How can I tell if an app is pre-installed on Android? - Android Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting

Is there any way in Google Play Store or Settings > Apps to determine if an app is pre-installed on Android?

Yes, you can just look at a specific application, if your device does not enable you to uninstall, it is a pre-installed device.
In a pre-installed device, you can only disable the application but can't uninstall it.
I hope you find it useful, and if I come across any applications, I will make sure to share them with you.

seancannery88 said:
Yes, you can just look at a specific application, if your device does not enable you to uninstall, it is a pre-installed device.
In a pre-installed device, you can only disable the application but can't uninstall it.
I hope you find it useful, and if I come across any applications, I will make sure to share them with you.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well it's not as simple as that. You can always uninstall updates and revert back to the pre-installed (ROM) version.
I frequently have to uninstall Google and Google Maps to allow me to install updates to other apps because the calculation of the space required in Google Play Store and more so in Samsung's Galaxy Store is flawed. Once I have updated the the other apps, I update the Google apps to bring them up to date. I know that with those two apps I won't lose any data or settings as these are stored in the cloud of my Google account.
However, sometimes it is necessary to do something similar with other apps in order to update them but if they are not pre-installed and you uninstall them, you lose any configuration and settings when you reinstall. It would be nice to know in advance which apps are pre-installed and will therefore likely retain data and settings if you revert them and then update them.
As a side note, it always amazes me what is pre-installed in one phone and has become obsolete by the time that phone's successor comes along.

Related

[Q] Uninstalling Bloatware

I recently rooted my GS4 using the steps outlined in this thread:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2565758
First, a big THANKS to all those responsible for this latest root process. The vast majority of us have no idea the lengths in which you go in order to stay on top of the rooting process. My deepest respect.
Now, I would like to uninstall some of the bloatware installed on this phone. I understand there is a school of thought which dictates one should simply "freeze" an unwanted app instead of uninstalling it. In my opinion, as long as the app will never be used AND will not cause a system meltdown if uninstalled, it should be uninstalled. That being said, I would like some objective opinions on the following apps. The main app I would like removed is Knox. In addition...
- All Amazon related apps, save the main Amazon app
- Audible
- Caller Name ID
- Flipboard
- Google (appears at the bottom of the recent apps screen)
- Google+
- IMDb
- All Verizon related apps
- Optical Reader
- NFL Mobile
- All Google Play related apps save the Play Store
- Polaris 5
- TripAdvisor
- WatchON
Again, what is (are) the ramification(s) of uninstalling one or more of these apps? What is the best way to uninstall a bloatware type app? If using Titanium Backup to simply "freeze" the app is best, what are the steps in doing this?
senselessvictory said:
What is the best way to uninstall a bloatware type app? If using Titanium Backup to simply "freeze" the app is best, what are the steps in doing this?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I do not know if this option was available before root but if you go to the list of apps and click the menu button (lower left of phone), you will see a "Hide Applications" option. Once clicked, a check box will appear next to each app. Once you select each application you want to hide and click Done, you will be left with only the applications you want to use. This includes Knox.
I do not know well this will work going forward but, for now, I am good. Does anyone know if this will permanently restrict Knox?
check this tool out just make sure you read and then re read lol http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2313341

[Q] Is there an alternative Google Play client?

