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Hi, a new guy here!
I recently became a happy owner of 32Gb wi-fi only N7. I’m familiar with software dev (windows developer for 20 years with some work on unix) and customization/modding/flashing process (mostly for satellite receivers). However this is my first tablet and my first Android device so I could use some help
I successfully unlocked, rooted and installed custom recovery on my N7. I would like to get to a bare bones state of the N7 and then slowly add new features/programs to it when it becomes necessary for me. So I would like to remove all non essential parts that were preinstalled on my N7.
I was under impression that I could uninstall programs using N7 UI after device gets rooted. However it seems that for majority of the apps I still only have an option to disable.
I shelled into N7 and looked around. It seems that all (majority?) of the apps are in /system/apps folder. Can I simply remove the apps and their files from that folder? Does this folder only contain user apps or does it also have system apps that are essential for N7 to function? Is there a chance to brick it by removing something (everything?) from that folder?
I searched on a forum for a list of apps that are safe to remove. I thought it would exist since it seems to be something many of us would be interested in doing. I didn’t find the list. If there is such a thing and someone could direct me there, it would be great!
Given that I can remove apps by deleting them from that folder safely, I still have a question what each app does and how important it is. Is safe to assume that any app that has a wheel with a drive belt on it as an icon in apps screen on N7 is system app and has to stay?
I have two keyboard app installed – one is Android keyboard and one is ASUS keyboard. Judging by the name 2 of these are essential since Android is the OS and ASUS is the manufacturer. But do I really need two of them?
If there is a resource/thread that discussed something similar, please let know. I look forward to learn from anyone on this forum!
_Diver said:
Hi, a new guy here!
I recently became a happy owner of 32Gb wi-fi only N7. I’m familiar with software dev (windows developer for 20 years with some work on unix) and customization/modding/flashing process (mostly for satellite receivers). However this is my first tablet and my first Android device so I could use some help
I successfully unlocked, rooted and installed custom recovery on my N7. I would like to get to a bare bones state of the N7 and then slowly add new features/programs to it when it becomes necessary for me. So I would like to remove all non essential parts that were preinstalled on my N7.
I was under impression that I could uninstall programs using N7 UI after device gets rooted. However it seems that for majority of the apps I still only have an option to disable.
I shelled into N7 and looked around. It seems that all (majority?) of the apps are in /system/apps folder. Can I simply remove the apps and their files from that folder? Does this folder only contain user apps or does it also have system apps that are essential for N7 to function? Is there a chance to brick it by removing something (everything?) from that folder?
I searched on a forum for a list of apps that are safe to remove. I thought it would exist since it seems to be something many of us would be interested in doing. I didn’t find the list. If there is such a thing and someone could direct me there, it would be great!
Given that I can remove apps by deleting them from that folder safely, I still have a question what each app does and how important it is. Is safe to assume that any app that has a wheel with a drive belt on it as an icon in apps screen on N7 is system app and has to stay?
I have two keyboard app installed – one is Android keyboard and one is ASUS keyboard. Judging by the name 2 of these are essential since Android is the OS and ASUS is the manufacturer. But do I really need two of them?
If there is a resource/thread that discussed something similar, please let know. I look forward to learn from anyone on this forum!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't have the energy right now to address every app one at a time, but I'll nudge you in the right direction. That should help you start tinkering.
The Nexus 7 is very popular in this community because it's intentionally more open, and less bloated, than much of the competition.
That being said, sure there are apps you could uninstall if you decide to. Some of the custom ROM's will have probably already have done this for you, but may create little unexpected quirks here and there.
The first thing you'll want to do is backing everything up thoroughly. I would use Titanium Pro (you'll see it referred to as Tibu a lot), to backup all apps and settings. Then I would use the Google Nexus 7 toolkit (found in the forums here) to do a backup, as well as make a nandroid backup.
Ok, so you're ready to tinker. Well, if you bought Titanium Pro from the app store, you've already got all you really need. First, use titanium to freeze an app you don't feel you need, and don't think is required. Re-boot, go about your daily routine, and see if all is ok. Continue on in this manner. Once you've frozen everything you're interested in, and made sure all is well, you can probably go ahead and uninstall them through Tibu. Freezing them should generally make them not start up anyways, so unless the tiny amount of space they take up is a concern, that's really all you generally need to do *.
* Ok, sometimes you have to fully uninstall things you don't want, but this should get you plenty to tinker with for now.
bladebarrier,
Thanks for your response. I understand the approach you suggested – disabling apps one at a time and then when they all disabled and device is working to my liking for a while I could uninstall them.
However, I’m somewhat frustrated with a sheer number of apps that I have out of the box and I can’t find a good description of what they do. For example:
Mobile Network Configuration
Google Partner Setup
Google Services Framework
Searching online doesn’t yield definitive answers if it’s something I need or will N7 work without them. I have google play store and google play services installed – does store app require services? Reading a bit about it doesn’t make it seem so, but I’m not 100% sure. So I was wondering if there is a list of apps that are required for N7 well being and that cannot be removed no matter what.
