Related
So before you ask to search, which I have done but cannot come up with anything conclusive. This is perhaps the funky cool openness of Android that there are many solutions out there. If you could please share some of your opinions or experiences, it would be greatly appreciated. I am looking forward to the SGS II quite soon.
1) iTunes.... As the iPhone utilizes iTunes for the syncing of Apps, Music, Photos, Books and so on, my question is that what is a solution for Android Devices (SGS II) with Apps? Is there a method of backing up the APK files or apps to the computer that can be used at a later time (ADB is one but would like GUI). iTunes backs up download IPA files from phone to PC, and you can select to install them at any given time. iTunes also updates the purchased IPA's without the need of a handset being available.
I ask this question to limit the need to download each app every time I update a firmware. (Bandwidth in India isnt the best and can take time getting a 200MB Game)
2) DoubleTwist seems like a good solution, but does it sync with the stock Music app or requires the DoubleTwist app to play music? I can only assume that Kies will do the needful, but what about all the playlists already built on iTunes? Any Alternatives?
3) SD Card... So it may seem that this can be utilized for everything which includes backups and storage, while updating firmwares, does it require it to be removed so it does not corrupt any data during the update process?
4) Freezing Apps... Does this basically mean that the app exists but all of the files and dependencies associated with it are ignored and not used? Why not just uninstall or delete?
5) ODIN / Rooting... If you could direct me to any links you may have which give good info on the usage, warnings, requirements... Would appreciate it.
6) iOS SMS DB to Android? Do all the SMS Apps on the Android use the same principles and formats? I have read that the SMS DB (which I have extracted) can be formatted via CSV and imported on Android OS. Any guides please and if I import it, is it a central location that it is stored where any SMS app from the Android Market can use that DB or does it create its own DB.
Thats all I can come up with. Anticipating for some great advice and words of caution.
Thanks All.
Some basics applies to SGS1 but most are the same .
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=723596
) SD Card... So it may seem that this can be utilized for everything which includes backups and storage, while updating firmwares, does it require it to be removed so it does not corrupt any data during the update process?
No but a removal of sim and sd card means no trouble from them .
Sorry can not answer re ITunes i just cut and paste music .
APK backup Titanium backup pro from the market .
http://www.appbrain.com/app/titanium-backup-★-root/com.keramidas.TitaniumBackup
jje
1) +1 for Titanium Backup. By far the easiest way to backup files. Most file explorers will allow you to manually copy the apk files out of the apps directory.
2) If you want, you can use DoubleTwist for only the wifi syncing. The music that it imports will be accessible by any app, including the stock music player.
4) Freezing an app is a "trial uninstall" of sorts. It will disable it as far as the user is concerned, but leaves the data there if you want to unfreeze it later. It doesn't require a reinstall, and you'll keep your data for the app.
5) There is a quick rundown of Odin and rooting in this thread: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1076806&page=4
Thanks Slice.
Let me see if I got this correct. The APK file is like an IPA file consisting of the application data. Backing this up will back up the app?
Upgrading a firmware leaves the app data and app there or deletes it?
Thanks
dhruvmalik said:
Thanks Slice.
Let me see if I got this correct. The APK file is like an IPA file consisting of the application data. Backing this up will back up the app?
Yes on the phone will be an app folder with all the installed apps i just copy this to sd card as a quick back up and PC . One can double click any APK and reinstall .
Upgrading a firmware leaves the app data and app there or deletes it?
Depends upon the upgrade genuine Kies upgrade leaves all data and apps .
Unofficial upgrades may not and like wise custom roms may not or may be produced as a wipe version to save install problems .
jje
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I recently rooted my wildfire and was wondering if there is a list of system apps that can be uninstalled safety and without causing any damage?
You can use this post as a reference of sorts:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=9890492&postcount=2
If you remove HTCLockscreen.apk and/or Rosie.apk, make sure you have an alternate launcher like ADW/LP etc.
Another alternative list can be found here: (The "proper" name of the APK is not given, so you will have to search around a bit, but this is more comprehensive)
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=785962
Take a backup of your ROM before proceeding, in case something goes wrong.
Status: Online *
If you've updated any stock apps, the updated versions won't be removed.
