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I recently bought a Droid 2 Global and decided to get my feet wet with android development. To familiarize myself with the platform I wrote a simple utility for managing the bloat that came pre-installed on my phone. I thought there might be other people who would get some use out of this so I am posting it here. You will need to be rooted and have busybox installed to use this application. If you used z4root to root your phone then you should have everything you need.
The application is pretty simple. When you start it you are presented with a list of the Bloat that the application recognizes. Each item in the list has a checkbox that indicates whether it is enabled or not. To disable bloat you just uncheck the boxes next to what you don't want and then press the Apply button that appears at the bottom of the screen. You can save what you have disabled as a profile by pressing the options button and then choosing Save Profile. This is convenient because you are going to need to turn all of this bloat back on if you want to receive updates. If you have saved a profile and a new update becomes available you can launch Bloat Manager, press the options button, choose Enable All and then click Apply to get your phone ready for the update. After the update installs you can launch Bloat Manager, press the options button, choose Load Profile and then click Apply to turn the bloat back off.
The following applications can be toggled on or off using Bloat Manager:
Amazon MP3 /system/app/amazonmp3_1_8_14_signed_zipaligned_Signed_2010-09-09_15-23-51.apk
Blockbuster /system/app/Blockbuster.apk
City ID /system/app/CityID.apk
Friend Feed /system/app/FriendFeed.apk
Kindle /system/app/Kindle-1_0_2-OEM-SingleSign_Signed_2010-09-20_17-31-57.apk
My Net /system/app/Mynet.apk
My Verizon /system/app/MyVerizon.apk
News Widget /system/app/NewsWidget.apk
Performance Manager /system/app/PerformanceManager.apk
Skype /system/app/Skype_mobile.live.apk
Social Messaging /system/app/SocialMessaging.apk
Social Share /system/app/SocialShare.apk
VZNavigator /system/app/vnav_6.1.0.160_Droid2Global_rel_PROD_signed.apk
Visual Voice Mail /system/app/Vvm.apk
Weather Widget /system/app/WeatherWidget.apk
World Clock Widget /system/app/WorldClockWidget.apk
When you disable an application using Bloat Manager it simply renames it to .bak. When you re-enable an application it is renamed back to .apk.
Bloat Manager remounts your /system partition as writable in order to make changes to applications. I came up with this list based on what other people have had success with removing, but I have not personally turned off everything on the list. Changing things in your system partition is always dangerous so please be careful.
So this only renames the app filenames? Is the app still affecting the phone in any way (ie. sucking battery life) once it is renamed, or is it completely "disconnected" from the phone until you rename it back to .apk for updates/etc.?
Thanks I will try this out soon.
Correct, this simply renames the apps so that they are no longer recognized as launchable applications. The applications will not be able to run anymore after they are renamed so they will not affect your battery life directly. I have heard that the operating system will continually try and restart some apps if they get renamed, but based on what people are saying in the bloatware removal script thread on droidforums where I got this list of applications none of these should have that problem.
Let me know how it goes.
The application works, any chance you might add more programs to the list?
Sent from my DROID2 GLOBAL using XDA App
Are there any specific applications you would like to see added? I designed it so that the list can be extended but I haven't implemented an easy way to add things yet. If you know your way around a SQLite database you can add new items to the Bloat table to put them in the list. I plan on adding an import feature that lets you add a group of applications from a file in the near future.
Well some programs I can do without are files, car dock, backup assistant, the social networking widget, and news and weather, if you can find a way to ad the .bak extention to them without it hurting the system, it would be greatly appreciated
Sent from my DROID2 GLOBAL using XDA App
wtb one for sprint phones, i.e. the Epic 4G
Great solution, how about a "Bloat Manager for Samsung Galaxy S" next ?
How about a general android bloat manager?
General Android bloatware app would be a major win!
The way you implement (renaming to .bak) is brilliant in it's simplicity, well done. I'm curious how it compares to the 'freeze' function of Titanium backup. Anyone?
^^^That's what I want to know too.
i am just wondering but would this work on other phones like the HTC Droid ERIS or any other devices???
Any chance you can port this to the Droid X? Also, do you need to be rooted to use it, or does it work on stock devices?
same quest
rusty815 said:
...any chance you might add more programs to the list?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
...are these Bloats removeable too?
-Stocks
-Amazon
-Soundhound
-Setup
-facebook
-htc hub, likes etc.
-latitude
-anything from google (maps locations, navigation etc., etc.)
-peep, twitter etc. any social network sh..
-speech saerch
-talk
-connected media
Any chance for a G1 or G2 version?
I plan on making the next version a lot more flexible in terms of which phones it will be useful for. If you guys can get me a list of which apps can safely be removed from your phones I can add them to the next version.
Technically this version should run on other phones so long as they are rooted and have busybox installed in /system/bin. If your phone has some of the same bloat that comes on a Droid 2 Global you may be able to use this to remove it. Any applications that the program cannot find when it starts will have a ! on the front of their names in the list. Bloat Manager won't be able to turn those off.
I installed this and chose disable all, and clicked apply. The applications can still be opened. Skype still shows that it is running even after I force stop it.
LOL...installed on my G1....all apps had the !
Uninstalled. Thanks!
MrFrankfromCM said:
LOL...installed on my G1....all apps had the !
Uninstalled. Thanks!
Click to expand...
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Lol, its meant for the bloat on the d2g and d2, I'm pretty sure the g1 doesn't have any of the apps that are on the list
Sent from my DROID2 GLOBAL using XDA App
MrFrankfromCM said:
Any chance for a G1 or G2 version?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If your looking for away to remove bloatware on the G2 go to this thread http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=809231
super easy did it myself.
while I was surfing the Older forums, i found one deep burried but useful post that mentions Which all apps are safe to remove from /system/apps folder. THANKS TO THE GUY WHO ACTUALLY POSTED THIS -- IonAphis
*Mod Message
Please know that removing certain system app may interfere in smooth functioning of your phone!
