How to disable Rakuten Viber on an Android smartphone

Many smartphone users are faced with a situation where an application is already installed on a new device Rakuten Viber. This often happens due to partnership agreements between gadget manufacturers and the messenger. If you prefer other means of communication or simply do not want this app to take up space and consume resources in the background, a logical question arises: how to remove it?

The deactivation process depends on whether the application is a user application or a system one. In the first case, everything is resolved by standard deletion. In the second, when Rakuten Viber it is built into the firmware, deeper settings or the use of special tools are required. Below we will analyze in detail all the available methods.

Before taking radical actions, it is worth assessing how critical the presence of this software is for your system. Sometimes simply turning off notifications solves the problem of intrusiveness without requiring complete removal. However, to completely clean the device of unnecessary software, you will need the steps described in the following sections.

Standard removal through system settings

The easiest and safest way to get rid of the messenger is to use the built-in application manager. This method works if the phone manufacturer has not blocked the ability to delete. You will not need third-party apps or superuser rights.

Go to the menu Settings of your smartphone and find the section Applications or Manage applications. In the list of installed apps, find Rakuten Viber. Click on it to open the app information page. If you see an active button Delete, simply press it and confirm the action.

In some shells, for example, on devices Xiaomi or Samsung, the path may be slightly different. Sometimes it’s easier to long press the application icon on the desktop and select Delete in the context menu that appears. If the delete button is inactive (gray) or absent altogether, it means that the application has system status.

Disable system application without root access

If standard removal is not available, the next step is the function Disable. This action does not completely erase the application files from the device's memory, but prevents it from launching, running in the background and displaying in the app list.

Go to the application settings Rakuten Viberas described in the previous section. Instead of the delete button, find the Disablebutton. The system will warn you that the application will be replaced with the factory version and will stop working. Confirm the action.

⚠️ Attention: After disabling a system application, its icon will disappear from the menu, but the occupied memory space will not be completely freed. The files will remain on the system partition, but the process will no longer consume RAM and battery power.

This method is ideal for those who are afraid of disturbing the stability of the system. A disabled application will not come back to life after a reboot. However, if you decide to reset the settings to factory settings, Rakuten Viber it will be activated again automatically.

Using ADB for complete removal

For advanced users who want to completely clean the phone of unnecessary software, there is a method using Android Debug Bridge (ADB). This tool allows you to manage the system through a computer, removing even those applications that are hidden from the average user.

First, you need to enable USB debugging in the menu For developers on your smartphone. Then connect your phone to your computer with a cable. You need to install device drivers and platform on your PC. SDK Platform Tools. Open the command line in the ADB tools folder.

Enter the command to test the connection:

adb devices

If the device is displayed in the list, you can proceed with removal. The command to remove a package is as follows:

adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.viber.voip

Here com.viber.voip is the package identifier Rakuten Viber. After executing the command, the application will disappear for the current user. It is important to understand that physically the files may remain in the system partition, but the system will no longer see and use them.

How to return an application deleted via ADB?

If you deleted the application by mistake, you can restore it with the command: adb shell cmd package install-existing com.viber.voip. This will return the application to the "for user 0" state.

Hide icons and limit background activity

Sometimes deleting is not possible, and disabling it seems insufficient. In such cases, “invisibility” tactics can be used. Many launchers allow you to hide application icons from the general menu, making them accessible only through search or settings.

In addition, it is critical to limit the background activity of the application so that it does not waste battery power. Go to the Battery or Energy Saving section in your phone settings. Find Rakuten Viber and set the background activity limit to Hard Limit or Prohibit operation in the background.

• 📱 Use third-party launchers such as Nova Launcherto hide the icon from the application menu.
• 🔋 Turn on the power saving mode for a specific application in the battery settings.
• 🔕 Disable all notifications in section Notifications inside the application settings.
• 🚫 Deny access to the microphone and contacts in the menu Permissions.

This comprehensive approach turns unnecessary software into a “sleeping” element of the system that does not interfere with the user visually and technically. This is a compromise solution for those who do not want to deal with the computer and commands.

Comparison of methods for deactivating the messenger

To make it easier for you to choose the appropriate method, we have prepared a summary table. It clearly demonstrates the pros and cons of each method, as well as the level of complexity of execution.

Method	Complexity	Memory release	Recovery option
Standard deletion	Low	Full	Through the Play Market
Disable in settings	Low	Partial	Through settings by turning on
Delete via ADB	High	Full (for the user)	Only through a repeated ADB command
Limit background activity	Medium	No	Automatically when resetting the settings

The choice of method depends on your technical skills and goals. If you just need to hide the icon from view, hiding will do the trick. If the goal is maximum performance and cleanliness of the system, then ADB remains the uncontested leader.

Possible problems and risks during removal

Interfering with the operation of system applications always carries certain risks. Although Rakuten Viber is a third-party messenger, in some firmware it may be associated with system libraries or sharing functions.

The most common problem after incorrect removal is the appearance of errors in the system or constant notifications about service failures. If you used the ADB method and after rebooting the phone began to behave unstable, the best solution would be to execute the recovery command mentioned earlier in the spoiler.

⚠️ Attention: Android interfaces and menu item names may differ depending on the version of the operating system and the manufacturer's shell (MIUI, OneUI, ColorOS). Always check the current settings for your specific device.

It is also worth considering that when you reset the phone to factory settings, all your changes will be canceled. Rakuten Viber will return to their place, and the procedure will have to be repeated again. This limitation applies to all methods except completely flashing the device to a clean version of Android.

Some users note that after deleting the messenger, the “share via...” functions stop working if they were strictly tied to this package. In this case, the system will automatically prompt you to select another application to perform the action.

Frequently asked questions (FAQ)

Is it safe to delete Rakuten Viber via ADB?

Yes, it is safe if you are deleting the messenger package (com.viber.voip). You do not affect critical Android system files. However, always check the package name carefully before entering the command so as not to accidentally delete an important system application.

Will the application return after a system update?

Yes, when updating the firmware (OTA), the system partition is often overwritten, and all applications disabled or deleted via ADB return to their original state. You will have to repeat the disabling or uninstalling procedure after each major update.

Can I uninstall Viber if I use it on another device?

Of course. Deleting an application from one phone does not in any way affect your account or the operation of the messenger on other devices (tablets, PCs or other smartphones). Your number will remain registered in the Viber network.

Why is the "Delete" button inactive?

This means that the application is installed as a system one. Smartphone manufacturers often enter into pre-installation contracts with software developers, blocking the ability for a user to simply uninstall without special rights or tools.

Will uninstalling take up space on the phone's memory?

With standard deletion, yes, space will be freed up in the user section. If disabled, no, the files will remain on the system partition. When deleting via ADB, space will be freed up in the user profile, but the system partition will remain unchanged.