Related
Dear users,
Considering all 3C apps are now based on the same source code, they all behave the same way, and will exhibit the same issues. Any queries will also likely applies to all apps.
To make my life easier while continuing to provide support here (and start with a clean slate), I decided to close all my app threads and open a fresh new thread here.
With your continuous help and support, the past 4 years have been a great adventure and experience. Let's take a fresh start and continue this amazing adventure.
Thank you all!
*** See at the end of this post on how to get support for any issues ***
The most comprehensive toolbox to save battery, tweak, tune, backup, secure and monitor any Android devices running any ROMs, any kernels.
What is 3C Toolbox
Replaces 20+ apps easily worth 30€ for the price of a couple of beers!
NB: Starting with version 1.0.3, Android 2.2.x and 2.1.x are no longer supported. App supports Android 2.3 and above, including Android L preview.
Safest root app on Play Store: I run the app and all its features on at least 4 devices every day, and change 3 of them frequently for testing purposes. With about 250.000+ actual users, it's pretty safe to assume the app is very safe. App can create a reset package to disable all system tweak features from CWM/TWRP at any time. App has automatic fallback in case of boot loops while re-configuring the CPU.
See signature for download links.
☺ App Features
☺ 3C Apps Feature Comparison
☺ More app screenshots
☺ Low CPU consumption, please check benchmarks
☺ Get started guide
☺ Online help
♦♦ Unique features not available elsewhere ♦♦
◊ Track your ROM, kernel and battery performance (%/h or mA, screen on or standby)
◊ Battery milli-amp (mA), mW and %/h consumption reporting
◊ Automatic backup of installed and updated applications
◊ Highly configurable graphical monitoring widgets
◊ Advanced script editor
♦♦ Unique features not available elsewhere (root required) ♦♦
◊ Clean and safe reboots, without data loss
◊ Turn on/off APN, BT discovery, tethering, GPS & WiFi Localization
◊ Logcat reader for Android JellyBean 4.1.x
◊ Easiest Link2SD / App2SD capabilities ever
◊ More about permissions requested
◊ Issues with CPU temperature or battery current mA or capacity mAh?
Please explain this in a support request from app settings, help and support so we can provide the appropriate option to use in 'mA retrieval method' of battery / monitoring settings and add out-of-the-box support for your device. All necessary information is provided in the request's attachments.
◊ How to get support for any other issues
Please send a support request from app settings, help and support. You need to clearly explain your issue, attach any relevant screenshots showing where and how the issue occurs. I will not provide any support here.
All I ask is to provide reasonable details for me to be able to help, empty requests are mostly trashed, I keep one requests per device for the sake of a possible source of information for how the app supports things, to possibly fix things too or compare between variants of the same device.
For example a support request contain the following (you can check the content before sending it!),
all discovered SD cards, very useful for any related issues, including the mentioned read cache stuff.
app installation path and configuration, for xposed, battery, cpu, tweaks, apps or task managers problems.
battery history and configuration for any battery problems.
CPU configuration for CPU problems, including thermal, mp, voltage, etc
The idea is that you explain the observed issue, possibly add a screenshot so that I know exactly where to look for (app has 100+ screens and sometimes words don't mean the same for you and me), and there I can really do a good job at helping you.
PS: And so you know, I hate liars, insults, disrespect and myself. So please try to avoid those when requesting support.
Actually if you want support, posting the whole support request content, the screenshot and details here should be ok. Doing otherwise, I'll either ignore you completely or send you elsewhere very quickly, you want to leave me a one star rating, so be it: developing is my passion and I love it, you want my help, do it the right way or don't at all. I don't develop for stars, I develop for fun.
Attention !!!! Installs an apk to /system/ dosnt know what it does !!! Apk is there when uninstalled too !!!!
Will the users of BMW pro and system tuner pro get a discount or count this as an upgrade?
Amazing! Downloading now.
Sent from my Nexus 7 using xda premium
Hi 3c,
Not a bad idea to make an "all in one", just need to see about memory, battery and CPU usage... but I am pretty confident about that
No more update for System Tuner pro?
In all cases I buy it! (although slightly damage the impressive increase in the price ).
Thanks and congratulations for your new app
DJxSpeedy said:
Attention !!!! Installs an apk to /system/ dosnt know what it does !!! Apk is there when uninstalled too !!!!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I've updated the first post with more information about that. Will publish an updated APK to ask user permission before installing it within the next hour.
EDIT: Didn't expected you guys to be so quick while I finalize the publishing of all required information.
By the way, the uninstall process can't uninstall other stuff, but as a rooted device, you should have no problem getting rid of this APK.
Please try the new APK published a minute ago (available in a couple of hours) that will allow you to refuse the APK installation.
dirtyreturn said:
Will the users of BMW pro and system tuner pro get a discount or count this as an upgrade?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, just contact me with the order lists (bmw, system tuner and the new android tuner) and I'll refund old apps. This is the migration plan I'm working on.
EDIT: As of December 20th, 2013, direct refunds on Play Store are no longer possible. This was the only available way to offer discounts in a decent way. PayPal was an alternative available until February 2014, but it was abandonned because of the complexity, 30+% extra fees and the lack of global support (some countries could not receive refunds).
viking37 said:
Hi 3c,
Not a bad idea to make an "all in one", just need to see about memory, battery and CPU usage... but I am pretty confident about that
No more update for System Tuner pro?
In all cases I buy it! (although slightly damage the impressive increase in the price ).
Thanks and congratulations for your new app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, high price for now to avoid users who just try any apps and put comments after a few minutes of testing. And also to be able to offer discounts by refunding old apps paid version.
Nevertheless there will be updates on existing apps (not everyone wants an all in one app) with existing improvements, except features that require additional permissions.
Do you think youll ever add ability to spoof app permissions? And let user input the value... This would be an ultimate feature!
Sent from my Nexus 7 using xda premium
NicholasQ said:
Do you think youll ever add ability to spoof app permissions? And let user input the value... This would be an ultimate feature!
Sent from my Nexus 7 using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm looking into this actually, along with a smart "renicer", but both requires hacking Android or every APK to monitor and it turns out to be very complex.
There's 3 existing solutions on Market today:
- Hacking of Android class loader, as done by LBE Security app.
- Hacking of APK installed, as done by SRT Guard
- Patching the ROM like PDroid does.
They all have their advantages and problems, but the APK hacking seems the best option to go for as it results in a more stable experience, not as dependent on Android version as the 2 others and probably less disruptive as LBE can be when it messes up one's device. But then I'm not sure an APK can actually be installed properly
That said, I'm still looking into the first solution hacking app loading directly.
3c said:
I've updated the first post with more information about that. Will publish an updated APK to ask user permission before installing it within the next hour.
EDIT: Didn't expected you guys to be so quick while I finalize the publishing of all required information.
By the way, the uninstall process can't uninstall other stuff, but as a rooted device, you should have no problem getting rid of this APK.
Please try the new APK published a minute ago (available in a couple of hours) that will allow you to refuse the APK installation.
Yes, just contact me with the order lists (bmw, system tuner and the new android tuner) and I'll refund old apps. This is the migration plan I'm working on.
Yes, high price for now to avoid users who just try any apps and put comments after a few minutes of testing. And also to be able to offer discounts by refunding old apps paid version.
Nevertheless there will be updates on existing apps (not everyone wants an all in one app) with existing improvements, except features that require additional permissions.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
We are Quick we are fast...we are xda !
DJxSpeedy said:
We are Quick we are fast...we are xda !
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not at removing bad comment on Market though
So i take it you find this app extremely bad to rate it one star, right?
yes iam that i dosnt have it installed atm.. but one is good that you are here.. i have another bug for you
why does it make an backup of build.prop when i change nothing at it ?
DJxSpeedy said:
yes iam that i dosnt have it installed atm.. but one is good that you are here.. i have another bug for you
why does it make an backup of build.prop when i change nothing at it ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So far you didn't find any bugs.
changed my play store entry about it
Is this [really] compatible with gingerbread? It lags, 'freezes' on screen and I have to long click the home button. I am using a sensation 4g 2.3.4. I'll get a logcat if you will find that that will help.
DJxSpeedy said:
changed my play store entry about it
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks, appreciated. I'm sure your new entry will be more useful to new users.
So I still hope you can enjoy my new app and report any of your findings, directly here or best is using the 'support request' from the app settings, it provides a lot of useful information for debugging
dirtyreturn said:
Is this [really] compatible with gingerbread? It lags, 'freezes' on screen and I have to long click the home button. I am using a sensation 4g 2.3.4. I'll get a logcat if you will find that that will help.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes it is compatible. When did it lag? After requesting to install the system app or at some other times?
When lagging, the OS usually creates a file in /data/anr/traces.txt. If you experience a new lag, you can send it to me, possibly using the support request feature in the app settings. You can then attach a file to the newly created email.
When it comes to lags (or ANRs for that matter), logcat is useless. It only mentions a reference to the traces.txt file
3c said:
Yes it is compatible. When did it lag? After requesting to install the system app or at some other times?
When lagging, the OS usually creates a file in /data/anr/traces.txt. If you experience a new lag, you can send it to me, possibly using the support request feature in the app settings. You can then attach a file to the newly created email.
When it comes to lags (or ANRs for that matter), logcat is useless. It only mentions a reference to the traces.txt file
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
To me (if I'm wrong it's all user error) the system apk it was requesting to install (it appeared to me) was for ics/jb, so I refused the install. Your app kept requesting to install the extras. After a little thought - is the extra apk mandatory? No intention to cause any concern if what I'm experiencing is nonsense. I have not rated your app on the play store.
It lagged randomly.
dirtyreturn said:
To me (if I'm wrong it's all user error) the system apk it was requesting to install (it appeared to me) was for ics/jb, so I refused the install. Your app kept requesting to install the extras. After a little thought - is the extra apk mandatory? No intention to cause any concern if what I'm experiencing is nonsense. I have not rated your app on the play store.
It lagged randomly.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The extra APK is now only for specific toggles as I manage to find a different work around for the JB logcat issue. Those toggles include the APN (mobile data), background data (this one's obsolete), debug mode, unknown sources, gps and wifi localization. The 1 useful toggles is for GPS though.
Until you press 'do not ask again', the app would continue to request the APK installation ;(
As for the lags you're experiencing that seems like a bug. Have you found any trace.txt in /data/anr directory by any chance?
