Phone Status: rooted, S-OFF, stock, BusyBox 1.17.1, CWM 5.0.2.7
File Manager: ES File Explorer
I believe I've found a bug or at least rather unusual behavior for Bloater, specifically when using it to uninstall Friendstream or Peep. When Bloater is used on either of these apps, it has the undesired side-effect of disabling the HTC Setting Widgets, in that the multiple widgets displayed under this option no longer show--a black screen appears when one selects the "Settings ..." widget option. Checking via ES File Explorer, htcsettingwidgets.apk and htcsettingwidgets.odex are present under /system/app, as is the folder com.htc.htcsettingwidgets under /data/data (although the lib subfolder is empty, but I think that's the way it's supposed to be). Any reinstallation attempt using the .apk fails.
If I uninstall any of the above apps manually, the HTC Setting Widgets are unaffected, so Bloater must be executing some other commands that obviously don't keep this particular widget set happy.
Tested using a Nandroid backup made just after I updated from the MoDaCo CWM to the official CWM 5.0.2.7, restoring after using Bloater on each of the above listed apps.
Has anyone else using Bloater observed the same behavior? Not earth-shattering, I know, but something is definitely happening under the hood with the app to cause what I've documented here. Curious to find out if it can be reproduced on other MT4GS phones.
PS: Bloater tends to leave quite a few files behind after uninstalling a given app (SD Maid checking for "corpses" afterward).
TIA for any replies or feedback; mostly curious as it's not mission critical, given that manual uninstall works as expected --
--
King Cheetah
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1478341
linking these two threads together - don't have the opportunity to answer them right now - if someone else wants to fill in the blanks go ahead.
Not sure, but noted, will get back to this soon?
Sorry for the less then satisfying reply, posting puts it on my radar.
What exactly does bloater do? I use titanium to remove or freeze system apps, what's the difference?
Bloater is a bloatware removal app specifically for rooted/s-off MT4GS phones developed by Romanbb and Blue6IX. Here's the thread: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1258834
Titanium is one method of dealing with bloat, Bloater is another. The app caught my interest since it was specifically for the MT4GS, and I'd like to help polish it with my meager skills.
@Blue - no worries, dude, I know you're herding a bunch of cats right now. Just shining some light on possible bugs so they can be properly squashed.
Big Purr from the Pacific NW --
--
King Cheetah
Thanks man - get to it as soon as I can. Meantime any theory or discussion cuts down on the time to resolution when I do get to this.
Thanks!
KingCheetah, I also noticed this bug with Bloater. Very similar situation (S-OFF, stock, BusyBox 1.19.3, CWM 5.0.2.7)
One way I have found to get the settings widget to function correctly again is to clear the HTC Sense data. From doing some searching, I found a thread in the Incredible forum with a similar problem (Apparently, too noob to post link?).
Pertinent takeaway:
- manage applications
- HTC Sense (click it)
- Click on "clear data"
- reboot your phone
This unfortunately means you'll have to reconfigure your homescreens but all other info (accounts, settings, applications, etc) are saved so nbd to drag a few icons around.
Anyway, I know this isn't an amazing fix for something that isn't an earth-shattering problem but it is my first post on XDA! Now to figure out how I managed to mess up the calender widget and if that was also Bloater related...
This may be related to another missing widget situation as noted in this thread: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1478341. Linked by Blue in #2.
While an interesting workaround, it's a little scorched earth for me, nuking the homescreen set-up like that. Manual uninstall of the targeted bloat seems to be a more elegant solution, though more reading/learning intensive.
Welcome to the forums and the process of denoobifying
--
King Cheetah
Related
Hi guys,
I rooted my phone and have been using Cyanogen since and never looked back. The phone works like charm, and with 2.2.1 installed, they keyboard is much better and I can actually use the phone for dialing (the number pad doesn't get stuck!)
