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How to Finally Ditch Samsung News: A Comprehensive Guide

So, you’re tired of Samsung News cluttering your precious screen real estate? I get it. That curated feed, while sometimes helpful, can often feel like an unwelcome guest. The good news is, banishing it is usually a simple process, although it varies slightly depending on your Samsung device and software version. Here’s the straight dope on how to reclaim your home screen:

The core method for disabling Samsung News involves disabling Samsung Free (or Samsung Daily, depending on your device and Android version) or the Google Discover feed, which often appears as a similar news aggregator.

Here’s the step-by-step for most Samsung devices:

Head to your Home Screen: This is your base of operations.
Long Press on an Empty Space: Hold your finger down on an area of your home screen that doesn’t have an app or widget.
Swipe Left or Right: You’ll see panels appear, showcasing all your home screen pages. Keep swiping until you find the panel with Samsung Free (or Samsung Daily, or Google Discover).
Toggle the Switch: Look for a toggle at the top of the panel, usually labeled Samsung Free, Samsung Daily, or the name of the news aggregator. Simply switch it OFF.

Boom! Samsung News should be gone from your home screen. You might need to restart your device for the changes to fully take effect, but usually, it’s instantaneous.

Troubleshooting: What if it’s not that simple?

Sometimes, Samsung throws a curveball. Here are a few other scenarios you might encounter, and how to tackle them:

Using Bixby Home (Older Devices)

On older Samsung devices that used Bixby Home instead of Samsung Free, the process is slightly different:

Bixby Key: If your phone has a dedicated Bixby button, pressing it will launch Bixby Home.
Bixby Home Settings: Look for three dots (menu) within Bixby Home. Tap them.
Settings or Bixby Home Settings: Select ‘Settings’ or ‘Bixby Home Settings’ from the menu.
Disable Bixby Home: Find an option to disable Bixby Home. It might be labeled as “Bixby Home” or “Bixby Key.” Toggle it OFF.
Remap the Bixby Key (Optional): Some Samsung phones allow you to remap the Bixby key to open a different app or do nothing at all. This option is usually found in the device’s main settings under “Advanced Features” or “Buttons.”

Google Discover Replacing Samsung News

On some newer Samsung devices, especially those running more recent versions of Android, you might see Google Discover instead of Samsung Free or Samsung Daily. Disabling this is just as easy:

Same Starting Point: Long press on an empty space on your home screen.
Swipe to the Discover Panel: Find the panel displaying the Google Discover feed.
Toggle the Switch: Locate the toggle at the top of the panel and turn it OFF.

Using Third-Party Launchers

If you’re using a third-party launcher (like Nova Launcher or Action Launcher), the Samsung News feed might still be accessible through a separate gesture or screen. You’ll need to consult the specific settings of your launcher to disable it there. Generally, you’ll look for options related to “Feeds,” “Google Discover,” or “Samsung Free.”

Samsung News: Your Burning Questions Answered (FAQs)

Here are the answers to frequently asked questions about Samsung News.

1. What exactly is Samsung News (or Samsung Free/Daily)?

Samsung News, Samsung Free, and Samsung Daily are essentially news aggregator apps built into Samsung’s One UI (the software that runs on Samsung phones). They pull in news stories from various sources and present them in a curated feed. The specific name varies depending on your phone’s model and Android version.

2. Why does it keep coming back after I disable it?

This is rare, but sometimes updates can re-enable pre-installed apps. Double-check the steps above after any software update. Also, make sure you’re disabling it on the correct home screen panel. Sometimes, there’s confusion between different feed options.

3. Can I completely uninstall Samsung News?

Unfortunately, no. Samsung News (or Free/Daily) is typically a system app, meaning it’s baked into the operating system and cannot be fully uninstalled without rooting your device (which is not recommended for most users due to security risks and warranty implications). However, disabling it effectively removes it from your user experience.

4. Will disabling Samsung News affect other apps?

No. Disabling Samsung News only removes the news feed from your home screen. It won’t affect any other apps or functions on your phone.

5. Does disabling Samsung News save battery life?

Potentially, yes. Since Samsung News is constantly fetching updates in the background, disabling it can slightly improve battery life by reducing background activity. The impact is likely to be minimal, but every little bit helps!

6. I have Samsung News on my Edge Panel. How do I get rid of it?

The Edge Panel is a different beast. To remove Samsung News (or any other panel) from the Edge Panel:

Open Edge Panel: Swipe in from the edge of your screen where the Edge Panel handle is located.
Tap the Gear Icon: This opens the Edge Panel settings.
Uncheck the Panel: Find the Samsung News (or similar) panel in the list and uncheck the box next to it.

7. Is there a way to customize Samsung News instead of disabling it?

Yes, to some extent. Within the Samsung News or Samsung Free app itself, there are usually options to:

Choose Categories: Select the topics you’re interested in.
Block Sources: Prevent news from specific websites from appearing.
Customize Notifications: Control how often you receive notifications.
However, customization options are often limited.

8. Will disabling Samsung News affect my Bixby routines?

Potentially. If you have any Bixby routines that rely on Bixby Home or Samsung Free data, they might be affected. Review your routines and adjust them as needed.

9. I’m seeing news articles in my notifications even after disabling the app. Why?

This could be due to a few reasons:

Other News Apps: You might have other news apps installed that are sending notifications.
Browser Notifications: You might have accidentally subscribed to news notifications from websites in your browser. Check your browser settings to disable these.
Aggressive Apps: Some apps are overly aggressive with notifications. Check the app’s settings and disable notifications if necessary.

10. I have a tablet, not a phone. Is the process the same?

Yes, the general process is the same for Samsung tablets. Look for the Samsung Free or Google Discover panel on your home screen and disable it.

11. Why does Samsung pre-install these apps?

Manufacturers often pre-install apps for several reasons:

Revenue: They receive compensation from app developers for pre-installing their apps.
Ecosystem: They want to promote their own ecosystem of apps and services.
User Experience (Supposedly): They believe that these apps provide a valuable user experience (though many users disagree).

12. Is it possible to use ADB (Android Debug Bridge) to completely remove Samsung News?

Yes, it is possible to use ADB to uninstall system apps, including Samsung News. However, this is an advanced procedure that involves connecting your phone to a computer and using command-line tools. It’s crucial to follow instructions carefully, as incorrect commands can damage your device. It might void your warranty as well. While ADB is a valid option for tech-savvy users, it’s generally not recommended for beginners. Seek guidance from experienced users before attempting this.

There you have it. Armed with this knowledge, you can confidently banish Samsung News and reclaim your home screen. Now go forth and customize your phone to your liking!