Database Users

[Q] Limited number of apps??

I'm buying one tomorrow and i heared that there is a very limited number of available apps in the Andoid marcket because of QVGA resolution, what about this rumor?. Can someone tell me if there is a significant number of apps available.
Looking foward for a reply
Best Wishes to all

interested too...
well, I don't know because i don't have it, but it's strange... many android apps shouldn't care about the screen size, or, almost, that's what i hope!
let us know, dear users!

Unfortunately, yes. There is a limitation
And not due to market but to devs who don't allow their app for QVGA (even it works well).
Anyway i'm huge app user and I find almost 90% of my usual apps. So not a big deal and u can always find alternatives to find the missing apps ;-)
On the X10mini we had a trick, installing the tattoo patched market, but since I have the "new" market on my flipout, i don't want to lose it.

okey i was downloading lots of apps and there are LOTS really, no big deal with this issue,
someone know a really missable app?

mixzing and radar now! are (or where) missing on the charm. (pretty much the same phone
I've contacted the devs, and they provided direct APK's but didn't specify if they'd make the app compatible/available in the market
Radar Now!
http://www.radarnow.net/apk/rn_2_4.apk
Mixzing
http://www.mixzing.com/install/android/com.mixzing.basic.apk

Is there anywhere we can find a list of the missing apps? I'm not too concerned because there are often apps missing from the markets of different handsets. For instance angry birds was not available on the galaxy s. And the g1 still offers pacman for free. However it would be nice to know what's missing.
Also has anybody come across apps where the square screen has been an issue. Maybe part of the screen cropped at the bottom? Or anything similar?

Usually there is no issue at all, however a compass APP that I downloaded thought I was holding the device differently and therefor showed north as always being east.
Radar now usually fills the entire screen on my mytouch, however on my wifes charm it needs to be slightly scrolled down to see the weather and stuff.
Beyond that though I have not run into any other issue with any app, including games.
Angry birds would run, if it could fit on the damn device....

MrShides said:
Usually there is no issue at all, however a compass APP that I downloaded thought I was holding the device differently and therefor showed north as always being east.
Radar now usually fills the entire screen on my mytouch, however on my wifes charm it needs to be slightly scrolled down to see the weather and stuff.
Beyond that though I have not run into any other issue with any app, including games.
Angry birds would run, if it could fit on the damn device....
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you very much. A bit of scrolling or having to turn the handset around now and then I can deal with. I think I will be buying 1 of these soon

Use a hack
if you want to be able to load "all" apps:
On a rooted phone, you can use this replacement for the market app:
xda-dev thread
But because locations on the Flipout are a bit different, use this:
Code:
adb shell
su
mount -o rw,remount /dev/block/mtdblock7 /system
exit
adb pull /system/app/com.android.vending.apk Vending.old.apk
adb push Vending.apk /system/app/com.android.vending.apk
or from a terminal on the Flipout
Code:
su
mount -o rw,remount /dev/block/mtdblock7 /system
cp /system/app/com.android.vending.apk /sdcard/Vending.old.apk
cp /sdcard/Vending.apk /system/app/com.android.vending.apk
Once you use the new Market, you can get all apps, except for those that have additional requirements (for example, an autofocus camera )
After using it for some time, I had a problem where Market would FC once the app finished downloading, and I had to the manually go to /cache and install it from there. To fix that you copy the old Vending.apk, reboot, and then copy the new apk again. Maybe the above thread has a fix for this problem... I haven't checked.
Most apps work really well on the Flipout!

Yes but...this is the old market ^^ Not the one with automatic updates and new tab for comms.
No way I'll go back to the old one :/
But for people who don't have a lot of apps, it's good solution, used it on my x10mini and was fine

Sakem said:
Yes but...this is the old market ^^ Not the one with automatic updates and new tab for comms.
No way I'll go back to the old one :/
But for people who don't have a lot of apps, it's good solution, used it on my x10mini and was fine
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
But you can switch between them, no?
The old market when you want to search for an app, and the new one for updates (i.e. most of the time). Oh... maybe if an app isn't found it can't get updated? Hmmm....
BTW: I'm curious - do most people use auto-update? I haven't yet, because I heard of too many cases of an update breaking the app. I like to wait a bit, and see that it doesn't break stuff. I guess it depends on how much you need the particular app....

2 markets in 1 Android OS ?!?
2 Windows Explorer in 1 Windows OS ?!?
Think it's not possible ^^ market is part of the OS
"update breaking the app".....? I use Android for 11 months now and constantly update manually my apps through the market and never had a problem with it !!??
So why automatic updates would break it :/
IMO Market V2 is a great great improvement and I was waiting for it for months now

Sakem said:
2 markets in 1 Android OS ?!?
2 Windows Explorer in 1 Windows OS ?!?
Think it's not possible ^^ market is part of the OS
"update breaking the app".....? I use Android for 11 months now and constantly update manually my apps through the market and never had a problem with it !!??
So why automatic updates would break it :/
IMO Market V2 is a great great improvement and I was waiting for it for months now
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Actually the market is not part of the os... it is a system app called vending.apk

So a system app is not part of an OS :/ Right
So we can have 2 versions of the market on our androphones ? (Incredible !)