I looked in the form but my search brings back hundreds of results that do not seem related to what I need. Cyan comes with some apps I simply do not ever use: The car home one, terminal emulator, DSPMAnager (what is it anyway?) and the voice dialer. First, are any of these apps are needed to run the phone, and can I re-install them separately (without reloading the whole ROM) if something goes wrong? Then, the question is, how do I uninstall them, since I do not have an uninstall option? Is it possible to uninstall Google Talk (because I think it comes as a part of the Google Tools or whatever...), since it does not allow me to log in for more than one account?
Then, I have a more general question:
Is Cyan with gingerbread available from the HTC Hero? Would you guys recommend it? I don't feel I really need it because the phone is fine, but maybe I'm missing out on something I do not know... what are the big new things, besides the keyboard (which I understand can be installed individually anyway).
Thanks!
Use titanium backup it uninstalls stock apps. But be careful which ones u uninstall they will mess ur phone up and cause foreclosures
Sent from my HERO200 using XDA App
beholder121 said:
Hi guys,
I rooted my phone and have been using Cyanogen since and never looked back. The phone works like charm, and with 2.2.1 installed, they keyboard is much better and I can actually use the phone for dialing (the number pad doesn't get stuck!)
I looked in the form but my search brings back hundreds of results that do not seem related to what I need. Cyan comes with some apps I simply do not ever use: The car home one, terminal emulator, DSPMAnager (what is it anyway?) and the voice dialer. First, are any of these apps are needed to run the phone, and can I re-install them separately (without reloading the whole ROM) if something goes wrong? Then, the question is, how do I uninstall them, since I do not have an uninstall option? Is it possible to uninstall Google Talk (because I think it comes as a part of the Google Tools or whatever...), since it does not allow me to log in for more than one account?
Then, I have a more general question:
Is Cyan with gingerbread available from the HTC Hero? Would you guys recommend it? I don't feel I really need it because the phone is fine, but maybe I'm missing out on something I do not know... what are the big new things, besides the keyboard (which I understand can be installed individually anyway).
Thanks!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
1. Like the above poster said, use titanium backup to uninstall. It's free in the market. All four of those apps can be removed with no ill effects, however, I would keep terminal emulator in case you ever need to push our pull apk's, decide to use the batt-tweak. Stuff like that. DSPManager is a equalizer.
2. Yes, gb is available in cyanogenmod flavor right here: http://mirror.teamdouche.net/?device=heroc It had some minor lag issues with the home screen, but camera and gps is working for me. Not sure if compcache and jit is, though.
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Sent from my CDMA Hero. I got some hot Gingerbread-on-Hero action here!
user7618 said:
1. Like the above poster said, use titanium backup to uninstall. It's free in the market. All four of those apps can be removed with no ill effects, however, I would keep terminal emulator in case you ever need to push our pull apk's, decide to use the batt-tweak. Stuff like that. DSPManager is a equalizer.
-----
Sent from my CDMA Hero. I got some hot Gingerbread-on-Hero action here!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'd watch out for Google Talk though...doesn't that break some push notifications (i.e. Gmail)? Could be wrong, have been before
Off the top of my head without looking at a fresh install, these are safe to remove without doing anything special (I dont have any of them):
DSP, Protips, PacMan, FileManager, email (if you only use the gmail app), Live Wallpaper Picker, CMStats, CM Wallpaper, Latin tutorial, Development, Theme Chooser (and the other theme apk along with the two themes preloaded in the /system/app folder), Spare Parts, ROM Manager...If you want to know about any others, just ask...there are far more I have removed, but like I said, they are gone, so I don't remember them
how about fotakill? don't know what it does, so I didn't remove it.
Sent from my HTC Hero CDMA using XDA App
FOTAKILL i believe is the cyanogen updater, do a google search
I removed it with no issues.
