Introduction
Android has always been a favorite operating system for people worldwide. With a plethora of apps on the Google Play Store, the possibilities are endless. However, as much as we love default apps, many users receive them as bloatware. Default apps are pre-installed on your phone, taking up memory and slowing down your device’s performance. In this article, we will guide you on how to remove annoying default Android applications, so you can declutter and optimize your smartphone.
Pre-installation Apps Vs. System Apps
Before we move on to the removal process, it’s vital to understand the difference between pre-installed apps and system apps. Pre-installed apps are usually added by phone manufacturers to their devices. These are apps that come with your device and are installed by default, but you can uninstall them. Unlike pre-installed apps, system apps are included in the core operating system. They are essential for the device’s proper functioning, and uninstalling them can cause damage to your device.
Before removing any default app, it’s essential to know which category the app falls under. You can usually detect this in the app settings by selecting the application you wish to remove. In the Details section, if you find the option “Uninstall,” it is a pre-installation app, and you can remove it without any problem. However, if you find the option “Disable,” it is a system app, and in this case, we recommend not removing it.
Uninstall vs. Disable
If you’re looking to remove a pre-installed default app, you can easily do so by uninstalling it from the application settings. However, if the application is a system app, you cannot uninstall it; in this case, you can only disable it. Disabling an app means the app will no longer be functional, but it will still be present on your device, occupying space.
Keep in mind that you cannot remove Google apps like Google Play Services, Google Play Music, Google Chrome, etc., as they play a vital role in your device’s functioning. At best, you can disable them.
Removing pre-installation Apps
Pre-installation apps can be easily removed from your device. The following are the steps to remove the app:
Step 1: Navigate to the Settings App
Open the Settings app from the home screen or the app drawer.
Step 2: Select the Application Manager
Once you are in the Settings app, look for the Application Manager.
Step 3: Find the Default App you Want to Remove
Scroll through the list of apps to find the default app you want to remove and click on it.
Step 4: Uninstall the Application
Click on the “Uninstall” button to remove the app.
Disabling System Apps
Disabling system apps is different from uninstalling pre-installed applications. The following are the steps to disable system apps:
Step 1: Navigate to the App Settings
Open the Settings app from the home screen or the app drawer.
Step 2: Select the Application Manager
Once in the Settings app, look for the Application Manager.
Step 3: Find the System App you Want to Disable
Scroll through the list of apps to find the system app you want to disable.
Step 4: Disable the Application
Click on the “Disable” button to disable the app.
Do You Really Need to Remove Default Apps?
The decision to remove or keep default apps depends on each user’s preferences and requirements. If a pre-installed default app is taking up too much space or slowing down your device’s performance, you can remove it without any problem. For example, if you have a third-party browser that you use regularly, you might want to remove the default browser to free up space.
On the other hand, some default apps are essential for your device’s functioning and cannot be removed. For example, Google Play Services is an app that facilitates communication between your Google apps and your device. Similarly, the default launcher app is responsible for launching other apps on your device. Therefore, removing these apps can cause issues with your device’s functioning.
Conclusion
In this article, we have discussed how you can remove annoying default Android applications and optimize your smartphone’s performance. Before removing any app, it’s essential to know the difference between pre-installation and system apps and to understand the implications of uninstalling or disabling them. Removing default apps that you don’t need can improve your device’s performance and free up space. However, it’s crucial to be cautious and not remove essential system apps as this may cause damage to your device.
We hope you enjoyed reading this article and found it useful. If you have any questions or suggestions, please feel free to leave a comment below. See you again in another interesting article!