The regular Google Play client is very thin on features. Specifically when it comes to automatic update one can either enable or disable it. I'm looking for a way to have my apps automatically updated unless they're on an auto-update blacklist. I basically want mark specific apps to not be auto-updated. This way I can be sure that applications that are important to me only get updated manually, typically after I get a chance to read reviews from early adopters and confirm that the new version is not broken or crippled.
Bumping an old thread.
I am looking for something similar.
I don't like that GP can install and update APKs remotely and without my input, however I cannot find a proper market replacement for Google Play yet.
oren_b said:
The regular Google Play client is very thin on features. Specifically when it comes to automatic update one can either enable or disable it. I'm looking for a way to have my apps automatically updated unless they're on an auto-update blacklist. I basically want mark specific apps to not be auto-updated. This way I can be sure that applications that are important to me only get updated manually, typically after I get a chance to read reviews from early adopters and confirm that the new version is not broken or crippled.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Oehr said:
Bumping an old thread.
I am looking for something similar.
I don't like that GP can install and update APKs remotely and without my input, however I cannot find a proper market replacement for Google Play yet.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
First of all, you can choose specific apps to auto-update, and you a general setting for all apps whether to auto-update on Wifi-Only, anytime, or never. You can then go to each app and press the menu button and you'll find an "Auto update " option with a check mark.
However, if you don't like Google Play, then the best alternative is Aptoide. You can find all apps on it, you can add other stores created by users other than the official Aptoide one and find more apps on them. However, you can't be sure that the version you have is the latest version. It can be the latest but on this store only. You can open Aptoide.com and search for the app you want if you didn't find it on the Aptoide app. It will then get you the latest version on all of the Aptoide stores and you can simply scan a QR code to get the app.
AAbounegm said:
First of all, you can choose specific apps to auto-update, and you a general setting for all apps whether to auto-update on Wifi-Only, anytime, or never. You can then go to each app and press the menu button and you'll find an "Auto update " option with a check mark.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks so much for this tip! Here's what I now do:
1. Make sure WiFi is disabled, then enable the option to Auto Update apps over WiFi only
2. Go through all my apps and uncheck the ones that I don't want to auto update (basically everything critical that I can't afford to break).
3. Enable WiFi
4. Remember to blacklist new apps if they ever become mission critical
That's good, but you don't have to disable your WiFi. And if you check Do not Auto-update apps, it will send a notification every once in while telling you that there are apps that have updates and you can choose which ones to update. I think this way is much easier than going through every app and unchecking auto-update. And I have 2 questions: 1- What is that Blacklist you are talking about? I have no such thing. 2- What version of the Play Store do you have?
AAbounegm said:
That's good, but you don't have to disable your WiFi. And if you check Do not Auto-update apps, it will send a notification every once in while telling you that there are apps that have updates and you can choose which ones to update.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If I don't disable WiFi before enabling this feature and unchecking ("blacklisting") apps, then it'll just start downloading updates for apps which I don't want to update. Disabling WiFi (temporarily) prevent this.
I think this way is much easier than going through every app and unchecking auto-update.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not if I want most of my apps to auto-update and only a handful to require manual approval.
And I have 2 questions: 1- What is that Blacklist you are talking about? I have no such thing.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
"Blacklist" is a term used for marking some items where an action which occurs normally should not for selected items. For example blacklisting a sender in an email client would allow most email in but block email from this sender. Similarly, unchecking this Google Play option for specific apps would also auto-update for most apps, except those marked (in other words, those "blacklisted").
2- What version of the Play Store do you have?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm using Play Store 4.6.17 on Android 4.1.2 (Galaxy Note 2).
imo, blacklisting and all the stuff you described just doesnt cut it for me. I am reluctant to give any software su access, especially stuff like google play.
I checked out Aptoide. its okay i guess, but doesnt provide up to date apps...
I wonder why most freeware devs arent providing their APKs on their own websites and open source devs add their software to f-droid or provide a repository to be added there.
Android is so far away from what made linux nowadays...

[Q] uninstall all useless amazon apps after savestrap install

hey guys,
i have install the new software made by hashcode...
but i do not need the amazon stuff, so i would like to uninstall all the apps and system files i do not need any more...
for example, i uninstallt the amazon app store, but i do not know if or with apps i can delite....
and i do not like the check time bevor my kindle starts....
so what can i do? and what app are very important for the system?
just have a look in the auto start manager or in the file device-->system-->app....
thank you verry much and sorry for my english
hans
I would also be interested in this. You can see that the stock software has a lot of apps installed that aren't visible from the Apps screen, and some of them are surely useless (like all the update services, parental controls etc.). So it would be nice if there was a list of what all of those apps are for and whether it's safe to remove them (and how to remove them in the first place).

