How to Tell if Your Phone Has Been Hacked
How To Remove Android Bloatware Without Root, Using Windows PC
If you want to remove Android bloatware or uninstall Android apps without root using Windows 11 or Windows 10 PC, this article will be handy for you. Here we have explained two different methods to remove Android apps from your mobile with the help of Platform Toremoveols and Xiaomi ADB Fastboot Tools.
At times, you might want to remove some pre-installed apps from your Android mobile. For that, you do not need to root your device or have expert knowledge. Here we have mentioned two different methods that you can follow to remove any pre-installed Android apps without root.
As said earlier, there are two methods: using Platform Tools and Xiaomi ADB Fastboot Tools. Although the latter is named after the mobile manufacturer, this app is not developed or affiliated with Xiaomi.
If you want to use the first method, you must enable the Developer options on your mobile. Whether you use a Stock Android or any other ROM, you can do that by tapping on the Build number 6-7 times continuously. Then, you need to turn on USB debugging from the Developer options. After that, you can download the Platform Tools for Windows from developer.Android.Com and extract the content to another location. Once you do that, you can follow the other steps.
To remove Android bloatware without root using Platform Tools, follow these steps:
Then, you can enter the following command: pm uninstall -k --user 0 app-package-name Don't forget to replace the app-package-name with the original name of the app you want to uninstall. Let's assume that you want to remove Google Duo. If so, you need to enter the command like this: pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.Google.Android.Apps.Tachyon 
For your information, you can find the app package name in two ways. First, you can enter the following command: pm list packages However, it is quite difficult to recognize the app in this way. That is why you can open the Google Play Store and search for the app to find the package name. Let's say you want to remove the Mi Remote controller. The official download page's URL is this: https://play.Google.Com/store/apps/details?Id=com.Duokan.Phone.Remotecontroller If so, the package name will be this: com.Duokan.Phone.Remotecontroller. That said, the entire command will look like this: pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.Duokan.Phone.Remotecontroller Once you are done with the uninstallation, it is recommended to restart your phone. Although it is not mandatory, you can do that to restart all the background services again. As said before, you can also use the Xiaomi ADB Fastboot Tools. For that, you must install Java 18/17 on your computer. Also, it is mandatory to turn on USB debugging on your mobile. How to uninstall pre-installed Android apps using Windows 11/10 To uninstall pre-installed Android apps using Windows 11/10, follow these steps: Double-click on the XiaomiADBFastbootTools.Jar file. Connect your mobile to your PC via USB cable. Tap on the Allow button on your mobile. Tick the apps you want to uninstall. Click the Uninstall button. Let's check out these steps in detail. First, you need to download the XiaomiADBFastbootTools from GitHub. Then, double-click on it and tap on the Allow button on your mobile after connecting your phone to your computer via USB cable. Next, it displays all the apps you can uninstall from your mobile. You need to tick all the checkboxes and click the Uninstall button. 
Once done, those apps will be removed from your mobile immediately. If you like, you can download Xiaomi ADB Fastboot Tools from github.Com. How can I uninstall inbuilt apps without root? To uninstall in-built apps without root, you need to follow the aforementioned guides. There are mainly two easy ways to get the job done: using Platform Tools and Xiaomi ADB Fastboot Tools. If you do not want to go through all the commands and all, you can use the second method. You can tick the apps you want to uninstall and click the Uninstall button. How do I permanently delete pre-installed apps? To permanently delete pre-installed apps on Android, you can use the ADB. There is no need to root your device, which might void the warranty. You can simply open the Platform Tools and enter the commands to get the job done. That's all! Hope it helped. Read: Remote Fingerprint Unlock: Unlock Windows with Android fingerprint scanner The Best Android Apps Available Right Now
Ryan Haines / Android Authority
There are a ton of amazing must-have Android apps out there. However, there are a few that stand out above the rest. Many users will have personal preferences, but some apps better juggle functionality, ease of use, and power user appeal than others. Without further delay, here are the best Android apps for phones and tablets currently available.
