How removing Google apps and using alternatives sped up a Pixel
After using a Pixel daily for over a year, the author removed or disabled several Google apps and switched to third-party replacements. Chrome is described as a major offender because of background telemetry, ad-heavy pages, and resource use. The changes reportedly made the phone faster and freed up significant storage.
The author used a Pixel daily for more than a year before choosing which Google apps to remove or disable. Replacing several with third-party software reportedly improved speed and freed substantial storage. Chrome was the main problem: it runs background analytics, shows many ads, and uses resources, while mobile Chrome cannot block ads with extensions.
Firefox Focus was picked for private browsing, keeping blockers on but clearing tabs, logins, and history on close. Samsung Browser offered add-ons like ad blockers and YouTube controls while using less power and battery, especially on Galaxy devices. Moving off Chrome saved about 300–500 MB on the Pixel 9 Pro XL as a baseline.
This account may encourage Android owners to reconsider default apps, potentially reducing data collection and resource strain, especially on devices with limited storage. Users who rely on Google services could face trade-offs in convenience, sync, and familiarity, while privacy-focused browser makers might see more interest. Manufacturers and developers could feel pressure to make defaults lighter or offer clearer controls, though individual results may vary by device, usage, and app mix.