How to disable preinstalled apps on a Samsung Galaxy

By · 2 min read · 7 steps · Updated 5 October 2026

Short answer

Open Settings, Apps and tap the app. If the bottom bar shows Uninstall, you can remove it. If it shows Disable, tap it and confirm: the app stops running and disappears from your screens. A disabled app shows Enable instead, to bring it back.

Device
Android
Shown on
Samsung Galaxy A57 5G (SM-A576B), One UI 8.5, Android 16
App
Settings
Path
Settings › Apps
Real screenshots
5 of 7 steps
Checked
October 2026
Sources
2 official, linked below

Step by step

  1. Android screenshot: Open Apps

    Open Apps

    Open Settings and tap Apps. Your apps are listed by name.

  2. Android screenshot: Show the system apps if you need them

    Show the system apps if you need them

    Tap the filter and sort button at the top right. Show system apps adds Samsung's and Google's background apps to the list. Leave it off for normal apps.

  3. 1Settings2Apps3The app4App info

    Open the app

    Tap the app you no longer want. Its App info page opens.

  4. Android screenshot: Uninstall shown? Remove it

    Uninstall shown? Remove it

    Samsung Notes showed Uninstall on our phone, so it can be removed completely and installed again from the Galaxy Store.

  5. 1App info2Disable3Disable app

    Disable shown? Turn it off

    Apps that cannot be removed show Disable in the same place. Tap it and confirm with Disable app.

  6. Android screenshot: Bring a disabled app back

    Bring a disabled app back

    A disabled app shows Enable. Samsung News was disabled on our phone, so its page offered Enable.

  7. Android screenshot: Find everything you disabled

    Find everything you disabled

    In Filter and sort, choose Disabled to list only the apps that are switched off.

About this guide

Galaxy phones come with apps you may never use. Some can be uninstalled, others can only be disabled, and a few core apps such as Phone, Messages, Contacts, Gallery and My Files can do neither.

The screenshots are from a Samsung Galaxy A57 5G with One UI 8.5 and Android 16. Other Galaxy phones on One UI 8 use the same menus; on older One UI versions a few names and positions differ. We opened these pages without tapping any button.

Good to know

Disabling stops and hides the app but keeps it on the phone, so it frees little storage.

Only hiding an app is also possible: how to hide apps on a Samsung Galaxy phone.

In short: Settings, Apps, the app: Uninstall if offered, otherwise Disable. Enable brings it back.

Sources

Links checked on 4 October 2026. Rules and prices change. Check the official source before you act.