For example, Black Viper has an excellent example of what I’m looking for but for windows nt services: (can't post a link)
This page explain what each service is, what it does and if it’s safe to disable it depending on configuration you’re seeking – minimal set, typical, out of box of experimental. I would love to find something like that for N7 system apps
I installed CWM recovery when I rooted and as far as I can understand I does NAND backups. I plan on moving the backup file from the device to my desktop and keeping it there for safety reason.
The Tibu process that you described, as far as I understand (and I might be wrong here) is basically equivalent of disabling the apps using native N7 setting app, rebooting, using it for a while and then removing .apk and .odex (or simply app_name.*) files from system/apps folder. Tibu just makes it easier. Did I get that right?
And it’s still removing one app/widget at the time. I’d like to clean it out completely first and start from that point. So Tibu will probably not help me there. So my main Q is still out there – can I brick it by removing everything from system/app? Are there only user apps there or essential system apps as well? With CWM back up file on hand will I be able to recover if my experiment goes bad?
> * Ok, sometimes you have to fully uninstall things you don't want, but this should get you plenty to tinker with for now.
One of the reasons I want to have them removed is to clean up the list of apps I have on N7. Right now I have 5 pages of apps and I have little idea what they do and if I need them – I had Korean keyboard installed for example.
As I mentioned I’m a newb in this area, so maybe my approach is a bit dumb, so please be patient with me
_Diver said:
bladebarrier,
Thanks for your response. I understand the approach you suggested – disabling apps one at a time and then when they all disabled and device is working to my liking for a while I could uninstall them.
However, I’m somewhat frustrated with a sheer number of apps that I have out of the box and I can’t find a good description of what they do. For example:
Mobile Network Configuration
Google Partner Setup
Google Services Framework
Searching online doesn’t yield definitive answers if it’s something I need or will N7 work without them. I have google play store and google play services installed – does store app require services? Reading a bit about it doesn’t make it seem so, but I’m not 100% sure. So I was wondering if there is a list of apps that are required for N7 well being and that cannot be removed no matter what.
For example, Black Viper has an excellent example of what I’m looking for but for windows nt services: (can't post a link)
This page explain what each service is, what it does and if it’s safe to disable it depending on configuration you’re seeking – minimal set, typical, out of box of experimental. I would love to find something like that for N7 system apps
I installed CWM recovery when I rooted and as far as I can understand I does NAND backups. I plan on moving the backup file from the device to my desktop and keeping it there for safety reason.
The Tibu process that you described, as far as I understand (and I might be wrong here) is basically equivalent of disabling the apps using native N7 setting app, rebooting, using it for a while and then removing .apk and .odex (or simply app_name.*) files from system/apps folder. Tibu just makes it easier. Did I get that right?
And it’s still removing one app/widget at the time. I’d like to clean it out completely first and start from that point. So Tibu will probably not help me there. So my main Q is still out there – can I brick it by removing everything from system/app? Are there only user apps there or essential system apps as well? With CWM back up file on hand will I be able to recover if my experiment goes bad?
> * Ok, sometimes you have to fully uninstall things you don't want, but this should get you plenty to tinker with for now.
One of the reasons I want to have them removed is to clean up the list of apps I have on N7. Right now I have 5 pages of apps and I have little idea what they do and if I need them – I had Korean keyboard installed for example.
As I mentioned I’m a newb in this area, so maybe my approach is a bit dumb, so please be patient with me
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Removing Google framework services is a big no-no. To be honest, the easiest way to accomplish what you want is installing a custom ROM like CyanogenMod, especially since you've done all the prep work for such a thing.
Once you install any official CM build it is as close to app-less as you can get on a modular OS like this.
littleemp said:
Removing Google framework services is a big no-no. To be honest, the easiest way to accomplish what you want is installing a custom ROM like CyanogenMod, especially since you've done all the prep work for such a thing.
Once you install any official CM build it is as close to app-less as you can get on a modular OS like this.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
that's what i suspected! i thought that google framework would be something essential, but there is not much easily available information there to arrive at that conclusion
since i'm new to this, i thought i should stay away from any rom flashing until i get a bit more familiar with a device, terminology and stuff like that. i'm looking at the "[ROM] CyanogenMod 10.1 [OFFICIAL]" thread and i'm not sure about half of the terms - GAPPS, PSA, Nightlies i do know what ROM is, I do know what kernel is, virtual machine, etc. But it's applied to the platform that I have little experience with, so it makes me a little bit uneasy
_Diver said:
bladebarrier,
Thanks for your response. I understand the approach you suggested – disabling apps one at a time and then when they all disabled and device is working to my liking for a while I could uninstall them.
