What is Bloatware?
Bloatware are often useless apps and programs that are preinstalled in your mobile devices and computers before you buy them. These apps include adware, utility apps, trialware, unwanted games, toolbars, cloud storage, duplicate apps, and unnecessary daemons. The companies upload these apps and programs to your devices at the time of manufacturing. Due to these preloaded apps, manufacturers cut down the prices of their devices because they earn a commission directly from the vendors of bloatware.
In addition to this, some bloatware automatically downloads on your device bundled with apps and programs you download into your device from third-party platforms and unofficial sites. These apps secretly run in the background of your device, and you cannot control them or prevent them since you are not aware of any such program.
The biggest concern with bloatware is that it requests unnecessary permissions, automatically changes system settings, uses different types of logging, and exploits that can make your device more vulnerable and exposed to cyber threats. Also, when so many unnecessary apps run in the background, it overwhelms the device processor and causes the operating system to slow down.
What are the Different Types of Bloatware?
Based on the operations and works, bloatware is of different types. Some of them are preloaded, while others use different methods and gateways, such as an attachment to the other download files or forcefully getting inside your computer and mobiles. Based on this, here are some common types of bloatware:
On Smartphones (Android & iOS)
A: Pre-installed Carrier Apps
These applications are installed by mobile network providers, usually for account management, billing, promotions, or customer support. These apps are considered redundant because the services and functions they offer can be accessed through essential apps or websites. You seldom open such programs on your smartphones, yet they keep running in the background without serving you the least bit. Examples: AT&T Mobile Security, Verizon Cloud, and T-Mobile Name ID.
B: Manufacturer Bloatware
Manufacturer bloatware is another example of bloatware that manufacturers preloaded at the time of their making. The common examples include Samsung, Xiaomi, or Huawei apps like Samsung Pay and Mi Browser.
C: Trial or Subscription Apps
Trial or free subscription apps are another form of bloatware. Device makers preinstall them to test the trial of an app and promote the service at the same time. Some third-party apps and programs also offer free trial software to promote their products and reach potential customers. Common examples are Spotify, Netflix, antivirus trials, health apps, etc.
D: Unwanted Social Media Apps
You will also see some unwanted social media apps in your mobile phones that you never use. These are all bloatware that occupy lots of space and resources and cause a slow processing speed.
E: Duplicate Apps
Sometimes, you get duplicate apps along with Google’s/Apple’s authentic versions.
On Windows PCs & Laptops
A: Trialware
Windows PCs and laptops also come with preinstalled software, which makes trialware one of a kind. These preloaded apps and programs run for free for some time, but when the free trial period is over, they ask for payment to provide the services. Also, these programs run in the background, burdening your device with intensive operations.
B: OEM Software
Original Equipment Manufacturer or OEM are preloaded programs that offer system utilities, drivers, or support features. But these tools offer redundant services that you can already get from other sources, and you rarely use them. These bloatware run in the background and slow down system speed.
C: Unwanted Games
Sometimes, you will find unwanted games on your PC and laptops that come preloaded whether you want them or not. Sometimes, they automatically install in your system when you download updates. These games consume a lot of space and data on your PC and laptop, affecting the overall performance of your device.
D: Toolbars & Adware
These are unwanted browser extensions or software that show you ads and track your browsing activity. These toolbars often come preloaded or installed unintentionally, bundled with other software downloads. They run in the background and affect your overall system performance and browsing speed.
E: Cloud Storage Apps
You get different types of cloud storage apps on a newly bought device that serve no purpose as you seldom use them. Over time, they become bloatware by staying active and constantly consuming the system resources. These applications automatically start when you turn on your PC and often consume bandwidth and take up storage space unnecessarily.
How to Identify Bloatware in Your Device?
Flagging an app as bloatware depends on its usefulness to you and the system’s operations. If a preinstalled application or program on your device does not serve any purpose to you and the system operations, then you can categorize it as bloatware. They are just using system resources and overburdening your device processor by running unnecessary operations.
