Related
It is anoying seeing that icon I didn't ask for in my launcher... Does it persist in 2.3?
Thanks
decodecoding said:
It is anoying seeing that icon I didn't ask for in my launcher... Does it persist in 2.3?
Thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Root and delete
That's the reason i rooted my phone.
Have you ever asked for Market, Gmail and others?
elegos said:
Have you ever asked for Market, Gmail and others?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Right from the moment I decided I didn't need an Amazon Phone...
if you use launcher pro, you can hide items from app drawer
decodecoding said:
Right from the moment I decided I didn't need an Amazon Phone...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I mean, Amazon MP3 is just a "google app" like the others. You never asked for the Market, but Google put it in so that you could download other apps. Same of Gmail, Browser, Email, Maps, News & meteo... you may or may not use them, but they are there. You can always adb remount and delete the apps you don't want.
I don't see the problem Amazon mp3 if u don't like don't use but I do think it comes stock on all android phones
Sent from my Nexus One using XDA App
Yeah, pretty sure it isn't crapware. It comes stock with Android doesn't it? You get an app store and a music store.
The funny thing is that carriers usually like to add their own select choice of bloatware to devices, but on my Nexus One, vodafone actually removed the Amazon mp3 bloat!
The European Union is really strict with anti-competitive behaviour, (hence the Windows 'Browser Ballot' screen), so i guess this is the reason why.
OWhatever opinions you have about Amazon MP3, whether bloatware or core gapps, the android os is forever preloading it into memory.
I suppose it's not a big deal, memory management on android is different than windows, but for me... I label all the sys apps I don't care for and every time I install a nightly, I just run titanium backup at first boot and remove all the labeled sys apps.
I originally rooted my phone just to get rid of the bloatware I didn't want on there.
Eventually I went to CM as the update messages were annoying and I couldn't update with all the missing stock stuff.
Now I'm clean and no messages.
I was wondering the same thing. I don't mind the Amazon MP3 app, but I noticed in videos of the NS it appeared the Twitter app weren't included on that phone. I was hoping maybe Google reconsidered the junk they considered standard.
i guess it would be nice for them to let us remove it without root, but i really like the amazon mp3 store being on my phone. i loathe itunes, so i only have the amazon store to buy my music. without it i would be teh suck. so i actually like having the mp3 store on stock android phones.
Well Google uses Amazon as there 'itunes' music store. I assume that Amazon will remain in there until Google setups their own.
I admit that I was annoyed by it too. Although using Root Manager (with Root access) is easy enough to delete. Custom roms usually don't include it either, which was my first choice.
Rumor has it that on Wednesday, along with the in-depth look at Honeycomb, Google will announce Google Music. So maybe they won't include AmazonMP3 when ever they roll out Gingerbread.
Namuna said:
OWhatever opinions you have about Amazon MP3, whether bloatware or core gapps, the android os is forever preloading it into memory.
I suppose it's not a big deal, memory management on android is different than windows, but for me... I label all the sys apps I don't care for and every time I install a nightly, I just run titanium backup at first boot and remove all the labeled sys apps.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Amazon MP3 had an update in the last few months that only put it in memory if the user started the app.. you're saying it still memory resident even though you don't use it?
Does the Nexus S have the Amazon MP3 app?
Use Titanium Backup to freeze it, problem solved
As mentioned above, your options are:
a) "Freeze" it in Titanium Backup to stop it appearing in stock launcher.
b) If using LauncherPro, use the option to hide unwanted apps
c) Use Titanium Backup to uninstall the app
d) Delete the apk from /system/app/ via an adb shell.
e) Have a cup of concrete and harden up.
Not a big deal.
If you're like me and wanna keep using stock android, just use Titanium to freeze it.
Next update comes up, unfreeze it and update, then re-freeze it.
I did the same with TALKBACK, GOOGLE VOICE (not available in Canada) and NEWS AND WEATHER
booya.
What you guys did, after you tear down the box and turn on your acer a500 for the first time, excluding language and timezone selection?
Check for update manually
root it
ibila said:
Check for update manually
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What's the easiest way to do this?
ken_sadgit said:
root it
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't know what is it, or how they do it, but first I wanna know why they do it. All I heard is root! root! root!
get to know it
Do not root update install 3rd party apps until you know honeycomb and android
Of course root is obviously needed it also puts system files in your hands to mess up.
Please be careful and read all the forums and threads here
Thanks for hearing my 2 cents
If you dont know why you most likely do not need to do so yet
There are a great bunch of people here .take your time and do not jumpinto to deep
If you're not going to root, obviously the first thing is to set your tablet up with your Google account (either an existing GMail account or a new one.) Then set up any other email accounts, and install any apps you know you want that aren't on the tablet already (Kindle/Nook, games, utilities, TweetDeck, Pandora, MoboPlayer, etc.)
Find yourself a good File Manager; Android doesn't come by default with a program to let you view the files on your tablet :| I personally use ES File Explorer, but HD File Manager is also pretty good and was designed for Honeycomb/tablet size displays.
As Erica said above, don't even consider rooting until you've worked with Android a bit. If you don't need the tools root provides, you're better off not doing it.
Rooting your tablet (or other Android device) installs a "SuperUser" application which can allow other apps to act as the owner of the operating system (for Windows user, Administrator level privileges rather than User). In most cases, the method of getting root involves using a device- or Android-version-specific exploit/security hole.
