Removing an app from devices using Blueprints or Templates: use Group App Management or Pipelines

Android

This article explains how to remove an application from devices in your fleet, whether they're managed with Blueprints or Templates. You can uninstall apps from both device types simultaneously using Group Apps & Configuration or Pipelines.

How to remove an app using Group Apps & Configuration

Group Apps & Configuration lets you uninstall an app from all devices in a group, regardless of whether they're managed with Blueprints or Templates.

In the Esper Console, navigate to Devices & Groups and open the group containing your target devices.
Select Actions from the group toolbar.
Go to Apps & Configuration.
Set Select Platform to Android.
Set App Action to Uninstall.
Select the application you want to remove from the app list.
Click Uninstall to send the command to all devices in the group.

How to verify the app was removed

Return to the group device list and check that device compliance status updates.
For individual devices, navigate to Devices & Groups → [Device Name] → Apps and confirm the app no longer appears in the installed apps list.

How to remove an app using Pipelines

If you need granular targeting or want to roll out the uninstall across devices in stages, use a Pipeline instead. For detailed instructions, see Managing apps via Pipelines.

What to do if the uninstall doesn't work

Command shows as Queued: The device is likely offline. Wait for devices to come online and try again, or use Pipelines, which will retry when the device reconnects.
System app or manufacturer pre-installed app: Some pre-installed apps can only be disabled, not uninstalled. If you cannot remove the app on a specific device model, contact Esper Support.
App doesn't appear in Group Actions results: Verify the app is actually installed on those devices by checking Devices & Groups → [Device Name] → Apps → Installed.

Important: Update your Blueprints or Templates after uninstalling

Group Apps & Configuration uninstalls the app from devices but does not change your Blueprint or Template configuration. If the Blueprint or Template still lists the app as "Install," it may be reinstalled the next time the Blueprint syncs or the device is re-enrolled.

After uninstalling, you must also remove the app from your Blueprint or Template:

For Blueprints: Edit the Blueprint and remove the app from its app list.
For Templates: Update the Template to remove the app entry.

Additional considerations

Group-wide targeting: Group Apps & Configuration uninstalls the app from all devices in the group. If you only want to remove it from a subset of devices, create a temporary sub-group or use a Pipeline with device-level filtering.
Templates and provisioning: Templates are primarily applied at provisioning time. Removing an app from a Template does not retroactively uninstall it from already-provisioned devices. Use Group Apps & Configuration for live device remediation.

Still need help?

If you're unable to remove an app or encounter an issue not covered above, submit a support ticket and our team will assist you.