What Will Happen If I Disable Samsung Internet?

Disabling Samsung Internet on your Samsung device isn’t as cataclysmic as some might fear, but it does have specific consequences. Essentially, you’ll be preventing the app from running and potentially freeing up resources. However, it doesn’t completely remove it from your device. You’ll primarily be switching to a different default browser for handling web links and browsing activities.

Understanding the Impact: A Deep Dive

Let’s break down the precise impact of disabling Samsung Internet:

• No More Default Browser Status: This is the most immediate change. When you tap on a link in an email, text message, or another app, Samsung Internet will no longer be the default browser to open it. Your phone will either prompt you to choose another browser or automatically open the link in your pre-selected alternative (like Chrome, Firefox, or Brave).

• No Active Background Processes: Disabling the app prevents it from running in the background. This can translate to a small gain in battery life and a reduction in RAM usage. The impact is typically minimal, especially on newer, more powerful Samsung devices, but it can be noticeable on older models with limited resources.

• Inability to Launch Directly: You won’t be able to open Samsung Internet by tapping its icon on your home screen or app drawer. The app is effectively rendered inactive.

• Data Remains Intact: Importantly, disabling the app doesn’t delete your browsing history, bookmarks, saved passwords, or other data associated with Samsung Internet. This data will remain stored on your device. If you re-enable the app later, all your information will be restored. To completely remove the data, you’d need to clear the app’s cache and data storage through your phone’s settings.

• Samsung-Specific Features Become Unavailable: Samsung Internet offers unique features like Smart Anti-Tracking, Secret Mode, and integration with Samsung Pass. Disabling the app means you’ll temporarily lose access to these functionalities. If you rely heavily on these features, consider whether disabling the app is truly the best option.

• Potential Conflicts Resolved: In some rare cases, Samsung Internet might conflict with other apps or services, leading to performance issues. Disabling it can sometimes resolve these conflicts, allowing other apps to function more smoothly. However, this is a less common reason for disabling the browser.

• Impact on Webviews: While not directly noticeable, some apps use what’s called a “webview” to display web content within the app itself. On Android, the Chrome browser often acts as the system webview. Disabling Samsung Internet won’t directly affect the system webview unless Samsung Internet had somehow been set as the system webview provider, which is unlikely by default.

• No Uninstall, Only Disable: Unlike some pre-installed apps, Samsung Internet generally can’t be fully uninstalled from Samsung devices. The disable option is the closest you get to removing it.

Why Would You Disable Samsung Internet?

There are several legitimate reasons why someone might choose to disable Samsung Internet:

• Preference for Another Browser: Many users simply prefer other browsers like Chrome, Firefox, or DuckDuckGo due to their features, interface, or privacy settings.

• Resource Management: On older or lower-end devices, disabling unused apps, including Samsung Internet, can free up valuable system resources, leading to a slight performance boost.

• Privacy Concerns: While Samsung Internet offers privacy features, some users might prefer the privacy policies and settings of alternative browsers.

• Avoiding Duplicate Functionality: Having multiple browsers installed can feel redundant, especially if you only actively use one.

Re-Enabling Samsung Internet

If you decide you want to use Samsung Internet again, re-enabling it is a simple process:

1. Go to your phone’s Settings.
2. Navigate to Apps.
3. Find Samsung Internet in the list of apps (you may need to filter to show disabled apps).
4. Tap on Samsung Internet.
5. Select Enable.

Once enabled, Samsung Internet will be fully functional again, and you can set it as your default browser if desired.

FAQs: Your Burning Questions Answered

1. Will disabling Samsung Internet delete my browsing history and bookmarks?

No. Disabling the app only prevents it from running. Your browsing history, bookmarks, saved passwords, and other data will remain stored on your device and will be available if you re-enable the app. To permanently delete this data, you need to clear the app’s cache and data storage through your phone’s settings.

2. Can I uninstall Samsung Internet completely?

In most cases, no. Samsung Internet is usually a pre-installed system app and cannot be fully uninstalled without rooting your device (which is not recommended for most users). The “disable” option is the closest you can get to removing it.

3. Will disabling Samsung Internet improve my battery life?

Potentially, but the impact is typically minimal, especially on newer devices. Disabling the app prevents it from running in the background, which can save a small amount of battery power.

4. Will disabling Samsung Internet speed up my phone?

Similar to battery life, the performance improvement is likely to be subtle, particularly on modern devices with ample RAM and processing power. However, on older or lower-end devices, disabling unused apps can free up resources and potentially lead to a slight speed boost.

5. What happens if I click a link in an email after disabling Samsung Internet?

Your phone will either prompt you to choose a different browser or automatically open the link in your pre-selected alternative default browser (like Chrome or Firefox).

6. How do I set a different browser as my default after disabling Samsung Internet?

After disabling Samsung Internet, when you click on a link, you’ll likely be prompted to choose a browser. Select your preferred browser and choose “Always” to set it as the default. Alternatively, you can go to your phone’s Settings, then Apps, then Choose default apps, and select your preferred browser under “Browser app.”

7. Will disabling Samsung Internet affect other apps on my phone?

Generally, no. However, in rare cases where Samsung Internet is causing conflicts with other apps, disabling it might resolve those issues. Also, remember it might change the webview provider in rare cases.

8. Is it safe to disable Samsung Internet?

Yes, it is perfectly safe. Disabling the app will not harm your device or your data. You can always re-enable it later if you change your mind.

9. I use Samsung Pass with Samsung Internet. What happens to my saved passwords?

Your passwords saved in Samsung Pass will still be available, as Samsung Pass is a separate service. However, you won’t be able to use Samsung Pass within other browsers unless they have specific Samsung Pass integration or use the standard Android autofill service.

10. How do I clear the cache and data for Samsung Internet?

Go to your phone’s Settings, then Apps, then find Samsung Internet. Select “Storage” and then tap on “Clear cache” and “Clear data.” Be aware that clearing data will delete your browsing history, bookmarks, and saved passwords.

11. Does disabling Samsung Internet impact my ability to update my phone?

No, disabling Samsung Internet will not affect your ability to receive and install software updates for your Samsung phone.

12. Will disabling Samsung Internet prevent websites from tracking me?

Disabling Samsung Internet itself doesn’t directly prevent website tracking. You’ll still be tracked by websites you visit regardless of the browser. To enhance your privacy, consider using a browser with built-in tracking protection (like Brave or Firefox Focus) or installing privacy-focused browser extensions. Samsung Internet also has a built-in “Smart Anti-Tracking” feature, but that’s only effective when using Samsung Internet.