It's just fair to be concerned with things like that, I can understand. But installing an app requesting 35 permissions, then granting root access to that app and then being scared about a 40Kb APK being installed on /system folder is quite funny actually.
If I may make this comparison, it's like letting a heavily armed man (the 35 permissions+root) in your home and then being worried being he is hiding a wallet (the 40Kb apk) in your home!
Anyway, bad comments always call for improvements
3c said:
The extra APK is now only for specific toggles as I manage to find a different work around for the JB logcat issue. Those toggles include the APN (mobile data), background data (this one's obsolete), debug mode, unknown sources, gps and wifi localization. The 1 useful toggles is for GPS though.
Until you press 'do not ask again', the app would continue to request the APK installation ;(
As for the lags you're experiencing that seems like a bug. Have you found any trace.txt in /data/anr directory by any chance?
It's just fair to be concerned with things like that, I can understand. But installing an app requesting 35 permissions, then granting root access to that app and then being scared about a 40Kb APK being installed on /system folder is quite funny actually.
If I may make this comparison, it's like letting a heavily armed man (the 35 permissions+root) in your home and then being worried being he is hiding a wallet (the 40Kb apk) in your home!
Anyway, bad comments always call for improvements
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Seems permissions are about the same as some system apps. the taces.txt is up for you. Hope it does something helpful. Thanks for the app. I had sent a PM with the information about the purchases. I do not use google wallet.
Awesome news that you are working on user defined app permissions. I really hope you can find a good work around. And I do currently use SRT appguard in conjuction with Android Tuner and I did notice it seems to handle disabling app permissions pretty good. The only downside is that you won't get app updates from market but that's not a big deal to me. I think if you can get the spoofing action to work, a lot of people are going to want your app. There are plenty of times I haven't downloaded an app because I didn't like it's permissions. So being able to control them without breaking the app will be a dream come true.
Sent from my Nexus 7 using xda premium
After so long of developing apps for other people, I've decided to make one 100% by myself, and publish it.
The app is basically an alternative to the default app-manager of Android, and it provides some unique features that helps you manage and uninstall apps quicker and easier.
If you've found this app useful, please support it by sharing/donating/comment on the play store.
Installation link :
APK mirror:
https://www.apkmirror.com/apk/androiddeveloperlb/app-manager/
ApkPure:
https://apkpure.com/app-manager/com.lb.app_manager
Some screenshots
{
"lightbox_close": "Close",
"lightbox_next": "Next",
"lightbox_previous": "Previous",
"lightbox_error": "The requested content cannot be loaded. Please try again later.",
"lightbox_start_slideshow": "Start slideshow",
"lightbox_stop_slideshow": "Stop slideshow",
"lightbox_full_screen": "Full screen",
"lightbox_thumbnails": "Thumbnails",
"lightbox_download": "Download",
"lightbox_share": "Share",
"lightbox_zoom": "Zoom",
"lightbox_new_window": "New window",
"lightbox_toggle_sidebar": "Toggle sidebar"
}
So, here's some information about it:
Background
How many times have you tried to uninstall an app but found it annoyingly hard, whether you've forgot its name or it's hidden in a bunch of many apps you have?
Have you ever wanted to uninstall a built in app, which came from the carrier/manufacturer?
Are you a programmer/tester and need to uninstall/reset your apps frequiently?
If so, this is the app for you.
Short description
As I've written ,the purpose of this app is to replace the default app-manager, and ease the uninstallation task as much as possible.
The app is free and supports Android 2.3 and above, but works best from Android 4.0.
The app has ads (banners) but you can easily remove them by donating.
Who is it useful for?
The app is intended for multiple kinds of people:
For the common user, it's easier to perform searches of apps, easier to unisnstall them, and easier to share them.
It's also easier to go to the play store page of the app ,give feedback about it and contact the developers.
For power users, it's easier to uninstall built in apps (AKA "system apps"), like the bloatware that come with the OS.
For developers, QA, and beta testers, it's easier to uninstall/reset the recently installed app, by using widgets.
You can also share apps as APK files, and see the version of the apps.
Features and advantages over other apps
Viewing of app types of apps, and not just those that you can launch (example: plugins, live wallpapers, keyboards,...).
Widgets, for quick uninstallation/reset of the most recently installed app.
Quick uninstallation of apps. For rooted devices, the uninstallation (and other operations) can be silent (in the background)
Easy uninstallation of apps that got admin privilages.
Ability to automatically add app shortcuts when they get installed, no matter how they got installed.
Also the ability to choose which launcher will create the shortcuts.
Easy to use - one click to uninstall. Long click for multi-selection
Context menu options on selected app:
Run
Share Play store link, Amazon AppStore link, or even APK file (no need for Root)
Manage
Open app on the Play store.
Kill background process, or stop the app (needs root)
Quick reset of the app (needs root).
disable/enable app (needs root).
Create shortcut.
Search the app via your search engine or the Internet.
Sort the apps bysize, name, by package name, by date installed, and by date updated
Filter apps by:
System/user apps,
Enabled/disabled apps
Installation path : SD card / internal storage
Ability to uninstall system apps (Root only, and might not work on some cases)
Ability to replace the default uninstaller .
Detailed yet short view of the installed apps, including app name, package name, date insalled and version information.
Safe and automatic deletion of certain folders after uninstallation, that some Android OS versions don't handle for some reason.
Theme chooser, in case you don't like the cards UI.
Hopefully more to come, will be written about on the play store
App translation
https://crowdin.com/project/com-lb-app_manager
Beta testing
Links for the beta testing group:
- https://play.google.com/apps/testing/com.lb.app_manager
Articles
https://web.archive.org/web/2014050...roid/supercharge-your-android-app-management/
http://reviewttb.blogspot.in/2014/04/app-manager-review.html
http://iandroid.co.il/dr-iandroid/archives/16296
http://www.appbrain.com/app/app-manager/com.lb.app_manager
https://www.androidrank.org/application/app_manager/com.lb.app_manager
FAQ
The OS says the app runs in the background, or the app has a notification of its own. Why? Doesn't it consume battery?
The app is triggered by app operation events : uninstall, install, clear-data...
Upon each of those, it saves the state for various purposes, in the background. For example the removed-apps list, and the widget. Those have to be handled right away, so it must be done even if you don't see the app.
In the rest of the time, it does absolutely nothing.
This is why the app is so efficient in battery usage, that you won't see it in the list of battery-consuming apps. Meaning it doesn't even reach the 1% battery usage. I am sure it doesn't even reach 0.001% .
You can hide the notification, but sadly on some Android versions (8.0, but not 8.1 and above) you might see a different notification, that the app might use the battery. You can safely ignore it. I guarantee there is no noticeable difference in battery consumption.
In fact, due to the optimizations I've added for Android 8.0 and above, and because the app's process doesn't get killed so often, it might even be better in battery usage. The reason is that the app always had to listen to app-events, and before Android 8.0, the app got triggered by them, meaning its process started each time if it was killed before. Less CPU, more battery.
I have a Xiaomi device and the app fails to install any kind of app. How come ?
Seems it's an issue that will exist for quite some time, and that it is turned by default on Xiaomi devices and causes various issues (read here for example). This "feature" is called "MIUI optimization" , and for now you can only disable it on the "Developer options".
So, for now, you can overcome this by enabling developer options and there to disable "Turn on MIUI optimization".
Note that once you do this, the OS will reset a lot of apps, mainly in terms of permissions. This includes my app too.
Just a side note: Xiaomi is known as one that breaks a lot of apps, as it creates its own made up rules and permissions, very much against how Android works. This is also why there is a website that speaks about it, here, so for better handling of the app, also white list it from the various permissions Xiaomi has created, too.
Sadly I have no way to handle those things, as long as Xiaomi chooses to make their own non-standard rules.
I don't have a rooted device, but I still want to disable/uninstall a system app. Is it possible?
It's possible... to try, using a PC connected to your device.
I've made a tutorial for this here (old one here ).
If the OS would allow, you could uninstall or at least disable system apps this way.
I think I got some nasty app, which shows ads randomly or takes control of the smartphone in some way (or any other bad behavior that I don't like). Can this app help me find it and neutralize it?
Even though it wasn't originally intended for such a task, I've noticed it helped many people with it. There are multiple reviews telling that it helped them removing such "virus" apps. I've even done it myself on both my device and for my family-relatives.
So the answer is that it might help you. Here's what you can do to try to handle it:
https://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=77987186&postcount=543
What are split-APK files? What are "APKS" that are being generated sometimes when sharing apps?
Split apk files (AKA "app bundle" apps) are not meant to be installed just like normal APK files. They are used as you use the app, getting installed by the Play Store, to use only the minimal things you will use on your device, with your Android version, with your CPU architecture, with your locales, with your screen density, and so on...
Not only that, but if you install such files on other configurations, they might not work properly or fail to install.
As far as I know, backup&restore of such apps is not even working on popular backup apps such as Titanium backup.
Currently the app allows to share such apps as APKS files, which is just a zipped file with all of the APK files of the app. This is similar to what's done on various other apps and services (SAI, ApkPure, APK-mirror,...) with various file extensions (APKS, XAPK, APKM,...).
To install them using my app (which supports all files that I've mentioned: APKS, XAPK, APKM ), you can currently do this only from other apps that trigger it. The most common way to do it is directly from file-manager apps, but this should also be possible via chatting apps and others.
If you wish to do it on your via the PC, you can do it too:
use adb command as such:
Code:
adb install-multiple apk1 apk2 ...
Why isn't there a permissions management feature?
For permissions management, I actually planned some management tool, but sadly Google has changed how permissions groups work, and so permissions sometimes go to a different group. For example, before Android P, the permission "WRITE_CALL_LOG" belonged to "Phone" permission group, but from Android P, it moved to "Call log" permission group, which never existed before.
Currently, Google removed all APIs to get which permission group has which permission. Even in the documentation there is no mention anymore which permission group holds which permissions. Not only that, but OEMs sometimes make up their own permission which aren't official in any way (see "auto start" that Xiaomi made, and the reason that "don't-kill-my-app" website exists, for example). I still hope that one day I will be able to get a reliable way to get the correct information, no matter which version of Android the app runs on.
Why isn't there an option to install an old version of an APK when I have a newer one installed?
Apps aren't designed to handle this situation. They are only designed to handle upgrades. So, Google made it impossible to do it starting from Android 7 (read here). If you want to try it anyway, you can do it using PC&adb tool, as written here.
