Widgets, the interactive snippets of information that reside on your Android home screen, can be a convenient way to access frequently used apps and information. However, when they start to clutter your screen or become unnecessary, it’s time to declutter and remove them. Removing widgets from Android is a simple process that can be done in just a few steps, freeing up valuable screen space and streamlining your user experience. Whether you’re a seasoned Android user or a newcomer to the platform, learning how to remove widgets can help you customize your home screen and make it more efficient.
To remove a widget from your Android home screen, simply long-press on it until it starts to wiggle. A small “X” or “Remove” icon will appear in the corner of the widget. Tap on this icon to remove the widget from your home screen. If you’re using an older version of Android, you may need to drag the widget to the top of the screen to remove it. Once the widget is removed, you can tap on the “Done” button to save your changes. Removing widgets from your Android home screen is a quick and easy way to declutter your screen and make it more personalized.
In addition to removing widgets from your home screen, you can also disable them in the App Drawer. To disable a widget, open the App Drawer and find the widget you want to disable. Long-press on the widget and tap on the “Disable” button. This will prevent the widget from appearing in your App Drawer and on your home screen. Disabling widgets is a good way to hide widgets that you don’t use often but still want to keep installed on your device. You can re-enable widgets at any time by following the same steps and tapping on the “Enable” button.
Identifying Widgets on Your Android Home Screen
Widgets on your Android home screen are small interactive apps that allow you to access information and perform tasks from the home screen. Here’s a detailed guide on identifying them:
Location and Appearance
Widgets can be found on your home screen panels, typically accessible by swiping left or right from the main home screen. They appear as small icons or panels with specific functions, such as weather updates, calendar events, music controls, or app shortcuts.
Sizes and Types
Widgets come in various sizes, from small to large. The size of a widget determines the amount of space it occupies on your home screen. There are two main types of widgets: static and interactive. Static widgets display information only, while interactive widgets allow you to perform actions, such as opening apps or adjusting settings.
Identifying a Widget
To identify a widget, long-press on it. This will display a menu with options such as "Remove," "Resize," or "App info." The "App info" option will provide you with information about the specific widget and the app it belongs to.
| Widget Name | Common Uses |
|---|---|
| Calendar Widget | Display upcoming events and appointments |
| Clock Widget | Show the current time and date |
| Weather Widget | Display weather information for your current location |
| Notes Widget | Create and view notes |
| Music Player Widget | Control music playback without opening the music app |
| App Shortcut Widget | Provide quick access to specific apps |
| Google Search Widget | Allow you to search the web directly from your home screen |
| Gmail Widget | Show recent emails and allow you to compose new ones |
Removing Widgets Using the Standard Method
The standard method for removing widgets from your Android home screen is a quick and easy process. Follow these steps to remove a widget:
- Long-press on the widget you want to remove. The widget will start to shake and a small "X" icon will appear in the top-right corner.
- Drag the widget to the "X" icon. The widget will disappear from the home screen.
Removing Widgets Using the App Drawer
If you don’t want to use the standard method to remove widgets, you can also remove them from the app drawer. Here’s how:
- Open the app drawer. To do this, swipe up from the bottom of the home screen or tap the app drawer icon in the dock.
- Find the widget you want to remove. The widget will be listed in alphabetical order.
- Long-press on the widget. The widget will start to shake and a small "X" icon will appear in the top-right corner.
- Drag the widget to the "X" icon. The widget will be removed from the app drawer.
Table: Removing Widgets Using Different Methods
| Method | Steps |
|---|---|
| Standard method | Long-press on the widget > Drag to "X" icon |
| App drawer method | Open app drawer > Long-press on widget > Drag to "X" icon |
Removing Widgets with the Uninstall Option
This method applies to widgets that are linked to a specific app. Here’s a detailed guide on how to remove widgets using the uninstall option:
1. **Long-press on the widget:** Locate the widget you wish to remove on your home screen or widget drawer. Press and hold your finger on the widget until a menu appears.
2. **Select “Remove” or “Uninstall”:** In the menu that pops up, look for the “Remove” or “Uninstall” option. This option may vary depending on the widget and your device. Tap on it.
3. **Confirm Uninstallation:** A confirmation dialog box will appear, asking you to confirm that you want to uninstall the associated app. Press “OK” or “Uninstall” to proceed.
Note: Some widgets may be integrated into the system and cannot be uninstalled. In such cases, you can disable or hide the widgets instead.
Removing Widgets from the App Drawer
To remove a widget from your app drawer, follow these steps:
- Open your app drawer.
- Find the widget you want to remove.
- Long-press the widget.