-- Sent from my Sprint SuperHero --
Here's link from Cyanogen wiki that gives a list of apps and some details about them - like what they are, can they be removed and such. Also, it documents ways to remove apps.
http://wiki.cyanogenmod.com/index.php?title=Barebones.
ranger61878 said:
I'd watch out for Google Talk though...doesn't that break some push notifications (i.e. Gmail)? Could be wrong, have been before
Off the top of my head without looking at a fresh install, these are safe to remove without doing anything special (I dont have any of them):
DSP, Protips, PacMan, FileManager, email (if you only use the gmail app), Live Wallpaper Picker, CMStats, CM Wallpaper, Latin tutorial, Development, Theme Chooser (and the other theme apk along with the two themes preloaded in the /system/app folder), Spare Parts, ROM Manager...If you want to know about any others, just ask...there are far more I have removed, but like I said, they are gone, so I don't remember them
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No, I think you may be right. For whatever reason, I was thinking google voice, which isn't even part of the gapps or cm apps. Leave talk installed.
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Sent from my CDMA Hero. I got some hot Gingerbread-on-Hero action here!
If you delete Google Voice Search, you will need something else (Vlingo, etc.) in order to have a mic on your keyboard I believe.
Sent from my HTC Hero CDMA using XDA App
Wow thanks for all the responses guys.. I installed some apps and so far I'm good. Now I just need to figure out how to get my dial pad to show up after it turns off during a phone call.
beholder121 said:
Wow thanks for all the responses guys.. I installed some apps and so far I'm good. Now I just need to figure out how to get my dial pad to show up after it turns off during a phone call.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Press the menu key.
-- Sent from my Sprint SuperHero --
Hi,
I'm wondering if we could make a list of unsafe bloatwares to remove. For example, I came across this:
APPS YOU SHOULD NOT REMOVE:
-Don't remove weather, news, or FriendStream. The widgets should be fine but not the actual apps. They are too deeply integrated into the system and will break things. Some people have not experienced problems while others (including myself) have seen some major issues from removing these. It's best just to avoid.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I am new to Android (been only 3 days!), so I don't know enough to know if the above comment is true. And, I think there will be other people in the same shoe as myself. So, it may be helpful to create a list that we can just glance at to know which bloatwares are safe to remove and which are not.
GT
most of the htc apps are ok to remove. when i was running a sense rom, i removed pretty much all of the htc apps. the only one i had an issue with after removing it was the friendstream.
you can always make a nandroid backup of your current working rom, then start deleting things and seeing if it has an effect. if anything breaks your phone, jot it down, restore the nandroid, and keep going.
its fun!
cant find the list of the apps ok to remove, can someone help?
(First off, this is my first post so my apologies if I've done anything improper here)
Ok, so there are a lot of posts about Titanium Backup restore issues but I haven't quite been able to fix my problem. I'm not trying batch restores or anything complicated like that, and the advice I've seen in the past and on the Titanium Backup FAQs doesn't work. Here's my problem:
Yesterday I backed up then uninstalled "Facebook for HTC Sense 1.0" but then realized that my phone (HTC Incredible) uses that to link my contacts with their Facebook profiles (for pictures, birthday notifications, etc.). So today I went to restore it and Titanium Backup just hangs (there is a spinning wheel on the left and it says "Restoring App: 'Facebook for HTC Sense 1.0'") It does this whether I try restoring just the app or app+data.
I have root and updated busybox from the "Problems" button in the app. Many people on here have said to go to "Troubleshooting settings" and change the "App processing mode" but when I go there that option is greyed out. I'm sure this would work (it has for others it seems), but I don;t know what to do since it is greyed out.
I thought about reinstalling Titanium Backup, but I don't want to lose my data to restore from. I don't know how that works.
Anyone know what to do?
UPDATE: Well I don't think reinstalling would help, since an update just came through the market. I figure an update would've fixed anything that a reinstall would have. Also, to add a little more information on the problem, I was able to restore "Adobe Reader 9.0.1" but not able to restore "Footprints 1.10" (another HTC built-in app)
I have the same problem on my HTC Desire.
After installing the latest CyanogenMod, I wanted to return a couple of the HTC-supplied apps. Titanium Backup gets superuser permissions and seems happy, but then freezes at 0% restore. The application processing option in preferences is always greyed out.
