[Q] What Stock Apps can be Removed? - HTC EVO 3D

I was curious, does anyone know what stock apps on the EVO 3D can be removed safely?
And for that matter, is does anyone know if any of the Rogers apps that come pre-installed on the Rogers version of the phone are tied to the phone's functionality (and thus can't be removed)? One I really want to get rid of is "Wi-Fi Calling", but freezing it in Titanium doesn't seem to have any effect.
I've started freezing apps now that I have Titanium installed and working, but figured someone may have already gone through the process of removing useless stock apps.

saltorio said:
I was curious, does anyone know what stock apps on the EVO 3D can be removed safely?
And for that matter, is does anyone know if any of the Rogers apps that come pre-installed on the Rogers version of the phone are tied to the phone's functionality (and thus can't be removed)? One I really want to get rid of is "Wi-Fi Calling", but freezing it in Titanium doesn't seem to have any effect.
I've started freezing apps now that I have Titanium installed and working, but figured someone may have already gone through the process of removing useless stock apps.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
here is a decent post on which apps are safe to remove although its probably geared towards the sprint version, i'm sure there will be some overlap. hope that makes a decent starting point!
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1197265

Related

[Q] Safe to remove apps?

Has anyone compiled a list of the safe-to-remove apps for the AT&T GSII along with corresponding .apk filenames, yet? I've already removed a number of them via Root Explorer, using the list of removed apps from Cognition's rom, but there's a couple that still remain and I'm wondering if they're ok to remove or not. A full list would be best, though I'm mainly wondering about:
Kies Air
Featured Apps
Social Hub
AT&T Hot Spots (doesn't show in app list, but still shows as a running app for me)
Don't know...I saw that AT&T Hot Spots wasn't actually in the drawer but it shows up as a running app too. I don't plan on removing Kies Air or the Social Hub (for the moment) but I'd like to remove "Featured Apps" but when I go into Titanium Backup it'll ask me if I'm sure I want to do this since it's part of the framework so I've backed off of it for now...I'd like to know about these 4 apps and if they're safe to remove as well.
I used root explorer and did it manually. I lost count how many I ripped out.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I777 using XDA App
joeybear23 said:
I would like to keep a running list of AT&T-delivered apps from the stock ROM that are safe to freeze/uninstall without causing any loss of essential functionality.
Amazon Kindle
AP Mobile
AT&T Code Scanner
AT&T Family Map
AT&T Hotspots (if you do not use it)
AT&T Navigator
Buddies Now
City ID
Digital Clock
Dual Clock
Featured Apps
Live TV
Media Hub (not AT&T Bloatware, rather Samsung-delivered)
Mini Diary
Mini Paper
QIK Lite (if you do not use stock video chat)
Yahoo Finance
YP
If you have any apps that you have removed and run problem free for at least 48 hours, please let me know and I will update the list.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
From this thread.
Honestly I'd recommend installing Titanium Backup and doing a backup before you remove ANY apps. You simply never know if you might need them down the road for something. Sure 99% of the AT&T crap is crap, but there's no reason not to back them up first.
Also, if you're worried about it, buy the PRO version (of TB) and simply freeze ones you don't want to use. This isn't deleting them, it simply disables them.
Kadin said:
Honestly I'd recommend installing Titanium Backup and doing a backup before you remove ANY apps. You simply never know if you might need them down the road for something. Sure 99% of the AT&T crap is crap, but there's no reason not to back them up first.
Also, if you're worried about it, buy the PRO version (of TB) and simply freeze ones you don't want to use. This isn't deleting them, it simply disables them.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have the PRO version. I know about freezing but I was being lazy and I know there are much more adventurous people than me who've gone ahead and ripped things out. I didn't want to do the freeze app, okay seems safe to remove, repeat per next app deal. Like I said, I'm lazy...
Some of these At&t apps i cant find under root explorer, for example featured apps. what would be the file name for featured apps?
re: bloat/system apps
Smoghog said:
Has anyone compiled a list of the safe-to-remove apps for the AT&T GSII along with corresponding .apk filenames, yet? I've already removed a number of them via Root Explorer, using the list of removed apps from Cognition's rom, but there's a couple that still remain and I'm wondering if they're ok to remove or not. A full list would be best, though I'm mainly wondering about:
Kies Air
Featured Apps
Social Hub
AT&T Hot Spots (doesn't show in app list, but still shows as a running app for me)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you want to uninstall even more bloatware you need to get the app called
"SystemAppRemover" from the market. (everything will show up with this).
It makes it very easy to uninstall most any system apps.
The app has other functions too.
It's also best to flash a Nandroid backup of your rom before uninstalling
bloatware/system apps.
(use CWM Manager or CWM Recovery and NOT rom manager for backing up).
Good luck!

