Database Info

Best Android Apps - sans Twitter

It seems that whenever I do a search for apps that others find useful, Twitter and Facebook are all the rage.
Seriously, there are "Top Ten Apps" lists out there that will have two or three different Twitter apps listed on them. It drives me insane because I don't care about Twitter and I don't find it productive in the least (just a personal preference matter, no offense to you tweet-aholics out there).
I would like to know social networks and twitter aside, which apps do you find most useful or productive?

Advanced Task killer (name says all)
Astro (explorer that allows you to browse SD card and install apps)
aTrackDog (allows to check new app versions)
Call logs backup & restore/SMS Backup & restore/APN Backup & restore (names says all)
CoPilot Live (payed GPS)
Meridian (Media player with subtitle support)
Shazam (app that "listens" the song and identify it)
Uninstaller (app to uninstall apps)
Zedge (to search for nice wallpapers)
Doubletwist (media player with PC version that allows to sync libraries)
GPS test (to check for satellites in view)
AppBrain App Market and Fast web installer (market alternative that allows to install straight from the webpage)
Games:
Angry birds
Frozen bubble
Jewls
These are my must have every time i try a new rom.

DeuXGod said:
Advanced Task killer (name says all)
Astro (explorer that allows you to browse SD card and install apps)
aTrackDog (allows to check new app versions)
Call logs backup & restore/SMS Backup & restore/APN Backup & restore (names says all)
CoPilot Live (payed GPS)
Meridian (Media player with subtitle support)
Shazam (app that "listens" the song and identify it)
Uninstaller (app to uninstall apps)
Zedge (to search for nice wallpapers)
Doubletwist (media player with PC version that allows to sync libraries)
GPS test (to check for satellites in view)
AppBrain App Market and Fast web installer (market alternative that allows to install straight from the webpage)
Games:
Angry birds
Frozen bubble
Jewls
These are my must have every time i try a new rom.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Nice, there are a few on here I will have to check out. Thanks for not mentioning Twitter or Facebook apps!

My list includes:
- Maps BRUT (Turns maps / naviation into a full car GPS unit)
- Missed Reminders (Does what it says)
- MeContacts (nicer app for placing favourite 'instant dial' widget')
- Double Twist (Mentioned above)
- Pocket Auctions Ebay
- Slideit Soft Keyboard / Swype
- Time Clock Time Traking by Spotlight 6 (Used for tracking work time for clients)
- Dolphin Browser
- Shazam (Mentioned before)
- Robo Defense (Fun game)
- Executive Assistant. (Summary of sms's, emails, missed calls, etc as a widget)
- Flashlight (Name says it all)
- Weatherbug
- Springpad. (Online notes that sync with phone and vise versa)
- Starfield Active Wallpaper (coz I'm a geek ;-)
- The Weather Channel

Here's my current list - 113 market apps, not a single "social" one among them.
http://www.appbrain.com/user/nawoa
Note the absence of a task killer, since I wasn't dropped on my head as a child.
All those, plus the standard Cyanogenmod and Google Apps stuff and a couple that aren't available through the market, like Swype. Thank goodness for DT-A2SD!

Thank you. I bought my phone today & I'm downloading some apps from your link.

Glad to be of service! What kind of phone did you get?
More than anything else, make sure to install Juice Defender. It does simple, completely transparent background power management that should've been built into the OS from the beginning, imho.
Example, if your screen's off, what are the chances you need your power-hungry data connection going? Why not shut it off for 14 minutes out of every 15, and then keep it running until it's no longer being used? Instantly your battery life is greatly extended during times when your phone's in standby.
Or, how about doing the same thing, only keeping it off most of the time a certain application, like a video player, is in the foreground?
Makes sense, right?
No, I'm not affiliated with its developer
-----
HTC Desire (SLCD) S-OFF / Cyanogenmod

nawoa said:
Glad to be of service! What kind of phone did you get?
More than anything else, make sure to install Juice Defender. It does simple, completely transparent background power management that should've been built into the OS from the beginning, imho.
Example, if your screen's off, what are the chances you need your power-hungry data connection going? Why not shut it off for 14 minutes out of every 15, and then keep it running until it's no longer being used? Instantly your battery life is greatly extended during times when your phone's in standby.
Or, how about doing the same thing, only keeping it off most of the time a certain application, like a video player, is in the foreground?
Makes sense, right?
No, I'm not affiliated with its developer
-----
HTC Desire (SLCD) S-OFF / Cyanogenmod
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have a SE Xperia X8. By the way, do ypu mange roms ? Can you take a look at my post about the Xperia X8 ?
( forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=816819 )

