The Welcome to KitKat Guide [Q&A's] - Xperia Z General

UPDATING
Q: How should I update my Phone? (To Android 4.4.2)
A: If you're updating via Update Service or PC Companion, do a fresh install (literally, I mean. FACTORY RESET) .
Q: I just flashed my phone and now it's full of lag.
A: Step 1: Debloat Firmware, Step 2: Do a factory reset, Step 3: Force GPU Rendering in Dev. Options, Step 4: Restart your Phone.
AFTER UPDATE
Q: My battery drains by Google Play Services (GMS) what can I do?
A1: Disable Google Location Services in Settings > Locations (You can do this when you boot up your Phone for the first time after update too.)
A2: Update GMS (Latest version is: 4.4.52): https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.google.android.gms
Q: I can't write to my external SD Card. F U SONY. - (This isn't by Sony, Google decided to slowly kill MicroSD support on Android :silly
A: If you're rooted use this fix: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=nextapp.sdfix
Q: After updating many of my Apps are FC'ing (May happen if you didn't do a clean install)
A: Do a fresh install with a factory reset.
Q: My battery drains so quickly, 4.3 is much better.
A: Do a fresh install with a factory reset, I have been using KitKat since launch day and my battery easily lasts 2 days using the phone on a daily routine.
Q: My phone lags on the HomeScreen.
A: This may be caused by the new Xperia Live Wallpaper, if you change the wallpaper for a fixed one it should solve the problem. Plus, you can keep the LW as Lockscreen Wallpaper. Looks Good, Feels Good.
SAFE DEBLOAT LIST
DO NOT DELETE Japanese keyboard layout (ExternalKeyboardJP.apk) this will make your Xperia Keyboard go like crazy and start crashing after reboot.)
· Chinese Xperia Keyboard (With Skins and Skin Selector)
· Google+
· Xperia Care
· Xperia Lounge
· Xperia Social Engine Photos (Picasa)
· Walkman Music Extensions (YouTube karaoke, Wikipedia etc.)
· Wireless Emergency Alerts
· Voice Dialer
· Retail Demo
· Phase Beam and other LiveWallpapers (Do not remove Live Wallpaper Picker)
· InitialBootSetup
· Google Play Movies/News/Games/Books
· File Commander
· Enchanted Forest LW
· com.android.providers.partnerbookmarks (PartnerBookmarksProvider.apk)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Did I miss a trick? Please post it below and it might be added to the post.

A quick Google search gives me 4.8.19 to be the latest. Not sure if it matters but I assume the fixes in 4.4.52 are relevant in 4.8.19.
Sent from my C6603 using Tapatalk

deerhurst said:
A quick Google search gives me 4.8.19 to be the latest. Not sure if it matters but I assume the fixes in 4.4.52 are relevant in 4.8.19.
Sent from my C6603 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's latest google play store version mate disabling location services fixes the gms drain problem.

Great guide! But I went back to 4.3. I couldn't handle the lag
Sent from my C6616 using Tapatalk

what about speech to text. It doesnt work on 4.4. Cant connect with google... wtf?

xkeita said:
That's latest google play store version mate disabling location services fixes the gms drain problem.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Question, does disabling location services mean i lose functionality for google now? ( traffic updates)
Or rather, what is the impact of disabling it- what functions do i lose?

ninehneh said:
Question, does disabling location services mean i lose functionality for google now? ( traffic updates)
Or rather, what is the impact of disabling it- what functions do i lose?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sadly yes as those (Google Now cards) are directly dependant on GPS (Location Services) to display information. Also when using Google maps (as a GPS) or Checking in in apps like Foursquare they won't be able to retrieve exact location. This leaves the user with 3 options.
1) Install a 3rd party Google Services fix to stop the battery drain (I don't know about one but I have seen some posts here on XDA)
2) Turn on Location Services only when needed (It can be turned on/off by Quick Settings tab on notification panel on the Location tile.)
3) Wait till Google launches a new version of Google Services with more bugfixes.

