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[APP][2.3+] Vcustomize 1.0

An app to make calls and record voice memos without having to unlock the screen or look at it.
After years of shying away from the new OS (WP, android, iOS) because of lack of control, I decided to give up my WM6.5 phone and write an app myself.
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.vivekiny2k.vcustomize
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Vcustomize lets you make calls, record and listen to voice memo, turn on flash light, and tell time while the phone stays in its cover. Since Android does not allow keypress access to background services, I use proximity sensor to know when the phone is in cover and only then I bring the actual app up. This way it's almost invisible to the user. The sensor can be overridden though.
It's not perfect, but I am working with whatever resources android provides. I use it daily and could not live without it, despite the shortcomings. So I decided others should be able to benefit from it as well. I have tried to make the description as simple as possible, have uploaded a demo video, and made the app free with ad-support.
I hope to add more customizing options if there is enough interest.
Please send feedback and suggestions at [email protected]

I have released version 2.01. It includes many features available on the screen when phone is locked.
----------------------------------------------
2.01
- added flashlight
- added review calls (need directory configured in /sdcard0/vcustomize/callrecordings.txt)
-----------------------------------------------
update history
2.00 - fixed force close problem. App runs without crashing.
- added options on touchscreen to
- make calls (need directory configured in /sdcard0/vcustomize/contacts.txt. format is "name|number")
- record voice memos
- interval shooting ( can be termed spy cam)
- backup files (need backup script configured in /sdcard0/vcustomize/backup.txt. format is "source|destination|delete-source-after-copying-flag")

Going to give this a go thanks for this!

Release version 2.02. I have added timers and alarms (you lose them if phone reboots), full screen postview, and some general stability improvements

It took me two hours to add option to turn off data and wifi when screen is turned off. My android reported 4% battery loss in 6 hours, that's 150 hrs or 6 days of idle time! This was with a bunch of apps and messengers running in background (obviously deprived of data).
The only downside is you will not get any updates from network based apps (gtalk, messenger, email, whatsapp etc) when screen is turned off. but they will get updated in seconds after turning on the screen.

I'd really like to try this app but play store says my device is not compatible. I'm running gingerbread 2.3.4

O2Blevel said:
I'd really like to try this app but play store says my device is not compatible. I'm running gingerbread 2.3.4
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I compiled using API level 9 which should support 2.3.4 per the table below. What is the device you are using?
http://developer.android.com/guide/topics/manifest/uses-sdk-element.html

vivekiny2k said:
I compiled using API level 9 which should support 2.3.4 per the table below. What is the device you are using?
http://developer.android.com/guide/topics/manifest/uses-sdk-element.html
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
My phone is LG Optimus Slider. Can you post a link to your app and I can try to sideload it.

O2Blevel said:
My phone is LG Optimus Slider. Can you post a link to your app and I can try to sideload it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
try this
View attachment Vcustomize.apk

It installed OK, but unfortunately it force closes.

O2Blevel said:
It installed OK, but unfortunately it force closes.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I guess google knows something about your phone that we don't.

[GUIDE][PSA] Google Play Services battery drain fix

If you're running a recent CM based or aosp ROM you've most likely encountered some pretty severe battery drain from Google Play Services (or Android OS as it sometimes shows up as). Below is a procedure that will halt the battery drain, but will not affect the running of your device.
Enter Privacy Guard through Settings/Security or Settings/Privacy, then click Advanced or Show Built-In Apps (depending on which ROM you're running). From here you can select Google Play Services and deny the Wake Up, Keep Awake, and Auto-Start options. This should drastically reduce the amount of battery that Google Play Services and Android OS consume.
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Please note: I've removed the second part of this guide as it seems to be causing problems for some users, it was unnecessary 99% of the time anyway.
Donate To Me

Did steps one a two a week or two ago and the difference was night and day. Google Play Services had horrible wake locks prior to this.
Nice job writing up the process!

Anyone know how to do this on PA? There's an App Privacy menu but it doesn't show system apps, and theres no advanced option that I can find.