With Root/SU, you can:
Run root-only apps like Titanium Backup, SetCPU (profiles only currently)
Remove and/or replace apps and other files not normally in the "user" space (CAUTION: Acer's update process expects damned near all of the pre-installed apps to still be there, so ALWAYS back up the original files!)
Once the hard-working and never-appreciated-enough Devs figure out a way around the bootloader (or Acer unlocks it), you can replace the kernel files, overclock, replace the entire ROM with a custom one
Some caveats:
Rooting will almost certainly void your warranty (if discovered should you have to return it for warranty service) and if you do it wrong, you can brick your device (i.e. you now have a flat black brick, not a functional device)
Some apps will not work on devices that are rooted (and/or have the SuperUser app present). Currently this includes at a minimum Google Movies and Blockbuster.
DON'T waste you time trying to update. It's been pulled until release fo HC 3.1.
DO enjoy the unit!
DO download apps and play.
Root at your own risk, but HC 3.1 is around the corner and you will have a dificult time getting it if you don't know what your not a techie.
Lastly, put it in Airplane mode before sleep mode to save battery. If you are turning it off, no dif.
Get Astro file mgr - free
Get Weatherbug for HC - free
Get Pandora - free
Load a micro mem card with all you music and videos, and enjoy one of the best devices in production.
If you have a memory card reader, blow you Ipad friends minds by asking them to borrow the memory card in their digital camera, plug it into the USB and swipe through their pictures. They don't have an app for that.
I have had my A500 since last week. I have basically just been trying out apps and browsing Forums to get more info. In the end the forum here seems to be most active and contains the most interesting information.
Also try to google for list with "Optimized for Honeycomb". This will make you fiind the apps that are optimized for the Tablet.
I did not root my device as I dont have any need for it (yet), but I am certainly waiting for 3.1. The current version of honeycomb is a bit unstable.
For the rest just enjoy the tablet
Smile, you just bought a great tablet
So what are you guys saying is that I should not update my build version, and wait for the 3.1 update
Of course first have to buy a screen protector before remove the plastic cover. Apply the screen protector before it get dusted. Then only turn on the device, sign in your Google account and connect internet and do setting. Then go update the firmware.
Sent from my A500 using XDA Premium App
So what are you guys saying is that I should not update my build version, and wait for the 3.1 update
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Correct, unless you know what you are doing.
Hi, a new guy here!
I recently became a happy owner of 32Gb wi-fi only N7. I’m familiar with software dev (windows developer for 20 years with some work on unix) and customization/modding/flashing process (mostly for satellite receivers). However this is my first tablet and my first Android device so I could use some help
I successfully unlocked, rooted and installed custom recovery on my N7. I would like to get to a bare bones state of the N7 and then slowly add new features/programs to it when it becomes necessary for me. So I would like to remove all non essential parts that were preinstalled on my N7.
I was under impression that I could uninstall programs using N7 UI after device gets rooted. However it seems that for majority of the apps I still only have an option to disable.
I shelled into N7 and looked around. It seems that all (majority?) of the apps are in /system/apps folder. Can I simply remove the apps and their files from that folder? Does this folder only contain user apps or does it also have system apps that are essential for N7 to function? Is there a chance to brick it by removing something (everything?) from that folder?
I searched on a forum for a list of apps that are safe to remove. I thought it would exist since it seems to be something many of us would be interested in doing. I didn’t find the list. If there is such a thing and someone could direct me there, it would be great!
Given that I can remove apps by deleting them from that folder safely, I still have a question what each app does and how important it is. Is safe to assume that any app that has a wheel with a drive belt on it as an icon in apps screen on N7 is system app and has to stay?
I have two keyboard app installed – one is Android keyboard and one is ASUS keyboard. Judging by the name 2 of these are essential since Android is the OS and ASUS is the manufacturer. But do I really need two of them?
If there is a resource/thread that discussed something similar, please let know. I look forward to learn from anyone on this forum!
_Diver said:
Hi, a new guy here!
I recently became a happy owner of 32Gb wi-fi only N7. I’m familiar with software dev (windows developer for 20 years with some work on unix) and customization/modding/flashing process (mostly for satellite receivers). However this is my first tablet and my first Android device so I could use some help
I successfully unlocked, rooted and installed custom recovery on my N7. I would like to get to a bare bones state of the N7 and then slowly add new features/programs to it when it becomes necessary for me. So I would like to remove all non essential parts that were preinstalled on my N7.
I was under impression that I could uninstall programs using N7 UI after device gets rooted. However it seems that for majority of the apps I still only have an option to disable.
I shelled into N7 and looked around. It seems that all (majority?) of the apps are in /system/apps folder. Can I simply remove the apps and their files from that folder? Does this folder only contain user apps or does it also have system apps that are essential for N7 to function? Is there a chance to brick it by removing something (everything?) from that folder?
I searched on a forum for a list of apps that are safe to remove. I thought it would exist since it seems to be something many of us would be interested in doing. I didn’t find the list. If there is such a thing and someone could direct me there, it would be great!
Given that I can remove apps by deleting them from that folder safely, I still have a question what each app does and how important it is. Is safe to assume that any app that has a wheel with a drive belt on it as an icon in apps screen on N7 is system app and has to stay?
I have two keyboard app installed – one is Android keyboard and one is ASUS keyboard. Judging by the name 2 of these are essential since Android is the OS and ASUS is the manufacturer. But do I really need two of them?
