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I have been reading this forum for some weeks now and wanted to thank you all for the great info here. I got my first Android phone (Vibrant) a few weeks ago.
I found out about rooting just yesterday. Since I really don't want to spend a lot of time troubleshooting the phone, I had a few questions to figure out whether I should root or not:
Will rooting my phone be overall worth it? Will I have to troubleshoot it a lot as a result? It works well now.
How will the updates work in the future? For example, I won't have to worry about Android 2.2 because it will be included in Cyanogen? Will my phone notify me when it's time to update?
This one is important: are there any instructions that tell me how to backup my current phone so that I can restore it to the original condition in case something happens?
Is Cyanogen accepted to be the best for rooting?
Will all my applications become uninstalled? Will anything else change besides my access level? I read some conflicting into on this.
Can you think of any disadvantages to rooting (other than possible voiding of warranty if you can't hide it)?
Do you guys have a list in this forum as to which applications are bloatware and should be removed (and are safe to remove)? I don't know anything about Android, so I have no idea
And finally, is there a thread/list where all the most important/useful applications that should be installed after rooting are listed? I know titanium backup is one. I couldn't understand what BusyBox does. So a list with explanations would be great.
I haven't liked the battery life of this phone and I am hoping that after removing all the bloatware from it that issue might be fixed as well. My phone starts with 160M+ memory. Even though I keep killing open applications, the performance keeps dropping over time until I can't get more memory beyond ~90M. This is when I have to shut down the phone and turn back on. Other than tethering, my main reason for rooting is 1.performance gain and 2.battery life extension.
Thanks for all the help. A lot of talented people on this forum.
There is no reason to not root this phone in my opinion. You can unroot it. You will get OTA updates using the stock ROM. Many of the recommended apps, guides, useful information is in the sticky at the top. Please read that, then ask any more detailed question you may have.
edit: when you root, there will be NO change to your apps/contacts/settings/etc.... you will reboot and be like "well, am I rooted?"... look for the superuser app in your app drawer, there? Good, you were successful.
Ok, you got an excellent thread there that pretty much answered all my questions! I will root my phone and get back here if I have any more questions, with a cleaned up list. Thanks.
will applying the RyanZA fix stop the OTA update?
A lot of people have this misconception that rooting means modifying their phone. Rooting by itself is not really modifying anything on your phone, all it does is give you super user privileges.
Think of your Mac or Windows PC, you have administrative accounts and you have user accounts. Admins can do anything, user accounts are typically limited.
When you have root access to your phone, you are the admin. You can access features that default account can't.
With that said, once you do have su you step into a whole new world with many different paths. You can can simply stay rooted and use apps that required root access and leave it at that.
Or you can dive into custom ROMs. This is where you step off the manufacturers intended path and follow community developed versions of the operating system.
Alternatively, in between those two extremes above you can do many things in between. You can stay with stock rom but have custom (modules or programs) APKs, or other modifications that change or expand on stock ROM.
Always keep in mind that once you choose to root, what happens to your device is your responsibility. Once again, your responsibility. If you are not willing to accept that, then stay non-rooted/stock and responsibility will be on Samsung to add/remove features, provide updates, fix bugs, etc.
Ok, so a few questions:
I bought Autostart and hid the system apps. Now what? I don't know what to disable from this list. There are applications, but they are listed under several categories. For example, "Application Removed." I have no idea what that category is for. Should I just worry about "After Startup"? Please elaborate.
You don't recommend AppKiller. Won't all those open applications just drain the battery? For example, if I have TeleNav open, how can I close it after I am done using it without AKiller?
There is an entire thread of various people posting various things, but I still would like to see just ONE combined list of all the "safe" bloatware to remove and "risky" ones. That thread did not help me at all since various people are reporting various things.
You recommend Root Explorer, which is kind of expensive. Is there any reason why I can't use the uninstall function of Titanium Backup? Is it any less thorough?
Where is the restart function?
How can I disable those annoying power down and power up sounds of the phone? Can this be done without lowering system volume?
Thanks!
Awesome, Glad to hear your root went well.
1. I bought Autostart and hid the system apps. Now what? I don't know what to disable from this list. There are applications, but they are listed under several categories. For example, "Application Removed." I have no idea what that category is for. Should I just worry about "After Startup"? Please elaborate.
