I am using Andriod 2.3.6 Gingerbread for the last 3 years. For the last 2 months the "Google Play Services" app is taking too much memory, Now I want to uninstall it. Is it safe to do so? Does it affect other apps and/or the phone's basic functionality?
asked Apr 8, 2015 at 13:07
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2It is time to upgrade your software– user95231Commented Apr 9, 2015 at 4:55
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@Rafi for some (old but still very good) phones, this is not possible (at least without rooting or other hacks)– törzsmókusCommented Aug 25, 2015 at 14:05
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Instead root your phone and uninstall preloaded unwanted apps.– kernal42Commented Sep 1, 2015 at 7:47
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I can understand your condition bro. I went through the same. In that case we have no option but to remove it (unless we buy another phone). Saves a lot of space. And most of apps work fine. The only problem is that you cannot install new apps or update the old ones.– h8pathakCommented Dec 18, 2015 at 14:17
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6 Answers
Whilst you can uninstall it, it will automatically be re-installed on your device as it is an extension of the Google Play ecosystem and Google automatically updates Google Play services on all supported devices via the Google Play Store to ensure API consistency across devices and versions, and to deliver fixes and new features in a timely fashion.
Some apps may require Google Play services to be present and up to date in order to function correctly (or at all).
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1"Some apps may require Google Play services to be present" - e.g Youtube Commented Apr 9, 2015 at 12:28
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2Many new Google APIs are made available via this app. Plenty of things will break without it.– user26270Commented Apr 11, 2015 at 5:42
According to Google
Google Play services provides you with easy access to Google services and is tightly integrated with the Android OS.
And from the description in the Play Store
Google Play services is used to update Google apps and apps from Google Play. This component provides core functionality like authentication to your Google services, synchronized contacts, access to all the latest user privacy settings, and higher quality, lower-powered location based services. Google Play services also enhances your app experience. It speeds up offline searches, provides more immersive maps, and improves gaming experiences. Apps may not work if you uninstall Google Play services
I wouldn't recommend removing it.
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1If you open the App info for Google Play Services, you can press [Manage Space]. This will allow you to clear some of the data to a more manageable size– 1990clbCommented Apr 8, 2015 at 13:17
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Please explain where to disable OR limit growing size ? Commented Apr 8, 2015 at 13:37
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1You can't disable or limit the size, only clear it once it has accumulated.– 1990clbCommented Apr 8, 2015 at 13:40
Quote copied directly from the Play store decription:
'Google Play services is used to update Google apps and apps from Google Play. This component provides core functionality like authentication to your Google services, synchronized contacts, access to all the latest user privacy settings, and higher quality, lower-powered location based services. Google Play services also enhances your app experience. It speeds up offline searches, provides more immersive maps, and improves gaming experiences. Apps may not work if you uninstall Google Play services.'
I would leave it.
All of the present Google Apps are heavily linked with the Google Play Services app. Uninstalling it will affect all of these apps, and, if you can't stay away from Google for a long time, I wouldn't recommend doing so. As mentioned in the other answers, Google Play services is the backbone of many apps currently on the Play Store. Many (I mean MANY!) apps are dependent on it.
Instead of trying to limit its usable data, you can occasionally try backing up all your data to a safe place and wiping/factory-resetting the phone once in a while. This will automatically cleanse your phone, and will definitely help on Android Gingerbread.
I have uninstalled google play services from my Galaxy Ace running Gingerbread, due to running out of internal memory space, and it does not appear to have made any difference to the operation of the phone. I can still install apps, access Gmail, etc. I don't sync any data from the phone, other than Gmail. Phone runs much better now, much more internal memory and ram available. Phone is set not to update / install apps automatically and so far so good.
Removed it! Saved around 30 mb internal memory which matters a lot because my 5 year old device just has 100 mb of it. There are no issues whatsoever, Gmail sync works & I can even update the only I app use i.e. Whatsapp. Already did once, no problems.