Why isn't there a boot-up management feature? Memory freeing/boosting? CPU usage? RAM usage? Automatic-task-killing? Modify apps ?
Various features of those types are not documented and not recommended to be used. Those can ruin how the apps work, just like OEMs do it sometimes even by default. This can also cause false crashes, or crashes that can't be reported. For users, some of those functions have the false promise by various apps that say it will make reduce battery consumption (search google for "Android task killer myth").
It is not a good thing to alter how apps work and behave, and Google has rules about modifying APKs, so I do not want to take the risk in doing so.
As for viewing information alone, this is something that isn't useful for users, but more for developers who already have them via the various development tools and even apps that specialize about it.
This app was made for users and power users mostly, and I want to make it work properly as much as possible, without worrying that for some devices or at some day things will be broken. I prefer to have as little workarounds as possible.
That's why I decided to stick with things that are more standard, more commonly used, and more available to be used.
I have an SD-card. Why can't I set an installed app to be on it, properly?
Installing an app to the SD-card has various restrictions that determine whether it's possible or not, and how much it will affect how well the app behaves.
To do it here, you have to have a rooted device (or use a PC with adb command as written above), the OS should allow to do it, and the target app should allow to do it.
That being said, you might try your luck via the developer-settings of the OS (check how to enable it on Google for your device), via "force allow apps on external" preference.
Why not share version-name and app-name alone instead of version-code and package-name with others?
Simply put, version-name and app-name are not unique enough, depend on the current locale, can be of any length (so it can be too long) and not restricted by which characters are used (so can be problematic on some OSs).
That's while version-code is always an increasing number, and package-name is always safe to use and is considered as the ID of the app on the Play Store and probably on any app-store.
That being said, I might allow to customize what to share some day, and let users be responsible of possible issues if they might occur.
In the past versions, the app didn't need to run in the background, and didn't need to have usage-stats permission at all. What happened?
In one word: Google . Google has changed the rules:
- For running in the background , the reason is that a lot of types of global events (called "Intents") need to be handled only with an app that has a sticky notification (called "foreground service"). Before Android 8.0, it was possible without this requirement. The app would have been awakened for each such event, handle it and go to sleep, while the OS can kill it if needed. Now it's not possible (read here). Adding to this, is that Google forces all new apps and updated to existing ones to do it for Android 8.0 and above, by the end of the year (read here). This means you should expect more apps to show their notifications, or they will present a weaker functionality.
The good news is that this actually helps with battery usage on Android 8.0 and above. Instead of re-creating the process of App-Manager for each event, the process is already alive, so less CPU will be used. And, since it's already alive, handling it will take less time. So, less CPU and less time, meaning more battery for you. You can also hide the notification if it bothers you.
- For usage-stats permission, before Android 8.0 I could get the exact app-size without any permission. And, before Android 5.0, I could get the recently launched apps with a permission that doesn't require requesting in runtime. Because of the recent changes, this is not possible anymore without usage-stats permission. And, since getting app-size and sorting apps by recently launched - are quite basic features, I decided to request it all in the beginning together with the storage permission that was always a requirement.
Getting the app-size was tricky before Android 8.0, and so I added a fallback in case it's not working for some users, or working too slow for them. It wasn't perfect, but it was all I could do.
The good news about this, is that it's much more efficient than what I did before. Getting app size is super fast, and it will always work because there is now an official way to do it. In fact it's so quick that I've removed the fallback for Android 8.0 and above.
Privacy policy ?
Written on this post.
Thank you!
Very simple and useful app!
newHere:) said:
Thank you!
Very simple and useful app!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You're welcomed, and I do hope that it will succeed as I wish to improve it even more and make other useful and cool apps.
cool app,very helpfull for me,because im test so many apps from here and now its much easier to deinstalling,i like it!!!
-CALIBAN666- said:
cool app,very helpfull for me,because im test so many apps from here and now its much easier to deinstalling,i like it!!!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, that's actually why I made the app myself, since I am both a developer and a user that tries out many apps.
will try it!! sounds nice
I would like to get some feedback from you people:
1. What is the best feature that you liked on the app?
2. What is the best feature that you'd like to have?
3. In case you have a good English accent, have the ability to record your device, would you like to put your video review?
If so, I will put your video (if it's good enough) on the play store, along with credits (or you put them at the end of the video if you wish).
No ads in the video, please .
AndroidDeveloperLB said:
I would like to get some feedback from you people:
1. What is the best feature that you liked on the app?
2. What is the best feature that you'd like to have?
3. In case you have a good English accent, have the ability to record your device, would you like to put your video review?
If so, I will put your video (if it's good enough) on the play store, along with credits (or you put them at the end of the video if you wish).
No ads in the video, please .
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well overall, the app is quite streamline and easy to navigate.
And the making of APK to share file is the best feature that I liked.
It would be nice if the app could have the feature to natively share apks of different apps, from within, using wifi direct, if another device has this installed. Would make it even better.
About the review, I have had some experience with them, so i'll give it a shot tomorrow morning, it's 10 pm here at the moment so I can't prepare and edit now.
I like this, for me the most useful part is the sorting by install and updated. Enough that I did the donation thing to get rid of the ads.
Some suggestions:
Tabs or Drawers / Categories with Tags
- The way this would work is that you can tag apps with categories (each app being able to be tagged with as many categories as the user likes). For instance, I may make a category for frequently used and camera. I would tag my several camera apps with the camera tag, and the one I use most I would also tag with the frequently used tag.
- Then, when searching I could search for the tags as well, such as searching frequently used and all those with that tag would come up.
- Going a step further is the creation of preset tag search tabs. So at the top, or side or wherever it fits best, there may be a place for the Camera Tab Search that I would select it and see all my camera apps.
I think the above feature would make organizing and accessing the apps even more awesome.
The next suggestion is moving towards replacing the stock app manager.
- I use XPosed with Gravity Box. I set up the long press of the home button to launch your App Manager.
- I also use the GEL Settings that changes the Home Button into the Apps Button when you are already on your home screen. It would be awesome if you did the same, but instead made it link to your app.
KNIGHT97 said:
Well overall, the app is quite streamline and easy to navigate.
And the making of APK to share file is the best feature that I liked.
It would be nice if the app could have the feature to natively share apks of different apps, from within, using wifi direct, if another device has this installed. Would make it even better.
About the review, I have had some experience with them, so i'll give it a shot tomorrow morning, it's 10 pm here at the moment so I can't prepare and edit now.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you for sharing your opinion.
About sharing via Wifi-Direct, isn't it already possible in case both devices have an app for sharing stuff over Wifi-Direct?
For example, using "SuperBeam" ? I never tested the app or the feature, but I think it's already possible, no?
Some Roms (and I think it includes some stock Roms) even have this built in, as I remember.
Not sure though, if any of those solutions share APK files, or just media files.
Since I don't have multiple devices, I can't check it out, and I'm not sure if I will be able to develop it in a way without any bugs...
AndroidDeveloperLB said:
Thank you for sharing your opinion.
About sharing via Wifi-Direct, isn't it already possible in case both devices have an app for sharing stuff over Wifi-Direct?
For example, using "SuperBeam" ? I never tested the app or the feature, but I think it's already possible, no?
Some Roms (and I think it includes some stock Roms) even have this built in, as I remember.
Not sure though, if any of those solutions share APK files, or just media files.
Since I don't have multiple devices, I can't check it out, and I'm not sure if I will be able to develop it in a way without any bugs...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah, many apps have this feature, but I just asked for it because this app already has many different methods of sharing an app, and this could make it even faster and better, due to more streamlined representation of your apps. But if it's hard for you, don't worry, no one's forcing you; you are the Dev, you decide how you app is.
But the functionality is quite great.
maddbomber83 said:
I like this, for me the most useful part is the sorting by install and updated. Enough that I did the donation thing to get rid of the ads.
Some suggestions:
Tabs or Drawers / Categories with Tags
- The way this would work is that you can tag apps with categories (each app being able to be tagged with as many categories as the user likes). For instance, I may make a category for frequently used and camera. I would tag my several camera apps with the camera tag, and the one I use most I would also tag with the frequently used tag.
- Then, when searching I could search for the tags as well, such as searching frequently used and all those with that tag would come up.
- Going a step further is the creation of preset tag search tabs. So at the top, or side or wherever it fits best, there may be a place for the Camera Tab Search that I would select it and see all my camera apps.
I think the above feature would make organizing and accessing the apps even more awesome.
The next suggestion is moving towards replacing the stock app manager.
- I use XPosed with Gravity Box. I set up the long press of the home button to launch your App Manager.
- I also use the GEL Settings that changes the Home Button into the Apps Button when you are already on your home screen. It would be awesome if you did the same, but instead made it link to your app.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for sharing your opinion.
About the tagging suggestion:
Do you mean auto-tagging, or letting the user tag them? or maybe scan the play-store and tagging the apps using the category they were in...?
Currently, it's a rather time consuming thing to add this feature of tagging, especially if I will add a server side storage that will hold the tags of all the users.
It's a very good suggestion, though, and I will keep it in mind for future releases.
For now, if you wish to organize apps, there are plenty of launchers out there that do the job by putting the apps shortcuts into folders . Some, like "everything.me" launcher, will do it for you.
About having tabs of tags, I think it's against the guidelines of Google to have too many tabs (think how annoying it will be when you create many tags). Maybe a navigation drawer is better.
BTW, I also use Nova launcher, and I've tried a lot of launchers.
About replacing the stock app manager, that was my goal, but I still need to handle operations that I didn't find how to deal with, such as clearing the default of apps, getting the size of them correctly, toggling notifications on/off,...
I'm familiar with using XPosed, but didn't use Gravity Box module. I'm not sure what this module does (I've read its description now) ...
I didn't understand what you did with GEL settings. Did you make it so that the home button of the navigation buttons changed to anything you wish on certain cases?
KNIGHT97 said:
Yeah, many apps have this feature, but I just asked for it because this app already has many different methods of sharing an app, and this could make it even faster and better, due to more streamlined representation of your apps. But if it's hard for you, don't worry, no one's forcing you; you are the Dev, you decide how you app is.
But the functionality is quite great.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
My app only uses the apps that are already installed on your device. That's how Android works (using "send" intents in this case).
