Database Users

Wow, removing bloatware = WAY BETTER BATTERY LIFE!

After rooting my phone and using titanium backup (per erichss's suggestion) from the market to remove apps I'll never use, the battery life on my phone is better than anything I've ever experienced.
Yesterday I took it off the charger at around 10-11, then went to a food and wine festival in DC and took pictures and video and basically just used the phone a lot. Last night before bed (past 12) when I hooked it up to the charger, it said the phone was at 70%! I know it's only like 12 hours of use, but still, I DO notice a difference in the rate at which it goes down.
When I first got the phone, I would be getting the low battery warning around the time I got home from work after about 10 hours of being on, AND sitting at my desk for 8 hours in airplane mode since there's no service.
I don't know what exactly it was that I removed that had the biggest impact, but I did notice that when I went to settings>applications>running services I saw a lot of stuff I didn't even want. The 3g mobile hotspot app had a service running for instance, so did skype. Maybe the stock apps that had services running in the background are the ones that drain the most.

I haven't rooted my phone yet, but just from using various task killers I have noticed that there is a lot of crap running on this phone.
At first I didn't really give it much thought, but one day I checked my phone after it had been sitting on my desk for 3 hours off the charger and the battery read 70%. That was with the phone idle, black screen, doing nothing with it for 3 hours.
I need to get around to rooting it so I don't have to try and kill tasks every 15 minutes.
To make matters worse, it seems a lot of the bloatware randomly starts up too, even after you have terminated the process.

astraelraen said:
I haven't rooted my phone yet, but just from using various task killers I have noticed that there is a lot of crap running on this phone.
At first I didn't really give it much thought, but one day I checked my phone after it had been sitting on my desk for 3 hours off the charger and the battery read 70%. That was with the phone idle, black screen, doing nothing with it for 3 hours.
I need to get around to rooting it so I don't have to try and kill tasks every 15 minutes.
To make matters worse, it seems a lot of the bloatware randomly starts up too, even after you have terminated the process.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, that's exactly right. These apps will start up and services will run in the background. That my verizon app had a data usage service I think. Voice commands (something I NEVER will use) had it's own service running as well before I removed it.
Rooting is fairly easy. The hardest part is setting up adb, but really all you need to do is add it's location to your system's path variable and when you open up cmd.exe you'll be able to simply run commands off of it.
Here's a good rooting guide for the fascinate http://www.droidforums.net/forum/sa...ent/79811-newbie-guide-rooting-fascinate.html
Good luck. Let me know if any apps stand out as being a major culprit.

could you formulate a list of what you removed?

dopepope said:
could you formulate a list of what you removed?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
agree here. I definitely need to remove more stuff. the RAM footprint is incredibly high out of the box.
is there a list going of confirmed bloatware/trialware that can be uninstalled by titanium, that won't brick the phone?

Or maybe a batch file that will get rid of them and our them back if needed..
Sounds easy enough.. Need that comprehensive list and locations of said files.. Need replacement files as I already used angels rom...
Sent from my SCH-I500 using XDA App

well for example, there's a utility generated by the community for the Storm 1 called "Shrink-A-OS". This utility was what got me through two years of the storm 1. uninstalling all unnecessary languages, files, folders, startup items, etc etc - all by checking boxes. VZ utilities uninstalled with ease, even...
I'm on board so far with this Fascinate. the out of box experience has been DREADFUL, and in all honesty, the storm 1 did everything out of the box but entertainment. this phone is the exact opposite so far. I had to have gmail, to connect to the marketplace, to download an app.... to then get comcast mail. bluetooth barely works. GPS is spotty. there's trialware (hello CityID, go away), bloatware (hello verizon everything) and it needs a lot of work.
but I'm confident that when 2.2 hits, we'll be all set to go. when the first 5.0 OS was out for the bold, people were immediately porting what would work over to the storm 1. I'm surprised there aren't 2.2 builds for this phone already...

Sorry guys, I should have documented everything I took out.
Just look at what services are running in the background, and ask yourself which one of those apps you really won't use. For me, it obviously was something that had an impact on battery life :/
Speaking of which, I uninstalled my visual voicemail app, but now the button in the dialer that goes to it crashes the dialer whenever I press it. Can someone post this vvm apk?

chronster said:
Sorry guys, I should have documented everything I took out.
Just look at what services are running in the background, and ask yourself which one of those apps you really won't use. For me, it obviously was something that had an impact on battery life :/
Speaking of which, I uninstalled my visual voicemail app, but now the button in the dialer that goes to it crashes the dialer whenever I press it. Can someone post this vvm apk?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Chronster I also have the problem with VM button crashing my dialer due to the super clean ROM, did you find this APK?

Protonus said:
Chronster I also have the problem with VM button crashing my dialer due to the super clean ROM, did you find this APK?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
yeah here you go, just move these 4 files in this zip to system/app

These can be safely removed:
{
"lightbox_close": "Close",
"lightbox_next": "Next",
"lightbox_previous": "Previous",
"lightbox_error": "The requested content cannot be loaded. Please try again later.",
"lightbox_start_slideshow": "Start slideshow",
"lightbox_stop_slideshow": "Stop slideshow",
"lightbox_full_screen": "Full screen",
"lightbox_thumbnails": "Thumbnails",
"lightbox_download": "Download",
"lightbox_share": "Share",
"lightbox_zoom": "Zoom",
"lightbox_new_window": "New window",
"lightbox_toggle_sidebar": "Toggle sidebar"
}
Please note that I do not use any built in social networking or verizon sync, only google. I also replaced the TouchWiz launcher with ADW in the /system/app folder prior to removing TouchWiz.
Don't pull anything if you don't know what it does, or at least dont yell if your phone borks.
I've had no issues with these being done away with.