Now that I have my own Galaxy S3, I figured it was time to add that to the Chlorine mix.
Basically it's a web based tool that will generate a CWM compatible update.zip to remove pre-installed apps (bloat).
As always, backup and be confident with restoring your phone via download mode or CWM.
Android Chlorine
---
SGS Chlorine
SGS2 Chlorine
SGS3 Chlorine
---
SGS Chlorine (mobile)
SGS2 Chlorine (mobile)
SGS3 Chlorine (mobile)
What this does:
This is a little bit of PHP that will generate a customised CWM3 compatible update.zip which will remove specific apks (and associated .odexes).
Usage:
* Choose which APKs you want the update.zip to remove and hit the Generate button.
- You can also select a preset to save some clicking.
* Copy the generated .zip file to your phone.
* Apply it with CWM.
Thanks:
The SGS list of APKs was grabbed from the public google docs spreadsheet.
The SGS2 APK list was grabbed from this public google docs spreadsheet
The SGS3 APK list was grabbed from this public google docs spreadsheet. XDA thread
Notes:
* Requires busybox for mounting /system.
* The APK list shouldn't let you remove anything 'vital' to booting the phone (Only green "yes" marked items are in the list). If there's any bloat that does need to be added to the database, let me know. Likewise if you remove something that borks your phone.
* If you have any particular ideas for good presets, also let me know and I'll see to adding them.
* Stock apps that have been updated (either via play store or in app updates) will not be "fully" removed. You can manually remove the updates though.
reserved
reserved2
Just quickly trying this on wanamlite 1.5 to remove chaton will post back
EDIT: the good news of is that it still boots, the bad that chaton is still installed i have siyah 1.3.7 busybox and wanamlite 1.5
If you want more details just ask
Regards
Jack
first time uninstalling chatON it didnt delete the program but only the update from chatON, second time i uninstalled chatON it uninstalled the app itself
-other method-
use titanium backup to freeze/uninstall all bloatware.. works fast with tickbox and voila
Eplusz said:
first time uninstalling chatON it didnt delete the program but only the update from chatON, second time i uninstalled chatON it uninstalled the app itself
-other method-
use titanium backup to freeze/uninstall all bloatware.. works fast with tickbox and voila
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just tried reflashing a couple of times and am sorry to say it remains installed, but thanks for the second method.
Regards
Jack
If u could make your "site" read all your installed apps and not only bloatware,this would be a very handy and cool tool
I can also confirm that ChatON is NOT deleted after running this a couple of times. It doesn´t matter whether or not more apps, other than ChatON, is included in the .zip.
leetal said:
I can also confirm that ChatON is NOT deleted after running this a couple of times. It doesn´t matter whether or not more apps, other than ChatON, is included in the .zip.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Are the other apps being deleted, or is nothing being removed?
Eplusz said:
first time uninstalling chatON it didnt delete the program but only the update from chatON, second time i uninstalled chatON it uninstalled the app itself
-other method-
use titanium backup to freeze/uninstall all bloatware.. works fast with tickbox and voila
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It 'sounds' like, ChatON shoves some crap into /data/app. (updates) which are causing it to linger around. I wasn't able to check /data/app without su.
I'll confirm in a few days when I have a chance to root, test and so on.
Eplusz said:
-other method-
use titanium backup to freeze/uninstall all bloatware.. works fast with tickbox and voila
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Of course, this way has been around for ages. I always found maintaining the titanium backup list was more effort though. If you're flashing multiple roms frequently.
zodiaxe66 said:
Great idea. But there is already an app that can do this "app2zip" where u can backup all your apps in a flashable zip.
If u could make your "site" read all your installed apps and not only bloatware,this would be a very handy and cool tool
u should check out the app its in the market
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
...what? They do different things. app2zip takes your apps and packages them into a CWM flashable restore zip. This removes stock apps. Titanium Backup also can do both tasks. (Remove and restore).
The idea with this is that you create a CWM update that removes everything you want removed. You put it on your SD card and keep it there and use it when you upgrade. Perhaps that wasn't explained well enough in this post. I explain better in the original post for the SGS.