ThisWasATriumph said:
Anyone know how to do this on PA? There's an App Privacy menu but it doesn't show system apps, and theres no advanced option that I can find.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There's no option to show built-in apps?
Sent from a crappy Samsung because my Evita died

timmaaa said:
There's no option to show built-in apps?
Sent from a crappy Samsung because my Evita died
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Nope hitting menu doesn't do anything. But I'm running 4.42 maybe they changed it it 4.43.

@timmaaa - parting gift before you walk off into the sunset eh
Quick question - are the Android Tuner and System Tuner settings necessary at all ? did you try this (both on the One X and the OPO) with just the Privacy Guard settings change ?

sandys1 said:
@timmaaa - parting gift before you walk off into the sunset eh
Quick question - are the Android Tuner and System Tuner settings necessary at all ? did you try this (both on the One X and the OPO) with just the Privacy Guard settings change ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't have my OPO yet, I've tried just the Privacy Guard component but it didn't yield enough of a result, so I believe the Android Tuner and System Tuner components are necessary to properly reduce the battery drain.
Sent from a crappy Samsung because my Evita died

When I only used the built in privacy settings it didn't do much, but oddly once I set system tuner and Uninstalled the app, I don't see Play Services under battery at all.

if I uninstall the apps, then I lose the settings that the apps have set. @timmaaa - can you confirm that we cant install android tuner and system tuner, AFTER we have done your changes.
Secondly, I'm getting a few Play Store force-closes after I did these changes. Can you let us know *exactly* which things did you change ?

sandys1 said:
if I uninstall the apps, then I lose the settings that the apps have set. @timmaaa - can you confirm that we cant install android tuner and system tuner, AFTER we have done your changes.
Secondly, I'm getting a few Play Store force-closes after I did these changes. Can you let us know *exactly* which things did you change ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You can't uninstall the apps, they're the only thing that's reining in Google Play Services. I've had zero issues with any Google services after making the changes. This method disallows Google location reporting, it disallows Play Services waking the device and keeping it awake, and it also disallows Google from gathering information for targeted advertising.
Sent from a crappy Samsung because my Evita died

@timmaaa - one suggested improvement. You dont need to install "System Tuner".
Android Tuner -> Sidebar Menu -> Apps Manager -> Application Startups gets you to the same options as System Tuner.

Thanks @sandys1, changes finally made to OP.
Sent via Bacon

Hey guys, can you tell me what will happen if I do this ? Will I loose any services / things i can do with my phone ? Thanks.

Your phone will operate as normal, no services will be lost.
Transmitted via Bacon

ThisWasATriumph said:
Anyone know how to do this on PA? There's an App Privacy menu but it doesn't show system apps, and theres no advanced option that I can find.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Mate,
I had tonnes of wake locks on viper xl. Since installing pa 4.4 with their gapps I haven't had a problem. May be worth a shot if you're liking pa.

nitens said:
Mate,
I had tonnes of wake locks on viper xl. Since installing pa 4.4 with their gapps I haven't had a problem. May be worth a shot if you're liking pa.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I always use PA gapps and still had issues with Google Play Services. I don't use this device much anymore anyway since it won't stay powered on unless it's connected to a charger. It's gonna act as a WiFi router from now on I think. I have the OnePlus One as my main device now anyhow.
Transmitted via Bacon

can you please repost , or PM me the 2nd part , i bookmarked this for later use and testing when i came back it's gone

@timmaaa , don't with problems users are having but for me :
1-re-browse your old tutorial from webcache
2-after following your recommendation unchecking permissions in 3C toolbox
3- google play services never went to sleep , kept wake locking the phone
if that the bug every one is having , the fix is just by re-check the folllowing
com.Google.android.location.reporting.preferencese
regards

Thank you for your useful post! The changes with App Ops have noticeable positive impact on battery life. I only had 2-3 crashes of Google Play Services after those changes. If those crashes happen again, I will switch options one by one to default to check what crashes Google Play Services.
___
EDIT: Google Play Services crashed because Auto Start was disabled. I enabled it again and now it's OK. Additional impact had switching off of "Location reporting" in Settings -> Location. That provides Google with continuous updates on your location, which triggers an *alarm* that wakes up the device even if Google Play Services is denied of accessing your location. Crucial impact had switching off "Wake up" and "Stay awake" for Facebook in App Ops and then greenifying it (I know it's not related to Google Play Services, but whoever is interested in preserving the battery with App Ops would make use of noting this, but be advised - you lose notification updates from Facebook).