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The list below describes all stock i5800 apks under /system/app. You can see this folder via RootExplorer or FileExplorer or the like, or see them through Titanium Backup, although they might be out of order and with different names (they will use the display name rather than apk name on Titanium).
YES -- Indicates an application can be removed, but please don´t remove them without reading the description.
NO -- Means an application is essential or pretty important for the functionality of your phone.
Some of these descriptions have been based off of Insanity´s I9000 Galaxy S ROM, however all of these have been tested on the I5800 (this is not just a copy paste, rather I based my original understanding of this list in his).
Use at your own risk, I cannot be held responsible if you break your phone.
If your are going to attempt this, first your should have some knowledge of flashing your phone via ODIN, because if you happen to delete something that was important to you, you might need to reflash.
Keep in mind you don´t need to delete apps right off the bat. You can rename them from Application.apk to Application.OLDapk or whatever. This will prevent your phone from recognizing them as applications without you having to fully remove them. When you are sure of your choices and want to free up space, go ahead and delete them.
Some firmware versions will have .odex files with the same name as the .apk. When deleting and apk, delete it´s respective .odex. If you are going to rename an .apk, then rename the .odex as well (aka Application.OLDodex)
AccountAndSyncSettings.apk -- NO, Sync settings, this is required, even if out don´t sync, this is because it syncs more than just calendar and contacts, it is the effective sync to your google account, required for just about anything.
ApplicationsProvider.apk -- NO, required for application installation and uninstall.
audioTuning.apk -- ?, not really sure about this one. I guess this is an automatic sound adjustment according to background noise, however I´ve never seen this into effect. If you´re feeling lucky, you can try removing it, however I´ve never monitored this actually showing up resource managers.
AxT9IME.apk -- YES, This is the stock Samsung keyboard. You can remove it, but even if you have swype, swype doesn´t have all of the keyboard layouts. I´d leave it, to my opinion, this is kind of essential.
BadgeProvider.apk -- NO, Something to do with messaging and email. Removing this causes SMS and email related apps to force close. Even if you manage to keep the program open for long enough without it foce closing, you won´t be able to send messages, they´ll just be stuck on "sending".
Bluetooth.apk -- YES, incorrectly named, this apk actually manages the Bluetooth printing rather than the bluetooth itself. If you have no need for bluetooth printing, this won´t ever be missed or will never bother you in any occasion.
BluetoothOPP.apk -- NO, this apk actually manages file transfer between phones. Remove this and you´ll never be able to transfer files. This actually includes streaming music through Car bluetooth and headsets, since they effectively speaking, file transfers.
BluetoothServices.apk -- NO, provides general framework for Bluetooth. If you´re going to use bluetooth for any reason, this apk is a must. Removing this one breaks all other bluetooth applications.
BluetoothTestMode.apk -- YES, this is activated when you need to test the fidelity of your bluetooth. You can do that by going into the test section by typing the secret code *#*#197328640#*#*. Removing it is possible, however, some BT connections actually test the bluetooth to measure how much data is transfered. This way, it calculates the buffer size it needs to use, and at what quality media can be streamed. Removing it can disrupt communications with those BT terminals or you can experience fade-outs, where while listening to songs, the sound will fade every few seconds, because of inadequate bandwith. (this can occur even with this application left as is, if your BT terminal doesn´t have the auto regulation feature)
Browser.apk -- YES, removing this will make you lose your browsing ability (not internet as a whole). If you have firefox or opera for android, and like those best, you can remove this without any problems.
BuddiesNow.apk -- YES, this is just that widget offered by the TouchWiz launcher. If you don´t use it, remove it.
CallSetting.apk -- NO, do you like to use your phone for... umm calling people? This is kind of essencial, it will allow call setting to be edited. Stuff like call waiting and forwarding will not work if you remove this, as well as other stuff I didn´t have time or willingness to test, as soon as I confirmed dialpad and other things while calling had been disabled.
Camera.apk -- NO, this is the camera application. If you find an alternative one (I don´t think there are any on the market) you could remove it.
CameraFirmware.apk -- NO, this is the actual ROM (if you will) for the camera. Without this, camera.apk is useless.
CertInstaller.apk -- NO, Installs certificates for the apps you install. I assume without this, you cannot give permissions for apps to do things and access certain folders and files. I´m guessing if you don´t have this installed, you couldn´t even install root on your phone. So in short, no.
ClockPackage.apk -- YES, however this controls the alarm clock, stopwatch, world time and timer. There are alternative applications online if you want, but this seems to do the job pretty well and all under the same apk.
Contacts.apk -- NO, this controls the contacts application (the contacts / groups / history / activities tabs). Removing this will make you have to call everyone by physically inputing their number.
ContactsProvider.apk -- NO, this controls contacts sync. Pretty useful if you still don´t use google contacs sync, you should try it. In theory if you don´t use it, you could remove it, but I don´t know what effect it would have on your contacts.
CSC.apk -- NO. This breaks CSC. According to insanity, this can be removed after first successful boot, but if you ever have to hard reset or restore factory settings, this will not allow you to boot successfully.
DataCreate.apk -- NO.
DialerTabActivity.apk -- NO. This controls the dialer. Even if you have all your contacts already stored, you cannot call them without this app.
Divx.apk -- YES. This is some licesing information for the video player. I don´t really watch alot of videos on my phone, but after removing this I´ve never had any problems. If you do remove it, and have problems, post it on the comments.
Dlna.apk -- YES. This is allshare. Never had any use for it, and it shall not be missed.
DownloadProvider.apk -- NO. Handles file downloads and market downloads.
DrmProvider.apk -- NO. In theory, you cannot remove it, it will break your ability to play DRM protected files, aka, Ringtones and SMS notifications. I´ve been in the process of de-DRMing my ringtone files. I would imagine, if you don´t have a reason to play DRM protected files, this could be removed. However keep in mind all DRM protected files will not be able to play. This apk takes up a lot of memory and stays on all the time on the background. It is one of my most hated apks, it serves no function rather than to protect you from copying or editing the stupid samsung ringtones.