Can I get rid of Lookout without root?

I have an HTC Amaze with stock Sense rom. Looking at the list of permissions the HTC Lookout app has access to, I seriously would like to get rid of it specially that is constantly running in the background and I cant stop it or uninstall the app (if uninstall still has a meaning in the post-windows world)
As far as I know. For system apps to be removed, you need root.
brooklynite said:
I have an HTC Amaze with stock Sense rom. Looking at the list of permissions the HTC Lookout app has access to, I seriously would like to get rid of it specially that is constantly running in the background and I cant stop it or uninstall the app (if uninstall still has a meaning in the post-windows world)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No not anymore, all the preinstalled apps including bloatware by t-mobile, zinio etc are stuck unless you root...unless you're firmware is 1.36 or lower...if it is and wish to get rid of bloadware etc, I suggest using http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1310115 to get temporary root, then use titanium backup to freeze the apps, you do not want.
If you've have already updated OTA there's no going back to the old firmware, I repeat NO going back. So if you have 1.43 you have to root

After rooting, am I okay to go into ROM toolbox and uninstall/freeze bloat apps?

So this is my first Android phone, I just rooted it this morning and got ROM toolbox installed. Am I okay to go in and freeze or uninstall all these crappy bloat apps? I noticed in another thread that people were freezing a ton of apps instead of uninstalling - is there any particular reason for this? ROM toolbox apparently gives me the option to uninstall every app that's listed. Is freezing just a better idea for safety reasons? This is all very new to me but I'd like to uninstall as much of this bloat as possible.
Also, are there any other "must have" apps or fixes/tweaks that I should do now that I have root access?
You can uninstall the bloated verizon crap if you want, but some things may not work properly afterwards. i think that's why we usually freeze instead of uninstall.
what you can do instead is make a backup of any/all junk you want to remove. that way it's always there to reinstall if you find your phone not working properly.
if you plan on installing a custom ROM, then none of this even matters. Uninstall to your hearts content. But we typically like original backups of the whole system in case something F's up.
yyhd said:
You can uninstall the bloated verizon crap if you want, but some things may not work properly afterwards. i think that's why we usually freeze instead of uninstall.
what you can do instead is make a backup of any/all junk you want to remove. that way it's always there to reinstall if you find your phone not working properly.
if you plan on installing a custom ROM, then none of this even matters. Uninstall to your hearts content. But we typically like original backups of the whole system in case something F's up.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This is sorta of off topic, but can you make a backup of everything? I was stupid and uninstalled something i shouldnt have now the I cant login to my google account anywhere on the phone. Could you do this for me and send me the files(s)? It would be a god send.
michaelgg13 said:
This is sorta of off topic, but can you make a backup of everything? I was stupid and uninstalled something i shouldnt have now the I cant login to my google account anywhere on the phone. Could you do this for me and send me the files(s)? It would be a god send.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Actually, I did the same thing to a couple of apps before I realized what was going on. Then I got titanium backup after posting here and backed everything up, minus the files I uninstalled. It was mostly some random Samsung bloat apps. Everything seems to be working fine, so I don't think I did any damage.
I'll see if I can get the backup uploaded and I'll send you a PM with the link.

Question on bloat

Got a new Galaxy S9+ on ATT.
Went through the normal disabling and unsinstalling apps that I don't think I need, via the stock app manager. Bixby seems to suck, so I don't want that. I basically just want to clean things up, free up RAM, etc... Make it as close to a pure android experience as is realistically possible.
Now I have seen the threads listing all the stuff you can disable through ADB, and I have done that with older phones over the years... The problem that I recall, is when you disable some apps, the phone works fine... then when you want to take an OTA update, it usually fails when it tries to upgrade things that are no longer there, causing more headaches as you have to wipe the phone and restore to stock and then take the update and then set up your phone again, etc...
Is that a concern here? Do we yet know what apps we can disable without causing update issues?
I notice that this phone with 6gb of RAM, has less free RAM than my Essential with 4GB did...
Ok, I found the app on the app store that does most of the debloating for you, for like $3.49 so I got that, seems to work great... so nevermind, I guess? haha
Which app?
Package Disabler Pro,Samsung version. In the play store. It disables like 74 apps and packages rather than deleting them, so you won’t have trouble taking an OTA.
Yeah, Package Disabler Pro is a good job. Worth the money.
Yeah, makes it real simple, and if something breaks or stops working it is really simple and quick to go back and start re-enabling apps or services, one at a time... Takes the risk of breaking something, out of the mix...