Does freezing apps in Titanium Backup provide the same effect as deleting them from the phone?

chronster said:
yeah here you go, just move these 4 files in this zip to system/app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Actually I found I had the same files from a stock fascinate dump, so I tired them first. I have the same problem with my files and yours (look to be identical) - after copying all 4 into the \system\app folder, about 30 seconds later the phone locks up bad. Screen goes black, and pressing the buttons at the bottom light them up and they stay on, can't power off or get anything on the screen. Pulling battery and rebooting has the phone stay on the "Verizon" screen for like 30 seconds, and then it does the same thing/locks up....
Had to restore a Clockwork/ROM Manager backup to get the phone to work again.. Tried with just the VVMService files instead of all 4 and had the same result.
I also while I was running the stock ROM, had this exact same reaction trying to copy in the Clock APK/ODEX files... had to wipe the phone to get it to work again.
Any other ideas how to load these in? Just running the APK's say it can't install. Do they need to be "baked" into the CleanROM?

tonyb81 said:
Does freezing apps in Titanium Backup provide the same effect as deleting them from the phone?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, minus the fact that they don't save you any space.

Protonus said:
Actually I found I had the same files from a stock fascinate dump, so I tired them first. I have the same problem with my files and yours (look to be identical) - after copying all 4 into the \system\app folder, about 30 seconds later the phone locks up bad. Screen goes black, and pressing the buttons at the bottom light them up and they stay on, can't power off or get anything on the screen. Pulling battery and rebooting has the phone stay on the "Verizon" screen for like 30 seconds, and then it does the same thing/locks up....
Had to restore a Clockwork/ROM Manager backup to get the phone to work again.. Tried with just the VVMService files instead of all 4 and had the same result.
I also while I was running the stock ROM, had this exact same reaction trying to copy in the Clock APK/ODEX files... had to wipe the phone to get it to work again.
Any other ideas how to load these in? Just running the APK's say it can't install. Do they need to be "baked" into the CleanROM?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Oh my God I'm so sorry! I had no idea it would have that reaction.
I moved them back into that folder and it was all done for me. Voicemail worked fine.
Let me ask you (I'm new) would doing a factory reset from the settings menu be the same as restoring the stock rom and all it's apps?

Daswolven said:
These can be safely removed:
Please note that I do not use any built in social networking or verizon sync, only google. I also replaced the TouchWiz launcher with ADW in the /system/app folder prior to removing TouchWiz.
Don't pull anything if you don't know what it does, or at least dont yell if your phone borks.
I've had no issues with these being done away with.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the info! Could you do us one more favor and set the view to details, then order by filesize? That way if people are trying to save space, they can see the biggest files to remove...

chronster said:
Let me ask you (I'm new) would doing a factory reset from the settings menu be the same as restoring the stock rom and all it's apps?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No. Nothing can touch androids /system partition (unless you root) & a factory reset depends on that fact.
A factory reset basically wipes everything that is user accessible, but /system ISN'T, so if you deleted files out of that, they're gone unless you Odin or made a Nandroid.

tjhart85 said:
No. Nothing can touch androids /system partition (unless you root) & a factory reset depends on that fact.
A factory reset basically wipes everything that is user accessible, but /system ISN'T, so if you deleted files out of that, they're gone unless you Odin or made a Nandroid.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What would happen if I took the system/app folder from a fascinate system dump, and just moved everything back in?
See, with WM, stock apps and stuff were in the rom, so if you did a factory reset, you got all the apps too. I'm surprised Android isn't like this.

Well crap, the ea28 update has made it much harder to remove bloatware.
I THINK* I've rooted my phone with the DL09 method, because Superuser grants root explorer rights when before it would crash, but the bloatware can't be moved because it says it's read only!
Anyone get around this yet?

chronster said:
I THINK* I've rooted my phone with the DL09 method, because Superuser grants root explorer rights when before it would crash, but the bloatware can't be moved because it says it's read only!
Anyone get around this yet?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
you got to mount the system/app folder as RW, this can be done very easily with Root Explorer

Android OS process eating away battery life

Hi all,
So, this problem appears common on other phones as well, and appears to be a Gingerbread issue. Drilling down further using Watchdog Lite on the phone, it appears to be a process called Suspend causing the high CPU usage.
There are a few threads on this:
http://code.google.com/p/android/issues/detail?id=11126#makechanges
http://code.google.com/p/android/issues/detail?id=15057
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=10004299&posted=1#post10004299
http://forums.t-mobile.com/t5/myTouch-4G/quot-suspend-quot-linux-process/m-p/605813
Personally, I'm getting pretty terrible battery life out of my S2, and I can confirm that in the Battery Status menu, Android OS appears extremely high at around 40% (a friends Nexus has this sitting at around 2%).
Not sure there's much we can do about it but wait and hope for a fix from Samsung (or Google)... People are reporting that rebooting the phone can help, but it's only temporary.
Anyway, just something to check if you're having issues.

+1 second that.
Android os eats the most of the battery
Reboot helps temporarily.
Sent from my GT-I9100 using XDA Premium App

My os is at 79% i have no idea whats going on? but i am running launcher pro plus?

OK. So now we have identified an "issue".
Could you guys post juiceplotter logs while phone is asleep and draining, and while in use?
For asleep, i mean literally not touching it for half an hour. On, just occasional tap to keep screen on.
What we are after is an idea of what is causing system to use the power. Can we compare configurations of push email etc, to see if anything differs?
Are we rooted? Etc

{
"lightbox_close": "Close",
"lightbox_next": "Next",
"lightbox_previous": "Previous",
"lightbox_error": "The requested content cannot be loaded. Please try again later.",
"lightbox_start_slideshow": "Start slideshow",
"lightbox_stop_slideshow": "Stop slideshow",
"lightbox_full_screen": "Full screen",
"lightbox_thumbnails": "Thumbnails",
"lightbox_download": "Download",
"lightbox_share": "Share",
"lightbox_zoom": "Zoom",
"lightbox_new_window": "New window",
"lightbox_toggle_sidebar": "Toggle sidebar"
}
this is a screen print of my usage.
How do you do the log thing ?
http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/59/sc20110509160954.jpg/

pulser_g2 said:
OK. So now we have identified an "issue".
Could you guys post juiceplotter logs while phone is asleep and draining, and while in use?
For asleep, i mean literally not touching it for half an hour. On, just occasional tap to keep screen on.
What we are after is an idea of what is causing system to use the power. Can we compare configurations of push email etc, to see if anything differs?
Are we rooted? Etc
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi mate,
I rooted my phone yesterday, but I don't think that's a cause as it was just as bad before. In fact I rooted it just so I could freeze some apps
At the moment, I only have my google account set to sync (calendar, mail, contacts), and I have gmail pushing through emails.
All the stock Samsung apps are frozen. No widgets are running (I'm trying to run it fairly barebones to see how long I can get out of it).
I don't have juiceplotter installed, I'll look into that. I do have Watchdog though, and from all the other threads on this issue the problem seems to be the Suspend process (confirmed by a Google employee).
I don't think there's much we can do aside from wait for a fix. The problem appears to have been around since at least September last year.