Hi guys, one thing that I learned while migrating to Cyanogenmod is that restoring HTC apps will really hurt stability and possibly lead to bootlooping, as there is no HTC sense framework for their apps to work correctly. AFAIK, there is no way around that. I learned the hard way that restoring all apps and data just will not work between AOSP roms and Sense roms. I'm sorry I can't offer more help on it, but you'll need to pick and choose your apps and data and make sure you don't bring Sense/HTC stuff into Cyanogenmod. I know, it's frustrating! Good luck guys!
Sent from my PC36100 using XDA App
We'll my problem is slightly different because I'm still using sense. I didn't load any new roms. I removed it and then tried to restore the next day without making any other changes. So why won't my apps restore?
Sent from my ADR6300 using XDA App
what did you remove? was it a system app or something you installed from the market? system apps, when "removed" even when backed up, don't reinstall from my experience. I never had any problem reinstalling any user apps that were properly backed up though.
I'm wondering if this is something to do with HTC's "S on" extra security.
Need to read up on this — anyone have a good resource about it? It seems a bit more obscure than just rooting, with some unreliable-looking websites about it. And I'm coming at this as a total n00b
But the system folder does indeed seem to have some kind of extra write-protection going on, even when accessing it as root.
I have a G2X and I have also learned the hard way that Titanium will not restore system apps. So the problem your having has nothing to do with Sence. If you search the for forums hard enough there is info on the topic
Sent from my LG-P999 using XDA App
So... If I do a factory reset on my phone then, will all be fixed? Or does uninstalling it remove it from wherever the factory reset would pull from?
I'll probably need to root it again after, but I just want that "Facebook for HTC Sense" app back so my contacts link with their facebook profiles for continually updating phone numbers, profile pictures, etc.
Sent from my ADR6300 using XDA App
Problem Solved
I flashed Liberation Enhanced v1.00 yesterday and everything is fixed. Liberation does all that I wanted to do in the first place: have Sense without the bloatware. It was my first time flashing a new ROM and I'm happy to say it went very well
(Now once I get enough posts in, I can add it to my signature like everyone on here seems to like to do)
guess you fixed the issue, but dealing with Titanium Backup, i sometimes have it hanging when i freeze/unfreeze or sometimes it hangs/freezes when backing up/restoring. in the settings there's like some different restoration methods it lets you choose (Direct, Indirect, and something else), but switching it to Indirect Method fixed the issue for me, so just incase someone else runs into a similar problem. im on a SGS4G.
Liquid Smoke said:
guess you fixed the issue, but dealing with Titanium Backup, i sometimes have it hanging when i freeze/unfreeze or sometimes it hangs/freezes when backing up/restoring. in the settings there's like some different restoration methods it lets you choose (Direct, Indirect, and something else), but switching it to Indirect Method fixed the issue for me, so just incase someone else runs into a similar problem. im on a SGS4G.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think what you're talking about may be part of the "App processing mode" option that I said was greyed out for some reason on my phone.
I have rooted my phone, MT4GS, and discovered the /system/app with all the things that are installed and some that are not installed on the phone. These include all the CRAP that I will never use. (teleNAV, friend feed, Zino reader, etc.) I have copied off the contents VIA SD and removed about 33MB if files. Most were pretty obvious. I will include a list. I have made the assumption that if I remove select apps and reset (to factory) my phone, the removed apps will not be installed thus de-crapifying my phone. I would like to know from those more knowledgeable on Android that myself if I am correct. Here is a list of files I have selected for removal. As far as I can tell there is nothing too important, just all the apps I don't use and don't want.
Any thoughts or suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.
