Database Info

Rom optimization idea

I'm no developer, scripter, or any type of person with a thorough understanding of software but I will try to offer a suggestion to those who wish to give me the time of day.
After flashing countless ROMs looking for the fastest and most simple platform to use everyday I have discovered a few things that might help if people agree with me or not. After loading every ROM and first booting... I realize that Advanced Task Manager shows the available system memory at less than half and i haven't even started running apps or installing programs yet. Processes start when the phone boots up that are running in background (asleep but still using system resources) and i believe that a fair percentage of them are not required by the everyday user.
Why is Alarm Clock running in the background when i haven't started it? Why is Email client running and i haven't setup exchange or an email account? Messaging, Maps, Settings, Gallery, these all start up without being physically executed and are using resources. If there is a reason for them to be there like not being able to receive SMS if Messaging is not running, then that is fine and im an idiot... But if there is no need to startup the application from boot then why do it?
My second point is when packages are installed as the ROM is flashed, they cant be uninstalled right? well what if we didnt want tethering apps and facebook apps and proprietary software (Moto apps)? Most of these are available in the market and if not, a 5 min Google search will find an .apk on the net anyway.
So how about a bare bones install with the essentials and nothing else? Youtube, Phone, Messaging, Gmail, Contacts, MT Browser , Maps, Calculator... then anything else can be added at the users will.
If anyone else has something to say... or prove me wrong, then please elaborate.

If you delete the alarm clock task, you're likely to sleep into the morning as the alarm won't go off in the morning. Mail is probably needed for pop3 checks (I rely on my google account).
Anyway, I usualy remove the apps widgets from the ZIP which I don't need prior to flashing, resulting in a liter ROM and less processes which I don't need running in background.
I also used to add the apps I use (ASTRO...) directly into /system/app prior to flashing, putting them to the system partition and ... at this point I am not sure.... this leaves one with more space (internal memory) accessible for apps from market (if you do not use APP2SD). I stopped however doing so, as this makes ROM upgrading painful, as you do have to prepare each .zip before flash.
With regard to operating memory you preferably use either Taskkiller or have your systems autokill file optimized as many ROMS do (CursorSense). Refer to http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=622666

I'm not Linux-guy but I know that Android does this to put those programs in memory ASAP because those are usually the first few apps many people use once they boot up their phone -- meaning those apps, when opened, will quickly open and run faster.
Remember, Linux is made to handle all those opened apps and resources; "Unused RAM is useless RAM".

hol17 said:
I'm not Linux-guy but I know that Android does this to put those programs in memory ASAP because those are usually the first few apps many people use once they boot up their phone -- meaning those apps, when opened, will quickly open and run faster.
Remember, Linux is made to handle all those opened apps and resources; "Unused RAM is useless RAM".
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Correct!!
People have to stop comparing Android (linux) with WinMo devices, they handle RAM completely different.

dione1200 said:
Correct!!
People have to stop comparing Android (linux) with WinMo devices, they handle RAM completely different.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, true.... and well known. However Linux was developped for servers and not mobile phones.
Launching an application into free RAM is slower than pulling it from a suspended state. So much is true.
But first having to free up up RAM (by killing tasks) before launching the application into the freed up RAM is certainly slower than launching into free RAM. Probably that's why guys are tweaking around, as noted in the link of my post above. Also in my opinion the default settings are not optimal, that's why I use tweaked settings. Probably that depends on how you use your phone.
But I agree. Coming from Windows the whole LINUX concept is a f**** nightmare. There are thousands of different methods (Cache/Compcache/ Ext Cache)...
So it's good to have an expert around. Could you please enlight me, whether the system partition is of fixed size or size is been alocated during flashing. In other words, is the Userdata size fixed or depending on the system size? .... and is there a benefit of putting apps to the /system/app as they will go to system parition and I will have more internal storage available?
Thanks in advance.

