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I have a lot of my daily and weekly apps loaded in /system/app. I do this to save space in the data folder for those apps and games that are ridiculous in size. I don't like to use the SD card anymore (I flash a lot). Usually I just make an update.zip or two and flash it with the ROM.
I don't remember Froyo doing this but the GB market automatically updates apps. I struggled with privacy settings as I've read through the forums to get it to stop with no success. Eventually I realized it did work but only for data apps.
My question is; Does anyone know how to disable automatic market updates for SYSTEM apps? If not, then any ideas on where to look? I've spent a couple days searching but only found disabling auto updates on DATA apps, no leads on the system ones.
Sent from my GSBv1.7-ERIS using XDA App
EDIT: Sorry I posted too early on my phone. I meant to put this in the Q&A Section. Please feel free to move.
Spikelangelo said:
I have a lot of my daily and weekly apps loaded in /system/app. I do this to save space in the data folder for those apps and games that are ridiculous in size. I don't like to use the SD card anymore (I flash a lot). Usually I just make an update.zip or two and flash it with the ROM.
I don't remember Froyo doing this but the GB market automatically updates apps. I struggled with privacy settings as I've read through the forums to get it to stop with no success. Eventually I realized it did work but only for data apps.
My question is; Does anyone know how to disable automatic market updates for SYSTEM apps? If not, then any ideas on where to look? I've spent a couple days searching but only found disabling auto updates on DATA apps, no leads on the system ones.
Sent from my GSBv1.7-ERIS using XDA App
EDIT: Sorry I posted too early on my phone. I meant to put this in the Q&A Section. Please feel free to move.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Are you sure that Automatic Updates wasn't enabled for the apps before you moved them to system/app?
Go through your system apps and make a list of them. Go through the market searching for each app and make sure "Automatically Update" is not checked.
Originally I may not have, but in my process of trying to stop it I have done the above. At first I just pulled my apks and loaded them in an update zip. Once I flashed GSB 1.7 I had lots of random issues. Long story short I flashed 1.7 over a dozen times in a day trying to narrow the problem (in the end it turned out to be my third of three update.zips which did the bulk of the apps). In doing so I had updated all my apps and went through every single one in the market and unchecked auto update (that's when I figured out that the privacy settings does work but just on the /data/apps). I used Titanium Backup to integrate all the system updates into the ROM. I made a quick batch to pull all of my apps from /system/app and /data/app and once I reflashed without my broken update.zip used my batch again to push all the apps (just my actual apps, not everything in /system/app folder) to their respectable locations (which now 1.7 runs awesome BTW). Then I ran the market just to catch any changes (I bought a new one after I did the pull) and there were about 6 other updated apps and 2 that I never update now because I don't like the newer versions. They all started updating automatically again.
I don't know if there is something I'm just missing or maybe something with the vender.apk. The Google apps I didn't push, I just left that to the gapps update.zip. Maybe I need to pull/push the current version of vender.apk before I reflash as well?
I have noticed these chinese apps some how self installing on my S2.
Any idea how to get to the source of these unauthorized installs? (Lookout & AVG & NetQin don't detect them as malicious or find any reason for how they are getting on there).
Currently using KH3 + CFRoot.
Why do people give so little information when they post?
What Chinese apps? (Please provide a screen shot if the app name is in Chinese) .
This sounds really really bad.
Has this happened to any one else?
It should not be possible for this to happen.
Does your phone have any connection with China or have you installed any Chinese software?
If this is happening then you must have done something yourself to start the process. Nothing can install itself without your consent, unless there's malicious software that's bypassing the system and installing for you, but you would have had to install that first.
So, as above, a lot more information is needed. Personally, I'd just do a complete wipe and hard reset and never install anything from untrusted sources again, including warez, 3rd party app stores and the Chinese Market, which is known to have had dodgy software before now.
My friend got an S2 from China and it was preloaded with all those Chinese apps. Examples include QQ Security Suite and some other apps. I used Titanium Backup to uninstall but after each restart, the app re-appears!
I was surprised that Titanium couldn't uninstall. It says it uninstalled successfully but it just re-appears. The only thing I could do is to do a re-flash to a Hong Kong firmware without all those pre-loaded Chinese apps.
But before you wipe everything, please help us try and find out how it happened?
Again has this happened to any one else? Because I want to know if this could happen to my phone!
Mine also did this on stock rom i would uninstall samsung apps reboot and it would reappear on my menu. Is it possible the rom comes with an auto install script for the preloaded apps?
Sent from my GT-I9100 using XDA App
otester said:
I have noticed these chinese apps some how self installing on my S2.
Any idea how to get to the source of these unauthorized installs? (Lookout & AVG & NetQin don't detect them as malicious or find any reason for how they are getting on there).
Currently using KH3 + CFRoot.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you have CF-Root, you have super user installed. Review your permissions. You can also install LBE privacy guard and set permissions for all apps as well, including many system apps (you'll need to 'untrust' them first).
Sent from my GT-I9100 using XDA App
Sorry for the little information guys, was 5am and very tired
I deleted the second incarnation of the app as soon as I saw it (worried about personal details being taken etc.) however it if it reappears again then I will screenshot it.
Virus scanners don't detect them as malicious, when the program opened (after stealth install) I went through it, albeit in Chinese it looked like a legit program and the menu worked etc.
I have market 3.1.3 installed (got the apk off the internet) and a few apps that got removed from the market place (torrent clients and certain games I couldn't find etc.) so it could well have been put in them.
I'm thinking about a hard reset, not using titan backup to avoid it coming back and a re-flash.
Also my phone has no connection with China (purchased in the UK), this has only happened recently.
Is there any more info needed before reset etc.?
Looks like the suspect apps removed from the market may have been the cause.
Does anybody know if running as root alows all download apps to run with root permissions?
LouisJB said:
Looks like the suspect apps removed from the market may have been the cause.
Does anybody know if running as root alows all download apps to run with root permissions?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Issue is the damage seems to have been done, looks like I have no choice but to reflash etc. Need a virus scanner that has root so it can do a deeper scan.
Superuser is a lot like UAC on Windows Vista/7, it will popup and ask you to allow/deny.
Also is there any way to wipe the device while re flashing to ensure this gets removed?
I found a folder on my Internal Storage "QinqiQuan" (Google Image search pinpoints this as one of the apps) which translates in Chinese to English as "Infringement", however the app itself appears to be a legitimate Chinese social app so I'm not sure of my original concern regarding "Infringement" being copyright related etc.
Another few suspicious folders were "the9GameCenter" & "waze".
In future I'll be sticking the Market and official sites, even if that means doing without certain apps that aren't available on my handset/region
Isnt waze a community based sat nav app?
poults said:
Isnt waze a community based sat nav app?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The apps themselves appear legitimate, but I didn't authorize the installs which is what worries me.
I wiped internal storage, wiped data and then re-flashed + CFRooted.
Hopefully what ever it was, won't come back
And how about the security in your computer? As we know, you can install an app in your phone via your market account using your computer. Perhaps someone is playing around with your market account. If this is the case, changing your password would be a good idea.
Sent from my GT-I9100 using XDA App
angelomaldito said:
And how about the security in your computer? As we know, you can install an app in your phone via your market account using your computer. Perhaps someone is playing around with your market account. If this is the case, changing your password would be a good idea.
Sent from my GT-I9100 using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah I have changed my password and turned on all the Google security settings, albeit a bit of pain, does give peace of mind
Sent from my GT-I9100 using xda premium
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
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