Related
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.
I just bought 6 of these tabs to use for my company. Is there a way I can block all of the Games/Apps from a Galaxy Tab 2 10.1. Or have some type of mobile fortress where I could block certain websites? Any help with this would be very helpful. Thanks.
Yes, but if your employees know what they're doing they can 'undo' whatever you put in place.
However, the easiest method would be to root all six tablets, get everything you want on there installed, install Titanium Backup Pro and a custom launcher such as Apex, install a password protection app and have it protect Titanium Backup, and then use titanium backup to freeze all apps you don't want them to have access to (which would include the Google Play Store obviously) and use Apex to "hide" the icon to the password protection app. There are many methods but that is a quick solution.
However, as I said, if someone knows what they are doing they can easily undo all of that. At least, I could..
Thanks a lot for the reply. I may consider doing this!
sleepys4 said:
Thanks a lot for the reply. I may consider doing this!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Also if you root try out Rom Toolbox Pro. You can change a lot of things with that as well, such as blocking ads, porn, casinos, and even changing the DNS.
Plus if you install Chrome and freeze the default browser then you won't have Flash anymore.
I use Parental Control Board to block websites and apps on my children's tablets, you can also locate the device. It installs as a device administrator so they can't uninstall it unless probably if it is rooted.
Sent from my GT-P5113 using xda app-developers app
*Compiled this list myself while debloating with TiBu, actual list may be even bigger.
*Please keep in mind, ALWAYS MAKE A BACKUP before you do something like this.
*Also please note that this WILL break some functionality of apps/services/etc depending on what you chose to remove!!
Active applications
Air WakeUp
AllShare ControlShare Service
AllShare FileShare Service
ANT Hal Service
ANT Radio Service
ANT+ Plugins
Baby Crying Detector
Backup
BlurbCheckout
Bubbles
Business card recognition
Car mode
Chrome
Clock (Digital)
Clock (Digital Easy)
com.sec.android.app.sbrowsertry
com.sec.app.MIPErrorNotify
Connections Optimizer
Dictionary
DirectShareManager
Drive
Dropbox
DropboxOOBE
Dual Clock
Email
Eureka Offers
Favorite Contacts
Flipboard
Google Play Books
Google Play Games
Google Play Movies
Google Play Music
Google Play Newsstand
Google+
Group Play
HealthService
HP Print Service Plugin
Internet
Kids Mode
KLMS Agent
Knox
Knox Notifications Manager
Lookout Security
Lumen Toolbar
Magnifier
Messaging+
Mobile Print
Music
MusicFX
My Files
My Magazine
Nascar Mobile
NBA Game Time
NextRadio
NNL Fingerprint Passport
Phase Beam
Polaris Office
Print Spooler
S Health
S Voice
Samsung Apps
Samsung Cloud Data Relay
Samsung Cloud Quota
Samsung Contact SyncAdapter
Samsung Galaxy Apps Widget
Samsung Link Platform
Samsung Print
Samsung SBrowser SyncAdapter
Samsung SNote3 SyncAdapter
Scout
Share Music
Share Video
Sprint - Discover Apps
Sprint ID
Sprint Money Express
Sprint Music Plus
Sprint TV & Movies
Sprint Worldwide
Sprint Zone
Studio
Swype
Talkback
TouchWiz Easy Home
TouchWiz Home
Travel Wallpaper
Weather
Wait..does Titanium freeze apps w/o root? Its been a long while since I used it...cant remember.
Edit: Root needed.
also add bubbles [if you don't care about moving wallpapers], clock (digital easy) [if you don't care about the widget], clock (digital) [if you don't care about the widget], Group play, NNL Fingerprint Passport, phase beam [if you don't care about moving wallpapers], print spooler, samsung link platform, swype (if you use another keyboard like swiftkey)
Change Mobile Print to MoblePrintSvc_CUPS and MoblePrintSvc_CUPS_Backend to be more specific
Change Samsung Print to Samsung Print Service Plugin to be more specific
---------- Post added at 04:35 PM ---------- Previous post was at 04:33 PM ----------
Joe0113 said:
*Compiled this list myself while debloating with TiBu, actual list may be even bigger.
*Please keep in mind, ALWAYS MAKE A BACKUP before you do something like this.
*Also please note that this WILL break some functionality of apps/services/etc depending on what you chose to remove!!