feicher said:
So it's good to have an expert around. Could you please enlight me, whether the system partition is of fixed size or size is been alocated during flashing. In other words, is the Userdata size fixed or depending on the system size? .... and is there a benefit of putting apps to the /system/app as they will go to system parition and I will have more internal storage available?
Thanks in advance.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Your Android Device is divided Into partitions -> (Device memory)
1. Hboot (spl)
2. Radio
3. Data (Where u store ur data apps / passwords / other thing)
4. Cache (temp)
5. System (system dump)
6. Boot (to start the device)
so on
Now partition of memory card is important becoz
1. EXT2/3/4 More Amount of Data Section -> if device memory is less
2. Swap -> To fast up the system
*I m Not best Explaination giving person but i think this is understandable language in which i hav written

I think I side with the OP on this one, I would rather have a rom with less in it and then choose to install Amazon MP3 or whatever by myself. Generally speaking you could argue less apps = better performance, as there will be less happening in the background. That said, I have included Facebook in my rom.
However Linux was developped for servers and not mobile phones.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not really true, Linux is just the kernel and can be ported to anything, it's been in embedded small devices for years and not just installed on servers.

ahmgsk said:
Your Android Device is divided Into partitions -> (Device memory)
1. Hboot (spl)
2. Radio
3. Data (Where u store ur data apps / passwords / other thing)
4. Cache (temp)
5. System (system dump)
6. Boot (to start the device)
so on
Now partition of memory card is important becoz
1. EXT2/3/4 More Amount of Data Section -> if device memory is less
2. Swap -> To fast up the system
*I m Not best Explaination giving person but i think this is understandable language in which i hav written
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you very much for the feedback! Most appreciated and helps me to improve my general understanding . I find it really hard to come by information, that is not absolutely basic or high level expert.
Thanks again.

Ive got a clock radio that wakes me up... if i have lagging issues with my phone what i do is use advanced task manager to stop all processes im not using (alarm clock, maps, messaging, email, etc) and everything runs fast again.
No use in reboot cause all the apps start again from boot.
ive tried removing zips from rom before flashing... when i goto upgrade the update stops cause of the missing files > incomplete manifest. is this cause you have to re-zip and sign it?

You can either do that and re-sign the zip file.
OR you could just close this thread and use adb to remove things that you dont want from the ROMs.
PS. root explorer also works wonders.

feicher said:
If you delete the alarm clock task, you're likely to sleep into the morning as the alarm won't go off in the morning. Mail is probably needed for pop3 checks (I rely on my google account).
Anyway, I usualy remove the apps widgets from the ZIP which I don't need prior to flashing, resulting in a liter ROM and less processes which I don't need running in background.
I also used to add the apps I use (ASTRO...) directly into /system/app prior to flashing, putting them to the system partition and ... at this point I am not sure.... this leaves one with more space (internal memory) accessible for apps from market (if you do not use APP2SD). I stopped however doing so, as this makes ROM upgrading painful, as you do have to prepare each .zip before flash.
With regard to operating memory you preferably use either Taskkiller or have your systems autokill file optimized as many ROMS do (CursorSense). Refer to http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=622666
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
when i try to remove an app from a ZIP it wont let me flash the ROM. even when i replace an app with a newer version renaming it to match the one im replacing, it still doesnt work. what do i have to edit in order to allow the update to go through?

You need to sign the zip file again. Google signing ROMs, its the first thing that pops up.

[APP] Force2SD

Force2SD moves user (not system) apps to SD that the OS normally doesn't allow movement of. Needs root and 2.2.
Source code available.
Official release is now in Market. For test versions, click the source code link.

I added apk file size to the display.
By the way, one reason I like this even for apps that can be moved to SD in normal ways is that it does its scan much faster, at least in my configuration, than apps2sd or Settings|Applications.

And I also added an option to move apks back from SD to internal storage.

is it normal that it only shows userapps? eg. maps, facebook etc does not show up on the list

doenis said:
is it normal that it only shows userapps? eg. maps, facebook etc does not show up on the list
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It doesn't show things in the system partition--those shouldn't be taking space away from user apps. Are these apps in the system partition (/system/app)?

yes, they are in the /system/app folder. are you saying that moving those apps to the sd wouldn't count towards free space on hte device? i am looking for a way to move maps to the sd, as it takes up the most space of all the apps that can't be moved.

doenis said:
yes, they are in the /system/app folder. are you saying that moving those apps to the sd wouldn't count towards free space on hte device?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Right: the /system/app folder is on a separate partition. Normally, apps install in /data.

