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Hi,
what does it mean technically if an app is "freezed"? Is the APK moved to another location, or are the unix access rights altered, or is a reference to the app deleted from some kind of "registry" of the Android system, or what else? Can it be done manually by a file manager?
Thanks,
Stefan
It can be done using the purchased version of Titanium Backup and probably a few other apps. It basically renders the app inactive without uninstalling it. Helpful for bloatware that runs in the background but you can't decide if you want to delete it or not.
Thanks, but this was not my question...
lowandbehold said:
It can be done using the purchased version of Titanium Backup and probably a few other apps. It basically renders the app inactive without uninstalling it. Helpful for bloatware that runs in the background but you can't decide if you want to delete it or not.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, I know, but what does it do exactly on file system level? Doesn't anybody know?
stbi said:
Yes, I know, but what does it do exactly on file system level? Doesn't anybody know?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Most freezing apps simply rename the app to be frozen with an extension, like in the case of Bloat Freezer (IMHO the best one) the frozen app gets a .bzw extension. It remains in place but of course cannot be executed. The nice part is that if you run into an issue you can just rename the app back to what it was (assuming that you have root).
It works!
docfreed said:
Most freezing apps simply rename the app to be frozen with an extension, like in the case of Bloat Freezer (IMHO the best one) the frozen app gets a .bzw extension. It remains in place but of course cannot be executed. The nice part is that if you run into an issue you can just rename the app back to what it was (assuming that you have root).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Cool, so simple - thanks! So it can be done with any file manager.
I've just successfully frozen the preinstalled "LGWorld.apk" by renaming it to "LGWorld.apk.bak". As soon as I had done this, a message popped up, saying "Deinstalled", and the icon disappeared from the app drawer, and also the update for "LG World" vanished from the Market app.
Hmm.. freezing doesn't mean rename. It is being remove from system. If.you rename yourself, the apps may failed to work.
Accidentally sent from my Google Nexus S using XDA Premium
Freezing the app works via decreasing the temperature of the app to roughly 50 Kelvin. At this point the the app's molecular structure becomes a super condensed crystal lattice. Due to the nature of the crystal lattice, android treats the super dense app as non existent. Essentially the app is deleted from your system completely. However, think of it not as a permanent deletion but rather a reversible one. Should you chose to 'restore' the app, you can defrost the app. You could defrost the app using a microwave but I for one use TB Pro as it does a far better job.
lambstone said:
Freezing the app works via decreasing the temperature of the app to roughly 50 Kelvin. At this point the the app's molecular structure becomes a super condensed crystal lattice. Due to the nature of the crystal lattice, android treats the super dense app as non existent.
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Click to collapse
Haha smart ass.
lambstone said:
Freezing the app works via decreasing the temperature of the app to roughly 50 Kelvin. At this point the the app's molecular structure becomes a super condensed crystal lattice. Due to the nature of the crystal lattice, android treats the super dense app as non existent. Essentially the app is deleted from your system completely. However, think of it not as a permanent deletion but rather a reversible one. Should you chose to 'restore' the app, you can defrost the app. You could defrost the app using a microwave but I for one use TB Pro as it does a far better job.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
ha ha ha! that was hilarious man
Press THANKS
stbi said:
Hi,
what does it mean technically if an app is "freezed"? Is the APK moved to another location, or are the unix access rights altered, or is a reference to the app deleted from some kind of "registry" of the Android system, or what else? Can it be done manually by a file manager?
Thanks,
Stefan
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Press thanks if I helped
Source - How TO Geek
Manufacturers and carriers often load Android phones with their own apps. If you don’t use them, they just clutter your system and sometimes in the background, draining resources. Take control of your device and stop the bloatware.
We’ll be focusing on disabling – also known as “freezing” bloatware here. It’s a safer process than uninstalling the bloatware completely, and is also easier to accomplish with free apps.
