What to know

  • Samsung’s Family Hub smart fridges started displaying ads on idle Cover Screens after a recent update.
  • Ads only appear on certain themes; switching to Art or Gallery keeps the screen ad-free for now.
  • There’s no complete opt-out, and the move arrived without warning, angering many customers.
  • Owners are also concerned about data collection for ad personalization and unclear privacy implications.

Samsung has started putting ads on its smart refrigerators in the US, and people aren’t happy about it. With a new software update, certain Samsung Family Hub fridges now show ads on the Cover Screen whenever the screen is idle. This is the first time Samsung has done this, and it’s part of a pilot program they say is meant to “enhance the value” of these pricey appliances.

How the Ads on Samsung's refrigerators Work

The ads only show up on specific themes like Weather, Color, and Daily Board. If someone switches to the Art or Gallery theme, the ads go away for now. Samsung says users can dismiss individual ads, and those won’t show up again while the campaign is running.

There’s no full “off” switch. Everyone on the affected models will see ads unless they change to one of the ad-free themes.

The update comes with new terms and privacy info, explaining that Samsung may use some data to personalize the ads.

Why This Is Upsetting People

Most folks bought these fridges expecting a high-end, ad-free experience—especially since some models go for over $1,800. There was zero warning. Earlier this year, Samsung said there weren’t plans for ads, then rolled them out anyway.

Lots of owners feel blindsided and angry. Some are already looking for ways to block the ads or disconnect the fridge from Wi-Fi. It fits Samsung’s “screens everywhere” approach, which started with smart TVs. Some people are worried that all smart appliances might go this direction.

What You Can Do

  • If a Samsung smart fridge shows ads, switching to Art or Gallery theme might keep things ad-free. But it’s not clear how long that will last.
  • There’s no way to fully opt out right now, and Samsung hasn’t listed all affected models.
  • If privacy is a concern, check the updated terms—ads might be personalized using some of your data.

So that’s the situation—ads have arrived on fridges, and a lot of people feel like they didn’t sign up for this.