The appearance of unwanted games and apps on an Android phone is a common problem faced by many users. You might notice games being installed automatically without you downloading them yourself, consuming storage space, affecting device performance, and increasing data consumption.
This problem is often caused by system apps added by the manufacturer, Google Play Store settings, or apps that have permission to install other apps. In some cases, it's due to adware embedded within free apps.
Understanding why games are automatically installed on Android is the first step to stopping them permanently. By adjusting specific settings, deleting the problematic apps, and disabling certain promotional features, you can regain full control of your phone and prevent any app from installing without your permission.
Have you ever noticed a game on your phone that you don't remember downloading? Have you ever updated your Android phone to find dozens of new apps that you didn't ask for? If you want to prevent this from happening, there are a few things you can try.
Disable automatic app updates in the Galaxy Store
Sometimes, Samsung's Galaxy Store automatically downloads games to your device. This is rare, but it can happen. It might be related to some apps needing updates. If you notice your phone constantly getting new apps you don't recognize, this is the first place you should check your Android system, just to be safe.
To resolve this potential issue, open the Galaxy Store on your phone. Tap the three-line icon in the bottom right corner. Then tap Settings (the gear icon at the top of the page) > Tap “Automatically update apps” and select “Never.” This will prevent the Galaxy Store from updating apps and adding new ones without your permission. You will have to manually update the Galaxy Store apps, but this is a small price to pay for resolving your problem.
Disable automatic app updates in the Google Play Store
Just like with the Galaxy Store, the Google Play Store can also update or add apps to your phone without your permission. Follow the same steps you used with the Galaxy Store. Open the app, go to Settings, then Network Preferences, and disable the "Automatically update apps" feature. This will prevent the Google Play Store from making any changes to your phone without your consent.
If you want to take further steps to prevent these apps from doing things without your consent, you can also revoke their permissions or disable background data usage. By revoking permissions or preventing apps from using data even when closed, you can be absolutely certain that they won't act without your explicit consent for any downloaded apps. To do this, go to your phone's settings, then to Apps, find the Galaxy Store and Google Play Store, and then disable their settings.
In an ideal world, this would solve all your problems. But unfortunately, we don't live in an ideal world, and there's another possibility: your phone could be downloaded for games without your permission, a possibility that's difficult to deal with definitively.
Your phone company may download apps onto your phone without your consent.
In some cases, your carrier is actually installing games and other apps on your phone without your consent. But this isn't necessarily without your permission; you likely agreed to it when you signed your contract with the carrier. This often happens when you buy a locked phone from a carrier. As you can see, companies often pay carriers to install their apps on your phone. And if you agreed to this in your contract with the carrier, there's not much you can do about it. You can always uninstall the game or app, but it's very likely you'll see it again later. There is one workaround you can try, but it's not guaranteed to work.
You'll need to look for specific types of apps, usually pre-installed by your carrier. They may or may not have a name that reflects your personality. After accessing your phone's settings, then the Apps section, look for apps like Mobile Services Manager, DT Ignite, or Meta App Manager, or a carrier-specific app like Verizon or AT&T App Manager. If you find one of these, tap on it, force stop it, and then disable it. You can also revoke its permissions, just in case.
This might prevent your carrier from downloading random apps and games onto your phone. However, even if you disable these apps, they'll likely be automatically re-enabled when you update your phone. Unfortunately, as long as your contract terms allow your carrier to download apps onto your phone, there's not much you can do about it. Be sure to read your contract terms carefully to understand what you're agreeing to.
The good news is that if you terminate your contract with the carrier and unlock your phone, you won't have to worry about this anymore. This type of carrier contract usually happens when your phone is locked because you bought it with a contract from them. Once you unlock the phone, this won't be an issue.
Unfortunately, the main reason apps appear unexpectedly on your phone is your carrier's contract, and that's the most difficult thing to fix. If nothing else works, you can always put all those unwanted apps in a folder and hide them somewhere on your home screen so they never appear. Or simply hide them completely so they're not visible at all. Just be sure to try all these other steps before resorting to that.
Automatic game installation on Android is not random; it's the result of specific settings or applications that can be controlled. Once the cause is identified and the source is disabled, the problem will completely stop.
Regularly check your phone's settings and delete unnecessary apps. Make sure to download apps only from trusted sources to ensure a safe and surprise-free experience.
