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Google’s making a silly and annoying change to how you uninstall system app updates

by | Dec 12, 2025 | Authority Insights, Google, Google Play Store, News

Play Store system app listing without uninstall button

Credit: Hadlee Simons / Android Authority
TL;DR

  • Google has removed the ability to uninstall updates for system apps via the Play Store.
  • Users now have to visit app settings in the settings menu to uninstall system app updates.
  • This is a more convoluted way of uninstalling updates to system apps.

Google has long allowed Android users to uninstall updates for system apps via the Play Store. Unfortunately, the company has now removed this Play Store feature for no clear reason.

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We can confirm that system app listings in the Google Play Store no longer have an uninstall button, which is used to uninstall app updates. Instead, these app listings only offer an open button. The change seems to be widespread and doesn’t target a specific Play Store app version. We’re seeing this change on devices running version 49.1.32-31 all the way to 49.2.25-31.