Active applications
Air WakeUp
AllShare ControlShare Service
AllShare FileShare Service
ANT Hal Service **DO NOT DELETE, ONLY FREEZE!!**
ANT Radio Service **DO NOT DELETE, ONLY FREEZE!!**
ANT+ Plugins **DO NOT DELETE, ONLY FREEZE!!**
Baby Crying Detector
Backup
BlurbCheckout
Business card recognition
Car mode
Chrome
com.sec.android.app.sbrowsertry
com.sec.app.MIPErrorNotify
Connections Optimizer
Dictionary
DirectShareManager
Drive
Dropbox
DropboxOOBE
Dual Clock
Email
[*]Eureka Offers
Favorite Contacts
[*]Flipboard
Google Play Books
Google Play Games
Google Play Movies
Google Play Music
Google Play Newsstand
Google+
HealthService
HP Print Service Plugin
Internet
Kids Mode
KLMS Agent
Knox
Knox Notifications Manager
[*]Lookout Security
Lumen Toolbar
Magnifier
Messaging+
Mobile Print
Music
MusicFX
My Files
My Magazine
[*]Nascar Mobile
[*]NBA Game Time
[*]NextRadio
Polaris Office
S Health
S Voice
Samsung Apps
Samsung Cloud Data Relay
Samsung Cloud Quota
Samsung Contact SyncAdapter
Samsung Galaxy Apps Widget
Samsung Print
Samsung SBrowser SyncAdapter
Samsung SNote3 SyncAdapter
[*]Scout
Share Music
Share Video
[*]Sprint - Discover Apps
[*]Sprint ID
[*]Sprint Money Express
[*]Sprint Music Plus
[*]Sprint TV & Movies
[*]Sprint Worldwide
[*]Sprint Zone
Studio
Talkback
TouchWiz Easy Home
TouchWiz Home
Travel Wallpaper
Weather
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
the bolded and underlined can actually be UNINSTALLED
For ANT programs, why only freeze not delete?
Apps
It would be cool to have description to all of those...to know what exactly I am freezing/uninstalling
bigred97 said:
For ANT programs, why only freeze not delete?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ant Radio and plugins can be reinstalled in Google Play, they are free apps to download. I agree, definitely remove if not needed, but why say no to an FM radio!
Tapatalk Classic
Thanks for the list Joe. I'm going to have to go through this and make sure I've got all of the bloatware turned off.
crazymook said:
Wait..does Titanium freeze apps w/o root? Its been a long while since I used it...cant remember.
Edit: Root needed.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Root isn't necessary to freeze/disable apps (freeze and disable are the same commands)
This link here http://galaxys5guide.com/samsung-galaxy-s5-how-to-guides/turn-off-my-magazine-on-galaxy-s5/ explains how to disable the Magazine app from the Applications Settings menu in the phone and this can be done for any system app on the phone.
This was a feature put in place around 4.3(?) because system apps could not be uninstalled without root; only updates could be uninstalled. So they added a disable feature to keep it from running in the background and it removed it from your App Drawer.
AlkaliV2 said:
Root isn't necessary to freeze/disable apps (freeze and disable are the same commands)
This link here http://galaxys5guide.com/samsung-galaxy-s5-how-to-guides/turn-off-my-magazine-on-galaxy-s5/ explains how to disable the Magazine app from the Applications Settings menu in the phone and this can be done for any system app on the phone.
This was a feature put in place around 4.3(?) because system apps could not be uninstalled without root; only updates could be uninstalled. So they added a disable feature to keep it from running in the background and it removed it from your App Drawer.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Being unrooted, you can only disable only certain apps , not all of them.
-Sent from Tapatalk
eyecon82 said:
Being unrooted, you can only disable only certain apps , not all of them.
-Sent from Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Taught me something I didn't know. I went through and looked at a few crucial system apps and noticed "Turn Off" was greyed out on a few of them which I hadn't noticed before.
also add
you can also add smart remote, and internet/ chrome depending on what browser you like, to this list that can be completely removed... never understood why people would remove sprint zone when it is the easiest way to do things on your account. To each their own o guess... great list too as there are a few I missed on my debloating adventures.
liqrisquicker said:
you can also add smart remote, and internet/ chrome depending on what browser you like, to this list that can be completely removed... never understood why people would remove sprint zone when it is the easiest way to do things on your account. To each their own o guess... great list too as there are a few I missed on my debloating adventures.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Exactly, I find it the best way to track my usage as well.
I guess this is a list of things that are safe to remove, but not necessarily recommend to remove
-Sent from Tapatalk
here are some more you missed
beaming service, 2 connections optimizer files, 2 enterprise files, 2 nearby device files, Samsung galaxy apps widget, Samsung keyboard, saumsung text to speech, screen mirroring, Sprint Installer, 2 wifi direct files
How come my titanium app won't let me backup? It says storage full, but it isn't.
Sent from my SM-G900P using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
PMGRANDS said:
How come my titanium app won't let me backup? It says storage full, but it isn't.
Sent from my SM-G900P using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you are mostly stock then you need to download sdfix from the market. It is free. Or you can change the build.prop line yourself to write to sd with a file manager of your choice. Idk the build.prop line but you can google it and it will come up. I hope that is your issue and it helps.