So you have to find them and get rid of them. To do so, you have to go to the App list on your device and search for them online. Reading about the descriptions of the applications and program, you will be able to decide on your own whether to keep it or get rid of it. It will take some effort, but they are worth it.
In your Windows devices, you need to go to the start > Add or Remove Programs and find all the applications. If you are using an Android or Apple device, then you need to search the app list in the settings. Scroll through the list, check what permissions they have on your device, and search for them online to know if they serve any necessary purpose in the operating system.
How to Decide if an App Is Bloatware?
If you are finding the process of searching and reading about the apps inconvenient and long, then here are some quick tips to help you identify bloatware in your device:
- Look for apps that were already on your device when you bought it but don’t serve any meaningful or practical purpose.
- Some apps offer a free trial but demand payment later, e.g., antivirus programs and office suites. These applications are potential bloatware.
- If the app constantly reminds you to upgrade or purchase goods and services, it might be bloatware.
- Many manufacturers install their versions of essential apps, even when a default option exists. You can recognize such programs by the services they are offering.
- Bloatware often runs in the background, using up RAM, battery, and data without your knowledge. You can check the battery usage and performance in the settings.
- Some bloatware includes advertisements, pop-ups, or browser toolbars that clutter your device. The ads redirect you to safe websites and slow down your internet speed.
- Some bloatware apps cannot be removed easily because manufacturers restrict them. If an app is not allowing itself to be uninstalled, then it is likely bloatware.
How to Remove Bloatware?
If you want a smooth, efficient, and hassle-free experience on your internet devices, then removing bloatware is crucial. Getting rid of bloatware facilitates more storage space, faster performance, longer battery life, and fewer security risks. A clutter-free device offers a smooth user experience. Hence, you must do away with bloatware on your PCs. Here is how you can remove preloaded applications and programs from your different devices:
On Windows PCs & Laptops
a) Uninstalling through settings is the basic method, which is best for easily removable apps. All you have to do is to:
- Open Settings (Win + I)
- Go to Apps > Installed Apps (Windows 11) or Apps & Features (Windows 10)
- Scroll and find the bloatware app
- Click Uninstall
b) You can also use PowerShell to Remove System Bloatware (Advanced Users). It is best for removing stubborn system apps. All need to do is to:
- Type PowerShell in the Start menu, right-click, and select Run as Administrator
- Use the following command to list installed apps: Get-AppxPackage | Select Name, PackageFullName
- Find the package name of the app you want to remove
- Use this command to remove it: Get-AppxPackage “AppName” | Remove-AppxPackage
b) If the above two methods are not easy for you, then you can also use third-party bloatware removal tools to remove unwanted programs safely and easily. It will be a one-click removal of multiple bloatware apps. You can search for some tools online, check their reviews and ratings, and choose the best one as per your needs.
On Smartphones (Android & iOS)
a) You can remove or uninstall it if it is allowed. To do so, you need to:
- Open Settings > Apps & notifications > See all apps
- Select the app and tap uninstall or disable or remove as per the available options.
b) Disable System Bloatware (If Uninstall Isn’t Possible)
- Go to Settings > Apps
- Select the app
- Tap Disable
b) If you are an advanced user, then you can remove bloatware with ADB. It is best for dealing with stubborn system apps. Here is how you do it:
- Enable Developer Options (Settings > About Phone > Tap Build Number 7 times)
- Enable USB Debugging (Developer Options > USB Debugging)
- Connect the phone to a PC and install ADB (Android Debug Bridge)
- Run this command in the command prompt: adb shell pm uninstall –user 0 com.example.app
iOS – Remove or Hide Bloatware
a) You can uninstall apps normally by simply following these steps:
- Long-press the app icon
- Tap Remove App > Delete App
b) You can hide preinstalled apps if they can’t be deleted. You do it as follows:
- Go to Settings > Screen Time > Content & Privacy Restrictions
- Tap Allowed Apps and disable unwanted apps
