What are the most uninstalled cell phone applications, why are they deleted and what care to take

A report published by AppsFlyer found that

within 30 days of being downloaded during 2022, with

as the main ones to leave phones: a rate of

The analysis indicates that, in many cases, even game apps are gone

.

Guillermo Álvarez, general director of AppsFlyer for Latin America, explained that this is due to “the

nature of the games, since users constantly try new titles.

If the game doesn't make a memorable first impression, it's usually uninstalled in the blink of an eye."

Of course, there is a key factor in the decision to delete an application:

.

Considering that apps compete with each other in terms of available storage -and in relation to data usage-, it makes sense that they are uninstalled by users.

"

, which also, due to constant access to their resources, benefit from being installed in the main memory of the device, which is faster than an SD card", Ignacio Esains explains to Clarín, journalist specialized in videogames and industry analyst.

"The most popular games on mid-range phones (PUBG, Call of Duty Mobile, LoL: Wild Rift) are between 5 and 10 gigabytes. The open-world console-style game Genshin Impact is over 20GB," adds the analyst, which posts historical analysis on its Cronotripper site.

The most uninstalled on Android.

Source: AppsFlyer

“In addition, the popularity of hyper-casual and casual games

.

Even the most demanding games have high uninstall rates, as gamers quickly realize the investment required to fully understand and enjoy an advanced game.

applications

(59.71%) and

applications (53.40%) were the ones that followed in terms of uninstallation percentage on Android devices, between September and October 2022. These were followed by utility applications (52, 63%), and finance (44.98%)”, continues on the list.

The study does not consider

because Apple devices limit

uninstall

"The uninstall rate was calculated by dividing the number of uninstalls within 30 days of downloading an application by the total number of installations", they explain from AppsFlyer in relation to the production conditions of the study, which can be read in full. here.

apps

are the healthiest: they experience more downloads and stickiness on phones, at 27% higher compared to the average for other app categories.

The figure nevertheless represents

compared to 2021, but the trend of uninstallations always remains high.

Why are apps uninstalled?

Historical apps tend to stay on phones longer.

AFP photo

There are several reasons why the user decides to remove an application from their phone.

However, many of them can be summed up in one concept: the (bad)

(

, as it is known in the mobile development environment) that many present.

“One of the main reasons why an application can be uninstalled is that it is not clear what it proposes or what differential the app generates.

, ”

Franco Pellegrini, director of product design at

On the other hand, the expert points out that there is a kind of app bubble that, at some point, is

, when this is not strictly necessary.

“The question is what for: what value does an app add?

It has to be something that is really useful and worthwhile.

If it is the same as what I can see on a website, you are replicating the functionalities on another screen.

The hook is generated when the application adds value: an application has to solve a problem.

, ”says the author of

, a book specializing in these topics.

The uninstall rate has always been high, though it's down 8% since 2021. Source: AppsFlyer

Another problem is the

, which is called "

" ("push" a content, because they reach the user without request).

“Many times the applications

so that you use them again.

And this can be extremely annoying, users turn off notifications at best and uninstall these apps over time,” she adds.

On the other hand, there is another critical point:

.

In some cases it can be unbearable for the user: “Another reason has to do with the monetization models: some have advertising everywhere.

where there may even be more ads than 'app', which creates a nuisance over time, ”he warns.

And, last but not least, first impressions: “A report pointed out that of all the applications that one has,

.

And there was another super interesting fact: 20% of the apps you have, you entered only once.

It is like in dating, the first impression is what counts: if you entered and it did not add value, it was full of advertising or it was not easy to use, it is very likely that you will never open it again ”, concludes the also PhD in Communication (UNLP).

The apps, gateway for scams and hacks

Many game apps slow down the cell phone.

Photo Shutterstock

A problem that exists with applications is that, since there are so many and so varied, many represent

In some cases, because they leave gateways for possible attacks, in others, because they are themselves malware (

, for example).

Many also slow down the phone (called

in the jargon ).

In this sense, consulted by

, Tony Sabaj, leader of the Check Point Software Engineering Channel, advises to check where the applications are downloaded from and review their nature.

“The most important thing is

.

Trusted app stores like the Apple App Store,

review apps for security before publishing, though some better than others,” he explains.

“There are many other app stores that require you to download a profile to allow app installation or sideload apps, meaning they manually install apps on your device.

,” he adds.

In this sense, it is not bad to check if the application has what is known as a

“Just like a website has a signature that has been verified for encryption, apps can also have

that prove that a third party has verified at least the publisher of the app.

This doesn't make it intrinsically safe, it just confirms the source,” she adds.

In the details of an app, before downloading it, you can check if it has this type of certification.

Third-party permissions, another potential danger

Tinder asks permission to know location.

Photo Reuters

One last point to take into account is the

of certain applications when asking for permissions.

The so-called third-party permissions (

) come into play when

an application to use our data that may be sensitive, such as our contact book, camera or location.

“Most users blindly agree to grant all requested permissions in

.

Even many of these applications also require the user to

, providing even more personal information”, explains Emmanuel Di Battista, security analyst.

"It is common for them to request the user's location, access to the mobile camera, or even ask to send certain types of notifications," he develops, warning that this can incur a potential problem.

Check Point's Sabaj explains this idea: “In addition to only getting apps from trusted sources, the best way to determine an app's risk is to

For example, in

there are about two dozen services that an app can access, such as location, camera, network status, microphone, or contacts, to name a few.

“If I download a weather app, chances are

, which is a sure sign that an app may be collecting unnecessary data or

.

Apple has angered many app developers by offering the user a simple way to block apps from tracking information on their device,” he adds.

Thus, between the number of applications that are downloaded due to their little use and the possible problems that they can generate on the phone, whatever the nature of the application, it is always a good idea to think twice before downloading

And, above all things, check what permissions

the app

look too

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