I remove almost all non-system apps unless it is logical wht said app would need to function, aka, text received you would not want to block messanger/handcent..... if there is something you are questioning, just let me know.
2. You don't recommend AppKiller. Won't all those open applications just drain the battery? For example, if I have TeleNav open, how can I close it after I am done using it without AKiller?
Now that you have root, remove all of the bloatware and it will not be an issue. These run in the background and very likely are not using ANY of your resources.
3. There is an entire thread of various people posting various things, but I still would like to see just ONE combined list of all the "safe" bloatware to remove and "risky" ones. That thread did not help me at all since various people are reporting various things.
I used that thread because a lot of people posted the apps they removed. Almost all of them can be removed, if there is one you are questioning, let me know.
4. You recommend Root Explorer, which is kind of expensive. Is there any reason why I can't use the uninstall function of Titanium Backup? Is it any less thorough?
I mentioned in the sticky that I do not use TB. I know it allows you to remove apps, but Root Explorer does this and a lot more. For example..... #6
5. Where is the restart function?
Not sure I know what you mean? if you want a reboot option you can get Quick Boot from the market.
6. How can I disable those annoying power down and power up sounds of the phone? Can this be done without lowering system volume?
In the sticky I show where the files are located. With Root Explorer you can navigate to them and delete the files.
I agree with a lot on this thread. A master Guide for rooting/unrooting and usage should be made. The FAQ currently stickied is informative for the most part but it focuses on far too many things to be able to go into enough detail on each. Personally I would like a "All things root" guide or something sticked which is comprehensive and focuses JUST on that, with the most common root usage apps and things posted (including safe disabling or removal of bloat, backing up, flashing roms, etc.) so that people who have NO idea whatsoever and it is their first phone or something can just read that and feel at home. I may start working on one if no one else does it, we'll see.
}{Alienz}{ said:
so that people who have NO idea whatsoever and it is their first phone or something can just read that and feel at home.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'd say that if someone has no idea what they are doing, the last thing they should be attempting is flashing firmware on their phone.
The layer of obscurity and technical difficulty associated with rooting/modding is of benefit in terms of preventing people from doing things they should not be doing without sufficient knowledge base.
There is plenty of info here and online in general to start someone off if they are interested in learning about this in general.
IMHO, creating a trail of bread crumbs for someone who doesn't know what they are doing is more likely to hurt them or community in general rather than help them.
In my experience rooting your could be fun and a nightmare, if not done properly and, you have of time on you're you could become a rom switching addict cyanogen is currently available for the vibrant you can still root, but you will be on stock vibrant rom.till samsung release the source code so no froyo.and the rumor is that they won't release the source code.
Sent from my Nexus One using XDA App
s15274n said:
Awesome, Glad to hear your root went well.
1. I bought Autostart and hid the system apps. Now what? I don't know what to disable from this list. There are applications, but they are listed under several categories. For example, "Application Removed." I have no idea what that category is for. Should I just worry about "After Startup"? Please elaborate.
I remove almost all non-system apps unless it is logical wht said app would need to function, aka, text received you would not want to block messanger/handcent..... if there is something you are questioning, just let me know.
2. You don't recommend AppKiller. Won't all those open applications just drain the battery? For example, if I have TeleNav open, how can I close it after I am done using it without AKiller?
Now that you have root, remove all of the bloatware and it will not be an issue. These run in the background and very likely are not using ANY of your resources.
3. There is an entire thread of various people posting various things, but I still would like to see just ONE combined list of all the "safe" bloatware to remove and "risky" ones. That thread did not help me at all since various people are reporting various things.
I used that thread because a lot of people posted the apps they removed. Almost all of them can be removed, if there is one you are questioning, let me know.
4. You recommend Root Explorer, which is kind of expensive. Is there any reason why I can't use the uninstall function of Titanium Backup? Is it any less thorough?
I mentioned in the sticky that I do not use TB. I know it allows you to remove apps, but Root Explorer does this and a lot more. For example..... #6
5. Where is the restart function?
Not sure I know what you mean? if you want a reboot option you can get Quick Boot from the market.
6. How can I disable those annoying power down and power up sounds of the phone? Can this be done without lowering system volume?