For example, if you had "WhatsApp" installed, it will be shown on the dialog I've made, and if "WhatsApp" supports sending APK files, it will also work (sadly I think it doesn't, but I'm pretty sure "Telegram" does).
BTW, the dialog I've made isn't the native one just because I wanted to add some features to it and I also didn't like how slow the default one is.
Can you please check if Wifi-direct is possible for this task, before I consider adding this feature? I will also try it out at the office if I get the chance.
AndroidDeveloperLB said:
My app only uses the apps that are already installed on your device. That's how Android works (using "send" intents in this case).
For example, if you had "WhatsApp" installed, it will be shown on the dialog I've made, and if "WhatsApp" supports sending APK files, it will also work (sadly I think it doesn't, but I'm pretty sure "Telegram" does).
BTW, the dialog I've made isn't the native one just because I wanted to add some features to it and I also didn't like how slow the default one is.
Can you please check if Wifi-direct is possible for this task, before I consider adding this feature? I will also try it out at the office if I get the chance.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah, telegram is the only one which would let you send apk files.
But I am not a dev, so I won't be able to check or add things. I am just a tester for the apps and roms and sometimes co-operate with reviews.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
So I found a small bug, in the sharing menu of the app, aside the regular apps, it also displays apps from music streaming services, but only the ones which allow uploading of content, like grooveshark.
KNIGHT97 said:
Yeah, telegram is the only one which would let you send apk files.
But I am not a dev, so I won't be able to check or add things. I am just a tester for the apps and roms and sometimes co-operate with reviews.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
About checking it, I didn't mean that you'd develop anything, not even search the internet about it.
I meant installing an app that lets you send files over WIFI-Direct (like the app I've mentioned), open it (not sure, but I think it's needed so that it would be enabled), and then use my app to send the APK via this app.
AndroidDeveloperLB said:
About checking it, I didn't mean that you'd develop anything, not even search the internet about it.
I meant installing an app that lets you send files over WIFI-Direct (like the app I've mentioned), open it (not sure, but I think it's needed so that it would be enabled), and then use my app to send the APK via this app.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
My bad, got you wrong there.
So I tested with Superbeam(tried other apps too, but just won't show them in share menu) and it works fine. The transfer is carried out normally like choosing a file to be transferred from any other app.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Going to sleep for now. Will test, review and report further tomorrow morning.
KNIGHT97 said:
My bad, got you wrong there.
So I tested with Superbeam(tried other apps too, but just won't show them in share menu) and it works fine. The transfer is carried out normally like choosing a file to be transferred from any other app.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Going to sleep for now. Will test, review and report further tomorrow morning.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not sure I understood :
Did it show up there ?
Did you succeed transferring the APK file using WIFI-Direct?
If so, that's great news. I wonder though how come WIFI-Direct sharing isn't a built in feature on Android.
I think it should be easy as using the Bluetooth.
Also I don't get why Android-Beam uses Bluetooth instead of WIFI-Direct (as done on Samsung's devices). In fact, maybe Google could make the files transfer faster by harnessing both Bluetooth and WIFI-Direct together.
Thanks very handy.... Donated.... And again cause I'm
.. And again
Christiancs1969 said:
Thanks very handy.... Donated.... And again cause I'm
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Wow. Thanks. :good:
You are the first one who is...
Well one more for luck then.....
Seriously... Its very handy thanks
Apktrack
ApkTrack is a simple Android application which periodically checks if your installed apps can be updated.
It was created for users who don't want to use the Google Play Store, but still need to know when new APKs are available for their apps. ApkTrack performs simple website scraping to grab the latest versions of packages present on the device.
This application is distributed under the terms of the GPL v3 License
Usage
See the attached screenshot for a preview of the application.
Click on an application to perform a manual version check.
The buttons at the top are used to respectively search the installed application list and perform a version check for all applications.
That's it!
Things to keep in mind:
Applications are *not* updated automatically. You still have to find a way to download the latest APKs and sideload them yourself. ApkTrack is simply here to tell you that the update is available.
The application will perform HTTP requests both on demand and silently. You can configure whether mobile data should be used for background checks in the settings.
ApkTrack uses regular expressions to scrape webpages, so it may cease to work without notice if the target websites are modified.
Although there is a background service checking for updates every day, it may get killed by the OS. Remember to check for updates manually in the application from time to time.
Changelog:
Code:
0-----------------------------------------------------------------------------0
| Changelog: |
0-----------------------------------------------------------------------------0
2.1.2:
------
* Features
- You can now configure a proxy in the settings. It will be used to check
for updates, but *NOT* for APK downloads and searches.
- Downloaded APKs can now be cleaned from the settings screen.
- Added an option to ignore apps for which no update source could be found.
* Update Sources & Search Engines
- Timeouts between version checks have been reduced, which makes the
process of checking all apps much faster.
- Updated the direct download regexp for F-Droid as their layout had
slightly changed.
- Added a new search engine, APK-DL.
* Translations
- Japanese translation contributed by Naofumi F. Thanks!
* Permissions
- A new permission (REQUEST_INSTALL_PACKAGES) is required to be able to
install APKs on Oreo.
* Supported Devices
- ApkTrack should work on Android O.
* Bugfix
- Fixes a major bug caused by ProGuard in F-Droid builds which prevented
users from entering the setting.
2.1.1:
------
* UI
- The app's design was materialized by Tetsuo55.
- Icons have been vectorized (also by Tetsuo55).
- The last check date is now relative (i.e. "10 minutes ago").
* Update Sources
- Removed the Nightly (Firefox) update source, because their website keeps
changing and the app has built-in update capabilities anyway.
- Fixed the WhatsApp update source. Support has been added in the AppBrain
proxy and this source will be phased out in later versions.
* Version Checks:
- Version checks for Google Play Services now ignore the part of the
version number identifying the architecture and DPI of the device.
* Supported Devices:
- ApkTrack now works on Android N.
2.1.0:
------
* APK Downloads
- The OS' download service is now used directly instead of proxying
requests through the installed browser.
- Downloads respect the user's preference regarding which networks are
OK to use (WiFi / mobile data).
- Downloaded APKs can be installed directly from ApkTrack's UI.
* Permissions
- ApkTrack needs a new permission (WRITE_EXTERNAL_STORAGE) to write
downloaded APKs to the sdcard.
* UI
- Fixed a longstanding issue where the last check date could overlap
the action icon (that one really bugged me).
* Settings
- Added options to ignore all system / Xposed apps in a single click.
A screen dedicated to managing ignored apps is still warranted.
- Added a preference allowing users who enabled background checks to
automatically download new APKs when they become available.
* Update Sources
- Merged the 9Folders update source (only used for com.ninefolders.hd3)
into the AppBrain proxy, because of new anti-scraping countermeasures.
2.0.4:
------
* Source detection
- ApkTrack will set the right update source for itself (upstream or
F-Droid) depending on who signed the APK.
- The source for all Xposed modules is now detected automatically.
- The F-Droid app is now correctly handled by the F-Droid source.
* Miscellaneous
- Moved the ApkTrack APKs to a server with more bandwidth.
- Version checks for ApkTrack now take place over HTTPS.
- Updated German translation.
* Bugfixes
- Fixed a widespread crash triggered during the initialization
of the app.
- Fixed a problem with icon resizing for devices with uncommon DPI.
- Minor bugfixes for crashes reported through ACRA.
2.0.3:
------
* Security
- Communications with the AppBrain proxy and crash report service now take
place over HTTPS.
- Certificates used by those websites are bundled with ApkTrack to prevent
man in the middle attacks.
* Translations
- Updated Polish translation.
- Added Italian translation.
* Bugfixes
- Resolved a race condition potentially leading to random crashes.
- The AppBrain update source returned a malformed result when it doesn't
have version information for particular apps (i.e. org.eff.actioncenter).
This is now handled gracefully so other update sources can be tried.
- Fixed the "currently updating" icon getting hidden because of screen
rotations.
2.0.2:
------
* Automated crash reports
- ACRA has been integrated to the app in order to submit stacktraces when
ApkTrack crashes (no data is sent without user consent).
- New settings were created to control whether bug reports should be sent.
- A privacy policy was written to describe how bug data and user data is
handled in general.
* Bugfixes
- Fixed a bug introduced in 2.0.1 triggered when trying to resize
non-square icons.
- Fixed a bug causing a crash with VectorDrawables for devices without
Lollipop.
- Fixed a bug where trying to determine the network type (WiFi / data) would
cause a crash.
2.0.1:
------
* Miscellaneous bugfixes
- Oversized icons no longer break the UI.
- Download URLs for Xposed apps are now obtained correctly.
- App uninstallations now also delete stored icons in the database.
2.0.0:
------
* Ignoring irrelevant apps
- When detecting apps present on the device, disabled apps are ignored by
default.
- Apps can be swiped to indicate that they should stop being displayed in
the UI and be ignored in subsequent update checks.
- An option was added in the settings to reset ignored apps.
* Detecting installed apps
- The full app detection is only done once, during the first launch. All
subsequent updates (packages added and/or removed from the system) are
now detected through Intents sent by the system.
- ApkTrack and its background services now communicate with the help of an
Event Bus, which allows complex information to be passed reliably. Model
modifications trigger notifications on this event bus, which tell the
applist which information should be refreshed. Thanks to this, there are
no more loadings when the model is updated.
- It shouldn't be possible for ApkTrack to miss apps that are installed,
removed or updated with this new design. So I'm removing the "Redetect
installed apps" button which wasn't very elegant nor user-friendly.
* Database overhaul
- ApkTrack now uses Sugar ORM to perform its database operations (branch
1.x contained a lot of manual SQL queries). The codebase is much cleaner
and easier to maintain now.
- Icons have been moved to a separate table, which allows ApkTrack to read
all the application info without eating up the device's RAM. From now on,
Icons are only loaded when they need to be displayed.
* Update sources
- ApkTrack can guess the default update source for some predetermined apps
based on their digital signature or their package name.
- The structure of sources.json has been changed. It is more complex now,
but it allows contributors to specify per-package regular expressions in
case the information for multiple apps is hosted on a single webpage.
Formerly, it would have been necessary to create an update source per
package in some cases.
- It is also possible to specify a regular expression to locate an APK
download link on the page. This will allow more direct downloads to be
provided.
- F-Droid, Mirakel, Xposed Stable / Beta now all provide direct APK
downloads.
* Misc
- Build system switched to Gradle to make third-party builds easier.
