Uninstall Multiple Apps on Android (Rooted & Not)

This guide shows you how to remove several Android apps at once, whether your device is rooted or not. You’ll learn the fastest built-in method, a reliable computer-based approach, and the more powerful options available to rooted users. No special skills are needed for the non-rooted methods, but rooted users will need to be comfortable with command-line tools.

What You’ll Need

• Your Android phone or tablet
• A USB cable (for the ADB method)
• A Windows, Mac, or Linux computer (for the ADB method)
• USB debugging enabled on your device (for the ADB method)
• Root access (only for the root-specific methods)

Step-by-Step

Method 1: Non-Rooted – Batch Uninstall via Settings (Limited)

This is the safest method, but Android’s stock interface only lets you uninstall apps one at a time. To remove multiple apps quickly, you’ll use the app info screen repeatedly.

1. Open Settings on your Android device.
2. Tap Apps or Applications (the name varies by manufacturer).
3. You’ll see a list of all installed apps. Tap the first app you want to remove.
4. Tap Uninstall and confirm when prompted.
5. Go back to the app list and repeat steps 3–4 for each app.
6. To speed this up, look for a three-dot menu (⋮) in the app list – some devices offer a “Sort by size” or “Show system apps” option that groups apps logically, making your selection easier.

Note: This method does not uninstall multiple apps in one action. For true batch uninstall, use Method 2 or 3.

Method 2: Non-Rooted – Batch Uninstall via ADB (Computer Required)

ADB (Android Debug Bridge) lets you uninstall multiple apps quickly using a computer. This works on all non-rooted devices.

1. On your Android device, go to Settings > About Phone and tap Build Number seven times until you see “You are now a developer!”
2. Go back to Settings > Developer Options and enable USB Debugging.
3. Connect your phone to your computer with a USB cable.
4. On your computer, download and install the Android Platform Tools (ADB and Fastboot). Extract the folder to a convenient location.
5. Open a command prompt (Windows) or terminal (Mac/Linux) in that folder.
6. Type adb devices and press Enter. On your phone, a prompt will appear asking to allow USB debugging – check “Always allow” and tap OK.
7. In the terminal, type adb shell pm list packages to see a list of all installed package names (they look like com.example.app).
8. Note the package names of the apps you want to remove.
9. To uninstall an app, type adb uninstall <package.name> and press Enter. Repeat for each app, or combine them in one line by separating with && (Windows) or ; (Mac/Linux). For example: adb uninstall com.example.app1 && adb uninstall com.example.app2
10. Once all commands run successfully, you’ll see “Success” for each app.

Method 3: Rooted – Batch Uninstall via Terminal (No Computer)

If your device is rooted, you can uninstall multiple apps directly on the phone using a terminal emulator app.

1. Install a terminal emulator app from the Play Store (e.g., Termux).
2. Open the app and grant it root access when prompted (usually by typing su and pressing Enter).
3. Type pm list packages to see all installed packages.
4. To remove an app, type pm uninstall <package.name> and press Enter.
5. To remove multiple apps at once, type: pm uninstall com.example.app1 && pm uninstall com.example.app2 && pm uninstall com.example.app3 and press Enter.
6. Each command will return “Success” if the uninstall worked.

Method 4: Rooted – Batch Uninstall via a Root App

Several root management apps provide a graphical interface for batch uninstalling.

1. Install a root app like SD Maid or Titanium Backup (both have free versions).
2. Open the app and grant it root access.
3. Navigate to the “App Control” or “Uninstaller” section.
4. Check the boxes next to the apps you want to remove.
5. Tap the uninstall button (often a trash icon) and confirm.
6. The app will remove them all in one batch.

Common Mistakes

• Uninstalling system apps you need: On rooted devices, you can remove apps that are essential for Android to function (like the launcher or settings). Only remove apps you are sure about.
• Using the wrong package name: In ADB or terminal, if you type a package name incorrectly, the command will fail. Always copy the exact package name from the list.
• Forgetting to enable USB debugging: Without it, ADB won’t detect your device.
• Not granting root permission: In terminal apps, if you don’t type su first, you’ll get “Permission denied” errors.

Tips

• Before uninstalling, consider whether you might want the app back. Uninstalling removes all data permanently.
• For non-rooted users, ADB can also uninstall apps that are pre-installed by your manufacturer (bloatware) – just use the same adb uninstall command with the package name.
• To reinstall a system app you accidentally removed, you may need to factory reset or use a firmware flashing tool. Back up important data first.
• Use a spreadsheet to list the package names you want to remove before starting – this saves time and reduces errors.

Troubleshooting

• ADB says “device not found”: Make sure USB debugging is enabled, the USB cable is connected properly, and you’ve accepted the debugging prompt on your phone. Try re-plugging the cable or restarting ADB with adb kill-server then adb start-server.
• “Failure [INSTALL_FAILED_UPDATE_INCOMPATIBLE]” when uninstalling: This usually means the app is a system app. On rooted devices, you can use pm uninstall -k --user 0 <package.name> to remove it for the current user (this keeps the app on the system partition but disables it).
• Terminal says “pm: not found”: This means you haven’t got root access. Type su first and grant the prompt.
• Uninstall succeeds but the app still shows in the launcher: Some launchers cache icons. Restart your device or clear the launcher’s cache.
• App re-appears after reboot: This happens with system apps on non-rooted devices. Only a rooted device can remove them permanently.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I uninstall multiple apps without a computer on a non-rooted phone?

No, the stock Android interface only supports one-by-one uninstallation. To batch uninstall without root, you need a computer with ADB.

Will uninstalling an app free up storage space immediately?

Yes, uninstalling removes the app and its data, freeing up the storage it used. However, some leftover files (like in /data/data) may remain, but these are usually tiny.

Is it safe to uninstall system apps on a rooted device?

It can be safe if you know what you’re doing, but removing critical system apps can cause crashes or boot loops. Always back up your system before removing anything.

Can I reinstall an app after uninstalling it?

Yes, you can reinstall any app from the Play Store or from an APK file. However, if you removed a system app that is not in the Play Store, you may need to restore it from a backup or firmware.

Does ADB uninstall work on all Android versions?

Yes, ADB uninstall works on all Android versions from 4.0 to the latest, as long as USB debugging is available. Some newer versions may require you to confirm the uninstall on the phone screen.

What’s the difference between uninstalling and disabling an app?

Uninstalling removes the app completely. Disabling (via Settings > Apps > Disable) hides the app and stops it from running, but keeps it stored on the device. Disabling is reversible and safer for system apps.

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