How to Uninstall a Pre-Installed App

Edited 2 days ago by ExtremeHow Editorial Team

App ManagementSmartphoneAndroidiPhoneMobile AppsCustomizationDevice ManagementSecurityUser InterfaceMobile OS

The process of uninstalling pre-installed apps from your device can sometimes seem daunting, especially for those who are not very tech-savvy. However, by following a series of basic steps, you can successfully remove unwanted apps, whether you are using an Android or iOS device, or working on a different operating system like Windows or macOS. This article aims to provide a detailed and easy-to-follow guide on how to uninstall pre-installed apps on different platforms.

Uninstalling pre-installed apps on Android

Android devices come with many pre-installed apps. Some of these apps are very important for the system to function, while some are not so important. Here is how you can uninstall or disable those non-essential apps on Android devices:

Steps to uninstall pre-installed apps on Android

1. Open the Settings app on your Android device.
2. Scroll down and tap Apps or Application Manager.
3. Look through the list of apps and tap on the app you want to uninstall.
4. You will see two options: Uninstall and Disable. If the Uninstall button is available, tap it and confirm your action. If the Uninstall button is not available and only Disable is available, tap Disable to close the app. Disabling the app will remove it from your home screen and prevent it from running in the background.

Using ADB (Android Debug Bridge) to remove pre-installed apps

If the app cannot be uninstalled or disabled through the Settings menu, another way is to use the Android Debug Bridge (ADB). This requires a connection to a computer and the device. Follow these steps:

1. First, install the ADB tool on your computer. You can download it from the official Android Developer website.
2. Enable Developer Options on your Android device: Go to Settings > About phone and tap Build number seven times. You'll see a message saying "You are now a developer!"
3. Enable USB debugging: Go to Settings > Developer options and turn on USB debugging.
4. Connect your Android device to your computer using a USB cable.
5. Open a command prompt or terminal on your computer and type the following command to start the ADB daemon:

   adb devices

   This will bring up a list of connected devices.
6. Type the following command to enter the shell interface:

   adb shell

7. To list all installed packages, use the command:

   pm list package

8. Find the package name of the app you want to remove, then type the command:

   pm uninstall -k --user 0 package.name

   Replace package.name with the actual package name of the app.

Uninstalling pre-installed apps on iOS

Preinstalled apps on iOS devices include essential system apps and other bundled apps. Some of these apps can be removed from the home screen. Here's how:

Steps to uninstall pre-installed apps on iOS

1. Press and hold the app icon you want to remove until it starts to jiggle.
2. Tap the "X" or "-“ button appearing on the top-left corner of the app icon.
3. A confirmation will appear asking if you want to delete the app. Tap Delete to confirm.

Keep in mind that some core system apps can't be removed, but can be moved to another screen to de-clutter your main home screen.

Uninstalling pre-installed apps on Windows

Windows often comes with a lot of pre-installed apps. Some of these may be useful, while others may not be needed. Here's how to uninstall them:

Steps to uninstall pre-installed apps on Windows 10/11

1. Open the Start Menu and click on Settings.
2. Click Apps to open the Apps & features menu.
3. Scroll down to find the app you want to uninstall.
4. Click the app, then click Uninstall. Confirm if prompted.

Some system apps may not have an uninstall option. In such cases, you can use PowerShell with administrator privileges.

Using PowerShell to uninstall system apps

1. Press Windows + X and select Windows PowerShell (Admin).
2. Type the following command to list all installed apps:

   Get-AppxPackage

3. Find the full name of the app you want to remove.
4. Use the following command to remove the app:

   Get-AppxPackage -Name "AppName" | Remove-AppxPackage

   Replace AppName with the actual name of the app.

Uninstalling pre-installed apps on macOS

macOS includes many pre-installed applications that you may want to remove to free up space or reduce clutter. Here's how:

Steps to uninstall a pre-installed app on macOS

1. Open Finder and go to the Applications folder.
2. Find the app you want to remove.
3. Drag the app to the Trash or right-click and select Move to Trash.
4. Empty the Trash to completely remove the application from your system.

Some system apps and protected apps cannot be removed easily. In these cases, you may need to use the terminal.

Using the Terminal to remove system apps

1. Open Terminal from the Utilities folder.
2. Type the following command to navigate to the Applications directory:

   cd /Applications/

3. Use the command

   sudo rm -rf AppName.app

   Replace AppName with the actual name of the app.
4. Confirm your action if prompted.

Important things to consider before uninstalling

Before uninstalling or disabling pre-installed apps, it is important to consider the following points:

• System integrity: Some pre-installed apps are essential for the system to run smoothly. Removing them may result in instability or loss of functionality.
• Backup: Always backup your important data before making changes to the installed software.
• Recovery: Make sure you have access to recovery options, such as factory reset or system restore, so you can use it in case something goes wrong.
• Research: Do some research to understand the role of the app in the system. Visit forums and tech sites to get advice on which apps are safe to remove.

Conclusion

Uninstalling pre-installed apps can help clear out clutter in your device and free up resources. While some apps can be easily removed using built-in operating system tools, others may require more advanced methods like using ADB, PowerShell, or terminal commands. Always exercise caution and be sure to back up your data before making significant changes to your device.

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