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Hi,
I'm trying to see if "My Downloads" in the Market get reset when cache is cleared. I will try and do this by downloading some large apps.
Can anybody list some of the largest apps? It's pretty hopeless looking at them one by one!
Cheers
Steel and bonsai blast are farely large according to my deteriorating memory
Brain games and bonzai blast
My downloads
I don't think it will be resetted. One week ago I resettd my G1 to factory settings. When I enteres my Gmail adress to register the phone again, evrything went back. It is saved "in the cloud", it seems.
"My downloads" is a pain in the ... with all the apps you ever installed, even if you uninstalled them afterwards. And: there is no difference between installed apps that can be updated and uninstalled apps. I get crazy with 5 sorts of torch apps, I had installed. I decided to keep only one and when I browse the market to see, which updates are available, I don't remember, which one is still installed an which are uninstalled. Both say "free", when the is an update for the installed one.
It would be nice to be able to sort the apps not only after their name but after their status "installed", "updated" and "uninstalled".
That is my interpretation of the problem too. I have factory reset and it has not removed them. Beyond this some people *still* think they making the cache get so low it resets itself will do it though... I cannot see *how* if it is stored server side (Sufficiently that a "Factory" reset does not remove it [Hell, I should hope after a "Factory" reset there is NO personal info on the device... Certainly wasn't when I got mine new!)... None the less if people think it may work I've nothing to loose.
Shame is I've got all the apps above and (In any other situation good news) other apps are so small it'll take forever to install a sufficient number.
It seems in doing this I've probably made the matter worse as now my "My Downloads" list is huge :/
Any ideas how to clear the list OR very large apps appreciated.
Cheers.
LavaChild0809 said:
[Hell, I should hope after a "Factory" reset there is NO personal info on the device... Certainly wasn't when I got mine new!)...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
don't think so. All the information is tied to your google-account.
I guess if you register your account on another new device, you would have all the information on the new device. That'S the philosophy of android... have everything in the cloud... contacts, mails, calendar, app list.
On one hand it's good if you loose the device or have to factory reset. I still remember the time I was on Nokia and I had to restore my data after every change of phone or even Software update. On the other hand it's kind of critical in sense of misuse of personal data and ... the my downloads problem.
Admin: maybe the thread should be moved to this one???
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=468590
Please no not merge. I am the OP of both - The other is mainly about market issues. This is simply about large file size apps so that I can mess around and see if they do help with the issue in the other thread.
Both serve a different purpose even if there is overlap.
Meanwhile, I know for sure that the device doesn't carry the "My Downloads" over to another device - I had two faulty G1s before (1x screen issue and 1x charging issue). Both times I installed things and each device was not aware of what the other had. All, though, were aware of what they had installed on that device, even through a factory reset. I think maybe it is in the cloud but against some kind of device_id+gmail_account key? Not sure...
Today, I turned on my phone to discover a strange new widget/icon on my homescreen that looked like a blue magnifying glass and was labelled 'Search'.
Of course, being suspicious I removed the widget. I then looked through the list of installed widgets and apps, but nothing unusual was there.
Later when I opened the internet browser, the usual google homepage looked a bit different - identical, tabs and all, except for the search button appearing the same as in the widget and the Google logo missing (as if it hadn't loaded yet).
I've reset my homepage to Google, but in my history the bogus sites are:
start.infospace.com
searchmobileonline.com
Scanned with both AVG and Avast, but neither picked anything strange up.
I have since found out that this is adware that some free apps on the Market are using to generate revenue. In my case I have since confirmed it came from Brightest Flashlight Free, an app with over 1 million downloads and 5 star average.
Here's an article explaining it *http://www.pcworld.com/article/245305/sneaky_mobile_ads_invade_android_phones.html*
Just though I'd warn everyone, as I'm a very careful / savvy user and only use very popular, respected apps, but still got it. Personally I think adding phantom widgets and hijacking your browser homepage with a fake google look-a-like is disgusting and bordering on criminal, as no warning or notification is made that this is going to happen, where it came from and how to remove / fix it.