Question Remove system apps

How to remove system apps in s22 plus ?
https://forum.xda-developers.com/t/...mate-app-manager-debloat-tool-tweaks.4147837/
When you turn on your new device for the first time, some apps will already be installed. Some of these apps are essential for your device to run correctly and cannot be uninstalled or disabled.
Certain apps cannot be uninstalled but can be disabled. This is because they are useful for the everyday use and the basic functions of your smartphone.
Any app that you have downloaded yourself can be uninstalled.
Uninstalling an app will remove it entirely from your phone. Disabling an app will remove it from the apps screen and stop it from running in the background. Disabled apps will no longer receive updates.
Depending on where you bought your device, different apps may be preinstalled. For example, if you purchase a device from a mobile network, their apps may already be installed on the device.
f2fs read only partitions you can only debloat/disable
not fully removed from system
foysalalam750 said:
When you turn on your new device for the first time, some apps will already be installed. Some of these apps are essential for your device to run correctly and cannot be uninstalled or disabled.
Certain apps cannot be uninstalled but can be disabled. This is because they are useful for the everyday use and the basic functions of your smartphone.
Any app that you have downloaded yourself can be uninstalled.
Uninstalling an app will remove it entirely from your phone. Disabling an app will remove it from the apps screen and stop it from running in the background. Disabled apps will no longer receive updates.
Depending on where you bought your device, different apps may be preinstalled. For example, if you purchase a device from a mobile network, their apps may already be installed on the device.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
thanks
Certain apps cannot be uninstalled but can be disabled. This is because they are useful for the everyday use and the basic functions of your smartphone.

Question Disable "dangerous app, uninstall ?"

So I have APKure on my phone.
I regularly swiped the play Protect message wanting it to uninstall APKure.
I got annoyed so I disabled Play Protect.
I still got that annoying pop-up saying "hey I'm here, uninstall that app"
This drives me nuts !
How can I get rid of play Protect or create some exceptions to get rid of these popups?
Thx a lot
In your settings you can turn off play protect
Like this ?
Still getting that message ...
In this case, just delete google play store from your phone if you are deciding to stick with apkpure
Try clearing app and system cache.
Package Disable Playstore or firewall block it.
Playstore is a parasite, I rarely use it...
blackhawk said:
Package Disable Playstore or firewall block it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
None of these two. I mean delete delete it, not disabling it, since if you are gonna use apkpure instead of google play store then there is no need for it to interrupt your installations and etc.
Delete it using ADB Appcontrol. Package name: com.android.vending (google play store)
WooBLOATERRRR said:
None of these two. I mean delete delete it, not disabling it, since if you are gonna use apkpure instead of google play store then it's no need for it to interrupt your installations and etc.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not necessary to uninstall it. Occasionally you may want to use Playwhore.
Side loading is the best way to get malware or worse. Scan all side loads with online Virustotal before installing and reject any download if there's the slightest question of its integrity. Do not allow apps to update unless completely vetted and trusted like Malwarebytes. Most apps don't need to update. Firewall block all apps that don't need internet access to perform their core function. Most apps don't need internet access.
blackhawk said:
Not necessary to uninstall it. Occasionally you may want to use Playwhore.
Side loading is the best way to get malware or worse. Scan all side loads with online Virustotal before installing and reject any download if there's the slightest question of its integrity. Do not allow apps to update unless completely vetted and trusted like Malwarebytes. Most apps don't need to update. Firewall block all apps that don't need internet access to perform their core function. Most apps don't need internet access.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you wanna disable then do that, otherwise what I would do is to delete it since I know where I get my apps safe and etc. Just more peace for me
WooBLOATERRRR said:
If you wanna disable then do that, otherwise what I would do is to delete it since I know where I get my apps safe and etc. Just more peace for me
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I use Package Disabler and Karma Firewall so it's easier to just pull the plugs on Playstore.
I use ApkExport to save my apps so Playstore isn't needed on a reload.
Any app install carries risks unless fully vetted. Playstore has been breached multiple times in different ways, other sites carry similar risks. Best to avoid new downloads whenever possible.
This one of the reasons the current load on this N10+ will be 3 yo in June. Still fast and very stable. No firmware upgrades or updates in over 3 years.
That app is a cancer. Use APK Mirror or use official sources. If you need an XAPK installer, there are plenty on the Play Store that are much more trustworthy. There was even a malware distributed with the official APKPure app before.
APKPure is not safe, distributes Trojans
The APKPure app store for Android has been infected by a malicious module that downloads Trojans to users’ devices.
usa.kaspersky.com

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