installing and uninstalling applications - Samsung Galaxy Note 20 Ultra Questions & Answers

installing and uninstalling many applications Is it harmful?

marioswat81 said:
installing and uninstalling many applications Is it harmful?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Depends on where the application come from. Most apps from the Play Store are okay and if you want to uninstall something it's probably okay. Just don't go using adb and uninstall any system apps.

I ask about applications from Google play

marioswat81 said:
installing and uninstalling many applications Is it harmful?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It can potentially cause undesirable changes especially if the app is poorly written.
Avoid doing so when possible by not uploading an app for no good reason.
Read reviews about an app first.
Even a Playstore app can cost you a hard reset... did 2 back to back recently caused by a launcher.
If an app is running poorly, uninstall it. Clear the storage for the app first.
Keep an eye on what your apps are doing in the background with data/memory/battery usage.
Don't side load apps unless you -really- trust the source. If so -always- scan it with an online scanner like Virus Total before you install it!!!
Use SD Maid to pick off the remnants of uninstalled apps.

marioswat81 said:
I ask about applications from Google play
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
As I said apps from the Play Store are mostly safe as they are constantly being checked by Google. Every once in a while something will slip by but mostly safe. If you are worried activate device security in settings under device care.

marioswat81 said:
installing and uninstalling many applications Is it harmful?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
ggrant3876 said:
As I said apps from the Play Store are mostly safe as they are constantly being checked by Google. Every once in a while something will slip by but mostly safe. If you are worried activate device security in settings under device care.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just because an app is "safe" doesn't mean it isn't poorly coded. Bad uninstalls is more a PC issue but Androids aren't completely immune to it.
Just one change hidden (inaccessible) setting change can really screw up your machine. Saw that happen on an e-reader; it globally changed the screen tint and when uninstalled it remained. Had to reload it, toggle that off, uninstall. The was a bloody Goggle apk.
Be it a trojan or bad coding a hard reset is a hard reset.
It's rare for a Playstore Android app to crash and burn the OS but it definitely does happen
As do buggy uninstalls... best not do too many installs or uninstalls together so if there is an issue you can spot it and know where it came from.
This may be the only way to easily correct it...

thank you

Related

Deleting Google Apps

Hi all. Quick question; searched and didn't find a response. So...
There are a few Google apps I'd really like to lose. Namely Play Books, Play Movies/TV, Play Newstand, and Play Games. I'm never going to use them, so I'd just as soon uninstall them. My question is can I uninstall these through Titanium Backup or are they crucial system apps that I should just leave alone and learn to live with?
Thanks!
You can deactivate them in settings -> apps. You will not gain more storage, but the apps will disappear. They can be enabled again of course
experience7 said:
You can deactivate them in settings -> apps. You will not gain more storage, but the apps will disappear. They can be enabled again of course
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I freeze every one of those apps with Titanium backup every time I install gaaps or return to stock. No issues with them frozen on N5 at all.
experience7 said:
You can deactivate them in settings -> apps. You will not gain more storage, but the apps will disappear. They can be enabled again of course
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I never thought about that. Thanks! :highfive: I feel so dumb...
Well, I don't see any advantage in freezing them with TiBa. Of course it works flawlessly, but my method also does plus you don't need a third-party app
Actually, all deactivating them in Apps does is uninstall the updates. They're still there.
experience7 said:
Well, I don't see any advantage in freezing them with TiBa. Of course it works flawlessly, but my method also does plus you don't need a third-party app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The advantage in freezing them is you retain the ability to take OTA updates without reflashing system.
Jason_MCG said:
Actually, all deactivating them in Apps does is uninstall the updates. They're still there.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Titanium Backup is worth the price. The UI is terrible. Still can't find a replacement I'm happy with.
experience7 said:
Well, I don't see any advantage in freezing them with TiBa. Of course it works flawlessly, but my method also does plus you don't need a third-party app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I would think most people who are active on these threads chose a nexus for ease of changing ROMS. I would lose my mind doing that without the pro version of TiBu. Have it anyway so used it. Also, freeze is nice because I can quickly thaw out a memory hog program, use it as I need to and then quickly refreeze it with all data in tact.
Aerowinder said:
The advantage in freezing them is you retain the ability to take OTA updates without reflashing system.
Titanium Backup is worth the price. The UI is terrible. Still can't find a replacement I'm happy with.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Of course it is - bought it years ago.
You can delete any app with the full version of Titanium Backup.
But I'm pretty sure that you can disable them like I mentioned above and still receive OTA's Am I wrong?