Sent from The Beast in my pocket
the ANT app is actually usefull
for those of us that like to bike/run/hoke or other physical activity in which we monitor our performance or heart rate, ANT radio is a big part of that.
http://www.thisisant.com/directory/ant-radio-service
Might want to investigate this site before removing completely as it uses hardware already on your phone, after all whats the point in getting the phone with all this stuff in it, if you just not going to use it.
youngpro83 said:
If you are mostly stock then you need to download sdfix from the market. It is free. Or you can change the build.prop line yourself to write to sd with a file manager of your choice. Idk the build.prop line but you can google it and it will come up. I hope that is your issue and it helps.
Sent from The Beast in my pocket
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This worked for me thank you!
Sent from my Sexy Samsung S5
553
Has anyone actually removed all of these without consequence to remaining functionality?
seattleal said:
Has anyone actually removed all of these without consequence to remaining functionality?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Honestly im not sure I can say without consequence. Sometime after I removed a bunch of these apps, I have had some issues with my phone. the screen blacks out while the buttons work. took it to a sprint store finally and they think its 'software related' but didnt really help beyond that.i am still investigating though as it could have been something else too potentially (but i havent really installed much on this phone to begin with outside of root).
i have rooted my GS5 and installed SuperSU and ConnectBot.
I would like to remove much of this bloatware and the automatic updating of certain apps.
I have no idea how to proceed with uninstalling, any help would be appreciated.
NOTICE: I HAVE PERSONALLY TESTED THE DELETION OF THESE APPS USING TITANIUM BACKUP WITH NO SYSTEM ISSUES. HOWEVER, I TAKE NO LIABILITY SHOULD ANYTHING GO WRONG. ALWAYS BACK UP YOUR DEVICE, AND DO SO AT YOUR OWN RISK! SUGGESTIONS ARE WELCOME AND WILL BE ADDED TO THE ALPHABETICALLY ORDERED LIST
AFTER YOU DEBLOAT, YOU MAY LOSE SCREEN ROTATION. THE FIX IS EASY AND OUTLINED HERE
RED = LOSS OF PRIMARY SYSTEM FUNCTIONS (Ex: Screen Rotation)
GREEN = LOSS OF RELATED SYSTEM FUNCTIONS ONLY (Ex: Touchwiz Launcher, Knox)
WHITE = LOSS / REMOVAL OF APP ONLY (SELF CONTAINED. Ex: Flipboard)
Safe To Remove
AllShare FileShare Service
ANT+ DUT --------------------------------------------| The ANT list of services relate to health / fitness tracking equipment that do not use bluetooth. Do not remove if you use these kinds of items
ANT HAL Service -------------------------------------Same as above
ANT Radio Service -----------------------------------Same as above
ANT+ Plugins Service--------------------------------Same as above
App Widget
Backup and Restore
Backup and Restore Agent
Basic Daydreams
BBCAgent
Briefing
Bubbles --------------------------------------------------A live wallpaper
Car Mode ------------------------------------------------Samsung Car Mode Feature
CarModeRemote ---------------------------------------Related To Car Mode Feature
ChocoEUKor --------------------------------------------Custom font, I use the stock one
Clock (Digital) ------------------------------------------TouchWiz Widget, I use Nova Launcher
Clock (Digital_easy) ----------------------------------TouchWiz Widget, I use Nova Launcher
CoolEUKor ----------------------------------------------Custom Font
Drive
Dropbox
Dual Clock (Digital) -----------------------------------Touchwiz Widget, Not Applicable To Other Launchers (Like Nova)
Easy settings -------------------------------------------Dumbed-down settings for the technologically illiterate customer buying a Note 4
Email -----------------------------------------------------I use the GMail app
Evernote
Facebook
Flipboard
Galaxy Apps
Galaxy Apps Widget
Gear VR Service
Gear VR SetupWizardStub
Gear VR Shell
Google Play Books
Google Play Games
Google Play Movies
Google Play Music
Google Play Newsstand
Google+
Hancom Office 2014
Hangouts -----------------------------------------------------------I use the stock messaging app
Health Service
Help
Kies Application BnR
KLMS Agent
KNOX
KNOX SetupWizardClient
KnoxAppsUpdateAgent
KnoxFolderContainer
Live Wallpaper Picker
Music ------------------------------------------ You will lose the ability to listen to .AMR files directly (Ex: Visual Voicemail Sent As An MMS With .AMR Extension)
My interests
My Places
My places
MyKNOXSetupWizard
Pages Manager
Peel Smart Remote -----------------------------------------------------------Note 4 can function as an IR Remote. This app can be re-downloaded from Google Play however
PEN.UP
