Android · Recovery Guide

How to Remove Unknown Apps and Device Admins on Android

Safely remove unknown Android apps and device administrators to protect your personal data and device integrity.

Review and Uninstall Unrecognised Apps

Start by checking your installed applications for anything you don't recognise. Removing these can often resolve unexpected behaviour.

1. Navigate to Settings -> Apps -> See all apps (or App management on some devices). On Samsung One UI, this might be Settings -> Apps.
2. Scroll through the list and identify any apps that seem unfamiliar or that you didn't intentionally install.
3. Tap on an app you wish to remove. On its App info page, select Uninstall.
4. If you cannot uninstall an app, it might be a system app (which cannot be removed) or it may have Device Administrator privileges (which you'll address in the next step).
5. Repeat this process for all suspicious apps.

Disable Malicious Device Admin Apps

Some malicious apps might grant themselves Device Administrator privileges, making them harder to remove. You'll need to revoke these permissions first.

1. Go to Settings -> Security & privacy -> More security settings -> Device admin apps. On Samsung One UI, this may be Settings -> Security and privacy -> Other security settings -> Device admin apps.
2. Review the list of apps with administrative access.
3. If you see an unfamiliar or suspicious app, tap on it.
4. Toggle off the option to activate this Device admin app. You may be prompted to confirm this action.
5. Once deactivated, return to the previous step (Review and Uninstall Unrecognised Apps) to uninstall the app.

Perform a Safety Check

Android's built-in Safety Check can identify problematic apps and privacy settings that might be compromised.

1. Open Settings -> Privacy & Security -> Safety Check.
2. Review the categories listed. Pay particular attention to App security and Privacy and location.
3. Follow any recommendations provided by Safety Check, such as uninstalling harmful apps or reviewing privacy settings.
4. If Safety Check identifies issues, address them promptly. This might involve disabling app permissions or revoking access.

Factory Reset Your Device (Last Resort)

If persistent issues remain after trying the above steps, or if you suspect deeply embedded malware, a factory reset may be necessary. This will erase all data on the device, so back up anything important first.

1. Important: Back up all your essential data (photos, contacts, documents) to a cloud service or another device.
2. Go to Settings -> System -> Reset options -> Erase all data (factory reset). On Samsung One UI, this is often Settings -> General management -> Reset -> Factory data reset.
3. Read the warning carefully, as this action cannot be undone.
4. Tap Erase all data and confirm with your PIN or pattern if prompted.
5. Your device will restart and erase all data. It will then boot up as if it were brand new.
6. Restore your backed-up data carefully, avoiding any suspicious apps or files.