Samsung pulls the plug on two long‑standing AR utilities
In a move that will affect every Galaxy phone still running the Quick Measure or AR Doodle apps, Samsung has announced that both services will be discontinued at the end of the year. The company posted updated listings in the Galaxy Store stating that service for Quick Measure will terminate on 31 December 2026, and the same date applies to AR Doodle. After that point the apps will no longer be available for fresh downloads and they will not receive any further updates.
The notice also warns that while an already‑installed copy will continue to function for the time being, future One UI releases are likely to render the apps unusable. Samsung’s wording makes clear that the decision is part of a broader plan to “return with improved services in the future,” although no timeline for a replacement has been given.
What the two apps actually did
| App | Core function | Typical use‑case |
|---|---|---|
| Quick Measure | Uses the phone’s camera and ARCore to gauge distances, heights, and surface dimensions in real‑world space. | Measuring furniture, checking room dimensions, quick DIY calculations without a tape measure. |
| AR Doodle | Overlays free‑hand drawings onto the live camera view, letting users “sketch” in the environment. | Adding playful annotations to photos, creating quick visual notes for friends, or simple AR fun. |
Both utilities have been bundled with Samsung’s One UI for several years and were pre‑installed on many flagship and mid‑range devices. They never achieved the popularity of Google Lens, but they offered a convenient, no‑extra‑download way for Samsung users to experiment with AR.
Why the shutdown matters for UK Galaxy owners
Compatibility with upcoming One UI updates
Samsung’s own statement notes that compatibility support will cease for future OS updates. For UK customers who are on a carrier‑subsidised contract, this is a practical concern: many carriers push One UI upgrades automatically. If you keep your phone up‑to‑date, the AR apps could stop working before the official end‑of‑year cut‑off.
Impact on bundled services and contracts
Some UK carriers bundle Samsung‑specific features (e.g., Samsung Pay, Samsung Health) as part of their premium plans, but the AR utilities have never been part of a contractual offering. Nevertheless, the removal of pre‑installed apps can affect the perceived value of a device, especially for users who rely on Quick Measure for everyday tasks like checking whether a new sofa will fit through a doorway.
Alternatives already in the ecosystem
- Google Lens – Integrated into the Google Camera app and the Android system UI, Lens can measure objects, translate text, and identify items. It is already available on most Android phones sold in the UK, including Samsung’s own devices.
- Third‑party AR measurement apps – Apps such as Measure (by Google) and AR Ruler provide similar functionality and are regularly updated.
- Creative AR drawing tools – Apps like SketchAR or AR Sketch let users draw in space, though they lack the seamless integration that AR Doodle offered.
For most users, these alternatives will fill the gap, but the convenience of a native Samsung app will be missed.
What Samsung says and what we can infer
The official Galaxy Store notice reads, in Samsung’s own words, “We are committed to returning with improved services in the future.” The phrasing mirrors the company’s recent pattern of sunsetting older services (e.g., Samsung Pay’s limited‑region phase‑out) before launching a refreshed version under a new brand or with deeper integration.
Industry analysts speculate that Samsung may be consolidating its AR efforts under the Samsung XR umbrella, a platform the company has been quietly developing for mixed‑reality headsets and future foldables. If that is the case, the next generation of AR tools could be tied to the upcoming One UI 10 release, which is expected to debut alongside the Android 15 update in early 2027.
What UK buyers should do now
- Back up any important AR Doodle sketches – If you have saved creations, export them before the apps become unstable after a system update.
- Test Quick Measure before the year ends – Verify that the app still works on your current OS version; if you notice glitches, consider switching to Google Lens now.
- Watch for Samsung’s next AR announcement – Keep an eye on Samsung’s developer blog and the UK‑focused Samsung Newsroom for any hint of a successor.
- Check carrier update policies – Some UK carriers allow you to postpone major OS upgrades. If Quick Measure is essential for you, you might delay the update until after the 31 December deadline.
- Explore third‑party alternatives – Most of the reputable measurement apps are free and support UK units (centimetres, inches, feet) out of the box.
Looking ahead: AR on Samsung devices
Samsung’s decision to retire Quick Measure and AR Doodle does not signal an abandonment of AR altogether. The company has been investing heavily in Samsung XR, a suite that aims to power everything from AR navigation to immersive gaming on its upcoming foldable and flip devices. The next wave of AR experiences is likely to be more tightly integrated with the Galaxy Watch and Galaxy Buds ecosystem, offering hands‑free interaction.
For UK consumers, the practical takeaway is that while the familiar tools are disappearing, the AR landscape on Android is expanding. By staying on top of software updates and exploring the growing catalogue of AR apps, Galaxy owners can continue to benefit from the same, if not richer, functionality.
Bottom line: Samsung will stop supporting Quick Measure and AR Doodle after 31 December 2026, removing them from the Galaxy Store and halting updates. Existing installations will survive for now but may break with future One UI releases. UK users should transition to alternatives such as Google Lens and keep an eye on Samsung’s upcoming XR‑focused AR offerings.
