Samsung Internet is disabled through your phone's Settings app, not uninstalled

Samsung Internet comes pre-installed on most Samsung phones and cannot be fully removed without special tools. You can, however, turn it off so it no longer appears in your app drawer, receives updates, or runs in the background. The process takes about two minutes and reverses easily if you change your mind.

The steps differ slightly depending on whether you want to disable the app entirely or just stop it from being your default browser. Most people want to disable it completely so another browser becomes their default and Samsung Internet stays out of sight.

Key Takeaways

  • Disabling Samsung Internet removes it from your app drawer and stops background activity, but does not delete it from your phone.
  • You disable it through Settings > Apps, not by uninstalling, because Samsung phones do not allow removal of pre-installed system apps.
  • After disabling Samsung Internet, choose a different browser as your default so links open in that app instead.
  • You can re-enable Samsung Internet at any time through the same Settings menu if you need it later.

Steps to disable Samsung Internet completely

Open Settings on your Samsung phone. Scroll down and tap Apps (on some Samsung phones this is labeled Applications). Tap the three-dot menu icon in the top right corner and select Show system apps — this reveals pre-installed apps that are normally hidden.

Search for or scroll to find Samsung Internet. Tap it to open the app details page. At the top, you will see buttons for Uninstall, Force stop, and Disable. Tap Disable. A popup will ask if you want to disable the app — tap Disable app to confirm.

Samsung Internet will now disappear from your app drawer and stop running in the background. You will not see it when you swipe through your installed apps, and it will not receive automatic updates.

Set a different browser as your default

After disabling Samsung Internet, you need to choose which browser will open when you tap links in emails, text messages, or other apps. Without this step, your phone may show an error or ask you to choose a browser each time.

Go back to Settings and tap Apps. Tap the three-dot menu and select Default apps. Tap Browser app and select the browser you want to use — Chrome, Firefox, Edge, or another option you have installed. That browser is now your default and will open all links automatically.

What happens when you disable Samsung Internet

The app stops consuming storage space updates and no longer runs background processes that could drain your battery. It will not appear when you search for apps or browse your app drawer. Any shortcuts or widgets you created for Samsung Internet will stop working.

Disabling does not affect your bookmarks, browsing history, or saved passwords in other browsers. If you later decide you want Samsung Internet back, you can re-enable it through the same Settings menu without losing anything.

Re-enabling Samsung Internet if you need it later

Open Settings > Apps and tap the three-dot menu to show system apps again. Find Samsung Internet, tap it, and tap the Enable button. The app will reappear in your app drawer within seconds.

If you want Samsung Internet to be your default browser again, return to Settings > Apps > Default apps > Browser app and select Samsung Internet from the list.

Why you might want to disable Samsung Internet

Some people disable it to reduce clutter in their app drawer and use a single browser across all their devices — Chrome on phone, tablet, and computer, for example. Others disable it because they prefer a browser with different privacy settings or extension support. A few disable it straightforward because they never use it and want to free up the mental space of seeing it in their apps list.

Disabling does not improve security or privacy on its own — Samsung Internet is a legitimate browser made by Samsung. The choice is about preference and simplicity, not safety.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will disabling Samsung Internet break anything on my phone?

No. Samsung Internet is just one app among many. Disabling it will not affect your phone's core functions, calls, texts, or other apps. The only thing that changes is that links will open in your chosen default browser instead.

Can I completely uninstall Samsung Internet?

Not without special tools or a computer. Samsung locks pre-installed apps so they cannot be removed through the normal uninstall process. Disabling is the closest you can get, and it hides the app completely from view.

What if I disable Samsung Internet and then can't open links?

This means you did not set a default browser. Go to Settings > Apps > Default apps > Browser app and pick a browser you have installed. If you do not have another browser installed, read Chrome, Firefox, or Edge from the Google Play Store first.

Does disabling Samsung Internet save battery or storage?

It saves a small amount of both. Samsung Internet will no longer receive updates or run background processes. The storage savings are modest — usually less than 100 MB — but the battery impact is real if you have background app refresh turned on.

Can I disable Samsung Internet on a non-Samsung phone?

Samsung Internet is only pre-installed on Samsung phones. If you have it on another brand of phone, you installed it yourself and can uninstall it normally through Settings > Apps > Samsung Internet > Uninstall.