Database Info

How to Remove Bloatware without Rooting

There's a simple little method in newer versions of Android (not sure when it started but I first noticed it in 4.2 with my Google Nexus 7) called "disable."
A lot of people don't seem to know about it, and think they HAVE to root in order to remove bloatware, and considering the Galaxy S4 is on AT&T and made by Samsung, there's bloatware GALORE on this thing.
A quick run through...
Open up "Settings" from your "Apps" menu, hit the "More" tab in the top right hand corner, and select "Applications manager." From here, you'll find 3 sections, "DOWNLOADED" "RUNNING" and "ALL" (you may have to tap running in order to have the selector move to where all is visible). Select "ALL" and find the program you want gone, select it, and in place of the "uninstall" button you'll see a button saying "disable." Click this button (if it asks to uninstall updates, do so, and press the disable button again) and enjoy that one annoying program showing up in your apps list no longer being there. As added good measure, I also force stop the program.
Keep in mind, there are system level processes listed here, that if you disable, your phone may freak out. ONLY DO THIS WITH ITEMS YOU KNOW YOUR PHONE CAN DO WITHOUT.
I AM NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR YOU DISABLING SOMETHING THAT RENDERS YOUR PHONE INOPPERABLE.
*edit* This is not a COMPLETE removal. It DOES remove the application icon from your apps list, and I have not had any update notifications or any push messages from a disabled app. They will still show up in the "ALL" listing of the Application manager at the very bottom saying "Disabled." You can also uncheck the "Show Notifications" box to ensure that no notifications are sent from that application as an extra annoyance-killing measure.
A poster had a question about background services:
datura77 said:
This thread seem to focus on applications. what about background services that can be safely removed with autostats?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Could anyone with a more extensive knowledge on services shed some light on this? The original quote can be found at the bottom of page 6.

*EDIT* While I DO have my phone rooted, it's easier for me to go through my list of everything using Titanium Backup. Here's my list of currently disabled apps that I have frozen using TiBa. You may not be able to disable near everything I have disabled because there are a couple of applications that cannot be disabled using the built in controls. I DO NOT use a lot of certain features on my phone (NFC, Swype, Talkback, S Voice, Group Play, etc) so my list may differ from yours a bit. Keep in mind if you disable something, that program will fail to function. You can NOT disable NFC services and go to starbucks and still expect NFC to function. If you have a question about what a particular service or app does, it'll be best to google it and see what it does. If no information is provided, we can try and figure out what it does.
I will try and mark the ones I KNOW that cannot be disabled through the applications manager in the list. There are only a couple I know of since going through TiBa was so much faster for me.
IF YOU DISABLE YOUR LAUNCHER VIA ROOT MAKE SURE YOU HAVE ANOTHER ONE INSTALLED BEFORE DOING SO. LAUNCHER IS WHAT CONTROLS YOUR HOME SCREEN. IT'S A PAIN TO FIX SOMETIMES WITH NO ACCESS TO YOUR HOME SCREEN.
My list of disabled apps:
AllShare ControlShare Service
AllShare FileShare Service
AT&T Family Map
AT&T Hot Spots
AT&T Locker
AT&T Messages
AT&T Navigator
BlurbCheckout
Briefing 1.0
Bubbles 1.0
ChatON
ChatOn V (cannot be disabled using apps manager)
Com2uSPoker
DirectConnectManager
DirectShareManager
Exchange Services
Flipboard
Google Play Magazines
Google Play Movies & TV
Google Play Music
Google Search (there are 2. One has an icon of a search bar and another has the G symbol on the icon. Both were re-enabled when I had trouble using voice-to-text and this seems to have corrected my issue)
Google+
Group Play
HP Print Service
Kies via Wifi
Match3VS
Mobile TV
Multimedia UI Service Layer 1.8
Music 6.0.1
Nearby devices
Nearby Service
Nfc Service
NFC Test
PageBuddyNotiSvc
Phase beam
S Health
S Memo
S Note Provider
S Translator
S Voice
Samsung account
Samsung Apps
Samsung Apps Widget
Samsung Books
Samsung Calendar SyncAdapter
Samsung Cloud Data Relay
Samsung Cloud Quota
Samsung Contact SyncAdapter
Samsung Games
Samsung Hub
Samsung Link
Samsung Music
Samsung Push Service
Samsung SBrowser Bookmark SyncAdapter
Samsung SBrowser Tab SyncAdapter
Samsung SNote SyncAdapter
Samsung SyncAdapter
Samsung WatchON (both listings, one can only be disabled via TiBa)
SamsungHubUpdater
Share music
SNS 1.1.0
Story Album
Story Album Widget
Swype
Talk
Talkback
Travel 1.0
Travel wallpaper
TripAdvisor
Yahoo! Finance
Yahoo! News
YouTube
YPmobile
I will update the list and give any reports to any instabilities or issues I notice.