Uninstalling vs. Freezing
Uninstalling an app is exactly what it sounds like – the app is entirely removed from your device. Unfortunately, it’s not possible to get many of these preinstalled apps from the Play Store if you ever need them again. Uninstalling some preinstalled apps may result in problems or instability, so you could run into problems.
It’s safer to “freeze” apps instead of uninstalling them. A frozen app is disabled completely – it won’t appear in your app drawer and it won’t automatically start in the background. A frozen app cannot run in any way until you “unfreeze” it. Freezing and unfreezing are instant processes, so it’s easy to undo your changes if you end up freezing a necessary app.
If you really must uninstall apps, you should freeze them first and wait a few days to ensure that your phone or tablet works properly without them.
You can’t uninstall or freeze preinstalled bloatware apps without root access and third-party app managers. Try and you’ll find the options grayed out in the standard Android interface.
klacenas said:
ha ha ha! that was hilarious man
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Click to collapse
I understand and have frozen quite a few apps with TB Pro. My issue is there are shine pre-installed apps that I like to use, but when I run the task killer, they're always running. Is there a way I can fix them where they don't keep starting immediately after killing them, but still having them available when I want to use them?
donnebonn said:
I understand and have frozen quite a few apps with TB Pro. My issue is there are shine pre-installed apps that I like to use, but when I run the task killer, they're always running. Is there a way I can fix them where they don't keep starting immediately after killing them, but still having them available when I want to use them?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
you can try greenify it will hibernate the apps and hence the app will be available for you any time
donnebonn said:
I understand and have frozen quite a few apps with TB Pro. My issue is there are shine pre-installed apps that I like to use, but when I run the task killer, they're always running. Is there a way I can fix them where they don't keep starting immediately after killing them, but still having them available when I want to use them?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Another app called greenify. Or using an autostart manager to prevent them from running without ykur intervention.
sangalaxy said:
you can try greenify it will hibernate the apps and hence the app will be available for you any time
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thx a bunch. I dwld and installed the grenify app and disabled them, however, when I run my task killer the gallery app is always running. I wanted to greenify it, but it's not showing up in the greenify app, even when I did a search for it, it just took me to my home screen. I clicked on the app and it just opened but I didn't see any options to greenify it. Any suggestions? Thx for ur help.
so at the end is freezing and renaming the same thing? no one cleared that up, i usually just rename to BAK and thats it, what does TItanium apart from renaming?
ok i answer myself, freezing is the same as going to app manager, and selecting DISABLE
or from a root terminal using:
pm disable {package_name} (e.g. # pm disable com.android.browser)
wich calls:
/system/bin/pm
wich in turn contains:
# Script to start "pm" on the device, which has a very rudimentary
# shell.
#
base=/system
export CLASSPATH=$base/framework/pm.jar
exec app_process $base/bin com.android.commands.pm.Pm "[email protected]"
what it does is set a flag for a component to some of different values:
COMPONENT_ENABLED_STATE_DEFAULT
COMPONENT_ENABLED_STATE_DISABLED
among others. (http://developer.android.com/reference/android/content/pm/PackageManager.html)
where does it store this flag: I DONT KNOW
is this flag a value inside some manifest/ini file? : IDK
is this flag st in the file system? IDK
can someone show me the light?
edit: I DONT KNOW for sure but i think it stores it in : /data/system/packages.xml
that is generated by package manager taking info fro each app manifest. i hope i am right, but dont take my word as absolute truth since it was a quick google research lol
Renaming the apk file can result in unwanted behaviour... I learned by trial&error! I'm running MIUI 6 and wanted Google Play as default app store and not the MI Market. Renaming the apk file for the Mi Market gave me the result I wanted: launching Google Play whenever I clicked a link to a certain app. But that was until I rebooted the phone... it got stuck on the MI startup logo. After renaming the Mi Market apk file in twrp recovery, my phone booted again.
So might try freezing it to see if it will do the job properly.
