Uninstall Apps on Huawei: A Comprehensive Guide
Uninstalling apps on your Huawei device is a common task, whether you’re freeing up storage space, removing unwanted software, or troubleshooting performance issues. Fortunately, Huawei offers several straightforward methods for uninstalling apps. This comprehensive guide will walk you through each method step-by-step, ensuring you can remove apps quickly and efficiently.
Why Uninstall Apps?
Before diving into the how-to, let’s briefly discuss why you might want to uninstall apps:
* **Free Up Storage:** Apps consume storage space, including the app itself, cached data, and associated files. Uninstalling unused apps releases valuable storage, improving device performance.
* **Improve Performance:** Some apps run in the background, consuming system resources like RAM and battery life. Removing these apps can boost performance and extend battery life.
* **Remove Bloatware:** Many Huawei devices come pre-installed with apps you may not need or want. Uninstalling these “bloatware” apps cleans up your home screen and app drawer.
* **Address Issues:** If an app is causing problems (crashing, freezing, or conflicting with other apps), uninstalling and reinstalling it can often resolve the issue.
* **Security Concerns:** If you suspect an app is malicious or compromised, uninstalling it is crucial to protect your device and personal information.
Methods for Uninstalling Apps on Huawei Devices
Huawei offers several ways to uninstall apps, catering to different preferences and scenarios. Here’s a detailed look at each method:
Method 1: Uninstalling from the Home Screen
This is the most direct and frequently used method for uninstalling apps. It’s simple and convenient, perfect for removing apps you see on your home screen.
**Steps:**
1. **Locate the App Icon:** Find the app you want to uninstall on your home screen. It might be in a folder or spread across multiple screens.
2. **Long Press the App Icon:** Press and hold your finger on the app icon for a few seconds.
3. **Look for the Uninstall Option:** After a brief pause, a context menu will appear. This menu typically includes options like “Uninstall,” “Remove,” or an “X” icon. The exact wording may vary slightly depending on your Huawei device model and EMUI version.
4. **Tap Uninstall:** Tap the “Uninstall” option (or the “Remove” option if you don’t see an uninstall option – some system apps will only have the option to remove them from the home screen). A confirmation dialog box will appear, asking you to confirm that you want to uninstall the app.
5. **Confirm Uninstall:** Tap “OK” or “Uninstall” in the confirmation dialog box to proceed with the uninstallation.
6. **Wait for the Process:** The app will be uninstalled, and its icon will disappear from your home screen.
**Important Considerations:**
* **System Apps:** Some pre-installed system apps cannot be uninstalled using this method. You might only see a “Disable” option instead of “Uninstall.” Disabling an app prevents it from running in the background and consuming resources, but it doesn’t free up storage space. To completely remove system apps, you might need to root your device, which is a more advanced procedure and can void your warranty.
* **Huawei’s Optional Uninstall Confirmation:** Some EMUI versions provide the option to choose whether or not you want a confirmation window to pop up when you uninstall an app. If you have selected for this *not* to happen, simply pressing the “Uninstall” option will remove the app without further ado.
Method 2: Uninstalling from the App Drawer
The app drawer (or app list) contains all the apps installed on your device, including those not on your home screen. This method is useful for removing apps that aren’t readily visible on your home screen.
**Steps:**
1. **Open the App Drawer:** Access the app drawer by swiping up from the bottom of the home screen or tapping the app drawer icon (usually a grid of dots or squares). The icon’s appearance varies among different EMUI versions, but the basic function remains the same.
2. **Locate the App:** Scroll through the app drawer until you find the app you want to uninstall.
3. **Long Press the App Icon:** Press and hold your finger on the app icon for a few seconds.
4. **Look for the Uninstall Option:** A context menu will appear, similar to the home screen method, with options like “Uninstall,” “Remove,” or an “X” icon.
5. **Tap Uninstall:** Tap the “Uninstall” option.
6. **Confirm Uninstall:** Tap “OK” or “Uninstall” in the confirmation dialog box to confirm the uninstallation.
7. **Wait for the Process:** The app will be uninstalled and disappear from the app drawer.
**Important Considerations:**
* The same restrictions apply to system apps as in Method 1. You might only be able to disable them, not uninstall them.
* The layout of the app drawer may vary slightly depending on your EMUI version. Some versions have a vertical scrolling list, while others have horizontal pages.