If there is a resource/thread that discussed something similar, please let know. I look forward to learn from anyone on this forum!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't have the energy right now to address every app one at a time, but I'll nudge you in the right direction. That should help you start tinkering.
The Nexus 7 is very popular in this community because it's intentionally more open, and less bloated, than much of the competition.
That being said, sure there are apps you could uninstall if you decide to. Some of the custom ROM's will have probably already have done this for you, but may create little unexpected quirks here and there.
The first thing you'll want to do is backing everything up thoroughly. I would use Titanium Pro (you'll see it referred to as Tibu a lot), to backup all apps and settings. Then I would use the Google Nexus 7 toolkit (found in the forums here) to do a backup, as well as make a nandroid backup.
Ok, so you're ready to tinker. Well, if you bought Titanium Pro from the app store, you've already got all you really need. First, use titanium to freeze an app you don't feel you need, and don't think is required. Re-boot, go about your daily routine, and see if all is ok. Continue on in this manner. Once you've frozen everything you're interested in, and made sure all is well, you can probably go ahead and uninstall them through Tibu. Freezing them should generally make them not start up anyways, so unless the tiny amount of space they take up is a concern, that's really all you generally need to do *.
* Ok, sometimes you have to fully uninstall things you don't want, but this should get you plenty to tinker with for now.
bladebarrier,
Thanks for your response. I understand the approach you suggested – disabling apps one at a time and then when they all disabled and device is working to my liking for a while I could uninstall them.
However, I’m somewhat frustrated with a sheer number of apps that I have out of the box and I can’t find a good description of what they do. For example:
Mobile Network Configuration
Google Partner Setup
Google Services Framework
Searching online doesn’t yield definitive answers if it’s something I need or will N7 work without them. I have google play store and google play services installed – does store app require services? Reading a bit about it doesn’t make it seem so, but I’m not 100% sure. So I was wondering if there is a list of apps that are required for N7 well being and that cannot be removed no matter what.
For example, Black Viper has an excellent example of what I’m looking for but for windows nt services: (can't post a link)
This page explain what each service is, what it does and if it’s safe to disable it depending on configuration you’re seeking – minimal set, typical, out of box of experimental. I would love to find something like that for N7 system apps
I installed CWM recovery when I rooted and as far as I can understand I does NAND backups. I plan on moving the backup file from the device to my desktop and keeping it there for safety reason.
The Tibu process that you described, as far as I understand (and I might be wrong here) is basically equivalent of disabling the apps using native N7 setting app, rebooting, using it for a while and then removing .apk and .odex (or simply app_name.*) files from system/apps folder. Tibu just makes it easier. Did I get that right?
And it’s still removing one app/widget at the time. I’d like to clean it out completely first and start from that point. So Tibu will probably not help me there. So my main Q is still out there – can I brick it by removing everything from system/app? Are there only user apps there or essential system apps as well? With CWM back up file on hand will I be able to recover if my experiment goes bad?
> * Ok, sometimes you have to fully uninstall things you don't want, but this should get you plenty to tinker with for now.
One of the reasons I want to have them removed is to clean up the list of apps I have on N7. Right now I have 5 pages of apps and I have little idea what they do and if I need them – I had Korean keyboard installed for example.
As I mentioned I’m a newb in this area, so maybe my approach is a bit dumb, so please be patient with me
_Diver said:
bladebarrier,
Thanks for your response. I understand the approach you suggested – disabling apps one at a time and then when they all disabled and device is working to my liking for a while I could uninstall them.
However, I’m somewhat frustrated with a sheer number of apps that I have out of the box and I can’t find a good description of what they do. For example:
Mobile Network Configuration
Google Partner Setup
Google Services Framework
Searching online doesn’t yield definitive answers if it’s something I need or will N7 work without them. I have google play store and google play services installed – does store app require services? Reading a bit about it doesn’t make it seem so, but I’m not 100% sure. So I was wondering if there is a list of apps that are required for N7 well being and that cannot be removed no matter what.
For example, Black Viper has an excellent example of what I’m looking for but for windows nt services: (can't post a link)
This page explain what each service is, what it does and if it’s safe to disable it depending on configuration you’re seeking – minimal set, typical, out of box of experimental. I would love to find something like that for N7 system apps
I installed CWM recovery when I rooted and as far as I can understand I does NAND backups. I plan on moving the backup file from the device to my desktop and keeping it there for safety reason.
The Tibu process that you described, as far as I understand (and I might be wrong here) is basically equivalent of disabling the apps using native N7 setting app, rebooting, using it for a while and then removing .apk and .odex (or simply app_name.*) files from system/apps folder. Tibu just makes it easier. Did I get that right?
And it’s still removing one app/widget at the time. I’d like to clean it out completely first and start from that point. So Tibu will probably not help me there. So my main Q is still out there – can I brick it by removing everything from system/app? Are there only user apps there or essential system apps as well? With CWM back up file on hand will I be able to recover if my experiment goes bad?
> * Ok, sometimes you have to fully uninstall things you don't want, but this should get you plenty to tinker with for now.
One of the reasons I want to have them removed is to clean up the list of apps I have on N7. Right now I have 5 pages of apps and I have little idea what they do and if I need them – I had Korean keyboard installed for example.