Here is what I have disabled with no issues:
AT&T Drivemode
AT&T FamilyMap
AT&T Hot Spots
AT&T Locker
AT&T Messages
AT&T Navigator
AT&T Smart Wi-Fi
BlurbCheckout
Bubbles
ChatOn
Com2uSPoker
DioDictService
DirectConnectionManager
DirectShareManager
Face Unlock
Favorite Contacts
Gmail
Google Play Books
Google Play Magazines
Google Play Movies & TV
Group Play
Help
Match3VS
MobileTV
myAT&T
PageBuddyNotiSvc
Phase beam
Photo Screensavers
S Translator
S Voice
Samsung Account
Samsung Apps
Samsung Apps Widget
Samsung Books
Samsung Games
Samsung Music
Samsung SBrowser Bookmark
Samsung SBrowser Tab Sync
Samsung WatchOn
Story Album
Story Album Widget
Swipe
Talk
Talkback
TripAdvisor
Yahoo Finance
Yahoo News
YPMobile

though it still in the memory of the phone right? still use some sdcard space for those junk apps unless we uninstall it with root
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I747 using xda premium

lyrad12 said:
though it still in the memory of the phone right? still use some sdcard space for those junk apps unless we uninstall it with root
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I747 using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Disabled apps won't use RAM because they won't load but they do still use storage space if that makes sense.

Once disabled they disappear from Application Manager. How do you re-enable them?

The same way you disabled. Go back inti the Application Manager, scroll all the way down, and "enable"
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using xda premium

its nice to disable, but its alot of bloatware and we should be able to remove it completely.

RaptorMD said:
its nice to disable, but its alot of bloatware and we should be able to remove it completely.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I agree, but some people don't like rooting their devices. This is an alternative to rooting, and it's built into the device. No arguing about "voiding your warranty" should something happen and you can't un-root. Some people don't like that idea of the whole warranty thing.

raqball said:
Here is what I have disabled with no issues:
AT&T Drivemode
AT&T FamilyMap
AT&T Hot Spots
AT&T Locker
AT&T Messages
AT&T Navigator
AT&T Smart Wi-Fi
BlurbCheckout
Bubbles
ChatOn
Com2uSPoker
DioDictService
DirectConnectionManager
DirectShareManager
Face Unlock
Favorite Contacts
Gmail
Google Play Books
Google Play Magazines
Google Play Movies & TV
Group Play
Help
Match3VS
MobileTV
myAT&T
PageBuddyNotiSvc
Phase beam
Photo Screensavers
S Translator
S Voice
Samsung Account
Samsung Apps
Samsung Apps Widget
Samsung Books
Samsung Games
Samsung Music
Samsung SBrowser Bookmark
Samsung SBrowser Tab Sync
Samsung WatchOn
Story Album
Story Album Widget
Swipe
Talk
Talkback
TripAdvisor
Yahoo Finance
Yahoo News
YPMobile
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Somewhere in the process of this, I lost my voice to text. I'm still trying to figure out exactly which processes are tied to this, and I have been unsuccessful. Glad I have the rest of the weekend to do it lol.
*edit* I believe it MAY have been linked to the google search I disabled (you didn't, I just got it along the way because it was there and I wanted to test). I re-enabled everything and rebooted my phone, then went through and left the google search related items enabled and it seems to have corrected my loss of voice to text. I did disable S Voice and S Translator as well.

