I have been using my GT7510 for a couple months now and seem to find a new use for it a couple times a week. The more I learn, the more I recognize that I there is a lot of stuff that I don't yet understand. With that statement in mind, I am hopeful that someone can answer a few questions for me.
1 When I explore the apps that I have installed, some are labeled "system apps", some are not. What is the difference? Can I safely delete system apps? If so, how can I tell which apps can be safely deleted. For example, I have a WIFI-only Tab. Will the world come to an end if I get rid of apps that appear to be phone related?
2 Some apps, when viewed in SuperManager have a label that says they are "movable". What does that mean and is there any benefit to moving these apps. If so, where should they me moved? Why should they be kept where they are?
3 As most new users probably do, I have downloaded a bunch of apps, many of which duplicate the features of other apps. I would like to tidy things up a bit and remove redundant apps, especially those which are seldom used. I tried doing that today with the "Videos" app from Google. I have another video player that I prefer. When I attempted to remove this app, I was given the message saying that the app would be replaced with "the factory version". Does anyone know what this means? I did not remove this app. What would happen if I did?
I have a bunch more of these kinds of questions but maybe it is best to stop at this point and address the others in another post. Thanks in advance to anyone who can help out.
Bob
dsafety said:
I have been using my GT7510 for a couple months now and seem to find a new use for it a couple times a week. The more I learn, the more I recognize that I there is a lot of stuff that I don't yet understand. With that statement in mind, I am hopeful that someone can answer a few questions for me.
1 When I explore the apps that I have installed, some are labeled "system apps", some are not. What is the difference? Can I safely delete system apps? If so, how can I tell which apps can be safely deleted. For example, I have a WIFI-only Tab. Will the world come to an end if I get rid of apps that appear to be phone related?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
System apps are the ones which we can't remove unless we have root access.
Deleting system apps should be done only if you know the exact use of that app.
2 Some apps, when viewed in SuperManager have a label that says they are "movable". What does that mean and is there any benefit to moving these apps. If so, where should they me moved? Why should they be kept where they are?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Movable apps means the ones which can be moved to the SD card, so that the phone memory(internal) can be left free. This is useful when you have less internal memory(like phones). But in case of the Tab, we have more than 13 GB as internal memory. so this is not actually useful for us.
3 As most new users probably do, I have downloaded a bunch of apps, many of which duplicate the features of other apps. I would like to tidy things up a bit and remove redundant apps, especially those which are seldom used. I tried doing that today with the "Videos" app from Google. I have another video player that I prefer. When I attempted to remove this app, I was given the message saying that the app would be replaced with "the factory version". Does anyone know what this means? I did not remove this app. What would happen if I did?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Videos from Google is a system app. You can't delete it unless you are rooted. Only thing you can do (if you are unrooted) is that you can uninstall the updates which got installed after you got the Tab. So only you are getting the message that it revert back to the factory version.
I have a bunch more of these kinds of questions but maybe it is best to stop at this point and address the others in another post. Thanks in advance to anyone who can help out.
Bob
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Related
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
First of all, I KNOW THIS HAS BEEN BROUGHT UP BILLIONS OF TIMES, SO BEFORE YOU REPLY WITH "Search the forums" READ THIS.
I have been looking for WEEKS trying to find an answer to this,and no answer given on any forums are what I am looking for.
I have an android phone (sidekick 4g) and there are apps that run in the background when not necessary. Now I know some stuff need to be aways running for the phone to function. But I also know that apps like Facebook, Market, Gmail, T-mobile's Media Store, MyYearBook, Maps, Aptoide, etc don't. When I force close them, they just start up a few seconds later. I've tried task killers and got the same result. I've read the "Why you shouldn't use a task killer" articles but everyone keeps saying different things about it so I'm confused.
Like many others, I want my battery to last at least half way through the day. The above mentioned apps (and some others) DRAIN THE BATTERY WHEN RUNNING IN THE BACKGROUND WHEN I DON'T WANT THEM TO.
Please does anyone know of a way to fix this?
My phone is rooted, if that matters.
Also, "freezing" the apps don't help cause then I can't use them when I actually want to.
Thank you very much in advance anyone who can help me out!
magnoidgoat said:
First of all, I KNOW THIS HAS BEEN BROUGHT UP BILLIONS OF TIMES, SO BEFORE YOU REPLY WITH "Search the forums" READ THIS.
I have been looking for WEEKS trying to find an answer to this,and no answer given on any forums are what I am looking for.