Related

"Google Services" High Data Usage

I'm very confused with my wife's N4. "Google Services" has used ~1.5GB of data in the last 3 days. My wife uses her phone for facebook and texting. She doesn't have any data heavy apps. Any ideas on what do to stop this from continuing?
Maybe try turning off location services or maybe try backing up everything and do a factory reset?
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I317 using xda premium
terpin32 said:
Maybe try turning off location services or maybe try backing up everything and do a factory reset?
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I317 using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That was my next option, but I'd rather not have to go through that. Anyone else have anything? Are there apps that could tell me which "google service" was the data hog?
BurtonSnol3order said:
That was my next option, but I'd rather not have to go through that. Anyone else have anything? Are there apps that could tell me which "google service" was the data hog?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I am having the same problem. I just tried disabling app data sync under Google account settings. Let's see if that helps... I use Titanium backup to back up apps and app data anyways...
Sent from my Nexus 4 using xda premium
ShinnAsuka said:
I am having the same problem. I just tried disabling app data sync under Google account settings. Let's see if that helps... I use Titanium backup to back up apps and app data anyways...
Sent from my Nexus 4 using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I tried doing that, and disabiling background data for it through battery manager, but that eliminates all google sync. I eventually just backed things up and moved on to a newer rom. Like I said, it is my wife's phone and didn't feel like trying to figure out the root cause. If it were my phone, I'd be more patient. Hopefully you can find an answer. 500MB a day is nuts. Glad we're on "unlimited" with StraightTalk.
My brother and I just got the same problem as well. He has been on Paranoid for over 3 months and just yesterday Google Services used up 1.5gb out of no where (in a few hours). Just today, im on Carbon, my Google Services used up 500mb (in a few hours). Thankfully, I noticed that my battery was going too fast so I went in and turnd off background data for Google Services.
Any one have an idea of what is going on?
I noticed this problem on my phone a couple of weeks ago and asked about it here. Unfortunately no one knows what's really going on.
BurtonSnol3order said:
I'm very confused with my wife's N4. "Google Services" has used ~1.5GB of data in the last 3 days. My wife uses her phone for facebook and texting. She doesn't have any data heavy apps. Any ideas on what do to stop this from continuing?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Install better battery stats app. It will tell you which app is the culprit
Sent from my Nexus 4 using xda app-developers app
System Update Issue
I've noticed this same issue since i updated all my Google Play applications last 07/30. Before the update, I did not have this high bandwidth consumption.
Anyways, i've been researching in my phone and tried the following solutions:
First, I restricted Google Services background data, this did not work, it was still consuming my data. So I kept researching and found something interesting, i went to About Phone - System Update, and noticed my phone was consistently trying to update to 4.3 JB (which is 183 MB), and after the download was complete, then a "verification failed" error message was displayed.
At this point, i thought, This is probably the cause i've been losing all of my data. I am running ParanAndroid along with franco kernel for some time, maybe this is the reason the update is failing.
So, a rough solution i did to this meanwhile: Go to Settings -> Apps -> All and disable Google Services Framework, this will ensure that the update is not constantly being downloaded, however, many Google applications will have issues.
Guys I am facing such extremely annoying Google Services (DownloadManager in BBS) battery drain + mobile/wifi data usage issue and I have been searching for some hours.
First of all I have tried the most answered solution - clearing the data of all those stuffs related to Google Services - well it did not work so well.
Then I don't think freezing download manager / factory reset / restrict background data / disabling google services framework are good solutions as I myself did not make changes related to this recently so a factory reset should not be needed, plus the other mentioned solutions would cause syncing issues with Google and this doesn't suit my lifestyle of heavily depending on various google services.
Many of you have proposed that the massive download / repeated downloads are related to downloading the 4.3 OTA and that might be possible according to the similar file sizes as well as logcats you have found. But on the other hand one of the solution - disabling Network Locations settings has also stopped the "download" triangle from constantly staying there when my wifi is on. Therefore we can conclude that it is partially related to the 4.3 OTA download which cannot be disabled on our custom ROMs, as well as partially about the stock Network Location settings.
Fortunately after many posts that do not provide a feasible answer I have found this xda post which addresses the issue related to the Google Play Store 4.1.6. Some of the users have reported that 4.1.10 has fixed the issue and some even said the newest version 4.2.9 is over the internet since 25/7 together with 4.3 update.