gothpunk4christ said:
Somewhere in the process of this, I lost my voice to text. I'm still trying to figure out exactly which processes are tied to this, and I have been unsuccessful. Glad I have the rest of the weekend to do it lol.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I just checked and it works for me..
Look at the keyboard settings and make sure Google Voice Typing is enabled..

this is my first Sammy device, but I gotta say S voice might be the most redundant and dumbest application ever. Its nowhere near as good as Google Now but yet it's the default

raqball said:
I just checked and it works for me..
Look at the keyboard settings and make sure Google Voice Typing is enabled..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah I updated my post on there. I think it was related to the Google Searches that I disabled. I went back through and disabled a lot more stuff this time, but keeping those 2 on seems to have left my VTT in tact.
Disabling processes...for science!

mr_blanket said:
this is my first Sammy device, but I gotta say S voice might be the most redundant and dumbest application ever. Its nowhere near as good as Google Now but yet it's the default
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, it seems to only control a select portion of the phone, but then, it should be specifically tailored to the device it's installed on. Not like being a generic voice controller like Googles and spanning multiple devices. I still don't use it though.

gothpunk4christ said:
I agree, but some people don't like rooting their devices. This is an alternative to rooting, and it's built into the device. No arguing about "voiding your warranty" should something happen and you can't un-root. Some people don't like that idea of the whole warranty thing.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I agree completely. My disappointment is Google touts this as some big thing when you are not getting back lost RAM and in 2013 we are getting worse storage options than in 2010 based on average app sizes.

Thanks for the lists! The main reason I have been freezing apps (even though I have root) instead of removing is because I don't yet have custom recovery installed. I don't want to start stripping my system until I can make a decent backup.
Some apps I disabled that I did not see on previous lists are:
All AT&T apps EXCEPT Software Update
Briefing 1.0
Chrome 25.0.1364.169
Easy Launcher 1.0 (I use ADW and have it set as default)
Kies via Wi-Fi v42_1304_1_2
Mobile TV 2.0
Multimedia UI Service Layer 1.8
Music 6.0.1
My Files 1.0.0 (I use Ghost Commander or Root Explorer)
myAT&T 3.4
OmaDrmPopup 1.0
S Health 1.5.2
S Memo 2.17.422276
S Note Provider 13.01.6000
S Translator 0.8.8
S Voice 11.0.0.1
All Samsung apps EXCEPT Keyboard, KNOX, Print Service, SetupWizard
SensorService 1.8
SNS 1.1.0
TouchWiz home 4.2.2-I337UCUAMDB (I use ADW and have it set as default)
Try air move 1.0
I used to Titanium Backup, some of these services are not visible without it. I have not had any errors or issues yet. I will update the list if anything changes.

dbg11235 said:
Thanks for the lists! The main reason I have been freezing apps (even though I have root) instead of removing is because I don't yet have custom recovery installed. I don't want to start stripping my system until I can make a decent backup.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This too is a valid reason.

Has anyone figured out how to remove the "Samsung Mobile" bookmarks folder? Seems like it can't be deleted by normal methods and I don't know where to go digging in the phone to remove them with root.

so hypothetically, when a chunk of these are disabled, and threfore not using RAM upon loading... (or not loading) that should help speed up the phone even more correct?

