Home How To How to Debloat Samsung Galaxy S20 using ADB AppControl Without Rooting

How to Debloat Samsung Galaxy S20 using ADB AppControl Without Rooting

In this article, we will demonstrate how to debloat or remove system apps from Samsung Galaxy S20. The guidelines are designed to do the task in less than 10 minutes and they are hassle-free and easy to understand following a step-by-step methodology.

Why do we need to remove system apps

Samsung includes much bloatware (apps that are not useful) in their device. Primarily, these apps consume a lot of internal storage space and result in the quick depletion of the battery. About 80% of these apps are not updated regularly and can slow down the smartphone or expose the device to harmful malware and pesky advertisement that can pop up anytime while working on the phone.

If you are bothered by such apps in your Samsung Galaxy S20, then you have come to the right place. So without much ado, let’s see how to do it.

Necessary: These steps do not require rooting your Android device or unlocking the bootloader. But since you are deleting the system apps, You need to back up the data stored in the system apps.

Things you need beforehand

  • A laptop/desktop with Windows 7/8/8.1/10 with .NET Framework 4.6 or above installed (needed for ADB AppControl).
  • Samsung Galaxy S20 (obviously)
  • A working USB cable to connect mobile with laptop/desktop
  • Internet Connection

Downloadable Files

Here are the links of the files required to download for this guide. Download should be done in laptop/desktop inside a single folder for easier access. If you download zip files, extract them to the same folder.

Debloat Samsung Galaxy S20 using ADB AppControl – Steps to follow

1. Enabling Developer Options on Galaxy S20

Firstly, Developer Options are a hidden set of features that enthusiasts can use to tweak their Android Device. We will be using it to discover an option known as “USB Debugging” in the next step.

  • Firstly, go to Settings, scroll to the bottom, then tap on About phone.
  • Scroll down and tap on Software Information to reveal various system software details.
  • Tap on Build Number 7 times. Enter PIN/password when prompted.
  • You will receive a toast notification saying, “Developer mode has been enabled.”

Enabling Developer Options on Galaxy S20

2. Enable USB Debugging on Galaxy S20

USB debugging is a developer tool that enables an external device to access the smartphone debugging settings via the USB port. The debugging is mostly handled by ADB (Android Debug Bridge), which bridges the Windows OS with Android. We will use this feature to remove system apps through the ADB AppControl app.

  • Go to Settings, then scroll fully down.
  • Tap on Developer Options
  • Toggle the USB Debugging option to ON
  • When prompted to allow USB debugging, select OK.

Enable USB Debugging on Galaxy S20

3. Installing ADB in Windows 7/8/8.1/10

Now we will install ADB on our Windows laptop/PC. This process will install the required drivers that work to communicate and send commands to the android device through USB.

  • Firstly, navigate to the folder where you have unzipped ADB_DriverInstaller.zip given in the Downloads section.
  • Right-click on DriverInstaller.exe, then click on “Run as administrator,” then click YES on the following prompt.

Debloat Samsung Galaxy S20

  • On the small window that pops up, click on INSTALL DRIVER.

Install Driver - Debloat Samsung Galaxy S20

  • On the window with title Windows Security, click on Install

Windows Security - Debloat Samsung Galaxy S20

  • Click on OK after a successful install of ADB Driver.

ADB Driver Installed - Debloat Samsung Galaxy S20

4. Using ADB AppControl to debloat Galaxy S20

Finally, we reach the last step required to remove system software from the Samsung Device. The purpose of the app is to provide the list of software installed in the Android device, get a preset containing the name of packages that make up most of the bloatware, run ADB commands on its terminal to provide the necessary changes in the device.

Other functions of the app are ACBride, Network Debugging, running custom ADB commands, and the choice to disable, enable, save restore and install apps remotely from the computer, changing permissions. But we will not need those since we already have the preset file which contains the name of the system apps. So, let’s get going.

  • Go to the folder where ADB_AppControl.zip from the “Downloads” section has been extracted
  • Double click on ADBAppControl.exe

Using ADB AppControl to debloat Galaxy S20

  • After the loading screen, the application opens with a Quick Start tutorial. Click on I Got it! to close the popup

ADB APP Control Quick Start

  • The window will then show Disconnected status and is waiting for you to connect the Samsung Galaxy S20 with a USB cable. So Connect the Device. After connection, the smartphone will ask permission for USB Debugging. Check on Always allow from this computer, then tap Accept.

IMPORTANT. Do not lock the phone after connection. Keep it awake

Allow USB Debugging

  • After proper connection and acceptance, the ADBAppControl application will show the status as connected, and it will show the device name with the model number. A prompt will show to Install ACBridge. Click on Yes.

Install AC Bridge

  • Upon completion of the installation, you will see all the apps installed in your Samsung device along with the icons. Click on Load Preset to bring the preset text file into the application.

ADB APP Control

  • Select the file Samsung_Debloat_Preset_Demo.txt by navigating to the folder where you have downloaded the file. Then it will display the number of apps selected from the complete list based on the app names in the preset file. Click on OK to accept.

Preset Loaded

  • From the drop-down menu, select what do we want to do with these apps. Since we want to remove them altogether, choose Uninstall. Then click on Uninstall.

ADB App Control

  • An Attention warning pops up, which tells us that deleting system apps can result in a system’s malfunction, which is just a warning. Removing the system apps selected in the preset will not hamper the normal functioning of the device. Click on Yes to continue.

Attention Pop-Up

  • A Backup prompt is shown, which consequently asks you if you want to backup the apk of the system apps. Again, it is always better to remain safe, so click on Yes.

Back Up

  • After completing the process, it will show a confirmation dialogue that it has removed the selected apps. In my case, I had chosen just one app, so it shows 1/1, indicating 1 out of 1 selected app has been removed. However, if it fails, it would have shown Removed Applications 0/1. Click on OK to confirm.

Task Completed - ADB App Control

Conclusion

So, there you go! You now have removed system apps or bloatware on your Samsung Galaxy S20. To sum up, this short but efficient process should immediately de-clutter your device and provide you with a smooth sailing experience from here on. Enjoy longer battery life and almost zero lagging with no fear of any security vulnerabilities. I hope you enjoy reading the article, and don’t forget to leave a review below. Also, if you have any questions, feel free to let me know.

Also Read:
How To Uninstall Bloatware From Samsung Galaxy S20 Without Rooting
How To Root Samsung Galaxy S20 Series Using Magisk and Upgrade Firmware
Root Samsung Galaxy Note 20 Ultra Using Magisk

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