How to View System Apps in Application Manager on Android: A Comprehensive Guide

Android, being a versatile and customizable operating system, offers users a significant degree of control over their devices. One crucial aspect of managing your Android device effectively is understanding and controlling the applications installed on it. While most users are familiar with managing user-installed apps, system apps often remain a mystery. System apps are pre-installed applications that are essential for the device’s functionality. Understanding how to view and manage these apps can be beneficial for troubleshooting, optimizing performance, and understanding the device’s software configuration.

This comprehensive guide will walk you through the steps to view system apps in the Application Manager (also known as the App settings) on your Android device. We’ll also cover why you might want to view these apps, what information you can glean from them, and some important considerations to keep in mind when dealing with system apps.

## Why View System Apps?

Before diving into the how-to, let’s understand why you might want to view system apps in the first place:

* **Troubleshooting:** If your device is experiencing issues like battery drain, slow performance, or unexpected errors, a system app might be the culprit. Viewing system apps allows you to identify potential problem areas.
* **Understanding Resource Usage:** System apps, like any other app, consume resources such as battery, RAM, and storage space. Checking their resource usage can help you identify apps that are using more resources than they should.
* **Identifying Bloatware:** While most system apps are essential, some manufacturers and carriers pre-install apps that can be considered bloatware. Viewing system apps allows you to identify these apps and, in some cases, disable them to free up resources.
* **Software Auditing:** For advanced users, viewing system apps can provide insights into the device’s software configuration and the underlying system processes.
* **Learning About Your Device:** Getting familiar with system apps can help you understand how your Android device operates and the role each app plays in the overall system.

## How to View System Apps in Application Manager

The process for viewing system apps in the Application Manager is generally similar across different Android devices, although the exact wording and location of settings may vary slightly depending on the manufacturer and Android version. Here’s a step-by-step guide:

**Step 1: Access the Settings App**

* The first step is to open the Settings app on your Android device. The Settings app is usually represented by a gear or cogwheel icon. You can find it on your home screen, in the app drawer, or by swiping down from the top of the screen to access the Quick Settings panel and then tapping the gear icon.

**Step 2: Navigate to Apps or Application Manager**

* Once you’re in the Settings app, you need to find the section that deals with applications. The name of this section can vary depending on your device. Here are some common names:
* Apps
* Applications
* Application Manager
* Apps & Notifications
* Installed Apps
* Scroll through the Settings menu until you find the appropriate option and tap on it. This will open the list of installed applications on your device.

**Step 3: Show System Apps**

* By default, the Application Manager usually displays only user-installed apps. To view system apps, you’ll need to enable a specific option. This option is typically found in one of the following ways:
* **Menu Button (Three Dots):** Look for a menu button, usually represented by three vertical dots (⋮) in the upper-right corner of the screen. Tap on this button to open a menu, and then look for an option like:
* Show system apps
* Show system processes
* Show all apps
* Display system apps
* **Filter/Sort Option:** Some devices may have a filter or sort option that allows you to choose which apps to display. Look for a button or dropdown menu labeled “Filter,” “Sort,” or similar. Tap on it and select the option to show system apps.
* **Direct Toggle:** In some cases, there might be a direct toggle switch or checkbox labeled “Show system apps” or something similar, located somewhere on the screen. Just toggle the switch to enable the display of system apps.
* Once you’ve enabled the option to show system apps, the Application Manager will refresh and display a list of all apps on your device, including system apps.

**Step 4: Browse and View System Apps**

* Now that you can see system apps, you can scroll through the list and tap on any app to view its details. The details screen for each app will typically show the following information:
* **App Name and Icon:** The name and icon of the app.
* **Storage Usage:** The amount of storage space the app is using.
* **Memory (RAM) Usage:** The amount of RAM the app is using.
* **Permissions:** The permissions the app has been granted (e.g., access to location, camera, microphone).
* **Data Usage:** The amount of data the app has used.
* **Battery Usage:** The amount of battery the app has consumed.
* **Cache:** The amount of cached data the app is storing.
* **App Version:** The version number of the app.
* **Default Settings:** Options to clear defaults, if applicable.
* **Open:** Button to open the application (if it has a user interface).
* **Force Stop:** Button to force the app to stop running.
* **Uninstall Updates:** Button to uninstall updates to the app (if it’s a system app that has been updated).
* **Disable:** Button to disable the app (in some cases).