DrmUA.apk -- NO, see above.
DualClock.apk -- YES. Dual clock widget. If you don´t need, remove it.
Email.apk -- NO. According to insanity, removing this will break things.Haven´t tried it yet though.
EnhancedGoogleSearchProvider.apk -- YES. This controls that ability to hold the menu button for a second or two and the search menu pop up. I usally keep it.
FactoryTest.apk -- YES. Removed it without any problems. If you have ever run autostarts, you´ll realize how much of a hog this apk really is during some actions.
FlashPlugin.apk -- YES. This allows flash content to be displayed, so even though you can, I don´t recommed it.
FlashSVGPlayer.apk -- YES. As far as I know, this is the player which provides you to view the flash content through the plugin above. Removing this might break your flashplugin.
FMRadio.apk -- YES. Radio player.
Gallery3D.apk -- YES. This is a battery hog. It´s that fancy 3D accelerometer enhanced gallery. If you remove it, you won´t be able to easily access photographs though. If you want a good replacement, I would suggest QuickPic, it does the job, it´s fast and doesn´t hog memory (although its not fancy like the 3D Gallery)
GlobalSearch.apk -- YES. This is the search function on your phone. Remember the Enhanced search this above, well, that actually accesses this to do the search. That can be removed and this will be fine (although you´ll have to access the search feature by the app drawer). But if you remove this, the enhanced search will be useless.
Gmail.apk -- YES. Don´t use gmail? It can be removed, but will break Talk.apk as well.
GmailProvider.apk -- YES. I guess it is tied to gmail.apk. See above.
GoogleApps.apk -- ?. This is didn´t even come installed on my phone, so I guess it´s not that important.
GoogleCheckin.apk -- ? Same as above.
GoogleContactsSyncAdapter.apk -- YES. Syncs contacts through google. This can be removed, but you won´t be able to sync contacts.
GooglePartnerSetup.apk -- NO.
GoogleSearch.apk -- YES. This is the google search widget you can add onto your launcher desktop.
GoogleSettingsProvider.apk -- NO.
GoogleSubscribedFeedsProvider.apk -- ?. Don´t know, this is not on my phone.
GpsSetup2.apk -- NO. This sets up GPS configurations.
gtalkservice.apk -- YES. You might have this as talk.apk or gtalkservice.apk, although it´s all the same thing, it´s Google Talk.
HTMLViewer.apk -- YES. No side effects were noticed when removing this.
HwCodec.apk -- ?. Don´t have this on my phone.
IcsService.apk -- ?. Don´t have this on my phone.
InfoAlarm.apk -- YES. This is the daily briefing widget. Don´t need it remove it.
InputEventApp.apk -- NO.
Layar-samsung.apk -- YES. Layar. Seems awesome on paper. Never has been of any use in reality.
LbsTestMode.apk -- YES. GPS testing mode. Can be accessed via *#*#197328640#*#*, but not needed per se.
lcdtest.apk -- YES. Removing this will cause your screen to not turn off when you lock your phone. By installing spare parts you can fix this, however if you don´t use spare parts for any other reason, that´s just replacing a passive apk for one that invades your phone on all levels. So I rather just leave it and not worry about it.
LogsProvider.apk -- NO. Lots of things will crash and force close if you do.
Maps.apk -- YES. Google Maps apk. If you don´t use it, remove it, but it is pretty useful, since it has gps navigation as well.
MarketUpdater.apk -- YES. Safe to remove but when the market gets updated you won´t be recieving the update.
MediaProvider.apk -- NO. Needed to access media files and ringtones.
MediaUploader.apk -- YES. This uploads pictures to picassa (facebook as well?). If you don´t need it, remove it.
Memo.apk -- YES. Remove it and you won´t be able to write memos though.
Mms.apk -- NO. This controls MMS sending and recieving on the phone.
MobileTrackerEngineTwo.apk -- YES. This app and the next control the tracker ability on your phone. What this does is if you lose your phone you can use this to track it down and find it. If it gets stolen, you can use this to lead the cops to the thief. Although this is an awesome idea, if you don´t live in a perfect world, it would be wiser not to go after the guy who stole your phone in case he decides to, hum..., go kill you afterwards... Besides, I live in Argentina, and the cops cannot be trusted to do this kind of job... they´ll tell you they can´t do anything. These things stay on memory all the time and really consume battery, so if you don´t care about this feature and really just take care of your stuff, you´ll not be needing these two apps.
MobileTrackerUI.apk -- YES. See Above. I forgot to mention though an extra feature this offers though. If you have these 2 apks installed, you have the samsung apps and singin (you´ll see them later further down), you can use another apk called wipereciever.apk to remotely wipe all the data on your phone, in case you are very privacy concious. However, removing any of these 2 apks, removing samsung apps and not setting up a samsung apps account before your phone gets stolen, this feature becomes disabled. Really in my opinion, its too much stuff to be worried about, and my phone doesn´t contain any nuclear launch codes. So I rely on my lock screen password to protect my data. (Most thieves don´t have the knowhow to crack the lockscreen protection and access the info inside the phone. At most they´ll get bored and might find the info on how to flash a new ROM or reset to factory settings, where your info will be deleted and your privacy sensitive stuff with it).
MtpApplication.apk -- YES. Required to sync with Kies. Do you flash your ROMs rather than update through Kies, this is useless to you then. (Updating through Kies is the equivalent of upgrading from XP to windows 7. It does the job, but it never works as well as installing from scratch.)
MusicPlayer.apk -- YES. This is the music player. If you remove this, you can still preview sounds and stuff through the SoundPlayer.apk. This can be effectively replace by PowerAMP and Winamp. In fact, if you have a stable music player alternative installed, I would recommend you delete this, since it could cause clashes and you might even get both players playing different songs at the same time via Bluetooth.
