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I have about two weeks experience with Android OS and as a software developer I will be interested to know the technical details behind the Android OS.
I have already noticed this is possible to upgrade applications ported with the handset's ROM i.e. the Market app. This raised the question to me why can't I uninstall applications from the ROM without rooting or risking my handset's warranty to achieve this?
Is my expectation as a user of computers for 20 years unreasonable to think in 2010 with all software development and technological advances the uninstall feature should have been in Android OS from day one?
This is not exactly like Google is the first company in the world developed an OS to just the lack of experience with what users would want. From what I have seen so far in world of Android is that, the first thing users would want to know how to root their handset to remove packages that they have no use for.
My guess is that Google doesn't want users removing Systems apps. I'm assuming that they think that these applications are core and thus don't want you removing them. Remove the market, no more apps... or way to get it back etc.
Applications installed by you can be uninstalled, I'm just thinking it is the same as in windows, you can't uninstall the task manager etc (Bad example but meh =P)
Very simple - to prevent lay users from removing critical components.
Can you imagine the service costs involved in reparing devices that that have been damaged by people trying to remove bloatware?
They still give you the option to restore.
OK DISREGUARD THIS AS I MISSED THE PART ABOUT NEEDING TO ROOT!
They can be removed but its not recommended to do so without know EXACTLY what your removing and weather is vital to your phones operating system.
BUT in order to do so your phone needs root access, and root explorer installed. There are several forums on just about all android support sites that explain how to root, install the manager, and which apps/files NOT to remove.
J_HaX said:
They can be removed but its not recommended to do so without know EXACTLY what your removing and weather is vital to your phones operating system.
BUT in order to do so your phone needs root access, and root explorer installed. There are several forums on just about all android support sites that explain how to root, install the manager, and which apps/files NOT to remove.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ye u can remove almost every stock app but this may affect the stability of your phone, modifying your phone always comes with the option restoring it back to default. If something goes wrong with moding (something really hard and extraordinary rare ) u can restore it. Browsing through Xda might solve many questions, we all didn't wanted stock rom (not because it was bad, because we can have s omething better. This community has VERY VERY good developers.
Androids own!!!
One thing I still don't get is...
How can Google upgrade Market app without the su privilage but the rest of the world has to root their phones to remove bloatware such as 'amazon mp3'?
@ftgg99: How much bloatware in Windows cost Microsoft or PC manufacturers? None in fact they get paid to include them with your hardware. However, I see an issue with mobile devices. You have already paid for the ROM storage, the bigger ROM size is the more expensive your handset would be, then the manufacturer uses your already paid ROM to make even more money by installing bloatware. I would be a fool to think manufacturers would pass on a percentage of the bloatware earnings by reducing the cost of their products to the consumers in this model.
The way I see it, the burden has been put on the communities such as xda. Users wouldn't ask the manufacturers how to root their handsets and this is left to the dedicated individuals to overcome the mess compnies normally leave us with. I'm not going to say the mess is a cost saving measure by companies.
The thing is that there are a lot more people buy and use phones than computers. After someone buys a smart phone with intention to use for calls, text, web and to use some apps, they realize the possibilities of the smart phone, they start digging in to the files, therefore Google blocked the root folder from modifying, otherwise Google would have to repair warrantied phones that didn't have to end up there just because people didn't know or care what they did. But if you got passed ROOTING, you must know what you are doing and from this point you can modify files and apps, but now ROOTING becomes too easy.
Basically just because too many juveniles got their hands on the equipment.
CSharpHeaven said:
One thing I still don't get is...
How can Google upgrade Market app without the su privilage but the rest of the world has to root their phones to remove bloatware such as 'amazon mp3'?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm also very interested to read the answer for this one!
CSharpHeaven said:
One thing I still don't get is...
How can Google upgrade Market app without the su privilage but the rest of the world has to root their phones to remove bloatware such as 'amazon mp3'?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
RAMMANN said:
I'm also very interested to read the answer for this one!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The answer, from my point of view, is quite simple: they just upgrade the application on /data/app ON TOP of the /system/app default Market version. So, you can always go back to your "default" version just by "uninstalling updates".