Uninstalling Google system apps...

Hey guys,
Dumb question that I'm pretty sure I know the answer to, but I'll ask anyway just to double check:
Stock, rooted N5: Can I use TiBu to uninstall Google apps that are pre installed as system apps, then turn around and install those same apps through the Play Store as regular user apps? Any ill effects to this? Primarily looking at Google Music, so I can then Greenify it once it's installed as a regular app. Everything I know tells me this is fine but it never hurts to ask, right? May do the same with Keep, Currents, G+, etc...
Thanks in advance
slider112 said:
Hey guys,
Dumb question that I'm pretty sure I know the answer to, but I'll ask anyway just to double check:
Stock, rooted N5: Can I use TiBu to uninstall Google apps that are pre installed as system apps, then turn around and install those same apps through the Play Store as regular user apps? Any ill effects to this? Primarily looking at Google Music, so I can then Greenify it once it's installed as a regular app. Everything I know tells me this is fine but it never hurts to ask, right? May do the same with Keep, Currents, G+, etc...
Thanks in advance
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yep, you can uninstall Google apps, like music, plus, magazine, etc... and download as user apps, then greenify them.
I removed some them on day 1 when was on stock and now whenever I flash a new Rom with Gapps. Just be careful with what you choose. I recommend to first back them up then if everything is fine, delete backups.
GUGUITOMTG4 said:
Yep, you can uninstall Google apps, like music, plus, magazine, etc... and download as user apps, then greenify them.
I removed some them on day 1 when was on stock and now whenever I flash a new Rom with Gapps. Just be careful with what you choose. I recommend to first back them up then if everything is fine, delete backups.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Great, thanks for confirming. Just gonna stick to the basics, but will back up through TiBu first as a precaution. Google Music was at the forefront because at times it runs in the background when bluetooth is turned on. It was either go this route or purchase the full version of Greenify so I could hibernate all system apps. Greenify is well worth the support, but would rather just de-clutter things this way.
Thanks again, much appreciated. :good:
Don't delete. Freeze. There is nothing to gain by deleting
Sent from my Nexus 5 using Tapatalk
You lose OTA ability if you outright delete.
Like was stated, freeze them. If you were going to uninstall them through Titanium anyway.....
Sent from my Nexus 5 using xda app-developers app
rootSU said:
Don't delete. Freeze. There is nothing to gain by deleting
Sent from my Nexus 5 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So freeze Google Music as a system app, then install as a user app from the play store? Seems kind of redundant. I understand that logic and have followed that for other system apps in the past on other devices, but is that really the preferred method if I'm only dealing with Google apps that were installed as system apps from the factory, only by default, and can be easily reinstalled via the play store? Oh, and I'm running Franco's kernel so the OTA capability ship has already sailed anyway...
slider112 said:
So freeze Google Music as a system app, then install as a user app from the play store? Seems kind of redundant. I understand that logic and have followed that for other system apps in the past on other devices, but is that really the preferred method if I'm only dealing with Google apps that were installed as system apps from the factory, only by default, and can be easily reinstalled via the play store? Oh, and I'm running Franco's kernel so the OTA capability ship has already sailed anyway...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Why would you then install it as a user app? System apps that are also available in play can still be updated via play anyway.
rootSU said:
Why would you then install it as a user app? System apps that are also available in play can still be updated via play anyway.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, I know that. So I can greenify it. Google Music will run in the background once bluetooth is turned on. Can't greenify system apps with the basic app, so for that particular app I think this would be the easiest method.
Ah well, yep. Non-donators are forced to do weird things.
rootSU said:
Ah well, yep. Non-donators are forced to do weird things.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Lol. Nothing weird about it. Worked fine. Google apps really shouldn't be installed as system apps if they're available in the play store. The user should have the choice of what they want and don't want. Easily corrected.
They do. Its called "custom rom"
Sent from my Nexus 5 using Tapatalk
rootSU said:
They do. Its called "custom rom"
Sent from my Nexus 5 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
They also have "titanium backup". Uninstalled. Done. "Custom roms" aren't for everyone. I've run plenty since my original droid days and just never use half the features included. I want rooted stock, and I have it. Thanks for everyones input.
Yep. Can get custom roms based on stock that have skeleton gapps. To answer your statement earlier
"Google apps really shouldn't be installed as system apps if they're available in the play store"
Well yes they should as that is where they are designed to be. They are on the play store to allow updating outside the scope of OTA.
And of course it's your prerogative to remove apps as system apps and make them user apps, but I do get the feeling you're only doing it to continue using greenify without donating. But then again, it's none of my business whether you donate or not.
rootSU said:
Yep. Can get custom roms based on stock that have skeleton gapps. To answer your statement earlier
"Google apps really shouldn't be installed as system apps if they're available in the play store"
Well yes they should as that is where they are designed to be. They are on the play store to allow updating outside the scope of OTA.
And of course it's your prerogative to remove apps as system apps and make them user apps, but I do get the feeling you're only doing it to continue using greenify without donating. But then again, it's none of my business whether you donate or not.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yep. Can get custom roms based on stock that have skeleton gapps. To answer your statement earlier.
- Yep. Know that. I only flash core/mini gapps packages on the "custom roms" I've run. But "based on stock" isn't stock. Point was more about not needing/wanting the extra features that "custom roms" provide. Especially on a pure google device like the N5.
"Google apps really shouldn't be installed as system apps if they're available in the play store"
Well yes they should as that is where they are designed to be. They are on the play store to allow updating outside the scope of OTA.
- Opinion. They're not designed to be system apps and there is no benefit having them installed as such. They're system apps on Nexus devices because they're made by Google, only reason. They're on the play store to allow for users of non google devices to install/uninstall as they please.
And of course it's your prerogative to remove apps as system apps and make them user apps, but I do get the feeling you're only doing it to continue using greenify without donating. But then again, it's none of my business whether you donate or not.
- You get that feeling because that's exactly why I'm doing it. Never implied otherwise. Let's not go down the "you should support all developers for their hard work" road here. I've purchased more apps over the years than I care to admit, and continue to support developers and their hard work. Case in point: Titanium Backup Pro; which I used as the alternative here.

