A ​​smartphone on Android over time becomes clogged with unnecessary applications: from pre-installed manufacturer services to forgotten games and test utilities. They not only take up precious memory space, but also slow down the system and can run in the background. However, deleting them is not always as easy as it seems: some apps are protected from uninstallation, while others leave behind “tails” in the form of caches and settings. use up battery power, slow down the system and can collect data in the background. However, deleting them is not always as easy as it seems: some apps are protected from uninstallation, while others leave behind “tails” in the form of caches and settings.

In this article you will find step-by-step guide for all types of applications - from standard (which can be removed without superuser rights) to system ones (requiring ADB or root). We will also look at how disable auto-update of unnecessary apps and prevent their reappearance after resetting the settings. The instructions are relevant for all versions Android from 8.0 Oreo to 14, including firmware from Samsung (One UI), Xiaomi (MIUI), Realme and other manufacturers.

Before you begin, check which apps are taking up space: go to Settings → Applications and sort the list by size. Pay attention to applications marked "Disabled"** —they are no longer active, but are still stored in the device memory.

📊 How often do you delete unnecessary applications on your smartphone?
Once a month
Only when the memory runs out
Never deleted
I use special cleaners

1. Removing standard applications through Android settings

Most user apps (games, instant messengers, social networks) can be deleted in the standard way. This method is suitable for applications installed manually from Google Play or APKfiles. System utilities (for example, Google Play Music or Samsung Knox) will not be deleted in this way, but you can turn off.

Instructions:

  • 📱 Open Settings → Applications (on some firmware the path may differ: Settings → Application Manager).
  • 🔍 In the list, find an unnecessary application and tap on it.
  • 🗑️ Click "Delete" (if button is active) or "Disable" (for system apps).
  • 🔄 Confirm the action. Some applications (for example, Facebook or TikTok) may offer instead of deleting "Archiving"** —this leaves some data on the device.

⚠️ Attention: Removing some applications (for example, Google Play Market or Google Play Services) may disrupt the system. Disable them only if you know exactly what they are responsible for.

☑️ What to check before deleting an application

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2. Disabling pre-installed (system) applications

Smartphone manufacturers (Samsung, Xiaomi, Huawei etc.) often install their own proprietary apps that cannot be removed in the standard way. These include:

  • 🎵 Music players (Samsung Music, Mi Music)
  • 📷 Duplicate cameras and galleries
  • 🏦 Branded wallets and payment systems
  • 🎮 Game launchers (Game Launcher, Game Space)

Such apps can disablewhich will stop their operation and hide them from the menu, but will not free up memory completely. To do this:

  1. Go to Settings → Applications.
  2. Select the desired application (for example, Bixby on Samsung).
  3. Click "Disable" (or "Delete updates"if the "Delete" button is inactive).
  4. Confirm the action. The application will disappear from the menu, but will remain in the list Disabled.

⚠️ Attention: Disabling system applications (for example, Android Auto or Google Assistant) may cause other functions to malfunction. Before disabling, check whether the app is used by other services (for example, Google Play Services needed for the correct operation of most applications).

💡

If a disabled application reappeared after a system update, check the automatic recovery settings in Settings → System → Reset settings → Application recovery (path may vary).

3. Removing system applications without root via ADB

For complete removal pre-installed apps (not just disabling) you will need Android Debug Bridge (ADB) a debugging tool that works through the computer. This method does not require root accessbut requires caution: incorrect commands can disrupt the system.

What you will need:

  • 💻 Computer with Windows, macOS or Linux.
  • 🔌 USB cable (preferably original).
  • 📦 Installed drivers for your smartphone (for example, Samsung USB Driver for devices Samsung).
  • 🛠️ ADB Tools (can be downloaded from the official site Google or via SDK Platform Tools).

Step-by-step guide:

  1. Enable "Developer mode" on your smartphone: go to Settings → About phone i Tap on Build number7 times. Go back to Settings → System → For developers and activate "USB debugging".
  2. Connect your smartphone to the computer and select the mode File transfer (MTP).
  3. Open a command line (CMD on Windows or Terminal on macOS/Linux) and go to the folder with ADB (for example, cd C:\platform-tools).
  4. Enter the command to check the connection: 
    adb devices

    If the device is shown in the list, you can continue.

