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If it helps, hit thanks!
Hello, read a lot of threads regarding lag during UI usage and especially keyboard and messaging, which i too experienced stock. My GS4 is now absolutely lag free, and underclocked too. Here is what i did...
Root phone (need this for some of the features on some apps)
Titanium Backup (need to freeze some apps)
disable S-Voice (i never used it; i always feel weird talking to or being talked to by a machine anyways)
disable Google Now (i never use it anyways; its a pain to get to and i dont use any of the social networking or news feeds either)
Disable TouchWiz Home
LagFix app (i have pro, mine is scheduled to run once a night)
If anyone cares, i will post my SetCPU settings as well, but on stock or even powersave it should run VERY quick. My phone is Korean, my GF's is Chinese; NEITHER has a bit of lag. I dont use any AT&T services, mobile print services, allshare/screen sharing, Google+/Facebook (or any social networks actually) so i have all of that disabled, but the main advantages come from disabling S Voice, Google Now, using LagFix app and TouchWiz Home
My Freeze list has other apps frozen you may not have, or i may have some frozen that i dont use but you do; they are all safe to freeze
Titanium Backup Freeze list...
AllShare ControlShare Service
AllShare FileShare Service
AT&T DriveMode
AT&T FamilyMap
AT&T Hot Spots
AT&T Locker
AT&T Navigator
AT&T Smart Wi-Fi
DirectShare Manager
EasyMode
EpsonPrintService
FaceUnlock
FlipBoard
Gmail (i use K-9 to get them from my own servers)
Google Play Books
Google Play Magazines
Google Play Movies
Google Play Music
Google Play services
Google Search 1.0 (widget bar icon)
Google Search 2.5.8xxx (big blue 'G' icon)
Google+
Group Play
HolaARM6
HP Print Service
Kies via Wi-Fi
Mobile Print
Mobile TV
MobilePrintSvc_CUPS
MobilePrintSvc_CUPS_Backend
MyAT&T
S Health (stopped working after root anyways)
S Voice
Samsung Apps
Samsung Apps Widget
Samsung Calender SyncAdapter
Samsung Cloud Data Relay
Samsung Cloud Quota
Samsung Contact SyncAdapter
Samsung Games
Samsung Knox
Samsung Music
Samsung Keyboard
Samsung Print Service
Samsung Push Service
Samsung WatchOn
SNS (facebook, i dont use it)
Swype
TouchWiz Home (use another launcher first!)
Wallet (doesn't work on mine and nowhere to use it)
Yahoo! Finance
Yahoo! News
YP Mobile
wow 296 views and no responses? really?
Well first off thanks for all of your helpful input.
But this post and many others just beg a huge question to me.
"Why do you have a Samsung device if youre completely removing Samsung services?"
Even many Android ones for that matter
I just find it odd.
But regardless your tips are quite useful, though i wont use all of those.
Whats this lagfree app you speak of?
coffeehandle said:
Well first off thanks for all of your helpful input.
But this post and many others just beg a huge question to me.
"Why do you have a Samsung device if youre completely removing Samsung services?"
Even many Android ones for that matter
I just find it odd.
But regardless your tips are quite useful, though i wont use all of those.
Whats this lagfree app you speak of?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
LagFix from Google Play Store.
I am NOT completely removing Samsung services, i only have the ones i dont use totally disabled. I use SmartStay all the time and Multiwindow sometimes, but i never use S Voice (or any voice recognition software; if i cant pay full attention to my phone without detriment i dont use it), and i dont use/like google now. I also dont use any social networks, S Health (which hasnt worked since i rooted), etc. Thats just me.
This is a 'safe to freeze' list, but freezing S Voice, TouchWiz Home, Easy Mode (home) and Google Now have a HUGE impact on reducing lag on stock ROM/Kernel. If you look, i disabled a LOT of Google apps too; i have physical books, and dont use google play to buy movies/tv shows/music; id rather buy and load them (automatically) myself so i can use them on more than one device.
i disabled everything i dont use, but S Voice and Google Now made the greatest impact on lag; Its totally gone. I dont like to have any processes ill never use running or visible; i prefer a very simple clean interface and list of apps; again thats me.
