Android: which system apps can I delete?
If you have root access to your Android device, you can also uninstall system apps. However, a lot of caution is required when deleting: A wrong click and your smartphone is irreparably damaged. We'll show you which apps you can safely delete.
Deactivate Android apps instead of deleting them
Many pre-installed apps cannot be uninstalled via the settings menu or Play Store - but at least they can be deactivated. The data remains on your memory, but is no longer displayed anywhere and is no longer a burden on RAM and background processes:
- To deactivate, you can display all applications including system apps in the settings.
- If the "Deactivate" button is grayed out, uninstall all updates to the app first. Then you can send the program to the deactivation.
- In general, all apps that can be deactivated can also be easily uninstalled. Only root access is required. The apps are then no longer heavy on your limited phone memory.
Bloatware - annoying trial apps can go away immediately
If you want to clean up your system app storage properly, you can also uninstall apps that can be deactivated - provided that you have root.
- Goodbye to trial versions: Apps from recognizable third-party providers are never system-relevant. For example, versions of "Office Suite" and the like can be easily removed.
- Replace weak apps: The "Image" app or provider-specific apps are preinstalled on Samsung smartphones. That can all go away. There is usually even a better alternative app in the Play Store.
Caution, system interference - you can also delete these parts of the Android manufacturer UI
Smartphone manufacturers cover the pure Android with their own user interfaces such as Samsung's "Touchwiz". This can also be seen in the system apps, which can be mucked out:
- SPlanner, Music Hub, sCloud - as long as you don't create a Samsung account, these apps will remain unused. The uninstallation does not affect the system in any way - away with it.
- Caution should be exercised with core apps such as the camera application. Most of these are also developed by the manufacturers themselves. But they are so essential that they are used by alternative camera apps for operation.
- For Samsung's current flagship Galaxy S4 there is even an extra convenient solution for "de-bloating": Here you will find the complete package.
Too much of a good thing - how to restore system apps
If other applications no longer work as desired or if the Android device no longer starts, only a new installation will help:
- If you already have root, use "Titanium Backup" from the start: Here you can make a backup of each system app before deleting it and restore it if necessary.
- If the device can hardly be operated due to error messages, you must reset your Android smartphone to the factory settings in the recovery system. However, you delete all apps, settings and messages, for example.
- In extreme emergencies, you have to restore the entire firmware via software flash. Use tools like ODIN, which we explain in this practical tip.