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Will omniroms system apps have the same unnecessary and abusive permissions as stock roms and cyanogen mode roms have?
I'm quite concerned about privacy and whatever rom I use, be it stock, cyanogen mode or aosp, I have to restrict dozens of privacy related permissions.
And of course the device still works, which means that those perms weren't needed.
For example, I don't see why some system apps (I mean, not Google apps cuz I get rid of them but apps like systemui, settings, android system etc.) want to access my location, my contacts, my logs, my imei, my id, my serial number, my phone number, my provider, the list of accounts on the phone etc. eventhough they don't need it to work properly.
I guess that cyanogen mode doesn't have any other choice but to include what is to my opinion little more than spyware in the source, cuz if they didn't Google wouldn't allow them to use its material.
So what about omni roms? Will they be free from Google spyware or will they be enfeoffed to it?
unclefab said:
Will omniroms system apps have the same unnecessary and abusive permissions as stock roms and cyanogen mode roms have?
I'm quite concerned about privacy and whatever rom I use, be it stock, cyanogen mode or aosp, I have to restrict dozens of privacy related permissions.
And of course the device still works, which means that those perms weren't needed.
For example, I don't see why some system apps (I mean, not Google apps cuz I get rid of them but apps like systemui, settings, android system etc.) want to access my location, my contacts, my logs, my imei, my id, my serial number, my phone number, my provider, the list of accounts on the phone etc. eventhough they don't need it to work properly.
I guess that cyanogen mode doesn't have any other choice but to include what is to my opinion little more than spyware in the source, cuz if they didn't Google wouldn't allow them to use its material.
So what about omni roms? Will they be free from Google spyware or will they be enfeoffed to it?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Those permissions are there so they can interact with other things in the system.
unclefab said:
Will omniroms system apps have the same unnecessary and abusive permissions as stock roms and cyanogen mode roms have?
I'm quite concerned about privacy and whatever rom I use, be it stock, cyanogen mode or aosp, I have to restrict dozens of privacy related permissions.
And of course the device still works, which means that those perms weren't needed.
For example, I don't see why some system apps (I mean, not Google apps cuz I get rid of them but apps like systemui, settings, android system etc.) want to access my location, my contacts, my logs, my imei, my id, my serial number, my phone number, my provider, the list of accounts on the phone etc. eventhough they don't need it to work properly.
I guess that cyanogen mode doesn't have any other choice but to include what is to my opinion little more than spyware in the source, cuz if they didn't Google wouldn't allow them to use its material.
So what about omni roms? Will they be free from Google spyware or will they be enfeoffed to it?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Out of the box, there's no "spyware" that anyone is aware of in Android. If you install Google Apps, you are giving those apps these permissions obviously.
If you don't use Gapps (like me), then you should be fine - you can check what each app does in its own source code.
I am also looking into ways to help protect against spying third party software you install (ie. apps a user installs), for those who want added protection.
I work as a security researcher, so yes, I do care quite a bit about security, and excessive permissions is a life-long hate of mine There are no gapps when you install Omni, so you'll be safe. For those who want them, they can flash them.
What I meant with spyware is not what one usually calls spyware, but I didn't have any other term to refer to it.
What I wanted to say it's that system apps (not Google apps like gmail or gtalk but system apps like phone, android system, systemui etc.) have intrusive, and unnecessary, permissions. When I say unnecessary I mean it, cuz I block or spoof them without my phone to have any problem. I know it's not the devs' fault but Google's, who likes to know what we do, who and where we are, and thus releases android updates full of spying system apps.
So then I wanted to know if Omni's system apps will be free from such perms, since the source comes from Google.
Until cm7 it was possible to block perms directly from the app manager, but I guess Google got annoyed at it and obliged the cm team to remove that function.
Whatever rom we use now, we are left with system apps spying on us, and that's why I call them spyware.
Cuz for me apps that want to know where I am, what contacts I have, what numbers I have called, my phone number, my imei etc, eventhough they don't need it, are in a way spywares. For instance look at the framework-res.apk (android system), every time we connect to the internet it calls home (I've checked, the address is Google inc, mountain view, CA). Look at the perms the systemui or the phone apk have, it's insane! Not to mention all the other system apps that want to access the /proc folder, our serial number and the like. Oh yeah, I nearly forgot fusedlocation.apk, Google's latest spyware since 4.2.2, that one can't uninstall or freeze or block.
