Samsung Apps Stuck After Replacing Google Apps? Fix

If you replaced Google apps on your Galaxy and only two Samsung apps are stuck, the issue is likely that those apps are system-level components that cannot be fully uninstalled or disabled without ADB commands or a package disabler. This is normal behavior on Samsung devices running One UI, and there are safe workarounds to hide or disable them.

Why Some Samsung Apps Cannot Be Removed

Samsung ships its Galaxy phones with two layers of preinstalled software: Google’s apps (Gmail, Chrome, Maps) and Samsung’s own apps (Samsung Internet, Galaxy Store, Bixby). While Google apps can often be uninstalled or disabled through the Settings menu, Samsung’s core apps are tied to the system partition. Apps like Samsung Internet and Galaxy Store are considered part of the device’s core functionality by Samsung, so the standard “Uninstall” button is grayed out. Instead, you only get “Disable” or “Force stop” options. This is not a bug—it’s how Samsung protects its services from being accidentally removed, which could break other features like Samsung Pay or the Galaxy Store’s system updates.

How App Disabling Works on One UI

When you disable a preinstalled app on a Galaxy phone, it is not deleted from the storage. The app’s data is cleared, and it becomes hidden from the app drawer, but the underlying files remain on the system partition. Disabled apps cannot run in the background, receive updates, or appear in search results. However, they still occupy storage space. To re-enable a disabled app, you go to Settings > Apps > (tap the three-dot menu) > Show system apps, find the app, and tap “Enable.” This is the safest way to deal with stuck Samsung apps because it does not require root access or modifying system files.

How to Disable the Stuck Samsung Apps

Here are the steps to disable Samsung Internet and Galaxy Store (the two most commonly stuck apps) on a current Galaxy device running One UI 5 or 6:

Open Settings on your Galaxy phone.
Scroll down and tap Apps.
Tap the app you want to disable (e.g., Samsung Internet).
If you don’t see it, tap the three-dot menu (top right) and select Show system apps.
Tap Disable and confirm when prompted.
Repeat for the other stuck app (e.g., Galaxy Store).

If the Disable button is grayed out, the app is considered essential. In that case, you can use the Force stop option to prevent it from running temporarily, but it will restart after a reboot or when another app triggers it.

Alternative: Use ADB to Remove Them

For users who want those apps completely gone from the app drawer and background processes, ADB (Android Debug Bridge) commands can remove them for the current user without rooting the phone. This method is more technical but safe if you follow the steps carefully. You will need a PC, USB debugging enabled in Developer Options, and the Android SDK platform tools installed. Then you run commands like:

adb shell pm uninstall --user 0 com.sec.android.app.sbrowser

This command uninstalls Samsung Internet for the current user only. The app remains on the system partition, but it is invisible and cannot run. You can restore it by running the same command with install-existing instead of uninstall. This is a common workaround used by power users, but it requires a bit of command-line comfort. If you make a mistake, you can always reset the app by going to Settings > Apps > (three-dot menu) > Reset app preferences, or by performing a factory reset.

Common Problems and Misconceptions

One common misconception is that disabling Samsung apps will improve battery life or performance significantly. In practice, most Samsung apps are dormant until you open them, so the impact is minimal. Another problem users face is that after disabling Samsung Internet, links from some Samsung apps (like Samsung Free or the Samsung Health app) may open in a blank screen because they are hardcoded to use Samsung Internet. You can work around this by installing a third-party browser and setting it as the default browser in Settings > Apps > Default apps > Browser app. Also, note that disabling Galaxy Store will not stop system updates—those come through Settings > Software update. However, some Samsung apps (like Samsung Health or Samsung Pay) may rely on the Galaxy Store for component updates, so disabling it could cause those apps to fail to update their add-ons.

Comparison: Disable vs. Uninstall vs. ADB

There are three levels of removing apps on a Galaxy phone:

Disable – Hides the app, stops it from running, but leaves it on the system. Easy to reverse.
Uninstall updates – For apps that came with the phone but received updates, you can uninstall the updates to revert to the factory version. This is not the same as uninstalling the app itself.
ADB uninstall for user 0 – Removes the app for the current user, making it completely invisible. Still reversible with ADB, but not through the phone’s UI.

For most users, disabling is sufficient. ADB is for those who want a cleaner app drawer and are comfortable with a command line. Rooting the phone to truly delete system apps is not recommended because it voids the warranty and can break Samsung’s security features like Knox.

Safety and Risks

Disabling system apps is generally safe and does not void your warranty. However, there are a few risks to be aware of. If you disable an app that another system process depends on, you may see error messages or lose functionality. For example, disabling Samsung Internet may affect the “Smart Stay” feature that uses the front camera to keep the screen on, because that feature is implemented in the Samsung Internet app on some models. If you use ADB, there is a small risk of typing the wrong package name, which could disable an unrelated app. Always double-check the package name before running the command. If something goes wrong, you can restore the app with the same command or perform a factory reset (which will reinstall all system apps). Never disable the “Settings” app or the “System UI” app, as that can make your phone unusable.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Can I delete Samsung Internet and Galaxy Store completely?
No, not without rooting the phone. On a non-rooted Galaxy, these apps are part of the system partition and cannot be permanently deleted. You can only disable them or remove them for the current user via ADB.

Q: Will disabling Samsung apps free up storage space?
Disabling an app clears its data and cache, which can free up some space, but the app’s base files remain on the system partition. The freed space is usually small (a few hundred MB at most). If you need more storage, consider removing downloaded apps or transferring photos to a microSD card.

Q: After disabling Samsung Internet, my links open in a blank page. What do I do?
This happens because some Samsung apps have a hardcoded link to Samsung Internet. Install a different browser (like Firefox or Brave) and set it as the default browser in Settings > Apps > Default apps > Browser app. Then links should open in your chosen browser.

Q: Is it safe to use ADB to uninstall system apps?
Yes, if you only uninstall for the current user (using --user 0), it is reversible and does not void your warranty. It is safer than rooting because it does not modify the system partition. Just be careful to copy the exact package name.

Q: Why are only two Samsung apps stuck and not all of them?
Most Samsung apps (like Samsung Notes, Samsung Health, Samsung Members) can be disabled normally. Only the core ones—typically Samsung Internet and Galaxy Store—are locked down because they are tied to system functions. Other apps may also be stuck if they are part of the “Samsung Essentials” suite that is required for the phone to boot.

Q: Will disabling Galaxy Store stop Samsung Pay from working?
No, Samsung Pay works independently. However, Samsung Pay’s in-app updates and some add-ons may be delivered through the Galaxy Store, so if you disable it, those components might not update. The core payment function will still work.

General steps for current mainstream versions; menus can differ by device and version. See the disclaimer or report an error.

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