  5. Find out the package name of the unnecessary application. To do this, enter: 
    adb shell pm list packages | grep 'application_name'

    For example, for Facebook use grep 'facebook'.

  6. Delete the application with the command (replace com.example.app with the real package name): 
    adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.example.app

    Flag --user 0 means deletion only for the current user (does not affect other accounts on the device).

⚠️ Attention: Google Play Store data-i="178">2. Try another USB cable (preferably original). Some system applications (for example, com.android.vending is Google Play Store) cannot be deleted - this will lead to smartphone malfunctionBefore deleting, check the package name on the Internet.

What to do if ADB does not see the device?

1. Check if USB debugging is enabled in the developer options.

2. Try a different USB cable (preferably the original one).

3. Install drivers for your smartphone model (for example, Samsung USB Driver for Galaxy).

4. Restart your computer and smartphone.

5. If used Windows, try running ADB as administrator.

4. Complete removal using root access

If your smartphone has root access (superuser rights), you can delete any applications, including critical system ones. This method gives maximum freedom, but also maximum risks: incorrect actions can lead to "brick"** (breakage) of the device.

Popular methods of obtaining root:

  • 🔓 Magisk (recommended for modern devices).
  • 🛠️ SuperSU (outdated, but suitable for older models).
  • 📱 Specialized utilities for specific brands (for example, KingRoot for Xiaomi or MTK Root Tools for devices on Mediatek).

How to remove an application from root:

  1. Install a file manager with root support (for example, Root Explorer or Solid Explorer).
  2. Go to the folder /system/app (for system applications) or /data/app (for user ones).
  3. Find the folder with the name of the application to be deleted (for example, com.facebook.katana for Facebook) and delete it.
  4. Clear residual data in /data/data (folder with the same package name).
  5. Reboot the device.
Deletion method Requires root Requires a PC Risk to the system Frees up memory completely
Standard deletion ❌ No ❌ No ⚠️ Low ✅ Yes
Disablement ❌ No ❌ No ⚠️ Medium (maybe disrupt the operation of other applications) ❌ No (files remain)
ADB ❌ No ✅ Yes ⚠️⚠️ High (when removing system packages) ✅ Yes
Root + file manager ✅ Yes ❌ No ⚠️⚠️⚠️ Critical (risk brika) ✅ Yes
Custom recovery (TWRP) ✅ Yes ❌ No ⚠️⚠️ High ✅ Yes

⚠️ Attention: After uninstalling system applications via root, some functions may stop working (for example, OTA updates, Google Pay or Widevine DRM to watch videos in high definition). Before deleting, make backup via TWRP or Titanium Backup.

5. Cleaning residual files after deletion

Even after deleting applications on the device remain:

  • 🗃️ Cache and data in folders /data/data or /sdcard/Android/data.
  • 📁 Configuration files in /data/system/package_cache.
  • 🔗 Symbolic links (for system applications).

How to clear the "tails":

  1. Use the built-in cleaning function: Settings → Storage → Free up space (on some firmware the path may differ).
  2. For deep cleaning, install SD Maid or Files by Google (section "Cleaning"**).
  3. If there is root, delete the folders manually through the file manager (see section 4).
  4. Check the section "Other applications"** in Settings → Applications - sometimes inactive services remain there.

⚠️ Attention: Do not manually delete folders with names com.android. or android. are system components, without which Android it will not load.

💡

Even after completely deleting the application, its data may remain in cloud backups (for example, in Google Drive or Mi Cloud). To avoid restoring unnecessary apps after a reset, disable auto-sync in your account settings.

6. How to prevent the reappearance of unnecessary apps

Many manufacturers recover deleted system applications after firmware update or reset settings. To avoid this:

  • 🔄 Disable automatic firmware update to Settings → System → Update Software.
  • 📥 Block installation of software from the manufacturer: 
    adb shell pm hide com.sec.android.soagent

    (replace com.sec.android.soagent with packages responsible for updating your brand's software).

