Android 13+ Lets You Uninstall Google Play System Updates Directly From Your Phone
What’s new
Google is rolling out a new capability that lets Android users uninstall recently applied Play System updates (sometimes called “Mainline services updates”) entirely from their devices — without requiring a computer and ADB.
Previously if a Play System update caused issues on your phone, the only workaround was a full factory reset or using the PC-based rollback tool. Now some phones show a “Remove updates” option under Settings → Apps → Google Play Services → Mainline services. Selecting it prompts you with a warning about potential instability. If confirmed, the update is reverted.
Why this matters
For many Android users, Play System updates can deliver critical security patches and new features — but occasionally they can introduce bugs or compatibility problems. As one reviewer put it:
“When something goes wrong on our Android devices … we might want to roll back the update.” Android Authority
Having an on-device rollback option provides a safety net: you can revert a problematic update without needing technical tools or a full reset.
What to know and limitations
- This feature appears to be rolling out gradually and is not yet visible on all devices. Even when present, the “Remove updates” option may not appear if the update is too old or if your OEM has blocked it.
- Reverting updates may also mean losing new features or fixes the update delivered — it’s a trade-off between stability vs. newest changes.
- While uninstalling updates is becoming easier, certain system apps — especially core services like Play Services — should be handled with caution. Rolling them back might cause other apps to misbehave. Reddit+1
- The rollout seems targeted at devices with Android 13 (and newer) and those up-to-date with Google’s Mainline service architecture. If your device hasn’t received the relevant update, the option may simply not appear yet.
How to check & use it
- Open Settings → Apps & notifications (or equivalent) on your Android device.
- Tap See all apps (or App info) and locate Google Play Services.
- Within Google Play Services, look for a section called Mainline services (or “System services” type listing).
- If you see the listing and the Play Store page for it, look for a “Remove updates” or “Uninstall updates” button.
- Tap that button, read the warning dialog, and confirm if you’re sure you want to rollback.
- After the update is removed, you may have to restart the device. Then you can optionally reinstall the update at a later, more stable time.