Phase beam ---------------------------------------------------------------------Live wallpaper
Photo Screensavers
Photos
Print Spooler 1
Push To Talk
Quick connect
RoseEUKor - a different font. I use the stock font
S Finder
S Health
Samsung account
Samsung Billing
Samsung Content Agent
Samsung Galaxy
Samsung keyboard ---------------------------- I use google keyboard
Samsung Link Platform
Samsung Print Service Plugin
Samsung Push Service
Samsung setup wizard
SamsungDLPService
SamsungSans
SapaMonitor
Scrapbook
Slow motion
suretap Wallet
TalkBack
TMobile TV -----------------------Disabling or Removing May Also Delete TMobile Visual Voicemail
TouchWiz easy home ------------------------------Launcher portion of Touchwiz (Easy Version)
TouchWiz Home-------------------------------------Launcher portion of Touchwiz
Weather----------------------------------------------Stock weather app, I use the "Okay Google" command
withTV
Unsafe To Remove
Launcher - Causes Ultra Power Saving Mode to break, and "EmergencyManagerService has stopped" on every reboot
Here are the packages I currently have frozen with no loss in functionality (beyond what the packages themselves provide, of course)
Briefing
Car Mode
CarModeRemote
com.facebook.appmanager
com.facebook.system
Email
Facebook
Flipboard
Galaxy Apps
Galaxy AppsWidget
Gear VR Service
Gear VR SetupWizardStub
Gear VR Shell
Hancom Office
Health Service
Internet
KLMS Agent
KNOX
KNOX SetupWizardClient
KnoxAppsUpdateAgent
KnoxFolderContainer
Launcher
Lookout
Magnifier
Messages
Music
My Interests
My Places
My places
Nearby devices
Nerby Service
New Registration
Peel Smart Remote
PEN.UP
Personal Data Management
Photo Studio
Photos
Quick Connect
S Beam
S Finder
S Health
S Voice
Samsung Link Platform
Samsung Milk Music
Samsung MirrorLink
Samsung Print Service Plugin
Samsung Push service
Samsung text-to-speech engine
Samsung+
Samsung DLPService
Scrapbook
Slow Motion
Smart Manager
Studio
T-Mobile
T-Mobile Name ID
T-Movile TV
TalkBack
TouchWiz easy home
TouchWiz home
Video clip studio
Virtual tour
Visual Voicemail
Voice Recorder
Weather
withTV
Just a heads up, that rotation issue can be resolved by replacing a file that gets removed when Facebook is uninstalled. http://forum.xda-developers.com/not...-screen-rotation-fix-libgnustlshared-t3408140. One additional step I had to do was set permissions for the file to -rw-r--r--
How do you debloat ?
nostreborderaj said:
Just a heads up, that rotation issue can be resolved by replacing a file that gets removed when Facebook is uninstalled. http://forum.xda-developers.com/not...-screen-rotation-fix-libgnustlshared-t3408140. One additional step I had to do was set permissions for the file to -rw-r--r--
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you for this! I will do another debloat test tomorrow and add this to the guide! Great Info!
kyoji001 said:
Here are the packages I currently have frozen with no loss in functionality (beyond what the packages themselves provide, of course)
Thank you for the great list! I will test all of these out tomorrow and update the main post. Your feedback and contribution is appreciated!
PS: One common issue I have found is that you get the error "EmergencyManagerService has stopped working". This also causes Ultra Power Saving Mode to stop working correctly. Does anyone know what is responsible for this?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
WaterMan! said:
kyoji001 said:
Here are the packages I currently have frozen with no loss in functionality (beyond what the packages themselves provide, of course)
Thank you for the great list! I will test all of these out tomorrow and update the main post. Your feedback and contribution is appreciated!
PS: One common issue I have found is that you get the error "EmergencyManagerService has stopped working". This also causes Ultra Power Saving Mode to stop working correctly. Does anyone know what is responsible for this?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hey Waterman,
No, I haven't received any errors like that. I just tried Ultra Power Saving mode and it seemed to work fine!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
WaterMan! said:
Hey everyone! Post here all the apps that you have successfully frozen, or removed, without any issues. If you know what they are responsible for, post that as well. I will keep this post updated in Alphabetic order!
After a couple days of debloating, messing up the system, and restoring, there are clearly some apps that cause major issues if removed. For example, the Facebook app causes the screen rotation function to permanently break, if it is removed. There is also another app that results in screen rotation breaking, I have yet to identify it, but I suspect it is one of the KNOX-related apps.