In the sticky I show where the files are located. With Root Explorer you can navigate to them and delete the files.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
1. What I don't understand is that the category says "New Outgoing Call" and GVoice beneath it. So I should NOT disable it, right? Because it has nothing to do with startup? But if so, then almost every other category has nothing to do with startup either. It is only the first listing that says "After Startup" and it misses A LOT of applications that do start up, like TeleNav. I don't even see TeleNav anywhere in that list. Same is true for "Email," Gallery," "Voice Dialer," and a bunch of other apps that I don't want to start on startup. I don't see any way of killing these other than by ATKiller. Am I missing something here?
2. See the problem is this: right now I have Telenav and I use it sometimes. However, I don't want it to run just whenever. So if I don't want to uninstall it, isn't my only solution ATKiller? There are other programs like this. And I can't disable them from the Autostart menu either since they're not there (Filtered out System files).
3. That site does not list what each of the bloatware does. For example, I am not sure I want to remove Account and Sync because I might need it for my bills. Same thing with "MyFiles." I don't even know what "vvm" is.
4. I am not able to tether the phone. I already tried Barnacle and it said "Running..." after I disabled supplicant, used channel 6, and disable ad-hoc. Then I tried this: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=739147&highlight=tether, but I am still not able to connect. My laptop detects the phone as "computer-to-computer network," but when I click connect, it keeps trying to connect and then doesn't. I am not sure where to go from here.
Thanks.
One more thing I still don't know: how are the updates going to work from now on? Whenever an Android update comes out, like 2.1update or Froyo, do I have to come here and do everything manually? Or is there a way from within the phone to find out with one click? I am assuming whatever update is available for the phone will also be available for custom download (otherwise I could unroot, update, reroot?).
Thanks.
By the way, I also agree about a complete guide. It's not that it will enable the clueless to mess up their phone, but rather the opposite - it will allow the clueless to become cluefull. Such a guide would be very helpful. Meanwhile I am having to jump from thread to thread and then to Google trying to find out about this or that. That's not to say that the guide available isn't very helpful already.
I've already contacted a few people about starting said guide. I have not got much feedback from people willing to help....
^ you've asked a lot man... I can try and answer some, but you need to keep doing some reading. I feel like I've offered up a lot as is.
Just b/c you have root, does not mean you will not receive the OTA updates. If Froyo is released, you can update from the phone, you will lose root though. Most of us, will wait for the developers to have a stock froyo + root that we can flash.
why use telenav? I am not familiar.. just curious why not use google nav?
autostarts, just b/c you have it set to not start an app on boot, does not mean when you click the icon to open it will cause an issue. Really not that big of a deal. If you notice an issue, just set the app back to enabled.
Do not use a task killer.
The thread I linked has plenty of information for what you can remove from the phone, with instructions.... same for the barnacle tether app. If you want, download Wireless Tether, google it... the source code is on google.
http://code.google.com/p/android-wifi-tether/downloads/list
androidaddict23 said:
In my experience rooting your could be fun and a nightmare, if not done properly and, you have of time on you're you could become a rom switching addict cyanogen is currently available for the vibrant you can still root, but you will be on stock vibrant rom.till samsung release the source code so no froyo.and the rumor is that they won't release the source code.
Sent from my Nexus One using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Cyanogen is not yet available for the Vibrant. It will soon.
Froyo-cooked ROMS are already out for the Vibrant (alas with some bugs) so I don't think there's a reason to think Cyanogen won't be on Froyo.
Also: Never having done a root/rom flash does not make someone stupid or signify they should never try it. It just means they should READ some documentation and be technically up to the challenge before they do. I don't think having a clear guide on most of the process will hurt anyone who is coming into this but doesn't yet know all the details and steps of what to do.
Excelsius said:
Ok, you got an excellent thread there that pretty much answered all my questions! I will root my phone and get back here if I have any more questions, with a cleaned up list. Thanks.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
glad the root went well for you. I am wanting to root my phone too, but not sure which root method is easiest and best.
Which root method did you use?
I had a mytouch rooted before the Vibrant, but they are way different and I dont want to screw up
s15274n said:
I've already contacted a few people about starting said guide. I have not got much feedback from people willing to help....