- ApkTrack will now remember across reboots whether you want to display
system apps or not.
- Searches are more flexible, and any part of the name or package name
can now be matched (not just the beginning as it was the case).
- Apps with vector icons are now displayed correctly on devices with an API
level >= 21.
- Manual changes to the update source are immediately reflected in the UI.
- The spinning icon which indicates that an app is currently being checked
isn't lost anymore when the app list is refreshed, sorted or updated.
- Notifications will not be displayed more than once for each updated app
(ApkTrack 1.1 would keep display notifications until the app was
upgraded).
Known issues:
-------------
* Swiping the app at position N, then scrolling down and up causes a blank
line to be displayed at position N-1.
* ApkTrack's APKs are still distributed over HTTP because the server uses a
self-signed certificate.
* If Greenify puts ApkTrack into hibernation, app installations, deletions
and upgrades will be missed. At the moment, the issue may be circumvented
by waking ApkTrack and performing the installation again, or deleting
ApkTrack's data to force a full re-detection.
Download
Source code
Stable APK (2.1.2)
Beta APK (2.1.2)
Let me know what you think!
Bu ne şimdi anlamadım
SM-N9005 cihazımdan Tapatalk kullanılarak gönderildi
Link??
Sent from my XT1068
I'm a new user, I can't post them!
Source code: github.com/JusticeRage/ApkTrack
APK: kwiatkowski.fr/apktrack/ApkTrack.apk
Just the app i needed, loving it, could be great with a sort feature in the future.
failbed said:
Just the app i needed, loving it, could be great with a sort feature in the future.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm glad to see someone finds my app useful! Do you mean the possibility to sort applications depending on whether they can be updated or not? This is a great idea, I'll implement it!
JusticeRage said:
I'm glad to see someone finds my app useful! Do you mean the possibility to sort applications depending on whether they can be updated or not? This is a great idea, I'll implement it!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah excatly something like that, when apktrack finds like an update to an app the apps that need go get updated gets sorted fo the top so you dont have to scroll through the list to find which apps that needs to get updated and so on.. Awesome ill be following this project bro.
The code and APK have been updated as suggested by your feedback!
Applications are now sorted by status (whether they have been updated or not) by default, but it is possible to switch back to alphabetical sort.
Parsing Package problem
Tablet PMT7787_3G Jelly Bean 4.2.2 It givse me parsing package error. Works fine on KitKat
it works
Thanks buddy for your work. it works in d802 (LG G2) cm-12-20150217-NIGHTLY-d802. But i can't update apps. it says there is a new version available. press the circle but nothing happens.
Are you only scraping google play or do you also check places like the amazon appstore and f-droid.org? If so, how do you handle app's that are in multiple locations? For example if I purchased an app at amazon appstore (or got it as the free app of the day) I can only use the latest version on that appstore even if google play has a newer version. Amazon appstore is usually always behind google play in versions. In some cases f-droid (open source app store) will have versions compiled without ads where google play may have versions with. (The simplest solution may be to let the user pick the location to check for each app?)
Forgot to mention if you used xposed framework the module updates might be worthy of tracking as well. http://repo.xposed.info/module-overview
[email protected] said:
Tablet PMT7787_3G Jelly Bean 4.2.2 It givse me parsing package error. Works fine on KitKat
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Could you post a stacktrace? I assume this is because the required API version in the AndroidManifest.xml is 19 (4.4+). This is probably a very conservative choice, but I have no devices using anterior versions to run tests. I'll try to post an APK compatible with more Android versions soon.
bor51 said:
Thanks buddy for your work. it works in d802 (LG G2) cm-12-20150217-NIGHTLY-d802. But i can't update apps. it says there is a new version available. press the circle but nothing happens.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'll quote my first post : "applications are *not* updated automatically. You still have to find a way to download the latest APKs and sideload them yourself. ApkTrack is simply here to tell you that the update is available."
Simply put, I finding the latest version of an APK reliably is not always easy (I usually have to do some googling myself).
framewolf said:
Are you only scraping google play or do you also check places like the amazon appstore and f-droid.org?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I scrape Google Play, then if I get a message like "Varies with device" I try appbrain.com.
Sadly, I don't track versions on an app store basis. ApkTrack was really made in mind with the idea of downloading APKs and installing them through adb. Doesn't the Amazon app store already notify you of available updates?
One of the features I would like to implement in the future would be custom web scraping though (let the user specify the webpage and regular expression). I'll look into F-Froid too.
And thanks for the Xposed modules idea, I'll definitely implement that!
Just the app I was looking for. Working on 4.4.4 Oneplus Mahdi
Reminds me of AppWatch, but without being limited to just the Play Store. Cool idea. I'm gonna try it out.
JusticeRage said:
I scrape Google Play, then if I get a message like "Varies with device" I try appbrain.com.
Sadly, I don't track versions on an app store basis. ApkTrack was really made in mind with the idea of downloading APKs and installing them through adb. Doesn't the Amazon app store already notify you of available updates?
One of the features I would like to implement in the future would be custom web scraping though (let the user specify the webpage and regular expression). I'll look into F-Froid too.
And thanks for the Xposed modules idea, I'll definitely implement that!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Using Greenify and Xprivacy my appstores don't notify me of anything until I actually run them. Have you considered taking the full app name and kicking it into a google (or better yet startpage.com since it anonymizes the search but uses same parms as google) search maybe with additional keywords like "apk" and "download"? This would point folks to where they might be able to download the updated module. A similar technique is used by windows software update checker "sumo" (software update monitor) A similar idea would be to do the same with an appstore search of where the update was located...minimal code is needed since you are just kicking an url to be opened to the browser via the "view" feature.
JusticeRage said:
Apktrack
ApkTrack is a simple Android application which periodically checks if your installed apps can be updated.
It was created for users who don't want to use the Google Play Store, but still need to know when new APKs are available for their apps. ApkTrack performs simple website scraping to grab the latest versions of packages present on the device.
This application is distributed under the terms of the GPL v3 License
The source code is available at github.com/JusticeRage/ApkTrack.
Usage
See the attached screenshot for a preview of the application.
Click on an application to perform a manual version check.
The buttons at the top are used to respectively refresh the installed application list and perform a version check for all applications.
That's it!
Things to keep in mind:
The application will perform HTTP requests both on demand and silently. It does not care whether you are using 3G, 4G or WiFi. Please do not install it if your mobile plan charges data at a premium.
Updates, installations and uninstallations are not detected automatically by the application. You have to press a button to refresh the installed apps.
ApkTrack uses regular expressions to scrape webpages, so it may cease to work without notice if the target websites are modified.
Applications are *not* updated automatically. You still have to find a way to download the latest APKs and sideload them yourself. ApkTrack is simply here to tell you that the update is available.
Although there is a background service checking for updates every day, it may get killed by the OS. Remember to check for updates manually in the application from time to time.
ApkTrack has no fancy icon Feel free to design one!
I am by no means an Android developper. This is a project I hacked quickly because I was tired of checking updates manually. If you are learning Android development, what you see in the code should definitely not be considered best practice. You're welcome to point out what I did wrong, though!
Download
A precompiled APK can be found on the GitHub page. I would post the link, but as a new user, I can't yet.
Source code: https://github.com/JusticeRage/ApkTrack
APK: http://kwiatkowski.fr/apktrack/ApkTrack.apk
Let me know what you think!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This is fantastic! I use Raccoon to download apps to my computer before manually transferring them to my phone, and when i wanted to check if there was an update out for an app i'd have to check one by one the apps on Raccoon, This is going to be a huge time saver.
famewolf said:
Have you considered taking the full app name and kicking it into a google (or better yet startpage.com since it anonymizes the search but uses same parms as google) search maybe with additional keywords like "apk" and "download"? This would point folks to where they might be able to download the updated module. A similar technique is used by windows software update checker "sumo" (software update monitor) A similar idea would be to do the same with an appstore search of where the update was located...minimal code is needed since you are just kicking an url to be opened to the browser via the "view" feature.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's another great idea. I will work on that in the upcoming weeks!
Very interesting project!
Someone suggested sorting option. I'd go one step ahead and request you to implement a feature which could hide non play store apps
@JusticeRage, this project sounds promising, however when I tested that, some of the applications were saying they are not uptodate, like CM Browser (I'm in beta programm), Naked Browser (maybe there is some problem with APK version?), Google Drive and Google Camera etc.
Also time ago I posted this question : http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2988051 ... Maybe this can be implemented with your application ? So in this case I would rather prefer to highlight such disappering aps. rather then filtering them out.
Another option to jump on app from to the list to GooglePlay or searching on web for apk or alternate repository (ApToide) would be really nice. ?
Working fine here. Now This is my ChangelogDroid replacement, because its not working on my device with MUI rom. Keep update this app & would be nice if you push it to playstore.
Code:
*** Disclaimer ***
I am not responsible for anything you do (like hacking, visiting illegal websites, etc.) with this browser.
*** end ***
What is Peregrine Browser?
Peregrine Browser is one of the most lightweight webbrowsers available.
Download sizes are:
Smaller than 200kb on Android 4.4 KitKat.
Smaller than 100kb on Android 5.0 Lollipop and higher.
I focus the development of this browser on it's size, speed, security and it's night mode.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Features
• Night mode, browse the web better at night.
• Ad blocking, to get rid of those annoying ads.
• Safe Browsing and Secure Connect, browse the web more secure.
• Page Acceleration, to view faster versions of websites.
• Private tabs, for if you don't want someone to view some sites in your history.
• Desktop mode, for if you prefer the PC version of websites.
• Choose between 7 of the most used search engines.
• Tabs and urlbar at the bottom of your screen, useful if you want to reach it on big phones.
• Developer tools, useful for if your website isn't working on phones and you want to know why.
• Permission handling, for if you want to allow website A to view your location, but website B not.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Download
You can download Peregrine Browser on XDA-Labs: https://labs.xda-developers.com/store/app/com.marc.browse
You can also download Peregrine Browser on the Google Play Store: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.marc.browse
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
FAQ
Q: On which Android versions does this work?
A: Android 4.4 KitKat and Android 5 Lollipop and higher. You'll also need WebView (Android 5 & 6) or Google Chrome (Android 7+) to run on the latest version (older versions probably work, but are not supported).
Q: Peregrine Browser says it runs on Chrome 42. When will you upgrade to Chrome x?
