For each phone that comes out, someone typically puts together a list of apps that are safe to freeze or disable... I don't like removing apps, because of the issues with taking future OTA's.
I am stock, unrooted and have no real interest in rooting this phone. I plan to keep it stock, but with Nova Prime and disabling all the junk that we don't really need in the App Manager.
Is there such a list for this phone?
I disabled all the usual suspects, but this phone has a lot of new stuff that I don't recognize...
EDIT: Based on my findings and what others post, I will update the list below of what seems to be fine to disable through the app manager. If I notice anything wonky happening, I will enable it and remove it from the list. There are things on this list that you might want to use, this is just to show you what you CAN safely disable without root or a rom.
Amazon
Amazon App Suite
Amazon Kindle
Amazon Music
3d tour viewer
ant radio service
ant+ plugin service
Appstore
Audible
blurbcheckout
bubbles
Caller Name ID
Cloud
drive (google drive)
DT Ignite
FamilyBase Companion
galaxy apps
galaxy apps widget
galaxy gift
Google Play Books
Google Play Movies and TV
Google Play Newsstand
Google+
Hancom Office 2014
hangouts
hp print service plugin
Isis Wallet
live weather
Message+
Messages
messenger
mobileprintsvc_cups
mobileprintsvc_cups_backend
My InfoZone
My Verizon Mobile
NFL Mobile
pages manager
pen.up
phase beam
print spooler
s health
s voice
samsung account
samsung galaxy
samsung link platform
samsung link platform connectivity
samsung print service plugin
sapa monitor
Slacker Radio
smart remote
tags
talkback
user manual
Verizon Location Agent
Verizon Support and Protection
VZ Navigator
*bump* I too would like to know
i dont know if this helps, but here is my list of turned off apps.
3d tour viewer
ant radio service
ant+ plugin service
blurbcheckout
bubbles
drive (google drive)
galaxy apps
galaxy apps widget
galaxy gift
google play books
google+
hangouts
hp print service plugin
live weather
messenger
mobileprintsvc_cups
mobileprintsvc_cups_backend
pages manager
pen.up
phase beam
print spooler
s health
s voice
samsung account
samsung galaxy
samsung link platform
samsung link platform connectivity
samsung print service plugin
sapa monitor
smart remote
tags
talkback
user manual
adichandra said:
i dont know if this helps, but here is my list of turned off apps.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Some suggestions for newbees...
Keep the following services running. It's not too likely you'll ever need them - but just in case.
Example: "S Voice". Most users dislike it, it's not very capable. BUT: If you wish to use the "always listening" feature of Google Now (activate by saying "Ok Google" even if Google Now is not running in the foreground of the screen is off), you'll need it because S Voice handles (or better: tries to handle) the voice recognition if the screen is off.
ant radio service (you'll need that if you wish to connect ANT+ enabled sports devices)
ant+ plugin service (same here)
drive (google drive)
galaxy apps (sometimes used for downloading better text-to-speech applications; the stock TTS is a horror)
google+ (COULD interfere with your YouTube experience if removed)
mobileprintsvc_cups (don't know exactly what it does; maybe there's more than just enabling mobile printing)
mobileprintsvc_cups_backend
phase beam
print spooler
s voice
samsung account (sames as with galaxy apps)
samsung link platform (don't know what it exactly does)
samsung link platform connectivity (same here)
samsung print service plugin (same here)
sapa monitor (same here)
tags (same here)
Updated the list in the OP. So far everything is working fine.
Google Now works from the locked lock screen, but it doesn't work with the screen turned off. I guess that is where S-Voice comes in, possibly. But S-Voice is known to create a goof bit of lag on a lot of devices, so I just turn that off as a matter of habit, as Google Now does 99% of what I need. But YMMV.
An Update of removable/freezable apps would be very nice
regards
Presenting.. the Next Best Thing to Root for the U.S. Samsung Galaxy S7 T-mobile edition (model SM-G930T that is)
As of 6/7/16, no root is publicly available. I purchased my S7 on 5/26/16 and decided to keep it despite the lack of root. This is my story.