As I mentioned I’m a newb in this area, so maybe my approach is a bit dumb, so please be patient with me
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Removing Google framework services is a big no-no. To be honest, the easiest way to accomplish what you want is installing a custom ROM like CyanogenMod, especially since you've done all the prep work for such a thing.
Once you install any official CM build it is as close to app-less as you can get on a modular OS like this.
littleemp said:
Removing Google framework services is a big no-no. To be honest, the easiest way to accomplish what you want is installing a custom ROM like CyanogenMod, especially since you've done all the prep work for such a thing.
Once you install any official CM build it is as close to app-less as you can get on a modular OS like this.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
that's what i suspected! i thought that google framework would be something essential, but there is not much easily available information there to arrive at that conclusion
since i'm new to this, i thought i should stay away from any rom flashing until i get a bit more familiar with a device, terminology and stuff like that. i'm looking at the "[ROM] CyanogenMod 10.1 [OFFICIAL]" thread and i'm not sure about half of the terms - GAPPS, PSA, Nightlies i do know what ROM is, I do know what kernel is, virtual machine, etc. But it's applied to the platform that I have little experience with, so it makes me a little bit uneasy
_Diver said:
bladebarrier,
Thanks for your response. I understand the approach you suggested – disabling apps one at a time and then when they all disabled and device is working to my liking for a while I could uninstall them.
However, I’m somewhat frustrated with a sheer number of apps that I have out of the box and I can’t find a good description of what they do. For example:
Mobile Network Configuration
Google Partner Setup
Google Services Framework
Searching online doesn’t yield definitive answers if it’s something I need or will N7 work without them. I have google play store and google play services installed – does store app require services? Reading a bit about it doesn’t make it seem so, but I’m not 100% sure. So I was wondering if there is a list of apps that are required for N7 well being and that cannot be removed no matter what.
For example, Black Viper has an excellent example of what I’m looking for but for windows nt services: (can't post a link)
This page explain what each service is, what it does and if it’s safe to disable it depending on configuration you’re seeking – minimal set, typical, out of box of experimental. I would love to find something like that for N7 system apps
I installed CWM recovery when I rooted and as far as I can understand I does NAND backups. I plan on moving the backup file from the device to my desktop and keeping it there for safety reason.
The Tibu process that you described, as far as I understand (and I might be wrong here) is basically equivalent of disabling the apps using native N7 setting app, rebooting, using it for a while and then removing .apk and .odex (or simply app_name.*) files from system/apps folder. Tibu just makes it easier. Did I get that right?
And it’s still removing one app/widget at the time. I’d like to clean it out completely first and start from that point. So Tibu will probably not help me there. So my main Q is still out there – can I brick it by removing everything from system/app? Are there only user apps there or essential system apps as well? With CWM back up file on hand will I be able to recover if my experiment goes bad?
> * Ok, sometimes you have to fully uninstall things you don't want, but this should get you plenty to tinker with for now.
One of the reasons I want to have them removed is to clean up the list of apps I have on N7. Right now I have 5 pages of apps and I have little idea what they do and if I need them – I had Korean keyboard installed for example.
As I mentioned I’m a newb in this area, so maybe my approach is a bit dumb, so please be patient with me
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Tibu requires root access, in order to perform what we're discussing. I'm relatively new to JB, but I can't imagine any stock settings replicating its capabilities.
As far as a whole bunch of apps being in your list, that's sort of the way Android works. Think of it like "superfetch", or whatever that term was in Windows Vista. Basically, two things happen when you boot. Android looks at a list of apps that are designed to start on boot, and also apps that it expects you may want to run in the future. Both of these are designed to make the device run smoother overall, and it will kill apps if extra ram is required and they are not in use. Certain Android apps require themselves to run at all times. Some of these are apps like Tasker (if you're using tasker profiles), some of these are system apps that make the device function, some of these are apps that maintain widgets or background monitoring (weather apps, gmail, calendar).
Now, there are two ways to go about sorting what is bloat, and what is there because Android decided to load it. You can install an app called Autostarts, that will give an insight into apps that start up when certain criteria are met. You can also use it to stop those apps from queuing up at those trigger points. This is another root required app, and while I purchased it long ago, may have a free version as well. It's time consuming to use, and not perfect, which is why Tibu is better for flat out locking down unwanted apps.
Back to my initial thoughts though, you will see apps in your system list that you haven't touched since boot, because Android tries to anticipate your needs. People used to use "task killers" to close the apps, and came to realize that unless one is causing a real problem, it's just going to go back into the cached app list again anyways, thus reducing battery life when it has to load it over and over again. "Task killer" is a dirty word around XDA, unless you're using it to close an app that doesn't just go into the background like a good little app should.
Basically, you're going to start playing whack-a-mole if you want your list to remain as small as possible, at all times, and yet still actually use the device for anything interesting. You can reduce it, via various methods, and if this were a device from say "insert-name" brand, and was loaded with bloat apps, by all means you should clean those out. However, I think you'll find that while google does install things that aren't needed, or even used by everyone, it's mostly not a big issue.
Check out Better Battery Stats, in the XDA forums. It's an app that shows a pretty good picture of what is actually going on when you're not looking, and can provide data on how to improve your performance. It's probably a better way to start delving into what processes are actually being used, and which ones are just basically harmless. You'll also learn a good bit about how Android works from the Dev's explanations of many of the processes.