However, I’m somewhat frustrated with a sheer number of apps that I have out of the box and I can’t find a good description of what they do. For example:
Mobile Network Configuration
Google Partner Setup
Google Services Framework
Searching online doesn’t yield definitive answers if it’s something I need or will N7 work without them. I have google play store and google play services installed – does store app require services? Reading a bit about it doesn’t make it seem so, but I’m not 100% sure. So I was wondering if there is a list of apps that are required for N7 well being and that cannot be removed no matter what.
For example, Black Viper has an excellent example of what I’m looking for but for windows nt services: (can't post a link)
This page explain what each service is, what it does and if it’s safe to disable it depending on configuration you’re seeking – minimal set, typical, out of box of experimental. I would love to find something like that for N7 system apps
I installed CWM recovery when I rooted and as far as I can understand I does NAND backups. I plan on moving the backup file from the device to my desktop and keeping it there for safety reason.
The Tibu process that you described, as far as I understand (and I might be wrong here) is basically equivalent of disabling the apps using native N7 setting app, rebooting, using it for a while and then removing .apk and .odex (or simply app_name.*) files from system/apps folder. Tibu just makes it easier. Did I get that right?
And it’s still removing one app/widget at the time. I’d like to clean it out completely first and start from that point. So Tibu will probably not help me there. So my main Q is still out there – can I brick it by removing everything from system/app? Are there only user apps there or essential system apps as well? With CWM back up file on hand will I be able to recover if my experiment goes bad?
> * Ok, sometimes you have to fully uninstall things you don't want, but this should get you plenty to tinker with for now.
One of the reasons I want to have them removed is to clean up the list of apps I have on N7. Right now I have 5 pages of apps and I have little idea what they do and if I need them – I had Korean keyboard installed for example.
As I mentioned I’m a newb in this area, so maybe my approach is a bit dumb, so please be patient with me
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Tibu requires root access, in order to perform what we're discussing. I'm relatively new to JB, but I can't imagine any stock settings replicating its capabilities.
As far as a whole bunch of apps being in your list, that's sort of the way Android works. Think of it like "superfetch", or whatever that term was in Windows Vista. Basically, two things happen when you boot. Android looks at a list of apps that are designed to start on boot, and also apps that it expects you may want to run in the future. Both of these are designed to make the device run smoother overall, and it will kill apps if extra ram is required and they are not in use. Certain Android apps require themselves to run at all times. Some of these are apps like Tasker (if you're using tasker profiles), some of these are system apps that make the device function, some of these are apps that maintain widgets or background monitoring (weather apps, gmail, calendar).
Now, there are two ways to go about sorting what is bloat, and what is there because Android decided to load it. You can install an app called Autostarts, that will give an insight into apps that start up when certain criteria are met. You can also use it to stop those apps from queuing up at those trigger points. This is another root required app, and while I purchased it long ago, may have a free version as well. It's time consuming to use, and not perfect, which is why Tibu is better for flat out locking down unwanted apps.
Back to my initial thoughts though, you will see apps in your system list that you haven't touched since boot, because Android tries to anticipate your needs. People used to use "task killers" to close the apps, and came to realize that unless one is causing a real problem, it's just going to go back into the cached app list again anyways, thus reducing battery life when it has to load it over and over again. "Task killer" is a dirty word around XDA, unless you're using it to close an app that doesn't just go into the background like a good little app should.
Basically, you're going to start playing whack-a-mole if you want your list to remain as small as possible, at all times, and yet still actually use the device for anything interesting. You can reduce it, via various methods, and if this were a device from say "insert-name" brand, and was loaded with bloat apps, by all means you should clean those out. However, I think you'll find that while google does install things that aren't needed, or even used by everyone, it's mostly not a big issue.
Check out Better Battery Stats, in the XDA forums. It's an app that shows a pretty good picture of what is actually going on when you're not looking, and can provide data on how to improve your performance. It's probably a better way to start delving into what processes are actually being used, and which ones are just basically harmless. You'll also learn a good bit about how Android works from the Dev's explanations of many of the processes.
---------- Post added at 08:36 PM ---------- Previous post was at 08:32 PM ----------
_Diver said:
that's what i suspected! i thought that google framework would be something essential, but there is not much easily available information there to arrive at that conclusion
since i'm new to this, i thought i should stay away from any rom flashing until i get a bit more familiar with a device, terminology and stuff like that. i'm looking at the "[ROM] CyanogenMod 10.1 [OFFICIAL]" thread and i'm not sure about half of the terms - GAPPS, PSA, Nightlies i do know what ROM is, I do know what kernel is, virtual machine, etc. But it's applied to the platform that I have little experience with, so it makes me a little bit uneasy
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Make sure whichever ROM you use, if you decide to, supports your HSPA+ model. There is a separate development section in the Nexus 7 forums, for those of us that have the HSPA+ version. We are the minority, as the Nexus 7 was initially released as a wifi only tablet.
