Uninstalling Google system apps... - Nexus 5 Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting

Hey guys,
Dumb question that I'm pretty sure I know the answer to, but I'll ask anyway just to double check:
Stock, rooted N5: Can I use TiBu to uninstall Google apps that are pre installed as system apps, then turn around and install those same apps through the Play Store as regular user apps? Any ill effects to this? Primarily looking at Google Music, so I can then Greenify it once it's installed as a regular app. Everything I know tells me this is fine but it never hurts to ask, right? May do the same with Keep, Currents, G+, etc...
Thanks in advance

slider112 said:
Hey guys,
Dumb question that I'm pretty sure I know the answer to, but I'll ask anyway just to double check:
Stock, rooted N5: Can I use TiBu to uninstall Google apps that are pre installed as system apps, then turn around and install those same apps through the Play Store as regular user apps? Any ill effects to this? Primarily looking at Google Music, so I can then Greenify it once it's installed as a regular app. Everything I know tells me this is fine but it never hurts to ask, right? May do the same with Keep, Currents, G+, etc...
Thanks in advance
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yep, you can uninstall Google apps, like music, plus, magazine, etc... and download as user apps, then greenify them.
I removed some them on day 1 when was on stock and now whenever I flash a new Rom with Gapps. Just be careful with what you choose. I recommend to first back them up then if everything is fine, delete backups.

GUGUITOMTG4 said:
Yep, you can uninstall Google apps, like music, plus, magazine, etc... and download as user apps, then greenify them.
I removed some them on day 1 when was on stock and now whenever I flash a new Rom with Gapps. Just be careful with what you choose. I recommend to first back them up then if everything is fine, delete backups.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Great, thanks for confirming. Just gonna stick to the basics, but will back up through TiBu first as a precaution. Google Music was at the forefront because at times it runs in the background when bluetooth is turned on. It was either go this route or purchase the full version of Greenify so I could hibernate all system apps. Greenify is well worth the support, but would rather just de-clutter things this way.
Thanks again, much appreciated. :good:

Don't delete. Freeze. There is nothing to gain by deleting
Sent from my Nexus 5 using Tapatalk

You lose OTA ability if you outright delete.
Like was stated, freeze them. If you were going to uninstall them through Titanium anyway.....
Sent from my Nexus 5 using xda app-developers app

rootSU said:
Don't delete. Freeze. There is nothing to gain by deleting
Sent from my Nexus 5 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So freeze Google Music as a system app, then install as a user app from the play store? Seems kind of redundant. I understand that logic and have followed that for other system apps in the past on other devices, but is that really the preferred method if I'm only dealing with Google apps that were installed as system apps from the factory, only by default, and can be easily reinstalled via the play store? Oh, and I'm running Franco's kernel so the OTA capability ship has already sailed anyway...

slider112 said:
So freeze Google Music as a system app, then install as a user app from the play store? Seems kind of redundant. I understand that logic and have followed that for other system apps in the past on other devices, but is that really the preferred method if I'm only dealing with Google apps that were installed as system apps from the factory, only by default, and can be easily reinstalled via the play store? Oh, and I'm running Franco's kernel so the OTA capability ship has already sailed anyway...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Why would you then install it as a user app? System apps that are also available in play can still be updated via play anyway.

rootSU said:
Why would you then install it as a user app? System apps that are also available in play can still be updated via play anyway.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, I know that. So I can greenify it. Google Music will run in the background once bluetooth is turned on. Can't greenify system apps with the basic app, so for that particular app I think this would be the easiest method.

Ah well, yep. Non-donators are forced to do weird things.

rootSU said:
Ah well, yep. Non-donators are forced to do weird things.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Lol. Nothing weird about it. Worked fine. Google apps really shouldn't be installed as system apps if they're available in the play store. The user should have the choice of what they want and don't want. Easily corrected.

They do. Its called "custom rom"
Sent from my Nexus 5 using Tapatalk

rootSU said:
They do. Its called "custom rom"
Sent from my Nexus 5 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
They also have "titanium backup". Uninstalled. Done. "Custom roms" aren't for everyone. I've run plenty since my original droid days and just never use half the features included. I want rooted stock, and I have it. Thanks for everyones input.