Not sure why such critical update did not roll out to the unluckily bunch of us from Google, but I have found the Android Police source about 4.1.10 fixing the "Network Location bug which hogs the battery" and hopefully this will stop the DownloadManager wakelock as well as the crazy battery drain + data drain by Google Services.
I haven't tested this thoroughly because I will probably need a day to check out whether it stops the crazy behaviour but I would just like to share with you guys my founding as soon as possible so you guys can try it out together with me. The latest Google Play Store 4.2.9 apk can be downloaded from Android Police here.
Hope I have helped! Good luck to you and me!
Miasmic said:
Guys I am facing such extremely annoying Google Services (DownloadManager in BBS) battery drain + mobile/wifi data usage issue and I have been searching for some hours.
First of all I have tried the most answered solution - clearing the data of all those stuffs related to Google Services - well it did not work so well.
Then I don't think freezing download manager / factory reset / restrict background data / disabling google services framework are good solutions as I myself did not make changes related to this recently so a factory reset should not be needed, plus the other mentioned solutions would cause syncing issues with Google and this doesn't suit my lifestyle of heavily depending on various google services.
Many of you have proposed that the massive download / repeated downloads are related to downloading the 4.3 OTA and that might be possible according to the similar file sizes as well as logcats you have found. But on the other hand one of the solution - disabling Network Locations settings has also stopped the "download" triangle from constantly staying there when my wifi is on. Therefore we can conclude that it is partially related to the 4.3 OTA download which cannot be disabled on our custom ROMs, as well as partially about the stock Network Location settings.
Fortunately after many posts that do not provide a feasible answer I have found this xda post which addresses the issue related to the Google Play Store 4.1.6. Some of the users have reported that 4.1.10 has fixed the issue and some even said the newest version 4.2.9 is over the internet since 25/7 together with 4.3 update.
Not sure why such critical update did not roll out to the unluckily bunch of us from Google, but I have found the Android Police source about 4.1.10 fixing the "Network Location bug which hogs the battery" and hopefully this will stop the DownloadManager wakelock as well as the crazy battery drain + data drain by Google Services.
I haven't tested this thoroughly because I will probably need a day to check out whether it stops the crazy behaviour but I would just like to share with you guys my founding as soon as possible so you guys can try it out together with me. The latest Google Play Store 4.2.9 apk can be downloaded from Android Police here.
Hope I have helped! Good luck to you and me!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi and thanks for sharing your investigation and findings so far. I looked at my Nexus 4 tonight and saw that it had downloaded 500mb over 3G so I disabled it and started searching for an answer. Definitely looks to be the OTA 4.3 issue, but installing Play Store 4.2.9 has done nothing for me. My phone has just sucked down another 500mb over WiFi under the "Google Play Services" heading and shows no signs of stopping.
I'm running CM 10.1 stable - really need a fix for this because otherwise I can't enable 3G without burning my whole quota in short order.
Darn, had this same problem, in one day 500mb over 3G.... Thats not cool.
Recently installed a new ROM, Cyanogenmod 10.1, and I think I found the problem. The gallery app was synching all photo's on my G+ account it seems.
Hope I nailed it, because we just went on holiday today and I need my data for finding information etcetrea. But I think this is it, as I can view photo's from vacations made decades ago whoile phone is in airplanemode...
Hope this helps others with this problem...
This is exactly the root cause. I've just lost a gig on 3G today. I'm on wifi now and update just keeping download & verification fail loop. I'm on PA Rom.
Sent from my Nexus 4 using xda app-developers app
Here's how to disable the OTA download on any ROM
Install Autorun Manager from the Play store.
Then enter its recommended advanced mode.
Go into the settings and enable the following : system entries and system app disable.
Disable com.android.gsf.update.SystemUpdateService$Reciever under Google Service Framework
It would be great if the OP could be updated with this
lorolouis said:
http://productforums.google.com/forum/#!topic/mobile/rLrhgZUpmIg
Find "Disable Service" application from Play Store.
Turn Off only the SystemUpdateService from Google Services Framework
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You can try this
It is definitely something to do with the 4.3 update. I was on PA 3.6 (Android 4.2.2) and had this problem. After upgrading my phone to Android 4.3 on the latest PA, I no longer have this issue. I think it is a problem in the ROM where they tried to remove the OTA feature, but instead it still tries to download the ROM via 3G in the background. Don't quote me on the above, but that is the only thing that makes sense to me!
Since I've reached my limit for the month (and I'm not even half way through doh), I have had to disable Mobile Data otherwise I would have had a hefty bill come through!
Steph

