Hi all,
Today I have accidentially discovered something that helped my Xperia a little bit.
I started to look into its lag and performance problems after playing for a while with my wife's Motorola Moto G.
By the way, Moto G is a small miracle I'd say.
So I started to investigate for potential source of problems for Xperia. Then... I disabled the "Google search" app (yes, that one on the top of main screen). And the phone works much, much better now !
This is no problem for me as I never used this search bar. But just to confirm, maybe others could also try out if it helps them, too ? It's easily reversible.
Even i did the same thing and it does really help. My phone is as smooth as it should be. Zero lags. And i love the xperia themes
Sent from my C5302 using XDA Free mobile app
emcom said:
Hi all,
Today I have accidentially discovered something that helped my Xperia a little bit.
I started to look into its lag and performance problems after playing for a while with my wife's Motorola Moto G.
By the way, Moto G is a small miracle I'd say.
So I started to investigate for potential source of problems for Xperia. Then... I disabled the "Google search" app (yes, that one on the top of main screen). And the phone works much, much better now !
This is no problem for me as I never used this search bar. But just to confirm, maybe others could also try out if it helps them, too ? It's easily reversible.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah, I agree, Google search (incl. Google Now) drains a lot of battery even when unused-it runs in the background. Also the Moto G is great, my bro and dad own it, I am thinking of getting it as well. :fingers-crossed:
can you search anything in browser afterwards?
le grande magnetto said:
can you search anything in browser afterwards?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Of course, since it has nothing to do with this app.
I disabled google search directly after I bought the phone. It runs extremely smooth especially with 4.3.
Google Search app is just for the widget, google now and all of the background stuff it brings - which is definitely a reason for slow devices and battery drain.
Ungewiss said:
Of course, since it has nothing to do with this app.
I disabled google search directly after I bought the phone. It runs extremely smooth especially with 4.3.
Google Search app is just for the widget, google now and all of the background stuff it brings - which is definitely a reason for slow devices and battery drain.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
for me it was not possible.. neither searching from web page nor from address bar. nothing happened.
le grande magnetto said:
for me it was not possible.. neither searching from web page nor from address bar. nothing happened.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
For me the 'Google now' icon when long tap home change to search button (a magnifier instead google logo), and then open browser in google.com.... I was using dolphin browser, maybe try this?
also, I didn't notice any improvement in perfomance disabling google search.... but I have no Google Play services drain or anything....
What Google applications I can uninstall (rooted phone) ?
Drakomord said:
What Google applications I can uninstall (rooted phone) ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Google Search, Gmail, Google+, almost every Google app, except if u want to download and install apps from the Play Store, it's a must to have Google Play Store and Google Play Services installed on ur phone
MCM4u said:
Google Search, Gmail, Google+, almost every Google app, except if u want to download and install apps from the Play Store, it's a must to have Google Play Store and Google Play Services installed on ur phone
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ok thanks !
Related
I've removed the GooglePlayservices.apk from my phone and not one of the Google apps has lost functionality. What is it used for?
A message comes up in YouTube when I first open it after wiping cache saying I need GooglePlayservices.apk or it won't work but I dismiss it and it works fine.
Also Google search bar says it needs it to work...... It doesn't.
Anyone know what it says ACTUALLY used for?
Sent from my GT-I9505 whilst taking a s**t
Obagleyfreer said:
I've removed the GooglePlayservices.apk from my phone and not one of the Google apps has lost functionality. What is it used for?
A message comes up in YouTube when I first open it after wiping cache saying I need GooglePlayservices.apk or it won't work but I dismiss it and it works fine.
Also Google search bar says it needs it to work...... It doesn't.
Anyone know what it says ACTUALLY used for?
Sent from my GT-I9505 whilst taking a s**t
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi There,
Google Play services is used to update Google apps and apps from Google Play. This app gives you access to Google Settings and helps apps speed up offline searches. So this is basically the gateway between you're apps and google play store. Most off the apps we install uses this app to connect to the play store to check for their updates. If not found the apps (especially google apps) may result in an error or FC.
It doesn't take up that much space or resources. So you may as well keep it.
Hope that helped
He can't keep it. He's deleted it. Ha.
I've disables this app because even if it does not take a lot of space, it is running in background and consuming RAM, CPU and internet data.
Everything works fine without it.
Jaquesels5 said:
Hi There,
Google Play services is used to update Google apps and apps from Google Play. This app gives you access to Google Settings and helps apps speed up offline searches. So this is basically the gateway between you're apps and google play store. Most off the apps we install uses this app to connect to the play store to check for their updates. If not found the apps (especially google apps) may result in an error or FC.
