adb-uninstall

Remove an application from an Android device

TLDR

Uninstall an application

$ adb uninstall [com.example.app]

Uninstall but keep data and cache

$ adb uninstall -k [com.example.app]

Uninstall for a specific user

$ adb uninstall --user [user_id] [com.example.app]

Uninstall only if version code matches

$ adb uninstall --versionCode [version_code] [com.example.app]

adb uninstall removes an installed Android application from the device. The package is specified by its full package name (e.g., com.example.app), not the APK filename.By default, uninstalling removes the app along with all its data, cache, and associated files for all users on the device. Use the -k flag to preserve application data.

PARAMETERS

-k

Keep the data and cache directories after package removal.

--user userid_

Remove the package only for the given user. Default removes for all users.

--versionCode code

Only uninstall if the installed app has the given version code.

package

Full package name of the application to remove.

INSTALL

sudo apt install adb

sudo dnf install android-tools

sudo pacman -S android-tools

sudo apk add android-tools-adb

sudo zypper install android-tools

nix profile install nixpkgs#android-tools

CAVEATS

System applications cannot be uninstalled without root access or using adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0. The package name is case-sensitive. Pre-installed apps may be disabled instead of fully removed.

HISTORY

adb uninstall has been available since the initial Android SDK release in 2008, providing a simple way to remove applications during development and testing.