Database Users

[Q] Fix to acessibility service TTS bug

I have been looking at improving the way notifications are displayed on my S4 and there are many apps out there e.g. iphone notifications which require a service adding to the accessibility settings. The issue is when you enable a service in there then you get partial TTS throughout the phone e.g. when browsing the internet you get page loaded speech etc.
Looking around the web this is apparently a bug with Samsung firmwares although I have not been able find a work around for stopping the TTS whilst there is an accessibility service enable.
The talkback service is disabled all its settings inside are disabled and driving mode is disabled. I would rather not completely disable voice by freezing the samsung TTS when rooted as I would like to use the voice commands.

I have the same issue - and I'm mighty PO'd about it.. I'd read about it affecting a lot of people with the S3, but I was lucky enough for it not to have happened with my S3.. Unfortunately my luck didn't hold after the move to the S4, and I get the verbal notifications in the stock (Samsung) browser. I tried all sorts of combinations of turning on/off Talkback before/after enabling/disabling the accessibility services that I want enabled in the hope that it would help. It didn't. I ended up disabling the 2x TTS services entirely which was something that I really didn't want to do. (And one of them wouldn't let me disable via Application Manager - I had to freeze it with Titanium, so had to be rooted to work around the issue.
For this to be a known issue with the S3 and to have made its way onto the S4 is ridiculous.
Have you noticed it happening anywhere else, or only in the browser? Browser is the only place that I noticed it, but I didn't really give it a chance to happen elsewhere before trying a bunch of things and then reluctantly disabling TTS.

Kaibosh said:
I have the same issue - and I'm mighty PO'd about it.. I'd read about it affecting a lot of people with the S3, but I was lucky enough for it not to have happened with my S3.. Unfortunately my luck didn't hold after the move to the S4, and I get the verbal notifications in the stock (Samsung) browser. I tried all sorts of combinations of turning on/off Talkback before/after enabling/disabling the accessibility services that I want enabled in the hope that it would help. It didn't. I ended up disabling the 2x TTS services entirely which was something that I really didn't want to do. (And one of them wouldn't let me disable via Application Manager - I had to freeze it with Titanium, so had to be rooted to work around the issue.
For this to be a known issue with the S3 and to have made its way onto the S4 is ridiculous.
Have you noticed it happening anywhere else, or only in the browser? Browser is the only place that I noticed it, but I didn't really give it a chance to happen elsewhere before trying a bunch of things and then reluctantly disabling TTS.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have do this same procedure. Do you have notice that with this, the air view don't work correctly on the email and that the upper and lower windows on the stock video player and gallery don't close anymore...
Sent from my GT-I9505 using Tapatalk 2

I have only noticed the TTS showing up in the browser so far but I haven't really explored far with it on as it does my head in.

Some devs have raised this with samsung here:
developer.samsung.com /forum/board/thread/view.do?boardName=GeneralB&messageId=232642

This is from iPhone notifications app page from PlayStore:
*** Samsung devices users with Talkback/Keyboard/AirView issues ***
* If your device is reading aloud some of your actions, note that this is a bug in Samsung's OS occuring with any accessibility service, here is a fix : http://www.productigeeky.com/faq#1
* You can follow the progress on this bug with Samsung : http://developer.samsung.com/forum/t...ices/77/204387

Just read the thread. So pathetic on Samsungs side.

SilentRazor said:
Just read the thread. So pathetic on Samsungs side.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Agreed.
Looks like Sammy was in a hurry to get S4 out.
Sent from soundping's SHV-E300S using xda premium

Google should revoke their license till they dont fix **** like this. Developers just cant stop supporting Samsung devices when Samsung has most of the Android device marketshare.

Official KitKat Bloatware Removal Thread

Hi All,
Now that most people have installed the OTA KitKat and knowing that this will be the last update Motorola makes for our phones, I thought it would be a good idea to make a collection of all the system bloatware that came with the OTA that is able to be removed safely without affecting the performance or running of the phone (either frozen or deleted for those of us lucky enough to be unlocked and already rooted). Lord knows I have been waiting a long long time to delete these apps and not just have them frozen! I'll keep a running list in the second post, hopefully in alphabetical order, as people post up any that I have forgotten about or didn't think of.
Again, this is just a list of everything that is safe to remove if people don't use the apps / functions, not necessarily things that have to be removed.
...there's nothing like freeing up memory and RAM 8)
EDIT: The hard ones to pick out are gonna be all the "com.***" ones since they're not quite as self-explanatory...