How to: Optimize stock ROM

Hi all,
I thought I'd share the steps I did to improve my experience (speed, battery life,...) with the stock ROM of the SK4G, and hopefully get some additional tips from you guys. There's nothing really *new* here, but hopefully it is helpful to some newer people (who don't want to mess with ROMs).
The steps in short:
1) Install the latest firmware.
2) Turn off or configure all automated syncing which you don't use.
3) Remove and/or freeze all apps you don't use.
4) Remove everything from your home screen which you don't need.
5) Disable apps that run on startup, but shouldn't.
6) Replace stock apps.
1) Install the latest firmware.
The latest firmware, currently KJ2, is a real improvement. I was previously using the KG2 firmware which seemed to have some memory leak. In simple terms, every minute the device was on, the system itself was taking up more memory, leaving less and less memory for the apps to run. This resulted in a device getting less responsive with time, the home screen being refreshed regularly, the device completely locking up, ... It was so bad that I made a habit to restart the sidekick at least once a day.
With the new firmware, this seems fixed. I don't think I have even seen the home screen refresh since I updated. Everything just seems more responsive! It also had a positive result on my battery life.
You can either wait for the update to happen automatically, or you can do it manually using Kies. It's a matter of installing Kies, connecting your Sidekick and pressing update. You can find a guide here.
2) Turn off or configure all automated syncing which you don't use.
It's a smartphone, you expect it to sync some stuff. Just check for each use case if you need the syncing and how frequently the syncing should happen. A lot of apps let you configure this kind of stuff. Some even allow you to only sync over wifi.
So just take a look at all installed apps and see which ones use some form of syncing. Some might do it without you being aware of it.
3) Remove and/or freeze all apps you don't use.
This is self explanatory for apps you've installed yourself. With the sidekick you also get a lot of apps that might be completely useless to you, but you can't remove since they are pre-installed. With root however, you can! (See the bottom of this post on how to root.)
Before I go any further, let me explain the difference between removing and freezing apps. Removing an app does exactly what it says, the app will be gone "forever". Freezing however is non-destructive: the app will be disabled and gone from your app list, but you can easily unfreeze it to restore it.
An app that's often mentioned that allows this is Titanium Backup. It is however not free. So instead, I used the free AntTek App Manager, which has worked wonderfully. You get a list of all apps, select one, choose "freeze" and it's gone! In case you want to undo your action, you select the app in the "frozen" list and choose "unfreeze". It's as simple as that.
Note that some apps should not be frozen. For example, I tried to freeze Wifi Calling. As soon as it was frozen, I got "force close" popups. Off course, since freezing is non-destructive, I could simply unfreeze the app to solve the problem.
Here is a list of everything I froze:
- com.amazon.mp3
- AllShare
- com.tmobile.apppack
- Backup (I'm not on T-Mobile)
- DriveSmart
- DriveSmart System
- Group Texting
- Media Hub
- My Account (Only the com.tmobile.selfhelp one)
- T-Mobile Device Carbon
- T-Mobile TV
- Video Chat
- SNS (Social networking)
- SNSAccount
- SnsComposer
- Visual Voicemail (I'm not on T-Mobile)
- Gallery (I use QuickPic instead)
- Swype (I use the samsung keyboard in portrait mode)
- Tips & Tricks
- Email (I use gmail instead)
- Accounts & Sync
- Files (I use ES File Explorer instead)
- Web (I use Dolphin HD instead)
- TeleNav GPS Navigator
- Talk
- Mini Diary
- com.google.android.apps.books
- Task Manager
- Messaging (I use Handcent instead)
4) Remove everything from your home screen which you don't need.
Again, quite easy. What I noticed in the beginning was that I used the home screens to list all apps I actually used, so I didn't have to open the app drawer and search for the wanted app between all apps I didn't use but couldn't remove. However, now that I removed/froze all useless apps (see step 3), the app drawer is quite a clean list of apps, so apps that I use sparingly don't need to be on my home screen anymore.
By the way, it is possible to order the apps in your app drawer. Just open the drawer, choose "menu / View type" and choose "Customizable grid". Afterwards, you can choose "menu / Reorder".
5) Disable apps that run on startup, but shouldn't.
I'm using an app called autorun manager for this. I disabled some apps that I use sparingly but that shouldn't be started when turning on the phone.
6) Replace stock apps.
It might be interesting to look at alternatives for the stock apps, depending on your needs. This is especially handy if you are able to remove/freeze the stock app you're replacing (see step 3).
Some stock apps you can replace:
1) Messaging --> Handcent.
The main features which made me choose Handcent were an incredibly handy popup window if you receive a message and great customization (both the interface as well as the configuration, for example not automatically switching to mms if your message is longer than 3 sms messages was handy for me).
Another nice replacement is Go SMS Pro, but when I tested it, it couldn't work with the led indicators of the sidekick.
2) Default launcher / home screens --> LauncherPro
I only tested this briefly before reverting to the default one, but it seemed very responsive. (I personally didn't like the spacing of the icons on the home screen)
3) Web --> Dolphin HD
I personally love the interface of Dolphin with tabs on top, gestures, efficient use of the screen space, ...
Other replacements are Opera, Skyfire, Firefox, ...
4) Gallery --> QuickPic
I find QuickPic to be a lot faster, and you can easily include/exclude folders.
Root
Rooting the sidekick is actually an easy process. It's a matter of connecting your device to your pc, installing the samsung drivers, running SuperOneClick and clicking "root". That's it. And if you want to undo this change, just go through the same process but click "unroot" instead.
You can find a guide here.

