuning, go directly to the feed interface. Scroll down to the bottom of the news or look for the settings button (usually a gear icon or three dots in the corner). Here you can manage news categories. Turn off topics that you are not interested in, such as Showbiz or Sports, if you do not follow these events.
The function of hiding specific sources is also available. If you do not like the presentation of material from a particular publication, click on the three dots next to the news and select “Hide source”. This action will significantly improve the quality of content in your personal search results without the need to completely disable the service.
It is important to note that the quality of recommendations directly depends on the activity of your account. If you are logged into your Yandex profile, the system will take into account interests saved in the cloud. Otherwise, the algorithm will rely only on the local history of the device.
Managing notifications and background activity
Even if the feed is hidden from the main screen, the application can continue to work in the background and send notifications. To completely stop interacting with the service, you need to configure access rights and notifications for the corresponding system component.
Go to the main settings of your smartphone via Settings → Applications. In the list, find the Yandex application or the Google system process (if the built-in aggregator is used). Go to Notifications and disable all categories of alerts related to news and recommendations.
Next, you should limit background activity. In the same application menu, find the “Battery” or “Energy Saving” item. Select "Restricted" or "Prohibit background activity" mode. This will prevent constant communication with the server when the screen is off, which will have a positive effect on battery life.
| Setting parameter | Recommended value | Impact on the system |
|---|---|---|
| Notifications | Disabled | No pop-up messages |
| Background mode | Limited | Battery saver |
| Mobile data | Forbidden | No traffic consumption in the background |
| Access to location | Only when used | Correct weather operation |
Such a configuration allows you to leave the application installed for rare use, but completely isolate it from active interference with the operation of the smartphone in the background.
Problems with updating and widget cache
Sometimes users are faced with a situation where the feed freezes, does not update, or displays incorrect data. Most often, the reason lies in a full cache or a synchronization failure. Clearing temporary files helps solve most of these problems without losing personal data.
To perform cleaning, go to Settings → Applications, find Yandex and select Storage. Click the Clear Cache button. Do not confuse this with the “Clear Data” button, as the latter will reset all application settings to factory settings, including saved passwords and preferences.
If clearing the cache did not help, try to force stop the application and start it again. In rare cases, it is necessary to update the application itself through the store Galaxy Store or Google Play. An outdated version of the software may contain errors that are only compatible with older versions of Android.
What to do if the widget has disappeared completely?
If after updating the firmware the feed widget has disappeared and you want to get it back, check for updates for the Yandex application or the One UI Home component in the application store. Sometimes you need to re-authorize your account.
It should be taken into account that major shell updates One UI may reset some user settings for the location of widgets. After a large-scale system update, it is recommended to recheck the desktop configuration.
Alternative launchers as a radical solution
If standard shutdown methods do not bring the desired result or you want to radically change the appearance of your smartphone, you should consider installing a third-party launcher. Replacing the standard shell allows you to completely get rid of pre-installed Yandex or Google integrations.
Popular solutions such as Nova Launcher, Lawnchair or Microsoft Launchergive full control over the organization of the workspace. They do not have a built-in news feed on the left, or this function is completely disabled and customizable to the user’s needs.
Installation of an alternative launcher is done through the app store. After installation, the system will ask for confirmation to use the new default application for the home screen. Confirm your choice and the interface will change instantly. You can return to the standard view at any time through the default application settings.
⚠️ Attention: Some Samsung features, such as navigation gestures or specific themes, may not work correctly with third-party launchers. Before a complete replacement, test the new interface for a couple of days.
This method is suitable for advanced users who are willing to sacrifice some degree of integration with the Samsung ecosystem for the sake of a clean interface free of unnecessary software.
Frequently asked questions
Is it possible to completely remove Yandex from a Samsung phone?
Complete removal of system applications without root access is impossible. However, you can disable the application in the settings, which will hide its icon and prevent it from working. Complete removal requires connecting to a PC and using ADB commands, which is not recommended for ordinary users due to the risk of system damage.
Why does the tape turn on itself after a reboot?
This may be due to a malfunction of the One UI Home shell or a software version conflict. Try clearing the launcher cache. If the problem persists, check to see if there is a system update that reset your settings. Also, some weather widgets can automatically activate the news feed.
Does disabling the feed affect the operation of other Yandex applications?
No, disabling a widget on the main screen does not affect the operation of the browser, maps, taxis or other company services. They function as independent applications. You continue to use them as usual, just without automatically displaying news when you swipe.
For maximum privacy, disable the feed's access to the microphone and geolocation in the application permissions settings, even if you do not use voice search.
The most stable way to remove the feed is to disable it through the home screen settings, rather than deleting the application.