I had this the first few days I had the phone, my battery was being wiped out in hours.
I formatted both my mem cards and hard reset. Since then my battey life has been amazing (got through the whole day yesterday only using 25% battery), and os use has dropped to about 18% (still a bit high but better than 40%).

Same issue here, both new flashed roms and my own slim roms suffer from same issue. I have a look tonight if i can find any solution.

simonk83 said:
Hi mate,
I rooted my phone yesterday, but I don't think that's a cause as it was just as bad before. In fact I rooted it just so I could freeze some apps
At the moment, I only have my google account set to sync (calendar, mail, contacts), and I have gmail pushing through emails.
All the stock Samsung apps are frozen. No widgets are running (I'm trying to run it fairly barebones to see how long I can get out of it).
I don't have juiceplotter installed, I'll look into that. I do have Watchdog though, and from all the other threads on this issue the problem seems to be the Suspend process (confirmed by a Google employee).
I don't think there's much we can do aside from wait for a fix. The problem appears to have been around since at least September last year.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
OK. I will see if I can think of anything, as I remember we fixed a similar issue when popping 2.1 onto it, when some binary was giving us trouble...

Root or no root don not affect this issue. Only time i dont get it: fresh flash of new rom without anything installed.

Same issue here and I rooted freezing load of Apps but still drain
*edit*
It seems to stop drain when using reboot the phone.. not yet confirmed just a speculation... Btw these processes eat a lot of battery never got these problems on sgs1 custom gingers rom
Sent from my GT-I9100 using Tapatalk

Seem that ginger on SGS 2 has this bug present:
http://phandroid.com/2011/03/04/android-2-3-3-gingerbread-update-killing-nexus-one-battery-life/

Did anyone tried this? I had a similar issue with Gingerbread on SGS1 and it was fixed after clearing the data for System Update.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1021711

Haven't encountered the problem yet with pretty heavy use plus a few resets. It's probably a specific app or settings that you're turning on/using after each hard reset that causes it.
I'm still on the original firmware though, haven't flashed a new one yet. Might be related.

this is not universal, i don't have this problem. sgs 2 rooted with insecure kernel by chainfire.

*subscribing*
I also have the same drain issue. I have the S2 setup exactly the same way my Captivate was, and the battery life isn't the same.

I got better results after disabling background data in accounts ans sync (settings)
More testing ongoing.

DocRambone said:
I got better results after disabling background data in accounts ans sync (settings)
More testing ongoing.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not really relevant I think - all Android users are going to have background data enabled in accounts and sync. Mine is enabled without the issue, anyway. I am only syncing a single gmail account though.
Have you tried what the linked thread recommends - going into manage applications and clearing data for the update system? You might want to try clearing data for all of the android system tasks.

RyanZA said:
Not really relevant I think - all Android users are going to have background data enabled in accounts and sync. Mine is enabled without the issue, anyway. I am only syncing a single gmail account though.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, but this 2.3.3 bug eat 5-10% battery/h in idle!... so all solutions is good.
I tried a number of "solutions", none helped. The background data seems to help

MaelstromXC said:
Did anyone tried this? I had a similar issue with Gingerbread on SGS1 and it was fixed after clearing the data for System Update.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1021711
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I just tried this, gonna charge to 100% then unplug it and let juiceplotter run to see what happens. Also I have the Samsung account app frozen.

[Q] General Inquiry: Pitch in your ideas!

Samsung engineers are currently working on a bug-fixing Android 5.0 update for the Galaxy S5 and would like your opinion.
Here is the question:
If there is one feature that you would like to have on your Galaxy S5 device, what would it be?

Lmao.......KNOX REMOVED....DELETED.....PERMANENTLY DISABLED....
Sent from my rooted kn0x0 SM-G900F S5

Battery life matching 4.4.2?
Sent from my SM-G900F using XDA Free mobile app

Lockscreen shortcuts returned........
Sent from my rooted kn0x0 SM-G900F S5

thedadio said:
Battery life matching 4.4.2?
Sent from my SM-G900F using XDA Free mobile app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you! We'll look into that.

keithross39 said:
Lockscreen shortcuts returned........
Sent from my rooted kn0x0 SM-G900F S5
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you! We'll look into that as well~

Quiet hours/silent hours schedule so we can tell the phone to disable all notifications / sounds etc at a certain time and enable them again at another time, say 00:00-7:00
Currently having to use a 3rd party app called "Silent Hours"
And there seems to be an issue with U.Power Saving Mode, when I disable it, the phone does not fully return to the way I had it before, it leaves some things disabled
And default apps do not stay default, I tell MX Player to be the default video player, I do not clear defaults, I do not install another video player app, yet when I try to watch a video, it asks which app I want as default again
Also in camera settings, for example: when I set up options for the video camera and normal picture taking camera, the next time I go to use the camera, the options have reverted back to default
I have factory reset my phone and the problems are still there

A way to disable (without rooting and using xposed) the battery and USB cover popups. (I know this is already enabled on some variants of this device)
An 'out of the box' Theme engine/picker/modifier......more control over the visual options of the UI without having to flash alternative launchers.
And we don't need to see a message that tells us the time has been checked and updated, it's enough to know that this is happening........
Sent from my rooted kn0x0 SM-G900F S5

Stop this issue from happening so that I can use my phone :good:....
http://forum.xda-developers.com/galaxy-s5/help/touchwiz-home-app-app-icons-disappear-t3008856

