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Yes—but this is a software feature for select Samsung Family Hub refrigerators, not an ad rollout to every Samsung fridge. The ads appear on the idle Cover screen with certain themes. Samsung says they are contextual rather than personalized, and provides a setting to turn them off.
What changed—and where do the ads appear?
Samsung introduced a widget pilot through a 2025 Family Hub software update. The Cover screen widget can combine information such as news, calendars and weather with curated advertisements. The Cover screen is the display shown when the refrigerator is idle; Samsung’s documentation does not establish that ads appear every time someone opens the door or while using every Family Hub feature. Samsung’s announcement and its support instructions describe the ads as a Cover screen feature.
Samsung says ads do not appear when the Cover screen uses the Art or Album theme. A person can also tap the X to dismiss an ad. Samsung says that particular ad will not appear again during its campaign period; dismissal is not the same as turning off advertising altogether.
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How to turn off Family Hub Cover screen ads
- On the refrigerator display, open Settings.
- Tap Advertisements.
- Tap Cover screen Ads.
- Switch the setting to Off.
This is the opt-out path in Samsung’s current U.S. support guidance. If the option is missing, Samsung advises checking for a software update. Menu labels for display customization can differ: some models may say Screen and Style, while others say Wallpaper and Style. As an alternative, select the Art or Album Cover screen theme, which Samsung says does not show ads.
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If the setting still does not appear after updating, note the refrigerator’s model number and software version before contacting Samsung support. The documented control covers Cover screen ads; it does not establish that every Samsung-branded promotion elsewhere in the interface is removed.
Which refrigerators are affected?
Samsung describes availability as limited to select Cover screen themes and says features may vary by model and country. Its public announcement and support page do not provide a complete model-by-model compatibility list, so it would be inaccurate to say every Family Hub refrigerator—or every Samsung refrigerator—shows ads. Fortune’s coverage associated the rollout with certain newer Family Hub models, including refrigerators with 21.5-inch or 32-inch screens, but those screen sizes are not a comprehensive official compatibility rule.
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- COLOR CUSTOMIZATION: Customize the design of your french door french door refrigerator with changeable door panels. Choose from a variety of colors and two finishes to create a space that fits your style.
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For U.S. buyers, Family Hub refrigerators are premium appliances; one report described prices starting around $1,800, with configurations costing substantially more. That is a market snapshot, not a fixed price for every model: capacity, finish, retailer, promotions and date all matter. Check the price and the ad-control behavior for the exact model before buying.
Are the ads personalized, and what does Samsung say about privacy?
Samsung says the pilot uses contextual, non-personal ads and that Family Hub devices do not collect personal information or track consumers for this advertising feature. That is Samsung’s claim about this pilot, not proof that the refrigerator collects no data for any purpose.
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- FRESH FILTERED WATER: Samsung water filters reduce contaminants, giving your family fresh tasting water; Use with your Samsung French Door or Side by Side Refrigerator
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- LONG LASTING USE: Samsung refrigerator water filters offer long-lasting use and easy installation; It is recommended to replace your water filter every 6 months
- AVOID WATER DAMAGE: Only Samsung filters are guaranteed to perform correctly with your refrigerator, avoiding the risk of water damage to your fridge and your home
Family Hub also connects to services such as Samsung Account and SmartThings, and some features require account registration. Data practices for those connected functions are a separate question from whether the Cover screen ads are personalized. The available statements do not establish that Samsung tracks what owners buy or view through the refrigerator for this ad pilot.
Did owners separately agree to receive ads?
Samsung’s announcement said owners would receive a notification on the refrigerator asking them to opt in to the latest software update. That does not, by itself, establish that each owner separately opted in to advertising: Samsung describes an ad setting that can be switched off, but the announcement does not clarify whether advertising consent was a separate step on every affected model.
Rank #4
- Bespoke 4-Door Flex with Family Hub+ in Charcoal Family Hub panel, Stainless Steel
Why the change matters to owners and buyers
The frustration is understandable: a refrigerator is a long-lived, expensive appliance, and its display can become a commercial surface after purchase through a software update. The setting to disable ads is useful, but it does not erase the broader ownership question: how much control should a manufacturer retain over an appliance’s interface after it has been sold?
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- LARGE CAPACITY: Completely redesigned interior with 27.4 cu. ft. capacity that fits 10% more groceries than ever.
- MODERN DESIGN: Flat panel door design with easy-to-open recessed handles blends into your cabinetry to give you a modern built-in-look.
- FINGERPRINT-RESISTANT FINISH: Finish that withstands everyday smudges so you spend less time cleaning.
- ALL-AROUND COOLING: The multivent technology keeps items on every shelf evenly cooled.
- INDOOR ICEMAKER: High-capacity indoor icemaker that saves shelf space for your frozen foods.
Questions to ask before buying
- Does the exact refrigerator model include Family Hub, and is the advertising feature available in your country?
- Can the Cover screen ads be switched off on that model and software version?
- Which features require a Samsung Account, an internet connection or other connected services?
- Do you want the display’s calendar, food-management, photo and SmartThings features enough to accept ongoing software dependence?
Samsung’s Family Hub overview describes its connected display platform, while noting that supported functions vary by model. If the screen is not important to you, compare the exact purchase options with a refrigerator that does not include Family Hub rather than paying extra for features you will not use.
What remains uncertain
Samsung’s public materials establish an opt-out setting, ad-free Art and Album themes, and a campaign-period limit for dismissing an individual ad. They do not settle which models and regional firmware versions receive the feature, whether a reset or later update changes an owner’s setting, or whether ads ever appear outside the idle Cover screen. Those details should be verified on the specific model and software version rather than assumed.
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