Many users notice over time that the marketplace application is more active on their smartphone than others, consuming battery power and background traffic. The question of how to remove Aliexpress from an Android phone becomes especially relevant when the standard icon does not disappear after a long press or the app returns after a reboot. This may be due to both system features of the firmware and the presence of administrator rights for the application.
In this article we will look at all possible scenarios: from classic uninstallation through the settings menu to forced uninstallation using USB debugging. You will learn why the "Delete" button may be inactive, and how to completely clear your device of residual cache files and databases that often take up gigabytes of free space.
Regardless of the model of your device, be it budget Xiaomi or flagship Samsung, the principles of working with system packages remain similar. However, the shell interface may differ, so we will focus on universal access paths to app management. Be prepared for the fact that the process may require care when working with advanced security settings.
Classic removal through system settings
The easiest and safest way to get rid of unnecessary software is to use the built-in application manager. To do this, you need to go to the Settings section of your smartphone and find the item usually called Applications or Manage applications. In the list of installed apps, find AliExpress and tap on the name to open the app card.
On the application information screen you will see several action buttons. If the app was installed by the user independently from the store Google Play, the button Deletewill be active there. Clicking on it will launch the standard uninstallation process, which will take a few seconds. After confirmation, the system will delete executable files and shortcuts.
However, sometimes instead of the delete button, only the option Disableis available. This is typical for system applications preinstalled by the smartphone manufacturer. In this case, the app will stop running and disappear from the menu, but will physically remain in the device’s memory. It will not be possible to completely erase it without obtaining root access or using a computer in this scenario.
It is also important to check whether the application has special permissions that block deletion. Go to the Special. capabilities or Device administrators section in the security settings.
⚠️ Attention: If an item related to AliExpress or delivery services is activated in the list of device administrators, be sure to uncheck the box before attempting to remove it. Otherwise, the system will block uninstallation for security reasons.
☑️ Check before deleting
Problem of an uninstallable application and administrator rights
Often users are faced with a situation where an application cannot be removed using standard methods. This happens when the software gains elevated privileges in the system. This is especially common on devices with pre-installed Chinese software, where marketplaces are integrated deeply into the system.
To solve this problem, you need to manually revoke rights. Go to Settings, then select section Security or Privacy. Find the subsection Device Administrators. This displays a list of apps that have the right to block factory reset or uninstallation.
If you see there AliExpress, click on it and select Deactivate or Disable. After this action, the protection is removed and you can return the delete button to the application menu. Sometimes you need to restart your phone for the changes to take effect.
- 📱 Open the security settings and find the list of administrators.
- 🔓 Uncheck the application that is preventing deletion.
- 🗑️ Return to the application menu and try to uninstall the app again.
- 🔄 Reboot the device if the uninstall button does not appear immediately.
In some cases, malicious application modifications can masquerade as system services. If you cannot find the store name in the list of administrators, but deletion is still blocked, perhaps rights have been granted to a service with a similar name, for example Carrier Services or a system launcher that loads store modules.
⚠️ Attention: Be careful when disabling system administrators. Disabling Google Play Protect or Find My Device services may reduce the security level of your smartphone and make it difficult to find if lost.
Removal via computer and USB debugging (ADB)
If standard methods do not help, the most effective solution is to use a tool ADB (Android Debug Bridge). This method allows you to remove even system applications without obtaining root access by sending commands directly from the computer. You will need a PC, a USB cable and installed drivers for your phone.
First you need to activate developer mode. Go to Settings → About phone and quickly click 7 times on the item Build number. After the message “You have become a developer” appears, return to the main settings menu and find the new section For developers.
Turn on the toggle switch USB Debugging. Connect your smartphone to your computer with a cable. A request for permission to debug from this computer will appear on the phone screen - press Allow. Now download the package Platform Tools from the official Google website and extract it.
adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.alibaba.aliexpresshdThis command will remove the application for the current user (user 0), which will effectively hide it from the system and stop all processes, although the files will remain in system partition. Complete removal requires access to the system partition, which is impossible without unlocking the bootloader.
Why does the command not completely remove the files?
The pm uninstall --user 0 command does not erase the APK file from the /system partition, but only deletes it for the current user profile. This is safe and reversible, since the application will return when resetting to factory settings.
