Samsung is winding down two of its long-running augmented reality features as the company continues to reshape the software experience on its Galaxy smartphones. AR Doodle and Quick Measure will be discontinued on December 31, 2026, according to notices added to their listings on the Samsung Galaxy Store.
The move marks the end of two relatively niche AR experiences that Samsung once used to demonstrate what its smartphone cameras and sensors could do beyond conventional photography.
Apple has also reportedly shut down Project Mulberry, an effort to develop an AI-powered virtual health coach, as the company rethinks its broader wellness strategy.
Why is Samsung shutting down AR Doodle and Quick Measure?
Samsung has not disclosed a specific reason for discontinuing the two apps. The company has, however, said that it is “committed to returning with improved services in the future”, leaving open the possibility that similar functionality could return in a different form.
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Read Now Flood and Fury The timing is notable because standalone AR features have become less prominent in smartphone marketing as manufacturers have shifted their attention towards artificial intelligence. Samsung's Galaxy strategy has increasingly centred on Galaxy AI and AI-powered camera, productivity and personalisation features.
That does not necessarily mean Samsung is abandoning augmented reality altogether. Rather, the shutdown could indicate a move away from maintaining these older standalone AR applications.
What is happening to Samsung AR Doodle?
AR Doodle allows users to draw virtual objects, lines and effects through the smartphone camera. The drawings can be anchored to people or objects in the real world, creating an augmented reality effect. On compatible Galaxy devices, users could also use the S Pen for some of these interactions.
Samsung will stop new downloads and updates for AR Doodle after December 31. Users who already have the app installed may continue using it, but Samsung says some features may eventually stop working, particularly as future operating system updates are released.
What is Samsung Quick Measure?
Quick Measure uses a Galaxy phone's camera and AR capabilities to estimate the distance and dimensions of physical objects. It was designed for situations where users needed a quick measurement of objects or spaces without a conventional measuring tool.
Like AR Doodle, Quick Measure will stop receiving updates and new-download support after December 31, 2026. Samsung will also stop providing compatibility support for future operating system versions.
Can Galaxy users still use these apps?
Yes, at least initially.
Samsung says users who already have AR Doodle or Quick Measure installed can continue using the applications after the December 31 deadline. However, the company warns that some features may not work properly, and future One UI or Android updates could eventually make the apps incompatible.
This means the December 31 date is primarily the end of official support, rather than an immediate switch-off for every existing installation.
Is Samsung ending all its AR apps?
Not immediately. A related AR application, Deco Pic, has reportedly been given a longer runway, with its service scheduled to end on December 31, 2027.
For now, Samsung has not announced a direct replacement for AR Doodle or Quick Measure. What does this mean for Samsung users in India?
For most Galaxy users in India, the shutdown is unlikely to have a major impact because both applications are specialised features rather than core smartphone functions. Users who regularly use Quick Measure or AR Doodle, however, should be aware that Samsung will no longer guarantee their compatibility with future software updates. The bigger significance is what the decision says about the smartphone industry's changing priorities. AR was once positioned as one of the next major frontiers for smartphones. AI has increasingly taken that place. Samsung's decision to retire these older AR tools, while promising “improved services” in the future, suggests that the company may be looking to rebuild rather than simply maintain its earlier AR strategy.