Owners of smartphones purchased from a telecom operator are often faced with a situation where the internal memory of the device is occupied by many applications that they do not use. Pre-installed software, known as bloatware, not only takes up gigabytes, but can also reduce the autonomy of the gadget. In the case of MTS the situation is aggravated by the fact that some services are integrated deeply into the system and do not allow you to simply press the “Delete” button in the standard menu.
However, there are several proven methods to get rid of intrusive software. From simply disabling it in the settings to using advanced tools like ADB (Android Debug Bridge). The choice of a specific method depends on your firmware, access rights and device model. Below we will analyze in detail all the stages of cleaning the system from MTS apps.
⚠️ Attention: Before starting any manipulations with system applications, it is strongly recommended to create a full backup copy of the data, since incorrect removal of critical components can lead to unstable operation of the phone.
Identification of MTS services in the system
The first step to cleaning is an understanding of which apps are relevant to the operator. On modern smartphones running Android the list of applications can be huge. You need to visually distinguish user software from system software. Typically, MTS applications have characteristic logos and names starting with the operator prefix.
Go to the settings of your device and find the application management section. A complete list of installed software is displayed here. Pay attention to the status of the apps: some are marked as “System”, others as “User”. It is system applications that often cause the most difficulty when uninstalling, since the uninstall button for them may be inactive.
To accurately determine the “culprits” of memory clog, use the list below. It will help you navigate the names of packages that may be hidden behind beautiful icons.
- 📱 MTS Bank —a financial application, often preinstalled by default.
- 🎵 MTS Music —a music streaming service that takes up cache and space.
- 🎬 MTS TV —a platform for watching videos and TV channels.
- ☁️ MTS Cloud —a data storage service, similar to Google Drive.
- ⚙️ MTS Services —a background process responsible for the operation of the ecosystem operator.
It is important to understand that removing some components may affect the operation of proprietary functions if you actively use operator tariffs. However, for most users, these applications are just ballast.
Standard shutdown through Android settings
The safest and easiest method available to every user without the need to obtain root access or connect to a computer is the shutdown function. In modern versions Android (starting from 6.0 and higher), the system allows you to “freeze” applications. They stop running, disappear from the list of active processes and do not consume resources, although they physically remain in the internal memory.
To use this method, go to the menu Settings → Applications and notifications → Show all applications. Find the desired MTS service in the list. If the Remove button is greyed out, look for the Disable button. The system will warn you that the application will be removed from the list and its data will be erased. Confirm the action.
This method is ideal for those who do not want to risk the stability of the system. A disabled application will not update via Google Play and will not send notifications. However, if you decide to reset your phone to factory settings, these apps will return to their places, since they are part of the factory firmware image.
⚠️ Attention: The settings menu interface may differ depending on the manufacturer's shell (MIUI, OneUI, ColorOS). If you do not find a disable button, the manufacturer may have blocked this feature for specific system packages.
Using ADB for deep cleaning
If standard disabling does not give the desired result or you want to physically remove a package from the system, you will need to use the toolkit Android Debug Bridge. This method requires connecting your smartphone to your computer via a USB cable and turning on debugging mode. It allows you to send commands directly to the device shell, bypassing the graphical interface.
First, you need to install the drivers for your smartphone and the platform SDK Platform-Tools on your PC. After connecting the device, run the command adb devices in the terminal or command line to make sure that the computer sees the phone. If everything is in order, you will see the serial number of the device.
The process of removing a specific MTS package is performed with one command. You need to know the exact package name (eg ru.mts.android.music). The command looks like this:
adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 package_nameKey --user 0 indicates that the application is removed for the current user, but remains on the system partition. This is a safe method that does not require unlocking the bootloader. If you need the application in the future, you can return it with the command cmd package install-existing package_name.
☑️ Preparing to work with ADB
Table of MTS packages to remove
To simplify the process of working with the command line, we have prepared a table with the most common names of MTS application packages. Please note that depending on the firmware version and year of manufacture of the smartphone, the names may vary slightly. Always check the package name in the Application Information section before entering the command.
| Application name | Package name (approximate) | Recommendation |
|---|---|---|
| MTS Music | ru.mts.android.music |
Safe delete |
| MTS TV | ru.mts.android.tv |
Delete safely |
| MTS Bank | com.mtsbank.mobile |
Delete if you don’t use |
| MTS Link | ru.mts.link |
You can disable |
| MTS system services | com.mts.system |
Disable only |
Using this table will significantly speed up the cleaning process. Copy the name of the desired package and paste it into the terminal. If the system displays the error “Failure [not installed for 0]”, it means that the application has already been removed or its name is different.