bladebarrier said:
Tibu requires root access, in order to perform what we're discussing. I'm relatively new to JB, but I can't imagine any stock settings replicating its capabilities.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i do have SU privileges, so what i was talking about was disabling an app thru N7 setting screen and then when i deem the app ok to remove, going to adb shell and removing the actual file.
i just did this:
mount -o remount rw /system
rm iWnnIME_Kbd_White.apk
rm iWnnIME.apk
and it removed the japanese keyboard. however when i go back to app screen under settings, i still see it but now it has a grey icon with a SD symbols in the corner. so it appears it recognizes that the app is gone, but it's still referenced in the list. i pushed the files back using NRT and it all back to the way it was. so looks like my idea of cleaning the list by removing the apk might not fly.
and now I wonder how Tibu uninstalls the apps.
bladebarrier said:
People used to use "task killers" to close the apps, and came to realize that unless one is causing a real problem, it's just going to go back into the cached app list again anyways, thus reducing battery life when it has to load it over and over again.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I understand the notion of apps being in the cache and being removed when more RAM is needed, however the purist in me just doesn't want the junk apps to be there in first place However there is a lot of validity to these of your words:
bladebarrier said:
Basically, you're going to start playing whack-a-mole if you want your list to remain as small as possible, at all times, and yet still actually use the device for anything interesting.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
My wife got Kindle Fire HD recently and she's been using it happily. While I was thinking why would anyone want a closed up system (well, more closed up system then Nexus), she's been using it and I've been frustrated with my N7 so i might just let it go and enjoy the japanese and korean keyboards anyway
bladebarrier said:
Make sure whichever ROM you use, if you decide to, supports your HSPA+ model.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i'm wifi only
ngshniq every
i think i found what i was after: http wiki.cyanogenmod.org/wiki/barebones (url modified since i still can't post urls). this wiki page has the list of app with a short description and if it's safe to remove. it also has additional information that explains why i still saw the reference to the app in the list when apk file was deleted:
looks like i need to pay attention to 2 additional files:
/data/system/packages.xml
/data/system/packages.list
i bet I would find a reference to the apps in these and i would need to remove it in order to have the app disappear from the app list. i'll play around a bit more and report back
One thing, could you explain your reasoning behind wanting to delete everything but the essentials? Do you have a particular goal in mind or is it because of your windows background? Because if so, you should know that android operates very differently when compared to windows, and such, the requirements to keep your device working in tip top shape vary greatly.
In my opinion, with your current limited knowledge of each process/app inner workings, what you're trying to do surefire way to break something beyond repair and needing to use a factory image to get back to zero. A custom ROM will be much safer and yield the exact same results that you're looking for. (Eventually, once you understand what each thing does, then this manual approach could satisfy your needs)
Note: GApps are the basic Google apps to flash on top of the barebones system. Gmail, Play store, and the framework.
Nightlies are experimental builds compiled nightly by a bot with the latest CyanogenMod code available.
Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk HD
My goal was to simplify my approach to N7 by removing anything that I don’t need now and slowly adding all necessary components as I get familiar with it. But it seems at this point that this approach is a bit more complicated as thought it would be.
So I think I would leave it alone for now and revisit this later
_Diver said:
My goal was to simplify my approach to N7 by removing anything that I don’t need now and slowly adding all necessary components as I get familiar with it. But it seems at this point that this approach is a bit more complicated as thought it would be.
So I think I would leave it alone for now and revisit this later
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
From what you've done manually, you're clearly far ahead of a new user when it comes to understanding linux/unix.
If you want to lock down parts of what google implements, purely to keep it minimalistic, I would agree with the above poster. Go for one of the popular ROM options that are available, like CM, and work your way backwards. The Nexus 7 only has as much bloat as you allow it to have via the settings. This is another reason why Better Battery Stats is an excellent way to make sure your device isn't draining battery, yet isn't locked down. The other day I noticed an app that kept fetching my position, even though the case was closed (magnetic sleep mode). It turned out I forgot to disable the tracking in google maps (why it was defaulted to ON, I have no idea). BBS showed me what was running during the sleep phase, and I fixed it when I woke up the next morning after wondering why my battery dropped.
The Kindle Fire is a great option, because it doesn't require any of this fussing about. My woman loves hers. LOVES IT. Personally, I like to tinker a bit, and I'm too invested in Android apps to not have access to the play store. The Nexus 7, is for people like what you find here. We like to tinker, and make everything custom. At the same time, you could spend all day trying to figure out why EntriesRefresh_wakelock is your highest partial wakelock count, at 60seconds per 7 hours, or you can find that you just went 7 hours and only used 6% of the battery, even though you've been connected to wifi, texting, emailing, and checking the weather and news, the whole time. Not bad, honestly.