I have an android phone (sidekick 4g) and there are apps that run in the background when not necessary. Now I know some stuff need to be aways running for the phone to function. But I also know that apps like Facebook, Market, Gmail, T-mobile's Media Store, MyYearBook, Maps, Aptoide, etc don't. When I force close them, they just start up a few seconds later. I've tried task killers and got the same result. I've read the "Why you shouldn't use a task killer" articles but everyone keeps saying different things about it so I'm confused.
Like many others, I want my battery to last at least half way through the day. The above mentioned apps (and some others) DRAIN THE BATTERY WHEN RUNNING IN THE BACKGROUND WHEN I DON'T WANT THEM TO.
Please does anyone know of a way to fix this?
My phone is rooted, if that matters.
Also, "freezing" the apps don't help cause then I can't use them when I actually want to.
Thank you very much in advance anyone who can help me out!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Applications running, doesn't mean cpu cycles are being used. Sitting in memory is no different then a song sitting on your sdcard. Your issue with the battery has to do with processes using cpu cycles. If you have applications that update, force updates manually.
Just having apps in memory isn't your issue.
Use the features built into the os, find out what apps are causing the problem. Look at the settings. If you have looked at your settings, then you have one of three choices. Open bugreports with the application developers, don't install the apps causing problems, or upgrade your phone.
lithid-cm said:
Applications running, doesn't mean cpu cycles are being used. Sitting in memory is no different then a song sitting on your sdcard. Your issue with the battery has to do with processes using cpu cycles. If you have applications that update, force updates manually.
Just having apps in memory isn't your issue.
Use the features built into the os, find out what apps are causing the problem. Look at the settings. If you have looked at your settings, then you have one of three choices. Open bugreports with the application developers, don't install the apps causing problems, or upgrade your phone.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you that makes sense.
I would think those apps would use battery because it pushes notifications for the app (like new messages and stuff). Does that not use battery?
magnoidgoat said:
Thank you that makes sense.
I would think those apps would use battery because it pushes notifications for the app (like new messages and stuff). Does that not use battery?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It does use battery because to process the notification it needs to use the cpu. If you force applications to update manually. Your batter would be better. Check into battery saving tuts. All that information has already been discussed plenty. Won't change in this scenario either.
The more apps you have updating information the more data and notifications are being processed.
lithid-cm said:
It does use battery because to process the notification it needs to use the cpu. If you force applications to update manually. Your batter would be better. Check into battery saving tuts. All that information has already been discussed plenty. Won't change in this scenario either.
The more apps you have updating information the more data and notifications are being processed.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you!
Also, I have another problem, if you know anything about this kinda stuff. The Facebook app icon just (like 10 minutes ago) disappeared from my home screen, and it's not in the app drawer either. I uninstalled and reinstalled and still having the problem. I can only open it by manually searching "facebook" in the google search widget and that's when it gives me the option to open the app. It's really bizzare and I have no idea what's going on.
Sent from my SGH-T839 using xda premium
magnoidgoat said:
Thank you!
Also, I have another problem, if you know anything about this kinda stuff. The Facebook app icon just (like 10 minutes ago) disappeared from my home screen, and it's not in the app drawer either. I uninstalled and reinstalled and still having the problem. I can only open it by manually searching "facebook" in the google search widget and that's when it gives me the option to open the app. It's really bizzare and I have no idea what's going on.
Sent from my SGH-T839 using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sounds like a issue with the rom or launcher. Try installing another launcher from the market and see if the application is installed. If its there with another launcher then its your stock launcher, if its not then its the rom.
lithid-cm said:
Sounds like a issue with the rom or launcher. Try installing another launcher from the market and see if the application is installed. If its there with another launcher then its your stock launcher, if its not then its the rom.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Worked thank you!
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 just went from Paranoid Android to CyanogenMod, and expected to have to re-add several apps. If I go from an AOSP ROM back to a TouchWiz ROM, it is treated as a different device, and I get an app list months old. I was pleased to see Android attempting to download my newest set of apps...
However, the sync failed like it does 50% of the time (every app individually fails). Now when I visit the Google Play store, I see my 'new' phone with only a couple of apps installed. I just lost the entire list. Since there's no way to batch install apps with the Play Store, I get to spend a looooong time looking up and reinstalling them by clicking around like an idiot.
Am I missing something? Every element of the story I just described seems like awful design. I'd really not like to resort to AppBrain or something like it. It's incredibly stupid that if the Play Store has some error syncing apps, it makes the new short list the new goal for syncing (so, it won't even try next time).