*Detection* said:
Quiet hours/silent hours schedule so we can tell the phone to disable all notifications / sounds etc at a certain time and enable them again at another time, say 00:00-7:00
Currently having to use a 3rd party app called "Silent Hours"
And there seems to be an issue with U.Power Saving Mode, when I disable it, the phone does not fully return to the way I had it before, it leaves some things disabled
And default apps do not stay default, I tell MX Player to be the default video player, I do not clear defaults, I do not install another video player app, yet when I try to watch a video, it asks which app I want as default again
Also in camera settings, for example: when I set up options for the video camera and normal picture taking camera, the next time I go to use the camera, the options have reverted back to default
I have factory reset my phone and the problems are still there
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Blocking mode is already present on your device for the first request you have made in this post.
We'll fix the dafault app management functionality issue you are experiencing.
We haven't heard of issues with the camera application, however we'll look into the problem.
Thanks~

tkmobilesupport said:
Blocking mode is already present on your device for the first request you have made in this post.
We'll fix the dafault app management functionality issue you are experiencing.
We haven't heard of issues with the camera application, however we'll look into the problem.
Thanks~
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Blocking mode? You mean the quiet hours first line I posted? It's not present, and many people are complaining that it is not - the option to schedule the phone to mute during certain hours is missing from the settings area it is supposed to be
Meant to be in Sounds and Notifications > Interruptions > then a schedule setting, which is not there unless myself and many others are wrong about where it is located?
{
"lightbox_close": "Close",
"lightbox_next": "Next",
"lightbox_previous": "Previous",
"lightbox_error": "The requested content cannot be loaded. Please try again later.",
"lightbox_start_slideshow": "Start slideshow",
"lightbox_stop_slideshow": "Stop slideshow",
"lightbox_full_screen": "Full screen",
"lightbox_thumbnails": "Thumbnails",
"lightbox_download": "Download",
"lightbox_share": "Share",
"lightbox_zoom": "Zoom",
"lightbox_new_window": "New window",
"lightbox_toggle_sidebar": "Toggle sidebar"
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*Detection* said:
Blocking mode? You mean the quiet hours first line I posted? It's not present, and many people are complaining that it is not - the option to schedule the phone to mute during certain hours is missing from the settings area it is supposed to be
Meant to be in Sounds and Notifications > Interruptions > then a schedule setting, which is not there unless myself and many others are wrong about where it is located?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You may set the time that you want your phone to be silent in blocking mode. Please see the attached picture. The blocking mode is present in all Galaxy S5 devices and is located under settings-->personalization-->blocking mode.

tkmobilesupport said:
You may set the time that you want your phone to be silent in blocking mode. Please see the attached picture. The blocking mode is present in all Galaxy Note 4 devices and is located under settings-->personalization-->blocking mode.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You realise you are in the Galaxy S5 forum not the Note 4 forum right?
That blocking mode is not present on the S5
--
I'd also like to see the addition of being able to use external SDCard as main storage, so all apps are installed straight to SDCard and not the phone internal storage, with ART, 16GB is tiny vs DALVIK, my 16GB DALVIK tab can install hundreds of apps on 16GB, my 16GB S5 with ART can only install about 20% of that amount before running out of storage
Windows Phone 8.1, which is way behind Android in terms of things like this, has been able to install apps to external SD since last year

Yes sorry about that.
We are planning to add that support under developer options after we receive approval from Google itself. We do have to follow security and policy guidelines from Google, so please understand.

you're adding Support for installing apps to SDCard?

*Detection* said:
you're adding Support for installing apps to SDCard?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have submitted request to Samsung Software Engineers for the feature you have requested.
On top of your request, they will be working to add a developer feature where you can run the Android OS from the microSD card itself.

tkmobilesupport said:
On top of your request, they will be working to add a developer feature where you can run the Android OS from the microSD card itself.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Erm......I'm assuming you are talking about the *removable* microSD card?.....
Surely that wouldn't work......well, maybe between two identical devices, but how would it work if the card was removed from a qualcom device and inserted into an exynos device? And also, wouldn't there be some concerns over using (for example) paid apps from one device in another?.........
Sent from my rooted kn0x0 SM-G900F S5

tkmobilesupport said:
I have submitted request to Samsung Software Engineers for the feature you have requested.
On top of your request, they will be working to add a developer feature where you can run the Android OS from the microSD card itself.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Are you really who you say you are?
People think otherwise, and I have my doubts judging from your posts
----------
Perhaps your a spammer. At 1st glance you look as if someone that works in tmobile support, via your tkmobilesupport user name, but you don't. So why spam the site? Bcs you thought bcs sprint users were getting it, you thought it was appropriate to post it here for [email protected]
https://support.t-mobile.com/thread/77751
+Paul W. You sure it's the same TK? Tomek Kondrat is NOT the "infamous" TK. (And I think tkmobilesupport is yet another TK unrelated to either of them.)
Konstantin Vishnevsky1 week ago
And they didn't sign it with "SOON BACKANSWER"? Definitely a scam.+1
Joshua Jones1 week ago
Uh oh, better hurry up and soonbackanswer!! 
Paul W.1 week ago
+Andrew Dodd Not 100%, but still tkmobilesupport sounds like him. +1
Source
----------

keithross39 said:
Erm......I'm assuming you are talking about the *removable* microSD card?.....
Surely that wouldn't work......well, maybe between two identical devices, but how would it work if the card was removed from a qualcom device and inserted into an exynos device? And also, wouldn't there be some concerns over using (for example) paid apps from one device in another?.........
Sent from my rooted kn0x0 SM-G900F S5
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes I am talking about removable microSD card.
Let me clarify. When you enable this option in the developer mode when it becomes available, your device will see the microSD as internal storage instead of external. So the idea here is, combining the microSD storage capacity with the phone storage capacity.
The microSD will be formatted and partitioned with the phone's algorithms. A unique identifier ID will be saved, thus the partition that the device uses will be locked to only that device. If you plug the microSD into another device, that device will not be able to access the partition that your previous phone created.
This feature is currently under pilot program and is not %100 perfect. We are working to make it %100 perfect.