MyFiles.apk -- YES. This is the default file viewer installed by Samsung. If you use RootExplorer, this is kind of pointless. However, I sometime do things on the go and need to access things fast. I usually use this for everyday use and leave RootExplorer just to do alterations such as what we are doing in this list, so as to not delete important things by accident.
NetworkLocation.apk -- YES. This is the semi-accurate GPS simulation. It uses Cellphone Cell information to estimate your location, rather than using the battery hog GPS antenna. If you remove this, things like automatic weather location will be broken (you´ll have to input your location manually). I usually leave this on, because since it uses the very GSM network used by the phone, it seems like hitting two birds with one stone. Using the real GPS will force you to have two antennas working together. This wastes a lot of battery, and really most of the time the network location does a pretty good job of narrowing down your location. If you use GPS A LOT, I recommed just buying one of those TomToms or Garmin GPS, it has better maps, better accuracy and the very device is optimized to use only the GPS antenna, therefore wasting less battery, and not wasting your phone battery life.
OtaProvisioningService.apk -- NO. According to insanity, this is required. However see wssyncmlnps.apk to get more of an idea.
PackageInstaller.apk -- NO.
Personalization.apk -- NO.
Phone.apk -- NO. Remove this and you won´t have the dialer application. Even though your phone will theoretically work, you just won´t be able to dial out or view missed calls and stuff.
PhoneCrashNotifier.apk -- ?. Don´t know, my phone doesn´t have this.
PhoneErrService.apk -- NO.
Phone_Util.apk -- NO.
PicoTts.apk -- YES. This is part of the text to speech (not speech to text). If you´re blind, this is kind of important, because the phone will read via a a robotic voice things to you. This is also part of the Google GPS application where it will tell you "turn left" "keep right". If you remove this, GPS navigation will work, you just won´t have someone talking to you. If you decide to remove this, remove TtsService.apk as well.
Preconfig.apk -- NO.
RilFactoryApp.apk -- ?. The galaxy 3 seems to be the only phone in the world that has this. Nowhere I have seen is this apk mentioned. I have no idea what this does.
SamsungApps.apk -- YES. Samsung apps, if you remove this, you can remove signin.apk as well. If you remove this, and you manage your music and have apps via Kies, they might not work, however Kies will still connect (if you want to update firmware via Kies). By removing this, your samsung and touchwiz widgets will still work.
SamsungWidget_CalendarClock.apk -- YES. Calendar clock widget.
SamsungWidget_FeedAndUpdate.apk -- YES. Feeds and Updates widget.
SamsungWidget_StockClock.apk -- YES. Stock clock widget.
SamsungWidget_WeatherClock.apk -- YES. Weather clock widget.
SecDownloadProvider.apk -- NO. I believe this has to do with the maket, so I´d just leave it alone.
serviceModeApp.apk -- NO. Required for secret codes and service tasks, such as those accessed by secret codes.
Settings.apk -- NO. Isn´t settings explicit enough?
SettingsProvider.apk -- NO. Some Carriers will send you settings via sms or internal message. This is mostly for those people who don´t really know how to configure their phone (anyone not reading XDA ). Although it seems banal, it could be useful at some point, and some people have reported things force closing because of this
SetupWizard.apk -- NO. In theory can be deleted after first successful boot. However this could cause problems if you need to factory reset
shutdown.apk -- NO. Tells you your battery is low and manages shutdown notifications.
signin.apk -- YES. See SamsungApps.apk
SisoDrmProvider.apk -- NO. Has to do with the DRM. If you successfully manage to remove DRMUA and DRMService, maybe this can be removed as well. Don´t know, haven´t been able to rid my phone from drm still.
SnsAccount.apk -- YES. Does the feeds sync with facebook and twitter. Without this, you won´t be informed of new tweets of your friends saying "OMG! I´m at the toilet reading cosmo magazine. LOLZ".
SnsProvider.apk -- YES. See above.
SoundPlayer.apk -- YES. This, not to be confused with MusicPlayer.apk plays sounds and previews ringtones. Even though it can be removed, you´ll be pretty limited if you do, since it works a bit faster and to the point than MusicPlayer. It doesn´t genera playlist, history and has no visualization. It just plain to the point plays sounds. Even if you have Winamp, PowerAMP, cubed or whatever I recommend keeping this.
Stk.apk -- YES. You know those annoying menus your carrier offers you, you know, to inform you about your hororscope (no I didn´t misspell it), roaming information or traffic information, making you send a message so they can send you the info back? This is the menu apk for that. Don´t want to download your carrier (payed) games or apps telling you bad jokes? Delete this.
Street.apk -- YES. Streetview for Google Maps. Removing it will not break google maps, but you won´t get to view street pictures.
Swype.apk -- YES. Swype keyboard, and awesome alternative to samsung´s. It does a good job at predicting text, but not essential if you like to manually type all words out.
syncmldm.apk -- YES. Device Management. I read something somewhere but don´t really remember what it was. I deleted this accidentally while trying to delete syncmlds.apk but nothing has broken yet...
syncmlds.apk -- YES. This has to do with the Synchronize page options in the settings menu. If you don´t use it, it has no meaning in your life.
Talk.apk -- YES. Google Talk. There was some chatter about removing this breaking Gmail or the Market. As far as I´ve read, this can be removed, although I still haven´t gotten around to trying it out.
TalkProvider.apk -- YES. See above.
TelephonyProvider.apk -- NO.
thinkdroid.apk -- YES. This is the mobile version of a microsoft office clone. Removing this will not let you open .doc or .xls or .pps on your phone.
TouchWiz30Launcher.apk -- NO. Even though if you use Zeam or LauncherPro or GoLauncher, removing this is kind of dangerous. Let me explain. A while ago when I was a virgin at ODIN flashing and new to the phone, i deleted this because I was using LauncherPRO. I had also deleted something that made my phone force close all the time. I didn´t trust flashing yet, and in my haste, I decided to restore factory settings. The thing is, when you do that, it deletes all non stock apps and reconfigures the phone to use stock apps. When I that, even though the phone booted, I couldn´t access anything, because launchers also control the appdrawer. My phone was literally blank, although if was working. The problem is, if you factory reset, the settings that control your USB connection as MODEM or PDA go back to its original settings. As mine did. So I couldn´t get to anywhere on my phone and couldn´t get my computer to recognize the phone. Until I flashed it via Odin (after a 7 hour desperation overnight, and finding some miracle Samsung USB x64 drivers for mobile phones on a forum) the phone was in effect soft bricked.
