Many smartphone owners Samsung are faced with a situation where when they swipe right on the main screen, a news feed opens Samsung Free. This content aggregator, which offers articles, videos and coupons, is often perceived by users as an extra element that takes up space and distracts from the main tasks. This is especially true for those who prefer a minimalistic interface or already use alternative news sources.
Fortunately, the shell developers have provided the ability to completely disable this function, although there is no “delete” button in the usual sense. The deactivation process takes only a few seconds, but requires knowing the exact path in the launcher settings. In this article, we will look in detail at how to get rid of the obsessive tape, and also discuss the nuances of working with One UI They have provided the ability to completely disable this function, although there is no “delete” button in the usual sense. The deactivation process takes only a few seconds, but requires knowing the exact path in the launcher settings. In this article we will look in detail at how to get rid of an obsessive tape, and also discuss the nuances of working with Google Discoverwhich may replace it.
It is worth noting that the names of services and the location of the menu may vary slightly depending on the firmware version and the region where the device is sold. If you do not find an item with the name Samsung Free, look for a similar section related to news reports or content aggregation.
What is Samsung Free and why disable it
Samsung Free is a built-in platform for reading news, watching short videos and accessing exclusive offers, integrated directly into the shell One UI. By default, it is activated on the left screen (when you swipe to the right of the home screen) immediately after the initial setup of the smartphone. The system actively promotes this service, trying to keep the user's attention within the manufacturer's ecosystem.
However, for many users, the presence of such a feed becomes a source of irritation. Accidental swipes lead to opening news instead of quickly accessing widgets or empty space. In addition, the background operation of the service can consume RAM battery power, although in insignificant amounts. Disabling the function allows you to restore the purity of the interface and speed up navigation on desktops.
⚠️ Attention: Disabling Samsung Free does not completely remove the application from the system, but only hides its access panel. This is standard behavior for system components Samsungthat cannot be uninstalled without root access.
If you are used to news feeds, but want to change the source, you should know that after disabling the Korean aggregator you can activate Google Discover. This is a more familiar service to many, which is better integrated with search results and browsing history in a Google account.
Step-by-step guide for disabling via screen settings
The most reliable and safest way to remove an extra panel is to use the standard launcher settings. This method does not require the installation of third-party software and guarantees stable operation of the system after changes are made. The algorithm of actions is the same for most modern models Galaxyworking on base Android 10 and newer.
First, unlock the device and go to the main screen. Make sure you are on the central page with application icons, and not on the all apps menu. Then you need to call the interface context menu. To do this, long press with your finger on any free space of the wallpaper. An alternative option is to make a gesture of bringing two fingers to the center of the screen (pinch).
After this, the interface will become smaller and the page control panel will appear at the bottom. Find and click on the Settings button (gear icon) located in the lower right corner. The home screen options menu will open, where we are interested in the section Samsung Free screen (or simply “Samsung Free” in older versions).
☑️ Shutdown algorithm
B In the menu that opens, you will see a switch. If it is active (highlighted blue or green), click on it to deactivate the function. The system may ask you to confirm the action or show a pop-up window asking you to try the service again - feel free to choose refusal or confirm disabling.
If the switch is inactive (gray), check if Samsung Free is set as the default application for opening news links in the system settings.
After turning off, return to the main screen and swipe to the right. The panel should disappear, replaced by empty space or widgets if you have previously configured them. Changes take effect instantly and do not require rebooting the device.
Replacement with Google Discover: pros and cons
After you have removed Samsung Free, the system may offer to enable an alternative - feed Google Discover. This solution is often preferable for users who are deeply integrated into services Google. The feed generates results based on your search queries, location and interests, which makes the content more relevant.
However, it is worth considering the differences in approaches to privacy. If Samsung aggregates content from partner publications, then Google uses complex machine learning algorithms to analyze your behavior. For some, this is a plus in the form of personalization, for others it is a minus in terms of data privacy.
| Characteristics | Samsung Free | Google Discover |
|---|---|---|
| Content source | Affiliate media and TV channels | Search results and blogs |
| Personalization | Manual selection of topics of interest | Automatic based on history |
| Integration | Deep with One UI shell | Deep with account Google |
| Advertising | Present in the form of coupons | Present in the general feed |
To activate Google Discover instead of a remote competitor, go to the home screen settings again via a long tap. Find the item Google Screen and activate it. You will need to log into your account and allow data collection to create a feed.