Android System WebView, com.facebook.appmanager and com.facebook.system!

What is it? Can I disable them?
Why do you need to disable them?
gm007 said:
Why do you need to disable them?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If it do not function for anything, at least not consume RAM.
Not the Webview if you use GApps such as Play Store, etc, Facebook yes if unused
Disappointed in Sony for including com.facebook.appmanager and com.facebook.system as uninstallable components. My Z5 came with the Facebook app already installed (Customized DE firmware). I never even ran the app (I don't do facebook) - uninstalled it the second I spotted it but these two processes remain and can only be disabled, not uninstalled.
Feck off Facebook!
I deleted webview once on my old Z1, system became unresponsive.
Sent from my E6653 @ XDA Portal
andiling said:
Not the Webview if you use GApps such as Play Store, etc, Facebook yes if unused
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Tks !!!
I keep a real clean phone. I don't use FB either and have it disabled. But I discovered this file or application and as fast as I would shut down and delete cache and data it would reload itself. This action alone made me suspicious of it and I wanted it off my phone or at the very least disabled. On another forum it was recommended to install "Package Disabler Pro" at a cost of $.99 and I tried it. In the notes and warnings you have to use this carefully least you make the phone unusable but I "disable" these two persistant "Facebook" files and they have not come back. My phone works fine too. Then I went after the damn Sprint/Samsung installed voicemail program that keeps wanting you to upgrade and then it had a persistant flag that kept coming up saying "We had forced upgrades too but this one is necessary". I said no to that too and with this program finally have turned it OFF.
Hope this helps.
Lisa
BR4DOKYBrazil said:
What is it? Can I disable them?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
To completely disable them ("temporary" uninstallation) use Debloater http://forum.xda-developers.com/android/software/debloater-remove-carrier-bloat-t2998294
or learn how to use the
Code:
pm hide
command
As suggested, i would not disable Android Webview.
Always do a BACKUP of your personal files before disabling system apps : if you are not rooted and disable the wrong package, you'll get in bootloop and will have to reset the phone.
lol answered in a resurrected old thread,
Lisa stop making jokes please XD

