Smartphones Samsung Galaxyline, running on an operating system Android with a shell One UI, over time can accumulate many apps that the user stops using. This leads to slower operation of the device, filling up the internal memory and increasing battery consumption. Proper removal of unnecessary software is a key step in maintaining high performance of your gadget.
The uninstallation process on modern models such as Galaxy S24, A55 or older versions may differ depending on the type of application. Some apps can be removed using standard tools in a couple of clicks, while others, which are system apps, require deeper intervention or the use of special modes. Understanding the differences between user and system software will help you avoid mistakes.
In this article we will analyze in detail all the available methods for cleaning your device from unnecessary software. You'll learn how to safely get rid of pre-installed services, how to use the Application Manager for bulk removal, and what to do if the standard Uninstall button is greyed out. A competent approach to managing installed software will extend the life of your smartphone.
Standard removal method via the main screen
The fastest and most intuitive way to get rid of an unnecessary app is to use the desktop of your smartphone. Interface One UI allows you to manage applications directly from icons, without going into deep system settings. This method is ideal for apps that you downloaded yourself from the store Google Play or installed from other sources.
First, find the icon of the application that you plan to delete on the main screen or in the all applications menu. Click on it and hold your finger for one to two seconds until the context menu appears. Depending on the firmware version, you will see a pop-up window with several options or the icon will begin to vibrate slightly, allowing you to drag it.
If a menu appears, select "Delete". If the desktop editing mode is activated, simply drag the icon to the top of the screen, where the trash can icon or the words “Delete” will appear. After confirming the action, the app will be completely erased from the device along with most of its data.
⚠️ Attention: When deleting an application via the desktop, all local data saved within the app (for example, progress in a game without cloud synchronization) will be irretrievably lost. Make sure that important information is saved in the cloud.
It is worth noting that for some pre-installed services from Samsung or partners (for example, social networks or office suites), the “Delete” option may be replaced with “Disable”. In this case, the icon will disappear from the screen, but the application itself will remain in the phone's memory in an inactive state, taking up minimal space.
If you accidentally deleted an important application, you can quickly return it through Google Play in the "Library" -> "Not installed on this device" section.
Managing applications through system settings
More detailed control over the installed software is provided by the smartphone settings section. Here you can see a complete list of all apps, including hidden system processes, and manage their rights, permissions and storage. This method is especially useful when you need to remove an application whose icon was accidentally hidden or deleted from the desktop.
Go to the menu Settings and find the section Applications. The list that opens will display all installed apps. For convenience, you can sort them by size, frequency of use, or name. Select the desired application from the list by clicking on its name to open the detailed information page.
On the application information page, you will see a button Delete at the bottom of the screen. If this button is active, clicking on it will start the uninstallation process. Before confirmation, the system will show a warning that all application data will be deleted. If the button is gray and cannot be pressed, then this application is critical for the operation of the system or has device administrator rights.
In the same menu, you can pre-clear the cache and application data before deleting. It is recommended to do this for instant messengers or browsers to free up space before the final erasure of the app. Click on the item Storage, and then select Clear data and Clear cache.
Bulk removal of apps to save time
If your Samsung Galaxy has accumulated dozens of unnecessary games and utilities, removing them one by one can be tedious. The shell One UI offers a convenient batch uninstall mode, which allows you to select several applications at once and erase them in one go. This significantly speeds up the process of clearing memory.
Go to Settings -> Applications. In the top right corner of the screen, look for the three dots or sort icon. In the menu that opens, select Delete several applications (or “Select apps” in some versions). The interface will change: circles for selection will appear next to each icon.
Tick the boxes of all the apps you want to get rid of. You can choose them randomly or in a row. After the list is generated, click the button Delete at the bottom of the screen. The system will ask for final confirmation, after which all selected applications will be uninstalled sequentially.
☑️ Preparing for mass cleaning
Please note that during mass deletion, the system may skip applications that are currently running in the background or have active administrator rights. In this case, you will need to go to the settings of each such application individually to complete the procedure.
Removing system and pre-installed applications
Smartphones Samsung often come with a large amount of pre-installed software that cannot be removed using standard methods. Such apps include services Samsung Health, Bixby, as well as applications from telecom operator partners. However, there are ways to deactivate or remove even such software.