---------- Post added at 08:36 PM ---------- Previous post was at 08:32 PM ----------
_Diver said:
that's what i suspected! i thought that google framework would be something essential, but there is not much easily available information there to arrive at that conclusion
since i'm new to this, i thought i should stay away from any rom flashing until i get a bit more familiar with a device, terminology and stuff like that. i'm looking at the "[ROM] CyanogenMod 10.1 [OFFICIAL]" thread and i'm not sure about half of the terms - GAPPS, PSA, Nightlies i do know what ROM is, I do know what kernel is, virtual machine, etc. But it's applied to the platform that I have little experience with, so it makes me a little bit uneasy
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Make sure whichever ROM you use, if you decide to, supports your HSPA+ model. There is a separate development section in the Nexus 7 forums, for those of us that have the HSPA+ version. We are the minority, as the Nexus 7 was initially released as a wifi only tablet.
bladebarrier said:
Tibu requires root access, in order to perform what we're discussing. I'm relatively new to JB, but I can't imagine any stock settings replicating its capabilities.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i do have SU privileges, so what i was talking about was disabling an app thru N7 setting screen and then when i deem the app ok to remove, going to adb shell and removing the actual file.
i just did this:
mount -o remount rw /system
rm iWnnIME_Kbd_White.apk
rm iWnnIME.apk
and it removed the japanese keyboard. however when i go back to app screen under settings, i still see it but now it has a grey icon with a SD symbols in the corner. so it appears it recognizes that the app is gone, but it's still referenced in the list. i pushed the files back using NRT and it all back to the way it was. so looks like my idea of cleaning the list by removing the apk might not fly.
and now I wonder how Tibu uninstalls the apps.
bladebarrier said:
People used to use "task killers" to close the apps, and came to realize that unless one is causing a real problem, it's just going to go back into the cached app list again anyways, thus reducing battery life when it has to load it over and over again.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I understand the notion of apps being in the cache and being removed when more RAM is needed, however the purist in me just doesn't want the junk apps to be there in first place However there is a lot of validity to these of your words:
bladebarrier said:
Basically, you're going to start playing whack-a-mole if you want your list to remain as small as possible, at all times, and yet still actually use the device for anything interesting.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
My wife got Kindle Fire HD recently and she's been using it happily. While I was thinking why would anyone want a closed up system (well, more closed up system then Nexus), she's been using it and I've been frustrated with my N7 so i might just let it go and enjoy the japanese and korean keyboards anyway
bladebarrier said:
Make sure whichever ROM you use, if you decide to, supports your HSPA+ model.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i'm wifi only
ngshniq every
i think i found what i was after: http wiki.cyanogenmod.org/wiki/barebones (url modified since i still can't post urls). this wiki page has the list of app with a short description and if it's safe to remove. it also has additional information that explains why i still saw the reference to the app in the list when apk file was deleted:
looks like i need to pay attention to 2 additional files:
/data/system/packages.xml
/data/system/packages.list
i bet I would find a reference to the apps in these and i would need to remove it in order to have the app disappear from the app list. i'll play around a bit more and report back
One thing, could you explain your reasoning behind wanting to delete everything but the essentials? Do you have a particular goal in mind or is it because of your windows background? Because if so, you should know that android operates very differently when compared to windows, and such, the requirements to keep your device working in tip top shape vary greatly.
In my opinion, with your current limited knowledge of each process/app inner workings, what you're trying to do surefire way to break something beyond repair and needing to use a factory image to get back to zero. A custom ROM will be much safer and yield the exact same results that you're looking for. (Eventually, once you understand what each thing does, then this manual approach could satisfy your needs)
Note: GApps are the basic Google apps to flash on top of the barebones system. Gmail, Play store, and the framework.
Nightlies are experimental builds compiled nightly by a bot with the latest CyanogenMod code available.
Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk HD
My goal was to simplify my approach to N7 by removing anything that I don’t need now and slowly adding all necessary components as I get familiar with it. But it seems at this point that this approach is a bit more complicated as thought it would be.
So I think I would leave it alone for now and revisit this later
_Diver said:
My goal was to simplify my approach to N7 by removing anything that I don’t need now and slowly adding all necessary components as I get familiar with it. But it seems at this point that this approach is a bit more complicated as thought it would be.
So I think I would leave it alone for now and revisit this later
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
From what you've done manually, you're clearly far ahead of a new user when it comes to understanding linux/unix.
If you want to lock down parts of what google implements, purely to keep it minimalistic, I would agree with the above poster. Go for one of the popular ROM options that are available, like CM, and work your way backwards. The Nexus 7 only has as much bloat as you allow it to have via the settings. This is another reason why Better Battery Stats is an excellent way to make sure your device isn't draining battery, yet isn't locked down. The other day I noticed an app that kept fetching my position, even though the case was closed (magnetic sleep mode). It turned out I forgot to disable the tracking in google maps (why it was defaulted to ON, I have no idea). BBS showed me what was running during the sleep phase, and I fixed it when I woke up the next morning after wondering why my battery dropped.
The Kindle Fire is a great option, because it doesn't require any of this fussing about. My woman loves hers. LOVES IT. Personally, I like to tinker a bit, and I'm too invested in Android apps to not have access to the play store. The Nexus 7, is for people like what you find here. We like to tinker, and make everything custom. At the same time, you could spend all day trying to figure out why EntriesRefresh_wakelock is your highest partial wakelock count, at 60seconds per 7 hours, or you can find that you just went 7 hours and only used 6% of the battery, even though you've been connected to wifi, texting, emailing, and checking the weather and news, the whole time. Not bad, honestly.
