This software can be helpful or an annoying drain on your phone’s battery and processor.

If you’re sick of thisbloatwareHere’s how to get rid of it:

Open theSettingsapp.

On some devices, you’ll need to go to theGeneraltab and selectApps & notifications.

Apps, Airbnb, and Uninstall highlighted in Settings on a Pixel phone.

choose the offending app.

TapUninstall>OKto remove it.

Some apps can’t be deleted.

Notifications, the notifications toggle, and Disable highlighted for the Android Drive app in Settings.

If so, the uninstall option will be grey or missing entirely.

Make note of these and keep reading to learn what your options are.

OpenPlay Storeand tap themenuat the top.

It’s your Google profile image on some devices and a three-line menu on others.

TapMy apps & deviceor, if you don’t see that,My apps & games.

TapManageorInstalled(whichever one you see).

Tap the app you want to remove.

ChooseUninstall, and then confirm by tappingUninstallonce more.

In this case, you’ll also need to deactivate the app (see below).

you’ve got the option to limit your risk of security loopholes by disabling these apps.

Disabling an app stops it from receiving updates and running in the background.

Uninstall all updates from the app through the Google Play Store using the instructions above.

pick the app in controls.

Here’s how to see your apps on most devices:

TapPermissionsand disable any permissions.

This will keep the app in line if you’re forced to enable it later.

Go back to the App info page and tapDisable.

You’ll get a warning that disabling the app may affect the function of other apps.

Make a note of this.

How Can I Remove Bloatware Completely?

There are two ways to delete all the bloatware on your Android.

The first option is to useUniversal Android Debloater.

This tool gives you an easy-to-use program to select which apps you want to delete.

It runs from a computer over USB.

First, you need toinstall Android Debug Bridge (ADB) on your box.

The second option is toroot your Android.

This gives you super permissions a regular user doesn’t have.

With those new privileges, you might do things not usually permitted, such as deleting pre-installed apps.

Just be sure tounderstand the risks of rootingbefore you decide to do it.

Rooting your gadget is technically the only way you’re free to truly delete bloatware.

To automatically update, fire up the Google Play Store’sSettings>Auto-update apps.

Todownload an app, open theGoogle Play Store.

Search for the app you want and tap its listing.