Honor 10 is a popular smartphone with powerful hardware, but even it suffers from an excess of pre-installed applications. Branded services Huawei, unnecessary utilities and duplicate apps take up memory, consume battery power and slow down the system. Unlike regular applications, system applications cannot be removed in the standard way - this requires special tools.

In this article we will look at all the current methods for removing built-in applications on Honor 10 (model COL-AL10/AL00/TL10/TL00), including options without root access and with them. We will describe the risks of each approach, provide lists of apps that are safe to remove, and explain how to restore the system in the event of failures. We will pay special attention to the nuances of the firmware EMUI 8.0/9.0under which this smartphone was released.

Why you can’t just remove system applications

Built-in apps on Android are divided into two categories:

  • 📱 User - installed from Play Market or .apkfiles. Removed via Settings → Applications.
  • 🔧 System —integrated into the firmware (/system/app/ or /system/priv-app/). They have the status disabled or enabled, but are not removed by standard means.

Manufacturers block the removal of such applications for several reasons:

  1. Dependencies between services: deleting one component may disrupt the operation of others (for example, HwSystemManager is associated with HwLauncher).
  2. License agreements: some apps (for example, Facebook or Booking) are pre-installed under a contract with partners.
  3. Security: system APK files are digitally signed, and their modification can work as a trigger for Google Play Protect.
⚠️ Attention: On Honor 10 s EMUI 8.x/9.x removing system applications without a backup copy of the firmware can lead to bootloop (loop loading) It is especially risky to touch files in /system/priv-app/where critical ones are stored. services Huawei.

Before you start deleting, check whether you can simply disable unnecessary application. To do this:

  1. Open Settings → Applications and notifications → Show all applications.
  2. Select the target application (for example, Huawei AppGallery).
  3. Click Disable (if the button is active).
📊 Have you tried disabling system applications through the settings?
Yes, but they turned on again
Yes, and that helped
No, I haven’t tried
I don’t know how to do it

List safe to remove system applications Honor 10

Not all built-in apps can be removed without consequences. Below is a table with applications that usually do not affect the stability of the system. Deleting any other APK files may cause problems with the camera, communication or interface.

Application name Package (APK) Risk of deletion Alternative
Huawei AppGallery com.huawei.appmarket Low Google Play Market
Huawei Browser com.huawei.browser Low Chrome, Firefox
Huawei Music com.huawei.music Low Spotify, YouTube Music
Huawei Video com.huawei.videoplayer Low VLC, MX Player
Facebook (preset) com.facebook.system Medium (may affect contact synchronization) Install Facebook Lite manually

Before deleting, be sure to:

Make a backup copy of your data via HiSuite or TWRP|

Check version EMUI v Settings → About phone|

Write down your phone model (COL-AL10 etc.)|

Make sure the battery charge is > 50%|

Download the original firmware for your model in case of recovery-->

Do not delete the following applications (even if they seem unnecessary):

  • 🚫 com.huawei.android.hsf — Huawei System Framework (responsible for updates)
  • 🚫 com.huawei.hwid — device identification service
  • 🚫 com.android.phone — telephone services
  • 🚫 Any files with mediaserver or telephony in the name

Method 1: Disabling via ADB (without root access)

The safest way to “uninstall” a system application — disable it via ADB. This method does not require superuser rights and is reversible: if necessary, the app can be turned on again.

What you will need:

  • 💻 Computer with Windows/macOS/Linux
  • 🔌 Cable USB Type-C (original)
  • 📦 Platform Tools from Google (includes adb)
  • ⚙️ Enabled debugging USB on the phone

Step-by-step guide:

  1. Activate developer mode:
    • Go to Settings → About phone.
    • tap 7 times on Build number.
    • Go back to Settings → System → Developer options.
    • Enable USB debugging.
  • Connect Honor 10 to the computer and select the mode File transfer.
  • Open the terminal (cmd on Windows) and execute: 
    adb devices

    A device with a serial number should appear.

  • Check the list of all applications: 
    adb shell pm list packages -f
  • Disable an unnecessary application (for example, Huawei Music): 
    adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.huawei.music

    Flag --user 0 means that the deletion occurs only for the current user.

    • To return the application, use the command:

    adb shell cmd package install-existing com.huawei.music
    ⚠️ Attention: After disconnecting through ADB the application will disappear from the menu, but will remain in the system. This will not free up space in the partition /system, but will stop. background activity of the app. Complete removal requires root access.