In short, it would be ideal to have my list of installed apps tied to my account, so that in the event of a problem, I could just push a large "Yes, download ****ing everything" button. Apps that aren't compatible with THIS device can just be skipped I guess. Why is this so hard? Instead I'm going down my 'All' list on my phone, tapping 5 times per app to install them one by ****ing one.
Why don't you just backup apps with titanium and then restore them when you flash a new rom? Titanium has batch commands so it's pretty much one click for each. You can also set up a back up schedule so things are always backed up
Aside from my hesitation to use another app to perform a function that is already supported...
Is Titanium storing the apps themselves, or a list of apps? I really really really do not want to store several MB/GB of data which may or may not be corrupted. If anything, I want to simply store a list of apps, which will all re-download upon restoring the backup.
AndrewZorn said:
Aside from my hesitation to use another app to perform a function that is already supported...
Is Titanium storing the apps themselves, or a list of apps? I really really really do not want to store several MB/GB of data which may or may not be corrupted. If anything, I want to simply store a list of apps, which will all re-download upon restoring the backup.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yea it will store all the apps. But if they are working, they probably aren't corrupt.
Also, I have had a few phones over the years linked to my Google account and the play store is never segmented by phone. All my apps that I have been using since my OG Droid show up on my note 2. The times I have let the play store sync my apps they all downloaded fine as long as your screen doesn't turn off which you can force to stay on in the dev settings
I have been using titanium for 5 years now. And have restored my apps literally hundreds of times. Never once did it not work. Never had a single failure. I also have only had the play store re install my apps once. That was the very first time time I flashed a rom back on my droid. That was the first and only time it did that.
Sent from my SCH-I605 using xda premium
Simply as a matter of principle, I am not concerned with storing the apps themselves. The entire point of the app sync is to keep track of what I have installed. Backing up the apps themselves strikes me as a different goal entirely.
I've had many successful restores myself, but just as many failures. It isn't that difficult of a task... and if it does fail, when every app for some reason (even if it is a legitimate one) isn't installed , there's no way to retry the process. Your new list of synced apps is now the tiny amount that succeeded, the rest are lost to needing to manually reselect. This is absurd.
Multiple phones are definitely treated as separate app lists. I have 5 devices on my Play Store account; each has its own list of associated apps.
This is because every time you flash your phone, or factory reset for that matter, your phone gets a new device ID. That makes it look like a new device to the play store. This will happen anytime you flash a ROM and wipe data. Dirty flashes do not change the ID.
If you use titanium back up, it automatically stores your device ID, so it will prompt you to revert it back the first time opening it after flashing the ROM. This will allow you to maybe reinstall apps through play store, or at least keep the "app list".
I personally think you are being petty about this. It's not Google's fault you are constantly flashing your phone and creating new app ID's.
Sent from my SCH-I605 using Tapatalk 2
I have had the play store fail upon sync before, but it has never failed to keep the list of all the apps I've installed on any device tied to my google account. Strange that said list got wiped for you.
I'd just install a backup app and call it a day. I use Ultimate Backup Pro, by Jrummy. The newest version will sync your apps (a list, or the data) to Dropbox, Box, or Google Drive.
^^^ +1 for this
nrfitchett4 said:
This is because every time you flash your phone, or factory reset for that matter, your phone gets a new device ID. That makes it look like a new device to the play store. This will happen anytime you flash a ROM and wipe data. Dirty flashes do not change the ID.
If you use titanium back up, it automatically stores your device ID, so it will prompt you to revert it back the first time opening it after flashing the ROM. This will allow you to maybe reinstall apps through play store, or at least keep the "app list".
I personally think you are being petty about this. It's not Google's fault you are constantly flashing your phone and creating new app ID's.
Sent from my SCH-I605 using Tapatalk 2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'd like to agree that it is petty, or believe the terms of the problem as you describe them.
It isn't petty that a feature is not working correctly. Flashing a phone gives a new device ID, but so does losing it, or replacing it. You're passing off the lack of harmony as my mistake.
The mere fact none of us can find a way to retry the app sync proves my point; this argument alone brings me a bit of closure, because at least I am not the only one with the issue. If you are all happy with backing up actual program data instead of realizing the power of a synced list, fine. To suggest this behavior is the intention of Google, however, is nonsense.
...and one last word: if it were as simple as getting a new device ID upon each flash, surely I'd be able to log in to the Play Store and view the list of apps on my 'old' device, right? How does Google know that device no longer exists? How are the two ideas of "syncing apps, but not across different devices" and "getting a new ID upon flash, then attempting to sync" both able to exist?