Basically, the best of stock android with the samsung add-ons i like and use is all that i want, and not a kilobyte more.
Slade8525 said:
LagFix from Google Play Store.
I am NOT completely removing Samsung services, i only have the ones i dont use totally disabled. I use SmartStay all the time and Multiwindow sometimes, but i never use S Voice (or any voice recognition software; if i cant pay full attention to my phone without detriment i dont use it), and i dont use/like google now. I also dont use any social networks, S Health (which hasnt worked since i rooted), etc. Thats just me.
This is a 'safe to freeze' list, but freezing S Voice, TouchWiz Home, Easy Mode (home) and Google Now have a HUGE impact on reducing lag on stock ROM/Kernel. If you look, i disabled a LOT of Google apps too; i have physical books, and dont use google play to buy movies/tv shows/music; id rather buy and load them (automatically) myself so i can use them on more than one device.
i disabled everything i dont use, but S Voice and Google Now made the greatest impact on lag; Its totally gone. I dont like to have any processes ill never use running or visible; i prefer a very simple clean interface and list of apps; again thats me.
Basically, the best of stock android with the samsung add-ons i like and use is all that i want, and not a kilobyte more.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
ah ok. That makes a little more sense. Wel when i get my 32 gig (hopefully by friday) i think ill try freezing Svoice. I do enjoy Google Now though. its pretty neat. But i agree with you on Svoice. I wouldnt have thought it would make an impact. But ill take your word on it haha
Slade8525 said:
LagFix from Google Play Store.
I am NOT completely removing Samsung services, i only have the ones i dont use totally disabled. I use SmartStay all the time and Multiwindow sometimes, but i never use S Voice (or any voice recognition software; if i cant pay full attention to my phone without detriment i dont use it), and i dont use/like google now. I also dont use any social networks, S Health (which hasnt worked since i rooted), etc. Thats just me.
This is a 'safe to freeze' list, but freezing S Voice, TouchWiz Home, Easy Mode (home) and Google Now have a HUGE impact on reducing lag on stock ROM/Kernel. If you look, i disabled a LOT of Google apps too; i have physical books, and dont use google play to buy movies/tv shows/music; id rather buy and load them (automatically) myself so i can use them on more than one device.
i disabled everything i dont use, but S Voice and Google Now made the greatest impact on lag; Its totally gone. I dont like to have any processes ill never use running or visible; i prefer a very simple clean interface and list of apps; again thats me.
Basically, the best of stock android with the samsung add-ons i like and use is all that i want, and not a kilobyte more.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Interesting info but I never notice an increase in lag when I turn Google Now on. I disable(haven't rooted0 most of the apps you freeze including S Voice, run Nova Launcher over Touchwiz and have never had a problem with lag on this phone.
coffeehandle said:
ah ok. That makes a little more sense. Wel when i get my 32 gig (hopefully by friday) i think ill try freezing Svoice. I do enjoy Google Now though. its pretty neat. But i agree with you on Svoice. I wouldnt have thought it would make an impact. But ill take your word on it haha
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
oh but it does; same with freezing TouchWiz Home and Easy Mode/Home
NovaSense said:
Interesting info but I never notice an increase in lag when I turn Google Now on. I disable(haven't rooted0 most of the apps you freeze including S Voice, run Nova Launcher over Touchwiz and have never had a problem with lag on this phone.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Google Now is the least lag-adding; its negligible. S Voice, TouchWiz Home, and EasyMode/Home are the worst for it. Why they create so much lag i dont know, i dont use them, so therefor i dont care. I have a Korean S4, my GF has a Chinese S4; neither of us have lag after we disabled those three.
I run WAY underclocked; with SetCPU, 384 minimum, 1242 max Mhz. Slight lag coming out of deep sleep/idle for a long time, but ZERO lag in messaging with stock or GoSMSpro, and no problems with high end games (dont play them, just wanted to see if underclocking would create issues/crashes. they dont).
Like i said, if you disable all the things you dont/wont use, it will help. There is a LOT i dont use, but S Voice/TouchWiz/EasyMode made the biggest difference; more than everything else combined.
What about these?
