- Quickly and easily access the complete list of installed and uninstalled apps on your Android phone, including system and downloaded apps.
- Learn how to restore, uninstall, or search for apps by name, regardless of the manufacturer or operating system version.
- Discover advanced methods and tips to keep your device optimized and free of unnecessary apps.
If you are one of those people who love to try New apps and games on Android, you've probably wondered more than once how to see all the apps you have installed, or even those you uninstalled a while ago but want to get back. Over time and with continued use of our smartphones, the number of downloaded apps can grow rapidly, which can make them difficult to locate and can even cause us to lose sight of useful or beloved apps. This article provides you with a complete, updated and exhaustive guide So you can not only locate and manage all your apps, but also optimize your phone's performance and storage space to the fullest, integrating all the useful information you can find in the best specialized articles and guides.
Why is it important to know which apps you have installed or uninstalled?
Throughout the lifespan of our Android phone, we tend to install a large number of apps, many of which can be forgotten once they are no longer useful or have simply been replaced by alternatives. However, know and access your application history It allows you to recover old apps, discover programs that consume unnecessary resources, reorganize your system, and protect your privacy and security. Even deleted apps are registered in your Google Account, making them easier to recover and manage in the future.
How the Play Store works to manage your apps
When you install a new app from the Google Play Store, the system usually creates a shortcut to the app on your home screen, unless the manufacturer has disabled this feature in the settings. Additionally, after the installation is complete, Android usually displays the location of the newly added icon on the screen, making it easy to access immediately.
If you notice that New app shortcuts don't appear On the home screen, check your Play Store settings to make sure 'Add icon to home screen' is enabled:
- Open the Play Store and click on your avatar or profile picture.
- Go to Settings.
- Enter the section General.
- Activate the option Add icon to home screen.
With this, every time you install an app, accessing it will be available directly on the home screen, making it easier to locate.
View all apps installed from the Google Play Store
One of the most complete methods to check both the apps you currently have and those you have uninstalled is through the app itself. Google Play Store. From here you can manage, reinstall or remove applications, as well as access the complete history of apps associated with your Google account, regardless of the Android device you originally installed them on.
- Open the Google Play Store and tap your avatar or profile picture.
- Choose Manage apps and device.
- Enter the tab Administrator. Here you can see a list of all installed applications in alphabetical order.
- If you want to see installed and also removed apps, tap the filter next to 'Installed' to change the view to 'Not installed'. In this way, you will access the application history, where you can reinstall any previously downloaded app or delete its registration.
This feature is very useful if you've changed your phone and want to restore old apps, or if you want to clear your history to improve your privacy.
Access to the complete history of installed and uninstalled applications
Google Play Store maintains a history of all applications downloaded and associated with your account, allowing you to consult it at any time, regardless of the device previously used:
- Open the Play Store.
- Tap your profile picture and select Manage apps and device.
- Go to Administrator > filter Installed and choose not installed to see the apps you deleted.
- You'll be able to see details such as the name, current size, last version date, and, if you wish, reinstall the app directly from this section.
- You also have the option to permanently delete an app from your history if you prefer.
This list stays synced with your Google account, meaning you can always access it while using the same account even if you delete apps or change your phone.
Check installed apps from Android system settings
Android offers a specific section in Settings Where you can view all the information about installed apps, including system apps, disabled apps, and those you've downloaded manually. The section name may vary depending on the manufacturer or operating system version.
- Accede to Settings of your device.
- Look for the section Applications o Applications and notifications.
- Choose Application information or the similar option depending on your model.
- You'll find the full list of apps. You can filter to see only installed apps, only disabled apps, or include system apps (those pre-installed by the manufacturer).
In this section, you can perform advanced tasks such as checking the storage space used by each app, data usage, battery consumption, or modifying app permissions. You can also uninstall apps you no longer need or disable non-essential system apps (be careful when doing this, as some are essential for your phone to function properly).
Advanced Methods for Localizing Apps on Android
If you have a lot of apps or have lost an app icon, manual search may be slow. There are several ways to quickly search for apps by name:
Search through the app drawer with alphabetical index
Almost all Android customization layers include a app drawer, accessible by swiping up from the home screen. Often, a table of contents with letters appears on the side. Tap the first letter of the app's name, and the system will take you directly to the first app beginning with that letter.
Search using the bar in the application drawer
On other devices, the app drawer offers a search bar at the top. Just type in the name of the app and you'll see matching results in real time, making it much faster to find apps.
Search via Google widget
If you have the google search widget On your device's home screen, you can use it to find installed apps. Type the app's name in the bar, and below the web search results, a list with the icon will appear under the "From your apps" section. Tap the result to launch the app directly.
Search for apps by installation date or usage frequency
Some mobile phones allow sort the applications by the date they were installed or by frequency of use, in addition to alphabetical order. To do this:
- Go to the app drawer.
- Tap the three-dot icon (usually located in the top right corner).
- Select option Sort by and choose Instalation date o Frequency of use according to your needs.
Grouping and quick access to favorite applications
If you have apps that you use very frequently, you can pin them to the home screen for immediate access:
- Press and hold the app icon in the app drawer.
- Drag it to the home screen and drop it wherever you like.
- You can rearrange the icons to your liking or create folders to group them (for example, “Games,” “Productivity,” “Social Networks”).
- If you want to free up space on your home screen without uninstalling the app, you can also remove the shortcut by long pressing it and selecting the option Delete o Remove (according to the Android layer).
Efficient app cleanup and management on Android
One of the most important aspects to keep your Android phone fast and with enough space is perform periodic application cleanupsMany apps run in the background even when you're not actively using them, taking up resources that could be used for other important tasks.
To identify applications that you haven't used for months, you can rely on Files by Google, a free app that analyzes your device and shows you a list of apps that haven't been opened in a while, as well as making it quick and easy to uninstall them.
Another option in System Settings is to sort the list of apps by “Last Used” to quickly locate those that haven’t been used in a long time.
How to easily uninstall apps on Android
There are several methods to uninstall apps on Android:
- From the home screen or app drawer: long press the icon of the app you want to remove and select the option uninstall.
- From Settings > Applications: access the list, select the app and press uninstall.
- Using the Play Store: From the “Manage apps and devices” tab, select the app and uninstall it directly.
- Using Files by Google: Select multiple apps at once to uninstall them together, which is ideal if you want to do a deep clean.
In the case of system apps, you will only have the option to disable them but not to eliminate them, and it is advisable to seek advice before doing so.
Extra tips to keep your Android phone optimized and secure
- Review your purchase and subscription history: You can check the Play Store under “Payments & Subscriptions > History & Budget” to see how much you spend and monitor your app investments.
- Avoid installing unnecessary apps that may contain malware or consume battery and data in the background.
- Turn on automatic updates from the Play Store to always keep your apps up to date and secure.
- Create regular backups so you don't lose your important apps or data if you change phones or experience a system failure.
- Report or investigate before disabling system apps to avoid affecting essential functionalities of your device.
Android allows for comprehensive management of installed and uninstalled apps, both from the Play Store and from the system settings. Enjoying a cleaner, tidier, and more optimized phone is within anyone's reach with these simple steps and tips, making it easier to keep your phone's software under control and ensuring the best possible user experience.