[GUIDE][UPDATED 7/DEC] COMPLETE GUIDE for BATTERY SAVING on AOKP,AOSP,CM, SAMMY ROMs

I have seen a lot of people not getting batter battery life on AOKP, AOSP, CM or HYBRID ROMs....
So I thought of setting up this step by step guide to set up the phone with very good battery life.
1. Flash the ROM that you would like to use. (AOKP,AOSP, CM, HYBRID or even STOCK) I have tried it on PAC MAN LATEST NIGHTLY, Fusion ROM, Omega ROM, ARHD ROM, Nightmare ROM, AND NOW CONFIRMED WORKING ON KITKAT ROMS AS WELL
2. After flashing the rom, reboot the phone and set it up.
3. Flash Googy-Max Kernel with following configurations in stweaks:
CPU & GPU - Undervolted 100mV (If your phone can handle it, I have done it since day one never had problems. )
CPU IDLE MODE - AFTR + LPA
DEFAULT CPU GOVERNER - zzmove-performance
CPU MAX FREQUENCY - 1100 MHZ
MDNIE TAB - (Optional - for batter color)
Uncheck both REGISTER HOOK and MASTER SEQUENCE
Zram - Disable ( I am using SWAP PARTITION on my SD Card)
MISC TAB - DEFAULT I/O SCHEDULER FOR INTERNAL AND EXTERNAL STORAGE - ROW or NOOP
AC CHARGE - 1300 mA
zzmove TAB - FREQ_LIMIT_SLEEP - 800 Mhz
4. Go to Settings>wifi>Options>Advance> UNCHECK "Scanning always available". Also uncheck NFC services in settings.
5. If you are not using location services all the time than you can do the following as well and you can enable the location services whenever you need them.
Go to GOOGLE SETTINGS APP>Location> UNCHECK "Access Location"
google settings app>maps & lattitude. UNCHECK "report from this device"
6. Install SYSTEM TUNER PRO with GREEN ICON from market.
This is the link: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=ccc71.pmw.pro
7. Follow the guide in my video. The link is below: It will remove useless wakelocks from apps like google wallet, google talk, google plus, IF YOU ARE NOT USING THEM.
Video with DISCLAIMER :
Thread with DISCLAIMER : http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2357417 Thanks to SKIPJACKS
8. Install Greenify and Greenify Donation. Links are below:
You need to install XPOSED FRAMEWORK for the Donation app to work.
Greenify: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.oasisfeng.greenify
Greenify Donation: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.oasisfeng.greenify.pro
Xposed Framework: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2327541
9. Greenify all user apps and some of the system apps.
System apps that I have greenified:
google contacts sync
google play services
network location
nfc service
android keyboard
bluetooth share
browser
calender storage
cell broadcast
certificate installer
com.google.android.voicesearch
DRM protected content storage
exchange services
google account manager
google bookmark sync
google partner setup
google search
google text to speech engine
html viewer
key chain
market feedback agent
media storage
one time init
org.codeaurora.bluetooth
package access helper
package installer
pico TTS ( I use IVONA Voices)
10. Install 3G/4G Optimizer Pro and go to additional tweaks and check all the 4 of them and than reboot the phone.
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=provision.netspeed.optimizer.pro
We need pro version because it has some additional tweaks for wifi scan, RILS, TCP which saves battery a lot.
11. This step is going to take few minutes of observation.
12. Go to setting>MORE> DISABLE NFC Services.
13. Download XBLAST TOOLS form Xposed Framework App
Go to Xblast tools>build.prop tweaks
Tick Google DNS Hack for speed
PM Sleep mode>choose Power Collapse(Best)
And Reboot.
In the new greenify app there is an option to CUT the connection of the app that is waking up the services.
Now for example,
I am using swift key keyboard not the android keyboard that comes with the rom, but android keyboard also wakes up GOOGLE PLAY SERVICES and keeps it running, so I cut the wake-up path. So now android keyboard will not wake-up GOOGLE PLAY SERVICES.
SO you need to find out which apps are waking-up the system apps and cut the wake-up paths IF THE APP IS NOT IMPORTANT.
After doing these all steps I was able to get 23+ hours battery life with following conditions:
-screen time 3 Hrs with 60% brightness
-Mobile Data, Sync and Bluetooth on around 7 Hrs 30 Mins
-Battery Drain during Night for around 8.30 PM to 6.00 AM - 3% to 4%
CREDIT goes to all of the developers of ROM, MODs, and APPs...
Thanks for the tip.
No problems...
If my post had helped you than please press Thanks button. It might be very little for you but VERY BIG for me.
Thanks for the tips. Gonna try when I'm home.
kongming said:
Thanks for the tips. Gonna try when I'm home.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you... Please let me know the result when you are done... Thanks again..
CPU & GPU - Undervolted 100mV
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
brace for the upcomming bootloop wave
Choristav said:
brace for the upcomming bootloop wave