thanks a lot, man. though i'm still considering if i really need root.

Great little guide.
New users that just want a quick way to improve their phone's performance and stability should take note.

The Next Best Thing to Root... or, how to de-screw your stock U.S. Galaxy S7 T-mobile

Presenting.. the Next Best Thing to Root for the U.S. Samsung Galaxy S7 T-mobile edition (model SM-G930T that is)
As of 6/7/16, no root is publicly available. I purchased my S7 on 5/26/16 and decided to keep it despite the lack of root. This is my story.
INTRO
So the ol' Galaxy Note II up and died on me a couple weekends back, and I blew 40 bucks on a new battery before I realized it was gone gone gone. Queue new phone shopping, the hip glasses-toting dudes at T-mobile swayed me to an S7. I didn't want something as big as my last phone and forget using a bumper case with that curved-screen edge (an acquaintance of mine quotes: "The only thing that ****ing screen is good for is when I'm high as hell and want to read the clock without lifting my head". He dropped his and shattered it.), so I went with the plain ol' S7. Well, now I know why the salesguy got real quiet when the first thing I told him I would do was 'root the phone'. Being a programmer, I was pretty bummed and unhappy about owning a device that I am purposely locked out of Administrating.. but the return fee was $50, and I really liked what the S7 brought to the table.
Goes without saying, I was ready to pay for the rootable HTC-10 (my local store didn't even carry it, the salesman said they were 'test-marketing it' at a couple other stores across town) or the LG monstrosity (I haven't liked this company since the spying TV debacle, tho once upon a time they made good and cheap TVs), but I hated how much bigger the devices were and that svelte S7 really impressed me otherwise. Samsung really does make the 'iPhone of Androids'.
So, I decided to stick with the S7, and un-screw it pretty much as best as I could. And, because all I read was mostly a lot of 'is the root out yets', I thought it would be cool to share.
ABOUT THE S7
Not too terribly much has changed in the android linux filesystem since the last time I seriously delved into it. Got a vague idea where most of what is what, but I also recognize that the Path to Rooting is two: Utilizing a bootloader to actually flash the chip, or Piggybacking on some existing Administrative-privileged software in the otherwise 'closed' environment. Samsung shipped the U.S. T-mobile S7's (mine is SM-G930T) with a locked bootloader to make it nigh-impossible to root via flashing. Get to it, ya chip-hackers.
However, it is a universal law of the internet that someone out there will find an operable software workaround, and this is usually some 13-year-old kid from Finland, or at least it was in the case where I found drivers for a Voodoo 3 card during the advent of Windows XP. God bless the internet will provide, and in this case that gentle soul is none other than a man by the appropriate name of OSPolice.
PACKAGE DISABLER PRO - THE 99 CENT APP
play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.ospolice.packagedisablerpro&hl=en
This little gem of an app I purchased for $0.99 off the play store. This is the key to enjoying the disabling features of Root access and the key to un-screwing the T-mobile Galaxy S7. What this app does is essentially co-opt the Administrative access that Samsung Knox (the 'security' software) uses and allows you to disable any and all packages on the phone. When you first activate it you will have to accept an agreement tied to Samsung Knox (don't worry, this in no way causes anything to 'phone home' as far as I can tell).
I would recommend the very first thing you do is go to the settings and add a password to the app, that way nobody else can get in, because this can seriously **** with your phone's software, if you disable the wrong package the phone will not boot up properly and you will need to reinstall. There is an option to Disable All Bloatware based on automatic picks from the application but this can screw up some phones and you will miss a lot of crap, so DO NOT AUTO-DISABLE.
There is also another important reason you should manually disable these. Clicking on a package from the main app brings up a screen where you have several options (the auto-google feature is quite helpful to researching various processes). There is also an important little button that says 'Clear Data', erasing the temporary package data. Due to info I found on another forum, which I am too lazy to dig up here and now, there is an important process to disabling with Package Disabler Pro:
THE DISABLING PROCESS
1. If the package is not enabled, enable it.
2. While the package IS ENABLED, click Clear Data.
3. DISABLE the package with the Disable button.
4. Click CLEAR DATA a second time.
5. On to the next one...
It appears there may be some data that is not erased when the package is disabled. In any case, this fixed all of the problems I had disabling earlier without using the Clear Data button. This is important to stop certain packages from utilizing an outside process to re-enable themselves.
