First I will start out by stating I'm a complete noob. Now that my phone finally has the long awaited jelly bean update I figure it would be a good time to optimize my phone. What are some options that are reversible, meaning I can bring the phone back to stock, that will get ride or the bloat that Verizon has forced upon us.
Some, but not all, can be disabled by going to Settings-Apps-All and selecting the disable button on apps you don't want to see. If there is an update to the app that may have to be uninstalled before disable becomes available.
There are some that the disable button will not be available. Those can be "frozen" using something like Titanium Backup...for which you will need root. There are other bloat removers on the market. Dunno if the all work with JB though.
LaserSAIL said:
First I will start out by stating I'm a complete noob. Now that my phone finally has the long awaited jelly bean update I figure it would be a good time to optimize my phone. What are some options that are reversible, meaning I can bring the phone back to stock, that will get ride or the bloat that Verizon has forced upon us.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's worth it to root and use Titanium Backup to get rid of bloat. Here's what you can safely remove.
Big list incoming. These have all been frozen with no averse affects. They can even be uninstalled if you don't care about updates and/or have a backup. If you aren't sure about an app or if you don't trust me, research first. I'm 100% positive that these can safely be removed, but if you remove something that then takes away an app you use, don't blame me. I will provide description for some but not all.
It should go without saying, but I'm going to say it anyway:
If you are not sure if it's okay to freeze due to numbers or any other issue, do not freeze it in your first batch. If this is the case, freeze it separately so you can know exactly what causes the issue if something goes wrong. Secondly,
Do not uninstall a single thing until you know your phone functions with it frozen. That is all.
Now, the list:
AcousticWarning __ Removes "music too loud" warning.
Android keyboard (AOSP) __ REMOVES STOCK KEYBOARD. Make sure to have another keyboard installed first if you remove this.
Android Live Wallpapers __ This removes choices, but you can still use live wallpapers.
Backup Asistant Plus __ Removes Verizon backup; does not affect Google syncing (contacts and email and whatnot).
Backup Assistant+ Contacts Client __ Removes Verizon backup; does not affect Google syncing (contacts and email and whatnot).
Backup Assistant+ Media __ Removes Verizon backup; does not affect Google syncing (contacts and email and whatnot).
Bubbles __ This is a Live Wallpaper.
Calculator __ Removes Calculator app; I use a TI-89 Emulator.
Chrome __ Removes Chrome app from system; I use Dolphin Beta, Opera Beta, or Chrome Beta installed from Play Store.
Circles __Removes Circles Widget which can't be used anywhere but on stock launcher.
com.android.providers.partnerbookmarks
com.motorola.android.motovzwlocationservice
com.motorola.huxvmm.backup
com.motorola.huxvmm.setting
com.motorola.vmm.filemanager __ Removes Files app; I use ASTRO and Root Explorer.
com.motorola.phone.extensions
com.motorola.vzw.settings.extensions
Demo mode
Desk Dock
DlnaSystemService __ Removes DLNA functionality.
Downloads __ This app is only a shortcut and UI to the section of your SD card. It is pointless to have if you have a file manager.
Emergency Alerts __ Removes Emergency Alerts.
Files __Again, removes Files app; I use ASTRO and Root Explorer.
Global Unplug
Google Play Books __ Obviously removes Books app.
Google Play Magazines __ Removes Magazines app.
Google Play Movies & TV __ Removes Movies & TV app.
Google Play Music __ Removes Play Music; I use PowerAMP.
Help __ Removes Help app.
Home screen tips __ Removes Home screen tips widget.
Homescreen __ DO NOT REMOVE UNLESS YOU HAVE A BACKUP LAUNCHER. I use TSF Shell.
How-to Videos
Ils
IMDb __ Removes IMDb app.
Magic Smoke Wallpapers __ Removes choices, not functionality.
Mobile Hotspot __ Removes Verizon Mobile Hotspot app; I use Barnacle Wifi Tether.
Modem Fastdormancy Monitor Service
ModemStatsService
MotoChineseInput __ Removes Chinese Input.
Moto Smart Handwriting
MotoCare
MotoCareInt
Motorola Dock Helper Service
Motorola Dock Service
Movie Studio __ Removes Movie Studio app.
Music Visualization Wallpapers __ Removes certain Live Wallpapers.
Netflix __ Removes Netflix app.
NFL Mobile __ Removes NFL Mobile app.
Phase Beam
Quickoffice __ Removes Quickoffice app; I use OfficeSuite Pro.
Rescue Security
Setup Wizard
Setup Wizard __ I have no idea why there are two.
SmartActions __ Removes SmartActions app.
