Game Launcher: Silence notifications and calls during gameplay

You're in the middle of a game, everything's flowing smoothly, and suddenly, notifications, calls, or chats start popping up, blocking out half the map. It's happened to many of us: you accidentally tap the notification, exit the game, and when you come back, your team is already KO'd. With Galaxy devices, there's a solution, and it's not complicated: between Game Launcher and the system's Modes, you can mute your phone and focus on playing. The key is to combine game mode with notification and call settings to avoid interruptions..

In addition to the usual notifications, Game Launcher can show you suggestions and promos for games that aren't appealing when you're getting serious. Fortunately, they're quickly removed from its internal settings. If you disable the Commercial Information option, you remove that layer of advertising without losing any useful features..

What is Game Launcher and how does it affect your notifications?

Game Launcher is the game control center for Samsung phones: it organizes your titles, offers statistics, and adds tools designed to make gaming more comfortable. These tools include reducing or blocking notifications while you're in a game app. Its goal is to minimize distractions so that no alerts overlap the game.If you are looking for recommended titles, check out the best premium games.

It's worth differentiating between two things that sometimes get mixed up: on the one hand, blocking system notifications and those from other apps during the game; on the other, promotional messages from Game Launcher itself. Both are managed in different places and can be adjusted independently..

From Note 20 Ultra to Galaxy S25: What's changed in access?

If you're coming from a Note 20 Ultra, you might remember a very clear shortcut to mute everything when you opened a game. On a Galaxy S25, the route is different, but the feature is still there. Now the Quick Panel and Modes tile are the starting point for activating Game Mode or automating it..

Pull down the top bar and locate the Modes tile. There you'll see profiles like Work, Rest, or Play. Go in, activate the Play profile, and check the interruption settings. You can configure the phone to automatically activate game mode when you open a title..

Set Game Launcher to block ads while playing

Within Game Launcher, you have additional control over notifications. Open the app, tap the menu icon or the three lines, and go to Settings. In the notifications section, turn on notification blocking while playing. By enabling the Notifications switch, you prevent many alerts from appearing on screen during games..

It's important to keep in mind: not all alerts can be blocked. System alerts and some messaging app notifications can still come in even if you have the filter enabled. It is normal for critical alarms or certain prioritized messages not to be cut off completely..

A quick maintenance check that you shouldn't overlook: go to System Settings, search for Maintenance & Battery, access Battery, and check that Game Launcher isn't on the list of inactive or sleeping apps. If the system aggressively leaves it in the background, game mode behavior may be erratic..

How to use Mods and Game Launcher to play without interruptions

Although the text and order of the menus may vary slightly depending on the version of One UI, the logic is identical. Pull down the Quick Panel, go to Modes, and select Game Mode. Within that profile, adjust the level of notification filtering: from zero tolerance to allowing only the essentials..

1. Open the quick panel and go to Modes.
2. Turn on game mode and review your notifications and interruptions options.
3. Enable automation to turn on when you open any app in your games folder.
4. From Game Launcher make sure all your titles are detected to improve reliability and if you are looking for new challenges check out the best racing games.

If you'd rather not have everything blocked, set the priority for incoming calls or alarms. If you want zero distractions, increase the filter to the strictest level. Trying a couple of games at each level will help you find the perfect balance..

If the Modes tile doesn't appear, edit the quick panel to add it or swipe to the second page of the panel. Once visible, you can activate the gaming profile with a tap..

Mute Game Launcher ads with Commercial Information

Are you seeing banners or suggestions in Game Launcher? It's not a bug; it's part of the service. Open Game Launcher, tap the menu in the top right corner, and go to Settings. There you'll see an option called Commercial Information: disable it. By doing so, the app stops showing you recommendations and ads from the platform..

1. Open Game Launcher.
2. Three-dot menu and Settings.
3. Turn off Commercial Information.

This change doesn't affect your system notifications or game statistics. It only removes promotional content from Game Launcher. Functionality intact and noise out.

Samsung.com Marketing and Game Launcher are not the same thing

On the Samsung website and associated services, you'll see subscription boxes for newsletters, events, or campaigns. This is marketing linked to your Samsung account, and it's a different approach than Game Launcher. Disabling Commercial Information in Game Launcher does not cancel any subscriptions you have accepted on the web..