The best Android appsMost people should be familiar with most of these apps. They are the best, and the best usually aren't anonymous. That is, after all, what makes them the best. You can also check out our picks for the best new Android apps of the recent month.
1WeatherAn excellent weather app for pluviophiles and casuals alike.
1Weather is arguably the best weather app out there, and that's something considering just how competitive this segment is. It features a simple, paginated design that shows you the current weather, forecast for up to 12 weeks, a radar, and other fun stats. You'll also get a fairly decent set of lightly customizable widgets and the standard stuff like severe weather notifications and a radar so you can see the storms approaching. There is also a video element with two or three-minute weather updates for your region. The UI is logical and reasonably easy to navigate as well. The radar occasionally hangs while loading, but it's usually not too big of a deal.
Regarding good premium Android apps, 1Weather isn't a bad choice either. The free version has every feature with some mild, inoffensive advertising, but a single $1.99 in-app purchase removes advertising. When you open the app, most will also enjoy the range of weather fun facts.
BitwardenA free, secure password manager that's full of features.
It isn't easy jumping around password managers to find one that works for you. We can put a solid word in for Bitwarden. This platform offers unlimited password storage — on your storage bank or their servers — with two-factor authentication and keyphrase generation support. Bitwarden Send is also a feature worth mentioning. It allows the secure sending of essential details to another user.
Bitwarden, at its core, is free to use. However, you can add to its functionality by opting for premium tiers. One caters to families of up to six users.
ChatGPTOpenAI's powerful generative AI service is a must-have digital multitool.
Calvin Wankhede / Android Authority
Plenty of AI apps are currently available, including Google Gemini and Microsoft Copilot. But one tool that's leading the pack is ChatGPT. The app allows easy, direct access to OpenAI's tool and offers a clean UI, a voice mode, and relatively swift responses. You can accomplish various tasks with ChatGPT, from drafting emails and generating recipes or a workout regime framework to designing timetables and beyond. It's a powerful tool if you master its prompts. Its base form is free, and the new GPT-4o model adds plenty of additional smarts to an already impressive offering.
Google DriveStore all your phone's valuables in Google's cloud storage service.
Ryan Haines / Android Authority
Google Drive is a cloud storage solution available on Android. Upon signing up, new users get 15GB for free permanently, easily making it one of the best free Android apps around. You can, of course, buy more if needed. What makes Google Drive so special is the suite of Android apps attached to it. They include Google Docs, Sheets, Slides, Photos, Gmail, Google Calendar, and Google Keep. It covers so many bases and is so cheap that it's impossible not to recommend it to just about anybody.
Some of the features of these apps include live collaboration, deep sharing features, and compatibility with Microsoft Office documents. It's easy to use, you get 15GB of free storage for your documents, and the cross-platform support is pretty good. You can find more cloud storage and office apps if you want something different.
Google KeepA quick-fire note-taking app that works across platforms.
Google Keep doesn't get enough credit in the Android world. The note-taking, list-making, and audio-memo app is all you need to keep your thoughts in line and accessible. Taking inspiration from sticky notes, Keep lets you create multiple notes you can organize and access from multiple platforms. Own a smartwatch? Create a keep of groceries you need and access them from your wrist while shopping.
There are more feature-packed noting and ideation apps out there, with Notion and Evernote coming to mind. However, you can't beat Keep's convenience on Android.
Google Maps and WazeThe best mapping apps for Android, bar none.
Rita El Khoury / Android Authority
Google Maps virtually owns the navigation apps scene and remains one of the best Android apps ever. It gets frequent, almost weekly updates that only add to its incredibly generous list of existing features. Aside from the basics, Google Maps gives you access to places of interest, traffic data, directions to things like rest stops or gas stations, and you can download maps for offline use.
