How to remove unlisted, unwanted apps?

[imjc]

When I open my File Manager, I see 3 unwanted items:

1) a pac-man icon in the top right corner, linking to gamezop.com;
2) a folder named 'Surprise', linking to tarot.fondofgames.com;
3) a floating icon, also linking to tarot.fondofgames.com.

As far as I know, I've never visited either of these sites. I don't know how they got onto my phone. They're not listed in my apps, and I can't see how to remove them. Can anyone advise?

Motorola G6 Play
Android version 9
The file manager is the pre-installed one.

 

[anon(10614692)]

What phone? What file manager?

 

[imjc]

I've edited the OP to clarify.

 

[Javier P]

I've edited the OP to clarify.

Welcome to the forums. That floating icon is probably caused by an app that you downloaded. Try this. Restart the phone, open that file manager, tap the floating icon, go back to the home screen with the home key, open Play Store, go to My apps & games, select the Installed tab, tap "Alphabetical" and select "Last used" in that window, take a screenshot and post it here.

 

[imjc]

Welcome to the forums. That floating icon is probably caused by an app that you downloaded. Try this. Restart the phone, open that file manager, tap the floating icon, go back to the home screen with the home key, open Play Store, go to My apps & games, select the Installed tab, tap "Alphabetical" and select "Last used" in that window, take a screenshot and post it here.

Hi Javier,

Thanks for the reply. I did as you said, screenshot below. As you can see, there's nothing visible that looks likely to be responsible.

 

[Javier P]

That's very strange, the File manager that you just used doesn't appear on that list. Swipe down from the status bar and long press the notification related to the "brush" icon on top. What do you get?

 

[Javier P]

Also, what page do you get when you tap that floating icon? Can you post a screenshot?

 

[imjc]

That's very strange, the File manager that you just used doesn't appear on that list. Swipe down from the status bar and long press the notification related to the "brush" icon on top. What do you get?

Long-pressing does nothing except allow me to drag down the top menu, where the small brush icon disappears, but (I assume) becomes the larger brush icon with the red dot and the 'Clean' caption. I used the clean function shortly before making the OP here.

 

[Javier P]

Long-pressing does nothing except allow me to drag down the top menu, where the small brush icon disappears, but (I assume) becomes the larger brush icon with the red dot and the 'Clean' caption. I used the clean function shortly before making the OP here.

View attachment 319592

What do you get if you long press this notification? Do you have any third party cleaner or flashlight app installed?

 

[imjc]

Also, what page do you get when you tap that floating icon? Can you post a screenshot?

horoscope.fondofgames.com, a site which I've never visited, as far as I know, and am not interested in.

 

[imjc]

What do you get if you long press this notification? Do you have any third party cleaner or flashlight app installed?View attachment 319593

I just get an offer to stop showing the notification, which doesn't seem to be captured by screenshot.

I do have a third-party flashlight app, IconTorch. I'm not aware of any third-party cleaner.

 

[Javier P]

I just get an offer to stop showing the notification, which doesn't seem to be captured by screenshot.

I do have a third-party flashlight app, IconTorch. I'm not aware of any third-party cleaner.

Don't you get an info icon or anything similar to see which app pushed the notification?

 

[Javier P]

Or even easier, long press the icon that you use to open the file manager, tap info, scroll down that screen and tap 'advanced', scroll down and tap 'app details' (it should open the Play Store), take a screenshot of that screen

 

[blackhawkhot]

Probably before you go any further it's time to do a scan with Malwarebytes and Stubborn Trojan Killer.
See what they can find. There could be more you're not seeing too.
Both these apps have found nasty critters for me including a trojan preloader.
They're are free with no issues, have used both for years.

 

[imjc]

Or even easier, long press the icon that you use to open the file manager, tap info, scroll down that screen and tap 'advanced', scroll down and tap 'app details' (it should open the Play Store), take a screenshot of that screen

Long-pressing the file manager icon offers options to remove the icon or uninstall the app. However, I can get to 'app details' in the Play Store via the 'app info' page in the 'apps and notifications' menu.

The 'app details' option opens the Play Store and reads, "Item not found.", with a "Retry" button.

 

[Javier P]

Long-pressing the file manager icon offers options to remove the icon or uninstall the app. However, I can get to 'app details' in the Play Store via the 'app info' page in the 'apps and notifications' menu.

The 'app details' option opens the Play Store and reads, "Item not found.", with a "Retry" button.

Mmmm, that sounds like the app has been removed from the Play Store, probably not the stock file manager. Can you take a screenshot for that app screen under apps & notifications (including the header and app details)?

 

[imjc]

Mmmm, that sounds like the app has been removed from the Play Store, probably not the stock file manager. Can you take a screenshot for that app screen under apps & notifications (including the header and app details)?

With the Advanced sub-menu closed:



With the Advanced sub-menu open:

(top 4/5)



(bottom 4/5)

 

[Javier P]

Probably some old file manager, no longer available.

 

[imjc]

Probably some old file manager, no longer available.

OK. I've uninstalled and replaced it. Thanks for your help.

 

[Javier P]

OK. I've uninstalled and replaced it. Thanks for your help.

Let us know if you get the same floating icon and ads again.