Hi, it's great for me to have found this forum. I have a Lenovo P780. It initially came with a heavy launcher and the ROW(?) ROM, rooted I think from a store. The phone is great but the 1GB RAM is kind of a bottleneck. I really use the phone as a desktop replacement and perform lots of organizing and office work ( alongside with music and video playback of course). Trying to find something lighter for the phone and without having absolutely no idea what am I doing, I put Vibe UI 2.0 to it (no backup or anything else) and that was the start of the end Although the phone is much faster now, there is no store and i'm unable so far to install it. Also I'd like to know if there is a better alternative environment for the phone or a (easy) way to remove some of the Lenovo bloatware (which have no uninstall option ) (or just disappear them from launcher). Could you please explain me how can I achieve the above in the most idiot-proof and simple way possible, maybe also give me some hints (or point me to a thread-link) about the terminology because I'm a complete noob . Thanks in advance for reading this
First and Foremost, you need to Check if the device is Really Rooted. If you are not familier with the concept, please review How to Root Any Device Next use a simple app called Root checker [APP] Root Checker - in the Android Market That will confirm if you do or do not have Root.
If it turns out you don't have Root, please review Rooting Tutorial for KitKat to get Root. If you have issues in that process, please post on that thread.
As to the Lenovo Bloatware, these are what's called System Apps. Those can''t be removed the traditional way. You need a Root Uninstaller that uses Root permissions. Typically users go for Titanium Backup as it can take backup of apps that you uninstalled. That way if you remove something that's critical to the Running of Android, you can restore back.
Please use caution. When in doubt, its advisable to Freeze an app using Titanium Backup rather than removing it.
Thanks mate, you've been very helpful. The phone is not currently rooted. I'm checking and trying all the suggestions posted. I will post here or at stumpy's thread if I have a problem / query.
Related
Hey there, since yesterday I'm a proud owner of this nice phone with android and as I'm crazy about tweaking and stuff I want to get the best out of my phone.
Question 1.
What can I achieve by getting Android 2.1 on my phone?
Question 2.
Is it possible to make a decent backup/flash backup of the branded stuff that comes with my phone? If yes how could I achieve this?
Question 3.
If it's possible to safely backup (to be able to keep waranty intact somewhat) can I get the upgrade for 2.1 NOW? Because I still don't have it (slow ass T-Mobile doing it by serial number or something)
Question 4.
Rooting, is it a good idea? What can I achieve with rooting my device (I know it gives me root access but what can I do further if I have root access?)
Question 5.
If I ever brick my device, is it still possible to get the original firmware on it?
Those are my questions for now :0 Hope you people can help!
jeffroiscool said:
Hey there, since yesterday I'm a proud owner of this nice phone with android and as I'm crazy about tweaking and stuff I want to get the best out of my phone.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Question 1.
What can I achieve by getting Android 2.1 on my phone?
Better performance, A little better theme than 1.6, better touch response, better battery life, access to Android 2.x only apps, somewhat improved bluetooth, live wallpaper and few more..
Question 2.
Is it possible to make a decent backup/flash backup of the branded stuff that comes with my phone? If yes how could I achieve this?
Root your phone and use titanium backup..
Question 3.
If it's possible to safely backup (to be able to keep waranty intact somewhat) can I get the upgrade for 2.1 NOW? Because I still don't have it (slow ass T-Mobile doing it by serial number or something)
You can back up normal data (and also apps from market in android 2.1) like contacts, messages, settings etc through Se back and restore utility.
For backing up system apps, or upgrading to 2.1 out of turn, you need to root your phone, that will theoretically void your warranty.
Question 4.
Rooting, is it a good idea? What can I achieve with rooting my device (I know it gives me root access but what can I do further if I have root access?)
Wonderful idea, only if you are familiar with system tweaking and somewhat familiar with linux. And you are willing to take risks.
for example -
a) You can simply install some very useful root only apps like titanium backup, root explorer, app2sd etc to manage your phone contents.
risk associated: very low to moderate
b) you can even change basic framework and theme of your phone, remove bloatware that comes with phone and use terminal emulator to have (almost) full fledged linux console. etc
risk associated: Moderate to High
c) When it comes out, you can even get custom roms on your phone
risk associated: Very high to Fatal
Question 5.