The biggest investment you can do for your Nexus, is probably getting a case that magnetically puts it to rest when you close it. After that, learn about the settings that drain battery in the background. Then, get Tasker and play around that (it's like programming, without the need to learn the code). After that, go to a custom ROM, or dig out Tibu, and basically start customizing which apps you will use. If that doesn't pass the time long enough, you can literally make your own ROM and put together exactly what you want. Whether the performance will be that much better or not, and whether you'll spend most of your day trying to look for coding errors, is up to you. I don't have the patience to code, but you're a coder, so what is broccoli to me, may be bacon to you.
About 2 months ago, I eliminated the Noogie root on my NST Glowbug(after using
Noogie for ~9 months), reflashed up to factory F/W version 1.2.1, and then started
using the newest version of Nook Manager w/GApps.
I've been using this NST without any problems - it's been working like a champ.
Except recently when I went into a Barnes & Noble store.
I can use Wifi as much as I want anywhere else, but the moment my NSTG
pairs with the WiFi network at my local Barnes & Noble, it starts crashing, over
and over again.
I have approximately 5-7 seconds between crashes, so occasionally I can get in
and I'm able to disable wifi. When I do that, the crashing stops. Turn Wifi back on,
and it starts crashing. Also, as soon as I leave the store and am outside of the range
of their router, the crashing obviously stops. I can use Wifi at work, and at home without
any problems.
Just to verify that it was the store, I went back in there again tonite, and the same
problem occurred for the second time. Not a fluke.
I tried to use adb Konnect to ensure that adb wifi was disabled, but unfortunately, the
5-7 second crash interval made it hard to get in to try various things. I was able to do
simple things like disabling/enabling wifi, but that was about it.
I have never had this happen before - regardless of whether or not I was running vanilla,
or the Noogie root, I never had the device crash when at the Store. Only since I started
using the Nook Manager.
Has anybody else seen this behavior??
There are all kinds of intents flying around when you are on a B&N WiFi.
If they aren't handled properly it would probably crash the Nook.
This doesn't surprise me in the least.
If you deleted or disabled Home.apk, Library.apk, ReaderRMSDK.apk or Shop.apk this could easily happen.
See: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=24061856&postcount=11
Renate NST said:
There are all kinds of intents flying around when you are on a B&N WiFi.
If they aren't handled properly it would probably crash the Nook.
This doesn't surprise me in the least.
If you deleted or disabled Home.apk, Library.apk, ReaderRMSDK.apk or Shop.apk this could easily happen.
See: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=24061856&postcount=11
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you for the reminder. I had installed startups manager and disabled the Reader.
I'll test it again after turning it back on.
rmkenney12 said:
Thank you for the reminder. I had installed startups manager and disabled the Reader.
I'll test it again after turning it back on.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'd be posting this in the Nook Manage thread, but it's a dev thread, and I can never seem to get up to the magic
10-post limit. I guess I don't do chit-chat.
I removed the startups manager block on the B&N Reader app(or any other part of the B&N app suite),
and still ended up having both of my nooks crash when I took them to a B&N store. So the next step
is to use Nook Manager to remove/disable the B&N app suite.
I have both a base Nook Touch, and a Nook Touch Glowbug(or whatever the codename is)
Both formerly used the touchnooter root, but were then flashed back to factory, updated to 1.2.x, and then
the Nook Manager root was applied, plus the NTGAppsAttack module. In fact, I've done this twice, because
I tried to use the Nook Manager tool that removes/disables the B&N suite of apps, but that kills the
functionality of the gapps provided by NTGAppsAttack. I know - I read in the NTGAppsAttack thread that
that was not going to work, but I wanted to try it out anyways. Eternally hopeful.
It would be nice if:
1) Nook Manager would play nice with NTGAppsAttack, IE if it is disabling/removing the B&N app suite, then
it replaces the system functionality with something else that will allow the Market to continue working. I've
read a bit on how hard this is, and how much the B&N apps hack up the system libraries. Just sayin'.
2) When I used Nook Manager to restore the B&N apps suite, that did not restore functionality of the Play
Market. It still can't go into any one particular app, even to look at it, without market crashing, and I've
lost any linkage to the "My Apps" functionality. The Market(via the webpage on a desktop), and the
Market on the Nook, are completely de-linked. When I can get into the market on the Nook, (assuming
it doesn't crash), the "My Apps" section shows Smoopa Price Checker as something I've downloaded.
So, whatever the Nook Manager is doing to remove the B&N Apps is not a completely symmetric function
compared to restoring them. Something is getting lost in the translation.
