How to remove unlisted, unwanted apps?

[B. Diddy]

Is the problem gone now? Also, did you get this phone brand new from Motorola, or was it used? I'd find it highly unusual for Moto to preinstall an adware-ridden file manager app, and the fact that you can uninstall it makes it doubly suspicious, since stock file managers typically can't be uninstalled. Some manufacturers do include adware junk in their preinstalled apps (notably Alcatel), but I'm pretty sure Moto doesn't.

 

[imjc]

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

Will do.

 

[imjc]

Is the problem gone now? Also, did you get this phone brand new from Motorola, or was it used? I'd find it highly unusual for Moto to preinstall an adware-ridden file manager app, and the fact that you can uninstall it makes it doubly suspicious, since stock file managers typically can't be uninstalled. Some manufacturers do include adware junk in their preinstalled apps (notably Alcatel), but I'm pretty sure Moto doesn't.

The problem appears to be gone. I got the phone brand new from Amazon, in Nov 2018. I noticed the adware for the first time today, so I don't think it's more than a few days or a couple of weeks old.

I was also surprised to find it could be uninstalled. I now see that there is another app called 'Files' (not the one I just installed), which has no link to the Play Store. It looks like I misidentified the file manager in the OP as the native one. No blame to Motorola.

 

[B. Diddy]

Ah, then in that case, it's probably an Amazon Prime Exclusive version of the phone. Those phones originally came with a lot of bloat and adware in exchange for the lower price. Later on, Amazon took out all of the bloatware except for Alexa, so maybe that's why you're able to uninstall the file manager app now. https://www.androidcentral.com/what-comes-amazon-prime-exclusive-phone-these-days

 

[B. Diddy]

I'd also review any apps you may have installed recently -- it wouldn't be that surprising for a shady app to include aggressive adware that even tricked you into installing that bogus file manager app.