^ you've asked a lot man... I can try and answer some, but you need to keep doing some reading. I feel like I've offered up a lot as is.
Just b/c you have root, does not mean you will not receive the OTA updates. If Froyo is released, you can update from the phone, you will lose root though. Most of us, will wait for the developers to have a stock froyo + root that we can flash.
why use telenav? I am not familiar.. just curious why not use google nav?
autostarts, just b/c you have it set to not start an app on boot, does not mean when you click the icon to open it will cause an issue. Really not that big of a deal. If you notice an issue, just set the app back to enabled.
Do not use a task killer.
The thread I linked has plenty of information for what you can remove from the phone, with instructions.... same for the barnacle tether app. If you want, download Wireless Tether, google it... the source code is on google.
http://code.google.com/p/android-wifi-tether/downloads/list
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I appreciate all your answers. I don't mean to say that anyone else can't answer as well. I am still unclear on several things I asked and would appreciate if someone could chime in, at least about the exact procedures for using autostart and the reasoning behind not using the task killer. I am new to Android, but I am pretty good at computers, including building them. So when I am learning about doing this or that, I would like to know about the reasoning behind that. I am sure that all of the questions I ask here I can find out on my own, but I was hoping that I could utilize the purpose of the forum and learn something from the veterans rather than reinventing the wheel myself.
I am using Telenav because I have a one month free trial. I discovered Google Nav just yesterday. I just want to compare them myself, even though it is unlikely I will pay $10/month in either case. But remember that Telenav is just one of the applications causing issues.
Thanks for all the answers. Please don't feel pressured to answer all the things I might ask. If I don't get enough answers, I'll just do a quick thread search and if that's not fruitful, I'll create a specific thread for autostart usage.
androidaddict23 said:
till samsung release the source code so no froyo.and the rumor is that they won't release the source code.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Isn't this illegal? I thought the whole point of Android was opensource and under the GPL License, they are required to post the full source code, right? Or I could just be way off base here.
kboater said:
glad the root went well for you. I am wanting to root my phone too, but not sure which root method is easiest and best.
Which root method did you use?
I had a mytouch rooted before the Vibrant, but they are way different and I dont want to screw up
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I used the first procedure recommended in the sticky: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=7150299&postcount=1
I am not sure why it said that you have to restart several times. Here are some clarifications on the steps there that I think were not too clear:
1. When you connect your device, you need to pull down the message area, click on the USB, and only then you will see the option to MOUNT your phone. I had to experiment to figure this out.
2. The guide doesn't say, but if your USB debugging mode is on, I would disable it, just to be safe: Settings (this is that leftmost button on your phone when you're at your desktop)-->Applications-->Development-->USB debugging (uncheck). This might be unnecessary, but I did it just to be safe.
3. When you are copying the Update.zip file into your phone, make sure you check the size of the folder. It must be your internal storage - it will be 12GB+ and will have your system files. If you have trouble identifying this, simply remove your SD card!
4. When you are restarting the phone, make sure you press the volume button in the MIDDLE so that it is entirely pressed (up and down). While holding it, press and hold the power. Do not let go of the volume button until your enter the recovery menu.
Anyway, that's what I did and rooted from the first time without any issues.
t0phux said:
Isn't this illegal? I thought the whole point of Android was opensource and under the GPL License, they are required to post the full source code, right? Or I could just be way off base here.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It could be that Samsung has modified the code for their own phones making the code their property, while the "regular" 2.2 (unmodified) would be available to everyone. I could be wrong, but I think this how it would work.
Excelsius said:
I used the first procedure recommended in the sticky: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=7150299&postcount=1
I am not sure why it said that you have to restart several times. Here are some clarifications on the steps there that I think were not too clear:
1. When you connect your device, you need to pull down the message area, click on the USB, and only then you will see the option to MOUNT your phone. I had to experiment to figure this out.
2. The guide doesn't say, but if your USB debugging mode is on, I would disable it, just to be safe: Settings (this is that leftmost button on your phone when you're at your desktop)-->Applications-->Development-->USB debugging (uncheck). This might be unnecessary, but I did it just to be safe.
3. When you are copying the Update.zip file into your phone, make sure you check the size of the folder. It must be your internal storage - it will be 12GB+ and will have your system files. If you have trouble identifying this, simply remove your SD card!
