I almost replaced these 4 Samsung apps, but now I can't imagine my phone without them

Published Nov 3, 2026, 7:00 PM EST Megan is a Software Writer at XDA Developers who has been writing about consumer technology since 2016. With a postgraduate degree in New Media journalism, she has always been passionate about diving deep into topics and writing about them in a way that makes them easier to understand for everyday consumers. She runs her own blog called Tech Valkyrie and has contributed to Tom's Guide and Android Authority. She also worked at MakeUseOf as a Lead Editor. In her spare time she plays video games and geeks out about the latest tech. Samsung phones aren't immune to bloatware, and there are times you may replace Samsung apps simply because you want to use cross-platform alternatives. You might also dismiss a few apps as unnecessary until you try them yourself. This happened to me with a few Samsung apps. I had initially planned to uninstall or replace them, but then they grew on me to the point that they now feel indispensable. Reminder A user-friendly task app There are few task apps that feel as intuitive and easy to use as Samsung Reminder. The app provides you with a number of templates you can use to get acquainted with its different features, including location-based and repeating reminders. The app is so good that when a friend of mine was having trouble remembering to put their insulin away when arriving at work, I set up a reminder on his phone so that he would get a notification every time he arrived there. My most common reminder is the one I set to remember to take my migraine medication out of the fridge. Notifications are extremely easy to set up, and the app doesn't suffer from the same bloat I encounter when using other reminder apps. Another added benefit is the ability to set how prominent a reminder is. A Light reminder comes with a short sound and notification, a Medium one includes a full-screen alert and short sound, and a Strong reminder includes a full-screen alert and long sound. However, the one feature I wish the app had is the ability to set a recurring reminder based on the date of completion. I use these types of reminders for chores. Modes and Routines Automation made easy There are quite a few automation apps out there, but what makes Modes and Routines special is how easy it is to use. This is by far one of the most beginner-friendly ways to start with automation, while also giving the user an extensive number of triggers and actions they can try. You can even add further functionality by adding Routines+, one of my must-have Good Lock plugins. This plugin adds Just In routines, as well as automations tied to the side key on your phone. Currently, I have my lower volume key set to open my weather app, for example. Modes and Routines includes a Discover page with plenty of example routines that you can use as-is or tweak slightly to your own needs. I like to use this page to get ideas about potential new routines to create. This is honestly a feature that I wish more smartphone manufacturers would include on their devices, since it unlocks the automation capabilities of your smartphone without requiring additional accessories. Samsung Keyboard A Good Lock plugin unlocks precise customization When it comes to keyboard apps, I've had a strong preference for Microsoft SwiftKey for years. This means I would usually switch the native keyboard on a phone to SwiftKey instead. However, Samsung Keyboard changed that, and it's because of a specific Good Lock module — Keys Cafe. With Keys Cafe, I can customize my Samsung Keyboard to suit my preferences exactly. This goes beyond the customization of other keyboard apps and lets me design a theme that fits my tastes while also catering to my light sensitivity. Since Good Lock is a Samsung app and only customizes Samsung Keyboard, it turned the native Galaxy app into a must-have on my S23 Ultra. Whenever I use a keyboard on another device, I miss the colors and effects that come with my Samsung version. Clock My persistent, but flexible, alarm app I'm so reliant on Samsung's Clock app that even if I'm not using my Samsung phone as my daily driver, I make sure that I always have the device around to wake me up in the morning. This comes down to the flexibility of the app, especially with its snooze function. It gives me a maximum snooze period of one hour, which suits my sleeping patterns well. I have chronic fatigue, so waking up in the morning is a constant struggle. The long snooze time gives me extra time to rest when I simply can't get up. At the same time, I can adjust the snooze when the alarm goes off, which is great when I just need an extra 10 minutes. More recently, Samsung added the ability to create groups of alarms, allowing you to turn all alarms in a group on or off at once. This is another feature that works well for my own habits. Give your pre-installed Galaxy apps a chance to see if you find something great Our phones often come with bloatware, and there are definitely Samsung apps worth uninstalling or disabling if you don't use them. But not every pre-installed app is a gimmick or unnecessary addition — there are some great features hiding in apps you've overlooked. The main drawback is that if you switch to a different smartphone brand, you can't bring these apps with you. But if you're a Samsung Galaxy loyalist, that's not a problem at all.