Sakem said:
So a system app is not part of an OS :/ Right
So we can have 2 versions of the market on our androphones ? (Incredible !)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That is correct, once rooted the system apps can be removed, changed, and manipulated

OMG I think you really take me for a huuuuuuge noob ^^
So u definitely confirm u succeed in having 2 different versions of the market working at same time on your androphone ? (2 markets in your drawer)
If yes , you're right I feel in shame cos I thought I had a better andro level for 11 months manipulating it and I'm in fact a big noob.
If no, I'm right from the beginning and that was indeed a useless talk ^^

Sakem said:
OMG I think you really take me for a huuuuuuge noob ^^
So u definitely confirm u succeed in having 2 different versions of the market working at same time on your androphone ? (2 markets in your drawer)
If yes , you're right I feel in shame cos I thought I had a better andro level for 11 months manipulating it and I'm in fact a big noob.
If no, I'm right from the beginning and that was indeed a useless talk ^^
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It depends... what markets are they? Are you referring to 2 versions of the same android market?

Even better solution
I followed the instructions of hacking Vendor.apk, and produced one out of the new Market app.
So, included below is the result: new Market app, for Flipout with larger screen apps enabled.
Till now, it works really well. I see lots of apps (>1900 video, as oposed to just a bit over 1000), and I have auto update and a comment tab.
Also, FC seem to be gone (since I started with the Flipout version), but maybe it is still too early to tell since I've only been using it for a day.
I also added the autofocus camera file, which enabled me to also see and install google goggles.
Directions for installation are (copied from the original post.)
Code:
adb pull /system/app/com.android.vending.apk Vending.backup.apk
adb push Vending_v2007.apk /sdcard
adb push android.hardware.camera.autofocus.xml.txt /sdcard/android.hardware.camera.autofocus.xml
adb shell
su
mount -o rw,remount /dev/block/mtdblock7 /system
cp /sdcard/Vending_v2007.apk /system/app/com.android.vending.apk
cp /sdcard/Vending_v2007.apk /data/app/com.android.vending.apk
cp /sdcard/android.hardware.camera.autofocus.xml /system/etc/permissions
chmod 644 /system/app/com.android.vending.apk
chmod 644 /data/app/com.android.vending.apk
chmod 644 /system/etc/permissions/android.hardware.camera.autofocus.xml
chown system.system /system/app/com.android.vending.apk
rm -r /data/data/com.android.vending
reboot
Run market enabler: in "Setting list" long press on [us] T-Mobile (T-Mobile) -> Fake this provider now.
Now Run Market Application (you should find it in the list of all installed applications if you set permissions correctly).
Be careful with autoupdate of your market (that will overwrite your changes).
If anything goes wrong: place your original Vending.apk files, set permissions, delete cache. It should be as before.
The hack did not allow me to download apps until I ran the market enabler. I'm not sure why that is.
The one I used is called "MarketAccess".

Just an update....angry birds will not let you get past the first screen that shows you how to play the game. You cannot click the "check" to go past that screen as it is off the side.
I'm wondering if one of those density switcher apps might resolve this?

Mine works
Strange... my version of angry birds works, no switcher. I forgot where I got it from, 'cause I couldn't find it on the market.
It is caled AngryBirds_1.3.5.apk. Is it ok to post it here? It's a free version.
Oh, there, I tried it again. Once you get to the first screen with a crosshair on the pig, press home (home key), then once out of angry birds, enter it again, and you'll see the options. From then on it plays well.

Facebook pictures in 3rd Party Apps. (Requires Root)

I know this has been addressed before, but I never saw a fix for it in the Droid X world. Basically, since version 1.3 of the Facebook app and Android 2.x, your contact pictures would not show up in 3rd party apps such as Dialer One, Launcher Pro widgets, and some messaging apps. This is a facebook thing, not Android.
In any case, I've used SyncMyPix for some time, but was tired of having to go manually update the pictures and what not, so I returned to my old home in the Eris forums and did some searching. Zanfur, one of the great devs over there worked out a more permanent fix at the database level. You can see the original thread HERE.
Unfortunately, this doesn't work with Blur, so I had to do a little screwing around with the code to get it to go. I take absolutely zero credit for this. All I did was write a batch file that works with our Blur-enabled phones.
Basically, the script will remove the permissions restrictions on existing contacts and add a trigger to automatically remove them whenever a new contact is added, synced, etc.
WARNING: As of yet, I have had no issues with this, however, you ARE fooling with a database that you SHOULDN'T be playing in. Therefore, make a NAND backup before doing this. I take no responsibility if you screw up your phone.
You must have the Android SDK installed and working for this to work. If you don't have that up and running already, you probably shouldn't be doing this.
Instructions:
1) Unzip the file to the \tools directory of the SDK
2) Open a command prompt and navigate to your tools folder. *see note
3) Type "facebookfix" without the quotes. Note: This will reboot your phone!
4) Wait for your phone to reboot, and enjoy your facebooky goodness.
*Alternatively, you can just doubleclick "facebookfix.bat", but when someone is doing things to my phone, I like to see what's going on.
Another warning: If you are running a ROM without BlurContacts, this will not work. I doubt it will break anything, but it will most likely error out.

Do you happen to have a solution for the opposite?
I hate how FB dominates my phone. I absolutely love an option to choose between the FB photo and a custom photo like I had on my WinMo phone (Touch Pro 2).
It's a Catch 22 with FB. I love having status updates when I get a call and picture updates, but I also don't like how some pictures it misses a face and I see the persons torso... or worse yet a picture of their pets instead of them.

EtherBoo said:
Do you happen to have a solution for the opposite?
I hate how FB dominates my phone. I absolutely love an option to choose between the FB photo and a custom photo like I had on my WinMo phone (Touch Pro 2).
It's a Catch 22 with FB. I love having status updates when I get a call and picture updates, but I also don't like how some pictures it misses a face and I see the persons torso... or worse yet a picture of their pets instead of them.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just open the contact and manually set a picture. It will always override the FB pics.