Below I am listing all of the processes that I disabled. Your list might be different; before I did this I updated the phone's system software from T-mobile's servers (as of 5/25), and I don't plan to auto-update again until I root or have to reload everything.
Also, please keep in mind I turned off a few features with this method, you will have to ADJUST YOUR PACKAGES ACCORDINGLY or know what to re-enable from the below list. I turned off all wi-fi calling (don't like 'weird' internet connections), all NFC and payment such as the Samsung pay chip (nothing I want/need enabled right now). I kept Bluetooth connectivity on since I pair the phone with my car for and it's more or less an 'established' form of protocol, neverless if I didn't use it I would deactivate it as well. Security Over All is my philosophy.
THE SINGLE PROBLEM I HAVE HAD is being unable to 'browse' for a background when choosing a new one for the lock screen. I kept the lock screen with a stock dark blue and had already set my live wallpaper (play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.dkeesto.holographlw&hl=en if you are curious, Digital Hive by the unsurpassed Cypher Cove). So set your backgrounds before disabling all these, or try and figure out which disabled package screws this up, though I tried re-enabling anything with 'wallpaper' in it to no avail.
I also disabled a lot of the Google services, I check my gmail online, phone apps seem so hideously insecure to my mind, and I don't want to use any drive or cloud backup services AT ALL. Go with an all-encrypted service or backup your data yourself, and I don't trust any non-rooted backup apps. If you use the Gmail app or etc, simply don't disable it.
A LIST OF PACKAGES I DISABLED (remember to Clear Data, then Disable, then Clear Data a second time!):
AASAservice
Access cloud
AllShare FileShare Service
Amazon
ANT + DUT
ANT HAL Service
ANT Radio Service
ANT+ Plugins Service
AutoPreconfig
Basic Daydreams
BBCAgent
BeaconManager
Beaming Service
Briefing (**** you)
Calculator
Calendar
Camera test
Carmode Stub
ChocoEUKor
Color Adjustment
com.android.providers.partnerbookmarks
com.android.sharedstoragebackup
com.android.wallpapercropper
com.facebook.appmanager
com.facebook.system
com.samsung.android.app.watchmanagerstub
com.samsung.android.sm.devicesecurity
com.samsung.dcmservice
com.samsung.enhanceservice
com.samsung.faceservice
com.samsung.hs20provider
com.samsung.ipservice
com.samsung.storyservice
com.sec.android.app.minimode.res
com.sec.android.app.wfdbroker
com.sec.bcservice
com.tmobile.pr.adapt
Context Service
Control TV
CoolEUKor
Device Unlock
DeviceTest
Dictionary
EasyOneHand
EasySetup
Email
Enhanced features
eSE UCS Plugin
Facebook
Favorite Contacts
Filter Installer
Filter Manager
Filter Provider
Foundation
Galaxy Apps
Galaxy Essentials Widget
Gallery (I use an app called QuickPic, don't disable if you use the regular Gallery)
Game Launcher
Game Tools
GamepadService
GameService
Gear VR Service
Gear VR SetupWizardStub
Gear VR Shelf
Gmail (You might not want to disable, but for security's sake you should and use your browser)
Google App
Google Backup Transport
Google Calendar Sync
Google Contacts Sync
Google One Time Init
Google Partner Setup
Google Play Movies & TV
Good Play Music
Hancom Office Editor
Hangouts
Health Service (this auto-health reading stuff is kind of scary)
Help
Highlight video player
IMS Settings
ImsLogger+
IntelligenceService2
Interaction control
Internet (have a secondary browser in place, I initially used Chrome)
IPsec Service
Kies Application BnR
KNOX
KnoxAppsUpdateAgent
Live wallpaper picker
Lookout
Magnifier
Market Feedback Agent
MDMApp
Memo
Message service
Messages (I use an app called Textra, it is pleasant, don't disable if you use this for text messages)
MmsService (I have had no trouble sending/receiving MMS text with this disabled)
Mobile tracker
My Files
My interests
My Places
Nearby Service
Nfc Service
NSDSWebApp
Personal Data Management
Photo Editor
Photo Screensavers
Photos
Print Spooler (might be necessary for phone-to-printer if you're into that)
Private Mode Service
Quick connect
Remote Controls
RoseEUKor
S Finder
S Health
S Voice App
Safety assistance
Safety information
Samsung account
Samsung ApexService
Samsung Billing
Samsung Content Agent
Samsung Galaxy
Samsung Gear
Samsung keyboard (HAVE ANOTHER KEYBOARD INSTALLED [I use Hacker's Keyboard] OR DO NOT DISABLE THIS)
Samsung Location DSK
Samsung Milk Music
Samsung MirrorLink 1.1
Samsung Pay Stub
Samsung Payment Framework
Samsung Push Service
Samsung setup wizard
Samsung text-to-speech engine
Samsung+
SamsungDLPService
SapaMonitor
Screen Mirroring
Security policy updates
SecurityLogAgent
Settings Receiver
ShootingModeProvider
Simple Sharing
SLLibrary
Slow and fast-motion video player and editor
Smart Manager
Smart Manager Provider
SmartCallProvider
SmartcardManager
SmartcardService
SmartFaceService
SmartManager Clean DSK
SnsImageCache
Software update
Software Update
Sound detectors
Sound picker
T-Mobile
T-Mobil Name ID
T-Mobile TV
Theme store
Themes
TouchWiz easy home
TouchWiz home
Trim
Universal switch
UrgentFWUpdateNfc
UrgentFWUpdateTSP
Video collage
Video Editor Lite
Video Player (Stock, don't disable if you use, I use an app called VLC that plays damn near anything)
Virtual tour
Visual Voicemail
Visual Voicemail
Voice Assistant
Voice service
Voice wake-up
WallpaperCompression
Weather
Weather
Wi-Fi Direct
