Database Users

Replacing System apps- topic changed for obvious reasons

People are probably going to flame this thread for me saying this but what the heck.....
there have been countless threads about how to remove, replace, and/or delete system apps and their functions. And with a little searching you will find there are many answers.
At the least I should say, is that system apps can be removed, however; there are certain ones that should not be removed because it will break your system....that's been established already, duh?, yes I know...but here is what my point is to cover:
The system apps that were known to be removed with no problem are calendar, clock, IM, mail, work email, and other little third party apps added to the system by whatever Dev made the rom,
and the ones recommended that SHOULD NOT be removed are main phone functioning apps such as..Mms, Music, Dialer, Contacts, Camera and so on ad so forth,
Well that is correct. Those can't be removed, but yes they can be replaced and no it will not break the system.
I use Handcent sms as my default Mms, the original system version is removed.
I use Meridian music player as my default Music app, the original system version is removed,
I use Camera zoom Pro, as my original Camera app, the original system version is removed.
So in a nutshell, I basically chose all the stable 3rd party phone functioning apps that I use daily and made them replacements to the default system versions, so I don't have two music apps, two message apps, two camera apps and so on.
Did it break my stability?, Crash my phone?, Cause crazy reboots? Screw with the incoming and outgoing calls,tex, and mms?
The answer is no, no, no, and NO. Everything is fine. I have been doing this for a long time now, so this is not some new technique that I have only tested once, on one rom.
I have replaced every system app except dialer, there is really no replacement for that in my opinion that is worthy. Contacts I have replaced before with a 3rd party app called phone book. It worked. But it crashed, because Contact and Dialer go hand in hand, so to successfully replace one you would have to replace the other...my recommendation, don't screw around with those. Besides, Devs implement constant updates and new features to those in every build anyway.
I will more than happily share my method of replacement in a new thread over in the the apps forum if anyone is interested, but feel free to share your opinions, experiences, and your own personal methods here.....
and if enough users request, I will create a "How to" for everyone later.

What's your point?

lbcoder said:
What's your point?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What's yours?

My point is that your "discovery" is one of the VERY BIGGEST defining design features of the android platform. This is nothing new and nothing that even lacks understanding. WE ALREADY KNOW ALL THIS!!!
I suggest that you go and read all the platform documentation. Its all there.

lbcoder said:
My point is that your "discovery" is one of the VERY BIGGEST defining design features of the android platform. This is nothing new and nothing that even lacks understanding. WE ALREADY KNOW ALL THIS!!!
I suggest that you go and read all the platform documentation. Its all there.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
links please?....have a few of my own, but Im interested to know if there is something I haven't seen

lbcoder said:
My point is that your "discovery" is one of the VERY BIGGEST defining design features of the android platform. This is nothing new and nothing that even lacks understanding. WE ALREADY KNOW ALL THIS!!!
I suggest that you go and read all the platform documentation. Its all there.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
yes, but quite a lot of people don't know this and would be scared to delete mms.apk. jesus christ, do you EVER think outside the box? please, please, please, get rid of that narrow mind of yours and expand your train of thought.

@ lbcoder
also did you see this:
Quote from my original post above:
that's been established already, duh?, yes I know....
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

A tut would benefit us noobs..

Umm a tut like this?
http://wiki.cyanogenmod.com/index.php/Barebones

Klyentel said:
links please?....have a few of my own, but Im interested to know if there is something I haven't seen
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Why don't we start with the most obvious:
http://developer.android.com/guide/basics/what-is-android.html

lbcoder said:
Why don't we start with the most obvious:
http://developer.android.com/guide/basics/what-is-android.html
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
nope...still doesn't explain my method, I have a much easier...more understandable way of doing this (for noobs)...I will post later.

Sleeepy2 said:
Umm a tut like this?
http://wiki.cyanogenmod.com/index.php/Barebones
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thats a great link by the way^^ but still only explains how to delete, it doesn't state how to successfully replace system apps.

Couldn't you just replace the files (/system/app) in any ROM and resign and flash?
that seems easiest to me.

cal3thousand said:
Couldn't you just replace the files (/system/app) in any ROM and resign and flash?
that seems easiest to me.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
BINGO!^^ that's exact same way I do it, however there is another method I'd like to share, just don't have the time to type it up,
note to those who don't know when replacing the apps, rename the apk the same as the original, so if you want GDE for your home replacement, remove the original Launcher.apk then drop in GDE and rename it Launcher.apk....very important step, you will get unstoppable reboots and freezing.

Its called Terminal Emulator.
mount system and remove the apps in the system/app directory. virtually everyone knows this. There was a post on how to do this in the general section. fin.