Only does for other applications, but not for the address book and / or the phone app.

EtherBoo said:
Only does for other applications, but not for the address book and / or the phone app.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I wrote a little SQL script that will set your contacts to only read pictures from google, but obviously you would need to manually sync up your photos from SyncMyPix or the like. You should still get all your status updates and what-not.
Just hook up to adb and copy and paste these one at a time.
Code:
adb pull /data/data/com.motorola.blur.providers.contacts/databases/contacts2.db
sqlite3 contacts2.db "UPDATE blur_sources SET picture_source=0 WHERE gams_account_type in ('com.motorola.blur.service.bsutils.MOTHER_USER_CREDS_TYPE'); UPDATE blur_sources SET picture_source=1 WHERE gams_account_type in ('com.google');"
adb push contacts2.db /data/data/com.motorola.blur.providers.contacts/databases/contacts2.db
adb shell "chmod 777 /data/data/com.motorola.blur.providers.contacts/databases/contacts2.db"
adb reboot
Should you decide this isn't what you want, you can run it again reversing picture_source=. Should put you back to normal.

erishasnobattery said:
I wrote a little SQL script that will set your contacts to only read pictures from google, but obviously you would need to manually sync up your photos from SyncMyPix or the like. You should still get all your status updates and what-not.
Just hook up to adb and copy and paste these one at a time.
Code:
adb pull /data/data/com.motorola.blur.providers.contacts/databases/contacts2.db
sqlite3 contacts2.db "UPDATE blur_sources SET picture_source=0 WHERE gams_account_type in ('com.motorola.blur.service.bsutils.MOTHER_USER_CREDS_TYPE'); UPDATE blur_sources SET picture_source=1 WHERE gams_account_type in ('com.google');"
adb push contacts2.db /data/data/com.motorola.blur.providers.contacts/databases/contacts2.db
adb shell "chmod 777 /data/data/com.motorola.blur.providers.contacts/databases/contacts2.db"
adb reboot
Should you decide this isn't what you want, you can run it again reversing picture_source=. Should put you back to normal.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sweet!
You mean copy each line by itself?
A friend told me I could also do this via a terminal app (can't install Android SDK on work laptop, and I'll be out of town until next week).

Yeah, just run one line at a time.
I've tried this like 100 different ways in terminal emulator, but something with permissions seems to be preventing me from editing the database in place, hence pulling it off the phone, modifying it, and sticking it back.

In search of minimal system .apk

Hello,
I have decided to try and find exactly what .apk I can remove from a freshly rooted system using NookManager. At this time;
Disabled:
Accessories.apk
AccountAndSyncSettings.apk
AFfileDownloadService.apk
AirRuntime.apk
BnAuthenticationService.apk
BnCloudRequestSvc.apk
CloudService.apk
ContactsProvider.apk
DemoMode.apk
DeviceManager.apk
DeviceRegistrator.apk
DownloadAdmin.apk
Gallery.apk
GoogleSearch.apk
Home.apk
Launcher.apk
Library.apk
Music.apk
NookCommunity.apk
NookHWTest.apk
Oobe.apk
Phone.apk
PicoTts.apk
QuickStartActivity.apk
ReaderRMSDK.apk
ServiceOne.apk
Shop.apk
Social.apk
SysChecksum.apk
TelephonyProvider.apk
ThumbnailService.apk
TtsService.apk
WaveformDownloader.apk
Enabled:
ApplicationsProvider.apk
Browser.apk
CertInstaller.apk
CryptoServer.apk
DownloadProvider.apk
DrmProvider.apk
GlobalSearch.apk
HTMLViewer.apk
LatinIME.apk
MediaProvider.apk
PackageInstaller.apk
Settings.apk
SettingsProvider.apk
UserDictionaryProvider.apk
-Problems so far:
1) Under Settings->Device Info->About Your Nook field 'Software version' is listed as 'Unavailable'
2) The quick launch is still displayed - What .apk disables this?
3) Graphical layout of No-frills CPU Control slightly impaired - Usable but something has broken it.
Can you help with any of the above?
I have tried disabling other .apk files however I was a little too ambitious and ended up with many more problems and a boot loop so I intend to be a little more systematic. I would like to find the bare minimum that is required. I will keep this thread updated but appreciate any help that can be given.
Thank you.

LavaChild0809 said:
1) Under Settings->Device Info->About Your Nook field 'Software version' is listed as 'Unavailable'
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Maybe DeviceManager.apk, maybe AccountandSyncSettings.apk - I think you'll just need to try renabling things until it works.
LavaChild0809 said:
2) The quick launch is still displayed - What .apk disables this?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Its not in an .apk. B&N buried it in the system framework. Unless your quest for minimalism takes you to baksmali system jars, rip out code and smali then you can just use Nook Touch Mod Manager (installed with NookManager) to remap your n key to whatever you want it to do.