Smartactions Android Framework __ Removes SmartActions app.
Smartactions Android Proprietary Framework __ Removes SmartActions app.
Sound Recorder __ Removes Sound Recorder app.
Sync Service
Talk __ Removes Talk app.
Updater
Vehicle Mode __ Removes Vehicle Mode app.
Verizon Login __ Removing can cause problems enabling Avast Anti-Theft, but it can be unfrozen and refrozen if you use that.
Verizon Remote Diagnostics __ Removing can cause problems enabling Avast Anti-Theft, but it can be unfrozen and refrozen if you use that.
Voice Commands __ Just removes the app -- Voice recognition still works.
Voicemail __ Removes Voicemail app; I use Google Voice.
VZ Navigator __ Removes VZ Navigator app, which has been irrelevant since the original Motorola RAZR.
VZWAPNService
VzwSecureSettingsApp
Weather
PS: About the Live Wallpapers, as long as you don't freeze Live Wallpaper Picker, you can still use them, just not the ones that are preloaded on the phone.
After all the applications removal, what is the value that was added to your phone functionality..?
itzik_man said:
After all the applications removal, what is the value that was added to your phone functionality..?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
In my opinion, these apps do not add value. That is, there is no reason to have them pre-loaded and unremovable. I remove the ones that I find better versions of, the ones that I don't use for anything, and the ones that have better alternatives. For the most part, the apps added by Motorola and Verizon add no helpful functionality (in my opinion). Like VZW adds GPS and Backup, both of which are already included and done better by Google. The most useful non-stock app on there is probably SmartActions, although I still don't use it. Basically, the reason to freeze apps is to prevent them from running when you don't want them to, thereby speeding up your phone, and to remove them from the app drawer permanently (or until you need to upgrade). The reason for uninstalling them would be the exact same, except you also have the added benefit of them not taking up space on your device's memory. Basically, if you have it and don't use it, why have it? Your phone will be smoother and more efficient without it.
That was not what I have asked you...
I understand the assumption that "these apps do not add value".
My question was practically what benefit you gain by removing (or freeze); better performance, faster UI, battery life, better connectivity..etc (more specific) ?
itzik_man said:
That was not what I have asked you...
I understand the assumption that "these apps do not add value".
My question was practically what benefit you gain by removing (or freeze); better performance, faster UI, battery life, better connectivity..etc (more specific) ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Oh, sorry, I misunderstood. It performs faster because you won't have any unwanted apps or services running in the background. Therefore your UI will be faster and smoother. You will get better battery life because again, this is taking away apps that either run constantly or periodically in the background. This does not affect connectivity. You gain all these benefits whether you freeze or uninstall. If you fully uninstall, there are pros and cons:
Pro: Saves space on Internal SD card, leaving more room for whatever you want to do with it.
Con: You can no longer do OTA (over-the-air) upgrades from Verizon, unless you restore a backup you made before uninstalling. This is really easy to do, though.
Related
I know there are lots of items to freeze (post Root Root Method Used and using Titanium Backup) here is my starting list so far. Please add to the list detail what the process is you are disabling and why if its a core application or service.
AccuWeather
AllShare
Amazon Kindle
Ap Mobile
At&T Bar Code Scanner
AT&T Hot Spots
AT&T Navigator
Buddies now
City ID
Clock 1.0
Dial Clock 1.0
Featured Apps
Home screen Tips
Kobo
Live TV
MOG Music
News & Weather
NFS Shift
Swype
Tethering Manager
Visual Voicemail
Yahoo Finance
YP
Additional apps
I'd add:
AT&T FamilyMap
AT&T Mark the Spot
AT&T Ready2Go
Days
Digital Clock (if you are using another clock app)
Dual Clock
Email (both of them - I use gmail)
Media Hub
Memo
Mini diary
Mini paper
myAT&T (maybe I installed this one - can't remember)
PressReader
TalkBack
wssyncminps (I think this is for OTA updates? Be nice if someone could confirm)
Yahoo! Finance
Zinio
awesome thanks!
[Updated 9/11] Freeze List
Combined from several posters to relocate the post to General Forum.
I know there are lots of items to freeze (post Root Root Method Used and using Titanium Backup) here is my starting list so far these are safe to freeze. Please add to the list detail what the process is you are disabling and why if its a core application or service.