Wi-Fi Direct share
Wi-Fi Calling Settings
withTV
And that's it! Boy, wasn't that a lot of clicking clear data and all that junk! But it is worth it!
A FEW OTHER FEATURES I DON'T USE
Fingerprints.. never tested with this. I fail to see the usefulness of a fingerprint compared to a password in your head, and it's a whole lot easier to duplicate the former and scan someone's phone (call it the 'law gets in' password). So some of these might have disabled fingerprint functionality.
Voice-assistance.. again, the possibility of my phone recording me without me knowing is kind of scary. There's a lot of Samsung S-voice crap built in, I had this sort of thing on my last phone and never had the need for it.
Always-On Screen - It displays the time, had it on for a couple days and it worked just fine, but ultimately a battery eater, and the config options are real limited. I ended up turning this off.
The Samsung TouchWiz Launcher - As soon as I got all my packages disabled, I ditched this one. You can use anything you like, but personally I found a new home with NovaLauncher.
The Camera I tried to keep as whole as possible, I set it as the 'double-home-button-click-to-open', which was default behavior, and I really like it this way - double-click and you have a camera, and it works regardless of locked screen. They've really improved the camera software, I can double-click and start recording and that's just the way I like to use a phone. Now if there were only a way to compress, encrypt, and auto-transmit those movies immediately after recording...
DEVELOPER OPTIONS
Settings -> About device -> Click on 'Build Version' a bunch of times. If you're reading these forums you should probably know how to activate this.
Some cool settings, the only one I toggle is USB debugging.. for ease of file transfer on a PC thru USB cable, something which ALL modern phones suck ass at. It almost makes me want to program a simple universal file transfer software suite.
WHAT I WISH I STILL HAD
Encrypted Backup Solutions/State Backups: TitaniumBackup & Nandroid are the ****. Man do I miss having root access.
Customized Pull-down Notification Screen: I hate that first row of settings buttons. I will probably have to pony up the 5 bucks to NovaLauncher to see if they can make those go away.
One-touch Reboot app - Not getting this one until root Administrative access. I'll have to live without until then.
Otherwise, I have been pretty conveniently able to live without Root on this phone, and I hope this guide can make you happy, too!
SOME APP SUGGESTIONS - USEFUL
I've peppered the above with some apps I really like, here are some more:
Firefox - My favorite browser. I keep a copy of chrome for emergencies. 'Noscript' and 'Phony' are must-have extensions. Still looking for a good page-to-pdf extractor.
Orbot/Orfox - Best TOR/browser combo.
Rocket Player - FANTASTIC music app that I ponied up the money to unlock (mostly to play FLACs). Near-perfect, and a relief because Winamp **** the bed when it came to Android.
DuckDuckGo - I use this to replace the Google search bar widget. Doesn't work the same (click to open) but works quickly.
ZDBox - I use this exclusively for the 5x2 'control' widget on my home page. One-touch turnon/offs (or some options send you to the settings screen) for the following: WiFi, Bluetooth, GPS, Mobile Network, Airplane Mode, TaskKiller, disable Screen Rotate, Brightness, Applock (you specify) and Flashlight (my default light, big screwy button but I'm used to it now).
ZDCal - From the makers of ZDBox, a free calendar that displays as a strip in the notification bar and also places a date at the top of the screen. Be careful, the first time I set it up I blindly clicked a couple pages and set up a period calendar that promptly notified me when I was beginning ovulation (I am a man).
SOME APP SUGGESTIONS - GAMES
Stellar Solitaire - The best Solitaire app ever. Tons of games, demos, beautiful for a phone screen.
Cliffy Run - A rager game my awesome friend made that is totally and amazingly simple and has some great graphics.
Neko Atsume - A stupid japanese cat simulator that I can't stop checking.
Source - A free 'pipes' puzzle game. I'm at 1 hr 2 mins on insane level. Great for killing time in the DMV.
SOME APP SUGGESTIONS - PROGRAMMER/NERD
OS Monitor - Process/Connection task-manager
JuiceSSH - My terminal app of choice.
Blowtorch Beta - My MUD app of choice. Told ya I nerd.
AndFTP - My FTP/SSHFTP app of choice.
AndroZip - My compression app, and, surprisingly, file manager of choice.
Fing - 1st of the 2 best wireless discovery apps ever.
Wifi Analyzer - 2nd of the 2 best wireless discovery apps ever.
Usemon - Resource Analyzer. Has a cool option for the notification screen, and measures both frequency and % use graphs when many progs do one or the other.
Cargo Decoder - If you want to read what exactly is in the tanker truck you are driving behind and how badly a spill will **** up your day.
Maverick - For all your GPS/compass/accelerometer needs.
FINALE
Please feel free to add anything to the above! I am pleased that I got my phone to do most of the things I wanted without a root. That being said, as soon as it is possible I will be jumping on that train. If you have any suggestions, please contribute! And thanks for reading!