Blurb checkout
Epsonprintservice
Gallery if using 3rd party like QuickPic
Samsung apps widget
com.androidproviders.partnerbookmarks
Samsung hub uodater
Story album widget
Travel 1.0
Travel widget 1.0
All calendar stuff ie if using 3rd party like Jorte
Direct connect manager 3.0
Easy settings.
Key chain (Wtf is this?)
Mobile print
Nearby devices
Nearby service
Picasa uploader
Also, freezing Samsung apps may prevent you from getting updates to WatchON, s health etc.
I mean, you could freeze the living piss out of this phone. But there comes a point, where if you're going to freeze all the bloat, why not just flash a deodexed debloated rom like ib4st1ds. The only stuff I have frozen is what I've seen running..
Keep up the good work slade. Nice to see people trying to help others.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using Tapatalk 2
Planktron said:
What about these?
Blurb checkout
Epsonprintservice
Gallery if using 3rd party like QuickPic
Samsung apps widget
com.androidproviders.partnerbookmarks
Samsung hub uodater
Story album widget
Travel 1.0
Travel widget 1.0
All calendar stuff ie if using 3rd party like Jorte
Direct connect manager 3.0
Easy settings.
Key chain (Wtf is this?)
Mobile print
Nearby devices
Nearby service
Picasa uploader
Also, freezing Samsung apps may prevent you from getting updates to WatchON, s health etc.
I mean, you could freeze the living piss out of this phone. But there comes a point, where if you're going to freeze all the bloat, why not just flash a deodexed debloated rom like ib4st1ds. The only stuff I have frozen is what I've seen running..
Keep up the good work slade. Nice to see people trying to help others.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using Tapatalk 2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Personally i never ran into this "lag" mess some unlucky few experience.
What S4 do you guys have... mine doesn't lag... is mine faulty
~ Taylor_Swift
Sent from my Samsung Galaxy Note II GT-N7100 using XDA Premium HD
Taylor_Swift said:
What S4 do you guys have... mine doesn't lag... is mine faulty
~ Taylor_Swift
Sent from my Samsung Galaxy Note II GT-N7100 using XDA Premium HD
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Mine doesn't lag as well. Damn got the faulty batch. Also, I froze all the ATT crap but I still have some Samsung apps like S-health, watch on and stuff. I also froze google apps like Google books, music etc as I noticed Google music was always running. Don't know about lag but it also helps with battery....
viny2cool said:
Mine doesn't lag as well. Damn got the faulty batch. Also, I froze all the ATT crap but I still have some Samsung apps like S-health, watch on and stuff. I also froze google apps like Google books, music etc as I noticed Google music was always running. Don't know about lag but it also helps with battery....
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
First thing I did was run stock deodexed. Turned S Voice off from home button and turned the animator scales to 0.5x. Its very fast lol.
~ Taylor_Swift
Sent from my Samsung Galaxy Note II GT-N7100 using XDA Premium HD
Thanks OP. That home button thing really sped things up.
On a side note just a heads up to anyone going on a freezing spree. I noticed when I froze Samsung syncadapters 2.5.6 I was not able to send mms pics anymore.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using xda app-developers app
viny2cool said:
Mine doesn't lag as well. Damn got the faulty batch. Also, I froze all the ATT crap but I still have some Samsung apps like S-health, watch on and stuff. I also froze google apps like Google books, music etc as I noticed Google music was always running. Don't know about lag but it also helps with battery....
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I received my AT&T SGH-I337 yesterday, I can’t believe how lag it is, I’m comparing it with an S3, and it’s totally worst, I spec that disabling this thing helps. thx.
Hi peeps...
I'm currently running the hexagon stock modified rom and i was wondering what stuff i can remove without screwing it up???
I pulled a few bits n pieces out like the weather stuff and google maps and gmail using link2sd and it ran fine for a while then something went wrong and the phone would lock up if the screen went off...
I would like to strip everything down to the bare minimum... I use my kindle fire for 90% of stuff now... All i want is basic phone functions, a twitter client, skype and emails... Plus tethering and gps.... And play store for updates
I'm considering changing sense for something else too if theres anything smaller and quicker...
Any tips would be welcome! Thx in advance!
Almost forgot... Can i delete the internet browser and install firefox to replace it rather than install it alongside?
shugs81 said:
Hi peeps...
