Remove Galaxy A57 Bloatware – 8 Ways to Clean Up Your Phone (2026)

Table of Contents

You're staring at your lock screen, and there it is again—some random outfit recommendation, a shopping ad, or a "personalized" article you never asked for. You didn't install this. You didn't enable it. It just appeared.

And that's just the beginning.

I know the feeling. I've been there.

Two weeks ago in New York, I unboxed my new Galaxy A57, excited to set it up. Within hours, I noticed Glance had auto-installed itself on my lock screen. Then I realized I couldn't find half the AI features I'd seen in reviews. And when I tried to search for a downloaded file? The integrated Finder search was just... gone. I had to dig through multiple apps like it was 2015.

I was furious. I'd paid $550 for this phone.

But here's the good news: after a week of digging, testing, and figuring out exactly what Samsung was doing, I fixed all of it. No root. No voiding my warranty. Just smart, safe tweaks that gave me back control of my own phone.

Stick with me for about 10 minutes. I'll show you exactly how to kick the bloatware out, reclaim your storage, and get the clean Android experience you actually paid for.

🚨 Your Bloatware Rescue Kit

Before we dive deep, here are the three things that will immediately clean up your A57:

• Disable Glance from your lock screen: Settings > Lock screen > Wallpaper Services > Choose "None". Gone in 30 seconds.
• Uninstall or disable preinstalled apps: Go to Settings > Apps, find the bloatware (Samsung Shop, TV, News, Facebook, LinkedIn, etc.), and tap "Uninstall" or "Disable".
• Turn off auto-installs in Galaxy Store: Open Galaxy Store > Menu > Settings > Turn off "Auto update apps" and background installs.

The Day My New Phone Felt Like a Billboard

Let me set the scene.

It was a Friday evening in Brooklyn. I'd just unboxed my shiny new Galaxy A57, transferred my data, and started setting it up. I was excited—this was supposed to be Samsung's best mid-range phone of 2026.

Then I locked the screen. And there it was. Glance. A full-screen lock screen experience I never asked for, showing me outfit recommendations and shopping ads. I thought, Okay, weird, but I'll deal with it later.

Then I started exploring the settings. I wanted to try the AI features I'd heard about—the ones that were supposed to make this phone "smarter." But half of them were missing. No Audio Eraser for cleaning up video sound. No deep Search with Finder for finding files across apps. Just a basic search bar that could only find installed apps.

And the preinstalled apps? Samsung Shop, Samsung TV, Samsung News, My Galaxy, plus Microsoft apps like M365 Copilot, Outlook, LinkedIn, and even Facebook. All sitting there, taking up space, running background processes I never asked for.

I felt like I'd bought a billboard that occasionally made phone calls.

Over the next week, I dug into every forum, every guide, every trick I could find. I tested everything. And I compiled everything I learned into this guide—so you don't have to waste time like I did.

⚠️ A Quick Word of Caution (Please Read This)

Before we go any further, I need to get something out of the way.

Most of the fixes I'm about to share are completely safe. You're not rooting your phone, flashing custom ROMs, or doing anything that could void your warranty. These are just smarter ways to manage the software that Samsung already gave you.

That said, every situation is different. What worked for my A57 in New York might not work perfectly for yours. I'm sharing what I learned through trial and error, but I'm not responsible if you accidentally disable something you later need.

If you use the ADB method, be careful. Only remove packages that are confirmed safe to remove. Removing critical system components can break your phone.

🔴 DISCLAIMER & DATA BACKUP WARNING

This is a software guide. You don't need to back up your data for most of these fixes—they don't involve resetting your phone.

However, if you plan to use the ADB method to remove bloatware, I strongly recommend backing up your photos, contacts, and important files to Samsung Cloud or Google Drive first. While the method is safe, it's always better to be prepared.

The Fixes: From Quick Tweaks to Advanced Cleanup

I've organized these from the simplest, quickest fixes to the more advanced ones. Start at the top and work your way down.

1. Remove Glance from Your Lock Screen (30 Seconds)

This is the easiest win.