I never understood the reasons why people get so hung up on "debloating." There was a time where I was one of those people, rooted and debloated every phone I had, etc. One thing I found out, they all, without fail, performed worse than stock, and battery life took a significant hit. It seems counter-intuitive, but I am not the only person to have experienced this. There was a time when phone hardware was weak and the Samsung or HTC, or whatver UI was bloated, but these days are gone. By all means spend the money and time to "debloat" this phone if it makes you happy that you did something, or stuck it to Samsung/T-Mobile, or whatever. Alternatively, instead of letting your phone run your life, use it as it is out of the box and focus your energy on something that actually matters. If I were able to get root on this phone, all I would do is install an ad blocker. Everything else on this phone is excellent.

Good stuff. Package disabler pro really helps...I plan to check out some of the apps you mentioned.

I tried using it, but found it disabled more than I wanted. A bunch of apps and processes went missing and things didn't work. I know you can do individual apps I think, I only tried the default settings. Didn't like it. It's Not like having root or Titanium backup. I uninstalled it. Things worked again. Just my experience, but everyone else, enjoy!
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G935A using XDA-Developers mobile app

Adguard is really good for blocking ads. You have to pay a yearly fee for it to block ads in apps though.
If you want to back up apps and data, Helium can do that.
Sent from my SM-G935T using XDA-Developers mobile app

We already have a thread in this section for debloating the S7E here:
S7 Edge debloat list
Please search before posting and don't start duplicate threads.
THREAD CLOSED

[App][4.0+] Root Service Disabler - Disable/freeze/uninstall any Service or Package