Guide: De-Bloating and De-Touchwizzing the Note 5

I updated from the Oneplus One and Nexus 6 to the Galaxy Note 5 on T mobile. I wanted a better camera, better screen and better hardware. The note 5 delivers on those things and then some. But coming from the OPO and Nexus 6, I was really missing stock android and material design, and I was used to customizing and streamlining the apps and features to maximize performance and battery life. I had an idea what I was getting into but Touchwiz and all the bloat had to go! You can disable much of the bloatware, but many apps I dont need or want are built into the system and cant be disabled in the App manager settings. Since we dont have root yet, and Im new to Samsung phones, I did some research and I wanted to provide some of things that helped turn the note 5 into the kind of phone I really love now. Please suggest anything else you have found that helps.
First thing I noticed was the cell standby battery drain which I have seen on numerous lollipop devices and roms. It was draining the hell out of my battery but I found out it was an easy fix on T mobile. Disable Voice over LTE by going to dialer app --> More --> Settings --> Voice over LTE settings --> Do not use. No more cell standby battery drain!
Apps:
Adguard- Im used to using an adblocker app but most of those require root. Adguard creates a VPN on the phone and filters out all of the ads from web pages and tracking info from your web data. Speeds up any browser and helps battery life.
Package Disabler Pro- Usually disable or uninstall unwanted apps with Titanium backup, but this app can do those same functions without root! I disabled 178 system apps and bloatware. Phone performs better and battery life is amazing (On pace for SOT of 9-10 hours with brightness on auto, battery saving location settings - wifi and cellular only - when Im not at work where I have really crappy signal all day. I will give a full battery life test this weekend).
Next thing was getting as close to the stock look and feel as possible. I got the Dark Material Theme from the Theme store before disabling the Theme store . I installed Action Launcher but Nova Launcher will serve the same purpose, and disabled the Samsung Home Launcher. Unfortunately when you switch the launcher, you go back to those cartoony Samsung icons. No good. So I installed Glim icons There are many material design icon packs and the icons here arent strictly like the stock ones but they are very nice and the nice thing is it changes out most of the Samsung icons for the apps you will want to keep around, like S note and the Galaxy Apps (I bought the paid version which I think has more icons). Now the software looks amazing to go along with the hardware. And I was concerned about battery life coming to this phone but now, to my surprise, battery life is actually better than I was getting on my Oneplus One on Lollipoop. May not need root after all.
WARNING: DO NOT USE ULTRA POWER SAVING MODE IF YOU HAVE COM.SEC.ANDROID.EMERGENCYLAUNCHER DISABLED - YOUR PHONE MAY FREEZE AND BE UNABLE TO BOOT AND YOU WILL HAVE TO DO A FACTORY RESET. THE REGULAR POWER SAVING MODE IS OK.
I attached some example xml files. There is a "basic" xml file with around 150 disabled apps where I only disabled the apps I am sure of what they do, and mostly left apps and services that shouldnt run in the background most of the time anyway. This package preserves the most functionality and gets rid of the samsung fluff that you probably dont want and gets rid of most of the things they use to spy on you.
There is also an "extreme" version which I would say is still somewhat experimental but has been running great for me so far. BUT USE AT YOUR OWN RISK IT MAY NOT BE COMPATIBLE WITH ALL APPS AND SETUPS. It disables around 200 apps!!! I attached screenshot of battery life I have gotten with this configuration. This is my own personal configuration so there is some minor functionality missing because I only left the things I felt were important for how I use the phone. If you like, you can import this and work backwards, enabling the things you want if you kind of know your way around the app.
I also am posting a screenshot of the 250 apps and services you can disable safely without crashing your phone or creating major issues. Probably. Hopefully.
HOW TO USE XML FILE: You have to download and unzip the xml file, put it in the /storage/emulated/0 section, open the app and select import xml file from menu. You will need to re-enable the stock LAUNCHER, CLOCK, CALENDAR, MESSAGING APP AND KEYBOARD, or replace with alternatives from playstore like I did if you use extreme configuration. You will also likely get a message saying you have modified your phone without permission or something when you try to do a System Update (at least thats what I get on the T mobile version). When there is an update or you want to check, you should use the app to export your file to preserve your settings, then re-enable everything, reboot the phone, check for update, then import your xml file again to go back to how you want it.
To update if you're coming from a previous configuration, first go into menu and enable all disabled apps then import the new XML file.
{
"lightbox_close": "Close",
"lightbox_next": "Next",
"lightbox_previous": "Previous",
"lightbox_error": "The requested content cannot be loaded. Please try again later.",
"lightbox_start_slideshow": "Start slideshow",
"lightbox_stop_slideshow": "Stop slideshow",
"lightbox_full_screen": "Full screen",
"lightbox_thumbnails": "Thumbnails",
"lightbox_download": "Download",
"lightbox_share": "Share",
"lightbox_zoom": "Zoom",
"lightbox_new_window": "New window",
"lightbox_toggle_sidebar": "Toggle sidebar"
}

I would be interested in knowing what you removed with package disabler pro! Thanks