I'm currently running the hexagon stock modified rom and i was wondering what stuff i can remove without screwing it up???
I pulled a few bits n pieces out like the weather stuff and google maps and gmail using link2sd and it ran fine for a while then something went wrong and the phone would lock up if the screen went off...
I would like to strip everything down to the bare minimum... I use my kindle fire for 90% of stuff now... All i want is basic phone functions, a twitter client, skype and emails... Plus tethering and gps.... And play store for updates
I'm considering changing sense for something else too if theres anything smaller and quicker...
Any tips would be welcome! Thx in advance!
Almost forgot... Can i delete the internet browser and install firefox to replace it rather than install it alongside?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
you can delete usually many apps like weather, stocks, mirror, calculator, browser, facebook, even search, mail,dictionary, gmail and talk. However, some apps are linked with others like contacts is merged with messaging so removing one might affect another. I will not delete any app that you can not see in app drawer and neither delete an app which i think might be integrated with another one!
You can also remove camera
So as much as I find the latest version of TouchWiz to look great, I still feel like there are two OSes installed together on my phone, like it's always been the case with Samsung devices. So I'm pondering installing LineageOS. From what I gather, it's still in its infancy. So I'm a bit scared of tripping Knox permanently and regretting it.
Also, except if I read the 100+ pages of the thread about it, I can't find an exhaustive list of known issues and problems. But I have read some things that worry me:
Mediocre call quality
Mediocre camera quality
Volume problems on the speaker
Bluetooth issues
No OTA updates
Are those real? I'd like to have feedback from a relative long-time user.
Thanks
With 7.0 Nougat, I find combining Nova Launcher with the new Nougat UI works well and together they feel much more like one OS
It's their TouchWiz Launcher that is out of place, big, clunky, awkward, slapped on the front of a nice tight-knit settings panel and other good looking parts of the UI just doesn't match, but replace TW launcher with Nova and you have a nice fluid OS IMO
*Detection* said:
With 7.0 Nougat, I find combining Nova Launcher with the new Nougat UI works well and together they feel much more like one OS
It's their TouchWiz Launcher that is out of place, big, clunky, awkward, slapped on the front of a nice tight-knit settings panel and other good looking parts of the UI just doesn't match, but replace TW launcher with Nova and you have a nice fluid OS IMO
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That but also the apps and data that come with them. The Samsung calendar that they impose even though you can't use neither the calendar or the tasks on another device (like a computer). But it's there and you have to deal with it (and even in the Google Calendar app, the Samsung calendar is there). Their bloody useless browser. But most of all I miss the slide to left for Google Now. With that I had the impression of using an Google device. Now I feel like it's there somewhere but behind a wall of crap. Yet the device itself is amazing. Honestly if I could afford it I would have gotten a Pixel. I'm not one for skins. But TouchWiz is very good now and light now. I just wish I could get rid of everything Samsung and/or that the Google Now Launcher wasn't going away (or that the Pixel Launcher was available).
Prosis said:
That but also the apps and data that come with them. The Samsung calendar that they impose even though you can't use neither the calendar or the tasks on another device (like a computer). But it's there and you have to deal with it (and even in the Google Calendar app, the Samsung calendar is there). Their bloody useless browser. But most of all I miss the slide to left for Google Now. With that I had the impression of using an Google device. Now I feel like it's there somewhere but behind a wall of crap. Yet the device itself is amazing. Honestly if I could afford it I would have gotten a Pixel. I'm not one for skins. But TouchWiz is very good now and light now. I just wish I could get rid of everything Samsung and/or that the Google Now Launcher wasn't going away (or that the Pixel Launcher was available).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You can always use package disabler pro to get rid of calendars and other apps you don't want to use, and install preferred apps from the play store or wherever you can find the APK
Pixel Launcher is available as an APK from apkmirror.com
http://www.apkmirror.com/apk/google-inc/pixel-launcher/
But yea, if you're looking for a stock Android experience, you don't buy Samsung, everyone knows about TouchWiz and Sammy's bloat lol
Prosis said:
That but also the apps and data that come with them. The Samsung calendar that they impose even though you can't use neither the calendar or the tasks on another device (like a computer). But it's there and you have to deal with it (and even in the Google Calendar app, the Samsung calendar is there). Their bloody useless browser. But most of all I miss the slide to left for Google Now. With that I had the impression of using an Google device. Now I feel like it's there somewhere but behind a wall of crap. Yet the device itself is amazing. Honestly if I could afford it I would have gotten a Pixel. I'm not one for skins. But TouchWiz is very good now and light now. I just wish I could get rid of everything Samsung and/or that the Google Now Launcher wasn't going away (or that the Pixel Launcher was available).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You lost me at "Their bloody useless browser." It is a very smooth browser with ad block and Samsung pass features.
