The Most Deleted Pre‑Installed Apps on iPhones and Android in 2025

Understanding Pre-Installed Apps and Bloatware

Pre-installed apps fall into three main categories that serve different purposes on your device:

App Deletion Statistics and User Behavior

Brand Differences in Pre-Installation Practices

Most Frequently Deleted iPhone Apps

• Stocks – Financial tracking app rarely used by average consumers
• Tips – Tutorial app considered redundant after initial setup
• Compass – Navigation tool with limited daily utility
• Podcasts – Often replaced by Spotify or other platforms
• Books – E-reading app superseded by Kindle or Audible
• Translate – Basic functionality covered by Google Translate
• iTunes Store – Music purchasing declining with streaming
• Mail – Frequently replaced by Gmail or Outlook
• FaceTime – Regional restrictions and alternatives preferred
• Contacts – Google Contacts integration preferred

Most Deleted Android Apps by Manufacturer

Brand	Commonly Deleted Pre-Installed Apps
Samsung	Samsung Free, AR Zone, Bixby, Galaxy Store, Samsung Internet
Xiaomi	GetApps, Cleaner, Music, Mi Browser, Security
Oppo/Vivo	Theme Store, Game Center, Browser, Music, Video
Google/AOSP	Google TV, YouTube Music, Chrome (when alternatives preferred)

Why Users Delete Pre-Installed Apps

Demographics and User Behavior Patterns

User behavior varies significantly across age groups and regions. Gen Z demonstrates the highest propensity for device customization and app removal, with digital minimalism trends particularly visible in Western markets. Tech-savvy users actively declutter their devices, while first-time smartphone users often maintain default configurations.

Gen Z and the Digital Detox Movement

A growing segment of Gen Z is embracing digital minimalism and even reverting to dumb phones as part of broader mental health and digital detox initiatives. This trend, popularized on social media platforms like TikTok, reflects changing attitudes toward technology consumption.

Apps Users Cannot Delete

Platform	Undeletable Core Apps	User Reaction
iOS	Safari, Phone, iMessage, App Store, Health, Wallet	Frustration with undeletability constraints
Android	Google Search, Play Services, System WebView	Acceptance as “necessary bloatware”

Industry Response and Regulatory Changes

Device manufacturers and regulators are responding to user demands for cleaner devices:

• iOS 10 (2016) enabled deletion of some Apple apps like Stocks and Compass
• Android 14 includes enhanced bloatware-blocking features
• Samsung’s “Core apps only” option launched in One UI 6 (2024)
• EU Digital Markets Act forcing Apple to allow core app deletion
• Indian government proposing mandatory uninstallable bloatware rules

Performance Impact of App Deletion

Digital Minimalism and Phone Customization Trends

The movement toward phone customization and digital minimalism reflects broader cultural shifts. Users increasingly value intentional technology use over passive consumption. This trend encompasses not just app deletion but also the adoption of dumb phones, analog alternatives, and mindful device usage practices.

Privacy Concerns and Data Protection

Privacy concerns significantly influence app deletion decisions. Users express distrust toward pre-installed apps that collect personal data without clear value exchange. The psychology of app deletion centers on user control, privacy protection, and clean user experience design.

Future Outlook for Smartphone Software

The trend toward cleaner, more user-controlled smartphone experiences will likely continue. Manufacturers face pressure from both consumers and regulators to provide more transparency and control over pre-installed software. This shift represents a broader evolution from device-centric to user-centric design philosophy.