How To Disable Apps Without Uninstalling in Android?

So, do you know that how to disable apps without uninstalling in android? Although Android O has been released, making it easier to manage background apps, you still need to know how to stop Android apps from running in the background. Smartphones based on Android are resource hogs. High-end smartphones have a powerful processor and more RAM to manage your multitasking. When running multiple apps or games in the background, your phone lags if your processing speed and RAM are low.

If one of your installed apps is constantly running in the background and consuming excessive resources such as RAM, Processor, and Battery, you can uninstall it. However, inbuilt apps such as Google’s default apps, such as Google+, Gmail, Drive, Map, and others, cannot be uninstalled. Most Android phone manufacturers and wireless carriers ship their devices with pre-installed apps. They are always running in the background, reducing battery life and reducing performance.

Disable Apps Without Uninstalling in Android Programmatically

For example, if you’re managing an Android kiosk device, uninstalling applications without user input can be handy. Having the ability to do this programmatically enables you to develop a remote admin feature that allows you to delete undesired applications without requiring someone to be present on the device to accept the removal promptly. After downloading your kiosk software on a new device, you may utilize it as an automatic device setup function.

The second method is to deactivate applications programmatically. Some programs are pre-installed on the system partition, which is usually read-only. You surely will not be able to uninstall these applications without rooting your device. Android provides you the option of marking an app as “hidden.” This causes the app to vanish from the launcher and app list, and it also prevents the app from being launched programmatically through an Intent. The app will take up the same space as before but unavailable. This is important for customizing a single-purpose device (such as a kiosk) since it enables you to “delete” even pre-installed standard programs (such as the browser, email client, Google Play app, and so on) and make your device single-purpose only.

Enabling Device Owner Mode

1. Making your app a device owner gives it access to several privileged features that normal applications don’t have.
2. Extending the DeviceAdminReceiver class is the first step.
3. Then, within your res/XML folder, create a device admin.xml file.
4. Then, in your AndroidManifest.xml file, create a BroadcastReceiver component.
5. I also included the testing flag in the tag. This flag is required since Android 7.0 if you want to enable device owner through ADB.
6. After you’ve developed and installed the app on your target device, use the ADB command to make it the device’s owner.
7. Uninstalling Apps Programmatically
8. Before proceeding with the instructions in this area, ensure sure your app has been set as the device owner as described in the previous section.
9. I’ll utilize the uninstall function of the PackageInstaller class to delete a program. This function takes an IntentSender and the package name you wish to delete. The IntentSender is used to send the uninstall process’ outcome to your app.
10. In your AndroidManifest.xml, you’ll also need to add the REQUEST DELETE PACKAGES permission.
11. It is preferable to utilize a BroadcastReceiver to get the results of the to uninstall process. You have different ways to send the intent (for example, using PendingIntent.getService() inside of a Service in onStartCommand()), so feel free to change the code to fit your needs.
12. You should get the package name and some progress information after completing the uninstall procedure as part of the intended extras. You should get something like “DELETE SUCCEEDED” if you get the PackageInstaller.EXTRA STATUS MESSAGE string.
13. You won’t be able to delete pre-installed programs from the read-only system partition, nor will you be able to uninstall your software if you’ve been designated as the device owner.

Hiding Apps

This option enables you to “delete” pre-installed programs from the system disk by hiding and making them unavailable. The programs will still take up space, but they won’t be launched or found in the launcher or other installed app listings.

When using this option, be cautious not to deactivate packages required for the device to function correctly or packages needed to make your kiosk software run successfully. You might not be aware that you require some third-party package until things in your app break unexpectedly.

To conceal an app, follow the steps below.

1. You can see that I’m using DevicePolicyManager’s setApplicationHidden() function in the code above. This function takes a ComponentName established by our DeviceAdminReceiver from the previous section and the package name we conceal. The last argument determines whether or not the package should be hidden. That implies you can unhide a previously hidden package using the same way.
2. If you give default parameters, you won’t list the package using PackageManager’s methods after executing setApplicationHidden().
3. However, using MATCH UNINSTALLED PACKAGES with these techniques should also return the hidden packages.
4. You may then use DevicePolicyManager to see whether a package is hidden. isApplicationHidden()

Do Disabling Apps Save Memory?

Have you seen the message “Phone storage is full” on your iOS or Android device? You’re not alone; Asurion Experts are often asked how to resolve this problem. With all we do with our phones these days, from using them as a music player and camera to purchasing groceries, it’s easy to end up with many unneeded applications and cached data eating up space. But don’t worry; a little phone spring cleaning will help you swiftly free up space.

