When you own a powerful device like the Samsung S20, managing your apps effectively can profoundly enhance your smartphone experience. Whether you’re trying to free up storage space, improve performance, or simply declutter your home screen, knowing how to delete apps is paramount. In this article, we will explore step-by-step methods for removing applications from your Samsung S20, discuss why you might want to delete certain apps, and offer tips for managing your smartphone’s performance efficiently.
Understanding the Need to Delete Apps
Before diving into the various methods for deleting apps, it’s essential to understand why eliminating apps can be beneficial. Here are some key reasons you might consider deleting apps on your Samsung S20:
- Free Up Storage Space: Apps consume storage, and as you download more, you may find your device’s memory running low.
- Boost Performance: Having numerous apps running in the background can slow down your smartphone.
- Organize Your Home Screen: A cluttered home screen can make it difficult to find the apps you need. Deleting less-used apps can simplify navigation.
With these considerations in mind, let’s learn how to effectively delete apps from your Samsung S20.
How to Delete Apps from Samsung S20
There are multiple methods to delete apps from your Samsung S20. We will discuss three primary methods: using the app drawer, through the home screen, and via the settings menu.
Method 1: Deleting Apps from the App Drawer
The app drawer is where all your installed applications reside. Here’s how you can delete apps directly from the app drawer:
- Open the App Drawer: Swipe up from the bottom of your home screen to access the app drawer.
- Locate the App: Scroll through the list of apps to find the one you want to delete.
- Tap and Hold: Press and hold the app icon until a menu appears.
- Select Uninstall: Tap on the “Uninstall” option to remove the app from your device.
- Confirm Deletion: A prompt will appear asking for your confirmation. Tap “OK” to finalize the deletion.
Method 2: Deleting Apps from the Home Screen
If you prefer to delete apps directly from your home screen, follow these straightforward steps:
- Find the App: Locate the app icon on your home screen.
- Tap and Hold: Press and hold the app icon until a menu appears or until you see options on the top of the screen.
- Select Remove or Uninstall: You may see options to either “Remove” (which only removes the icon from the home screen) or “Uninstall.” Choose “Uninstall” to delete the app entirely from your device.
- Confirm Deletion: Confirm your choice when prompted.
Method 3: Deleting Apps via Settings
Deleting apps through the settings menu is an effective way to manage applications. This method can also provide you with more information about the app you’re about to delete.
Follow these steps:
- Open Settings: Swipe down from the top of the screen to access the notification panel. Tap on the gear icon to enter settings.
- Tap on Apps: Scroll down and find the “Apps” or “Application Manager” option within your settings menu. This opens a list of all installed applications.
- Choose the App: Scroll through the list to find the app you wish to delete and tap on it.
- Uninstall: Click on the “Uninstall” button. You will receive a confirmation prompt.
- Confirm Deletion: Tap “OK” to remove the app from your Samsung S20.
Things to Consider Before Deletion
Before hitting that uninstall button, consider the following:
- App Importance: Some apps might be essential for your daily use, like banking or communication apps.
- Pre-installed Apps: Keep in mind that some default applications are integral to the operating system. You may not be able to delete these but can usually disable them.
- Data Backup: If the app contains important data, like a note-taking or document editing app, ensure that you back up your information before deletion.
Alternative: Disabling Apps Instead of Deleting
If you’re hesitant to delete an app permanently, consider disabling it instead. Disabling apps can help free up resources without losing the app’s data and settings. You can enable it again at any time.
Here’s how to disable an app on your Samsung S20:
- Open Settings: Go to the settings menu by tapping the gear icon.
- Navigate to Apps: Select “Apps” to view a list of all installed applications.
- Select the App: Locate and tap the app you wish to disable.
- Tap Disable: If the app allows disabling (primarily true for pre-installed apps), tap “Disable.” Confirm if prompted.
Managing Your App Experience on Samsung S20
Now that you know how to delete and disable apps, consider the following tips for managing your app experience effectively:
Regularly Review Your Apps
Going through your installed applications every few months helps maintain a clutter-free device. You may discover apps you’ve forgotten about or no longer use.
Utilize App Folders
Organizing your apps into folders is an excellent way to clear up your home screen while keeping related apps together. To create a folder:
- Tap and Hold: Press and hold an app icon until options appear.
- Drag to Another App: Move the icon over another icon you want to group it with. This action will create a folder.
- Name Your Folder: Tap on the new folder to set a name for it, helping you identify the contents easily.
