[Q] [ ICS ] Apps safe to remove - Galaxy S II Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting

I've updated to ICS via Mobile Odin, I tried Polish LPQ and now I'm on 3UK which I'm very happy with and I'll use it as my daily.
I've removed all the normal bloatware via Titanium, eg Weather/News/Games apps.
Is there a list of Apps/Services that are safe to remove from SGS2 ICS and an explination of what those apps do, eg MapServicesSamsung or the 2 Software updates ?
Thank you
Dmonty

This thread might be of help.

There's this big topic; at the end you'll find some ICS-specific discussions.

Thanks for the link guys, I'll have a look through there. Originally I wrote that off as I thought it was for GB..
Cheers
Dmonty

I don't think you'll find too many apps in ICS that weren't in GB. Obviously the framework is different, but you only need to be especially careful with removing system apps (as Vaxxi said, there's a bit on ICS in that thread).
Frankly, I wouldn't remove anything when it's just as easy to freeze apps & have exactly the same effect as removing them, but with the safety of simply unfreezing them if you run into trouble. Obviously if you remove a system app & you run into problems you're in strife unless you have a backup.
Just my opinion FWIW tho.

Related

[UTIL][12/JUL/12] Samsung Galaxy S3 Chlorine. (bloat remover cwm-update generator)

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..!

Please help

Hey all used this guide to upgrade stock jellybean,
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1909819
Worked brilliantly and then got above my skill level when removing some bloatware, normally i copy the apks i remove however this time i pressed delete by mistake, now have huge issues with play store and other apps. I have deleted too many apks
Have tried installing google apks again but still no joy. Does any one know of a way i can install JB again to start afresh i did try downgrading as per the guide but that didnt actually remove the JB firmware. I feel although even with huge amounts of help from flumpster (many thanks) we arnt cracking it so a fresh install is prob best, i just hope someone knows how to.
Thanks in advance.
wesley.neary said:
Hey all used this guide to upgrade stock jellybean,
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1909819
Worked brilliantly and then got above my skill level when removing some bloatware, normally i copy the apks i remove however this time i pressed delete by mistake, now have huge issues with play store and other apps. I have deleted too many apks
Have tried installing google apks again but still no joy. Does any one know of a way i can install JB again to start afresh i did try downgrading as per the guide but that didnt actually remove the JB firmware. I feel although even with huge amounts of help from flumpster (many thanks) we arnt cracking it so a fresh install is prob best, i just hope someone knows how to.
Thanks in advance.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You are in the wrong section, please go to Q&A for assistance.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/forumdisplay.php?f=1465
wesley.neary said:
Hey all used this guide to upgrade stock jellybean,
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1909819
Worked brilliantly and then got above my skill level when removing some bloatware, normally i copy the apks i remove however this time i pressed delete by mistake, now have huge issues with play store and other apps. I have deleted too many apks
Have tried installing google apks again but still no joy. Does any one know of a way i can install JB again to start afresh i did try downgrading as per the guide but that didnt actually remove the JB firmware. I feel although even with huge amounts of help from flumpster (many thanks) we arnt cracking it so a fresh install is prob best, i just hope someone knows how to.
Thanks in advance.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
first off, do no post here for questions
secondly, download the stock rom http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1911024
take the APPS out you removed and adb install them or cp them to /system/app/

[Q] TwLauncher reinstall

after unininstalling some system apps twlauncher stoped working in galaxy s2 ics rooted.I cleared storage and deufault settings but nothing worked.Some files must be corrupted.Temporary installed another launcher to work with the phone.Is there any way to download stock twlauncher?
You have given the answer in your post, and still you seek the answer?
Let me make it clear - you probably uninstalled system apps that TwLauncher needs to work. I really hope you did backup of those apps, or why just not freeze them? Much easier and safer.
Have you for starters in your search for Twlauncher, searched in Google?
Even if you find TwLauncher app i don't think it will fix this problem, since the system apps will still be gone
The solution is to flash a ROM or re-flash the currnet ROM.
TheMasterOfToast said:
You have given the answer in your post, and still you seek the answer?
Let me make it clear - you probably uninstalled system apps that TwLauncher needs to work. I really hope you did backup of those apps, or why just not freeze them? Much easier and safer.
Have you for starters in your search for Twlauncher, searched in Google?
Even if you find TwLauncher app i don't think it will fix this problem, since the system apps will still be gone
The solution is to flash a ROM or re-flash the currnet ROM.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Maybe i give answer in my post but you didn't answer my question too......i know the problem....no i don't have a backup and i can't find the stock twlauncher app....can you help in this?i want to avoid flash.
You can't. Re-flash the rom (and let that be a lesson learned to freeze stuff rather than remove or uninstall it in future - and to make regular backups).
No one who has the stock touchwiz launcher apk?
It won't work. The file dependencies would be messed up/deleted. But if you want to try it, go download a stock rom from Samfirmware & pull the apk out yourself.
MistahBungle said:
It won't work. The file dependencies would be messed up/deleted. But if you want to try it, go download a stock rom from Samfirmware & pull the apk out yourself.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
How can i pull it out?
Root phone then get root browser free from playstore and copy file to sd. Done :thumbup:
OP...you have been told by 2 people that it WON'T work....I think you need to trust them. You may not have uninstalled the actual TW apk, but you have uninstalled a system apk that TW depends on. Reinstalling the TW apk will not reinstall the missing system apks. All it'll do is overwrite the non functioning launcher with another non functioning launcher. You need to be able to remember with 100% accuracy what you uninstalled and focus on reinstalling just those elements.......
Be advised that you should also look for a firmware that exactly matches your current ics version, otherwise there may be differences to the extracted apks that *could* cause system conflicts. And finally, if you've been playing with ics 4.0.4, I'd advise you to forget about it entirely, and consider a full reflash with either 4.0.3 or 4.1.2......
Search 'emmc brickbug' for the why.....
Sent from my rooted, de bloated, stock JB powered S2 via PhilZ kernel and XDA developers app
I only advised how to pull it out of system :thumbup: up to him what happens mate. Like you and others have said wont work :thumbup:
Yeah...I saw that.....might as well tell op how....as it seems he's not listening to any other advice.....
Sent from my rooted, de bloated, stock JB powered S2 via PhilZ kernel and XDA developers app
Some poeple don't listen :banghead::thumbup:

[Q] ROM maintenance - how to keep a ROM fresh and sharp..