(can provide the rest of the list if needed, i.e. those to be kept)
Bejeweled2_trust5.apk
com.htc.FriendStream3DWidget.apk
com.htc.FriendStream3DWidget.odex
com.htc.TrendsWidget.apk
com.htc.TrendsWidget.odex
com.htc.Twitter3DWidget.apk
com.htc.Twitter3DWidget.odex
com.mobitv.client.tmobiletvhd.apk
desktopPointer-signed-v6.apk
Flickr.apk
Flickr.odex
FriendStream.apk
FriendStream.odex
HtcTwitter.apk
HtcTwitter.odex
Jazz.apk
MobileBackup.apk
MyAccount.apk
MyReportAgent.apk
MyReportAgent.odex
netflix-17-release-android-marketplace-upgrade.apk
qik.apk
slackerradio.apk
TmobileAndroidDeviceCarbon-c42-n123.apk
TMOUS_Navigator.apk
ZinioReader.v2.03.3312.Regular.apk
ZinioSettingsProvider.v2.03.3198.TMobile.Smartphone.apk
If you factory reset using the pdimg59.zip then they'll all be put back on.
Sent from my MT4GS running Bulletproof
Where is that file? I did a search and didn't find anything....
There was also an excellent write-up done in the apps section. It's no longer updated and is kind of buried on page 3 but it's still a great place to start.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1222672
Thanks for the help. I used the bloater apk from the thread. The only thing it would not let me uninstall was Netflix. It's funny also that the MP3 and video trim programs don't show up to be installed, the mysketch, and a few other apk files that are in the app folder.
I will be taking over bloater within the next few days.
Expect it to be updated to include a lot more.
I depreciated the thread siani_8 linked to because of the sticky I have in the developers section.
The sticky hasn't been updated in a while because:
1 - what's there is solid, and useful.
2 - no one else has posted app descriptions.
If other people are willing to post descriptions of what the apps actually do in the thread, i'll update that into the actual reference posts.
I figure that i've set the stage for the rest of the info to be put in, and i've done that much so far. If the community is interested in having descriptions posted, then the community at large will provide them.
The app reference is what inspired Romanbb to write that awesome Bloater app, and what we've all learned since then means more to be added. Bloater is very high on my project list, and it will be included in the new version of Bulletproof just like the last.
Also, that thread that got depreciated is from way back when - right after we first got S-OFF and were able to start deleting useless garbage we were all sick of being stuck with.
Definitely read through it if you are working on this from the ground up, because you'll see how we started to learn what we know today. It's a great exercise, and you'll learn a lot about your phone approaching it by playing along instead of just skipping to the end result.
Any questions feel free to ask, we're all here to help.
I need to add your thread in the compendium too. Its a good write up blue, I can't believe I missed it.
sent from my Agent Orange MT4G Slide using xda premium
I still can't find anything on this pdimg59.zip. Can anyone shed some light on it?
I think what you're referring to is the Stock ROM.
Easy answer:
Think of it like a failsafe for your device. If there is a file by that name on the sdcard, the phone will try to flash it on boot.
It's a more in depth answer then that from a technical perspective, but for just a quick "what is this?" that'll suffice. Someone with more time on their hands will probably come through here to expand on that if you're still curious.
To really decrapify your phone, just delete Rosie and HTCSense from /system/app. Just install another launcher app first.
Blue6IX said:
I think what you're referring to is the Stock ROM.
Easy answer:
Think of it like a failsafe for your device. If there is a file by that name on the sdcard, the phone will try to flash it on boot.
It's a more in depth answer then that from a technical perspective, but for just a quick "what is this?" that'll suffice. Someone with more time on their hands will probably come through here to expand on that if you're still curious.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
sent from my Agent Orange MT4G Slide using xda premium
OK... I know I have been full of questions and really I just posted another question in the general forum a moment ago but I am trying to stick to the specific forums for specific questions so don't get mad at me ._.
ANYWAY... Looking at the underlying processes and other apps I will never use how does one safely remove these? I have heard of "freezing" things so you can defrost them later just in case you decide otherwise.
Any thoughts? Would this require a root?
Zadeis said:
OK... I know I have been full of questions and really I just posted another question in the general forum a moment ago but I am trying to stick to the specific forums for specific questions so don't get mad at me ._.