I'm using an AOSO-ish KitKat ROM, and installed AppOps through Xposed framework. I only show the "keep awake" setting and not "auto start" or "wake up." Are these older versions you're talking about and what is does PA mean in the above posts? Thanks in advance.
Tapatapped it.

Servicely for your apps and services

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Remember that time when your device lost 50% of battery life during the night because a gazillion services from careless apps kept keeping your device awake and you have no way to disable them?
Or when Facebook kept waking up your phone for no reason and you find no way to fix it other than uninstalling it?
Servicely to the rescue!
First of all make sure you're ROOTED (it won't work otherwise). You'll be able to select which apps will be put to sleep when the display goes off. Just like magic!
You can also disable/enable permanently any service on your device. It's useful if you have services that tend to auto-restart and keep your device awake, or if you have games sending you never-ending notifications.
This app is somewhat powerful so act responsibly when using it. I'm more than happy to help if you contact me
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The apk in the Play Store is free with ads, but I've disabled the ads for the apk below. You can still purchase the key from inside the app which helps me keep producing stuff for you, but you don't have to do so.
You can choose between two "sleep" modes. The soft mode I assume it's probably similar to what Greenify does. The hard mode completely disables the apps you've choosed during screen off, and re-enabled during screen on. This mode removes any shortcuts or widgets from those disabled apps, but this is the most secure way to guarantee those apps won't wake up or do something crazy. That said, you'll be fine with the soft mode.
Play Store download: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.franco.servicely
DISCLAIMER
I take no responsibility for any fault caused by any procedures of the app. No warranties of any kind are given.

Looks promising. Might replace greenify this little gem, thank you??

Enabled pro and start on boot but after closing the app an open it again, it shows this.

Should greenify be disabled/uninstlled before using servicely??

Really like this app! This is like the perfect version of greenify. And probably with more features to come. I was just wondering, is it save to add google play services to list? Or wil I loose allot of functionality with the apps that rely on google play services?

Will this also stop notifications from the app when you have it disabled? Like fb, instagram, xda and twitter?

@franciscofranco
Another possible improvement for your new app:
- With the pro Version there is the option to start the service automatically with the boot. If you boot the device there is no information like "set on boot service has been..." Dont know if you need this message on the boot like in FKU for you new app, but maybe you could make it as an option
and: if you close the app from the task manager, you see the normal action: app is restarting. After the restart the settings/killing apps applies again?
i instantly bought the pro version, before even using it
And if you add a new app to the service, it will be killed after 60 secs? or is first a reboot needed?
And if you kill an app like google keep, can the changes still be synced?
Sorry for the large amount of quetions, i´ve never used apps like this

wow... really like this... thanks franco
just a request for someone who knows... we can get a list with safe services to kill?

eluspo said:
Will this also stop notifications from the app when you have it disabled? Like fb, instagram, xda and twitter?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah... does this have the background sync feature which I believe Greenify has??

Gonna try this for a while and replace greenify if it's better
Thanks

So if a service is idle, let's kill it every minute. The service restarts - which would come with a CPU/memory expense greater than if it had remained idle - and repeat this every minute?
This doesn't seem like an informed decision. It could just be a checkbox in an application's settings that would alleviate the service from repeating.
I don't see why you don't educate people on looking at application's checkboxes.

@franciscofranco I'm a fan of your work and this app looks beautiful. However, I have a pretty stupid question. How is this different from a task killer and automated killing? I thought those were bad, but is this different?