I will sacrifice my N2E - ensure that the B&N Apps are disabled(at the expense of google market not
ever working again) and try the test at the B&N Store to see if even ripping out the B&N apps completely
will stop it from crashing.
rmkenney12 said:
1) Nook Manager would play nice with NTGAppsAttack, IE if it is disabling/removing the B&N app suite, then
it replaces the system functionality with something else that will allow the Market to continue working. I've
read a bit on how hard this is, and how much the B&N apps hack up the system libraries. Just sayin'.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You are welcome to work on this. If you look at the disable_all_bn script in the /scripts folder on your NookManager SD card, you'll get a list of all the components that are disabled. Play around with that until you have a list of which components are essential for the Google Apps.
rmkenney12 said:
So, whatever the Nook Manager is doing to remove the B&N Apps is not a completely symmetric function
compared to restoring them. Something is getting lost in the translation.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You can see in restore_all_bn that the restore simply moves all of the disabled apps back to their original location. If there's something getting lost, it's probably happening somewhere else.
jeff_kz said:
You are welcome to work on this. If you look at the disable_all_bn script in the /scripts folder on your NookManager SD card, you'll get a list of all the components that are disabled. Play around with that until you have a list of which components are essential for the Google Apps.
You can see in restore_all_bn that the restore simply moves all of the disabled apps back to their original location. If there's something getting lost, it's probably happening somewhere else.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I know, it doesn't make any sense. The remove script is just putting a select group of apk's into the disabled-app subdirectory,
and the restore does a mv * from that directory right back to the app subdir. Plain and simple. If there was something going on with
the dalvik cache, where it was building up cruft that could cause problems, then I could understand it, but that should only affect
you after a removal, not after the restore(or so I'd think). I tried clearing it anyways, and that didn't seem to help.
I'll try fiddling with those B&N remove/restore scripts, and see if I can get things working again.
The other thing that I didn't mention is that while I was using the touchnooter root, I never had problems with either of my Nooks
wigging out while at the B&N store, so it's not clear to me why the B&N apps would be acting up in this situation, assuming that
they are even responsible.
Further experimentation required. Plus the B&N store is right next to Best Buy, so that's always a fun trip anyways. :laugh:
No Wifi to B&N
I have a wifi issue that sounds related. I also rooted my NST (1.21) with Nook Manager. Wifi works well in "relaunch." However, I cannot access my B&N account with wifi to sync my books when I am in the B&N library. So, I can't add, archive, or delete any books. And, I can't shop for books on the B&N site since the wifi connection always fails.
I would be happy to learn of a work around or other solution. I wish I could post this on the NookManager thread but I don't have enough posts to ask there.
I just got a Nook UK in the last sale and it's my first one, so I'm a total noob to the e-book world.
However, I'm an android user and rom flashing addicted for long, so since I got my reader I've only been tweaking it and haven't actually read a word... haha.
So, already updated to 1.2.1, rooted, kernel tweaks and the whole lot. I haven't installed gapps on it to keep it minimal as possible, I'm dowloading the apks on my phone and installing via ADB.
So, on to the question:
by removing all these B&N apps does it mean I won't be able to sync/buy from their store?
I'm already getting to know Calibre and checking other places to buy books, but it looks like that if I remove the apps and one day would like to buy from B&N again the only option would be to re-install the apps in order to get the ebook or am I missing something?
Some of you disable all of the B&N apps, like:
Originally Posted by Mnurlan from the thread
Guide/HowTo/Tips'nTricks - The perfect Nook Simple Touch Setup w/ battery optimizations
AFfileDownloadService.apk (Hint: disables book covers, skip it if you like book covers)
AccountAndSyncSettings.apk
AirRuntime.apk
BnAuthenticationService.apk
BnCloudRequestSvc.apk
Browser.apk
CloudService.apk
DemoMode.apk
DeviceManager.apk
DeviceRegistrator.apk
Gallery.apk
GoogleSearch.apk
Music.apk
NookCommunity.apk
Phone.apk
PicoTts.apk
QuickStartActivity.apk
Shop.apk
Social.apk
TelephonyProvider.apk
TtsService.apk
WaveformDownloader.apk
tl;dr
Want to keep my NST minimal and remove all clutter, but:
how do you guys manage your ebooks and where do you buy them from without the B&N apps and what to do If I ever want to buy from them again?
Probably wouldn't be able to buy on device without having the B&N apps installed/enabled or maybe the standalone Nook Android app. Not sure if with that setup it'd be able to read DRM'd Nook books (probably wouldn't auto load them, but might be able to when sideloaded) but if it can't it's very easy to strip the DRM, and you can buy and download the book from your browser on your computer. Or if it's available DRM free in another store that might also be an option
neoman4426 said:
Probably wouldn't be able to buy on device without having the B&N apps installed/enabled or maybe the standalone Nook Android app. Not sure if with that setup it'd be able to read DRM'd Nook books (probably wouldn't auto load them, but might be able to when sideloaded) but if it can't it's very easy to strip the DRM, and you can buy and download the book from your browser on your computer. Or if it's available DRM free in another store that might also be an option
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you for your answer
I wouldn't mind having to download to my computer and then transfer to the reader, but at least the B&N store doesn't give me the option to download.
Anyways, when I dig more into the reading world I'll find out the best set up soon enough.