This seems like a great tool for full wipes prior to loading a new ROM. Then TiBu would only be needed for the app data correct?
Sent from my Thunderbolt using the Tapatalk app.

Is there something different to "pm setInstallLocation 2"?

Nice app, it also seems to be working on android gingerbread (NAND HD2) 2.3
Edit: Except for widgets. but that's no problem

Great idea. Downloaded. Moved 2 apps to SD, then checked out list for SD to Phone (nothing moved, just looking around) and got a FC. Will keep for a while to check out future updates.
Ideas for future:
-app icons (so you can tell WHICH angry birds app you're moving )
-file size before / after move
-total available space
-multi-select (something that would GREATLY improve the app over settings)
Keep it up!
Sent from my T-Mobile myTouch 3G Slide using XDA App

only froyo huh.. =( great work though

Thank you.

i just wanted to check, can moving some of these apps that can't be moved normally cause the apps to stop working or should they just all carry on working as normal?
thanks for the great app
maff90

Hi,
this app is very good.
Add to Market!
with friendly greet
starbase64

Thanks seems to work on cricket zio froyo. Thanks again

Mustang302LX said:
This seems like a great tool for full wipes prior to loading a new ROM. Then TiBu would only be needed for the app data correct?
Sent from my Thunderbolt using the Tapatalk app.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't know if it would work. On my Archos 43 when apps are moved to storage, the OS does not include them in packages.xml when it generates a fresh packages.xml after resetting Android. As a result, storage can contain orphan apps after a reset. Of course, if you restore packages.xml from a backup, that should work.
I just back /data up with tar.

maff90 said:
i just wanted to check, can moving some of these apps that can't be moved normally cause the apps to stop working or should they just all carry on working as normal?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Apps that are moved don't get their on-boot notification. If they absolutely need their on-boot notification to function (e.g., apps that start up some service on boot), they won't work. Likewise, input method apps (e.g., Swype) won't be available after a boot, though you might be able to enable it manually afterwards in the Settings. I wouldn't move Android Market. I did move Amazon App Store and AppsLib with no problems, though. I don't know what happens if you move a browser helper, like a pdf viewer or flash--these might need to register on boot or something like that.
See here for more information: http://developer.android.com/guide/appendix/install-location.html
Moreover, it's probably better not to move tiny apps, because apps moved to storage take longer to have their icons show up in the launcher after a boot. I moved most of my apps that are over 200kb.
If an app doesn't work after being moved, just move it back.

saynotopunx said:
Great idea. Downloaded. Moved 2 apps to SD, then checked out list for SD to Phone (nothing moved, just looking around) and got a FC. Will keep for a while to check out future updates.
Ideas for future:
-app icons (so you can tell WHICH angry birds app you're moving )
-file size before / after move
-total available space
-multi-select (something that would GREATLY improve the app over settings)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
0. I wonder about the crash. If you have adb set up and can duplicate the crash in the latest version (I posted 0.10), watch with adb logcat to see where the crash happens and send me the log.
1. App icons will really slow down the application list fetching. Maybe I could include app icons in the list for moving to SD, but the list for moving from SD is very slow.
2. The file size I show is the apk file size. This does not change with the move as far as I know.
3. Total available space shows up in the current version.
4. That's more work than I want to do.

Some more answers and comments;
1. I uploaded version 0.10. This fixes hangs in low memory situations due to the package installed broadcast being sent to all apps. The solution is drastic: as soon as the packagemanager reports success, I kill the thread. This may cause some problems. Let me know if it does. Seems to work fine for me, though. Also, version 0.10 lets you conveniently delete apps right from the list--just do a long-hold on the app, and you get an uninstall option.
2. Force2SD works pretty much like pm setInstallLocation 2, except it moves apps individually, after they were installed. I don't want to set all my apps to install automatically in storage. If you want to duplicate its functionality manually, what it does is: pm install -r -s /data/app/filename.apk
3. I don't really want to spend $25 at this point to register with Android Market. Once my open source astronomy app is done, I'll want to do that, I guess.
4. For people who want icons to tell different versions of Angry Birds apart, I have a simple "solution": just move them all to SD--they're large apks, and you'll save a lot of space. (Actually, they can be moved with the standard OS tools.)

