When you buy a new Android phone, you'll likely find it comes loaded with apps you didn't ask for: manufacturer tools, Google services, carrier apps, and sometimes even promotional games or services. This collection of pre-installed apps that we can't easily remove is known as bloatware . While many simply take up space and aren't too bothersome, others slow down the system, drain the battery , or send annoying notifications you'd rather never see again.
Fortunately, nowadays there are several ways to remove these pre-installed apps without rooting your phone and with minimal risk. In this guide, we'll explain all the available techniques, from the simplest to the most technical, so you can choose the one that best suits your skill level and the type of phone you have. We'll also see when it's appropriate to use tools like ADB or even resort to rooting if you want complete control of the system.
What is bloatware and why remove it?
The term bloatware comes from traditional computing and refers to software that is unnecessarily bloated , meaning it takes up space and consumes resources without providing any real value to the user. On Android phones, it's used to describe those pre-installed applications that you often can't easily remove because they're part of the system or protected by the manufacturer.
The real problem with bloatware is that not everything can be uninstalled with a simple tap . Some apps do have an "Uninstall" option, but many others can only be disabled or remain hidden without actually being deleted. Furthermore, the operating system often prevents the removal of apps that are essential for its operation, although that doesn't mean all the protected apps are indispensable.
Checking which pre-installed apps can be removed directly
Before you get bogged down using advanced tools, the first thing you should do is check if the app in question can be easily uninstalled . Many pre-installed apps, especially some from Google or the manufacturer, can be removed just like any other app you've installed.
To verify it:
- Press and hold the app icon on the desktop or in the app drawer
- If the option appears uninstall, select it and confirm
- You can also go to Settings > Apps > See all apps, choose the app and tap “Uninstall”
If the uninstall option does not appear or is disabled, it means you cannot remove it this way and you will have to choose another method.
Disable pre-installed apps that cannot be uninstalled
When an app can't be completely deleted, the Android system usually allows you to at least disable it . This means it stops appearing in the app drawer, doesn't run, and doesn't consume resources , although it remains stored in a system partition.
Steps to disable an application:
- Sign in Settings > Apps > See all apps
- Tap the three-dot menu and select Show system if the app doesn't appear
- Select the desired application
- Press on Disable and confirm
This method is safe and reversible . You can re-enable the app later if you wish.
Remove pre-installed system apps with ADB (no root required)
If you want to go further and remove system-protected applications, one of the best options is to use ADB (Android Debug Bridge) , an official Google tool that allows you to run commands from your computer to control your phone.
What do you need to use ADB?
- A computer running Windows, macOS, or Linux
- Install PlatformTools (the tools needed for ADB to work)
- A USB cable to connect the mobile phone
Enable developer mode and USB debugging
- Sign in Settings> Phone information
- Press several times on Build Number until activating developer options
- Go to Settings > System > Developer options
- Active USB debugging
Steps to remove apps with ADB
- Connect your mobile phone to the computer with the USB cable
- Open a command prompt (CMD on Windows, Terminal on Mac/Linux)
- Go to the folder where you unzipped Platform Tools
- Email:
adb devicesto check that the mobile is detected - Then, start the shell environment with:
adb shell - To list all installed apps type:
pm list packages - Find the package name of the app you want to delete (for example, com.google.android.apps.photos)
- Uninstall with the command:
pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.google.android.apps.photos
This process is reversible if you reinstall the app from Google Play. However, deleting an essential app can cause errors, so be careful.
Make the process easier with Universal Android Debloater (UAD)
If you're not comfortable with commands, you can use a free tool called Universal Android Debloater , which provides a graphical interface for uninstalling pre-installed apps using ADB without typing commands.
Steps to use UAD
- Activate the USB debugging on your mobile
- Download and open Universal Android Debloater on your PC
- Connect your device via USB
- UAD will automatically detect your phone and display the list of apps
- Select the apps you don't want and tap Uninstall
The advantage of UAD is that it suggests which apps you can safely remove and allows you to review the description of each one before making a decision.
Alternative: ADB AppControl with graphical interface
Another great option is ADB AppControl , a program with a very intuitive interface that automates ADB commands . Compatible with Windows, it allows you to uninstall multiple applications quickly and easily.
How to use ADB AppControl
- Activate the USB debugging on your mobile as we already explained
- Connect your phone to your PC via USB cable
- Download and install ADB AppControl from their official site
- Open the program and let it detect your mobile
- Filter apps by type: bloatware, user apps, system apps, etc.
- Select the apps you want to remove and click on Uninstall
Plus, you can save uninstall profiles to easily replicate if you change phones or perform a factory reset.
What if I'm rooted? Complete system uninstallation
Having root permissions gives you access to the entire system, including the ability to physically delete the APK and its data from the system partition. This not only removes the app from the app drawer but also permanently frees up space.
For advanced users, there are tools such as:
- RootUninstaller
- System App Remover
- Including root managers like Magisk
The recommendation here is to make a backup before deleting anything , as you could delete an essential app and leave your system unstable.
How to prevent remnants of uninstalled pre-installed apps?
Even if you delete an app, it can leave data and cache in your device's memory . To avoid this:
- Go to Settings> Applications
- Select the app you want to delete
- Open the option Storage
- Balance Delete data y Clear cache
- Now uninstall the app normally
Bonus tip: Use lightweight apps if you reinstall
If you decide to reinstall any of the deleted apps, consider whether you can find a lightweight version . For example:
- Facebook Lite instead of the full version
- Google Maps Go as an alternative to the full app
These versions take up less storage, consume less data and battery , and are perfect for low-end or mid-range mobile phones.
Removing pre-installed apps may seem complex at first, but with the right tools, it's a process accessible to any user. Whether by manually uninstalling the ones you want, disabling the ones you don't, or using solutions like ADB or graphical user interfaces, you can reduce bloatware without rooting your phone.
This not only improves your Android's performance, but also gives you a cleaner phone tailored to your actual needs. Share this information so other users can learn about it.