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I am using it since I got my s3 in 2012... and I am using 10.2 based roms since last few months... I never had any bootloops... I am running 10.2 right now with the settings given in the first post...
but still NOT ALL THE PHONES ARE SAME!!!!!!!!! :angel::angel::angel::laugh::laugh::laugh:
Choristav said:
brace for the upcomming bootloop wave
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Chaitanyapatel8880 said:
I am using it since I got my s3 in 2012... and I am using 10.2 based roms since last few months... I never had any bootloops... I am running 10.2 right now with the settings given in the first post...
but still NOT ALL THE PHONES ARE SAME!!!!!!!!! :angel::angel::angel::laugh::laugh::laugh:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
yes, me too will get bootloop if i go - 100 uv.
for me, frequency below 700 can't handle - 100uv.
so just change that line..
nice tutorial..
RohanAJoshi said:
yes, me too will get bootloop if i go - 100 uv.
for me, frequency below 700 can't handle - 100uv.
so just change that line..
nice tutorial..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have undervolted all frequencies from 200 MHz to 1600 MHz to -100 mV and I never had even a single boot... but as I said earlier... Not all phones are same...
Hi guys... Did any one tried?... If yes than please let me know the result...
Good tips am trying them now will see how it goes thanks.
Thank you. Let me know how it turns out
If my post had helped you than please press Thanks button. It might be very little for you but VERY BIG for me.
Thank Chaitanyapatel8880 for useful tips But when I turned the screen off (i9300), it tooke few seconds to turn the screen on. The screen flashed light some times and turned black Immediately. I had to restart my phone and restore my backup. I think my phone can't handle "Undervolted 100mV"
Try - 50 mv. I have 2 s3s one of them Also can't handle.
If my post had helped you than please press Thanks button. It might be very little for you but VERY BIG for me.
I searched, system apps like google contacts sync, google partner setup....etc it's not found in greenify to hiberated.. We'll use titanium backup to uninstall the system app?
Sent from my Micromax A88 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
ramrastus said:
I searched, system apps like google contacts sync, google partner setup....etc it's not found in greenify to hiberated.. We'll use titanium backup to uninstall the system app?
Sent from my Micromax A88 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
DONT UNINSTALL THEM... You need to install greenify DONATION version. you hybernate system apps. Check your PM. I sent you a message.
I just wanna know bloatware from CM or Pure Android or whole things that run inside android system+google services and their describe. I think they're make the device keep waking up all the time while it's in deep sleep. And when I'm check in running apps it's the mostly use all of RAM.
Ps. If I know west apps, I'll help you improve the crazy battery drain issue and we'll have a lot of free RAM. :good:
So sorry ,if i have bad skill in english.
****man66 said:
I just wanna know bloatware from CM or Pure Android or whole things that run inside android system+google services and their describe. I think they're make the device keep waking up all the time while it's in deep sleep. And when I'm check in running apps it's the mostly use all of RAM.
Ps. If I know west apps, I'll help you improve the crazy battery drain. :good:
So sorry ,if i have bad skill in english.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks buddy... help is always well-come...
the only bloatwares in the CM or any other ROM is usually some of the following but still depends on if you use them or not...
to name a few...
google android keyboard(I use swift key)- it wakes up google play services a lot...
bluetoothtest
com.android.providers.partnerbookmarks
com.android.sharedstoragebackup
NFC test
vpndialogs
google voice
google play
google play sound search
Chaitanyapatel8880 said:
Thanks buddy... help is always well-come...
the only bloatwares in the CM or any other ROM is usually some of the following but still depends on if you use them or not...
to name a few...
google android keyboard(I use swift key)- it wakes up google play services a lot...
bluetoothtest
com.android.providers.partnerbookmarks
com.android.sharedstoragebackup
NFC test
vpndialogs
google voice
google play
google play sound search
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think there're west system apps more than these lists that we never use them in daily life or forever ignore them. :silly:
Let's find out.
****man66 said:
I think there're west system apps more than these lists that we never use them in daily life or forever ignore them. :silly:
Let's find out.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I actually tried most of them but they are required for the rom to work properly without any force closes or freezes. but still if you find out any let me know and I will try and put it in first post... :good:

