Smartphone owners Samsung Galaxy A5 often face a situation where the internal memory of the device quickly fills up. This happens not only due to your personal photos or music, but also due to the many apps installed by the manufacturer or downloaded by you during use. Over time, some utilities cease to be useful, begin to slow down the system, or simply take up precious space. Proper removal of such software is the first step to optimizing the operation of your gadget.
The uninstallation process on the platform Android may differ depending on the type of application and version of the operating system. On the model Galaxy A5, which came out in several generations (2015, 2016, 2017), the interfaces may have minor differences, but the logic of actions remains the same. In this article we will look at all possible cleaning methods: from standard icon removal to advanced methods of dealing with unremovable system junk.
Standard removal method through the main screen
The simplest and most obvious method available to any user is to work directly with the smartphone’s desktop. This method is suitable for all apps that you downloaded yourself from the store Google Play or installed via APK files. You don't need to delve into deep settings, just find the icon you need.
Tap the application icon and hold your finger for 1-2 seconds. A pop-up menu will appear on the screen or the icon will begin to “shake”, indicating that it can be moved. An area with the text Delete or a trash can icon usually appears at the top of the display. Drag the icon to this area. The system will ask you to confirm the action so that you do not accidentally erase important data.
If you are using a new version of the shell One UI or an updated one Android, the process may look different. After a long press, a context menu will appear where you need to select the item Delete. This is a more modern approach that eliminates the need to drag objects around the screen. Be careful: some system shortcuts can only be removed from the screen, but not completely deleted.
⚠️ Attention: Removing an icon from the desktop in some launchers does not erase the application itself from memory, but only hides it. Always check the list of installed apps in the settings to ensure complete uninstallation.
Managing apps through system settings
A more reliable method that allows you to see absolutely the entire list of installed software is located in the settings menu. Here you can manage both user and system processes. This section gives more information about how much space a particular utility takes up and what permissions it uses.
First, open the main menu and look for the icon Settingswhich usually looks like a gear. In the list that opens, scroll down to the section Applications or Application Manager. On older firmware versions, this item may be located inside the Generaltab. By clicking on it, you will see a complete alphabetical list of everything that is in your memory Galaxy A5.
Select the desired app from the list. A screen with information about the application will open, where there will be buttons Delete, Stop and Memory. If the button Delete is active (not gray), you can safely erase the app. If it is inactive, it means that it is a system component that the manufacturer has prohibited from being removed using standard methods.
- 📱 Go to the settings and select the applications section.
- 🔍 Find the unnecessary app by name in the list.
- 🗑️ Click the delete button and confirm the action in the pop-up window.
- ✅ Check if the application has disappeared from the general list.
Sometimes it is useful to clear the cache first before deleting it. To do this, click the button Memory inside the application card, and then select Clear cache. This will free up some space instantly if you are not yet ready to delete the app itself, but want to speed up the phone.
Before deleting heavy games, go to their settings inside the application and check if there is a function for exporting saves. This will allow you not to lose progress when re-installing.
How to remove pre-installed software and system applications
One of the main problems of smartphones Samsung is the abundance of pre-installed software, which is often called bloatware. These are services from Google, social networks, office suites and Samsung proprietary utilities that cannot be deleted with a regular button. However, there are ways to deactivate them so that they do not load the processor and do not consume the battery.
In the application information menu, where we got to in the previous section, there is often a button instead of a delete button Disable. Clicking on it will hide the application from the menu, stop all its processes and prevent it from starting when the phone is turned on. In fact, the app ceases to exist for the user, although it physically remains in the system memory section.
For more advanced users, it is possible to completely remove system apps via a computer. To do this, you will need to enable USB debugging mode and use a special utility ADB (Android Debug Bridge). This method requires caution, as removing critical system components may cause the phone to stop turning on.
adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 package.application nameTo find out the package name, you can use applications like App Inspector or look it up in the developer settings. Be extremely careful: remove only those packages whose purpose you know for sure (for example, the Samsung browser or Facebook services).
⚠️ Attention: Disabling system applications may interfere with the operation of other phone functions. For example, deleting Google Play services can stop the operation of maps, mail and many third-party apps.
List of applications that are safe to disable
You can safely disable: Samsung Pay (if you don’t use it), Microsoft Office, Facebook, OneDrive, Chrome (if you have another browser). You cannot touch: Phone, Messages, Settings, Device Manager, Google Play Services.