The biggest investment you can do for your Nexus, is probably getting a case that magnetically puts it to rest when you close it. After that, learn about the settings that drain battery in the background. Then, get Tasker and play around that (it's like programming, without the need to learn the code). After that, go to a custom ROM, or dig out Tibu, and basically start customizing which apps you will use. If that doesn't pass the time long enough, you can literally make your own ROM and put together exactly what you want. Whether the performance will be that much better or not, and whether you'll spend most of your day trying to look for coding errors, is up to you. I don't have the patience to code, but you're a coder, so what is broccoli to me, may be bacon to you.
This is a simple Step-by-Step guide on How To: Install Google Play Incompatible Android Apps Kindle Fire 7" HD, Kindle Fire HD 8.9" and Kindle Fire 2 with Windows - Noob (Simple) Version. The main group steps are outlined with A, B, C while the sub-group steps are outlined with 1, 2, 3. We attempt to keep this tutorial updated regularly - adding information from the end users experience. We have recently upgraded the storage servers to increase uptime, you now have two options for the downloads both are ad free. Option one is a Dropbox Storage Server and Option two is a Ubuntu One Storage Server, if one is under maintenance you may use the other download link. When you are done with the tutorial, please take the time to post feedback, this is very important to us - without your feedback, we have no way of knowing if we are doing our job. Finally, if you feel we did a decent job, please think about donating to us using the "Donate to Me" button - this is how we make a living, without your kind donations we would no longer be able to do this for a living.
Prerequisites:
1. Kindle Fire HD 7", Kindle Fire HD 8.9" or Kindle Fire 2 7"
2. ES File Explorer or Root Explorer from Google Play.
Some Android apps on Google Play claim to be incompatible with various devices. There’s a good chance that these apps will run fine on many of these devices – you can bypass this check with root access.
Some apps won’t actually work after you install them, but many will. This also solves problems with applications that will install but refuse to play – for example, Boat Browser with the “this device is incompatible” message.
A) Editing Build.prop
The build.prop file contains a few strings (bits of text) that identify your Kindle Fire as KFTT. If you edit this file, Google Play and other apps will think you’re using a different device than you actually using. Be very careful when editing this file – we’ll just be editing a few tiny parts of it. If you edit other parts, you could cause serious problems with your device.
First, launch the ES File Explorer app. Open its Settings screen and enable the Root Explorer and Mount File System options. You may also want to enable the Up to Root option on this screen, so you can easily tap the Up button and navigate to your root directory.
Step 1: Navigate to the /system/ directory on your device and locate the build.prop file.
Step 2: You should create a copy of the original build.prop file elsewhere – long-press on it, select Copy, and then Paste it into another folder – say, your /sdcard/Download folder.
Step 3: Now you’re ready to edit the file. Long-press it, select Open As, select Text, and select the ES Note Editor application
Step 4: Look for the ro.product.model and ro.product.manufacturer lines. These are the important ones.
Step 5: Change these lines to pretend your device is another model. For example, to imitate a Nexus S, use these lines:
ro.product.model = Nexus S
ro.product.manufacturer = samsung
Step 6: After making this change, tap the menu button and select Save.
B) Final Steps
Step 7: Go into the Settings screen, select Applications, select Manage Applications, tap the All category, and select the Google Play app. Clear its cache and data, and then restart the Kindle Fire.
Step 8: Open Google Play and you should be able to download apps that claim they’re not compatible with your Kindle Fire. Applications, Games and Browsers that detect your device should also work, too – Gameloft games seem to be particularly guilty of this. Some apps may still not install or work with your device for other reasons — for example, Google Chrome won’t work on pre-Android 4.0 devices, Bluetooth Tether fails on the Kindle. Some apps may be restricted to certain countries so do not break these rules.
Step 9: Most applications from Google Play Store are installed in the /data/app folder. There are many cases where the application will fail when first launched. If you experience an application that suddenly Stops, move the application to /system/app and change the permissions to User: Read Write | Group: Read and Others: Read. Then reboot your Kindle. If the application continues to fail, please open a post in this thread and we will have our developer work on a solution.
Hi prokennexusa
- I just tried this on my KFHD7"
- After changing the two lines and clearing out the Store app cache and data, I restarted and went back to Play.
- The three apps I was looking for were still not available to me (Fandango, Boat Browser and Chrome)
- I actually downloaded another app store (1Mobile Market) and downloaded all three apps which I installed and ran without problem.
- Also, I thought that perhaps it was not enough to change the two lines you mentioned (product model & manufacturer) so I tried this again with additional changes to brand (changed to samsung) model (changed to nexus s) and device (changed to nexus s) and then I saved the file, cleared cache and data from the google play store and again sought to gain these three apps which were are "not compatible" with my device.
- Unfortuntately, the Play store did not change the status for those apps --they all remained "not compatible" for the device.
- One good point I gained out of this so far is that I have found another pretty good market to get apps to sideload on my KFHD7.
- One question (please!), can I leave the build.prop identities (model, manufacturer, brand, name, device) in their changed state (samsung/nexus s) or is it better to revert them back to the Amazon Kindle for some reason?
Thanks!
Install Google Play Incompatible Android Apps Noob (Simple) Version
markbc01 said:
Hi prokennexusa
- I just tried this on my KFHD7"
- After changing the two lines and clearing out the Store app cache and data, I restarted and went back to Play.
