How to uninstall apps in Android Marshmallow: Three easy ways to delete apps in Android M, including how to delete apps from home screen

Android Marshmallow introduces a new way to uninstall apps - directly from the home screen. Here are three easy ways to delete apps in Android M. Also see: How to permanently delete unwanted apps.

Given the huge number of apps available for free in Google Play, it's all too easy to find yourself installing apps, never using them, and never deleting them. But leaving unused apps on your Android phone or Android tablet can be problematic if you're low on storage space, you'll waste data in downloading updates to those apps, and you will likely find your Android device performs better without them bogging it down. Also see: How to use app permissions in Android Marshmallow.

It's always been easy to uninstall unwanted apps in Android - at least those that you installed yourself; some mobile operators or hardware manufacturers will preinstall apps you don't necessarily want, but cannot delete. In Marshmallow Android has introduced a new, even easier to quickly rid your device of that unwanted software.

Below, we explain three easy ways to delete apps in Android Marshmallow. Also see: How to add storage to Android.

How to uninstall apps from the home screen

The ability to delete apps directly from the home screen is a new feature built into Android M, so this won't work on earlier versions of Android including KitKat and Lollipop. Also see: How to use Now On Tap in Android Marshmallow.

Many users assume that removing an app's shortcut from the home screen will delete that app from their phone or tablet; in fact this simply deletes the shortcut and the app itself remains in your app tray. Until now, that is.

Now when you tap and hold on an app shortcut on the home screen you'll see two options appear at the top of the screen: Remove and uninstall. If you just want to remove the shortcut drag the app to the Remove option and let go; if you want to uninstall the app then drag it over to the Uninstall option and let go. The app will immediately be banished from your home screen and, if you've chosen Uninstall, your app tray too. Also see: When will my phone get Android Marshmallow?

How to uninstall apps from the app tray

Before Android introduced this time-saving new feature, the easiest way to delete apps from Android was to do so from the app tray. Also see: How to add a lock-screen message in Android Marshmallow.

When you open the app tray and tap and hold on an app you'll see an option at the top of the screen to Uninstall the app. As before, drag the app over to the Uninstall legend and let go to uninstall the app from your phone or tablet.

If there is no uninstall option then it's likely that the app came preinstalled on the phone and you aren't allowed to delete it. You might instead see an option to uninstall updates to that app, which will be taking up space on your device and unneccessarily so if you have no intention of using the app. In this case you should uninstall any updates, then look for a settings menu within the app tray that lets you hide apps you can't uninstall and don't want to see. Also see: How to move apps, data and more to SD card.

How to uninstall apps from Settings, Apps menu

The third way to remove apps from an Android phone or tablet is to open the Settings app on your phone and select the Apps or Applications menu. Scroll down to the app you want to delete and tap to select it (you may need to select the Downloaded tab if it's not visible here).

In the screen that opens you should hit Uninstall to delete the app.

Read next: Best Android phones 2015/2016 and Best Android tablets 2015/2016.

Follow Marie Brewis on Twitter.

How to uninstall apps in Android Marshmallow: Three easy ways to delete apps in Android M, including how to delete apps from home screen

How to uninstall apps in Android Marshmallow: Three easy ways to delete apps in Android M, including how to delete apps from home screen

How to use Google Offline Maps: Navigate without an internet connection

Maps on smartphones are arguably one of their most useful features. Being able to navigate your way around a strange city or distant rural setting is liberating, well, at least until your signal drops and you suddenly find yourself a stranger in a strange land. In urban areas you can probably find a Wi-Fi source of some kind to get you going again, but if you’re out in the country, or indeed another country, then knowing that your trusty guide can keep going even when a data source disappears would be a great relief. To make this a reality Google recently introduced the ability to use its Maps service offline, including turn-by-turn navigation for Android users. So here's how to use Google offline maps to ensure that you never get lost again.

See also: 21 Strange sights in Google Street View

How to use Google Offline Maps: Downloading a map

The way that the Offline feature works is by downloading the actual map for a locale directly onto your smartphone. Obviously you’ll want to do this before you set off, as a large map could eat into your data plan and of course the reason you’re downloading it is that you might not have a signal where you’re going. Google has limited the size of the map you can install on your device, but as this currently stands at 120,000 square kilometres, so you should be good for most trips.

To download a map you’ll first need to open the Maps app on your smartphone or tablet, then search for the area, city, desolate wasteland that you intend to visit. When you find the place you’ll see its name in a white area at the bottom of the screen. Tap on this and the area will slide up, revealing more details about the locality. To save it to your device simply tap the three dots in the top right corner of the screen and you’ll see the option Download offline area appear if you’re using an Android phone or Save Offline map for iOS users. Tap this, confirm your selection, and the map will be installed on your handset.