If I ever brick my device, is it still possible to get the original firmware on it?
Depends on how bad the phone is messed up, at the end all depends on your knowledge of using the right methods and right tools.
If you can get the phone to recognized by SEUS/PC Companian/Flash tool you can (hopefully) repair/reflash it with firmware.
Hope it helps..
Yeah it helps, I'm not afraid to toy with my new phone and I do have linux experience. The only thing I want to be sure of is if I can reset everything in case of a brick or something if I ever need to send the phone back to Sony
So if I use the sony ericsson updater my phone gets fully restored to their stuff? (Well not if I edit my serial-number to get 2.1 quickly so theoraticly they can always find out I fiddled with it I guess.
So what I'm actually planning to do is:
1. Have a backup ready for the thing above
2. Get Android 2.1
3. Root Android 2.1
4. Remove safe to remove Bloatware
5. Get a custom theme going. As I'm seeing so far the HTC Theme was ported somewhat? I definiatly want a good homescreen. How 1.6 is now sucks.
6. Have a method of EASILY organizing all my applications I'm going to install after doing the above.
7. Install apps
8. Customize to taste.
So to get 2.1 now I would need to edit that serial which I can do if I get rooted first which probably requires Exploid because SuperOneClick was 2.0+?
Rooting 2.1 is SuperOneClick thingy.
Removing safe stuff with Titanium Backup.
Get that theme and start tweaking.
Finding good homescreen/launcher tools.
Get my apps again (Appbrain ftw)
jeffroiscool said:
So to get 2.1 now I would need to edit that serial which I can do if I get rooted first which probably requires Exploid because SuperOneClick was 2.0+?
Rooting 2.1 is SuperOneClick thingy.
Removing safe stuff with Titanium Backup.
Get that theme and start tweaking.
Finding good homescreen/launcher tools.
Get my apps again (Appbrain ftw)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah, you can use generic product code, or generic build.prop you can even find generic FW with flashtool on this forum.
PS: for 1.6 rooting Exploid works wonders..
I'm currently on a rooted stock 2.1...06.
i can't seem to find the Google Maps in the market.
my maps' version is at 4.4, but it says on appbrain that the latest is 5.3.1 for all android versions...
http://www.appbrain.com/app/google-maps/com.google.android.apps.maps
how can i update this?
i already tried searching for it, but found nothing.
also could not find gtalk and gmail...
any ideas?
try different os
Hey,
you can use different os like froyo final by owian or gingerbread 13, as your phone is already rooted. Try froyo u will really enjoy it, as i did ;-)
Hi I'm new to the development scene, I am trying to strip down a rom to remove certain programs... actually everything but the web browser, firefox 5 and flash. I would also like to set a default background in the image and preset the wireless settings too. These are going to be put in an environment where we don't want them to be messed with. Is there an easy way of doing this? I was thinking the ASOP rom might be the best candidate to work with, but I don't know for sure. I ill be rolling out about 20 - 25 units in the next week or so. any help would be appreciated.
Thanks
Joe
Your best bet is really probably to use the latest stock ROM so you don't leave root access and google market in there. You could probably acomplish your roll out by setting up any rom the way you want it, then wiping cache and user data, and running a nand backup with CWM. Then use that backup to restore onto the other devices.
To remove system apps in a ROM you can use ADB from a PC, or you can root it with z4root and use Titanium Backup. Then remove root before the backup.
thanks for the info
Thanks a bunch! I will try that when they come in. If I clear out the user data will that wipe out the wifi settings? To remove programs via ADB I still would need to be rooted correct?
Thanks
Joe
Yes clearing data will wipe wifi settings. I have never tried ADB on an unrooted device. You should jsut be able to activate debug usb and have it work jsut fine. But you can root with z4root and then UNroot with z4root when you are done with doing your root things (but befor eyou make a nand image).
Just search for z4root.apk
removing special apps
I'm having trouble removing the facebook app, youtube app and the gmarket app. any tips? I cant find them in the titanium backup app. any tips on removing these? getting rid of these apps is of the up-most importance. - these will be installed in an environment where we do not want people to have access to these apps. an help would be appreciated.