If you want to adjust both settings, you'll need to do so separately: one in your account settings or on the Samsung website, and the other in the Game Launcher settings. They are independent layers that should be managed on your site..

Choose the level of distraction: priority, filtering, or total blocking

Not everyone wants the same thing when we play. Some people need absolute silence, while others prefer to have something important happen. With game mode and notification management, you can select the level of silence. If you set it to the strictest mode, nothing will appear on the screen until you close the game..

If you leave a filter, you can allow calls, alarms, or notifications from certain apps. Depending on your version of One UI, the wording changes, but the idea is the same: zero tolerance or allowing specific categories. Spend a couple of minutes setting up exceptions and you'll avoid scares..

When you exit the game app, Game Mode will stop working if you've set it to automatically activate. This way, you won't have to manually turn it on and off. Automating it is the most comfortable way to avoid thinking about it..

Quick tips for fine-tuning Game Launcher

• After a major One UI update, check your settings as some options may be moved or reset.
• Group all your games in Game Launcher so the system recognizes them instantly and discovers the best offline games.
• Define exceptions: Decide whether calls or alarms can interrupt you while you're playing.
• If you're using headphones, make sure the system's voice prompts are also muted during gameplay.

These touches make a difference, because perfect behavior is not the same for everyone. Investing a moment in personalizing it avoids surprises at the worst possible time..

If Modes doesn't appear or you can't find Game Launcher

Don't see the Modes tile? Click Edit Quick Panel shortcuts and add it manually. On some distributions, it's on the second page of the panel. An extra pass through the panel often uncovers the missing mosaic..

Game Launcher not showing up? Go to System Settings and use search to find Game Launcher and activate it. You'll then see the icon in the app drawer. If you can't find the option, update system apps and try again..

If you have Game Launcher but don't see the three-dot menu or can't find Commercial Information, the name may vary by region. Look for similar terms like promotions, communications, or commercial content. The option is in the messages or internal communications section of the app..

Why do you see ads even when you're not in a game?

Game Launcher ads aren't limited to the exact moment you're playing; they can appear when you open the app or when the system suggests content. If you find this bothersome, disable Advertising Information as explained above. This setting nips out banners and recommendations from the platform..

The game folder, statistics, and other features remain intact. The only thing you'll delete are the promotions. You stick with what is useful and forget about what is distracting..

The One UI community: firsthand tips and solutions

If you like experimenting with tweaks or are stuck with a label that doesn't match, the One UI community is a treasure trove of ideas and solutions. You'll see real-life experiences from users who use Galaxy devices, tablets, or watches every day. Sharing tricks and solving crashes saves you time and blind testing..

One UI is rolling out across a wide variety of devices and regions, so minor changes in menu names or locations are normal. If a label doesn't match, use the magnifying glass in Settings and search for similar words. The operating pattern remains the same even if the exact text changes..

Good practices after installing or updating apps

When changing your phone, installing a new app, or after a major update, check your settings. Between permissions, notifications, and profiles, it's easy to reset something to factory settings. A quick review ensures that the game mode and filters are still as you want..

In gaming, this is doubly important: if you don't properly shut off interruptions, any chat, email, or popup can sneak in just when it shouldn't. Set it up once and forget about it for months..

Use Do Not Disturb and other system modes to silence your phone

In addition to Game Mode, the system offers profiles like Do Not Disturb, Bedtime, or Car, and you can create custom modes. These are perfect for deciding when and how you receive notifications. Access them from Quick Settings or from Settings in the Modes section.

Do Not Disturb Quick Activation

Swipe down from the top of the screen to open Quick Settings and tap the Do Not Disturb tile. On supported phones, you can also ask your Google Assistant to mute your phone if you're using a speaker or smart display. It's the shortcut to cut ads without going through the menus.

Set Do Not Disturb and other notification modes

From your device's Settings, go to Modes to manage profiles. There you can activate Do Not Disturb, configure Bedtime, or Car mode, and create custom modes with their own icons and names. Notification filters allow you to choose what comes in and what is blocked..

Do Not Disturb Mode

Typical route: Device settings, Modes, Do Not Disturb, and Activate Now. Inside, you can edit notification filters to decide which people, apps, or alarms can interrupt you. Fine-grained exception handling prevents missing key notifications.

bedtime mode

In Settings, go to Modes and select Bedtime to set a schedule. You can use a routine with a start and end time, apply a custom schedule, or activate it while charging. The system may request permission to use sensor data and app usage for additional features. Set the schedule and forget about doing it manually every night.