I'm not guaranteeing it'll still be able to read the DRM'd books as I haven't tried the guide in question, it's always been either a full root or stock for me. That said, the Nook desktop application allows you to download the encrypted file, and all my purchased books show a download option in many places, such as on the overview page and from the "My Nook" landing. Even if the Nook itself can no longer read them, again not saying it will or won't, stripping of the DRM is trivial, Python script (also a Calibre plugin available that incorporates it and will auto strip any Nook books you import, and you can set it to auto import from a certain directory so you could point that to, say, the place where the Nook desktop app downloads them) that computes the key needed to decrypt (requires you to enter the credit card linked to your B&N account since that's part of the hash used, but the CC# is never written to disk or sent anywhere) and you can use it on any device that will read epubs, including the Nook if it no longer decrypts on device as it'll be treated like any other sideloaded DRM free book.
miguelitu said:
Thank you for your answer
I wouldn't mind having to download to my computer and then transfer to the reader, but at least the B&N store doesn't give me the option to download.
Anyways, when I dig more into the reading world I'll find out the best set up soon enough.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sure you can download your books to your computer. Logon to your B&N Account. Click on My Account at the top of the page. In the Digital Content section click on Manage Your Nook Library to get a list of your books with links to download them.
neoman4426 said:
I'm not guaranteeing it'll still be able to read the DRM'd books as I haven't tried the guide in question, it's always been either a full root or stock for me. That said, the Nook desktop application allows you to download the encrypted file, and all my purchased books show a download option in many places, such as on the overview page and from the "My Nook" landing. Even if the Nook itself can no longer read them, again not saying it will or won't, stripping of the DRM is trivial, Python script (also a Calibre plugin available that incorporates it and will auto strip any Nook books you import, and you can set it to auto import from a certain directory so you could point that to, say, the place where the Nook desktop app downloads them) that computes the key needed to decrypt (requires you to enter the credit card linked to your B&N account since that's part of the hash used, but the CC# is never written to disk or sent anywhere) and you can use it on any device that will read epubs, including the Nook if it no longer decrypts on device as it'll be treated like any other sideloaded DRM free book.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Great advice again, thank you
straygecko said:
Sure you can download your books to your computer. Logon to your B&N Account. Click on My Account at the top of the page. In the Digital Content section click on Manage Your Nook Library to get a list of your books with links to download them.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I got an UK Nook and for some reason it works differently. I got a book I bought from the e-reader, it shows on my account library at nook.com without option to download it and using the same login at the barnesandnobles.com it shows my nook connected to my account but the book does not show at the library...it looks like they made some weird distinctions on how to handle books bought outside US or something like that.
For testing, I added a free book to my library via nook.com, and it shows on my library at the barnesandnoble.com, so it seems that the books purchased in pounds won't behave the same way and don't have a straightforward way of downloading it.
I mean, I already took the file from the device and removed the DRM, but annoying that I'm not just able to download it.
I was given the impression by many sites posting a Nook Simple Touch with Glowlight as rooted and a working Google Play.
I got the instructions here: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1675706 and followed the links to those files. I'm on Linux, so dd is no problem.
The rooting process was not difficult, but almost nothing works.
-Both browsers launch, but do not do anything despite trying a search phrase or URL.
-Google play does not launch. No feedback. Just nothing.
-Nook ColorTools doesn't launch.
-Amazon Marketplace works, but, since the device is locked to B&N, I can't install Overdrive.
-The "settings" button points to the B&N Nook settings.
-If I'm not careful, I end up at the B&N home screen and cannot get back to the Android desktop. For example, trying to launch Android's settings puts me in the B&N settings and I cannot return to the Android environment.
My original goal was to use the device to read books from my library system using Overdrive app. It's a new-ish device as of 2013-October. Maybe it's not well suited, or something has changed?
Not sure where to start for useful information to track down the issues. Is there a way to turn on logging so there's some information to post?
Thanks for your patience.
There are lots of images and lots of tools floating around and coincidentally, lots of strangeness.
In response to "fails, no feedback, just nothing", I'm sure that logcat is telling exactly what the problem is.
You need to acquaint yourself with logcat and post selected bits of it here.
On any system there is just one Settings.apk and SettingsProvider.apk.
Whichever you have (B&N custom or Android stock) will determine what you see.
I use library books all the time without hacking the DRM.
I don't use the OverDrive app on the Nook because it ties you to the OverDrive reader (which is a piece of junk).
I use Adobe Digital Editions on my desktop and the stock B&N reader.
(There is no evil tie to B&N that prevents you from installing OverDrive or anything else.)
Getting back to a launcher requires a hacked android.policy.jar
It also requires that you selected the launcher as your default Home intent completer.
ButtonSavior can be used if you don't have a hacked jar.
What I would have added to that guide you linked to as requirement would be to make sure you have a backup first before rooting/installing gapps.
Things certainly don't sound like everything is installed and happy.