What happens if you don't select anything?
If you turn off Samsung Free and don't turn on Google Discover, swiping right will simply not do anything. The screen will remain static, which is ideal for lovers of minimalism and quick access to widgets without unnecessary noise.
Display problems and interface bugs
Sometimes users are faced with a situation where, after disconnecting, the panel continues to appear or the interface begins to work unstable. This may be due to data caching by the launcher One UI Home. In such cases, simply restarting the smartphone often solves the problem, clearing temporary files and applying new configuration settings.
A more difficult case is when the disable option is missing from the menu or the switch is reset back to the on position. This behavior can be observed on devices provided by telecom operators with pre-installed mandatory software, or on firmware versions with errors. Clearing the launcher application data will help here.
To do this, go to Settings → Applications. Find it in the list One UI Home (or “Home screen”). Go to the section Memory and click the button Clear data. Don't be afraid, your icons and widgets will not disappear, but the page order and wallpaper settings will be reset if they are not synchronized with your account.
⚠️ Attention: Resetting the launcher data will return the icon layout to the factory appearance. It is recommended to first take a screenshot of the desktop to quickly restore the usual structure.
If the problem persists even after a reset, check for system updates. Often, bugs with incorrect operation Samsung Free are corrected in security patches released monthly.
Clearing data from the One UI Home application is a radical but effective method of dealing with software glitches when standard shutdown does not work.
Using third-party launchers for complete freedom
If the built-in system tools do not give the desired result or you want to radically change the appearance of your smartphone, the best solution is to install a third-party launcher. Applications like Nova Launcher, Lawnchair or Microsoft Launcher completely replace the standard shell Samsung, providing deep customization capabilities.
The main advantage of such solutions is complete independence from system restrictions. In third-party launchers, the concept of “Samsung Free” simply does not exist. You decide how many screens to use, what gestures to assign and whether there will be a swipe to the side to call up news at all.
- 🚀 Nova Launcher: provides maximum flexibility in customizing the grid, icons and gestures, allowing you to create a unique interface.
- 🌿 Lawnchair: a lightweight and open launcher that simulates pure Android (Pixel Experience), ideal for lovers of minimalism.
- 💼 Microsoft Launcher: excellent integration with the Windows ecosystem and office applications, convenient for work.
After installing the new launcher, the system will ask which application to use as the default for the home screen. Select the installed option and click Always. The standard interface Samsung will be completely replaced, and the question “how to remove Samsung Free” will lose relevance, since it simply will not be in the new environment.
It is worth remembering that some proprietary functions Samsungsuch as specific themes or integration with Bixby may not work correctly or disappear when using third-party software. This is a fee for complete freedom to customize the interface.
Frequently asked questions and answers (FAQ)
Is it possible to completely remove the Samsung Free application through application settings?
No, in the standard application menu the "Delete" button for Samsung Free is inactive or missing, since it is a system one component. Only disabling through the home screen settings or freezing through ADB is available for advanced users.
Why did Samsung Free turn on again after the firmware update?
Major version updates Android or One UI sometimes reset the launcher settings to default values. In this case, you need to go through the disabling procedure again through the main screen settings.
Does disabling this function affect the speed of the smartphone?
There is no direct significant impact on overall performance, but disabling background loading of news can slightly reduce consumption RAM and traffic, which is useful for devices with limited resources.
How can I return Samsung Free if I change my mind?
The process is reversible. Go to the home screen settings (long tap on the desktop → Settings) and again activate the switch next to the item Samsung Free.
Is the process different on Samsung Galaxy Tab tablets?
Yes, the interface may be different on tablets. Often the feature is called "Samsung Global Goals" or integrated into the widget panel. The logic for disabling is similar: home screen settings → control panels.