How to Remove Bloatware Without Root: No More Pre-Installed Apps!

Prerequisites

Before we get started, let’s make sure you have everything you need.

1. Compatibility: These steps work on most Android devices running Android 5.0 or higher, including phones from Samsung, Huawei, and others.

2. Tools Required:

• A computer with ADB installed (Download ADB).
• A USB cable to connect your device to the computer.
• Optional: Universal Android Debloater (Download UAD), Shizuku (Download Shizuku), and App Manager (Download App Manager).

Remove Bloatware Using ADB

One of the easiest ways to remove bloatware without root is by using ADB (Android Debug Bridge). It allows you to send commands from your computer to your phone to uninstall unwanted apps.

Enable USB Debugging

First, let’s get your phone ready to communicate with your computer.

• Open Settings on your Android phone.
• Scroll down and tap About Phone.
• Tap Build Number seven times until you see a message that Developer Mode is enabled.
• Go back to Settings, then tap System > Developer Options.
• Enable USB Debugging.

Set Up ADB on Your Computer

Now, let’s set up ADB on your computer.

• Download ADB and unzip the files.
• Open a command prompt or terminal in the folder where ADB is installed by holding Shift and right-clicking on the folder, then selecting Open PowerShell window here.
• Connect your Android phone to your computer using a USB cable and set the connection to File Transfer (MTP).
• In the command prompt, type adb devices to check if your phone is connected. When prompted on your phone, allow the connection.

List Installed Apps

Now, let’s figure out which apps are installed on your device.

• Type adb shell in the command prompt and press Enter.
• Run this command to list all the installed apps on your phone: pm list packages
• If you want to look for specific apps like those from your carrier, use: pm list packages | grep '<OEM/Carrier/AppName>'

Uninstall the Bloatware

Once you’ve found the app you want to remove, here’s how to uninstall it:

• Type this command in the terminal: pm uninstall -k --user 0 NameOfPackage
• Replace NameOfPackage with the actual package name you found in the previous step. This command hides the app without deleting it completely, so it won’t reappear in your app drawer.

Remove Bloatware with Universal Android Debloater (UAD)

Universal Android Debloater (UAD) is another tool that makes removing bloatware easy, especially if you don’t want to mess with command lines.

Download and Install UAD

First, download UAD on your computer.

• Download UAD for Windows.

After downloading and unzipping the file, open UAD.

• Connect your phone to the computer using a USB cable.
• Make sure USB Debugging is enabled on your phone (see instructions above).

Select and Remove Bloatware

Once UAD is open, it will automatically list all the apps on your device. You can easily choose which ones to uninstall.

• Simply check the boxes next to the apps you want to remove.
• Click Uninstall.

Remove Bloatware Using Shizuku and App Manager

If you prefer using apps on your phone, Shizuku paired with App Manager allows you to manage and uninstall system apps without root.

Install Shizuku and App Manager

Start by downloading both apps:

• Download Shizuku
• Download App Manager

Enable Wireless Debugging

Once you’ve installed Shizuku:

• Open Shizuku and enable Wireless Debugging.
• Follow the instructions to pair your phone with your computer.

Remove Bloatware Using App Manager

Now, open App Manager to start removing apps.

• Open the app and search for the app you want to remove.
• Tap on the app and choose Uninstall.

Reinstall Uninstalled Apps

Did you accidentally remove an app you actually need? Don’t worry, you can reinstall it without having to do a factory reset.

• Open a command prompt and type: adb shell pm install-existing NameOfPackage
• Make sure to replace NameOfPackage with the correct app name.

By following these steps, you can get rid of unwanted bloatware and enjoy a cleaner, faster Android device. Whether you prefer using ADB, UAD, or Shizuku, these methods will help you keep your phone running smoothly.