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How to disable system apps without root?

My phone model is vivo x5 max+ and android 4.4.4

I have tried Debloater but it failed to connect (I am sure I've allowed USB debugging).

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1 Answer 1

Reset to default
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Provided that you've setup and functioning, use this command in a console:

adb shell pm block PACKAGE              # for Android Kitkat
adb shell pm hide PACKAGE               # for Android Lollipop
adb shell pm uninstall --user 0 PACKAGE # for Android Marshmallow and Nougat. This is bit tricky. Some reports its result positive, while others, negative. Also note that, later, you cannot restore the app here. It can only be reinstalled again. 
adb shell pm disable-user --user 0 PACKAGE # tested on Android Nougat and Oreo. Might work on earlier versions as well.

Replace PACKAGE with the package name of the app. To know the package name, try any app inspector type app from Play Store, such as App Detective, AppXplore, Elixir 2, etc.

The changes should take place immediately, otherwise, try rebooting the device.

Note: stock ROM implementations by some OEMs, such as Xiaomi and Panasonic, do not permit the aforesaid commands to be used without more elevated privilege, and thus, throws a permission/privilege related error.

Revision made wrt to info received from Prahlad Yeri in the comments.

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    I always used adb shell pm disable. Is there a difference?
    – Grimoire
    Commented Aug 27, 2017 at 18:26
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    Your kernel might be granting root access automatically, otherwise, pm disable requires root access, but block doesn't. Without root access in former, you get java.lang.SecurityException. Related: android.stackexchange.com/q/128949/96277
    – Firelord ♦
    Commented Aug 27, 2017 at 18:44
  • Just out of curiosity, as the OP is running 4.4, I guess it's ok if 7.1 doesn't have the block command, right?
    – Charles Roberto Canato
    Commented Dec 27, 2017 at 23:44
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    @CharlesRobertoCanato just replace block with hide. This change was introduced starting Android 5.0.
    – Firelord ♦
    Commented Dec 28, 2017 at 12:07
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    @CharlesRobertoCanato Instead of block/hide, the latest way to disable OEM bloatware these days is pm uninstall --user 0 <package> . It works perfectly even without a root, but you need to be careful as the uninstall can't be undone unless you factory reset.
    – Prahlad Yeri
    Commented Aug 24, 2018 at 15:11

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