Freezing Mi Market with AppFreezer worked like a charm!
el_jefe said:
Renaming the apk file can result in unwanted behaviour... I learned by trial&error! I'm running MIUI 6 and wanted Google Play as default app store and not the MI Market. Renaming the apk file for the Mi Market gave me the result I wanted: launching Google Play whenever I clicked a link to a certain app. But that was until I rebooted the phone... it got stuck on the MI startup logo. After renaming the Mi Market apk file in twrp recovery, my phone booted again.
So might try freezing it to see if it will do the job properly.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Depends what you mean by "renaming." Changing the extension from .apk to .apkold or .bak or something like that will harmlessly freeze the app since it's no longer seen as an apk by the system. Renaming the app itself is another thing entirely.
I renamed the extension to .noapk and Miui wouldn't boot anymore.
Good stuff
Alright everyone, I'm just posting this thread for other devs and myself so we can see hat can or cannot be removed from the nook tab as far as bloat goes. So far, I know that the chess, sudoku, and launcher can so we can go from there.
If you see a * it means that it will remove atleast one aspect of barnes and noble service. After the * though, I will explain what gets interrupted.
Code:
List of files that can be removed:
home1.0 (home.apk)
chess
crossword
Applauncher.apk
social.apk * removes Nook Social
shop.apk *Removes the barnes and noble store (Books included)
email.apk Removes crappy email app (you can replace with the Email apk from gingerbread in the Themes and Apps section of the forum.
reader.apk
b3androidreader.apk
netflix
pandora
browser.apk *removes default browser *meaning it can't be accessed from the taskbar gained by clicking the nook button once.
flashplayer.apk
geniewidget.apk
huluplus
nookcommunity *removes nook social
quickofficeviewer
wwreader.apk
bnappinstaller.apk *Removes ability to install apps from B&N store
bnauthenticationservice.apk *removes email account on device therefor completely invalidating the use of any of stores etc.
bncloudrequestsvc.apk *Removes ability to sync B&N content with cloud
bnconnectivityservice.apk *Same as above
bnpolicymanagersvc.apk *Same as authenticationservice
airruntime
cryptoserver.apk *
demomode.apk
telephonyprovider.apk
Devs post here with other files you KNOW can be removed. I'll get around to writing a BASH script for the tablet to run to remove most of it.
What does Applauncher.apk do?
Personally, I'd like to keep Home.apk (which I assume is the default home) and the BN shop. I'll never use most of the other stuff, though.
i'll update this post if i come across any problems caused by the things i've deleted.
yea so I went a little crazy on my delete spree, but everything seems to be working. a lot of things like flash air etc i'll probably wind up reinstalling via the marketplace, but i wanted to start off as bare bones as i could. obviously i don't use any of the barnes and noble services nor do i use hulu or netflix so i remove everything I could find with their names in it.
I did the nook hardware test after i removed all this stuff and it passed with flying colors aswell.
<disclaimer>this list is definately at your own risk, because while it hasn't caused me any problems I'm making no guarantees for you. you probably SHOULDNT be removing these things, SO DONT DO IT, but I did anyways.. with no negative consequences for me. I don't use this as a way to connect to a bunch of diferent services, I'm using it as a tablet.</disclaimer>
definately don't do this unless you have the marketplace installed, along with homecatcher defaulting your n key to an alternative launcher.
home1.0 (home.apk)
chess
crossword
Applauncher.apk
social.apk
shop.apk
email.apk
reader.apk
b3androidreader.apk
netflix
pandora
browser.apk
flashplayer.apk
geniewidget.apk
huluplus
nookcommunity
quickofficeviewer
wwreader.apk
bnappinstaller.apk
bnauthenticationservice.apk
bncloudrequestsvc.apk
bnconnectivityservice.apk
bnpolicymanagersvc.apk
airruntime
cryptoserver.apk
demomode.apk
i'll probably wind up removing even more stuff.
and I don't know for sure but I wouldn't be suprised if one of those bn*apk's i removed broke ota updates, i have no way to be sure though.