straygecko said:
Maybe DeviceManager.apk, maybe AccountandSyncSettings.apk - I think you'll just need to try renabling things until it works.
Its not in an .apk. B&N buried it in the system framework. Unless your quest for minimalism takes you to baksmali system jars, rip out code and smali then you can just use Nook Touch Mod Manager (installed with NookManager) to remap your n key to whatever you want it to do.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the tips, I'll give it a shot. My only reason for messing with the .apk is that I'd like to maximise battery life. I've read about Phone and TelephonyProvider and so I gathered while there I may as well remove other stuff. My intention is definitely not to remove anything that other applications may have dependancies on - It's real tough knowing so I might just end up leave them all there. Do you know of any application (or perhaps a different systematic way) that will (somehow - not sure if possible) work out the dependancy of installed apps and list those that can be removed?
Additionally, on my first attempt at removing .apk I was a little too over ambitious and in addition to the list of 'Disabled' apps I also disabled:
ApplicationsProvider.apk
Browser.apk
CryptoServer.apk
DownloadProvider.apk
DrmProvider.apk
GlobalSearch.apk
HTMLViewer.apk
MediaProvider.apk
SettingsProvider.apk
UserDictionaryProvider.apk
One of these caused the quick launch to disappear - Whether that is because one of those .apk actually contains the quick launch or because quick launch is dependant on one of these to function I do not know... I suppose I could go remove one of these at a time and see which is responsible.
The only reason I'm against trying each one at a time is it very time consuming to remove and reboot between each (let alone then testing everything I can think of to check for any misbehaviour!).
Thanks

When I got my NST I spent a bit of time doing exactly the same thing you are doing.
In my System/app folder I have the following:
ApplicationsProvider.apk
BnCloudRequestSvc.apk <------ I did this a while ago, so I can't remember why I left this one in....
DeviceManager.apk <------ again, I can't remember why I left this in...
LatinIME.apk
PackageInstaller.apk
ReaderRMSDK.apk <---- built in reader app. I don't like the look of any other epub reader. I use Renate's amazing library app with this.
Settings.apk
SettingsProvider.apk
UserDictionaryProvider.apk
Note: I don't use ANY of B&N's services.
I don't have Browser.apk as I use Opera instead xD
I have had no problems with this setup: I've been using this for the last ~3 months with no crashes/reboots etc.
HOWEVER there is an apk missing: In this state my NST refuses to go to deep sleep when I let it go to sleep.
As for the QuickNav, while I dont use it (and is disabled by Nook Touch Mod Manager on my NST) I can confirm that these apk have QuickNav.
I would continue to experiment, but I no longer have the time. If someone could work out of the remaining apks which would allow deep sleep, and whether BnCloudRequestSvc and DeviceManager are necessary, I would be eternally grateful :good:

chowy993 said:
When I got my NST I spent a bit of time doing exactly the same thing you are doing.
In my System/app folder I have the following:
ApplicationsProvider.apk
BnCloudRequestSvc.apk <------ I did this a while ago, so I can't remember why I left this one in....
DeviceManager.apk <------ again, I can't remember why I left this in...
LatinIME.apk
PackageInstaller.apk
ReaderRMSDK.apk <---- built in reader app. I don't like the look of any other epub reader. I use Renate's amazing library app with this.
Settings.apk
SettingsProvider.apk
UserDictionaryProvider.apk
Note: I don't use ANY of B&N's services.
I don't have Browser.apk as I use Opera instead xD
I have had no problems with this setup: I've been using this for the last ~3 months with no crashes/reboots etc.
HOWEVER there is an apk missing: In this state my NST refuses to go to deep sleep when I let it go to sleep.
As for the QuickNav, while I dont use it (and is disabled by Nook Touch Mod Manager on my NST) I can confirm that these apk have QuickNav.
I would continue to experiment, but I no longer have the time. If someone could work out of the remaining apks which would allow deep sleep, and whether BnCloudRequestSvc and DeviceManager are necessary, I would be eternally grateful :good:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hello! Could you please tell me how you know it does not go to 'deep sleep'? I'd like to know how to check this to keep an eye out and ensure I also do not break this behaviour. Thank you!

I don't have either of my Nooks with me at work today so I can't check which .apks I still have on them. However, I can suggest the method I used to get to where I am....
I installed "Go TaskManager EX", this app allows you to see what is running and kill processes you don't want. With this app, I was able to find some .apks that start automatically that perform services that I don't use. (Example: Social.apk) So I have moved all .apks for services that start automatically to a directory I created called /system/archive. (This way I still have a copy on the device, making restoration easier just in case.) I have left .apks in /system/apps that I don't use as long as I don't find them starting up automatically. My rational is that if it does not start automatically, then it is not using battery. I will try to remember to check my Nooks and post what .apks I have left tomorrow.

David0226 said:
I don't have either of my Nooks with me at work today so I can't check which .apks I still have on them. However, I can suggest the method I used to get to where I am....
I installed "Go TaskManager EX", this app allows you to see what is running and kill processes you don't want. With this app, I was able to find some .apks that start automatically that perform services that I don't use. (Example: Social.apk) So I have moved all .apks for services that start automatically to a directory I created called /system/archive. (This way I still have a copy on the device, making restoration easier just in case.) I have left .apks in /system/apps that I don't use as long as I don't find them starting up automatically. My rational is that if it does not start automatically, then it is not using battery. I will try to remember to check my Nooks and post what .apks I have left tomorrow.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That would be great - Thank you!

LavaChild0809 said:
Hello! Could you please tell me how you know it does not go to 'deep sleep'? I'd like to know how to check this to keep an eye out and ensure I also do not break this behaviour. Thank you!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I use a free app called CPU Spy. It shows you what states the CPU has been in over time. If you can't access the play store on your NST, I've put it in the attachments.
I first got suspicious when I noticed at some point that my NST drained battery really fast compared to pre-root status. So I installed CPU spy, and that told me that the device wouldn't go into deep sleep.
I look forward to seeing your results in what APKs are the minimal requirements.