AccuWeather
AllShare
Amazon Kindle
Ap Mobile
AT&T Bar Code Scanner
AT&T FamilyMap
AT&T Live TV
AT&T Ready2Go
AT&T Hot Spots (Automatically logs into FREE AT&T Hot Spots)
AT&T Navigator
Buddies now
City ID
Clock 1.0
Clock 1.1
Dial Clock 1.0
Days
Digital Clock (if you are using another clock app)
Dual Clock
Featured Apps
Home screen Tips
Kobo
Media Hub
Memo
Mini diary
Mini paper
MOG Music
MYATT
News & Weather
NFS Shift
PressReader
SNS 1.5
SNS disclaimer
SNSAccountFb
SNSAccountLi
SNSAccountTw
SnsImageCache
Swype
TalkBack
Tethering Manager
Visual Voicemail
Wssyncminps (I think this is for OTA updates? Be nice if someone could confirm)
Yahoo! Finance
YP
Zinio
Definitely a good thing to know. Crazy how long these lists can get...
I've always frozen Wifi Sharing 1.0 and Wifi Sharing manager 1.0. Pretty sure these aren't required and never known them to be an issue that I'm aware of.
All the SNS crap from Samsung is save to freeze or remove
just wondering why you want to freeze swype?
Otherwise, great list, thanks
floppy__ said:
just wondering why you want to freeze swype?
Otherwise, great list, thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Don't use it. I use Swift Keyboard.
Whats the difference between freezing and uninstalling in TiBu
hualx said:
Whats the difference between freezing and uninstalling in TiBu
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Its generally safest to freeze. When a system update gets pushed out many times you have to have all the original apps and bloat installed or it will fail. So to be safe you freeze them and when you get notified there is an update you unfreeze all the apps to be safe.
Hope this makes some sense.
I am sorry buddy. I am only 3 weeks old in android ecosystem and still trying to figure how to make things little stable. Do I need to root my phone to freeze all these apps? or if i can freeze some without rooting please lemme know how to freeze. thanks!
paparaji said:
I am sorry buddy. I am only 3 weeks old in android ecosystem and still trying to figure how to make things little stable. Do I need to root my phone to freeze all these apps? or if i can freeze some without rooting please lemme know how to freeze. thanks!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, you will need root.
To freeze the apps, you need to get the Titanium Backup app in the market. (It's one of those must have tools.) Besides backing up (obviously) you can click on a specific app to get a menu. This menu will have the freeze option. Note that you don't want the long press menu if you just want to freeze an app. Long press brings up a different menu.
Your list seems to be relative. Some people actually like AT&T Wifi hot spots. Who doesn't like free wifi?
Dumb question: What does freezing these apps do?
xiLLeNtz said:
Dumb question: What does freezing these apps do?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Freezing the app basically makes the app become completely dormant. It still resides on the phone but the system doesn't see it. It basically hides it from anything that might try to use it. You do need the paid version of Titanium Backup to use it but it's easily worth the minimal cost.
Bloat Freezer free. Will also freeze and no cost
firepro1110 said:
Bloat Freezer free. Will also freeze and no cost
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
but its nice to have the back up and other options you get from TiBu. This is pretty nice for rom users as well that want to swich around and not have to reinstall everything.
Tried to freeze Live TV . TiBU says it's frozen but the icon is still there. When I tap on it, phone says it's not installed. How do I get rid of the icon?
To get rid of the icon you'll have to uninstall the app. It says its not installed because its frozen,the system won't run that app. But the app is still on the phone. I think its best just to leave them frozen.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I727 using xda premium
prodigalOne said:
Your list seems to be relative. Some people actually like AT&T Wifi hot spots. Who doesn't like free wifi?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
A good HSPA connection is typically faster (ignoring ping) than an AT&T Hotspost unless you are standing on top of it.
Has anyone created a list of bloatware that can be removed safely for the vzw version?
I can give you a list of apps Disabled:
Allshare controller
Allshare Play
Apps (VZW)
Color
Google Play Books
Google Play Movies
Google Play Music
Google+
Kies Air
Music Hub
My Verizon Mobile
S Suggest
Samsung Account
Samsung Backup Provider
Samsung Cloud Data Relay
Samsung Cloud Syncadapters
VCAST Tones
Verizon SSO engine
VZ Navigator
Yahoo Finance
Yahoo News
I havent rooted yet, but these apps should be able to be completely removed without any negativ effect
I disabled most of those thru Application Manager! I love ICS!
That's a neat feature. I suppose now I know that I can remove them safely too. I just have to figure out how to mount system in r/w mode
If you root, and freeze whatever bloat it lets you freeze but not touch what it doesn't, you will NOT get the white unlock "I have screwed with my phone eyesore" boot screen. If you start renaming apk's that System ICS doesn't let you freeze, such as My Verizon.apk you WILL get the bootscreen white lock watermark. This does not change anything on your device, its just a way Verizon in store techs can see you have messed with the system files. Again, if you just root (at least as far as I remember) I did not have that white lock watermark untill I started renaming apk's in the /system/app folder.