I do not use Google apps, and I do use apps like Xprivacy or af+wall, but still, it annoys me to always have to play cat and mouse, and it annoys me that the android system always calls Google when I connect to the internet. Not that I'm an internationally wanted terrorist, but hey, privacy is privacy!
The thing is that future android updates will be more and more filled with such spyware (above mentioned fusedlocation.apk being the perfect example), and I hope that devs will find a way to bypass it.
That's why when I saw an announcement about Omnia I came to see if it will be better than cm privacy wise, and to give some suggestions about privacy and permissions...
unclefab said:
What I meant with spyware is not what one usually calls spyware, but I didn't have any other term to refer to it.
What I wanted to say it's that system apps (not Google apps like gmail or gtalk but system apps like phone, android system, systemui etc.) have intrusive, and unnecessary, permissions. When I say unnecessary I mean it, cuz I block or spoof them without my phone to have any problem. I know it's not the devs' fault but Google's, who likes to know what we do, who and where we are, and thus releases android updates full of spying system apps.
So then I wanted to know if Omni's system apps will be free from such perms, since the source comes from Google.
Until cm7 it was possible to block perms directly from the app manager, but I guess Google got annoyed at it and obliged the cm team to remove that function.
Whatever rom we use now, we are left with system apps spying on us, and that's why I call them spyware.
Cuz for me apps that want to know where I am, what contacts I have, what numbers I have called, my phone number, my imei etc, eventhough they don't need it, are in a way spywares. For instance look at the framework-res.apk (android system), every time we connect to the internet it calls home (I've checked, the address is Google inc, mountain view, CA). Look at the perms the systemui or the phone apk have, it's insane! Not to mention all the other system apps that want to access the /proc folder, our serial number and the like. Oh yeah, I nearly forgot fusedlocation.apk, Google's latest spyware since 4.2.2, that one can't uninstall or freeze or block.
I do not use Google apps, and I do use apps like Xprivacy or af+wall, but still, it annoys me to always have to play cat and mouse, and it annoys me that the android system always calls Google when I connect to the internet. Not that I'm an internationally wanted terrorist, but hey, privacy is privacy!
The thing is that future android updates will be more and more filled with such spyware (above mentioned fusedlocation.apk being the perfect example), and I hope that devs will find a way to bypass it.
That's why when I saw an announcement about Omnia I came to see if it will be better than cm privacy wise, and to give some suggestions about privacy and permissions...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If there's anything that you've found like "call home" routines, please let us know - they will be looked at and removed if necessary.
Totally agree with you on privacy though here. It's very important. I have some ideas to go further than CM, but it's all ideas for now.
pulser_g2 said:
Out of the box, there's no "spyware" that anyone is aware of in Android. If you install Google Apps, you are giving those apps these permissions obviously.
If you don't use Gapps (like me), then you should be fine - you can check what each app does in its own source code.
I am also looking into ways to help protect against spying third party software you install (ie. apps a user installs), for those who want added protection.
I work as a security researcher, so yes, I do care quite a bit about security, and excessive permissions is a life-long hate of mine There are no gapps when you install Omni, so you'll be safe. For those who want them, they can flash them.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Question here, if you do not use gapp what exactly do you use? I mean you need ways to download apps right? so you only install the playstore and call it a day or what?
mgbotoe said:
Question here, if you do not use gapp what exactly do you use? I mean you need ways to download apps right? so you only install the playstore and call it a day or what?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you want to keep only the play store you can, but you will have to keep the Google service framework as well, and maybe the Google log in.
@pulser_g2
my phone is very well protected, and skinned to the extreme (like only 20 or so remaining system apps), so for now the only app that performs a call home routine is the android system. But if I disable all the protections then the wlan test, the settings and the settings storage do call home as well. I guess other system apps would do it as well, but since I've uninstalled more than 150 of them I can't tell which ones.