    1. Reinstall the drivers HiSuite from official website.

    2. Change USBcable (some cheap cables do not support data transfer).

    3. Enable the Developer options data-i="161">Allow USB debugging (safe mode) option in Allow USB Debugging (Safe Mode).

    Method 2: Removal using Debloatertools

    For users who do not want to work with ADB manually, there are specialized utilities. They allow you to massively disable or delete system applications through a graphical interface.

    Popular tools:

    • 🖥️ Universal Android Debloater (GUI-version for Windows/Linux)
    • 📱 App Inspector (packet analysis directly on the phone)
    • 🔍 Package Disabler Pro (paid, but with a user-friendly interface)

    Example of working with Universal Android Debloater:

    1. Download the utility with GitHub.
    2. Connect Honor 10 to USB with debugging enabled.
    3. Run the app and click Read device packages.
    4. Tick unnecessary applications in the list (for example, com.huawei.browser).
    5. Select an action: Uninstall (complete removal) or Disable (disabling).
    6. Confirm the changes and reboot phone.

    Advantages of the method:

    • ✅ Visual interface (no need to remember commands).
    • ✅ Ability to create a backup copy of the list of packages.
    • ✅ Support for mass shutdown.

    Disadvantages:

    • ❌ Risk of accidentally deleting critical components (always check package names).
    • ❌ Some utilities require root for complete removal.
    What to do if the phone stops working after debloater boot?

    If after mass deletion Honor 10 you went to bootloop (stuck on the logo), try:

    1. Press Volume up + Power to enter Recovery Mode.

    2. Select Wipe cache partition (will not reset the data, but will clear the cache).

    3. If this does not help, flash the original firmware via eRecovery (hold Volume up + Volume down + Power).

    4. As a last resort, use Fastboot and command fastboot flash system system.img (downloaded firmware for your model is required).

    Method 3: Complete removal using TWRP and Root

    For physical removal system APK files will need:

    1. Unlock bootloader (on Honor 10 this is officially possible through the code from Huawei).
    2. Install custom recovery TWRP.
    3. Get rootrights via Magisk.

    ⚠️ Important: Unlocking bootloader on Honor 10 resets all data and may void the warranty On some firmwares (EMUI 9.1+) Huawei closed the possibility of unlocking.

    Removal instructions:

    1. Download TWRP for your model (COL-AL10 etc.) from official website.
    2. Install recovery via Fastboot: 
      fastboot flash recovery twrp-3.6.0-berlin.img

      fastboot reboot recovery

    3. B TWRP make a backup copy of the partition /system (Backup → System).
    4. Connect your phone to the computer and use ADB or file manager in TWRPto go to /system/priv-app or /system/app.
    5. Delete folders with unnecessary applications (for example, HwBrowser).
    6. Reboot your phone.

    Alternative method (via Root Explorer):

    • Install Magisk Manager and activate root.
    • Download Root Explorer or FX File Explorer.
    • Go to /system/priv-app, find the application folder (for example, HwMusic).
    • Rename the folder by adding .bak at the end (for example, HwMusic.bak).
    • Restart the device.
    ⚠️ Attention: Deleting files from /system may break firmware signature verification. On EMUI this sometimes leads to an error "System UI stopped". In this case, only flashing will help.
    💡

    Removal via TWRP is the most radical method. Use it only if disabling via ADB did not produce results, and you are ready for possible system failures.

    Method 4: Using Magisk and the module App Systemizer

    If you have already received rootrights, but are afraid directly edit system files, you can move the application from the /system section to /data. This will allow you to delete it as a regular application.

    To do this:

    1. Install Magisk and module App Systemizer.
    2. Download .apkthe file of the application you want to delete (for example, via APK Extractor).
    3. In App Systemizer select the option Move to Data and indicate the downloaded one .apk.
    4. After the reboot, the application will appear in the user list and can be deleted in the standard way.

    Advantages of the method:

    • ✅ There is no risk of damaging system files.
    • ✅ The application can be returned by simply reinstalling it.
    • ✅ It is still possible to update the app via Play Market.

    Method 5: Flashing custom firmware without bloat

    For experienced users, the most radical way to get rid of unnecessary applications is to install custom firmware based on AOSP (for example, LineageOS or HavocOSSuch firmware does not contain branded services Huawei.

    What you will need:

    • 🔓 Unlocked bootloader.
    • 📥 Custom firmware for Honor 10 (model COL-AL10/AL00).
    • 🛠️ TWRP or other recovery.
    • 🔋 Battery charge > 70%.