Trimming ROMs for LG P500

As we know, JB and Kitkat ROMs have gotten much larger than their ICS predecessors. Flashing these and some gapps can easily run our device out of space on the system partition. Some apps will not even be installed, others will have errors. Even some hardware may not work correctly. So the ROMs must be trimmed to fit correctly.
In higher-end devices, they will be 1GB of system space. ROM-builders and chefs tend to dump everything on system as a convenience. Flash the ROM, a load of gapps and one has a complete-functioning system. What could be simpler?
For our oldie-but-goodie, we do not have this luxury. Even with micro-gapps consisting of an old Play/phonesky.apk and some framework will run out of space.
Really, anything not needed to get Android up and running does not need to be on system. There are some additional apps that require extra permissions afforded system apps to work. They need be kept there as well. But the others? Install as user apps. Then let link2sd or such symlink them out of the way (data space runs out too easily on our old phones as well!)
I trim the ROMs to bare metal. Not necessary to be so severe however. I ran ICS for a long time with 3 meg on system with no problems.
What do I remove, keep, etc?
1. /system/usr/srec (speech recognition stuff, most likely no longer in use!) I keep a copy on sd-ext and symlink to there. No problems.
2. Ringtones, alarms, sounds -- most of these have already been trimmed off the ROMs by the devs so I leave what they leave. Want more? Place in similarly name folders on the sdcard and Android will find them.
3. Fonts:
Linux, Android, XDA, are international communities. To save a small bit of space, non-Latin fonts have been removed from recent CM-11 and Omni ROMs. I objected, placed revert request on Jenkins. Raise those voices, folks. Many of us regularly use non-Latin fonts and languages. I keep all the fonts. The fairly large "fallback" font is usually missing on ROMs nowadays. Those using CJK languages or getting a lot of '?' in text should put it back.
4. Apps, apps, apps:
Calendar should be installed from Play. Take off ROM.
I install Apollo, Calculator, CMFilemanager, Cameras, Galleries as user apps. Work fine.
If one does not use live-wallpapers, take their apps off.
If one is using Google Search/Now (must be side-loaded as not fully compatable with our device and will not install from Play), the QuickSearchBox is no longer needed in system.
Google Play Services can be installed as a user app and auto-updates as such anyway. A version of Play, older and smaller the better, apparantly must be on system but the full newer versions should be installed as user apps and will be auto-updated as such.
Flash the tiniest gapps one can. Most all gapps such as Maps, Keep, Hangouts, etc., etc., are installable from Play as user apps.
.
5. Keyboards
The LatinIME with all the languages was ridiculously large. Recent ROMs only have English. There are numerous kbs on Play. One only needs a small kb on system to enter Google account on first start if one wiped data. Do not need swipes, handwriting, voice, dictionaries, etc. Since I do not wipe data, I do not even keep the LatinIME. But better to have a kb on the ROM.
Want swipes and languages without the bloat? Try multiling-o. Whole business is 330k and numerous!! languages install as user apps as well and do not eat up data space. Not quite as good as Swype or Swiftkey but pretty close, very light-weight, and very configurable as well. Note that recent paid link2sd versions can symlink app data as well so one can now have one's Swype or Swiftkey and eat it to
Interest in other's ideas and alternatives!

There is now an app on Play just for installing CM apps! Those include Apollo, CMFilemanger, DSPManager, etc. New there is a "CameraNext" which is NOT Focal. Says might not work. Does on my phone.
Anything available from this app can be made a user app, taken off system, symlinked away by link2sd. If the app is on system now, i.e. Camera, Messaging, et al, do not install from the app. Instead, force stop the app (avoid FCs after moving), link2sd convert to user app, create links. When flashing newer ROMs, trim the apps made user apps off the /system/app/ before flashing.
The weakness of this is that if the apps were upgraded, one might miss out. To check, compare apk sizes, dates. If seems like newer version, extract them before trimming and try an adb install -r.
This will gain some /system space and som /data space as well. However, the linked dalviks will be a larger total so will not help prevent link2sd "Achilles heel." More system space enables experimentation, placing something new there that needs to be.