Method 3: Uninstalling from the Settings Menu
The Settings menu provides a more comprehensive way to manage apps, including uninstalling them. This method is particularly useful for viewing app details, managing permissions, and clearing data before uninstalling.
**Steps:**
1. **Open the Settings App:** Locate the Settings app icon on your home screen or in the app drawer and tap it to open.
2. **Navigate to Apps:** Scroll down in the Settings menu and tap on “Apps” or “Apps & notifications.” The exact wording may vary slightly depending on your EMUI version.
3. **Select Apps:** In the “Apps” or “Apps & notifications” menu, tap on “Apps” again to view a list of all installed apps. This will display a list of every application installed on your device, whether it is system apps, or downloaded apps.
4. **Choose the App to Uninstall:** Scroll through the list and tap on the app you want to uninstall. This will open the app’s information page.
5. **Tap Uninstall:** On the app information page, you should see an “Uninstall” button. Tap on it.
6. **Confirm Uninstall:** A confirmation dialog box will appear. Tap “OK” or “Uninstall” to confirm the uninstallation.
7. **Wait for the Process:** The app will be uninstalled, and you’ll be returned to the apps list.
**Important Considerations:**
* **Permissions:** Before uninstalling, you can review the app’s permissions on the app information page. This can help you identify apps that might be accessing sensitive data.
* **Storage Usage:** The app information page also shows how much storage the app is consuming. You can tap on “Storage” to view details about the app’s data and cache. Clearing the cache and data before uninstalling can help free up additional storage space, especially if you’ve had the app installed for a long time. Clearing data will remove the app’s settings, so you will need to configure these again if you reinstall the app.
* **Battery Usage:** Check the battery usage for the app on its information page. If an app is consuming an excessive amount of battery, uninstalling it might improve battery life.
* **Disable vs. Uninstall:** As with the other methods, some system apps may only offer a “Disable” option instead of “Uninstall.” If you can’t uninstall an app, disabling it will prevent it from running and consuming resources.
Method 4: Using Huawei PC Suite (HiSuite)
HiSuite is Huawei’s official PC suite, allowing you to manage your device from your computer. It offers various features, including app management and the ability to uninstall apps.
**Steps:**
1. **Download and Install HiSuite:** Download the latest version of HiSuite from the official Huawei website (usually available in the support section) and install it on your computer (Windows or macOS).
2. **Enable USB Debugging:** On your Huawei device, enable USB debugging. To do this:
* Go to **Settings** > **About phone**.
* Tap on **Build number** seven times repeatedly until you see a message saying “You are now a developer!”
* Go back to **Settings** and then **System & updates**.
* Look for **Developer options** (which is now visible because you enabled it).
* Enable **USB debugging**.
* You may also need to enable **Allow ADB debugging in charge only mode** depending on your device model and HiSuite version.
3. **Connect Your Huawei Device:** Connect your Huawei device to your computer using a USB cable.
4. **Authorize Connection:** On your Huawei device, you’ll see a prompt asking you to authorize the connection. Tap “OK” to allow HiSuite to access your device.
5. **Open HiSuite:** Launch the HiSuite application on your computer.
6. **Navigate to App Management:** In HiSuite, look for the “Apps” or “Application Management” section. The exact wording may vary depending on the HiSuite version.
7. **Select Apps to Uninstall:** A list of all installed apps on your device will be displayed. Select the apps you want to uninstall by checking the boxes next to their names.
8. **Click Uninstall:** Click the “Uninstall” button. A confirmation dialog box will appear.
9. **Confirm Uninstall:** Click “OK” or “Uninstall” to confirm the uninstallation.
10. **Wait for the Process:** HiSuite will uninstall the selected apps. You can monitor the progress in the HiSuite window.
11. **Disconnect Your Device:** Once the uninstallation is complete, disconnect your Huawei device from your computer.
**Important Considerations:**
* **HiSuite Version Compatibility:** Make sure you’re using the latest version of HiSuite and that it’s compatible with your Huawei device model and EMUI version. Outdated or incompatible versions might not work correctly.
* **Driver Installation:** HiSuite might require you to install USB drivers for your Huawei device on your computer. Follow the on-screen instructions to install the necessary drivers.
* **Connection Issues:** If HiSuite doesn’t detect your device, try disconnecting and reconnecting the USB cable, restarting your device and computer, and ensuring that USB debugging is enabled correctly.
* **Rooted Devices:** HiSuite may not work correctly on rooted devices.
