Samsung Discontinues Little

Samsung Free Shuts Down Permanently in 2025, Replaced by Samsung News App

Samsung has officially confirmed the discontinuation of its Samsung Free service. The content aggregator will be shut down permanently on December 16, 2025. This move marks the end of a feature that has been a staple on Galaxy devices for years.

The service provided free access to live TV, news, and games. Its removal signals a shift in Samsung’s content strategy for its smartphones.

Samsung Free discontinued

Samsung Free’s December 2025 Shutdown Confirmed

The company has begun notifying users of the impending shutdown. According to the notification, access will cease completely after December 16. The information was first reported by the trusted source Sammobile.

Samsung Free launched with One UI 3.0. It replaced the older Samsung Daily feed on home screens. Users accessed it by swiping left from their main home screen.

The service had not received significant updates recently. This lack of refresh was a clear sign of its coming demise. The official confirmation now sets a firm end date.

After December 16, the app will simply not open. The familiar swipe-left gesture will no longer pull up the aggregated content. This change will affect millions of Galaxy device users globally.

Samsung News Takes Over as Primary Content Hub

Samsung has already launched its successor in key markets. The Samsung News app debuted in 2023 in the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom. It has since replaced Samsung Free in those regions.

This newer app focuses on premium news content from leading publications. It does not include the live TV or gaming components. The strategy now separates news from entertainment features.

For interactive games, users must go to the Gaming Hub. This platform consolidates all gaming-related content. The Read tab from Samsung Free will be completely retired.

Availability of the Samsung News app varies by country. Not all markets have received the dedicated application yet. Samsung has not detailed a global rollout schedule for the news app.

The discontinuation of Samsung Free reflects Samsung’s pivot to specialized, stand-alone applications. Users must now transition to Samsung News and Gaming Hub for their content needs.

Thought you’d like to know

What is replacing Samsung Free?

The Samsung News app is the primary replacement for news content. For games, users should access the Samsung Gaming Hub. These are separate applications.

What happens to the games on Samsung Free?

Interactive games are moving to the Samsung Gaming Hub. This platform will host all gaming content. The transition is meant to centralize the gaming experience.

Is the Samsung News app available everywhere?

No, availability currently varies by region. It launched in the US, UK, and Canada first. Samsung has not confirmed a timeline for a wider global release.

Why was Samsung Free discontinued?

The service had not been updated significantly in a long time. Samsung’s strategy shifted towards dedicated apps for news and gaming. This allows for more focused development and features.