AXIS of Reality said:
Today, I turned on my phone to discover a strange new widget/icon on my homescreen that looked like a blue magnifying glass and was labelled 'Search'.
Of course, being suspicious I removed the widget. I then looked through the list of installed widgets and apps, but nothing unusual was there.
Later when I opened the internet browser, the usual google homepage looked a bit different - identical, tabs and all, except for the search button appearing the same as in the widget and the Google logo missing (as if it hadn't loaded yet).
I've reset my homepage to Google, but in my history the bogus sites are:
start.infospace.com
searchmobileonline.com
Scanned with both AVG and Avast, but neither picked anything strange up.
I have since found out that this is adware that some free apps on the Market are using to generate revenue. In my case I have since confirmed it came from Brightest Flashlight Free, an app with over 1 million downloads and 5 star average.
Here's an article explaining it *http://www.pcworld.com/article/245305/sneaky_mobile_ads_invade_android_phones.html*
Just though I'd warn everyone, as I'm a very careful / savvy user and only use very popular, respected apps, but still got it. Personally I think adding phantom widgets and hijacking your browser homepage with a fake google look-a-like is disgusting and bordering on criminal, as no warning or notification is made that this is going to happen, where it came from and how to remove / fix it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Good call mate! I downloaded the AirPush Detector, AdFree Android, and Addons Detector thats mentioned on the post, and they found some on my SG2.
I will give all offending apps a one star rating, and this will get these dev's to act!!
Thanks
If you're going to give these apps one star ratings, don't forget to put a very scathing review up as well. A single star rating either way isn't going to bother these people much, but if you put a really negative review up as well, it adds a little impact.
In my experience, a brutal review tends to get devs attention fairly quickly, especially those who care about the rep of their apps
... and I wondered from where that magnifying glass appeared on my homescreen.
By the way, the icon sucks
I installed one crappy app from the market but unistalled everything fishy in the moment I saw that icon ...
This has happened to me 2x wish I knew what app it was. I normally only download popular ones too.
Sent from my GT-I9100 using XDA App
I have the magnifying glass too. I didn't notice it at first because I use TWLauncher 4.5 and it only added itself to the stock launcher. I guess its time to do some forum searching or uninstall all my add based apps.
You guys (especially OP) need to use programs like Lookout or ESET and stay away from ****ty apps like AVG (Which is also **** on PC).
GRiM-UK said:
You guys (especially OP) need to use programs like Lookout or ESET and stay away from ****ty apps like AVG (Which is also **** on PC).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Lookout doesn't find the search adware widget.
I had that icon too.. it even changed the default search engine on my browser..
Sent from my GT-I9100 using xda premium
AXIS of Reality said:
Today, I turned on my phone to discover a strange new widget/icon on my homescreen that looked like a blue magnifying glass and was labelled 'Search'.
Of course, being suspicious I removed the widget. I then looked through the list of installed widgets and apps, but nothing unusual was there.
Later when I opened the internet browser, the usual google homepage looked a bit different - identical, tabs and all, except for the search button appearing the same as in the widget and the Google logo missing (as if it hadn't loaded yet).
I've reset my homepage to Google, but in my history the bogus sites are:
start.infospace.com
searchmobileonline.com
Scanned with both AVG and Avast, but neither picked anything strange up.
I have since found out that this is adware that some free apps on the Market are using to generate revenue. In my case I have since confirmed it came from Brightest Flashlight Free, an app with over 1 million downloads and 5 star average.
Here's an article explaining it *http://www.pcworld.com/article/245305/sneaky_mobile_ads_invade_android_phones.html*
Just though I'd warn everyone, as I'm a very careful / savvy user and only use very popular, respected apps, but still got it. Personally I think adding phantom widgets and hijacking your browser homepage with a fake google look-a-like is disgusting and bordering on criminal, as no warning or notification is made that this is going to happen, where it came from and how to remove / fix it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
personally i feel you should report this app to Google straight. No chances should be given for developers of such nasty lowdown apps.
I personally dont use any of the antivirus stuff but have my host file update for removing ads and use LBE security to block applications access to the internet.
Thanks
Thanks... very usefull information
Installed LBE and now monitoring apps
Thanks for the heads up and the useful apps recommended.
