Help removing 'Sim Toolkit' from unlocked Note 8

[Kalou]

I would really like to remove the Vodafone Sim Toolkit app from my sim/account but it can't be uninstalled or deleted.

I think the reason for this is it's linked to the sim. When I remove my Vodafone sim from my factory unlocked Note8 the Sim Tookit disappears. 

For those that don't know it's archaic looking software from the days of first-gen internet access phones, offering stuff like Horoscopes and Lottery info...

I had put my sim card into an old flip phone from around 2005 and wondered if the software had been written onto the sim then as I didn't remember it being there prior. I ordered a new sim from Vodafone but upon activation the Sim Toolkit is still there. I wonder if it's not somehow linked to my account...

It's not a huge deal but it's a useless bit of software, taking up at least some resources and was totally unsolicted. Any advice on how to remove it would be welcome! Thanks

[BandOfBrothers]

I note you say factory unlocked @Kalou 

Did you buy the phone directly from Samsung ?

Nice choice of phone by the way

If it's direct from Samsung then it'll be the BTU CsC Code so it'll have no Vodafone Bloatware on it. 

It appears the Vodafone Sim card is driving this app. 

Can you force stop and disable it ?

[Kalou]

Thanks! Yes direct from Samsung - really like it.

You can force stop it but not disable or uninstall. As I say, received a new sim today and it's still there!

Didn't put the new one in old Vodafone flip phone which I wonder is wonder is what triggered it.

Any suggestions? Could it been somehow linked to my account now?

[BandOfBrothers]

If it disappears when you remove the Vodafone Sim Card then it has to be that as a trigger. 

You could ring Customer Service and ask if anything can be changed on your Account to stop it. 

Something like a Package Disabler from the PlayStore would only help with a baked in app. 

Is the App using any resources like Data apart from storage space it’s taking up ?

Can you go info it’s preferences and kill anything in there. 

Worst case scenario is hide it in a folder. 

[Kalou]

It uses a really minimal amount of stroage and data.

I could hide it in the app menu but it'd rather it were just not on the phone anymore.

I agree that a package disabler would be unlikely to resolve it.

I would call customer service but I'm not sure they'd understand the issue. I do think it's something on the Vodafone side though...

Anyone else had this issue? 

[Colleen]

@Kalou We'll be happy to check your account to see if we can remove it 😊 Please come and speak with us on Live Chat and we'll see what we can do. 

[hrym]

The software is indeed on the SIM and, afaik, can't be removed.   It doesn't (also afaik) occupy any storage or memory and will only appear in the app drawer.   If you use homescreens to launch apps, it isn't particularly intrusive.