Yep. Can get custom roms based on stock that have skeleton gapps. To answer your statement earlier
"Google apps really shouldn't be installed as system apps if they're available in the play store"
Well yes they should as that is where they are designed to be. They are on the play store to allow updating outside the scope of OTA.
And of course it's your prerogative to remove apps as system apps and make them user apps, but I do get the feeling you're only doing it to continue using greenify without donating. But then again, it's none of my business whether you donate or not.

rootSU said:
Yep. Can get custom roms based on stock that have skeleton gapps. To answer your statement earlier
"Google apps really shouldn't be installed as system apps if they're available in the play store"
Well yes they should as that is where they are designed to be. They are on the play store to allow updating outside the scope of OTA.
And of course it's your prerogative to remove apps as system apps and make them user apps, but I do get the feeling you're only doing it to continue using greenify without donating. But then again, it's none of my business whether you donate or not.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yep. Can get custom roms based on stock that have skeleton gapps. To answer your statement earlier.
- Yep. Know that. I only flash core/mini gapps packages on the "custom roms" I've run. But "based on stock" isn't stock. Point was more about not needing/wanting the extra features that "custom roms" provide. Especially on a pure google device like the N5.
"Google apps really shouldn't be installed as system apps if they're available in the play store"
Well yes they should as that is where they are designed to be. They are on the play store to allow updating outside the scope of OTA.
- Opinion. They're not designed to be system apps and there is no benefit having them installed as such. They're system apps on Nexus devices because they're made by Google, only reason. They're on the play store to allow for users of non google devices to install/uninstall as they please.
And of course it's your prerogative to remove apps as system apps and make them user apps, but I do get the feeling you're only doing it to continue using greenify without donating. But then again, it's none of my business whether you donate or not.
- You get that feeling because that's exactly why I'm doing it. Never implied otherwise. Let's not go down the "you should support all developers for their hard work" road here. I've purchased more apps over the years than I care to admit, and continue to support developers and their hard work. Case in point: Titanium Backup Pro; which I used as the alternative here.

Related

How to detach an app from the Play Store

Right, I'm a PowerAMP pro user, but with a pretty old phone. The latest app is working but it's slow and sometimes lags. The poweramp site also offers the old 1.4 version which works right for me. Now, all is fine and dandy but I;m a bit annoyed by the app always showing up there to be updated. So I searched for a method to detach the app from the market and learnt that the bug has been solved long ago and apps can't be detached. So I tried changing the app's signature, of course with no luck, my android dev skills being close to absolute zero.
So I ask you, is there any way to do this? I am not pirating the app, so don't worry
I'm also trying to convince the developer to make an unsigned version of the app specifically for old timers like me, but with no success until now..
Just use LBE Privacy guard and freeze internet connection permission for this particular app..
So it will not connect to net and not telling you that new version is available..
we all should be polite enough to press thanks for anyone who helped US.
andrei1015 said:
Right, I'm a PowerAMP pro user, but with a pretty old phone. The latest app is working but it's slow and sometimes lags. The poweramp site also offers the old 1.4 version which works right for me. Now, all is fine and dandy but I;m a bit annoyed by the app always showing up there to be updated. So I searched for a method to detach the app from the market and learnt that the bug has been solved long ago and apps can't be detached. So I tried changing the app's signature, of course with no luck, my android dev skills being close to absolute zero.
So I ask you, is there any way to do this? I am not pirating the app, so don't worry
I'm also trying to convince the developer to make an unsigned version of the app specifically for old timers like me, but with no success until now..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If it doesnt need to connect to the internet for anything else you could use droidwall to block it from accessing the playstore
If your rooted you could use blackmart to download the app and never have to update it
Or see the updates notifications saying there's an update
Sent from my MB865 using XDA Premium HD app
andrei1015 said:
Right, I'm a PowerAMP pro user, but with a pretty old phone. The latest app is working but it's slow and sometimes lags. The poweramp site also offers the old 1.4 version which works right for me. Now, all is fine and dandy but I;m a bit annoyed by the app always showing up there to be updated. So I searched for a method to detach the app from the market and learnt that the bug has been solved long ago and apps can't be detached. So I tried changing the app's signature, of course with no luck, my android dev skills being close to absolute zero.
So I ask you, is there any way to do this? I am not pirating the app, so don't worry
I'm also trying to convince the developer to make an unsigned version of the app specifically for old timers like me, but with no success until now..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I know Titanium Backup can detach apps, though I am not sure if it is available in the free version. However, I do recommend the paid version of Titanium Backup anyway.
universeman said:
I know Titanium Backup can detach apps, though I am not sure if it is available in the free version. However, I do recommend the paid version of Titanium Backup anyway.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have never been able to make that function actually work and I've tried with several apps that I don't want updates for.
Sent from my M886 using Tapatalk 2
On a related note, is there a way to remove apps from the "My Apps"list? It is really annoying to have to scroll through a list of apps containing tons of apps that you may have tried for a while and then uninstalled when you need to reinstall something. And why is the "My Apps" list in random order and not alphabetical?
"Dark is the night, I'm just a lonesome ol' shootin' star."
Sent from my Paranoid Android JB'd Infuse 4G using Tapatalk 2
lunarlandr said:
On a related note, is there a way to remove apps from the "My Apps"list? It is really annoying to have to scroll through a list of apps containing tons of apps that you may have tried for a while and then uninstalled when you need to reinstall something. And why is the "My Apps" list in random order and not alphabetical?
"Dark is the night, I'm just a lonesome ol' shootin' star."
Sent from my Paranoid Android JB'd Infuse 4G using Tapatalk 2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
As far as I know (and after some quick Googling), there is no way to remove any apps from the giant "My Apps" list. However, I use the Appbrain android market replacement, and it lets you customize your lists and sort them better. You can remove devices from view though.
universeman said:
As far as I know (and after some quick Googling), there is no way to remove any apps from the giant "My Apps" list. However, I use the Appbrain android market replacement, and it lets you customize your lists and sort them better. You can remove devices from view though.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks, I will definitely look into that and continue to research the issue as well. If I find any other solutions, I won't hesitate to post an update.
"Dark is the night, I'm just a lonesome ol' shootin' star."
Sent from my Paranoid Android JB'd Infuse 4G using Tapatalk 2