How to use Google Offline Maps: navigation

As Android is a Google product, the advanced offline features have been implemented on this platform first, with no doubt similar to follow on iOS. To get started open up the Maps app and tap on the blue circle in the bottom right corner. This brings up the search option where you can enter your start and finish points. At the moment the offline mode will only allow you to have driving navigation, so walking or public transport are out, and as you might have already worked out there will be no traffic information available either. Once you’ve entered the route details tap the blue circle with the arrow in it and you’ll now be able to drive to your destination without the need of an internet connection.

iOS users are currently limited to viewing only, as navigation and route calculations are still to be introduced. To find the locally stored maps on your iOS device tap the three lines menu option again and then tap Your places and scroll down to offline maps. Now you can use the information in much the same way as a paper map, albeit without the need to unfold it out to something resembling a blanket. Keep an eye out for updates to Maps on iOS, as the navigation feature will surely arrive pretty soon. 

How to use Google Offline Maps: Navigate without an internet connection

How to use Google Offline Maps: Navigate without an internet connection

How to use Now On Tap in Android Marshmallow: Access Google Now from any app in Android M

Google Now On Tap is a new feature built into Android Marshmallow that lets you get help from Google within any app. Here's how to use Now On Tap on your Android phone or Android tablet. Also see: When will my phone get Android Marshmallow?

How to turn on Now On Tap

Now On Tap offers quick information on whatever you happen to be looking at without you needing to leave the app to perform a Google search. To use it you'll need a smartphone or tablet running Android Marshmallow, which for now includes only Nexus devices.

Provided you have a Nexus phone or tablet with Marshmallow, launch an app (we launched Maps) and press and hold the Home button. If you've never used Now On Tap a pop-up box will prompt you to Turn it on. Tap the Turn on button to do as it requests. Also see: How to uninstall apps from Android Marshmallow.

How to turn off Now On Tap

If you've turned on Now On Tap but find it annoying, it's easy to turn it off. Just open the Google app on your phone, select the three horizontal lines icon and choose Settings. Tap Now cards, then turn off Now On Tap. Also see: How to use app permissions in Android Marshmallow.

How to use Now On Tap

Once Now On Tap is activated it is available from any app just by pressing and holding the home button. In essence, it copies what you're looking at and performs a Google search on your behalf to bring up useful related information.

You can select one of the options Google offers you, or say "Ok Google" or tap the microphone icon to search for different information. Also see: How to create a lock-screen message in Android Marshmallow.

Where to use Now On Tap

Activating and using Now On Tap is easy - but where should you use it?

Any time you're ever on your phone and think to yourself, oh that's interesting I must Google that, press and hold the Home button. 

Now On Tap can be useful to:

• To find a restaurant, museum, shopping centre, pub or other point of interest that is mentioned on screen

• To learn more about an artist or song you're currently listening to

• To get reviews and information about the cast of a movie from any app that mentions the name of the film

• To find out more about people and celebrities mentioned in news stories

Read next: Best Android phones 2015/2016 and Best Android tablets 2015/2016.

Follow Marie Brewis on Twitter.

How to use Now On Tap in Android Marshmallow: Access Google Now from any app in Android M

How to use Now On Tap in Android Marshmallow: Access Google Now from any app in Android M

How to use app permissions in Android Marshmallow: Control what data third-party apps can access on your Android phone or tablet

Control what data third-party apps can access on your Android phone or Android tablet with app permissions. Here's how to use app permissions in Android Marshmallow. Also see: When will my phone get Android Marshmallow?

Apps require various permissions to do their thing on your phone or tablet, but sometimes their requirement of a random permission can ring alarm bells. For example, we can think of no reason why a photo-editing app might need to access your SMS messages, or a calendar app would need to access your camera.

Sometimes these apps have valid reasons for requesting these permissions, which will usually be detailed within their Google Play listing, but it does pay to keep your wits about you - especially when installing third-party apps from outside the security of the Google Play Store. Also see: How to uninstall apps from Android Marshmallow.

In earlier versions of Android to Marshmallow you would be notified of and prompted to grant access to these requirements upon installing the app, and should any update require updated permissions. Apps were otherwise left to do their thing, and you probably put app security to the back of your mind.

In Marshmallow Android builds in app permissions, letting you control what an app is able to access on your phone or tablet even after you've installed it. This means you get to choose whether that photo-editing app can access your SMS messages, or the calendar app can access your camera, at the point at which it requires it and only at that point.

App permissions are very easy to access and manage in Android Marshmallow. Here's a quick walkthrough. Also see: How to create a lock-screen message in Android Marshmallow.

