Android

How to Uninstall Apps on Android That Won’t Uninstall

February 13, 2025

Struggling to remove an app on your Android that simply refuses to uninstall? You’re not alone. Many Android users face this frustrating issue, especially when dealing with system apps or malware.

By the end of this article, you will learn step-by-step how to uninstall apps on Android that won’t uninstall, using various methods.

Whether you’re trying to remove pre-installed bloatware, manage your app permissions reset, or clear out hidden apps using Developer Options—we’ve got you covered.

We’ll walk through solutions involving ADB commands, factory resets, and even rooting your device if necessary.

Our guide will help you understand why these apps become stubborn and provide effective solutions to reclaim control over your Android’s storage space.

How To Uninstall Apps On Android That Won’T Uninstall: Quick Workflow

To uninstall apps on Android that won’t uninstall through standard methods, you can follow several approaches depending on the reason for the restriction. Here are the main methods:

1. Disable the App

If the app is a system or preinstalled app, it may not have an uninstall option. Instead, you can disable it:

Open Settings on your device.
Scroll down and select Apps.
Find the app you want to disable and tap on it.
At the bottom, tap Disable and confirm your choice. This action will prevent the app from running and hide it from your app drawer, effectively removing it from use without uninstalling it.

2. Revoke Administrator Privileges

Some apps require device administrator permissions, which can prevent uninstallation:

Go to Settings and search for Device Admin Apps (or navigate to Security > Device Admin Apps).
Find the app in question and toggle off its administrator privileges.
After revoking these privileges, return to the Apps section, select the app, and then tap Uninstall.

3. Use Google Play Store

You can also try uninstalling apps directly from the Google Play Store:

Open the Google Play Store.
Tap your profile icon in the top right corner and select Manage apps & device.
Go to Manage, find the app you want to remove, and tap on it.
Finally, tap Uninstall and confirm.

4. Use ADB (Android Debug Bridge)

For more advanced users, ADB allows you to uninstall apps that are otherwise unremovable:

Enable USB Debugging on your device by going to Settings > About Phone > Software Information, then tap Build Number seven times to unlock Developer Options. Go back to Settings, find Developer Options, and enable USB Debugging.
Connect your phone to a PC with ADB installed. You can download ADB from the official Android developer website.
Use a package name viewer (like App Inspector) to find the package name of the app you want to uninstall.
Open a command prompt (or terminal) in the ADB folder and run:
adb uninstall <package_name>
Replace <package_name> with the actual name of the app.

Why Certain Apps Cannot Be Uninstalled

System Apps

System apps are deeply embedded in your Android’s operating system. They are essential for the phone’s basic functionality, such as managing network connections, system updates, and settings. Google Play Services and Settings are prime examples of system apps that you simply can’t uninstall because they are crucial for the device’s core operations. Without them, your phone might not work properly or at all.

Preinstalled Apps (Bloatware)

Preinstalled apps, often referred to as bloatware, come directly from manufacturers and carriers. These can include a variety of apps, from Samsung Galaxy Store to device-specific social media apps, designed to promote services or keep you locked into an ecosystem. This bloatware can slow down your device and consume valuable storage, making the user experience frustrating. Such apps usually cannot be uninstalled through standard methods.

Apps with Administrator Privileges

Some apps take root in the system by acquiring administrator privileges. These permissions give them higher control, preventing easy uninstallation. Antivirus software and app lockers frequently require administrative permissions to function efficiently. To uninstall these, you’ll first need to revoke admin rights in the settings. Go to Settings > Security > Device Admin Apps to manage these permissions.

Corrupted Files and Malware

Malware or corrupted files can also prevent apps from being removed. They often disguise themselves as legitimate apps, making them hard to detect. Unexpected ads, sudden battery drain, and unexplained data usage are common warning signs of malware infections. If you’re seeing these signs, it’s time to dig deeper into your device’s security settings for potential threats.

Methods for Managing or Removing Stubborn Apps

maxresdefault How to Uninstall Apps on Android That Won’t Uninstall

Disabling Apps

Definition and benefits of disabling apps: When you disable an app, it stops running but remains installed. This frees up some resources and space without requiring root access. Disabling is especially useful for dealing with preinstalled bloatware.

Step-by-step process for disabling apps through Android settings:

Go to Settings.
Navigate to Apps & notifications.
Tap See all apps.
Find the app you wish to disable.
Tap Disable.

This prevents the app from running, but it doesn’t completely free up the storage space it occupies.

Potential limitations of disabling apps: While disabling an app can stop it from consuming resources, it doesn’t remove the app from your device. The app can also be re-enabled at any time, which doesn’t resolve the issue permanently.

