How to Delete Apps on Android

Edited 1 week ago by ExtremeHow Editorial Team

App DeletionAndroidSmartphoneMobile AppsDevice ManagementCustomizationPerformanceSecurityData ManagementUser Interface

In the world of smartphones, Android devices are incredibly popular due to their versatility and ease of use. However, over time, you may find that your device is filled with apps that you no longer need or use. In such cases, learning how to delete apps on your Android device is very useful. This guide will explain you in detail the steps to uninstall apps on Android, ensuring that you have no trouble freeing up space on your device.

Understanding Android versions and custom interfaces

Before getting into the specifics of deleting apps, it's important to understand that Android is an open-source operating system. This means that different manufacturers can tweak the user interface to suit their preferences. Therefore, the exact steps to delete apps may vary slightly depending on the manufacturer of your device and the version of Android it's running on. However, the general principles remain the same across all devices.

Method 1: Uninstalling apps via the Settings menu

The Settings menu provides a comprehensive way to manage all the apps on your device. Here's how to delete apps using the Settings menu:

1. Open the Settings menu: Find the "Settings" app on your device. This app usually looks like a gear icon. Tap it to open it.
2. Access the Apps or Application Manager: In the Settings menu, scroll down until you find “Apps,” “Applications,” or “Application Manager,” depending on your device. Tap it.
3. Select the app: Once you're in the Apps menu, you'll see a list of all the apps installed on your device. Scroll through the list and select the app you want to remove.
4. Uninstall the app: After selecting the app, you will be taken to the app's information page. Here, you will find the options to “Force Stop,” “Uninstall,” or “Disable.” Tap the “Uninstall” button. A confirmation message will appear asking if you really want to uninstall the app. Confirm by tapping “OK” or “Uninstall.” The app will then be removed from your device.

Method 2: Uninstalling apps from the home screen or app drawer

If you want a faster way to delete apps, you can do so directly from your home screen or app drawer. Here's how:

1. Go to the app: Find the app you want to delete on your home screen or app drawer.
2. Press and hold an app icon: Press and hold an app icon until you see a menu pop up or the icon changes (on some devices, the icon will become movable).
3. Drag to the "Uninstall" option: Without lifting your finger, drag the app icon to the "Uninstall" option that appears on the screen. This option is usually located at the top or bottom of the screen and may look like a trash can or have the word "Uninstall" next to it.
4. Confirm uninstallation: A confirmation message will appear asking if you want to uninstall the app. Confirm by tapping “OK” or “Uninstall.” The app will then be removed from your device.

Method 3: Using the Google Play Store

There is another way to manage and uninstall Google Play Store apps. This method is especially useful when you want to reinstall the app later, as Google Play Store keeps a history of all your installed apps. Follow these steps:

1. Open the Google Play Store: Find the Google Play Store app on your device and tap it to open it.
2. Access My apps & games: Tap the menu icon (usually three horizontal lines) in the upper-left corner of the screen to open the side menu. From the menu, select "My apps & games."
3. Select the Installed tab: Under "My apps & games," you will see different tabs such as "Updates," "Installed," and "Library." Tap the "Installed" tab to see a list of all the apps currently installed on your device.
4. Uninstall an app: From the list of installed apps, find the app you want to uninstall and tap on it. This will open the app’s details page. Tap the “Uninstall” button. A confirmation message will appear. Confirm by tapping “OK” or “Uninstall.” The app will be removed from your device.

Method 4: Uninstalling apps using a third-party app manager

There are many third-party app managers available on the Google Play Store that can help you manage and uninstall apps more efficiently. Some of the popular ones are "Uninstall Perfect," "Easy Uninstaller," and "App Master." Here is a general guide on how to use these third-party apps to remove apps:

1. Download and install an app manager: Open the Google Play Store, search for the app manager of your choice, and install it on your device.
2. Open App Manager: Once installed, open App Manager.
3. View installed apps: The app manager will display a list of all the apps installed on your device. Some apps may categorize them into different sections such as system apps, user-installed apps, etc.
4. Select and uninstall apps: Select the apps you want to uninstall, usually by checking a box next to each app. Once you've made your selections, tap the "Uninstall" button. Confirm your choice when prompted. The selected apps will be removed from your device.

Handling pre-installed apps (bloatware)

Many Android devices come with pre-installed apps from the manufacturer or carrier, commonly referred to as bloatware. These apps can sometimes be annoying because they take up space and you may not even use them. Unfortunately, these apps cannot always be uninstalled like regular apps. However, there are a few ways to manage them:

Disabling bloatware

Disabling an app will stop it from running and hide it from the app drawer, but it will still take up storage space on your device. Here's how to disable bloatware:

1. Open the Settings menu: Find and open the "Settings" app on your device.
2. Access the Apps or Application Manager: Scroll down to find and tap "Apps," "Applications," or "Application Manager."
3. Select a pre-installed app: From the list of apps, find and select the pre-installed app you want to disable.
4. Disable the app: On the app's information page, tap the "Disable" button. A warning message may appear indicating that disabling built-in apps may affect other apps. Confirm by tapping "OK" or "Disable." The app will be disabled and will not appear in the app drawer or run in the background.

Using ADB (for advanced users only)

Advanced users who are familiar with command-line tools can use ADB (Android Debug Bridge) to uninstall or disable bloatware. This process requires a computer and a USB cable. Here's a general guide:

1. Enable Developer Options and USB Debugging: Go to "Settings" → "About Phone" and tap "Build Number" seven times to enable Developer Options. Then, go to "Settings" → "Developer Options" and enable "USB Debugging."
2. Install ADB on your computer: Download and install ADB on your computer. You can find instructions on the official Android Developer website.
3. Connect your device to the computer: Using a USB cable, connect your Android device to the computer.
4. Open a Command Prompt or Terminal window: Open the command-line interface on your computer (Command Prompt for Windows, Terminal for macOS and Linux).
5. Check the connection: Type adb devices and press Enter. If ADB is set up correctly, you'll see your device listed.
6. Find the package name: To uninstall an app using ADB, you'll need the app's package name. Type adb shell pm list packages to see a list of all package names.
7. Uninstall the app: Type adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 <package_name> and press Enter. Replace <package_name> with the actual package name of the app you want to uninstall.

Note: Use ADB with caution, as uninstalling system apps can sometimes damage your device.

Tips for effective app management

Now that you know how to delete apps on Android, here are some additional tips that will help you manage your apps more effectively:

• Review installed apps regularly: Periodically review your installed apps and uninstall those that you no longer need or use.
• Clear app cache and data: For apps you want to keep but are taking up too much space, consider clearing the cache and data. This may free up space without uninstalling the app.
• Use storage management tools: Many Android devices have built-in storage management tools that can help you see what's taking up space and offer suggestions for freeing up space.
• Keep your apps updated: Regularly update the apps you have. Developers often release updates with improvements, security fixes, and reduced storage usage.

Conclusion

Deleting apps on your Android device is a straightforward process that can be done in a number of ways depending on your preference. Whether you choose to uninstall apps through the Settings menu, directly from the home screen, through the Google Play Store, or using a third-party app manager, you'll be able to free up space and improve your device's performance.

As for pre-installed bloatware, while you can't always uninstall them, disabling them can help reduce clutter. Advanced users can use ADB for more control over system apps.

By regularly reviewing and managing your apps, you can ensure that your Android device stays clean, efficient, and easy to use.

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