If you remove anything from this list and have problems, you can factory reset or prepare you contacts and apps for a flashing via ODIN. If you delete however, you won´t even be able to prepare yourself or backup anything. I wish this upon no one, so I advise keeping this, just to be on the safe side.
TouchWizCalculator.apk -- YES. Calculator app, although can be removed, it´s pretty cool and functional.
TouchWizCalendar.apk -- YES. Calendar app, although can be removed, it´s pretty cool and functional.
TouchWizCalendarProvider.apk -- NO. This has something to do with calendar sync and seems to be the connection between the calendar app and the phone´s internal calendar and date settings.
TtsService.apk -- YES. See PicoTts.apk
TwWallpaperChooser.apk -- YES. Wallpaper Chooser. If you have 3DGallery or QuickPic installed, you can use those to set wallpaper, even though there are some wallpapers (internal to this apk) you won´t get.
UNAService.apk -- ?. I have no idea what this is, and so doesn´t insanity.
UserDictionaryProvider.apk -- YES. You know when you add new words, like names and nicknames to your keyboard prediction? This is where those are kept. Delete this and you´ll have to write like the English Academy of Words wants you to write. LOLZ and WTF won´t be recognized as words and you´ll have to write them out everytime you write them, rather than it being available to you via prediction.
Vending.apk -- NO. Part of the Android Market. Actually this IS the Market.
VideoPlayer.apk -- YES. Video player. Do as you wish.
VoiceDialer.apk -- YES. Allows you to dial by speaking someone´s name. Most people´s names when I say them, tend to return something entirely different from what I was looking for. Sometimes though, it surprises. For some reason this sometimes doesn´t work if you don´t have mobile internet activated, making me believe this actually sends via internet the recording, and an algorith somewhere in the Google empire sends the decodification back... Very ineffective.
VoiceRecorder.apk -- YES. Allows you to record your voice. Some people complain the quality is too low, however I use this as a notepad, rather than writing my to-do list, I speak them. Much faster and much easier. Don´t see why something such as this would need audiophile levels of quality.
VpnServices.apk -- YES. VPN for Android. Perhaps gMote or applications that allow you to control your phone via PC desktop might require this. I don´t , so I delete it, and it doesn´t break anything.
wipereceiver.apk -- YES. Remember mobile tracker? This is the apk that lets you wipe your data remotely.
WlanTest.apk -- YES. Tests wireless settings, via the same test menu mentioned on the above test apks. Required for OTA updates.
WriteandGo.apk -- YES. Write and Go application.
wssomacp.apk -- NO. Required for SMS messaging.
wssyncmlnps.apk -- YES. This is Over The Air Programming. What this does is if your provider decides it has a better way to configure your device or alterations to do to improve something, they´ll send you a message telling to dial such and such number. Your phone will go into download mode and somethings will be updated. My carrier never has done such things, and really I trust the guys from XDA to configure my phone way better than my carrier. I usually remove this.
YouTube.apk -- YES. Since android has limited flash support, this application allows you to take the full youtube experience, rather than having to access youtube through the browser. Delete it if you don´t watch videos.
I was looking for this, thanks
Well... Thats pretty cool! Brilliant!!!
I think it is safe to remove market updater.apk. It is responsible for automatic updating of market app. People who do not want new version of market can remove it safely
[email protected] said:
I think it is safe to remove market updater.apk. It is responsible for automatic updating of market app. People who do not want new version of market can remove it safely
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Edited That
Excellent!!! Very well written with explanation!!!!
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Great
PG101 said:
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Click to collapse
Thanx....
IT IS NOT SAFE TO REMOVE BLUETOOTH.APK. I REMOVED IT AND THERE WAS NO OPTION TO SEND ANY FILES TO OTHER DEVICE VIA BLUETOOTH(noticed it when i long pressed an app to send via bluetooth after deleting them).
Am on cm7. It may be safe to remove on froyo. Not sure. But not safe to remove on cm7
[email protected] said:
IT IS NOT SAFE TO REMOVE BLUETOOTH.APK. I REMOVED IT AND THERE WAS NO OPTION TO SEND ANY FILES TO OTHER DEVICE VIA BLUETOOTH(noticed it when i long pressed an app to send via bluetooth after deleting them).
Am on cm7. It may be safe to remove on froyo. Not sure. But not safe to remove on cm7
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Please don't try to remove remove these apps on any rom except for froyo... These have only been tested in froyo...
thanks a lot really helped.
I was looking for this, thanks
sha4nef said:
thanks a lot really helped.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
smoker91 said:
I was looking for this, thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thats why we have a thanks button
sys apps
Very usefull! Thanks!
Many thanks for it...... I loking it long time....its really good info
Sent from my GT-S6102 using xda premium
ScreenCaptureService.apk
is it safe to remove ScreenCaptureService.apk, i'm on kyorarom (jpu-based)?
pietergoed said:
is it safe to remove ScreenCaptureService.apk, i'm on kyorarom (jpu-based)?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think yes
nishant_713, Removing Talk.apk leads to instability of Market on eclair(no downloading at all). Hope helped with testing
nishant_713 said:
Please don't try to remove remove these apps on any rom except for froyo... Three have only been tested in froyo...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
DoR2 said:
I think yes
nishant_713, Removing Talk.apk leads to instability of Market on eclair(no downloading at all). Hope helped with testing
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I hope thats clear... But thanks for the info....
