[Q] Rooted Razr Question - Motorola Droid RAZR

I have rooted my razr, no issues. One thing i thought that you could do with the rooted phone was uninstall pre-installed apps like, blockbuster, amazon. apps like that. is that not possible. If it is, can somone please give instructions on how to uninstall them. Thanks

You can use Titanium backup, and i suggest you freeze them instead of uninstalling.
Uninstalling stock apps hinder official updates.

How do i freeze them? and will that make it so they dont display in my app drawer?

brex2040 said:
How do i freeze them? and will that make it so they dont display in my app drawer?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Exactly! Just open Titanium Backup, go to the apps list and press on the app you want to freeze, in the following popup just press the deactivate-button.

Thanks for the help.

Don't uninstall factory bloat. You *WILL* regret doing it. Use the options to hide most of it, use TitaniumBackup to freeze the rest. You will still be able to take OTA update with no issue, just install Voodoo to keep root.
You don't even need to unfreeze or unroot when an OTA comes out.

brex2040 said:
How do i freeze them? and will that make it so they dont display in my app drawer?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
All system apps are .apk files. "Freezing" one with titanium backup or doing it manually will change the .apk extension to .bak (back up). Nothing is removed, just deactive. The apps don't run and wont appear in your app tray. They're dormant until unfrozen.
This is beneficial because many apps have ties with system functions or other apps that you don't know about. So if you accidentally break a link just unfreeze the app to fix the problem. Plus you'll need to do so in order to receive an OTA. If you don't the update with either not appear, or fail to install.
Sent from my DROID RAZR using Tapatalk

Related

[Q] What does 'freezing' an app exactly mean?

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.
Click to expand...
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
Click to expand...
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

[Q] I can't install any nonmarket apps.

Unknown sources is checked. When I get the black screen that has 2 grey buttons at the bottom, install and cancel, nothing happens when I press the install button. Oh, and I am installing vcast because I need it to update to 2.3.4.
Try a factory reset?
Sent from my DROID X2 using xda premium
I suppose that could work. How would I backup and restore my data (I'm rooted)?
Titanium backup is a good choice. You have the option to backup all apps and system data, although I rarely back up system data because it could be what is causing the problem. Your contacts should be linked to your gmail acct but you can use any number of market apps to backup contacts, SMS messages, and call logs.
Sent from my DROID X2 using xda premium
Have you tried to install more than one non-market app? The .apk itself may just be bad and not your phone. If a different app works you could try an alternate download of the VCast .apk. Id give that a shot before doing a factory reset.
Which VCast app are you trying to install? Theres a few VCast apps that shows up in the Market for me.
T3HBR1AN said:
Have you tried to install more than one non-market app? The .apk itself may just be bad and not your phone. If a different app works you could try an alternate download of the VCast .apk. Id give that a shot before doing a factory reset.
Which VCast app are you trying to install? Theres a few VCast apps that shows up in the Market for me.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I am trying to reinstall Vcast apps, music, and video. I also need to reinstall city id, blockbuster, and vzw navigator.I'v tried to install many different nonmarket apps (amazon, amazon apps I've downloaded, emulators, etc).
CadenH said:
Titanium backup is a good choice. You have the option to backup all apps and system data, although I rarely back up system data because it could be what is causing the problem. Your contacts should be linked to your gmail acct but you can use any number of market apps to backup contacts, SMS messages, and call logs.
Sent from my DROID X2 using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
System data is preserved in a factory reset, right? And I would backup to the sd card, remove it, and do a factory reset later, correct?
i had this problem before...two suggestions: 1) if you have screen filter app, disable it before installing the app 2) juicedefender app may be interfering with non-market app downloads, try configuring the settings or disable/unistall the app
1) did the trick for me...i hope this helped!
Arbybear said:
System data is preserved in a factory reset, right? And I would backup to the sd card, remove it, and do a factory reset later, correct?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm sorry for rebumping this older thread, but to the OP did you uninstall these apps? I usually freeze them. If you did and want quick resolve just back up your data with Titanium as others have stated and then SBF. SBFing will bring you back to 100% brand new out of the box status. You can find info here in the General section if you uncertain on how to SBF... don't be afraid it's easy
SBF Tutorial
Pixelation said:
I'm sorry for rebumping this older thread, but to the OP did you uninstall these apps? I usually freeze them. If you did and want quick resolve just back up your data with Titanium as others have stated and then SBF. SBFing will bring you back to 100% brand new out of the box status. You can find info here in the General section if you uncertain on how to SBF... don't be afraid it's easy
SBF Tutorial
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes I am going to sbf to 2.3.4 right now. Thanks for the help.
Eyedeaa said:
i had this problem before...two suggestions: 1) if you have screen filter app, disable it before installing the app 2) juicedefender app may be interfering with non-market app downloads, try configuring the settings or disable/unistall the app
1) did the trick for me...i hope this helped!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Same problem on my phone cannot press install button, fixed by turning off screen filter app. Thanks for the advice.
Eyedeaa said:
i had this problem before...two suggestions: 1) if you have screen filter app, disable it before installing the app 2) juicedefender app may be interfering with non-market app downloads, try configuring the settings or disable/unistall the app
1) did the trick for me...i hope this helped!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I simply cannot express my gratitude enough! For months I'd had the same problem and had tried everything or, so I thought. After some serious googling I came across your suggestion and it surprisingly worked; disabling Screen Filter did the trick. At last I can finally enjoy installing downloaded apps at my leisure! Thank you so much for the suggestion!!