(Potential) Malware found on Elephone S3 right out of box?

Hi guys
I recently purchased a Elephone S3 from Everbuying.com. I heard people talking about how notorious these Chinese phones are having malware installed on them, so I decided to give the malware check a go and use about 10+ popular Malware detection apps (Avast, Kaspersky, Avira, Trojan Killer, you name it) currently available on Play Store.
Out of all those, excluding warnings that doesn't really matter in this regards (Malware specific), the below two apps gave me those respective warning results.
I have done some research, but i don't think I found any relevant info in this regards. So, for all the guru out there, the question is obvious, should I be worried about these "non-deletable" apps (if not rooted)? If they ARE malicious, can I be worried free by turning off ALL permissions for the apps and in some case, disable the app (I can disable the Beauty Center, not ELE Launcher).
Thanks to you all for any input!
Malwarebytes Anti-Malware
App - Beauty Center
Message - Android/PUP.Riskware.Cooee.a
App - ELE Launcher
Message - Android/PUP.Riskware.Cooee.H
Stubborn Trojan Killer
App - Beauty Center
Message - General Trojan
App - ELE Launcher
Message - General Trojan
bagachin said:
Hi guys
I recently purchased a Elephone S3 from Everbuying.com. I heard people talking about how notorious these Chinese phones are having malware installed on them, so I decided to give the malware check a go and use about 10+ popular Malware detection apps (Avast, Kaspersky, Avira, Trojan Killer, you name it) currently available on Play Store.
Out of all those, excluding warnings that doesn't really matter in this regards (Malware specific), the below two apps gave me those respective warning results.
I have done some research, but i don't think I found any relevant info in this regards. So, for all the guru out there, the question is obvious, should I be worried about these "non-deletable" apps (if not rooted)? If they ARE malicious, can I be worried free by turning off ALL permissions for the apps and in some case, disable the app (I can disable the Beauty Center, not ELE Launcher).
Thanks to you all for any input!
Malwarebytes Anti-Malware
App - Beauty Center
Message - Android/PUP.Riskware.Cooee.a
App - ELE Launcher
Message - Android/PUP.Riskware.Cooee.H
Stubborn Trojan Killer
App - Beauty Center
Message - General Trojan
App - ELE Launcher
Message - General Trojan
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
go ahead and disable Beauty Center, as far as ELE Launcher, that seems legit. But if you don't like it, just replace it with something like Nova Launcher.
mattzeller said:
go ahead and disable Beauty Center, as far as ELE Launcher, that seems legit. But if you don't like it, just replace it with something like Nova Launcher.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi mattzeller, thanks heaps for the info! This might not be a good question, but just for my information, generally speaking, is there a way to distinguish between a real harmful malware (actively stealing personal info) and an app that has more access and integration to the phone's OS than others by looking at the information provided? In other words, is there any obvious give away sign?
Thanks again for the help!
bagachin said:
Hi mattzeller, thanks heaps for the info! This might not be a good question, but just for my information, generally speaking, is there a way to distinguish between a real harmful malware (actively stealing personal info) and an app that has more access and integration to the phone's OS than others by looking at the information provided? In other words, is there any obvious give away sign?
Thanks again for the help!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well look at reviews of the app, see if it is installing other apps without your consent, or constantly nagging you to download other apps. Generally 99.99% of apps on Google play are safe. Occasionally some crapware gets on there, but if you take a look at its rating and reviews (not just the highlights) you should be good.
Sent from my SCH-R220
bagachin said:
Hi mattzeller, thanks heaps for the info! This might not be a good question, but just for my information, generally speaking, is there a way to distinguish between a real harmful malware (actively stealing personal info) and an app that has more access and integration to the phone's OS than others by looking at the information provided? In other words, is there any obvious give away sign?
Thanks again for the help!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Always check the apps permissions. I absolutely refuse to install an app that has permissions that it shouldn't be using. However, if the app you're about to download needs permissions related to the app features, that's OK with me.
I see so many Play Store apps that are just total spyware in my book. Flashlight apps are a good example of this. There is zero reasons a flashlight app needs to read my contacts or a data connection. Just be mindful of reviews and permissions and you'll be OK.
KernelCorn said:
Always check the apps permissions. I absolutely refuse to install an app that has permissions that it shouldn't be using. However, if the app you're about to download needs permissions related to the app features, that's OK with me.
I see so many Play Store apps that are just total spyware in my book. Flashlight apps are a good example of this. There is zero reasons a flashlight app needs to read my contacts or a data connection. Just be mindful of reviews and permissions and you'll be OK.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't worry about apps with excessive permissions, I just revoke the permissions I don't like.