  • 🛡️ Use custom firmware (for example, LineageOS or Pixel Experience), where there is no pre-installed garbage.
  • 🔒 Disable application synchronization in Settings → Accounts → Google → Synchronization.

If you often encounter the return of deleted apps, consider installing unlocking the bootloader and installations TWRP. This will allow:

  • 📦 Install modified firmware without bloat.
  • 🔧 Do backups before updates.
  • 🚫 Block installation of unnecessary packages through Magisk modules (for example, Universal Debloater).

7. Alternative methods: freezing and debloating

If deleting seems risky, you can "freeze"** applications - this will stop them from working, but will save the files on the device. To do this, use:

  • 🧊 Titanium Backup (requires root).
  • ❄️ Ice Box or Shelter (work without root on some firmware).
  • 🛠️ Package Disabler (for Samsung and LG).

For mass removal of bloat (pre-installed apps) use debloating scripts:

  • 📜 Universal Android Debloater (works through ADB).
  • 🤖 Debloater Tools for specific brands (for example, Xiaomi Debloater).

An example of a command for mass disabling unnecessary packages via ADB:

adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.sec.android.app.launcher &&

adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.samsung.android.bixby.agent &&


adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.facebook.appmanager

⚠️ Attention: Debloating scripts may contain commands to remove critical packages. Always check the list before executing!

FAQ: Frequently asked questions about deleting apps on Android

Is it possible to remove Google Play Store and Google Services?

Technically yes, but this is will break the operation most applications, including Google Play, Gmail and YouTube. data-i="334">many apps will not be able to log in or receive push notifications. If it is important for you to get rid of services Google Services Framework Many apps will not be able to log in or receive push notifications. If it’s important for you to get rid of services Google, consider firmware based on AOSP (for example, LineageOS without GAPPS).

Why does it appear again after deleting the application?

This happens due to:

  • 🔄 Automatic firmware updates (the manufacturer returns deleted packages).
  • 📥 Restore from backup (for example, when resetting settings).
  • 🤖 Functions "Restore applications"** in settings Android.

To avoid this, disable automatic software updates and delete backups of unnecessary applications in Google Drive.

How to remove viruses that masquerade as system applications?

If you suspect that your device has malware:

  1. Run a scan via Malwarebytes or Dr.Web Light.
  2. Check the list of applications in Settings → Applications for suspicious packages (for example, with random letters in the name).
  3. Uninstall them via ADB or reset your smartphone to factory settings (Settings → System → Reset).
  4. If the virus blocks access to the settings, boot into Safe Mode (hold the power off button → "Reboot in Safe Mode"**).

⚠️ Do not remove packages manually if you are not sure of their purpose - this may lead to loss of functionality.

Is it possible to remove applications on Android without a computer?

Yes, but with limitations:

  • 📲 Standard applications removed via Settings → Applications.
  • 🔧 System applications can be disabled (but not completely removed) without ADB or root.
  • 🛠️ For complete removal without a PC you will need root access and a file manager (for example, Root Explorer).

It is impossible to use ADBwithout a computer, so to remove the pre-installed software you will have to either get root, or put up with disconnection.

What applications can be safely deleted on Samsung/Xiaomi/Realme?

The list of applications safe to delete depends on the model, but usually you can delete:

For Samsung:

  • com.sec.android.app.launcher (duplicate launcher)
  • com.samsung.android.bixby.agent (Bixby)
  • com.sec.android.app.sbrowser (Samsung Internet)

For Xiaomi:

  • com.miui.weather2 (weather)
  • com.xiaomi.scanner (scanner)
  • com.miui.videoplayer (video player)

For Realme:

  • com.heytap.browser (browser)
  • com.heytap.music (music)
  • com.heytap.cloud (cloud)

🔍 Find complete lists of packages safe to remove on the forums 4PDA or XDA-Developers for your model.