Enable / disable pre-installed apps: Android

Symptoms

Want to uninstall, delete, or remove pre-loaded apps.

What happens and why

Although you cannot uninstall preloaded apps, you can disable them on your Android 4.0 (ICS) or newer device. Disabling an app causes it to:

• Disappear from the All apps menu.
• Not update.
• Move to the bottom of your Manage applications menu.

Resolution steps

To disable or enable pre-installed apps, follow these steps:

Disable apps

1. From the Settings menu, navigate to Manage apps.
2. Touch the All tab.
3. Scroll down to the app you wish to disable. They are in alphabetical order.
4. Touch the app name.
5. Touch the Disable button.
   Note: If Disable is not available, it means the app has been updated. Touch the Uninstall updates button. After updates are removed, touch Disable.
   
   
   
   
6. Touch OK.
   
   
   
   
7. Touch the Home key to return to the Home screen.

Enable apps

1. From the Settings menu, navigate to Manage apps.
2. Touch the All tab or slide to the Disabled tab.
3. Scroll down to the bottom of the list to find the app you wish to enable. Disabled apps are at the bottom of the list. They are not mixed with enabled apps.
   
   
   
   
4. Touch the app name.
5. Touch the Enable button.
   
   
   
   
6. Touch the Home key to return to the Home screen.