Sent from my SCH-R220
mattzeller said:
I don't worry about apps with excessive permissions, I just revoke the permissions I don't like.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's the best way to do it.
I do the same thing, but I see lots of people posting here that aren't too tech savvy. For them be mindful of what you download.
mattzeller said:
Well look at reviews of the app, see if it is installing other apps without your consent, or constantly nagging you to download other apps. Generally 99.99% of apps on Google play are safe. Occasionally some crapware gets on there, but if you take a look at its rating and reviews (not just the highlights) you should be good.
Sent from my SCH-R220
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the advice. Yes, I am aware that common source/cause of malwares are side load apps and rooted device. So I am always fairly cautious about any apps i installed via non-play store source. However, these two caught apk are installed right out of box. That kinda annoys me. I don't jump on the bandwagon and say Chinese phones are infested with malwares and I believe a lot of the time people just over exaggerate and blow some minority out of proportion.
However, the truth is, this is the first Chinese phone I got and it came with two identified malwares. To be fair, it might not be particularly malicious, but it's enough to make me have second thought about my purchase....
KernelCorn said:
Always check the apps permissions. I absolutely refuse to install an app that has permissions that it shouldn't be using. However, if the app you're about to download needs permissions related to the app features, that's OK with me.
I see so many Play Store apps that are just total spyware in my book. Flashlight apps are a good example of this. There is zero reasons a flashlight app needs to read my contacts or a data connection. Just be mindful of reviews and permissions and you'll be OK.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the comment! Yes, I am quite careful about the app I get to choose to install, but I have little control over these apps that come pre-installed on these chinese phone and got detected as "malwares"
mattzeller said:
I don't worry about apps with excessive permissions, I just revoke the permissions I don't like.
Sent from my SCH-R220
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yap, what I did for those two apps I mentioned are turning off all permissions access to them, disable app for the one I can and turn off background data access. Hopefully it will freeze them for good and stop them from playing naughty.
Just a question though, say I do all those above (e.g. switching off permission, force stopped etc), technically speaking, can a malware still be "active and do what they "meant" to do"? I meant after all, they are meant to do something "out of control" right?
bagachin said:
Yap, what I did for those two apps I mentioned are turning off all permissions access to them, disable app for the one I can and turn off background data access. Hopefully it will freeze them for good and stop them from playing naughty.
Just a question though, say I do all those above (e.g. switching off permission, force stopped etc), technically speaking, can a malware still be "active and do what they "meant" to do"? I meant after all, they are meant to do something "out of control" right?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No, if you revoke the permission to view your contacts, it is the system that is blocking the apps ability to view your contacts.
Though I think you are being a little paranoid.
Everyone freaks out out all the permissions apps require, when the app actually never uses most of the permissions it asks for, at least not in the way you think. You wouldn't think the launcher needs permissions to access your contacts, but it does. How else is it going to allow you to make a call, or display an incoming all, or missed call/text badges.
I mean take a look at the litany of permissions Nova Launcher and TeslaUnread require, yet we all know the app is not malware. As long as you install from legitimate sources, you will be fine. Like I said in my first post, disable the Beauty app, the other is the Launcher. If you don't like it, install a different one.
Sent from my SCH-R220
Who would you rather have snoop in on your calls? China, or USA.. Because it is one or the other.. me personally, I will take the country in which I do not reside...
mattzeller said:
No, if you revoke the permission to view your contacts, it is the system that is blocking the apps ability to view your contacts.
Though I think you are being a little paranoid.
Everyone freaks out out all the permissions apps require, when the app actually never uses most of the permissions it asks for, at least not in the way you think. You wouldn't think the launcher needs permissions to access your contacts, but it does. How else is it going to allow you to make a call, or display an incoming all, or missed call/text badges.
I mean take a look at the litany of permissions Nova Launcher and TeslaUnread require, yet we all know the app is not malware. As long as you install from legitimate sources, you will be fine. Like I said in my first post, disable the Beauty app, the other is the Launcher. If you don't like it, install a different one.
Sent from my SCH-R220
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Unfortunately the way things are with the permissive Android system, we have to be a little paranoid. The built in system apps like launchers and permissions can't be disabled easily unless the user is technical enough to know about rooting using apps like xposed/xprivacy.

