Samsung adds new tool to block apps that send excessive ads
Samsung has added a new tool to its Device Care application for Galaxy smartphones that enables users to block apps that send excessive advertising notifications. The feature, identified in a recent software update, aims to reduce unwanted alerts without affecting in-app advertisements.
Feature Overview
The option, referred to in different reports as "Block apps with excessive ads" or "Intelligent Blocking," was noted following an update to the Device Care app (version 13.8.80.7) via the Galaxy Store. The feature identifies applications that send frequent notification advertisements.
Instead of blocking the ads displayed within an app, the tool places offending apps into "deep sleep" mode. This action suppresses further push notifications from those apps.
Operational Settings
Users can view which apps have been placed into deep sleep by navigating to Settings > Device care > Care report > Excessive alerts.
The feature offers two modes of operation:
- Basic setting: This mode relies on data provided by Samsung to detect and block apps known to send excessive ads.
- Intelligent setting: This mode analyzes incoming push notifications to identify those containing advertising content and automatically blocks apps deemed to send too many.
If an app is mistakenly placed into deep sleep, users can manually unblock it in the app settings.
Rollout and Availability
The current availability of the feature varies. It was observed on the Galaxy S26 series in recent months. Reports indicate the update is initially available on devices running One UI 8.5, but it has not yet been confirmed on the Galaxy Z Fold 7 running One UI 8.0. The feature may become more widely accessible with the rollout of One UI 8.5.
As of the most recent reports, the update is not yet available through official app stores. It can be found on third-party platforms like APKMirror for sideloading. Samsung is expected to distribute the update through official channels in the coming weeks.
Unanswered Questions
It has not been determined whether the tool will block advertising notifications originating from Samsung's own applications.