Apps Safe to Remove
Here is a list of the apps i removed successfully without crashes or other problems:
News & Weather (widget)
Calendar (widget)
Clock (widget)
Ap Mobile (widget)
Days (widget)
Digital clock (widget)
Dual clock (widget)
Mini paper (widget)
Application Monitor (widget)
Social Hub (widget)
Yahoo! Finance (widget)
AccuWeather.com (widget)
Game Hub
Music Hub
Readers Hub
SNSAccountFb (Facebook from Social Hub)
SNSAccountLi (LinkedIn from Social Hub)
SNSAccountMs (MySpace from Social Hub)
SNSAccountTw (Twitter from Social Hub)
com.sec.android.app.sns (Service from Social Hub)
com.sec.android.app.snsimagecache (Service from Social Hub)
Android Live Wallpapers
Live Wallpaper Picker
Microbes (Live Wallpaper)
AccuWeather Weather Daemon
Ocean weather (Theme)
Windy weather (Theme)
PressReader
Zinio Reader (Magazines reader)
Kobo (Part of Readers Hub)
AllShare
TwWallpaperChooser
ChocoEUKor (Extra font)
My files (Explorer)
TalkBack
Helv Neue S (Extra font)
Mini diary
Mobile Print (Print Remotely)
Mobile tracker (Remote track of the phone)
IM (Instant Messengers)
TrimApp (Part of Video maker)
Video maker
Photo editor
Swype
SNS disclaimer (A disclaimer of the Social Hub)
com.sec.android.socialhub
Talk
Gmail
Street View
Google+
Share App
This was done on my Galaxy S2 on ICS.
As you can see i also removed all the Social Hub parts except the "com.seven.Z7" (SevenEngine.apk), this is the second Social Hub app with a "@" logo on it, because this one helps the Email app to automatically get the correct emails server settings.
If it matters, mine is a P509 - my question is whether any of you have found, short of custom ROM, a way to remove bloat apps, or freeze them effectively, given a stock LG ROM? I run kernel 2.6.32.9 and it is very stable. just wanting to free up cycles and memory
the reason I can't get along with custom ROM is the lack of wifi calling [that is, the way it is supposed to work, via T-mo]
Will Titanium Pro do this? any nasty side effects?
root - delete the apps.
TiBackup - freeze or delete.
All of these work. I just test-searched this subforum for remove bloatware and was rewarded with an abundance of information. This also contains info on the likeliest followup question, "what apps can I remove?".
FWIW, I find greatest stability and battery life on a sanitized stock ROM but run CM7 on principle. I use Google Voice + Groove IP for my wifi calling needs. Works fine and doesn't eat TMO voice mins.
I just go to system/app and delete the apps or "bloatware" that you dont need, titanium backup does the same but you have the option to freeze. If you want to get rid of it quick and easy just go to system/app and delete the app you want gone. Be careful what you delete, stay away from system apps that your phone will need. I would make a backup first before you start deleting just to be safe hope this helps
you are my man! i use the same plan with T-mo - do everything I can on wifi, keep data turned off 90% of the time, send pics via GoSMS Pro...
Thank you both, fratermus and 'droid311 for the help.
If you don't mind let me list a few that I ASSUME I can safely remove - if you see something dangerous pls let me know
- Drivesmart
- Telenav
- thinkfree office
- visual voicemail
- Voice Search
- web2go home
- Pacman demo [good grief]
- places
- latitude
- fm radio [never worked]
- dinerdash
- doodle
ok fire away
btw - re: titanium does the freeware version do the trick or the upgrade?
I'll have a look at system/root - not an expert su by any means
fratermus said:
root - delete the apps.
TiBackup - freeze or delete.
All of these work. I just test-searched this subforum for remove bloatware and was rewarded with an abundance of information. This also contains info on the likeliest followup question, "what apps can I remove?".
FWIW, I find greatest stability and battery life on a sanitized stock ROM but run CM7 on principle. I use Google Voice + Groove IP for my wifi calling needs. Works fine and doesn't eat TMO voice mins.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
OK, friends I got it rolling now. handful of that stuff uninstalled.
could I bug you for just a couple of specifics?
- Keyboards: I have been running the Gingerbread keybd for awhile and like it well enough - the handset still has he original keyboard installed. is it safe to uninstall/remove that or is it involved with the core ROM?
- Similarly, I seem to have three Messaging things stacked: there is the original which I guess was on the handset from the edge: there is an Update to the stock Messaging app, then there is GoSMS Pro which is what I actually use. Is it safe to uninstall the other/stock messaging apps?
- Maps [latitude] is a pig - it loads three modules at powerup and I never even use it [my eyes and that screen with ddetailed maps,, no worky well]. safe to remove? answer seems to be yes.
that's all. I am a happy camper
Are you running cm7?
-You would probaly get a foreclose if you delete it, I would go into play store (android market) and find the keyboard you want, download it and push it to system/app then delete the old gingerbread key board.
-I wouldnt move/delete the stock messaging apps because I think (not positive) but gosms pro would need your stock messaging app to run off of.
-yes maps can be safe to remove
-Also reading your list of your bloat ware, they all can be deleted safely with no harm
thank you so much!
no, i'm running 2.2 LG rom and it is so stable I am ok to stay here, especially because WIFI calling works like butter... excellent.
uninstalled maps, finally - nothing else would stop it from loading up. no harm done, as you indicated.
all this has managed to free up about 35% of the meager ROM.
I guess this is about as good as it gets if one retains wifi calling, gmail/voice, and basic decent apps like a good media player, maps [that is, 3rd party], sms/mms, memos, calendar, reminders, notifier[missed message flasher the only one I have found that actually works]
No problem man, make sure you always backup
Sent from my NookColor using xda premium
Hello!
I have this horribly cheap china android phone (it's supposed to be a GalaxyS4 mini - replica, but it looks nothing like it) and I bought it for one single purpose: To have it stolen in case of need. Yeah. At nights when the city over here becomes very very insecure, I keep my main phone hidden, while I bring out my chinaphone to listen to music and to connect to facebook chat (the stand alone app) by connecting to the "Portable wifi hotspot" I activate in my main cellphone.