If you add to that the Waze experience, which includes tons of its own features, you won't need another navigation app. Ever. Google also owns and operates Waze, so we list them together. Both navigation apps work on Android Auto and usually work better than car navigation systems. Of course, we have more GPS and navigation apps if you need them.
Google and Google AssistantGoogle's two gateways to the content that's important to you.
Mishaal Rahman / Android Authority
This is one seriously powerful app. It also works on most Android devices. You download the app and then enable it. From there, you can ask whatever you want. It also supports a variety of commands. You can control smart home products, ask just about any question, and it can even do simple math problems for you. It's included with various products, such as Google Home speakers.
There is also a second Google Assistant app for those who want a quick launch icon on the home screen. The hardware stuff costs money, but Google Assistant is free. There are other decent personal assistant apps, like Amazon Alexa, if you want to go beyond Google.
Google VoiceGet a second phone number from Google (if you're in the US).
Edgar Cervantes / Android Authority
Google Voice is a must-have app for separating personal and professional phone lines. It's essentially Google's VoIP service that offers users a second number that can be used without the need for an additional SIM card or eSIM profile. Google Voice can be used via the Android app but can also be accessed through a web browser.
Google Voice's main flaw is its lack of widespread availability. It's accessible across 14 countries, including the US and Canada, but it might not be the universal solution you want. Thankfully, there are plenty of free call apps if you live elsewhere. Google Voice is also free in the States, but businesses must pay a monthly sum.
Microsoft SwiftKeyMicrosoft's excellent Android keyboard gets even better with Bing Chat integration.
Hadlee Simons / Android Authority
Microsoft SwiftKey Keyboard is among the most powerful and customizable third-party keyboards available. It hit the market several years ago with a predictive engine unlike any other keyboard, and the app has grown a lot over the years. It's a free download with free themes, so you don't have to pay a dime. More importantly, it gained Copilot integration, allowing for automatic message composition, an emoji generator, and the usual smart GPT-4 powered fare.
Other features include a dedicated number row, SwiftKey Flow, which allows for gesture typing, multiple language support, cross-device syncing of your library, and much more. It's about as good as it gets in the keyboard space.
Mozilla FirefoxThe best mobile browser for Android with extensive add-on support.
Edgar Cervantes / Android Authority
Firefox is my choice of desktop browser, and it has become one of the best Android browsers in recent years, too. It wasn't always as polished as it is now, with Google Chrome largely trumping it on performance and integration with Android. However, recent versions of Mozilla Firefox have added more value to the browser, including a swathe of extensions, customizations, and zippy performance.
Of course, there's no reason to use one browser on your phone or tablet, and I still use Google Chrome for specific tasks. Even Firefox Focus, a companion browser made with privacy and quick search in mind, is worth including in your kit. However, Firefox is the best option as a primary browser for day-to-day tasks and beyond.
Nova LauncherThe long-running king of Android launchers.
Dhruv Bhutani / Android Authority
Initially, we weren't going to put any launchers on this list, but Nova Launcher extends beyond what normal launchers are. It's been around for years and consistently updated; thus, it's always been an excellent launcher replacement option. It has many features, including the ability to back up and restore your home screen set-ups, icon theming for all your Android apps, tons of customization elements for the home screen and app drawer, and more. An analytics company purchased it, but no bad changes have been made.
You can even make it look like the Pixel Launcher if you want to. If you go premium, you can tack on gesture controls, unread count badges for apps, and icon swipe actions. Those looking for something simpler may want to try Lawnchair Launcher or Hyperion Launcher. Of course, we have a list of the best Android launchers with even more options. We also have a tutorial for Nova Launcher if you want to learn more.
Pocket CastsA great podcast management app for keen listeners.
Pocket Casts is one of the most popular podcast apps. It received some ire years ago for moving to a subscription model. However, changes since then have made the app more or less usable by anyone, even without a subscription. The app houses a ton of podcasts, good sharing options, and you can set things like auto download and playback speed. The UI is clean, easy to read, and easy to navigate. There isn't much Pocket Casts does wrong.