Thanks
Joe
linuxman84 said:
I'm having trouble removing the facebook app, youtube app and the gmarket app. any tips? I cant find them in the titanium backup app. any tips on removing these? getting rid of these apps is of the up-most importance. - these will be installed in an environment where we do not want people to have access to these apps. an help would be appreciated.
Thanks
Joe
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
They are installed as system apps. You would need to use something like SystemApp Remover to remove them (it can also backup the system aps incase you want to reinstall and also convert nonsystem apps to system apps). But, you do realize that there are other places for users to get apps to install than Market and you can still reach Facebook & Youtube via the browser once the google apps are removed!!!!
Hmm
I tried the system app remover they do not seem to be listed there It looks like they are short cuts to web pages, at this point I would settle just for hiding them, do you know if it possible to hide those. I am using the factory build on the 1.2 tree.
Thanks
Joe
Use the instructions posted here on the CyanogenMod Wiki to get rid of whatever you want.
And, there's really no need to use things like z4root on the gTablet. You can get root without that. In fact, if you can connect to the tablet using adb, then you're already root. The gTab is not like a locked-down phone.
linuxman84 said:
I tried the system app remover they do not seem to be listed there It looks like they are short cuts to web pages, at this point I would settle just for hiding them, do you know if it possible to hide those. I am using the factory build on the 1.2 tree.
Thanks
Joe
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I do believe you are correct...the stock TapNTap had the ability to save Web Links as Icons on the home screen. Not running stock and don't remember if there is a way to remove them.
z4root is handy to gain root and install busybox/superuser without having to set up adb though.
Hi,
I am new to the Atrix, but have a background in software development and was a sys admin on unix for a number of years.
I would like to know if, after a phone is rooted, do all apps run as root? or does routing simple install a setuid "su", and root apps call that when they need root access?
The webtop2sd post looks very complete and also something I will try soon. Do I need to unlock the bootloader to run a modified webtop from my sd card?
I would like to keep my phone as stock as possible, but enable a hacked webtop on the sd card.
Also there are 1000's of root threads, what is the safest canonical method (that can easily be undone)?
Many thanks and sorry for asking for your time. I have not found these answers around, but then again, there is a great amount of mis-information out there.
thx,
Scott.
Hi Scott.
I can only partially help you out; someone with more experience will answer at some point I'm sure. I'm running stock Gingerbread & rooted.
Regarding rooting: I followed the instructions on this site (which are duplicated across multiple sites, I'm sure). It worked just fine with no errors or other reasons to cause concern. That said, I'm not sure how to undo the rooting process other than by accepting an over-the-air update to ICS. Which is totally going to happen. ... <crickets>
I might be able to answer your root-app question: whenever an app requests root access, a dialog box pops up prompting me to allow or deny it. While I'm sure it's possible for a rogue rootkit to get in there if installing shady programs is your thing, I haven't yet had a problem. (A sidenote: there's an app on the market called LBE Privacy that gives you full control over app permissions: access to phone state, contacts, SMS, etc.)
Can't really help you on the webtop2sd thing, though I did install this modification to run the webtop over my HDMI cable, no lapdock required.
Hello all,
let me present my self as a beginner in the world of Android.
It has come an Star A3 to my hands, with Android 4.0 and among all great things of IceCream, few Chinese apps I want to get rid of
the phone is rooted (well, one headache less)
I have flash the recovery 592zn.com_recovery_Star_A3_MT6573.img with Mobileuncle tools (included in the mobile originally) and done a Boot/System/Data/Cache Nandroid backup
Apps I want to eliminate :
Baidu input (and add the standard input keyboard)
own Chinese launcher (I have already install LauncherPro, but I would love to get rid of the Chinese one completely)
UC xxxxx (some Chinese browser)
Root Explorer (Chinese version, to be able to install the English one)
ICS 4.0 (also Chinese version)
a Chinese flash-light
a Chinese dark/light switch screen
a Chinese version of the configuration menu
so, basically to keep a clean Android
so, where I have to look for help on how to do that ??
what short of help / tutorial am I looking for ?
I have installed:
http://www.ltr-data.se/opencode.html/#ImDisk
to be able to mount the nandroid img files in windows7-x64
but I can't see anything, it ask me to format the unit (?)
similar with Daemon Tools .
any help will be greatly appreciated.
thanks in advance.
