What Is Bloatware & How Do I Get Rid of It?

Have you ever purchased a new phone or laptop only to find that it's already loaded with a bunch of unnecessary apps that you have no use for? This frustrating phenomenon is known as bloatware, and it can harm your device's performance, storage space, and battery life. In this article, we'll explore bloatware, provide examples of it on various operating systems, and show you how to remove bloatware from your device.

What is bloatware?

Bloatware, by definition, is unwanted, preinstalled software that comes with new devices. Installation comes from the manufacturer, the operating system, or through agreements between the manufacturer and third-party software companies.

Bloatware can also exist within apps that you install yourself. This type of bloatware refers to unnecessary features or functions of apps that take up valuable space on your device and slow it down. Twitter bloatware is a notable example of this; it includes features such as Moments, Explore, and Periscope. In many cases, users may not even be aware that an app is consuming a significant amount of their device's memory to run in the background.

Why does bloatware exist?

Manufacturers and OS developers use these unnecessary apps to differentiate their products and generate revenue through third-party agreements. Additionally, it provides an opportunity to upsell software products to customers, often through preinstalled free trial versions. Instead of requiring users to download a company's product independently, they can partner with manufacturers or developers to integrate their product beforehand.

Bloatware examples

Examples of bloatware vary depending on the device and operating system, but they typically fall into four categories – software trials, promotional apps, manufacturer-installed software, and game and music apps. Some manufacturers are notorious offenders; Samsung, HP, and Dell are well-known for their use of bloatware.

Bloatware can be subjective, as users may have different opinions on what constitutes bloatware. While one user may find preinstalled software useful, another may consider it bloatware. Despite how useful it is or isn't, though, here are some common examples of bloatware by the operating system.

Android

On Android devices, bloatware may include preinstalled apps like Google Play Movies, Google Play Music, and Google Drive. It also includes apps from the device manufacturer, such as Samsung's Bixby and LG's SmartWorld.

Keep in mind that bloatware can be subjective, and what one person considers bloatware may not be the same for another. For example, a Google UX designer may argue that Google Play Music is preinstalled because it is a Google product and therefore the default music app for Android devices.

Windows

On Windows computers, apps that fall under this category may include trial versions of antivirus software, games, and productivity apps; think Solitaire, Minesweeper, and the beloved Space Cadet Pinball. Windows bloatware also includes manufacturer-specific apps like HP Support Assistant and Dell SupportAssist.

iOS

On iOS devices, bloatware is typically less of a concern, but some examples could include preinstalled apps like Stocks, Tips, and Watch, depending on who you ask. In 2014, Apple also notoriously put music bloatware on users' iPods and iPhones in the form of the U2 album Songs of Innocence. Users couldn't delete the music at first, and it caused a lot of issues for both users and Apple.

MacOS

MacOS devices may come with trial versions of antivirus software, productivity apps, games, and preinstalled apps like GarageBand and iMovie. These could be considered unnecessary depending on the user's preferences.

Benefits of removing bloatware

Again, some users might find bloatware useful, but many don't. There are several benefits to removing unwanted apps from your device:

• Increased performance. Bloatware consumes valuable resources, such as processing power and memory. This slows down your device. By removing unnecessary apps and programs, you can free up valuable resources and speed up your device.
• More storage space. Preinstalled apps also take up storage space on your device, leaving you with less room for the apps and content that matter to you. By removing unused apps, you free up storage space.
• Improved battery life. Some bloatware can be a silent battery killer, running in the background and draining your device's battery. By removing unnecessary apps, you reduce the background processes running on your device and extend your battery life.
• Enhanced security. Some pre-installed apps may have vulnerabilities that can be exploited by hackers or malicious websites, putting your personal information and data at risk. By removing them, you can minimize your risk of becoming a victim of identity theft and other cybercrimes.

Though you can leave these apps on your device if they're useful to you, getting rid of them essentially frees up your device's resources to go towards your purposes rather than preinstalled manufacturer's software.

How to remove bloatware

If you want to know how to get rid of bloatware on your device, it can be tricky, as some apps may be more difficult to remove than others. Some can't be uninstalled at all. Nevertheless, here are a few methods you can try:

Uninstall apps

The easiest way to remove bloatware is to simply delete the apps from your device. To figure out how to remove bloatware on Android devices, go to Settings > Apps & notifications > See all apps, then select the app you want to remove and click Uninstall. On iOS devices, press and hold the app icon until it starts shaking, then click the X in the corner to delete it. This will free up valuable space in your iPhone storage.

Note that while removing all apps you don't use is tempting, some devices may require certain preinstalled apps for proper functioning, and removing them could cause issues. Before you delete any apps, check first to determine whether the app is necessary or not.

Use a bloatware remover

If uninstalling doesn’t work, you can try a bloatware remover. Some third-party apps, such as CCleaner, can help you remove unwanted apps from your device. These apps scan your device for unnecessary apps and help you remove them with a few clicks.

Root your device

As a last resort, you can root your device to gain full control over its software if you're comfortable with advanced techniques. This will allow you to remove bloatware and customize your device's software to your liking. Note that this only works on Android devices, not on iOS devices. With an iOS device, you would need to jailbreak the device instead.

Rooting and jailbreaking come with risks. Make sure you weigh the benefits against the risks when attempting this method.

Disable apps

Unfortunately, unless you root or jailbreak your device, many bloatware apps cannot be completely removed. Instead, you can disable the app, which will at least improve your device's performance and battery life.

These apps can be a major annoyance. They can slow your device down, deplete your battery, and even put your device at a security risk. Fortunately, there are some tools and techniques that you can use to get rid of it permanently.

Frequently asked questions

Is bloatware good or bad?

Bloatware isn't necessarily harmful, but it can be damaging as it's a form of marketing by manufacturing brands. In some cases, the software can introduce vulnerabilities to your device, making it ultimately harmful as it could allow viruses or malware to more easily infect a device.

Should I disable or uninstall bloatware?

If you find that your device is running slowly and struggling, or if you're running out of storage space on your device, then yes, you should disable the bloatware that you don't use.

What is an example of bloatware?

An example of this kind of software is any unnecessary preinstalled app on your device, like Google Play Music or Apple's iMovie app.

What is bloatware on PC?

Bloat software on PC refers to apps or software automatically installed on your PC. These apps aren't necessary for the device's function; while they may be useful, they can also slow down the device or cause storage issues.