All clean here, but glad I checked.
Further good reasons not go down the pirate route kids - get that Blackmarket and Mobilism app off ya devices
Mobilism app isn't malware.
I use Avast and adaway and they seem to be effective enough although no doubt malaware is a cause for concern.
666fff said:
Mobilism app isn't malware.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'll take your word for it. It allows you to test pro versions or other paid apps, and if you like them, you go to Android's market and buy the "proper" goods.... Sure. That's all right then.
How much does eset cost? Could only see free 30 day trial
Sent from my GT-I9100 using XDA App
B3311 said:
I'll take your word for it. It allows you to test pro versions or other paid apps, and if you like them, you go to Android's market and buy the "proper" goods.... Sure. That's all right then.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's what I use it for. I like to trial an app properly. If I like, buy from the market, if it's crappy, delete.
The same happened to me, I only realised when a lot of my google searches were US based and not UK. When I clicked on the "privacy" link at the bottom of the Google page (or what I thought was google, it just had a different search icon) it brought up info about a different company, it wasnt the usual google privacy disclaimer.
In the end I think I had to uninstall all the recent apps because I wasnt sure which had done it and had to clear data on the browser to remove it.
My Samsung Galaxy Note has also been invaded by this searchmobile pest and I am looking for a lasting solution, or an app that can identify which app invited the malware. "free iPads" have also appeared annoyingly frequent.
Hello Community,
I think my Samsung S8 is hacked, well it has been some time crazy.
My 4 connection sensor for LTE, 3G, 2G and so on, plays around. It is this little thing on the upper right of the screen. It stopped one day..
Seems a bit crazy, but the police isn't answering a application.
My Instagram changed too I can't see the List anymore which other people liked.
I think someone wanted to troll me first, but then sent me to the police or smth. **** happened.
I need someone to tell me if the process list is right, or if there is something that shouldn't be seen there.
For example: com.samsung.faceservice. , Face , out of nowhere came the "transfer data to other phones" , the phone is in German, one process is new: "settings suggestions"
Some process can't be stopped, so I writed a really really long text to the "hackers" . And then I just deleted the process and it worked...
I'm thinking a lot.
Can You help me?
Lindors said:
Hello Community,
I think my Samsung S8 is hacked, well it has been some time crazy.
My 4 connection sensor for LTE, 3G, 2G and so on, plays around. It is this little thing on the upper right of the screen. It stopped one day..
Seems a bit crazy, but the police isn't answering a application.
My Instagram changed too I can't see the List anymore which other people liked.
I think someone wanted to troll me first, but then sent me to the police or smth. **** happened.
I need someone to tell me if the process list is right, or if there is something that shouldn't be seen there.
For example: com.samsung.faceservice. , Face , out of nowhere came the "transfer data to other phones" , the phone is in German, one process is new: "settings suggestions"
Some process can't be stopped, so I writed a really really long text to the "hackers" . And then I just deleted the process and it worked...
I'm thinking a lot.
Can You help me?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The best bet is if your bootloader is still locked. No root. Then if something is on your phone a simple factory reset will wipe it. Unless a phone is rooted nothing can be installed at the system level. I would start there. You may have some form of spyware or something installed. Check in application manager at the bottom of list for any apps the may not be named. As in space at the bottom but no details. I have i installed apps before that apear not to show in apps list but they are there
TheMadScientist said:
The best bet is if your bootloader is still locked. No root. Then if something is on your phone a simple factory reset will wipe it. Unless a phone is rooted nothing can be installed at the system level. I would start there. You may have some form of spyware or something installed. Check in application manager at the bottom of list for any apps the may not be named. As in space at the bottom but no details. I have i installed apps before that apear not to show in apps list but they are there
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
there is a video from Marques Brownlee where he discusses some ways that apps have been allowed to get thru the play store that do exactly what you mention. Apps getting installed and the icon disappearing or changing its opacity to 0. This is more-so for the OP, but several of those apps download more parts to the app that then act as spyware. But the mad scientist is correct, if youre not rooted, no system apps can be installed. Go to your apps list and look for stuff that doesnt seem normal and uninstall it. Android wont let you uninstall system apps when youre not rooted, so thats not a worry. Even if you do uninstall system apps, all you need to do is reflash the firmware with the "HOME_CSC" so it doesnt remove anything, instead just overwriting the system stuff. Basically its a mulligan, which you can do over and over and over. So there isnt really much fear of hard bricking these phones. Soft bricks happen frequently, but theyre mostly just a time waster.