INTRO
So the ol' Galaxy Note II up and died on me a couple weekends back, and I blew 40 bucks on a new battery before I realized it was gone gone gone. Queue new phone shopping, the hip glasses-toting dudes at T-mobile swayed me to an S7. I didn't want something as big as my last phone and forget using a bumper case with that curved-screen edge (an acquaintance of mine quotes: "The only thing that ****ing screen is good for is when I'm high as hell and want to read the clock without lifting my head". He dropped his and shattered it.), so I went with the plain ol' S7. Well, now I know why the salesguy got real quiet when the first thing I told him I would do was 'root the phone'. Being a programmer, I was pretty bummed and unhappy about owning a device that I am purposely locked out of Administrating.. but the return fee was $50, and I really liked what the S7 brought to the table.
Goes without saying, I was ready to pay for the rootable HTC-10 (my local store didn't even carry it, the salesman said they were 'test-marketing it' at a couple other stores across town) or the LG monstrosity (I haven't liked this company since the spying TV debacle, tho once upon a time they made good and cheap TVs), but I hated how much bigger the devices were and that svelte S7 really impressed me otherwise. Samsung really does make the 'iPhone of Androids'.
So, I decided to stick with the S7, and un-screw it pretty much as best as I could. And, because all I read was mostly a lot of 'is the root out yets', I thought it would be cool to share.
ABOUT THE S7
Not too terribly much has changed in the android linux filesystem since the last time I seriously delved into it. Got a vague idea where most of what is what, but I also recognize that the Path to Rooting is two: Utilizing a bootloader to actually flash the chip, or Piggybacking on some existing Administrative-privileged software in the otherwise 'closed' environment. Samsung shipped the U.S. T-mobile S7's (mine is SM-G930T) with a locked bootloader to make it nigh-impossible to root via flashing. Get to it, ya chip-hackers.
However, it is a universal law of the internet that someone out there will find an operable software workaround, and this is usually some 13-year-old kid from Finland, or at least it was in the case where I found drivers for a Voodoo 3 card during the advent of Windows XP. God bless the internet will provide, and in this case that gentle soul is none other than a man by the appropriate name of OSPolice.
PACKAGE DISABLER PRO - THE 99 CENT APP
play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.ospolice.packagedisablerpro&hl=en
This little gem of an app I purchased for $0.99 off the play store. This is the key to enjoying the disabling features of Root access and the key to un-screwing the T-mobile Galaxy S7. What this app does is essentially co-opt the Administrative access that Samsung Knox (the 'security' software) uses and allows you to disable any and all packages on the phone. When you first activate it you will have to accept an agreement tied to Samsung Knox (don't worry, this in no way causes anything to 'phone home' as far as I can tell).
I would recommend the very first thing you do is go to the settings and add a password to the app, that way nobody else can get in, because this can seriously **** with your phone's software, if you disable the wrong package the phone will not boot up properly and you will need to reinstall. There is an option to Disable All Bloatware based on automatic picks from the application but this can screw up some phones and you will miss a lot of crap, so DO NOT AUTO-DISABLE.
There is also another important reason you should manually disable these. Clicking on a package from the main app brings up a screen where you have several options (the auto-google feature is quite helpful to researching various processes). There is also an important little button that says 'Clear Data', erasing the temporary package data. Due to info I found on another forum, which I am too lazy to dig up here and now, there is an important process to disabling with Package Disabler Pro:
THE DISABLING PROCESS
1. If the package is not enabled, enable it.
2. While the package IS ENABLED, click Clear Data.
3. DISABLE the package with the Disable button.
4. Click CLEAR DATA a second time.
5. On to the next one...
It appears there may be some data that is not erased when the package is disabled. In any case, this fixed all of the problems I had disabling earlier without using the Clear Data button. This is important to stop certain packages from utilizing an outside process to re-enable themselves.
Below I am listing all of the processes that I disabled. Your list might be different; before I did this I updated the phone's system software from T-mobile's servers (as of 5/25), and I don't plan to auto-update again until I root or have to reload everything.
