Written by Sabrina Ortiz for ZDNET
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Samsung smartphones have earned a prominent reputation for their proprietary software layer known as One UI, widely regarded as one of the most coherent, polished, and user-centric Android interfaces available. Beyond its visually appealing design, One UI emphasizes functionality and deep customization, granting users remarkable control over the appearance and behavior of their devices. Yet, this flexibility comes with a notable trade-off: a considerable number of Samsung phones arrive loaded with preinstalled applications that many users regard as bloatware—software that occupies storage space without delivering consistent value.

Certain native Samsung apps, such as Samsung Wearable and Samsung Wallet, serve practical purposes, especially for users deeply integrated into the broader Samsung ecosystem of connected devices and services. Nevertheless, numerous other proprietary apps remain largely untouched, even by dedicated Samsung enthusiasts who are otherwise deeply invested in the brand’s ecosystem. In fact, there are at least five first‑party apps that most users either ignore or disable soon after setting up their phones.

Although the exact collection of preinstalled programs may differ based on model, price bracket, and product lineup, a substantial number of them appear consistently across Galaxy devices, from flagship phones to budget offerings. While complete removal of these apps is not always possible through standard settings, Samsung fortunately allows most of them to be disabled. This means they can cease consuming processing resources or background battery usage, and they can always be reactivated later should the need arise.

It is important to recognize that these apps are not inherently useless or poorly designed. Their relevance depends deeply on an individual’s preferences and daily smartphone use. For someone who prioritizes performance optimization and battery efficiency over auxiliary features, disabling or uninstalling such software can free up valuable memory while extending overall battery life.

**1. Samsung Global Goals**
The Samsung Global Goals app is designed to promote sustainability and social responsibility by connecting smartphone owners with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Through this app, users can contribute to worthy global causes, either by donating their own funds or by generating ad-based revenue that Samsung allocates toward developmental initiatives. Samsung describes the app as a global movement aimed at enhancing the planet’s well‑being and improving people’s lives by the year 2030—a noble endeavor that aligns the company’s expansive reach with charitable impact. Nevertheless, not all consumers wish to make charitable contributions through a corporate app interface, nor do they necessarily want such a tool preinstalled on personal devices intended primarily for communication and productivity. Thus, while commendable in concept, Samsung Global Goals may not be universally welcomed or utilized.

**2. Samsung Free**
Samsung Free is a multimedia platform offering an assorted mix of services, including streaming films, television shows, live television channels, headline news, and casual gaming—all at no monetary cost. Structurally, it overlaps significantly with the company’s other entertainment products, most notably Samsung TV Plus. Within the Samsung Free app itself, a prominent “Watch on TV Plus” option redirects users to that separate service, further emphasizing the redundancy. In addition to video content, two additional tabs, “Read” and “Play,” allow access to current news articles and instant-play games, respectively. While this multifaceted approach attempts to create an all‑in‑one portal for leisure activities, many users perceive it as an unnecessary compilation of features. The app essentially blends aspects of the Galaxy Store, TV Plus, and casual game centers, yet contributes little unique functionality. Accordingly, users seeking a streamlined device experience may prefer to uninstall Samsung Free during initial setup, eliminating unnecessary clutter and improving responsiveness.

**3. Samsung TV Plus**
Samsung TV Plus operates as a free, ad-supported video streaming service owned and managed by Samsung. It provides instant access to hundreds of channels—over 1,200 distributed across 24 countries—spanning various genres, from news and sports to entertainment and documentaries. For users without active subscriptions to prominent streaming platforms, this application can serve as a convenient way to consume free content, occasionally even hosting films that would otherwise require payment on other services such as Amazon Prime Video. However, the platform differs significantly from major premium services like Apple TV+ or Prime Video, in that Samsung does not produce or license original programming exclusive to TV Plus. This limits its appeal to casual viewers rather than devoted streamers. Consequently, if you already maintain subscriptions to established providers like Netflix, HBO Max, or Disney+, the inclusion of Samsung TV Plus may represent nothing more than an extraneous icon occupying screen real estate and consuming background resources. Disabling or uninstalling it will not impair the phone’s core functionality and can streamline your media apps considerably.

**4. Samsung Shop**
As its name implies, Samsung Shop is the company’s dedicated retail and promotional application through which users can browse, purchase, and monitor Samsung products. The app curates personalized recommendations, presenting device offers, loyalty benefits, and special discounts associated with registered products. Functionally, it resembles Apple’s Store app found on iPhones, serving as a convenient digital storefront. Yet, for many users, the experience can become intrusive rather than helpful, particularly because of frequent promotional notifications that appear in the notification panel, cluttering the otherwise clean and refined One UI interface. These offers, while potentially beneficial to frequent Samsung shoppers, can easily be accessed directly through the brand’s official website instead. For users seeking a distraction‑free and performance‑optimized smartphone experience, uninstalling or disabling Samsung Shop can therefore be a sensible step toward decluttering the device and conserving onboard storage space.

**5. Samsung Kids**
The Samsung Kids app is tailored for young users and aims to provide an age‑appropriate digital environment where children can safely play, learn, and develop essential cognitive and problem‑solving skills. The company promotes it as a secure space designed to foster healthy digital habits, complete with parental controls and activity monitoring features that help guardians manage screen time effectively. For parents, such functionality can be genuinely useful, offering peace of mind and ensuring their children’s interaction with technology remains guided and positive. However, for the substantial portion of Galaxy users without children, Samsung Kids functions primarily as unused software that occupies storage and occasionally triggers unsolicited notifications—often the result of accidentally tapping the “Allow” prompt. In such cases, most users would prefer to disable or remove the app entirely.

Beyond these five main examples, most Samsung Galaxy devices also include preinstalled Microsoft utilities and popular social media platforms such as Facebook and Snapchat, alongside other Samsung-developed tools like Gaming Hub. While some of these applications may offer clear value for particular demographics—for instance, Gaming Hub appeals to mobile gamers seeking integrated access to cloud services—users focused on productivity, privacy, or minimalist setups often regard them as unnecessary baggage.

Ultimately, the presence of preinstalled software reflects Samsung’s effort to provide a comprehensive, all‑in‑one ecosystem. However, that same abundance can hinder system performance for those who prefer efficiency and simplicity. As an informed user, it is advisable to review every installed app once the device configuration is complete, assessing each one’s genuine utility. By uninstalling or disabling the software that fails to contribute meaningfully to your daily workflow, you can transform a cluttered device into a faster, more responsive, and personalized smartphone that truly serves your own needs rather than the manufacturer’s promotional agenda.

Sourse: https://www.zdnet.com/article/5-samsung-bloatware-apps-you-should-delete-asap-and-likely-wont-miss/