youdoofus said:
there is a video from Marques Brownlee where he discusses some ways that apps have been allowed to get thru the play store that do exactly what you mention. Apps getting installed and the icon disappearing or changing its opacity to 0. This is more-so for the OP, but several of those apps download more parts to the app that then act as spyware. But the mad scientist is correct, if youre not rooted, no system apps can be installed. Go to your apps list and look for stuff that doesnt seem normal and uninstall it. Android wont let you uninstall system apps when youre not rooted, so thats not a worry. Even if you do uninstall system apps, all you need to do is reflash the firmware with the "HOME_CSC" so it doesnt remove anything, instead just overwriting the system stuff. Basically its a mulligan, which you can do over and over and over. So there isnt really much fear of hard bricking these phones. Soft bricks happen frequently, but theyre mostly just a time waster.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I've had apps described as such before. Most people don't or wouldn't even notice them. I've seen posts before and very similar applied
Hi,
Samsung Galaxy note 20 ultra Europe exynos sm-986b debloat/decrapify (Switzerland/Swisscom).
I'm starting my journey to debloat that phone which is entirely unusable for me, due to the unwanted presence of hundred of junk apps.
After realizing that I was not using a data cable but only a charging cable (computer not having usbc, I had to use another cable than the official one). I manage to get my bearings a bit.
So the connection is sorted out (out of topic), now start the actual decrapifying:
1) I used/will use this program, to list all programs:
https://forum.xda-developers.com/an...easy-management-android-applications-t4147837
Note: I could have used adb directly but this seems easier, especially as we talk about hundred of lines.
Note 2: each time I installed "ACBridge" which appears to show nice icons for that program.
2) I have compiled a list of applications currently installed. I did not install anything manually myself yet, not even connected to Android Play:
442 apps by default.
https://gofile.io/d/xGHoff
Note: Are some of these apps only specific to my seller and my region? It's possible, since the phone clearly had some of the FYI operator branded options installed.
3) I'm going to factory reset now. Again, nothing was really installed, just official rom updates done. But I want to start from fresh.
4) After I will reinitiate the phone, I will redo the list of applications capture, and start trimming down.
5) After the factory reset, it seems I had a new screen (unless I skipped it by mistake last time) proposing me to install additional apps like spotify, linked in... I refused this time. Last time I had the apps installed maybe a mistake click, or something new thanks to newer firmware.
6) Use the program again, I now have 429 apps only instead of 442.
7) I tried the list mentioned a starting point, I will look into this user list, allegedely 109 apps removed from a S20 (which is a different phone, I know):
https://forum.xda-developers.com/t/tool-windows-adb-appcontrol-v1-4-5.4147837/post-83980273
First that only has 104 apps over 109.
Second, I found a few items I wanted to keep and a few I wanted to remove.
Customization Work required here...!
Caution: the list of 109 items contains what is described elsewere as dangerous:
com.samsung.android.authfw ; Not Recommended: Used for password autocompletion, can be removed if you don't use it. This app is sometimes called by the system and might cause battery drain if removed
com.serv.android.preloadinstaller : App that install other application, do not remove!
I will check each non-obvious items.
This list seems more pro:
Samsung full apps list
Feuille 1 LAST UPDATED 01/09/2022,Reinstall an app using pm install-existing [the app package],Enter in shell using adb -d shell before running the command,Enter in shell using adb -d shell before running the command,<a href="https://docs.samsungknox.com/CCMode/G988B_Q.pdf">https://docs.samsungk...
docs.google.com
I made a custom preset with the 85 items in the list of " Safe to uninstall ". Only 71/86 where showing, some I wanted to keep like Android Auto.
--> I seems to have to choice but start from a bigger list and go through it myself.