Summary: they do not upgrade the Market form ROM, just install the new version on top.
CSharpHeaven said:
I have about two weeks experience with Android OS and as a software developer I will be interested to know the technical details behind the Android OS.
I have already noticed this is possible to upgrade applications ported with the handset's ROM i.e. the Market app. This raised the question to me why can't I uninstall applications from the ROM without rooting or risking my handset's warranty to achieve this?
Is my expectation as a user of computers for 20 years unreasonable to think in 2010 with all software development and technological advances the uninstall feature should have been in Android OS from day one?
This is not exactly like Google is the first company in the world developed an OS to just the lack of experience with what users would want. From what I have seen so far in world of Android is that, the first thing users would want to know how to root their handset to remove packages that they have no use for.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Have you tried to work with iPhone(don't know about iPhone 4)? They build fortress around their system and even the apps you install cannot be uninstalled until you gailbrake it and use 3rd party installer to uninstall. And not talking about the "MONOPLY" they run with AT&T.
First of all this isn't a "what is root!??!!??" nor a "OMG I BRICKED MY PHONE SOMEONE HALP!" type of question.
This is more of a "I want to understand what's going on under the hood" type of question.
I'm asking this because I haven't seen the answer anywhere and it'd probably take me several days putting together a bunch of tidbits of information about this to understand it.
What does getting root on an Android device involve? I've used 1-click tools, flashed kernels that include root (CF-Root, for example), used adb and nvflash. What goes on at the OS level?
Thanks in advance to any helpful soul that replies!
pretty much its granting sysadmin rights to your phone.
It gives you admin level access to the operating system. You can customize apps, looks, performance and a good host of other things including backups, flashing ROMs etc..
Thanks guys, but like I said, I know what rooting is and what it's for. I have both of my android devices rooted (Galaxy S and Asus Tablet).
What I want to know is, when you root a device, what's modified, what does rooting actually involve, under the hood.
Root is a Linux term. In Linux based operating systems there is a predefined user account called root. When a device I shipped to you, the manufacturer has prevented you from being able to be root user for safety, and to prevent you to add, remove or modify things at a system level. When you perform the procedure of rooting your device, you change the su binary in the system directory, usually through a security exploit, to remove these restrictions that the manufacturer has bestowed upon your device, and now you have full access to anything on your phone
Hope this is helpful, and I case you do not read my awesome signature, please hit the thanks button to show your appreciation if this helped
Root is a Linux term. In Linux based operating systems there is a predefined user account called root. When a device I shipped to you, the manufacturer has prevented you from being able to be root user for safety, and to prevent you to add, remove or modify things at a system level. When you perform the procedure of rooting your device, you add su binary in the system/bin directory, usually through a security exploit, to remove these restrictions that the manufacturer has bestowed upon your device, and now you have full access to anything on your phone
Hope this is helpful, and in case you do not read my awesome signature, please hit the thanks button to show your appreciation if this helped
Thanks again but, again that's not what I'm asking. OK here goes again:
- I know what rooting is
- I know what root is for
- Both my phone and my eePad are rooted
- I know what su is. I've used Linux and UNIX
What I want to know is, what is actually modified on the android OS when rooting the phone!
Is the kernel modified?
are permissions modified?
Is it an API thing?
Sent from my Transformer TF101 using Tapatalk
Rooting usually consists of 2 parts, the vector and payload:
All those rooting apps use various exploits to insert the payload. On devices that can install custom recoveries without rooting (ie unlocked bootloaders) they can merely use the recovery to directly install the payload.
There's dozens of vectors including making a 'superboot' kernal which include the payload and installs it on the first boot (i think?)
The payload is minimally the SU binary and the superuser app. Both are made by the same guy.
