Many Android smartphone users are familiar with the frustration of having their storage space clogged by pre-installed applications, also known as “bloatware”. These unwanted apps not only take up space, but can also interfere with the performance of similar apps that the user might prefer. Despite this, removing these apps has always seemed like a daunting task to many. In this article, we will go through a step-by-step guide on how to easily remove these pre-installed apps without any difficulty.
Understanding Pre-installed Apps on Android
What is Bloatware ?
Bloatware refers to the pre-installed software on your Android device that is added by manufacturers. These could be third-party applications or manufacturer-specific apps. Although some may be useful, others serve no purpose and consume valuable storage space.
Impact of bloatware on your device
Bloatware can affect your device in several ways. They can cause slow performance of the device, drain battery life quickly and use up data plans when they auto-update.
Now that we understand what bloatwares are and how they impact your device’s performance, let’s get into how we can safely get rid of them.
Activate Developer Mode and USB Debugging
The importance of activating Developer mode and USB debugging
To gain more control over your device for procedures such as removing preinstalled apps, activating Developer Mode and USB Debugging is necessary.
Action | Description |
---|---|
Gaining access to developer options | Visit “Settings” > “About phone” > tap on “Build number” seven times until you see a message that you have become a developer |
Enabling USB debugging | Go to “Settings” > “Developer Options” > toggle on “USB Debugging” |
After activating the developer mode and enabling USB debugging, let’s move forward to the next step: using ADB.
Using ADB to Remove Bloatware Without Root
What is ADB ?
ADB (Android Debug Bridge) is a software interface for the android system, which allows you to communicate with an android device. It can be used to execute commands and manipulate your device without needing root access.
In order to simplify this process, various third-party tools are available which we will discuss next.
Download and Install Uninstalling Tools like Universal Android Debloater
The benefits of using uninstalling tools
Tools such as Universal Android Debloater, provide an easy-to-use interface for detecting and removing bloatware. These tools help in mass removal of these unnecessary apps without needing expert knowledge.
Some users may prefer manual methods, which brings us to our next topic – manually identifying and deleting pre-installed apps.
Identify and Manually Uninstall Preinstalled Apps
The procedure for manual uninstallation
To manually uninstall applications, one must head over to “Settings -> Manage Applications”. From there, find the application you wish to uninstall and tap on it. If there is an ‘Uninstall’ button present, click on it to remove the app.
However, not all apps can be uninstalled or deactivated. Let’s look at what can be done in such cases.
Disable System Apps That Cannot Be Removed
The process of disabling system apps
For the applications that cannot be removed, disabling them is a viable solution. Disabling an application stops it from functioning and removes it from your app drawer.
After you have successfully dealt with unnecessary pre-installed apps, there might come a time when you need to reinstall them. Let’s explore this scenario next.
Managing Reinstallation of Deleted System Apps
Reinstalling deleted system apps
If you’ve made a mistake or find that you actually need one of the deleted system apps, they can be easily reinstalled by going through “Settings -> Manage Applications”, finding the app on the list, and tapping ‘Enable’.
To wrap things up, getting rid of unwanted pre-installed apps on Android devices can significantly improve device performance by freeing up storage space and preventing unnecessary data usage. This guide has provided multiple ways to achieve this – whether by using ADB commands, third-party uninstallers, or manual methods. Just remember to proceed with caution to ensure the smooth operation of your smartphone.
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