paralnova said:
You lost me at "Their bloody useless browser." It is a very smooth browser with ad block and Samsung pass features.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No doubt about that. My problem with that broswer is the same as the calendar: it can only be used on Samsung mobile devices. If I could have my calendar and tasks on a PC (without having to sync it with SmartSwitch) then I'd use it. I can access my bookmarks on Chrome on mobile whereas that wouldn't be possible with the Samsung browser.
In other words I wouldn't mind using Samsung's apps at all as they are not bad in themselves but they're not as useful Google's apps.
Prosis said:
No doubt about that. My problem with that broswer is the same as the calendar: it can only be used on Samsung mobile devices. If I could have my calendar and tasks on a PC (without having to sync it with SmartSwitch) then I'd use it. I can access my bookmarks on Chrome on mobile whereas that wouldn't be possible with the Samsung browser.
In other words I wouldn't mind using Samsung's apps at all as they are not bad in themselves but they're not as useful Google's apps.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You're right. Google is miles ahead in terms of synchronization.
paralnova said:
You're right. Google is miles ahead in terms of synchronization.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Indeed! Samsung's still in the first iPod model: plug it in a PC and sync. That's bad in 2017. It's a half-assed ecosystem. I do hope the S8 and Bixby do a better job but I don't think so given even Bixby is just a layer over Google Assitant.
Trying to make up my mind which ones do you, Outlook or Gmail, keyboard, excetera. Samsung likes to have a ton of duplicate apps oh, I'm curious as to which ones you think are extremely useful and which ones are the ones you get rid of first?
I use Outlook, alternate between keyboard. I use samsung calendar, health and messages because of watch. I use samsung file manager. I do not use their video player or music player. I do use samsung internet for browser.
Sent from my SM-N986U1 using Tapatalk
Thank you, I think watching. I am mostly happy with the stock Samsung keyboard compared to SwiftKey but I keep going back and trying it. I missed the Gmail app after having all of my accounts on Outlook. I might be willing to try it again.
All those samsung apps are just pure leaches. It's clear to me that samsung is challenging google in a few areas of the business. For nearly every google process app , there's also a samsung version also running or installed. Gradually increasing their own eco system. Pi$$ take.
Outlook, never again. It was a terror on my XP machines. It was always the weak link.
Just the name puts a shiver down my spine.
Gmail stopped the malware/virus/spam carnage cold.
In 12+ years I've never had a malware issue with Gmail other than Google screwing it up; that they do quit well.
For me it's simple and obvious after a few days of use of Samsung phone, VS years of experience with anything else.
Samsung apps are rubbish. Period.
The keyboard junk? unable to uninstall it, even after installing GBoard. It's full of links to other junkware from Samsung like these emoticons apps and garbage. Those ones are gone.
The "File manager app"? lol. junkware with "added feature" like "analyse storage", and other unwanted useless garbage.
Even in the customization, theres's some link to junk shop to buy some theme related custom junk. Paying 3 USD to get a stupid picture on my phone?
I want to use the features, without my phone turning into an ads device. I want in the themes to select some, eventually from my own media, without having to go to Samsung junk. I want my keyboard to be a useful keyboard without being a link to paying garbage and other apps.
I did not buy that junk phone, got it free from work. Good experience, there is no way I would even pay more than 100 USD for that garbage. No wait, I should even be paid to use that junk which attempts to make me pay for using my own phone, my own device at every single steps.
Long live LineageOS, PixelExperience, and the likes: Android native roms without parasite apps at every single steps.