Also, please keep in mind I turned off a few features with this method, you will have to ADJUST YOUR PACKAGES ACCORDINGLY or know what to re-enable from the below list. I turned off all wi-fi calling (don't like 'weird' internet connections), all NFC and payment such as the Samsung pay chip (nothing I want/need enabled right now). I kept Bluetooth connectivity on since I pair the phone with my car for and it's more or less an 'established' form of protocol, neverless if I didn't use it I would deactivate it as well. Security Over All is my philosophy.
THE SINGLE PROBLEM I HAVE HAD is being unable to 'browse' for a background when choosing a new one for the lock screen. I kept the lock screen with a stock dark blue and had already set my live wallpaper (play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.dkeesto.holographlw&hl=en if you are curious, Digital Hive by the unsurpassed Cypher Cove). So set your backgrounds before disabling all these, or try and figure out which disabled package screws this up, though I tried re-enabling anything with 'wallpaper' in it to no avail.
I also disabled a lot of the Google services, I check my gmail online, phone apps seem so hideously insecure to my mind, and I don't want to use any drive or cloud backup services AT ALL. Go with an all-encrypted service or backup your data yourself, and I don't trust any non-rooted backup apps. If you use the Gmail app or etc, simply don't disable it.
A LIST OF PACKAGES I DISABLED (remember to Clear Data, then Disable, then Clear Data a second time!):
AASAservice
Access cloud
AllShare FileShare Service
Amazon
ANT + DUT
ANT HAL Service
ANT Radio Service
ANT+ Plugins Service
AutoPreconfig
Basic Daydreams
BBCAgent
BeaconManager
Beaming Service
Briefing (**** you)
Calculator
Calendar
Camera test
Carmode Stub
ChocoEUKor
Color Adjustment
com.android.providers.partnerbookmarks
com.android.sharedstoragebackup
com.android.wallpapercropper
com.facebook.appmanager
com.facebook.system
com.samsung.android.app.watchmanagerstub
com.samsung.android.sm.devicesecurity
com.samsung.dcmservice
com.samsung.enhanceservice
com.samsung.faceservice
com.samsung.hs20provider
com.samsung.ipservice
com.samsung.storyservice
com.sec.android.app.minimode.res
com.sec.android.app.wfdbroker
com.sec.bcservice
com.tmobile.pr.adapt
Context Service
Control TV
CoolEUKor
Device Unlock
DeviceTest
Dictionary
EasyOneHand
EasySetup
Email
Enhanced features
eSE UCS Plugin
Facebook
Favorite Contacts
Filter Installer
Filter Manager
Filter Provider
Foundation
Galaxy Apps
Galaxy Essentials Widget
Gallery (I use an app called QuickPic, don't disable if you use the regular Gallery)
Game Launcher
Game Tools
GamepadService
GameService
Gear VR Service
Gear VR SetupWizardStub
Gear VR Shelf
Gmail (You might not want to disable, but for security's sake you should and use your browser)
Google App
Google Backup Transport
Google Calendar Sync
Google Contacts Sync
Google One Time Init
Google Partner Setup
Google Play Movies & TV
Good Play Music
Hancom Office Editor
Hangouts
Health Service (this auto-health reading stuff is kind of scary)
Help
Highlight video player
IMS Settings
ImsLogger+
IntelligenceService2
Interaction control
Internet (have a secondary browser in place, I initially used Chrome)
IPsec Service
Kies Application BnR
KNOX
KnoxAppsUpdateAgent
Live wallpaper picker
Lookout
Magnifier
Market Feedback Agent
MDMApp
Memo
Message service
Messages (I use an app called Textra, it is pleasant, don't disable if you use this for text messages)
MmsService (I have had no trouble sending/receiving MMS text with this disabled)
Mobile tracker
My Files
My interests
My Places
Nearby Service
Nfc Service
NSDSWebApp
Personal Data Management
Photo Editor
Photo Screensavers
Photos
Print Spooler (might be necessary for phone-to-printer if you're into that)
Private Mode Service
Quick connect
Remote Controls
RoseEUKor
S Finder
S Health
S Voice App
Safety assistance
Safety information
Samsung account
Samsung ApexService