JL84 said:
so hypothetically, when a chunk of these are disabled, and threfore not using RAM upon loading... (or not loading) that should help speed up the phone even more correct?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
yuuup

[WIP] App/Bloat list for stock disabling

So, I had some success improving performance on the VZW S5 by disabling some of the apps that I dont use. Lets face it - TW is just too heavy , and taking it down a notch seems to help. I have seen a few lists in various places, but nothing really definitive so far. While we all calmly and patiently wait/hope for root/debloat tools, I wanted to put together some of those that were disabled manually without causing any issues in everyday use... as well as a list of other potentials. I've seen questions in various places, and thought it would help to consolidate suggestions on one thread.
**Since everyone uses their phones for different purposes, and therefore different apps - please keep in mind that disabling an app that pertains to a function you use (IE; Print service, Health, TTS, VZW Navigator [lol], etc) will cause it to cease to work until you turn it back on. Though you cannot turn off most critical apps, please be mindful of these suggestions.
Please throw in any suggestions that you were successful in disabling, and I will update (see second post for options). I started this to identify additional/successfully disabled apps for this purpose. Pretty conservative so far.
All apps listed are those accessible through the Application Manager (Settings-->Applications-->Application Manager-->All).
Bloat/Safe:
Accessories (VZW)
Amazon
Amazon App Suite
Amazon Kindle
Amazon MP3
Appstore (Amazon)
Audible
BlurbCheckout
Caller Name ID (VZW)
Cloud (VZW)
Family Base Companion (VZW)
Flipboard
Google Play Books
Google Play Games
Google Play Movies & TV
Google Play Newsstand
IMDb
Isis Mobile Wallet
Message+ (VZW)
My InfoZone (VZW)
My Magazine
NFL Mobile
My Verizon Mobile (VZW)
Polaris Office 5
Samsung Link Platform
Samsung Print Service Plugin
Slacker
Swype
Travel Wallpaper
Verizon Location Agent
Verizon Support and Protection
Verizon Tones
Voicemail (VZW)
VZ Navigator

I also went through the application list, and checked all that COULD be disabled from this menu. If anyone knows if any of these are safe or effective to turn off, or what apps/services they pertain to (other than the obvious) that would be great to know. Many of them dont run for me under normal conditions, so I believe many of them should not help performance by disabling (if you dont use those services).
Can be disabled**:
ANT Radio Service [Bluetooth association]
ANT+ Plugins [Bluetooth association]
BadgeProvider [Provides badges for icons?]
Basic Daydreams [Daydream wall]
Bubbles [wallpaper]
Business card recognition [?]
CapabilityManagerService [Pops up when headphones connected]
Clock (digital easy) [Widget]
Clock (digital) [Widget]
com.android.providers.partnerbookmarks [Chrome Bookmarks]
Fonts (com.monotype.android.font.xxxxx, etc)
com.samsung.android.sdk.spenv10 [SNote function?]
com.sec.android.app.minimode.res [?]
com.sec.android.ofviewer [Multiwindow association?]
com.sec.msc.nts.android.proxy [Samsung link]
com.verizon.permissions.appdirectedsms [Verizon crap?]
com.verizon.permissions.securesettings [Verizon crap?]
com.verizon.permissions.vzwappapn [Verizon crap/hotspot killswitch?]
ConfigUpdater [Automatically updates certificates, firewall config, sms list, timezone info]
DCMProvider (this occasionally crashes on me on ART) [?]
DirectConnectManager [Unknown, others disabled without problems]
DirectShareManager [Unknown, others disabled without problems]
Download Manager
Dual Clock (digital) [widget]
EmergencyProvider [?]
EnterprisePermissions [?]
EpsonPrintService [print driver for Epson printers]
Google Partner Setup [Allows apps to run in conjunction with Google Products]
Group Play
HP Print Service Plugin [Enables printing to HP printers]
LogsProvider [?, Important]
Memo [Samsung Memo App]
MobilePrintSvc_CUPS [?, apparently unnecessary]
MobilePrintSvc_CUPS_Backend [?, apparently unnecessary]
One Time Init [?]
Phase Beam [wallpaper]
Photo Screensavers [Daydream, widget?]
Picasa Uploader [Picasa, post pics]
Print Spooler [Google cloud print service]
QoSSig [Verizon?]
SHealth
SVoice
Samsung Account
Samsung Billing
Samsung Galaxy
Samsung GALAXY Apps Widget
Samsung Push Service
Samsung Updates
SapaMonitor [Apparently safe to remove]
Search Applications Provider [Brings up external apps for Google Searches]
SecGeofenceLibrary [?]
SettingSearchProvider [?]
Smart Remote
SoundAlive [Samsung, music player association?]
Tags [NFC]
TalkBack [Google Service, hearing impaired]
Tasks provider [?]
Virtual Tour Viewer [?]
VPN Client
VZWAPNService [Mobile data, do not disable]
VZWAVSService [?]
WFDS Print Service Plugin [Print related, apparently safe to disable]
There are more that can be disabled, but these were known to pertain to more important/popular functions (IE; Camera, contacts, Google, etc)
Hope that helps.