Perhaps I'm wrong about all of this, but can you really say using 3rd party software to remedy a failed sync is not noteworthy? I specifically remember myself mocking the idea of avoiding 3rd party software when a user wanted to solve a problem... this is much different. This is a legitimate issue with an existing feature.
AndrewZorn said:
If you are all happy with backing up actual program data instead of realizing the power of a synced list, fine.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No one said you should backup/restore app data, just the app itself. The app data is actually frowned upon for the most part. Although I have done it numerous times and have never had an issue, but that's a whole different can of worms
But in the end, you do what you want to do.
You are tilting at windmills.
There is a reason everyone uses an app backup program like Titanium or My Backup Pro (those are the two I use). It's the easiest/fastest way to restore apps. Google backup and restore was not intended for 'us' who root. No amount of believing its wrong the way it works is going to change that.
There are apps that will only backup the market link (to your storage) but the only one I know of does not have a one button restore. But it's called App List Backup if you want to check it out.
Sent from my SCH-I605 using xda premium
I love titanium backup. The fact that I can backup all of my apps and restore them plus restore data, such as the music that's already buffered on Google play music is great. Is a time saver! Imop
Sent from my SCH-I605 using xda app-developers app
I still feel like you guys are misunderstanding me (mostly, yes, I've tried App List Backup, and it's alright, "Google should already do this better" aside)...
Backing up programs themselves to create some huge file is a completely different thing than maintaining a list of installed apps on Google's servers. Completely different things. You may be willing to say they accomplish the same goal, something I disagree with. Let's stop talking about rooting and flashing, and start considering the idea of a lost/broken/corrupted phone. If the Google app sync worked better (in terms of reliability or feature set), it would be a painless task to have a new phone redownload all apps installed on the old one.
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AndrewZorn said:
I still feel like you guys are misunderstanding me (mostly, yes, I've tried App List Backup, and it's alright, "Google should already do this better" aside)...
Backing up programs themselves to create some huge file is a completely different thing than maintaining a list of installed apps on Google's servers. Completely different things. You may be willing to say they accomplish the same goal, something I disagree with. Let's stop talking about rooting and flashing, and start considering the idea of a lost/broken/corrupted phone. If the Google app sync worked better (in terms of reliability or feature set), it would be a painless task to have a new phone redownload all apps installed on the old one.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You like to find problems instead of solutions. Sure it's a little bit of work to go down the Google Play list and install the one you want but how often are you planning to break/lose/corrupt your phone?
Backup file size. Backup to dropbox. Backup to your SDCard. Move your backup file to your PC.
Restoring a device to the way it was. Do a nandroid. Use your extSDCard. Root the new phone and restore. Boom exactly the way you left it.
I think you already mentioned that you didn't want to use AppBrain. But that is another potential solution.
I realize you want a perfect native Google solution but we are not the ones who can solve that for you. It would be a nice feature, but I still wouldn't use it. App backup gives me more control with really no downside. And nandroid is a perfect system restore with data intact.
Sent from my SCH-I605 using xda premium
After you root your phone, and download a good app like root explorer you're able to delete all the horrible crap my S4 came with. I obviously know the easy ones to get ride of like yahoo weather, flipboard, trip advisor, etc etc but I'm just wondering if any of you have taken the time to know all the little ones that have weird names that's ok to delete and free up space? I WANT TO KEEP THE SAMSUNG APPS you know like watchon, s voice, etc cause i actually enjoy those and use them (which is why i flash TW based ROMS) and some of the ROMS i've installed (like clean rom 1.3) took away a lot of the bloatware, but i also go back and delete more. So, just wondering if anyone knew some more of the crap your phone doesn't need!! Thanks in advanced
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As a start, don't use root explorer to delete the apps, as I've had problems where the phone still thinks they are there. Download Titanium Backup and click on backup/restore, then click on the app name, and click un-install. Then you also have a record of what apps you have deleted Incase something goes wrong.
As far as apps to delete, u can always backup things like chocoEuUk or w/e then delete it, and see if it's fine, if not, restore it. I haven't gotten around to removing all the bloat ware yet, but that is how I usually do it
WatchOn & VZW apps
The only bloatware apps I use are WatchOn and the verizon apps that come pre-installed. I just hid the rest of them through Nova. I don't care if they're there, I just don't want them cluttering my device. I do that enough.
If you ever expect to get an OTA update then you would want to "Freeze" the applications. Deleting them will prevent OTA updates and could cause crashing issues if you delete something you need.