best practice to debloat rooted LG v30 H932

[Cruzer] said:
Since your the guru on most things. Wondering if you an direct me/tell me, to a best practice on how to debloat H932. Since there really is no debloated stock rom available. Really need wifi calling so can't go to any of the aosp roms.
Also I moved over to Nova Launcher as you suggested in one of my posts.
Thanks for the help.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well, I'm not a guru on most things. But I do try to help. I'm not a dev, so people like @runningnak3d or @seadersn know lots more than me.
Before I answer your question about debloating, for Nova launcher I found an icon pack I like on Google Play. I applied it to "convert" all my icons to that look. I also use the "cube" screen turn, and the reverse parallax view where my background image moves with the screen turns. I also put shadows under my icon labels to give them more a 3D look.
For "debloating", Titanium Backup is best or even Greenify (hear me out) -- depending on your goal. Yes, you can force uninstall any app, even system app. Simply change system app to user app, then uninstall. There's even a "bloatware melter" (or something like that) you can invoke in Titanium Backup. Of course, make very good backup(s) with TWRP.
1) I'm not sure what all "bloatware" (added apps) comes with H932, as the carrier unlocked US998 doesn't have much. Look for social media apps you don't use, maybe media streaming services you don't use. On my US998, I DO use Pandora, I DO use Facebook. I've kept Twitter, but I've never used Instagram and probably never will. However, since it's a system app, removing won't really help me free up space (unless I am misunderstanding that LG uses protected system space). Freezing via Titanium Backup might be better.
But first let's discuss bloatware... Somebody said this in another thread:
Things like Hangouts, Keep, Play Games, Play Books, Play Newstand, Google+, Maps, and a handful of other things I consider bloatware. Just because it's from Google doesn't mean it's wanted and doesn't mean it should be pre-loaded.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't agree with him. I use Hangouts every day. It's my SMS app, as I have Google Voice. I use Maps every day, my wife uses Keep everyday. So, bloatware to everyone is different.
2) What is the goal? Reclaiming RAM or reclaiming space on the phone? "User apps" can be uninstalled to reclaim space, and while you CAN uninstall system apps, (to my knowledge) it doesn't help you reclaim user space. With few exceptions when you install something else, it's going to user space, not protected system space. Emptying out protected system space is decluttering the tool shed when you really want more space in your kitchen.
If you simply want stuff to stop running in the background, it's often better to freeze it in Titanium Backup or "hibernate" it with Greenify. If you freeze it and find out it's NEEDED, you can unfreeze it. Hibernate with Greenify means it won't run unless opened, and when closed will be hibernated again.
In one of the "package disabler" threads, somebody published a list of stuff you can remove from LG V30 and it was horrendously stupid. "Can" does not mean "should" -- unless you want to break basic functionality of the phone or want to remove a lot of the premium features.
This below is a conversation from that "package disabler" thread:
___________
iantlopp said:
***WARNING*** Some of these apps are ABSOLUTELY necessary. It would be very useful to go through this list and define what absolutely every one of those items are, as I have already found one that is absolutely essential to the basic functionality of the phone.
After having gone through a LOT of other things trying to determine why my SD card was not working with non-google apps, though google apps had no problems with it, and editing the contents with the computer was not an issue, it finally caught my attention that I had done this debloat process around the time that I started having problems (a few days before - hadn't tried to use the SD card other than to read the files, which has always worked).
After several days of searching different things, uninstalling and reinstalling apps (before I checked the debloat process), and finally going one by one with each debloated app, I finally found the culprit. "External Storage" or "com.android.externalstorage" which lists by the LG app as bloatware. But after I turned it back on, the write access was returned to non-google apps.
*edit* I'm also looking for the culprit causing Android Pay to stop working (specifically, when I go to settings, General, Tap & Pay, settings crashes). I've already reenabled "Android Pay" "com.google.android.apps.walletnfcrel" but Settings still crashes when I click on Tap & Pay, so there's some other dependency. And Android Pay is a google service, not related to LG bloatware, so *shouldn't* be just disabled "because" especially when it causes apps to crash just by clicking the wrong button - such as SETTINGS.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No disrespect to the op who was trying to share something that seems useful (he didn't write this app), BUT...
There's some things in those screenshots that should NOT be disabled. I do question the person who wrote this app. *