Removed those from risho's post and everything is still working fine.
Updated OP with full list of apps that can be removed.
Question: how do you actually remove this stuff?
I'd like to remove the B&N bloatware but I'm not sure how do to that exactly.
Help?
You need to use a root file explorer and mount system as r/w and then go into /system/app
Sent by breaking the sound barrier
jimmysuggs said:
Question: how do you actually remove this stuff?
I'd like to remove the B&N bloatware but I'm not sure how do to that exactly.
Help?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I would use Titanium Backup to backup and then uninstall one by one. Unless someone created a script to do it...
Um is there any chance that someone could run me through the basics of titanium backup? I'm new to this stuff and have no idea how it works.
Do you use titanium backup to uninstall the B&N apps? Or just to back them up, in case you need them again? And if you don't actually use titanium backup to uninstall the apps, what do you use?
Clearly I'm in over my head, any help would be appreciated.
jimmysuggs said:
Um is there any chance that someone could run me through the basics of titanium backup? I'm new to this stuff and have no idea how it works.
Do you use titanium backup to uninstall the B&N apps? Or just to back them up, in case you need them again? And if you don't actually use titanium backup to uninstall the apps, what do you use?
Clearly I'm in over my head, any help would be appreciated.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I just used it to back up everything. Then I delete whatever I want one by one with root explorer. My hope is that at some point the whole "block OTAs" issue is resolved and then I can reinstall all the B&N stuff.
Sent from my BNTV250 using xda premium
Antek App Manager
I used Antek App Manager which is free and allows you to freeze the apps which is like uninstalling them but it renames the files instead of removing them... then if it turns out one was important you can defrost the frozen app and it will work again. Or if it works out you can remove it permanently.
At least that is how I think it works...
Email apk
i replaced the stock email apk with the one Indirect gave us. It works fine in most aspects, but when I tried to open attachment, i would get a force close because of com.android.email.
Anybody ran into this as well?
Okay this is all great info, I think I understand how titanium backup works now.
Question for phon00b (or anyone who can answer it): why do you need root explorer to delete the stuff you don't need? Doesn't titanium backup do that, as well as back up? I see a feature in there for "uninstall," isn't that the same as delete?
I'm just wondering if I actually need to use root explorer (which I'm a little scared of) or if titanium backup will do the job just as well.
I doubt you need to use a root explorer. However, if you are scared of it, remember Titanium Backup has root access as well and can do as much damage as a root explorer if used "incorrectly." Backing up apps before uninstalling or simply freezing them, however, is *generally* safe, assuming you don't do it to something that the NT needs to boot. I prefer to use Titanium Backup in most instances.
No particular reason, really. I'm just used to doing it that way. I'm sure deleting through titanium will yield the same result.
Sent from my T-Mobile G2 using xda premium
Here's what I did. I use this app called, SystemApp Remover. It has this inbuilt 'Assist' facility, which kinda guides you to tell which apps are absolutely safe to remove. I used it to remove almost all bloatware that showed up safe to delete.
So far, i've removed almost all of Indirect's list, and also Library, Gallery, Music as well. It still works fine.
So i checked out system app remover but i gotta say, it worries me a bit. There are so many green apps (meaning potentially safe to remove) in there that it makes me wonder. Can all those apps really be safe to remove? Has anyone out there actually removed some (or all) of these apps?
jimmysuggs said:
So i checked out system app remover but i gotta say, it worries me a bit. There are so many green apps (meaning potentially safe to remove) in there that it makes me wonder. Can all those apps really be safe to remove? Has anyone out there actually removed some (or all) of these apps?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, most are safe to remove! I removed almost all of em, except the ones I knew were useful for me.
You can post here for help about an app if you are in doubt.
It's pretty safe to remove Soduko.apk and Library.apk too.