*UPDATE* We have some new information folks! I will be doing a very large debloat tomorrow and this thread will get a huge update
RED = LOSS OF PRIMARY SYSTEM FUNCTIONS (Ex: Screen Rotation)
ORANGE = LOSS OF RELATED SYSTEM FUNCTIONS ONLY (Ex: Touchwiz Launcher, Knox)
WHITE = LOSS / REMOVAL OF APP ONLY (SELF CONTAINED. Ex: Flipboard)
Safe To Remove
Safe To Freeze (No Loss Of Functionality If Frozen, LOSS OF FUNCTIONS IF REMOVED)
-Facebook - Results In Loss Of Screen Rotation
Unsafe To Remove Or Freeze (Loss Of Function If Removed / Frozen)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This fixes the screen rotation issue with Facebook.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/not...-screen-rotation-fix-libgnustlshared-t3408140
Oops didnt see @nostreborderaj's post. ;p
Nice thread ?
Hey everyone,
So I compiled this entire list and did it myself. I was doing it in batches. The last portion was after Phase Beam, and that caused an error in the system
"EmergencyManagerService has stopped working"
This causes the error to come up on every reboot, and breaks ultra power saving mode functionality. At this point I am going through them one by one and trying to identify which app breaks this when removed. This may take a while ...
Here's what I've personally removed:
system/app/AccuweatherPhone2014_T_MMR
system/app/AmazonShopping_TMO
system/app/AntHalService
system/app/ANTPlusPlugins
system/app/ANTPlusTest
system/app/ANTRadioService
system/app/BasicDreams
system/app/BBCAgent
system/app/BookmarkProvider
system/app/Books
system/app/ChocoEUKor
system/app/com.mobitv.client.tmobiletvhd
system/app/CoolEUKor
system/app/DigitalClock_MUPG
system/app/DigitalClockEasy_MUPG
system/app/Drive
system/app/Dropbox
system/app/DualClockDigital_MUPG
system/app/EasymodeContactsWidget_RECT
system/app/EasySettings
system/app/EasySetup
system/app/ELMAgent
system/app/Facebook_latest
system/app/FactoryCameraFB
system/app/FBAppManager
system/app/Flipboard
system/app/FlipboardBriefing
system/app/GameOptimizer
system/app/Kies
system/app/KnoxAppsUpdateAgent
system/app/KnoxAttestationAgent
system/app/KnoxFolderContainer
system/app/KnoxSetupWizardClient
system/app/KnoxSwitcher
system/app/MobilePrintSvc_Samsung
system/app/Music2
system/app/Newsstand
system/app/PartnerBookmarksProvider
system/app/PENUP
system/app/PlayGames
system/app/PlusOne
system/app/Post_T_Promo
system/app/RoseEUKor
system/app/SamsungAppsWidget_BannerStyle_common
system/app/SamsungDLPService
system/app/SamsungSans
system/app/SamsungTTS
system/app/SamsungWidget_ActiveApplication
system/app/SBrowser_4_LATEST
system/app/SecEmail_K
system/app/SecExchange
system/app/SecurityLogAgent
system/app/SLocation
system/app/SnsImageCache
system/app/SPrintSpooler6
system/app/talkback
system/app/UniversalMDMClient
system/app/Videos
system/app/Vvm_TMO
system/app/WeatherDaemon2014_T_MMR
system/app/withTV
system/priv-app/AccessTmobile_TMO
system/priv-app/AdaptClient
system/priv-app/AutomationTest_FB
system/priv-app/DiagMonAgent
system/priv-app/EasyLauncher2
system/priv-app/ECID-release_TMO
system/priv-app/FBInstaller
system/priv-app/FotaAgent
system/priv-app/HancomOfficeEditor
system/priv-app/KLMSAgent
system/priv-app/LocationWidget_M
system/priv-app/Lookout_TMO
system/priv-app/MILK_US
system/priv-app/NoiseField
system/priv-app/SAMSUNG_PLUS
system/priv-app/SamsungLinkPlatform
system/priv-app/SecMyFiles2014MUP
system/priv-app/SOAgent
system/priv-app/SNS_v2
system/priv-app/SPPPushClient_Prod
system/priv-app/TouchWizHome
system/media/audio/ui/PowerOn.ogg
so far haven't had any issues
Thanks for the topic/lists @WaterMan! & @kyoji001, I loves some debloating... wait! I... don't care for bloat... Err, both! :silly:
Are you guys using a particular tool for uninstallation or doing so manually? I've used TB with filters in the past but have encountered some (minor, but semi annoying) issues in the past. I had planned on using System App Remover on my next fresh install based on recommendations/friendliness wrt lib files but then an update added a location permission, which set off my sketch alert and put me off of that app.