One can check by oneself using this:
http://www.xda-developers.com/android/monitor-your-devices-network-connections/
and this:
https://play.google.com/store/apps/...dium=organic&utm_term=network+log+google+play
Regarding android system's home call routine, could you please point me at a tutorial explaining how to disable it (I searched the web but couldn't find anything)? I'm not a dev, but I'm not bad at modding
I'm happy to see that you are more privacy concerned than cm, and when Omnia gets released I think I will try to make a build for my galaxy grand i9082 (cuz there's not much development going on for that device)...
Hey Guys,
So i've have a Samsung Galaxy S4 (I9500) as a secondary device (Primary is iPhone 5 :highfive
I used to love Android but off lately I am starting to hate every device its on like Note 3 (demo for 1 hour) Or HTC One or Note 2 or this S4.
Now I like Google & Android like everyone else, but have started to hate their approach, Google used to stand for "Freedom" of what users want to do but now they are forcing stuff on you and don't give you easier way to get out of it.
e.g. Google Play Movies / TV, Google Play Books < I don't give a crap for these service, I have found no way to remove them yet, even via Rooting I still am unable to remove them. they don't show up in NoBloat Free software.
Then there is Google Location Service, Why does location service / any other service for that matter need to run continuously when the phone is running, this is why I started to like iOS better than android (grant it has its issues) there is no optimization of the usage of resource these background task are taking & there is no way to just stop them from using up system resource unless you disable them. including other services like Dropbox Camera Upload, I don't think its that hard to build a trigger into an app that starts and stops the service when Camera application is launched.
Take a look at the screenshot below, the total amount of RAM used should be only 147MB according to the list of running apps & 123MB in Cached Processes but it is for some reason using 707MB.
Then there is the dependencies of apps, e.g. Google Hangout requiring Google Play services, Google Hangout in itself is a 16 MB app why would they build a dependency to another application and require its presence when the Play Services is only to Update Google Apps & other Apps from Play store?
Then the built-in Google Search, a freaking 30MB application & all that does is use the web search. Really Google?
So comming back to my real question here. I've looked in the sections but there aren't any ROM's that are designed to be used without any of the Google crap.. Is there any way i can run my S4 without these, I don't even want the Play store.
You can flash a deodexed google rom, and then remove the bloatware via a root file explorer of your choice, by deleting the apk files in system/app
Sent from my GT-I9103 using Tapatalk
Deadfreak said:
You can flash a deodexed google rom, and then remove the bloatware via a root file explorer of your choice, by deleting the apk files in system/app
Sent from my GT-I9103 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ok thanks i will install arrow rom and remove the apps I dont need.. and see if the phone is stable.
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?
I ran across this "solution" while investigating ways to avoid installing GApps on low-RAM tablets. It is not a perfect solution but if you want to be able to search, browse, etc., and download/install PlayStore apps right on your device, this may serve that purpose.
The app is called the Yalp Store and is available on F-Droid: https://f-droid.org/packages/com.github.yeriomin.yalpstore/
It runs just fine on the NST/G. Options are accessed via the menu "button". As default configured, it uses a generic shared login to access the PlayStore. You could substitute your own credentials, but I would advise against this as using this app would probably make the big G very angry. Search works fine, apps that are not compatible are listed as such and you can set the app to instantly download/install, just like the real thing. The app keeps track of your on-board apps, and can even be set to check for updates (probably unwise, as updates are likely to break functionality for our old devices).
Does this mean I don't need GApps?
Maybe, but probably not. One of the other things I discovered while pursuing this issue is that an increasing number of PlayStore apps which have nothing to do with Google sync or logins, incorporate a Google Framework Services API. So you may be able to download and install them but they will either refuse to run or else whine constantly about needing said Services to be installed. While GApps on the NST/G is not good for much these days except maybe Google Books sync, its hidden system files--which include the Services--may be needed to run PlayStore apps (like even the NPR app--go figure).
There are a few Xposed modules I tried that appear to be able to circumvent this issue (though not for apps requiring Google sync), but you're not going to get Xposed on the NST/G!
Anyway, there are a lot of other places to get apps (like the F-Droid store itself) but even if you get a "PlayStore" app from one of these sources, it may refuse to run if you don't have the GApps package installed. The Yalp Store app indicates which apps rely on GFS.