Am I only guy here who think that this UTILITY=APP need to be in "Galaxy S III Themes and Apps"
sargorn said:
Are the other apps being deleted, or is nothing being removed?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
S Suggest won´t remove, likewise ChatON. I haven´t tested other apps as of now so i can´t tell =)
Great work with the webb-app! Keep it updated and it´ll be a blast!
leetal said:
S Suggest won´t remove, likewise ChatON. I haven´t tested other apps as of now so i can´t tell =)
Great work with the webb-app! Keep it updated and it´ll be a blast!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hmm, downloading a custom rom at the moment to have a peek in what it sticks in /data/app. (one someone mentioned they were using earlier).
I haven't rooted/flashed anything custom on my Galaxy S3 yet as I only got it a week ago and I didn't want to have anything 'unofficial' for the first week or so just in case I had any issues and needed to return it.
I did just factory reset again though, and ChatON is updated by Play Store and S Suggest asks to auto update itself when it starts up. So again it might be a situation where the updates are dumping themselves into /data/app/.
sargorn said:
Hmm, downloading a custom rom at the moment to have a peek in what it sticks in /data/app. (one someone mentioned they were using earlier).
I haven't rooted/flashed anything custom on my Galaxy S3 yet as I only got it a week ago and I didn't want to have anything 'unofficial' for the first week or so just in case I had any issues and needed to return it.
I did just factory reset again though, and ChatON is updated by Play Store and S Suggest asks to auto update itself when it starts up. So again it might be a situation where the updates are dumping themselves into /data/app/.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What I suspected is accurate, I just tested myself. If you happen to have updated any of the stock apps (either via the Play store or an in app update) they will still remain.
However, you can go to the application manager in settings and hit the "remove updates" button. It will say uninstall failed but it will remove the apk from /data/app. Rebooting will remove the icons from the home screen.
Also, if you happen to remove a widget that is in use on the home screen (Accuweather/clock) TWLauncher will complain until you remove the 'dead' widget.
I "may" end up adding something that will remove the updates from /data/app. I'll have to think about how to do it. Until then you can use the workaround above.
sargorn said:
Of course, this way has been around for ages. I always found maintaining the titanium backup list was more effort though. If you're flashing multiple roms frequently.
...what? They do different things. app2zip takes your apps and packages them into a CWM flashable restore zip. This removes stock apps. Titanium Backup also can do both tasks. (Remove and restore).
The idea with this is that you create a CWM update that removes everything you want removed. You put it on your SD card and keep it there and use it when you upgrade. Perhaps that wasn't explained well enough in this post. I explain better in the original post for the SGS.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah i know,don't even know how i came to my own conclusion.(yes i do, interrupted by my kids) i just read it again and your explanation is pretty clear. I just turned everything up side down.
Sorry m8
First post corrected
sargorn said:
Status: Online *
If you've updated any stock apps, the updated versions won't be removed.
Now that I have my own Galaxy S3, I figured it was time to add that to the Chlorine mix.
Basically it's a web based tool that will generate a CWM compatible update.zip to remove pre-installed apps (bloat).
As always, backup and be confident with restoring your phone via download mode or CWM.
Android Chlorine
---
SGS Chlorine
SGS2 Chlorine
SGS3 Chlorine
---
SGS Chlorine (mobile)
SGS2 Chlorine (mobile)
SGS3 Chlorine (mobile)
What this does:
This is a little bit of PHP that will generate a customised CWM3 compatible update.zip which will remove specific apks (and associated .odexes).
Usage:
* Choose which APKs you want the update.zip to remove and hit the Generate button.
- You can also select a preset to save some clicking.
* Copy the generated .zip file to your phone.
* Apply it with CWM.
Thanks:
The SGS list of APKs was grabbed from the public google docs spreadsheet.
The SGS2 APK list was grabbed from this public google docs spreadsheet
The SGS3 APK list was grabbed from this public google docs spreadsheet. XDA thread
Notes:
* Requires busybox for mounting /system.
* The APK list shouldn't let you remove anything 'vital' to booting the phone (Only green "yes" marked items are in the list). If there's any bloat that does need to be added to the database, let me know. Likewise if you remove something that borks your phone.
