How to Uninstall Apps on Android
By CleanX TeamPublished
Quick answer
- Fastest: touch and hold the app icon and drag it to Uninstall. Remove only takes it off the home screen.
- From Google Play: tap your Profile icon › Manage apps & devices › Manage, pick the app and tap Uninstall.
- Want to keep the app’s data? On Android 15 and up, archive it in Settings › Apps instead.
- Some pre-installed system apps can’t be uninstalled, but on many phones you can disable them.
Uninstalling deletes the app from your phone. Google says you can download it again later, and you don’t have to buy a paid app again. Menu names can differ by phone maker; the steps below follow Google’s Pixel and Google Play Help.
Uninstall from the home screen
Step 1: Touch and hold the app
Find the app on your home screen or in the list of all apps, and touch and hold its icon.
Step 2: Drag it to Uninstall
Drag it up the screen to Uninstall and let go, then confirm.
Uninstall from the Google Play Store
Step 1: Open Google Play
Open the Google Play Store app and tap the Profile icon at the top right.
Step 2: Open your apps
Tap Manage apps & devices › Manage.
Step 3: Uninstall
Select the name of the app and tap Uninstall. Google notes some of these steps work only on Android 13 and up.
Uninstall from Settings
Open Settings › Apps, tap All apps (the name can differ by phone), select the app and tap Uninstall. If you only see Disable, it’s a system app; see below.
Archive an app instead of uninstalling it
On Android 15 and up, archiving frees up space but keeps your data. Google says Android removes the app’s software, permissions and temporary files and stops its notifications, but keeps the app icon and your data. Some steps need supporting hardware.
Step 1: Archive
Open Settings › Apps, select the app and tap Archive. Its icon is dimmed.
Step 2: Get it back
Tap the faded icon on your home screen to reinstall the app. The app must still be available in the app store.
If you turned on automatic archiving in the Play Store, you can keep a specific app from being archived: open Settings › Apps, select it and turn off Manage app if unused.
Apps you can’t uninstall
Google says you can’t delete some system apps that came with your phone. On a Pixel, you can disable most of them: open Settings › Apps › All apps, tap the app and tap Disable at the top. Menu names can differ by phone maker.
Find apps you no longer use
Android already limits apps you haven’t used for a long time: Google says it deletes their temporary files, revokes their permissions and stops them running in the background and sending notifications. To see these apps, go to Settings › Apps › Unused apps. The Delete unused apps card in Files by Google also lists apps you don’t use and can uninstall several at once; see how to uninstall many apps at once.
| Home screen | Settings or Google Play | CleanX (Android) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Best for | One app you can see | One app, or an app you can’t find on the home screen | Several apps you don’t use |
| Shows app size | No | Yes, on the app’s page | Yes, for every app (exact with Usage access) |
| Shows how much you use it | No | Unused apps list in Settings | Usage time or last opened, with Usage access |
| System apps | Can’t uninstall | Disable on many phones | Not listed |
| Several in a row | No | No; the Delete unused apps card in Files by Google can | Yes, with a prompt for each |
CleanX
See every app’s size and use at a glance with CleanX
On Android, the Apps tab in CleanX lists the apps you installed, biggest first. Allow Usage access and you can sort by least used instead; each app then shows how long you’ve used it or when you last opened it, and sizes include the app’s data. Uninstalling from the list opens Android’s own confirmation. To remove many apps at once, see the app uninstaller guide. System apps aren’t listed.
- Installed apps by size or least used
- Uninstall from the list, with Android’s confirmation
- Free, no CleanX Pro needed
Before you uninstall
- Save what’s inside the app. Uninstalling deletes the app’s data on your phone. If you want to keep it, back it up in the app first or archive the app instead.
- Cancel subscriptions separately. Google Play says uninstalling an app doesn’t cancel its subscription; cancel it on the subscriptions page in Google Play.
- Just slow or full of junk? Clearing the app’s cache may be enough; see how to clear cache on Android.
Frequently asked questions
What’s the difference between Remove and Uninstall?
Remove only takes the icon off your home screen; the app is still installed. Uninstall deletes the app from your phone.
Can I reinstall an app after uninstalling it?
Yes. Google says you can download it again from Google Play, and you don’t have to pay again for an app you bought.
What does archiving an app do on Android?
On Android 15 and up, archiving removes the app’s software, permissions and temporary files but keeps its icon and your data. Tap the faded icon to reinstall it.
Why can’t I uninstall some apps?
Some system apps that came with the phone can’t be deleted. On Pixel and many other phones, you can disable them in Settings › Apps instead.
Does uninstalling an app cancel my subscription?
No. Google Play says uninstalling doesn’t cancel a subscription. Cancel it on the subscriptions page in Google Play.
Related guides
- How to Free Up Space on AndroidCheck Settings › Storage, remove backed-up photos, uninstall unused apps and clear junk files.
- How to Clear Cache on Android (Apps and Chrome)Settings › Apps › See all apps › [app] › Storage & cache › Clear cache; Chrome has its own Delete browsing data.
- Phone Cleaner: Free Tools on iPhone and Android, and What Apps AddThe free clean-up tools on iPhone and Android, what phone cleaner apps can and can’t do, and how to wipe the screen safely.
- App Uninstaller for Android: Remove Several Apps at OnceRemove several apps at once with Files by Google, and learn what an uninstaller app can and can’t do on Android.
