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OK, so I had a Vibrant and spend some time trying to tweak it to resolve the short battery life and GPS problems, however, at the end of my two-week "buyers remorse" period it still wasn't working very well (in fact, the last day it was working significantly worse - using Google Nav crashed the thing 4 times in a row!), so I took it back rather than get stuck w/it for a two-year contract.
However, looking at the alternatives, I'm not convinced there is anything better than a WORKING Vibrant, and reading more on various forums it sounds like I may have just had a bad unit ... or not applied the right tweaks to it. So I'm thinking I may get another unit and give it another try. But before I do I'd like to know the best way to prep/tweak the thing straight out of the box so I can start from the best possible baseline. I'm pretty tech savy so I'm not afraid of rooting or removing bloatware but I also don't want to spend the whole time trying to install some esoteric custom Android build. Can anybody provide a short list of the best things to do to improve the over all phone performance and reliability?
Thanks in advance,
Joe
Root
Remove bloat
Install autostarts
Install LauncherPro (runs better than adw imo)
Follow the sticky for other random tips
Don't screw around with face book sync
Install a custom rom soon (i don't think it's prime time, yet)
which bloatware apps can i safely remove? i have read a lot of warnings about being careful what you remove. how do you do it - is it a simple matter of deleting a file, or is there more to it?
so can anybody recommmend which apps to remove, and how to do it w/out shooting myself in the foot?!
thanks!
joe
joecooler said:
so can anybody recommmend which apps to remove, and how to do it w/out shooting myself in the foot?!
thanks!
joe
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=726637&highlight=Stock
Or just flash Eugene's Vibrant4 that comes with tweaks and removed bloatware (find it in dev forum)
A good way to start is to read the STICKIED post. it has a lot of the information that you're looking for there
I would just use Root Explorer to remove the apps, or Titanium Backup does this also I think. This is all in the sticky.
I am new to Android and have been learning the ropes and tweaking slowly. I followed the recommendation to try ADW or Launcherpro and am glad I did. I happened to give Launcherpro a try first and have found its ability to customize the dock great. I would recommend giving it a shot if you are trying to customize the phone to your liking.
Been using Titanium Backup, Advanced Task Killer, and SetCPU for months and months now. But recently I've stumbled across some apps that make me think they are old-generation and due for retirement...
**OK I admit this is less about a potentially "better" app, and more about a smaller, tighter app for people that just need specific things** Titanium Backup vs. App Backup & Restore: Titanium Backup has a massive amount of features. But what if all you really ever want to do is make full backups of all your user apps so that you can restore them all after a wipe? AB&R is minimalist, clean interface, and it simply lets you choose what apps to back up, and then backs them up as an .apk that you can then send to other devices, or keep as an external backup.
http://www.appbrain.com/app/app-backup-restore/mobi.infolife.appbackup
Advanced Task Killer verses AutoKiller Memory Optimizer: Seems to me that a program that funcitions more like an actual real-time memory manager and less like a clunky killer would be preferable. "AutoKiller Memory Optimizer is not a regular task manager. AutoKiller is an award winner minfree tweaker, it fine tunes android systems inner memory manager to keep your device fast over time. As a side effect it also lowers battery consumption. Also includes a manual process/service manager."
http://www.appbrain.com/app/autokiller-memory-optimizer/com.rs.autokiller
Last but not least, SetCPU vs. Juice Defender: Juice Defender, in addition to being one of the most impressive battery saving apps I've ever run, also manages kernal clock speeds just like SetCPU. I've nearly doubled battery life with this feature rich program. Several different versions from free to 7.99.
http://www.appbrain.com/app/juicedefender-ultimate/com.latedroid.ultimatejuice
Just wondering if some of the old "staple" apps are getting abit dated? Even if its not the apps I compared, maybe there are other apps that are doing things better than the old go-to apps?
Any thoughts about alternative (better) apps to replace old standards?
First off no need for a task killer in froyo or in froyo roms as there not needed. Maybe for eclair but not for froyo. Titanium Backup is good as its developers works closely with the devopement community of roms so he knows wht we need in apps and backups i dont know if this other backup app does that?
I have nothing to say about setcpu as i dont use it.
I use autokiller memory optimizer and its a solid app, so I agree with what's posted. I just started using SetCPU recently and its pretty simple to use.
Lots of valid points, but I think most of it overall is just user preference really.
Sent from my Galaxy S via Tapatalk
As mentioned, stop using a task killer, they can do more harm than good. Titanium backup is still the most used app for restoring apps, freezing apps, and uninstalling those pesky ones. The app restore probably works fine if that's all you need it for.
As for setcpu vs. juice defender these are hardly comparable. setcpu can do more than just save you battery, you can use it for overclocking as well. I ran juice defender for a while and I'm not sure if even made a different, plus not having my phone as up to date as possible from it keeping the radio off defeated the purpose of having a smartphone to me.