First, try the “Disable” method. In the menu Applications select the system app. If the "Delete" button is inactive, find the Disablebutton. Clicking on it will stop the application, hide its icon and prevent it from receiving updates. In fact, the app will stop consuming processor and battery resources.
To completely remove system applications, you need to use a computer and a tool ADB (Android Debug Bridge). This method is intended for advanced users. You need to enable USB debugging mode in the menu For developers, connect the phone to the PC and enter a special command in the terminal.
adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 application_package_nameThe package name can be found in about the application or using special utilities. Be extremely careful: removing critical system components (for example, com.android.phone) may lead to the smartphone not working and requiring flashing.
⚠️ Attention: The interface and available functions may vary slightly depending on the version of Android and the One UI shell. If you are not sure about the purpose of the system application, it is better to use the “Disable” function instead of completely uninstalling it via ADB.
Cleaning residual files after uninstallation
Even after successfully removing the application, “tails” may remain in the phone’s memory - empty folders, cache files or media files, which the app created during its work. This data is not deleted automatically and can take up valuable space in the internal memory.
To find and delete these remains, use the built-in file manager My files. Go to section Internal memory and carefully review the list of folders. Look for directories with the names of deleted applications or developers (for example, folders from games or instant messengers).
You can also use the built-in optimization function. Go to Settings -> Device maintenance (or Optimization) and press the Optimizebutton. The system will automatically scan the storage for unnecessary files and offer to delete them.
| Data type | Where it is located | Can I delete |
|---|---|---|
| Application cache | Settings -> Applications -> Storage | Yes, safe |
| Folders in Downloads | My files -> Downloads | Yes, if the files are not needed |
| System libraries | Android/data folder | No, it may break operation |
| Media files | DCIM, Pictures, Music | Duplicates only |
Why is the Android/data folder protected?
Starting with Android 11, access to this folder is limited to third-party file managers for security reasons. You should delete files from there only with caution, only if you are sure that they belong to deleted applications.
Solving problems when deleting applications
Sometimes users are faced with a situation where the application is not deleted, the button is inactive, or the process freezes. Most often this is due to the fact that the app has been granted special rights or is being used by another service at the moment. Let's look at the main reasons and ways to eliminate them.
The first common reason is the presence of rights device administrator. Antiviruses, phone finder applications, or corporate clients often require such rights to operate. To remove them, you must first revoke those privileges. Go to Settings -> Biometrics and security -> Other security settings -> Device administrator applications.
Find the problematic application in the list and uncheck it by clicking Disable. After that, return to the application menu and try to remove it again. The second reason is the application running in the background. Try restarting your smartphone and immediately after turning it on, try to remove the app before it has time to start its services.
If the application is stuck in the “Waiting to be deleted” state, clearing the service cache Google Play Market and Download Managerwill help. Go to the settings of these system components and select Clear data. This will reset the queues for installation and uninstallation.
If standard methods do not help, Android safe mode allows you to remove applications that are blocked by third-party services or viruses.
Why is the “Delete” button gray and not clickable?
This means that the application is a system component of Android or the One UI shell, necessary for the basic operation of the phone (calls, messages, settings). Such apps can only be disabled, but not removed without root access.
Is it safe to remove system application updates?
Yes, it is safe. You can uninstall updates for apps such as YouTube, Chrome or Samsung Notes, reverting them to the factory version. This will free up space occupied by new versions, but the application itself will remain on the phone.
What to do if the phone says “Application not installed” when deleting?
This error usually occurs when you try to delete an application that has already been deleted previously, but its entry remains in the list due to a database failure. Try rebooting your device. If the error persists, you can use ADB to force clear the entry.
Will your account be removed from the application when you uninstall it?
No, deleting the application from your phone does not remove your account from the service. Your data remains on the developer's servers. To delete your account completely, you need to go to the settings of the service itself through a browser or other device.
Is it possible to restore a deleted application without the Internet?
No, to reinstall the application you need access to the application store (Google Play or Galaxy Store), which requires an Internet connection. The local installation file (APK) must be saved in advance in the phone's memory.