So, you finally decided to go in for a new phone and opt for the latest handset during the big online festival sales. You then notice that several apps are preloaded on the device. These pre-installed apps, provided by the device manufacturer, are known as bloatware or potentially unwanted applications (PUAs). You may have no idea about the utility of some of these apps and may not have any need for them at all; but, like all apps, these unwanted or unnecessary ones also consume power and drain your battery because they run in the background, using up system resources and cluttering your phone. Experts also flag some bloatware due to privacy and security concerns.
For example, no mobile manufacturer provides a pure Android operating system (OS). They often load their own suits of apps and services, which may duplicate features already available on the OS. Some bloatware comprises third-party apps that have a partnership deal with the manufacturer or your telecom carrier. These include games, social media apps, productivity apps, or utilities that you may not even require. For example, mobiles from Xiaomi (Mi) come preloaded with 'Mi Wallet', or there is Samsung Pay preinstalled on all Samsung handsets by default which very few of us may be using. Sometimes, bloatware includes trial versions of apps or services that encourage users to subscribe or purchase a full version.
I have two main problems with bloatware. First, the defining characteristic of bloatware is that it cannot be easily uninstalled or removed by the user. While some of it can be disabled, it still takes up space on the device. Second, and most importantly, after charging full price for the mobile handset, why do manufacturers (primarily Chinese brands) load you with bloatware and advertisements?
For example, Xiaomi and Redmi mobiles come preloaded with bloatware on their MIUI (Xiaomi user interface). MIUI has 'Quick apps' bundled into it with a system lock, which prevents an ordinary user, without tech skills, from uninstalling or removing the apps. Moreover, the quick app service framework on MIUI seeks permission to access your telephone, calendar, call logs, camera, contacts, location, microphone, SMS and storage on the mobile handset.
Xiaomi and Samsung have their own app stores for downloading apps that are already available on Google Play. Interestingly, Xiaomi comes with an app 'mipicks' which pushes the user to download the app from the manufacturer's app store instead of Google Play. Whether this is good or bad depends on the app you may be downloading and the security and privacy policies of the app stores.
Although it is true that all bloatware is not necessarily bad, in 2021, Google Play Protect banned some of the pre-installed apps on MIUI. So, the question is; how does one go about eliminating bloatware?
Subjective term aside, security services-provider
Norton says one objective truth about bloatware is that it slows down your devices. "That is because the more programs that are downloaded on your device, the more computing power is being used, and even if you do not use the bloatware program, it is still taking up memory on your device."
"Worse yet, the bloatware might be malicious and downloaded by an unknown party. To give a real-life example, in 2014, Lenovo preinstalled software called Superfish on its devices to put targeted advertisements in front of consumers. Not only did it result in annoying pop-up ads for users, but Superfish also came with some under-the-radar cybersecurity threats, including vulnerability to serious cybercrimes," Norton says.
Basically, there are two methods to do this: uninstall and disable. Some bloatware can be uninstalled or disabled through settings>apps. A few others may require extra force to disable them through the Android debug bridge (ADB). But the ADB route can only disable the app for a particular user and another user of the device will continue to have bloatware.
Moreover, some system and pre-installed apps cannot be removed or uninstalled without rooting (for Android) or jailbreaking (for iOS), which can void warranties and may have security risks. Be cautious when removing apps, as some may be necessary for the proper functioning of your device.
Always double-check the apps you are uninstalling to ensure you are not removing something critical for your device's operation. If you are not sure about removing a particular app, it is a good idea to research it or seek advice from forums or online communities for your specific device model.
Here is a basic guide on how to remove bloatware apps:
For Android:
1. Uninstall through Settings.
a. Go to the ‘Settings’ on your Android device.
b. Scroll down and select ‘Apps’ or ‘Applications’.
c. You will see a list of all installed apps. Find the app you want to remove and tap on it.
If the app can be uninstalled, you will see an 'Uninstall' button. Tap it to remove the app.
2. Disable Apps
a. If you cannot uninstall an app, you may be able to disable it. Disabling an app prevents it from running and using system resources.
b In the app's Settings page (accessed through Settings > Apps), look for the 'Disable' or 'Turn off' option.
c. Remember, restarting the device may start these disabled bloatware, too, and you may need to repeat the above steps.
3. Use ADB (Advanced):
Advanced users can use the ADB to uninstall system apps. It requires connecting your phone to a computer and using command-line commands. Be careful, as this method can potentially cause problems if not done correctly. Do refer to my article which provides basic details on removing unwanted apps. Here is the link:
How To Get Rid of Unwanted Apps or Bloatware from Your MobileFor Apple iOS:
On iOS, you can uninstall apps directly from the home screen.
Find the app you want to remove.
Tap and hold the app's icon until it starts to jiggle.
An 'X' will appear in the corner of the app icon. Tap the 'X' to uninstall the app.
For Android devices, there are third-party apps that claim to help remove bloatware. However, be cautious when using these apps, as sometimes they can cause problems or conflicts with the OS functionality.
In addition, you can use customised ROMs (read-only memory), the alternative versions of the Android OS. These custom ROMs, for example, CyanogenMod, an open-source operating system for mobile devices (now discontinued), provided pure Android experience with almost no bloatware and improved functionality. LineageOS is another custom ROM for Android mobile devices.
But remember, for installing customised ROM, you need technical expertise. It may also void warranties on the mobile device. So, I would suggest you use this only on a mobile device that is out of warranty or for devices not regularly updated by the manufacturer. I have used CyanogenMod and LineageOS on mobile handsets that were out of warranty and denied software updates from manufacturers. It remained one of the best experiences of Android OS for me.
Mobile device manufacturers and carriers have become more mindful of user preferences in recent years and some now allow users to uninstall more pre-installed apps. However, bloatware still remains a common issue for many smartphone users.
While purchasing a new phone, it is a good idea to research the specific model and manufacturer to understand how much bloatware is included and whether it can be removed or disabled.