Macrophage001 said:
Its called Terminal Emulator.
mount system and remove the apps in the system/app directory. virtually everyone knows this. There was a post on how to do this in the general section. fin.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
dude read the topic, Im talking about replacing not removing, so if you're going to post commands then put one up on how to replace an app already running from data partition to system/data replacing the one already there I.E. handcent(data partition) replaces Mms.(system/data)....otherwise you're not helping, No sh**t, I know everyone knows that but dont know this....so
for those who don't give a dam for codes and commands, or screwing with zips and resigning...patiently wait and I will post easiest method- you can do it right from your phone, without even rebooting!
I'll try to have it up later today.

ehh basically the same thing only you would push the apk's to the system/app directory.
Or you can just put em in the data/app directory and delete the apk in the system/app directory. still not that hard =/ a lot of people already know how to do this as well.
There are a lot of easy methods. sorry if I came out rude and sarcastic its my nature =/

just let him write his tut
then you can
say he has reinvented the wheel
call him a plagiarist
give him a pat on the back for making it nice and easy for noobs to understand

Well I wasn't assuming that I had re-invented something or made an all new discovery...Im pretty sure everything around here has had atleast a dozen how to threads, and everyone, after a little research should pretty much know how to do everything, I admit
So I don't want to come off as some obnoxious asshole that think he knows everything, because Im not, I just wanted to share my opinion, the whole reason I became a member of xda,
So those of you who already know how to do this, then ease off, don't jump down my back just because you know of other threads and topics in relation, or you have easier methods and how to's or whatever, I'm not starting a conspiracy here...geez, I make one topic that's been seen before, and now it's like I can't express my freedom of discussion just because someone else did first. That's a load of crap and you guys know so.
Anyway here is my tut:
For those of ya with some type of root explorer this would be the preferable procedure for you
go to the /data/apps directory select the apk that you would like to use for replacement, such as Meridian music player, rename it to music.apk
then copy
navigate to system/data/apps directory, paste...it should say it already exist and would you like to replace click yes.
Done. Do the same for any other system app, by renaming it as original, copy and replace.
Be sure to put system in Read/Write or this won't work.
That's it. Simple, brief, and no problem.
For those who also put their input into this thread I thank you for your time..your knowledge is noted and appreciated.

Sleeepy2 said:
Umm a tut like this?
http://wiki.cyanogenmod.com/index.php/Barebones
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
well good link... i dont follow cyanogen and i know how to delete apps. what i am after is replacing the sys apps with third party apps... i am sure it is more involved than pushing to /system/app... hence i asked for a tut
well thats it?!! rename the replacement app to the app itss replacing in system! wow thanks for the tidbit... ill try the resigning thing also. thanks!

[Q] Rooting Advantages and Disadvantages

I have been reading this forum for some weeks now and wanted to thank you all for the great info here. I got my first Android phone (Vibrant) a few weeks ago.
I found out about rooting just yesterday. Since I really don't want to spend a lot of time troubleshooting the phone, I had a few questions to figure out whether I should root or not:
Will rooting my phone be overall worth it? Will I have to troubleshoot it a lot as a result? It works well now.
How will the updates work in the future? For example, I won't have to worry about Android 2.2 because it will be included in Cyanogen? Will my phone notify me when it's time to update?
This one is important: are there any instructions that tell me how to backup my current phone so that I can restore it to the original condition in case something happens?
Is Cyanogen accepted to be the best for rooting?
Will all my applications become uninstalled? Will anything else change besides my access level? I read some conflicting into on this.
Can you think of any disadvantages to rooting (other than possible voiding of warranty if you can't hide it)?
Do you guys have a list in this forum as to which applications are bloatware and should be removed (and are safe to remove)? I don't know anything about Android, so I have no idea
And finally, is there a thread/list where all the most important/useful applications that should be installed after rooting are listed? I know titanium backup is one. I couldn't understand what BusyBox does. So a list with explanations would be great.
I haven't liked the battery life of this phone and I am hoping that after removing all the bloatware from it that issue might be fixed as well. My phone starts with 160M+ memory. Even though I keep killing open applications, the performance keeps dropping over time until I can't get more memory beyond ~90M. This is when I have to shut down the phone and turn back on. Other than tethering, my main reason for rooting is 1.performance gain and 2.battery life extension.
Thanks for all the help. A lot of talented people on this forum.

There is no reason to not root this phone in my opinion. You can unroot it. You will get OTA updates using the stock ROM. Many of the recommended apps, guides, useful information is in the sticky at the top. Please read that, then ask any more detailed question you may have.
edit: when you root, there will be NO change to your apps/contacts/settings/etc.... you will reboot and be like "well, am I rooted?"... look for the superuser app in your app drawer, there? Good, you were successful.

