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A reported One UI 9 cleanup removed 29 apps and recovered 13.15GB, but that figure is a personal result—not a Samsung or Google benchmark. Samsung’s current guidance confirms that some pre-installed apps can be uninstalled, others can only be disabled or hidden, and essential apps must remain. The amount of storage recovered depends on the Galaxy model, software build, app data and the apps actually removed.
What is confirmed about the 29-app, 13.15GB claim?
The 29-app count and 13.15GB result come from an individual One UI 9 report. No published source identifies the phone model, storage capacity, app list, screenshots or before-and-after measurements, so the result cannot be reproduced or treated as an average for Galaxy phones.
Samsung support, updated 26 May 2026, says some pre-installed apps can be deleted, while essential examples such as Phone, Messages, Contacts, Gallery and My Files cannot because they are needed for basic device functions. Samsung also distinguishes uninstalling from disabling: uninstalling removes an app and frees storage; disabling stops a supported preloaded app from running and removes it from the Apps screen, but leaves it installed.
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Google Android Help similarly warns that some system apps included with an Android phone cannot be deleted. The exact choices vary by Galaxy model, carrier software and One UI version.
#1 Best Overall
- PRIVACY DISPLAY: Automatically hide your screen from those beside you. The built-in privacy display can be preset¹ to turn on when receiving notifications, typing passwords, or using specific apps
- TYPE IT IN. TRANSFORM IT FAST: Enhance any shot in seconds on your smartphone by using Photo Assist² with Galaxy AI.³ Add objects, restore details, or apply new styles by simply typing or tapping
- NIGHTS, CAPTURED CLEARLY: From gigs to city lights, record and capture moments after dark with clarity using Nightography so your photos and videos stay crisp and clear on your Samsung Galaxy
- MAKE IT. EDIT IT. SHARE IT: Turn everyday moments into something personal with creative tools built right into your mobile phone, whether it’s a special contact photo, custom wallpaper, an invitation or more⁴
- HELP THAT KEEPS UP: Stay in the moment while Now Nudge with Galaxy AI helps you respond faster and stay organized with smart suggestions⁵ that appear exactly when you need them on your phone
One UI 9 availability and why the model matters
Samsung announced the One UI 9 rollout on 16 September 2026 for the Galaxy S26 Ultra, S26+ and S26, following its debut on the Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra, Z Fold8 and Z Flip8. Other devices and regions may receive the software at different times. A phone running an earlier or carrier-specific build can show different app-removal controls from the devices in the report.
Uninstall, disable, hide or move: what each option actually does
| Action | Are app files removed? | Does it recover internal storage? | Can you reverse it? | Main risk or limitation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Uninstall | Yes, for apps Samsung permits you to remove | Yes; Samsung explicitly describes uninstalling as freeing storage | Usually, by reinstalling the app | Related features, saved data or shortcuts may stop working; not available for essential or protected apps |
| Disable | No; the app remains installed | No meaningful recovery of the installed package | Yes, by enabling it again | Only offered for supported preloaded apps; dependent Galaxy features may be affected |
| Hide | No | No | Yes, by removing the app from the hidden-app list | It only removes the icon from view |
| Move to microSD | No; supported data is moved rather than deleted | Sometimes, and only for apps or data the phone allows you to move | Usually, by moving it back | Only compatible Galaxy models expose the option; app support also varies |
How to remove a removable app safely
- Check the exact device and storage state. Note the Galaxy model, One UI build and available space in the phone’s Storage screen before changing anything. Samsung’s labels can vary slightly by model and software version.
- Uninstall only an app that offers the command. Touch and hold the app icon, choose Uninstall, then tap the confirmation control. If Uninstall is absent, do not assume a third-party removal method is safe; the app may be protected or required by the system.
- Measure the result. Return to the Storage screen and compare the available-space reading. A large headline number can include an app’s associated data or cache, not just its installation package, so record what the phone itself reports.
- Test dependent functions. Open the features you use alongside the removed app, such as account syncing, device setup, messaging, media playback or file handling. Reinstall the app if a required function disappears.
How to disable a pre-installed app
- Open Settings > Apps.
- Select the preloaded app.
- Tap Disable and confirm. Samsung defines this action as preventing the app from running and removing it from the Apps screen while leaving it installed.
- To restore it, return to the app’s settings page and tap Enable. Google also documents adding back deleted or disabled apps where the device supports that action.
Disabling is useful when an app cannot be uninstalled but you do not want it active. It is not a storage-cleanup substitute: the installed files remain on the phone.
Rank #2
- YOUR CONTENT, SUPER SMOOTH: The ultra-clear 6.7" FHD+ Super AMOLED display of Galaxy A17 5G helps bring your content to life, whether you're scrolling through recipes or video chatting with loved ones.¹
- LIVE FAST. CHARGE FASTER: Focus more on the moment and less on your battery percentage with Galaxy A17 5G. Super Fast Charging powers up your battery so you can get back to life sooner.²
- MEMORIES MADE PICTURE PERFECT: Capture every angle in stunning clarity, from wide family photos to close-ups of friends, with the triple-lens camera on Galaxy A17 5G.