EDIT: I also removed telephonyprovider.apk without any issues (so far)
So I haven't quit looking into what actually causes the market "My Apps" issue. While I do feel it truly is the database I have a slightly more detailed theory as to why it does it. However in order to test this theory I need to take a general poll.
How many of you discovered this issue after using some sort of Root tool (ie: Rom Toolbox, Root Tools, Titanium Backup)?
How many of you have accidentally or on purpose used the Market Fix that supplement these programs?
The reason I'm asking is semi obvious I suppose. While these programs can do great good it would appear that if not done correctly they can also do bad. Last night I decided to play with it a bit more and I Linked ALL system apps and user apps to the market. After a few minutes or a reboot I would get the error again.So I went ahead and broke all links again, deleted the .dbs file and started all over again. This time only doing system apps and user apps that I knew were updatable. This lead to the market functioning much better. However I'm not finished yet. I want to figure out what apps and programs trigger this. At this point in time most User apps are okay but I have found I have linked considerably less system apps to the market. What I would like to ideally do is narrow the list down to just a few apps that shouldn't be linked.
Also if anybody would be so kind as to copy and share their database file that would help tremendously. This file needs to be completely stock having NEVER used any of these programs to edit the market links. Sharing this could potentially help all Android users having this extremely annoying issue. If you would like to keep the amount of users who this down to just me you can PM me or even send it to me over Skype or some other messenger with a file share tool. Thank you all in advance.
For those of you currently having the issue I have posted a fix here: http://rootzwiki.com...market-my-apps/
What issue?
DirkGently said:
What issue?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
With the "My Apps" being a blank page and not containing any of the apps from the account.
Sent from my super awesome Kindle Fire running CM7 with Tapatalk
I heard that app developers can potentially access all your photos. Is this right and how can you keep them private?
ummm not that I'm aware of. where did you hear this from? :silly:
I don't know if that is true or not, but I suspected something similar reading the permissions before downloading apps as well. I noted modifying the SD card in many of them, a few included WIPING it. Now if they have that kind of power, I would be hesitant. I suppose Google has something in place that prevents that kind of abuse, but seeing how Quickpic can replace the default Gallery app, I do think it is possible. However, transmitting that data back to them may not be allowed or possible. Until I finish learning the SDK thoroughly, I cannot say yea or nay on it. I would suggest asking google about a specific app and see what they say first, and then consult someone who knows how to read the .apk files to see what they can discover.
Wallace_Brownie said:
I heard that app developers can potentially access all your photos. Is this right and how can you keep them private?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you're that worried, don't store them on your device. If the DroidWall app "really" works, it should block all internet communication on apps that you select.....a wall of fire is the purpose.
Sent from my Amazon Gindle Fireoid
Mephisto_VI said:
I don't know if that is true or not, but I suspected something similar reading the permissions before downloading apps as well. I noted modifying the SD card in many of them, a few included WIPING it. Now if they have that kind of power, I would be hesitant. I suppose Google has something in place that prevents that kind of abuse, but seeing how Quickpic can replace the default Gallery app, I do think it is possible. However, transmitting that data back to them may not be allowed or possible. Until I finish learning the SDK thoroughly, I cannot say yea or nay on it. I would suggest asking google about a specific app and see what they say first, and then consult someone who knows how to read the .apk files to see what they can discover.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If I rememeber correctly, the android permission to access the sd card gives full read write privileges to the app, there is no partial access. Most apps need this permission to save data, cache etc to your sd card.
If you have a linux OS running computer you can modify file permissions for write and delete as root only, while allowing all users to read. That way if you want to delete or modify the file, you'll have to use superuser permissions. Of course that requires a rooted phone then....
Sent from my HTC Desire HD using xda app-developers app
Mephisto_VI said:
but seeing how Quickpic can replace the default Gallery app, I do think it is possible. .
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Use hide it pro from play store. It can hide pictures and videos from any gallery app.
