Stop Samsung News Updates: A Simple Guide
Hey tech enthusiasts! Ever feel bombarded with news alerts on your Samsung device, and just wish they would stop? You're not alone! Many users find these constant notifications disruptive, especially when they're trying to focus on other things. The good news is that you absolutely have control over what shows up on your screen. This guide will walk you through easy steps to stop Samsung news updates, ensuring a more streamlined and less cluttered experience. We'll delve into the various sources of these notifications, from Samsung's own apps to third-party services, and how to silence them effectively. So, whether you're tired of the Bixby news feed, those pesky Samsung Daily updates, or notifications from pre-installed news apps, we've got you covered. Let's dive in and take back control of your Samsung device's notifications, so you can enjoy your phone without the constant barrage of news alerts. Get ready to personalize your device and say goodbye to unwanted news!
Understanding Samsung News Sources
Before we start, it's essential to understand where these news updates come from. Samsung devices, like many smartphones, have various sources for news notifications. This includes Samsung's own apps and services, as well as apps you might have downloaded. Knowing the source helps you target the right settings to disable the updates. Let's break down the common culprits:
- Samsung Daily (or Samsung Free): This is a pre-installed app that aggregates news and other content. It’s often the primary source of news notifications on Samsung phones. It is frequently updated on different phones in different names. This can range from Samsung Daily, which was the previous app, to Samsung Free, and even Samsung News. These apps deliver a curated feed based on your interests, which is a great feature if you like it, but not so great if you don't. The updates often appear on your home screen or through a swipe gesture. Turning it off can significantly reduce the number of news notifications.
- Bixby Home: Bixby, Samsung's virtual assistant, can also display news updates as part of its home screen content. If you use Bixby, you're likely familiar with the cards that provide quick information, including news. Disabling this feature ensures Bixby will no longer provide news.
- Pre-installed News Apps: Samsung often includes apps like Flipboard or other news aggregators. These apps are designed to keep you informed but can also generate unwanted notifications. Each app has its own notification settings. Some phones, particularly those bought through a specific carrier, may come with pre-installed news apps from the provider as well. These apps often cannot be uninstalled, but their notifications can be disabled.
- Third-Party Apps: You might have installed news apps like Google News, or other apps that send news alerts. Controlling notifications from these apps is often easier since you directly manage them through the app's settings or your device's notification settings.
By knowing these sources, you'll be well-prepared to eliminate the Samsung news updates that bug you. In the following sections, we will explore the detailed steps to disable notifications for each of these sources, to gain complete control over what your phone shows you.
Disabling News Updates from Samsung Daily/Free
Let’s start with the most common source of news alerts: Samsung Daily or Samsung Free. These apps are notorious for their frequent news updates. Fortunately, turning off these notifications is usually straightforward.
- Locate the App: Find the Samsung Daily or Samsung Free app on your home screen or in your app drawer. It's usually represented by an icon with a news-related graphic.
- Access App Settings: Long-press the app icon. This will bring up a menu with options, and you'll want to tap on "App info." Alternatively, you can go into your device's settings, tap on "Apps," and scroll to find Samsung Daily or Samsung Free.
- Disable Notifications: Within the app info, you'll see a section for "Notifications." Tap on it to open the notification settings. There, you'll find a toggle switch to turn off all notifications. You can also customize the notification settings in more detail, blocking specific types of notifications like headlines or breaking news.
- Additional Settings: In some cases, you may find additional settings within the app itself. Open the app and look for settings in the app's menu (usually accessed by tapping on three dots or a gear icon). You might find settings to disable specific news categories or turn off the news feed entirely.
By following these steps, you can significantly reduce or eliminate news notifications from the Samsung Daily or Samsung Free app. You might also find it beneficial to uninstall the app if you don't use it. However, this is not always possible on all Samsung devices because they often are considered system apps. Disabling notifications is usually the best approach if uninstalling is not an option.
Turning Off News in Bixby Home
If you use Bixby on your Samsung device, you'll likely receive news updates through Bixby Home. Here's how to stop them:
- Access Bixby Home: Swipe right on your home screen to access Bixby Home.
- Open Bixby Settings: In Bixby Home, look for a settings option (usually a gear icon or three dots). Tap on it to open Bixby's settings.
- Manage Content: Within the settings, you'll find options to manage the content displayed in Bixby Home. This section might be labeled "Cards," "Content," or something similar.
