Why can't I uninstall unwanted default apps?

[DanielJames1]

Got a Samsung Galaxy Ace yesterday and I already HATE the applications.

It was preloaded with a load of unwanted applications which I consider to be shite that noone would need. I have gone to Settings > Manage Applications > Uninstall.

It seems I can only uninstall applications that I have installed myself and I do not know why (let's say I click on autotrader, the uninstall/remove options are both greyed out). A also tried a third-party management app and they don't even recognise that certain applications are on my phone.

I want to remove the following;

AllShare, Social Hub, Google Talk, ThinkFree Office, Amazon, Auto Trader, BB Revolution, Gold Rush, Sims 3 and Play Books, but can't as the options are not there.......

Help?

 

[chrlswltrs]

The only way to remove preloaded apps is to root. Unfortunately that is one of the downsides to manufacturers and carriers changing Android.

If you do decide to root your phone DO NOT remove Google Talk. For some reason Google Play requires it to be on the phone to work. If you do delete it you will not be able to download any apps.

 

[valorian]

Except for Google Talk and Play books these apps are called Bloatware. All the cell providers install apps like this. The only way to get rid of them is to root the phone.

Sucks I know but there is no way around it.

 

[DanielJames1]

That's disappointing. I pay all that money and get crap packed into my purchase

 

[DanielJames1]

Also, how do I stop Skype from adding 200+ contacts into my phone every time I access it?

 

[Captain Mike]

Hi,
I am new to android and have a tablet pc with unwanted apps. How do I root and what does this mean? (See I told you I was a noob!)

 

[Hadron]

Assuming you mean an android tablet ("tablet pc" to me implies it's running Windows), then "rooting" means "gaining administrator access" ("root" being the administrator in a linux system). Without that you cannot delete system apps, in the same way that a normal user can't uninstall such things on a PC.

How you root depends on the device. Find the forum for your device, and it should have an All Things Root subforum, which will be the best place to ask for advice/help.

 

[chanchan05]

Turn of sync for skype if you don't want it to add contacts. Or simply turn off contact display for it, so you can merge skype with phone contacts.

 

[reubez]

dude why does it matter if they are on ur phone?
Its safer not to delete them not to mention rooting.
I just read an article on the basics of an android system and trust me it alot!!different from the average windows or mac for example every app is accompanied with several component excluding what is seen by the user. The camera app for instance is accompanied by a component which allows 3rd party apps to selects photos as a part of their own function (like the famous aging booth app) and deleting default apps like these ? Well who knows whats gonna happen.
Dont take my word for it ... Im just trying to help
Oh and out of curiosity why dont you just group all your useless apps in a folder called useless apps and put them in some corner of your phone so you will never see them againg . Just a suggestion.

A little off topic: But can someone give me a good reason for rooting ! I understand the need for jailbreaking an iphone but rootin just isnt worth the loss of my 2 year warranty for example( in my case) everything is available even without rooting even free apps just google it !! And you will know!

 

[pool_shark]

Assuming you mean an android tablet ("tablet pc" to me implies it's running Windows), then "rooting" means "gaining administrator access" ("root" being the administrator in a Unix system). Without that you cannot delete system apps, in the same way that a normal user can't uninstall such things on a PC.

How you root depends on the device. Find the forum for your device, and it should have an All Things Root subforum, which will be the best place to ask for advice/help.

I took care of that for you.

 

[Fox Mulder]

Rooting is definitely not for the faint of heart and you do have to be careful and know what you're doing, but it does have benefits including the ability to disable or uninstall apps that are otherwise locked. You do have to be careful about which apps you remove as some will "brick" the phone if uninstalled. Fortunately there is a lot of info available, as suggested check the forum section dedicated to your phone and read the "All Things Root" area.
Even without root, if you have a newer phone running ICS there will be an option to uninstall or disable many of the preinstalled apps. Disabling stops the app from running and it won't show up in the Apps screen, only in the apps list under Settings with a "Disabled" note next to it.
If the "Disable" button is there but grayed out it won't be possible to disable that app on an unrooted phone.
If instead of a "Disable" option you see "Uninstall Updates", click that and after the update is uninstalled you should then see the "Disable" option.
The option to disable and uninstall many of the preloaded apps is a major advantage with ICS over the older Android versions.

 

[Jacksmyname]

Good advice given about rooting.
It's really quite easy, but you need to be VERY careful about making sure you
have the correct files for your particular device.
I don't pay much attention to the pre-installed apps that I don't use, as they don't
take up much room on my tab (Galaxy Tab 10.1, 32gb).
As Fox Mulder noted, you can disable most of them.
But rooting can be very usefull.
For some unknown reason, the 5Ghz wifi band is disabled in ICS (programmer oversight maybe?).
There's a file that can be edited to enable it, but root is required to do so.

 

[AlvarezLuis]

Why can't I uninstall unwanted default apps?

Because those spammers want to force you to keep seeing them all the time even if you don't use them. They consider it a form of (product) promotion)
Of course it really is just a big PITA!

 

[Hadron]

I took care of that for you.

No, I meant what I wrote. Android is Linux based, so I said linux deliberately. Yes, also on unix , but the key word is "also" - and you'll incur the wrath of Stallman if you say they are the same (mind you, there are plenty of other ways of doing that!) .

Anyway, back on topic...

 

[pool_shark]

No, I meant what I wrote. Android is Linux based, so I said linux deliberately. Yes, also on unix , but the key word is "also" - and you'll incur the wrath of Stallman if you say they are the same (mind you, there are plenty of other ways of doing that!) .

Anyway, back on topic...

Linux is a flavor of Unix, just like Solaris, AIX, HP-UX, etc.
Therefore when you stated root is administrator in Linux, it gave me the impression that you were saying Linux as opposed to other Unix platforms.

That's just the way I interpreted it, I wasn't trying to start an e-debate.

 

[colmmcgrath]

Simply Root your device to remove all the unwanted pre-installed apps.

 

[AxlMyk]

The difference between Unix and Linux is a couple thousand $s.

I place all those stupid app icons in a Verizon Apps folder, and forget about it.