It doesn't take up that much space or resources. So you may as well keep it.
Hope that helped
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I can still see updates available for apps in Google Play without googleplayservices though...........So I don't think you're correct about apps using it to check for updates, they all still work the same.
I've never had one force close since removing it and I can update all my Google apps perfectly fine.
That's why I'm asking, it seems like a pointless app.
It just runs in the background using up RAM and battery.
The processor overhead of looking for it and generating errors and going to the play store may use more battery. Not 100 percent sure though. I'll check. Seems similar to deleting cache /killing a thread takes more to rebuild than leave alone.
Sent from my GT-I9505 using xda app-developers app
About a week ago, I started having issues with the Now Cards (or feeds or whatever Google calls them now) showing up on the Google Now screen when I swipe over. My google search screen (on left) showed no cards even after 24 hours had passed, but in the notification dropdown, it showed a weather notification and showed some number of cards at the bottom right. I could click on the notification and it took me to the Google Now search, which had NO cards. I reset the Google Search settings, history, and the Google app. It worked...for about 2 hours. Now back to notifications showing 21 Cards under the Weather but nothing in the Google now search screen.
Since I was wanting to go ahead and unlock my bootloader and root, I reset the phone, rooted it, and all the other fun stuff. Google Now Cards...still the same problem. Even took the same steps outlined above. I get a few hours where it works, then nothing.
So my question is this: Cards/Feeds seems to be on because I am getting notifications, but clicking on it takes me to a blank Google search screen. How do I make the cards under notifications show on the Google Now search? Or am I missing something else? Did Google just decide to break their own stuff during their EOL for Google Now launcher?
Mine has been doing this occasionally as well, I am using the Google App beta, so I thought it may be due to that. Are you using the stable release?
Tapping the search bar within the Google App (where the cards/feed should be) fixes this issue for me, until the next time it occurs, usually a day or so later.
I'm using stable. My cards have come back again but for how long is unknown. I guess Google is messing things up in the updates because it started happening right after the latest update.
Card went away again. Quite frustrating. I'm using Google now launcher so I will try to switch.
aybarrap1 said:
Card went away again. Quite frustrating. I'm using Google now launcher so I will try to switch.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm using Nova, same issue. Just tapping the search bar from within the Google app brings my cards back.
Tapping the search bar on Nova didn't help until I reset the Google search, then quit working again (yes I get a decent number of feeds do to weather, online orders, etc). I actually liked the now launcher and swiping over as I actually find the cards useful. I like Nova well enough so with now cards being intermittent at best, I might as well turn off the feeds to save battery if they aren't reliable for now and switch over to Nova so I can utilize screen real estate to the left of home.
aybarrap1 said:
Tapping the search bar on Nova didn't help until I reset the Google search, then quit working again (yes I get a decent number of feeds do to weather, online orders, etc). I actually liked the now launcher and swiping over as I actually find the cards useful. I like Nova well enough so with now cards being intermittent at best, I might as well turn off the feeds to save battery if they aren't reliable for now and switch over to Nova so I can utilize screen real estate to the left of home.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Tapping the search bar from within the Google app fixes mine, not on the launcher home screen. So with GNL, swipe to Google Now, tap search, fixed. Nova: open Google app, tap search. On my device this works anyway.
quakeaz said:
Tapping the search bar from within the Google app fixes mine, not on the launcher home screen. So with GNL, swipe to Google Now, tap search, fixed. Nova: open Google app, tap search. On my device this works anyway.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Didn't work on mine. I'll keep trying some various things over the next few days to see what comes of it. Hopefully it is just a bug that Google will release an update to fix.
I had same issue, I solved that issue doing the following:
go to settings => application => app google => empty cache and data
Kind of factory reset for google search app.
Just need to re enable google now after that and cards are back.
Seems not be device related but google search update released 17/02/2017 see the comment on the play store.
guerito73 said:
I had same issue, I solved that issue doing the following:
go to settings => application => app google => empty cache and data
Kind of factory reset for google search app.
Just need to re enable google now after that and cards are back.
Seems not be device related but google search update released 17/02/2017 see the comment on the play store.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
After reading through the reviews on the play store, it is looking like an update issue by Google. Using the Google now launcher pretty much leaves the cards useless for me. If I use another launcher, the Google search app will work with the new tab thing they have going on.
