Samsung’s Device Care app (One UI 8.5) now detects and puts to sleep apps that flood the notification shade with ads, offering a basic list‑based block and an AI‑driven “intelligent” mode.
Samsung has rolled out a new feature in its built‑in Device Care utility that automatically silences apps that spam your notification panel with advertisements. The update, version 13.8.80.7, arrives with One UI 8.5 and is being phased in across the Galaxy lineup.
How the blocker works
Device Care now monitors the notification stream in two ways:
Basic blocking – Samsung maintains a curated list of apps that have been identified as frequent ad pushers. When one of those apps is installed, the system places it in deep sleep as soon as it tries to post a notification, effectively stopping the ads without user interaction.
Intelligent blocking – An on‑device analysis engine watches the content of incoming notifications. If a pattern that looks like advertising appears repeatedly, the app is flagged and moved to deep sleep. Samsung warns that the algorithm isn’t perfect, so occasional false positives may occur.
Both modes can be toggled in Settings → Battery and device care → Battery → App power management → Adaptive power saving → Notification ad blocker.
What you need to know
- One UI requirement – The feature is only visible on devices running One UI 8.5 or newer. Older Samsung phones will not see the toggle until they receive the corresponding OS update.
- Manual control – You can still uninstall or force‑stop offending apps yourself. The new automation simply saves you the legwork.
- Rollout timeline – Samsung says the rollout is “ongoing,” meaning some users may receive the update within days, while others might wait a few weeks.
- Impact on battery – By putting ad‑heavy apps into deep sleep, the blocker also reduces background power draw, which can translate into modest battery gains.
Ecosystem implications
Samsung’s move reflects a broader trend among Android OEMs to tighten control over the notification experience. Google’s own Notification Manager already offers “spam” filters, but manufacturers can provide deeper integration with their power‑management stacks. For users locked into Samsung’s ecosystem, this adds a layer of protection without needing third‑party apps like AdGuard or Notification Cleaner.
However, the feature also raises a question for developers: apps that rely on notification‑based revenue may need to rethink their monetisation strategy or risk being throttled automatically. Those who bundle ad SDKs that fire excessively could see reduced reach on Samsung devices.
What to try next
- Open Device Care and enable the Notification ad blocker.
- Review the list of blocked apps under Settings → Apps → Show system apps → Blocked to ensure nothing essential was caught by mistake.
- If you notice a false positive, use the Whitelist option to exempt the app.
For power users who prefer full control, third‑party tools such as Tasker can still be used to create custom notification filters, but Samsung’s native solution should cover the majority of ad‑spam cases.
Source: Samsung Galaxy Community release notes, observed on devices running One UI 8.5.
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