Samsung Billing
Samsung Content Agent
Samsung Galaxy
Samsung Gear
Samsung keyboard (HAVE ANOTHER KEYBOARD INSTALLED [I use Hacker's Keyboard] OR DO NOT DISABLE THIS)
Samsung Location DSK
Samsung Milk Music
Samsung MirrorLink 1.1
Samsung Pay Stub
Samsung Payment Framework
Samsung Push Service
Samsung setup wizard
Samsung text-to-speech engine
Samsung+
SamsungDLPService
SapaMonitor
Screen Mirroring
Security policy updates
SecurityLogAgent
Settings Receiver
ShootingModeProvider
Simple Sharing
SLLibrary
Slow and fast-motion video player and editor
Smart Manager
Smart Manager Provider
SmartCallProvider
SmartcardManager
SmartcardService
SmartFaceService
SmartManager Clean DSK
SnsImageCache
Software update
Software Update
Sound detectors
Sound picker
T-Mobile
T-Mobil Name ID
T-Mobile TV
Theme store
Themes
TouchWiz easy home
TouchWiz home
Trim
Universal switch
UrgentFWUpdateNfc
UrgentFWUpdateTSP
Video collage
Video Editor Lite
Video Player (Stock, don't disable if you use, I use an app called VLC that plays damn near anything)
Virtual tour
Visual Voicemail
Visual Voicemail
Voice Assistant
Voice service
Voice wake-up
WallpaperCompression
Weather
Weather
Wi-Fi Direct
Wi-Fi Direct share
Wi-Fi Calling Settings
withTV
And that's it! Boy, wasn't that a lot of clicking clear data and all that junk! But it is worth it!
A FEW OTHER FEATURES I DON'T USE
Fingerprints.. never tested with this. I fail to see the usefulness of a fingerprint compared to a password in your head, and it's a whole lot easier to duplicate the former and scan someone's phone (call it the 'law gets in' password). So some of these might have disabled fingerprint functionality.
Voice-assistance.. again, the possibility of my phone recording me without me knowing is kind of scary. There's a lot of Samsung S-voice crap built in, I had this sort of thing on my last phone and never had the need for it.
Always-On Screen - It displays the time, had it on for a couple days and it worked just fine, but ultimately a battery eater, and the config options are real limited. I ended up turning this off.
The Samsung TouchWiz Launcher - As soon as I got all my packages disabled, I ditched this one. You can use anything you like, but personally I found a new home with NovaLauncher.
The Camera I tried to keep as whole as possible, I set it as the 'double-home-button-click-to-open', which was default behavior, and I really like it this way - double-click and you have a camera, and it works regardless of locked screen. They've really improved the camera software, I can double-click and start recording and that's just the way I like to use a phone. Now if there were only a way to compress, encrypt, and auto-transmit those movies immediately after recording...
DEVELOPER OPTIONS
Settings -> About device -> Click on 'Build Version' a bunch of times. If you're reading these forums you should probably know how to activate this.
Some cool settings, the only one I toggle is USB debugging.. for ease of file transfer on a PC thru USB cable, something which ALL modern phones suck ass at. It almost makes me want to program a simple universal file transfer software suite.
WHAT I WISH I STILL HAD
Encrypted Backup Solutions/State Backups: TitaniumBackup & Nandroid are the ****. Man do I miss having root access.
Customized Pull-down Notification Screen: I hate that first row of settings buttons. I will probably have to pony up the 5 bucks to NovaLauncher to see if they can make those go away.
One-touch Reboot app - Not getting this one until root Administrative access. I'll have to live without until then.
Otherwise, I have been pretty conveniently able to live without Root on this phone, and I hope this guide can make you happy, too!
SOME APP SUGGESTIONS - USEFUL
I've peppered the above with some apps I really like, here are some more:
Firefox - My favorite browser. I keep a copy of chrome for emergencies. 'Noscript' and 'Phony' are must-have extensions. Still looking for a good page-to-pdf extractor.
