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Samsung began adding ads to the idle Cover Screens of some U.S. Family Hub refrigerators through software updates. The rollout was first described as a pilot and later as an official feature for 2024 Family Hub refrigerators. It does not mean that every Samsung refrigerator displays ads. Owners can dismiss an individual ad, turn Cover Screen Ads off in Settings, or choose an Album or Art screen theme.
Where Samsung refrigerator ads appear
The ads appear on the Family Hub Cover Screen when the display is idle, rather than as a general claim about every screen or function on the refrigerator. Samsung described the initial rollout as an over-the-network software update for certain U.S. Family Hub models. The update included Terms of Service and a Privacy Notice. Ars Technica reported Samsung’s description of the pilot on September 18, 2025.
The ads were excluded from Art Mode and picture albums in Samsung’s initial pilot description. Samsung’s current U.S. support guidance likewise says Album and Art themes do not display ads.
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September 2025: a U.S. pilot
Samsung initially characterized the change as a pilot program for promotions and curated advertisements on certain Family Hub refrigerator models in the U.S. Samsung did not disclose the full model list. Fortune reported Samsung’s pilot confirmation on September 19, 2025. It also reported that Samsung said the first phase would not collect data about consumer ad interactions; that statement applies to that pilot phase and should not be read as a general guarantee about Samsung’s data practices or later versions of the feature.
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October 2025: an official feature for 2024 models
On October 28, 2025, Ars Technica reported that a software update would make refrigerator ads an official feature for 2024 Family Hub refrigerators. Samsung described a new widget for selected Cover Screen themes, combining everyday information such as news, calendar items, and weather forecasts with curated ads. This later report does not establish that every Family Hub model, or every unit from 2024, is eligible.
How to turn off or avoid Cover Screen Ads
Samsung’s U.S. support page documents three options. Menu wording and availability can vary with the refrigerator model and software version. See Samsung’s instructions for turning off ads on a Family Hub smart fridge.
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- Turn ads off: On the refrigerator, open Settings > Advertisements and switch off Cover Screen Ads.
- Change the screen theme: Choose an Album or Art theme for the idle screen; Samsung says these themes do not display ads.
- Dismiss one ad: Close the individual ad on screen. This addresses that ad, not the global setting. Samsung’s pilot reporting described dismissal for the remainder of that campaign period.
If the Cover Screen Ads setting is missing, Samsung advises checking for a software update. The available control may depend on the model or software version.
Which option makes sense?
| Option | Ad exposure | What changes | Effort |
|---|---|---|---|
| Turn off Cover Screen Ads | Disables ads using Samsung’s documented control. | Lets you continue using other screen features; Samsung’s guidance does not enumerate every model-specific consequence. | Change one setting, if available. |
| Switch to Album or Art | Samsung says these themes do not display ads. | The idle display shows the selected theme instead. | Change the screen theme. |
| Dismiss an individual ad | Removes that displayed ad; pilot reporting described suppression for its campaign period. | Does not globally disable ads. | Close the ad when it appears. |
Disconnecting the refrigerator from the internet is not Samsung’s documented ad-control method. The support instructions provide in-device controls, while the available reporting does not establish which functions might be lost offline across different models.
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What the reported prices mean
The “$1,800+” framing refers to historical U.S. list-price context in early coverage, not what a refrigerator costs today. Ars Technica cited Samsung-listed Family Hub refrigerator ranges of $1,800–$3,500 on September 18, 2025, and $1,899–$3,499 on October 28, 2025. These dated ranges are not current transaction prices or offers.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Which Samsung refrigerators are affected?
The evidence identifies certain U.S. Family Hub models in the initial pilot and a later-reported update for 2024 Family Hub refrigerators. Samsung did not publish the original pilot’s exact model list in the cited reports, and the later account does not establish the complete list of eligible units. The rollout should not be generalized to all Samsung refrigerators or all screen-equipped appliances.
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