The fastest way to remove an app from Android

To delete an app on Android, open Settings, go to Apps (or Application Manager), find the app you want to remove, tap it, and select Uninstall. For apps you downloaded from the Google Play Store, you can also press and hold the app icon on your home screen, then tap Uninstall or Remove. Both methods work on all Android phones, though the exact wording and location of buttons varies slightly by manufacturer and Android version.

Some apps that came pre-installed on your phone cannot be fully uninstalled — you can only disable them, which hides them from your home screen and stops them from running. The Uninstall button will be grayed out for these apps, and you'll see a Disable option instead.

Key Takeaways

  • Apps you downloaded can be deleted through Settings > Apps or by long-pressing the icon on your home screen and selecting Uninstall.
  • Pre-installed apps often cannot be fully removed, but you can disable them to hide them and stop them from running.
  • Disabling an app frees up storage space and stops background activity, but you may not be able to re-enable it without a factory reset.
  • Clearing an app's cache and data before uninstalling removes your saved settings and login information for that app.

Deleting apps from your home screen

The quickest method is to remove the app directly from where you see it. Press and hold the app icon on your home screen until a menu appears. Depending on your phone's manufacturer, you'll see options like Remove, Uninstall, or Delete App. Tap the option that removes it.

This method only works for apps you downloaded yourself. If you try it on a pre-installed app, you'll usually see options like Remove from Home Screen or Uninstall, but tapping Uninstall will either do nothing or take you to Settings to disable the app instead.

Removing apps through Settings

Open Settings and look for Apps, Application Manager, or Manage Applications — the exact name depends on your phone's manufacturer. Scroll through the list to find the app you want to delete, tap it, and look for an Uninstall button near the top of the screen.

If the Uninstall button is grayed out or missing, the app is pre-installed and cannot be fully removed. You'll see a Disable button instead. Tapping Disable will hide the app from your home screen and stop it from running in the background, but it will remain on your phone.

The difference between uninstalling and disabling

Uninstalling removes the app completely from your phone and frees up the storage space it was using. You can reinstall it later from the Google Play Store if you change your mind. Uninstalling also removes all the app's data — your saved passwords, settings, and any files it created.

Disabling keeps the app on your phone but hides it from your home screen and prevents it from running. It still takes up storage space, but usually much less than when it was active. Disabled apps cannot send notifications or use your battery. If you disable an app and later want to use it again, you can re-enable it through Settings without reinstalling.

Pre-installed apps often cannot be uninstalled because they are part of your phone's core system. Disabling them is the closest you can get to removing them. If you disable an app and later regret it, you can re-enable it by going back to Settings > Apps, finding the app, and tapping Enable.

Clearing app data before you delete

Before uninstalling an app, you may want to save any important information it contains. Some apps let you export your data through their own settings — for example, a notes app might let you export notes as a file. Check the app's settings menu first.

If you uninstall without saving, all the app's data is deleted permanently. This includes login information, saved files, settings, and any content you created inside the app. When you reinstall the app later, it will start fresh as if you had just downloaded it for the first time.

If you want to clear an app's data without uninstalling it, go to Settings > Apps, tap the app, and look for Storage or Clear Cache. Tapping Clear Cache removes temporary files the app created. Tapping Clear Data (or Clear Storage) removes everything, including your login information and settings.

Removing bloatware and carrier apps

Many Android phones come with pre-installed apps from the manufacturer or your mobile carrier that you may never use. These are sometimes called bloatware. Most of these apps cannot be uninstalled, but you can disable them to hide them and free up some resources.

Go to Settings > Apps, find the app you want to remove, tap it, and select Disable. The app will disappear from your home screen and app drawer. It will no longer run in the background or send notifications. If you ever need it again, you can re-enable it the same way.

Some newer Android phones and certain manufacturers allow you to uninstall more pre-installed apps than others. If you see an Uninstall button, you can remove the app completely. If you only see Disable, that app is locked to your system and cannot be fully removed without special tools.

What to do if an app won't uninstall

If you tap Uninstall and nothing happens, the app may be set as a device administrator. Some apps request permission to act as an administrator to access certain phone features. Go to Settings > Security > Device Admin Apps (or Device Administrators), find the app in the list, and tap it to remove its admin status. Then try uninstalling again.

Another reason an app might not uninstall is if it is a system app or pre-installed app. These cannot be removed, only disabled. If you see only a Disable button and no Uninstall option, that app is part of your phone's system and disabling is your only choice.

If you have tried everything and an app still will not uninstall or disable, a factory reset will remove it — but this will also erase all your personal data, photos, and settings. Before doing a factory reset, back up your important files to Google Drive or another cloud service.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does uninstalling an app delete my account or data from the company's servers?

No. Uninstalling only removes the app from your phone and deletes the data stored on your device. Your account with the company and any data they store on their servers remains. When you reinstall the app, you can log back in with the same account and your data will still be there.

Can I uninstall Google apps like Gmail or Google Maps?

On most Android phones, Google's core apps like Gmail, Maps, and Chrome cannot be fully uninstalled because they are part of the system. You can disable them to hide them from your home screen. Some phones allow you to uninstall updates to these apps, which reverts them to the original version that came with your phone, but the app itself remains.

What happens if I disable an app I need later?

You can re-enable it anytime by going to Settings > Apps, finding the app, and tapping Enable. The app will reappear on your home screen and work normally. If you uninstalled it instead of disabling it, you would need to reinstall it from the Google Play Store.

Will deleting an app free up storage space on my phone?

Yes, uninstalling removes the app and all its files from your phone, which frees up storage. Disabling an app does not free up much space because the app files remain on your phone. If you need storage space, uninstalling is more effective than disabling.

Can I delete multiple apps at once?

Most Android phones do not have a built-in way to uninstall multiple apps at once through Settings. You must uninstall them one by one. Some phone manufacturers include a tool to do this, so check your phone's app management settings. The fastest method is usually to press and hold each app icon on your home screen and tap Uninstall for each one.