I am not given an option to turn off Voicemail. I use Google Voice for voicemail anyway, and hide the stock voicemail app with Nova.

jpmcnown said:
I am not given an option to turn off Voicemail. I use Google Voice for voicemail anyway, and hide the stock voicemail app with Nova.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Interesting - I was definitely able to - perhaps because it was never setup from the get-go? I use Google Voice as well.

jpmcnown said:
I am not given an option to turn off Voicemail. I use Google Voice for voicemail anyway, and hide the stock voicemail app with Nova.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Demiurge7 said:
Interesting - I was definitely able to - perhaps because it was never setup from the get-go? I use Google Voice as well.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I actually hadn't set it up either. Then not having the option to turn-off, I set up the 30 "trial", still no option to turn-off. weird. Though, I DID set up Google Voice as my voicemail carrier before all this. I switched back to Verizon, and still nothing. Oh well, now I get to see how much of a pain it's going to be to cancel this $3/mo service.

jpmcnown said:
I actually hadn't set it up either. Then not having the option to turn-off, I set up the 30 "trial", still no option to turn-off. weird. Though, I DID set up Google Voice as my voicemail carrier before all this. I switched back to Verizon, and still nothing. Oh well, now I get to see how much of a pain it's going to be to cancel this $3/mo service.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I wasn't able to disable it from the Application Manager, but I was able to by going to the app drawer and "Uninstall/Disable apps."

I am also not set up yet..

How exactly do we turn off Verizon Support and Protection....The option to turn it off is greyed out...How exactly is that done?

bdorr1105 said:
How exactly do we turn off Verizon Support and Protection....The option to turn it off is greyed out...How exactly is that done?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not sure. I have noticed there were differences in what individual devices were allowed to turn off. Try stopping it first, clearing cache/data, as well as turning off other vzw apps that may possibly be tied to it. Some had success disabling from drawer, so you could try that.
I was definitely able to turn it off, as you can see from the above pic. Let me know if any of those options work.
Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk

jpmcnown said:
I actually hadn't set it up either. Then not having the option to turn-off, I set up the 30 "trial", still no option to turn-off. weird. Though, I DID set up Google Voice as my voicemail carrier before all this. I switched back to Verizon, and still nothing. Oh well, now I get to see how much of a pain it's going to be to cancel this $3/mo service.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You have to disable their admin access settings>security>device administrators
after you do that you can disable them

How I managed to quit Google services cold turkey and lived to tell the tale ;)

