Pixel phones are popular for their clean software experience. And yes, they’re nowhere near as cluttered with duplicate apps and random games as Samsung or OnePlus phones. But that doesn’t mean there’s no cleanup to do. Google still ships its own set of first-party apps on every Pixel, and some of them can feel forced or unnecessary. I recently picked up a Pixel 10a, and before I even settled in, I’d already uninstalled seven apps.
You can uninstall or disable these apps on your Pixel by heading to Settings > Apps > [App Name] and choosing Uninstall or Disable.
My Pixel
No thanks, I don’t want buying recommendations
My Pixel is a simple app where you’ll find tips and tricks about using your Pixel and even some useful information, such as model number, warranty expiration date, and IMEI.
I don’t know about you, but I’ve never met a single person who actually reads these tips. They’re boring, and most of the time, you’ll find better, unbiased information in a YouTube video or an article. As for the device info, Pixel’s “About phone” menu already shows all the details, so there’s little reason to open the My Pixel app.
My biggest problem with My Pixel is that it also sends notifications about new Google products, which are essentially ads. Unsurprisingly, Google doesn’t let you uninstall the app, but you can disable it to remove it from the app drawer and stop its alerts.
Journal
I’ll pass on this one
Journal is Google’s attempt to digitize your diary app. You can jot down your day, add photos, tag your mood, and over time, it helps you build a personal archive of your life. Google even nudges you to write something before bed.
It’s a noble idea, but not something that everyone does. So yes, it does fall into the “bloatware” category. The only good thing here is that you can uninstall it completely, unlike the My Pixel app.
News
I already have Discover
Google News app is another one that feels unnecessary. It’s pretty self-explanatory what it does — you get a “For You” section where the app shows you news based on your preferences. Then there are sections like Local, World, Entertainment, Sports, Science, Health, and so on.
Personally, I find this unnecessary, especially with Google Discover already integrated into the home screen. I already use Discover, and that’s enough for getting important news stories without cluttering the notifications panel.
Watch
No watch, no use
The Watch app on your Pixel lets you customize watch faces, manage tiles, install apps, and change other watch settings. It’s obviously a must-have if you own a Pixel Watch. The problem is, it comes pre-installed whether you own a Pixel Watch or not.
This one’s less “bloatware” in the traditional sense and more a case of Google assuming (or hoping) everyone who buys a Pixel phone also buys its watch. I’m not, so this app does nothing for me.
Google TV
I’ve got a better alternative
Google TV app offers two things. It lets you explore new streaming content and manage recommendations — and it doubles as a remote for any Google TV device you own. If you don’t have an Android TV, though, this app is useless, just like the Watch app.
I do own a Google TV, but the app is still useless to me. That’s because I use a different launcher on my TV, and Google TV’s recommendations don’t show up there. And as for the remote, I’ve switched to the atvTools app because it offers many things beyond basic TV controls.
Meet
It’s already living in my Gmail
Google Meet is something I actually use for MUO team meetings. It’s a great tool, but it’s also something I use almost exclusively on my PC. I could also attend those meetings on my Pixel, which has a better camera, but I prefer having a bigger screen for seeing every participant and keeping up with the chat.
Another problem is that Meet is already part of Gmail. So if I need to join a quick one-on-one meeting on my phone, I can always use it from there. All of this is to say, a dedicated Meet app doesn’t make sense.
Docs
Not a phone app for me
Just like Meet, I also use Google Docs every day, but on my PC. Writing, editing, and collaborating on articles are things that require a proper setup for me. The standalone app is useful for viewing documents, but it’s not something everyone does, me included.
And it’s also not like Google Docs can pull double duty as a PDF viewer or editor on your phone. Microsoft Word for Android can do that, by the way. So yes, Google Docs is another app that feels unnecessary to me.
Not every app on this list might feel unnecessary to you, of course. Depending on how you use your Pixel, you find apps like Notebook, Home, Wallet, and Google One unnecessary. If you do, uninstall them. They’re always there on the Play Store if you ever need them.