David0226 said:
I don't have either of my Nooks with me at work today so I can't check which .apks I still have on them. However, I can suggest the method I used to get to where I am....
I installed "Go TaskManager EX", this app allows you to see what is running and kill processes you don't want. With this app, I was able to find some .apks that start automatically that perform services that I don't use. (Example: Social.apk) So I have moved all .apks for services that start automatically to a directory I created called /system/archive. (This way I still have a copy on the device, making restoration easier just in case.) I have left .apks in /system/apps that I don't use as long as I don't find them starting up automatically. My rational is that if it does not start automatically, then it is not using battery. I will try to remember to check my Nooks and post what .apks I have left tomorrow.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Would it be possible to post what .apk you have left please? Thanks!
chowy993 said:
I use a free app called CPU Spy. It shows you what states the CPU has been in over time. If you can't access the play store on your NST, I've put it in the attachments.
I first got suspicious when I noticed at some point that my NST drained battery really fast compared to pre-root status. So I installed CPU spy, and that told me that the device wouldn't go into deep sleep.
I look forward to seeing your results in what APKs are the minimal requirements.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'll be sure to give this a try - Thank you.

LavaChild0809 said:
Would it be possible to post what .apk you have left please? Thanks!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I am not sure you want me to at this point. Before posting earlier in the week I tried to remove a few others and got my Nook so messed up that I had to do a "factory reset" about six times. So I obviously removed too much.
I also believe that how much you can remove depends upon whether you want to be able to read books with B&N DRM. I "think" my Nook got messed up when I remove AirRuntime.apk and then tried to use the stock library. The library never loaded and the screen just kept flashing black/white, black/white. I had to power off by pushing the power button for 20 seconds and even restoring AirRuntime did not work. So I had to restore from the factory zip image.
That was a long explanation to say that at this point I don't trust what I have done and to reiterate the making a backup before trying any thing like this is critical.

Just a note regarding your experimentation:
All the .apks are part of the Android system, not the underlying Linux.
You should always be able to get through to a shell on ADB.
The screen might be showing wackiness but ADB should still be working.
When playing around, "start" and "stop" in ADB should be your friends.
Code:
# stop [color=red]// stop the Android subsystem[/color]
# mv whatever.apk whatever.bak [color=red]// modify something[/color]
# start [color=red]// start the Android subsystem[/color]

David0226 said:
I am not sure you want me to at this point. Before posting earlier in the week I tried to remove a few others and got my Nook so messed up that I had to do a "factory reset" about six times. So I obviously removed too much.
I also believe that how much you can remove depends upon whether you want to be able to read books with B&N DRM. I "think" my Nook got messed up when I remove AirRuntime.apk and then tried to use the stock library. The library never loaded and the screen just kept flashing black/white, black/white. I had to power off by pushing the power button for 20 seconds and even restoring AirRuntime did not work. So I had to restore from the factory zip image.
That was a long explanation to say that at this point I don't trust what I have done and to reiterate the making a backup before trying any thing like this is critical.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's some useful feedback all the same - It really is making me consider whether it's worth all of the fuss. I do have a backup, thankfully, and I've used it numerous times but none the less I can imagine I case where the vast majority of .apk will need to be kept in any case. If nothing else, I think the list of what can/cannot be removed will vary widely between users depending on their needs. Personally I have no use for *anything* B&N apart from the Reader. Even then, it's hard to know what minor breakages might be related to removing a particular .apk which you may not notice until a later date (by which time you'll perhaps have removed (or added) more). Definitely needs a more systematic approach than trial and error, I fear.
Renate NST said:
Just a note regarding your experimentation:
All the .apks are part of the Android system, not the underlying Linux.
You should always be able to get through to a shell on ADB.
The screen might be showing wackiness but ADB should still be working.
When playing around, "start" and "stop" in ADB should be your friends.
Code:
# stop [color=red]// stop the Android subsystem[/color]
# mv whatever.apk whatever.bak [color=red]// modify something[/color]
# start [color=red]// start the Android subsystem[/color]
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Now that's some useful information - Thank you.

DeviceManager.apk does not work without BnCloudRequestSvc.apk and CloudService.apk. Without DeviceManager.apk no information device info.
Without CloudService.apk appear error in log...

khseal said:
DeviceManager.apk does not work without BnCloudRequestSvc.apk and CloudService.apk. Without DeviceManager.apk no information device info.
Without CloudService.apk appear error in log...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So have you worked out exactly what can be removed and what cannot? Can you give a full list? Thanks for the help so far!

LavaChild0809 said:
So have you worked out exactly what can be removed and what cannot? Can you give a full list? Thanks for the help so far!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I recently purchased Nook. I test and see the relationship. I will write what services should be left when I've finished experimenting.

Sounds great - I'm sure lots of people would be very very interested!

Sounds great - I'm sure lots of people would be very very interested!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think the systems applications are not heavily loaded device.
So in these operations delete system applications, do not big sense. A little more memory and little more bugs.

khseal said:
I think the systems applications are not heavily loaded device.
So in these operations delete system applications, do not big sense. A little more memory and little more bugs.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So are there any you would recommend removing or none at all? Thanks!

There are some I know can be deleted. The telephone related ones obviously and DemoMode.apk. I am not sure removing these will do anything but speed up the boot time from complete power off. As the Nook has no native sound capability, I believe you can also delete PicoTts.apk, Music.apk and TtsService.apk, but again I am not sure that will help improve battery life.

Does anybody know which .apk is responsible for the 'recommend to a friend' (or similar) notifications? And are there are side-effects/implications to removing this apk? It's definitely the most annoying!