After checking each items of that 109 list, vs the spreadsheet and sometimes google, I actually ended up reducing the list, or keeping more items. My final list is currently 68 applications to remove.
I also removed additional things like Netflix.
FINAL LIST:
Samsung SM-N986B_[All]_presetJSDec2020.txt
In the process I learned that this list seems rather personal to do. Yet, some items are marked not to be removed due to battery drain, so the initial list of 109 seems risky. I would say some manual work is mandatory.
8) Moving on, time to uninstall. Done.
9) Time to configure the basics again (basically language, etc...). Done.
10) Time to migrate data from old phone to new phone, I used "Samsung smart switch" app, installed it on both phone, used wifi, and unselected unwanted things. Done after some 1-2 hours (not so much data but it was slow and I interrupted twice).
11) Now the phone looks ok, a few apps had to be manually reinstalled like MCDonald's crapp.
12) Time to recover authenticator, relogin to apps, etc...Some apps I can't do now like RSA token, needs to regenerate a token elsewhere. GoogleAuth was simple, I could easily export from old phone/import new phone..
13) Phone works for now. I see I missed to remove some stuffs like "My files" which was basically simply like file explorer but from Samsung. That was indicated as "not remove" but probably can be ( com.sec.android.app.myfiles ).
Edit: day +1 after the step 13. Phone works properly. No visible impact on battery drain (seems high, as usual and with little usage overnight, same as before any intervention from my side). Unable to continue anything for now, being ill. Everything seems to work, even without the stuffs I removed.
On that note, I got rid of youtube and yt music, and installed YoutubeVance.
I tested the basics (phone, camera...) looks ok.
Note: this is WIP and more sharing the journey, as well as learning. Usually I would unlock bootloader, root, and install a decent ROM from XDA; but not happening this time.
Thanks for sharing cyber.cat thread ! Used it and removed 20+ useless app
ouroukai90 said:
Thanks for sharing cyber.cat thread ! Used it and removed 20+ useless app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Glad that could help- The tool from Cyber Cat and the threads are useful. Yet I saw quite a few tools/options around.
The idea was to share the experience of using one, do some sort of decrapifying/debloating and comment.
For me even if I expected a bit that, I was a bit surprise that this operation needs a lot of customization.
Let's say it was easier to start from a fresh Android ROM and add some selected Google apps, rather than trimming down that Samsung junk (That something I usually do with custom roms, here I stayed with official Samsung ROM, so I did not have that possibility to start fresh).
I see Android 11 update should come soon (around January 2021?).... I take it that they will reinstall all their garbage in the OTA update... And we will have to decrapify again!?
Yes I guess for a major update it will maybe reinstall crap like "tips" from Samsung. But i've done this using beta4 OneUI3.0 and it work very well
Is it possible to uninstall the google app? And then install it again? I have problems with hey google not working
Anskjer said:
Is it possible to uninstall the google app? And then install it again? I have problems with hey google not working
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, which app specifically?
Not sure what is "hey google", are you talking about "Google Assistant"?
Anyway, usually clear cache, not uninstall/reinstall...(then clear data when sure what you doing...)
htchd2sucks said:
Yes, which app specifically?
Not sure what is "hey google", are you talking about "Google Assistant"?
Anyway, usually clear cache, not uninstall/reinstall...(then clear data when sure what you doing...)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The assistant is inside the google app. Clear cache I have try but didn't work. Thanks for the help
The phone shown me an update yesterday (01/01/2021), OneUI3, Android 11.
It updated without any issue, and all my apps and things are properly there after.
One strange thing is it was allegedely updating 470 apps on my phone, I don't remember having so many.
Another thing to notice, is that I did not notice any new garbage apps after the update. For example, some emoticons junk was not reinstalled. Also, the default keyboard remains Gboard, like I set myself before the update.
Anyway, time to check now, in details.
Verdict: # Total applications: 421
Some junk have been installed again during the update. (after my previous cleaning, I was at:
# Total applications: 361)
I don't see the same type of junk as it was before, like Netflix apps, Bixby...etc... So it's rather strange.
