So you're staring at your Chromebook screen wondering how to ditch that app you never use? Maybe it's that puzzle game you downloaded last month or that Android photo editor that sounded cool but turned out sluggish. I get it – my own daughter filled her Chromebook with drawing apps until it ran slower than our old family dog. Let me show you exactly how to clean things up.
Why You Should Remove Unused Chromebook Apps
Chromebooks aren't like your regular laptops. That sleek speed comes from ChromeOS being lightweight, but clutter it with apps and you'll notice:
- Storage headaches: Most Chromebooks start with just 32GB or 64GB. My nephew learned this hard way when his Minecraft install ate 40% of his space
- Battery drain from background processes (looking at you, social media apps!)
- Performance lag when too Android apps fight for resources
- Security risks from outdated or shady apps
Fun fact: A single Android game like Among Us can hog 800MB – that's 12% of a base model's storage!
Pro tip: Before removing anything, check if your school or work admin blocks uninstalls. My friend's district locks down educational apps completely.
Method 1: Uninstall Chrome Web Apps & Extensions
Web apps are those icons appearing in your launcher (that toolbar at screen bottom). Here's the slick way to remove them:
Step 1: Click the launcher circle/dot in bottom-left corner
Step 2: Right-click the app icon you want gone
Step 3: Select "Uninstall" from the menu
(If no uninstall option appears, it's either a system app or Android app)
Saw that? Three clicks and it's history. I use this weekly to remove temporary tools like PDF converters.
Deleting Chrome Extensions
Extensions live in your browser toolbar. To remove them:
- Click the puzzle icon in Chrome's top-right corner
- Find the extension and click "Remove"
- Confirm removal in the pop-up
Warning: Some shady extensions pretend they're uninstalled but leave traces. Always check chrome://extensions afterward.
Method 2: Remove Android Apps Installed from Play Store
Android apps behave differently on Chromebooks. Two removal methods:
| Method | Steps | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Play Store | Open Play Store → My Apps → tap app → Uninstall | Single app removal |
| Settings Menu | Settings → Apps → Google Play Store → Manage apps → select app → Uninstall | Batch uninstalling |
That second method saved me hours when clearing 15 unused games off my kid's device. Still, sometimes apps refuse to disappear...
When Android Apps Won't Uninstall
Last month, TikTok kept reappearing on my student's Chromebook after removal. Here's what fixed it:
- Reboot Chromebook holding Refresh + Power
- Check admin restrictions at chrome://policy
- Disable Play Store in Settings → Apps → Google Play Store → Disable
If all else fails, powerwash (factory reset) is the nuclear option – just backup files to Google Drive first!
Method 3: Removing Linux Apps
Linux apps require terminal commands. To uninstall:
sudo apt-get remove [app-name] sudo apt autoremove
Example: To remove LibreOffice:
sudo apt-get remove libreoffice
| Linux Removal Scenarios | Command |
|---|---|
| Remove app but keep config files | sudo apt remove [app] |
| Remove app + config files | sudo apt purge [app] |
| Remove unused dependencies | sudo apt autoremove |
Honestly? I avoid Linux apps unless absolutely necessary. They triple the headache when things break.
⚠️ Caution: Messing with sudo commands can brick your Linux container. Double-check spellings!
Method 4: Delete Progressive Web Apps (PWAs)
PWAs install like regular apps but run in browser. Removal is quirky:
- Open Chrome browser
- Type chrome://apps in address bar
- Right-click app → "Remove from Chrome..."
Sometimes you need to also clear site data in Chrome Settings → Privacy → Clear browsing data.
What About Built-in System Apps?
Can't uninstall core apps like Files or Settings (thankfully!). But you can:
- Disable Android apps: Settings → Apps → select app → Disable
- Hide icons: Right-click launcher → Hide
- Block auto-updates: Play Store → Settings → Auto-update apps → Don't auto-update
My school disabled the Play Store entirely on classroom Chromebooks - cuts distractions by 80%.
Advanced Cleanup Tactics
After uninstalling apps, dig deeper with these pro moves:
Finding Storage Hogs
- Open Files app
- Right-click storage locations → "Free up space"
- Check Downloads, Play Files, and Linux files
Browser Reset for Stubborn Apps
When web apps leave ghosts:
- chrome://settings/reset → Reset settings
- chrome://settings/clearBrowserData → Advanced → All time
This fixed my Spotify web app that kept relaunching itself annoyingly.
User Questions Answered
Key Takeaways Before You Uninstall
- ? Always check storage impact before installing new apps
- ? Web apps uninstall fastest via launcher right-click
- ? Android apps may leave residual data - clear cache afterward
- ? Disable rather than fight unremovable system apps
- ? Bookmark chrome://extensions for extension cleanup
Remember how people always tell you "it should just work"? Well, sometimes it doesn't. Last Tuesday I spent 45 minutes battling a zombie calculator app. But 99% of the time, removing apps from Chromebook takes seconds once you know these tricks. Now go declutter that launcher!
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