A preinstalled app is software shipped on a device before the user powers it on or completes setup. It is often called bundled, built-in, or factory-installed software. Because it arrives from the manufacturer or carrier, it may have deeper system access, stronger permissions, or tighter integration than a normal app.
In cyber security, preinstalled apps matter because they sit in a trusted position on the device. If they collect data, change traffic, inject referral codes, or launch other services without clear disclosure, users may not notice. Attackers can also abuse this trust layer by hiding unwanted behavior in vendor software or by targeting preloaded components. Defenders therefore review bundled apps, monitor their network activity, restrict unnecessary privileges, and treat the device image as part of the attack surface, not just the app store.