* If you have any particular ideas for good presets, also let me know and I'll see to adding them.
* Stock apps that have been updated (either via play store or in app updates) will not be "fully" removed. You can manually remove the updates though.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Nice information and thanks for sharing. I just generated a test .zip file and below is the updater-script that is generated;
ui_print("Android Chlorine");
run_program("/sbin/busybox", "mount", "/system");
delete("/system/app/Bluetooth.apk");
delete("/system/app/Bluetooth.odex");
delete("/system/app/BluetoothAvrcp.apk");
delete("/system/app/BluetoothAvrcp.odex");
delete("/system/app/BluetoothTest.apk");
delete("/system/app/BluetoothTest.odex");
delete("/system/app/ChromeBookmarksSyncAdapter.apk");
delete("/system/app/ChromeBookmarksSyncAdapter.odex");
delete("/system/app/GoogleQuickSearchBox.apk");
delete("/system/app/GoogleQuickSearchBox.odex");
delete("/system/app/GoogleSearchWidget");
delete("/system/app/GoogleSearchWidget.odex");
delete("/system/app/Maps.apk");
delete("/system/app/Maps.odex");
delete("/system/app/MyFiles.apk");
delete("/system/app/MyFiles.odex");
delete("/system/app/Street.apk");
delete("/system/app/Street.odex");
delete("/system/app/YouTube.apk");
delete("/system/app/YouTube.odex");
run_program("/sbin/busybox", "umount", "/system");
Alternatively you may easily remove all the unnecessary files simply using Root Explorer (if your phone is rooted of-course) and deleting files from "/system/app/", in this case you also have the chance to backup the files before deleting. Make sure you enable r/w in Root Explorer.
Cheers...
jaykhan said:
Alternatively you may easily remove all the unnecessary files simply using Root Explorer (if your phone is rooted of-course) and deleting files from "/system/app/", in this case you also have the chance to backup the files before deleting. Make sure you enable r/w in Root Explorer.
Cheers...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
"Easily" can be quite subjective, no? If you remove said files in Root Explorer you don't get the additional information included as to what each file is. Also, making backups of files from a rom you just installed seems somewhat redundant. If you want those files back, pull them out of the rom and push them to the phone? Or just don't delete them to start with.
Last time I checked Root Explorer also cost money on the Play Store and while it has features which scope well beyond this project, it's still more expensive than using this is. (free).
thanks for the chlorine man..!
I recently obtained a Star N9500, which is a Samsung Galaxy 4 clone. It's a very nice piece of hardware, with the exception of the pre-installed spamware apps. I'm going to detail how I discovered which system apps were the culprit so that you can follow a similar procedure on your Chinese Android device.
The symptoms are Chinese language spam notifications that when touched will immediately begin downloading some other app, most often a game or Chinese social networking/dating app. Other times, Chinese apps would just randomly install, or links to other Chinese sites would appear on the home screen. The problem is that there is no obvious app to uninstall to stop this from happening, AdAway doesn't prevent it, and none of the ad network / push detectors or blockers available in the Play Store found anything wrong. These apps are buried in the phone's firmware, and this must be solved with detective work.
The removal process requires your phone to be Rooted.
The first thing that I did was to Google the name of each and every .apk in the /system/apps folder. You'll have to use the Translate feature for most of the results. Only one app I Googled got a hit called “uuplay.apk”. Turns out that this is a known Chinese Adware app. I proceeded to rename it with a “.dis” extension with ES File Explorer and felt I solved the problem...but I didn't.
Sure enough the notification spam continued, so I knew there had to be more. None of the APKs in the system apps folder resulted in any Google hits, so I had to figure this out myself.
I proceeded to use ES File Explorer to copy every file in the “/system/apps” folder to my desktop computer. Next, I used 7-Zip to unzip every APK to my RAMDRive. I started to look at the individual files with Notepad++ but found this quite tedious. Then I realized that Chinese apps probably access Chinese servers with a “.cn” domain.
