Deleting Unused Apps: Removing Unnecessary Apps to Create More Space

Ensuring your Android phone has ample storage space is beneficial any time of year, whether you’re confronting a frustrating “insufficient storage” message or you’re preparing for the latest Android update. A smart starting point is removing unused old apps. These applications can surprisingly hog a lot of space, accumulating over time from retail stores you rarely visit, games you’ve lost interest in, or services you no longer subscribe to.

The process to delete an app from your phone or tablet is generally simple and quick, typically requiring just a moment to finish. However, due to the diversity of devices, the method may vary. Below, you’ll find distinct approaches to app uninstallation.

How to Detect Unneeded Applications?

Identify the applications that integrate into your daily routine. Reflect on which apps you instinctively check first thing in the morning. Mentally or on paper, categorize your apps into the ones you wish to retain and those that are candidates for deletion.

For iPhone users uncertain about where to begin, your device offers assistance. Access a comprehensive overview of your app usage by navigating to Settings > Screen Time and tapping on See All Activity.
To investigate the data consumption of individual apps, visit Settings > Cellular. And to pinpoint which apps are notably draining your battery life, proceed to Settings > Battery.

Android users can gain insights on screen time per app by going to Settings > Digital Wellbeing & parental controls > Dashboard. Data usage metrics are found under Settings > Network & internet > Data usage. For battery usage statistics, access Settings > Battery.

How to Remove Unnecessary Apps for More Space?

1. Via the Settings Menu (Android)

To review all software currently installed on your mobile device, simply proceed to the Settings menu and tap on ‘Apps & Notifications’ (which may be simply labeled as ‘Apps’ on some devices).

Upon selecting a particular application, you will be directed to the detailed App Info page, which is also accessible directly from the app’s shortcut. This page includes the option to uninstall the application. For many users, the convenience of viewing their complete roster of apps in one comprehensive list that can be easily navigated, as opposed to flipping through multiple home screens or sorting through the app drawer, provides a more streamlined method for managing and removing unwanted apps.

2. Automatic Cleaning Via CleanUp (iPhone)

You can save a lot of time if you use phone cleaner app to remove junk. When you run Cleanup App – Phone Cleaner, AI and machine learning-based features are triggered to find the kinds of data that you rarely use or that are repeated. You can also delete unused apps through the main CleanUp interface.

3. Via the App Store Menu (Both)

The Play Store and App Store offers a direct method for app removal by heading to an app’s app store page and clicking on ‘Uninstall,’ which is located adjacent to the ‘Open’ or ‘Update’ option.
It’s important to note that phone models vary in their features. For example, Samsung, iPhone and OnePlus devices simplify app deletion. By simply long-pressing on an app’s icon, you bypass the step of going into ‘App Info,’ as the ‘Uninstall’ option is readily available within the app shortcuts menu, streamlining the removal process for a more efficient experience.

Use the Offload Unused Apps Features (iPhone)

Looking to effortlessly increase the available storage on your iPhone? iOS offers a convenient solution with its “Offload Unused Apps” feature. By enabling this option, your device will automatically remove apps you haven’t been using, though it’s not clear how long an app needs to be idle before it’s considered for offloading. The advantage is that unlike a full deletion, offloaded apps remain on your home screen or app library with a cloud icon, indicating their status. Should you need the app again, simply tap on it, and your iPhone will redownload it, allowing you to resume your activity with minimal disruption.

To configure your iPhone to offload apps automatically, head over to Settings > App Store and switch the “Offload Unused Apps” option on. This setting can also be reversed from the same location if you decide it’s not for you.

Curious about how much storage you could reclaim before you enable offloading? Go to Settings > General > iPhone Storage to get an estimate. This section may also display an ‘Enable’ button to activate the feature directly. The iPhone Storage page is also insightful for monitoring your device’s total available space and understanding how much storage each app and its associated data consume. When you’re considering manual app deletions, this information can be especially useful, and I’ll explain more on that shortly.

Final Words and Bonus Tip

Numerous applications hold your private details, which makes it imperative to uninstall any apps that you no longer utilize for the sake of safeguarding your information. To accomplish this, initiate by signing into each application and navigating to the section or options where you have the capability to turn off or permanently remove your account. Also, don’t forget to unlink your accounts from your Google account. After this, you are ready to free up drive space on iPhone and you will be sure that your data will not be resold or transferred further.