Turned it off for Google play music, google keyboard, Google play services, lmt. I ran into issues with app fc here.

deadzombieseverywhere said:
Turned it off for Google play music, google keyboard, Google play services, lmt. I ran into issues with app fc here.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
turned it on for google play services and no issues so far.
Yeah... does this have the background sync feature which I believe Greenify has??
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
no if an app is selected, it has nor background sync - tested it with telegram (btw with greenify donation it doesn´t work too...)
will test Servicely for a while and report back. If it does a well job, then goodbye Greenify

This app keeps closing apps that I'm using. I thought it only closes if the app is in the background? For example, I'm watching a YouTube video and it just closes.

Umm, this is essentially a task killer....

I don't understand the difference from a task killer. Task killers drain more battery. If it kills a service, it autorestarts, right? Or it is like greenify, keeps the service from starting?
I've tried this with whatsapp and didn't work. I know that is not suppose to kill services in the background, but what does it is suppose to kill? If it is not in the foreground, it is in the background... For an intense, having facebook installed, there is always a background service, this will never kill it, right?
It would be great if if would work better thank greenify, and stopping services from getting started.

Great work Franco! Testing now

I have Greenify, not sure if I'll use this... but purchased paid pro version to support Franco and his awesome Kernel (and other dev projects).

euge.lee.nebby said:
I have Greenify, not sure if I'll use this... but purchased paid pro version to support Franco and his awesome Kernel (and other dev projects).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Same here.....
Franco deserve as developer and person... Thx for all

High battery usage - can anyone help?

Hi everyone,
I'm having some major issues with my s10e. It started draining the battery very quickly and it now needs to be charged 2-3 times a day with very little usage. I'm talking like 1 hour SOT usage. It's loosing over 5% of battery per hour just sitting on the table doing nothing. I turned off syncing, uninstalled some apps that could cause is, cleared cache and finally factory reset it. I even downgraded from android 11 to android 10 to see if that will make any difference. But no success. Still high battery drain. It sometimes gets a bit warm as well while not being used. Better battery stats reports high mmc0_detect activity. I've checked my wife's S10lite and she doesn't even have that kind of wake lock at all. I googled it and it's got something to do with memory card. However, the problem exists with several memory cards I checked as well as without one in the phone.
Samsung replaced the battery last week under the warranty but that did not help at all. I'm getting really frustrated with this phone now.
Does anyone know what could be the cause?
On the ss below you can see that it lost 12% in just 2 hours with 7min SOT. That's definitely not what it should be.
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Turn off wifi. Disable all power management and see what it does.
Disable all cloud apps and FB, WhatsApp etc.*
Disable all Google, carrier and Samsung feedback.
Disable Google Firebase.
Turn off locations when not needed.
You'll toast that battery if you don't tone it down; don't charge past 80% for now to lessen the damage.
*try running in safe mode to see if it's a 3rd party app causing it.

blackhawk said:
Turn off wifi. Disable all power management and see what it does.
Disable all cloud apps and FB, WhatsApp etc.*
Disable all Google, carrier and Samsung feedback.
Disable Google Firebase.
Turn off locations when not needed.
You'll toast that battery if you don't tone it down; don't charge past 80% for now to lessen the damage.
*try running in safe mode to see if it's a 3rd party app causing it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
All cloud apps and syncing are disabled. FB deleted.
How to disable google, carrier and samsung feedback?
How to disable firebase?
Location turned off.
I've not had any issues for over a year of ownership. I've not installed any new apps or used the phone in any different way than I used to.
Thanks

I think mmc0 refers to your internal memory; my guess is that it doesn't work as it should or that it isn't connected properly.

kierownikk said:
All cloud apps and syncing are disabled. FB deleted.
How to disable google, carrier and samsung feedback?
How to disable firebase?
Location turned off.
I've not had any issues for over a year of ownership. I've not installed any new apps or used the phone in any different way than I used to.
Thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Disable Google Backup Transport, Framework and Playstore/Google Play Services (enable as needed). Clear data on all the former except Playstore as needed. Clear System Logs at same time.
Reboots and factory resets are useless for this issue.
Use this Package Blocker*:
Home - Package Disabler
The only NON-root solution that let’s you disable any unwanted packages that come pre-installed / installed with your phone / tablet.
www.packagedisabler.com
Use Karma Firewall (Playstore) to lock it down better.
* you can block all cloud junk, carrier updates and any bloatware as well. Some apks have dependencies so bare this in mind when blocking.