Play store

Hello,
My play store keep changing from do not update apps to auto update on wifi.
I have several app that i keep on old version.
How can i block playstore from changing this setting automatically
Thanks for help guys
Playstore is a bloody pain.
Set to auto update to wifi only and disable wifi.
Use ApkExport to copy your apps so you have them.
exactly a real pain... always switching the setting on after set up all stuff.
looking for a solution or a workaround to disable this or disable my apps from auto update
Rovyo said:
exactly a real pain... always switching the setting on after set up all stuff.
looking for a solution or a workaround to disable this or disable my apps from auto update
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Disable Playstore or Google Play Services (Playstore is dependent on it).
Both constantly running in the background... needed or not.
You will need Google Play Services though for Gmail and other apps occasionally during the day.
Use a firewall to block it.
Use a package disabler.
I use both...
oh thanks will do that on play store. Any good app freezer you recommend ?
For phones other than Samsung this might work:
"Owner App" version from
Home - Package Disabler
The only NON-root solution that let’s you disable any unwanted packages that come pre-installed / installed with your phone / tablet.
www.packagedisabler.com
Karma Firewall from Playstore
thanks
im rooted with Lsposed, will use greenfy
Rovyo said:
thanks
im rooted with Lsposed, will use greenfy
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm not rooted which is why I use this solution.
You have more options.
blackhawk said:
I'm not rooted which is why I use this solution.
You have more options.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I figure out that the play store get default settings after each restart. So something must reset it configuration ... I need to find whom
Rovyo said:
I figure out that the play store get default settings after each restart. So something must reset it configuration ... I need to find whom
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm not sure what's causing that. I can package disable Playstore, firewall block it and it's settings are the same after it's enabled again.
If it's data on the phone is getting cleared on reboot that could do it... 3rd party cleaner or power management.
I don't use Playstore much and all my apps/updates are backed up for reload.
In part because you can't get older versions on Playstore (if the app doesn't disappear entirely) and because Playstore downloads are a slow, tedious pain that use up too much time when reloading.
Don't want Google's junk in my face...

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