How to remove or disable embedded apps

How to remove or disable embedded apps

When you turn on your new device for the first time, some apps will already be installed. Some of these apps are essential for your device to run correctly and cannot be uninstalled or disabled.

Certain apps cannot be uninstalled but can be disabled. This is because they are useful for the everyday use and the basic functions of your smartphone.

Any app that you have downloaded yourself can be uninstalled.

Uninstalling an app will remove it entirely from your phone. Disabling an app will remove it from the apps screen and stop it from running in the background. Disabled apps will no longer receive updates.

Depending on where you bought your device, different apps may be preinstalled. For example, if you purchase a device from a mobile network, their apps may already be installed on the device.

The quickest way to find out whether you can uninstall or disable an app is though the apps screen.

1 Swipe up from the home screen to reveal the apps screen
2 Press and hold the icon of the app you wish to uninstall or disable
3 If the app can be uninstalled, this option will appear in the menu
Pop up menu for app with Uninstall selected
4 If the app can be disabled but not uninstalled, only the option to disable will appear
Pop up menu for app with Disable selected
5 If the app cannot be uninstalled or disabled, neither of these options will appear
Pop up menu for app showing neither Uninstall nor Disable available
1 Swipe up from the home screen and tap the Settings icon
Settings icon
2 Tap Apps
Apps selected in settings menu
3 Tap on the app that you want to remove or disable
4 Depending on the app there will be different options. If the app can be deleted there will be the option to Uninstall
Uninstall selected in App info
5 If the app can't be deleted, but is not needed for device functionality there will be the option to Disable
Disable selected in App info
6 If the app can't be deleted but is needed for device functionality, the option to Disable will be greyed out
Disable option greyed out in App options
1 Open the Play Store app
2 Tap your user icon
User icon selected in the Google Play Store
3 Tap My apps & games
My apps & games selected in the Google Play Store
4 Tap Installed
Installed selected in My apps and games in the Google Play Store
5 Tap on the app you want to uninstall
6 Tap Uninstall
Uninstall selected in the Google Play menu for Facebook

If you're experiencing unusual behaviour on Samsung mobiles, tablets or wearables, you can send us an error report or ask us a question in the Samsung Members app.

This allows us to take a closer look at what is happening. The data is anonymised and only held for the duration of the investigation. Find out more about sending an error report through the Samsung Members app.

 

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