Ok, this is going to be long... feel free to skim :good: I did an interesting test last night, although I'm still running 5.1.1 (TEKxodus 7.4R2). I had removed about 200 unwanted system apps along with their data via TB a couple of months ago. Like I said, issues were minor and sporadic (mostly various GAPPS fc's). My phone's been running fine, so I didn't bother trying the following until last night, mainly just in the interest of contributing to this discussion, although I can't say yet whether or not this is "safe" on MM... if you think it might be problematic for any reason, please chime in! The steps that I took are here: extracted the system/lib directory from my current ROM's install archive, cut & pasted the entire original system/lib directory into the same directory on the active TB debloated ROM skipping present files and replacing those that were missing/deleted - I skipped subfolders at first then checked my install to see if any of them were missing files which they weren't, next I wiped cache & dalvik in recovery and optimized databases in Synapse (for good measure...), step 4) ????, 5) Profit!(?)
I used Root Explorer to do my lib directory manipulation, and after copying the missing modules, I selected all files in my actual system/lib directories to get a count then did the same in the folder I had extracted which then contained all of the files that were already present and therefor skipped. There were 7 more files in my active lib directory, so it seems that's how many modules my debloating had removed.
I wasn't really sure if/how I'd be able to tell if restoring the modules had any positive effect since the only problems that I had with my phone were so sporadic. I did however run a bench (Antutu) before and after (this morning after the phone had been back on overnight and I had used it a decent amount). The main reason that I was curious about bench scores is that I expected to get higher average scores after debloating, but was surprised that my bench scores stayed exactly where they had been (always somewhere between 68,000 and 69,200. I always screenshot the detailed results with all of the sections expanded (scroll-capture :good: ) after running a bench and jot down any factors or settings that might have some impact on performance on the image before saving it.
Well, it turns out I was... very possibly... right to be suspicious about the lack of an increase in my average bench score. I made sure to use my phone some before testing after my dalvik/cache wipes and such - played a game for a bit, did some web browsing. So after some pretty surprisingly consistent scoring within a pretty narrow range, this morning I hit 72,871(!) with all of the extra points attributed to the (surprisingly, I suppose) 3D tests... some of the other results that I saw in the detailed section were actually a bit lower compared to my test from last night, but all within 500 points of my previous average, i.e. "normal". I'll test again in a week or so or before updating to MM (whichever comes first).
So to wrap this up, I would cautiously recommend this technique for debloating. Summarized: uninstall unwanted system apps however you want, then restore your system/lib directory to it's default install state from the extracted folder from whatever ROM you have installed. Do so at your own risk, of course, particularly if you're on MM. I'll follow the same steps that I posted after doing the update and report back on the results.
Thanks again for this thread and the bloat lists. This type of thread is always a super helpful resource!
The list I compiled is what I personally removed, and tested, using Titanium Backup. No side effects other than the app in question being deleted obviously. I just moved the list around, I have one last chunk of apps to go through. One of these causes the error "emergencyManagerService has stopped" when deleted, and also causes ultra power saving mode to stop working. I will have it done by tonight, and find exactly what app is doing this!
WaterMan! said:
The list I compiled is what I personally removed, and tested, using Titanium Backup. No side effects other than the app in question being deleted obviously. I just moved the list around, I have one last chunk of apps to go through. One of these causes the error "emergencyManagerService has stopped" when deleted, and also causes ultra power saving mode to stop working. I will have it done by tonight, and find exactly what app is doing this!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hey Waterman,
Looking at your list my bet is on something to do with the Launcher. Ultra Power Saving replaces your default launcher with a special BW launcher; I'm thinking that its just a skinned Touchwiz launcher.
kyoji001 said:
Hey Waterman,
Looking at your list my bet is on something to do with the Launcher. Ultra Power Saving replaces your default launcher with a special BW launcher; I'm thinking that its just a skinned Touchwiz launcher.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Spot on! Post has been updated! Seems like my list is practically complete I may do some more tweaking here and there, but that is the vast majority of it. Thanks for the great info!
Never mind. I found the S7 clock apk and it works fine.
Umm...I accidentally uninstalled the stock clock app Could someone possibly upload that apk?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
WaterMan! said:
Spot on! Post has been updated! Seems like my list is practically complete I may do some more tweaking here and there, but that is the vast majority of it. Thanks for the great info!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't know if its worth mentioning in your first post, but the ANT HAL services all have to do with basically fitness wearables. If you use any that aren't BT and remove the ANT+ packages I imagine they will stop functioning.
How do you actually go about removing thsese items?
What are the steps for debloating?
Thanks!
Personally I like some of the Samsung apps & features otherwise I would use a non-Samsung ROM like Resurrection Remix.
I love SHealth and have a Gear VR. I'm surprised if you have a Note 4 and don't use SHealth with its cool heartrate, pulse ox, UV, stress level and other monitoring features. Also think the Samsung photo editor is actually one of the better ones.