A: Peregrine Browser uses the WebView component from the system.
It is recomended that you use the WebView from Google (Android 5+), because it will be updated to the latest version.
On Android 7+, Google Chrome could also be used as WebView component.
Therefore, Google needs to update that and not me.
Q: A website I want to visit won't open.
A: We block some websites because of their content (for example, sites that could contain malware). Try disabling AdBlock or Safe Browsing.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Please include logs and basic information about your phone, Android version, Google/AOSP WebView/Chrome + version in your bug reports.
XDA:DevDB Information
Peregrine Browser, App for all devices (see above for details)
Contributors
MarcTheDragon
Version Information
Status: Stable
Current Stable Version: 2.0.0-1
Stable Release Date: 2017-04-04
Current Beta Version: 2.0.0-1
Beta Release Date: 2017-04-04
Created 2016-07-05
Last Updated 2017-04-22
Changelogs
Version 2.0.4 & 2.0.5 (beta)
- Fixed bug where search results from Google weren't opening (an empty blank page was displayed instead)
- Fixed bug where pages showed a -6 or 404 error when accessed with https:// (pages now get redirected to http:// when such an error occurs).
- Changed header of quick access, settings, etc. from green to dark grey in night mode.
- When you open a page, Peregrine Browser checks if the server of a website supports https. This now happens in 100ms (in 2.0.5) instead of 200ms (2.0.4) or 500 to 1000ms.
- Changed the way Peregrine Browser checks if an AMP page is available for the website you're visiting, decreasing the amount of data used.
- Updated settings with hamburger menu.
- Possibly other stuff I forgot to mention.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Reserved, just in case.
Also, please don't quote the whole post above!
Awesome! I'll be using this browser and reporting back with reviews. Will watch this closely...
1st bug: whenever a page isn't fully loaded and you go to recent apps menu, fc message will be displayed. If you need, I can upload logs, but tomorrow.
Sent from my GT-I9305 using XDA Labs
limjh16 said:
Awesome! I'll be using this browser and reporting back with reviews. Will watch this closely...
1st bug: whenever a page isn't fully loaded and you go to recent apps menu, fc message will be displayed. If you need, I can upload logs, but tomorrow.
Sent from my GT-I9305 using XDA Labs
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you for the bug report.
It would be nice if you can upload the logs tomorrow (or at any time).
I tried to fix this bug, but since this bug hasn't appeared for me I don't know if my fix worked, however it will be included in the next update.
Here, log is attached.
Sent from my GT-I9305 using XDA Labs
limjh16 said:
Here, log is attached.
Sent from my GT-I9305 using XDA Labs
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you for the log.
I rolled out a new update (version 0.9.0_r14) to the alpha and beta channels in XDA Labs and the Version Control app in the browser.
This should fix the FC.
MarcTheDragon said:
Thank you for the log.
I rolled out a new update (version 0.9.0_r14) to the alpha and beta channels in XDA Labs and the Version Control app in the browser.
This should fix the FC.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Alright, will test tomorrow. (And edit this post if works)
Edit: version control doesn't work. Will try updating through xda labs.
Edit2: also doesn't work it identify my browser version as same with version on xda labs. Ill uninstall and reinstall. But I think problem here may be you only change revision tags, so xda labs doesn't recognize.
Okay, bug fixed. I have not found any other bugs thus far, great job! Maybe chipset specific versions? Just a suggestion...
Sent from my GT-I9305 using XDA Labs
For some reason Labs won't update Browse, even after I changed the revision tags.
I will display a pop-up on the homescreen when there is an update available, with an instruction how to install it (in future versions it will install automatically).
I've tested chipset specific versions, however the size of the app is the same as the universal one (for all architectures) and the performance as well.
MarcTheDragon said:
For some reason Labs won't update Browse, even after I changed the revision tags.
I will display a pop-up on the homescreen when there is an update available, with an instruction how to install it (in future versions it will install automatically).
I've tested chipset specific versions, however the size of the app is the same as the universal one (for all architectures) and the performance as well.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
alright, thanks. About chipset specific versions, not a must, just a plus.
Browse 0.9.1 / 901011(1) Alpha update changelog
- New menu
- Speed improvements
- Bugfixes
- Design update
- Security updates
- Autoplay default off
- History
- Make Version Info a not pre-installed app
- New home icon which matches with Android 7.0 Nougat
- App now around 100KB (from the 900KB)
- AdBlock now default on
- You can change your homepage
With this update the tabbar is moved to the bottom, so you can reach it better on big devices and it is done too for a better design.
Edit:
Update now in beta channel too 0.9.1_r11 / 901011(2)
Browse 0.9.2 update changelog
- Desktop view is now per tab (enabling desktop mode won't affect other tabs)
- UI improvements
- Fixed bug when links don't open when Browse already is opened.
- Security patch (bsv-1608-03), fixed third-party access to settings and extension APIs when switching tabs
- Bugfix for settings and extensions API not working when switching tabs
- Night mode improvements
- Favourites
- Website header colour now default theme colour
- Improvements in theme colour
- Open websites in another app
- Bugfixes
- Improved auto-HTTPS
- Fix when keyboard doesn't hide
- Fix chrashes and freezes
- Fix for file uploads
- Fix for opening links
- You can now open gifs
- Support for serveral new files
- Fixed opening files from the Documents app.
Browse 0.9.3 update changelog
- Improvements in design, speed, stability and security.
- Extensions are now integrated in the settings
- Removed some apps that didn't support https from the Store.
- Added some new apps to the store.
- Removed useless code (around 15 kB).
- Changed package name, which will cause removal of all your data. If you want to keep your data, change to the stable version.
- Http websites are now marked as unsafe.
- When an error occurs, the app wil restart with an option to send error data.
Browse is now available to download in the Google Play Store: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.marc.browse
Awsome,,
Like metro small app
Can you add option remove analog clock?
VALRCIEL said:
Awsome,,
Like metro small app
Can you add option remove analog clock?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for your feedback.
An option to remove the analog clock will be added in the next update.
Peregrine Browser: version 2
As you might have noticed, Browse changed it's name to Peregrine Browser. I didn't like Browse as name. Several people told me that the browser is fast, so I changed the name to Peregrine Browser, from the Peregrine Falcon. The Peregrine Falcon is the fastest animal on the planet.
The name is not the only thing that has changed: the icon and look are also updated.
Version 2 also comes with some new features and bug fixes:
- New permission handling. When websites want access to your location, camera or microphone, you can chose to allow or deny access (Like the permission handling on Android 6 Marshmallow and higher).
- Added App Shortcuts.
- Fixed Arabic language not showing correctly in bookmarks and history.
- Several other improvements.
I'll work on future versions on these features:
- Adding custom websites to Quick access.
- More translations.
And more.
Notice:
In this build are camera and microphone permissions added. This is so websites could use your camera or microphone, the browser itself does not collect any data with those permissions. On Marshmallow and later, those permissions are only requested when you open a website which wants access to those permissions and you click "allow".
Hey, for a couple of months I've using your little browser as my main.
I have encountered some problems recently tho:
When opening a link from any other app, the browser adds out of nowhere a "http//" (without the : ) to the URL, failing to parse it.
And, since the renaming to Peregrine and adding the night mode, I never have it working properly. I setup it to work between 00.00 and 7.00 am, but then I apply the changes and the main page turns in the night mode in the midst of the day. Am I missing something?
Thank you a lot. By far is the most light and fast browser I've ever tried.
IganSchacht said:
Hey, for a couple of months I've using your little browser as my main.
I have encountered some problems recently tho:
When opening a link from any other app, the browser adds out of nowhere a "http//" (without the : ) to the URL, failing to parse it.
And, since the renaming to Peregrine and adding the night mode, I never have it working properly. I setup it to work between 00.00 and 7.00 am, but then I apply the changes and the main page turns in the night mode in the midst of the day. Am I missing something?
Thank you a lot. By far is the most light and fast browser I've ever tried.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The bug with http// has been fixed internally. If you remove the http://http// part it should load. The browser tries to load a https:// page instead of a http:// one, but apparently there was a bug when loading links from other apps.
I've had issues with night mode aswell, however I haven't found the cause of that problem yet.
I'm also trying to prevent further issues with Google after they blocked an update to the Play Store after violating YouTube's Terms of Service. I don't know what actually was wrong, another update a few days later was allowed.
My phone is forcing upon me an update that I wish to stave off, if possible, or stop altogether if possible.
The upcoming update will happen in a day if I don't figure out how to stop it.
How can we definitively tell if the baseband will be incremented with any given forced update?
And how can we tell if this is a security-only update, or if the baseband will be updated too?
Use Package Disabler or an adb edit to disable these two services. Stops it dead in its tracks.
blackhawk said:
Use Package Disabler or an adb edit to disable these two services. Stops it dead in its tracks.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ah. Too late! This time anyway.
But your information is good for next time.
I'll use this information in the future (and so can others, which is the point of my fleshing what you just had suggested as the answer) to disable the following two services on my T-Mobile Galaxy A32 5G (SM-326U) Android 12 setup...
<com.sec.android.soagent>
What is com.sec.android.soagent?
What is SOAgent in Samsung Galaxy?
What does com.sec.android.soagent do?
<com.ws.dm>
What is com.ws.dm?
What does com.ws.dm do in a Google Activity?
What does Com WS DS mean?
When I looked to disable those two services using my MuntashirAkon App Manager...
<https://github.com/MuntashirAkon/AppManager>
I found that perhaps that second service has a different name?
<com.sec.android.soagent>
<com.wssyncmldm>
What is com.wssyncmldm?
How to disable com.wssyncmldm
Step by step guide to disabling com.wssyncmldm
All you need to know about com.wssyncmldm
Why disable com.wssyncmldm
How to fix com ws sync mldm
Everything you need to know about com.wssyncmldm
As for "Package Disabler", I didn't even know you could disable system packages without being root (alas, my phone can't be rooted).
It's nice to know you can disable system apps without root.
So that others don't have to look for it, I think I found it here, at least with my first set of search terms.
Package Disabler
<https://www.packagedisabler.com>
The only NON-root solution that let’s you disable any unwanted packages that come pre-installed / installed with your phone / tablet.
You can disable apps with 1 click. Disabled application / package will not be uninstalled or updated using Google play or any other means.
This app also provides password / uninstall protection to avoid misuse.