Mephisto_VI said:
I don't know if that is true or not, but I suspected something similar reading the permissions before downloading apps as well. I noted modifying the SD card in many of them, a few included WIPING it. Now if they have that kind of power, I would be hesitant. I suppose Google has something in place that prevents that kind of abuse, but seeing how Quickpic can replace the default Gallery app, I do think it is possible. However, transmitting that data back to them may not be allowed or possible. Until I finish learning the SDK thoroughly, I cannot say yea or nay on it. I would suggest asking google about a specific app and see what they say first, and then consult someone who knows how to read the .apk files to see what they can discover.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
They said that they can't, and that's why they won't put SD cards in their own line.
Since I first responded, I came across Avast! Anti-virus for Android. It has a built in firewall you can customize per app. I do believe it requires root to utilize it though. Once I nosed around the settings, I was impressed with it. Now to see how well it works before I recommend either way on it. Oh, if you are going to use it, root first then install Avast.
Sent from my (rooted) LG-P870 using xda app-developers app
I know it has been a bit since the last response. I did find a few more programs since then though. Addons Detector examines programs and their permissions and puts several lists together in an easy to read format for you. Its good for when you have forgotten which program had what permissions or didn't catch what they were when installing. It also has an extra option (paid) that I am still evaluating: a live monitor. Notifications of how many addons are added upon installing a new app. Could be beneficial for the security conscious or the, for lack of a better term, paranoid users.
Sent from my LG-P870 using xda premium
Hi - I'm new to Android (and not that well versed with WM5 yet either), but have also been concerned when I saw all these apps that require access to full network, contacts, phone ID and number, etc.
While I understand using the Avast! firewall would prevent apps accessing the internet and sending my data, would those apps then cease to run if they couldn't access what they wanted?
Thanks,
Dylan.
I'm always very careful about what apps I install and their permissions, but I got this doubt for a long time. I already know what some Android permissions do and which of these are potentially dangerous.
Now let's assume an app asks for permissions to read my contacts, access the internet, read the identity of the phone, read the user position, etc.
When I use an app (mostly games) I always turn off wifi, bluetooth, gps and sometimes even the sim via airplane-mode. Now that app can easily collect all the data it wants but would never be able to send them. Am I correct?
My doubt is, when apps can send data? Is it only when the app is effectively running (also in background) or can do the same while, for example, updating the app via Google Play?
If it doesn't, I would probably download most of the apps I discarded because of their stupid permissions...
App permissions are always headache!
apps will always ask for various stupid permissions.even though they not require such permissions.
I think,,
how the apps collect and send data is upto the developer!!
Even though you put ur phone in AirPlane mode.the apps may or may not collect the contacts details frm your phone & may update to their server when data connection is detected..
Some applications will run in background as a seevice, even though they are not opened or running in foreground.
when u install an app you must be aware of the permissions granted.dont install apps that requires suspicious permissions.
if u are rooted there are some apps which can block permissions requisted by apps.
good luck....
motoshan said:
if u are rooted there are some apps which can block permissions requisted by apps.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I already heard of such apps but never found one. Could you please tell me some of them?
Thanks for the answer, anyway it really sounds like "I don't know and we'll never know"... it's sad
Is there anybody really sure about what the apps can do and give a nice rest to my neverending question?
Yes.. I already mentioned.
the permission requirements by the app can be explained only by the developer of that particular app.
I had developed an app myself 9 months before.which requires gps location along with hardware control permission etc...
as a developer of this app I can steadly says that my app will update ur device location soon after u switch on ur data conn.
you can find some apps and their reviews here... http://www.howtogeek.com/115888/
Oh, so my hopes are totally crushed.
Looks like they are more problematic than I imagined. I'll keep skipping 90% of the apps on the market.
Thanks a lot for that link!
Edit: I'd add, Jesus Christ, how funny to see that on Android spyware is legalised:
"Angry Birds Space – along with many other apps – has permission to view the device’s serial number and monitor the phone numbers you call."