Glance is a lock screen service that auto-installs on many Samsung devices, including the A57. It transforms your lock screen into an "intelligent shopping space" with personalized recommendations. If you didn't ask for it, here's how to kill it:

What I did:

• Went to: Settings > Lock screen
• Tapped on: Wallpaper Services
• Selected: "None" instead of Glance
• Turned the screen off and on again: to confirm it was gone

That's it. Gone in 30 seconds.

2. Uninstall or Disable Preinstalled Apps

The A57 comes with a bunch of apps you probably don't want. Gizmodo's review specifically calls out "Samsung Shop, TV, News, My Galaxy" and Microsoft apps like "M365 Copilot, Outlook, LinkedIn" and even Facebook.

Here's what I did:

• Went to: Settings > Apps
• Found: each offending app
• Tapped on it and selected: "Uninstall" if available, or "Disable" if not

Apps I removed/disabled:

• Samsung Shop: Removed
• Samsung TV: Removed
• Samsung News: Removed
• My Galaxy: Removed
• Facebook: (if you don't use it)
• LinkedIn: (if you don't use it)
• Any other app: you recognize as bloat

Note: Some Samsung system apps can't be uninstalled—only disabled. Disabling them stops them from running in the background and removes them from your app drawer.

3. Turn Off Auto-Installs in Galaxy Store

This is a sneaky one.

The Galaxy Store has been found to auto-install unsolicited games and shopping apps on some devices. This is how bloatware keeps coming back even after you've uninstalled it.

How to stop it:

• Open: the Galaxy Store app
• Tap: the menu icon (bottom right)
• Go to: Settings
• Find: "Auto update apps" and set it to Off (not even Wi-Fi only)
• Look for: any setting related to background installs and turn it off too

This prevents new bloatware from sneaking onto your phone without your permission.

4. Disable AppCloud and Other Background Services

Samsung AppCloud is a service that promotes apps on Galaxy devices, either through ads or by downloading them in the background. It usually works in the background and doesn't show up in your app drawer.

How to disable it:

• Go to: Settings > Apps
• Tap: the filter icon and select "Show system apps"
• Find: "AppCloud" or similar services
• Tap: "Disable"

This stops the phone from automatically downloading promotional apps.

5. Use Device Care to Clean Up

Samsung's Device Care feature can help you identify and remove unnecessary files and apps.

How to use it:

• Go to: Settings > Battery and device care
• Tap: "Storage"
• Look for: "Junk files" or "Unused apps"
• Follow: the prompts to clean up

This won't remove core bloatware, but it will clean up temporary files and suggest apps you haven't used in a while.

6. Understand What AI Features You're Missing

This one's more about managing expectations than fixing anything.

The A57 runs Android 16 via One UI 8.5. But Samsung has artificially restricted several key AI features that remain exclusive to the flagship Galaxy S26 Ultra.

What's missing:

• Audio Eraser: An AI-powered noise cancellation tool that removes background noise from videos in real-time
• Deep Search with Finder: A global search engine that scans your entire device—email attachments, downloaded documents, photo tags, audio files, and more
• Advanced AI features: Many of the premium Galaxy AI suite features are missing

Why this happens: The A57's Exynos 1680 chipset has less computing power than the flagship S26 series. However, some omissions—like the Finder toggle—appear to be purely software-based restrictions.

What you can do: Accept the limitations or use third-party apps to fill the gaps. For file searching, try third-party file managers with built-in search. For audio cleanup, use video editing apps with noise reduction.

7. Use ADB to Remove Unremovable Bloatware (Advanced)

If you're technically comfortable and want to go further, ADB (Android Debug Bridge) can remove bloatware that normally resists deletion through ordinary settings menus.

Why this is powerful: Removing preinstalled bloatware via ADB dramatically improves performance, yielding faster operation, snappier multitasking, about one extra hour of screen-on time, and nearly 8GB of reclaimed storage.

