Why are Meta services installed as system apps on this phone?

[darth23ultra]

Why is it that the meta services and apps are installed as system apps for a company that is just plain and simple  Not only the apps are installed as system apps but they also use background data by default even if you don't use any meta services and their apps. Please stop including those intrusive apps in our phone which we pay money to own. I could careless for meta and their mining services which have also proven to be insecure. I thought Samsung was all about security and privacy.

[CrymsonDawn]

As I understand, that doesn't actually uninstall the app, just disables it and removes it from view for the current user.

They are completely baked into the OS

[ChaosSaber]

Had to do some reading, but you are correct, I never knew that

[Mujibar]

I haven't experienced that on my S23U. I've always been able to completely uninstall any pre-installed third-party apps with no leftover components. But my phone is factory unlocked. Two questions:

1. Which device(s) are you finding this on?
2. Is it carrier-locked?

[CrymsonDawn]

Every Samsung I've had has been factory unlocked and every Samsung has had these hidden in the system all submenu. Unless it's a regional thing, these are uninstallable

[Mujibar]

Ok, I do have those in system apps. System apps generally cannot be uninstalled, but they can be disabled.

[userlQcCM1wRc8]

As others have said, at least the Mets system apps can at least be disabled. Hopefully, that stops background activity!

[userlQcCM1wRc8]

That said, even disabling the system apps in the phone settings, does not mean they are completely dormant!

Here is what MS Copilot AI stated.

Disabling Meta system apps doesn’t always guarantee silence. Many of these apps retain background permissions or shared services that can still ping home, especially if they’re tied into system-level frameworks or receive push events via Google Play Services.

Recent reports have highlighted how Meta’s AI and messaging platforms can unintentionally expose sensitive data, even when users believe they’ve opted out or disabled features. The issue isn’t just about app visibility—it’s about deep integration and ambiguous data pathways. For example:

- Shared libraries: Some Meta apps share components with core services like Instagram or Facebook, which can still initiate background activity.

- System-level permissions: Even when disabled, apps may retain cached permissions or wake via broadcast receivers.

- Telemetry and analytics: Certain packages may still log usage or device metrics unless fully removed.

If your goal is airtight control, ADB uninstall is the cleaner route. I can help you identify the exact package names and prep a command list that surgically removes them without touching anything critical.

[TipsyTrex]

Guessing its a carrier branded device? Buy them unlocked next time. Unlocked devices do not have bloat like meta services or that app services thing that pesters you to install games.

[CrymsonDawn]

I have unlocked and they are still there, you'll find them under system apps, maybe it's just a US thing

[realaud]

Other countries have stricter laws against Meta and its reach.