- NEED MORE STORAGE? WE HAVE YOU COVERED: With an improved 2TB of expandable storage, Galaxy A17 5G makes it easy to keep cherished photos, videos and important files readily accessible whenever you need them.³
- BUILT TO LAST: With an improved IP54 rating, Galaxy A17 5G is even more durable than before.⁴ It’s built to resist splashes and dust and comes with a stronger yet slimmer Gorilla Glass Victus front and Glass Fiber Reinforced Polymer back.
How to hide an app without changing storage
For a cleaner app drawer, use the Home screen setting labeled Hide apps on Home and Apps screens, select the app and apply the change. Samsung’s US guidance is explicit that hiding removes the icon from view but does not remove the app or recover space. Use this option only when appearance is the goal.
When a microSD card is an option
Samsung says users can try moving apps to a microSD card, but the control appears only on models with the required hardware and software support. Verify the exact Galaxy model first; do not treat expandable storage as a universal One UI feature. Where available, an app’s storage settings may show a Change control for moving supported content. Apps that depend on internal-only services, protected data or their own developer restrictions may not offer it.
Rank #3
- TYPE IT IN. TRANSFORM IT FAST: Enhance any shot in seconds on your smartphone by using Photo Assist¹ with Galaxy AI.² Add objects, restore details, or apply new styles by simply typing or tapping
- MAKE IT. EDIT IT. SHARE IT: Turn everyday moments into something personal with creative tools built right into your mobile whether it’s a special contact photo, custom wallpaper, an invitation or more³
- FAST. POWERFUL. AI-READY: Power through your day with AI-accelerated performance from our fastest, smoothest and most powerful Galaxy processor yet, built to keep up with everything you do
- IMMENSELY IMMERSIVE: No matter where you are or what you’re watching, your favorite videos and more come to life with the vibrant display on Galaxy S26
- FIT EVERYONE IN THE SHOT: Group selfies are easier on your Samsung phone with a wider front camera⁴ that captures more of the scene, so no one gets left out of the moment
Apps to leave alone
Keep core communications and file-management apps intact unless Samsung explicitly provides a safe removal path. Samsung names Phone, Messages, Contacts, Gallery and My Files as examples of essential apps that cannot be deleted. Treat any app that lacks Uninstall or Disable as protected, and avoid removing components whose purpose you cannot identify: another Galaxy feature may depend on them.
Why your result may differ from 13.15GB
- Different app sizes: installation packages and accumulated data vary by model, region and usage.
- Different software bundles: carrier and regional builds can include different preloaded apps.
- Different actions: hiding or disabling does not remove installed files, while uninstalling does.
- Different measurements: the Storage screen can change after caches, updates or background indexing are recalculated.
- Different One UI builds: rollout timing and available controls are device-specific.
For those reasons, 13.15GB should be read as one owner’s measured outcome, not a promise for every Galaxy phone running One UI 9.
Rank #4
- YOUR CONTENT, SUPER SMOOTH: The ultra-clear 6.7" FHD+ Super AMOLED display of Galaxy A17 5G helps bring your content to life, whether you're scrolling through recipes or video chatting with loved ones.¹
- LIVE FAST. CHARGE FASTER: Focus more on the moment and less on your battery percentage with Galaxy A17 5G. Super Fast Charging powers up your battery so you can get back to life sooner.²
- MEMORIES MADE PICTURE PERFECT: Capture every angle in stunning clarity, from wide family photos to close-ups of friends, with the triple-lens camera on Galaxy A17 5G.
- NEED MORE STORAGE? WE HAVE YOU COVERED: With an improved 2TB of expandable storage, Galaxy A17 5G makes it easy to keep cherished photos, videos and important files readily accessible whenever you need them.³
- BUILT TO LAST: With an improved IP54 rating, Galaxy A17 5G is even more durable than before.⁴ It’s built to resist splashes and dust and comes with a stronger yet slimmer Gorilla Glass Victus front and Glass Fiber Reinforced Polymer back.
Practical verdict
Deleting removable apps can recover storage, but there is no universal list of 29 safe deletions and no guaranteed 13.15GB gain. Start with the phone’s own Uninstall controls, use Disable when removal is unavailable, use Hide only for a tidier screen, and verify microSD compatibility before planning a storage expansion.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- Please note, this device does not support E-SIM; This 4G model is compatible with all GSM networks worldwide outside of the U.S. In the US, ONLY compatible with T-Mobile and their MVNO's (Metro and Standup). It will NOT work with other CDMA carriers, and it is also not compatible with their MVNO (Visible, Xfinity Mobile, US Mobile, Cricket Wireless, etc).
- Compatibility with certain third-party devices and accessibility accessories, including some hearing aids, may vary depending on manufacturer support, Bluetooth protocols, software compatibility, and regional firmware limitations. For additional hearing aid compatibility information, please refer to Samsung’s official support documentation.
- Camera: 50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/2.76", 0.64µm, AF | 50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/2.76", 0.64µm, AF | 2 MP, f/2.4, (macro). Battery: 5000 mAh, non-removable | A power adapter is NOT included.
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