Ok, you got an excellent thread there that pretty much answered all my questions! I will root my phone and get back here if I have any more questions, with a cleaned up list. Thanks.

will applying the RyanZA fix stop the OTA update?

A lot of people have this misconception that rooting means modifying their phone. Rooting by itself is not really modifying anything on your phone, all it does is give you super user privileges.
Think of your Mac or Windows PC, you have administrative accounts and you have user accounts. Admins can do anything, user accounts are typically limited.
When you have root access to your phone, you are the admin. You can access features that default account can't.
With that said, once you do have su you step into a whole new world with many different paths. You can can simply stay rooted and use apps that required root access and leave it at that.
Or you can dive into custom ROMs. This is where you step off the manufacturers intended path and follow community developed versions of the operating system.
Alternatively, in between those two extremes above you can do many things in between. You can stay with stock rom but have custom (modules or programs) APKs, or other modifications that change or expand on stock ROM.
Always keep in mind that once you choose to root, what happens to your device is your responsibility. Once again, your responsibility. If you are not willing to accept that, then stay non-rooted/stock and responsibility will be on Samsung to add/remove features, provide updates, fix bugs, etc.

Ok, so a few questions:
I bought Autostart and hid the system apps. Now what? I don't know what to disable from this list. There are applications, but they are listed under several categories. For example, "Application Removed." I have no idea what that category is for. Should I just worry about "After Startup"? Please elaborate.
You don't recommend AppKiller. Won't all those open applications just drain the battery? For example, if I have TeleNav open, how can I close it after I am done using it without AKiller?
There is an entire thread of various people posting various things, but I still would like to see just ONE combined list of all the "safe" bloatware to remove and "risky" ones. That thread did not help me at all since various people are reporting various things.
You recommend Root Explorer, which is kind of expensive. Is there any reason why I can't use the uninstall function of Titanium Backup? Is it any less thorough?
Where is the restart function?
How can I disable those annoying power down and power up sounds of the phone? Can this be done without lowering system volume?
Thanks!

Awesome, Glad to hear your root went well.
1. I bought Autostart and hid the system apps. Now what? I don't know what to disable from this list. There are applications, but they are listed under several categories. For example, "Application Removed." I have no idea what that category is for. Should I just worry about "After Startup"? Please elaborate.
I remove almost all non-system apps unless it is logical wht said app would need to function, aka, text received you would not want to block messanger/handcent..... if there is something you are questioning, just let me know.
2. You don't recommend AppKiller. Won't all those open applications just drain the battery? For example, if I have TeleNav open, how can I close it after I am done using it without AKiller?
Now that you have root, remove all of the bloatware and it will not be an issue. These run in the background and very likely are not using ANY of your resources.
3. There is an entire thread of various people posting various things, but I still would like to see just ONE combined list of all the "safe" bloatware to remove and "risky" ones. That thread did not help me at all since various people are reporting various things.
I used that thread because a lot of people posted the apps they removed. Almost all of them can be removed, if there is one you are questioning, let me know.
4. You recommend Root Explorer, which is kind of expensive. Is there any reason why I can't use the uninstall function of Titanium Backup? Is it any less thorough?
I mentioned in the sticky that I do not use TB. I know it allows you to remove apps, but Root Explorer does this and a lot more. For example..... #6
5. Where is the restart function?
Not sure I know what you mean? if you want a reboot option you can get Quick Boot from the market.
6. How can I disable those annoying power down and power up sounds of the phone? Can this be done without lowering system volume?
In the sticky I show where the files are located. With Root Explorer you can navigate to them and delete the files.

I agree with a lot on this thread. A master Guide for rooting/unrooting and usage should be made. The FAQ currently stickied is informative for the most part but it focuses on far too many things to be able to go into enough detail on each. Personally I would like a "All things root" guide or something sticked which is comprehensive and focuses JUST on that, with the most common root usage apps and things posted (including safe disabling or removal of bloat, backing up, flashing roms, etc.) so that people who have NO idea whatsoever and it is their first phone or something can just read that and feel at home. I may start working on one if no one else does it, we'll see.

}{Alienz}{ said:
so that people who have NO idea whatsoever and it is their first phone or something can just read that and feel at home.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'd say that if someone has no idea what they are doing, the last thing they should be attempting is flashing firmware on their phone.
The layer of obscurity and technical difficulty associated with rooting/modding is of benefit in terms of preventing people from doing things they should not be doing without sufficient knowledge base.
There is plenty of info here and online in general to start someone off if they are interested in learning about this in general.
IMHO, creating a trail of bread crumbs for someone who doesn't know what they are doing is more likely to hurt them or community in general rather than help them.

