Deleting unnecessary applications on smartphones Huawei is a task that only seems simple. Due to the nature of the shell EMUI and restrictions imposed by the manufacturer, users often encounter situations where the app is not removed in the standard way, takes up space in memory, or continues to run in the background. In this article we will analyze all possible methods - from basic to advanced, including working with ADBhidden settings and system applications that Huawei cannot be deleted through the interface.

Device features Huawei (including series models P60, Mate 50, Nova 12 i others) is that many pre-installed applications are integrated into the firmware EMUI and do not have a "Delete" button. However, even these can be deactivated or removed using workarounds. It is important to understand that some system apps are critical for the stable operation of the phone - removing them can lead to malfunctions. We'll explain in detail which apps are safe to delete and which are best left alone.

1. Standard deletion through the app menu

The most obvious method is deletion through the main menu. It is suitable for most user applications installed from AppGallery or third party sources. Here's how to do it:

  • 📱 Open Home screen and find the icon of the application you want to delete.
  • 🖕 Press and hold your finger on the icon until the context menu appears (or the trash can icon at the top of the screen).
  • 🗑️ Drag the icon to the trash can that appears or select "Delete" from the menu.
  • ✅ Confirm the action by clicking "OK" in the dialog box.

If the trash icon does not appear, this means that the application is either system or protected from deletion. In this case, proceed to the following methods.

⚠️ Attention: Some applications (for example, Huawei Mobile Services or AppGallery) cannot be removed in the standard way. An attempt to do this may lead to errors in the operation of services. Huawei.
📊 How often do you delete unnecessary applications from your smartphone?
Once a week
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Only when the memory runs out
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2. Removal through phone settings

An alternative method is to use the "Applications" section in the settings. This method provides more information about the app and allows you to manage its data.

Instructions:

  1. Open Settings → Applications.
  2. At the top of the screen, select the tab "All applications" (not "System").
  3. Find the desired application in the list and tap on it.
  4. Press the button "Delete" (if it is active).
  5. Confirm the action.

If the "Delete" button is inactive, but there is a "Disable" button, this means that the application is a system one. It can be deactivated (stopped and hidden from the menu), but not completely removed without additional tools.

Application type Delete button Disable button Can I delete it completely?
Custom (from AppGallery) ✅ Yes ❌ No Yes
Custom (from APK) ✅ Yes ❌ No Yes
System (preinstalled) ❌ No ✅ Yes Only via ADB
System (critical) ❌ No ❌ No No
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If the application is not uninstalled, first try clearing its cache and data in the "Storage" section. Sometimes this unlocks the delete button.

3. Removal via AppGallery (for installed applications)

AppGallery is the official application store Huawei, and through it you can manage installed apps. This method is useful if the standard removal did not work or the application was installed from this store.

Step-by-step guide:

  • 🛒 Open AppGallery (the icon is usually located on the main screen).
  • 👤 Tap on the profile icon in the lower right corner.
  • 📋 Select the section "Manage applications".
  • 🔍 Find the desired application in the list and click on it.
  • 🗑️ Click "Delete" and confirm the action.

If an application is not displayed in AppGallery, it means that it was installed from another source (for example, through a APKfile) or is a system one. In this case, use other methods from this article.

⚠️ Attention: Applications installed through AppGalleryare sometimes associated with the account Huawei ID. Removing them does not cancel subscriptions or purchases made through this account.

4. Removing system applications via ADB (for experienced users)

If standard methods do not work and the application interferes with the phone's operation, you can use Android Debug Bridge (ADB) a tool for debugging Android devices. This method is suitable for removing pre-installed apps, but requires caution: incorrect actions can disrupt the operation of the system.

What you will need:

  • 💻 Computer with drivers installed Huawei i ADB.
  • 📱 Turned on USB debugging on the phone (Settings → About phone → Build number (tap 7 times) → Developer settings → USB debugging).
  • 🔌 USB cable for connecting the phone to the PC.

Instructions:

  1. Connect the phone to the computer and enable USB debugging.
  2. Open the command line (Windows) or terminal (macOS/Linux) and enter: 
    adb devices

    Make sure that your device is shown in the list.

  3. Enter the command to get a list of all applications: 
    adb shell pm list packages
  4. Find the package name of the desired application in the list (for example, com.huawei.browser for browser Huawei).
  5. Enter the command to remove (replace package.name with the real name): 
    adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 package.name

Important: Removing system applications can lead to unstable operation of the phone. Before executing the command, make sure that the application is not critical for EMUI.