Hi all,
I am with Google Now Launcher. I have the same issue with the google now cards. Can't seem to make them appear on will. They come and go whenever Tried force close on Google app, cleaning cache and so on. Opening the app from the app drawer make no difference. Interestingly when I switch to Pixel Launcher and tap the google logo on the top left on the home screen and then tap the google logo from the search bar all the cards are there but when I go back to GNL the cards are missing
So I guess something is messed with Google app/Google Now Launcher relation.
PsychoTribe said:
Hi all,
I am with Google Now Launcher. I have the same issue with the google now cards. Can't seem to make them appear on will. They come and go whenever Tried force close on Google app, cleaning cache and so on. Opening the app from the app drawer make no difference. Interestingly when I switch to Pixel Launcher and tap the google logo on the top left on the home screen and then tap the google logo from the search bar all the cards are there but when I go back to GNL the cards are missing
So I guess something is messed with Google app/Google Now Launcher relation.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for confirming this. I wonder if Google is just giving up completely on the Google now launcher since they are removing it from the play store. It bites if they are especially considering the are a fair number of people who use it.
aybarrap1 said:
Thanks for confirming this. I wonder if Google is just giving up completely on the Google now launcher since they are removing it from the play store. It bites if they are especially considering the are a fair number of people who use it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
My thoughts exactly
I have also been having this issue. Blank Google Now feed and using the Google Now Launching, which is stock. My MXPE is virgin stock since day 1. I have even factory rest and the issue still came back a couple of days later.
This all started about a month ago for me too.
Darnell_Chat_TN said:
I have also been having this issue. Blank Google Now feed and using the Google Now Launching, which is stock. My MXPE is virgin stock since day 1. I have even factory rest and the issue still came back a couple of days later.
This all started about a month ago for me too.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks. It is obvious from reviews and he that Google screwed it up with an update... About the time they added tabbed feeds. What a crappy way to drop support if that is their end game.
My cards are functioning fine..Haven't noticed any change or missing cards.
aybarrap1 said:
Thanks. It is obvious from reviews and he that Google screwed it up with an update... About the time they added tabbed feeds. What a crappy way to drop support if that is their end game.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah, I started having problems after a Google App update.
When we get Google notifications, for things like time to leave for an appointment. It goes to Google Now when the notification is pressed and there's a blank screen.
If Google were to end support, it would leave us with dibiltated devices.
---------- Post added at 10:06 PM ---------- Previous post was at 09:46 PM ----------
autosurgeon said:
My cards are functioning fine..Haven't noticed any change or missing cards.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Maybe the ROM you're using still uses an older version of the Google app, before the issues started?
Darnell_Chat_TN said:
Yeah, I started having problems after a Google App update.
When we get Google notifications, for things like time to leave for an appointment. It goes to Google Now when the notification is pressed and there's a blank screen.
If Google were to end support, it would leave us with dibiltated devices.
---------- Post added at 10:06 PM ---------- Previous post was at 09:46 PM ----------
Maybe the ROM you're using still uses an older version of the Google app, before the issues started?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The cards work fine if using another launcher like Nova and you enter the Google app. In fact the Google search app when entered via another launcher will show the tabbed feeds that the latest update boasts about.
It is specifically the Google Now Launcher with the swipe to left function which seems to have the feeds broken. The tabbed feeds will not show up in the Google app under Google Now. If you press the colorful G icon, in all apps or the persistent search bar, it does not launch into the Google app, but rather takes you to the left of the homescreen, which is the part that is broken.
Since Google plans to remove the Google Now Launcher from the app store, I fear they may have dropped support for it and will not fix the feeds issue. I hope Google's announcement to bring Google Assistant this week to MM and N will fix this problem... Or give us the Pixel Launcher (I know I'm dreaming but I can hope).
Thank you, you're right. I prefer Arrow Launcher as a fallback and now the cards work again.
And I agree, Google probably will not fix the Now Launcher. We will see how they plan to roll out Google Assistant.
New Google App Update fixes Google Now Launcher, but Nova no longer works the same
There's a new Google App update out. Maybe preparing us for Google Assistant .
It fixes the Google Now Launcher. But now, when clicking "Google" in the search bar on Nova Launcher, instead of Google Now cards opening, it's just a search and nothing more.
After using the Arrow launcher for a bit, I moved to Nova.
I'll stick with Nova for now and added a desktop icon to open Google when I need Google Now cards.
Hi,
I'm looking for a stock ROM without any Google apps or services.
I want to test the phone without Google and see if it is usable.
Is there a script I can use to remove all Google files from the phone?
Thanks
halifage said:
Hi,
I'm looking for a stock ROM without any Google apps or services.
