Google’s making an annoying change to how you uninstall system app updates

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Credit: Hadlee Simons / Android Authority


TL;DR

• Google had removed the ability to uninstall updates for system apps via the Play Store.
• Users had to visit app settings in the settings menu to uninstall system app updates.
• The change appears to have been reverted, although it is unclear whether it was a bug or an intentional change in the first place.

Update: December 18, 2025 (4:33 AM ET): It appears that Google has reconsidered this change and reverted it, allowing you to easily uninstall updates again. As Android Authority contributor AssembleDebug pointed out on X, once you update a pre-installed system app, the “Uninstall” button appears next to the “Open” button following the install, as it did previously.






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