What is Bloatware?

Bloatware refers to software that exists outside of the core apps of a device. It is a term used to describe unwanted apps that come preloaded with an operating system. They take up precious space and consume resources, leaving the system overwhelmed with apps that are not in use.

If your device has been feeling slow lately, bloatware may be the problem. You can solve that problem by removing bloatware from your device. We’ll show you how.

Why Bloatware May Improve Performance

Computing is a precious resource. At any given time, there are several core components and apps running in the background that ensure the proper functioning of the device. Even if you have no active programs running, its services will be running in the operating system to deliver its intended functionality. For example, a messaging app would keep its services in the background to notify of incoming messages. It wouldn’t be a reliable messaging app if the user did not receive messages.

Bloatware is commonly found in operating systems right out of the box. Operating system developers bundle their apps as first-party apps; other times, they will enter into partnerships with others. It is a royalty-based partnership that allows app developers to reach new audiences and active users.

In the Android operating system ecosystem, apps such as Google Messages, Google Chrome, YouTube etc. come preinstalled. But other manufacturers such as Samsung push their own alternatives side-by-side, leaving you with two of the same purposed apps. It is bloatware that provides little to no use. Freeing such bloatware will not only free storage space but may improve performance and battery life as well.

How to Delete Bloatware

Windows

Windows 10 operating system comes with several apps preinstalled. When you first launch Windows 10, you will notice apps that you may have no need of, such as Windows Maps, OneNote, Groove Music.

• Click on the Start button.
• Click on the gear icon and go to Settings > Apps.
• Browse through the list of installed apps and select which one to uninstall. You can sort apps by install date to bring up the most recently installed ones.

You can always download back the native apps from Windows Store at any time.

Android

The android operating system is the one that suffers most from bloatware due to the sheer number of manufacturers in the Android ecosystem. Moreover, Android phones sold through carriers such as Verizon adds another layer of bloatware. If you bought an Android phone on contract, it would come preinstalled with that carrier’s apps.

There are certain apps that should not be deleted. You will need a calling app and messaging app to utilize those certain functions of the phone. But if you have two apps of the same function, then delete one of them.

Some might require that you root the device to uninstall. Rooting a device grants system-level access and lets you purge unnecessary apps. Rooting a device may void the warranty; it is not recommended.

However, you can try disabling the apps first.

• On your Android phone, pull up the app drawer.
• Touch and hold an app and select uninstall. If the option is unavailable, try disabling it.

You can get a comprehensive view of currently-installed apps by going into Settings > Apps.

iOS

iOS is relatively much cleaner and does not come with apps that could be considered bloatware. Even if you buy an iPhone under contract from a carrier, it will not come preloaded with the carrier’s apps.

However, you can delete some native apps, as well as other apps.

• Bring up the apps screen.
• Touch and hold an app, click on delete.

macOS

Just like iOS, macOS does not come with apps that could be categorized as bloatware. However, you can uninstall apps that you do not want. Here’s how.

• Launch Applications folder.
• Pick an app and move it to Trash, or right-click on the app to say select Move to Trash.
• Now empty Trash. The app will now be deleted.

Some apps are protected by System Integrity Protection (SIP). We do not recommend turning off System Integrity Protection as it may allow malware to cause harm to your system.

Don’t Delete Every App

The idea of freeing storage space might seem like a great idea but don’t get carried away. Only delete apps that are excessive and not important ones such as calculator, clock, calendar, and email. When it comes to Android, always download apps from the Play Store and trusted sources.

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