Smartphones, especially Android devices, come preloaded with a lot of bloatware. Some of these apps do nothing but occupy space and use data every time they receive updates. Not to mention that bloatware like this doesn’t always sit idle; in many cases, it runs in the background, consuming resources and slowing your device down.
With some luck, you’ll be able to disable and remove some apps. But I’m sure you’ve encountered those stubborn pre-installed apps that seemingly cannot be removed. The delete button has been hidden, and it doesn’t appear in the device app list. Those are the pre-installed, bloatware apps I hate the most.
The good news? I’ve found a way to remove these persistent offenders: Universal Android Debloater Next Generation (UAD-NG). This is a safe, non-root method for removing deeply ingrained bloatware, and best of all, it’s free and simple to use.
UAD-NG is the debloating dream
It gets most work done on your behalf
Traditionally, removing a system app required rooting, a process that gives you complete control over your Android device. While there are many upsides to rooting your device, such as greater control, access to hidden system settings, better battery life, and advanced UI tweaks, it can also cause some considerable problems. For example, rooting breaks banking apps, voids warranties, and can compromise Android’s built-in security. For most users, it’s not recommended, especially as we now have apps like Shizuku that can perform root-level actions without requiring root access.
Thankfully, we now have a clever workaround with ADB (Android Debug Bridge). ADB is a command-line tool that enables a computer to communicate with an Android device for development. By using specific shell commands, you can instruct the phone to uninstall an app for the current “user” (usually User 0). This doesn’t delete the app’s installation file from the protected system partition, but it effectively banishes it from the OS.
But even with ADB, you’ll need to dive a bit deeper than most consumers would like to. It requires you to tinker with the package state using command-line tools, running a command like adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 [package.name]. That sounds complicated, but this is exactly what UAD-NG solves. It’s essentially a shell with all the commands you need to remove the system app, ready to run with just a click, plus a list of apps as a bonus. It’s a visual, GUI-based process rather than having to figure out the commands.
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What’s more, UAD-NG lists all the apps you can remove without worrying much in a separate list. If an app isn’t listed, you can check the individual app lists in the system. Once you click the app name (listed as the package name, for example, com.google.android.apps.playstore), you’ll see a small description of the app and what it is for on the phone, so you won’t remove anything important by mistake.
You can go to the app details page in your Android settings to find the app’s package name you want to remove.
There’s also an advantage of app backup. All the apps that you remove using UAD-NG are automatically backed up within the tool. So, if something breaks or you need the app again, you can just plug the phone in and click restore. It’s as easy as that.
How to use UAD-NG to remove Android bloatware
Cleaning your Android is easier than ever
With UAD-NG, you will find it easier to remove system apps, but there are still some prerequisites you’ll need to meet before just plugging your phone in and starting to remove apps.
1. Toggle on USB debugging
First, you’ll need to enable the USB debugging settings on your Android device.
- Head to Settings -> About phone. Now, tap Build number seven times to unlock the secret developer settings.
- Once unlocked, head to Settings -> More settings (or System settings, depending on your phone) -> Developer options -> USB debugging.
- Toggle USB debugging on.
With USB debugging turned on, your UAD-NG can make the deep-level changes required to remove the bloatware
2. Install ADB tools and connect your device
You will need to install ADB drivers on your desktop. Remember that ADB tools vary by operating system, and separate installation packages are available. ADB isn’t a complicated installation; just follow the on-screen instructions.
Once you’re done and you’re sure you’ve enabled USB debugging, you can connect your device.
Make sure you are connecting the phone with a data transfer-compatible cable. Usually, using the one that came with the box is the best course of action.
3. Install UAD-NG and allow permissions
The next step is to head over to the UAD-NG GitHub and grab the latest version for your operating system, then install it. Similar to ADB, it’s straightfoward and you can just follow the on-screen instructions.
Then, when you’re done, launch UAD-NG. You should immediately receive a notification on your Android asking you to authorize USB debugging, which you should agree to.