List of bloat:
- Amazon
- Amazon App Suite
- Amazon Kindle
- Amazon mp3
- Android Keyboard (AOSP)
- Android Live Wallpapers
- Audible
- Black Hole
- Bubbles
- Calculator
- Calendar
- Circles
- Cloud
- Cloud Print - thanks @jldr
- Droid Zap
- Email
- Face Unlock
- Google Play Books
- Google Play Games
- Google Play Movies & TV
- Google Play Newstand
- Google Search - thanks @Sefirosu
- Hangouts
- Help - thanks @scobywhru
- Homescreen Tips
- HP Print Service Plugin - thanks @jldr
- IMDb
- Live Wallpaper Picker
- Magic Smoke Wallpapers
- Maps - thanks @Sefirosu
- MC3
- Messaging
- Movie Studio
- Music Visualization Wallpapers
- NFL Mobile - thanks @jldr
- Phase Beam
- Quickoffice
- RealRacing2
- Setup 4.4.2-10 - thanks @scobywhru
- Setup Wizard 4.4.2-10 - thanks @scobywhru
- Setup Wizard 1.0 - thanks @scobywhru
- Setup Wizard 1.3 - thanks @scobywhru
- Slacker Radio
- SmartActions
- SmartActions Android Framework
- SmartActions Proprietary Framework
- Talkback
- Translate
- Verizon Tones
- VZ Navigator
- Weather
- YouTube
- Zappos

Calculator, Youtube, Live Wallpaper?

jldr said:
Calculator, Youtube, Live Wallpaper?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Like I said, they are removable but some people will want to keep them. Personally I keep the YouTube, but use a scientific calculator app and don't use live wallpaper.

Ah I see, I didn't think those were removable. I thought they were system apps.

You're right, they are system apps, but can be frozen and for those of us lucky enough to be unlocked and rooted on KK they can be deleted (using TiBu or some other method). Everything listed above is considered a "system app". But, the list is not comprehensive.
That's why I was looking for input for some of the more not-as-obviously-named removable apps. I know there was a list floating around somewhere, I had a bunch of stuff frozen from that list whilst on JB. But now that our phones are not going to be updated any further (and if there is a surprise update that comes to us, we can put the phones back to "stock" using SamuriHL's RSD Lite scripts), I'd like to delete them permanently.

Just an update - I was able to safely remove the all-important NFL Mobile app without hardbricking

Guys, I'm sorry to crash this thread, I'm locked and on 9.18.64. Since your all rooted and unlocked, I was wondering if anyone of you would be willing to give SamuriHl a freshly installed and rooted system dump using the safestrap method he outlines in the KitKat root tracking thread? I'd like to be a guinea pig for this one chance root experiment. That's the only missing piece ATM.

jldr said:
Just an update - I was able to safely remove the all-important NFL Mobile app without hardbricking
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ah, yes. How could I miss that one. Added, thanks!

Would love to help @MarcusWhite but I do not have SS installed. I also am a pretty big noob about these things, I can'do much past rooting/unlocking/custom ROMs.
Also I found another bloatware - HP Printer Service or whatever it's called.

jldr said:
Also I found another bloatware - HP Printer Service or whatever it's called.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Good call, I forgot all the wifi printer apps!
Updated the list with some others that I found as well (Email, Hangouts, Messaging, Music Visualization Wallpapers, etc.) All can be safely removed, but make sure you have another method for emailing or texting, lol

Freeze bloatware
K, I was able to freeze the bloatware using my unrooted 4.4.2.
I went into each apps settings (long press the icon, app info). Then I cleared the "Show notifications" check, Force stop, then Disable. After that the offending apps weren't showing up under the app screen.
If you go to Play store, you'll find them listed as "Disabled".
Hope this helps some, and keep up the good fight for Root access with this update.

onecoolfirefighter said:
K, I was able to freeze the bloatware using my unrooted 4.4.2.
I went into each apps settings (long press the icon, app info). Then I cleared the "Show notifications" check, Force stop, then Disable. After that the offending apps weren't showing up under the app screen.
If you go to Play store, you'll find them listed as "Disabled".
Hope this helps some, and keep up the good fight for Root access with this update.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sigh... Please don't spam this thread with posts about root on stock KK. If you don't have it by now, get used to not having it on this phone EVER.

I have removed and disabled the google search app without any negative issues to the rom.
I don't use it as I find myself using my personal browser more than the useless google app. Plus no google now push. However, it does remove the search bar, but doesn't break the roms ability to search from an up swipe from the dock using a browser with search functions, or another search app.
You can also freeze google maps along with its companion app without issue.
You should also consider putting a list of apps not to mess with this time around. This is because a few system apps have become more vital in the rom.
For instance, Google Play Services was able to be disabled and removed without reinstalling automatically in Jelly Bean, but it can no longer be frozen or deleted as it will seriously mess up the google play store with it's recent update in kitkat.