4. When you are restarting the phone, make sure you press the volume button in the MIDDLE so that it is entirely pressed (up and down). While holding it, press and hold the power. Do not let go of the volume button until your enter the recovery menu.
Anyway, that's what I did and rooted from the first time without any issues.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
thanks
10 char
Custom ROM is failure, the cause of failure is very simple, because there is no consideration to the Se.Android, the method including the use of the packaging system is wrong, because the device can not use Odin, want more friends to know about it!
http://selinuxproject.org/page/SEAndroid
Mod edit: Deleted quote removed
i believe this is a security feature for android. to prevent spam and other thing like that.
security enhanced for who ?
artojeda1988 said:
Mod edit: Deleted quote removed
i believe this is a security feature for android. to prevent spam and other thing like that.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Oh really, I doubt that, unless you define security for who. Like, NSA make an app for android to help us fight spam ? Think again, what app would N.S.A. make for us ? You can find and remove the app using other apps, like android tuner, android assistant, battery monitor widget, and others.
Whatever you think it is, take a look at SEAndroid's permissions. Then compare that to any super-user app you have/use. SEAndroid has ALL permissions. Still, the app doesnt 'exist' in app store, app lists, and the likes. No choice to install nor uninstall it ?
I removed it, and among several results, the sms messaging is faulty now. So much for security feature.
Even as security feature has two sides <to be seen from>. What do you think ? There's apparently tons of threads on this subject inhere under a spread of various mobiles, but like this one there aren't always much to gain. Frankly, I don't GET the OP's point in posting this thread..seems it starts off with rhetorical question, then the actual post:
'custom ROM is failure' . uhm ok - what ? ... 'there is no consideration to se.android' uhm ok..what ?? i could go on by every sentence following. 'wrong packaging' , 'device cannot use odin' etc etc The OP is just too strange for me. Sure, I don't get all the jargon maybe, not.
and the the link. Can someoone tell me the point of the OP ?
artojeda> I don't even consider it a security feature, and it doesn't prevent spam IMO. Why is it a feature, when is has no settings ? A feature has settings, right ? This SEAndroid has no settings, it is not appearing under apps, and it does not seem to be able to be installed (or uninstalled) through the app market. I hides undercover in the memory/cache and dumping it, makes it re-load again. With a rooted phone, it consistently comes up with a grey triangle notification message saying this
'Detect Information. The device has detected and application attempting unpermitted actions. To protect your device, it is recommended you reboot.'
OK some questions one by one: WHY..
00) WHY is it called security app ? is it a 'NSA Security app' for android or is it a 'security app' from NSA, what's the difference ? DOes it secure NSA or does it secure YOU?
0) WHY does this app(seandroid> not identify itself in the message, or the notification message header ? Pressing the notification does nothing.
1) WHY is this 'app' referring to the device in question as 'device' ? It KNOWS what device the device-in-use it is, and anyway, it is the-app-in-question (seandroid) that has detected anything, not 'the device'. the app-in-question is not mentioned anywhere, there is just a grey triangle, and that crap for information.
2) WHY does the app (seandroid) not mention WHICH app that has <apparently> attempted unpermitted actions ? The app-in-question KNOWS this, or at least have an idea, but it doesn't let you know. With hundreds of apps installed it could be any app, even seandroid
3) WHY does the app-in-question not tell you details on what the actual actions are/were, regarding the <apparently> 'attempting unpermitted actions' ? It KNOWS or has an idea of this, but does not let you know.
4) WHY, or why, is there no settings ? The app (seandroid) claims the <unknown> actions are 'unpermitted'. Well, if so, what permits and unpermits these actions, who decides what ?? With no setting, no knowledge, and no information of what app does what actions, and what is unpermitted about it, what is one to judge hereof ?? Just trust seandroid on, like "Something's not right, somebuddy screwed up something somewhere, and better sleep on it, and start all over" ?