One horrible app I found is "eBay Partner Attribution". What is it? Affiliate marketing is a referral program where sites pay commissions to affiliates who send traffic to their site that results in a sale.
Well done Samsung, installing junk to get additional money...
App killed on sight (com.ebay.carrier).
I also removed com.google.android.videos.
That will be all for now, don't have the time to do better.
Is it really safe to debloat all knox related stuff? just asking if it helps anything?
jirka607 said:
Is it really safe to debloat all knox related stuff? just asking if it helps anything?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think knox junk tripping is only if you replace your bootloader:
Knox
I think removing the apps only is not tripping it (anyway, if it is, my phone is fine without it).
It depends what you mean "safe" anyway, if you are talking about some features that might not work, or a broken phone for example.
Thanks, im not sure if you should put the Knox app in the safe list.
danterape said:
Thanks, im not sure if you should put the Knox app in the safe list.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Try to delete it then u'll see xD
Couldn't find that one listened anywhere here specifically. I'm pretty sure my phones compromised but I'll probably just get people telling me I'm being paranoid. Just notice a lot of weird stuff going on.
I'll give some examples, but it would be cool if someone else here has an A03s and could give me a full list of the system apps to know for sure if mine has some extra ones that aren't truly factory. Because I've restore it several times and they don't go away.
Like under the apps screen under the basic ones I got apps like Android auto, webview, configapk, customization service, and something called data restore tool, device health services, group sharing, meet, nearby device sharing, quick sharing, quick share, settings..etc. which to my knowledge are pretty normal apps to see on phones right? But I seem unable to control them, if I disable them and go back and check later they mysteriously reenabled again, or after that the permissions lists will be greyed out not being able to do anything. Also there is a app called "permissions controller", as well as ones called "apps", "apps update", "tools", "app recommendations", "settings recommendations"..etc. is that normal? I never noticed that with my old samsung. They are really small file size apps with pretty generic looking icons and they don't let me disable them.
What gets more weird to me though is when I enable the system apps too. I see all kinds of suspicious looking ****.
Like for the android setup, and android system apps there are two of each, and the other two have generic looking icons, also got stuff like configuration restore, audio mirroring, auto hotspot, automation test, bluetooth/bluetooth midi service, call & text on other devices, callbgprovider, camera extensions proxy, carrier login engine, sim tool kit, cell broadcast services, clipboardsaveservice, cmh provider, companion device manager (where I have no idea where my "companion is or how to control it so I must be the one being controlled?", configupdater, csc, dcktimesyncapplication, dynamic system updates, ipservice, enterprise sim pin service, external storage, like 10 different gestural navigation bars, group sharing, iaft, ims service, settings, and logging, input devices, iothiddenmenu, keycustomizationinfobnr, launcher, locale overlay manager, service mode and service mode ril, media and devices, mdmapp, vpndialogs, mmigroup,mmsservice, mobilewips, mtp host, nearby device scanning (2 instances), network diagnostic, nsdswebapp, one handed mode, osulogin, package installer, an app called "people", private share, proxy handler, quick share agent, samsung core services? (is that a real app even? I can disable it but who wants to disable "core" system apps, so touche there if it is a program deployed by a hacker on their app naming skills lol, smart switch agent, 2 instances of software update, system connectivity resources, system uwb/wifi resources, an app called "tasks", tethering, tethering provision and tethering automation, tfstatus/tffunlock always running when I never access them, usbsettings, and theres one called wallpaper services/wallpaper and style that looks really generic which is confusing because I assumed the samsung theme manager just handled all that stuff in one? We also got wearable manager installer running, and sometimes wificalling and wifi direct or work setup will be running when I don't have any of those configured.
Sorry for the huge block of text, I'm sure I missed a bunch i missed because there's some that don't show even when you tap "show system apps", like the skms agent as one example, so got a few general questions for you, so for the file/download system I got a bunch of default apps. There's two different files apps, there's a download manager and download app, and also a storage manager, and ALSO a app called the external storage that always wants to be running but can you explain that if I have no external storage? Is the built in storage space on the a03 called external storage? I even have my drive apps and stuff disabled.
