Calling all Android devotees out there, this one is for you. Be honest, it is frustrating to find several factory-installed bloatware apps already embedded on your new smartphone, taking up much needed space, distracting you and slowing down your phone`s system, even copying and sending data in the background, right? Of course it is.
While it is safe to live with these unwanted apps on your smartphone, as the companies put them there for a reason, they surely occupy some space, maybe pop ads or notifications, plus stay in action whenever your phone is on, and hijack the storage you need for the apps you really use.
Do not despair though! In this article we will explain simple methods how to get rid of this pesky, not-called-for apps once and for all, without the need to root your phone or having any technical knowledge.
Deleting preloaded apps & uninstalling bloatware on Android
Some OEMs (Original Equipment Manufacturers) collaborate with various brands like Facebook, Netflix, TikTok and Instagram to feature and promote their apps, with the intention of subsidising the cost of their smartphones.
These third-party non-essential system apps are not always welcome by users, and for those who want to get rid of them, here is how:
- Open the app drawer on your phone
- Find the bloatware app you wish to uninstall
- Long-press on the app’s icon, then tap Uninstall (or Delete app) to remove the app
- Now, you can do the same for other unwanted apps till you get rid of them
Otherwise, open Settings, choose Apps and then tap on See All Apps to view all the apps on your smartphone. Go through them, and check which ones you want to uninstall. Click on the chosen app and then tap on the Uninstall button featuring.
You will notice that not all apps have this Uninstall button though, and for those we use another method – Disable.
Procedure to disable bloatware
Some Android phone manufacturers may integrate bloatware with its software, so users can`t uninstall them. However, that doesn`t mean that you are obliged to use them or just leave them there absorbing your storage and power.
If this bloatware is not profitable for you, or you will not be using them, maybe you have better apps doing the same thing already, well then you can `freeze` them from running in the background. This will boost your phone`s performance and reduce battery usage.
Here is how to disable apps, also applicable for those apps which do not have an uninstall button featuring:
- Open the Settings
- Go to the Apps section. Usually Apps & Notifications on most Android devices
- Tap the option See all apps
- Now, select the app you want to remove
- Once you’re there, you’ll either find the Uninstall or Disable options. Tap the one available to remove the installed bloatware from your phone
Uninstalling vs Disabling
From what we have seen so far then, the options to get rid of bloatware are twofold, either uninstall or disable.
Now, it is true that you need to disable the apps which don`t have an uninstall button, but we also recommend to `freeze` apps by disabling them rather than drastically uninstalling them, especially if you are not sure if you will be using them again.
Well, then you can always install them again via the Play Store, but by disabling them only, you can swiftly revive or restore them anytime you wish, with a touch of a button.
A disabled app, will feature an Enable button, so if you want to revive the app, you must tap on Enable via Settings and Apps, as seen above. It is a swift and easy procedure.
Final Thoughts
Android OEMs understandably have their plans and strategies, working in partnership with brands, promoting their apps by embedding them on smartphones or integrating them with their software, to subsidise their flashy new devices.
Users may find these apps enticing, ignore them or get annoyed by their continuous pop-ups, ads or notifications that these apps may bring, since they continue to run in the background.
Uninstalling apps, or putting them to sleep so to say by disabling them, are methods which resolve these irritating bloatware from your Android smartphones.