blackhawk said:
Disable Google Backup Transport, Framework and Playstore/Google Play Services (enable as needed). Clear data on all the former except Playstore as needed. Clear System Logs at same time.
Reboots and factory resets are useless for this issue.
Use this Package Blocker*:
Home - Package Disabler
The only NON-root solution that let’s you disable any unwanted packages that come pre-installed / installed with your phone / tablet.
www.packagedisabler.com
Use Karma Firewall (Playstore) to lock it down better.
* you can block all cloud junk, carrier updates and any bloatware as well. Some apks have dependencies so bare this in mind when blocking.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So with google play services disabled the battery drain is pretty much the same.
Also disabling google play services results in my phone constantly throwing notifications at me saying that some apps need it to work properly. Also without google play services I can't use Google Pay which is a no no for me.

M1chiel said:
I think mmc0 refers to your internal memory; my guess is that it doesn't work as it should or that it isn't connected properly.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's what I managed to find out but I don't understand how would it not be connected properly? Besides, everything works fine, all apps, photos, music, it's all there and works on request.

Question Best fully working Gestures app for MIUI13?

Have been a great fan of Vivid Navigation Gestures for years, until I switched over to Xiaomi 12S Ultra and realized I couldn't make it work despite disabling all battery optimizations & enabling all permissions. Which gestures app can work properly without it closing by itself after long lock periods, and allow me to disable the navbar?

dylansmith said:
Have been a great fan of Vivid Navigation Gestures for years, until I switched over to Xiaomi 12S Ultra and realized I couldn't make it work despite disabling all battery optimizations & enabling all permissions. Which gestures app can work properly without it closing by itself after long lock periods, and allow me to disable the navbar?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
all of them can do it you just need to know what to change in miui settings.
I use FNG.
* disable miui battery optimization
* enable autostart
* go to apps -> system app settings -> security -> boost speed -> lock apps (enable fng)
* pull down notification shade and switch to toggles, click on the edit icon. drag the fng toggle to your "added toggles"
in the rare case where FNG is shut down you can just pull down the toggles shade disable enable it and you're back in business.

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I have already done all these but VNG still shuts down way too often ( I have to re-enable maybe >10x a day). Any other settings I'm missing?

any thoughts?

dylansmith said:
any thoughts?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Try FNG instead. I got max 3 restarts a day

3 a day is still a lot. Is there any gestures app that has a no-kill notification service?

In addition, that app was not maintained since 2019

dylansmith said:
3 a day is still a lot. Is there any gestures app that has a no-kill notification service?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
3 is better than 10, I don't know why it happens. If you are rooted you can try making this an admin app. Maybe that will prevent it from restarting

is there any easy way to root the phone without bricking it? Thank you.

This is the solution. Need to stop Miui from closing app.
Swipe up and hold to enter app tabs. Press and hold on FNG, then press the lock icon.
This stops the system from closing.

as shown in screenshots above, locking it doesn't prevent auto-close by system.

dylansmith said:
as shown in screenshots above, locking it doesn't prevent auto-close by system.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm using FNG, and mine hasn't closed once since locking for 1 week now.

jiggyho said:
I'm using FNG, and mine hasn't closed once since locking for 1 week now.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Oh I forgot to mention I'm on Xiaomi.eu rom.

can I port to eu ROM while maintaining all my apps, configs, settings?

No. It may be a different ROM branch and may have different partition differences as well as system apps being non Chinese versions. You might find it just boot loops if you do.
Just make sure you back everything in Google back up and have it set for auto restore and most settings and apps will get put back on with settings via the Google back up after you configure the Google account once flashed and formatted.

Deleted

Finally I think I found a way to make FluidNG working without any breaks. Just use tasker and create a task that FluidNG (or your favourite gesture app) starts when you unlock your screen. Second: launch app "go to home screen". That's it. Working for a few days perfectly.