In my experience rooting your could be fun and a nightmare, if not done properly and, you have of time on you're you could become a rom switching addict cyanogen is currently available for the vibrant you can still root, but you will be on stock vibrant rom.till samsung release the source code so no froyo.and the rumor is that they won't release the source code.
Sent from my Nexus One using XDA App

s15274n said:
Awesome, Glad to hear your root went well.
1. I bought Autostart and hid the system apps. Now what? I don't know what to disable from this list. There are applications, but they are listed under several categories. For example, "Application Removed." I have no idea what that category is for. Should I just worry about "After Startup"? Please elaborate.
I remove almost all non-system apps unless it is logical wht said app would need to function, aka, text received you would not want to block messanger/handcent..... if there is something you are questioning, just let me know.
2. You don't recommend AppKiller. Won't all those open applications just drain the battery? For example, if I have TeleNav open, how can I close it after I am done using it without AKiller?
Now that you have root, remove all of the bloatware and it will not be an issue. These run in the background and very likely are not using ANY of your resources.
3. There is an entire thread of various people posting various things, but I still would like to see just ONE combined list of all the "safe" bloatware to remove and "risky" ones. That thread did not help me at all since various people are reporting various things.
I used that thread because a lot of people posted the apps they removed. Almost all of them can be removed, if there is one you are questioning, let me know.
4. You recommend Root Explorer, which is kind of expensive. Is there any reason why I can't use the uninstall function of Titanium Backup? Is it any less thorough?
I mentioned in the sticky that I do not use TB. I know it allows you to remove apps, but Root Explorer does this and a lot more. For example..... #6
5. Where is the restart function?
Not sure I know what you mean? if you want a reboot option you can get Quick Boot from the market.
6. How can I disable those annoying power down and power up sounds of the phone? Can this be done without lowering system volume?
In the sticky I show where the files are located. With Root Explorer you can navigate to them and delete the files.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
1. What I don't understand is that the category says "New Outgoing Call" and GVoice beneath it. So I should NOT disable it, right? Because it has nothing to do with startup? But if so, then almost every other category has nothing to do with startup either. It is only the first listing that says "After Startup" and it misses A LOT of applications that do start up, like TeleNav. I don't even see TeleNav anywhere in that list. Same is true for "Email," Gallery," "Voice Dialer," and a bunch of other apps that I don't want to start on startup. I don't see any way of killing these other than by ATKiller. Am I missing something here?
2. See the problem is this: right now I have Telenav and I use it sometimes. However, I don't want it to run just whenever. So if I don't want to uninstall it, isn't my only solution ATKiller? There are other programs like this. And I can't disable them from the Autostart menu either since they're not there (Filtered out System files).
3. That site does not list what each of the bloatware does. For example, I am not sure I want to remove Account and Sync because I might need it for my bills. Same thing with "MyFiles." I don't even know what "vvm" is.
4. I am not able to tether the phone. I already tried Barnacle and it said "Running..." after I disabled supplicant, used channel 6, and disable ad-hoc. Then I tried this: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=739147&highlight=tether, but I am still not able to connect. My laptop detects the phone as "computer-to-computer network," but when I click connect, it keeps trying to connect and then doesn't. I am not sure where to go from here.
Thanks.

One more thing I still don't know: how are the updates going to work from now on? Whenever an Android update comes out, like 2.1update or Froyo, do I have to come here and do everything manually? Or is there a way from within the phone to find out with one click? I am assuming whatever update is available for the phone will also be available for custom download (otherwise I could unroot, update, reroot?).
Thanks.
By the way, I also agree about a complete guide. It's not that it will enable the clueless to mess up their phone, but rather the opposite - it will allow the clueless to become cluefull. Such a guide would be very helpful. Meanwhile I am having to jump from thread to thread and then to Google trying to find out about this or that. That's not to say that the guide available isn't very helpful already.

I've already contacted a few people about starting said guide. I have not got much feedback from people willing to help....
^ you've asked a lot man... I can try and answer some, but you need to keep doing some reading. I feel like I've offered up a lot as is.
Just b/c you have root, does not mean you will not receive the OTA updates. If Froyo is released, you can update from the phone, you will lose root though. Most of us, will wait for the developers to have a stock froyo + root that we can flash.
why use telenav? I am not familiar.. just curious why not use google nav?
autostarts, just b/c you have it set to not start an app on boot, does not mean when you click the icon to open it will cause an issue. Really not that big of a deal. If you notice an issue, just set the app back to enabled.
Do not use a task killer.
The thread I linked has plenty of information for what you can remove from the phone, with instructions.... same for the barnacle tether app. If you want, download Wireless Tether, google it... the source code is on google.
http://code.google.com/p/android-wifi-tether/downloads/list

