Android Bloatware: The Complete Guide to Removing Unwanted Preinstalled Apps

There are many reasons why a phone may come with unwanted software preinstalled. Perhaps you purchased a Samsung phone that comes with a suite of software from the company, which is how the company offers features only Samsung Galaxy devices have. Or maybe you got a deal at your carrier for the latest handset and it came with a bunch of carrier bloatware. Even if you buy a Pixel directly from Google, these devices can offer their own bloat with extraneous apps like Google TV. No matter which carrier or manufacturer you prefer, there are a handful of preinstalled apps that came with your phone that can be safely uninstalled, or at the very least, hidden.

Carrier Apps

If you purchased or leased your Android phone from a carrier, there’s a good chance the device offers a carrier-branded app or two. The most prominent are account apps, like My Verizon and T-Life, but they aren’t necessary for paying your bill (websites exist). It can be convenient to have a dedicated app to check your account status instead of signing in to view your details through a web browser, but it’s not like carrier apps are known for their speed or navigability—T-Mobile’s recent switch to its controversial T-Life app is a perfect example of the increasingly bloated experience these apps offer.

How to remove carrier apps:

1. Open your phone’s main Settings menu.

2. Navigate to the Apps section.

3. Select the offending app.

4. Tap Uninstall if available.

5. If Uninstall is not available, tap Disable instead.

OEM-Branded Apps

Similar to how carriers will add preinstalled apps, so too will device manufacturers (OEMs). OEMs will often duplicate a lot of existing apps. This is something Samsung is guilty of, though it’s not alone. For instance, Motorola often includes a Motorola Notifications app, which sends out advertisements for its products. Even Google does this with its Pixel phones by preinstalling apps like YouTube Music and Google TV.

Common OEM-branded apps to consider removing:

• Samsung Wallet, Samsung Notes, Bixby, SmartThings

• Motorola Notifications

• YouTube Music, Google TV (on Pixel devices)

• OnePlus Notes

How to remove OEM apps:

1. Go to Settings > Apps.

2. Find the offending app.

3. Tap Uninstall or Disable.

Duplicate System Apps

Samsung is one of the worst offenders when it comes to duplicating many of Android’s and Google’s built-in apps, including core system apps like your file browser. Samsung offers an entire suite of Android apps, from its own Galaxy Store to a web browser, digital wallet, calendar, and device-finding alternative.

Common duplicate Samsung apps to remove:

• Samsung Calendar (if you prefer Google Calendar)

• Bixby (if you prefer Gemini or Google Assistant)

• SmartThings (if you prefer Google Home)

• Samsung Browser (if you prefer Chrome)

• Samsung Notes (if you prefer Google Keep or another note app)

How to remove duplicate system apps:

1. Go to Settings > Apps.

2. Select the duplicate app.

3. Tap Uninstall or Disable.

Note: If you’re on an older version of One UI, you may only see the Disable option instead of Uninstall.

Preinstalled Third-Party Apps

Many manufacturers and carriers include preinstalled third-party apps on their Android phones. Companies like Samsung are well known for shipping devices pre-loaded with social apps like Facebook or streaming apps like Netflix, and even companies like OnePlus have followed suit with apps like Instagram. Often, these third parties pay for their apps to be preinstalled, with the idea that users will leave them installed—or better yet, engage with them.

Common preinstalled third-party apps:

• Facebook

• Instagram

• Netflix

• Microsoft Office apps (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)

• OneDrive

How to remove third-party apps:

1. Go to Settings > Apps.

2. Select the app you want to remove.

3. Tap Uninstall. Most third-party apps can be fully uninstalled since they aren’t system apps.

Antivirus and Security Apps

Thanks to Google Play Protect, there’s simply no need for Android antivirus apps anymore. This means third-party apps like McAfee, Norton 360, and Avast are unnecessary, and carrier security apps like AT&T ActiveArmor, Verizon Protect, and T-Mobile Lookout can be removed as well. Unless you’re dealing with highly sensitive data, Play Protect is enough, especially when it can operate much closer to the metal than any third party ever could.

Task killers also fall into this category and are just as unnecessary, since Android offers its own fine-tuned scheduler to keep your RAM available.

Exception: Samsung’s Device Care is a protected system app. Removing it can break battery tuning and system performance, so it should not be removed even if you have the technical skills to do so.

How to remove security apps:

1. Go to Settings > Apps.

2. Find the security app (e.g., Norton, McAfee, Carrier Protect).

3. Tap Uninstall. If Uninstall is not available, tap Disable.

Quick Reference Table

Summary

• Carrier apps can be uninstalled or disabled to free up space and reduce clutter.

• OEM-branded apps often duplicate Google’s services and can be removed.

• Duplicate system apps like Samsung Calendar or Bixby can be disabled if you prefer Google alternatives.

• Third-party apps like Facebook and Netflix are usually fully uninstallable.

• Antivirus apps are unnecessary—Google Play Protect is sufficient.

• Do not remove protected system apps like Samsung’s Device Care, as they can break system functionality.

Conclusion

Bloatware is one of the most common frustrations for Android users, but you don’t have to live with it. Whether you’re dealing with carrier apps, OEM-branded duplicates, or third-party software, most of these apps can be safely uninstalled or disabled. By taking a few minutes to clean up your app drawer, you can transform your Android experience into something much more easily navigated and purpose-driven.