How to Remove Widgets on Android

Written by Jack Lloyd

Last Updated: March 29, 2019

Widgets are minor Home screen apps that often aid in productivity or similar tasks. If you're tired of widgets cluttering your Home screen, you can remove them with a simple long-press and drag. If you'd prefer to delete widgets from your device entirely, you can do so from within either the Settings app or the Google Play Store.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:
Removing Widgets from the Home Screen

1
Unlock your Android.
2
Locate the widget you wish to remove. Since the Home screen comprises multiple pages, you may have to swipe left or right to find the widget(s) you want.

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3
Tap and hold the offending widget.
4
Drag the widget to the "Remove" section.^{[1]
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5
Remove your finger. Doing this will drop the widget into the "Remove" section, effectively removing it from your Home screen. You can repeat this process for any widget on your Home screen.

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Method 2

Method 2 of 3:
Uninstalling Widgets from the Settings App

1
Open the Settings app.
2
Tap Apps. This option may also be entitled Application Manager.^{[2]
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3
Tap the "All" tab.
4
Tap a widget you'd like to uninstall.
5
Tap Uninstall.
6
Tap OK. Your widget should be uninstalled immediately.^{[3]
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Method 3

Method 3 of 3:
Uninstalling Widgets from the Google Play Store

1
Open the Google Play Store app.
2
Tap ☰.
3
Tap My Apps.
4
Tap the app you wish to uninstall.
5
Tap Uninstall.
6
Tap OK. Your selected app should now be uninstalled.^{[4]
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Community Q&A

Question

If I uninstall the widget from my home screen, does it uninstall the app also?

Veronika Barchánková

Community Answer

You don't actually uninstall the widget from your home screen; you just delete it. And no, if you delete a widget from your home screen, it doesn't uninstall the app itself.

Warnings

Removing a widget from your Home screen will not uninstall it, and the widget in question will continue to take up memory.

Thanks!
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