GPS working intermittently

I have a rooted Galaxy S4 with 4.4.2 Android installed. I installed the app "Uninstaller" and have uninstalled LOADS of crapware off my phone. Everything was working great until I started using the GPS. It was working and then while I was driving it just said that the GPS signal was lost and no matter how long I waited it wouldn't get a signal again. After rebooting the phone the GPS worked again but only for a little bit.
I have the following apps left on my phone according to the Uninstaller app:
Application Installer
AutoPreconfig
BadgeProvider
Calculator
Calendar Storage
Camera
ClipboardSaveService
Clock
com.android.browser.provider
com.android.sharedstoragebackup
com.qualcom.interfacepermissions
com.qualcom.timeservice
com.sec.android.app.keyguard
com.sec.android.app.Smartclip
com.sec.phone
CSC
DeviceKeyString
Documents
Email
Exchange services
External storage
FilterProvider
Fused location
Gallery
HTML viewer
KeyguardBackuprestore
KeyguardTestActivity
KLMS Agent
LocationServices
LogsProvider
MTP application
MyScript Resource Manager
OM customise
PacProcessor
Perso
PopupuiReceiver
Preconfig
ProxyHandler
RILnotifier
S Planner
Security storage
SecurityManagerService
Security mode RIL
SetDefault Launcher
Shell
SilentLogging
SmartcardManager
SmartcardService
Syscope
Task Manager
Tasks provider
TcpdumpService
Tethering Automation
USB settings
USBSettings
User dictionary
As you can see I am a minimalist kind of person and have obviously deleted something I shouldn't have! Therefore, does anyone know what apps I need to restore to get the GPS to work 100% again? I have kept a backup of all the apps I deleted in Uninstaller so I can restore them...once I know which ones need restoring.
Can anyone assist please?

Provide a list of all the apps you removed, as it may be easier to pinpoint which app needs to be replaced.

Strephon Alkhalikoi said:
Provide a list of all the apps you removed, as it may be easier to pinpoint which app needs to be replaced.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Theres 230 of them, is there an easy way to get a list of them?

If on Windows, open a command prompt. Navigate using the CD command to the directory where the apps are stored. Type "dir /b > filelist.txt" and post as an attachment here.
For example, if the apps were stored on external drive G, in the directory Android/Apps, you would type the following commands:
Code:
G:
cd android
cd apps
dir /b > filelist.txt
If the apps are stored on your MicroSD card, you'll need to transfer them to the computer, as the command prompt doesn't understand the media transfer protocol used for the connection between the computer and the S4.

Strephon Alkhalikoi said:
If on Windows, open a command prompt. Navigate using the CD command to the directory where the apps are stored. Type "dir /b > filelist.txt" and post as an attachment here.
For example, if the apps were stored on external drive G, in the directory Android/Apps, you would type the following commands:
Code:
G:
cd android
cd apps
dir /b > filelist.txt
If the apps are stored on your MicroSD card, you'll need to transfer them to the computer, as the command prompt doesn't understand the media transfer protocol used for the connection between the computer and the S4.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Very helpful, thank you! I have attached the file list.

Odd that you removed the Play Store (Phonesky.apk), Google Services Framework (GMS_Core.apk), and Google Search (Velvet.apk) from the device. I personally would recommend restoring all three to /system, even if you have updated versions in /data/app. Many device functions are routed through the Google Services Framework or the Google Search app, or both. And having a version of the Play Store to fall back upon in case an update becomes corrupt is never a bad thing.

Strephon Alkhalikoi said:
Odd that you removed the Play Store (Phonesky.apk), Google Services Framework (GMS_Core.apk), and Google Search (Velvet.apk) from the device. I personally would recommend restoring all three to /system, even if you have updated versions in /data/app. Many device functions are routed through the Google Services Framework or the Google Search app, or both. And having a version of the Play Store to fall back upon in case an update becomes corrupt is never a bad thing.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't use any Google services and all my apps are installed manually by installing the APK file. I don't even use Google Maps for GPS. Currently I use CoPilot for my GPS stuff. Surely these Google apps wouldn't affect CoPilot from functioning correctly? I'd really like to keep this a Google app free phone (oh the irony considering Android is Google!)
My guess is that I have uninstalled a core system app that the GPS software needs. Its just weird how CoPilot will be happily working away giving me directions and then BAM...it doesn't have a GPS fix to the satellite anymore and the directions stop!

Well, unless you try them you won't know. You can always take them back out.
I'd have to take a look at my list of apps and see what I kept that you didn't, as I don't have problems with the GPS suddenly up and quitting.
EDIT: I've posted mine below, which is based on FailoFAX's debloat list. There's way too many files you removed that I didn't to make a judgment call here. So I'm going to recommend two ROMs for you to solve your problem.
1. Install a Google Play Edition ROM and take the time to remove the Google Apps. This is good if you want dead stock Android without any added customization whatsoever.
2. Install CyanogenMod or another AOSP ROM, and don't download or install the Google Apps package. You get some custom features not found in the GPE ROM, but also don't have to pick through the system and remove the Google Apps.
I'm recommending either of these above because the ROMs are essentially barebones as is, and need little or no customization to be useful.

Thanks for the helpful reply. I'll try restoring the Google apps this evening when I get home from work.
Appreciate the ROM recommendations but I (shock horror) like TouchWiz (I like the interface) so thats why I use the official Samsung ROM and the remove all the crapware.
I've had a look at quite a few of those debloat lists and some are quite useful but theres always apps that no-one knows what they do.
I think if I reset my phone again I shouldn't remove so many system apps!

There are plenty of things to like about Touchwiz. The launcher isn't one of them, which is why I use Google Now or Apex.
The debloat lists here in the forums tend to provide the right balance between functionality and size. For example, my list above netted me a 700MB savings. Especially as much of it is bloatware.