Do NOT remove Samsung Setup Wizard or Setup Wizard! First off adding them back forces you to go through and reactive your headset, then run through setup again, as soon as you reboot the phone. Second, there is a possibility that renaming them is what broke my dialier and not renaming a Verizon app.
Notes:
Verizon SSO Engine - I had it renamed w/ .bak; when I renamed it to .apk Avast Virus Scan for Android reported it as MALWARE. com.motricity.verizon.ssoengine
Mobile Hot Spot - Built into settings. Even if you remove the apk's, app will show up in menu's. Icon will always be in app tray even if apk's are deleted/renamed.
Backup Assistant - Built into settings. Even if you remove the apk's, app will show up in menu's. Icon does not show up in app tray after apk deletion/rename.
My Verizon.apk has app dependencies and will not show up in the app tray unless they are also installed. Even if you add these back, the My Verizon app will not show up again. The apk will be there, but you will not be able to run the app.
Reflashed (with root system image) and it did nothing, all of my apps were still there, I still had the white unlock watermark, dialier still broken.
Did a factory reset (still using root image) and the white unlock watermark is now gone!
Dialier now works again. Still Rooted. Ok I will do a write up soon, but as of now do not start renaming bloatware in any system folder unless you want the white unlock boot watermark to show up and basic phone functionality to start breaking. I did not rename anything mission critical, just bloat like My verizon. Verizon's Security Check (virus) they have on this phone checks for Verizon apps and then starts causing problems if they have been modified.
Google Play Books and Google Play Movies need to be removed after each reboot. Anyone knows why ?
Bagbug said:
Google Play Books and Google Play Movies need to be removed after each reboot. Anyone knows why ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Freezing them does nothing, they keep coming back. I had to rename the apk's to bak's in /system/app to get them to go away for good.
Careful. I froze some stuff and now all of my voice recognition is broken, like my S-Voice but also my voice recognition when I use my keyboard (I use Swiftkey but I don't think it matters).
Rebooting seems to have fixed it, so it may be like what you guys are talking about with them coming back. So if you permanently kill that stuff and your voice recognition stops working, you now know why
I think there is a ROM with all of the 'bloat' taken out of it...
akdoyle said:
I think there is a ROM with all of the 'bloat' taken out of it...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
here:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1759642
bumping this thread for hopefully more apps that can be frozen with zero effects on other apps
Thalinor said:
If you root, and freeze whatever bloat it lets you freeze but not touch what it doesn't, you will NOT get the white unlock "I have screwed with my phone eyesore" boot screen. If you start renaming apk's that System ICS doesn't let you freeze, such as My Verizon.apk you WILL get the bootscreen white lock watermark. This does not change anything on your device, its just a way Verizon in store techs can see you have messed with the system files. Again, if you just root (at least as far as I remember) I did not have that white lock watermark untill I started renaming apk's in the /system/app folder.
Do NOT remove Samsung Setup Wizard or Setup Wizard! First off adding them back forces you to go through and reactive your headset, then run through setup again, as soon as you reboot the phone. Second, there is a possibility that renaming them is what broke my dialier and not renaming a Verizon app.
Notes:
Verizon SSO Engine - I had it renamed w/ .bak; when I renamed it to .apk Avast Virus Scan for Android reported it as MALWARE. com.motricity.verizon.ssoengine
Mobile Hot Spot - Built into settings. Even if you remove the apk's, app will show up in menu's. Icon will always be in app tray even if apk's are deleted/renamed.
Backup Assistant - Built into settings. Even if you remove the apk's, app will show up in menu's. Icon does not show up in app tray after apk deletion/rename.
My Verizon.apk has app dependencies and will not show up in the app tray unless they are also installed. Even if you add these back, the My Verizon app will not show up again. The apk will be there, but you will not be able to run the app.
Reflashed (with root system image) and it did nothing, all of my apps were still there, I still had the white unlock watermark, dialier still broken.
Did a factory reset (still using root image) and the white unlock watermark is now gone!
Dialier now works again. Still Rooted. Ok I will do a write up soon, but as of now do not start renaming bloatware in any system folder unless you want the white unlock boot watermark to show up and basic phone functionality to start breaking. I did not rename anything mission critical, just bloat like My verizon. Verizon's Security Check (virus) they have on this phone checks for Verizon apps and then starts causing problems if they have been modified.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
can you show an image of this watermark
Hey, guys, when I get my S3 on Wednesday, I'm going to root it ASAP.