- Drag the widget to the “Remove” icon at the top of the screen.
Removing App Widgets from the Home Screen
To remove an app widget from your home screen, follow these steps:
- Long-press the widget.
- Drag the widget to the “Remove” icon at the top of the screen.
Removing Widgets from the Notification Panel
To remove a widget from your notification panel, follow these steps:
- Swipe down from the top of the screen to open the notification panel.
- Long-press the widget.
- Drag the widget to the “Remove” icon at the top of the screen.
### How to Uninstall Widgets
If you no longer want a widget on your Android device, you can uninstall it. To do this, follow these steps:
- Open your app drawer.
- Find the widget you want to uninstall.
- Long-press the widget.
- Tap the “Uninstall” button.
Here is a table summarizing the different methods for removing widgets from your Android device:
| Method | Steps |
|---|---|
| Remove from app drawer | Open app drawer > Find widget > Long-press widget > Drag to “Remove” icon |
| Remove from home screen | Long-press widget > Drag to “Remove” icon |
| Remove from notification panel | Swipe down to open panel > Long-press widget > Drag to “Remove” icon |
| Uninstall widget | Open app drawer > Find widget > Long-press widget > Tap “Uninstall” |
Deleting Additional Widgets from the Home Screen
To remove widgets that you’ve added to your home screen, follow these steps:
1. Long-press on the widget you want to remove.
2. Drag the widget to the “Remove” icon at the top of the screen.
3. Release the widget on the “Remove” icon to delete it.
4. Repeat steps 1-3 for any additional widgets you want to remove.
5. Additional Details for Removing Widgets:
– Some widgets can’t be removed from the home screen. These widgets are typically built into the Android system or are part of specific apps.
– If you’re trying to remove a widget that can’t be removed, you can try disabling the associated app. To do this, go to Settings > Apps, then find the app associated with the widget and tap “Disable.”
– You can also remove widgets from the home screen using the “App Drawer.” To do this, open the App Drawer by swiping up from the bottom of the screen. Then, long-press on the widget you want to remove and drag it to the “Uninstall” icon at the top of the screen.
– For widgets that are part of the Android system, you may need to use a third-party app to remove them. There are several apps available on the Google Play Store that can help you remove widgets from your home screen.
Removing Preinstalled Widgets
Preinstalled widgets can be annoying and take up valuable space on your home screen. Fortunately, it’s easy to remove them.
Step 1: Long Press the Widget
Long press the widget you want to remove until a menu appears.
Step 2: Drag the Widget to the Remove Icon
Drag the widget to the “Remove” icon that appears at the top or bottom of the screen.
Step 3: Drop the Widget
Drop the widget onto the “Remove” icon. The widget will be deleted.
Additional Tips
Here are some additional tips for removing widgets:
- If you’re not sure whether a widget is preinstalled or not, try searching for it in the Play Store. If it’s not listed, it’s probably preinstalled.
- Some preinstalled widgets can’t be removed. These widgets are typically essential to the functioning of your device.
- If you’re having trouble removing a widget, try restarting your device.
Table: Unremovable Preinstalled Widgets
| Device Manufacturer | Unremovable Widgets |
|---|---|
| Samsung | S Voice, Samsung Health, Bixby |
| Google Search, Google Now, Google Assistant | |
| HTC | HTC BlinkFeed |
Deactivating Widgets from Settings
To remove widgets from your Android device using the settings menu, follow these steps:
1. Open the Settings app:
Locate the Settings icon on your phone and tap on it to open the application.
2. Navigate to the Apps section:
Within the Settings app, scroll down and tap on the “Apps” or “Applications” option.
3. Find the widget’s app:
A list of all installed apps will appear. Scroll through the list and find the app associated with the widget you want to deactivate.
4. Select the widget’s app:
Tap on the app’s name to access its settings and information.
5. Disable the widget:
Under the App Info page, look for a section labeled “Widgets” or “Widget Options.” Locate the widget you want to remove and toggle the switch next to it to the “Off” or “Disable” position.
Alternatively, some apps may have a dedicated “Disable Widget” button that you can tap instead.
6. Confirm the deactivation:
A confirmation message may appear, asking you to confirm your action. Tap on “OK” or “Disable” again to proceed.
7. Verify the removal:
Return to your home screen and check if the widget has disappeared. It should no longer be visible on your device.
Deleting Widget Files Manually
If you’re comfortable working with system files, you can manually delete widget files to remove them from your Android device. Here’s how:
1. Open File Explorer
Use a file explorer app to navigate to the root directory of your Android device.