Standard Uninstallation Methods

Using the “Uninstall” option via the app drawer or settings: This is the most straightforward method. Simply long-press the app icon in the app drawer until an Uninstall option appears. Alternatively, go through Settings > Apps & notifications > App Info and select Uninstall.

Removing apps through the Google Play Store: Open the Google Play Store. Navigate to My apps & games, find the app you want to uninstall, and tap the Uninstall button. This is handy and provides an easy interface for managing apps.

Addressing limitations of standard methods for preinstalled or admin-protected apps: These methods don’t work on preinstalled apps or those with administrator permissions. Such apps often can’t be removed by regular means and require additional steps to uninstall or disable.

Managing Apps with Administrator Privileges

Revoking administrator rights in device settings: Apps with admin rights can’t be uninstalled directly. You need to remove these privileges first. Go to Settings > Security > Device admin apps.

Step-by-step guide for deactivating admin privileges:

Open Settings.
Choose Security or Lock screen and security.
Tap Device admin apps.
Find the app and deactivate its admin rights.

Importance of ensuring malware is not exploiting admin access: Be cautious with apps that require admin permissions, like antivirus software or app lockers. Malicious apps can exploit these rights, making them difficult to uninstall and potentially harmful. If you suspect an issue, disable admin rights immediately and remove the app.

Advanced Techniques for Stubborn Apps

Safe Mode

Purpose and functionality of Safe Mode in managing apps: Safe Mode is a diagnostic tool. It disables third-party apps, letting you identify software conflicts and troubleshoot. When in Safe Mode, only system apps run. This is particularly useful for spotting problematic apps that might be causing issues.

Step-by-step guide for enabling Safe Mode:

Press and hold the Power button.
On the power-off screen, press and hold Power off.
A prompt appears—tap OK to reboot to Safe Mode.

In Safe Mode, go to Settings > Apps and uninstall the troublesome app.

Benefits of using Safe Mode to remove problematic apps: It’s clean, risk-free, and straightforward. You avoid complex methods like rooting, and it helps isolate issues without any third-party tools.

Android Debug Bridge (ADB) Commands

Introduction to ADB and its capabilities: ADB is a versatile command-line tool. It bridges your device and computer, allowing tasks like installing and uninstalling apps. It’s powerful but requires precise commands to avoid errors.

Enabling USB debugging and preparing the device for ADB commands:

Go to Settings > About phone.
Tap Build number seven times to enable Developer Options.
In Developer Options, toggle USB debugging.

Ensure ADB is set up on your PC. Connect your device via USB.

Step-by-step guide for uninstalling apps using ADB:

Open a command prompt on your computer.
Type adb devices to ensure your device is recognized.
Use adb shell pm list packages to list installed apps.
To uninstall, use adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 <package_name>.

Cautions when using ADB to avoid critical errors: Always double-check commands. Incorrect inputs can harm your device. Avoid uninstalling essential system apps to prevent system instability.

Third-Party Uninstaller Apps

Overview of third-party tools for app management: These apps offer more features than the default options, making app management simpler. They often include batch uninstallers and system cleaner tools to optimize performance.

Pros and cons of using third-party apps:

Pros: Easy to use, eliminates bloatware, adds extra features like batch uninstall.
Cons: Can sometimes introduce new vulnerabilities. Always download from trusted sources.

Examples of reliable third-party tools and how to use them:

SD Maid: Opens the app, selects App Control, and manages installed apps.
Titanium Backup: Requires root. Provides robust options to uninstall bloatware or freeze apps.

Factory Reset

When and why to use a factory reset as a last resort: If all else fails, a factory reset wipes everything. It’s the nuclear option for removing malware or deeply embedded apps. Use this only when other methods don’t work.

Steps to perform a factory reset safely:

Back up your data.
Go to Settings > System > Reset options.
Select Erase all data (factory reset) and confirm.

Importance of backing up data before resetting: Factory resets erase all personal data, apps, and settings. Ensure everything critical is backed up, including contacts, photos, and important documents. Services like Google Drive can help you restore data after the reset.

Strategies for Preventing App Issues

Managing Preinstalled Apps

Evaluating which preinstalled apps to keep or disable: Preinstalled apps, often labeled bloatware, can be annoying, yet some may be useful. Determine which ones genuinely add value. Apps like Samsung Galaxy Store or Google Play Services might be essential for device functionality or offer additional features you use regularly. Disable the rest.

Using tools like Universal Android Debloater for non-rooted devices: For those who don’t want to root their devices, Universal Android Debloater is a great utility. This helps streamline the process of evaluating and disabling bloatware, providing a user-friendly interface for managing system apps and other pre-installed software.