I fired up Agent Ransack and did a search inside all of the decompressed app files for “.cn”. Sure enough, two hits on “GoogleUpdate[3738].apk” and “GoogleService[3738].apk”. I looked inside the “classes.dex” files and sure enough found links to Chinese sites located at “http://g.10086.cn”. I also found mention of “com.google.system.king”. Ahhhhh that makes sense, because I noticed that the SD Card ended up with a folder of the same name with Chinese looking files inside, such as “hziee”, and also “jrinfo.cfg”.
I Googled the king string and found a Chinese site that described the app as “Android application management, convenient and practical, Fool phone management experts.” Ah-ha!!! So I renamed both of those APKs in the system app folder with a “.dis” extension, rebooted my phone and voila – no more spam They didn't fool me, and hopefully this post will help someone else out there with this infestation.
I attached the spamware app APKs from my phone to this thread for additional deconstruction by anyone interested. I'd be curious to know to what extent they would go in downloading spam.
~Cevyn L (FastMHz)
Yes, be careful with those Chinese phones.
Some of them has self-register apps that send expensive sms messages to China. Some of them have also apps similar to those you mentioned.
Usually, you can delete the whole /system/vendor/app folder, full of Chinese crap.
Some of the apps are also located in the /system/app folder. Best way for non-experienced users is to search for apps description over the net if you're unsure of what a certain app does.
MTKDroidTools has some predefined apps list and can automatically remove Chinese stuff for you, but still there's a chance some new or differently named app is installed on the phone.
Ofcourse, for any of these manipulations you need root access.
Yeah I can imagine some of them have some nasty stuff loaded in, so definitely a good idea to scrutinize every app for anything suspicious. I think doing what I did above on any Chinese phone to search for any apps with links to .cn based domains isn't a bad idea, even if spamware isn't an issue. I also only use prepaid SIMs in these things for a reason
UPDATE 08-09-2013:
Quick Fix: If your phone has the same rogue files as mine did, root your phone, and delete the following from /system/apps: UUPLAY.APK, GoogleUpdate[3738].apk, GoogleService[3738].apk, SystemThread[3738].apk, Backup_File[3738].i, projectmkmassags.apk, and smsreg.apk.
I completely decompiled the APKs to Java code and found these strings inside:
http://61.160.234.133:9090/date/getDate
http://g.10086.cn/gamecms/wap/game/wyinfo/700144311000?channelId=12068000
http://www.ccinchina.com/blog/uploa...111109151143_MzI0NzM3NjgwNjMxMTM3NzA3NQ==.jpg
http://117.135.133.9:8080/source/ap...id_2-3-28-6_1000934d.apk?imei=352520130058754
http://117.135.131.9:8080/push_4/push.action?imei=value
http://61.160.242.35:8080/pro_5/pro.action
/datang_gaohong/
SilentClient.apk
shurufa_01.apk
BaiduBrowser_Android_2-3-28-6_1000934d.apk
None of those other APKs were present, but a datang_gaohong folder was on my SD card, as well as a folder called LogicDownloads that referenced these types of filenames. I deleted all of them and haven’t had them come back. I deleted a bunch of other non-dangerous bloatware as well. The phone is now about as perfect as I could imagine one being. Battery seems to go forever now as well.
mine ends all like GoogleService[3774]
i didn't understand if all those apps you listed on the last message , we should delete em all or only the one in capslock ?
sorry my questions i'm a bit newbi ;(
Delete them if you have them.
Also, zip up the "GoogleService[3774].apk " and any other 3774 apps you have and attach to a message on this thread...I'll look inside for Chinese links. Interesting you have a different set of numbers in brackets on yours, could be a version indicator or something.
Thank You
thank you for your reply , haven't deleted em all only ( uuplay ) so here are the others , hope is what you wanted . So if if delete those ones i won't have chinese apps news and autoinstall ?
Help, I can´t remove them!!!!!
Hello all,
First of all sorry for my bad English, it´s not my first language and thank you very much for helping us.
I have a N9500 with chinese applications and I´ll post all the applications in app folder. I try to delete:
GoogleUpdate[3774].apk, GoogleService[3774].apk, SystemThread[3774].apk and smsreg.apk
But I can´t delete or rename them, why? I´m root in the phone but I only get errors when I try it.
I´m using "ES FILE EXPLORER" for deleting them.