To find out the exact package name, if the standard one does not fit, use the command adb shell pm list packages | grep ali. This will list all packages containing the word "ali". Copy the desired name and paste it into the uninstall command instead com.alibaba.aliexpresshd.
Cleaning residual files and cache
Even after successful uninstallation, folders with data that previously took up space may remain on the phone's storage device. Application AliExpress is known for saving many product images, thumbnails and logs in the device’s memory.
For manual cleaning, open any file manager, for example Files by Google or the built-in explorer. Go to the root of the internal memory and find the folder Android. Inside it we are interested in two directories: data and obb.
| Folder path | Data type | Recommendation |
|---|---|---|
/Android/data/com.alibaba.aliexpresshd |
Cache, logs, temporary files | You can safely delete |
/Android/obb/com.alibaba.aliexpresshd |
Cached resources | Delete if any |
/AliExpress |
Downloaded pictures, catalogs | Check contents |
/UCDownloads |
Files built-in browser | Clean up garbage |
In the folder /Android/data find the directory with the name of the application package. If you uninstalled the app via ADB, this folder may remain. You can delete it manually by highlighting it and pressing the delete button. The same goes for the folder obbwhere heavy resources are stored.
Before deleting folders manually, go to Settings → Storage → Cache and use system cleanup. This is safer than manual deletion, since the system itself will identify safe files.
Also check the root directory for a folder named AliExpress or Alibaba. Often downloaded coupons, receipts, or product images are saved there. If you do not plan to restore the application, this data can be mercilessly erased.
Alternative methods: reset and third-party utilities
In extreme cases, when the application is built into the firmware at the system level and is not removed even through ADB, the only solution is a factory reset. However, this is a radical measure that requires a complete data backup, since all information from the phone will be deleted.
Before resetting, you can try using specialized uninstallers from the store Google Play, such as SD Maid or System App Remover. These utilities require granting access rights through ADB once, after which they allow you to manage system applications through a convenient graphical interface.
- 🛠️ Install the SD Maid application from the Play Market.
- 🔌 Grant rights through ADB according to the app instructions.
- 🔍 Use the "Manage Applications" tool to search for system software.
- ❌ Select AliExpress and click the delete or freeze button.
Freezing an application is an excellent alternative to deleting. The app stops consuming resources, runs in the background and appears in the menu, but remains in memory. If in the future you decide to return to shopping, it will be enough to defrost it in a second.
⚠️ Attention: MIUI, OneUI and ColorOS firmware interfaces are constantly updated. The location of the "Device Administrators" or "Special Features" menu items may differ depending on the Android version and shell.
Using third-party launchers can also help hide irremovable icons, although this does not solve the problem of resource consumption. Install a launcher like Nova Launcher and simply hide the store icon from the application menu. This is a cosmetic solution, but it removes the visual irritation.
Complete removal of a system application is only possible with an unlocked bootloader and root access, otherwise the hiding method is used for the current user.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Why is the AliExpress application installed again after deletion?
This may happen if another application from Alibaba is installed on the phone (for example, UC browser or Cainiao application), which has the power to restore related services. Also check if application synchronization is enabled in your Google account, which automatically returns deleted software when you change device or reset.
Is it safe to delete AliExpress via ADB?
Yes, the command pm uninstall --user 0 is safe. It does not violate the integrity of the system and will not lead to bricking of the phone. In the worst case, the application will simply disappear from the menu. You can restore it only by performing a factory reset or manually installing the APK file again.
Will deleting affect the smartphone's warranty?
No, using USB debugging and deleting user or system applications via ADB does not violate the manufacturer's warranty. The warranty is lost only when unlocking the Bootloader or obtaining root access, which is not required in these instructions.
How to remove AliExpress widgets from the desktop?
Widgets are deleted separately from the application. Touch and hold the widget on your desktop, then drag it to the top of the screen into the zone Delete or click on the cross that appears in the corner. If the widget is not removed, perhaps it is part of the system launcher, then only changing the theme or launcher will help.
Will my orders and history remain if I delete the application?
Yes, all information about orders, correspondence with sellers and favorites is stored on the servers marketplace and linked to your account. After reinstalling the application or logging into your personal account through a browser, all data will be available in full.