When you unbox a brand-new smartphone, you expect a fresh start. However, before you even open your favorite app store, your device is already loaded with dozens of pre-installed applications. Most people end up keeping far more apps than they actually use, letting unused software run quietly in the background. A recent study by cybersecurity firm Surfshark highlights how much bloatware comes preloaded on major smartphone brands and how much personal data these hidden apps actually gather.
According to research drawing from the Bayton device database, preloaded app counts vary wildly depending on who makes your phone. Samsung tops the list with 88 user-facing pre-installed apps. The brand is followed by Google with 71, Xiaomi with 61, and Apple with 50.
Deletion freedom: iPhone leads while Google trails behind
The biggest difference between manufacturers isn’t just how many apps they pack onto a device. The key is how easily you can get rid of them.
Using data from the Universal Debloater Alliance Next Generation project, the study found that iPhone users enjoy the most freedom when cleaning house. In the European Union, iPhone owners can delete up to 98% of pre-installed apps (or 88% in other regions). Samsung and Xiaomi sit right in the middle, allowing users to safely remove about 57% of their preloaded software without breaking core system functions.
Surprisingly, Google Pixel devices offer the least flexibility. Only 38% of Google’s 71 built-in apps are flagged as safe to remove. This means most of that preinstalled ecosystem stays locked onto your phone.
What data are these preloaded apps actually gathering?
Keeping unused apps around isn’t just a matter of saving storage space; it is also a privacy concern. The study found pre-installed apps collect surprising amounts of personal data. This can range from an estimated location and street address to exact GPS coordinates.
On Samsung devices, third-party apps like Facebook and Instagram gather the most data, collecting 37 out of 38 standard data types listed on Google Play. Meanwhile, Xiaomi’s preloaded apps harvest an average of 16 data types per app, compared to 13 on Google and Samsung devices and 8 on Apple’s built-in iOS apps.
Surfshark Chief Security Officer Tomas Stamulis notes that even apps you never open can still quietly track information and link back to your device. Taking time to audit your software, adjust permissions, or swap built-in tools for privacy-focused alternatives remains one of the easiest ways to protect your personal data.
The post iPhone vs. Android Bloatware: Which Brands Let You Delete Pre-Installed Apps? appeared first on Android Headlines.
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