On the Dell Streak (which has an unlocked bootloader) rooting is just flashing an update.zip containing the SU binary and superuser app. A simple copy to /system. Newer rooting apps also include patches to plug up the exploit that they used themselves. Gingerbreak includes a dummy /system/bin/profile that plugs up the exploit used to install itself(?)
If the kernel is modified it's prob at runtime and not a hard patch, if it modifies it at all (i dont know), my assumption is that the linux kernal in android retains hooks that SU uses to link up with the system and normally it's simply not enabled by not including a SU binary. The superuser app of course just more or less a front end to SU (settings and logging)
Unlocked bootloader devices are likely the most reliable to root since they dont depend on exploit vectors, as updates plug them up they have to find a new vector or modify them, which means that there are open vectors that actual malware can use. Using a custom recovery to flash is the intended purpose of having an unlocked bootloader.
I'm very new to this so please forgive this old man. I'm 60 years old and bought a brand new Viewsonic G Tablet. Then after getting it I searched the internet on how to make it better. Seems everything depends upon "rooting" the device. I spent the day and now it's 11pm searching the net, watching youtube videos and reading about but no one actually gives you a step by step answer. I'm hoping one of you fine people help me out, please.
I guess I was wrong. Not one person has stepped forward to help me. Thank you so very much. I know what rooting is but what I don't know is how to root my Viewsonic G Tablet 2.2. You'd think I was asking for the code to a Swiss Bank Account. LOL With PC's I'm a wiz, or was until I reached 55 or so and then things were just going so fast and over my head. But when it comes to this, I'm like a brand new student trying to learn Japanese. All I need is for someone to please give me a step by step instruction on how to do it. If you'd like, I'll Paypal you some money for helping me.
Thank you
Philip Bock CSM US Army (Retired)
Thanks Manil! That's what I was looking for! It seems that most devices have a locked bootloader, and now I understand why it takes a bit longer (more than a few hours) to root each new device,
Sent from my Transformer TF101 using Tapatalk
pabock said:
I'm very new to this so please forgive this old man. I'm 60 years old and bought a brand new Viewsonic G Tablet. Then after getting it I searched the internet on how to make it better. Seems everything depends upon "rooting" the device. I spent the day and now it's 11pm searching the net, watching youtube videos and reading about but no one actually gives you a step by step answer. I'm hoping one of you fine people help me out, please.
I guess I was wrong. Not one person has stepped forward to help me. Thank you so very much. I know what rooting is but what I don't know is how to root my Viewsonic G Tablet 2.2. You'd think I was asking for the code to a Swiss Bank Account. LOL With PC's I'm a wiz, or was until I reached 55 or so and then things were just going so fast and over my head. But when it comes to this, I'm like a brand new student trying to learn Japanese. All I need is for someone to please give me a step by step instruction on how to do it. If you'd like, I'll Paypal you some money for helping me.
Thank you
Philip Bock CSM US Army (Retired)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I searched for "Viewsonic G Tablet 2.2 root" and found this http://droidpirate.com/2010/11/27/how-to-root-your-viewsonic-g-tablet/
Looks promising, no garantees though.
Hello,
I have a TC55 from Motorola Solutions (i.e. the enterprise division that does not belong to Google). It is a rugged phone with a big battery (4400 mAh), but certainly not the sleekest design. Not sure if there is much interest in this kind of device, and I am certainly no developer - but in case anyone is investigating the TC55, here are two things I found so far:
It does not come with any Google apps: no Maps, no Gmail, no Play store and so on.
It is easily rooted with Framaroot using the Gandalf exploit.
(I cannot post this info into the Framaroot thread due to my low post count).
Anyway, maybe this helps someone. I will be happy to try to answer any questions about the TC55, but keep in mind I am no pro and I am not keen in messing around in its internals much more than I have done already.
Elanguescence said:
Hello,
I have a TC55 from Motorola Solutions (i.e. the enterprise division that does not belong to Google). It is a rugged phone with a big battery (4400 mAh), but certainly not the sleekest design. Not sure if there is much interest in this kind of device, and I am certainly no developer - but in case anyone is investigating the TC55, here are two things I found so far:
It does not come with any Google apps: no Maps, no Gmail, no Play store and so on.