Again thank you very much
rodxyz said:
Hello all,
First of all sorry for my bad English, it´s not my first language and thank you very much for helping us.
I have a N9500 with chinese applications and I´ll post all the applications in app folder. I try to delete:
GoogleUpdate[3774].apk, GoogleService[3774].apk, SystemThread[3774].apk and smsreg.apk
But I can´t delete or rename them, why? I´m root in the phone but I only get errors when I try it.
I´m using "ES FILE EXPLORER" for deleting them.
Again thank you very much
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
check if you are in r/o or r/w mode. you got a small task on the right corner . if you are in r/w , change in r/w hope it will solve
Thank you for this thread, I have been searching for a couple of days now for this!
I also have been wondering how I get these weird apps in my phone everytime I wake up, and find it already installed.
I noticed the folders you said which I also deleted, hoping it would fix the problem.
Anyways, thanks a lot for sharing this.
By the way, I really don't know how I got this malware, not really sure if it was preinstalled in my Cherry Mobile Superion TV2, or got it somewhere else in the apks I recently downloaded and installed.
Sent from my Superion TV 2 using Tapatalk 4
Thanks guys, your thread helped me a lot.
Just removed uuplay.apk and uuairpush.apk.
Deleting/renaming them via ES Explorer didn't work for me, I had to use Root App Delete. Even that initially seemed to fail to remove the fake Google Play app, but then came up with a prompt to tap here to force removal, which worked.
Rebooted and done deep ESET scans yesterday and again today, looks like it is all gone. :laugh:
SmsReg
Guys
Plz help me....
In my apps list i could see SMSReg listed. to remove this... i cannot find UUPLAY.APK, GoogleUpdate[3738].apk, GoogleService[3738].apk, SystemThread[3738].apk, Backup_File[3738].i, projectmkmassags.apk, and smsreg.apk. in my phone (micromax A110Q)
can any one help me ASAP?
How to delete SmsReg
I donno how to delete smsreg....
can any one explain the each step to delete/rename the APKs (UUPLAY.APK, GoogleUpdate[3738].apk, GoogleService[3738].apk, SystemThread[3738].apk, Backup_File[3738].i, projectmkmassags.apk, and smsreg.apk)
i found SmsReg.apk on my device and i delete it using Root Explorer.
Any faster way to find the culprit?
My Chinese phone Kolina 100+ always loads a spam website, whenever I try to open a link.
This happens with both stock and Dolphin browser.
Adaway and ad push detector only stopped ads in applications.
Not this annoying homepage.
Same kolina 100+ and same spam website. After rooting the phone with kingo root, I uninstall the stock tweeter. Seems ok now
stephane.tranngoc said:
Same kolina 100+ and same spam website. After rooting the phone with kingo root, I uninstall the stock tweeter. Seems ok now
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't have this application installed, so it's not coming from there.
Yes, I don't see this application before I scan my phone with Kaspersky anti-virus (and force the program to analyze system applications). So you probably have the same problem.
stephane.tranngoc said:
Yes, I don't see this application before I scan my phone with Kaspersky anti-virus (and force the program to analyze system applications). So you probably have the same problem.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You mean that this twitter app is hidden and only Kaspersky can reveal it?
I searched with Rootappdelete app and there is no twitter app in system apps.
Hi there,
I have a problem. I recently got a Huwaei GX1s ( Huwaei SC-UL 10 ) phone from China. I have changed the language to English but once I get inside any apps already there or installed from its apps store they are opened in chinese language. I tried to download google translator but it doesn't download even Google Play Store won't open.
How can I solve this problem of Chinese language in apps???
Went through the following steps:
1 - From SYSTEM-APPS and moved many .apk and .odex to ext sd card. I thought this would essentially "uninstall" them by being in a diff laocation. They still appeared in app drawer, so
I used Root Browser to freeze them. now they SEEM gone from app drawer, but,
they still present!! How do I get rid of this stuff
btw - I identified and renamed and moved all the files related to OTA so not sure what happening here...help!
Pretty much have most moved and renamed except for these. Can anyone point me to the specific files and are these safe to also move/rename?
"Generic" Email
"Generic" Contacts
My Files
S Voice
Video