androidaddict23 said:
In my experience rooting your could be fun and a nightmare, if not done properly and, you have of time on you're you could become a rom switching addict cyanogen is currently available for the vibrant you can still root, but you will be on stock vibrant rom.till samsung release the source code so no froyo.and the rumor is that they won't release the source code.
Sent from my Nexus One using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Cyanogen is not yet available for the Vibrant. It will soon.
Froyo-cooked ROMS are already out for the Vibrant (alas with some bugs) so I don't think there's a reason to think Cyanogen won't be on Froyo.
Also: Never having done a root/rom flash does not make someone stupid or signify they should never try it. It just means they should READ some documentation and be technically up to the challenge before they do. I don't think having a clear guide on most of the process will hurt anyone who is coming into this but doesn't yet know all the details and steps of what to do.

Excelsius said:
Ok, you got an excellent thread there that pretty much answered all my questions! I will root my phone and get back here if I have any more questions, with a cleaned up list. Thanks.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
glad the root went well for you. I am wanting to root my phone too, but not sure which root method is easiest and best.
Which root method did you use?
I had a mytouch rooted before the Vibrant, but they are way different and I dont want to screw up

s15274n said:
I've already contacted a few people about starting said guide. I have not got much feedback from people willing to help....
^ you've asked a lot man... I can try and answer some, but you need to keep doing some reading. I feel like I've offered up a lot as is.
Just b/c you have root, does not mean you will not receive the OTA updates. If Froyo is released, you can update from the phone, you will lose root though. Most of us, will wait for the developers to have a stock froyo + root that we can flash.
why use telenav? I am not familiar.. just curious why not use google nav?
autostarts, just b/c you have it set to not start an app on boot, does not mean when you click the icon to open it will cause an issue. Really not that big of a deal. If you notice an issue, just set the app back to enabled.
Do not use a task killer.
The thread I linked has plenty of information for what you can remove from the phone, with instructions.... same for the barnacle tether app. If you want, download Wireless Tether, google it... the source code is on google.
http://code.google.com/p/android-wifi-tether/downloads/list
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I appreciate all your answers. I don't mean to say that anyone else can't answer as well. I am still unclear on several things I asked and would appreciate if someone could chime in, at least about the exact procedures for using autostart and the reasoning behind not using the task killer. I am new to Android, but I am pretty good at computers, including building them. So when I am learning about doing this or that, I would like to know about the reasoning behind that. I am sure that all of the questions I ask here I can find out on my own, but I was hoping that I could utilize the purpose of the forum and learn something from the veterans rather than reinventing the wheel myself.
I am using Telenav because I have a one month free trial. I discovered Google Nav just yesterday. I just want to compare them myself, even though it is unlikely I will pay $10/month in either case. But remember that Telenav is just one of the applications causing issues.
Thanks for all the answers. Please don't feel pressured to answer all the things I might ask. If I don't get enough answers, I'll just do a quick thread search and if that's not fruitful, I'll create a specific thread for autostart usage.

androidaddict23 said:
till samsung release the source code so no froyo.and the rumor is that they won't release the source code.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Isn't this illegal? I thought the whole point of Android was opensource and under the GPL License, they are required to post the full source code, right? Or I could just be way off base here.

kboater said:
glad the root went well for you. I am wanting to root my phone too, but not sure which root method is easiest and best.
Which root method did you use?
I had a mytouch rooted before the Vibrant, but they are way different and I dont want to screw up
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I used the first procedure recommended in the sticky: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=7150299&postcount=1
I am not sure why it said that you have to restart several times. Here are some clarifications on the steps there that I think were not too clear:
1. When you connect your device, you need to pull down the message area, click on the USB, and only then you will see the option to MOUNT your phone. I had to experiment to figure this out.
2. The guide doesn't say, but if your USB debugging mode is on, I would disable it, just to be safe: Settings (this is that leftmost button on your phone when you're at your desktop)-->Applications-->Development-->USB debugging (uncheck). This might be unnecessary, but I did it just to be safe.
3. When you are copying the Update.zip file into your phone, make sure you check the size of the folder. It must be your internal storage - it will be 12GB+ and will have your system files. If you have trouble identifying this, simply remove your SD card!
4. When you are restarting the phone, make sure you press the volume button in the MIDDLE so that it is entirely pressed (up and down). While holding it, press and hold the power. Do not let go of the volume button until your enter the recovery menu.
Anyway, that's what I did and rooted from the first time without any issues.

t0phux said:
Isn't this illegal? I thought the whole point of Android was opensource and under the GPL License, they are required to post the full source code, right? Or I could just be way off base here.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It could be that Samsung has modified the code for their own phones making the code their property, while the "regular" 2.2 (unmodified) would be available to everyone. I could be wrong, but I think this how it would work.

