If you have a carrier branded device, I am sorry, you cannot stop them. Your carrier agreement states that they can install apps and games. They get money from the developers for this. You can uninstall them, but they have the right to do it. It's the price you pay for any discounts you get on the device.
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The gaming hub is part of the operating system, located in your settings/advanced features. You don't need it for the games you have, I think it serves as a central locator for all your games. It can be turned off, but not uninstalled. I don't have it on. I have a few game apps on my phone, but they are simple games, so I don't need the hub or game booster. I believe they end up "registered" in the gaming hub, but that's not where they reside or how the carrier downloads them, so turning it off will likely have no effect on that.
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Hello Sukimorse, Welcome to the Community. We understand how frustrating it is for apps to be downloaded automatically.
@realaud is correct that several service providers do this on carrier branded phones. Gaming Hub can be disabled without it affecting your games, just make sure to allow the games to be placed with your other apps. https://www.samsung.com/us/support/answer/ANS10002536/
Try looking for an app called App Cloud or AppSelector (Name depends on your service provider), or other similar app. You can Force Stop and Disabled these apps to prevent the automatic downloads
I used to have this problem, I solved it in several ways, now nothing unexpected happens like that, I'll share how I did it..
First, I changed everything to do updates over Wi-Fi, not cellular.
I then turn off Wi-Fi unless I need it, which is very very rarely ever..
My carrier plan is "unlimited" so let them carry the costs i say, when something wants to "update" it has to ask me first, nicely it leaves me in control, mostly.. ๐
Next, I shutdown two service apps who job it is to make you annoyed for various reasons: Customization Service (Samsung) & Android System Intelligence aka โDevice Personalization Servicesโ (Google).
Yes, there are some apps you might want to use that use those two nowadays, but i leave it up to you to search for more info instead of just my penny words..