The subscription is mostly optional and includes cross-platform support, more themes, 10GB of cloud storage to store podcasts, and more. We used to be quite against subscriptions, but since most podcast players now do it, I can use this without the subscription without much issue. Podcast Addict and CastBox are other excellent options in this space, and we have a list of even more great podcast apps.
PowerampAn offline music player for Android with a dizzying array of options.
Poweramp is one of Android's most popular and functional local music players. It has all of the features, including Hi-Res audio support, Android Auto, an equalizer, gapless smoothing, and support for virtually any audio codec you can find. The UI has a bit of a learning curve, but it's also one of the better-looking music players, with optional themes in the Google Play Store.
Solid ExplorerAn Android file manager that thrives on clean design and customization.
File browsing is something everyone inevitably has (or wants) to do, so you might as well do it with a capable, fantastic file browser. Solid Explorer is as good as it gets in the file explorer apps realm. It features Material Design, archiving support, support for the most popular cloud services, and even some more power-user stuff like FTP, SFPT, WebDAV, and SMB/CIFS support.
It looks great, is incredibly stable, and works well. There is a 14-day free trial with a $2.99 price tag. Other file browsers have more features, but few blend together looks, ease of use, and features like Solid Explorer does. If this doesn't work for you, there are other outstanding file browsers.
Tasker and IFTTTAutomate your entire digital life with these two powerful services.
Tasker and IFTTT are two of the most powerful Android apps. They are automation apps where you can create various triggers to perform actions when specific things happen. For instance, you can use IFTTT or Tasker to turn on your Philips Hue lights automatically at night and off in the morning. Generally speaking, Tasker is the power-user option and has a much steeper learning curve than IFTTT. IFTTT is not only easier to use, but there is a boatload of fun things you can do with it.
Tasker is free on Google Play Pass. IFTT is free for most stuff, but there is a subscription if you want a few extras. There are some other great Android tools and utility apps, but none of them can step up to Tasker and IFTTT.
TextraThe colorful Google Messages alternative for multi-device messaging sync.
Textra is arguably the best and most stable texting app for Android. It comes with various themes, most of which you can edit. It does everything you need an SMS app to do without much hassle. It even has a built-in tutorial that makes it work better with Android Auto than most other texting apps. We like it for its simplicity. It's better than most OEM SMS apps, and we'd recommend it over most of them.
Messages by Google (Google Play) is another great option; it can even stream your texts to your computer (via web browser). We also have a full list of excellent SMS apps if these don't work for you.
TickTickEfficiently juggle your tasks, reminders, and calendar events within one smart app.
Google Play Store
TickTick isn't as popular as other to-do list apps. However, it may be the best one. It covers the basics like recurring tasks, reminders, push notifications, various organizational features, and categories. The app also lets you share tasks and entire categories with other people. This makes it great for family use, small teams at work, or other such groups. It's also great for grocery lists, honey-do lists, or others.
You get all of the features for free, albeit in a somewhat limited capacity, such as two reminders per task (premium makes that infinite). Our only major gripe is the lack of Wear OS support, which we hope the developers will eventually add. Some other excellent options in the space include Todoist and Microsoft To-Do.
YouTube and YouTube MusicAccess hours of video and music with Google's premier content apps.
Edgar Cervantes / Android Authority
We don't typically recommend streaming services to people. After all, everybody has their own preferences, and plenty of great options exist. However, we really like the combination of YouTube Music and YouTube, especially for those on large-screen devices like Android tablets. For one price, you get unlimited music from YouTube Music with more than enough tracks to compete with Spotify and Apple Music. However, you also get ad-free YouTube, background video play, and offline downloads.
Other music streaming services are usually better, but ad-free YouTube without the need for sideloading is excellent. Audiophiles may want to check out Hi-Fi options like TIDAL or Deezer.
