"So basically I need a few extra gigs of storage on my phone and while looking through the installed apps, I realized that the preinstalled apps, though disabled, take an egregious amount of space. How do I completely remove the pre-installed apps from my phone? (Not Rooted)?"
- From Reddit
Preloaded apps, also known as "bloatware", are often installed on Android devices by manufacturers, carriers, or app developers. While some preloaded apps may be useful, many are unnecessary and take up valuable storage space and system resources. In this guide, we will explore 4 different methods of how to uninstall a preinstalled app on Android, helping you clean up your device and improve its performance, through the App Drawer, Settings, Android data manager, and ADB commands.
The simplest way to uninstall preloaded apps is through the App Drawer (also called the Home screen). However, this method only works if the app allows for direct uninstallation.
How can I uninstall preinstalled apps on Android?
Step 1. On your home screen, swipe up or tap the App Drawer icon to access all your installed apps.
Step 2. Scroll through the list to find the preloaded app you want to delete.
Step 3. Press and hold the app icon until a menu appears.
Step 4. Tap the "Uninstall" option. If this option doesn't appear, the app cannot be removed through the App Drawer. Confirm the action to completely remove the app from your device.
If you can't uninstall preloaded apps via the App Drawer, you can try using your device's Settings. Most Android devices allow you to either uninstall or disable apps from the Settings menu.
How do you delete preinstalled apps on Android?
Step 1. Tap on the Settings app from your home screen.
Step 2. Scroll down and select "Apps & Notifications" or "Applications" (depending on your Android version).
Step 3. In the app list, locate the preinstalled app you want to remove.
Step 4. Select the app to open its details page.
Step 5. If you can uninstall the app, tap "Uninstall" and confirm the action.
Step 6. If you can't uninstall it, you may be able to disable the app. Tap "Disable" to stop the app from running in the background, prevent it from being updated, and save storage space.
Disabling an app stops it from running, but it still occupies some space on your device. Disabling system apps is a safe way to reduce bloat without affecting your phone's performance.
If the standard method of uninstalling preinstalled apps doesn't work, or if you're looking for a more effortless and comprehensive approach, you might need a more powerful tool. Coolmuster Android Assistant is precisely such a software. It's an all-around Android management tool that lets you install or uninstall apps directly on your computer, including some preinstalled ones. Besides apps, it also supports managing contacts, SMS, call logs, music, videos, photos, books, and other data. Here are its more comprehensive features:
How do you remove preinstalled Android apps from a computer?
01To uninstall preinstalled Android apps, first download Android Assistant onto your computer (supported on both Windows and macOS). Then connect your Android phone to the computer using Wi-Fi or an appropriate USB cable.
02Follow the on-screen prompts to allow the program to recognize your Android phone; once done, you will see the main interface as shown below.
03Click on "Apps" in the left sidebar, scroll through the list, and browse the preinstalled apps. When you find excessive software or apps you wish to remove, select the checkbox next to them. Then click the "Uninstall" button to delete them from your Android phone.
For advanced users, ADB (Android Debug Bridge) allows you to remove preinstalled apps through command-line instructions. This method requires connecting your Android device to a computer and using ADB commands.
How to remove preinstalled apps from Android?
Step 1. Go to "Settings" > "About Phone", and tap "Build Number" seven times to enable Developer Options.
Step 2. In Developer Options, enable USB Debugging.
Step 3. Download and install ADB from the official Android Developer website.
Step 4. Use a USB cable to connect your Android device to your computer.
Step 5. On your computer, open the Command Prompt (Windows) or Terminal (Mac/Linux).
Step 6. In the command prompt, type: adb devices. This will list connected devices. If successful, your device's ID will appear.
Step 7. To list all apps on your device, type: adb shell pm list packages. This will show all installed apps, including system apps.
Step 8. Find the package name of the app you want to remove (e.g., com.google.android.apps.maps for Google Maps). Then, type the following command: adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 [package name]. Replace "[package name]" with the actual package name of the app you want to uninstall.
Note: ADB allows you to remove system-level apps, so be cautious. Removing essential system apps may affect your phone's functionality.
Uninstalling or disabling preloaded apps is a great way to free up space and improve the performance of your Android device. Whether you prefer using the App Drawer, Settings, Coolmuster Android Assistant, or ADB commands, there are multiple ways to clean up your device. For users who want an easy-to-use solution, Coolmuster Android Assistant is highly recommended for its user-friendly interface and efficient app management. Advanced users can utilize ADB commands to fully remove system-level bloatware. Choose the method that works best for you and enjoy a faster, more efficient Android experience.
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