After trom rom and how to pack .zip it? Thanks

Any PlayStore said:
After trom rom and how to pack .zip it? Thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I do it using KDE's ark. Have to downgrade to an older version to get it to work because they have not fixed the bugs in newer ones. Pain, but gets it done.
There must be other GUI apps to take care of this, for Android, Linux, Windows.
Otherwise, unzip the whole thing.
Remove files
Rezip.

Dovidhalevi said:
Otherwise, unzip the whole thing.
Remove files
Rezip.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Doing so rom will not work.
Doing so rom will not work. If rom activity will malfunction

Any PlayStore said:
Doing so rom will not work.
Doing so rom will not work. If rom activity will malfunction
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
OK, I never tried in "manually."
There is a Windows app on one of these forums. Do a search.
There is at least one Android app on Play as well.

App Cleaner [Pre-Installed App remover]

This is a small program to remove pre-installed apps on the phone within seconds. It helps me a lot cause I bought multiple phones and I could remove the pre-installed app in a few seconds. I hope it will help you too
A closer look into this:
It's a normal batch file (anyone can edit it and remove commands to safe some packages) with ADB commands. So you have to enable Android Debuggingin your device properties in order to use this. I also uploaded ADB and Fastboot (is not needed for this) in the ZIP file which you can download below.
Easy Alcatel App Cleaner
version 1.0.0
by Bostrot - [email protected]
Disclaimer:
I am not responsible if you brick or damage your phone
while using this software.
This tool will uninstall these packages:
Games
com.gameinsight.mycountry2020
com.gameloft.android.GAND.Gloft.CRSM
com.boyaa.fben
com.gameloft.android.GloftKLMF
com.gameloft.android.GloftDBMF
com.gameloft.android.GloftRF2015
com.gameloft.android.GloftSMIM
Apps
com.antivirus
com.tcl.live
com.xe.currency
deezer.android.app
com.dropbox.android
com.evernote
com.lightricks.facetune.lite
flipboard.app
com.shazam.android
cn.wps.moffice_eng
Social Media Apps
com.facebook.katana
com.twitter.android
com.viber.voip
com.whatsapp
Download
(These should be all pre-installed apps. Pls write me if there are more)
Please be nice, this is my first post on xda , so this is not too well designed .​

If you remove apps that a system update plans to patch or edit files like build.prop the system update will refuse to install. You are much better off disabling/freezing apps you don't need. The small amount of space you'd free up on the system partition isn't going to be usable to you under normal circumstances and a frozen app is not going to use any cpu or ram.
This is only relevant for SYSTEM apps and files...user apps can be freely removed.

famewolf said:
If you remove apps that a system update plans to patch or edit files like build.prop the system update will refuse to install. You are much better off disabling/freezing apps you don't need. The small amount of space you'd free up on the system partition isn't going to be usable to you under normal circumstances and a frozen app is not going to use any cpu or ram.
This is only relevant for SYSTEM apps and files...user apps can be freely removed.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The whole apps I listed above are only user apps. Like the whole Gameloft games.