[Q] Google Now Cards Missing - Unable to Activate

Hi,
Recently upgraded to kitkat 4.4 and cannot activate Google Now. I go into Google Now and it just shows the search and nothing else
(No Cards). I also cannot activate it from the settings menu. I am currently located in China but it works fine for my Galaxy Nexus.
Any Ideas? I've tried factory reset and re-flashing the factory image. Also of course erasing the data and cache from Google Search.
Regards,
Bobbie
Same here
Same problem here! Please post if you find out how to fix ths. I'm also based in China now.
viper134 said:
Hi,
Recently upgraded to kitkat 4.4 and cannot activate Google Now. I go into Google Now and it just shows the search and nothing else
(No Cards). I also cannot activate it from the settings menu. I am currently located in China but it works fine for my Galaxy Nexus.
Any Ideas? I've tried factory reset and re-flashing the factory image. Also of course erasing the data and cache from Google Search.
Regards,
Bobbie
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
rubenmato said:
Same problem here! Please post if you find out how to fix ths. I'm also based in China now.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Check your "Google Settings" - is Google Now turned OFF ?
Go to Settings, Account & look under your Google Account - Syncs ON ?
Hi,
In my google settings there is no reference to Google now! o.o I'm sure it was there before updating...
Also, yes, all the sync is turned on under my Google account in the settings menu.
Is it possible that google now is simply not availiable in China? I updated my Nexus with a chinese sim card inside, this time.
Letitride said:
Check your "Google Settings" - is Google Now turned OFF ?
Go to Settings, Account & look under your Google Account - Syncs ON ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Stock roms & kernels (or minimal modifications} ??
Access to Google's server from China (and the lack of) is one likely reason - even if the Apps are working & functioning, including location reporting since authorities do filter broadband traffic.
Can you access weather reports for Beijin, Guangzhou & Hong Kong via Google Now and/or via Google Search on the stock Chrome Browser? If it is working, those Now "cards" should be filled & showing up like ours here in the USA.
The stock KitKat 4.4 roms all have these apps, unless they are somehow remotely disabled and/or blocked - reasons for why we use Hangouts with ease while folks on the other half of the world are using WeChat instead ...
The solution requires a rooted phone.
Install Nova launcher and titanium backup.
Download the apk for Google Search 2.6.xx. You can find this easily.
Use titanium backup to uninstall Google search. This is why you have to install Nova. Otherwise you won't have a launcher.
Install Google search 2.6. You will be asked if you want to use Google now. Press yes.
Go to the Google play store and update to latest Google search. Now google now cards will be enabled. That's it. Kind of a pain but the only way to do it in China as far as I know. Hope this helps.
Letitride said:
Stock roms & kernels (or minimal modifications} ??
Access to Google's server from China (and the lack of) is one likely reason - even if the Apps are working & functioning, including location reporting since authorities do filter broadband traffic.