I want to test the phone without Google and see if it is usable.
Is there a script I can use to remove all Google files from the phone?
Thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Are you aware of it? You can't use the same apps with the same behavior as before. It's not a big deal. messenger apps for example uses google play services for instant messaging. Many other apps are unreliable without play services.
But you need to root your stock rom and can freeze Google play services(only this one is enough for first testing). It's the main service/app that's needed for every other Google service/app/connection.
strongst said:
Are you aware of it? You can't use the same apps with the same behavior as before. It's not a big deal. messenger apps for example uses google play services for instant messaging. Many other apps are unreliable without play services.
But you need to root your stock rom and can freeze Google play services(only this one is enough for first testing). It's the main service/app that's needed for every other Google service/app/connection.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
vielen Dank
I am fully aware of the repercussions. I want to dive in and delete the files, not just freeze them.
I've used the terminal debloater as suggested by @rajatgupta1998 but it doesn't offer the option to delete lib, jar, xml and other files.
At least i don't get the black screen after deleting, which is better than all scripts i flashed so far.
You could try NanoDroid, but make a backup before.
https://forum.xda-developers.com/apps/magisk/module-nanomod-5-0-20170405-microg-t3584928
thorin0815 said:
You could try NanoDroid, but make a backup before.
https://forum.xda-developers.com/apps/magisk/module-nanomod-5-0-20170405-microg-t3584928
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
vielen Dank,
But i'm not actually looking install microG or any other form of GApps.
I just want to delete the ones that come with the stock ROM to have a Google-free stock ROM.
It seems certain files (like Google Services Framework) cause the phone to be stuck at black screen during boot.
halifage said:
vielen Dank,
But i'm not actually looking install microG or any other form of GApps.
I just want to delete the ones that come with the stock ROM to have a Google-free stock ROM.
It seems certain files (like Google Services Framework) cause the phone to be stuck at black screen during boot.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
As I wrote before, you can do the following on stock rom: just freeze/delete Google play services app and you cut every Google communications. You can't execute play store, YouTube, drive, accounts or whatever Google app. You'll see no Google play services wakelock anymore. If framework files are there after that doesn't matter.
strongst said:
As I wrote before, you can do the following on stock rom: just freeze/delete Google play services app and you cut every Google communications. You can't execute play store, YouTube, drive, accounts or whatever Google app. You'll see no Google play services wakelock anymore. If framework files are there after that doesn't matter.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks.
Looks like my only option so far.
halifage said:
Thanks.
Looks like my only option so far.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just do this test and see if it's suitable for your purposes
strongst said:
Just do this test and see if it's suitable for your purposes
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Testing now.
@strongst It's actually kinda like having the best of both worlds. It turns out some apps that required the maps API still works, including Maps (from Google).
The added bonus is that is can switch play services on at will.
I just deleted Google apps that i don't use.
Phone has been working without any issues at all. I have very few apps (whatsapp, automateIt, etc). i use xperia keyboard, FOSS apps like new pipe (for youtube), Dnotes (for keep), yalp store (for playe store).
Battery life and SOT have almost doubled.
Anyone else notice that Google Play Services is regularly using GPS location, even when you have no app open? Why? Is it Google, OnePlus, or some rogue app? How can I find out who is tracking me?
I get the same thing also.
Even when my phone is not being used I see the notification pop up and wake up the phone.
FYI, I think it may be the Google app*. I've disabled it and I have yet to see this happen. Will update if I learn more.
Disabling that app means you can't use Google's smart assistant or quick search features... but I don't care for those anyway.
*The app that is literally called Google.
Play Services checks GPS on a regular basis and then feeds that info to other apps when they request it.
Just disable the notification.
iaTa said:
Play Services checks GPS on a regular basis and then feeds that info to other apps when they request it.
Just disable the notification.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Disabling the notification does nothing to solve the problem.
It isn't a problem, it's by design.
iaTa said:
It isn't a problem, it's by design.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Maybe you are okay with an app constantly pinging your GPS. I'm not... especially when I don't know what app is doing it.
Update on disabling the Google app: I have yet to see Google Play services using GPS after I disabled the Google app. As an added bonus, battery use by Google Play services is down, whereas it typically is in the top 3.
I get this too. It's most likely related to Location History.
yerger said:
I get this too. It's most likely related to Location History.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Maybe, but Location History is disabled for me across all my accounts.
You guys that don't like Google should check out NanoDroid. It uses micro G and a lot of Google alternative apps. Think of it as a Gapps without the G.
