Two App Stores? Why?? What do you think?

[AdamLash]

I've always thought having two app stores on any phone is ridiculous and more importantly, confusing. Does anyone here use the Galaxy Store app?

If so, why? Also, aren't all apps already available on the Play Store? There are several bloatware apps that come forcibly installed on Samsung phones. And for those who push back, I don't really think anyone cares about downloading some fonts from the Galaxy Store. Seriously, even Samsung Good Lock is available on the Play Store. Why else would you need the Galaxy Store? For what??

This article says getting rid of the Galaxy Store app freed up memory and cache, plus stopped auto downloads. It even made things faster. That's why Google Pixel phones have a more consistent software experience; their Android versions don't have all those unwanted, unremovable apps. You get an uncluttered user interface without bloatware, providing the fastest access to the latest Android OS versions.

I've disabled auto downloads on Galaxy Store as well.

I never use the Galaxy Store app!

What are your thoughts on the matter? This is also one of the reasons iPhones have a more consistent experience in this particular regard, too. No confusion and no bloatware.

I've been a Samsung user and fan for a long time, but I really think this approach is pretty counterintuitive. This isn't just a Samsung problem, though. Other companies like Honor, Vivo, Huawei (before Google was banned), etc. do the same thing where they all have their own app store along with Google Play. A lot of these apps from these stores are bloatware that drain your battery, take up space, and slow things down. Of course, it also has to do with making money as these app stores also contain ads and bloatware.

In fact, these stores exist primarily to collect revenue through ads, app sales commissions, and data, not to serve you a better experience. That's the naked truth. I tried using the Galaxy Store app. Doesn't it feel like that?

What do you think of the OEM pattern observation in general? Honor, Vivo, Huawei all do exactly the same thing, which tells you this is an industry-wide monetization strategy, not a technical necessity.

https://www.androidpolice.com/removed-samsungs-unremovable-apps-now-phone-zips-along/

[hpzworkz]

You won't find Samsung native apps on Google's play store like Enhance X etc, also depends on your usage, I heavily use Samsung for photography, the Samsung native apps really do the work, for me having two playstores isn't redundant.

[AdamLash]

You have a valid point for Enhance. But beyond that, for me, it truly feels redundant. Good Lock is the most important Samsung app and it is available on the Play Store. Check out other important Samsung apps that are also available:

Connectivity & Device Management

1. Samsung Internet Browser
2. Samsung Smart Switch Mobile
3. SmartThings
4. Samsung Flow
5. Galaxy Wearable
6. Watch Manager
7. Screen Color Match
8. Samsung Smart Keyboard (manager)

Audio & Accessories

9. Galaxy Buds (manager)
10. Galaxy Buds Core Manager
11. Galaxy Buds3 FE Manager
12. Samsung Sound

Health & Wellness
13. Samsung Health
14. Health Platform (Samsung's health data backend)

Payments & Security
15. Samsung Wallet (formerly Samsung Pay, includes Samsung Pass)
Entertainment
16. Samsung TV Plus
Community & Support
17. Samsung Members
Business / Enterprise
18. Samsung Partner Portal
19. VXT CMS Mobile
Utilities
20. Samsung E-Paper

Again, for me, Galaxy Store looks bloatware ridden. Apart from the major Samsung apps on that store, everything else is screaming bloatware and ads. Have you seen how it looks like?

FYI, many people, myself included, don't care about themes.

Galaxy Store = Samsung's money-making app store dressed up as an "ecosystem enhancer." It pushes notification ads, exists mainly for lock-in and revenue, and the only real reason to keep it is Good Lock modules. Everything else Play Store does better.

As I mentioned in the post, having 2 stores is confusing and ridiculous. Actually, redundant would be a more apt description.

[hpzworkz]

Quite frankly I only use Samsung store for enhance
I once installed Samsung native apps on my s23 ultra, since then the backups have picked up the apps on S24 ultra to S25 to now S26 ultra, not once have I gone into the Samsung playstore
So all things considering it is indeed a bloatware

[SvenVath]

The only times i use galaxy store and it saved me is when traveling to countries like china and russia where google play is banned 😂

[AdamLash]

Hahaha really? Wow now that is a genuine good use for it!

[SvenVath]

Just to download a working vpn then go back to play store 😂

[P360]

Lol 😂