You can remove some preinstalled apps from a Samsung Galaxy, but there is no universal set of five duplicate Google apps that every owner can safely uninstall. Check the controls shown for each app on your phone: uninstall it if that option is available, disable it if Samsung offers that instead, or hide its icon if you only want it out of sight. Removing apps may make your phone feel tidier, but the available official guidance does not establish that doing so makes a Galaxy faster or improves battery life.
Why there is no universal list of five apps to remove
Galaxy models, software versions, app versions, and wireless providers can expose different preinstalled apps and controls. Samsung’s UK support guide, updated May 26, 2026, explicitly warns that menu names, paths, and screen layouts vary by device model, software version, or app version. Its US guidance also notes provider variation. Your phone’s own app settings—not a generic list—are the practical guide.
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Google also cautions that some system apps that came with an Android phone cannot be deleted, although some devices let you turn them off. So treat any list of “duplicate” Google apps as a prompt to inspect your device, not as a removal checklist.
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| What you want | What the option does | What to check |
|---|---|---|
| Remove the app | Uninstall deletes the app when the device permits it. | Samsung says some preinstalled apps can be deleted; others cannot. |
| Stop an eligible app | Disable turns the app off and removes it from app screens, while it remains installed. | Only use this when the app’s settings offer Disable. You can turn a disabled app back on through Settings > Apps. |
| Get the icon out of the way | Hide removes the app icon from Home and Apps screens; it does not remove the app from the phone. | Choose this if visibility is the problem, rather than the app itself. |
| Keep both apps but prefer one | Changing a default selects which installed app handles a supported category. | Samsung’s US guide documents categories such as Browser app under Choose default apps. |
How to uninstall, disable, or hide an app
Uninstall an app when the option appears
- Touch and hold the app icon.
- Tap Uninstall, then confirm.
If Uninstall is not offered, do not assume the app is removable on your model. Check its app information in Settings, where available, for other controls.
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Disable an app when uninstall is unavailable
- Open Settings > Apps.
- Select the app.
- Tap Disable and confirm.
To restore an app you disabled, go to Settings > Apps, select that app, and tap Enable. Consider whether you rely on the app’s functions or related integrations before turning it off.
Hide an icon without removing the app
- Open the Apps screen and tap its More menu.
- Choose Hide apps on Home and Apps screens.
- Select the app and apply the change.
Hiding changes where the icon appears; it does not uninstall or disable the app.
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- Please note, this device does not support E-SIM; This 4G model is compatible with all GSM networks worldwide outside of the U.S. In the US, ONLY compatible with T-Mobile and their MVNO's (Metro and Standup). It will NOT work with other CDMA carriers, and it is also not compatible with their MVNO (Visible, Xfinity Mobile, US Mobile, Cricket Wireless, etc).
- Compatibility with certain third-party devices and accessibility accessories, including some hearing aids, may vary depending on manufacturer support, Bluetooth protocols, software compatibility, and regional firmware limitations. For additional hearing aid compatibility information, please refer to Samsung’s official support documentation.
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Set a preferred default instead of deleting either app
If two installed apps can do the same job, changing the default may solve the annoyance without removing either one. Samsung’s US instructions give this path: Settings > Apps > Choose default apps. Select the relevant category—such as Browser app—and choose the app you want to use. The categories available depend on the device and software.
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Samsung and Google’s cited support instructions explain app management, not measured performance results. They do not establish that uninstalling or disabling a duplicate app will make a Galaxy faster, extend battery life, or free a particular amount of storage. Those outcomes should not be assumed from the fact that an app was removed.
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Samsung announced the One UI 8 rollout on September 15, 2025, saying it would begin with the Galaxy S25 series and reach selected eligible devices later. That rollout announcement is historical context, not proof of which version or app controls are on your phone now; check your device’s actual settings.
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- TYPE IT IN. TRANSFORM IT FAST: Enhance any shot in seconds on your smartphone by using Photo Assist¹ with Galaxy AI.² Add objects, restore details, or apply new styles by simply typing or tapping
- MAKE IT. EDIT IT. SHARE IT: Turn everyday moments into something personal with creative tools built right into your mobile whether it’s a special contact photo, custom wallpaper, an invitation or more³
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- YOUR CONTENT, SUPER SMOOTH: The ultra-clear 6.7" FHD+ Super AMOLED display of Galaxy A17 5G helps bring your content to life, whether you're scrolling through recipes or video chatting with loved ones.¹
- LIVE FAST. CHARGE FASTER: Focus more on the moment and less on your battery percentage with Galaxy A17 5G. Super Fast Charging powers up your battery so you can get back to life sooner.²
- MEMORIES MADE PICTURE PERFECT: Capture every angle in stunning clarity, from wide family photos to close-ups of friends, with the triple-lens camera on Galaxy A17 5G.
- NEED MORE STORAGE? WE HAVE YOU COVERED: With an improved 2TB of expandable storage, Galaxy A17 5G makes it easy to keep cherished photos, videos and important files readily accessible whenever you need them.³
- BUILT TO LAST: With an improved IP54 rating, Galaxy A17 5G is even more durable than before.⁴ It’s built to resist splashes and dust and comes with a stronger yet slimmer Gorilla Glass Victus front and Glass Fiber Reinforced Polymer back.
Official instructions
- Samsung UK: How to delete pre-installed apps on your Samsung Galaxy device (updated May 26, 2026).
- Samsung US: Manage apps on your Galaxy phone or tablet (accessed October 7, 2026).
- Google Android Help: Disable apps that came with your Android device (accessed October 7, 2026).
- Samsung Newsroom US: Samsung Begins Official Rollout of One UI 8 to Galaxy Devices (September 15, 2025).
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