Edit: oh, and quickest way to exit the app is Settings > More > Log Out
Edit-Edit: no need for GApps except for Google Books. See https://forum.xda-developers.com/nook-touch/general/gapps-install-tested-confirmed-t3782459
the yalp apk installed but it isn't opening ...
aiamuzz said:
the yalp apk installed but it isn't opening ...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Wow...something majorly funky going on there with the packages at F-Doid and the GitHub. Version 0.32 is as you describe. Versions 0.31-0.30 install with a lot of Chinese characters in the title bar and then do not run. Version 0.29 from the GitHub gives a package parsing error like it's for the wrong Android version.
Version 0.28 from the GitHub is the newest that functions for me (although the anonymous login is broken). I've attached a copy below and I've made an issue report to the developer via the GitHub.
Edit: here is the response I received to my report of the issue to the developer: "Apparently, new build-tools (specifically aapt2) generate apks which are unusable on old androids.". So....it's not clear whether this will be addressed or not. One of the intents of the simplicity of the Yalp Store was to keep it available to Android systems as old as 2.0. Version 0.28 functions fine except for the anonymous login. If you use your own Google login you should be good, although you might want to open a separate account just for that purpose--to be safe.
update
Just a heads-up on the Yalp Store. The issues with installation, etc., seem to have been resolved with version 0.33 (available via the developer GitHub as of this writing, but not yet on F-Droid).
I had an issue or two at first with search but after exiting and reopening the app everything seemed to work fine. Categories are a little slow, but they do work.
HOW I DISABLED Google Playservices for INSTANT Apps
DISCLAIMER: Tweaking these apps and services can leave you with a broken, non-functional, steaming, smoking, screaming device; proceed at your own
risk. Just because I got it to work, doesn't mean it will work for you. I am not responsible for your PEBKAC errors. All Google stuff on my devices is extensively neutered, if it's not on your this may not work. I prevent updates to Play Store and Play services and the brunt of services run by those apps are disabled there's too much there to be covered in a simple guide but this instruction is what FINALLY clipped INSTANT APP'S wings.
I thought I'd found a way to prevent it from re-installing itself, but after two days it did, but at least this turns it off and keeps it from hogging battery and as much memory. As many have pointed out, freezing doesn't, but but turning off the SERVICES as outlined here, it slows it down a lot.
ROOT IS REQUIRED, the only way to block it without root I know of is disable the Play Store, go someplace else for that and don't hijack this information, it's not about using 3C, facebook, Play store, relationship problems or political unrest, it's about STOPPING Google's Apps: Play Store & Play Services from installing "Playservices for INSTANT Apps"
I think the PLAY STORE downloads and installs “Playservices for INSTANT Apps” under control of services run by PLAY Services
RECOMMENDATION: Every release of Play Store and Play services potentinally includes NEW services that might affect this solution. I recommend each time they are updated you check for NEW items that might trigger installation of Instant apps.
THE SOLUTION:
=============================================================
Using 3C All-in-One Toolbox" from 3c71 dot com
"Manage">"Application manager">"Apps">"Google Play store">"Manage">"Permissions">"Activities">search (with magnifying glass on toolbar)
input package name "instantapps to filter and uncheck items. Do the same for "Providers", "Receivers" and "Services"
"Manage">
"Application manager">
"Apps">
"Google Play services">
"Manage">
"Permissions">
"Activities">search (with magnifying glass on toolbar)
input package name "instantapps to filter and uncheck items. Do the same for "Providers", "Receivers" and "Services"
NOW, UNINSTALL/DELETE/REMOVE the app: Google Playservices for INSTANT Apps.
"Manage">
"Application manager">
"Apps">
"Google Play store">
"Manage">
Uninstall
============================================================
This is working for me on Samsung Galaxy S5 (G900V Lollipop), Core Prime (G360T), Core Prime G360V, J1 (J100M), LG VS810P and MemuPlay Emulator.
Call it what you want, Malware, Spyware, Shovelware, Vaporware, Bloatware to me Google Playservices for INSTANT Apps is all those things. I saw Google Playservices for INSTANT Apps on my phone December 2018 and cringed. It's taken me almost 4 months to come up with this working solution. When I say WORKING, I mean it prevents Google Playservices for INSTANT Apps from reinstalling and still leaves Google Play Store functional.
THANK YOU! to the dev of 3C All-in-One Toolbox for providing their awesome tools.