Uninstall Metro bloatware from Samsung Galaxy Tab A9+

Cleaning T-Mobile and Metro Apps from a Tablet Using Ubuntu

This guide explains how to remove bloatware installed on a Metro tablet.

Metro apps send unwanted push notifications, install additional apps, and perform background telemetry and analytics. This guide will help you remove the visible App Hub and Metro Android App from your tablet, along with other background carrier apps, reducing unwanted notifications and telemetry while keeping your device fully functional. You do not need to root the tablet.

The guide is written for Ubuntu but is similar for other Linux distributions: you may need to replace the sudo apt with another package manager. Windows does not have apt or grep, but otherwise it is the same process.

Backstory: I bought a Galaxy Tab A9+ from Metro for free with a $20/month unlimited data plan. A voice plan was required, so I signed up for the $25 BYOD unlimited phone plan. The first $20 covered tax, fast shipping, activation, and everything else. A few months later, I downgraded the tablet to a $5/month 2GB plan. Others report that this plan can be canceled immediately after receiving the tablet. It's not a top-of-the line tablet, but I am happy with it. It's a little slow when switching apps, but otherwise it's what I was looking for.

Step 1: Enable Developer Mode on the Tablet

1. Open Settings > About tablet.
2. Tap Build number seven times to unlock Developer Options.
3. Go back to Settings > Developer Options.
4. Enable USB Debugging.

Step 2: Connect Tablet to Ubuntu

1. Plug in your tablet via USB.
2. Switch to the tablet and accept the Allow USB debugging prompt.

Step 3: Install ADB on Ubuntu

sudo apt update
sudo apt install adb

Step 4: Verify Connection

adb devices

You should see your tablet listed. If it says unauthorized like this, check the tablet and accept the prompt.

List of devices attached
A34B781CDF9	unauthorized

It should look like this (with a different device ID than mine):

List of devices attached
A34B781CDF9	device

Step 5: List T-Mobile and Metro Packages

This step is optional but recommended in case your package list differs:

adb shell pm list packages | grep -i tmobile
adb shell pm list packages | grep -i metro

Tip, if you see the error below, then look at the tablet for an authorization prompt:

adb: device unauthorized.
This adb server's $ADB_VENDOR_KEYS is not set
Try 'adb kill-server' if that seems wrong.
Otherwise check for a confirmation dialog on your device.

Step 6: Uninstall Packages for Your User

Run these commands to uninstall carrier apps without affecting system-wide functionality:

adb shell pm uninstall --user 0 com.applovin.array.apphub.tmobile
adb shell pm uninstall --user 0 com.dti.tmobile
adb shell pm uninstall --user 0 com.ironsrc.aura.tmo
adb shell pm uninstall --user 0 com.tmobile.dm.cm
adb shell pm uninstall --user 0 com.tmobile.dm.ms.services
adb shell pm uninstall --user 0 com.tmobile.pr.adapt
adb shell pm uninstall --user 0 com.metro.android.app
adb shell pm uninstall --user 0 com.metro.dm
adb shell pm uninstall --user 0 com.metro.services

For all packages except one, ADB responded with Success. However, the package com.tmobile.echolocate cannot be uninstalled via ADB. Attempting to remove it returns Failed to uninstall a package. It is a protected system service and will remain on the device.

Step 7: Verify Removal

adb shell pm list packages | grep -i tmobile
adb shell pm list packages | grep -i metro

Only protected or remaining apps will appear in the list.

Note: Some apps may return after Android upgrades unless you flash the tablet firmware. I am avoiding that for now because this adb process was quick and easy.