Cleaning residual files and cache after uninstallation
After you delete an application, “tails” often remain in the phone’s memory - folders with settings, downloaded files or cache. This data can take up hundreds of megabytes, especially when it comes to instant messengers or games with heavy graphics. Regular cleaning of these residues helps to keep Samsung Galaxy A5 in excellent condition.
The easiest way to find such files is to use the built-in optimization tool. In the settings, find the section Device maintenance or Optimization. Click on the item Memory, and then select the Clear nowbutton. The system will automatically scan the storage and offer to delete unused files and residual data cache.
For deeper cleaning, you can use the file manager My files, which is preinstalled on all Samsung phones. Go to section Internal memory and carefully review the list of folders. Look for directories with the names of deleted applications. They often have the names of the developers, for example, the folder com.whatsapp may remain after deleting the messenger.
| Data type | Where is | Can I delete | Impact on the system |
|---|---|---|---|
| Application cache | Settings → Applications | Yes, safe | Speeds up work, resets temporary data |
| Folders in the root memory | My files → Internal memory | Empty only | Frees up space, does not affect operation |
| File .obb | Android/obb | Only if the game is deleted | Contains game graphics, deletion will break the game |
| Database | Android/data | With caution | May contain logs and settings of deleted apps |
☑️ Checking the memory cleanliness
Using third-party uninstallation utilities
If the built-in Android tools seem insufficiently effective or inconvenient to you, specialized applications from the store come to the rescue Google Play. These utilities often provide a more convenient interface, allow you to remove several apps at the same time and find hidden garbage that the standard manager does not see.
A popular solution is the application CCleaner or SD Maid. They scan the system for the presence of application “corpses” - files left after incorrect removal. Such apps can also show which applications are used most often and which have not been launched for months, helping to make a decision about their removal.
Another class of utilities are package managers, such as AppMgr III (App 2 SD). They allow you not only to delete software, but also to move it to a memory card, which is critical for a model Galaxy A5 with a small amount of built-in storage. Moving is not a deletion, but frees up space for other important data.
When using third-party software, always grant it the necessary permissions. Typically you need access to the repository and permission to delete packages. Without these permissions, the app will not be able to perform its main function. Download such utilities only from official sources to avoid infecting your phone with viruses.
⚠️ Attention: Do not install more than one antivirus or cleaner at the same time. They can conflict with each other, causing increased battery consumption and slower operation of the interface.
What to do if the application is not uninstalled
Sometimes the user is faced with a situation where the uninstall button is inactive, and the system displays an error when trying to erase the app. The most common reason for this is that the application has device administrator rights. This is a protection mechanism that is often used by antiviruses, phone finder apps and some corporate utilities.
To bypass this protection, you need to go to the security settings. Find the section Biometrics and security or simply Security. Inside, select Other security settings, and then Device administrators. Here you will see a list of apps that have elevated privileges.
Uncheck the box next to the desired application. The system will warn you that it will lose some functions - agree. After that, go back to the applications menu and the delete button will become active again. Now you can erase the app in the standard way.
In rare cases, the application may be infected with a miner virus or Trojan that blocks its deletion. If standard methods do not help, try booting your phone in safe mode. To do this, hold down the power button, and when the menu appears, press and hold the item Disable until the inscription Safe Modeappears. Only system applications work in this mode, which allows you to remove malicious software.
Administrator rights are the main reason why the delete button may be inactive. Disabling these rights in the security settings solves the problem in 90% of cases.
Is it possible to remove the standard Samsung browser?
It is impossible to completely remove it without root access, since it is a system application. However, you can disable it in settings, set a different default browser (for example, Chrome) and remove the icon from your desktop. For complete removal, you will need superuser rights and the ADB utility.
Does deleting applications affect the warranty?
Removing user apps through settings does not in any way affect the warranty. Even disabling system applications is safe. The warranty can only be violated if you obtain root access or flash the device with unofficial software.
Where does the space go after deletion?
The freed up space is returned to the general pool of the phone’s internal memory. You can immediately use it to install new games, save photos, or update your system. It is recommended to regularly reboot the phone after mass cleaning to redistribute resources.
Will the account be deleted from the application when it is erased?
Removing the application from the phone itself does not delete your account from the service database (for example, from Facebook or Instagram). Your data will remain on the company's servers. To delete your account completely, you need to go to the settings of the service itself through a browser or other device before uninstalling.