Keep Your Apps Updated
Keeping your apps updated not only provides new features but also ensures that your device runs smoothly. Updates can fix bugs and enhance app performance. Enable auto-update in the Google Play Store settings to avoid manually checking for updates.
Enhancing Device Performance Post-App Deletion
After you delete unnecessary apps, there are additional steps you can take to enhance your Samsung S20’s performance:
Clear Cache and Data
Some apps may leave residual data even after deletion. To clear this, navigate to:
- Settings > Apps: Find the app whose data you wish to clear.
- Storage: Tap on “Storage” and choose “Clear Cache” and “Clear Data.”
This step makes sure all remnants of the app are gone, freeing up even more space.
Reboot Your Device
After deleting apps, rebooting your device can optimize performance by refreshing background processes and system resources. To reboot, simply hold down the power button, then tap “Restart.”
Conclusion
Knowing how to delete apps on your Samsung S20 can significantly improve your device’s overall performance and help you manage your storage effectively. Whether you choose to delete unnecessary apps or opt to disable them, maintaining a streamlined application environment will lead to a better mobile experience.
With the methods outlined in this guide, managing your apps should now be easier than ever. So go ahead, declutter that app drawer, streamline your home screen, and enjoy a more efficient Samsung S20. Happy app managing!
How do I delete apps from my Samsung S20 home screen?
To delete apps from your Samsung S20 home screen, simply locate the app you want to remove. Press and hold the app icon until a menu appears. From this menu, you will see options like “Remove” or “Uninstall.” If you want to remove the app from the home screen but keep it in your app drawer, select “Remove.”
After selecting “Remove,” the app will disappear from your home screen, but it will still be accessible in the app drawer. If you choose “Uninstall,” the app will be deleted entirely from your device. Remember, some pre-installed apps may not have the option to be uninstalled, but you can usually disable them in the settings.
Can I delete multiple apps at once on my Samsung S20?
Yes, you can delete multiple apps at once on your Samsung S20. To do this, open the app drawer by swiping up from the bottom of your home screen. Once you’re in the app drawer, look for the three-dot menu icon (usually located at the top right corner) and select it. From the dropdown menu, choose “Edit.”
In edit mode, you can select multiple apps by tapping on their icons. Once you have selected all the apps you wish to delete, there will be an option to uninstall them. Confirm your selection, and all chosen apps will be deleted simultaneously from your device.
What should I do if the app won’t uninstall?
If you’re having trouble uninstalling an app on your Samsung S20, make sure to check if the app is a system app. Some pre-installed apps are part of the operating system and cannot be uninstalled, but you can often disable them. To disable an app, go to “Settings,” then “Apps,” find the app in question, and select “Disable.”
Another option is to free up space by clearing the cache and data for the app. Navigate to the same “Apps” section in Settings, select the app, and then choose “Storage.” From there, clear the cache and data. If the app still won’t uninstall, try restarting your device and attempting the uninstall process again.
How do I delete pre-installed apps on the Samsung S20?
Deleting pre-installed apps on the Samsung S20 can be a bit tricky, as many of these apps are part of the system. However, you can often disable them if uninstalling is not an option. To do this, go to “Settings,” then “Apps,” and scroll through the list to find the pre-installed app you wish to disable. Select the app and tap the “Disable” button.
Disabling the app will hide it from your app drawer and home screen, effectively removing it from active use. While this does not free up storage space as uninstalling would, it can help streamline your device by minimizing clutter. If you hope to manage pre-installed apps more effectively, consider using third-party apps that may help clean up your device.
Is there a difference between uninstalling and disabling an app?
Yes, there is a significant difference between uninstalling and disabling an app on your Samsung S20. Uninstalling an app completely removes it from your device, freeing up storage space and cutting any resource usage associated with that app. This means that the app will no longer be available on your device unless re-downloaded from the Google Play Store or another app store.
On the other hand, disabling an app merely prevents it from running or appearing on your device, but the app’s data and files remain intact. This option is particularly useful for system apps that you don’t want to use but cannot uninstall. Disabling an app can also be a good way to improve performance without losing any of your information in case you decide to enable it again later.
How can I reinstall an app after deleting it from my Samsung S20?
Reinstalling an app on your Samsung S20 is a straightforward process. If you’ve previously deleted an app, you can reinstall it by opening the Google Play Store on your device. Once you’re in the Play Store, use the search bar at the top to find the app you want to reinstall.
Once you find the app, click on it, and you will see an option for “Install.” Tap on the install button, and the app will download and install back onto your device. If the app was previously purchased or downloaded, you can also navigate to the “My apps & games” section in the Play Store, find it under the “Library” tab, and click “Install” from there.