topic Re: Automatic app downloads in Galaxy S25

Disable automatic app downloads?

Sukimorse — Wed, 09 Jul 2025 22:40:39 GMT

How do I disable automatic download of apps to my phone, Samsung Galaxy s25 Ultra, especially games.

Re: Automatic app downloads

realaud — Mon, 07 Jul 2025 19:42:59 GMT

If you have a carrier branded device, I am sorry, you cannot stop them. Your carrier agreement states that they can install apps and games. They get money from the developers for this. You can uninstall them, but they have the right to do it. It's the price you pay for any discounts you get on the device.

Re: Re: Automatic app downloads

Sukimorse — Mon, 07 Jul 2025 19:52:03 GMT

Ok thanks. I noticed it's through Game Hub. Not sure if I need that for my games I have.

Re: Re: Automatic app downloads

realaud — Mon, 07 Jul 2025 19:59:34 GMT

The gaming hub is part of the operating system, located in your settings/advanced features. You don't need it for the games you have, I think it serves as a central locator for all your games. It can be turned off, but not uninstalled. I don't have it on. I have a few game apps on my phone, but they are simple games, so I don't need the hub or game booster. I believe they end up "registered" in the gaming hub, but that's not where they reside or how the carrier downloads them, so turning it off will likely have no effect on that.

Re: Re: Re: Automatic app downloads

Sukimorse — Mon, 07 Jul 2025 20:01:19 GMT

Ok. Thanks

Re: Automatic app downloads

SamsungMod — Mon, 07 Jul 2025 20:03:56 GMT

Hello Sukimorse, Welcome to the Community. We understand how frustrating it is for apps to be downloaded automatically.

@realaud is correct that several service providers do this on carrier branded phones. Gaming Hub can be disabled without it affecting your games, just make sure to allow the games to be placed with your other apps. https://www.samsung.com/us/support/answer/ANS10002536/

Try looking for an app called App Cloud or AppSelector (Name depends on your service provider), or other similar app. You can Force Stop and Disabled these apps to prevent the automatic downloads

Re: Re: Automatic app downloads

Sukimorse — Mon, 07 Jul 2025 20:06:12 GMT

Thank you. I was able to uninstall the Gaming Hub

Re: Automatic app downloads

justafacelessguyinaO — Mon, 07 Jul 2025 20:47:42 GMT

I used to have this problem, I solved it in several ways, now nothing unexpected happens like that, I'll share how I did it..

First, I changed everything to do updates over Wi-Fi, not cellular.

I then turn off Wi-Fi unless I need it, which is very very rarely ever..

My carrier plan is "unlimited" so let them carry the costs i say, when something wants to "update" it has to ask me first, nicely it leaves me in control, mostly.. 😂

Next, I shutdown two service apps who job it is to make you annoyed for various reasons:
Customization Service (Samsung) & Android System Intelligence aka “Device Personalization Services” (Google).

Yes, there are some apps you might want to use that use those two nowadays, but i leave it up to you to search for more info instead of just my penny words..

Re: Re: Automatic app downloads

Sukimorse — Mon, 07 Jul 2025 21:06:42 GMT

Thank I will try that.

Re: Automatic app downloads

Youu — Tue, 08 Jul 2025 12:36:46 GMT

Galaxy app store
Google play store settings

Re: Re: Automatic app downloads

Sukimorse — Tue, 08 Jul 2025 15:35:46 GMT

Thanks

Auto download

jim73018 — Fri, 22 Aug 2025 11:56:33 GMT

My s25 ultra is doing this thing where it downloads a game of the week. Back when I firstset up phone, I kept getting a notification to finish setting up. Got annoying so I finally went into it and it was asking me about my app preferences. I clicked through making sure I hadn't checked any of the boxes on the apps displayed, but I guess I missed a box that allows it to do these downloads.

Re: Auto download

realaud — Fri, 22 Aug 2025 17:10:28 GMT

If you have a carrier locked phone, therr is nothing you can do about this other than dete the apps you don't want. Samsung does not send games or apps that you did not select .to download

Re: Auto download

MrGhoul — Fri, 22 Aug 2025 13:29:26 GMT

Ya, some carriers are notorious for automatically downloading games on locked phones. Just uninstall the game apps when they appear.

Re: Auto download

jim73018 — Fri, 22 Aug 2025 13:52:57 GMT

Well dangit. It is on at&t. I got it home and was completing file transfer and initial setup. That one notification kept popping up. Figured if I didn't select anything I would be good

Re: Re: Auto download

Robin621k — Fri, 22 Aug 2025 15:46:46 GMT

Mobile carriers receive compensation from application developers for pre-installing their software on customer devices. This practice helps to subsidize the cost of the device, whether through discounts or installment plans. This is a consequence of not purchasing a factory-unlocked device directly from Samsung.

Re: Re: Auto download

meself — Fri, 22 Aug 2025 23:51:28 GMT

After initial set up not noticed that coming up again on any phone I had i usually just skip that step or close it in apps you can uninstall any games etc

Maybe robots can get us out of this mess

JeepLiberty — Fri, 26 Sep 2025 23:24:15 GMT

I used to be able to sign up for forums then enjoyed wandering around and exploring with little to no difficulty. But now I don't even know if my User name was accepted? Everything to me now seems like there's so much missing. Many steps we take now are not validated, meaning I finished this step, and now I'm moving to the next one. Also that last UI Update radically changed the defaut Reminder app so much I honestly could not find a way in which to leave a note to myself. But the next day I was calm and determined to make it work.

Realistically, I expect 'Change' and embrace it if it's positive, if it's not, which is usually the case lately, then I feel disgusted and annoyed.

BTW Since my new phone I'm getting a weekly install of some random gaming apps. Not a big deal, but similar to a samsung update, I'm just not to keen on someone having their way with me after I'm the one who recently paid out $1000. My money My Phone and any charges to it should be with my consent. And that includes YOU Mr. Samsung!

Re: Maybe robots can get us out of this mess

meself — Fri, 26 Sep 2025 23:32:13 GMT

The games are from your carrier

Re: Maybe robots can get us out of this mess

CEParsons — Fri, 26 Sep 2025 23:42:29 GMT

I'm not sure I understand the first part of your post.

As for the latter part, regarding the game installs, Samsung does not auto-install games on your phone.

It is your carrier installing the bloat on your carrier-locked phone. Service providers are paid by app developers to bundle apps into updates.

To avoid bloat being installed on your device, it is recommended to buy your devices factory unlocked directly from Samsung.