mjs2791 said:
I would be interested in knowing what you removed with package disabler pro! Thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Here is the list from the XML file of the apps I was able to safely disable. Wasnt able to attach xml file that can be imported on here, but if anyone wants it, PM me with your email address.
<string>com.samsung.android.allshare.service.fileshare</string>
<string>com.amazon.mShop.android</string>
<string>com.google.android.webview</string>
<string>com.dsi.ant.sample.acquirechannels</string>
<string>com.dsi.ant.server</string>
<string>com.dsi.ant.service.socket</string>
<string>com.dsi.ant.plugins.antplus</string>
<string>us.com.dt.iq.appsource.tmobile</string>
<string>com.samsung.android.app.assistantmenu</string>
<string>com.samsung.android.scloud.backup</string>
<string>com.android.dreams.basic</string>
<string>com.samsung.android.bbc.bbcagent</string>
<string>com.samsung.android.beaconmanager</string>
<string>com.mobeam.barcodeService</string>
<string>flipboard.boxer.app</string>
<string>com.samsung.android.drivelink.stub</string>
<string>com.cleanmaster.sdk</string>
<string>com.monotype.android.font.chococooky</string>
<string>com.sec.embeddedserverservice</string>
<string>com.samsung.android.app.colorblind</string>
<string>com.facebook.appmanager</string>
<string>com.facebook.system</string>
<string>com.samsung.android.app.watchmanagerstub</string>
<string>com.sec.enterprise.knox.attestation</string>
<string>com.tmobile.pr.adapt</string>
<string>com.monotype.android.font.cooljazz</string>
<string>com.customermobile.tmous.preload</string>
<string>com.tmobile.simlock</string>
<string>com.samsung.android.email.ui</string>
<string>com.samsung.android.email.widget</string>
<string>com.samsung.android.email.composer</string>
<string>com.samsung.android.email.provider</string>
<string>com.samsung.android.email.sync</string>
<string>com.samsung.android.coreapps</string>
<string>com.sec.enterprise.mdm.services.simpin</string>
<string>com.sec.enterprise.mdm.vpn</string>
<string>com.microsoft.office.excel</string>
<string>com.facebook.katana</string>
<string>com.sec.android.widgetapp.easymodecontactswidget</string>
<string>com.sec.android.widgetapp.samsungapps</string>
<string>com.google.android.videos</string>
<string>com.google.android.music</string>
<string>com.google.android.talk</string>
<string>com.sec.android.service.health</string>
<string>com.samsung.helphub</string>
<string>com.samsung.app.highlightplayer</string>
<string>com.samsung.app.highlightvideo</string>
<string>com.instagram.android</string>
<string>com.sec.android.app.sbrowser</string>
<string>com.sec.knox.bridge</string>
<string>com.sec.knox.switchknoxI</string>
<string>com.sec.knox.switchknoxII</string>
<string>com.sec.knox.knoxsetupwizardclient</string>
<string>com.samsung.knox.appsupdateagent</string>
<string>com.sec.knox.foldercontainer</string>
<string>com.sec.android.emergencylauncher</string>
<string>com.sec.android.app.camera.plb</string>
<string>com.android.wallpaper.livepicker</string>
<string>com.yahoo.mobile.client.android.liveweather</string>
<string>com.lookout</string>
<string>com.facebook.orca</string>
<string>com.samsung.mdl.radio</string>
<string>com.sec.android.app.music</string>
<string>com.samsung.android.keyguardwallpaperupdator</string>
<string>com.sec.android.widgetapp.locationwidget</string>
<string>com.samsung.android.allshare.service.mediashare</string>
<string>com.sec.enterprise.knox.cloudmdm.smdms</string>
<string>com.microsoft.skydrive</string>
<string>com.microsoft.office.onenote</string>
<string>com.android.dreams.phototable</string>
<string>com.microsoft.office.powerpoint</string>
<string>com.samsung.android.personalpage.service</string>
<string>com.samsung.android.sconnect</string>
<string>com.samsung.knox.rcp.components</string>
<string>com.monotype.android.font.rosemary</string>
<string>com.sec.android.directshare</string>
<string>com.samsung.android.app.galaxyfinder</string>
<string>com.sec.android.app.shealth</string>
<string>com.samsung.voiceserviceplatform</string>
<string>com.sec.android.app.safetyassurance</string>
<string>com.sec.android.app.billing</string>
<string>com.samsung.android.scloud.auth</string>
<string>com.sec.android.app.SamsungContentsAgent</string>
<string>com.sec.android.app.sns3</string>
<string>com.samsung.android.app.watchmanager</string>
<string>com.sec.android.iap</string>
<string>com.samsung.android.irm.service</string>
<string>com.sec.android.inputmethod</string>
<string>com.samsung.android.app.mirrorlink</string>
<string>com.sec.app.samsungprintservice</string>
<string>com.sec.spp.push</string>
<string>com.samsung.android.scloud.sync</string>
<string>com.samsung.oh</string>
<string>
com.samsung.android.sdk.professionalaudio.utility.jammonitor
</string>
<string>com.samsung.android.app.pinboard</string>
<string>com.sec.allsharecastplayer</string>
<string>com.samsung.android.securitylogagent</string>
<string>com.samsung.android.SettingsReceiver</string>
<string>com.sec.android.sidesync30</string>
<string>com.sec.android.sidesync.source</string>
<string>com.skype.raider</string>
<string>com.samsung.android.app.advsounddetector</string>
<string>com.sec.svoice.lang.es_US</string>
<string>com.tmobile.pr.mytmobile</string>
<string>com.whitepages.nameid.tmobile</string>
<string>com.mobitv.client.tmobiletvhd</string>
<string>com.sec.android.app.easylauncher</string>
<string>com.sec.android.app.launcher</string>
<string>com.samsung.android.universalswitch</string>
<string>com.sec.android.app.tourviewer</string>
<string>com.tmobile.vvm.application</string>
<string>com.samsung.android.app.talkback</string>
<string>com.samsung.svoice.sync</string>
<string>com.samsung.android.voicewakeup</string>
<string>com.google.android.apps.walletnfcrel</string>
<string>com.sec.android.widgetapp.ap.hero.accuweather</string>
<string>com.sec.android.daemonapp</string>
<string>com.whatsapp</string>
<string>com.samsung.android.app.FileShareClient</string>
<string>com.samsung.android.app.FileShareServer</string>
<string>com.samsung.android.app.withtv</string>
<string>com.microsoft.office.word</string>

Without the volte enabled does that mean the calls won't have the little HD when calling another tmobile user?
Sent from my SM-N920T using Tapatalk

Probably. This is the first time I have had the option for voice over LTE on my phone so Im sure i wont miss what I never had. Im sure someone else here knows better than me, but I think HD voice is linked to Voice over LTE? The cell battery drain is a bug so if you dont have it, leave voice over lte enabled. Hopefully it gets fixed soon.