Debloating The SM-G360T1, SM-G360T & Others: An Easy Guide

There's not a lot of information out there for the Galaxy Core Prime on how we might debloat and save more space, so I decided to make a short tutorial that might help people with some easy steps in cleaning up their device. This guide is meant to be pretty basic and to just help point people in the right direction so that it speaks to a broader scope of Galaxy Core Prime Models, but is based specifically on the SM-G360T1. The SM-G360T is essentially the exact same phone though, so all of these steps should apply directly to that device too. Other Galaxy Core Prime models will be able to use this as well, but just be sure to read the special "NOTE" part of each step. Also, I'm sure it goes without saying, but inevitably I'll get the question, so obviously, root is required for this!
Anyhow, here we go:
1) Do a full backup in recovery before deleting system stuff. This is always a good idea just in case you delete something you're not supposed to and android stops working, then you can just go into recovery(TWRP, CWM, etc.) and restore your backup and your back to square one. It's good to do a new backup too a few days after when you're sure your deleted apps aren't causing any problems so you can restore to that slimmer version later if need be. Also, you should probably save your backup files to the external sd as you will likely have more free space there.
2) Install a debloated rom in recovery. SlimPickins is a great one for the SM-G360T1. It's basically the stock firmware for the MetroPCS Core Prime, but thanks to @Koognod we can now run Android without all the extra junk using his rom. It comes already debloated, deodexed and deknoxed, so you can just install it and not have to deal with finding all the junk to delete for yourself. It's already gone! It's also great for speeding up your bogged down phone or creating more space for your apps and media. Here is the link.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/gal...rom-slimpickins-stock-rooted-bloated-t3250883
NOTE: YOU CAN NOT INSTALL THIS ROM IF YOU DO NOT HAVE THE SM-G360T1. It should work fine on the SM-G360T too, but for anyone else just try googling or searching XDA for your "model #" and "debloat rom".
3) I recommend deleting the "PreloadInstaller" folder from "/system/app/" with a Play Store root browser. You should do this before deleting any system apps in my opinion, as this folder contains an apk that is programmed to put back a lot of the system stuff you delete(either immediately or after reboot). If you don't feel comfortable deleting this folder just yet though, then you can just move it to your external sd card for now with your browser to save space in case you ever want to move it back or just skip this step. Your choice!
NOTE: If you don't have the SM-G360T1 or SM-G360T, then your "PreloadInstaller" folder may be called something slightly different or you may not even have it at all. Just look for something similar in there. Be careful not to delete the package installer though as that's the program that allows you to install apps yourself.
4) You need an app that uninstalls system apps. I use "System App Remover(ROOT)" from the Play Store personally because all your deleted system apps actually go into a recycle bin first where they can be restored later if needed. It also tells you if the app in question is a "Key Module"(ie. proceed with serious caution).
5) Google search the internet for system stuff that's ok to delete for your device. It helps to search your model usually, but I don't think there's much info out there for the Galaxy Core Prime unfortunately, so just searching something like "Debloat Samsung Safe" can be a great resource as many Samsung phones have the same system junk.
6) Delete all the obvious stuff you don't want. This would be things like any of the MetroPCS stuff(or whatever carrier you have) or even the Galaxy app store if you don't want it. A lot of Google apps can be deleted too, though you want to be a little more careful with those as Android is pretty much based on the Google Services Framework and many Google apps are tied into the system. Generally, apps like Chrome, Docs, Drive, Hangouts, Maps(if you prefer another map application like Waze or whatever), etc. are good to go if you want. I wouldn't delete any of the core Google apps though that may handle major processes on your phone, like Calendar, possibly even Gmail or any of the ones that you don't know what they do. Deleting the stock camera, gallery, video or music player may sometimes give you problems down the line too, so I would probably keep those. You can also back all your apps up before deleting with Titanium Backup from the Play Store too in case you delete something that you need to put back later.
*NOTE: Some apps, like the Google ones for instance, may cause popup errors after you delete them. This is normal. Your phone's just looking for all those files that were just secretly running a few moments ago. All you have to do is reboot to get rid of those messages. If they still persist, then just reinstall the app.
7) Download an app to clean up that leftover mess. When you delete an app, especially with system stuff, it often leaves a bunch of folders and junk behind. Go to the Play Store and download an app that allows you to clean all that up. There's lots of good ones. I like to use one called "SD Maid" myself. It's good at cleaning up those leftover files and has a feature called "CorpseFinder" in fact that does just that. It also cleans up a lot of other things on your phone.
Anyhow, if you're a heavy power user like myself or you store a lot of music or other media on your phone in addition to 20 million apps or so and you need more space, then I hope this helps you out. Take care guys. Thanks!

Out of curiosity, how does this affect the "phone unlock" feature? In case I want to change providers?

2xMakina said:
Out of curiosity, how does this affect the "phone unlock" feature? In case I want to change providers?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It won't affect it at all as long as you don't delete the "Device Unlock" app. More info on unlocking your device here:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=63729887
Also, you can just install SlimPickins if you want an already debloated rom.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=63868639