Strephon Alkhalikoi said:
There are plenty of things to like about Touchwiz. The launcher isn't one of them, which is why I use Google Now or Apex.
The debloat lists here in the forums tend to provide the right balance between functionality and size. For example, my list above netted me a 700MB savings. Especially as much of it is bloatware.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah, after deleting all the bloat on my phone it came to about 950MB!
So I restored Google Play Store, Services Framework and Search and I have done two trips today with the GPS working 100% (ie: it didn't stop working while giving me directions).
Now I am going to start removing the Google apps one at a time and then test the GPS again after uninstalling it to see what is causing the GPS to fail.
One issue though. After reinstalling the 3 Google apps I get this error message after I have entered the SIM PIN and the home screen appears:
Unfortunately, Google Services Framework has stopped.
All I can do it tap ok a few times and it then goes away.

After uninstalling Googe Play the GPS stopped working again halfway to my destination today. I think I am going to have to reset the phone again as there are other strange things that are happening on the phone (phone calls sometimes don't connect).
What is the best way to reset the phone back to the factory ROM? Do I just do a reset from settings? Or should I rather use TWRP?

You can do a factory reset through TWRP, but starting from scratch with a ROM flashed via Odin might be best. Of course you'd have to debloat again.

Strephon Alkhalikoi said:
You can do a factory reset through TWRP, but starting from scratch with a ROM flashed via Odin might be best. Of course you'd have to debloat again.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ok, so last night I did a complete factory reset and reflashed the original ROM. I've used the GPS twice today and so far it has been fine. I'll test it some more this weekend. I have uninstalled about 174 apps.
One thing I noticed today. Usually when I would receive a call I didn't want to take I would turn the phone upside down and the phone would stop vibrating. Now when I turn the phone upside down it continues to vibrate. Is there a setting I need to change to enable this feature? Or have I uninstalled an APK I shouldn't have? I have attached the most recent list of apps I have uninstalled using Uninstaller.
Thanks for any help!

In this case it seems you don't have the mute or pause turned on in settings. Go to Settings > My Device > Motions and gestures > Motion > Turn Over > Mute/Pause to enable it. If that's not working, try replacing SensorService2_5.apk.

Strephon Alkhalikoi said:
In this case it seems you don't have the mute or pause turned on in settings. Go to Settings > My Device > Motions and gestures > Motion > Turn Over > Mute/Pause to enable it. If that's not working, try replacing SensorService2_5.apk.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That did the trick (ie: going in to settings and enabling...I didn't restore the APK)! Strange, I have never set that before when I was using Jellybean!
I went for a long drive today with the GPS turned on all the time and it worked all the way.
When first running Uninstaller on KitKat/Galaxy S4 there are 283 apps. I currently have 110 apps installed (so I have uninstalled 173) so its looking good so far. Time will tell though! I would like to delete another 20 or so apps but I want to do it in a more controlled manner! The next batch I would like to uninstall are:
Automation Test
BadgeProvider
BandService
Beaming Service
Camera Test
com.android.backupconfirm
com.android.providers.partnerbookmarks
com.sec.android.FlashBarService
com.sec.android.app.sbrowsertry
com.sec.android.sviewcover
ConfigUpdater
DeviceTest
Face Unlock
LocalFOTA
PickupTutorial
RCPComponents
ringtonebackup
Screen Mirroring
ShareShotService
WlanTest
Any of these a bad idea to uninstall?

