How To Uninstall YouTube on an Android Device

Most Android phones come with different built-in apps. While some can be very useful, others take up unnecessary space. For many people, one such app is YouTube. The app takes around 175 MB or more, which can double or triple as you use it, so it’s no surprise that many users look for a way to remove it from their devices.

Since YouTube is preinstalled, removal/uninstallation is usually non-existent. Why are we telling you this? We want to get to the point and let everyone know so they don’t waste time searching for promising results/answers that don’t work.

Regardless, there is an alternative option: disabling YouTube and uninstalling updates. You can disable the preinstalled YouTube app and uninstall any updates beyond the original factory state. That’s better than wasting precious space and getting annoying notifications. Let’s get started.

The Uninstall Alternative: How to Disable YouTube

In some cases, deleting YouTube from your Android phone is like deleting any other app. However, this method will not work for most phones. Why is that? Because YouTube is considered a system-level app, it can’t be removed entirely. This is because Google powers android phones and YouTube is Google’s subsidiary. The YouTube app comes bundled with Google’s search engine, Gmail, calendar, drive, etc.

Just because you can’t uninstall it doesn’t mean you have to use it. Those that aren’t using YouTube can disable it. When you disable an app, you remove it from the app screen and prevent it from running in the background. Although disabling an app doesn’t delete it from your phone, it’s still a good option if you want to save space and prevent unnecessary updates.

Here’s how to disable YouTube and remove its updates on your Android phone:

1. Open your menu and go to “Settings” or select it from the top slide-down menu
   
2. Select “Apps & notifications.”
   
3. Tap on “See all ### apps.”
4. Find and select “YouTube.”
5. Select “Storage & cache.”
6. Choose “Clear storage” and then “Clear cache.” These actions remove consumed space. Otherwise, data will remain while the app is disabled.
7. Tap on the “vertical ellipsis” (three vertical dots) in the top-right corner and choose “Uninstall updates.” This action also removes consumed storage space, and updates can be huge.
8. Tap on “Disable.”
   
9. You’ll see a message explaining the app and all functions related to it will be disabled. Press “Disable” once more.
   

• The app is now disabled, and all updates, cache, and user data have been removed to save space.

If you want to reactivate the app later, return to the “Apps & notifications” section of the Settings and re-enable it.

Generally, all apps you install yourself can be uninstalled. So, if you downloaded the YouTube Android app from the Play Store, you can uninstall it. But if the app comes preinstalled, you won’t see the “Uninstall” button.

So, if you don’t see the “Uninstall” button, it means it’s not possible to delete the app from your phone completely, and chances are, it won’t be there. In such cases, the only thing you can do is clear the user data and app data and then disable the app.

Rooting Your Phone

You can get privileged control over your Android phone and customize numerous processes, including deleting preinstalled apps by acquiring root access. However, rooting your phone is usually not recommended. Firstly, rooting can make your phone unstable and cause irreparable damage if not done correctly. Secondly, rooting may void your warranty. In case something goes wrong, you’ll be on your own. Finally, gaining root access also circumvents Android’s security restrictions. This means your phone will not be protected from malware.

If you still decide you want to root your device, ensure you research the process thoroughly. Remember that the steps vary depending on the smartphone type and brand. If you’re not tech-savvy, it’s best to ask an expert for help. Moreover, don’t forget to install proper antivirus protection to fend off malware infections. If you go through with rooting and change your mind after a while, you can always un-root your phone.

Uninstalling YouTube FAQs

Here are the answers to more of your questions about YouTube on Android.

How do I get YouTube back after I disable it?

If you’ve disabled YouTube and want to get it back, you can re-enable the app. Here’s what to do:

1. Open Settings on your Android device and tap Apps.

2. Tap on YouTube at the bottom of the list.

3. Tap Turn on at the bottom of the page (some users may see Enable).

Now, YouTube will appear in your app drawer, where you can log in and watch all the videos you like.

What is the difference between disabling and deleting an app?

As mentioned previously, disabling an app won’t permanently delete it. But all cached data, stored memory, and the app icon will all disappear from your phone if you remove it. When you want to use the app again, you must enable it in Settings rather than install it from the Play Store.

When you delete an app, all traces of it disappear. Unlike a disabled app, an uninstalled app doesn’t exist on your phone anymore. When you want to use the app again, you must reinstall it from the Google Play Store.

No More YouTube

Although YouTube is still one of the most popular video-sharing platforms, many people don’t use it. Since most Android phones come with the app, it’s impossible to uninstall it without rooting your phone. If you don’t want to take any chances, it’s better to disable the app and prevent it from running in the background and wasting space.

We hope this article explains what you could do to eliminate YouTube on your Android phone.

How often do you use YouTube on your phone? What about other preinstalled apps on your Android? Tell us in the comments section below.