If you’ve checked your Android phone’s data usage and spotted an entry called “Removed apps” or “Removed apps and users”, you might be worried that deleted apps are still secretly using your data. They aren’t. This entry is simply a record of data that was used *before* those apps were uninstalled (or by other user profiles). Here’s what it means, why it can look large, and what you can do about it.
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What “Removed apps and users” means
Android tracks how much mobile data and Wi-Fi data each app uses during your billing cycle. When you uninstall an app, the app’s name disappears — but the data it already used during that cycle still counts toward your total. Android groups that leftover usage under Removed apps.
The “and users” part refers to other user profiles on the device. If your phone or tablet has a guest account, a second user, a work profile or a child’s profile that has since been deleted, data used by those profiles can also appear in this bucket.
Key point: deleted apps don’t keep running or using data after you remove them. The number only reflects past usage.
Where to find it
Pixel and most Android phones:
- Open Settings > Network & internet > SIMs (or Internet) and select your mobile network.
- Tap App data usage.
- Scroll the list — “Removed apps” appears alongside your installed apps.
Samsung Galaxy phones:
- Open Settings > Connections > Data usage.
- Tap Mobile data usage (or Wi-Fi data usage).
- Look for Removed apps in the list.
Menu names vary slightly by Android version and manufacturer.
Why the number can look big
- You uninstalled a heavy app this month. Streaming, social media or game apps can use gigabytes before you delete them.
- You updated or reinstalled an app. On some phones, data used by a previous install can show under Removed apps.
- System app updates. Old versions of preinstalled apps replaced by updates are sometimes counted here.
- Other profiles. A guest or secondary user that streamed video before being removed.
Can I clear or reset “Removed apps”?
There’s no button to delete this entry, but it resets on its own:
- Wait for your billing cycle to reset. Data usage counters start again each cycle, so the entry clears or drops to zero.
- Check your cycle dates. In the data usage settings, tap the gear or Data warning & limit > App data usage cycle to see or set the day your cycle resets so it matches your carrier’s billing date.
- Reset network settings (Settings > System > Reset options > Reset Wi-Fi, mobile & Bluetooth). On some phones this clears usage statistics, but it also removes saved Wi-Fi networks and Bluetooth pairings, so only do it if you really need to.
How to stop surprise data usage
Since the real culprit is usually an app you *still* have, use these settings:
- Set a data warning and limit in your data usage settings.
- Turn on Data Saver (Pixel: Settings > Network & internet > Data Saver; Samsung: Settings > Connections > Data usage > Data saver).
- Restrict background data for heavy apps: open the app’s info page > Mobile data > turn off Background data.
- Set apps to update over Wi-Fi only in the Google Play Store settings.
- Lower streaming quality on mobile data in apps like YouTube, Netflix and Spotify.
When to worry
If the Removed apps figure keeps rising during the month *without* you uninstalling anything, something unusual is going on — for example, an app being repeatedly reinstalled. Check Settings > Apps for unfamiliar apps, run Google Play Protect (Play Store > profile picture > Play Protect > Scan), and make sure you’re on the latest Android security update.
FAQ
Do removed apps still use data?
No. Once an app is uninstalled it can’t use data. The entry only shows data it used before removal.
Is “Removed apps” a virus?
No. It’s a normal Android feature. It can’t run or access anything on its own.
Why does it say “and users”?
Because it also includes data used by deleted user, guest or work profiles on the same device.
More Android help: what the “draw over other apps” permission means.
Hi, I’m Emam Hasan — an English teacher and the founder of Anirban Lexicon Center in Mirpur, Dhaka. I run Takedownloads to share honest game guides, tips and app reviews that help players choose well and play better. Alongside teaching, I work in digital marketing and SEO, and I enjoy turning complex topics into simple, helpful lessons anyone can follow.