Being a newish device you will on firmware 1.2 perhaps even 1.2.1 a lot of older threads / tools / tweaks can be for v1.0 or v1.1. If you are on 1.2 then update to 1.2.1 before rooting. There are also minor differences between having a US and UK version firmware.
Get Google apps on NST NSTG sometimes can take a day or so. Signing into youtube sometimes helps. Searching for apps may require the search market app.
If you have a backup restore and try Nookmanager its a bit more user friendly.
---------- Post added at 11:00 PM ---------- Previous post was at 10:27 PM ----------
Try to avoid using class 10 sdcard for your rooting I have read there are problems without kernel fixes [Although that's pure theory on my part I've used them in the past. Then again I did not think to check log for problems like that then)
I really don't want to compile one myself presently as I have no environment setup and those that I've seen like latuk's here don't have support for glowlights.
The device was running 1.2.1 What ended up working was NookManager with NTGAppsAttack.
Renate, my nook default glowlight had no method to browse the Internet with the stock firmware, and my local library system has an app that installed easily once I could use a browser. It looks like the library system's app does all the DRM then downloads. The device still has the B&N apps, so I'll try to read the books from the library in it.
Thanks to all.
asphalt_jesus said:
Renate, my nook default glowlight had no method to browse the Internet with the stock firmware,
.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You should have a browser on stock. Its called browser.
Crispy3000 said:
You should have a browser on stock. Its called browser.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If it did, it wasn't obvious. It booted to a B&N URL where I could do B&N book consuming, but that's it. No browser settings under the "settings" menu, no Android-style menu to list/execute installed apps on the device.
It's entirely possible I missed it. I was busier trying to root the thing.:victory:
Hello,
After rooting with NookManager are there any 'must do' (or highly recommended) actions? For example, I've seen other items in the 'Nook Touch Android Development' and 'Nook Touch Themes and Apps' sub-forums including the likes of 'NoRefresh'. Which of these come recommended to do/install following the root? If it matters; the use case for the Nook is *solely* as an eReader following the root. I would not want battery life to be impacted for the benefit of using the device as a more conventional tablet, for example.
Additionally (though a separate request/question) are there are any particular recommended applications - Perhaps those that have been modified for use on an eInk display, older versions which have better compatibility or any other reason to install direct rather than from the Play Store?
Thank you.
LavaChild0809 said:
Hello,
After rooting with NookManager are there any 'must do' (or highly recommended) actions? For example, I've seen other items in the 'Nook Touch Android Development' and 'Nook Touch Themes and Apps' sub-forums including the likes of 'NoRefresh'. Which of these come recommended to do/install following the root? If it matters; the use case for the Nook is *solely* as an eReader following the root. I would not want battery life to be impacted for the benefit of using the device as a more conventional tablet, for example.
Additionally (though a separate request/question) are there are any particular recommended applications - Perhaps those that have been modified for use on an eInk display, older versions which have better compatibility or any other reason to install direct rather than from the Play Store?
Thank you.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I just did all this stuff a few days ago, so bear in mind im no expert, but then again, my nook hasnt broke XD.
I would assume you have installed gapps? you wont be able to get anything on the market without it, well you can just download the apks but you may as well get the apps, you can delete the ones you dont want after. I think you arent meant to install gapps if you have deleted any b+n apps so do gapps first anyhow.
So what i would really reccommend is delete a load of the useless apks which have no use now, things like phone and camera do this by getting root browser from the play store, and navigating to system/app/ x. There is also dumb b+n stuff like social.apk which can go. You can move apps out rather than straight up delete if you arent sure if its safe to delete, one that i would avoid deleting is latinime, thats the keyboard. Look around the forums for some lists people of made for what you can delete, i cant list them off hand.
Something i would also recommend is getting a slightly better library app which someone in the forum made, you can get it here http://www.temblast.com/android.htm, its much better than the b and n library app, to install just put it on your sd (the apk) and launch via the homescreen on relaunch (its a file browser) then it will install. This is the same for any other apk's you want to install. Other apps which i like, super sudoku, works great and the browser is decent in all honesty. Advanced task killer is also handy for killing processes which are running, the stock android one is a bit pants.
I would reccomend sorting out your buttons as hotkeys, you should have nook touch mod manager, what i personally have done is left top button (android back) , left bottom button (relaunch) , left bottom button long press (to reader/currently reading) , the buttons on the right are default, n opens up library and my long press n doesnt do anything currently.
Thats all i can think of at the moment, if you have any questions, shoot away!
Thanks for the reply. I intend to remove B&N Apps using NookManager - Am I okay to do this after installing Gapps? Any reason why installing Gapps after removing the B&N Apps would cause an issue?
LavaChild0809 said:
Thanks for the reply. I intend to remove B&N Apps using NookManager - Am I okay to do this after installing Gapps? Any reason why installing Gapps after removing the B&N Apps would cause an issue?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
im not sure, but it is stated in the gapps thread http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2086582, i would just follow the instructions word by word to be honest, i didnt have any issues.