List of bloat that can be (safely) removed

Okay, if another thread with a listing exists, please point me there and I'll ask to have this deleted. I did search "bloat", "remove apps", and so on and based on thread titles (sorry - can't check every one especially when the title suggests nothing obvious) and found nothing.
I'm certain that all of the various Google Play apps, i.e. Magazines, Books, Movies & TV can go, plus they're downloadable from the Play Store if I ever want them back.
-- What about the various Verizon apps, i.e. Tones ? Is Mobile Hotspot a Verizon app or an Android one ? FWIW, if I tether, I won't use that...
-- What about Samsung's apps like S Memo, S Suggest, AllShare Play, Group Play, etc ?
Any related widgets will go too !
If there's others, please list them ! I do know that just because I don't recognize an app that it doesn't mean it's safe or wise to delete it as many are used behind-the-scenes and are critical. Finally, I'm backing up any apps that I do delete just in case.
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/lv?key=0AqTvctlW89DtdC1qVUlLeVFTV3ZOdUtDclpBdVRQOUE&pli=1#gid=0
Excellent ! Thank you
What / where is the Mobile Hotshot app? Can't find it in order to remove it.
Sent from my Samsung Galaxy S3 using Tapatalk 2
hallstevenson said:
What / where is the Mobile Hotshot app? Can't find it in order to remove it.
Sent from my Samsung Galaxy S3 using Tapatalk 2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Settings.apk that is the hotspot app.
DO NOT REMOVE for obvious reasons. If you don't like the icon hide it. Almost every launcher (even stock) allows you to hide apps
Sent from my SCH-I535 using Tapatalk 4 Beta
Hehe, yeap, I know that you can't remove that APK ! I didn't know you could hide apps with the stock launcher. Coming from HTC phones, though I typically ran non-Sense ROMs, you couldn't hide apps.
Can't you just use TiBu and freeze the apps?
From my SIII on Hyperdrive
RCOVA said:
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/lv?key=0AqTvctlW89DtdC1qVUlLeVFTV3ZOdUtDclpBdVRQOUE&pli=1#gid=0
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Awesome resource. Thanks for the link!
OneSlice said:
Can't you just use TiBu and freeze the apps?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If I'm correct, "freeze" is only available on the paid version of Titanium Backup, is it not ?
hallstevenson said:
If I'm correct, "freeze" is only available on the paid version of Titanium Backup, is it not ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That is correct. Though it's possible to do a Disable on many apps that reside in /system.
Verizon Galaxy S III apps safe to remove
I know I'm necro-ing a thread, but I've just made my own list. (Somehow I missed this post.) I see different apps in my list from the one above, so I figured I would share it anyway!
This list is a copy of the one found here (Sprint version), with a new sheet for the Verizon version. I've stripped out the apps that were in the former list, updated APK names, and went through each app on my phone to do this. Oh, I'm running 4.1.2 on a stock rooted ROM, and I used Titanium Backup to inspect the various apps and test freezing/removing them.
Click here for the list. And feel free to make your own copies!
Edit: My list was for prior to 4.3, so it's likely not 100% accurate anymore. Can't really verify that, I'm afraid, as I used this pre-rooted stock ROM to install 4.3 on my phone, and it already had a great deal of stuff stripped out. Since then, however, I've switched to T-Mobile and picked up a Nexus 5, so I won't be able to maintain the list. (Though I'll leave it available just in case.)