Play Store:
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.kunkunsoft.rootservicedisabler
Working with all Android devices (Samsung, Sony, LG, HTC, Asus, Xiaomi, Huawei,...etc) - Free and Requires ROOT
► It's safe to disable service and package in [Installed] and [Bloatware] list, be careful to disable service and package in [System] list (not safe)
☆ Root Service Disabler is the best app forever help you disable, freeze and uninstall any Service or Package (Installed, Bloatware and System) on your Android devices
☆ One tap to disable/enable (freeze/unfreeze) all service of Bloatware (S Health, Gear VR, Instagram, One Drive, Microsoft Office, widget apps,...etc)
☆ Root Service Disabler will disable, freeze service or uninstall package and make them disappear, save your RAM usage, Battery life and improve your Performance. All disabled package is marked unavailable from running and updating.
☆ Root Service Disabler work with almost Android devices (Samsung, LG, HTC, etc) and works with Root permission
☆ Disable Gear VR service, you can use your Samsung Gear VR headset with Cardboard apps and games. Gear VR app will not be auto launched until you enable them again
Main features:
✔ Disable any Service or Package - disable (freeze) any Installed, Bloatware or System service or package
✔ One-tap enable/disable all service of package
✔ Custom Bloatware list - edit and custom Bloatware list by yourself (support by [Set Non-Bloat] and [Set As Bloat] function)
✔ More Options - support to hide/unhide, show detail, launch and uninstall package
✔ Clear application Data - save your memory, battery and improve your performance
✔ Favorite packages list - save your favorite packages, quickly to access and disable
✔ Filter(top-right corner icon) - disabled packages list, running packages list, disabled service list, running services list, farvorite packages list
✔ Password Protection Mode - lock this application by Passcode (offline)
✔ Material Design - simple and easy to use
Important Note:
- ☆Please enable all package, even apps that you consider bloatware before a system update (OTA)
- Always be careful to disable Critical (System) service and package, unless you are sure that it safe to disable.
- Remember backup your devices, your datas before using this app, We hold no responsibility for any damage you may cause.
We would love to hear from our customers. If you have any problem, questions or feedback about this app please contact us at [[email protected]]

If you have any problem, questions or feedback about this app please contact us at [[email protected]]

Update new version 1.0.1:
- More Theme
- Fix bug and change some UI

Bump. This is a nice app that is under the radar.

I used to be able to use Service Disabler just fine a while back. Loved it. Being able to disable not just entire apps but their individual services has been super helpful.
However, for the last several weeks I have been unable to get it to work. It might have stopped working after I had to reset/reroot my device. When I open the app, I grant it superuser access, but when I try to disable/modify anything it acts as though I don't have root (note: other root apps work fine).
Any ideas as what I might do?
SM-G930v
6.0.1
rooted
xposed
note: I have emailed [email protected] for support a long time ago about this but got no response. Just sent another email but figured i'd post here as well.

i have use this for years.. great app.. But now on my s8 i cant see running system files anymore... What crap... any fixes to that?

General Thread for useful apps without rooting

Hello everyone.
Because I passed over the "rooting" period, I am more interested in getting the max out of this phone without rooting it.
This thread I intend to make it about apps (useful ones) that requires no root in order to work.
I would start with an ad blocker.
My favourite tool is Blokada - https://blokada.org/
Plain and easy to install and use and works fine.
Next is Vanced - a more adVanced YouTube player. https://vancedapp.com/
Simple to install but, before using it, you must disable MIUI optimization
Another app that worth mentioning is Twilight. If you are a night phone user, this app is here to protect your eyes.
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.urbandroid.lux
MIUI - Contacts and dialer
If the stock (Google) dialer and contacts is not for you, you can try the MIUi - Contacts and dialer app, slightly more aesthetic.
Xiaomi Contacts and dialer 12.2.4.5 APK Download by Xiaomi Inc - APKMirror
Xiaomi Contacts and dialer 12.2.4.5 APK Download by Xiaomi Inc - APKMirror Free and safe Android APK downloads
www.apkmirror.com
If you want a more loud sound - even if on this stereo speakers phone isn't really necessary, you can use Volume Booster. Beware of not setting it over 20% otherwise you will risk hearing and speakers problems.
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.goodev.volume.booster
I will update the list with some other apps.
If you have something to add, please feel free to share.

