Android
Google Keep becomes a system app in Android 16 Preview
In the Android 16 Developer Preview 2, Google Keep, the popular note-taking app, has become a system app. This means it can no longer be easily uninstalled like regular apps.
System apps are pre-installed and essential for basic phone functions. While usually uninstallable only by advanced methods like rooting (which gives users full control over the system), they can often be disabled.
On Android 15 and older versions, Google Keep is a standard app that can be uninstalled normally. However, in the Android 16 preview, it’s moved to a protected system area, requiring root access for removal.
This change suggests Google may be planning deeper integration of Keep with Android, potentially granting it access to core features or enabling new functionalities. One possibility is a tighter integration with a rumored lock screen note-taking feature, which has been anticipated but not yet released.