Can I undo root?

Android@lemmy.world – 43 points – 11 months ago

Hi all :)

It's been a while since I modded a phone, so I'm a bit out of touch. If I root my phone and uninstall some apps, can I remove root afterwards so that I can use things like banking apps without workarounds?

I've got a Xiaomi Mi 10t Lite 5g, and it keeps automatically reinstalling its own apps, which then screw up my apps because they take over functions.

If I can completely remove apps rather than just hiding them, that would be a bonus.

Thanks for your help :)

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If you just want to uninstall system apps, you do NOT need to root your phone. You can use ADB to uninstall or disable any system apps (regardless of if your phone allows that in settings).

This! Here's a guide to do that: https://www.xda-developers.com/uninstall-carrier-oem-bloatware-without-root-access/

Thanks for replying :)

This works because applications truly aren’t fully uninstalled from your device. They are just being uninstalled for the current user

This is what I mean by hiding them. It's essentially just removing the shortcuts. Can't they still be restored by an update this way?

It honestly depends on the manufacturer. Samsung's One UI for example doesn't re-install uninstalled system apps. I'd guess MIUI does the same. I don't think every update would come with an updated version of every system app that would automatically get installed.

I don't think every update would come with an updated version of every system app that would automatically get installed.

I think we're on the same page, but looking at it from different angles.

I've uninstalled updates and disabled the apps, but a system update restores them. I would imagine that disabling them with ADB would end up with the same result. Removing them with root should, in theory at least, remove them completely.

If I get more than five minutes to myself this weekend, I'll try the ADB method and see what happens 👍