The topic 4 apps I always remove from every Samsung Galaxy phone is currently the subject of lively discussion — readers and analysts are keeping a close eye on developments.
This is taking place in a dynamic environment: companies’ decisions and competitors’ reactions can quickly change the picture.
I’m a huge fan of Samsung’s Galaxy lineup, but one thing I still don’t love is how many apps come preinstalled out of the box. Yes, I know Google’s Pixel phones also come with plenty of preloaded apps, but Samsung takes it a step further by shipping its own alternatives to apps you probably use every day. Samsung seems to realize this, too, which is probably why it’s discontinuing its Messages app in July and pushing users toward Google Messages instead.
Besides the duplicates, Samsung also loves throwing in promotional apps that many people never touch. Now, as someone who has been using the Galaxy Z Flip 5 for the past couple of years, I don’t think most of Samsung’s preinstalled apps are useless. I personally like My Files and, more importantly, Samsung Wallet, which works better than Google Wallet for tap-to-pay transactions, at least where I live. That said, not every app deserves a spot in my app drawer, which is why there are always a few I remove almost immediately.
I have nothing against Samsung’s native web browser. In fact, I enjoyed using it back during the Samsung Galaxy Note 8 days, mainly because it had a cleaner interface and supported ad blockers, unlike Google Chrome. So, I totally get why some Galaxy users would swear by it. The thing is, I’m already using Chrome across all my devices, so using Samsung Browser just when I’m using my Z Flip 5 feels pointless.
It’s just more convenient to use Chrome and have all my saved passwords, history, bookmarks, and even open tabs synced across every device I use. Sure, you could argue Samsung Browser has a Windows app now, but I’m not just using a PC. I have an iPhone, an iPad, and even a MacBook, so Chrome just makes more sense for a consistent browsing experience.
Just like Samsung Browser, Samsung Notes feels like another app I simply don’t need when Google Keep already has me covered, no matter what device I use. Yes, I know Google Keep isn’t available as a standalone app for Windows or Mac, but at least I can access it from the web, unlike Samsung Notes. That alone makes it far more practical for someone like me who constantly switches between different devices.
That said, I probably would’ve used Samsung Notes if I had something like the Galaxy S26 Ultra with an S Pen, but on my Z Flip 5, I mostly use notes for article ideas, reminders, or shopping lists. For the way I use a notes app right now, which is pretty basic, Google Keep does everything I need while keeping all my notes synced across all my devices, including my iPhone and iPad. So, Samsung Notes would pretty much be dead weight on my phone.
Unlike the two apps we just discussed, Samsung TV Plus is a bit different because it isn’t trying to replace another app I already use. I just remove it because I have no use for it. It’s essentially a free but ad-supported streaming service that gives you access to live TV channels, along with some movies and shows. This may appeal to some of you, but considering I watch Netflix like twice a year, I don’t see myself ever using it.
Watching live TV on my Z Flip 5’s small screen doesn’t sound appealing to me either. I wouldn’t mind watching sports when I’m out and about, like the FIFA World Cup, but Samsung TV Plus doesn’t offer any premium sports channels where I live that I’d actually care about. And when I do want to watch something, it’s usually on my OLED TV, monitor, or even my iPad, not my phone.
I can’t really criticize Samsung for this, since I’ve never seen another smartphone maker do anything like this. Even Apple supports plenty of social-impact initiatives, but not via a dedicated iPhone app. Samsung Global Goals directly supports the UN’s Sustainable development Goals by raising awareness and encouraging users to contribute through donations or simply by watching ads.
Watching ads to earn money for charity is honestly a pretty clever idea, and I genuinely respect Samsung for trying something different here. However, if I ever want to support a cause or donate to something meaningful, I’d rather do it directly instead of through an app sitting in my app drawer. Sure, it makes donating easy for those who want to, but I’d rather support causes in my local community first.
I wouldn’t really call any of these apps bloatware because most of them are actually decent at what they do. If I only used Samsung devices, I’d probably keep Samsung Browser and Samsung Notes since they’d make a lot more sense within that ecosystem. But since I have an iPhone, iPad, MacBook, and a Windows PC, I value cross-platform compatibility more than the app’s quality. If I can get things done across my devices with the fewest apps, I consider that a win. After all, I’m sure many of you wouldn’t want to scroll through pages of apps just to find the ones you actually use.