Samsung's One UI 8.5 is cracking down on spammy apps
Samsung's upcoming One UI 8.5 update, launching with the Galaxy S26 in February 2026, is expected to include a feature that can automatically block apps that send frequent ad notifications.
If you've got a Galaxy S25, you may be able to try the beta in the coming days.
How the new ad-blocking works
The "Block apps with excessive ads" feature lives in Device Care and uses on-device AI to spot apps spamming your notifications.
Once flagged, these apps are put into deep sleep—so no more background activity or annoying pop-ups.
You're still in control
You'll see a list of blocked apps in Device Care.
The goal: less interruption, more privacy, and a smoother experience without all those pesky ads.
Smarter blocking with on-device AI
One UI 8.5's AI checks notification patterns right on your phone (not in the cloud), so your data stays private while it quickly catches ad offenders.
It might not be perfect yet, but it means less fiddling with settings and fewer distractions overall.