Given the sheer number of apps available for free on the Google Play Store, it’s all too easy to install apps, never use them, and never uninstall them. But leaving unused apps behind can be problematic, even on the best Android phones.
If you’re low on storage, you’ll be wasting the precious little space left by downloading updates for those unused apps, and you’ll likely find that your Android device performs better without crashing.
It’s always been easy to uninstall unwanted apps on Android, at least the ones you installed yourself; some mobile operators or hardware manufacturers will pre-install apps that you don’t necessarily want but can’t uninstall.
This guide will walk you through the different methods to uninstall apps on Android 14.
How to remove apps from home screen
To uninstall an app from the home screen, first find the app on your home screen that you want to uninstall. Then press and hold the app icon until a menu appears.
Drag the icon to the ‘Delete’ option that appears at the top or side of the screen (or tap ‘Delete’ in the pop-up menu itself on Samsung phones, for example).
Dominik Tomaszewski / Foundry
How to remove apps from the app drawer
To uninstall an app from the app drawer, swipe up from the bottom of the screen to open your phone’s app drawer and find the app you want to uninstall.
Press and hold the app icon and drag it to the ‘Uninstall’ option or simply tap ‘Uninstall’ from the list that appears.
To remove an app from your phone’s settings, open the ‘Settings’ app, scroll down and select ‘Apps & Notifications’ or ‘Apps’ depending on your device. You may also need to open the “All Apps” tab.
Scroll through the list of installed apps and select the app you want to uninstall. Tap it, then tap the “Delete” button and confirm the deletion when prompted.
Dominik Tomaszewski / Foundry
How to remove apps from Google Play Store
To uninstall an app through the Google Play Store, first launch the Google Play Store app. Then simply search for the app you want to uninstall and tap it.
Choose the ‘Delete’ option. This will appear if it is an app you can uninstall.
Dominik Tomaszewski / Foundry
By following the above methodology, you can manage your apps effectively; keep your Android device clean and efficient. You can also learn how to hide apps on Android and how to find hidden apps on Android if you can’t uninstall them for any reason.