Disabling applications does not free up memory on the phone; instead, you must delete the app from your phone to free up memory. Disabling an app will prevent it from operating in the background, but it will remain accessible on the phone. To free up memory on your smartphone, delete applications and files rather than disable them.

What Apps Should I Delete To Get More Storage On My Phone?

You’re in luck if you’re an Android user who wishes they could uninstall some of the Google or cellular carrier-installed applications. You may not always be able to delete things, but you may “disable” them and regain the storage space they’ve gobbled up on newer Android devices. Tap and hold the app icon for one second in the applications menu, then choose Disable from the popup menu.

You may use the Offload App option to save up space for numerous social applications on your iPhone. Choose the app in Settings > iPhone Storage > then activate Offload App. When you are running out of capacity, this function will automatically unload your unwanted applications while keeping your relevant documents and data for later access.

10 Apps to Disable Without Uninstalling in Android

Fortunately, Android has native support for deactivating system applications; some OEMs limit this option for specific apps.

Xiaomi, for example, disables this capability in sure of its essential applications, such as the security and settings apps.

Even if you can’t deactivate a system app natively on Android, you can use ADB to disable it. What do you think is more intriguing? This method works though you don’t have root access, i.e., superuser access. So, let’s look at the no-root method for disabling system programs.

1. First and foremost, you must verify the package name of the program you want to disable using this method.
2. If you don’t know, you may gather information about an app like App Inspector. Alternatively, you may search the Play Store for the app’s URL (web address).
3. The package name for Google Chrome is “com.android.chrome,” as you can see. Run the following command on the console once you have the package name:
4. ADB shell pm disable-user –user 0
5. For instance, here’s how to turn off Google Chrome:
6. disable-user —user 0 com. Android.chrome ADB shell pm
7. That’s all there is to it; this tip will allow you to deactivate any bloatware on your smartphone, as well as unneeded applications, giving you more power and performance!

Disable Bloatware And Other Pre-Installed Apps

1. If you’re not going to use an app and aren’t comfortable with some of the techniques for removing bloatware, we’ll explain below, and you may reduce your chance of security flaws by disabling them. Disabling an app prevents it from running, automatically being “woken up” by other programs, and engaging in any background tasks.
2. Using the methods above, uninstall all updates from the app through the Google Play store.
3. Navigate to the Apps & Notifications section in the Settings app, then touch the app you wish to deactivate.
4. Disable any rights by tapping Permissions. If you have to activate the app later, this will keep it in line.
5. Disable the feature by pressing the Disable button. You will be warned that deactivating the app may impact the functionality of other applications. Make a mental note of it. It’s unlikely, but not impossible that deactivating an app you don’t use will have any influence on your day-to-day phone use. The app will be deactivated if you click OK.

How To Remove Bloatware From Android

ADB must be installed on your Android device to delete preloaded applications. For the convenience of usage, you may download the minimum ADB setup from xda-developers.com if you’re using Windows.

You need to activate USB debugging on your Android before proceeding. To access the Developer options, you need to go to Android settings > About phone and press the Build number multiple times. Go to Developer Settings and then enable USB debugging (generally you can find it under System or try Additional Settings option). Once ADB is installed in your android, and USB debugging is allowed, you may remove bloatware from Android by following the instructions below:

1. Using a USB cord, connect your Android handset to your computer.
2. Open the command prompt on your computer.
3. In your command prompt type ADB devices, and then hit Enter.
4. On your smartphone, you’ll see a popup asking you to allow a connection with the computer. Select OK.
5. Enter the command ADB devices once again. Your device will now appear in “List of devices connected” section.
6. Press Enter after typing ADB shell.
7. To remove an undesired software, use pm uninstalls -k —user 0 package name>.

The file name that includes the software you’re uninstalling is the package name in this situation. What makes you think you know what it is? Download App Inspector from the Play Store for free on your Android smartphone. The package name of the program you wish to delete may then be found using this method. You may also use the command ADB shell cmd package install-existing name of package> to reinstall a default app.

Conclusion

When we talk about disable apps without uninstalling them in Android, these are the methods for that. It is preferable to deactivate a preloaded software if you are not using it. You can quickly prevent Android applications from running in the background if your phone is rooted.

Please let us know your ideas in the comments section below.