Here's what I did (simplified):

Enabled USB debugging on my phone:

• Went to: Settings > About phone > Software information
• Tapped: "Build number" 7 times to enable Developer options
• Went back to: Settings > Developer options
• Enabled: "USB debugging"

Installed ADB on my computer:

• Downloaded: the Android SDK Platform Tools
• Extracted them: to a folder on my PC
• Connected: my phone via USB cable

Ran ADB commands to remove bloatware:

• Opened: a command prompt in the ADB folder
• Ran: adb devices to confirm connection
• Used: adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 [package_name] for each app I wanted to remove

What I removed:

• Samsung Shopping apps: Removed
• Microsoft apps: I don't use
• Facebook: Removed
• Various Samsung services: I never touch

⚠️ CRITICAL WARNING: Only remove packages that are confirmed safe to remove. Follow a community-refined list to prevent accidental deletion of components required for basic functions like Wi-Fi, cellular calls, or security updates. Removing critical system components can break your phone.

The results: My phone felt noticeably faster. Boot times shortened. App launches became snappier. Multitasking felt more responsive. Battery consumption dropped, with screen-on time increasing by roughly an hour. And I reclaimed nearly 8GB of storage.

8. Use the Finder Search Workaround

Since the integrated Finder search is missing or limited on the A57, here's what I do instead:

• Use the search bar in the app drawer: Swipe up to open the app drawer, and use the search bar at the top. It can find installed apps and some settings.
• Use third-party file managers: Apps like Solid Explorer or FX File Explorer have powerful built-in search that can find files across your device.
• Use Google's built-in search: The Google app can search your device for files, photos, and more.

It's not as elegant as Samsung's deep Finder search, but it gets the job done.

💰 What If You Want a Cleaner Experience? (Alternative Options)

If you've tried everything on this list and you're still not happy with Samsung's software bloat, you have a few options:

Option	Estimated Cost (USD)	Notes
ADB bloatware removal (DIY)	$0	Safe, non-root method. Reclaims ~8GB storage and +1 hour battery
Third-party launcher (Nova, Niagara, etc.)	$0–$5	Replaces Samsung's home screen with a cleaner experience
Trade-in for Google Pixel 10a	~$200–$300	Clean Android, no bloatware, better camera
Trade-in for Nothing Phone 4a	~$200–$300	Clean software experience, minimal bloat
Wait for a sale on Galaxy S26 FE	~$300–$400	Flagship features, but still has some Samsung bloat

My take: The ADB method is free and incredibly effective. Unless you're completely uncomfortable with technology, it's worth the 30 minutes of effort. You'll get a faster, cleaner phone with better battery life—and you won't have to spend a dime.

🔍 Diagnostic Table: Match Your Symptom to the Right Fix

Symptoms	Common Causes	Jump to Solution
Lock screen shows ads/outfit recommendations	Glance auto-installed	Solution 1
Phone came with apps you never asked for	Preinstalled bloatware (Samsung, Microsoft, Facebook)	Solutions 2, 7
New apps keep appearing after you uninstall them	Galaxy Store auto-installs	Solution 3
Can't find files across different apps	Finder search is missing/limited	Solution 8
AI features from reviews are missing	Samsung restricted features on mid-range devices	Solution 6
Phone feels sluggish, battery drains fast	Bloatware running in background	Solutions 2, 5, 7

🛡️ My Personal Anti-Bloat Habits (That Actually Worked)

After cleaning up my A57, here's what I do to keep it bloat-free:

• Check Galaxy Store settings monthly: I make sure auto-installs and background updates are still off.
• Review installed apps weekly: A quick glance at my app drawer to catch anything new that snuck in.
• Use the ADB method on every new Samsung phone: It's become part of my setup routine. Takes 30 minutes, saves me years of frustration.
• Stick to the Play Store for apps: I avoid the Galaxy Store unless I absolutely need a Samsung-exclusive app.
• Disable apps I don't use immediately: The moment I see something I don't want, I disable it. Don't let bloatware accumulate.

Since I started doing these, my A57 has stayed clean, fast, and bloat-free.

📊 Why Does Samsung Do This? (My Honest Take)

Let's be real: Samsung makes money from bloatware.

