Debloating/Uninstalling ‘System’ or locked Apps on Android (without Root)

In order to uninstall system apps, you generally need root access, optionally you can do this via ADB shell (Android Debug Bridge) shell = command line.

Install ADB

You can install ADB automatically or manually, the manual process consists of downloading the SDK platform tools:

SDK Platform Tools release notes  |  Android Studio  |  Android Developers
https://developer.android.com/tools/releases/platform-tools

Or if you’ve already got Android Studio downloaded, over SDK Manager > SDK Tools installed the package.

Commands

To connect:

adb shell

Then to list all the installed apps:

pm list packages

To narrow down or search for packages containing certain words:

pm list package | grep "youtube"

To uninstall:

pm uninstall --user 0 package-name
pm uninstall --user 0 com.google.android.youtube
pm uninstall --user 0 com.google.android.apps.youtube.music

To disable:

pm disable --user 0 package-name

Additional Information

How to uninstall carrier/OEM bloatware without root access
https://www.xda-developers.com/uninstall-carrier-oem-bloatware-without-root-access/

–user flag

The –user flag in the above command is important because it tells the system to uninstall the app for the current user only (and 0 is the default/main user of the phone). There is no way you can uninstall the app from all users unless you root the phone.

-k flag

-k option to keep the packages data and cache.

pm uninstall -k | XDA Forums
https://forum.xda-developers.com/t/pm-uninstall-k.4427021/

pm disable

How To Disable Any System App Bloatware On Android Without Root
https://www.xda-developers.com/disable-system-app-bloatware-android/

[Q] “pm disable” – Where’s it store the list? | XDA Forums
https://forum.xda-developers.com/t/q-pm-disable-wheres-it-store-the-list.2379517/

Apps that help copy & paste package names:

Package Names – Android Apps on Google Play
https://play.google.com/store/search?q=Package%20Names&c=apps&hl=en&gl=US

Debloater App removal Tools

0x192/universal-android-debloater: Cross-platform GUI written in Rust using ADB to debloat non-rooted android devices. Improve your privacy, the security and battery life of your device.
https://github.com/0x192/universal-android-debloater

[TOOL] ADB AppControl 1.8.0 🚀 Ultimate App Manager & Debloat Tool + Tweaks | XDA Forums
https://forum.xda-developers.com/t/tool-adb-appcontrol-1-8-0-ultimate-app-manager-debloat-tool-tweaks.4147837/

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