I removed around 50 junks from Samsung, I should even be more aggressive next time (when Android 11 will be there) because it's horrible.
It would have been much easier to even start from scratch (ie custom rom) rather than trying to take back control from that Samsung horrible ROM, since it's soo many dependencies and unwanted junk.
Samsung surely make money that way. I find this phone and junk installed offensive. It's so bad it's beyond anything acceptable. And I'm the fool on the "purchasing side" (well again, I did not pay for that). I mean it's Samsung device or mine? Certainly gives me a very bad opinion of Samsung, their business model and quality is very clear, so are their intentions. Not for me.
Hmm, oddly enough I use all Google apps. I've learned on my previous phone that if you want the best performance, use all Google apps haha.
I've already removed just about every Samsung app from this phone, all the way from the phone and message apps through the utility apps (clock, calculator, calendar etc).
I was having problems with my Note 20 Ultra since I got it two days before launch, but after finally getting to do a factory reset, it looks like most of those issues have been resolved and weren't related to the Samsung app removal.
I prefer Google Messages, Google Calendar, Google Phone, and GBoard. Using ADB, I was able to uninstall most Samsung bloat. The Samsung Contacts and Calculator apps are the only ones I find superior to the Google ones. Using HEX Installer, I was able to install an AOSP theme to get a more clean look and get rid of Samsung's overly rounded UI.
Hello.
I plan to turn my phone as "dumb" as possible, leaving only apps that are absolutely necessary and practical, essentially making my phone as minimalistic, simple and distraction free while at the same time maximizing the hurdle to install new apps due to the lack of willpower aswell as the general battery life.
I have the POCO F1 with LineageOS 19.1, root is currently enabled via Magisk.
I considered just buying a regular dumb phone, but unfortunately I do not feel they are worth it; plus I'd want to still use Spotify.
I'd greatly appreciate ideas/solutions for this particular project. Thank you in advance!
EnigmaticLife said:
Hello.
I plan to turn my phone as "dumb" as possible, leaving only apps that are absolutely necessary and practical, essentially making my phone as minimalistic, simple and distraction free while at the same time maximizing the hurdle to install new apps due to the lack of willpower aswell as the general battery life.
I have the POCO F1 with LineageOS 19.1, root is currently enabled via Magisk.
I considered just buying a regular dumb phone, but unfortunately I do not feel they are worth it; plus I'd want to still use Spotify.
I'd greatly appreciate ideas/solutions for this particular project. Thank you in advance!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What you'd like to do isn't really "dumbing down" XD - it is simply making a "barebones Android" phone with only the apps/functions you need without usual bloat that comes preinstalled on the new devices. This is in fact something a lot of people on XDA are passionate about, as it helps optimize for space, speed, battery life and privacy.
For the Android phone to be considered usable in modern day and age, it needs a handful of apps:
Dialer
SMS messenger
Contacts
File manager
Gallery
Clock
Calendar
Calculator
Web browser
Camera
Installing vanilla LineageOS rom (or any other rom with no GoogleApps) will give you this default Android experience. For 99% of tasks that do not involve Google this is enough.
However, most people want something more than just a dialer, and so phone manufacturers pre-install some other stuff for them: Google (play store, chrome, maps, drive, mail), Payment (Samsung Pay), Gallery/Music apps, social media apps, fancy wallpapers etc. This is what makes the phone "smart" for you, I guess?
In case you want to cut it down further, you can use adb to remove certain apps from this list. This includes certain system apps too, like unnecessary fonts or accessibility services (web search is your friend here). Theoretically the phone can serve as a GSM calling brick only with the following:
Dialer
SMS messenger
Contacts
But then you'd be doing the hardware a misservice - why lug around Octa-core 8GB RAM 4000mAh HD TFT6.1" 999GB device if you could achieve the same with a Nokia 1100 or 3310? These are still being sold
UPDATE: Just saw your additions about Spotify. If you only want to use the phone for Calling/Web browsing/YouTube/Spotify, go with the "Install No GApps LineageOS -> Sideload apps you need and nothing else".
Word of WARNING though: a lot of popular messaging/steraming/quality of life (maps) apps APSOLUTELY DEPEND on google ecosystem (i.e. GApps like google play, google play services and google services framework).