The installed app list should now appear on your screen in the UAD-NG app. From here, you can select the bloatware apps on your Android device that you want to remove, then select Uninstall. I find it’s best to go one by one and figure out which app is which before removing them, because while the backup option exists, it’s just easier and less hassle this way.
The packages are categorized by safety level: Recommended packages are completely safe to remove; Advanced packages might affect some functionality; Expert packages could break significant features; and Unsafe packages risk causing boot loops. This taxonomic approach gives you informed agency over what stays and what goes. On the right side of the search bar, a dropdown menu lets you filter apps by origin, including AOSP, carrier, Google, OEM, and pending or unlisted apps. This means if you specifically want to target the junk pre-installed by your mobile network provider, you can select “carrier” and see apps like com. Android.providers.partnerbookmarks isolated for removal.
It’s worth noting that as soon as you click Uninstall on UAD-NG, the app will be removed from your phone. It’s not an intermediate process that only completes when you finalize the process.
Once you’re done, you can disconnect and reboot your phone.
If you think that you removed an app by mistake, head back to the restore atb tab in UAD-NG and reinstall it.
Note that there are a good few packages you shouldn’t remove, even if you feel like they’re causing your device problems or you just don’t like the sound of them. Some of them will be critical Android packages.
|
Category |
Examples / Package Types |
Why You Shouldn’t Remove Them |
|---|---|---|
|
Core Android System Components |
System UI, Android System WebView, anything with “framework,” package installer, system launcher |
These control the interface, app rendering, and core OS functions. Removing them can cause crashes, boot loops, or a non‑functional UI. |
|
Google Play Services & Dependencies |
|
Play Services powers notifications, location, app updates, and sign‑in. Removing it breaks most apps and core functionality. |
|
Carrier Services Required for Connectivity |
VoLTE/IMS services, RCS messaging components, and emergency alert services |
These packages handle calls, texts, Wi‑Fi calling, and emergency alerts. Removing them can disable calling or messaging entirely. |
|
OEM Hardware Support Packages |
Camera services, fingerprint/biometric services, Bluetooth/NFC drivers, display calibration tools |
These control physical hardware. Removing them can break cameras, sensors, Bluetooth, NFC, or cause display issues. |
|
Work Profile / Device Management Apps |
Device policy controllers, enterprise management tools |
Removing these can break your work profile, trigger security issues, or lock you out of corporate apps. |
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Why UAD-NG is the best way to debloat your Android
Safer and faster debloating—what’s not to love?
Since UAD-NG uses the ADB method, it only soft-deletes the app. The app enters a dormant state while remaining in the system. It isn’t truly removed from the entire system, as if you remove it using root. If the system has taken up 20GB of your phone’s storage, it stays at 20GB. The apps will also return if you ever factory reset your device, which can actually be handy if you decide you want to sell it in the future.
This process has some significant positives. Using UAD-NG is a safer process than fully rooting your device and stops you from removing anything that will permanently break Android. With root, there is always a chance you’ll brick your device, which is obviously far from ideal. I also like that, unlike root, UAD-NG has a handy, integrated backup system that makes reinstalling removed apps and packages simple. If you’re ever unsure about what you’ve removed, restoring it doesn’t take long.
UAD-NG is also smart enough to distinguish between work and personal profiles. It lets you debloat your work profile without touching the personal apps.
The app also keeps backups and logs of your actions, so if anything goes sideways, you can always see exactly what went wrong and find the perfect solution. With the option to back up, you can export your perfect, clean configuration and use it to quickly clean your new device.
Removing Android’s stock apps and bloatware has never been so easy
The bloatware tax is a burden no Android user should have to pay. Manufacturers continue to clutter devices with redundant data-collection software and lock users into their ecosystems. But with tools like UAD-NG, you can easily get rid of such clutter without risking the root and with the assurance that you can undo mistakes.
I’ll be the first to admit that it’s not as powerful as rooting your device properly, but for most folks who just want the apps out of the way for the sake of a clean app drawer, this is a super useful option.