Car Mode

From Settings, select Modes, go to Driving and set it to automatically activate while driving. This reduces distractions and applies road-appropriate filters. Driving activation helps maintain focus and safety.

Create a custom mode

In Modes, you can create your own mode with a name and icon, adjust time filters, and adjust screen options. This way, you'll have customized profiles for studying, events, or eSports tournaments. Customize parameters and leave each mode ready for a specific use.

Change what is blocked and who can notify you

In each mode, under Notification Filters, define what is blocked or allowed. Under People, choose whether specific calls, messages, or conversations arrive and enable an exception for repeated calls within 15 minutes. Under Apps, select which apps can notify you. Under Alarms & other interruptions, control alarms, system sounds, reminders, and events. This granular control allows you to keep only what is essential..

Choose the duration of Do Not Disturb

Within Do Not Disturb, under Duration for Quick Settings, decide how long it stays on: until you turn it off, for a specific period like 15 minutes or 2 hours, or to always ask. Choose the ideal duration for each situation.

Display options for filtered notifications

Under More Settings for each mode, go to Display Settings and define how blocked notifications are displayed. You can prevent them from appearing when the screen is on or from activating the screen when it's off. This way you avoid both audible warnings and visual disturbances..

Automatic activation at specific times

In Settings, under Sound and Do Not Disturb, set up automatic activation using rules. Create hourly rules to turn on at specific times and verify that the rule is enabled. Scheduling rules by time is ideal for daily routines.

For Android 8.1 or earlier versions

There are three basic options: total silence, alarms only, and priority notifications only. Total silence blocks everything, including alarms and media sounds; alarms only lets alarms play but silences calls, messages, and notifications; priority only lets alerts marked as priority. Choose the mode that suits each moment.

Additional automatic locking

You can mute sounds by schedule from Sound and Do Not Disturb Preferences, creating rules like weeknights. You can also apply rules based on calendar events and block visual disturbances so nothing overlays the screen. Automatic rules combine schedules and meetings to stay focused..

Re-enable interruptions and exceptions per app

To exit Do Not Disturb, open the Quick Panel and choose your current option (Alarms only, Priority only, Total silence) to disable, or press the volume down button and choose Disable now. If you need an app to notify you even when Do Not Disturb is active, go to Settings, Apps & notifications, go to the app, Notifications, and enable the specific override. This way you allow a specific app to pass through the filter when necessary..

FAQs

Can you block absolutely everything, including the notification bubble above the game? Yes, if you choose the strictest setting in Game Mode or Do Not Interrupt. Alerts arrive on the dashboard, but they don't burst onto the screen. It is the most powerful way to ensure zero visual interruptions..

Does game mode affect performance or battery life? What we're discussing here focuses on notifications. Some versions offer optimization suggestions, but if you don't touch anything else, you'll only be affected by interruptions. The focus of this setting is to avoid warnings, not to increase or decrease power..

What happens when you disable Commercial Information? Game Launcher ads and recommendations are stopped. Your game library and stats aren't changed. It is an aesthetic cleaning that eliminates advertising noise.

Are the communications you agree to on Samsung.com the same? No. These are marketing subscriptions associated with your account and are managed separately. Game Launcher controls its own layer of internal promotional content.

Common mistakes and how to avoid them

First pitfall: confusing Game Mode with Do Not Disturb. They're similar, but not the same. Second: thinking that removing Commercial Information silences all notifications; it only removes ads from Game Launcher. Third: not adding games to the Game Launcher folder and expecting perfect automation. Avoiding these points guarantees a smoother experience..

If something continues to bother you, verify that Game Mode actually activates when you open the app. Try several games and check the corresponding indicator. A minute of checking saves you a week of game scares..

With Game Mode properly configured, System Modes to your liking, and the Commercial Information option disabled, your Galaxy is ready to play without intrusive ads or annoying promos—and with the exceptions you set, if you want urgent alarms or calls to come in. It's a unique setting that ensures clean, distraction-free gaming sessions. Share this information so other users can learn about Game Launcher for Android..