6 Samsung Features I Disable Immediately on New Phones | Android Authority

Samsung’s latest software update, One UI 8.5, is rolling out to select Galaxy devices, prompting users to customize their new phones immediately upon setup. While Samsung’s One UI offers a wealth of features, many users find certain default settings and applications frustrating, opting to disable or replace them for a smoother Android experience.

A recent poll among Android Authority readers highlights the most disliked Samsung software features. Samsung Keyboard topped the list with 34% of the vote, followed by the split notification panel at 27%. Edge Panels, Samsung Wallet shortcuts, lock screen notification icons, and the screenshot swipe gesture also garnered significant negative feedback.

The most common complaint centers around Samsung Keyboard. Many users describe it as clunky and prone to errors, with poor auto-correction and voice typing capabilities. The recommended solution is to replace it with Gboard, a popular alternative available on the Google Play Store. The process involves downloading Gboard, enabling it in settings, and then setting it as the default keyboard.

Another frequent source of irritation is Samsung’s split notification panel and Quick Settings, which requires users to swipe from different corners of the screen to access each. Users can consolidate these into a single, more intuitive panel by accessing the “Panel settings” within the Quick Settings edit mode and selecting “Together.”

Edge Panels, a long-standing Samsung feature offering quick access to apps and shortcuts, are often considered more of a hindrance than a help. Disabling them can be done through the Display settings menu.

Samsung Wallet shortcuts, appearing on the home screen by default, also draw criticism from those who don’t utilize the service. While convenient for Wallet users, the shortcut can be removed through the Samsung Wallet app’s settings, specifically within the “Quick access” menu, where users can toggle off the swipe-up gestures for the lock screen, home screen, and screen off states.

Lock screen notifications also receive attention, with many preferring full notification banners over the default icon-only display. This can be adjusted in the Settings app under Notifications, then Lock screen, changing the “Cards” setting from “Icons.”

Finally, the screenshot swipe gesture, intended as a convenient way to capture screenshots, often results in accidental captures when users simply wipe their screens. This gesture can be disabled in the Settings app under Advanced features, then Motions and gestures, by toggling off “Palm swipe to capture.”

As Samsung continues to refine One UI with updates like the recently released March 2026 security update for the Galaxy S24, users will likely continue to personalize their experience by disabling or modifying default features to suit their individual preferences. The arrival of One UI 8.5 to the Galaxy S24 and FE phones, as reported by Android Central, will likely spur further customization as users explore the latest changes.