Nothing’s latest smartphone introduced a number of new bloatware apps from Meta, some of which couldn’t be uninstalled, but that will change in future updates.
In response to fan backlash over the past two weeks, Nothing has issued an update to its original statement on bloatware apps and “Lock Glimpse” coming to future phones, including the Nothing Phone (3a) Lite that launched last week. The update reveals that, starting “later this month,” users will have the ability to uninstall all Meta apps pre-installed on their device.
As we noted last week, Meta apps on the Nothing Phone (3a) Lite include Facebook, Instagram, and three system-level Meta apps. You can uninstall Facebook and Instagram as you please, but the other three could only be disabled. Nothing says that, soon, you’ll be able to uninstall those apps instead of just being able to disable them. Users could uninstall those apps using ADB from a connected PC, but a built-in option is obviously preferable.
Nothing explains:
Following your feedback and suggestions, we’ve been working on making pre-installed services more flexible and within your control. Starting later this month, you’ll be able to completely remove Meta App Installer, Meta App Manager, and Meta Services from your device.
Previously, these could only be disabled. While we recommended keeping them active for better stability of pre-installed apps like Instagram or Facebook, we understand that some users prefer full control over what stays on their device.
The same community post also clarified that TikTok is only preinstalled in the EU, UK, and Japan, so it won’t be installed if you’re in any other regions. The same post goes on to explain that the preinstalled apps load quicker and have better camera access.
So while you’ll be able to remove a lot of Nothing’s new bloatware, you can’t get rid of all of it.
Firstly, “Lock Glimpse” remains installed and cannot be removed. The app that powers the clickbait-farm-directing lock screen “ads” can only be disabled. You can turn off the feature entirely, but you can’t easily be fully rid of it.
Beyond that, Nothing also says that it will be “introducing recommendation services” going forward which “recommend apps that are curated to enhance the initial setup experience for users by helping them quickly discover essential utility and social apps, rather than searching for and downloading each one individually from the Play Store.” Nothing says this only appears during device setup and can be skipped.
Meanwhile, Nothing says that Phone (3a) Lite is available again after initially selling out.
More on Nothing:
- All that talk for Nothing: The promises that haunt the new Nothing Phone
- Nothing’s bizarre new lock screen ‘ads’ want you to visit this sketchy clickbait farm [Gallery]
- Nothing Phone (3a) Lite is a €249 rehash of this phone – and yes, it has lock screen ‘ads’ [Gallery]
Follow Ben: Twitter/X, Threads, Bluesky, and Instagram
FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links. More.
Comments