- Disable News Cards: Look for news-related cards in the settings. You can disable these cards individually or turn off the news feed altogether. You might also find options to customize the types of news you see or the frequency of updates.
Alternatively, you can also access the settings by going into your device settings, tapping on "Apps," finding the Bixby app, and then navigating to the notification settings. From there, you can disable all notifications related to Bixby Home.
By following these steps, you can keep news updates from bothering you in Bixby Home. This will keep your feed clear of unwanted content.
Managing Notifications from Pre-installed News Apps
Samsung devices often come with pre-installed news apps, like Flipboard. Here’s how to manage notifications from these apps:
- Find the App: Locate the pre-installed news app on your home screen or in your app drawer. It's usually indicated by its icon.
- Long-Press and Access App Info: Long-press the app icon and tap on "App info." Alternatively, go to your device's settings, tap on "Apps," and find the news app.
- Disable Notifications: In the app info, tap on "Notifications." You'll find a toggle switch to disable all notifications from that app. If you prefer to customize, you can block specific categories of notifications.
- Customize Notification Settings: Some pre-installed apps provide additional settings within the app itself. Open the app and look for a settings menu, where you can further customize notification preferences.
If uninstalling the app is an option, it is a great way to completely stop the notifications from this application. Unfortunately, in many cases, especially when the app comes pre-installed by the phone manufacturer or your carrier, you cannot uninstall it. In this case, disabling notifications is a more practical solution to stop Samsung news updates. This will prevent news from these apps from popping up and save you the hassle of seeing more unwanted notifications.
Controlling News Alerts from Third-Party Apps
Besides Samsung's apps, you might receive news alerts from third-party news apps like Google News or other news aggregators. Here's how to manage their notifications:
- Locate the App: Find the third-party news app on your device.
- Access App Settings: Long-press the app icon and select "App info." You can also go to your device's settings, tap "Apps," and find the app.
- Disable or Customize Notifications: In the app info, tap on "Notifications." Here, you can disable all notifications or customize by blocking specific notification categories. You can also customize your notification settings. You might have the option to allow only certain types of notifications, such as breaking news or alerts from specific sources.
- App-Specific Settings: Open the news app and check its settings. Many apps offer more granular control over notifications, allowing you to turn off alerts for specific topics or set the frequency of updates.
Managing third-party apps is usually straightforward. You have full control over their notification settings. Use these methods to stop Samsung news updates from third-party apps, making sure you can customize your news experience to your preferences.
Additional Tips for Managing Notifications
Here are some extra tips to further manage notifications on your Samsung device, along with the steps on how to do so:
- Use Do Not Disturb Mode: Activate Do Not Disturb mode to silence all notifications during specific times. This is perfect for when you're working, sleeping, or simply need uninterrupted time. You can customize the mode to allow notifications from certain contacts or apps.
- Go to Settings > Notifications > Do Not Disturb and customize to your needs.
- Notification History: Samsung devices have a notification history feature that lets you see a log of all past notifications, even those you've dismissed. This can be helpful if you accidentally dismiss an important notification and need to review it. To use it, you must first enable it.
- Go to Settings > Notifications > Advanced Settings > Notification History and toggle it on.
- Review App Permissions: Periodically review the permissions granted to your apps. Make sure that news apps don’t have access to unnecessary permissions that might trigger unwanted notifications. For example, if a weather app asks to send you news, and you don’t want it to, then revoke that permission.
- Go to Settings > Apps, select an app, tap on Permissions, and review and adjust the permissions.
- Update Your Device: Keep your Samsung device updated with the latest software. Updates often include improvements to notification management and better control over pre-installed apps.
- Go to Settings > Software Update > Download and Install.
These tips can make your phone experience even better by getting rid of the excess Samsung news updates.
Conclusion: Taking Control of Your Samsung Notifications
Congratulations! You've successfully learned how to stop Samsung news updates and take back control of your phone’s notification settings. By following the steps outlined in this guide, you can significantly reduce the number of unwanted news alerts, ensuring a more focused and enjoyable user experience. Remember to regularly review your notification settings and customize them according to your preferences. Whether it’s Samsung Daily, Bixby Home, or any third-party app, you now have the tools to manage your notifications effectively. Enjoy a cleaner, more personalized Samsung experience, free from the constant stream of news alerts. You're now equipped to manage your device and customize your settings.