What Is Android System WebView? Do You Need It? How To Enable?

Android is perhaps the most popular smartphone OS with more than two billion active users. This highly customizableย smartphone OS has dozens of hidden features and Android System WebView is one among them.

So here’s everything you need to know about the highly unnoticed feature Android System WebView.


What Is Android System Webview?

android system webview

Android System WebView is a system component powered by Chrome that allows Android apps to display web content.

Earlier, applications like Facebook relied on external browsers for opening links on the platform. Android System WebView solves the above-mentioned issue by functioning as anย in-app browser.

In simple words, Android System WebView can be considered as a miniature version of Chrome that comes pre-installed with every Androidย smartphone. This miniature version helps other applications to load URL without exiting the application.

Google regularly releases new updates for Android System Webview making it more secure and compatible.

Also Read-ย 10 best Android Apps


Do You Need Android System WebView

Android System WebView is an important application and an integral part of the Android OS. That said, it can be disabled and even uninstalled if a user wants to do this.

Android Systemย WebView is a stand-alone application that was introduced with Android Jellybean. Surprisingly, Google itself disabled Android System WebView application with Android N.

Google did this because instead of relying on Android System WebView, Chrome can be used as a webview application. Using Chrome as a webview application is more energy efficient as it eliminates the need for using two browsers thereby saving up some battery.

Consequently, if you are using Android N or above then disabling Android System WebView is a wise decision. Though using it for other Android versions is important for optimal performance.

Also Read-ย How To Stop Ads On Android Home Screen

Can I Uninstall Android System Webview?

Android System Webview is a pre-installed application. Consequently, it’s impossible to completely uninstall it unless you root your device. That said, you can disable Android System Webview from the settings of your smartphone.

Can I Unistall Android System Webview

To do this open the Settings app on your smartphone and select the Apps section. Next up, locate Android System Webview and tap on Uninstall updates button. Lastly, tap on the Disable button to hide the factory version of this application.


Conclusion

So this was some basic information about an unnoticed yet nifty feature on Android OS.

Do let us know in the comments if you know anything that we should add about Android System WebView that we should add in this article.

Anubhav Tyagi
Anubhav Tyagi
Just a normal guy who listen to lots of music, but apart from that I love Tech!

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