This is a step-by-step, ULTIMATE blog post about checking which app you recently uninstalled or deleted on any Android device. Being able to see these removed apps can be helpful for individuals who want to know which app they installed that caused an issue, or if they accidentally uninstalled an app they loved and can’t remember the name.
How I Check this Instantly
In my experience, if you’re trying to track down recently deleted apps on your Android device, the Google Play Store is a great place to start. Here’s how I’ve found my previously installed apps:
Open the Google Play Store: Launch the Play Store app on your device.
Tap on Your Profile Picture: In the top right corner of the screen, tap on your profile icon.
Select “My Apps & Games”: This section contains all the apps you’ve installed or interacted with.
Go to the “Library” Tab: Here’s where I’ve often found a list of all the apps I’ve previously downloaded, including those that I recently deleted.
This method has saved me multiple times when I needed to recover apps I accidentally removed from my phone. It’s simple, and all your app history is neatly stored in the Library tab.
How to View Recently Deleted Apps
Have you accidentally deleted an app from your Android device and want to restore it? This guide will show you several methods to view and potentially recover recently deleted apps.
Best Way 1: Check Recently Uninstalled Apps Using Developer Options
The first thing to do is quite simple and involves the developer settings or options. However, there is a limitation to this method. You can only see which app you uninstalled if you used it in the last 3 days, 12 hours, or 3 hours.
For this test, I uninstalled the Lumina Walls app, then enabled the developer options. At the top of the menu, you’ll find something like “Memory,” which is essentially a logbook of apps showing how much RAM each app consumed. I set it to display data from the last 12 hours. As I scrolled down, I looked for the Android-like icon, which indicates that the app has been uninstalled.
Way 2: Using the Google Play Store
One of the easiest ways to find and reinstall deleted apps is through the Google Play Store. This method has always worked for me, especially when I need to recover an app I removed by mistake.
Sort by recently updated.
Open the Google Play Store: I start by launching the Play Store app.
Access Your Profile: I tap on my profile picture in the top right corner, which opens up more options.
Select “My apps & games”: From here, I go to the section that shows all my app history.
Navigate to the “Library” Tab: This is where I find a list of all the apps I’ve ever installed, including those I recently deleted.
In my experience, this method is not only simple but very effective if the app was downloaded through the Play Store. It’s a good way to track down apps you’ve deleted but want to reinstall.
Way 2: Checking Device Settings
Sometimes, apps aren’t fully uninstalled—they might just be disabled. Here’s how I check for apps that are still on my device but not active:
Open Device Settings: I go into my phone’s settings.
Go to the “Apps” or “Applications” Section: This is where I can see all the installed and disabled apps.
Look for Disabled or Recently Uninstalled Apps: On some Android devices, there’s a specific list for “Disabled” or “Recently uninstalled” apps. This is helpful because sometimes I disable apps without fully removing them, and I can reactivate them from here.
This method is great when I’ve temporarily disabled an app or if the app didn’t fully uninstall. It helps me find apps that are still technically on my device but just not visible.
Way 3: System Settings – App Info
For a deeper dive into app usage:
Go to Settings > Apps.
Scroll down and tap on See all apps.
From the three-dot menu, select Show system apps.
Look at the app’s storage and check if there’s any residual data or cached files.
Sometimes, under Storage, there’s a Last accessed timestamp, depending on your Android version. This detail can sometimes show when the app was last opened, providing some clarity on its recent activity.
One popular method mentioned in the forums is using Digital Wellbeing. This tool tracks how often apps are used. You can access it by going to Settings > Digital Wellbeing & Parental Controls. Then, look for Dashboard or App Timers to see your app usage history. It’s helpful if the app was recently used, even if it’s now deleted.
Effectiveness: 7/10. While it shows detailed usage, it won’t list deleted apps but can help if you last used the app before deletion.
Way 5: Look into Google Play Protect
A less obvious suggestion was using Google Play Protect. If you open the Google Play Store, tap your profile icon, and go to Play Protect, you might find recent app scans. This can indirectly tell you when the app was last checked by Play Protect.
Effectiveness: 3/10. It’s unlikely to give you exact usage dates but might show if the app was recently scanned for security.
Time Constraints: The longer you wait to recover a deleted app, the more difficult it becomes. New data can overwrite the deleted app’s data.
Data Overwrite: As your device continues to be used, new data can overwrite the space where the deleted app was stored.
Root Access: Some recovery methods may require root access, which can void your device’s warranty and increase the risk of damage.
Conclusion
Weird Solution/Fact
Explanation
Activity Log Exploration in Developer Mode
In my experience, Android’s Developer Mode holds a hidden gem called the “Activity Log.” Once I activated Developer Mode, I noticed this log could capture app uninstallation activities. It often records timestamps and sometimes even the package name. It’s a neat trick that lets you check what you’ve recently deleted without any extra software or app downloads.
Data-Usage Statistics Hack
One day, I stumbled upon a trick using data-usage stats. By navigating to my network settings, I could see leftover data records for recently uninstalled apps. The stats retain history even after the app is deleted, so apps that recently used a lot of data may still appear here. It’s like an unexpected breadcrumb trail left behind by uninstalled apps!
Google Drive Backup Artefacts
In my experience, checking Google Drive can reveal backup artifacts of deleted apps. Android backs up app data, and these remain in Google Drive even if I uninstall the app. In the “Manage Backups” section, I found a list of recent apps I’d deleted, often with a last-backup date. It’s a clever workaround for seeing which apps I recently had without directly searching for them.
Cache Sniffing via File Managers
Sometimes, deleted apps leave behind cache files in obscure folders. I used an advanced file manager with root access and found logs from apps I had removed. It’s like an indirect clue about the apps, helping me see the names and folders they left behind. Cache files often hold more than they let on, revealing recently deleted app info if you know where to look.
Notification History Analysis
One surprising solution I found was checking the “Notification History” under Android settings. Notifications stay in the log even after uninstalling an app. I scrolled through and found recent uninstalled apps, especially those with notifications right before deletion. It’s a nifty trick if you need a quick peek at your recently removed apps without diving into complicated methods.
Table showcasing five creative solutions to view recently uninstalled apps on Android from a first-person perspective. Each row offers a unique, explanation: from Developer Mode tricks to checking data-usage stats, Google Drive backups, cache sniffing with file managers, and analyzing notification history.
That’s it for today’s blog post! This is exactly how to check for recently uninstalled apps on your Android. Whether you’re a parent, an older sibling, or anyone curious about which apps someone has recently removed or uninstalled, I’ve got you covered. I’ve included screenshots and videos to make it easier for you to follow along. I hope you find the information helpful! If you do, let me know in the comments or if you still have some doubts then contact us from here, free of cost. Have a nice day, buddy!
Kunal Kashyap, the tech guru behind FixItKunal.com, simplifies complex tech issues with clear and user-friendly guides. With expertise in Android, iOS, and more, his tutorials empower users to tackle tech problems confidently. Kunal's engaging style makes technology accessible to both beginners and experts. Beyond tech, he explores psychology and keeps up with tech and business trends awarded by the Government and Namita Thapar.