[Q] Uninstall apps without going through uninstaller

Hello
I have an HTC One X which is rooted, and I am wondering is there a way (or an app) to uninstall other apps without going through the normal uninstaller?
It'd be much faster to select a load of apps and have the phone uninstall them automatically..
I'm asking here rather than the HTC One X area because this is relative to any Android phone.
Not sure how many apps you are trying to remove (or why for sure) but if your rooted you can use Titanium Backup for what you want to do. Just be careful that you don't unintentionally remove something you want/need.
rleonard55 said:
Not sure how many apps you are trying to remove (or why for sure) but if your rooted you can use Titanium Backup for what you want to do. Just be careful that you don't unintentionally remove something you want/need.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I will try Titanium Backup.. Whenever I am on the Play store, I tend to install lots of apps and if I don't like them, they end up being left on the phone, so every so often I like to clean out apps I haven't used in a while.
Thanks!
EDIT: How can I select multiple apps, then uninstall them in one go?
Northantrim said:
I will try Titanium Backup.. Whenever I am on the Play store, I tend to install lots of apps and if I don't like them, they end up being left on the phone, so every so often I like to clean out apps I haven't used in a while.
Thanks!
EDIT: How can I select multiple apps, then uninstall them in one go?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
TB has a bit of a learning curve and you can get into trouble quickly if you aren't careful but the bulk actions are under the check box on the top right corner of the app.
You also may want to consider a few alternatives in the play store like https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.kugoweb.uninstaller it looks more straight forward for what you are trying to do...just a thought
Sent from my EVO using xda premium
rleonard55 said:
TB has a bit of a learning curve and you can get into trouble quickly if you aren't careful but the bulk actions are under the check box on the top right corner of the app.
You also may want to consider a few alternatives in the play store like https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.kugoweb.uninstaller it looks more straight forward for what you are trying to do...just a thought
Sent from my EVO using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There are only the following options:
Un-install backed up user apps
Un-install non-backed up user apps
Un-insall all user apps
Un-install all user & system apps
Is there a way I can mark multiple apps to uninstall rather than uninstall by whether I have a backup or not?
I have tried a few alternative apps, but they all open up the uninstall thing and each one has to be done one by one, however I notice TB can uninstall apps without using that, so I'm asking is there a way to select mutiple apps manually with it.
Northantrim said:
There are only the following options:
Un-install backed up user apps
Un-install non-backed up user apps
Un-insall all user apps
Un-install all user & system apps
Is there a way I can mark multiple apps to uninstall rather than uninstall by whether I have a backup or not?
I have tried a few alternative apps, but they all open up the uninstall thing and each one has to be done one by one, however I notice TB can uninstall apps without using that, so I'm asking is there a way to select mutiple apps manually with it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, any of the uninstall options you mentioned will allow you to check or uncheck the apps after you click RUN before it actually does anything. As I mentioned though you can get into trouble quite quickly if you uninstall something on accident. If you don't back up if make one before hand just in case.
If you start by clicking run on uninstall all user apps you get the check boxes to refine you're choices beforehand
Sent from my EVO using xda premium
rleonard55 said:
Yes, any of the uninstall options you mentioned will allow you to check or uncheck the apps after you click RUN before it actually does anything. As I mentioned though you can get into trouble quite quickly if you uninstall something on accident. If you don't back up if make one before hand just in case.
If you start by clicking run on uninstall all user apps you get the check boxes to refine you're choices beforehand
Sent from my EVO using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ah, I see now. I was worried that tapping that would just uninstall all user apps. I have already set regular backups, so I'm all ok there.
Just de-cluttered my phone with this,
Thanks for all your help!
Northantrim said:
Ah, I see now. I was worried that tapping that would just uninstall all user apps. I have already set regular backups, so I'm all ok there.
Just de-cluttered my phone with this,
Thanks for all your help!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No worries, glad you found something that worked the way you wanted it to
Sent from my EVO using xda premium

Kill the Verizon Bloatware

Is their way to kill the stupid Verizon bloatware off of the Rezound. I just got the new I.C.S. O.T.A.. Every time Itry to delete all of the stock apps Verizon puts on the phone it will only allow me to uninstall the updates. then a few hours later the phone updates them again.
How do i get rid of them??????
You can only disable them unless you are rooted. This will remove them from the app drawer, and at the bottom of the app list in settings. Out of sight, out of mind.
Root and delete the APK.
disable them suing settings -> application. and turn off option in play store to automatically update apps.
A2Aegis said:
You can only disable them unless you are rooted. This will remove them from the app drawer, and at the bottom of the app list in settings. Out of sight, out of mind.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
And also prevents them from running in the background and being used at all. It's just like freezing them with Titanium Backup; the .apk is there, but its as good as gone.
you can disable them by not updating the app and just diable it in the app management
paul_viado said:
you can disable them by not updating the app and just diable it in the app management
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If they are updated you have to uninstall the update first then disable them. The only Verizon bloatware app that I found can't be disabled this way is visual voice mail.
bobcsc said:
Is their way to kill the stupid Verizon bloatware off of the Rezound. I just got the new I.C.S. O.T.A.. Every time Itry to delete all of the stock apps Verizon puts on the phone it will only allow me to uninstall the updates. then a few hours later the phone updates them again.
How do i get rid of them??????
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Root and run Neo's Simplistic Rom. Very stock feel without the extra crap.

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

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

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