WITHOUT GOOGLE THESE APPS WILL LIKELY CRASH or won't work as intended. I.e. Whatsapp will not give you "New message" notifications and will not ring UNLESS you have it open in your face right when the call comes in. Delivery/Ride sharing apps that need google maps will not show you the map. Facebook messenger will has the same problem as Whatsapp. List of risks is far too long, and you will need to have an idea of whether the app requires google and whatsnot.
Therefore Make absolutely sure that barebones phone is what you want. If it is, a lot of apps that reliably work with the barebones setups can be found on Fdroid.
Despite having "dumb" in the name, this procedure requires one to be amazingly smart about it
To conclude, you have the following ways of achieving this:
1. Install no-Gapps (i.e. "vanilla") lineageOs, delete what you wont need, sideload .apk of apps you are after
2. Install stock android rom, then Degoogle and Debloat it. Guides for your particular model can be found here on XDA
3. Install SlimROM, a custom Android distro whose developers had the same idea as you did, i.e. optimized for simplicity.
Totesnochill said:
What you'd like to do isn't really "dumbing down" XD - it is simply making a "barebones Android" phone with only the apps/functions you need without usual bloat that comes preinstalled on the new devices. This is in fact something a lot of people on XDA are passionate about, as it helps optimize for space, speed, battery life and privacy.
For the Android phone to be considered usable in modern day and age, it needs a handful of apps:
Dialer
SMS messenger
Contacts
File manager
Gallery
Clock
Calendar
Calculator
Web browser
Camera
Installing vanilla LineageOS rom (or any other rom with no GoogleApps) will give you this default Android experience. For 99% of tasks that do not involve Google this is enough.
However, most people want something more than just a dialer, and so phone manufacturers pre-install some other stuff for them: Google (play store, chrome, maps, drive, mail), Payment (Samsung Pay), Gallery/Music apps, social media apps, fancy wallpapers etc. This is what makes the phone "smart" for you, I guess?
In case you want to cut it down further, you can use adb to remove certain apps from this list. This includes certain system apps too, like unnecessary fonts or accessibility services (web search is your friend here). Theoretically the phone can serve as a GSM calling brick only with the following:
Dialer
SMS messenger
Contacts
But then you'd be doing the hardware a misservice - why lug around Octa-core 8GB RAM 4000mAh HD TFT6.1" 999GB device if you could achieve the same with a Nokia 1100 or 3310? These are still being sold
UPDATE: Just saw your additions about Spotify. If you only want to use the phone for Calling/Web browsing/YouTube/Spotify, go with the "Install No GApps LineageOS -> Sideload apps you need and nothing else".
Word of WARNING though: a lot of popular messaging/steraming/quality of life (maps) apps APSOLUTELY DEPEND on google ecosystem (i.e. GApps like google play, google play services and google services framework).
WITHOUT GOOGLE THESE APPS WILL LIKELY CRASH or won't work as intended. I.e. Whatsapp will not give you "New message" notifications and will not ring UNLESS you have it open in your face right when the call comes in. Delivery/Ride sharing apps that need google maps will not show you the map. Facebook messenger will has the same problem as Whatsapp. List of risks is far too long, and you will need to have an idea of whether the app requires google and whatsnot.
Therefore Make absolutely sure that barebones phone is what you want. If it is, a lot of apps that reliably work with the barebones setups can be found on Fdroid.
Despite having "dumb" in the name, this procedure requires one to be amazingly smart about it
To conclude, you have the following ways of achieving this:
1. Install no-Gapps (i.e. "vanilla") lineageOs, delete what you wont need, sideload .apk of apps you are after
2. Install stock android rom, then Degoogle and Debloat it. Guides for your particular model can be found here on XDA
3. Install SlimROM, a custom Android distro whose developers had the same idea as you did, i.e. optimized for simplicity.
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This is really interesting. I am thinking of trying to do this with a Google pixel 4a. Would I be able to do the lineage OS with that? I haven't found other threads that speak on this topic, am I right? Thinking that I would like to customize exactly what apps I have on the phone etc.
LineageOS for Google Pixel 4a exists:
LineageOS Downloads
download.lineageos.org