In your case for Android Pay, check the NFC stuff. Android Pay depends on NFC working. THAT (NFC) should never never never be disabled. "NFC" is is not an "LG" bloatware -- that is Android system stuff. I made fun of OnePlus for shipping a phone without NFC, and we're disabling it on OUR phones? NFC settings (page 7 of the screenshots in the op). By the way, NFC isn't just for Android Pay, it does other things too.
Some more that seems important...
Hidden Menu (helps you enable more LTE bands, check your OLED display for uniformity, and other things)
Print Spooler (Android service, not LG at all). My wife and I print from our smartphones to our wireless printer all the time. Even if you don't right now, in the future you may and will you really remember you DISABLED this very handy feature?
FM radio. There are some carriers who will NOT allow you to have this (Verizon, cough), and people are forced to SIDELOAD it to get it on their phones and the dev wants you to disable it?
"Qualcomm location" is useful, is related to GPS.
Wi-Fi calling and "W-Fi calling settings". Intertwined with VoLTE. All major carriers have that feature and even smaller carriers are rolling it out.
VPN stuff (two different settings in that list). I've used VPN many times, for work and personal reasons. Besides, many non-root ad blockers use VPN to redirect ad requests.
NFC settings (already mentioned, page 7 of the screenshots in the op)
And of course the External Storage service you mentioned which controls functionality of the microSD card storage.
---------- Post added at 07:15 AM ---------- Previous post was at 07:01 AM ----------
stu5797 said:
I am running into a little issue though. I disable everything in in the open and I lose hd calling.
Anyone know which I need to re enable to get volte back [or hd calling)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Probably the two Wi-Fi calling settings. I know with at least one major U.S. carrier, the VoLTE/Wi-Fi calling are very intertwined.
There's stuff in here that should NOT be disabled if you want your phone to work right.
* Whoever wrote this (now banned) app seems to have very limited world experience with carriers and smartphones.
Disabling external storage? What, you want a flip phone? Then buy a flip phone.
Disabling Wi-Fi calling? Crazy. Most major carriers are offering this, and even smaller carriers are rolling it out.
Same thing with print spooler and even VPN above. It's like they are trying to turn an LG phone into a OnePlus phone or worse, where users PRETEND they have a top tier Android but really don't.
Yes, some other things in the 11 page list should be hibernated with Greenify, but not totally disabled. It should not be in a disable list.
And you should definitely NOT remove them with ADB. Be very careful!
_________
Back to our discussion.
3) There's stuff you do NOT want to touch
In Titanium Backup, all the "system" stuff is in red letters. BE VERY CAREFUL! "360 Image Wallpaper" and "360 Video"? I'll never use that, but on the other hand removing it doesn't really help me get more user space back (unless I'm wrong about protected system space). However, you could freeze it in Titanium Backup if you suspected it was using RAM...
I see "SprintService 8.0.0.0" listed in red on my original US998 V30+ -- which is ironic since Sprint doesn't allow the US998 to be activated on their network. Maybe I could remove that, but again is it really hurting me and is it possibly helping me in some way? There's a lot of stuff interconnected that when you remove you find you haven't made the phone faster, but now have lag (since the phone looks for that stuff instead of moving on).
So, freeze or hibernate. Actually uninstall with caution. Make good TWRP backups.
Anybody else can chime in -- but PLEASE do not recommend any of the package disabler apps. We are discussing debloating ROOTED firmware.
I don't even bother with deleting system stuff. This phone really doesn't have that much bloat. And deleting stuff probably won't do much to make a difference anyway. The only reason I use the LG Package Disabler app is to disable the theme service when I want to apply an LG theme but also use substratum. That way it doesn't re-apply the LG theme and remove the substratum stuff on a reboot.
jsgraphicart said:
I don't even bother with deleting system stuff. This phone really doesn't have that much bloat. And deleting stuff probably won't do much to make a difference anyway. The only reason I use the LG Package Disabler app is to disable the theme service when I want to apply an LG theme but also use substratum. That way it doesn't re-apply the LG theme and remove the substratum stuff on a reboot.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
you can use adb uninstall too, so no extra app needed (though you can reactivate apps with lgpd? maybe easier then.). just google for it, there's plenty of info and more than one method :good:
seadersn said:
you can use adb uninstall too, so no extra app needed (though you can reactivate apps with lgpd? maybe easier then.). just google for it, there's plenty of info and more than one method :good:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah, I need to be able to re-enable it if I want to change an LG theme or go back to the default one. Completely removing it probably wouldn't be smart

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