That row of suggested apps at the top of your app drawer can feel more like clutter than help. If you’re looking for a cleaner phone interface, you’re in the right place. Learning how to get rid of recently used apps on Android is your first step, but the method changes depending on whether you own a Samsung, a Google Pixel, or another brand. This guide will walk you through every detail.
We will cover the universal principle behind this feature, give you exact instructions for your specific device, and explain what to do if the suggestions keep coming back. By the end, you’ll have a phone screen that shows only what you want to see.
How Android Handles Recently Used Apps
Before you change any settings, it’s useful to understand what you’re actually turning off. The “recently used apps” or “suggested apps” you see are not a core part of the Android operating system itself. Instead, this is a feature added by your phone’s launcher.
The launcher is the software that controls your home screen, app drawer, and often the recent apps overview. Different phone makers install their own launcher with unique designs and features. This is why the setting to remove these apps is in a different place on a Samsung Galaxy compared to a Google Pixel.
It’s also crucial to distinguish this from your list of background apps. When you swipe up and hold to see all your open apps, that is the system’s recent apps list. The suggested apps feature is a separate prediction tool that learns from your habits to show icons it thinks you’ll want to open next. They are related but controlled by different parts of your phone.
How to Get Rid of Recently Used Apps on Android
The direct answer is that you need to disable the suggestions feature within your phone’s launcher settings. The process almost always involves finding a toggle labeled something like “Show recommended apps,” “Suggestions,” or “Recently used apps.” Here is how to find it on the most common types of Android phones.
Turning Off Suggestions on Samsung Phones
Samsung’s One UI has a few places where this setting can live. The most common method starts from the recent apps screen. Swipe up from the bottom of your screen and hold, or tap the recent apps button, to see all your open applications.
In the top right corner of this screen, you should see three small dots. Tap on these three dots to open a small menu, and then select “Settings.” Inside these settings, look for a switch called “Show recommended apps” and turn it off. This should immediately remove the suggested apps row from your recent apps view and app drawer.
If that doesn’t work or you can’t find the option, try the home screen settings. Long press on any empty area of your home screen and tap “Settings” or the gear icon. From there, navigate to “Home screen” or “App drawer” settings and find the “Suggestions” option. You can usually turn off suggestions for both the home screen and the app drawer independently.
For Samsung foldable phones like the Z Fold or tablets like the Galaxy Tab, the interface might look slightly different, but the same principle applies. Look for the three-dot menu or home screen settings to locate the suggestions toggle.
Turning Off Suggestions on Google Pixel Phones
On Pixel phones and other devices with a stock or clean Android interface, the steps are very similar. First, open your recent apps screen by swiping up from the bottom. In the top right corner of this screen, tap the three-dot icon to open a menu.
Choose “Settings” from that menu. You will then see an option for “Suggestions” or “Recommended apps.” Simply toggle this setting off. The suggestions should disappear from your app tray instantly.
Another reliable path is through the home screen settings. Long press on a blank spot on your home screen and select “Home settings.” Scroll until you find a section for “Suggestions” and disable the toggle for app predictions. This method is consistent across many Pixel models, including the Pixel Fold.
Turning Off Suggestions on Other Android Phones
For phones from brands like OnePlus, Xiaomi, Motorola, or Sony, the process follows the same logic but with different labels. You generally need to access your launcher’s settings, which is often done by long-pressing the home screen.
Look for an option called “Home screen settings,” “Launcher settings,” or simply “Settings.” Inside, search for terms like “Recommendations,” “Smart suggestions,” or “Recently used apps.” The toggle might be under a subsection like “App drawer” or “Drawer settings.”
If you cannot find it, your phone’s support website is a good resource for model-specific instructions. The key is to remember you are looking for a launcher feature, not a system-wide Android setting.
When Suggestions Keep Coming Back
It’s frustrating when you turn the feature off, only to see it return a few days or weeks later. This usually happens for one of two reasons. The first is a software update that resets some preferences. The second is that the launcher’s cached data still holds your old usage patterns.
If your phone updates and the suggestions reappear, the fix is simple. Just go back into the settings and toggle the suggestions off again. It’s a good habit to check this setting after any major system update.