rlsroufe said:
Probably. This is the first time I have had the option for voice over LTE on my phone so Im sure i wont miss what I never had. Im sure someone else here knows better than me, but I think HD voice is linked to Voice over LTE? The cell battery drain is a bug so if you dont have it, leave voice over lte enabled. Hopefully it gets fixed soon.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
it is, HD voice is VoLTE. And i agree about the drain. I talk on the phone so little i dont really care how clear it is as long as we can hear each other. The future of coice calls is VoLTE so hopefully it will be fixed before that

rlsroufe said:
I updated from the Oneplus One and Nexus 6 to the Galaxy Note 5 on T mobile. I wanted a better camera, better screen and better hardware. The note 5 delivers on those things and then some. But coming from the OPO and Nexus 6, I was really missing stock android and material design, and I was used to customizing and streamlining the apps and features to maximize performance and battery life. I had an idea what I was getting into but Touchwiz and all the bloat had to go! You can disable much of the bloatware, but many apps I dont need or want are built into the system and cant be disabled in the App manager settings. Since we dont have root yet, and Im new to Samsung phones, I did some research and I wanted to provide some of things that helped turn the note 5 into the kind of phone I really love now. Please suggest anything else you have found that helps.
First thing I noticed was the cell standby battery drain which I have seen on numerous lollipop devices and roms. It was draining the hell out of my battery but I found out it was an easy fix on T mobile. Disable Voice over LTE by going to dialer app --> More --> Settings --> Voice over LTE settings --> Do not use. No more cell standby battery drain!
Apps:
Adguard- Im used to using an adblocker app but most of those require root. Adguard creates a VPN on the phone and filters out all of the ads from web pages and tracking info from your web data. Speeds up any browser and helps battery life.
Package Disabler Pro- Usually disable or uninstall unwanted apps with Titanium backup, but this app can do those same functions without root! I disabled over 130 system apps and bloatware. I can share xml file of what I disabled if anyone wants it. Phone performs better and battery life is amazing (On pace for SOT of 9-10 hours with brightness on auto, battery saving location settings - wifi and cellular only).
Next thing was getting as close to the stock look and feel as possible. I got the Dark Material Theme from the Theme store before disabling the Theme store . I installed Action Launcher but Nova Launcher will serve the same purpose, and disabled the Samsung Home Launcher. Unfortunately when you switch the launcher, you go back to those cartoony Samsung icons. No good. So I installed Glim icons There are many material design icon packs and the icons here arent strictly like the stock ones but they are very nice and the nice thing is it changes out most of the Samsung icons for the apps you will want to keep around, like S note and the Galaxy Apps (I bought the paid version which I think has more icons). Now the software looks amazing to go along with the hardware. And I was concerned about battery life coming to this phone but now, to my surprise, battery life is actually better than I was getting on my Oneplus One on Lollipoop. May not need root after all.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Like the apps you mentioned. Seem to work well.

Is a reboot required after packages are disabled?
Sent from my SM-N920T using Tapatalk

danon.brown said:
Is a reboot required after packages are disabled?
Sent from my SM-N920T using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No

I'm on the AT&T variant and am interested in the steps you mentioned. I guess maybe a bit of research will be required but do we know if TMO and AT&T share all of the same files or does one require more than the other. I am interested in getting your XML file but minus the TMO stuff.

Ausylon said:
I'm on the AT&T variant and am interested in the steps you mentioned. I guess maybe a bit of research will be required but do we know if TMO and AT&T share all of the same files or does one require more than the other. I am interested in getting your XML file but minus the TMO stuff.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No idea what is different between t mobile and at&t apps but PM me your email and I'll send XML file. You will probably have to go through your list of apps and pick out the at&t apps yu want disabled.
Sent from my SM-N920T using Tapatalk

Post screenshots of your disabled list.
Sent from my SM-N920T using Tapatalk

Here is mine so far....
Sent from my SM-N920T using Tapatalk

rlsroufe said:
No idea what is different between t mobile and at&t apps but PM me your email and I'll send XML file. You will probably have to go through your list of apps and pick out the at&t apps yu want disabled.
Sent from my SM-N920T using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I actually just finished disabling everything manually with your list vs TMo/AT&T.. there are a small number of differences but most of your disabled services are full on android vs carrier specific (stating the obvious)
So far, so good, I'll be able to tell more after I do a full recharge on battery, now just waiting for it to dwindle down by the end of the day.

Just debloated mine this is usually first thing i do with root. Great find
Sent from my SM-N920P using Tapatalk

Thanks for your guide and the tips on Debloating - I usually use Titanium Backup - but can't for obvious reasons (yet) so this was a very welcome thread. The Ad blocker is also very good and works well -
Thanks for the tips - I haven't 'frozen" all of the apks that you did - but I did freeze the ones I don't use or want - and now I will run for a few days to see what sort of impact it has on battery - thanks again -

EDIT: not ready for prime time. Got stuck in boot loop. Stick with earlier version.
The new update for package disabler pro allows you to easily Google different apps to see which are safe to disable. Took some time doing this especially comparing some of the other Samsung scripts out there and disabled another 20 apps or so. Here is battery life from first 20% lost just while researching and the list from xml file. Not much idle time but so far so good, but I'll check for issues and adjust if needed.
Sent from my SM-N920T using Tapatalk

Giving the first list a try now will let you know what I findi

I just switched to the Note 5 from an iPhone 6 plus. I do not know how to disable bloatware and will disabling bloatware help battery life?

alcohol1511 said:
I just switched to the Note 5 from an iPhone 6 plus. I do not know how to disable bloatware and will disabling bloatware help battery life?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It will help with battery life. Just read the op before doing anything.
Sent from my Nexus 6 using Tapatalk

Not receiving OTA?

Rcv'd back from S-off service June 9.
Root-happy app uninstalling since.
Old firmware.
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"lightbox_close": "Close",
"lightbox_next": "Next",
"lightbox_previous": "Previous",
"lightbox_error": "The requested content cannot be loaded. Please try again later.",
"lightbox_start_slideshow": "Start slideshow",
"lightbox_stop_slideshow": "Stop slideshow",
"lightbox_full_screen": "Full screen",
"lightbox_thumbnails": "Thumbnails",
"lightbox_download": "Download",
"lightbox_share": "Share",
"lightbox_zoom": "Zoom",
"lightbox_new_window": "New window",
"lightbox_toggle_sidebar": "Toggle sidebar"
}
I think I broke it.
Thoughts? Ideas?

Forgive me.
I thought folks were on 1.30.xxx or even higher by now.
And my battery life is pathetic.
And i keep getting notifications about having connected to my home network without ever leaving the house, I get good signal clear to my car.
Many things to love about HTC 10. A number of things... not so much.

I don't understand your problem. Looks like your phone has the most recent Verizon OTA already.

I swear, I thought I read that a 1.30.xxx was available.
You're right, it appears I have the latest from Verizon.
I thought the newer versions I must have imagined (or maybe other carriers released) would solve all my stock HTC 10 woes.
I sincerely apologize to the forum for my version oversight. I expected to have another OTA by now, restoring my confidence in my flagship phone's ability to function as one would expect.

