Samsung is shutting down its Samsung News app on Galaxy phones and tablets, according to a SamMobile report. The move continues Samsung’s push to consolidate its app lineup around Google services. However, the exact shutdown date varies by region.
Samsung News has served as the main news aggregation app on Galaxy devices for years. Specifically, it pulled content from publishers and showed personalized news on home screens and lock screens. In addition, the app linked with Samsung Free, the aggregator Samsung previously used in multiple markets.
Samsung is not the first time cutting its own app in favor of a Google alternative. For example, Samsung Messages is also winding down in the US starting July 2026 as users move to Google Messages. Furthermore, Samsung recently announced discontinuation plans for Samsung Daily Plus on smart TVs. The company also plans to shut down the AR Doodle and Quick Measure apps.
The pattern reflects a broader Samsung strategy. The company has gradually dropped overlapping first-party apps that duplicate Google services. As a result, Google News and Discover are now the recommended alternatives for Samsung News users on Android.
Samsung Free, the broader aggregator that often connected with Samsung News, is also winding down across several markets. For instance, Samsung has posted Samsung Free discontinuation notices in Hong Kong, India, UAE, Australia, and other regions. Furthermore, these notices confirm that the service will stop operating on affected Galaxy devices.
Galaxy users who still rely on Samsung News should prepare for the change. First, they can migrate to Google News or Discover for similar personalized feeds. In addition, Google Discover already appears on most Galaxy home screens through the leftmost panel. Furthermore, third-party news apps like Flipboard, Inshorts, and SmartNews remain alternatives.
Samsung has not confirmed any user data migration path. Specifically, bookmarked articles and subscription preferences inside Samsung News may not carry over to Google products. As a result, users should save important bookmarks before the shutdown date reaches their region.
Samsung dominates the Android smartphone market in Pakistan, especially in the mid-range Galaxy A series. In addition, many Pakistani users rely on Samsung News for curated local and international headlines. However, Google News and Discover work well in Pakistan and already serve Pakistani publishers. As a result, the transition should remain smooth for most Pakistani users who update their default news app in time.