For a more permanent solution, you may need to clear the cached data for your launcher. This tells the phone to forget what it learned about your app habits. To do this, open your main Settings app and go to “Apps” or “Application manager.”
Find your launcher in the list. For Samsung phones, it’s called “One UI Home.” For Pixels, it’s “Pixel Launcher.” For other phones, it might be “Launcher” or include the brand name. Tap on it, then select “Storage.” Here, you will see options to “Clear cache” and “Clear data.”
Start by tapping “Clear cache.” This is safe and won’t affect your personal files. Restart your phone and see if the suggestions stay off. If they come back, you can try “Clear data,” but be warned this will reset your home screen layout to default, so you’ll have to rearrange your icons and widgets.
More Ways to Clean Up Your App Interface
Disabling the suggestions toggle is the most direct method, but it’s not the only way to achieve a cleaner look. If you want even more control over your phone’s interface, consider installing a third-party launcher from the Google Play Store.
Launchers like Nova Launcher, Lawnchair, or Microsoft Launcher are built with customization in mind. They often allow you to completely remove any suggestion areas and design a minimalist home screen from scratch. This is a great option if your phone’s built-in launcher doesn’t let you turn off suggestions as thoroughly as you’d like.
Another simple action is to regularly clear your recent apps list. While this doesn’t disable the prediction feature, it empties the list of apps you’ve used recently, which can make your phone feel tidier. However, this is a manual process you need to repeat, and it doesn’t stop the launcher from learning your habits over time.
For those who find the entire interface too complex, some launchers offer an “extremely simple interface” mode that strips away all but the essentials, resembling a basic or “dumb phone” experience. This is a radical but effective way to remove all distractions, including app suggestions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does turning off suggested apps improve battery life?
No, disabling this feature will not have a noticeable impact on your battery life. The suggestion system uses very little power because it only analyzes your usage history when you are actively using your phone.
Is this the same as clearing my recent apps list?
No, these are two different actions. Clearing your recent apps list removes the thumbnails of apps you’ve opened recently from the overview screen. Turning off suggested apps stops your launcher from displaying predicted app icons in your app drawer or on your home screen.
Will this stop apps from running in the background?
No, this setting only affects the visual suggestions on your screen. It does not control which apps are allowed to run in the background. You manage background app activity through your phone’s Battery or App settings.
Why can’t I find the three-dot menu in my recent apps?
Some phone models or Android versions hide the settings in the home screen menu instead. Try long-pressing an empty area on your home screen to access the launcher settings where the suggestions toggle is usually located.
What does clearing the launcher’s cache do to my phone?
Clearing the cache removes temporary files that help the launcher run quickly. It can fix minor glitches like persistent suggestions without deleting your personal data. Clearing the launcher’s data is more drastic, as it resets your home screen layout to factory default.
Can I remove recently used apps from the share menu as well?
The share menu’s list of recent apps is controlled by a different system service. Disabling launcher suggestions will not affect it. You can sometimes manage share menu preferences in Settings under Apps or Default apps, but control is often limited.
Do I need to restart my phone after changing this setting?
Usually, the change takes effect immediately. However, if you don’t see the suggestions disappear, a quick restart can help refresh the system and apply the new setting properly.
Will this affect the apps suggested by my keyboard?
No, your keyboard’s suggestion bar for words and emojis is completely separate. Keyboard apps have their own settings for predictions and personalization, which are not linked to your home screen launcher.
Is there a way to hide recently used apps without turning off suggestions?
Most stock launchers do not offer a hide option; it’s usually just an on/off toggle. Some third-party launchers might provide more nuanced controls, like hiding the section while keeping the learning active, but this is not common.
My phone updated and the suggestions returned. What now?
This is a common occurrence after an operating system update. Simply navigate back to the suggestions setting in your launcher and toggle it off again. If the setting itself is gone or moved, check your updated phone’s manual or support forums for the new location.
Now you know exactly how to get rid of recently used apps on Android, no matter what phone you use. The process boils down to finding the right toggle in your launcher’s settings, whether that’s through the recent apps screen or home screen menu. If the feature proves stubborn, clearing your launcher’s cache is a powerful next step. For ultimate control, exploring a third-party launcher can give you the simple, clean interface you want. Your phone’s layout should work for you, not the other way around.