Another things that's suspicious to me is secmediastorage, secvideoengineservice, secsoundpicker, secureelementapplication, media and devices + ext storage. Like why should there be a SECOND video or audio engine running when I'm old school and don't even use cast programs/features or anything like that? In fact it's usually one of the first things I just go ahead and try disable.
I noticed a lot of weird things going on with the display though too, looking really sharp then suddenly almost looking like there's two layers of gui not exactly lined up, like off by a pixels making things look blurrier. Like the one ui home is the default factory launcher right? So why does my phone also have a app called "launcher", plus another hidden launcher or something running in the background? I can't remember the name of it offhand, something GUI..
And I understand the concept of android have a permission controller, and "core apps" but are there actually apps under the system apps named that lol? "permission controller", "samsung core apps" one called "device services"...
also is service mode suppose to be running in the background? I googled into it and know it's a genuine service, but I really don't understand why a lot of these apps are stopping and running or renabling themselves.. It's like I have zero control over my own phone and if I'm just paranoid and they are meant to be just seems like a waste of complete waste of ram/data to me.
****, I was just sitting here thinking for like a few minutes about to post and almost forgot the most suspicious ones I've noticed in last few days. all the "com." overlay apps. I guess I really saw the word "overlay" as something you should be suspicious about until the vpn I recently bought had a feature that is suppose to block web browser based overlays. Then I noticed that MOST of my com. apps are all overlay apps! Lol, ranging from google/samsung to mediatek.
I won't post all of them because there's probably 20 at least but here's a few.
com.mediatek.frameworkresoverlay
com.mediatek.settingsproviderresoverlay
com.mediatek.systemuiresoverlay
com.samsung.android.networkstaack.tethering.overlay
com.samsung.android.smartswitchassistant
com.samsung.android.wifi.p2paware.resources
com.sec.android.app.camerasaver and a camera.app.cameraapp one (camera always running in background even if background and battery saver with restricted settings enabled)
com.google.android.ondevicepersonalization.services (I never used any personalization service or see a personalization app for that matter)
com.google.android.networkstack.tethering.overlay
and there's a bunch of com.google.android.overlay.gmsconfig ones /common geotz/ gsa/ photos/
com.google.android.overlay.modules.captiveportallogin.forframework
plus a overlay broadcastreceiver, ext.services, documentsui, permissioncontroller, and sdksandbox one.. tetheringresoverlay, wcmurlsnetworkstackoverlay, locale overlay manager..etc.
Also I get my service through straight talk which I think uses verizon and I noticed when I go to connections/mobile networks and network operators and uncheck the box "select automatically" that for some reason it only wants to connect to a network operator called "Home". I just thought that was kind of a weird and generic name for a network operator. I tried to use a android hidden settings app to change that because it was blocked out and thought I messed up my phone because I no longer had data and couldn't access the menu through the app anymore, but luckily a reformat fixed it but I'm still dealing with all this crap haha.
Can someone tell me I'm not crazy and there's definitely someone that is accessing and controlling my phone without my permission and what would be the best way to go about dealing with this?
Thanks.
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You've copied this post at least once. We'll be removing the duplicate.
Now on to your question...
It is my opinion that the problem may not be with what you are observing, but with your assumptions. In the duplicate thread, you assume two possibilities:
You're being hacked
Your paranoia is justified
Have you thought there may be a third or even fourth option? Such as, maybe you don't understand that much about Android, you don't recognize what you see, you're assuming it's malicious, which combined with your own confirmation bias, has led you to the conclusion that foul play is afoot?
Nothing you have described sounds in any way abnormal. You have a Samsung device running OneUI (Samsung's framework overlaid on top of Android) that is powered by a Mediatek chipset. Everything you describe sounds completely normal to me, with over 10 years of experience in Android, most of that with Samsung devices.
My conclusion, to be frank: You are not being hacked, and your paranoia is unfounded.
OP your post gave me a headache trying to read it.
So...
Have it reflash to the stock firmware if you really think it's behaving erratically and a factory reset doesn't work. Change Google password and all others.
Then be careful what you install.
Don't put in foreign thumb drives or let others use it.