Global Goals on Android: what is this app, how to remove it and why does it appear on the phone

If you notice an application on your Android smartphone Global Goals (sometimes displayed as Global Goals: World's To-Do List or simply com.projecteveryone.globalgoals), then you most likely wondered: what kind of app is this, where did it come from and whether it can be safely removed. This is not a virus or malware, but it does not provide useful functionality for the average user. Let's take a look at what's behind this name, how the app is related to the UN, why it comes pre-installed on some devices, and what to do if it's taking up space or interfering with your phone.

As a quick note: Global Goals is an initiative supported by Project Everyone (a non-profit organization founded by Richard Curtis, the film's screenwriter "Real Love") in partnership with UN. The application is designed to disseminate information about Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) - 17 global challenges that the world community must solve by 2030 (poverty alleviation, gender equality, climate change, etc.). However, in practice, most Android users find it unnecessary ballast. In this article we will tell you how it gets onto devices, whether it affects performance, and whether it can be gotten rid of without consequences.

What is Global Goals and why do you need it on Android

Global Goals is an information application created for popularization UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs, Sustainable Development Goals). It was launched in 2015 as part of a campaign to draw attention to global issues, such as:

• 🌍 Eradicate Poverty (Goal No. 1)
• 💧 Clean water and hygiene (Goal No. 6)
• 🌱 Combating climate change (Goal No. 13)
• ⚖️ Peace and justice (Goal No. 16)

The app contains brief descriptions of each goal, infographics, videos, and calls to action (such as signing a petition or donating). However, it real usefulness for smartphone owners raises questions: it does not offer practical functions, does not integrate with other services and often remains unclaimed. Moreover, many users are not even aware of its existence until they come across it in the list of installed apps.

It is important to understand that Global Goals is not an Android system application - it is a regular app that device manufacturers (for example, Samsung, Huawei, Xiaomi) are preinstalled by agreement with Project Everyone. Such partnerships allow an organization to distribute information about SDGs to billions of users, but often lead to a clutter of unnecessary software on phones.

How Global Goals gets to Android smartphones

The application Global Goals appears on devices in one of three ways:

1. Preinstalled by the manufacturer. Companies like Samsung, Huawei or OPPO include it in the firmware by agreement with Project Everyone. Most often this applies to budget and mid-budget models released after 2016.
2. Updating via Google Play. If the application was already in the system, it can be updated automatically via Play Market, even if you have not used it.
3. Installation together with other software. Less often - as an additional component when installing some applications (for example, proprietary utilities of the manufacturer).

It is interesting that Global Goals is not a mandatory component of Android, and its presence depends on the manufacturer’s policy. For example, smartphones Google Pixel or devices with “pure” Android (for example, Nokia running Android One) usually do without it. But on Samsung Galaxy series A or J it is more common.

Check if the application is on your phone:

1. Open Settings → Applications.
2. In the search bar, enter Global Goals or com.projecteveryone.globalgoals.
3. If it is there, you will see it in the list marked "Preinstalled" or "System".

Does Global Goals affect performance and battery

One of the main questions from users: whether Global Goals loads the system and is it worth deleting it to optimize the phone's performance? The answer depends on how exactly the application behaves on your device:

In most cases Global Goals does not have a critical impact on performance, since:

• 📱 Does not start automatically when you turn on the phone.
• 🔄 Doesn't work in the background all the time (only when opened).
• 📶 Doesn't use mobile traffic without your knowledge (unless it's updated).

However, there are nuances: On some Samsung devices (for example, Galaxy A series 2018–2020) the application can be activated along with the proprietary launcher One UI and consume up to 20 MB of RAM in the background. In this case, removing or disabling it may slightly improve multitasking.

How to remove or disable Global Goals on Android

If you decide to get rid of the application, you have several options - from simply disabling it to completely deleting it. The choice of method depends on whether you root access and whether you are ready for possible risks.

Method 1: Disabling (without root)

This is the safest method that does not require special knowledge:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Global Goals.
2. Click Disable (or Delete updatesif the "Disable" button is inactive).
3. Confirm the action. The application will disappear from the menu, but will remain in the system.

⚠️ Attention: On some firmware (for example, MIUI from Xiaomi), a disabled application may be activated again after updating the system. In this case, you will have to repeat the procedure or use other methods.

Method 2: Uninstall via ADB (without root)

If disabling is not enough, you can remove the application via Android Debug Bridge (ADB). This requires connecting the phone to the PC, but does not violate the warranty:

Install ADB on the PC (download from the Android Developer site)

Enable USB debugging on the phone (Settings → About the phone → Build number (press 7 times) → For developers → USB debugging)

Connect the phone to the PC and confirm trust in the computer

Open the command line (Windows) or terminal (Mac/Linux) in the folder with ADB-->

Next, enter the commands:

adb devices

(checking the connection - the serial number of the device should be displayed)

adb shell pm uninstall --user 0 com.projecteveryone.globalgoals

If the command is completed successfully, the application will be deleted for the current user (without root access). It will remain in the system partition, but will not be displayed and take up space.

adb shell pm disable-user --user 0 com.projecteveryone.globalgoals

Method 3: Complete removal (with root access)

If you have root accessyou can remove the application permanently using a file manager (for example, Root Explorer) or commands:

su
mount -o rw,remount /system
rm -rf /system/priv-app/GlobalGoals
rm -rf /system/app/GlobalGoals
mount -o ro,remount /system

⚠️ Attention: Removing system applications with root access can lead to unstable operation of the firmware. Before this be sure to make a backup via TWRP or another recovery.

What will happen if you delete Global Goals: possible consequences

Many users are afraid to delete pre-installed applications for fear of phone malfunctions. In the case of Global Goals the risks are minimal, but there are several nuances:

• ✅ No critical consequences - the application is not associated with the main functions of Android (calls, SMS, Internet).
• ⚠️ Possible recovery - after updating the firmware the manufacturer can return it back (especially on Samsung or Huawei).
• ❌ Loss of warranty —only if you used root or modified system files. Disabling through settings or ADB does not void the warranty.
• 🔄 Problems with OTA updates —in rare cases, deleting system applications can lead to errors when installing updates over the air.

In practice, most users those who deleted Global Goalsdo not encounter problems. However, if you use your phone for work and do not want to take risks, it is better to limit yourself to disabling instead of completely deleting.

If after deletion you notice problems (for example, the launcher stopped working or errors appeared when loading), restore the application:

1. Reset the phone to factory settings (if there is no backup).
2. Or reflash the device via Odin (for Samsung) or Fastboot (for other brands).

Alternatives to Global Goals: useful applications for environmental activism

If you are interested in the topic of sustainable development, but Global Goals seemed too superficial, pay attention to more practical alternatives:

These applications not only inform about global problems, but also offer specific actionsthat every user can do. For example, Oroeco integrates with bank cards and analyzes how your spending affects the environment, and JouleBug motivates with a competitive element.

If you are interested specifically in official information about the UN Goals, it is better to go to the website sdgs.un.org —the data there is more up-to-date than in the mobile application.

FAQ: Frequently asked questions about Global Goals on Android