Your new Android phone comes loaded with features, power, and… way too many apps. Some of these are essential—Phone, Messages, Calendar, Gmail—the ones you actually need every day. Others are nice-to-haves, like YouTube, Gemini, and Google Maps, which genuinely add value. But then there’s the rest—the unnecessary, redundant, and often intrusive bunch that seem to exist purely because your phone manufacturer or carrier decided you needed them.
It’s not just about these apps taking storage space, but many of them also constantly run in the background. Together, they can take up significant processing power and make your phone feel slower than it should. The good news is, you don’t have to live with them. You can safely uninstall most of these apps without rooting your Android phone.
Weather apps
Always running, even when you’re not checking the forecast
Ah, the humble weather app—the one that keeps you prepared for surprise rain, scorching heat, or that one random hailstorm in July. Depending on where you live, it might be an app you open daily or one that you never touch.
Either way, what’s important is that these weather apps, including the one that comes pre-installed, tend to run background updates, fetch data, track your location every few minutes, and push “breaking” weather alerts. It all sounds useful, but those background processes slowly nibble away at your battery life and eat up memory. And if you’ve got the weather widget on your home screen, it’s also constantly refreshing, even when you’re not looking at it.
A simpler, better alternative is to remove the pre-installed weather app and use the Google app instead. It shows the current conditions right on the Discover tab, which you can access by simply swiping left on your home screen.
These “free” apps might be costing your phone’s speed
Most Android phones come with a few social media apps pre-installed. It’s not a thoughtful gesture from your phone manufacturer to help you “get started.” It’s usually the result of behind-the-scenes deals between phone makers and social media companies who all want a front-row seat on your device. The problem is, even if you’ve never tapped the Facebook icon once, you’ll probably still spot it in your battery and memory usage list.
Shopping apps aren’t much better. Many Android phones come with pre-installed ones like Amazon, Walmart, or brand-specific store apps. They don’t just sit there but also annoy you with “limited-time offers” or “flash deals” you never asked for. And since they often have permission to run in the background by default, they’re constantly fetching data, using memory, and nudging your attention.
OEM app stores and voice assistants
Same apps, different logo
Every Android phone maker seems to think their version of the Play Store is a must-have. Samsung has Galaxy Store, Xiaomi has GetApps, Oppo has App Market—and the list goes on.
These OEM app stores often run in the background to scan for updates, send “recommended app” notifications, and sometimes even auto-install things. While they claim to offer exclusive content or deals, in reality, they mostly duplicate what the Google Play Store already does.
And then there’s the built-in voice assistant. Assistants like Bixby on Samsung phones come pre-enabled out of the box, so even if you never say “Hi, Bixby,” the service still runs in the background, waiting for a command you’ll probably never give. If you’re not actively using these OEM extras, it’s worth digging into your settings to turn them off completely.
Duplicate apps from manufacturer
Google vs. your phone maker
One of the most frustrating things about many Android phones is the unnecessary duplication of apps. You open your app drawer and suddenly you’ve got two browsers, two photo galleries, two messages apps, and maybe even two keyboard apps.
Samsung has its own calendar, browser, gallery, and messages apps. Xiaomi, Oppo, and others do the same. The problem is, these often overlap with Google’s pre-installed apps, doing the exact same job while taking up extra space and background resources. It’s like having two drivers fighting over the same steering wheel.
Now, to be fair, some of these apps aren’t bad. In fact, I actually prefer a few of Samsung’s over Google’s versions. But duplication is still duplication. The best approach is to pick one version of each app you actually use and uninstall or disable the rest.
Carrier bloatware
Hidden costs of that “discounted” carrier deal
If you’ve ever bought your phone directly from a carrier, you’ll likely find even more bloatware. These are the apps and services your mobile carrier installs before you even power on your device for the first time. It’s one of the hidden trade-offs that comes with that seemingly “discounted” phone price.
The truth is, you probably don’t need most of them. Individually, they might not seem like a big deal, but together they slow your phone down. If you’re already stuck with carrier bloatware, the best move is to disable what you can from your phone’s settings. Some apps can be uninstalled completely, while others may only be disabled.
Even the most premium Android phones come with a few apps baked right in. While they might look harmless sitting in your app drawer, they do slow down your Android phone one way or another. If you don’t plan to use them, there’s really no reason to let them drag your phone down.