ANYWAY... Looking at the underlying processes and other apps I will never use how does one safely remove these? I have heard of "freezing" things so you can defrost them later just in case you decide otherwise.
Any thoughts? Would this require a root?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You'll need to be rooted and Titanium Backup Pro will allow you to freeze apps.
StingerDog said:
You'll need to be rooted and Titanium Backup Pro will allow you to freeze apps.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ah thank you. Now in terms of doing that isn't there a list somewhere that lists all the "safe" apps to freeze? I have found lists pertaining to other tablets but not specifically the Tab 7 plus yet. Unless I'm just blind and it's been right in front of me (which is very likely) xD
I have not seen such a list but I haven't looked for one either.
Ah OK. I think I had found one for the Galaxy Tab (which I am assuming is the 10.1) and another one (which I forget what it was) so I figured I would ask.
Thank you all for your input though!
what bloatware are in your gtab?
Well, I'm getting ready to go somewhere so I can't look but all share comes to mind since I will never use it. That and for some reason after rooting my Tab (did it last night and I am quite happy) the samsung screen saver thing came back! Even though I uninstalled it.
The thing is about 50 megabytes of showcase video of the very tablet I am using...
Zadeis said:
Well, I'm getting ready to go somewhere so I can't look but all share comes to mind since I will never use it. That and for some reason after rooting my Tab (did it last night and I am quite happy) the samsung screen saver thing came back! Even though I uninstalled it.
The thing is about 50 megabytes of showcase video of the very tablet I am using...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If for any reason you boot into recovery there is a "hidden" partition that will re-install all that crap. If you install garyd9's CWM recovery it will not do this.
I have uninstalled almost 50 programs on my gtab that I dont use. Its stripped down to a bare tab. I HATE unwanted un needed programs.
antiochasylum said:
I have uninstalled almost 50 programs on my gtab that I dont use.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
50? Can you list these apps?
I cleaned (froze with TB to be exact) and it's not even close to 10, but I am overly cautious so not to break the Tab. For example, I froze Polaris Office, AP Plus widget, etc.
Yes I will. Ill compare it tomorrow and post what I removed about to go to bed for now.
Sent from my ICS'd themed Galaxy Tab 7+
Is it OK to freeze these apps with Titanium Backup:
1). Apps
- Media Hub
- My files
- Samsung Apps
- Social Hub
- Talkback
- SNS related apps:
- Disclaimer
- Facebook
- Twitter
- LinkedIn
2). Built-in widgets, such as:
- AccuWeather.com (widget)
- AP Mobile (widget)
- Buddies now (widget)
- Digital Clock (widget)
- Dual Clock (widget)
- Yahoo! Finance
3). Built-in wallpapers (live or static)
- Aurora 2 (wallpaper
- Blue sea (wallpaper)
You can easily remove all apps that you don't need. You just need rooted device and root explorer or something similar. Then go to system/app and remove app you want.
gregy74 said:
You can easily remove all apps that you don't need. You just need rooted device and root explorer or something similar. Then go to system/app and remove app you want.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
that didt work for me... im getting root error issues...
str8addicted said:
that didt work for me... im getting root error issues...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I got an error too when I intially tried to use Root Explorer, i opened up superuser (didnt actually do anything accept check the settings), then tried again, and access was granted properly. I already had the latest binaries via busybox so I'm not sure what happened.
jblade1000 said:
I got an error too when I intially tried to use Root Explorer, i opened up superuser (didnt actually do anything accept check the settings), then tried again, and access was granted properly. I already had the latest binaries via busybox so I'm not sure what happened.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think this is an issue with SuperUser itself.
The problem is, I cannot set the Automatic Response to "Prompt". If I do use that, then ANY apps that requires root access will be automatically DENIED. The only solution is to set the Automatic Response to "Allow", which I don't want to.
I tested this with LBE Privacy apps. With "Prompt" set in SuperUser, after every reboot, 2 out of 3 times LBE failed to start. I had to open SuperUser and start LBE again and it works. When I set to "Allow", no more problem.