ZedgeFind oodles of content and customizations to spruce up your smartphone.
Last but certainly not least on our list is Zedge. This is a wallpaper, ringtones, notification tones, and alarm tones app that gives you an unbelievable number of options to customize the most basic parts of your device. On top of having an exhaustive collection of things, Zedge also promotes various items during holiday seasons, making it easy to theme your phone up for Christmas, Halloween, and other holidays.
It's not 100% perfect. It does have the occasional bug and some of the worst advertising practices of any mobile app. Zedge Premium is a new initiative to provide premium content at a reasonable price. You watch ads or fill out surveys to earn Zedge credits as well. There are other great ringtone apps and great wallpaper apps. However, Zedge is the only one that reliably does both well, and its library is massive.
If you're not into the idea of wallpaper apps, we understand. We've compiled an extensive collection of the best Android wallpapers around, so be sure to check it out.
ExpressVPN (Sponsored)ExpressVPN is one of the most trusted, secure brands in the virtual private network industry, and that's for good reason. It's super fast and extremely safe, boasting an SSL-secured network with 256-bit encryption and, get this, unlimited bandwidth and speed. ExpressVPN has servers in 94 countries (including Hong Kong, Taiwan, Japan, and others) in over 145 locations around the world, so there will always be a location near you to give you the best experience possible. What's more, the service even has stealth servers in Hong Kong. They are to evade the GFW specifically. It doesn't even look like you're using a VPN!
If we missed any of the best Android apps, tell us about them in the comments below.
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CommentsSamsung Galaxy Android 15 Update Info (July, 2024)
Google's confirmed the next version of Android which means we're getting questions about the Samsung Galaxy Android 15 update. We'll answer as many as we can in this guide.
Samsung's currently focused on Android 14 and One UI 6.X, but that will change later this year when it pushes its Android 15 and One UI 7 update to customers around the world.
The company is far more communicative about Android software these days, but it will likely take months for it to outline its plans for Android 15.
Samsung's fairly quiet right now, but we can put together an early roadmap using confirmed information, rumors and traditions.
This roadmap will help you set proper expectations as we push toward the inevitable release of Android 15 update with One UI 7 for Galaxy smartphones and tablets.
In this guide we'll take you through what you should know about Android 15 if you currently own, or if you're planning to buy, a Galaxy S24, Galaxy S23, Galaxy Tab S9, or another device.
We'll also walk you through what we know about Android 15's features, the Samsung Android 15 release date, the Android 15 beta, and everything else Samsung owners need to know as we push through 2024.
Samsung Galaxy July 2024 UpdateSamsung's July 2024 update is currently moving out to the Galaxy S24, Galaxy S24+, Galaxy S24 Ultra, Galaxy S23, Galaxy S23+, Galaxy S23 Ultra, Galaxy S22, Galaxy S22+, Galaxy S22 Ultra, Galaxy S21, Galaxy S21+, Galaxy S21 Ultra, Galaxy S21 FE, Galaxy S20 FE, Galaxy Note 20, Galaxy Z Fold 5, Galaxy Z Flip 5, Galaxy Z Fold 4, Galaxy Z Flip 4, Galaxy Z Fold 3, Galaxy Z Flip 3, Galaxy A55, Galaxy A54, Galaxy A53, Galaxy A14 5G, Galaxy Tab S9, Galaxy Tab S9+, and Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra.
You can learn more about the contents of the July update, and Samsung's other monthly updates, over on the company's security website.
Here's the breakdown of Samsung's current Android security update coverage. Samsung continually adds, and removes, devices from these lists.
Current Models for Monthly Security Updates
Current Models for Quarterly Security Updates
Current Models for Biannual Security Updates
Some Galaxy devices won't get upgraded to Android 15, but they'll still get regular or, in some cases, irregular security updates in 2024 and beyond.