5) Why does it tell you to protect your device ? 'To protect your device' is subtle, as there is hardly any idea of what is the invasive / corrupt application or whatever it is - nor whatever thread it poses to the 'device'. Anyhow the advice for a cure of the disease is just as wicked
6) WHY does it recommend a reboot for 'protection' ? a Re-start of phone, hot or not, would just repeat the cycle, bring up the notification message soon enough, advicing you to reboot again. Eventually if you open whatever app caused the triangle to pop up.
since all software and hardware are manmade, human analogies are often quite in place. the NSA app was naggin me, cos i had rooted phone. Therefore I removed it. Then OTHER apps are naggin me or slowing down much. Now, the texting doesn't work, they aren't getting sent. As intuitive android can ever get, there is this blue waving ring for waiting, like something's actually going on.. but no. it keeps like that forever. Call it broken handshaking or whatever.
If you ask me, that's just proof it's a stupid backdoor program, it has ALL permissions, and since the texting doesnt work without seandroid, it obviously have a say regarding the outgoing text messages.
Thread Cleaned
Please stay on topic.
Aerobotix said:
Oh really, I doubt that, unless you define security for who. Like, NSA make an app for android to help us fight spam ? Think again, what app would N.S.A. make for us ? You can find and remove the app using other apps, like android tuner, android assistant, battery monitor widget, and others.
Whatever you think it is, take a look at SEAndroid's permissions. Then compare that to any super-user app you have/use. SEAndroid has ALL permissions. Still, the app doesnt 'exist' in app store, app lists, and the likes. No choice to install nor uninstall it ?
I removed it, and among several results, the sms messaging is faulty now. So much for security feature.
Even as security feature has two sides <to be seen from>. What do you think ? There's apparently tons of threads on this subject inhere under a spread of various mobiles, but like this one there aren't always much to gain. Frankly, I don't GET the OP's point in posting this thread..seems it starts off with rhetorical question, then the actual post:
'custom ROM is failure' . uhm ok - what ? ... 'there is no consideration to se.android' uhm ok..what ?? i could go on by every sentence following. 'wrong packaging' , 'device cannot use odin' etc etc The OP is just too strange for me. Sure, I don't get all the jargon maybe, not.
and the the link. Can someoone tell me the point of the OP ?
artojeda> I don't even consider it a security feature, and it doesn't prevent spam IMO. Why is it a feature, when is has no settings ? A feature has settings, right ? This SEAndroid has no settings, it is not appearing under apps, and it does not seem to be able to be installed (or uninstalled) through the app market. I hides undercover in the memory/cache and dumping it, makes it re-load again. With a rooted phone, it consistently comes up with a grey triangle notification message saying this
'Detect Information. The device has detected and application attempting unpermitted actions. To protect your device, it is recommended you reboot.'
OK some questions one by one: WHY..
00) WHY is it called security app ? is it a 'NSA Security app' for android or is it a 'security app' from NSA, what's the difference ? DOes it secure NSA or does it secure YOU?
0) WHY does this app(seandroid> not identify itself in the message, or the notification message header ? Pressing the notification does nothing.
1) WHY is this 'app' referring to the device in question as 'device' ? It KNOWS what device the device-in-use it is, and anyway, it is the-app-in-question (seandroid) that has detected anything, not 'the device'. the app-in-question is not mentioned anywhere, there is just a grey triangle, and that crap for information.
2) WHY does the app (seandroid) not mention WHICH app that has <apparently> attempted unpermitted actions ? The app-in-question KNOWS this, or at least have an idea, but it doesn't let you know. With hundreds of apps installed it could be any app, even seandroid
3) WHY does the app-in-question not tell you details on what the actual actions are/were, regarding the <apparently> 'attempting unpermitted actions' ? It KNOWS or has an idea of this, but does not let you know.
4) WHY, or why, is there no settings ? The app (seandroid) claims the <unknown> actions are 'unpermitted'. Well, if so, what permits and unpermits these actions, who decides what ?? With no setting, no knowledge, and no information of what app does what actions, and what is unpermitted about it, what is one to judge hereof ?? Just trust seandroid on, like "Something's not right, somebuddy screwed up something somewhere, and better sleep on it, and start all over" ?