Orbot/Orfox - Best TOR/browser combo.
Rocket Player - FANTASTIC music app that I ponied up the money to unlock (mostly to play FLACs). Near-perfect, and a relief because Winamp **** the bed when it came to Android.
DuckDuckGo - I use this to replace the Google search bar widget. Doesn't work the same (click to open) but works quickly.
ZDBox - I use this exclusively for the 5x2 'control' widget on my home page. One-touch turnon/offs (or some options send you to the settings screen) for the following: WiFi, Bluetooth, GPS, Mobile Network, Airplane Mode, TaskKiller, disable Screen Rotate, Brightness, Applock (you specify) and Flashlight (my default light, big screwy button but I'm used to it now).
ZDCal - From the makers of ZDBox, a free calendar that displays as a strip in the notification bar and also places a date at the top of the screen. Be careful, the first time I set it up I blindly clicked a couple pages and set up a period calendar that promptly notified me when I was beginning ovulation (I am a man).
SOME APP SUGGESTIONS - GAMES
Stellar Solitaire - The best Solitaire app ever. Tons of games, demos, beautiful for a phone screen.
Cliffy Run - A rager game my awesome friend made that is totally and amazingly simple and has some great graphics.
Neko Atsume - A stupid japanese cat simulator that I can't stop checking.
Source - A free 'pipes' puzzle game. I'm at 1 hr 2 mins on insane level. Great for killing time in the DMV.
SOME APP SUGGESTIONS - PROGRAMMER/NERD
OS Monitor - Process/Connection task-manager
JuiceSSH - My terminal app of choice.
Blowtorch Beta - My MUD app of choice. Told ya I nerd.
AndFTP - My FTP/SSHFTP app of choice.
AndroZip - My compression app, and, surprisingly, file manager of choice.
Fing - 1st of the 2 best wireless discovery apps ever.
Wifi Analyzer - 2nd of the 2 best wireless discovery apps ever.
Usemon - Resource Analyzer. Has a cool option for the notification screen, and measures both frequency and % use graphs when many progs do one or the other.
Cargo Decoder - If you want to read what exactly is in the tanker truck you are driving behind and how badly a spill will **** up your day.
Maverick - For all your GPS/compass/accelerometer needs.
FINALE
Please feel free to add anything to the above! I am pleased that I got my phone to do most of the things I wanted without a root. That being said, as soon as it is possible I will be jumping on that train. If you have any suggestions, please contribute! And thanks for reading!
Solid post man. I will be looking to clear data on my disabled apps. That is great advice. Thank you for this!
I can say i agree, mostly. I too miss root, but can manage without it. I really wish I still had full functionality of tasker. I had some kickass gps profiles and such that I can't use anymore. Do you know a workaround for that?
Sent from my SM-G935T using XDA-Developers mobile app
looking to get an s7, waiting on more info from this thread, can anyone else confirm
rkohliny said:
looking to get an s7, waiting on more info from this thread, can anyone else confirm
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What more info? How much more detail do you need?
Just completed this entire process...thank you so much! Have you been noticing faster speeds and better battery life as a result?
thank you!
Thank you. My phone is running better and faster and cooler. Thanks again
Sent from my SM-G930T using XDA-Developers mobile app
great post. im bummed as well regarding the locked bootloader that TMO has implemented. It's still a new enough phone that I'm trying to get the 'samsung experience' so personally disabled lookout and the TMO crapware. I will be saving this post for when I'm ready to go barebones (like I always eventually do) does anyone know of a good rootless ad block? Every time I launch a game and stare at a 30 second video for a different game it makes me miss adblocker terribly
I used this list as a base for safe to remove applications. Ridiculous that Samsung thinks it's this necessary to have this many applications installed.
I use the Theme Engine and a few Samsung apps (their browser with Crystal Adblock, works great and I also use Screen Mirroring/Quick Connect.) So I skipped disabling those, but got everything else. Thanks for the list. Looks like you spent a lot of time compiling it all together.