InTheater
My advice since you're rooted is install Titanium Backup and use it to uninstall everything you don't want. It's a root app that can get rid of virtually anything.
Seeing as you have a nandroid backup, in the unlikely case that the device won't boot at all without one or more of those apps, you can just restore the backup you have.
SifJar said:
My advice since you're rooted is install Titanium Backup and use it to uninstall everything you don't want. It's a root app that can get rid of virtually anything.
Seeing as you have a nandroid backup, in the unlikely case that the device won't boot at all without one or more of those apps, you can just restore the backup you have.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Beautiful, it works like a charm !!
I have been able to get rid off all Chinese stuff
thanks
Star A3 for dummies
Hello
Ok I have searched for hours (as the video asked) and I cannot find an "android for dummies" guide. I dont know what a "root" is or what "titanium" is... so I may have found the correct forum - but I just don't understand it.
So the problem is this:
I bought a touch screen DualSim Android 2.3 GPS 3G MTK6573 Phone Star A3.
It arrived today BUT it has some chinese programmes on it (that I would like to clear) and I cannot seem to download any additional apps for it.
google.play wont work (apparently it doesnt support the device)
It has a few basic apps - but nothing wild or that I guess can't be re-downloaded again.
What would you recommend I do - do I wipe it and install something new or what. and if so please can someone explain it to me in small "for dummy" steps
I am not sure what else I need to tell you to give you abetter pic, but ideally I'd like this phone to work on the google apps system (or can you point me to where I can get similar apps)
On the "about phone" the
android version is 2.3.5
Kernel version is 2.6.35.7
I would really appreciate any help you can give me
Thanks
My first advice would be to try and achieve root on the phone. This should be relatively easy on a Chinese phone, most don't have great security.
Basically, "root" means to get increased permissions on the phone. There are certain files and actions on the phone that normally you can't do. With root, you can. Think of it as somewhat like logging into a computer as an Administrator rather than a standard user.
"getting root" basically means installing a hack to let apps on your phone do more than they could otherwise e.g. uninstall preinstalled apps.
To "root" your phone, you can use a tool like SuperOneClick or UnlockRoot. For both, you follow a few instructions, plug in your phone and click "Root" in the program, it'll work out the best way to do it for your phone and do it.
Once that is all done, there is a guide here for getting Google Apps (e.g. Play Store) working on unsupported devices: https://senk9.wordpress.com/2010/12...ogle-apps-gapps-on-your-android-device-phone/
Once you get Play Store working, Titanium Backup is an app you can install from there. Using root, it can uninstall any app you want.
Be careful with all this, if you're not you could break your phone.
educated dummy
Thank you so much! - and such a fast reply too!!!
I really apprecate your patience in explaining this all to me.
It sounds relatively straight forward - I will have a look at those progs and link you suggest tomorrow.
Obviously I dont want to break the phone either, then it would be more useless then it is already
Fingers crossed - will let you know how I get on.
Hi all,
Watched the video so I thought I would tag onto this thread instead of starting a new one.
Just bought a cheap star a3 dual sim android phone. This my foray into android phones and I am having some weird issues. Just a first note I have just rooted the phone but these issues where here before and after rooting. The A3 is a htc sensation clone i believe when my other half who has a htc desire tries to call the phone the phone goes straight into answer phone and rejects the call, she is on giff gaff in the uk and i have tried both a 3 network and orange sim and it happens on both. There is some weird chinese security software that I trying get remove but its seems very stubbon. Anyone any ideas. Ps battery life is awfull i only seem to get 6 hours from full to dead without hardly any use. Maybe I have loads running but unsure what I need to keep running.
Please help.
I have the star a3
Google play works perfectly. If you PM me, I am happy to send you the apk file for google play.
since you are rooted, I strongly suggest you get root explorer installed so you can go through and remove all the chinese apps.
Make sure you remove "himarket" its a big battery hog.
To the person who says their calls go straight to voicemail, remember this is a dual sim dual *standby* if you are using 2g or 3g cell data on one sim then the other sim cannot make or receive calls.
Also, there is no ICS for the Star A3, its just a skin on top of Gingerbread to make it look like ICS, if you go to settings, about phone and look, the version number will be 2.3.4 or 2.3.5 which means its gingerbread (if you really do have 4.0.1 ICS I would love to get a copy of the ROM for it!)