Preinstalled apps and services like Glance generate revenue through partnerships and advertising. Samsung gets paid to put Glance on your lock screen. They get paid to preinstall Facebook, LinkedIn, and Microsoft apps. And the Galaxy Store auto-installs games and shopping apps because those companies pay for the exposure.

It's a business model. And unfortunately, mid-range phones like the A57 are the primary targets because the profit margins are thinner, and Samsung needs to make up the difference somehow.

But here's the thing: you don't have to accept it. Every single piece of bloatware on your phone can be removed or disabled. It takes a little effort, but the payoff is a phone that actually feels like yours.

My honest rating:

Phone durability: 8/10 – Gorilla Glass Victus+, IP68 rating. It's built to last.

Software experience (out of the box): 5/10 – Too much bloat, too many missing features.

Software experience (after cleanup): 8/10 – One UI 8.5 is actually quite clean once you remove the junk.

Difficulty of fixing this problem: 4/10 – The basic fixes are easy. The ADB method requires some technical comfort, but it's well-documented and safe.

❓ Frequently Asked Questions (To Calm Your Nerves)

Q: Is Glance malware? Should I be worried?

A: No, Glance is not malware. It's a legitimate lock screen service that Samsung partners with. But it's also bloatware that you never asked for. You can safely disable it without any negative effects.

Q: Will removing bloatware void my warranty?

A: No. Disabling or uninstalling apps through the Settings menu is completely safe and doesn't void your warranty. The ADB method is also safe and doesn't void your warranty because it doesn't involve rooting your phone.

Q: Why are some AI features missing on my A57?

A: Samsung has artificially restricted several key AI features to keep them exclusive to the flagship Galaxy S26 series. The A57's Exynos 1680 chipset has less computing power, but some omissions—like the Finder toggle—appear to be purely software-based.

Q: Can I get the full Galaxy AI suite on my A57?

A: No. The premium-grade Galaxy AI suite is missing on the A57. You get some AI features—like AI Select, Read Aloud in Samsung Internet, and AI editing tools in the Gallery—but not the full flagship experience.

Q: Is the ADB method safe?

A: Yes, if you're careful. The ADB method removes apps without rooting your phone. However, you must follow a community-refined list of safe-to-remove packages. Removing critical system components can break your phone.

Q: Will removing bloatware improve my battery life?

A: Yes. Removing preinstalled bloatware via ADB has been shown to increase screen-on time by roughly an hour and reduce idle drain. Even simply disabling apps through Settings can help.

Q: How much storage will I reclaim by removing bloatware?

A: Samsung typically ships phones with 15 to 25 gigabytes already occupied before you install a single app. After removing bloatware via ADB, users have reclaimed nearly 8GB of storage.

Q: Should I return my A57 and buy something else?

A: If you hate bloatware and want a clean Android experience out of the box, consider the Google Pixel 10a or Nothing Phone 4a. But if you're willing to spend 30 minutes cleaning up the A57, it's a perfectly good phone with excellent hardware.

🛠️ Daily Habits for a Bloat-Free A57

Here's what I do to keep my A57 clean and fast:

• Check for new apps weekly: A quick scroll through my app drawer catches anything that snuck in.
• Keep Galaxy Store auto-installs off: I check this setting monthly to make sure it hasn't been re-enabled.
• Disable apps immediately: The moment I see something I don't want, I disable it. Don't let bloatware accumulate.
• Use the Play Store for apps: I avoid the Galaxy Store unless I absolutely need a Samsung-exclusive app.

📌 Bookmark This (Share It If Someone Else Is Struggling)

Look, I get it. You bought a phone expecting a clean experience, and instead you got ads on your lock screen, apps you never asked for, and features that were deliberately removed. It's frustrating.

But here's the thing: you don't have to accept it. Every single piece of bloatware on your phone can be removed or disabled. And the ADB method can give you a phone that feels faster, lasts longer, and actually belongs to you.

If this guide helped you, bookmark it. Share it with a friend who's also struggling with their A57's bloatware. I've been where you are, and I know how good it feels to finally have a phone that works the way you want it to.

Your A57 isn't broken. It's just been cluttered. And now you know exactly how to clean it up.

Have questions? Drop them in the comments. I read every single one.