Hey folks,
Just sharing my experience getting out of the Google services/framework
I use LineageOS(a custom firmware) with my One Plus 2 and was previously using gaaps pico(the bare minimum) which had Google Services Framework which comes with Google Play Store.
I didn't like the permissions Google Play Store was asking for(almost all permissions) although I made a new Google account and used a gamers gift card to load money onto it to pay for apps, I was just uncomfortable with the privacy policy and all the metadata Google collects.
I searched high and low and found 'Raccoon' and 'Yalp Store' as alternatives to the Google Play Store, ironically I found them using Google Search , Yalp Store is what I went with to download apps from Google Play Store without the Google Services Framework (GSF) and it has the ability to check for app Updates(Yalp Store checks and updates apps using scrapping the Google Play Store, no need for Google Services Framework), I had a choice of using the Yalp Store random account to sign-in or one of my choice. So now I don't install any Gaaps with LineageOS.
I liked the idea of updating apps via Play Store (they are vetted the most in my opinion with respect to security) I don't mind apkmirror but it requires a scrapper to check for updates(which I was too lazy to write).
There were some hiccups using Yalp Store(I signed in with the account In used to pay for apps) for apps like Greenify, that I paid for would not unlock as it required Google Services Framework to do a license check.
There are no push notifications without GSF. The private messenger 'Signal' still works but runs in the background(does not take too much of battery at all).
It's been a two weeks or more without anything Google and even droping Whatsapp. I noticed really good battery life. Had to use various apps(essentials for me) like:
Mail: Bluemail for icloud email
Music: Phonograph (Not GSF dependant)
Video: VLC (Not GSF dependant)
File manager: Solid Explorer PRO (Very cool, uses your IMEI to do a license check initially)
Oneplus Galery and Camera (ported by one of the devs) (btw if you google the OnePlus Gallery on apkmirror, the beta version works fine with the OP2)
Messaging: Signal Messenger
Calendar (com.boxer.calendar): Not GSF dependant
Browser: Firefox and Firefox Focus
Notes: Simplenote
F-Droid: to check for updates to the Yalp Store app (not GSF dependant)
Newpipe (YouTube player which can be downloaded from F-Droid) - Is awesome, can check if your favorite YouTube channels have any updates without signing in, just like the 'YouTube Checker' add-on for Firefox on desktop. Super cool floating popup to watch videos! (non GFS dependant)
Backup: Super Backup (The super backup pro is GSF dependant and cannot complete a license check) I use this app to locally backup Contacts, apps, Calendar events and Messages)
BlueMail checks my email once in a day, just like the old days when they were no smartphones and one would logon on the desktop once a day to check mail, instead of having a fight or flight response everytime a push notification is sent atleast in my case (I can manually do a refresh and check, whenever)
To be honest, it takes some getting used to, but I'm happier in the sense I dont like Google collecting data for their AI and Machine learning, my data is not that important to them and my privacy is not due to any paranoia. I just dont like the concept anymore, I have nothing to hide, it's just the 'Google Free Stuff' comes at a cost, I just watched tech news today and found that Google Chrome, is now, planning to use Machine Learning to determine if the links you click in their browser are Malware, you know what that means right, they have to get access to all the 'links' you click 'to determine' which are Malware. Most people don't get it, others don't care because they feel they have nothing to hide, but, if you really want to go free of either Google or Apple. Stock LineageOS is the best way to go (personal opinion)
Without GSF you have to set a check for notifications(for various apps) at regular intervals, not that battery intensive but counter-intuitive if you dig push notifications.
Wow, feels great to share all that lol.
Also, I found the time to update my 'removal' script to remove all the default ringtones-alarms-notificaton(.ogg file) sounds and copy just the ones I want to use to their respective folders via TWRP flashing (it also removes stuff I dont use in Lineage OS)
https://github.com/forestfirefly/lineageosscript
Have a safe and secure 2018 and please do share any super cool non GSF dependant apps that you use, thanks.
Ps:- Using the LineageOS stock Dialer and Contacts app and really diggin it!
Thanks LineageOS Dev Team for all your hard work, you guys must get that a lot but felt the need to say it
Originally posted here
Update1:
Have moved out of iCloud email and have decided to go with the eco-friendly email provider posteo.de along with the 'K-9 Email' app to fetch email.
Update2:
Am using 'Here WeGo' maps and its not bad at all.
Also switched to APKUpdater(https://forum.xda-developers.com/android/apps-games/app-apkupdater-t3444517) as Yalp Store was sharing my device info with Google (when using my own account, I noticed it in devices)
Update3:
Decided to use Raccoon by Onyxbits to download apks on my linux machine (Mod Edit: Link removed)
It's good and has the ability to check for updates for apps downloaded
It has the ability to download apps you have paid for based on the google ID you use to log in
Changed from Yalp Store as I found Yalp Store to use the google play api to fetch apps and if any other google framework like microG was to be installed it would get the account credentials from Yalp store, also, using it with the Orbot app, made Google flag my account as a "privacy guy", they seemed to know what's going on.
Using Spotify for music (does not require GSF)
Using Simple Calendar Pro for Calendar
Using firefox as my main browser usinf Opera with VPN for anonymous browsing
Using Firefox Notes for end to end encrypted notes instead of SImplenote
Waiting for RCS (Mod Edit: Link removed) Messaging as I've completely gone off WhatsApp for good! Signal Messanger is good for now.