Sefirosu said:
I have removed and disabled the google search app without any negative issues to the rom.
I don't use it as I find myself using my personal browser more than the useless google app. Plus no google now push. However, it does remove the search bar, but doesn't break the roms ability to search from an up swipe from the dock using a browser with search functions, or another search app.
You can also freeze google maps along with its companion app without issue.
You should also consider putting a list of apps not to mess with this time around. This is because a few system apps have become more vital in the rom.
For instance, Google Play Services was able to be disabled and removed without reinstalling automatically in Jelly Bean, but it can no longer be frozen or deleted as it will seriously mess up the google play store with it's recent update in kitkat.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks! They've been added to the list.
The "do not touch" app list sounds like a good idea, but I was thinking of just leaving it as whatever isn't listed in post #2 shouldn't be touched

LifeAsADroid said:
Sigh... Please don't spam this thread with posts about root on stock KK. If you don't have it by now, get used to not having it on this phone EVER.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Haha. How do you like your crow prepared? Despite the fact that root and unlock is now available again for a short time, anyway, I think he was showing how there is some freeze ability without root with this update.
With that said, I can't find acoustic warning in tibu, is it now called something else? I can't stand the auto volume drop when I hook to my truck radio.
Update: nvm. Its no longer standalone. Its in android os. You have to use xposed to disable it.

Something I killed in this list removed my speech to text capability. The microphone icon is gone from the keyboard when texting. Any idea what did it?
Sent from my DROID RAZR HD using Tapatalk

If I had to guess, I'd say it was removing Google search that did the trick. That's when mine disappeared anyway. I rarely use the option so it didn't bother me too much. If you haven't uninstalled Google search, then you should just be able to verify Google voice typing is enabled. If that doesn't do it, you might also have to long press the button to the left of the space bar and assign the mic to that key.
Sent from my DROID RAZR HD using XDA Free mobile app

I think you can add
Help
Home Screen Tips
You can add the following as well since they aren't needed once you setup the device.
Setup 4.4.2-10
Setup Wizard 4.4.2-10
Setup Wizard 1.3
Setup Wizard 1.0

OK, I'll bite. It seems I'm only able to freeze bloatware. I try uninstalling w/ TBU, but they're all still there. Since I don't see any reason to have to restore them for an OTA, I'd just like to get rid of them.

Using NoBloat Free to Disable Flipboard and My Magazine

I have disabled many of the bloatware or other unwanted software within my Note 3. However, I cannot find the specific system apps to disable Flipboard and My Magazine. Does anyone have an idea as to which system apps should be disabled?
As a side note, I already know I can turn of the My Magazine functionality by removing the option to open the app with the Home button. However, My Magazine will still open if you swipe up from the button of the device. I want to disable that (and Flipboard) completely.

notethreeuser said:
I have disabled many of the bloatware or other unwanted software within my Note 3. However, I cannot find the specific system apps to disable Flipboard and My Magazine. Does anyone have an idea as to which system apps should be disabled?
As a side note, I already know I can turn of the My Magazine functionality by removing the option to open the app with the Home button. However, My Magazine will still open if you swipe up from the button of the device. I want to disable that (and Flipboard) completely.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You will only be able to disable them if you are rooted. If you are you can either freeze them with Titanium Backup (or similar app) or uninstall them completely. Be aware however that removing My Magazine (I'm not sure if this happens when freezing) will break Samsung Keyboard. They are integrated into each other as Samsung has done with most of their apps to prevent pirating.
If you like having the option of using the S Pen keyboard when using your pen there is an alternative. For my normal keyboard I use SwiftKey, but you can use whatever you like. What you'll need to download from the Play Store is Stylus Beta (It is a pretty nice alternative to Samsung's writing keyboard) as well as SPenBoardSwitcher (requires root). The switcher app allows you to set which keyboard activates when the S Pen is Inactive and Active so you don't have to switch them yourself.
I hope this wasn't more info than you wanted. Good luck.

notethreeuser said:
I have disabled many of the bloatware or other unwanted software within my Note 3.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
kinstre11 said:
Be aware however that removing My Magazine (I'm not sure if this happens when freezing) will break Samsung Keyboard. They are integrated into each other as Samsung has done with most of their apps to prevent pirating,
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you, kinstre11. My device is already rooted. I didn't explicitly state that fact; however, since NoBloat Free requires root, I presumed people would infer my device is rooted.
In all the forums I have read about My Magazine, you are the first person to reference anything about the default Samsung keyboard being integrated with My Magazine. That being said, I am not trying to remove My Magazine. I am simply trying to disable it. I have used NoBloat Free to disable various apps such as all Amazon apps, Knox, Gear (will not get the watch), all the Google Play apps except the Google Play Store, OTA updates, and the default browser. I can always go back in and enable whatever app I want.
Can anyone corroborate Kinstre11's statement regarding My Magazine and the keyboard? Will this only come into play when My Magazine is removed or simply disabled?

notethreeuser said:
Thank you, kinstre11. My device is already rooted. I didn't explicitly state that fact; however, since NoBloat Free requires root, I presumed people would infer my device is rooted.
Will this only come into play when My Magazine is removed or simply disabled?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have actually never heard of the app so I didn't know the requirements.
As for your last question you can always simply test it. If it breaks the keyboard when disable simply reinable it.