Deleting Google Apps

Hi all. Quick question; searched and didn't find a response. So...
There are a few Google apps I'd really like to lose. Namely Play Books, Play Movies/TV, Play Newstand, and Play Games. I'm never going to use them, so I'd just as soon uninstall them. My question is can I uninstall these through Titanium Backup or are they crucial system apps that I should just leave alone and learn to live with?
Thanks!
You can deactivate them in settings -> apps. You will not gain more storage, but the apps will disappear. They can be enabled again of course
experience7 said:
You can deactivate them in settings -> apps. You will not gain more storage, but the apps will disappear. They can be enabled again of course
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I freeze every one of those apps with Titanium backup every time I install gaaps or return to stock. No issues with them frozen on N5 at all.
experience7 said:
You can deactivate them in settings -> apps. You will not gain more storage, but the apps will disappear. They can be enabled again of course
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I never thought about that. Thanks! :highfive: I feel so dumb...
Well, I don't see any advantage in freezing them with TiBa. Of course it works flawlessly, but my method also does plus you don't need a third-party app
Actually, all deactivating them in Apps does is uninstall the updates. They're still there.
experience7 said:
Well, I don't see any advantage in freezing them with TiBa. Of course it works flawlessly, but my method also does plus you don't need a third-party app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The advantage in freezing them is you retain the ability to take OTA updates without reflashing system.
Jason_MCG said:
Actually, all deactivating them in Apps does is uninstall the updates. They're still there.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Titanium Backup is worth the price. The UI is terrible. Still can't find a replacement I'm happy with.
experience7 said:
Well, I don't see any advantage in freezing them with TiBa. Of course it works flawlessly, but my method also does plus you don't need a third-party app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I would think most people who are active on these threads chose a nexus for ease of changing ROMS. I would lose my mind doing that without the pro version of TiBu. Have it anyway so used it. Also, freeze is nice because I can quickly thaw out a memory hog program, use it as I need to and then quickly refreeze it with all data in tact.
Aerowinder said:
The advantage in freezing them is you retain the ability to take OTA updates without reflashing system.
Titanium Backup is worth the price. The UI is terrible. Still can't find a replacement I'm happy with.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Of course it is - bought it years ago.
You can delete any app with the full version of Titanium Backup.
But I'm pretty sure that you can disable them like I mentioned above and still receive OTA's Am I wrong?

Google App

What would happen if one were to delete Google App?! It's such a ROM hog but I don't really see what it does, beyond mere searches!!!
I done this before years with Google Play and never get phone running again without errors. I must flash a custom rom.
But the "Google APP" can be deleated, nothing happens.
opthizet said:
What would happen if one were to delete Google App?! It's such a ROM hog but I don't really see what it does, beyond mere searches!!!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Nothing happens, you just would not be able to use all the Google services. But i would suggest you don't delete the main Google Apps. You can delete other bloatwares such as play music, movies, etc which are of no use. You can use titanium backup for it.
Thanks Nacht and GoW, thanks guys