It is easily rooted with Framaroot using the Gandalf exploit.
(I cannot post this info into the Framaroot thread due to my low post count).
Anyway, maybe this helps someone. I will be happy to try to answer any questions about the TC55, but keep in mind I am no pro and I am not keen in messing around in its internals much more than I have done already.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I heard my company is planning to go with these soon for entry level supervisors such as myself. I'm trying to figure out exactly what it is. All the specs and brochures from Motorola keep calling it a mobile computer in a smartphone "form factor" but never actually call it a phone. I didn't see anything in any of the specs to lead me to believe for sure that it was a phone or if it was just an Android computer in a smartphone form factor.
Anyway, I just wanted to confirm, that, you're certain this is a phone, correct?
Thanks.
- Byron
bfollowell said:
Anyway, I just wanted to confirm, that, you're certain this is a phone, correct?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, definitely. You can call and get called, and you can send and receive SMS. It also supports wired headsets, and it is supposed to work with Bluetooth headsets, though I do not have any to test.
Elanguescence said:
Yes, definitely. You can call and get called, and you can send and receive SMS. It also supports wired headsets, and it is supposed to work with Bluetooth headsets, though I do not have any to test.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the info but it looks like mine is going to be crippled.
Sort of a let-down really. Yes, it "can" be a phone. Or without a sim card it can be a really powerful Android based mobile computer. That's what it is going to be for most of us. Only a few supervisors with area management approval are going to get units with the phone features working. Still cool. Just not as cool as I'd thought it was going to be.
- Byron
bfollowell said:
Thanks for the info but it looks like mine is going to be crippled.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I see, sorry to hear that. It sounds weird to me to do that, but then again I have no clue about this type of work.
Maybe the crippling could be worked around or undone by people with good Android knowledge - but I suppose it might not be the best idea to go against company policy.
Elanguescence said:
I see, sorry to hear that. It sounds weird to me to do that, but then again I have no clue about this type of work.
Maybe the crippling could be worked around or undone by people with good Android knowledge - but I suppose it might not be the best idea to go against company policy.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't think they're doing anything all that special to cripple it. They just won't all have sim cards or a cell plan. Pretty much as simple as that.
I won't be doing anything to circumvent that though or rooting it or anything like that. It's not like it's a gift and it belongs to me or anything. After almost 22 years, I've kind of grown to like my job and getting a paycheck every two weeks.I'd kind of like to keep it for another 15 or 20 years. Who knows, maybe my manager will decide that I need cell service with mine.
I work for a large automaker in the U.S. We have over 2.8 million square feet under roof. Personally, I can be anywhere on in the plant, on the roof, in pits & sub-basements underneath or anywhere on or near the 50 acre plant site at any given time. A lot of what I need to do on a daily basis is through our intranet portal. They're putting in something like 500 new wi-fi repeaters/extenders all around the plant as well. They're purchasing these for over 300 first line supervisors at my site alone. I'm pretty sure they're doing this corporate-wide so I hate to think what they're spending on these things as a corporation. I'm sure it would bankrupt many small nations! In addition to giving us portal access away from the desk, these are meant to replace our aging industrial radio system. As expensive as these are, they're still much cheaper than $1.5 to $2k per person for a radio that has no other built-in functionality and these do seem pretty ruggedized.
Still a shame about the phone functionality though.
- Byron
Can you see what browser it comes with? Can you install (untrusted) APKs directly without rooting it?
FYI, in case anyone's wondering, there is a version with Google apps on the way (if it isn't already orderable).
Sent from my Moto X
tfnico said:
Can you see what browser it comes with? Can you install (untrusted) APKs directly without rooting it?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Browser is a standard one, which comes with other devices. Name is Browser.apk and version is 1.0.9
It's possible to install unsigned APK's without rooting.
google account
Hi,
I got stucked with trying to get google calendars from my google account to TC55.
