Uninstalling apps is somewhat of a regular process for most Android users who are constantly experimenting with newer utilities they keep finding on the Google Play store. For them, the process of entering the app drawer, searching for the app they wish to uninstall before dragging it an dropping it into the Uninstall section is the simplest way to go about.
But there’s now an even simple method at hand. Those using stock Android 6.0 Marshmallow can uninstall apps directly from their homescreens. While earlier only an option to remove the apps from the homescreen used to appear when someone long-pressed on their icons, the new version of the software also shows an ‘Uninstall’ option beside it.
Such a feature was already available with a number of custom Android skins from big OEMs, but it’s for the first time that fans of the vanilla software are experiencing it. And there’s a way to access this option on a device that’s not running Android 6.0 Marshmallow or even running a custom skin which doesn’t have the trait.
All they need to do is download the Google Now Launcher from the Play store. Once that launcher is set as the default one, long-pressing on an app icon on the homescreen will result in both the ‘Remove’ and ‘Uninstall’ options appearing at the top. However, it should be noted that the option is appearing only on some devices running Lollipop; so you’d be lucky if you get it on yours.
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Android 6.0 Marshmallow has begun its rollout for Nexus and Android One devices, but it’s still to be widely made available by manufacturers like Samsung, LG and Motorola. As for the Google Now Launcher, it can be grabbed now through the Play store.