Same for me.

Using a Nubia X without GApps

What are the possible replacements for google services?
Aptoide/Yalp store as replacement for play store?
If it works, I guess installing youtube, maps, etc. from either store should work? Or not?
Or we can find alternative apps thatbwork like youtube, gmaps, etc. anyway
How about retrieving contacts saved in google account? Can i retrieve them using browser logged in my google account? How to import into phone?
Users of Apps/games that require google login like pubg should use alternative logins now. Will it work?
What are the all the requirements for degooglefied phone like nubia x?

Hi,
I'm using one phone like that, until some solution for the google services is found.
It's a bit uncomfortable, but it's working. In anther one post I have uploaded a picture how it looks like.
Here is the answers of your questions:
sgn15 said:
Aptoide/Yalp store as replacement for play store?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm downloading the applications from Google Play store, and then installing the apks manually.
sgn15 said:
If it works, I guess installing youtube, maps, etc. from either store should work? Or not?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
YouTube app generally working, but closes when cant find the google services. Anyway I'm watching the videos from the browser.
Maps - you can install Chrome and then pin it to the home screen. Works like charm.
You can install Mesanger, WatsApp, Viber, Skype - they work.
sgn15 said:
How about retrieving contacts saved in google account? Can i retrieve them using browser logged in my google account? How to import into phone?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have download a Microsoft launcher. It has Cortana as voice assistant. Then Outlook app, which can import all the contacts and from your accounts (o365, Google, Hotmail, yahoo etc.)
sgn15 said:
sers of Apps/games that require google login like pubg should use alternative logins now. Will it work?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
With PUBG I had some issues installing it because except the apk has obb, may be I'll try later when I have some time. Fortnite is working like charm. Even with the back screen two additional buttons is like a cheat.
Things which I could not solve until now:
- Outlook cant import o365 mail hosted by GoDaddy.
- It seems that, a lot of applications rely on google services for the push notifications. If the app (let say Viber) is not running, you may not have popup notification on the lock screen. (If anyone knows how to solve that I'll be happy)
So, that's all. At the end you can live with the phone. I'm happy with it.
I hope that answers your question. If you have other questions - let me know

br_other said:
Hi,
I'm using one phone like that, until some solution for the google services is found.
It's a bit uncomfortable, but it's working. In anther one post I have uploaded a picture how it looks like.
Here is the answers of your questions:
I'm downloading the applications from Google Play store, and then installing the apks manually.
YouTube app generally working, but closes when cant find the google services. Anyway I'm watching the videos from the browser.
Maps - you can install Chrome and then pin it to the home screen. Works like charm.
You can install Mesanger, WatsApp, Viber, Skype - they work.
I have download a Microsoft launcher. It has Cortana as voice assistant. Then Outlook app, which can import all the contacts and from your accounts (o365, Google, Hotmail, yahoo etc.)
With PUBG I had some issues installing it because except the apk has obb, may be I'll try later when I have some time. Fortnite is working like charm. Even with the back screen two additional buttons is like a cheat.
Things which I could not solve until now:
- Outlook cant import o365 mail hosted by GoDaddy.
- It seems that, a lot of applications rely on google services for the push notifications. If the app (let say Viber) is not running, you may not have popup notification on the lock screen. (If anyone knows how to solve that I'll be happy)
So, that's all. At the end you can live with the phone. I'm happy with it.
I hope that answers your question. If you have other questions - let me know
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
How about updating/syncing contacts? I mean after retrieving them and i added a new contact entry. How do i update/sync that contact into google?
And for photos? Do i have to manually backup to pc or cloud since there's no google photos and no google drive?
Any other concerns i might have forgotten?
Edit:
Link to this thread you mentioned?