The thing is, the chinaphone its a piece of crap (it has 256 MB of RAM under android 4.1.2) and while it works fine after it has been rebooted, it tends to go slower and slower, to a point where it does absolutely nothing. I managed to somehow root it (it was a pain, since the rooting tools were in chinese and so is the root app) and I have installed a couple things to "enhance it" which is basically removing the bloatware they put in to make it look like a galaxy s4, live wallpapers and whatnot.And I installed another launcher, Nemus launcher, which is supposed to be one of the most lightweight.
So anyway. I was wondering what "apps" can I safely delete or disable to have a bare-bones device that can connect via wifi, open facebook messenger and play music. Maybe instead of asking what can I delete, I should ask: What should I keep?
Well, I assume you will be using Titanium Backup to remove the applications? Do you have a list you can provide here of the apps that you have?
By the way, while sad that I think it is you have a "in case of robbery phone," I also think that that is an awesome idea ha. Where I live it's not necessary, but i'll keep this idea in mind in case I have to move.
Thank you. Yeah. I have to think ahead of eventualities. I have been robbed before and I sure dont want to lose my current phone, that's why I invested in this piece of hardware that "looks" like it could be my phone, while it's waaaay cheaper.
Anyway. As for apps, here's the list that android reports under apps->all
Acount and sync settings
Advanced task manager pro (i use it to kill everything in emergencies when it all goes crazy slow)
Android Keyboard
Android System
Atrium (im getting rid of this one, I dont really use it)
Bluetooth share (should I delete this one? the bluetooth in this thing is so slow that it's like not having it at all)
BootResSelcet
Browser
Calculator
Calendar
Calendar Storage
Certificat Installer
Clean Master
Clock
com.android.provision
Counter
Download Manager
Downloads
DRM protected Content St... (cant read the rest, off screen)
engineering model
ES File explorer
FlashBarService
Gallery
Google Play Services
Google Play Store
Google Services Framework
HTML viewer
Label
Live Wallpaper Picker
Media Storage
Messenger (facebook)
Music
Nemus Launcher
Network location
NoBloat Free
Package Access Helper
Package installer
Pico TTs
Root Explorer
Search
Search Applications Provider
Settings
Settings Storage
Sound Recorder
Status Bar
Superuser
Swiftkey
Tools
Ultra keyboard
User dictionary
VoiceCycle
VolidationTools (i thought it was "validation" but no, "Volidation")
Im using swiftkey as I love that thing and the whole "Flow input" is great for this phone, considering it is not multitouch, It's "single touch" and if I try to type with the thumbs as in my real phone, it ends all garbled because I type rather fast, and i press keys at the same time; this translated in a single touch device, when I press by accident two keys at the same time, it finds the middle point between my fingers and uses the letter in there, which is really annoying. And typing slow is... well, frustrating for me. With the flow thing, i just swipe and the words come out nicely thanks to the prediction. Problem is, that it also seems to slow down the system to a crawl very very quickly
Any other keyboard that has this function so I can try it?
Does anyone has any experience with Lightning launcher? It claims to be ultra fast, but Im not sure that means it's lightweight with the resources.
You only use this phone for music right? I would remove the launchers and swiftkey, if so.
Or do you use it for more?
[Cruzer] said:
Since your the guru on most things. Wondering if you an direct me/tell me, to a best practice on how to debloat H932. Since there really is no debloated stock rom available. Really need wifi calling so can't go to any of the aosp roms.
Also I moved over to Nova Launcher as you suggested in one of my posts.
Thanks for the help.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well, I'm not a guru on most things. But I do try to help. I'm not a dev, so people like @runningnak3d or @seadersn know lots more than me.
Before I answer your question about debloating, for Nova launcher I found an icon pack I like on Google Play. I applied it to "convert" all my icons to that look. I also use the "cube" screen turn, and the reverse parallax view where my background image moves with the screen turns. I also put shadows under my icon labels to give them more a 3D look.
For "debloating", Titanium Backup is best or even Greenify (hear me out) -- depending on your goal. Yes, you can force uninstall any app, even system app. Simply change system app to user app, then uninstall. There's even a "bloatware melter" (or something like that) you can invoke in Titanium Backup. Of course, make very good backup(s) with TWRP.
1) I'm not sure what all "bloatware" (added apps) comes with H932, as the carrier unlocked US998 doesn't have much. Look for social media apps you don't use, maybe media streaming services you don't use. On my US998, I DO use Pandora, I DO use Facebook. I've kept Twitter, but I've never used Instagram and probably never will. However, since it's a system app, removing won't really help me free up space (unless I am misunderstanding that LG uses protected system space). Freezing via Titanium Backup might be better.
But first let's discuss bloatware... Somebody said this in another thread:
Things like Hangouts, Keep, Play Games, Play Books, Play Newstand, Google+, Maps, and a handful of other things I consider bloatware. Just because it's from Google doesn't mean it's wanted and doesn't mean it should be pre-loaded.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't agree with him. I use Hangouts every day. It's my SMS app, as I have Google Voice. I use Maps every day, my wife uses Keep everyday. So, bloatware to everyone is different.
2) What is the goal? Reclaiming RAM or reclaiming space on the phone? "User apps" can be uninstalled to reclaim space, and while you CAN uninstall system apps, (to my knowledge) it doesn't help you reclaim user space. With few exceptions when you install something else, it's going to user space, not protected system space. Emptying out protected system space is decluttering the tool shed when you really want more space in your kitchen.
If you simply want stuff to stop running in the background, it's often better to freeze it in Titanium Backup or "hibernate" it with Greenify. If you freeze it and find out it's NEEDED, you can unfreeze it. Hibernate with Greenify means it won't run unless opened, and when closed will be hibernated again.
In one of the "package disabler" threads, somebody published a list of stuff you can remove from LG V30 and it was horrendously stupid. "Can" does not mean "should" -- unless you want to break basic functionality of the phone or want to remove a lot of the premium features.