How to use app permissions in Android Marshmallow

Step 1. To access app permissions on your Android M phone or tablet open your phone's Settings menu (look for an icon on the home screen, in the drop-down notification bar or in the app tray), then choose Apps. Also see: How to use Now On Tap in Android Marshmallow.

Step 2. Select the gear icon at the top right of the Apps menu. In the next screen choose App permissions.

Step 3. You'll find permissions are grouped into type, for example Body Sensors, Calendar, Camera, Contacts, Location, Microphone, SMS and Storage. Select any of these permission types to see which apps installed on your phone have access to that data.

Step 4. If anything in this list seems unusual to you, or you'd rather not grant that permission to that app, simply slide the toggle to disable the permission for that app. You can always change the setting later if needs be.

Read next: Best Android phones 2015/2016 and Best Android tablets 2015/2016.

Follow Marie Brewis on Twitter.

How to use app permissions in Android Marshmallow: Control what data third-party apps can access on your Android phone or tablet

How to use app permissions in Android Marshmallow: Control what data third-party apps can access on your Android phone or tablet

How to update Snapchat app on iOS and Android: Get all the latest features

Snapchat is one of the most popular apps around, letting users send photos and videos which are only available for a matter of seconds. And now, a new update adds lenses plus the ability to replay pictures and videos through add-in purchases. Here's how to update Snapchat on your smartphone or tablet. Also see: Snapchat can do what it likes with your messages, even publicly display them - should you be worried?

How to update Snapchat: iOS and Android

To update Snapchat to the latest version, you need to head to your respective app store and check for updates. The app is available for iOS and Android so you'll need to open the App Store or Play Store on your device. There's still no sign of Snapchat on Windows Phone, although there are third party imitations available.

If you're on iOS, head to 'Updates' to check for new versions of your installed apps. If Snapchat is in the list then you can go ahead and download the update. The latest version at the time of writing is 7.0.1

Android users need to open the menu within the Play Store and select 'My Apps'. Here is where you can see which apps have updates available. Select Snapchat and hit update if it's in the list (see above image).

For a full guide read: How to update Android apps.

An alternative method is to simply search for Snapchat in your respective app store. If it's installed on your device and there's an update available the listing should show an 'update' button.

See also: How to manually update an Android smartphone or tablet.

How to update Snapchat: New features confusion

If you're looking for the latest Snapchat features such as filters, replays and special text, it may seem like the app hasn't updated properly. However, these new features are simply not switched on by default and hidden away in the settings menu – we know it's a little bit strange but this is the reason why you might not think you've got the latest version.

See also: How to use new Snapchat: Filters, video chat, replays and more.

Follow Chris Martin and @PCAdvisor on Twitter.

How to update Snapchat app on iOS and Android: Get all the latest features

How to update Snapchat app on iOS and Android: Get all the latest features

How to use Snapchat new features: Snapchat Story reply released, plus new rewind and slo-mo filters

Another Snapchat update has added new features so here's how to use the new features including slo-mo and rewind filters. If you have an iPhone 6S or 6S Plus there's now support for Force Touch, too. Also see: How to update Snapchat and Snapchat can do what it likes with your messages, even publicly display them - should you be worried?

How to use new Snapchat: Story replies

An integral part of the Snapchat experience is the Snapchat Story, which displays a collection of videos and photos you've taken over a period of 24 hours, and can be viewed (and replayed) by friends. But what if you want to reply to a specific Snapchat amongst the collection of videos and photos in your friends Story? Up untl today its been a tad difficult as you've had to explain what you're replying to in your message, but that is no longer needed. 

With the latest update, Snapchat has officially added story replies. When watching a friends (no doubt hilarious) Snapchat story, you can reply to a specific photo or video by swiping up from the bottom of the display, opening a new chat window. Simply type your message, hit send, and your friend will recieve the message along with a snapshot of the photo/video you're replying to. Not the most groundbreaking addition ever, but it should make replying to Snapchat Stories a little bit easier in future!

How to use new Snapchat: Slo-mo and rewind filters

After you shoot a video in the latest version of the app, simply swipe left or right until you see three arrows (rewind) or a snail symbol (slo-mo). The rewind filter is useful if you want to make 'magic' effects such as impossible catches (since you're actually throwing something away from you).

How to use new Snapchat: Force Touch

Force Touch integration is currently pretty basic. You press hard on the Snapchat icon and get options to start a new chat or add a new friend.

How to use new Snapchat: New lenses

In the previous version (9.15.1.0 on 16 September) Snapchat added new lenses. The app does warn that this is only available on 'newer Android devices'. See also: Snapchat users get new year hack: 4.6 million phone numbers revealed.

Open the app and make sure your front facing-camera is active. Now long press the screen on your face to load the lenses. You can scroll horizontally through them and for most you'll need to follow an instruction for it to work properly such as opening your mouth or raising your eyebrows.