Can you access weather reports for Beijin, Guangzhou & Hong Kong via Google Now and/or via Google Search on the stock Chrome Browser? If it is working, those Now "cards" should be filled & showing up like ours here in the USA.
The stock KitKat 4.4 roms all have these apps, unless they are somehow remotely disabled and/or blocked - reasons for why we use Hangouts with ease while folks on the other half of the world are using WeChat instead ...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Solution
rubenmato said:
Same problem here! Please post if you find out how to fix ths. I'm also based in China now.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi, I was able to fix this using an application from the google play store. Please let me know if you still have this problem and I can try to find the solution again.
Regards,
Bobbie

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.

Speedup, Performance tuning [No Root]

After few months my Honor 5x was very laggy, After did few tweaks, i found great improvement on performance.
Here i shared few tricks.
Please note i am on stock ROM without rooting.
1. [Important] Download & install "Google Go" app from playstore. (light version of "Google" app), uninstall/disable & force stop existing "Google app". I found great improvement on performance after doing this. (A restart required).
2. Install "Go" apps instead of regular ones. "Maps go", "files go", "youtube go", etc. note these are the latest light weight apps from google.
3. Disable & uninstall un necessary apps, i disabled few apps that i never used. ex: Google play books, google play games, google play movies, google play newstand, google+, Hangouts, Photos, Social Channels, etc.
4. Use any light weight apps
Holo launcher, (not hola launcher)
Youtube go instead of youtube,
Pixel Music player
Focus Go (Gallery)
5. Allow only necessary apps to run on background. I only allowed whatsapp, gmail, etc. (go to phone manager->battery->protected apps to check)
6. Enable Developer option, set all animations to .5x
Note: A restart required after.
Edit: Please note tip 1 is very important, i got huge performance boost after using "google go". Not only in Honor 5x, i tried the same on Asus Zenfone Max and got the same result (very good improvement on performance) from my friend. I request you to try the same in any old mobile (android 4.4.+) & let us know the give feedback. Rest of the tips are optional.
Good luck
Hello,
I can't seem to find Google Go in the play store, what might be the problem?
Zyphias said:
Hello,
I can't seem to find Google Go in the play store, what might be the problem?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I checked and found Google go in all android devices. Check you android version, update all to latest version( os & apps).
I'm using official stock rom(6.0.1) and without any issue.
Sent from my KIW-L22 using Tapatalk
Zyphias said:
Hello,
I can't seem to find Google Go in the play store, what might be the problem?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think it depends of country where you are, or look in aptoid or apkmirror
I did this today, I have the USA L24 variant, and tried this just for giggles and IT WORKED. Wow what a difference! I had to get Google Go off Apk Mirror. After downloading it I went ahead and uninstalled/froze apps Google Go itself provides that were already installed by me. Whomever the OP is of this thread, thank you!
Shizuku and his modules. Adb apps.
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