When I searched on XDA-Developers forum threads for package disabler, I found a bunch of hits, but I don't know which are canonical updated threads.
Package Disabler Pro- De-Bloat & Remove Stock Apps For Better Ram-Battery Life
Package Disabler - Android 11?
which also suggests LADB(Kunal Adb) or PC adb
Package Disabler?
Package Disabler?
New package disabler,works!!!
Package Disabler
Package disabler pro
[GUIDE] [No Root] Disable System Apps & Bloatware: Package Disabler Pro - T-Mobile
Has anyone found an alternative apk to package disabler pro?
Need Help with my note 8 Bootloop caused by disabled Packages
What bloatware have you safely disabled/removed on the Galaxy Tab S3?
These non-forum articles showed up in a google search for more information about this useful "package disabler" tool which purports to disable system packages without needing to be root.
Debloat Galaxy Devices Without Root
Universal Android Debloater helps you get rid of unwanted apps and bloatware on your phone
How to disable any pre-installed system app bloatware on Android without root
Android Central Package Disabler
Regarding the adb commands, I use adb all day every day for a variety of things (see below) but I haven't used adb (or ladb) to disable a service which requires root as I didn't know you could do that.
How to duplicate what adb does to ad hoc open any given Activity on the Android phone?
[adb] [Wireless debugging] [Wi-Fi] Is there an updated XDA tutorial yet on setting up adb COMPLETELY wirelessly as of Android 11+ (no USB cable!)?
[adb] What is the adb syntax to connect wirelessly to Android by unique serial number (instead of by Wi-Fi LAN IP address & random port assignment)?
[adb] [Wireless debugging] [Wi-Fi] Is there an updated XDA tutorial yet on setting up adb COMPLETELY wirelessly as of Android 11+ (no USB cable!)?
(PSA) Using the new Android 12 TILE for 'Developer options' 'Wireless debugging' to establish adb connection over Wi-Fi without USB
[adb,scrcpy,vysor] What ports does Android 12 randomly set when Wi-Fi connecting via Wireless debugging adb "pair" or "connect" commands?
Android 12 Developer options adb "Wireless debugging" option keeps turning off
For any given trusted computer, can we make an adb usb debugging connection on day one & then SAVE adbkey.pub authentication keys for use years later?
As for how to use either local adb (ladb) to disable packages (without needing the PC and without needing to be rooted), my first task was to look up what the ladb commands might be...
Say hello to LADB, a local ADB shell without needing root or a computer!
How to debloat your phone (and more) without connecting to a PC
And then let's look up some of the adb commands to figure out what they are to disable the two services using a PC but without needing to be rooted.
XDA-Developers guide to ADB
ADB Tips & Tricks: ADB commands that every power user should know about!
Obviously I have some homework to do before I can successfully disable the two services listed above without needing to be rooted (as my phone can't be rooted) using just adb (which seems like the easiest way to approach this task)...
Since I'm always connected to my phone via adb anyway (as I mirror my screen and audio onto my PC) I may as well use the adb commands to disable the two update services, where might these be the related necessary adb commands to employ for that task?
C:\> adb shell pm list packages | findstr /i soagent
That should find "package:com.sec.android.soagent"
C:\> adb shell pm list packages -d | findstr /i soagent
That should find the disabled packages & then grep for "com.sec.android.soagent" which shouldn't (yet) be in that list
C:\> adb shell pm disable-user --user 0 com.sec.android.soagent
That should (I hope) disable the listed package (is that correct?)
C:\> adb shell pm enable --user 0 com.sec.android.soagent
That should (if desired), re-enable the listed package (is that right?)Likewise, these are likely the related steps for com.wssyncmldm:
C:\> adb shell pm list packages | findstr /i wssyncmldm
C:\> adb shell pm list packages -d | findstr /i wssyncmldm
C:\> adb shell pm disable-user --user 0 com.wssyncmldm
C:\> adb shell pm enable --user 0 com.wssyncmldm
But first, may I confirm that my two services are of a different name than that which was initially suggested?
And may I confirm the adb commands to disable those two services?
You can probably roll it back from 12 to 11 if you want provided the boot loader wasn't upgraded too.
This stock Samsung N10+ hasn't been updated in over 3 years; still running on Pie. Current load is over 2.5 yo, still fast, very stable with minimal maintenance. Security simply isn't an issue with its current configuration... screw the Google scare hype. This is what Android is capable of... if you leave it be.
blackhawk said:
You can probably roll it back from 12 to 11 if you want provided the boot loader wasn't upgraded too.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you for that suggestion, where I really don't know that much about Android, which I openly admit. I can research if pointed in the right direction though.
I am told the bootloader for the T-Mobile A32-5G needs to be version 5 or below (maybe even 3 or below) in order to root the Samsung Galaxy A32-5G, and mine is currently version 8.
I don't know how to roll back a bootloader, but even so, I'm not sure I understand your suggestion of rolling back the Android version from 12 to 11.
How would changing the OS change the bootloader version?
blackhawk said:
This stock Samsung N10+ hasn't been updated in over 3 years; still running on Pie. Current load is over 2.5 yo, still fast, very stable with minimal maintenance. Security simply isn't an issue with its current configuration... screw the Google scare hype. This is what Android is capable of... if you leave it be.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I very much appreciate your kind and thoughtful advice that pointed me in the direction of the two packages that I needed to disable, which is what I needed to research in the right direction.
I also much appreciate that you mentioned adb will do the job of disabling those packages without me being rooted, as that too was a required datapoint that I didn't know until you told me.
Thank you very much for your kind advice, where I do agree with you this hype about having the latest security patches isn't something I'm all that worried about.
However....
There is this "nagging concern" that, as of Google's Project Mainline and Project Treble (both since renamed), the way that the 25 core modules update is no longer via carrier updates but over the air with Google Framework Services updates (not to be confused with Google Play Services updates).
AdServices multi-package multi-type Android 13
adbd com.android.adbd APEX Android 11
AppSearch com.android.appsearch APEX Android 13
ART com.android.art APEX Android 12
Bluetooth APEX Android 13
CellBroadcast com.android.cellbroadcast APEX Android 11
Conscrypt com.android.conscrypt APEX Android 10
Device Scheduling com.android.scheduling APEX Android 12
DNS Resolver com.android.resolv APEX Android 10
DocumentsUI com.android.documentsui APK Android 10
ExtServices com.android.ext.services APK (Android 10)
ExtServices com.android.ext.services APEX (Android 11)
IPsec/IKEv2 Library com.android.ipsec APEX Android 11
Media Media: com.android.media Android 10 (extractors)
Media Codecs: com.android.media.swcodec APEX Android 10 (extractors, MediaSession API) Android 11 (MediaParser API)
MediaProvider com.android.mediaprovider APEX Android 11
ModuleMetadata com.android.modulemetadata APK Android 10
Network Stack Network Stack Permission Configuration: com.android.networkstack.permissionconfig
Captive Portal Login: com.android.captiveportallogin
Network Components: com.android.networkstack APK Android 10
NNAPI Runtime com.android.neuralnetworks APK Android 11
OnDevicePersonalization Runtime Multiple Multiple Android 13
PermissionController com.android.permissioncontroller APK Android 10
SDK Extensions com.android.sdkext APEX Android 11
Statsd com.android.os.statsd APEX Android 11
Tethering com.android.tethering APK Android 11
Time Zone Data com.android.tzdata APEX Android 10
UWB com.android.uwb APEX Android 13
Wi-Fi com.android.wifi APEX Android 11
It's all very confusing HOW Android updates nowadays.
Some updates are over the air by the carrier
Other updates are done separately for the 25 core modules
Still others are done over a Google Play Store app Activity
(These last app updates are not really part of the Google Play Store app but the Activity for app updates appears in the settings for the Google Play Store app so a lot of people associate those app updates with the Google Play Store app).
In short, does this method of disabling two packages "really" work to stop all updates?
Or does it just work for the Project Mainline updates?
Or just the carrier supplied security updates?
I don't know.
You're welcome.
The bootloader version can be upgraded but not rolled back on a Snapdragon. If just the rom was upgraded from 11 to 12 it can be rolled back by flashing Android 11 if the bootloader wasn't upgraded too. I think this is the case for you but check it to be sure. Personally I don't muck with the firmware. A Samsung Experience center at a Best Buy can also flash it back to 11.
I really don't worry about updating any apps unless there's a improvement I need, so I don't.
It leads to a more stable platform since everything is already running well, more importantly it's fulfilling its mission. In the end that's all that counts. This is my solution; it may not be what others do but it works very well for me. I send almost zero time now troubleshooting... it just runs.
blackhawk said:
You're welcome.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Without you, I wouldn't have known the name of the two packages, nor that adb can disable them without me being rooted. Thanks.
What I don't know, yet anyway, is which of the following software versions those two packages above facilitated the updates for...
Android version [e.g., Android 12]
Baseband version [e.g., A326USQS8BVL3]
Security update [e.g., Dec. 1, 2022]
Google Play System [e.g., March 1, 2022]
Google Play Services [e.g., 22.42.12 (190400-481949630]
Google Play Store [e.g., 33.5.16-21 [0][PR] 4933219047]
Firmware (such as the Qualcomm modem firmware)
25 Core modules in Project Mainline
These are apparently updated either over Google Play Services on the net or OTA by partners.
Default/original apps (such as Chrome, YouTube, etc.)
User apps (of which there may be hundreds)
blackhawk said:
The bootloader version can be upgraded but not rolled back on a Snapdragon.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I didn't think it was going to be easy to unlock the bootloader, let alone roll it backward a notch or two.
BTW, it's not a Snapdragon I don't think.
DevCheck (see attached screenshot) shows it to be a "Mediatek Dimensity 720" powering this SM-A326U Galaxy A32 5G.
blackhawk said:
If just the rom was upgraded from 11 to 12 it can be rolled back by flashing Android 11 if the bootloader wasn't upgraded too. I think this is the case for you but check it to be sure. Personally I don't muck with the firmware. A Samsung Experience center at a Best Buy can also flash it back to 11.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I've seen that link, and I found it fantastic, where I think I'm stuck in not being able to root unless something new comes up - which is my main purpose here in at least freezing the bootloader version at 8.
The main lack of information I have at the moment is I don't know WHAT PROCESS updates the bootloader.
blackhawk said:
I really don't worry about updating any apps unless there's a improvement I need, so I don't.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm with you 100% in that I don't update ANY apps unless I KNOW it has something I want (which almost never happens).
