Nothing Phone 3a Lite Owners Can Uninstall Meta Services After Company Faces Backlash Over Preloaded Apps

Nothing Phone 3a Lite users will soon be able to completely uninstall Meta services from their devices, following widespread criticism over pre-installed third-party apps. The option will be introduced later this month through the upcoming Nothing OS 4.0 beta update. The move comes after backlash against the company's decision to include Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and related Meta background components, which users initially could only disable, sparking debate over Nothing's shift from its clean and minimalist software philosophy.

Nothing Faces Backlash Over Preloaded Apps on Budget Phone

Nothing co-founder Akis Evangelidis confirmed in a community post that users of the Phone 3a Lite will soon be able to completely uninstall Meta services from their handsets. The feature will roll out later this month through the upcoming Nothing OS 4.0 beta update, expanding user control beyond simply disabling pre-installed software. Evangelidis added that while flagship models will remain bloatware-free, select third-party apps will continue to ship with mid-range and budget Nothing phones.

The announcement follows backlash over the company's decision to launch the Nothing Phone 3a Lite with pre-installed third-party apps such as Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok. Along with these, the handset includes three Meta-related background components: Meta App Installer, Meta App Manager, and Meta Services, which initially could only be disabled, not removed.

Nothing, which has built a reputation for its simple design and clean software, said it added popular apps to improve performance. According to the company, pre-installation helps apps open faster, uses less battery, and makes the camera run more smoothly. It also said that such partnerships help lower production costs, though many users feel this goes against Nothing's promise of a pure and transparent software experience.

Another feature that has recently drawn flak is Lock Glimpse, which automatically changes lock-screen wallpapers and displays random articles powered by content partner Vilykke. While the feature can be disabled through settings, users have described it as intrusive and inconsistent with Nothing's design philosophy.

Despite the controversy, Nothing's decision to allow complete uninstallation of Meta services marks a rare move among Android brands, offering greater user freedom compared to Samsung or OnePlus devices. Still, many users continue to urge the company to remove all bundled apps and return to its original vision of a clean, distraction-free software experience.