Hi all, when I bought the Lenovo A916 phone from www.lightinthebox.com it came with spyware included in the Stock Rom(which had been modified by 3rd party), impossible to get rid of unless you root the phone, because its located in system files.
Beware, if you do a factory reset the spyware will be back! Also, do NOT use your phone for banking or anything else with passwords, before you have removed the spyware since it contains a keylogger!
You can flash it with new Rom(also known as Firmware) or a clean Stock(original) Rom - that will remove the spyware. You have to be rooted for this to work.
Right now my phone has A916_S1205_141013 rom - below there is a link to this Rom - its multilingual - I have not yet had the time to try it myself and don't know if its clean.
http://firmwarefile.com/lenovo-a916
I have removed all the spyware, after I rooted my phone, and its working as it should - But as I said earlier, the spyware will return if I do factory reset.
If you bought this phone on the net like most of us, then I suggest that you install the following and scan for spyware. Take note, that the spyware is not from Lenovo!
Avast, Avira, ESET, 360 security, Malwarebytes - use all of them, since there are always something one don't find but the other one will.
Be aware that something can go wrong, and I'm not responsible for you trying this out.
The best way to root is Kingo root. But first, attach your phone to your PC/laptop(make its connected to the internet) and on the phone choose MTP, now the phone will install drivere for its first use - this is important!
Then you click the icon in the notification area in windows, to dissconnect usb devices and dissconnect your phone. Wait a few min, - then re-connect and this time (on he phone) choose the last option which say something like "Virtual CD". If autorun is enabled on your pc, you will then get an option to browse this virtual CD - do so!
Copy the content of the virtual CD to a new folder on your pc, then run and install LenovoUsbDriver_autorun_1.0.12.exe - this is important. Don't bother with the other things there since its in chinese.
Then get Kingo root from here:
http://www.kingoapp.com/android-root.htm
Click to download it from CNET, be aware that it might get caught by your antivirus - not that it contains virus, but because its used to root phones. If it got to you pc safely, then run it and it will download the real rooting software - make sure to say NO/Decline/uncheck to any offer that comes up(like install Yahoo). Stupid and annoying way CNET try to impose their stuff onto people.
Now, the real software has been downloaded(android_root.exe) - run it and follow the guide. There are also a guide on Kingo root's webpage.
After you have rooted your phone, run the antivirus Apps again, this time you will be able to remove some but not all of the spyware. Make a list of those you can't remove - then go to the superuser app you can remove the software that contains spyware and cannot be cleaned otherwise. Be careful what you remove.
I found spyware in these and removed with the supeuser app
Trojan.Agent.mq in /system/app/CallerID.apk
PUP.Adware.ShinyMob.a in /mnt/sdcard/funweather.apk
Backdoor.Ginmaster in /system/app/Weatherservice_K517_u002_20140910.apk
Trojan.Fadeb.a in /system/app/Twitter_qd_3025.apk
Do NOT remove the ThemeCenter app!! Its used its used by the system to set wallpaper. If it has spyware then you can remove it and replace it with the one in this post:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=63651753&postcount=42
Good luck!
JBJ
Moderator, please don't remove any of this - Its super important!
If someone has suggestion or tips to this thread then please PM me an I can insert it with credit in the 1st post!
I don't have any direct experience with this device, being in the USA, but this seems like it might work http://www.needrom.com/download/lenovo-a916-multilang-root-gapps/ .
I don't have any direct experience with this device, being in the USA, but this seems like it might work http://www.needrom.com/download/leno...ng-root-gapps/ .
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi and thank you for the answer, I have looked at these already, but the authors seem not to want to answer questions on if this is clean.
EDIT: this is obsolete now - please read at 1st post!
EDIT: this is obsolete now - please read at 1st post!
Moderator: Is there a way to delete ones own post?
insomniacno1 said:
EDIT: this is obsolete now - please read at 1st post!
Moderator: Is there a way to delete ones own post?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hello I have a Lenovo A916 and im planing on rooting it and installing a vanilla version of android on it to get rid of the bloatware it contains
I was thinking of using the rom you just shared but after seeing your comment about "this is obsolete now" I have now to ask you what do you mean by obsolete? the rom link didnt turn out to be safe or something?