How Do I Remove Icons From Disabled Apps

I have disabled many of the built in apps from my S4 but the following ones are still in my App drawer although they are disabled.
S Planner
Music
Optical Reader
Help
Voice Recorder
Calculator
Samsung Hub
Voice Search
Kids Mode
Can I get rid of these icons?
Rob

Do they work if you want to open them? If so, they are not disabled.
They should disappear after a restart of the launcher.
Otherwise, just hide them.

Yes they still work, although disabled is selected and greyed out. Is there no way to properly disable these or remove them?
Rob

Yes there is a way. You can root your device easily with help on this forum or another thread (search for: how to root device Samsung galaxy s4 i guess? , so you can uninstall the bloatware apps with the app Root Uninstaller from the Playstore. If you are not familiar with this way to remove system Google Apps, than don't try it. It can mess up your Device very bad. But it's worth a try. Just learn and follow the instructions very good with a little help. That's all i can say from my experience which is very positive:good:

robertywatson said:
Yes they still work, although disabled is selected and greyed out. Is there no way to properly disable these or remove them?
Rob
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
A grayed out "disable" means it cannot be disabled.
If an app was disabled, the "disable" option gets replaced by "enable".
Disabled apps aren't supposed to work either, so obviously your apps weren't disabled.

Bloat!

I really hope this phone gets rooted and perhaps a ROM. I came from the OnePlus 7 Pro and yikes! The stock s20 says it has 520 apps installed, which includes my usual apps. My OnePlus 7 Pro has my identical apps installed, and it is under 150 for system and user apps.
The phone is crazy fast, but it would be ridiculous with a semi-stock Android.

mycomputerisjunk said:
I really hope this phone gets rooted and perhaps a ROM. I came from the OnePlus 7 Pro and yikes! The stock s20 says it has 520 apps installed, which includes my usual apps. My OnePlus 7 Pro has my identical apps installed, and it is under 150 for system and user apps.
The phone is crazy fast, but it would be ridiculous with a semi-stock Android.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You can uninstall the apps with ADB.

https://www.xda-developers.com/uninstall-carrier-oem-bloatware-without-root-access/
Here is how to do it without root access, maybe Samsung and OnePlus count differently?

Disabled apps
You can use adb or if you are lazy like me, you can buy a package disabler for 3€.
The apps I disabled are in the attach. You can disable more for better battery, but I still want the Samsung experience.
Maybe someone can suggest more apps that can be disabled without touching the Samsung experience.

I recommend using CCSWE App Manager rather than deleting via adb. You get the same effect, but if you need to restore an app/service, all you have to do is toggle a button, which is much more convenient than using adb.

sublimaze said:
I recommend using CCSWE App Manager rather than deleting via adb. You get the same effect, but if you need to restore an app/service, all you have to do is toggle a button, which is much more convenient than using adb.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi,
Do you happen to have a list of what you disabled using CCSWE that's safe
and/or not needed for a smooth setup. CCSWE has color coded system files
in red, are these safe to disable????
Ken

kenfb1 said:
Hi,
Do you happen to have a list of what you disabled using CCSWE that's safeand/or not needed for a smooth setup. CCSWE has color coded system files in red, are these safe to disable????
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
All system files are potentially dangerous to disable/uninstall.
I disabled the following with no issues whatsoever:
Bixby routines
Bixby voice
Bixby voice stub
Briefing
(Samsung) Calendar
(Samsung) Contacts
Facebook
Facebook app installer
Facebook app manager
Facebook services
Game launcher
(Samsung) Launcher
Messages
Netflix
Samsung Daily
Samsung Galaxy friends
Samsung Internet
Smasung Internet panel
SmartThings
Voice wake-up
Obviously, if you use any of those apps/services, then don't disable them. I use Google Calendar & Google Contacts, so the Samsung versions are unnecessary. And I use Pulse SMS, so no need for Messages app.

sublimaze said:
All system files are potentially dangerous to disable/uninstall.
I disabled the following with no issues whatsoever:
Bixby routines
Bixby voice
Bixby voice stub
Briefing
(Samsung) Calendar
(Samsung) Contacts
Facebook
Facebook app installer
Facebook app manager
Facebook services
Game launcher
(Samsung) Launcher
Messages
Netflix
Samsung Daily
Samsung Galaxy friends
Samsung Internet
Smasung Internet panel
SmartThings
Voice wake-up
Obviously, if you use any of those apps/services, then don't disable them. I use Google Calendar & Google Contacts, so the Samsung versions are unnecessary. And I use Pulse SMS, so no need for Messages app.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks,
I'll give them a try,
Ken