We all want to get rid of those shit apps from Microsoft, Meta, Google, and even the company that made your Android device.
If your device doesn’t support LineageOS (check here) or GrapheneOS, or if you don’t want to root because of security risks, or you’re just not tech savvy like me, you can do this instead.
But let me be very clear. This isn’t a foolproof method like rooting, but I believe it really breaks the app and its control so much that even the Play Store will show the "Install" option after the steps as this remove app from current system but not your ROM.
I'll also share FOSS alternatives to replace these system apps in my next post.
Step 1: Install These Two Apps
You'll need these two apps:
- Canta (from F-Droid) – Download here
Uninstall any app without root
- Shizuku (from the Play Store) – Download here
Step 2: Enable Developer Options
- Go to your phone’s settings and open About Phone
- Tap "Build Number" 5 to 10 times until you see "You are now a developer"
If you're unsure how to do this, just look it up here. It's simple.
Step 3: Set Up Shizuku
- Open Shizuku
- Enable notifications
- Click on Pairing
Now go to Developer Options and enable:
- Install via USB
- Wireless Debugging
- USB Debugging
Then:
- Open Wireless Debugging
- Click Pair via Code
- If you’ve enabled notifications for Shizuku, you’ll get a pop-up immediately. Enter the code shown on your screen.
Go back to Shizuku, click Start, then return to the main screen.You’ll see an option to authorize apps. Click on it and enable Canta.
Step 4: Uninstall System Apps with Canta
Open Canta. It organizes apps into different categories:
- Any – All apps (system + user installed)
- User – Apps you installed
- Unclassified – Unknown apps (new ones still being verified, better not touch them)
- Recommended – Safe to remove. These are mostly bloatware with ads and trackers, but read the info before uninstalling.
- Advanced – Be careful. You can safely remove Chrome, Google, etc., but read the details first. Some removals might break things.
- Expert – Don’t touch these.
- Unsafe – Same as Expert. Better to avoid them.
Find FOSS Alternatives
After removing apps, check out F-Droid (F-Droid Store) for good, lightweight, tracker free replacements. Just check for anti-features on the app page.
Important Notes
Make a backup of your important data first.
Stay connected to WiFi during this process. If it disconnects, don’t worry. You can continue where you left off. I’ve tested this.If you accidentally delete a useful app, just open Canta, go to the list of uninstalled apps, repeat the process, and reinstall it in seconds.You don’t need to keep Canta or Shizuku installed forever. You can delete them, and Canta will still remember the uninstalled apps list. I personally tested this.
Once you're done, please disable:
- USB Debugging
- Install via USB
- Wireless Debugging
- Developer Options
Tip
Before uninstalling apps like Google Chrome or Google, search for them in the Play Store and click "Uninstall." This removes updates and resets them to the factory version that came with your phone (This saves you some storage)
If something isn’t working or I missed a step, yell at me in the comments! If you have questions, just ask and I’ll try to answer if I can. Thanks