4 pointless apps I at all times uninstall to declutter my Google Pixel

What I personally like about Google’s Pixel smartphones, in comparison with different Android cellphone makers like Samsung, is that the telephones do not include as a lot bloatware. Sure, Google has most of its apps pre-installed on its gadgets, corresponding to YouTube and Gmail, however these are genuinely helpful apps that many individuals use. With Samsung, One UI contains a number of bloatware apps you are prone to by no means even use.

That mentioned, Google is not solely off the hook relating to pre-installed apps which might be pointless. Whereas I would not classify them as bloatware the way in which I might with Samsung, there are nonetheless fairly a number of that I do not use, by no means plan to make use of, and do not want, which I uninstalled to avoid wasting storage and tidy up my cellphone. If you have already got a Pixel cellphone, otherwise you’re about to get a brand-new Pixel 10 series machine, listed below are 4 pre-installed Google apps that I feel are value uninstalling should you do not use them, plus one value disabling.

1

Google One

If you do not have a subscription, then you definately possible do not want the app

Google One comes pre-installed on most Pixel telephones, permitting you to handle your Google One subscription and its related advantages. I personally haven’t got a Google One subscription, because the 15GB of free storage that comes with each Google account is greater than sufficient for me, and I often again up my pictures on my cellphone utilizing both the Amazon Images app (since that comes free with my Prime subscription) or OneDrive. Whereas I like Google Drive, I personally depend on OneDrive extra for my cloud storage wants since I take advantage of a Home windows 11 desktop and laptop computer for work, so I’ve by no means wanted the additional cloud storage Google One gives.

If in case you have a Google One subscription, it is most likely value maintaining this app, however I do not, and in your entire 12 months I’ve had my Pixel 8a, I’ve by no means used it as soon as. So, it was a straightforward resolution to uninstall it and unlock some space for storing. Should you’re in the identical boat, I might suggest doing the identical.

2

Google Dwelling

Sorry, Google Dwelling — it isn’t you, it is me

Google / Pocket-lint

Google Home is a useful app for establishing and managing good house gadgets, like Google’s Nest merchandise. This contains gadgets corresponding to good audio system, shows, Wi-Fi, door locks, cameras, doorbells, and thermostats. Nonetheless, should you’re like me and solely depend on one or two good house merchandise, none of that are from Google, then the Google Dwelling app is considerably pointless.

I take advantage of Wyze merchandise, and I management all of them by way of Wyze’s devoted app, so I have not discovered a use for the Google Dwelling app. My philosophy is, if I do not use it, I do not want it, so uninstalling Google Dwelling from my Pixel smartphone was a straightforward alternative. Should you’re not managing good house merchandise with Google, have no good house gadgets in any respect, or want a special app like Dwelling Assistant, Wyze, or Amazon Alexa, then you definately most likely do not want Google Dwelling both, and you may uninstall it to avoid wasting space for storing and cut back muddle in your Pixel cellphone.

3

Google Hold

It is a noteworthy app, however I merely do not use it

Google / Pocket-lint

I am a bit old-school relating to notes, so if I’ve one thing I must work on, I often jot it down on a bit of paper or a sticky notice somewhat than utilizing a note-taking app. With that in thoughts, I’ve by no means actually had a use for Google’s notetaking app, Google Keep. Do not get me improper, like the opposite apps on this checklist, Google Hold is tremendous useful. You possibly can create notes, checklists, reminders, and voice notes with it, and it is a good way to prepare all of your ideas and concepts in a single app.

Google Hold additionally syncs throughout all of your gadgets, so should you take notes on an iPad or iPhone, they’re going to additionally pop up in your Pixel. It is versatile, however my easy case for uninstalling it, like the remainder of these apps, is that I haven’t got an on a regular basis use case for it, so eradicating it was the best choice for me to wash up my machine.

4

Google Information

I really feel like this app will not be as controversial as among the different apps on this checklist, however one of many first apps I uninstall each time I get a brand new Pixel is the Google Information app. Should you’ve by no means used Google Information earlier than, it is basically a feed of native and world information you can scroll by way of, and you may as well comply with publications you prefer to learn to get up to date on their newest tales.

Do not get me improper, I like to remain knowledgeable about what’s taking place in my area people and the world, however I’ve different information apps on my cellphone that do that for me, which I a lot want, such because the BBC and Inoreader. The Uncover feed on my Pixel cellphone additionally exists, which is separate from the Google Information app, so even with it uninstalled, I can nonetheless simply flick thru attention-grabbing tales each time I need to, because of Uncover.

5

Google TV

You possibly can’t uninstall it, however you may disable it

Google / Pocket-lint

Google TV is the one app on this checklist that Google inexplicably does not help you uninstall. Nonetheless, you may disable it so it does not eat background sources in your machine. The app permits searching and discovering content material from numerous streaming platforms, creating watchlists, getting personalised viewing suggestions, and exploring leisure information. It additionally has a retailer for renting or shopping for motion pictures and TV exhibits. Plus, when you have a Google TV or Android TV, you may join the app to your TV and management it along with your Pixel cellphone as a remote.

Whereas some could discover the Google TV app helpful, I personally see no want for it. That is most likely as a result of I do not personal a Google TV and primarily stream through a Fireplace TV Stick, largely utilizing Prime Video for leases and purchases. I additionally subscribe to Netflix and Disney+, so I’m going on to these companies after I need particular content material, as a substitute of utilizing a curated app like Google TV. Should you’re like me and have not used Google TV in your Pixel cellphone, disabling it may be a good suggestion. You can too go to the Play Retailer and uninstall all of the updates for it to avoid wasting space for storing. Google actually must let folks absolutely uninstall this app, although. If we will uninstall Google Dwelling, we must always have the ability to uninstall Google TV.

All these apps can simply be reinstalled if wanted

All of the apps I’ve listed on this story are pre-installed Google apps on each Pixel machine. I am not implying any of them are low-quality, however since I do not use them or have various apps with comparable features, I’ve determined to uninstall them.

That mentioned, should you uninstall any of those Google apps, you may simply reinstall any of them everytime you need by going to the Google Play Retailer and trying to find them.