Never used CarMode is but it seems like something useful.
Not sure what happens with any of these if you remove Samsung Account and Galaxy Apps I think they may be necessary at least for updates to these apps and for storing the SHealth data.
hehehaha123 said:
How do you actually go about removing thsese items?
What are the steps for debloating?
Thanks!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I used Titanium Backup. There are other apps out there as well, or you can even do it manually.
kyoji001 said:
I don't know if its worth mentioning in your first post, but the ANT HAL services all have to do with basically fitness wearables. If you use any that aren't BT and remove the ANT+ packages I imagine they will stop functioning.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes that is true, and that is exactly what ANT+ does. 99% of people will never use it, I know I personally will not. I haven't yet posted what everything does, but I will. I have been busy and out of town
Aethera said:
Personally I like some of the Samsung apps & features otherwise I would use a non-Samsung ROM like Resurrection Remix.
I love SHealth and have a Gear VR. I'm surprised if you have a Note 4 and don't use SHealth with its cool heartrate, pulse ox, UV, stress level and other monitoring features. Also think the Samsung photo editor is actually one of the better ones.
Never used CarMode is but it seems like something useful.
Not sure what happens with any of these if you remove Samsung Account and Galaxy Apps I think they may be necessary at least for updates to these apps and for storing the SHealth data.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Again, you may use it, but that's a niche. I would never use any of those features. Note 4 is way too big to work out with, nor would I want to. I have never touched the Photo Editor. Car Mode does nothing practical other than neuter phone functionality when driving. Proceed with caution, and don't delete anything you use.
I really like the hardware profile of this phone. I am not a fan of all the Samsung apps and services. I know that defeats the purpose of buying a note 20 ultra, but at the same time. I don't think there will be an android phone released this year that will actually compete with this power house of a device. While I am currently in the iPhone camp, I am looking to switch back to android. I have yet to find a phone that makes that permanent and I always just go back to iPhone. I am asking this because that was the main reason I never kept the note 10+, had so many issues with their services and apps that after a few days I said **** it and just switched back.
I know there are some things that can be done via adb to remove and disable certain things on previous samsung devices. The question is how much of samsungs bloat can you actually disable and remove from this phone?
swagglepuff said:
I really like the hardware profile of this phone. I am not a fan of all the Samsung apps and services. I know that defeats the purpose of buying a note 20 ultra, but at the same time. I don't think there will be an android phone released this year that will actually compete with this power house of a device. While I am currently in the iPhone camp, I am looking to switch back to android. I have yet to find a phone that makes that permanent and I always just go back to iPhone. I am asking this because that was the main reason I never kept the note 10+, had so many issues with their services and apps that after a few days I said **** it and just switched back.
I know there are some things that can be done via adb to remove and disable certain things on previous samsung devices. The question is how much of samsungs bloat can you actually disable and remove from this phone?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You can disable or uninstall anything you want with adb but once uninstalled you may be up a creek without a paddle. I am proficient with adb but I us Package Disabler Pro from the Play Store. If you disable something important just go back and re-enable it.
I've been using adb since the T-Mobile G1, back then you had to use adb commands just to get a screen shot. Package disabler pro has 3 tabs - bloat, system apps and apps you've installed.
If you read about how to uninstall chinese apps from chinese phones, you will xome across a post which explains how to debloat from adb. Try it if you want to debloat
PD MDM package blocker, buy direct from their website for like $3.99, not it's on Playstore. Uses little battery or resources as it runs at boot in the background.
You can block or unblock apks as you wish and set a widget to turn off/on selected ones.
Playstore is one I do this with as it's always busy in the background. You can block carrier software updates so unwanted firmware isn't jammed down your throat.
I have about 60 blocked apks.
It will block all bloatware and many system apks however not all of Knox and Samsung Pay.
You can kill wittle Bixby, amen. However the cam needs Bixby Vision and Bixby Vision framework to function properly.
Rarely does malfunction but if it does you will need to disable it as system administrator as it will run in Safe Mode too. You can save your blocked list for future reloads or refreshes too.
Without this app my unrooted Samsungs be a complete mess... it's my favorite apk. It gets loaded first.
blackhawk said:
PD MDM package blocker, buy direct from their website for like $3.99, not it's on Playstore. Uses little battery or resources as it runs at boot in the background.
You can block or unblock apks as you wish and set a widget to turn off/on selected ones.
Playstore is one I do this with as it's always busy in the background. You can block carrier software updates so unwanted firmware isn't jammed down your throat.
I have about 60 blocked apks.
It will block all bloatware and many system apks however not all of Knox and Samsung Pay.
You can kill wittle Bixby, amen. However the cam needs Bixby Vision and Bixby Vision framework to function properly.