Excelsius said:
I used the first procedure recommended in the sticky: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=7150299&postcount=1
I am not sure why it said that you have to restart several times. Here are some clarifications on the steps there that I think were not too clear:
1. When you connect your device, you need to pull down the message area, click on the USB, and only then you will see the option to MOUNT your phone. I had to experiment to figure this out.
2. The guide doesn't say, but if your USB debugging mode is on, I would disable it, just to be safe: Settings (this is that leftmost button on your phone when you're at your desktop)-->Applications-->Development-->USB debugging (uncheck). This might be unnecessary, but I did it just to be safe.
3. When you are copying the Update.zip file into your phone, make sure you check the size of the folder. It must be your internal storage - it will be 12GB+ and will have your system files. If you have trouble identifying this, simply remove your SD card!
4. When you are restarting the phone, make sure you press the volume button in the MIDDLE so that it is entirely pressed (up and down). While holding it, press and hold the power. Do not let go of the volume button until your enter the recovery menu.
Anyway, that's what I did and rooted from the first time without any issues.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
thanks
10 char

Is DroidWall still the best firewall for Android?

Traditionally, I have always considered DroidWall the best firewall for Android. But it hasn't been touched in two years.
I use it in Blacklist mode, and I like that apps that have been installed since you last went into the app show at the top of the list.
Is it still considered the best, or is there something better, at this point?

Haphim said:
Traditionally, I have always considered DroidWall the best firewall for Android. But it hasn't been touched in two years.
I use it in Blacklist mode, and I like that apps that have been installed since you last went into the app show at the top of the list.
Is it still considered the best, or is there something better, at this point?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't really see to much of a reason to use a firewall. Antivirus apps like Bitdefender, Kaspersky, etc. are (in my own opinion) good enough for anything you do on the phone, although there is a lot that can get past it. On another note, I have yet to see an app that truly protects against ARP poisoning. I have tried some paid versions of the apps, but that is something that is very hard to stop and again, in my own opinion, I think it's just a goofy app wasting RAM.

Alright, well to clarify, one major purpose that I use it for is to prevent apps from calling home without my knowledge. So if nothing else, I use it for that functionality.

Haphim said:
Alright, well to clarify, one major purpose that I use it for is to prevent apps from calling home without my knowledge. So if nothing else, I use it for that functionality.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's cool. I would stick to it just because you're familiar with it. I don't think firewalls are that popular right now but I have been wrong before.

Okay, fair enough. Thanks!

Hi, Is there a purpose for a firewall? I mean I know what it does on a PC but I have never had any viruses or hacking happen to me on any of my android devices. Do you suggest it is a must for android users? Thank you

sg3love said:
Hi, Is there a purpose for a firewall? I mean I know what it does on a PC but I have never had any viruses or hacking happen to me on any of my android devices. Do you suggest it is a must for android users? Thank you
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If for no other reason, it's important to keep apps from calling home when they have no business doing so. So many apps ask for permissions far beyond what they should, and an outgoing firewall is vital to making sure that any information those apps may grab never leave your phone.

Haphim said:
If for no other reason, it's important to keep apps from calling home when they have no business doing so. So many apps ask for permissions far beyond what they should, and an outgoing firewall is vital to making sure that any information those apps may grab never leave your phone.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Most definitely! There are other programs (can't think off the top of my head, but will post if I remember) that can modify permissions for all the apps you have. I would think it would be more reliable than a firewall.

agent929 said:
Most definitely! There are other programs (can't think off the top of my head, but will post if I remember) that can modify permissions for all the apps you have. I would think it would be more reliable than a firewall.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Unfortunately, not. If an app doesn't have all the permissions the developer intended, there's a decent chance it will crash or otherwise malfunction.
On the other hand, blocking external access is almost always handled gracefully - and it's only a problem for apps whose main function requires net access (like a browser).

Haphim said:
Unfortunately, not. If an app doesn't have all the permissions the developer intended, there's a decent chance it will crash or otherwise malfunction.
On the other hand, blocking external access is almost always handled gracefully - and it's only a problem for apps whose main function requires net access (like a browser).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I never thought of it that way, but you are right about the app crashing. It will more than likely keep trying to connect to stuff and ultimately crash.

