If you’re using a Samsung device running on the Android Operating System you might have come across the SKMSAgentService app. Naturally, you aren’t sure what is this app and what does it do?
SKMSAgentService is a preinstalled system application on Android devices which is required for mobile Near Field Communication(NFC) services based on the eSE hardware chip. This app allows you to use NFC technology to communicate and share information between two devices containing the NFC supported eSE chip.
SKMS or Service Knowledge Management System is a repository with a set of tools and databases that collects, stores, updates, analyzes, and presents the data of a company providing IT services to its clients. It is made up of four layers – Data and Information Layer, Information Integration Layer, Knowledge Processing Layer, and Presentation Layer.
eSE or embedded Secure Element is an autonomous tamper-proof Silicon chip embedded in mobile devices that stores your data securely and allows access to the stored information only to authorized personnel and applications. It is available in different sizes and designs and used in payment apps, ticketing and transportation apps, access control apps, etc.
The Application Package(APK) name of the SKMSAgentService app is com.skms.android.agent.
In this article, I’ll explain what is the purpose of the SKMSAgentService app, is it safe and can you uninstall this app from your device.
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What Is SKMSAgentService Used For?
The SKMSAgentService app manages the protocol with SKMS to gather your data and forwards this data using SKMS commands to the eSE where your data is stored securely. SKMS acts as an interface between the client application and SKMS along with SKMS and eSE.
When you use an app to make payment with NFC, the app firstly uses the SKMS protocol to gather your payment information, and then this information is sent to the eSE using certain commands where your payment information is stored securely. So, the SKMSAgentService app is required when information is sent from the company’s app to SKMS databases and from the SKMS database to eSE.
Basically, the SKMSAgentService app is required only when you use NFC services on your mobile device to make mobile payments, share data and read or write NFC tags.
Is SKMSAgentService a Virus/Spyware Or Is It Safe?
There are some mobile forums where the SKMSAgentService app is mentioned as a Virus and Spyware but this is totally false. SKMSAgentService is not a Virus, Malware, or Spyware. It doesn’t cause any harm to your device and also doesn’t spy on or sell your data to third parties.
SKMSAgentService is a safe application that is required for using NFC on your smartphone to make payments, share information and read or write NFC tags. It is present as a preinstalled built-in application so it cannot be a virus, malware, spyware, or adware.
It doesn’t consume your system resources unnecessarily or causes any battery drain issues like other bloatware.
If you’re still doubtful then you can install an Antivirus on your Android device and scan this file with the antivirus app. You’ll find the app is clean.
Permissions Used By SKMSAgentService?
The SKMSAgentService app uses Storage permission that allows the app to read the contents of your USB storage and modify or delete the contents of your USB storage.
You can check all the permissions used by this app by going to Settings > Apps > Show System Apps > SKMSAgentService > Permissions.
Can You Uninstall SKMSAgentService?
SKMSAgentService is a preinstalled system application that cannot be uninstalled in the traditional way you uninstall other third-party apps. To uninstall this system app, you’ll need a software like Android Debug Bridge(ADB) or an application like System App Remover which requires you to gain root access.
You shouldn’t uninstall the SKMSAgentService app because if you remove it then you won’t be able to use the NFC technology on your device. This means your device won’t be secure while using apps that support NFC with eSE like some payment apps, ticketing apps, transportation apps, etc.
Android device manufacturers generally recommend not to uninstall the system applications because they provide important functions in your device and removing them might cause issues with your Android device.
However, if you still think that this app is not required and you have no plans of using NFC on your device, you can uninstall this app using the methods mentioned in the next section.
How to Uninstall SKMSAgentService?
You can uninstall SKMSAgentService using ADB or System App Remover. Both the methods are mentioned below in detail.
1. Uninstall SKMSAgentService Using ADB
ADB is a command line tool that is used to communicate with a device running on the Android OS. ADB allows you to bring up a Unix shell so you can issue commands directly on the Android device. You’ll require a Windows PC to use ADB.
Here are the steps to uninstall this app using ADB.
Step 1 – Go to Settings > System > About phone.
Step 2 – Tap on the Build number 7 times to activate Developer Options.
Step 3 – Go back to the main Settings menu and tap on Developer Options to open it.
Step 4 – Enable USB debugging by tapping on it.
Step 5 – Download ADB on your PC.
Step 6 – Extract the ZIP file into a folder.
Step 7 – After extracting the ZIP file, open that folder.
Step 8 – Press and hold the shift button and right-click in a blank area.
Step 9 – Click on “Open Powershell window here.”
Step 10 – Enter the command adb devices
Step 11 – Connect your Android device to the PC using a USB data cable.
Step 12 – Run the command adb shell pm uninstall –user 0 com.skms.android.agent then wait for a few seconds and you’ll notice the app has been uninstalled from your device.
To disable SKMSAgentService instead of uninstalling it, you should replace “uninstall” with “disable” in Step 12 of the ADB command mentioned above.
2. Uninstall SKMSAgentService Using System App Remover
This method requires you to gain root access to your device. If you don’t know how to root your Android device then check our Android Root guide. After gaining root access follow the steps below.
Step 1 – Download and install the System App Remover application.
Step 2 – Launch the System App Remover application, search for SKMSAgentService and tap on the checkbox to select it.
Step 3 – Tap on the Uninstall button to completely uninstall the app and delete its data.
Conclusion
SKMSAgentService is a built-in Android system application responsible for NFC services with devices using eSE. It is required when using NFC on your device to make payments, and share information with NFC enabled devices and tags.
It is a safe application and free from viruses and malware. It shouldn’t be uninstalled from your device but if you do want to uninstall it you can use ADB or System App Remover.