## Important Considerations When Dealing with System Apps

Before you start making changes to system apps, it’s important to understand the potential consequences. System apps are essential for the proper functioning of your device, and disabling or uninstalling them can lead to instability, errors, or even bricking your device. Here are some important considerations:

* **Be Cautious:** Exercise extreme caution when dealing with system apps. Only make changes if you are absolutely sure you know what you are doing and understand the potential risks.
* **Research Before Making Changes:** Before disabling or uninstalling a system app, research its purpose and function. You can use online resources like forums, wikis, and search engines to find information about specific apps.
* **Disable Instead of Uninstall (If Possible):** If you want to free up resources but are unsure about the consequences of uninstalling a system app, try disabling it instead. Disabling an app prevents it from running in the background and consuming resources, but it doesn’t remove the app from your device. You can always re-enable it later if you experience problems.
* **Uninstalling Updates First:** If you want to uninstall a system app but the option is not available, try uninstalling updates to the app first. This will revert the app to its original factory version, which may then allow you to disable or uninstall it.
* **Rooting Your Device:** To gain more control over system apps, some users choose to root their Android devices. Rooting gives you privileged access to the system and allows you to uninstall or modify system apps. However, rooting also voids your warranty and can expose your device to security risks. Only root your device if you are an advanced user and understand the risks involved.
* **Backup Your Data:** Before making any significant changes to system apps, it’s always a good idea to back up your important data. This will allow you to restore your device to its previous state if something goes wrong.
* **Factory Reset:** If you accidentally disable or uninstall a system app and your device becomes unstable, you may need to perform a factory reset to restore it to its original state. A factory reset will erase all data on your device, so make sure you have a backup before proceeding.

## Understanding System App Details

When you view the details of a system app, you’ll see a variety of information. Here’s a breakdown of what each section means:

* **Storage Usage:** This section shows how much storage space the app is using on your device. This includes the app’s code, data, and cache. If an app is using a lot of storage space, you can try clearing its cache or data to free up space. Be aware that clearing data will reset the app to its default state, and you may lose any settings or data stored in the app.
* **Memory (RAM) Usage:** This section shows how much RAM the app is using. RAM is the device’s short-term memory, and apps use RAM to store data that they need to access quickly. If an app is using a lot of RAM, it can slow down your device. You can try closing the app to free up RAM.
* **Permissions:** This section lists the permissions that the app has been granted. Permissions allow apps to access specific features of your device, such as your location, camera, microphone, or contacts. Review the permissions carefully to ensure that you are comfortable with the app’s access to your data. You can revoke permissions for some apps, but be aware that this may affect the app’s functionality.
* **Data Usage:** This section shows how much data the app has used. This includes both Wi-Fi and cellular data. If an app is using a lot of data, you can restrict its background data usage to prevent it from consuming data when you’re not using it.
* **Battery Usage:** This section shows how much battery the app has consumed. If an app is consuming a lot of battery, you can try closing the app when you’re not using it or restricting its background activity.
* **Cache:** The cache is a temporary storage area that apps use to store data that they need to access quickly. Clearing the cache can free up storage space and improve app performance. However, clearing the cache may also require the app to download data again, which can consume data and battery.

## Examples of Common System Apps

Here are some examples of common system apps that you might find on your Android device:

* **Android System WebView:** This app provides the web rendering engine that is used by other apps to display web content.
* **Bluetooth:** This app manages Bluetooth connectivity.
* **Calendar:** This app manages your calendar and events.
* **Camera:** This app allows you to take photos and videos.
* **Clock:** This app displays the time and allows you to set alarms.
* **Contacts:** This app manages your contacts.
* **Downloads:** This app manages your downloaded files.
* **Email:** This app allows you to send and receive emails.
* **Gallery:** This app allows you to view your photos and videos.
* **Google Play Services:** This app provides essential services for Google apps and other apps that rely on Google services.
* **Keyboard:** This app provides the keyboard that you use to type text.
* **Launcher:** This app is the home screen and app drawer that you use to launch apps.
* **Media Storage:** This app manages your media files, such as photos, videos, and music.
* **Messages:** This app allows you to send and receive text messages.
* **Phone:** This app allows you to make and receive phone calls.
* **Settings:** This app allows you to configure your device’s settings.
* **System UI:** This app manages the system user interface, such as the status bar and navigation bar.

## Conclusion

Viewing system apps in the Application Manager is a valuable skill for any Android user. It allows you to gain insights into your device’s software configuration, troubleshoot problems, and optimize performance. However, it’s important to exercise caution when dealing with system apps and to research before making any changes. By following the steps outlined in this guide and keeping the important considerations in mind, you can effectively manage system apps on your Android device and keep it running smoothly.

Remember to always back up your data before making any significant changes, and don’t hesitate to seek help from online resources or forums if you’re unsure about something. With a little knowledge and caution, you can take control of your Android device and make the most of its capabilities.