My favorite Samsung Galaxy preinstalled apps

Samsung Galaxy smartphones come with a ton of preloaded apps. Some of them are really useful, while others are considered bloatware and are rarely used by most people. And with a mix of Samsung and Google apps with the same functionality, finding the best one for you can be tricky for a new user. As a long-time and avid Galaxy user, I’m going to detail the 7 pre-installed Samsung Galaxy apps that I can’t live without.

These apps stand out to me for their ease of use and functionality, and I think they’re more worth using than most downloadable alternatives, but everyone has different requirements, so it might be worth trying out other Galaxy apps to see which ones you prefer.

1 Samsung Internet

A customizable browser that rivals Chrome

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Samsung Internet Browser

Samsung Internet Browser comes preloaded on Galaxy smartphones and offers a user-friendly experience with great customization options.

I use Google Chrome as my default browser on my desktop, but always go back to Samsung Internet on my Galaxy phone, and it’s easier for me to use since the back, home, tabs and other page controls are conveniently located at the bottom of the screen, making it easy to operate with one hand.

Samsung Internet also comes with great customisation features, allowing you to rearrange the button layout in any order you like for easier access. Samsung Internet also has a great night mode with adjustable brightness settings, the option to match your phone’s settings or manually switch on/off, making browsing at night even easier.

Google Chrome still has some handy features, like sharing passwords and browsing history with your PC. The advantage of having both apps installed on your phone is that you can switch to Chrome whenever you need to, and switch back to Samsung Internet when you want ease of use and privacy.

2 Samsung DeX

Save time and improve efficiency by using phone features on your PC or laptop

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Samsung DeX

Samsung Dex brings a desktop experience to your Galaxy smartphone or tablet, letting you access apps and more on a larger screen.

Samsung Dex is another must-have app that comes pre-installed on your Galaxy. It runs your PC apps on the taskbar, keeps your phone connected while you work, and displays all your notifications on one screen. This saves you time and allows you to take calls, reply to messages, and access all the apps on your PC without having to pick up your phone.

One of the best things about Dex is that it lets you view and edit photos from your gallery on a big screen. This handy feature makes editing easy by letting you see all the little details you might miss on your phone’s display and make the changes you want using familiar editing tools. Edited images are automatically saved to your phone’s gallery so you can easily find them later.

3 Google Maps

Find anywhere with the best navigation app on your Galaxy smartphone

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Google Maps

Google Maps works on most phones and tablets and is the perfect navigation app for finding directions to anywhere.

While Samsung offers many alternative apps to compete with Google’s offerings, we won’t waste any time on maps and navigation. Google Maps is unmatched as a pre-installed navigation app on Samsung Galaxy smartphones, as its comprehensive feature set shows you the best route to any destination and ensures you don’t get lost.

Google Maps’ constant updates and Street View are better than most in-car navigation systems in my opinion, and it easily connects to the infotainment system via Android Auto, and it takes construction and temporary obstacles into account, making your trip a breeze.

4 Microsoft 365

All the Microsoft tools you need in one place for your convenience

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Microsoft 365

Microsoft 365 is an all-in-one productivity suite with apps like Word, Excel, OneDrive, and more to optimize your productivity.

Microsoft 365, which requires a subscription to unlock all features, is one of my most used pre-installed Android apps. The app includes tools like Word and Excel, which are essential for creating and editing documents and spreadsheets, and everything is stored in the cloud so you can easily access it later from your PC. It also has a handy capture feature with scan, record, Copilot explain, and dictate capabilities to save different types of information.

OneDrive is an essential Microsoft 365 feature for me because it allows me to access all my important data wherever I am. I keep copies of my ID, passport and other documents on OneDrive and also use it to back up my Galaxy gallery to keep my memories safe if my phone is lost or stolen.

5 Google Play

Discover new games and apps in one store

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Google Play Store

Google Play has the most comprehensive selection of apps and games for your Android phone, with over 3.5 million options to choose from.

Discovering apps and games is easy with Google Play and the Samsung Galaxy Store app that comes preloaded on Galaxy smartphones. While each has its pros and cons, Google Play is the better option as it offers a much larger selection of content, with over 3.5 million apps. The Play Store also offers the added convenience of being able to link to your existing Google account, making it easy to purchase and access other content on the platform, such as movies and books.

While Google Play may be my go-to store for downloading content, the Samsung Galaxy Store app still has its uses. It offers themes, always-on displays, and other exclusive content to customize your experience and make your phone stand out. The Galaxy Store is also my go-to place for other Samsung apps like custom fonts and Expert RAW for enhanced camera features.

6 YouTube

You can also use a browser, but the app has more features

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YouTube

YouTube is the best video sharing app with the widest range of content to entertain and educate people all over the world.

While many Samsung users access YouTube via the browser as it allows you to easily switch between tabs and web pages, I prefer to use the pre-installed YouTube app on my Samsung Galaxy as it has great features and is convenient for researching articles, checking news and podcasts, and listening to music every day.

The main reason to use this app is the cast icon in the top left corner, which provides a one-touch solution for streaming content from your smartphone to your TV. The subscription feature is also better on the app, with larger icons and the ability to sort by Today, Videos, Shorts, and other categories, making it easier to find what you’re looking for. In terms of performance, the YouTube app offers better data saving features and allows users to try out experimental features such as a sleep timer.

7 Netflix

Probably the best way to watch movies and other content on your Galaxy

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Netflix

Netflix is ​​built into Samsung Galaxy smartphones, so you can enjoy movies, shows, and mobile games on the go.

While Disney+, Amazon Prime, and other streaming services require separate downloads, Netflix is ​​a pre-installed app on your Galaxy phone, so you can enjoy it on the go. What we love most about the Netflix app is its simplicity. Just tap the first option on the home screen and you can easily pick up where you left off watching a show or movie. Cast to your TV with the touch of a button or download content for offline viewing on a fishing or camping trip.

Netflix offers the widest selection of content, and finding new content to watch is easy, with the latest additions prominently displayed when you open the app. Categories are also displayed at the top of the home screen, making it easy to search for comedies, documentaries, and other genres.

Mobile gaming is an often overlooked feature of the Netflix app, keeping me busy with exclusive titles like Hades, GTA: San Andreas, etc. Games are included with your Netflix subscription and can be downloaded from Google Play with no ads or in-app purchases.