Google Meet will now be a "Core" app on your Google Pixel

In a move that might irk some users, Google has made the decision to pre-install the Google Meet app on most Android devices. This change, spotted by Android expert Mishaal Rahman, applies to phone and tablet builds released after December 13, 2023. While you can disable Google Meet, you won’t be able to uninstall it from your device, at least not in the traditional way.

Previously, Google Meet was part of the Google Mobile Services (GMS) bundle but categorized as a “Flexible” app. This meant manufacturers could choose whether to pre-install it, and users could uninstall it if they didn’t need it. However, the new classification elevates Meet to a “Core” app, placing it alongside essential functionalities like the Phone and Messages apps. Core apps come pre-loaded and can’t be fully uninstalled, although disabling them is still an option.

For regular Meet users, this change is practically invisible. They’ll have the app readily available, which could even be convenient. However, for those who don’t use Google Meet and value storage space, the pre-installed app will occupy precious bytes they can’t reclaim, as they currently can by uninstalling the app.

Interestingly, some devices released before December 13 might already have Meet pre-installed and part of the “Core” apps. This depends on the “RSA tier” the device falls under, which dictates which GMS apps are mandatory. So, even if you have an older smartphone, you might find yourself with a permanent guest in the form of Google Meet.

Nevertheless, as long as Google works on improving Meet, having a trusty video calling app baked should be useful when in a pinch. Moreover, Google Meet does not take much storage space by default, so not being able to uninstall the app shouldn’t be a problem for most users. On my Pixel 7a, the app consumes just under 100 MB of space. That being said, feel free to share your thoughts on the development in the comment section below.