Seems to have definitely made the phone a lot snappier so thanks for this! However I can't seem to figure out which is affecting my wifi calling. It'll turn on on reboot but if it drops it won't come back on. Any ideas? Also I didn't turn off the lasy three ok his list.
Could you please share the XML file of PACKAGE DISABLER PRO? ....
PS Thank you for the great Post!
dantes5823 said:
Seems to have definitely made the phone a lot snappier so thanks for this! However I can't seem to figure out which is affecting my wifi calling. It'll turn on on reboot but if it drops it won't come back on. Any ideas? Also I didn't turn off the lasy three ok his list.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Did you ever find out why WIFI calling isn't working properly? Mine won't even start on a reboot!
Looks like Debloater will do the same thing as well.
Thanks for the list of apps that i can safely disable
Very nice write up..
1st: Excellent post, lots and LOTS of detail!
2nd: OMG, I hope I don't mess anything up!
Yikes!
Bambi
Sent from my Samsung Galaxy S7 using XDA Labs
So theres a port of Note 8 Live messages feature working on S8. Im FAIRLY certain its working on s7 edge but I cant get the 3 required apks to install. I get the familiar "package name conflict" error. This is supposed to happen but can be resolved by disabling secure startup, reboot then quickly install the apps. I still cant install them.
Im hoping someone has a tip to make them install...
But Id also appreciate confirmation that the Live messaging feature actually works. Thanks
I have a galaxy s7 edge, and I did manage to get the apks to install (I had secure startup toggled off, and toggled it on before restarting and quickly installing). However, when I try to use live messages, the app crashes whenever I hit "done" after drawing a message, rather than successfully attaching and sending the message. Not sure if this is a unique issue to my device, or if these apks really only work for the galaxy s8.
No no no. I guess it is missing some files
I have a S7 Edge, and I successfully installed all 3 apk's designed for the S8. The live message loads up, but when I tap done, it crashes. I'm sure it's because of the fact that live message was designed for android 7.1, the version that the note 8 came with out of the box. Right now, 14/02/18, the S7 Edge is stuck on 7.0. Although it's believed that Samsung is testing 7.1 or might update right to 8.0 for the S7 Edge. Hopefully, the update will support the live message better.
:fingers-crossed:
Has anybody got this live message working with the s7 edge yet? The android oreo update has been around so maybe worth a check if somebody has it installed?
These apk work on my galaxy a7 2016 (except for the neural keyboard) live messages work even on the standard keyboard. Just update it to the most current version and you're done. I think it will work fine on s7.
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1TT-uQbSGdDci2fVkVWaP1hwoo8eti17c/view?usp=sharing
It installs but only comes up on neural keyboard. However it just crashes and does not send
Hi All,
TL,DR: I'm looking for a remote shutter for any cam on any android phone similar to the one on Mi Bands. No the remote cameras with companion apps that we can find in play store.
I've just got a brand new TicWatch E3. So far the watch is great, everything what I've expected. There's only 1 gap I don't know how to cover.
I had a Xiaomi MiBand 5 before and is has a great feature, a remote shutter you can use with ANY opened cam on you phone, you just open the camera on your phone, tap the shutter on the band and the pic was taken.
I know that Google Camera does that from wear OS but for Pixel Phones only (it does not work on my Redmi Note 8 Pro with Pixel Experience rom and gcam mod) but I couldn't find anything similar to do it with any phone and camera as the MiBand does. Al I have found are remote cams apps that use their own companion cam app in the phone, but for those, the picture quality is no good at all.
Does anyone has an idea or recommendation to achieve this from wear os?
im looking for the same the only thing i could find that can do it was https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.kemasdimas.wristcamera&hl=en&gl=US which isnt really what i want as it shows the camera screen on the phone.
If anyone else has any other suggestions please let me know.