Method 5: Using Third-Party App Uninstaller Software
Several third-party app uninstaller apps are available on the Google Play Store. These apps often provide advanced features, such as batch uninstalling (uninstalling multiple apps at once) and identifying bloatware apps.
**Steps:**
1. **Download and Install an App Uninstaller:** Open the Google Play Store on your Huawei device and search for “app uninstaller.” Choose a reputable app uninstaller app with good ratings and reviews (examples include “Easy Uninstaller” and “App Manager”). Download and install the app.
2. **Grant Permissions:** Launch the app uninstaller and grant it the necessary permissions (usually access to your app list). It is important to review the permissions an application requests before providing them. Some applications have been known to request access to functionality they don’t need and this may be a privacy risk.
3. **Select Apps to Uninstall:** The app uninstaller will display a list of all installed apps. Select the apps you want to uninstall by checking the boxes next to their names.
4. **Click Uninstall:** Click the “Uninstall” button (the wording may vary depending on the app).
5. **Confirm Uninstall (If Required):** Some app uninstallers might require you to confirm the uninstallation for each app individually. If prompted, tap “OK” or “Uninstall” to confirm.
6. **Wait for the Process:** The app uninstaller will uninstall the selected apps. The process may take some time depending on the number of apps you’re uninstalling.
**Important Considerations:**
* **Reputable Apps:** Choose a reputable app uninstaller app from the Google Play Store. Read reviews and check ratings to avoid downloading malicious or low-quality apps.
* **Permissions:** Be cautious about the permissions you grant to app uninstaller apps. Some apps might request unnecessary permissions, which could compromise your privacy. Only grant permissions that are essential for the app to function correctly.
* **System Apps:** Most app uninstallers cannot uninstall system apps unless your device is rooted.
* **Batch Uninstalling:** The batch uninstalling feature can be convenient, but be careful not to accidentally uninstall important apps. Double-check your selections before proceeding.
Troubleshooting Uninstall Issues
Sometimes, you might encounter issues when trying to uninstall apps. Here are some common problems and their solutions:
* **Uninstall Button Grayed Out or Missing:** This usually indicates that the app is a system app that cannot be uninstalled. You can try disabling the app instead.
* **”Uninstall Unsuccessful” Error:** This error can occur due to various reasons, such as insufficient storage space, app conflicts, or corrupted app files. Try clearing the app’s cache and data, restarting your device, or using a different uninstall method.
* **App Reappears After Uninstalling:** This is less common, but it can happen if the app is a system app that’s automatically reinstalled or if the app’s data is backed up and restored. Try disabling automatic app updates and backups.
* **Device Freezes or Crashes During Uninstall:** This might indicate a more serious problem with your device’s operating system. Try restarting your device in safe mode (usually by pressing and holding the power button and volume down button simultaneously) and uninstalling the app from there. If the problem persists, consider performing a factory reset (be sure to back up your data first).
Tips for Managing Apps on Your Huawei Device
* **Regularly Review Your App List:** Take some time every few weeks to review the apps installed on your device and uninstall those you no longer need or use.
* **Disable Unused Apps:** If you can’t uninstall an app, disable it to prevent it from running in the background and consuming resources.
* **Manage App Permissions:** Review app permissions regularly and revoke any permissions that seem unnecessary or suspicious.
* **Clear App Cache and Data:** Clearing the cache and data of apps can help free up storage space and improve performance.
* **Use a Storage Cleaner:** Consider using a storage cleaner app to identify and remove unnecessary files and data from your device.
* **Keep Your Device Updated:** Keep your Huawei device’s operating system (EMUI) and apps updated to ensure optimal performance and security.
* **Be Careful When Downloading Apps:** Only download apps from trusted sources like the Google Play Store. Be wary of apps that request excessive permissions or have poor ratings and reviews.
By following these tips, you can effectively manage apps on your Huawei device, optimize storage space, improve performance, and enhance security.
Conclusion
Uninstalling apps on your Huawei device is a straightforward process with multiple methods available. Whether you prefer the simplicity of uninstalling from the home screen or the comprehensive control of the Settings menu, you can easily remove unwanted apps. By understanding the different methods and troubleshooting common issues, you can keep your device running smoothly and efficiently. Remember to regularly review your app list, manage permissions, and keep your device updated for optimal performance and security. With this comprehensive guide, you’re well-equipped to manage apps on your Huawei device effectively.