How to completely disable the news feed on Android on the left: instructions for all versions

The news feed on the left on the Android main screen is Google Discover (formerly Google Feed) or alternative services like Samsung Free, Mi Browser on Xiaomi or Huawei Today. For many users, it becomes a source of unnecessary information, distracting notifications and unnecessary traffic. It is especially annoying when the feed automatically updates in the background, using up battery power and mobile data.

The problem is that manufacturers often hide the shutdown settings: in some firmware the option is hidden deep in the menu, and on some devices (for example, Samsung Galaxy with a shell One UI) it is not at all in the standard interface. In this article we will analyze all the working methods - from basic to advanced, including ADB commands and third-party launchers. We will also explain why the feed can return after updates and how to prevent this.

1. Standard disabling through the launcher settings

The easiest method is to use the built-in launcher options. It works on most smartphones with clean Android (for example, Google Pixel, Motorola, Nokia) and some customized firmware. Important: if you have Samsung, Xiaomi or Huawei, this method may not work - proceed to the following sections.

Instructions:

• 📱 Long press on an empty space on the main screen (or do two-finger pinchif the gesture supported).
• ⚙️ In the bottom menu, select “Screen settings" (or "Launcher options», «Home screen»).
• 🔍 Find "News feed», «Google Discover" or "Left screen" and turn off the slider.

On some devices (for example OnePlus s OxygenOS) the path may be different: Settings → Applications → Launcher (OnePlus Launcher) → Settings → Disable Discover.

⚠️ Attention: After disconnecting, the feed may remain in the system memory and consume resources. To completely stop its operation, go to Settings → Applications → Google and disable background activity for the service Discover.

2. Disabling Google Discover on Samsung (One UI)

Samsung replaced the standard feed Google Discover with its own service Samsung Free, which is integrated into the shell One UI. You cannot completely remove it, but you can hide it or replace it with a blank page. Methods depend on the firmware version:

For One UI 5.0 and later (Android 13+):

1. Long press on the main screen. → "Home screen settings».
2. Go to "Home screen» → «Layout».
3. Select the option "Home screens only" (this will turn off the left swipe).

For One UI 4.0 and older:

• 📱 Swipe left to open Samsung Free.
• 👆 Click on the three dots in the upper right corner → “Settings».
• ❌ Select "Delete" (in fact, this just hides the feed).

⚠️ Attention: On some models (Galaxy S22, S23) after updating One UI 6.0 the tape may return. To avoid this, disable automatic updating Samsung Free in Galaxy Store.

3. (Nova, Lawnchair, Apex)

If the built-in methods do not work, the most reliable way is to install alternative launcher. Popular options:

• 🌟 Nova Launcher - supports disabling the swipe left gesture.
• 📱 Lawnchair - lightweight open source launcher.
• ⚡ Apex Launcher - allows you to completely customize gestures.

Instructions for Nova Launcher:

1. Install the launcher from Google Play and make it the default launcher.
2. Long press on the main screen → "Settings».
3. Go to "Gestures and controls» → «Swipe down/left gesture».
4. Select “No action" to swipe left.

Advantages of the method:

• 🔋 Saves battery power (launchers like Nova consume less resources than standard ones).
• 🎨 Allows you to completely change the interface (icons, animations, layouts).
• 🚫 Guaranteed to remove the news feed without the possibility of accidentally turning it on.

4. Disabling via ADB (for advanced users)

If none of the above methods worked, you can use this method. with ADB commands. This method is suitable for devices with root access or without them, but requires connection to a computer. We warn you: incorrect use of ADB may disrupt the operation of the system.

Steps:

1. Enable USB debugging on your phone: Settings → About phone → Build number (press 7 times) → Settings Developer → USB Debugging.
2. Connect your phone to the PC and open Command Line (or Terminal on Mac/Linux).
3. Enter the command to test connection:

   adb devices

   The name of your device should appear.

4. Run the command to disconnect Google Discover:

   adb shell pm disable-user --user 0 com.google.android.apps.magazines

   For Samsung Free use:

   adb shell pm disable-user --user 0 com.samsung.android.app.launcher

To return the tape back, replace disable-user on enable.

⚠️ Attention: On some devices (Xiaomi, Realmeafter use ADB permissions for applications may be reset. Before the procedure, make a backup copy of important data.

5. Disabling background activity of Google and Samsung Free

Even if you have hidden the news feed, its services may continue to run in the background, using up traffic and battery. To stop them completely:

For Google Discover:

• 📵 Go to Settings → Applications → Google → Memory and cache → Memory management.
• 🔄 Click "Clear all data" (this will reset Discover settings).
• 🚫 Return to main settings Google and disable "Background activity».

For Samsung Free:

• 🛑 Go to Settings → Applications → Samsung Free → Battery.
• 🔋 Select "Optimize" or "Limit background activity».
• 📶 Disable "Mobile data" and "Wi-Fi" for the application.

Additionally, you can block access to Internet for these services via Firewall (for example, application NetGuard):

1. Install NetGuard from Google Play.
2. Find in the list Google i Samsung Free.
3. Disable their access to Wi-Fi i mobile data.

6 Why does the news feed return after. updates?

Many users complain that after updating the firmware (Android 14, One UI 6.0 etc.), the news feed appears again. This happens because:

• 🔄 Manufacturers reset launcher settings up to standard when major. updates.
• 📦 Updates Google Play Services or Samsung Free automatically turn services back on.
• 🤖 Some firmware (for example, on Xiaomi s MIUI) forced integration tape in system applications.

How to prevent:

• 🔧 Use third-party launchers (for example, Nova) - they do not depend on system updates.
• 📵 Disable auto-update for Google and Samsung Free to Google Play.
• 🛡️ Install update blocker (for example, Package Disabler for Samsung).

⚠️ Attention: On devices with MIUI 14+ and ColorOS 13+ (for example, Oppo Reno, Realme GT), the news feed may be part of the system application com.miui.home or com.oppo.launcher. through ADB may lead to interface malfunctions.

7. Alternative methods: disabling notifications and limiting data

If you don't need complete blocking, but want to reduce the intrusiveness of the feed, you can:

Disable notifications:

• 🔔 For Google Discover: Settings → Applications → Google → Notifications → Disable all.
• 📢 For Samsung Free: Settings → Notifications → Samsung Free → Disable.

Limit mobile traffic:

• 📡 Go to Settings → Connections → Data usage → Mobile data.
• 🔍 Find Google or Samsung Free and turn off mobile data for them.

Use power saving mode:

• 🔋 Add Google and Samsung Free to the list of applications optimized to save battery.
• 🛑 On Xiaomi enable "Deep optimization" for these services in the battery settings.

These methods will not remove the news feed completely, but will make it less intrusive and save device resources.

8. Common mistakes and how to avoid them

When trying to disable the news feed, users often encounter problems. common:

Error 1: Tape returns after reboot

🔹 Cause: System applications (Google, Samsung Free) are automatically restarted.

🔧 Solution:

• Use ADB to completely disable (section 4).
• Set Greenify to force stop services.

Error 2: There is no “Disable feed” item in the settings

🔹 Cause: The manufacturer has hidden the option (typical for Samsung, Xiaomi).

🔧 Solution:

• Try a third-party launcher (section 3).
• Disable updates for Samsung Free in Galaxy Store.

Error 3: After disconnecting, the weather or calendar widgets disappeared

🔹 Cause: Some widgets are tied to services Google Discover or Samsung Free.

🔧 Solution:

• Install alternative widgets (for example, Weather Timeline for weather).
• Use KWGT to create custom widgets.

adb shell pm uninstall --user 0 com.google.android.apps.magazines