Samsung Galaxy note 20 ultra Europe exynos sm-986b debloat/decrapify

Hi,
Samsung Galaxy note 20 ultra Europe exynos sm-986b debloat/decrapify (Switzerland/Swisscom).
I'm starting my journey to debloat that phone which is entirely unusable for me, due to the unwanted presence of hundred of junk apps.
After realizing that I was not using a data cable but only a charging cable (computer not having usbc, I had to use another cable than the official one). I manage to get my bearings a bit.
So the connection is sorted out (out of topic), now start the actual decrapifying:
1) I used/will use this program, to list all programs:
https://forum.xda-developers.com/an...easy-management-android-applications-t4147837
Note: I could have used adb directly but this seems easier, especially as we talk about hundred of lines.
Note 2: each time I installed "ACBridge" which appears to show nice icons for that program.
2) I have compiled a list of applications currently installed. I did not install anything manually myself yet, not even connected to Android Play:
442 apps by default.
https://gofile.io/d/xGHoff
Note: Are some of these apps only specific to my seller and my region? It's possible, since the phone clearly had some of the FYI operator branded options installed.
3) I'm going to factory reset now. Again, nothing was really installed, just official rom updates done. But I want to start from fresh.
4) After I will reinitiate the phone, I will redo the list of applications capture, and start trimming down.
5) After the factory reset, it seems I had a new screen (unless I skipped it by mistake last time) proposing me to install additional apps like spotify, linked in... I refused this time. Last time I had the apps installed maybe a mistake click, or something new thanks to newer firmware.
6) Use the program again, I now have 429 apps only instead of 442.
7) I tried the list mentioned a starting point, I will look into this user list, allegedely 109 apps removed from a S20 (which is a different phone, I know):
https://forum.xda-developers.com/t/tool-windows-adb-appcontrol-v1-4-5.4147837/post-83980273
First that only has 104 apps over 109.
Second, I found a few items I wanted to keep and a few I wanted to remove.
Customization Work required here...!
Caution: the list of 109 items contains what is described elsewere as dangerous:
com.samsung.android.authfw ; Not Recommended: Used for password autocompletion, can be removed if you don't use it. This app is sometimes called by the system and might cause battery drain if removed
com.serv.android.preloadinstaller : App that install other application, do not remove!
I will check each non-obvious items.
This list seems more pro:
Samsung full apps list
Feuille 1 LAST UPDATED 01/09/2022,Reinstall an app using pm install-existing [the app package],Enter in shell using adb -d shell before running the command,Enter in shell using adb -d shell before running the command,<a href="https://docs.samsungknox.com/CCMode/G988B_Q.pdf">https://docs.samsungk...
docs.google.com
I made a custom preset with the 85 items in the list of " Safe to uninstall ". Only 71/86 where showing, some I wanted to keep like Android Auto.
--> I seems to have to choice but start from a bigger list and go through it myself.
After checking each items of that 109 list, vs the spreadsheet and sometimes google, I actually ended up reducing the list, or keeping more items. My final list is currently 68 applications to remove.
I also removed additional things like Netflix.
FINAL LIST:
Samsung SM-N986B_[All]_presetJSDec2020.txt
In the process I learned that this list seems rather personal to do. Yet, some items are marked not to be removed due to battery drain, so the initial list of 109 seems risky. I would say some manual work is mandatory.
8) Moving on, time to uninstall. Done.
9) Time to configure the basics again (basically language, etc...). Done.
10) Time to migrate data from old phone to new phone, I used "Samsung smart switch" app, installed it on both phone, used wifi, and unselected unwanted things. Done after some 1-2 hours (not so much data but it was slow and I interrupted twice).
11) Now the phone looks ok, a few apps had to be manually reinstalled like MCDonald's crapp.
12) Time to recover authenticator, relogin to apps, etc...Some apps I can't do now like RSA token, needs to regenerate a token elsewhere. GoogleAuth was simple, I could easily export from old phone/import new phone..
13) Phone works for now. I see I missed to remove some stuffs like "My files" which was basically simply like file explorer but from Samsung. That was indicated as "not remove" but probably can be ( com.sec.android.app.myfiles ).
Edit: day +1 after the step 13. Phone works properly. No visible impact on battery drain (seems high, as usual and with little usage overnight, same as before any intervention from my side). Unable to continue anything for now, being ill. Everything seems to work, even without the stuffs I removed.
On that note, I got rid of youtube and yt music, and installed YoutubeVance.
I tested the basics (phone, camera...) looks ok.
Note: this is WIP and more sharing the journey, as well as learning. Usually I would unlock bootloader, root, and install a decent ROM from XDA; but not happening this time.

Thanks for sharing cyber.cat thread ! Used it and removed 20+ useless app

ouroukai90 said:
Thanks for sharing cyber.cat thread ! Used it and removed 20+ useless app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Glad that could help- The tool from Cyber Cat and the threads are useful. Yet I saw quite a few tools/options around.
The idea was to share the experience of using one, do some sort of decrapifying/debloating and comment.
For me even if I expected a bit that, I was a bit surprise that this operation needs a lot of customization.
Let's say it was easier to start from a fresh Android ROM and add some selected Google apps, rather than trimming down that Samsung junk (That something I usually do with custom roms, here I stayed with official Samsung ROM, so I did not have that possibility to start fresh).

I see Android 11 update should come soon (around January 2021?).... I take it that they will reinstall all their garbage in the OTA update... And we will have to decrapify again!?

Yes I guess for a major update it will maybe reinstall crap like "tips" from Samsung. But i've done this using beta4 OneUI3.0 and it work very well

Is it possible to uninstall the google app? And then install it again? I have problems with hey google not working

Anskjer said:
Is it possible to uninstall the google app? And then install it again? I have problems with hey google not working
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, which app specifically?
Not sure what is "hey google", are you talking about "Google Assistant"?
Anyway, usually clear cache, not uninstall/reinstall...(then clear data when sure what you doing...)

htchd2sucks said:
Yes, which app specifically?
Not sure what is "hey google", are you talking about "Google Assistant"?
Anyway, usually clear cache, not uninstall/reinstall...(then clear data when sure what you doing...)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The assistant is inside the google app. Clear cache I have try but didn't work. Thanks for the help

The phone shown me an update yesterday (01/01/2021), OneUI3, Android 11.
It updated without any issue, and all my apps and things are properly there after.
One strange thing is it was allegedely updating 470 apps on my phone, I don't remember having so many.
Another thing to notice, is that I did not notice any new garbage apps after the update. For example, some emoticons junk was not reinstalled. Also, the default keyboard remains Gboard, like I set myself before the update.
Anyway, time to check now, in details.
Verdict: # Total applications: 421
Some junk have been installed again during the update. (after my previous cleaning, I was at:
# Total applications: 361)
I don't see the same type of junk as it was before, like Netflix apps, Bixby...etc... So it's rather strange.
One horrible app I found is "eBay Partner Attribution". What is it? Affiliate marketing is a referral program where sites pay commissions to affiliates who send traffic to their site that results in a sale.
Well done Samsung, installing junk to get additional money...
App killed on sight (com.ebay.carrier).
I also removed com.google.android.videos.
That will be all for now, don't have the time to do better.

Is it really safe to debloat all knox related stuff? just asking if it helps anything?

jirka607 said:
Is it really safe to debloat all knox related stuff? just asking if it helps anything?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think knox junk tripping is only if you replace your bootloader:
Knox
I think removing the apps only is not tripping it (anyway, if it is, my phone is fine without it).
It depends what you mean "safe" anyway, if you are talking about some features that might not work, or a broken phone for example.

Thanks, im not sure if you should put the Knox app in the safe list.

danterape said:
Thanks, im not sure if you should put the Knox app in the safe list.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Try to delete it then u'll see xD