What happened
I noticed games and apps on my Galaxy S23 that I never downloaded: puzzle games, a QR scanner, a PDF scanner, and even big names like Pinterest. They just appeared.
Why it happens
Phone carriers like Verizon can include a hidden helper app on your phone. It never shows in your app drawer. The carrier partners with app companies that pay to reach customers, and the helper quietly installs their apps in the background, often after an update or over time.
These installs don’t come through the Google Play Store, so there’s no “Install” tap and no notification. The apps are real programs from real developers, not viruses, but they can run ads, collect data, and clutter your phone.
How I found out
Every app records where it was installed from. Most of mine showed the Play Store, but 17 came from a different source with “Logia” in the name, which appears to be a carrier-linked app delivery service. That told me which apps I hadn’t chosen.
What I did
I had Claude walk me through it step by step.
- Turned on Developer mode, a hidden settings menu that lets a computer talk to the phone.
- Connected my computer to the phone over Wi-Fi with a free Android tool.
- Had Claude help me read the list of installed apps and spot the ones that didn’t come from the Play Store.
- Disabled and removed the loader, the hidden helper that was pushing the apps.
- Went through the leftover apps and removed the ones I didn’t want.
- Turned Developer mode back off.
I also opted out of marketing and personalized recommendations in the My Verizon app.
How Claude helped
Claude couldn’t see my phone directly. I ran each command on my computer and pasted the results back for it to review. It spotted the unusual installer, explained what each app was, and gave me the exact commands to run.
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