Hi there, I wish your expert help please (I'll throw this phone otherwise, too much effort/time lost).
I'm using a P9 Lite with build number VNS-L31C432B417 , Android 7.0.
I can't find any good reference to that number on the Internet.
Since months Google services is not running any longer on my phone, e.g. G's icons all disappeared. Cleared cached of G's apps , made whatever (but rooting), without success as of today (no emails, no youtube, no play store etc).
Now, I wish to upgrade the OS but it keeps saying 'No Updates Available', your phone is already up to date...
Connection Mac desktop-phone via HiSuite fails (despite I enabled HiSuite on HDB, on my phone's settings), "HiSuite quit unexpectedly".
Use of HiCare useless as well, no update found.
Can you please help out here ?
Thanks much for your time
rslite said:
Hi there, I wish your expert help please (I'll throw this phone otherwise, too much effort/time lost).
I'm using a P9 Lite with build number VNS-L31C432B417 , Android 7.0.
I can't find any good reference to that number on the Internet.
Since months Google services is not running any longer on my phone, e.g. G's icons all disappeared. Cleared cached of G's apps , made whatever (but rooting), without success as of today (no emails, no youtube, no play store etc).
Now, I wish to upgrade the OS but it keeps saying 'No Updates Available', your phone is already up to date...
Connection Mac desktop-phone via HiSuite fails (despite I enabled HiSuite on HDB, on my phone's settings), "HiSuite quit unexpectedly".
Use of HiCare useless as well, no update found.
Can you please help out here ?
Thanks much for your time
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hello,
yes the "phone throw" will be part of the disciplines
of the next Olympics, so train well ...
I state that I am not an expert, just a user like you, perhaps with a little more experience ...
Okay, I checked and your firmware is actually the latest available.
That's weird...
How is it possible that you no longer have the services of big G?
Which big G app did you clear the cache if you no longer have them on the device?
P9 Lite phone throw - G apps
Dadditz said:
Hello,
yes the "phone throw" will be part of the disciplines
of the next Olympics, so train well ...
I state that I am not an expert, just a user like you, perhaps with a little more experience ...
Okay, I checked and your firmware is actually the latest available.
That's weird...
How is it possible that you no longer have the services of big G?
Which big G app did you clear the cache if you no longer have them on the device?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hello, hi, thanks for your answer.
I can still see them all listed in Settings > Apps ! That's the point.
I can see them (GMail, Google, Google News, Play Books, Play Games, Play Movies, Play Music, Play services, Google+, Hangouts...), and they are up working.... I cleared the cache mainly for " Google Play services ". Some of their icons are still on my screen but e.g. clicking on GMail or YouTube I get " Gmail won't run without Google Play services, which are not supported by your device " ....... !!!
Of course I logged out and relogged onto my G account .... but nothing changed.
So ?
rslite said:
Hello, hi, thanks for your answer.
I can still see them all listed in Settings > Apps ! That's the point.
I can see them (GMail, Google, Google News, Play Books, Play Games, Play Movies, Play Music, Play services, Google+, Hangouts...), and they are up working.... I cleared the cache mainly for " Google Play services ". Some of their icons are still on my screen but e.g. clicking on GMail or YouTube I get " Gmail won't run without Google Play services, which are not supported by your device " ....... !!!
Of course I logged out and relogged onto my G account .... but nothing changed.
So ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ok, it's clear, google play services for some reason no longer does its job.
Dude, I don't know, something screwed up your device.... once I solved it like this:
Settings> security> device administrator and disable 'android device management':
Go back and access apps, then find and press on
google play services:
Press on uninstall or uninstall updates.
Open the play stores and update google play services as one
any application.
If it doesn't automatically, look for it in the top bar
and update it ...
I hope it works for you too ...
P9 Lite to throw away - reset
Dadditz said:
Ok, it's clear, google play services for some reason no longer does its job.
Dude, I don't know, something screwed up your device.... once I solved it like this:
Settings> security> device administrator and disable 'android device management':
Go back and access apps, then find and press on
google play services:
Press on uninstall or uninstall updates.
Open the play stores and update google play services as one
any application.
If it doesn't automatically, look for it in the top bar
and update it ...
I hope it works for you too ...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you for your suggestion..... I just did a hard reset and obviously everything got back working...... Not really the way to solve the issue, surely the most effective.
rslite said:
Thank you for your suggestion..... I just did a hard reset and obviously everything got back working...... Not really the way to solve the issue, surely the most effective.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Solved with a factory reset ?
Well, so it wasn't that bad ...
Regards dude.