- The three apps I was looking for were still not available to me (Fandango, Boat Browser and Chrome)
- I actually downloaded another app store (1Mobile Market) and downloaded all three apps which I installed and ran without problem.
- Also, I thought that perhaps it was not enough to change the two lines you mentioned (product model & manufacturer) so I tried this again with additional changes to brand (changed to samsung) model (changed to nexus s) and device (changed to nexus s) and then I saved the file, cleared cache and data from the google play store and again sought to gain these three apps which were are "not compatible" with my device.
- Unfortuntately, the Play store did not change the status for those apps --they all remained "not compatible" for the device.
- One good point I gained out of this so far is that I have found another pretty good market to get apps to sideload on my KFHD7.
- One question (please!), can I leave the build.prop identities (model, manufacturer, brand, name, device) in their changed state (samsung/nexus s) or is it better to revert them back to the Amazon Kindle for some reason?
Thanks!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
markbc01,
What I think is happening is the vendors are given two options on how to read the model one reads the build.prop data while the other executes a simple 'android.os.Build.MODEL' request. It looks like most vendors are turning to the latter. They may also query the device fingerprint.
This is great info, this is what we were hoping for:good: - your feedback so we can improve the process and make it work 100% of the time. Give us 24 hours to look at all angles and then we will post an update that will solve your problem.
Leave the build.prop data as is, there is no disadvantage leaving the name changed.
Many free versions such as all of the Angry Birds games are still incompatible from the Play Store even with this edit, yet they work perfectly fine if sideloaded, guess that's more to do with the fact Amazon App Store only having the paid versions & asked Google to block them.
Install Google Play Incompatible Android Apps Noob (Simple) Version
Gilly10 said:
Many free versions such as all of the Angry Birds games are still incompatible from the Play Store even with this edit, yet they work perfectly fine if sideloaded, guess that's more to do with the fact Amazon App Store only having the paid versions & asked Google to block them.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Gilly10,
You nailed it. Amazon and Google have a very tight relationship. As a matter of fact, if you watch the traffic when you purchase something from Amazon Software App Store, you will see something very interesting. The purchase traffic routes through Amazon but the download request is processed on the same server array as ................. you guess it, Google.
instagram still won't let me install cause its still reading its not compatible
Sent from my KFTT using XDA Premium HD app
prokennexusa said:
Gilly10,
You nailed it. Amazon and Google have a very tight relationship. As a matter of fact, if you watch the traffic when you purchase something from Amazon Software App Store, you will see something very interesting. The purchase traffic routes through Amazon but the download request is processed on the same server array as ................. you guess it, Google.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Actually just looked Amazon do have the FREE versions but only of the first 4, Star Wars is the only paid app without a FREE version, strange they would block the rest, puzzling!
meddle70 said:
instagram still won't let me install cause its still reading its not compatible
Sent from my KFTT using XDA Premium HD app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
A sketchy workaround (because who knows where they're sourcing their apks) would be to install blackmart, aptoide or similar alternative market and install it from there.... What I can say that it works, but I don't fully endorse it because again, I don't know where they source their apps.
Hi,
Changing the two lines caused a license problem with Swype keyboard... any of you experienced this ?
Sent from my KFTT using xda premium
iCoN3o said:
Hi,
Changing the two lines caused a license problem with Swype keyboard... any of you experienced this ?
Sent from my KFTT using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah it says it's unregistered or something a long those lines, only thing to do is put back the correct details that you changed or if you copied the build.prop beforehand copy it back to system/ & reboot.
Kindle Fire HD and 2 First Aide Software - Noob (Simple) Version
iCoN3o said:
Hi,
Changing the two lines caused a license problem with Swype keyboard... any of you experienced this ?
Sent from my KFTT using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
iCoN3o,
This makes sense, the reason? Swipe Keyboard thinks you have copied the software, here is a fix. Go into More+ > Applications > Installed Applications - find Swipe. Clear the Cache and User Data, then remove Swipe.
Then install our software and wipe the User Data and Cache : Kindle Fire HD and 2 First Aide MAJOR UPDATE 02/14/2013 at 21:48 Rev4.2.22
Reboot the Kindle. Go to Google Play Store and reinstall Swipe. The issue will disappear.
Kindle Fire HD and 2 First Aide Software - Noob (Simple) Version
Gilly10 said:
Yeah it says it's unregistered or something a long those lines, only thing to do is put back the correct details that you changed or if you copied the build.prop beforehand copy it back to system/ & reboot.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Gilly10,
Actually it is an easy fix. Swipe thinks you have copied the application to a new Android, here is how you fix the issue:
Go into More+ > Applications > Installed Applications - find Swipe. Clear the Cache and User Data, then remove Swipe.
Then install our software and wipe the User Data and Cache : Kindle Fire HD and 2 First Aide MAJOR UPDATE 02/14/2013 at 21:48 Rev4.2.22
Reboot the Kindle. Go to Google Play Store and reinstall Swipe. The issue will disappear.
Thanks ! That worked.
Sent from my KFTT using xda premium
Google Play Incompatible Android Apps Noob (Simple) Version
iCoN3o said:
Thanks ! That worked.
Sent from my KFTT using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
iCoN3o,
Thank you for taking the time to post feedback. We do appreciate it, thank you!
