A first-person report claims that deleting 29 apps from a Samsung phone running One UI 9 recovered 13.15GB. That result has not been independently published with the phone model, app list, screenshots or before-and-after storage readings, so it should be treated as a personal result rather than a Samsung or Google benchmark.
Samsung’s current guidance does confirm the practical distinction that matters: uninstalling removes a supported app and frees storage; disabling stops a preloaded app from running but leaves it installed; hiding only removes its icon. The safest approach is to check each app on your exact Galaxy model instead of copying an unverified list.
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What the 13.15GB claim establishes
The reported count is 29 apps and the reported recovery is 13.15GB. Those figures belong to the headline author’s phone and setup; no independent source establishes an average amount of storage recovered by deleting 29 Samsung apps. The model, storage tier, regional software build and exact apps are not identified in the published evidence available for this claim.
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That means the number is useful as a possible anecdote, not as a promise. A different Galaxy phone may expose different uninstall or disable controls, and the same app may occupy a different amount of space after updates and personal use.
#1 Best Overall
- PRIVACY DISPLAY: Automatically hide your screen from those beside you. The built-in privacy display can be preset¹ to turn on when receiving notifications, typing passwords, or using specific apps
- TYPE IT IN. TRANSFORM IT FAST: Enhance any shot in seconds on your smartphone by using Photo Assist² with Galaxy AI.³ Add objects, restore details, or apply new styles by simply typing or tapping
- NIGHTS, CAPTURED CLEARLY: From gigs to city lights, record and capture moments after dark with clarity using Nightography so your photos and videos stay crisp and clear on your Samsung Galaxy
- MAKE IT. EDIT IT. SHARE IT: Turn everyday moments into something personal with creative tools built right into your mobile phone, whether it’s a special contact photo, custom wallpaper, an invitation or more⁴
- HELP THAT KEEPS UP: Stay in the moment while Now Nudge with Galaxy AI helps you respond faster and stay organized with smart suggestions⁵ that appear exactly when you need them on your phone
Where One UI 9 fits
Samsung announced the One UI 9 rollout on 16 September 2026 for the Galaxy S26 Ultra, S26+ and S26, following its debut on the Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra, Z Fold8 and Z Flip8. Rollout timing and eligible models are device-specific, so a phone running One UI 9 should be identified by its exact model and software information before you follow any cleanup steps.
The operating system version does not make every pre-installed app removable. Google’s Android guidance also notes that some system apps supplied with a phone cannot be deleted.
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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.
Uninstall, disable, hide or expand storage?
| Option | Are app files removed? | Does internal storage recover? | Can you reverse it? | Feature risk | Model dependence |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Uninstall | Yes, for apps Samsung allows you to remove | Yes; Samsung says uninstalling frees storage | Usually by reinstalling the app when it remains available | Potentially high if another Galaxy feature depends on it | Only removable apps expose the option |
| Disable | No; the app remains installed | No meaningful removal of the installed app | Yes, by re-enabling it | Can affect related features or services | Only supported preloaded apps expose the option |
| Hide | No | No | Yes, by changing the hidden-app setting | Low; this is an appearance change | Menu wording and availability can vary |
| Move to microSD | The app is not deleted; supported data may move | Sometimes, depending on the app and phone | Usually by moving it back | App behavior can depend on card support and speed | Only Galaxy models that support the feature show it |
Samsung specifically warns that disabling leaves the app on the device. Hiding an app is even less substantial: Samsung’s US instructions say it removes the icon from the Apps screen without removing the app or recovering storage.
Which Samsung apps should stay?
Samsung identifies Phone, Messages, Contacts, Gallery and My Files as examples of essential apps required for basic Galaxy functions. Those apps cannot be deleted through the normal supported controls. Other pre-installed apps may be removable, disableable or neither, depending on the model and software version.
Rank #3
- 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
- FAST. POWERFUL. AI-READY: Power through your day with AI-accelerated performance from our fastest, smoothest and most powerful Galaxy processor yet, built to keep up with everything you do
- IMMENSELY IMMERSIVE: No matter where you are or what you’re watching, your favorite videos and more come to life with the vibrant display on Galaxy S26
- FIT EVERYONE IN THE SHOT: Group selfies are easier on your Samsung phone with a wider front camera⁴ that captures more of the scene, so no one gets left out of the moment
Do not infer safety from an app’s name alone. A component that looks optional may supply account sign-in, device setup, notifications, sharing, camera functions or another app’s background service. If the interface offers only Disable, do not treat that as an uninstall: storage remains occupied and dependent features may stop working.
A safe cleanup workflow on One UI 9
- Record your starting point. Note the exact Galaxy model, One UI version and free-space figure shown in the phone’s storage screen. This gives you a way to measure the result and to identify model-specific differences.
- Try uninstalling only a clearly removable app. Touch and hold its icon, choose Uninstall, then complete Samsung’s second confirmation step. This is the action Samsung says removes the app and frees storage.
- Use the app settings for preloaded software. Open Settings > Apps, select the app and choose Disable when that control is available. The app remains installed, so this is for preventing it from running, not for reclaiming all of its space.
- Hide instead of changing software. If your only goal is a cleaner launcher, use Hide apps on Home and Apps screens. The icon disappears, but storage usage does not.
- Keep core communication and file tools intact. Leave Phone, Messages, Contacts, Gallery and My Files in place unless Samsung’s own interface identifies a supported alternative for your specific model.
- Test the phone after each change. Open the features you use most, such as calling, messaging, photos, file access, sharing and notifications. Removing several items at once makes it difficult to identify what caused a failure.
- Use the model’s recovery path if needed. Samsung documents re-enabling disabled apps. Google also says deleted or disabled apps can be added back when they remain available for that device.
When a microSD card is the better answer
Samsung says Galaxy owners can try moving apps to a microSD card, but the option appears only on models with the relevant support. Check the exact model before buying a card or planning a storage migration. Even on a compatible phone, support can vary by app, and moving an app is not the same as removing it.
Rank #4
- 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.
Use expandable storage when the phone exposes a supported move option and you need to retain the app. If the phone does not provide that control, a card will not create a universal way to relocate every installed app.
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Expecting Hide to free space
Hiding changes the app drawer only. Choose uninstall for a supported app, or disable it when you merely need to stop it running.
Best Value
- 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.
- Camera: 50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/2.76", 0.64µm, AF | 50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/2.76", 0.64µm, AF | 2 MP, f/2.4, (macro). Battery: 5000 mAh, non-removable | A power adapter is NOT included.
Assuming every preloaded app is removable
Essential system apps are protected, and Google says some pre-installed Android apps cannot be deleted. Treat the control shown for that app on your phone as the authoritative limit.
Disabling a dependency
If a feature fails after disabling an app, return to Settings > Apps, open the same entry and tap Enable or Turn on, depending on the label on your build. Re-test the affected feature before changing anything else.
Comparing the headline number with your phone
The 13.15GB figure is not a guaranteed yield. Storage recovered depends on the particular apps, their installed data and the phone’s software state, none of which are documented for the personal report.
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The useful lesson is not that every One UI 9 owner can delete the same 29 apps. It is that Samsung gives you four different tools with four different outcomes: uninstall for supported storage recovery, disable for stopping a preloaded app while retaining it, hide for a cosmetic cleanup, and microSD expansion only where the model supports moving apps. Verify each app and measure your own phone before treating a large reported gain as reproducible.
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