Hi all,
I have worked for a long time with ROMs with different origin (AOSP, Sammy based, CM 10.1, ...) however I'm unable to keep the ROM fresh and sharp for a long time. After a couple of weeks, delays start to occur randomly and the "snappiness" is gone.
In my opinion the apps have nothing to do with it as I restore them immediately after I install a new ROM (with settings).
So the question : do you have any maintenance tasks / tips I should regularly complete ?
DirtyWizard said:
Hi all,
I have worked for a long time with ROMs with different origin (AOSP, Sammy based, CM 10.1, ...) however I'm unable to keep the ROM fresh and sharp for a long time. After a couple of weeks, delays start to occur randomly and the "snappiness" is gone.
In my opinion the apps have nothing to do with it as I restore them immediately after I install a new ROM (with settings).
So the question : do you have any maintenance tasks / tips I should regularly complete ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Why not regularly reflash the original rom or at least its bare bones nandroid and your TB backup .
jje
JJEgan said:
Why not regularly reflash the original rom or at least its bare bones nandroid and your TB backup .
jje
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Would be an option to consider ! However still not clear to me what causes this .. When I look at the OS on my PC, I do know where the delaying factors are to be found (e.g. disk fragmentation, (uninstalled) software leaving files and registry entries, ...) and I can fix those ! I would like to do the same for my Android ROM.
DirtyWizard said:
Would be an option to consider ! However still not clear to me what causes this .. When I look at the OS on my PC, I do know where the delaying factors are to be found (e.g. disk fragmentation, (uninstalled) software leaving files and registry entries, ...) and I can fix those ! I would like to do the same for my Android ROM.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There is this app on the playstore that uses TRIM command called fstrim to flush out unused memory/storage (it's like a disk defrager on windows) thus making the device a little snappier more info about this app here: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2104326
You should also regularly clean your app cache (they're like temporary files created by apps just like in windows) by using apps like History Cleaner, Clean Master etc. If you're an advanced user i also recommend the app SD Maid. It cleans various system directories including your ext sdcard (it cleaned around 1gb when i first ran it) so be cautious and do research it's functions too before you use the app.
Without any explanation as to why, I found reflashing kernel keeps thing feeling fresher, and once a month I format everything including internal sd, and re-flash my rom, then restore only minimal system data via xml......txt/logs/WiFi ap etc
The more you modify Samsung Roms, the worse they perform imho
Likewise AOSP Roms, though they are always more snappy but also more bug prone, that is just my opinion though, we all end up with what keeps us happy, tweaked how we want it, so comparisons yet again don't mean a lot, just experience
Thanks for the responses so far .. I'm going to use the Lagfix for new and see how that advances. SD Maid I already use quite some time .. It is a bit sad to see that the OS can slow down so quickly.. although I have to admit I'm constantly experimenting and testing apps but I don't see an actual reason for the returning delay..
I'm afraid I'll have to get used to it or do a regular re-flash..

Easiest way to get rid of bloatware - via root and an app or try to find a ROM?

UPDATE I've just realised my phone has a bootloader which can't be unlocked, so it looks like rooting is not possible for me. Are there any other options to debloat my ROM, or at least disable some of the Sony/Google apps?
Hi, I'm new to the Z5 compact, and was previously using the Z3 compact. I've spent a long time browsing this section, but I've still got three questions. (I thought I'd be lazy and ask for help as I suspect there are a few other lurkers on this forum who would find the answer to these questions helpful.)
I want a ROM which is as close to stock as possible, but without all the annoying bloatware: mainly Sony's 'Whats New' but also most of the Google apps. Ideally, I'd like to completely remove these apps from my phone (rather than 'freeze' them) so that I'm not constantly being asked to update apps that I never use.
With the Z3 compact, there were always lots of debloated, stock-based ROMS available on this forum, but I haven't found any for the Z5 compact. 1. Are there any up-to-date, near-stock ROMs available which have been debloated?
If I'm not able to simply install a debloated ROM, I'd prefer to disable/remove the bloatware on my stock ROM using an app.
2. What's the easiest way of doing this? E.g. if I root and use ES Explorer, would this allow me to remove 'system' apps like 'Whats New?'
Finally, if the easiest way to solve my problem is to create a debloated stock ROM myself, I have seen lots of separate posts with instructions on deodexing etc. but I'm not yet confident that I'm ready to proceed.
3. Has anyone got a simple step-by-step guide to producing a debloated ROM, including all the necessary steps, e.g. rooting/deodexing/whatever?
Thanks in advance for any help.
you can just use titanium backup to uninstall system apps
Thanks for the reply. Unfortunately, since I originally posted this question, I've discovered that my phone's bootloader can't be unlocked so I therefore can't root it and use Titanium Backup.
My main reason to debloat the phone was that I was annoyed with the frequent unwanted notifications from 'Whats New.' However, I've since discovered that these can be turned off within the app's settings and I haven't heard from it since. So I'm using a completely stock, unrooted ROM, but it actually works perfectly for me.

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