agent929 said:
I don't really see to much of a reason to use a firewall. Antivirus apps like Bitdefender, Kaspersky, etc. are (in my own opinion) good enough for anything you do on the phone, although there is a lot that can get past it. On another note, I have yet to see an app that truly protects against ARP poisoning. I have tried some paid versions of the apps, but that is something that is very hard to stop and again, in my own opinion, I think it's just a goofy app wasting RAM.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
agent929 said:
Most definitely! There are other programs (can't think off the top of my head, but will post if I remember) that can modify permissions for all the apps you have. I would think it would be more reliable than a firewall.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
From a noob perspective.. It was suggested that a firewall is a 'goofy app wasting RAM'... Advice in many threads is that android anti virus doesnt seem much point if you stay away from dodgy paid app for free apk .. an uneducated guess would be that an anti virus would be more resource hungry than a firewall.. (and think of your battery)
The app that you couldnt think of maybe the 'framework' app called 'xprivacy''

Antivirus apps aren't constantly running. They only scan when you install an apk or when you set it to do so otherwise. It is not a resource hog.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-N900A using Tapatalk 5

Wow im such a noob, I had no idea apps call home! firewall it is ! So that's how I randomly get people calling and leaving ridiculous voice mails, Thanks!

Bloatware blocking tool

Hopefully I'm posting in the correct section. Found this and wanted to share it. A simple tool to block bloatware of many phones, with and without root. Check out the following forum :
http://forum.xda-developers.com/and...er-remove-carrier-bloat-t2998294#post58069093

Just a note for anyone who doesn't want to use a tool for this (or is on a non-Windows platform). Everything that tool does can be accomplished without root via the ADB command interface described in this topic in our own forum
Nice cross link nonetheless, have a thanks

Ironically, I used the method that you're talking about on my z3c.
I thought this tool makes the process simpler as a frontend with some descriptions too.
It works works on my z3c without root because of kitkat. Other roms do require root.
And you're right, windows only application, good call

Essentially it just freezes the app, which without root is a very good thing, should you need to enable it again.

Thanks, though does anyone know how to block the Enterprise Service? It unblocks itself as soon as I try to block it.
Edit: never mind I got it, had to revoke its device admin rights before blocking it. Annoyingly a bunch of previously disabled apps got enabled again. smh.

degraaff said:
Annoyingly a bunch of previously disabled apps got enabled again. smh.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah, I had the same thing here, I froze some with Titanium Backup (root) and they unfroze themselves....
I have access to an unlocked and a locked device, the same thing happened when I tried to disable apps @ the one with the locked BL. The thing that helped me was clearing the data/cache for the apps that I were about to disable. (aka before disabling them.)
Try that.
Sent from my D5803

degraaff said:
Thanks, though does anyone know how to block the Enterprise Service? It unblocks itself as soon as I try to block it.
Edit: never mind I got it, had to revoke its device admin rights before blocking it. Annoyingly a bunch of previously disabled apps got enabled again. smh.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Correct, we had that (a longer time) before: you have to disable it in settings -> security -> administrators before you block it. Don't confuse disabling with blocking. Disabled Apps may get enabled again after disabling device admins, blocked ones shouldn't.

Just for the sake of completion, here is the complete adb tutorial+ a nice list of processes which can be disabled so you dont have to look them all up
https://www.reddit.com/r/SonyXperia...battery_life_is_out_of_this_world_bye/cnmj0vn

2mal16 said:
Just for the sake of completion, here is the complete adb tutorial+ a nice list of processes which can be disabled so you dont have to look them all up
https://www.reddit.com/r/SonyXperia...battery_life_is_out_of_this_world_bye/cnmj0vn
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Click to collapse
Why does he list Small Apps as one of the main bloatwares to block? I'd think small apps is actually quite a useful addition to many.

degraaff said:
Why does he list Small Apps as one of the main bloatwares to block? I'd think small apps is actually quite a useful addition to many.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I agree but he states "You could leave the small app launcher/widget if you like it." . Apparently some ppl just dont like it .

Sorry to bother you guys, I would really like to kill/freeze some apps from this great device, in the easiest way possible and WITHOUT connecting the device to the computer. Is it possible to enter all those commands in a Terminal Emulator on the phone itself? Would it be great if we can do like a script or a batch that disable all the apps we dont need/want so, as soon as we reset the phone, it will disable/kill them in an easy way, not 1 by 1 going into the applications list.
Sorry again if this was a stupid question, but this is chinese for me.
Thanks in advance.
Alx

Wow... Great info i really like it...

Nice App!! Would be nice making a list of secure app to be block, without making any damage to the phone Like com.sony.touchscreen, Device Usage, User Data Logging and Crash Monitor what does each one?

I tried to use a Terminal Emulator and kill the What's New using PM BLOCK blah blah blah......it says "killed" but the app is still working.......what is wrong? *in english, please
Thanks in advance.

What is com.android.cts.priv.ctsshim?

After playing around with AR for all trying to get AR+ on Pokemon go and eventually giving up I'm curious on what this app is on my phone? Couldn't find a answer from a quick Google so I guess here is the next best thing.
Kinda of scared to give it root permissions as it's name doesn't sound familiar to any app I have installed. Any advice?

