Can I uninstall pre-installed apps on my Xperia phone?
How do I disable pre-installed apps?
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Why can't I uninstall some apps on my phone?
Each smartphone comes with several preinstalled apps. Some of those apps can be updated and disabled but not uninstalled. They're the factory standard.
They're usually apps developed by the smartphone publisher (e.g. Sony) or inherent to the operating system (e.g. Google).
For example, you can install a new camera app, but you can't uninstall the standard camera app.
Can't uninstall an app? Use the disable function
If you're not interested in using a preinstalled app, you can disable it. By disabling the app it will be removed from the home screen. It will also reduce the load on your smartphone's internal memory.
- Press and hold the app you want to remove. A mini-menu will pop up.
- Press the App info button (I within a circle) to enter the App info screen.
- Alternatively, you can go to Settings and then Apps, and select the app you want to remove.
- Alternatively, you can go to Settings and then Apps, and select the app you want to remove.
- There are two options depending if the app can be uninstalled and removed:
- Open - Uninstall - Force Stop
- Open - Disable - Force Stop
- If an app can't be uninstalled, you can choose to disable the app.
How to enable disabled apps
- Find and tap Settings → Apps & notifications → See all apps.
- Tap All apps → Disabled apps.
- Find and tap the app that you want to enable.
- Tap ENABLE.