WaveUp can turn the screen on and off "automatically" via waving over the proximity sensor. For users of "book covers" the app is quite useful, as you can set it so that the screen is activated by opening the cover and deactivated after a predefined time after closing it.
WaveUp - Apps on Google Play
Turn on the display by waving
play.google.com

Termux. It's impressive what it can do without root.
Does having to use adb to grant permission count? If not any Package Disabler can do some damage
SD maid, it may be an old app but it still does thinks better than a lot of apps.
Can't forget about how useful Mixplorer can be. I have not looked for a different file browser because it I can't think of anything it can't do.
Adaway works without root now, not sure how well because I go nuts not having root, lol
And my newest discovery, the one that actually caused me to get rid of Chrome completely because I found Bromite.
Yes Bromite (Google it) it's such an amazing web browser.
Turmux
Package Disabler
SD Maid
Mixplorer
Bromite (Just try it, you won't regret it. Not on Play Store, Google is afraid of it)
GitHub - bromite/bromite: Bromite is a Chromium fork with ad blocking and privacy enhancements; take back your browser!
Bromite is a Chromium fork with ad blocking and privacy enhancements; take back your browser! - GitHub - bromite/bromite: Bromite is a Chromium fork with ad blocking and privacy enhancements; take ...
github.com

Bitwarden - Easily best password manager, recently Gboard added integration for it you can auto-fill passwords for sites and apps easily.
KWGT - Insane customisability, visit /r/AndroidThemes for ideas. This is my desktop @ ArrowOS.

k3lcior said:
Bitwarden - Easily best password manager, recently Gboard added integration for it you can auto-fill passwords for sites and apps easily.
KWGT - Insane customisability, visit /r/AndroidThemes for ideas. This is my desktop @ ArrowOS.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Oh Gboard how did I forget that. It's basically the first app I always install after a factory reset or whatever

A different launcher, less useless gimmicks and focused on productivity.
Ratio Launcher
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.bllocosn

Here's another app that might be useful for some.
SystemUI - to slightly modify some hidden options on UI. No root, just ADB to grant some permissions
SystemUI Tuner - Apps on Google Play
PLEASE READ ENTIRE DESCRIPTION BEFORE INSTALLING
play.google.com

If you are annoyed with your default messages app, coz of the cluttered unorganised ui, and u get lot of sms then try Sms Organizer from "Microsoft". I have been using this app since it first came out, it basically organises all ur messages automatically into categories like transactions, personal, promotion etc. and it only shows you what's important in a message in the popup or notifications panel, for example it will only show you the OTP if u got one msg of it, it will show you the amount debited/credited to ur account if u gat a transaction msg, it will tell u if u got cashback, it will remind you for ur upcoming event and online order delivery stuff. So the conclusion is you must use this app as ur default messenger no matter what phone u r using, this will make your life 10 times easier and the ui is super clean too, it also has dark(amoled) mode.
Here is the link- https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.microsoft.android.smsorganizer

From F-Droid repository:
* OsmAnd+ - maps and navigation
* Mull - cleaned version of Firefox Browser
* NewPipe - YouTube frontend.

Freeware. No ads. No bs.
Make installable copies of all your apps and updates. Take Playwhore out of the reload loop.
APK Export (Backup & Share) - Apps on Google Play
Manage and extract your apps.
play.google.com
A VNP based Firewall that uses almost no battery. Works best with Pie or lower though.
Logging doesn't work with 10 up, I believe... test it and let me know.
Karma Firewall - Apps on Google Play
Karma Firewall app lets you block internet traffic to and from specific apps.
play.google.com

I'm quite a fan of NoRoot Firewall:
NoRoot Firewall - Apps on Google Play
Firewall WITHOUT ROOT. Host name name filtering, fine-grained access control.
play.google.com
I don't trust a lot of apps and NoRoot works well. It blocks all apps by default and you can choose to allow Internet over wifi, data, both or neither. It also supports filters so you can globally block particular sites.
It's usually the first thing I install when I gte a new phone or reinstall.
You do have to keep in mind that if a trusted app can't access the Internet, NoRoot may be blocking it, so you just enable it and away you go.
Cheers
Steve

IMHO a must have app is the:
Download Progress++
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.ceco.sbdp.pro&hl=gsw&gl=US
Came from an xposed module. Now works as an app without anything else.
Should be a default android option.

Hey!
Hope you're doing well!
Sorry for reviving this old thread but I would like to add two new apps:
GOVPN: non-invasive ad-supported VPN. Allows to choose the desired location, unrestricted and unlimited. Did some tests with online streaming and went all good.
VPN secure fast proxy by GOVPN - Apps on Google Play
VPN for safe web browsing. Unlimited, many countries
play.google.com
Activity Launcher
Gives access to internal apps to be launched, apps usually not available in a normal state of the phone.
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=de.szalkowski.activitylauncher

Time to add on to the list:
Migrate : Helps restore apps and app data when switching between Custom ROMS, outdated as of now but still works.

Naveenthemi said:
Time to add on to the list:
Migrate : Helps restore apps and app data when switching between Custom ROMS, outdated as of now but still works.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The thread requires non-rooted apps