I want to remove as much bloatware as I can without losing the cool and useful things Samsung has added to their UI. Like S-voice the eyeball watching thing, the gestures etc are all things I want to keep.
What I don't want is verizon nag screens and useless apps and adware that they put on.
Any suggestions or point me to a thread where this is already talked about?
Geez No response yet? I would like to know this as well....
Id like to know to. In the mean time, I just hid them. There was only 4 apps from VZ and the only one that I use is the mobile hotspot app.
VZ mobile, apps, and nav are hidden and never seem to show up in my running apps.
I've froze in titanium backup without issue so far...
Allshare (All 3 of them)
Amazon Kindle
Apps 3.05.78
ColorGoogle+
Guided Tours
Keis air (Both)
Media Hub
Music Hub
S Suggest
S Voice
Samsung Account
V Cast Tones
Voicemail
VPN Client
VZ Nav
Yahoo (both)
Do either of the Kies apps need to be enabled in order to receive OTA updates?
I would recommend using an app like Titanium Backup that has the capability to freeze applications rather than deleting them, so you can play around with it and disable what you don't use or don't like.
I also recommend using the standard ICS application disabling capabilities first, then using a solution like Titanium Backup for those apps that cannot normally be disabled.
For the record, on my Verizon S3 I have roughly 30 applications frozen/disabled.
I actually worked in the opposite direction. I flashed the stripped version onto my phone and then manually added back the apps that I wanted to keep via Root Explorer. The only apps that I added back were Divx, Video Player, and Music FX. The phone runs fast and battery life has been GODLIKE.
Stripped ROM thread:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1759642
Sometimes I notice my phone gets warm and when I bring up a task manager (from system tuner pro) I see the same apps are causing problems.
Pulse news reader
Amazon app store
Groupon
The thing is, if I didn’t use my phone 24/7 I would never notice these apps running because I think they close within an hr or so once it "does whatever it does" ….
But im ALWAYS on my phone - so i do notice it..
How can I disable any/all services associated with the apps – and make sure that they only run when I open the program – and the second I close them – the services stop as well not to turn back on till i open the app again?
I don’t want to run a task manager/auto kill program =(
Thank you!
ROM Cleaner should do the trick. Ask in their thread if you have problems, they are very friendly and helpful. Sorry, just reread and realized you said disable. ROM Cleaner removes the apps you don't want, including system apps. I just get rid of all the junk after flashing a new ROM and it runs cool and smooth.
To disable, use Titanium backup and freeze those apps.
A few people have asked what apps you can freeze without causing ill effects after root. Below is a list of apps I successfully froze using Titanium Backup. I have not seen any ill effects from these and all have been frozen since WeakSauce was released. I will not say that everyone will have the same experience as I have had so please, make your own decision on what you want to freeze.
Obviously, you may use some of the applications listed below and freezing them removes them from your app drawer. There may be others not listed here that I use. I included build numbers for some apps as there may be multiple apps with the same/similar name.
Accessories 10
Amazon App Suite
Amazon Kindle
Amazon MP3
Audible
Calendar 6.0.744640
Calender widget 6.0.728348
Caller Name ID
Cloud
Facebook for HTC Sense 6.0
FM RadioService
Games
HTC Get Started
HTC Sync Manager
HTC Sync Manager Package Installer
Icon glossary
Instagram
Every Keyboard except English US
Key VPN
KeyVPNService
Kid Mode
Messages 6.0.748900
My Infozone
NFL Mobile
Play Games
Polaris Office
Setup Wizard 1.3
Setup Wizard 6.0.752284
Slacker Radio
Tips & Help 6.0.736140
Update HTC Blinkfeed 1.0.742926
Updater 6.0.74111
Verizon Location Agent
Verizon Login
Verizon Mesages
Verizon Support & Protection
Verizon Tones
Visual VM
VMware Ready
VZ Navigator
ZOE
Font 1.0 (Looks like Chinese/Japanese font)
Basically what I have done without any root, just using the app manager included stock. Does this not do the same thing? Disable I think it is? I basically disabled all Verizon, Amazon, NFL, apps that came bloatware.
Have you noticed any difdrence in battery performance since doing this from before? I did this from day one so can't really compare a difference myself. I can say battery is amazing g in which I can take it off the charger at 5:30am and around 3pm still have around 60% battery after being on 4g LTE, Bluetooth connected, texts, emails, calls, lots of tapatalk, some dead trigger 2. My last device under same work load would have 0% battery in same time frame.
Sweet, 83 apps of bloatware removed.
Thank you!!!
This is great. Thanks for compiling the list!