Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches2Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems3Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteRemoving device admin access deactivates that app’s administrator role; it does not, by itself, uninstall the app, wipe the phone, or erase all of the app’s data. The policies the app was allowed to enforce through that role stop being active. What else changes depends on the app and on whether the device is managed by an organization.
What changes when you deactivate an app’s administrator role?
Android’s Device Administration API lets an app ask you to activate it as a device administrator so it can apply the policies it declares. If you deactivate it, that app no longer has authority under that role, and its administrator policies are no longer enforced. The effect is limited to that app’s administrator status; it is not a general Android permission switch or a factory reset. Android’s Device Administration overview explains that an app’s policies and benefits depend on whether it is an active administrator.
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
The app may also stop providing features that rely on those policies. Android gives syncing as an example of a benefit a user might lose when an admin app is not enabled. Other effects depend on how the app is built; deactivation does not guarantee that a particular feature will stop or that the app will remove any particular setting.
The Tool Desk
Outbyte Driver Updater FREEScan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Outbyte PC Repair FREEClear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Does removing device admin access delete data or uninstall the app?
No. Deactivating the administrator role does not itself uninstall the app, wipe the phone, or automatically delete all app data and personal files. The app may respond to deactivation by clearing its own policy configuration or changing its service. For example, Android’s developer guide shows a sample app clearing a saved policy preference in its onDisabled() callback; that is an example of app-specific cleanup, not a rule that Android erases all app data. Android’s overview and its device management policy guide describe the role and sample callback.
#1 Best Overall
- 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.
Uninstalling is a separate action. Android says users must first unregister an existing device-admin app before uninstalling it. Deactivate the app in your device’s Settings, then uninstall it separately if that is what you want. Exact Settings labels and menu paths vary by Android release and device manufacturer, so use the wording shown on your phone rather than assuming one universal path.
How the outcome differs by situation
| Situation | What deactivation can mean | Who controls the result |
|---|---|---|
| Standalone device-admin app on a personal phone | The app’s administrator policies stop being enforced. Its other features may continue, change, or stop depending on the app. | You can manage the app’s administrator status in Settings; uninstalling remains a separate step. |
| App whose feature depends on admin policies | A policy-dependent service or benefit, such as syncing, may no longer work. | The app determines what it does when its administrator role is disabled. |
| Organization-managed device or work profile | The device may also be governed by a device-policy controller acting as device owner or profile owner. Deactivating an app does not establish that an organization’s enrollment or policies have been removed. | Management is set by the organization. Contact your IT administrator before changing work management settings. |
Android distinguishes ordinary device-admin apps from device-policy controllers assigned device-owner or profile-owner roles. These are not interchangeable management arrangements. If your phone or work profile is managed by your employer, do not assume that deactivating an app will remove the organization’s controls or preserve access to work resources. Android’s overview describes these management roles.
Rank #2
- Carrier: This phone is locked to Tracfone, which means this device can only be used on the Tracfone wireless network. Tracfone plan required, activating is easy, just 3 steps.
- DISPLAY: Immersive viewing on a 6.7-inch super-bright 120Hz display with powerful stereo speakers and Bass Boost for cinematic entertainment.
- CAMERA SYSTEM: Advanced 50MP Quad Pixel camera captures sharp, detailed photos and videos in any lighting condition
- PERFORMANCE: Lightning-fast 5G connectivity paired with a powerful processor and RAM Boost for smooth multitasking.
- BATTERY LIFE: Long-lasting 5000mAh battery with TurboPower charging technology delivers hours of power in minutes.
Does Android version affect device admin?
Some Device Admin policies were marked deprecated beginning with Android 9 (API level 28). That does not mean all device-admin functionality disappeared, nor does it mean every app has the same behavior when deactivated. The policies available and their effect depend on the app’s implementation and the management role in use. Android documents the deprecation in its Device Administration overview and device management policy guide.
What should developers know about removing an active admin?
Developer interfaces for removing an administrator are not general consumer instructions. Android’s DevicePolicyManager.removeActiveAdmin() can be called only by the app that owns that administration component, and the operation is asynchronous: the admin may still appear active when the call returns. The API reference documents this behavior.
Rank #3
- 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.
The ADB command dpm remove-active-admin is documented for developer and test use. The app must declare android:testOnly; it is not a normal Settings alternative for removing an administrator from an everyday app. See Android’s ADB documentation.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- Carrier: This phone is locked to Tracfone, which means this device can only be used on the Tracfone wireless network. Activating is easy, just 3 steps.
- ACTIVATION Promotion: Includes 1500 min, 1500 texts & 1500 MB Data + add more as you need it
- CAMERA SYSTEM: 50MP Quad Pixel camera. Capture sharper, more vibrant photos day or night with 4x the light sensitivity.
- PERFORMANCE: Blazing-fast Qualcomm performance. Get the speed you need for great entertainment with a Snapdragon 680 processor and 4GB of RAM.
- 64GB built-in storage. Get plenty of room for photos, movies, songs, and apps. Made for US
Rank #4
- 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
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