Avoiding Problematic Apps

Importance of downloading apps only from trusted sources: Always stick to reputable app stores like Google Play Store. These platforms have security measures in place, reducing the risk of downloading malicious apps. Avoid downloading from unknown websites or third-party stores, which are often unregulated and pose higher security risks.

How to identify potentially harmful apps before installation: Before installing, check the app’s reviews and ratings. A pattern of poor feedback can be a red flag. Verify the developer’s credibility, too—stick to known developers and avoid suspicious permissions requests. Apps asking for unnecessary access to contacts, messages, or location data may be malicious.

Regular Maintenance

Clearing cache and data to maintain app performance: Regularly clear cache and data to keep your Android running smoothly. Navigate to Settings > Storage > Cached Data and clear it. This frees up space and ensures better performance, especially for heavily-used apps like social media or email clients.

Periodically reviewing app permissions and usage: Regularly check app permissions. Go to Settings > Apps & notifications > App permissions to see what each app accesses. Revoke permissions that seem unnecessary. Review app usage stats to decide if certain apps should be disabled or uninstalled.

FAQ on How To Uninstall Apps On Android That Won’T Uninstall

Why won’t some apps uninstall on Android?

Some apps are pre-installed by the manufacturer or the carrier, known as bloatware. These apps have system-level permissions preventing them from being uninstalled.

Others could be malware or have been given device admin rights, which also prevents standard uninstallation methods from working.

How can I uninstall apps using ADB commands?

First, enable Developer Options on your phone. Connect your Android device to a computer with ADB installed.

Open a command prompt and use commands like adb devices to ensure your device is connected, then adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 <package_name> to remove the app.

What’s the process of removing pre-installed apps?

Pre-installed apps, or bloatware, can sometimes be disabled through Settings > Apps > App Info > Disable. This won’t entirely remove them but will stop them from running. For a complete removal, rooting your device and using tools like Titanium Backup may be necessary.

How do I disable apps with device admin rights?

Go to Settings > Security > Device Admin Apps. Find the app, and then tap Deactivate or Remove Admin. This will revoke its admin rights, making it possible to uninstall the app through the usual methods.

Can I use the safe mode to uninstall these apps?

Yes, reboot your device into safe mode. This disables third-party apps temporarily. Go to Settings > Apps and try uninstalling the troublemaker. If successful in safe mode, the app may be removed for good.

How do rooting and custom ROMs help in uninstalling apps?

Rooting your device grants you superuser access, allowing you to remove system apps explicitly. Custom ROMs often come without the bloatware installed by manufacturers and carriers, giving you control over the installed apps.

How can a factory reset help?

A factory reset erases all data and restores your device to its original settings. This can remove any app you’ve installed but may not affect some pre-installed bloatware. Navigate to Settings > System > Reset Options > Erase All Data for this.

What are the risks of using third-party tools to uninstall apps?

Third-party tools can add functionality, but they also pose risks, such as malware or software conflicts. Ensure you download from reputable sources. Apps like Titanium Backup or SD Maid can help manage unwanted applications effectively.

How can I clear the cache to solve app uninstall problems?

Clearing the cache can sometimes fix uninstallation issues. Go to Settings > Storage > Cached Data and clear it. Then, try uninstalling the troublesome app from the App Info page. Clearing the cache can help resolve minor glitches.

Are there alternatives to uninstalling apps?

If uninstalling is not an option, consider disabling the app, which stops it from running and uses fewer resources. Go to Settings > Apps > App Info > Disable. This keeps the app on your device but renders it inactive.

Conclusion

Figuring out how to uninstall apps on Android that won’t uninstall can be tricky, but it’s possible with the right steps. Start by trying the built-in options like Settings > Apps > App Info. If that doesn’t work, consider using ADB commands or entering safe mode to tackle the issue. Disabling device admin rights can also free up those stubborn apps. For persistent bloatware, rooting or using a custom ROM may be your best bet.

Remember, always back up your data before making major changes. Factory resets and third-party tools are last resorts, but they can be effective. With these insights, you can reclaim your device and remove those unwanted apps. Today, we’ve navigated through options that ensure you’re never stuck with an app you don’t want. Your Android device should work for you, not against you.

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Bogdan Sandu

Bogdan is a seasoned web designer and tech strategist, with a keen eye on emerging industry trends.

With over a decade in the tech field, Bogdan blends technical expertise with insights on business innovation in technology.

A regular contributor to TMS Outsource's blog, where you'll find sharp analyses on software development, tech business strategies, and global tech dynamics.