Install Google Play Incompatible Android Apps Noob (Simple) Version
meddle70 said:
instagram still won't let me install cause its still reading its not compatible
Sent from my KFTT using XDA Premium HD app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
meddle70,
This method works on about 60% of the vendors. It depends on how the vendor reads the make and model. There is another method will will be posting that will take care of the issue 100% of the time, give us a few days and we will post the additional work.
Google Play Incompatible Android Apps Noob (Simple) Version
Gilly10 said:
Actually just looked Amazon do have the FREE versions but only of the first 4, Star Wars is the only paid app without a FREE version, strange they would block the rest, puzzling!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Gilly10,
The reason may have to do with the contract that Amazon has signed with Google Play, since there appears to be little rhyme and reason.
Google Play Incompatible Android Apps Noob (Simple) Version
meddle70 said:
instagram still won't let me install cause its still reading its not compatible
Sent from my KFTT using XDA Premium HD app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
meddle70,
We have a signed copy of Instagram on our server we were using for testing, here is a link to Instagram 3.4.0: https://dl.dropbox.com/u/54456659/Instagram_3.4.0.apk.zip
Pleas extract Instagram_3.4.0.apk.zip ad Instagram_3.4.0.apk then install on your Kindle. You may use ES Explorer to install Instagram_3.4.0.apk by clicking on the Instagram_3.4.0.apk program and wait for "installed successfully". Once you have installed Instagram_3.4.0.apk be sure to move Instagram_3.4.0.apk from /data/app to /system/app check the permissions of Instagram_3.4.0.apk in /system/app they should be: User: Read Write Group: Read and Others: Read - be sure to reboot prior to using Instagram 3.4.0.
If you run into any issues with the installation, just post the question here or in our Backup/Recovery thread.
Google Play Incompatible Android Apps Noob (Simple) Version
helix4u said:
A sketchy workaround (because who knows where they're sourcing their apks) would be to install blackmart, aptoide or similar alternative market and install it from there.... What I can say that it works, but I don't fully endorse it because again, I don't know where they source their apps.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
helix4u,
We are a little confused? Can you please clarify?
This is for Google Play and we do not use any APK"s in this tutorial. This tutorial allows you to install programs from Google Play that is accidentally blocked due to "incompatible" message. We have found this message is erroneous about 80% of the time, so we decided to find a way around the issue. Now there may be issues with certain packages that require Jelly Bean, this will not work for the packages designed for Jelly Bean but this workaround does work for the other packages.
prokennexusa said:
helix4u,
We are a little confused? Can you please clarify?
This is for Google Play and we do not use any APK"s in this tutorial. This tutorial allows you to install programs from Google Play that is accidentally blocked due to "incompatible" message. We have found this message is erroneous about 80% of the time, so we decided to find a way around the issue. Now there may be issues with certain packages that require Jelly Bean, this will not work for the packages designed for Jelly Bean but this workaround does work for the other packages.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
My reply was directed toward someone who had a problem with a specific application where the application was still claiming to be incompatible in the play store. I offered a workaround that does not use the play store, but instead uses an alternative market application. My comments about APKs were in reference to the applications provided by these alternative market applications.
There's an even easier way now. side load market helper.
http://codekiem.com/2013/02/13/market-helper/
This app "fools the android market into thinking you have a nexus 7, or a galaxy S 3 or a couple of others.
Root is required. Change is temporary and won't touch your build prop.
I've tested it and it works as advertised.
I've just tried an app from a website out of stupidity and it totally took over my phone. It just kept loading a webpage over and over until I killed the app. I'm just concerned about my Nexus and my data.
Has anyone heard of http://leviathansecurity.com and the nopermissions.apk?
Stock and unrooted.
I haven't heard of that website but I think you should uninstall that app rather than just closing it.
I downloaded a bad app as well last week but it deleted all my SD content, photos and music etc
Now I only install Apks from here on XDA and play store of course
here's link about that apk,
leviathansecurity.com/blog/archives/17-Zero-Permission-Android-Applications.html
3 functions
reads sd data,
reads what apps install and access their data
device information
then sends info via url by opening webpage to send data
its just to show how easy it is to give access to your information for apps that abuse permissions or even given none like this apk, this one is intentional to show the loop holes
I didn't realise how easy it was, rooted is evem worse
GMonkey said:
I've just tried an app from a website out of stupidity and it totally took over my phone. It just kept loading a webpage over and over until I killed the app. I'm just concerned about my Nexus and my data.
Has anyone heard of http://leviathansecurity.com and the nopermissions.apk?
Stock and unrooted.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
DELETE that app, make sure the apk is gone too.
When you approved side loading of apks, your good phone warned you to be careful with what you ok to install, no?
Install Lookout as well and let it do a full scan, you never know..
Leviathan security, and the no permissions app, is a test application to show how zero permission apps can still read and steal data from your phone without permissions. AFAIK it isn't malicious, just a test app to show how easy it is for 0 permission apps to steal your data. Just uninstall the APK. More info here: http://leviathansecurity.com/blog/archives/17-Zero-Permission-Android-Applications.html
Thanks Peeps, It did seem legit on the site before I installed it. It's just the fact it took over my browser for a bit. The app was removed but, would there be a need to hard reset or anything like that? I'm normally rooted and have a data firewall to block anything outgoing on certain apps but, with the N4 being so good as it is I've put it off until I can no longer resist the urge.