I all the time delete these apps instantly when organising a brand new Google Pixel

Whether or not we’re speaking in regards to the iPhone or any variety of excellent Android handsets, the fashionable telephone expertise is one through which default, preinstalled apps come commonplace. A few of these out-of-box apps are inherently useful, and I am keen on the truth that they function constant design languages and simplistic interfaces. Nevertheless, there’s such a factor as an excessive amount of of factor.

Even on the subject of Google’s comparatively clear and minimalistic Pixel skin, I are likely to remove native apps in favor of third-party options. Listed below are 5 apps specifically that I all the time find myself deleting (or in some instances, disable) at any time when I am organising a brand new Android gadget.

1 YouTube Music

An unintuitive native playback answer

YouTube Music

Google’s flagship music streaming platform, which primarily competes with providers together with Spotify and Apple Music.

I have been a Spotify subscriber for various years, and so Google’s default YouTube Music utility serves me little use. As a music streamer, YouTuve Music is completely fantastic — as a device for enjoying again native music information, nonetheless, it is solely subpar.

I am old-school within the sense that I take pleasure in loading up my Android telephone with MP3 information for these occasions once I’m off the grid. YouTube Music’s interface is way too bloated and streaming-centric for my tastes. It is also far too trigger-happy when putting a full-screen ‘join now’ splash web page in entrance of me, which all the time will get in the best way once I’m attempting to play again my information.

There are a ton of fantastic different apps obtainable for native music playback, which I’ve outlined in a dedicated piece right here on Pocket-lint. A few of my present favorites embrace:

Associated

New iPhone? Delete these apps immediately

The iPhone ships with some fairly stable default apps, however not all of them are winners — listed here are those I all the time delete immediately.

2 Pixel Suggestions

Helpful for newcomers, however not a lot for veterans

Pixel Suggestions

Google’s built-in suggestions and tips app that comes preinstalled on all fashionable Pixel telephones.

For individuals who are simply making the swap over to a Pixel phone from an iPhone or one other Android gadget, the Pixel Suggestions app is a helpful all-in-one answer for surfacing suggestions and tips. As a long-time Pixel user, I’ve personally outgrown the necessity to preserve this preinstalled app on my gadget.

On the Google Play Retailer, Pixel Suggestions is listed as taking solely 9MB of storage. Between the app measurement, person knowledge, and cached content material, the app takes up a whopping 89.97MB alone private Pixel 9 Professional. On account of this, I’ve elected to present the app the boot.

Associated

My iPhone is full of default apps, and honestly, that’s kind of the point

Everybody’s chasing the subsequent huge app — in the meantime, I am over right here vibing with Notes, Climate, and Mail.

3 Clock

Higher options can be found

Clock

Google’s default clock, timer, and alarm app that may be discovered preinstalled on most Android telephones.

Google’s default Clock app is a reasonably nice answer for organising alarms, timers, and extra. Nevertheless, as soon as I attempted the free and open-source Chrono app from the F-Droid marketplace, there was merely no turning again.

Chrono is the whole lot Google’s Clock app purports to be, after which some. Superior customization choices, multi-select for lists, alarm tone shuffling, and a quantity pad enter for timers make the app the superior choice in my eyes. And, better of all, there’s an precise mild mode theme on deck, one thing Google’s Clock app has been lacking for years.

Associated

How to download Android apps outside of the Google Play Store

It is normally greatest to stay to well-known app shops, however there are official causes to skip Google’s.

4 Recordsdata by Google

A stable file explorer, however third-party choices deliver extra to the desk

Recordsdata by Google

Google’s first-party file administration app that comes preinstalled on Pixel telephones, and that may be downloaded from the Play Retailer.

Google’s native file explorer for Android began off somewhat naked bones, nevertheless it’s advanced into a reasonably competent app lately. That being mentioned, there are too many wonderful third-party file managers on the market for me to justify a reliance on Google’s answer.

A few of my favourite third-party file managers embrace:

Associated

You won’t find these 9 excellent apps anywhere on the Google Play Store

F-Droid is a free and open-source different app retailer for Android – listed here are my favourite apps which are completely obtainable on the storefront.

5 Google Maintain

Google must do extra to bolster Maintain’s utility

Google Maintain

Google’s easy and intuitive Maintain app is a preinstalled app discovered throughout many various Android units, with help for fundamental note-taking capabilities.

The Android app market is saturated with third-party note-taking apps, and there are some pretty great options out there. As a default, Google’s Maintain is serviceable — it is clear and easy to work with, which is refreshing in right this moment’s period of AI options being crammed into each nook of each software program and repair expertise.

Nevertheless, Maintain can also be a bit too simplistic for correct productiveness functions. I discover myself wishing the app had extra versatile formatting choices, in addition to higher organizational instruments. When in comparison with Apple’s default Notes app, Google Maintain is solely devoid of options which have turn out to be commonplace throughout the note-taking scene.

Associated

I rely on these indispensable utility apps to get the most out of my Pixel

Listed below are the utility apps that I set up and set-up first with any new Pixel