It's a system app that is present on many Android devices, including our Axon 7. You will find it in pretty much any ROM you flash, stock or custom. I don't know what it is or what it does, but it's not dangerous, don't mess with it. It shouldn't be asking for root permissions, that does sound a bit fishy. You may have recently installed an app that is masquerading under this name and now wants root access. Don't grant it. I would look more deeply into what you've installed to see if any of it might be malicious.

dalebaxter01 said:
After playing around with AR for all trying to get AR+ on Pokemon go and eventually giving up I'm curious on what this app is on my phone? Couldn't find a answer from a quick Google so I guess here is the next best thing.
Kinda of scared to give it root permissions as it's name doesn't sound familiar to any app I have installed. Any advice?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I agree with the user above. Its weird that it even has the possibility to be granted root permission. If its a system process, it should already have all the necessary permissions it needs.
Oh btw. I think for AR+ in pogo you need ARCore by google. Our device is not officially supported yet. But since there is cam2 api in oreo, that might change in the future and google could very well add it to the list of supported devices.

dalebaxter01 said:
After playing around with AR for all trying to get AR+ on Pokemon go and eventually giving up I'm curious on what this app is on my phone? Couldn't find a answer from a quick Google so I guess here is the next best thing.
Kinda of scared to give it root permissions as it's name doesn't sound familiar to any app I have installed. Any advice?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
look. Download MagiskHide props config module, change the fingerprint to Pixel 2 XL, then download ARCore from apkmirror. It'll work, I just don't know if it works with pokemon go.
I used Measure and Lens (don't know if lens needs it tho)

Choose an username... said:
look. Download MagiskHide props config module, change the fingerprint to Pixel 2 XL, then download ARCore from apkmirror. It'll work, I just don't know if it works with pokemon go.
I used Measure and Lens (don't know if lens needs it tho)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks man, at first safety net was being hit but a quick reboot later and now everything is working fine. I'm going to do more research into what this is. As I'm sure I haven't downloaded any suspicious apps.

dalebaxter01 said:
Thanks man, at first safety net was being hit but a quick reboot later and now everything is working fine. I'm going to do more research into what this is. As I'm sure I haven't downloaded any suspicious apps.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Edit: Never mind, I thought you were talking about the stuff i suggested lmao

Choose an username... said:
Edit: Never mind, I thought you were talking about the stuff i suggested lmao
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ok so after some testing it seems like AR Core 1.5 works but is unstable asf, and ARcore 1.4(latest) does not work as the app must be using 1.5 only, it comes up with the "This device is not supported" but seeing that safety is working fine, i assume its looking at the ARCore and seeing its not running on a "supported device" although it does work on 1.5 (sometimes, if im not taken straight to "Not Supported"). Not too sure about this magisk module tho as some reboots come up with a negative safety net

Found on internets:
"The CTS (Compatibility Test Suite) shim is a package that resides on a device's /system partition in order to verify certain upgrade scenarios. This is intended to facilitate the compatibility test that vendors run to ensure their hardware will be compatible with the Android OS. "

@evilKabab: if what you're saying is true, then I'm considering deleting this app from my phone. I generally don't use GApps, and don't care about SafetyNet. Thanks for the info.

its a shimmy hackers tool.
used to encrouch in space.
my ex and his circle are remotely damaging all aspects of my life personal and professional family and financial.
they have pop ups stating i cant use messages internet apps socialmedia or ANY thing that uses data or space urging me to delete files or apps as soon as i do, it encrouches and takes up that space.
ive got an s10 started with 13 pages of apps 1500 svreenshots and 900 photos and crap tons of vids
after a couple months of this i am left with 3 pages of apps (mostly factory apps) and no space for photos
and it still urges me to delete.
this is because i have evidence of too much on my phone

com.android.cts.priv.ctsshim | How to set up devices for CTS
What is com.android.cts.priv.ctsshim? How to set up the environment, desktop and android device for CTS? Is com.android.cts.ctsshim a Virus?
gossipfunda.com

hackedbymyexboyfriend said:
its a shimmy hackers tool.
used to encrouch in space.
my ex and his circle are remotely damaging all aspects of my life personal and professional family and financial.
they have pop ups stating i cant use messages internet apps socialmedia or ANY thing that uses data or space urging me to delete files or apps as soon as i do, it encrouches and takes up that space.
ive got an s10 started with 13 pages of apps 1500 svreenshots and 900 photos and crap tons of vids
after a couple months of this i am left with 3 pages of apps (mostly factory apps) and no space for photos
and it still urges me to delete.
this is because i have evidence of too much on my phone
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Same here I have 1000s of files and screen shots an pencil an paper notes