Don't go by software version numbers for OTA's; the numbers are for internal control, not external tracking. Currently the Verizon 10 is on 1.19.605.22. The 605 means Verizon (Spring is 651). The Unlocked and I believe possibly the Sprint versions are at 1.80 or something. As a sometimes software and hardware tester for HTC I can assure you, the numbers don't mean anything. I see issues with my later test builds that I never see on my retail handset, and the OTA's don't come down until the carriers have approved them, long after HTC is done building and testing.

hgoldner said:
Don't go by software version numbers for OTA's; the numbers are for internal control, not external tracking.
...
As a sometimes software and hardware tester for HTC I can assure you, the numbers don't mean anything.
...
the OTA's don't come down until the carriers have approved them, long after HTC is done building and testing.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I appreciate your advisement.
Why am I not surprised that carriers drag their feet to push valuable updates while urgently putting more bloatware and spyware on my phone...

pidzero said:
I appreciate your advisement.
Why am I not surprised that carriers drag their feet to push valuable updates while urgently putting more bloatware and spyware on my phone...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Every Verizon 10 owner, whether rooted or not, should go into Settings--> App Manager and DISABLE DTIgnite. It's nothing but a bloatware engine. Disable it, remove whatever bloatware you can (or disable it) and you will be rid of it. I disable: Verizon Cloud; Verizon Navigation; CallerID and DTIgnite. I confess, I prefer Messages+ over the default messaging app.

hgoldner said:
Every Verizon 10 owner, whether rooted or not, should go into Settings--> App Manager and DISABLE DTIgnite. It's nothing but a bloatware engine. Disable it, remove whatever bloatware you can (or disable it) and you will be rid of it. I disable: Verizon Cloud; Verizon Navigation; CallerID and DTIgnite. I confess, I prefer Messages+ over the default messaging app.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Already annihilated DTIgnite in every way I could find. Man, it was stubborn! I've disabled all Verizon apps except "My Verizon Mobile", instead stripping it of every permission.
I use Signal as my default messaging app, as recommended by Edward Snowden himself! lol
I literally ripped out every bit of software I don't use/need. The default mail app, Zoe, NFL Mobile, Visual Voicemail, all the Amazon apps, the list goes on. Battery has been so poor, however, I thought maybe I broke it.
I unplugged 40 minutes ago and i went from 100% to 94% in that time.
Any idea what app populates /data/system/dropbox ? i found files there logging practically all usage. i have since emptied the folder and changed its permissions so that "system" user no longer had access.

adding that my remedy seems to have worked, and no weird errors have presented themselves

pidzero said:
Already annihilated DTIgnite in every way I could find. Man, it was stubborn! I've disabled all Verizon apps except "My Verizon Mobile", instead stripping it of every permission.
I use Signal as my default messaging app, as recommended by Edward Snowden himself! lol
I literally ripped out every bit of software I don't use/need. The default mail app, Zoe, NFL Mobile, Visual Voicemail, all the Amazon apps, the list goes on. Battery has been so poor, however, I thought maybe I broke it.
I unplugged 40 minutes ago and i went from 100% to 94% in that time.
Any idea what app populates /data/system/dropbox ? i found files there logging practically all usage. i have since emptied the folder and changed its permissions so that "system" user no longer had access.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well, I'd like to actually use the phone, so I don't go quite so far. Zoe I keep active, My Verizon I keep to monitor data usage, Visual Voicemail is now free and actually useful; Amazon apps are definite battery sucks but can be tamed. I didn't to into the way you can fix permissions using App Manager....that was not the point of the earlier post. I'm relatively content with my battery life, but I also run a custom kernel.

hgoldner said:
I'm relatively content with my battery life, but I also run a custom kernel.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I didn't know you could have a custom kernel on stock ROM.
I'm patiently waiting for CM13. A thread was created to promote its development http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=3410009

pidzero said:
I didn't know you could have a custom kernel on stock ROM.
I'm patiently waiting for CM13. A thread was created to promote its development http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=3410009
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sure, why not? If you're bootloader unlocked and rooted, go for it. Elemental X 0.6 is the last version for the current retail firmware. The later version(s), I think it's up to 0.9, are for the 1.8x base. I wouldn't run it on Verizon until post whenever the OTA drops.

hgoldner said:
Sure, why not?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I lack a proper education of how the software actually works at that level in a *nix-like environment, especially Android.
I have intermediate experience with *nix. I've set up DHCP servers and Apache servers, SMB servers and proxy servers. I use CLI or GUI, on x86, x64, and RPi (arm). Rarely, if ever, have I required modifying the kernel of an installation. Not since compiling Gentoo completely from source 10 years ago.
I would benefit from a "for dummies" video when it comes to the many aspects of low-level Android customization.

pidzero said:
I lack a proper education of how the software actually works at that level in a *nix-like environment, especially Android.
I have intermediate experience with *nix. I've set up DHCP servers and Apache servers, SMB servers and proxy servers. I use CLI or GUI, on x86, x64, and RPi (arm). Rarely, if ever, have I required modifying the kernel of an installation. Not since compiling Gentoo completely from source 10 years ago.
I would benefit from a "for dummies" video when it comes to the many aspects of low-level Android customization.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well, there are plenty of threads on XDA for that. Bottom line is that once the devices are unlockable, some developers like to cook ROMs, others like to do kernels, still others focus on recoveries. If you stick around long enough, you recognize developers who move from device to device the same way users will through time. The developer of Elemental X kernel, @flar2 is a long-time kernel developer who has done solid work in the past, so I have absolute faith in running his kernels on my handset. The Elite kernel developer, @buckmarble, is also a great kernel developer.
I wouldn't presume to write or code myself. The most I ever do is put things in or take them out of custom ROMs before flashing, but lately I have stuck with stock ROMs until devices are "end of life," (which is why I'm running a custom ROM on my One Max, and will soon probably have to flash a custom ROM to my Nexus 7 FHD). And now that you can run Xposed without modifying system, I can do many of the mods that custom ROMs do.

Well, that was easy.
Elemental X 0.06 has been installed.
I'll report back on battery in a little bit.

changing kernels had no effect on the battery drain. still discharging just as quickly.