List of system applications that are safe to remove. applications

- com.huawei.android.totemweather (Weather)

- com.huawei.gameassistant (Game Assistant)

- com.huawei.himovie (Video)

- com.huawei.music (Music)

- com.huawei.browser (Browser)

⚠️ Do not delete applications with names containing huawei.system, android or services —this may disrupt the operation of the phone.

5. Deactivating system applications (if deletion is not possible)

If you cannot delete an application, but it interferes (for example, it takes up space or consumes battery power), you can disable. This will stop it working and hide it from the menu, but will not delete the files completely.

How to disable:

  • ⚙️ Go to Settings → Applications.
  • 🔍 Find the desired application in the list.
  • 🚫 Click "Disable" (the button will appear if deletion is not available).
  • ✅ Confirm the action.

Disabled application:

  • ✔️ Will not be displayed in the menu.
  • ✔️ Will not be updated.
  • ✔️ Will not consume resources (battery, memory).
  • ❌ But will remain in the phone’s memory (it can be turned back on).

Check if it is critical for the operation of the phone

Create a backup copy of important data

Make sure you have an alternative application for the same task

Remember the name of the package (in case you need to turn it back on)-->

6. Removing residual files after uninstallation

Even after deleting an application, its data may remain on the phone: cache, settings, files in memory. To completely clean the device, follow these steps:

Cleaning methods:

  • 🧹 Manually through settings:
    1. Go to Settings → Memory → Clear memory.
    2. Select "Deep cleaning".
    3. Find the deleted application in the list and clean its residual files.
  • 🔍 Through the file manager:
    1. Open Files (standard application Huawei).
    2. Go to folders Android/data or Android/obb.
    3. Find the folder with the name of the deleted application and delete it.
    4. 🛠️ Using third-party utilities: Applications like CCleaner or Files by Google can find and delete the remaining files.

    If you uninstalled the application via ADB, residual files may remain in the system folders. To delete them, you will need root accesswhich is not recommended on devices Huawei due to the risk of loss of warranty and security breach.

    ⚠️ Attention: Deleting files in folders Android/data or Android/obb may lead to loss of game progress or settings of other applications. Before cleaning, make sure that you are deleting unnecessary data.

    7. Solving problems when deleting applications

    Sometimes the deletion process is accompanied by errors. Let's look at the most common problems and their solutions:

    Problem Possible cause Solution
    The "Delete" button is inactive System application or protected Use ADB or disable the application
    Error "Uninstallation is not possible" The application is the device administrator Remove administrator rights in Settings → Security → Device administrators
    The application was deleted, but remains in the menu The launcher cache is not updated Reboot the phone or clear the launcher cache
    There are not enough rights to delete via ADB USB debugging is not enabled or you do not have rights Check the connection and permissions on your PC

    If none of the methods helped, the application may be protected at the firmware level. In this case, you can either accept its presence or consider reflashing the phone (which will void the warranty and require technical skills).

    💡

    Before deleting system applications, always check their purpose. For example, deleting com.huawei.systemmanager may make it impossible to manage energy consumption.

    Frequently asked questions

    Is it possible to remove AppGallery from a Huawei phone?

    AppGallery is a system application that is critical for the operation of services Huawei. It cannot be removed using standard methods, and attempting to do so through ADB may disrupt the operation of the phone. The maximum that can be done is to disable it (but this is not recommended, since many functions Huawei depend on AppGallery).

    Why does the application appear again after uninstallation?

    Some pre-installed applications Huawei are restored after updating the system. This is due to the manufacturer's policy. To avoid this, you can:

    • Disable automatic updating EMUI.
    • Use ADB to remove with the flag --user 0 (as described above).
    • Install an alternative launcher that hides unnecessary applications.
    How to remove a virus application if it is not deleted?

    If the application behaves suspiciously (shows ads, consumes traffic), but is not deleted:

    1. Start the phone in safe mode (hold the power button → "Reboot to Safe mode").
    2. Try to uninstall the application in safe mode.
    3. If that doesn’t help, use an antivirus (for example, Dr.Web or Kaspersky).
    4. As a last resort, reset to factory settings (Settings → System → Reset).
    Is it possible to remove Google Play Services on Huawei?

    On new devices Huawei (released after 2019) Google Play Services Absent due to US restrictions. If they are somehow installed (for example, through unofficial firmware), removing them may break applications that depend on Google services. It is better to disable them if they are not in use.

    How to return a deleted system application?

    If you deleted a system application via ADB and want to return it, there are two options:

    1. Reset to factory settings (will return all preset app).
    2. Install APKapplication file manually (if it is available on the Internet). However, this may not work for deeply integrated services.

    Critical system applications may require flashing the phone.