I found one solution to setup google account as a corporate one, but it's not available anymore due to change in google policy.
I can setup google mail via email account, but that doesn't bring me my calendars to the device.
I tried to install gapps but without success.
Is there any other way?
Thanks.
Motorola work on google apps for TC55.There is in beta.
Elanguescence said:
... here are two things I found so far:
It does not come with any Google apps: no Maps, no Gmail, no Play store and so on.
It is easily rooted with Framaroot using the Gandalf exploit.
(I cannot post this info into the Framaroot thread due to my low post count).
Anyway, maybe this helps someone. I will be happy to try to answer any questions about the TC55, but keep in mind I am no pro and I am not keen in messing around in its internals much more than I have done already.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Obviously u rooted, can u install gapps in it?
RjCode said:
Obviously u rooted, can u install gapps in it?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No idea, I haven't tried. As far as I understand gapps are usually installed via flashing a zip from recovery, and the stock recovery of the TC55 does not have that option, it only allows reflashing a whole image, if I understand it correctly. Either way, I have come to appreciate the open source alternatives and do not want to get Google on my phone, so I will not try, sorry.
However, going by this thread over at the Motorola support forum, it seems it won't take long until there is official gapps support:
https://developer.motorolasolutions.com/thread/4989
Motorola has now released a TC55-firmware with Google apps. Here are the release notes:
https://atgsupportcentral.motorolasolutions.com/content/emb/docs/ReleaseNotes/Release%20Notes%20-%20%20TC55_RevAPlus_GMS_01%2074G_v10.htm
According to the support email they sent me, to get the actual release you need to perform the following arcane ritual:
Resolution Type is : Software Download
Resolution Id is : 95562
Resolution Title is : TC55 Update Image v1.74 with GMS (Google Mobile Service) Release Note & Factory Reset & Enterprise Enabler package
restrictedSW :
T55N0JGMVRUEN17400.zip 321 MB TC55 OS Recovery Update package
T55N0JGMVAUEN17400.apf 321 MB TC55 OS update package file for deployment using MSP
If you require access to OS files for TC55 1.74 GMS then call the local Support Desk and provide following information:
a. Site ID
b. Serial #(s)
c. Phone #
d. Customer name (First and Last)
e. E-mail address
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Don't ask me what the local support desk number is, or the site ID, or why they have to make this so complicated.
Hi Elanguescence,
I think I screwed up my tc55 by enabling the multiuser function without first creating the white list. Now all the users (with admin rights) does not have access to all the programs, including Applock Administrator and Multiuser administrator.
To cut things short, do you know of a way to reset the device? I don't mind setting it to factory default and start over. I've googled it and some said to launch Rapid Deployment and scan a barcode from there... but my Rapid Deployment just says "Service Not Ready, Please Wait" and get stuck there.
Any help appreciated. Thank you.
Any TC55 users here? Should be getting my unit w/ GMS soon... How do you guys like it?
Is the bootloader locked?
Sent from my Moto X
Hey!
I want to Buy one TC55 for me. Normally i hate Android and the Google stuff on the Phone but some Motorola Salesman told me there is a version with out.
Now i use an Sybian Device. That mean i am "offline" the hole time and when i need Internet the Phone connect the the Internet.
So how about that phone can i work "offline" to?
I will also use an VPN Tunnel to block on my backend all Connnection i dont want. Does all Data trough this VPN Tunnel ?
How about the Barcode Scanning does it work good?
I know for 2D i need to use the Cam but how works it when i am in some other Application?
Nobody?
Ok. I just bought a TC55 from a Friend and I was wondering if someone would post the update to get GSM and the Factory Reset packages. I went to the page and it requires all the information posted above before. Mine is rooted, but i am trying to install GAPS but the recovery is the basic and cannot. I manually installed Google Play and the Google Play Services but Google Play services keep crashing and the Play Store will not connect, any ideas ?
the are 2 versions one with google s... service and the other without.