2. Go to Data/System/Users/0/
Locate the “Data” folder and open it. Inside, find the “System” folder and open it. Then, open the “Users” folder and finally open the “0” folder.
3. Find App Widget Files
Within the “0” folder, look for files with “.awb” or “.xml” extensions. These files represent widget configurations.
4. Identify the Widgets to Delete
The file names contain information about the widget package name and widget name. Identify the files corresponding to the widgets you want to remove.
5. Delete the Files
Once you’ve identified the files, select them and delete them.
6. Confirm Deletion
Some file explorer apps require confirmation before deleting files. Tap “OK” or “Delete” to proceed.
7. Restart Device
After deleting the widget files, restart your Android device to make the changes effective.
8. Verify Widget Removal
Once your device restarts, open your home screen and check if the widgets you removed are no longer present.
| File Path | Contains |
|---|---|
| Data/System/Users/0 | App widget files (.awb, .xml) |
Using Safe Mode to Remove Problematic Widgets
Safe Mode is a diagnostic mode that disables third-party apps and their associated widgets. Booting into Safe Mode can help identify and remove widgets causing issues.
Steps:
1.
Press and hold the power button until the power-off options appear.
2.
Touch and hold the “Power off” option.
3.
When prompted to reboot into Safe Mode, tap “OK”.
4.
Your phone will restart and boot into Safe Mode (indicated by “Safe Mode” in the corner of the screen).
Removing Widgets in Safe Mode:
-
Go to the home screen where the problematic widget is located.
-
Long-press on the widget until it enters “wiggle” mode.
-
Drag the widget to the “Remove” icon that appears at the top or bottom of the screen.
-
Release the widget to remove it.
Restarting Out of Safe Mode:
-
Press and hold the power button.
-
Tap “Restart”.
-
Your phone will boot back into normal mode, with the problematic widget removed.
| Android Version | Safe Mode Button Placement |
|---|---|
| Android 9 and later | Bottom of screen |
| Android 8 and earlier | Top of screen |
Preventing Widgets from Reappearing
Deleting Widget Cache Data
Navigate to Settings > Apps & notifications > App info. Locate the widget app, tap Storage & cache, and then Clear cache.
Disabling Automatic Widget Updates
Open the Google Play Store app. Tap the Menu icon (three lines), then Settings. Under the “Auto-update apps” section, select Do not auto-update apps.
Restricting Widget Permissions
Go to Settings > Apps & notifications > App info. Select the widget app, tap Permissions, and disable any unnecessary permissions.
Checking Widget Preferences
Some widgets may offer customization options that allow you to disable their automatic reappearance. Explore the widget’s settings within the app or widget editor.
Using a Custom Launcher
Certain custom launchers, such as Nova Launcher or Action Launcher, provide more control over widget placement and behavior. Install a custom launcher and configure it to prevent unwanted widgets from reappearing.
Disabling Drive Sync
For widgets synced via Google Drive, disable the sync process to prevent them from reappearing after deletion. Go to Settings > Accounts > Google, select your Google account, and uncheck the “Drive” option under “Sync account.”
Using a Task Killer
Task-killing apps can forcibly stop background processes and prevent widgets from refreshing. However, be cautious as these apps may also affect other app functionality.
Scanning for Malware
In rare cases, malware can install persistent widgets that cannot be easily removed. Run a comprehensive malware scan using a reputable security app to detect and eliminate any malicious code.
Changing Home Screen Grid Size
Reducing the home screen grid size may prevent widgets from fitting on the screen, effectively hiding them from view.
Contacting the App Developer
If all else fails, contact the developer of the widget app. They may provide additional troubleshooting steps or release an update to address the issue.
How to Remove Widgets From Android
Widgets are small apps that you can place on your Android home screen. They provide quick access to information or functionality from a particular app. Widgets can be added or removed from your home screen at any time.
To remove a widget from your Android home screen, long-press on the widget until it starts to wiggle. Then, drag the widget to the top of the screen and drop it in the "Remove" area. The widget will be removed from your home screen.
People Also Ask
How do I add a widget to my Android home screen?
To add a widget to your Android home screen, long-press on an empty space on the home screen. Then, tap on the “Widgets” icon. A list of available widgets will appear. Tap on the widget you want to add and drag it to an empty space on the home screen.
Can I resize widgets on my Android home screen?
Yes, you can resize some widgets on your Android home screen. To resize a widget, long-press on the widget until it starts to wiggle. Then, drag the edges of the widget to resize it.
How do I turn off widgets on my Android home screen?
To turn off widgets on your Android home screen, go to the “Settings” menu. Then, tap on “Home screen” and then on “Widgets.” Toggle the switch next to the widget you want to turn off.