5) Why does it tell you to protect your device ? 'To protect your device' is subtle, as there is hardly any idea of what is the invasive / corrupt application or whatever it is - nor whatever thread it poses to the 'device'. Anyhow the advice for a cure of the disease is just as wicked
6) WHY does it recommend a reboot for 'protection' ? a Re-start of phone, hot or not, would just repeat the cycle, bring up the notification message soon enough, advicing you to reboot again. Eventually if you open whatever app caused the triangle to pop up.
since all software and hardware are manmade, human analogies are often quite in place. the NSA app was naggin me, cos i had rooted phone. Therefore I removed it. Then OTHER apps are naggin me or slowing down much. Now, the texting doesn't work, they aren't getting sent. As intuitive android can ever get, there is this blue waving ring for waiting, like something's actually going on.. but no. it keeps like that forever. Call it broken handshaking or whatever.
If you ask me, that's just proof it's a stupid backdoor program, it has ALL permissions, and since the texting doesnt work without seandroid, it obviously have a say regarding the outgoing text messages.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This thread has apparently been seriously cleaned up and I guess much of the discussion here is lost, but I wanted to point out a few things. My apologies if this is completely unrelated to whatever was being discussed here.
SEAndroid is not an app. Its a port of most of the SELinux (also developed mainly by NSA) mechanisms to Android. Keep in mind that SELinux comes by default with Fedora and quite a few other distros and is a very popular security enhancement to Linux based systems. If you are referring to the SEAdmin app that is bundled with SEAndroid (both of which are 100% open source), the app is simply gives you control over which SELinux components and mechanisms along with the MAC enforcement, you want to enforce.
SEAndroid is completely open source, and no one has been able to find any kind of suspicious looking code in there. Of course the modifications and additions that SEAndroid brings with it runs deep. Same with SELinux. This is obviously necessary to provide mandatory access control (MAC) to an operating system which is DAC based.
Hi all,
I am part of an IT Client team and we are trying to prep for the deployment of the GS4. The S3 is our current standard and was received pretty well, but some of the features are overwhelming to our sales force. Is there any way that we can disable some of these features perhaps even automatically via ADB and a USB cable?
Also, we are wanting to have our company app preinstalled. Currently it resides in the marketplace but apparently some of our sales force don't understand the Play Store and that they actually have to go find the app and install it. Is there a way to automatically sideload our app? We were also discussing a launcher like launcherpro with an xml file included that contains default locations for icons, data, etc.
Has anyone tried this before? Please advise with ideas/suggestions. We don't want to flash a ROM generated by our company because that would require too much overhead on our part to manage because thousands of phones need to me maintained. We also don't want to root the NatureUI/Touchwiz stock rom that comes with the S4.
metroidnemesis13 said:
Hi all,
I am part of an IT Client team and we are trying to prep for the deployment of the GS4. The S3 is our current standard and was received pretty well, but some of the features are overwhelming to our sales force. Is there any way that we can disable some of these features perhaps even automatically via ADB and a USB cable?
Also, we are wanting to have our company app preinstalled. Currently it resides in the marketplace but apparently some of our sales force don't understand the Play Store and that they actually have to go find the app and install it. Is there a way to automatically sideload our app? We were also discussing a launcher like launcherpro with an xml file included that contains default locations for icons, data, etc.
Has anyone tried this before? Please advise with ideas/suggestions. We don't want to flash a ROM generated by our company because that would require too much overhead on our part to manage because thousands of phones need to me maintained. We also don't want to root the NatureUI/Touchwiz stock rom that comes with the S4.
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I'm not quite sure about disabling features on the stock ROM. I know there's an Easy mode that can be used for first time smartphone owners. As far as preloading your company app, you can write a script to do so. However, that requires you to manually enable developer mode and USB debugging on every single phone. I'm not sure how practical this is, considering you have so many phones. A better way might be to send a mass text message or email to each of the phones with the play store link to the app. Once again, considering the employees might be unfamiliar with the phone, a text would probably be the simple way to go. I would use side-loading as a way of installing your app in the event that someone had an issue with the text. I believe you'd run into the same issues with preinstalling LauncherPro and associated xml files. It doesn't seem there's a way you can properly deploy what you need to w/o going hands on on all units.
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Depending on what functionality you would like to disable, you can go to the App Manager heading in the Settings menu, and disable system apps you don't use. In terms of disabling parts of functionality in certain system apps, that probably wouldn't be possible on stock unrooted devices.
metroidnemesis13 said:
apparently some of our sales force don't understand the Play Store
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I'm not sure how to solve your problem. I was going to say once you are willing to ADB and USB debug you might as well cook up the ROM the way you want it and blast it on with Odin.