That's good that neither of us worries about app updates because most people don't realize what a MESS app updates truly are!
I've found out most people THINK that the Google Play Store does a check for new apps for ALL your installed apps - but I've tested it and it doesn't even come close (see attached screenshot proof).
The Google Play Store app update section isn't even part of the Google Play Store (it's an Activity within it but it's independent of the Google Play Store app itself) - but what's worse is the fact it updates barely any apps.
Maybe a dozen. Maybe even two dozen.
But the Google Play Store app update Activity MISSES hundreds upon hundreds of apps, which the screenshots below prove to be the case.
Luckily, as a result of that opinion which we both share that we don't update apps unless we need to, this whole app update mess isn't an issue for either one of us, but bear in mind that a LOT of people "think" the Google Play Store app "updates" all their apps.
It's not even close.
blackhawk said:
It leads to a more stable platform since everything is already running well, more importantly it's fulfilling its mission. In the end that's all that counts. This is my solution; it may not be what others do but it works very well for me. I send almost zero time now troubleshooting... it just runs.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm like you in that I don't update the hundreds of apps unless any one of them needs to be updated, which almost never happens.
But what is driving me nuts is the CONFUSION about what process updates what part of the Android operating system.
For example, I'm currently at:
The Google Play System = March 1, 2022
Settings > About phone > Software information
The Google Play Services = Version 22.42.12 (190400-481949630)
Settings > Apps > Your apps > Google Play Services
The Google Play Store = 33.5.16-21 [0][PR] 4933219047
Settings > Apps > Your apps > Google Play Services
But what is the process that updates those three entities?
It behooves us to nail this down as I'm confused what is updated when & how.
While there are at least a half dozen important layers of Android which are updated on a variety of schedules, I think the fundamental updated layers may be:
The Android OS version, baseband & security patch levels
The Google Play {System,Services,Store} system update levels
The versions of the 25 core modules of Project Mainline
The versions of the firmware in Project Treble
The versions of all the apps supplied with the native OS
I'm embarrassed, for example, to state that I have no idea whatsoever what updates the BASEBAND, for example.
Worse, I have no idea what process updates the 25 core modules of the Project Mainline modules (which is the core of Android).
Project Mainline core modules in Android 10
Project Mainline core modules in Android 11
Project Mainline core modules in Android 12
Project Mainline core modules in Android 13
What process updates those two dozen critical core modules?
com.wssyncmldm is what does all OTA firmware updates for the phone including the bootloader as far as I know. To stop OTA upgrades only it needs to be disabled. It's the only one that can permanently screw you up.
I'm not familiar with the MediaTek chipsets. Galaxy store updates it's apps as well, I firewall block it unless I need to use it.
I keep installable backup copies of all my apps including system. That way on a reload or if they get an unwanted update, I'm ready.
Worksv on Android 9,10, not sure about higher. Newer versions are on Playstore.
blackhawk said:
com.wssyncmldm is what does all OTA firmware updates for the phone including the bootloader as far as I know. To stop OTA upgrades only it needs to be disabled. It's the only one that can permanently screw you up.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you for confirming com.wssyncmldm does the over-the-air firmware updates, and, particularly the caveat that it's the only updater package that can permanently screw the ability to root up.
Android is broken into so many components that I am going nuts trying to figure out what updates what - so that helps (a little).
blackhawk said:
I'm not familiar with the MediaTek chipsets. Galaxy store updates it's apps as well, I firewall block it unless I need to use it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you for bringing up the Galaxy App update mechanism, which I had omitted in my description of what updates apps above.
The OTA update often updates default system apps
The Google Play Store Activity Updater updates "some" apps
The FOSS Google Play Store clients also update "many" apps
The Samsung Galaxy Store updater updates its own apps
There are app updaters I've tested which update ALL apps
(Of course, these assume an update is available.)
Just so that you know, I never create ANY login on my phone, so I can't log into the galaxy store even if I had wanted to do so.
Is there any app in the Samsung Galaxy Store worth the login requirements?
That means I don't have a Google Account set up on my phone either (even as I have a Google Account), so I've learned empirically that if you log into the GMail app even once, it CREATES a Google Account on your phone.
The phone works better WITHOUT the Google Account setup.
Likewise if you log into the Google Maps app, or Google Voice, etc., but luckily ALL the Google apps have equivalent apps which generally work better than the Google apps do anyway.
GMail === FairMail mail client
Chrome === Ungoogled Chromium web client
YouTube === NewPipe YouTube client
Google Play Store === Aurora Google Play Store client
Google Maps === works fine w/o a login
Google Calendar === Etar
Google Messages === Pulse SMS (before Klinker sold to Maple Media)
Google launcher === Nova Launcher (before they sold out)
etc.
Note a good reason for SAVING all the APKs you install is shown in the case of Nova and Pulse where both went over to the dark side.
blackhawk said:
I keep installable backup copies of all my apps including system. That way on a reload or if they get an unwanted update, I'm ready.
Worksv on Android 9,10, not sure about higher. Newer versions are on Playstore.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Like you, I maintain all my APKs independently OUTSIDE of the current daily drive phone, where it's all completely automatic.
The FOSS Google Play Store clients have an option to NOT DELETE the APK when you install any app off the Google Play Store repository.
That fact bears repeating.
When you install an app off the Google Play store, presumably this sequence occurs:
1. The client finds the app & then you download the APK
2. The client initiates the installation of the APK
3. Then the client always DELETES the downloaded APK
But when you install that same app off that same repository using the FOSS Google Play Store clients, and if you check the box to NOT DELETE the APK after installation, then THIS sequence happens.
1. The client finds the app & then you download the APK
2. The client initiates the installation of the APK
3. Then the client always DOES NOT DELETE the downloaded APK
In addition, my Android file system and my Windows file systems are exactly the same (so to speak) since I use free WebDAV servers to mount my entire Android filesystem onto Windows as a drive letter over Wi-Fi (no cables necessary).
Can you mount BOTH Android internal & external storage onto Windows as a drive letter over Wi-Fi using a SINGLE WebDAV server?
That way, when I need to re-populate a new phone, I first bring over the homescreen and all the icon locations (which Nova does nicely), and then, one by one, I populate the apps by SLIDING them over using my mouse to slide from Windows to the mirrored Android.
See the screenshots below proving all that I say above.
BTW, I have one WARNING about extracting APKs, where I've tested ALL the free extractors extent, and where I've had some bad experiences where the extracted APK doesn't work on a different model phone (generally it's different in every way, hardware & software).
I've had MUCH BETTER experience just NOT DELETING the APK when it's downloaded off the Google Play Store repository, or the F-Droid repository, or the GitHub/Sourceforge/Guardian/etc., repositories.
This problem, I think, will only get worse as of the August 2022 decree by Google regarding APEX files (instead of APK files) on the Google Play Store repository.
In summary, Android UPDATES are complex, and I do NOT profess to understand what updates what - so any help anyone can provide is welcome as I am confused as to what updates what.
Since my credibility matters, screenshots below prove all I say above.
I use whatever comes in handy and don't go more nuts than I need to in order to get the job done.
The reason to be able to access the Samsung Galaxy store are the free icon packs and themes.
Edge add ons and certain other apps like Sound Assistant. The Good Lock family of apps are of particular interest for a Samsung user.
Nova isn't as fast or efficient as One UI. One UI is a very stable launcher and very customizable.
My stock N10+ homescreen running on One UI, modified with various Good Lock apps and One handed Operation plus. Digi Clock and Energy Ring are 3rd party apps.
blackhawk said:
Nova isn't as fast or efficient as One UI.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Nova free went over to the dark side as of the Branch acquisition.
Nova Launcher and Sesame Search have been acquired by Branch, an analytics company
As a direct result of the Branch acquisition, my Nova free is the last known good version (namely the pre-branch 7.0.57 version):
<https://novalauncher.com/beta>
<https://novalauncher.com/apk/NovaLauncher_7.0.57.apk>
Name: NovaLauncher_7.0.57.apk
Size: 8687535 bytes (8483 KiB)
SHA256: 05AE72221D8D4F3D6A111A3220A0C87040806AF4E53053EF64F2DE426990893E
Mostly what I like(d) about Nova free is the ability to save the homescreen (and all the folders, shortcuts, and icons) EXACTLY and then re-load it on any number of phones, no matter what make/model of that phone.
Another feature I really liked about Nova free is its ability to put icons on any grid and in any location whatsoever.
Last summer I had opened a thread seeking a replacement app launcher...
Nova launcher used to be the best free Android launcher - until now - so what's better?
We discussed the merits at that time...
blackhawk said:
One UI is a very stable launcher and very customizable.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm happy with my last-known-good-version of Nova free, but because they went over to the dark side, I have to find another app launcher.
If OneUI does those things, I might consider it.
Save homescreen/folders/icons & re-use later
Put icons on any grid (or no grid) whatsoever
GalaxyA325G said:
Mostly what I like(d) about Nova free is the ability to save the homescreen (and all the folders, shortcuts, and icons) EXACTLY and then re-load it on any number of phones, no matter what make/model of that phone.
The only other thing I really liked about Nova free is its ability to put icons on any grid and in any location whatsoever.
I'm happy with my last-known-good-version of Nova free, but because they went over to the dark side, I have to find another app launcher.
If OneUI does those two things, I might consider it.
Save homescreen/folders/icons & re-use later
Put icons on any grid (or no grid) whatsoever
Does it?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
SmartSwitch can save icons and homescreen, however on a clean load I wouldn't use SmartSwitch other than to save homescreen settings so you'll need to rebuild the icons and apps although Goodlock apps and homepage settings remain in effect. So it's not like you just landed on mars and everything looks unworldly with no button navigation
Other than folders you're locked into the grid pattern.
One UI is faster, more efficient and very stable. In fact in 3 years I've never had it crash and force a reboot. Let me put this way, one of the most surefire ways to boot loop a Samsung is a 3rd party launcher. Been there, done that twice, back to back full reloads That convinced me to live with the white page indicators. That's my only real criticism of One UI.
Pick your poison wisely...
I didn't read the whole thread, but for instance it's already enough to freeze the "Software-Update" package to stop "Software-Update" notifications.
In my S8 with Android 9 it's located in /system/priv-app/FotaAgent/FotaAgent.apk. Just rename to "FotaAgent.apk.bak" and that's it!