Rarely does malfunction but if it does you will need to disable it as system administrator as it will run in Safe Mode too. You can save your blocked list for future reloads or refreshes too.
Without this app my unrooted Samsungs be a complete mess... it's my favorite apk. It gets loaded first.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That picture you attached brings me hope!! I ran into a lot of issues when I tried the note 10 will all the different crap it has you set up. Had to factory reset in less than 24 hours of having the phone to fix issues with Samsung services mainly Bixby and smart control services. I honestly like the simple ass turn on iPhone use iPhone setup. I miss having the little things around like changing my icons. I miss tasker the most, that program is stupidly powerful and had some really useful profiles setup.
swagglepuff said:
That picture you attached brings me hope!! I ran into a lot of issues when I tried the note 10 will all the different crap it has you set up. Had to factory reset in less than 24 hours of having the phone to fix issues with Samsung services mainly Bixby and smart control services. I honestly like the simple ass turn on iPhone use iPhone setup. I miss having the little things around like changing my icons. I miss tasker the most, that program is stupidly powerful and had some really useful profiles setup.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Samsung has the most customizable non-rooted phones there are. Apple doesn't come close.
It comes at price though as there's a lot to learn.
You need to play with it, a lot.
The Good Lock apps especially One Hand Operation+, custom themes and hundreds of free icon packs are some of the Samsung Android perks.
The 10+ is my first phone to have the memory I need; 1 tb.... hell yeah.
The bad part is unlike Apple there can be conflicts caused by the many different software's and hardware's.
A reload is ok; the next load is always better.
I'm on my 3rd... my SD card is the data/backup drive now. So I won't need to upload near as much the next reload.
I backup all my apks for the next reload to save time and in case they go playstore extinct.
swagglepuff said:
That picture you attached brings me hope!! I ran into a lot of issues when I tried the note 10 will all the different crap it has you set up. Had to factory reset in less than 24 hours of having the phone to fix issues with Samsung services mainly Bixby and smart control services. I honestly like the simple ass turn on iPhone use iPhone setup. I miss having the little things around like changing my icons. I miss tasker the most, that program is stupidly powerful and had some really useful profiles setup.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you like to tinker, you can also use substratum to theme your Samsung now. You need substratum lite and synergy to make it work. Been using it since the Note 8, the current instructions are toward the end of the thread.
https://forum.xda-developers.com/apps/substratum/official-starting-substratum-andromeda-t3798316
blackhawk said:
my SD card is the data/backup drive now. So I won't need to upload near as much the next reload.
I backup all my apks for the next reload to save time and in case they go playstore extinct.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What do you use to backup abs does it Also retain the data? Looking for something similar while also saving the app/data
Sent from my SM-N986U1 using Tapatalk
Ziocomposite said:
What do you use to backup abs does it Also retain the data? Looking for something similar while also saving the app/data
Sent from my SM-N986U1 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Apk Export: https://play.google.com/store/apps/...ort&pcampaignid=APPU_1_A_9MX9iMKsnesAWR5Z_YDA
Remember to save a backup copy to your SD card and/or computer in case the OS crashes and burns. It's rare but it can happen especially if your loading new 3rd party apps.
It allows you to backup system apps/updates too.
Occasionally you want the 2nd update to a system app but the 3rd one is buggy and the factory loaded version is inferior to the 2nd update; no problem if you saved the 2nd or whatever version!
Unfortunately if the app doesn't allow you to export the settings data your boned. Apps like Poweramp fortunately do, it take a lot of work to configure it, lol I keep a couple backups.
Also explore Demo Mode. You can stop animations completely to get even more speed as well as other system tweaks. Get Samsung's Sound Assistant to dail in the volume settings.
As for 3rd launchers be warned, those reloads I talked of were caused by a 3rd party launcher.
Put the phone in a boot loop.... twice.
I've tried a couple launchers but none ran as good as the native Samsung one. It's fast, reliable and isn't a power hog.
You're going to have a lot of fun... I'm still learning new things about my 10+ and Pie.
The 20 U is a very capable Android
This is what my stock 10+ looks like.
blackhawk said:
Apk Export: https://play.google.com/store/apps/...ort&pcampaignid=APPU_1_A_9MX9iMKsnesAWR5Z_YDA
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Much appreciated. Will download and give it a try.
Have been using Action Launcher since Note 8 and works so far with gestures on the N20U!
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.actionlauncher.playstore
Sent from my SM-N986U1 using Tapatalk
Ziocomposite said:
Much appreciated. Will download and give it a try.
Have been using Action Launcher since Note 8 and works so far with gestures on the N20U!
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.actionlauncher.playstore
Sent from my SM-N986U1 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's a great app. No ads.
It allows batch processing too.
All too often a new owner and/or update kills a once great app, so...