I used aptoide - the only google apps that seems to work is Google Chrome Browser and gmaps. youtube did not work through aptoide as didn't all the other google apps i tried. I placed a youtube home page using the chrome broswer on the desktop. Whatsapp apk i downloaded from their official website and installed working fine. When I downloaded whatsapp through aptoide and the chinese market app it won't work and keeps saying date and time is not right even though it is - maybe because its not chinese date and time?
For Contacts i opened my pc with chrome broswer and downloaded the contacts VCARD which you can do and placed in root folder of Nubia X - picked all my contacts up - I'm not sure how to sync though to google accounts as you cant add a google account through the phone unless you root as per other posts.
Pretty silly how they just didn't let you install gapps without root - i buy a lot of chinese phones and its the standard now even if google isnt preinstalled - its been a long time since I've seen a phone that doesn't let you install gapps yourself if you want too even though they dont support it. I'm finding it hard to use the phone and it will probably end up in a drawer for a few months until the international rom is released with google. Its annoying, even switching the phone off the voice assistant starts in Chinese and i want to get rid of this.
I've deleted practically all the bloatware, yet can't get music player to detect music i placed in the music folder.
Should have done my reading before hand but oh well... I got it for less than £495 from geekbuying 128gb version but should have waited out for the international rom version
Most of my good apps I downloaded through the Amazon App Store which is also working so I have 3 markets on my phone at the moment.

Is there bloatware?

HI,
Not sure if this the correct place to ask. However I have a Pixel 5 on order and given that this is only £100 more I was thinking i might cancel the PIxel 5.
However what I really like about the PIxels is that they have no bloatware on, facebook etc.
Can anyone say if there is much bloatware on this phone?
Cheers

This app list is from Xperia 1 ii but should be same for 5 ii. I have preorder anyway, its very easy uninstall through adb commands without root.
Amazon Prime Video
Call of Duty
Facebook
Google
Google Calendar
Google Chrome
Google Clock
Google Contacts
Google Drive
Google Device Health Services
Google Digital Wellbeing
Google Duo
Google Gboard
Google Gmail
Google Lens
Google Maps
Google Messages
Google One
Google Pay
Google Phone
Google Photos
Google Play Movies & TV
Google Podcasts
LinkedIn
Netflix
Sony Music
Sony Support
TIDAL 3 Months Free
YouTube
YouTube Music
Source: https://www.reddit.com/r/SonyXperia/comments/hgrndx/comment/fw6cxpp

Thanks for the list. Doesn't look to bad.
What concerns me is do they have any tie up to Facebook apis like some of the new OS's
Thanks again

What about Facebook?

Ahh man, missed that....
I wonder how deeply embedded it is into the OS. I know that on Xiaomi the integration can't be removed/disabled.
On a side note I would pay extra so that I could have blank OS, similar to android one.
Satpal

ermacwins said:
What about Facebook?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Facebook was also present, I could only disable the app.
Are there any disadvantages for disabling apps instead of uninstalling them ?

htcsnap93 said:
Facebook was also present, I could only disable the app.
Are there any disadvantages for disabling apps instead of uninstalling them ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
They basically do the same but uninstalling will free up the space they took

There is.
Received mine yesterday and I was shocked about the preinstalled Apps.
Facebook, LinkedIn AND Call of Duty, which I couldn't delete. Don't know if I could deactivate them but I deleted those apps with adb.

The Google Apps are no Bloatware and shouldn't be removed if You want a fully functional Smartphone. Buy a Huawei if You don't want that....
So at the End. Bloatware are Apps that are not from the OEM or the Owners of Android. Facebook, Amazon, Games, Netflix. You should wonder why this is pre-installed. And out of Developer View (winkywinky) is it just funny how You think that removing of the Main Apps with ADB would mean they aren't working anymore. There is a lot of background stuff working that You can't remove or disable without Bootloader Unlock (Another thing which speaks for a Huawei if You want that). Just Saying, You are on XDA...