It took me a long time to accept and stop using ATK. In my mind my phone needed it! I needed it! but everyone was right and its all in ur head. I laugh when my friends refuse to stop using them, its whatever really.
The App Backup & Restore app looks good for the masses because it only does the apps and doesn't backup any system settings which is usually what gives people problems.
I love SetCPU!
Agreed this is all preference
I followed all the instructions and installed CWM recovery, and then installed su and now I have root. It was pretty easy. There is some loss of quality of the camera but I can live with it for now.
What are the suggested modifications now? The main thing I would like to do is purge all the stupid spyware / adware apps on this. What is recommended?
I am hoping there will soon be a CM install for this so I can truly get rid of all the Sony junkware.
Not sure but can you keep us posted on your battery life after installing a custom rom, curious to know if the stock rom has some special battery efficiencies.
Sent from my D5803
Toughdroid said:
I followed all the instructions and installed CWM recovery, and then installed su and now I have root. It was pretty easy. There is some loss of quality of the camera but I can live with it for now.
What are the suggested modifications now? The main thing I would like to do is purge all the stupid spyware / adware apps on this. What is recommended?
I am hoping there will soon be a CM install for this so I can truly get rid of all the Sony junkware.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'll tell you what I did:
uninstall all sony bloatware, expecially that antivirus app...
install xposed framework
install titanium backup
Now I'm just waiting for CM or whatever rom
Do you have a list of package names I should nuke? I can't quite match up all the package names with the evilware.
I'm looking at the crazy permissions some of these apps have. Weather Widget can read my call log! wtf!
Thanks
Well, you sure don't want to take a bunch of low-light pictures....
Xposed Modules
There should be am exposed module who can do this for you, it should be called set permissions or something like that... I personally deleted everything from Sony, I use 3rd party apps for weather, calendar and so on... But this is personal taste I just prefer to use the phone for its hardware, not for the Sony brand
Install gesture control and permanently disable the nav bar. That's what I would do gestures are the best way to control a touch device IMHO.
Install Greenify to enhance your battery life. Install Adaway to get rid of ads system wide. Use Tasker to automatically enable/disable pattern unlock based on your location (ie home or not) and also automate the phone putting itself in flight mode when you charge at night.
?
Toughdroid said:
I followed all the instructions and installed CWM recovery, and then installed su and now I have root. It was pretty easy. There is some loss of quality of the camera but I can live with it for now.
What are the suggested modifications now? The main thing I would like to do is purge all the stupid spyware / adware apps on this. What is recommended?
I am hoping there will soon be a CM install for this so I can truly get rid of all the Sony junkware.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I can't wait to install Xposed framework. I can't live without "vibrate on answer", long press tile to go to setting, camera shutter mute, Wanam's Youtube ad-remover, and most importantly GEM Xperia module to hide unwanted apps. Some root apps like Titanium backup, Samba droid, SSH droid, Greenify etc. Fingers crossed for a root exploit.
If you do not really know what to do with root, then I'd really question whether damaging your device is worth it.
This phone is super powerful and the "bloatware" doesn't affect performance - certainly from my user perspective. Just use apex or nova and hide the apps you don't want to see.
TBH, as much as I love tinkering around with my phones, the need for root (as opposed to it being nice to have it) is diminishing as android develops.
Will root for titanium but not much. sony has the battery management that can compare with greenify.
machatta said:
If you do not really know what to do with root, then I'd really question whether damaging your device is worth it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm hoping to use CM as soon as its available.
machatta said:
This phone is super powerful and the "bloatware" doesn't affect performance - certainly from my user perspective. Just use apex or nova and hide the apps you don't want to see.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The bloatware is also spyware, and that I do not like.
machatta said:
TBH, as much as I love tinkering around with my phones, the need for root (as opposed to it being nice to have it) is diminishing as android develops.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
My big thing is I want all the spyware to be gone, and I basically do not trust any carrier / manufacturer builds.
Btw the camera is very good, even post-rooting. And battery life is really amazing. I ordered the magnetic charger, and I can probably wait to charge my phone until the new charger arrives. It seems like this phone could go for several days pretty easily. I'm impressed.
Hey Guys,
I remember in some of my old phones there used to be scripts the community had made to clear some bloatware.
Is there anything like this on the Note 3 Lolipop? I am quite ok to stick with the stock ROM so something like that would be nice if there is anything like that.
Yes, it needs a brain and some of your time. And an application to remove it (such as Titanium Backup).
Honestly, if there was some sort of user friendly interface leaving the choice of debloating to the user, i'd go for it, but so far, every script out there has removed stuff i didnt want to be removed to begin with, and any argument saying i can install it after is as useless as the bloatware itself .