However, one thing to be concerned about is the OTA software updates that you probably want your users to be able to receive. If you mod the stock software (either with ADB or a modded ROM) in such a way to make the phone status 'Custom' your users won't be able to get updates and bug fixes from Samsung.
I would just try to hold their hand through getting the app installed (ie. email them a link to it when they get a phone so all they have to do is tap the link and hit install) and leave the rest of the phone alone.
Noticed on my samsung device that is slowing down that this is running/trying to keep open network communications.
Sounds like one of those things I dont use. How to stop it?
Is it a system app or thrid party app.
you do not give enough information so we can tell you how to remove or disable it.
there is no more info, it isnt an "app" i can find persay, but a process running with a suspicious name, and its probably system as many other threads seem to think it is.
you can stop it but you may have to root your phone. As you know rooting will void the warranty.
you will need access to the system files to disable.
I do not know if you can access it without rooting.
cant root samsung devices that are locked down or i wouldn't be wasting my time on here.
so what is this garbage and how did it get turned on in the first place?
might be the face recognition for the camera take?
I know this thread is a few months old, but did you ever find more info on FaceProvider? From what I've read, it's definitely a system thing (not sure if it's a legit app) and it isn't anything suspicious. I guess it's something exclusive to Samsung devices, because Sammy owners seem to be the only ones that talk about it. I read in another thread that it may control certain stock gallery functions, and disabling it may make your gallery app act funny. You should be good if you use a 3rd party gallery app, though. The reason I'm interested in FaceProvider is it supposedly allows certain apps to block screenshots. Apparently if you disable or enable FaceProvider (the thread wasn't clear which) you can bypass screenshot blocks. However, I'm running a custom rom on my rooted Note 5, and I don't see that I have FaceProvider anywhere on my device. So I'm trying to find a way to download and install it. Just thought I'd share what I know about it with you, and ask if you've learned anything about it.
Wondering if any of the other devs around here have figured out how to support the camera cut out in their apps. I spent a few hours last night trying to update mine but didn't get anywhere. None of the usual methods for putting content underneath the status bar or changing the status bar color or transparency seem to have any effect on the Essential. I'm actually beginning to wonder whether Essential is just whitelisting specific apps or even manually adding support to the SystemUI framework since the only apps that appear to be compatible are the built-in ones, apps owned by Facebook, and Snapchat. Any other app that tries to draw beneath the status bar gets pushed below it so you end up with a giant blank header (Spotify, Google Fit, and MFP are a few I've noticed like this). I even tried pulling the apk for some of the system apps to see if there was perhaps some flag in the manifest file that would allow it to work but didn't come up with anything. I also sent a message to their support team asking for any developer info they had but given they don't even have valid shipping info I'm not holding my breath for a response.
KalenXI said:
Wondering if any of the other devs around here have figured out how to support the camera cut out in their apps. I spent a few hours last night trying to update mine but didn't get anywhere. None of the usual methods for putting content underneath the status bar or changing the status bar color or transparency seem to have any effect on the Essential. I'm actually beginning to wonder whether Essential is just whitelisting specific apps or even manually adding support to the SystemUI framework since the only apps that appear to be compatible are the built-in ones, apps owned by Facebook, and Snapchat. Any other app that tries to draw beneath the status bar gets pushed below it so you end up with a giant blank header (Spotify, Google Fit, and MFP are a few I've noticed like this). I even tried pulling the apk for some of the system apps to see if there was perhaps some flag in the manifest file that would allow it to work but didn't come up with anything. I also sent a message to their support team asking for any developer info they had but given they don't even have valid shipping info I'm not holding my breath for a response.
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You should probably post here:
https://forum.xda-developers.com/essential-phone/development
tech_head said:
You should probably post here:
https://forum.xda-developers.com/essential-phone/development
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Yeah, I debated whether it should go in here because it's a question, or in the development forum because it's developer-related. Ended up going with the question forums because the ADB question was in here as well and it's not really rom or mod related. I'll leave it up to the mods to decide if they want to move it to the dev forum.
Yeah i'm looking for this info too. If it's just essential whitelisting apps...i hope they add popular 3rd party launchers (action/nova), thats where it looks the worst.