So i belive you have the first?
(Can i ask you some question about that phone?)
Experienced heartbreak in purchasing slider & flip phones off of eBay, which worked for seller only days before, but then learning that Verizon will not activate any new lines for 3G, slider, flip, CDMA devices. This has always been a great way to give kids a first phone, a phone that will only do call & text. So, turned to old family inventory or new companies that specialize in a modern phone with internet or social media interaction. Enter Gabb Wireless or Pinwheel. Landed on Gabb Wireless, but my bride wants me to try to mod an old Verizon bone stock Galaxy S5. Of course...& I'm sure many of you have been there...some guy we know was able to do it with his kid's phone...so now I should be able to do it. Never mind this guy is a software dev and most likely using an iOS phone. So, gauntlet thrown down, challenge issued. I've been doing a lot of digging & don't know if this can be done with this build. Here's what we have:
G900V, bone stock Verizon
Build number = MMB29M.G900VVRU2DQL1
Security patch level = 8/1/17
Let me know if any other specs would be helpful.
Thank you kindly.
EternalWorth said:
Experienced heartbreak in purchasing slider & flip phones off of eBay, which worked for seller only days before, but then learning that Verizon will not activate any new lines for 3G, slider, flip, CDMA devices. This has always been a great way to give kids a first phone, a phone that will only do call & text. So, turned to old family inventory or new companies that specialize in a modern phone with internet or social media interaction. Enter Gabb Wireless or Pinwheel. Landed on Gabb Wireless, but my bride wants me to try to mod an old Verizon bone stock Galaxy S5. Of course...& I'm sure many of you have been there...some guy we know was able to do it with his kid's phone...so now I should be able to do it. Never mind this guy is a software dev and most likely using an iOS phone. So, gauntlet thrown down, challenge issued. I've been doing a lot of digging & don't know if this can be done with this build. Here's what we have:
G900V, bone stock Verizon
Build number = MMB29M.G900VVRU2DQL1
Security patch level = 8/1/17
Let me know if any other specs would be helpful.
Thank you kindly.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not sure why you don't just go buy a burner flip phone from Walmart? I thought those could still be activated.
If not, you'd have to disable the portion of the kernel that handles data. Let's be honest, this is a ~10 year old device so you won't find much assistance unfortunately.
Oh yeah, forgot, this is Android 6.0.1.
As for the query, you're right...I could do the burner/fip/slider thing, perhaps...but, truly, it appears all carriers across the board are throwing off 3G devices as fast as they can. I did see some of the rough service basic phones have 4G capability, but can't justify price on those things. Tough balance to strike as we're doing some traveling where VZW is the only network that's really reliable...& trying to get a child the best camera possible on the devices we have, so they can take pics of stuff they may never see again. Old basic phones are pretty challenging to text on, too. Anyway, we have an old iPod Touch someone threw away, plus the S5. S5 has the better cameras. But it's one of the last builds they sold for Verizon...and I don't ever remember there being a way to unlock the bootloader on that build...the G900V. But, regardless, I still can't find a way to shut down mobile & Wi-Fi on it. I think they have a Verizon family app that will let you shut down the web, but it is extra per month, of course. Appreciate the feedback, for sure. This is just the DIY kinda life, I reckon: constantly trying to refurb, reuse the old stuff, fix stuff yourself, do without...all to live w/in your means & save dinero.
EternalWorth said:
Oh yeah, forgot, this is Android 6.0.1.