op7pro without google

Greetings,
Since the begginning I use all my android device without google. I know that this phone is new, not so many rom out there, I can't wait to have one, where we can flash gapps separate.
But til that, I deciced to delete all google staff manually (except for gboard, as I can't find any decent keyboard).
I'm not sure, but I guess for this decision I have some issues. All the apps with a built in browser force close or don't react if I wanna use its browser. Some other apps won't even start. (Not even says any "missing google play services msg")
My question is, how can I make sure what cause the problem, plus how I need to do properly to skip google?
I deleted gapps with titanium backup.
I have also an ancient galaxy s4 on lineage, only rom, there these things work like a charm. (With its limited speed )
Or do u think there's gonna be option soon to do only rom for the phone?
Plus if u have the same "googless" system on any device, please share with me how u do with google pendent apps, which play store alternative u use etc..
Thanks
ii9 said:
Greetings,
Since the begginning I use all my android device without google. I know that this phone is new, not so many rom out there, I can't wait to have one, where we can flash gapps separate.
But til that, I deciced to delete all google staff manually (except for gboard, as I can't find any decent keyboard).
I'm not sure, but I guess for this decision I have some issues. All the apps with a built in browser force close or don't react if I wanna use its browser. Some other apps won't even start. (Not even says any "missing google play services msg")
My question is, how can I make sure what cause the problem, plus how I need to do properly to skip google?
I deleted gapps with titanium backup.
I have also an ancient galaxy s4 on lineage, only rom, there these things work like a charm. (With its limited speed )
Or do u think there's gonna be option soon to do only rom for the phone?
Plus if u have the same "googless" system on any device, please share with me how u do with google pendent apps, which play store alternative u use etc..
Thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Might be the webview, it defaults to chrome. look into developers option/ webview implementation and ensure its set to Android System instead of Chrome. That may solve part of the problem
GUGUITOMTG4 said:
Might be the webview, it defaults to chrome. look into developers option/ webview implementation and ensure its set to Android System instead of Chrome. That may solve part of the problem
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, that was my first guess as well, but as i deleted google, the only option is the android system, so nothing to do there, its set on that. Also checked on the s4, just by curiosity, it has exactly the same version, therefore this part should be fine.
Thanks
ii9 said:
Yes, that was my first guess as well, but as i deleted google, the only option is the android system, so nothing to do there, its set on that. Also checked on the s4, just by curiosity, it has exactly the same version, therefore this part should be fine.
Thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I would start over and go gradually removing stuff and testing starting form the mist insignificant to the most complicated ones like services and framework, etc
Perhaps you want to look also into the tomato debloater thread. They have some tested scripts to remove google apps
Yeah that could be an idea, at some point that will be the next step.
I looked for this tomato db, it also gets closer to my idea, but til i don't find out the thing u mentioned, i'm not sure about it, as it's not 100% google free. Though sure i'll do the invisible option.
Plus there r some things in the extreme, that i'm okay with, like ambient screen for example. My dream is to have fully optimised and stable rom, that use all the benefits, what this exact device can offer, + tweak options, but obviously without all the trash, + without gapps. Y they don't just let us choose if we want netflix for example?
Apart from this, i really don't get, y stock roms don't give basic option, like disable pop up notifications. Such a little option, but so useful.
I wish i knew how long it takes to make these clean roms, but in case if not soon, i'll go for this options what u wrote, thank u
Is there any way to have push notification?
(And i know it's nothing to do with google, but also if you know how to disable popups, please share with me as well)
ii9 said:
Greetings,
Since the begginning I use all my android device without google. I know that this phone is new, not so many rom out there, I can't wait to have one, where we can flash gapps separate.
But til that, I deciced to delete all google staff manually (except for gboard, as I can't find any decent keyboard).
I'm not sure, but I guess for this decision I have some issues. All the apps with a built in browser force close or don't react if I wanna use its browser. Some other apps won't even start. (Not even says any "missing google play services msg")
My question is, how can I make sure what cause the problem, plus how I need to do properly to skip google?
I deleted gapps with titanium backup.
I have also an ancient galaxy s4 on lineage, only rom, there these things work like a charm. (With its limited speed )
Or do u think there's gonna be option soon to do only rom for the phone?
Plus if u have the same "googless" system on any device, please share with me how u do with google pendent apps, which play store alternative u use etc..
Thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I havent had chrome, ok google, google, and all google related stuff for years. I have deleted them with titanium backup always, even on my op 7 pro. I only have playstore and use brave instead of chrome. No issues so far
ii9 said:
I deciced to delete all google staff manually (except for gboard, as I can't find any decent keyboard).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
AOSP keyboard with swipe.
https://forum.xda-developers.com/android/apps-games/enhancedime-aosp-latinime-enhancements-t3366639
jamesfitzes said:
I havent had chrome, ok google, google, and all google related stuff for years. I have deleted them with titanium backup always, even on my op 7 pro. I only have playstore and use brave instead of chrome. No issues so far
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I did the same, but includeing paly services, framework.., all. I use apkpure store, now i even managed the the system webview to work. Not the one built in, that did't work, no matter what i did. From magisk i found something systemless webview, that does the job.
The only thing i miss is the push notification. (And block popup). Im shocked that no solution so far, that's y we like android. But with some things they look to move on the way of ios.
RogerNZ said:
AOSP keyboard with swipe.
https://forum.xda-developers.com/android/apps-games/enhancedime-aosp-latinime-enhancements-t3366639
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's nice, but it stucks on the welcome screen after i've installed. In the settings no otion to change. What i need to do?
Edit
I enabled screen rotation and it's fine now, just an ui issue on landscape
ii9 said:
From magisk i found something systemless webview
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you! Been trying to figure out how to achieve that.

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