How to Disable Game Launcher or Remove Apps From It on Samsung Phones

Mobile phone games have become so popular that Samsung has introduced a dedicated control center for games on their phones. Known as the Game Launcher, it was introduced with the Galaxy S7 series. However, when activated, you can see that the game icons start to disappear from your home screen. Why does this happen and how do I disable Game Launcher? Find the answer in this article.

Game Launcher is exclusive to Samsung phones. It comes preinstalled and offers many benefits, as mentioned below. However, not everyone is a fan of Game Launcher, and many would like to disable it or at least delete their games.

If you want to do the same, let’s see how to delete apps and disable Game Launcher on Samsung phones.

What Game Launcher Does On Samsung Phones

Think of Game Launcher as a separate launcher that contains all of the games installed on your phone. However, this is only its basic use. It takes your gaming experience to another level by offering cool features like screen recording, screenshot, temperature monitoring, etc. All are accessible by playing games.

In addition to this, you can lock the game screen to pause your game. Additionally, you can use up to 4 apps while playing a game. These app icons will appear in the context menu and the app will also open in a pop-up window. So you don’t have to leave your game to use other apps. For example, you can continue chatting with your friend on WhatsApp while you play your shot in Candy Crush.

If you don’t want to use any of these features, let’s check out three methods to disable Game Launcher or remove apps from it.

1. Remove an application from the game launcher

Instead of disabling the entire Game Launcher app, you can delete one or two games from it. Here are the steps for the same.

Step 1: Launch the Game Launcher app on your Samsung phone.

2nd step: Swipe up on the bottom dock containing the installed games.

Stage 3: Long press the icon of the game you want to delete from the game launcher. A menu will appear. Press Delete from the game launcher.

Note: Deleting the game from the game launcher will not uninstall it from your phone.

Once you have deleted the Game Launcher app, the game icon will disappear from the Game Launcher. Go back to the application drawer and you will see the game icon there.

2. Keep the games in the home screen and the game launcher

The method mentioned above does not allow you to take advantage of the features of Game Launcher. Indeed, once you delete the application, you lose its privileges. If you want to savor the features offered by Game Launcher while keeping the icon on the home screen, you can also have it.

To do this, follow these steps:

Step 1: Open the Game Launcher app on your phone.

2nd step: Tap the three bar icon at the top. Then tap the settings icon.

2nd step: Disable the toggle next to the “Hide home games and apps” option. Once activated, all games installed on your phone will only appear in the game launcher. When you turn it off, the games will appear in Game Launcher and the Home screen / app drawer.

3. Disable the game launcher

Finally, if you don’t like Game Launcher at all, you can turn it off completely. When you do, all of the games inside the game launcher will be moved to your Home screen / app drawer. If you are worried about your game data, nothing will happen to it after disabling Game Launcher.

Point: Learn how to sync game progress across different devices.

Here’s how to turn off Game Launcher on Samsung phones.

Step 1: Open Settings on your phone.

2nd step: Tap Advanced Features. Disable the toggle present next to Game Launcher.

Step 3: Restart the phone.

Note: Repeat the steps to activate Game Launcher.

Tips and Tricks for Using Game Launcher

Here are some cool tips and tricks for using Game Launcher.

Move games to the game launcher

If the game launcher does not detect your favorite game, you can add it manually. For that, proceed as following:

Step 1: Open the Game Launcher app. Slide up on the platform while holding your games.

2nd step: Tap the three-dot icon. Select Add applications from the menu.

Step 3: Choose your game from the list and press Add at the top.

Add or remove applications from the context panel

As mentioned earlier, you can use additional apps in the Game Launcher. You can add up to 4 apps as shortcuts. If you want to change the default apps, here’s how.

Step 1: Launch Game Launcher and open any game.

2nd step: Tap the game booster icon in the lower left corner.

Point: You will find options such as Save, Screenshots, Navigation Lock, etc. inside the icon.

Step 3: Tap the three dots next to the list of apps. Add or remove applications from the next screen.

Take control

Game Launcher may sound scary at first, but it isn’t. Give it a little time, and you will love it. Once this happens, playing games without adding them to Game Launcher on Samsung phones will be strange.