As for the query, you're right...I could do the burner/fip/slider thing, perhaps...but, truly, it appears all carriers across the board are throwing off 3G devices as fast as they can. I did see some of the rough service basic phones have 4G capability, but can't justify price on those things. Tough balance to strike as we're doing some traveling where VZW is the only network that's really reliable...& trying to get a child the best camera possible on the devices we have, so they can take pics of stuff they may never see again. Old basic phones are pretty challenging to text on, too. Anyway, we have an old iPod Touch someone threw away, plus the S5. S5 has the better cameras. But it's one of the last builds they sold for Verizon...and I don't ever remember there being a way to unlock the bootloader on that build...the G900V. But, regardless, I still can't find a way to shut down mobile & Wi-Fi on it. I think they have a Verizon family app that will let you shut down the web, but it is extra per month, of course. Appreciate the feedback, for sure. This is just the DIY kinda life, I reckon: constantly trying to refurb, reuse the old stuff, fix stuff yourself, do without...all to live w/in your means & save dinero.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I mean there is a way to unlock the bootloader if you look on XDA. https://forum.xda-developers.com/t/...ootloader-using-dev-bootloader-kk-mm.3337909/ The Verizon S5 was the worst model out of all of the US carrier variants.
EternalWorth said:
This has always been a great way to give kids a first phone, a phone that will only do call & text. So, turned to old family inventory or new companies that specialize in a modern phone with internet or social media interaction. Enter Gabb Wireless or Pinwheel. Landed on Gabb Wireless, but my bride wants me to try to mod an old Verizon bone stock Galaxy S5.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I know this thread is almost a year old, and I'm sorry I'm late to the party, but I had the same idea!
My kids had been using Gabb Wireless for a while, and we were mostly happy with the service, but I wanted the option to install other useful apps on their phones without giving them access to the web. So, I bought a couple of old Galaxy S5 SM-G900V (Verizon version) phones, and I think I've succeeded in modifying them in a way that will prevent the kids from surfing the internet or installing their own apps. I thought I'd post my method here, in case anyone is still interested. Here's what I did:
Install Safestrap Recovery. (Follow this guide, up to and including the step where you install Safestrap. Skip the remaining steps in the guide.)
Boot into Safestrap Recovery and flash jrkruse's “slightly de-bloated” stock Marshmallow rom from here.
Use either ADB or Safestrap to remove any system apps that would allow kids to browse the web or download their own apps. (To delete unwanted system apps using Safestrap recovery, click Mount and make sure the system partition is mounted. Also make sure the “Mount system partition read-only” box is unchecked. Then go back and click Advanced > File Manager, and edit or remove system files as desired.) The web browser is already removed from jrkruse's rom, but I also removed the following apps:
from /system/app:
Gmail2
SamsungSetupWizard
SecEmail_K
InteractiveTutorial [This is the Samsung Help app.]
SamsungAppsWidget_Phone_Carrier_VZW
from /system/priv-app:
Velvet [this is the Google search app]
SamsungUpdates [this includes the Samsung Apps store and “Galaxy essentials,” which would allow kids to download and install their own apps]
GoogleOneTimeInitializer
SetupWizard
from /data/app:
com.android.vending-1 [this is the Google Play Store]
Edit the settings APK file to disable the option to remove the option to install apps from “uknown sources” (Settings > Security > Uknown Sources) so that users can’t enable that option. This will prevent kids from installing apps by sideloading (e.g. copying apps from a friend's phone via SD card.) Apps can still be installed via recovery or ADB, but most kids won't know how to do that.
To edit the settings APK properly, you could follow this guide, but I used a much hackier method and basically just sabotaged the security_settings_misc.xml file inside SecSettings.apk, so that the settings app crashes if the user tries to open and modify those settings.
I've attached my modified settings file. You can put it on the phone's SD card, then use Safestrap to copy it to system/priv-app/SecSettings. Save the original settings file first (or just rename it and change the filename extension) so that you can restore it later if needed.
Hi folks,
a family friend inherited an A22 from a deceased friend, but she did not have the password for it.
As I had never heard of FRP before, I advised her to reset the phone, which is how the FRP took effect. I now feel guilty for giving obviously wrong advice and would like to fix it.
I guess there is no proof of purchase for the phone anymore and all the passwords from the documents didn't work. A Vodafone employee advised me to scrap the phone, but I don't think so.
I found the software "**** your FRP" here in the forum and tried it, but the A22 is not on the list of Knox-compatible devices. Therefore, the code #*0#* does not work either and I can't get any further.
