Samsung installed an app on my Verizon S7 this morning with no way to uninstall. It requires permissions to look at almost everything on my phone. The app is called Smart Things (Samsung Connect). I will never buy another phone from Verizon or Samsung again. This is unacceptable behavior by Samsung/Verizon and should be exposed.
Did an app ask you to grant it permissions to access everything on your phone? Did you have an option to decline to give it those rights? Personally I also don't like those apps that can't be removed.
Yes, it asks for permissions. When I deny, the update won't install. Never again a Samsung/Verizon!! Does the Pixel also install unwanted apps?
But can Google's apps be removed also? On my nexus tablet I can't completely remove most of the "built-in" apps.
There's Package disabler apps which can disable those apps which can't be disabled. Only works for Samsung. I don't have any experience with them though. Another trick but not sure how risky this is: https://www.xda-developers.com/uninstall-carrier-oem-bloatware-without-root-access/?nocache=1 These methods don't require rooting.
Pixel phones/nexus tablets are supported by xda community and their bootloader can easily be unlocked and you can install a custom ROM of your choice.( You can enable root if you want , but by default root is not there) . So you can have a stock ROM without any Google apps ( like lineage os or resurrection remix)
Since it's on xda it can be trusted. I usually find the sub forum of the particular phone and look at guides in there, as they are specific to that phone so less chance of breaking stuff
I can confirm I love my Pixel XL and I do NOT miss the bloatware at all. As a side note I also like getting my OS updates instantly without needing any carrier's blessing. By far the best phone I have ever used and I have it tweaked somewhat. Nothing too fancy but features my carrier doesn't offer when they sell their phones under contract.