One UI 6.1 & One UI 6.1.1Samsung launched One UI 6.1 and Galaxy AI alongside the Galaxy S24 series. The software is now moving out to older Galaxy smartphones and tablets.
The following devices are now receiving their One UI 6.1 update:
If you're curious about the the full list of changes on board the One UI 6.1 update, check out our guide.
Samsung's also confirmed a One UI 6.1.1 update which shouldn't come as much of a surprise given that it released a One UI 5.1.1 update in 2023. One UI 6.1.1 debuted alongside the Galaxy Z Fold 6 and Galaxy Z Flip 6 on July 10th.
New features from One UI 6.1.1, including Astro Portrait, will come to the Galaxy S24 series and Galaxy S23 series down the road.
Samsung is also testing the One UI 6.1.1 update on the Galaxy Z Fold 5 and Galaxy Z Flip 5. They should be among the first devices to get updated with the software.
Galaxy Android 15 FeaturesSamsung's version of Android 15 will look different than the version Google releases for Pixel devices because it will utilize the company's One UI.
One UI 7 will debut alongside Android 15 later this year.
Samsung's One UI upgrades typically deliver design changes, enhancements for current features, as well as brand new features. According to leaker Ice Universe, "One UI 7 may be the most changed version in the history of One UI."
He also claims the Android 15 update will improve the Galaxy S24's camera.
We also know quite a bit about Google's plans for Android 15 and you can expect many of these features to land on board Samsung's version of the operating system.
Older phones and tablets sometimes miss out on newer features. If you want the best feature set, you may need to upgrade to a new phone or tablet.
These Galaxy Devices Will Get Android 15Samsung used to keep Galaxy phones and tablets updated with major Android software updates for two years. Fortunately, that policy's changed.
The company's Galaxy S24 models (Galaxy S24, Galaxy S24+, and Galaxy S24 Ultra) will all get seven years of software support. This matches what Google's providing to Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro users.
Unfortunately, this policy won't extend to older Galaxy devices and many devices will get four years of new Android/One UI releases and five years of security updates.
Here are the Galaxy devices that should get upgraded to Android 15 and One UI 7:
Galaxy S
Galaxy Z
Galaxy Tab
Galaxy A series
Galaxy F
Galaxy M
While newer Galaxy models like the Galaxy S22 series, Galaxy S23 series, and Galaxy Tab S9/S8 series will get upgraded to Android 15, we do expect the software to miss older models.
Samsung may also opt to keep devices on Android 14 based on internal testing.
Samsung Galaxy Android 15 BetaGoogle's currently hosting its Android 15 beta for Pixel devices.
We may see devices from other OEMs take part in this beta, but we expect Samsung to run its own beta program outside of Google's.
Samsung used to keep its Galaxy Beta program limited to flagship models, but in recent years the company has brought mid-range phones into the fold as well.
So while we don't know how the Galaxy Android 15 beta process will work exactly, you can expect the Galaxy S24 series and several other devices to take part.
Samsung's betas are usually limited to select regions. Big markets like the United States are always on the list, but smaller markets are typically left out.
Samsung-centric blog SamMobile says the beta might be release during the third week of August.
Galaxy Android 15 Release DateWhen will Samsung release its first stable Android 15 update? Here's what we can tell you based on the company's previous Android roll outs.
Google says the final version of Android 15 will drop for Pixel phones in August. Samsung won't beat Google which means the soonest we'll see Samsung release Android 15 is sometime in the fall.
The company typically releases its major Android updates toward the end of the year. Last year, Android 14 and One UI 6 started moving out in late October.
Samsung's Developer Conference (SDC) 2024 is set for October 3rd in San Jose, California and Android 15/One UI 7 will likely play a role at the event.
Last year, Android 14 and One UI 6 rolled out after SDC 2023 which took place on October 3rd.
While a lot of Galaxy models should get upgraded to Android 15 and One UI 7 in the second half of 2024, many others will have to wait until 2025.
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