    Step-by-step guide:

    1. Download the firmware (for example, LineageOS 16 for Honor 10) with XDA Developers.
    2. Place .zipthe firmware file and GApps (if services are needed Google) on the memory card.
    3. Reboot to TWRP (Volume up + Power).
    4. Make a full backup (Backup → System + Data + Boot).
    5. Run Wipe → Advanced Wipe (check System, Data, Cache, Dalvik).
    6. Install the firmware (Install → select .zip), then GApps.
    7. Reboot the device (the first launch may take 10-15 minutes).

    Advantages of custom firmware:

    • 🚀 Clean Android no bloat.
    • 🔄 Regular security updates.
    • ⚡ Ability to fine-tune performance.

    Cons:

    • ⚠️ Loss of official functions EMUI (for example, GPU Turbo).
    • ⚠️ Possible problems with the camera or module NFC (depending on the firmware).
    • ⚠️ Lack of official support (updates manually).
    ⚠️ Attention: On Honor 10 with a processor Kirin 970 some custom firmware may not support Neural Processing Unit (NPU)which will worsen performance in games and applications with AI.

    What to do if something went wrong

    If after manipulating system applications Honor 10 stops working correctly, use one of the recovery methods:

    Problem Cause Solution
    The phone does not turn on (black screen) Damaged boot or system section Flash the original firmware via eRecovery or Fastboot
    Permanent errors System UI stopped Critical system APK deleted Restore backup /system via TWRP
    The mobile network does not work or Wi-Fi Damaged files telephony or wifi services Reflash modules modem via Fastboot
    Applications turn on without permission after updates EMUI restores deactivated packages Disable automatic updates in Settings → Software update

    If the phone does not boot:

    1. Try logging in Safe Mode (press Power, then long tap on Turn off → Reboot in safe mode).
    2. If that doesn’t help - use eRecovery:
      • Turn off the phone.
      • Hold Volume up + Volume down + Power.
      • Select Download latest version and recovery.
  • As a last resort, flash the full firmware via Fastboot: 
    fastboot flash system system.img

    fastboot flash boot boot.img
    

    fastboot flash recovery recovery.img
    

    fastboot reboot

    • You can download official firmware for Honor 10 on the website Huawei Support (select model COL-AL10/AL00/TL10).

    FAQ: Frequently asked questions

    Is it possible to remove system applications without a computer?

    Yes, but with restrictions. Without ADB or root you can only disable applications via Settings → ApplicationsFor complete removal you will need either ADB (needs a computer), or root-rights (can be obtained without a PC, but risky).

    An alternative is to use applications like Island (based on Work Profile), which isolate unnecessary apps, but do not physically remove them.

    Why, after deleting an application through ADB does it appear again?

    This happens due to two reasons:

    1. EMUI automatically restores some system applications after an update.
    2. The application was not uninstalled, but only disabled for the current user (flag --user 0 in the command ADB).

      3. Solution: use the command adb shell pm uninstall --user 0 package name no flag -k (it saves the cache). Or get root and remove the APK physically.

    How to find out which application can be uninstalled and which cannot?

    The list of applications that are safe to delete depends on the version EMUI. General rule:

    • ✅ You can delete: branded applications (Huawei Music, AppGallery), duplicate services (Huawei Browser if available Chrome).
    • ❌ You cannot delete: system services (com.android.phone), frameworks (com.huawei.hsf), drivers (mediaserver).

      • Before deleting, check the package on the forums XDA Developers or in thematic groups on Honor 10.

    I deleted the system application, and now the camera does not work. How to get it back?

    Most likely, you deleted a component associated with com.huawei.camera or com.huawei.galleryYou can restore it like this:

    1. If you have a backup TWRP — restore the partition /system.
    2. If there is no backup, flash the original firmware via eRecovery.
    3. As a last resort, download .apk a remote application (for example, from APKPure) and install manually (but this will only work for user APKs, not system ones).
    Will it work Google Pay after receiving root?

    No, Google Pay and other banking applications (for example, SberBank Online) block work on devices with root or unlocked bootloader due to security requirements (SafetyNet).

    Workarounds:

    • Use Magisk with the module Universal SafetyNet Fix.
    • Hide root for specific applications via MagiskHide.
    • Install a custom kernel with support SafetyNet.

    There is no guarantee of operation - banks regularly tighten checks.