I have made it a habit to manually delete the Folders (or files) of apps i find useless in /system/app and /system/priv-app/, but i have seen people going further with removing modules and drivers, something i have no whatsoever knowledge about.
Having the options to choose what to remove during the debloat would make it a must-do procedure, scripts are not really well understood by the normal user who even roots. A Aroma package through a custom recovery would be way more logical, i think.
Someguyfromhell said:
Yes, it needs a brain and some of your time. And an application to remove it (such as Titanium Backup).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes I know about Titanium and I do use it, the reason I asked is to see if someone has made something such as with an AROMA installer that has already done the hard work on finding what is safe to remove and what not.
I don't think there was any need to get rude or offensive, you can just say No.
Not much point removing the bloat when the partition is still going to be 5 or 6GB depending on variant, you wont be saving any space
Debloating has nothing to do with making space (primarily), as i said, some people debloat to the point of system services. The logic is having less bloat running in memory rather than using space.
I dont get 48 hours battery without debloating, so i definitely remove something that drains "a bit" of battery.
I'm looking for these kind of script also. But you may use SD Maid PRO to remove those you know such knox crap, samsung crap and google's crap.
Look if you want to make a pointless bloat removal root the phone and use titanium.
Removing bloatware from your phone can cause more damage than good, safest is to freeze them.
Trust me, I learned the hard way.
Yup. Use for freezing apps titanium backup
Hi,
My warranty is running out so I'm on the fence: look for a new phone or go the rooting and custom ROM path and continue using Note 4.
So as we have now MM and some updated apps, air command and other stuff is updated.. so what additional benefits custom ROM could give?
Speed? I do some gaming and can't complain that Note 4 is slow. It's really fast.
Disable more apps? That would be a benefit coz now not all apps can be disabled.
Remove quick connect buttons?
What else am I missing?
Launcher tweaks? But we use Nova. You don't need root for Nova
What else?
Thanks!!!
I'm using stock MM 6.0.1 (DPB1) and it's great. Still a fantastic phone for 2016 and really fast. I only root for Titanium Backup to freeze all the crap and to boost the headphone output level.
Only wish is for universal DPI adjustment as I can't be arsed messing about with xposed framework and the like but it's not a biggie.
You can root without installing a custom ROM and it takes literally 2 minutes.
What exactly do you freeze which cannot be disabled in Application Manager? And what benefits those freezed app give?
Will Greenify give any noticable battery life? As I understood Greenify needs root as well.
Here's a list of my disabled apps.
https://imgur.com/a/X0Zjv
What you freezed with tibackup?
For me the main reason for rooting is to be able to get the huge games I have downloaded over the years to all fit onto my ext SD card. I also enjoy the ability to use apps like Cerberus,, Greenify and SD Maid.... etc. to their absolute full potential.
I root phones because I want things the way I want them. For example I don't like the quick connect logos when I lower the screen to see any alerts. I also don't like how the phone warns me that the volume is getting loud. As if I don't know how.loud the phone is. Little thing like that drive me crazy. I root the phone so I can deal with those little announces like that.
If you have to ask whether its worth rooting or not, then I am not sure you are in the right place man. Said it plenty times before, saying it again, I don't really see the point of using Android without rooting, unless you need that KNOX thingy. Why? I can't even start to mention. Take AdAway for example, and that's the first step only of a journey of countless steps.
Custom ROMs on the other hand? If you see a really good dev, then yes, like Arya, or Omega etc., otherwise no comments.
ithehappy said:
If you have to ask whether its worth rooting or not, then I am not sure you are in the right place man. Said it plenty times before, saying it again, I don't really see the point of using Android without rooting, unless you need that KNOX thingy.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So if one isn't rooting, then one might as well use...what, an iOS device? That doesn't make sense to me. There are plenty of compelling reasons to use Android over alternate mobile OS'es, even if one is using unrooted Android. Even if one is using unrooted, unmodified, BAD skinned Android.
What exactly do you freeze which cannot be disabled in Application Manager? And what benefits those freezed app give?
I have 96 apps frozen. Mostly pre-installed crap and many system apps including all the wireless/remote/sharing stuff I don't need. You need to choose what's important to you but it makes a massive difference to battery life.
If you don't know what is rooting for, you should forget about it.
Sent from my SM-N910F using Tapatalk
I know what rooting is and I've used it in my previous phones (Nexus mainly) for many many things.
Why? Because Nexus didn't have all the features I needed.
And now Note 4 has battery optimization feature (so no need for Greenify), all those notification buttons, quick buttons, side buttons you name it (no custom rom is needed), basic backup function works to Samsung cloud (it partially covers tibackup) etc etc.
Well.. AdAway is a different thing.