This below is a conversation from that "package disabler" thread:
___________
iantlopp said:
***WARNING*** Some of these apps are ABSOLUTELY necessary. It would be very useful to go through this list and define what absolutely every one of those items are, as I have already found one that is absolutely essential to the basic functionality of the phone.
After having gone through a LOT of other things trying to determine why my SD card was not working with non-google apps, though google apps had no problems with it, and editing the contents with the computer was not an issue, it finally caught my attention that I had done this debloat process around the time that I started having problems (a few days before - hadn't tried to use the SD card other than to read the files, which has always worked).
After several days of searching different things, uninstalling and reinstalling apps (before I checked the debloat process), and finally going one by one with each debloated app, I finally found the culprit. "External Storage" or "com.android.externalstorage" which lists by the LG app as bloatware. But after I turned it back on, the write access was returned to non-google apps.
*edit* I'm also looking for the culprit causing Android Pay to stop working (specifically, when I go to settings, General, Tap & Pay, settings crashes). I've already reenabled "Android Pay" "com.google.android.apps.walletnfcrel" but Settings still crashes when I click on Tap & Pay, so there's some other dependency. And Android Pay is a google service, not related to LG bloatware, so *shouldn't* be just disabled "because" especially when it causes apps to crash just by clicking the wrong button - such as SETTINGS.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No disrespect to the op who was trying to share something that seems useful (he didn't write this app), BUT...
There's some things in those screenshots that should NOT be disabled. I do question the person who wrote this app. *
In your case for Android Pay, check the NFC stuff. Android Pay depends on NFC working. THAT (NFC) should never never never be disabled. "NFC" is is not an "LG" bloatware -- that is Android system stuff. I made fun of OnePlus for shipping a phone without NFC, and we're disabling it on OUR phones? NFC settings (page 7 of the screenshots in the op). By the way, NFC isn't just for Android Pay, it does other things too.
Some more that seems important...
Hidden Menu (helps you enable more LTE bands, check your OLED display for uniformity, and other things)
Print Spooler (Android service, not LG at all). My wife and I print from our smartphones to our wireless printer all the time. Even if you don't right now, in the future you may and will you really remember you DISABLED this very handy feature?
FM radio. There are some carriers who will NOT allow you to have this (Verizon, cough), and people are forced to SIDELOAD it to get it on their phones and the dev wants you to disable it?
"Qualcomm location" is useful, is related to GPS.
Wi-Fi calling and "W-Fi calling settings". Intertwined with VoLTE. All major carriers have that feature and even smaller carriers are rolling it out.
VPN stuff (two different settings in that list). I've used VPN many times, for work and personal reasons. Besides, many non-root ad blockers use VPN to redirect ad requests.
NFC settings (already mentioned, page 7 of the screenshots in the op)
And of course the External Storage service you mentioned which controls functionality of the microSD card storage.
---------- Post added at 07:15 AM ---------- Previous post was at 07:01 AM ----------
stu5797 said:
I am running into a little issue though. I disable everything in in the open and I lose hd calling.
Anyone know which I need to re enable to get volte back [or hd calling)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Probably the two Wi-Fi calling settings. I know with at least one major U.S. carrier, the VoLTE/Wi-Fi calling are very intertwined.
There's stuff in here that should NOT be disabled if you want your phone to work right.
* Whoever wrote this (now banned) app seems to have very limited world experience with carriers and smartphones.
Disabling external storage? What, you want a flip phone? Then buy a flip phone.
Disabling Wi-Fi calling? Crazy. Most major carriers are offering this, and even smaller carriers are rolling it out.
Same thing with print spooler and even VPN above. It's like they are trying to turn an LG phone into a OnePlus phone or worse, where users PRETEND they have a top tier Android but really don't.
Yes, some other things in the 11 page list should be hibernated with Greenify, but not totally disabled. It should not be in a disable list.
And you should definitely NOT remove them with ADB. Be very careful!
_________
Back to our discussion.
3) There's stuff you do NOT want to touch
In Titanium Backup, all the "system" stuff is in red letters. BE VERY CAREFUL! "360 Image Wallpaper" and "360 Video"? I'll never use that, but on the other hand removing it doesn't really help me get more user space back (unless I'm wrong about protected system space). However, you could freeze it in Titanium Backup if you suspected it was using RAM...
I see "SprintService 8.0.0.0" listed in red on my original US998 V30+ -- which is ironic since Sprint doesn't allow the US998 to be activated on their network. Maybe I could remove that, but again is it really hurting me and is it possibly helping me in some way? There's a lot of stuff interconnected that when you remove you find you haven't made the phone faster, but now have lag (since the phone looks for that stuff instead of moving on).
So, freeze or hibernate. Actually uninstall with caution. Make good TWRP backups.
Anybody else can chime in -- but PLEASE do not recommend any of the package disabler apps. We are discussing debloating ROOTED firmware.
I don't even bother with deleting system stuff. This phone really doesn't have that much bloat. And deleting stuff probably won't do much to make a difference anyway. The only reason I use the LG Package Disabler app is to disable the theme service when I want to apply an LG theme but also use substratum. That way it doesn't re-apply the LG theme and remove the substratum stuff on a reboot.
jsgraphicart said:
I don't even bother with deleting system stuff. This phone really doesn't have that much bloat. And deleting stuff probably won't do much to make a difference anyway. The only reason I use the LG Package Disabler app is to disable the theme service when I want to apply an LG theme but also use substratum. That way it doesn't re-apply the LG theme and remove the substratum stuff on a reboot.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
you can use adb uninstall too, so no extra app needed (though you can reactivate apps with lgpd? maybe easier then.). just google for it, there's plenty of info and more than one method :good:
seadersn said:
you can use adb uninstall too, so no extra app needed (though you can reactivate apps with lgpd? maybe easier then.). just google for it, there's plenty of info and more than one method :good:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah, I need to be able to re-enable it if I want to change an LG theme or go back to the default one. Completely removing it probably wouldn't be smart