What to do if ADB does not see the phone?
If adb devices doesn't show your device, check your USB cable (it should support data transfer, not just charging). Also try changing the USB port on your computer or reinstalling the ADB drivers. On some phones (for example, Xiaomi), you need to additionally enable debugging through a pop-up window on the smartphone screen.
Removal through third-party launchers and apps
For users who do not want to work with the command line, there are graphical shells for managing packages. One of the most popular tools is an application Package Disabler or utility Universal Android Debloater for PC. These apps automatically scan the system and offer a list of applications to remove or disable.
When using such utilities on the smartphone itself (without Root), they often require issuing special permissions via ADB once. After this, the app interface allows you to tick unnecessary MTS services and click the “Apply” button. This is a combination of ADB security and the convenience of a graphical interface.
However, you should be careful with apps that require Root access. Obtaining superuser rights gives access to all system files, but also voids the device warranty and can cause errors in the operation of banking applications (due to SafetyNet or Play Integrity protection).
⚠️ Attention: Never delete applications whose purpose you are not 100% sure of. Removing system components responsible for communication or interface operation can lead to a “bricked” device or an endless reboot.
Cleaning residual files and cache
After applications are deleted or disabled, “tails” may remain in the device’s memory - cache folders, logs and configuration files. They are not critical to the system, but they take up space. To delete them, you can use the built-in Cleanup tool or a file manager.
Go to the root directory of the internal memory and look for folders named MTS, MtsMusic, Beeline (sometimes operators leave shared folders) or Android/data. Inside the latter you can sometimes find remnants of data from deleted applications. Be careful: do not delete the contents of the folder Android/data entirely, since data from your other apps is stored there.
It is also recommended to clear the service cache Google Play Market and Google Play Services. This will help update the list of installed applications and remove icons of deleted apps if they suddenly remain on the desktop.
Use the Files by Google application to safely clean up garbage. It automatically finds duplicates, old screenshots and residual files from deleted apps without affecting system settings.
Preventing the installation of new bloatware
After successful cleaning, a natural question arises: how to prevent the return of these applications? Unfortunately, when updating the firmware over the air (OTA), carrier applications often return to their original positions. The only way to avoid this is to flash the device to the global version of the software (Global ROM), if your model supports this procedure, or use custom firmware.
Also, when setting up a new phone for the first time, carefully read the license agreements and uncheck the “Install recommended applications” or “Affiliate offers” checkboxes. Often this is where consent to install MTS services is hidden.
Regular audit of installed applications every six months will help keep the system clean. If you notice that a service has started consuming traffic or battery power again, immediately check its status in the settings.
Complete removal of system applications via ADB is reversible only if you have the factory firmware or know the recovery commands. Disabling through settings is the safest, but less effective method.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Will the MTS application return after resetting to factory settings?
Yes, reset to factory settings (Factory Reset) restores the software to its original state, including all applications pre-installed by the operator. You will have to repeat the disabling or deleting procedure again.
Is it safe to delete MTS Services via ADB?
In most cases, yes, it is safe. However, if your tariff or SIM card depends on specific operator settings that are applied through this application, you may experience problems with the automatic Internet configuration. APN settings can be entered manually.
Are root access needed to remove MTS system applications?
No, obtaining root access is not necessary. The method using ADB and the flag --user 0 allows you to delete the application for the current user without unlocking the bootloader and obtaining superuser rights.
Why is the "Delete" button inactive for the MTS application?
This means that the application is installed in the system memory partition (/system/app). The Android operating system prohibits the removal of such apps by standard means to protect the stability of the device.
Does deleting MTS applications void the warranty?
Using the ADB method to disable or delete custom applications does not void the warranty, since this is a standard feature of the Android developer. The warranty can only be violated by unlocking the bootloader, flashing or obtaining root access.