How to view deleted applications on Android Samsung: a complete guide

Deleted an important application on Samsung Galaxy and don’t remember its name? Or want to check which apps were previously installed on your phone? You can restore the list of deleted applications on Android devices from Samsung in several ways - from simple (through accounts Google and Samsung) to advanced (using ADB or system logs). In this article, we will analyze all the working methods, including nuances for different versions One UI and smartphone models.

It is important to understand that Android does not keep a full log of deleted applications out of the box. However, indirect data is stored in account profiles, app store caches, and even in system backups. We'll show you how to retrieve this information without and with root access, and also explain why some methods may not work on newer versions. Android 14+.

If you're looking for a way to get back the deleted app itself (rather than just find out its name), there's a section at the end of the article with recovery instructions. We will also touch on the issue of security: why you should not trust third-party “application restorers” from the Play Market.

1. Viewing history through Google Play (the easiest way)

The fastest and most reliable method is to use installation history in Google Play. This method works on all devices Samsung, regardless of version Android or One UI, since the data is tied to the account Google, and not to a specific phone.

To see a list of all ever installed applications (including deleted):

• 📱 Open the application Google Play Store on your Samsung Galaxy.
• 👤 Click on the profile icon in the upper right corner (or swipe right to open the menu).
• 📋 Select the item Manage applications and device → Manage.
• 🔍 Go to the tab Installed, then tap on the filter and select Not installed.

Here will be displayed a complete list of applications that have ever been installed on devices associated with this account Google. It’s convenient that applications are sorted by the date of last installation - this makes it easier to find recently deleted ones.

⚠️ Attention: If you have previously used the function Clear history in Google Play, this method will not work. Also, the history is reset when the Google account is completely removed from the device.

2. Using Samsung Account (for devices with One UI)

Smartphone owners Samsung have an additional tool - Samsung Account. Through it, you can restore not only the list of applications, but also other data (for example, notes or a calendar). This method is especially useful if you synchronized the device with your account Samsung before deleting applications.

Instructions:

• 🌐 Go to Settings → Accounts and archiving → Samsung Account.
• 🔄 Make sure synchronization is enabled (if not, turn it on and wait a few minutes).
• 📱 Open web browser on your PC or phone and go to the site Samsung Account (log in).
• 📊 In the section Data and privacy find Data management → Applications.

The history of installed applications, including those that were deleted, will be displayed here. Please note that Samsung retains this data for a limited time (usually up to 30 days), so the method is not suitable for searching for applications that were deleted long ago.

⚠️ Attention: If you performed a factory reset (Factory Reset) on the phone, the history in Samsung Account may be lost. The data is tied to a specific device, and not to an account.

3. Checking system logs (for advanced users)

Android keeps system event logs, where records of installation and removal of applications can be saved. These logs can be accessed through ADB (Android Debug Bridge) or specialized applications. The method is suitable for users who are ready to work with the command line.

To view the logs:

1. 🖥️ Install Platform Tools on PC (includes adb).
2. 📱 On the phone, activate Developer mode (press 7 times). Settings → About phone → Build number press 7 times).
3. 🔌 Connect the phone to the PC via USB and enable debugging (USB Debugging).
4. 💻 In the command line (terminal) run:

adb shell dumpsys package | grep "remove"

This command will display a list of packages, that were deleted from the device. To see the full history (including installations), use:

adb shell dumpsys package | grep -E "install|remove"

Please note that the logs may contain a large amount of data. For convenience, redirect the output to a file:

adb shell dumpsys package > packages_log.txt

Then open the file packages_log.txt in a text editor and look for lines with remove.

4. Restore from backup (if enabled)

If your Samsung Galaxy function was activated, there is a chance to return data about deleted applications. Backup and recovery, there is a chance to return data about deleted applications. Samsung offers two types backups: via Samsung Cloud and local copies.

To check the availability of backups:

• ☁️ Go to Settings → Accounts and archiving → Backup and recovery.
• 📅 Look at the date of the last backup. If it coincides with the period when the application was still installed, you can try to restore the data.
• 🔄 Click Restore data and select the desired copy.

Please note that restoring from a backup will return all settings and data on the state at the time the copy was created. This means that newer applications and files may be lost. If you only need to see the list of applications, it is better to use the methods from the previous sections.

Important: Local backups on some models Samsung (for example, series Galaxy S22+ and newer) are encrypted. Without the account password Samsung it is impossible to restore them.

5. Third-party applications: risks and alternatives

There are dozens of applications that promise to “recover deleted apps.” Most of them either don't work or collect your data. We tested several popular utilities and identified key problems: Google Play There are dozens of applications that promise to “recover deleted apps.” Most of them either don't work or collect your data. We tested several popular utilities and identified key problems:

• 🚫 App Restore —requires root access, but even with them shows an incomplete list.
• 🔍 History Eraser —removes traces of applications, but does not restore them.
• 📊 App Usage Tracker —tracks usage time, but does not store deletion history.

The only exception is My Backup Pro (from the developer Rerware). This application creates its own backups of installed apps, but only if you have configured it to uninstall applications. Without preliminary configuration, it is useless.

⚠️ Attention: Applications that request access to Usage Access or Accessibility Service to “restore history” are often spyware. Do not install them.

6. How to restore the deleted application itself

If you managed to find the name of the deleted application, but it is not displayed in Google Play (for example, it was deleted by the developer), try the following methods:

• 🌍 APK mirrors: Sites like APKPure or APKMirror store archives of application versions. Download only verified APKs with a high rating.
• 📧 Letter to the developer: Find the application support email (you can via Google Play in the web version) and request the APK.
• 🔄 Google Play cache: Sometimes the APK remains in the store cache. Use a file manager (for example Solid Explorer) and search in the folder /data/app/ or /Android/obb/.

If the application was paid and you bought it through Google Play, it will remain in your library. To reinstall it for free:

1. Open Google Play on your phone.
2. Click on the profile icon → Manage applications and device.
3. Go to tab Library.
4. Find the desired application and click Install.

For applications purchased through Samsung Galaxy Store, a similar section is called My apps.

Make sure the file is downloaded from a trusted source

Check the APK hash (for example, via VirusTotal)

Disable installation from unknown sources after installation

Update the application immediately after installation (if available)

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7. Common mistakes and how to avoid them

When trying to recover data about deleted applications, users often encounter typical problems. Here are the most common ones and ways to solve them:

Another common mistake is trying to restore system applications (bloatware) deleted using ADB or root. Such apps cannot be returned using standard methods. To restore them, you will need to flash the phone's firmware via Odin or Smart Switch.

FAQ: Answers to popular questions

adb shell pm list packages -d