How to use new Snapchat: Purchase extra replays (in-app purchases)

It only available for US Snapchatters for now, but now there's an option to purchase extra replays if you just can't bear to look at some snaps just once. Prices start at three replays for $0.99.

Snapchat said: "You can use a Replay on any Snap you receive, but you can only Replay any Snap once. They’re a little pricey — but time is money! ;)"

How to use new Snapchat: Trophies

Swipe down from the main screen to bring up your personal Snapchat code and you'll see a new trophy icon above it. Tap it and you'll see what trophies you've managed to unlock - they're basically achievements like you get on computer games.

At the time of writing there are 16 to unlock and we've only managed the first one (reaching a score of 500) so we better go send some more snaps. Tapping the locked ones simply displays question marks so you'll have to work out how to unlock them.

How to use new Snapchat: How to skip a story or snap

If you've had multiple snaps from the same contact, or what to view someone's story without it taking forever you can skip each photo or video whenever you're ready. When you're holding one finger on the screen to view a snap, simply tap anywhere else with another finger to skip to the next one.

How to use new Snapchat: How to video call in SnapChat

If you fancy chatting to a friend, swipe right on their name in your Snapchat inbox to begin. When you leave the chat screen, messages viewed by both you and your friend will be cleared.

The app will notify you if your friend is online when chatting, and if you're both chatting at the same time you simple have to press and hold to share live video.

How to use new Snapchat: Filters

In similar fashion to Instagram, Snapchat has filters which you can add to your photos. However, they're not switched on by default so here's how to switch on filters in Snapchat.

Once you've taken a photo, simple swipe left or right and you'll see a message which says 'turn on filters'. Click the 'I want filters' button at the bottom of the screen. This will take you to the 'additional services' part of the settings menu where you can tick the filters box. Note that you'll need to enable location to be able to switch them on and for some to work properly.

How to use new Snapchat: Replays

In the same 'additional services' settings (swipe left from main screen, hit cog wheel and select manage under additional services) you can switch on replay. Once you've switched it on, you can replay one snap every 24 hours.

Permission for others to replay your snaps is there by default and can't be switched off.

How to use new Snapchat: Front facing flash

You're probably using Snapchat to send selfies to other users but if you're in the dark then it's your rear camera which has a flash. Well you can now switch on front facing flash in the additional services menu.

This turns your screen white to provide some extra light for your photo when you take it. You can turn the front flash on and off in the top-left of the screen.

How to use new Snapchat: Special text

if you like adding captions to your snaps then switch on 'special text' in, you've guess it, the additional services menu. Now when you add a caption, there's a 'T' at the top of the screen which you can tap to change the look.

How to use new Snapchat: Number of best friends

While you're in the additional services menu, you can tweak how many friends appear in your best friends menu. Simply select it in the menu and choose how many you want it to be. There's a maximum of seven – we're not sure why.

Follow Chris Martin and @PCAdvisor on Twitter.

How to use Snapchat new features: Snapchat Story reply released, plus new rewind and slo-mo filters

How to use Snapchat new features: Snapchat Story reply released, plus new rewind and slo-mo filters

How to delete your Google location history: Stop Google keeping tabs on your whereabouts

Google can track where you go and at what times you visit. Here's how to delete your Google location history. (Also see: How to turn off Google search history.)

You may or may not be aware that, under certain circumstances, Google can use your smartphone or tablet to track your location and will then keep a record of where you’ve been, along with the times and the dates. This feature can be useful for tasks such as remembering where you live and where you work while warning you of suspected delays along your frequent routes. (Also see: 5 best Android satnav apps.)

While you have to opt into this feature to enable it, it’s easy to do so without realising while you’re tapping through the initial screens on your phone when you first set it up. If you don’t know that you have enabled this feature, it can come as quite a shock to see such a recording of your whereabouts stored by a third party such as Google.

To look at any location history Google may have stored, go to www.google.co.uk/maps/timeline. Sign into Google if you haven’t already done so. You will then see a map with red dots depicting your previous locations and red lines showing your journeys between them. You can select different time periods to view and export the data if you wish. If you want to get rid of all this information, click on Delete All History, otherwise you can delete the location history from specific time periods.

If you want to keep using the feature but would rather remove specific location visits from your history, you can click each point on the map and then select the Delete From History option. Deleting your history doesn’t actually turn off the location history feature; it merely erases what has been stored up until that point. To stop Google from gathering any further location information, click on the gear icon at the top right of the page and select History Settings. Now click the Pause button to prevent any further location info being gathered.

Also see: How to use Google Navigation as a free satnav app

How to delete your Google location history: Stop Google keeping tabs on your whereabouts

How to delete your Google location history: Stop Google keeping tabs on your whereabouts