I have done it using the following apps:
Tasker (to run the 'Take Photo' action
Bubble Cloud to trigger the above
There is a world of usefulness to be had using those two Apps and Android phone / Wear OS
Try Camera One. Though you have to install the companion app, it only uses it for communication with the watch. You dont even have to have it open. Once you launch the watch app, it automatically uses the camera, even if the phone is off. To get full features though, i think its about $4.
evil.weasel said:
I have done it using the following apps:
Tasker (to run the 'Take Photo' action
Bubble Cloud to trigger the above
There is a world of usefulness to be had using those two Apps and Android phone / Wear OS
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Interesting, could you share how to do this and what parameters have you used? Thanks
martinmarchese said:
Interesting, could you share how to do this and what parameters have you used? Thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Install Tasker
Create Task that uses 'Take Photo' (you can find by typing in search box when creating the task) you can choose from Front / Back camera in the settings of this 'Take Photo' Action
Install Bubble Cloud from link above
Ensure installed on both watch & phone
Use the 'Wear Cloud Editor' section to create a watch screen
To launch the Task you created above, click the '+' button in 'Wear Cloud Editor' and select option to 'Add Tasker bubble (icon looks like a cog) and choose the 'Take Photo' (or whatever you named it) task, you can also choose icon / colour / transparency here
Add the screen created above to a watch tile (think it's called 'Favourites Cloud' or similar from memory?
Swipe to tile and press on the icon you chose to launch the task.
Hope make sense?
Looking for something similar, except that I need to trigger my GoPro Hero 8 shutter from my Galaxy Watch 4, ideally directly (i.e. not via phone), and ideally using BTLE not WiFi. Any suggestions?
(There's this, but that's out of my price range for a mere shutter control app.)
Firstly, apologise if in wrong thread - cant think where else to post this
I've been avoiding getting any 'Smart assistance' device as I personally couldn't see the point - I usually use mobile phone for reminders/notes/ shopping list etc
Anyway, this Xmas got one as a present (As mentioned in title - it's the Dot 5th Gen, the plain version with No built in clock/temp display)
Looking into what can ACTUALLY be done with these now that I have one & I'm beginning to like the idea of turning on/off stuff based on times/schedules etc
e.g When sunset switch on living room side lights / If rooms is too hot (The 5th Gen dot has a temperature sensor) then switch on a fan - you get the idea
So been looking at 'Smart plugs' / 'Extension leads' & (I think they're called 'WiFi inline switches' where you cut the cable & wire them inline) like a 'Sonoff'
Here's the problem
- there's so many to choose from & (based on Youtube videos) they all seem to require you to download an App to 'pair' the socket with phone, sign up an Account THEN you use Alexa App to pair with the downloaded app, so I'm getting confused over which is better/easier etc.
I don't what to be 'tied in' to a certain company, in case they go bust, discontinue products or change their policies (I've seen stories of companies changing their Free services to subscription after a time)
On subject of having to 'sign up for an account' - Why ??
What is the point of signing up for an account if (most probably) I would only be using the device(s) while in the house using my own Wifi - as in Phone/Dot sends a request through my Wifi to the attached socket directly
- it's not as though my on/off requests are being sent via my Wifi over the internet to the 3rd party servers, they then check my account & what devices I own, then send a signal BACK over the internet to my wifi to turn on/off device - Or DO THEY ??
(FYI I doubt I'll will EVER use devices remotely while out of the house anyway, I'm on a PAYG mobile plan that doesn't give 'Free Data' so doing this would cost me ££££ if I tried)
What is the benefit of 'Having an account' ?
Why do we NEED to have one ??
What's the benefit of having a 3rd party app doing the same thing the Alexa/Dot app can do ? - (other than needed to pair with socket)
So.......
[Q] Can anyone recommend suitable power plugs, Extension leads etc that easy to set up, preferably without having to have 'yet another app' installed & especially where the company doesn't require you to sign up an account.
I know Amazon do their own plugin sockets that Alexa app can see without additional pairing/3rd party app, but 1: more expensive, 2: seems bulkier than others I've seen & 3: they only do a plugin socket - they don't offer stuff like extension leads.
Are there any other devices that work the same way as Amazons own version that connect directly to the Alexa App ??
Any help appreciated & Thanks in advance