In a digital world driven byapp-based experiences, it can sometimes feel overwhelming to be confronted with an endless list of software program iconson your smartphone. Out of the box, some handset manufacturers do a better job of reining in their built-in suite of applications than others. Some companies – includingSamsung– are notorious for bundling in questionable amounts of software and services by default.
Google takes a more iPhone-like approach with itsPixel range of smartphones, opting for a hands-off and lightweight approach to the default apps situation. You won’t find any cellular carrier bloatware or social media applications preinstalled on your new Pixel when you boot it up for the first time.
Even still, and much like with the iPhone, there’s been a steady increase in the number of built-in Pixel apps over the years. These included apps range in usefulness, but there’s a good chance that at least some of them are taking up space on your phone for no good reason.
Here’s how to uninstall superfluous default apps you aren’t using on your Pixel phone, as well as how to disable the apps that are currently uninstallable.
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How to uninstall default apps on your Pixel phone
Not everything’s available for full removal
Not all default Pixel apps can be deleted in their entirety. For the ones that can be, such as Google Docs or Google Wallet, here’s how to do so:
If you ever find yourself wanting to restore one of the apps you’ve deleted, you can simply navigate to theGoogle Play Storeand re-download the software in question.
How to disable default apps on your Pixel phone
For the one’s that won’t fully delete, there’s still options
For those peskier apps that Google won’t let you delete outright, you may opt to disable them so they don’t clutter up your Pixel’s interface. Certain system apps like Settings and the phone dialer can’t be disabled, as they’re considered critical components of the operating system. For apps that aren’t considered part of the core interface, such as Calculator or Clock, here’s how to disable them:
If you ever decide it’s time to re-enable one of the apps you’ve taken out of action, you may navigate toSettings>Apps>See all appsand find the app in question by scrolling through the alphabetized list. From here, simply tap onEnableand the app will spring back to life.
Is there hope for fewer preinstalled apps on the horizon?
Marching towards a more modular future
As big tech companies continue to grow in size and influence, there’s been mounting pressure from governmental bodies to break down entrenched software ecosystems across the industry.
One consequence of the ongoing scrutiny and antitrust cases being levied against platform holders, is the trend towards granting users more control over preinstalled apps and services. Microsoft, for example,now allows users in the European Economic Area (EEA)to uninstall practically any system app, including even the defaultEdge web browserthat the company is keen to have users switch to.
There’s a good chance that this overarching trend towards modular control of in-built software will amplify over time. It’s not difficult to envision a future in which we’re able to, for example, uninstall more default Pixel apps in the perhaps not-too-distant future.
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