I got a little further with the talkback function. I was able to open the Google Assistant and navigate to Chrome or the settings. Unfortunately, I could not activate the developer options, couldn't navigate to the app settings or allow the installation of apps from unknown sources.
After about 8 hours and several attempts, I am at my wit's end. I have the deceased's email address and name. Unfortunately, this was not enough to reset the password. If I am informed correctly, his number has also been deactivated, so I can no longer receive SMS. I don't have the SIM card either, but I might be able to get it.
I hope you guys can help me.
Best regards,
Felix
Contact Samsung service / a phone service.
You could so it yourself, but the time needed will be too much
As I said, the people at Vodafone said you can only scrap it. I had read that you can get the device unlocked with the help of the proof of purchase, but no one knows exactly where the receipt could be.
dotuletz said:
You could so it yourself, but the time needed will be too much
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm not in a hurry, I'm just looking for a tool to do this with, or instructions on how to bypass the FRP.
I can forget Google, as 99% of the results are scam and the remaining 1% did not work.
Ive heard that YouTube has just the right type of guide for almost exactly those probs, and by all accounts very very simple to follow, as I did recently on my sister's device she left at home, no longer wanted, ditched for an apple contraption. I will add, no one with nefarious reasons, stolen devices should use the helpful tools there. Getting a job and buying a device the bloody deviants should....damn the swines.
ianreesdavies said:
Ive heard that YouTube has just the right type of guide for almost exactly those probs, and by all accounts very very simple to follow, as I did recently on my sister's device she left at home, no longer wanted, ditched for an apple contraption. I will add, no one with nefarious reasons, stolen devices should use the helpful tools there. Getting a job and buying a device the bloody deviants should....damn the swines.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The problem with YouTube videos is that Samsung (and pretty much every other major manufacturer) has teams of employees whose sole job is to look through the internet for how-to videos and posts, make a note of how the trick/bypass works, and submit it to the software development team to be fixed in the very next update. That's why the how-to videos are full of comments saying "this didn't work for me" or "I don't have that option on my device".
There's a professional 3rd party business that I've used for things like this before. Discussion of paid services isn't allowed in the forums, but anyone who wants a recommendation can DM me
I completely agree mate, it's hit and miss, there are plenty of other sources out there. Just coincidentally, I found myself reading a comment that was the exact situation I was in yesterday. Obviously, not wanting the member to be struggling I gently nudged him towards a simple and 100% idiot's guide that will put him right. Admittedly a large majority of these things are countered/blocked or absolute bollox as I have encountered many times lmfao
BooWseR said:
Hi folks,
a family friend inherited an A22 from a deceased friend, but she did not have the password for it.
As I had never heard of FRP before, I advised her to reset the phone, which is how the FRP took effect. I now feel guilty for giving obviously wrong advice and would like to fix it.
I guess there is no proof of purchase for the phone anymore and all the passwords from the documents didn't work. A Vodafone employee advised me to scrap the phone, but I don't think so.
I found the software "**** your FRP" here in the forum and tried it, but the A22 is not on the list of Knox-compatible devices. Therefore, the code #*0#* does not work either and I can't get any further.
I got a little further with the talkback function. I was able to open the Google Assistant and navigate to Chrome or the settings. Unfortunately, I could not activate the developer options, couldn't navigate to the app settings or allow the installation of apps from unknown sources.
After about 8 hours and several attempts, I am at my wit's end. I have the deceased's email address and name. Unfortunately, this was not enough to reset the password. If I am informed correctly, his number has also been deactivated, so I can no longer receive SMS. I don't have the SIM card either, but I might be able to get it.
I hope you guys can help me.
Best regards,
Felix
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Also mate, getting to chrome is most of it done. 4 files to download, 2 through the galaxy store which allows them to install, then through those, sorry, plus ios14 launcher allows you to activate unknown sources etc..it's not difficult. Worked like a charm. Just find the Samsung a22 5g frp unlock, activate unknown sources how to.