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Hi,
I recently bought a Xiaomi Redmi Note 2. very happy with the phone hardware, however the phone shipped with preinstalled apps that serve ads. I have run AVG and identified the preinstalled apps (which cannot be removed) and disabled those apps through Settings > Apps. I have also reset all of the defaults to change the Launcher to the Google Now launcher and things such as the default Mail and browser apps.
What i was hoping to get advise on, is simply disabling the apps enough to ensure that they can no longer cause a threat to the person using the phone, the ads have stopped running since I have done all of the above. Does disabling the app put the apps into a quarantine state where they are completely harmless or should I aim to permanently remove them?
I have tried to avoid rooting the phone (partly because I have never rooted a phone before) and also because of warranty concerns. Would a temporary root be a good compromise here? I also attempted to flash the rom with the global developers rom, however that didnt work when I attempted it and I kept getting the Install update.zip failed! update.zip signature verification failed.
At the moment the phone is stable fast and does not show ads like it did before disabling the apps and changing the launcher etc.... Have I done enough to protect any silent processes sending my data off to china?
Thanks for your help
Hi everyone, i got an s7 flat plus the keyboard cover. I always used cyanogen or pure android moto devices and i can't stand samsung's interface, even if it's better than ehat it used to be.
The keyboard is key for me so I dont want to install another rom, because it will probably not work, it seems baked into the OS.
I will install the Android N theme, chrome, google now launcher, contacts, calendar. Anything else? Can i remove all samsung apps by simple uninstall or do i need to root the device? I would like to get rid of know, the browser, etc. but not sure if I should get greenify. Any help greatly appreciated!
Thanks
You can disable bloatware apps with Package Disabler Pro.
You can at least disable a lot of apps (samsung / facebook stuff too) within app manager, that is already on your device.
How can I get rid of the preinstalled apps I do not want (Like Facebook)
Thank you ....Tom
Simply rooting your device would do. Then there are enough programs to assist
odatkid said:
How can I get rid of the preinstalled apps I do not want (Like Facebook)
Thank you ....Tom
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
1. Setup adb
2. Insert "adb devices" to verify that the device is connected properly.
2. Uninstall app using this list ( You can copy-paste these commands and run in command prompt individually. ): https://raw.githubusercontent.com/khlam/debloat-samsung-android/master/commands.txt
Overall guide is here : https://www.naldotech.com/remove-bloatware-samsung-galaxy-a32-5g/
I have rooted phone for multiple reasons, one is to be able to uninstall bloatware.
Experimenting little bit with some apps claiming they are able to uninstall bloatware (Titanium, well... surprised badly, while so many good references I heard, Magisk module debloat, Root uninstaller).... but to be honest, I have no clue which apps/modules I can uninstall without consequences, there are so many of them.
Sure, I uninstall those, I know and wish to uninstall - FB, Instagram, Carrier apps and then what?
My intention was to disable whole Knox and ..... well am not sure, its good approach just select to uninstall those item having knox in name.
Any tips or whats yours typical choose to uninstall?
wizzROM Creator a12
wizzROM a12 Creator for Samsung a125 Turn any stock or custom OneUI into a QwizzROM or RwizzROM Also see the Magisk module in post#2 OneUI 2.0 will become QwizzROM OneUI 3.1 will become RwizzROM Debloated ROM with Extras Extras: Battery...
forum.xda-developers.com
If you want to keep it stock and debloat it the easiest way is to use a Package Disabler.
You can enabled/disabled real time. Useful for troubleshooting. Uses little resources and battery. After activating it you can firewall block if desired ie with Karma Firewall for example.
blackhawk said:
If you want to keep it stock and debloat it the easiest way is to use a Package Disabler.
You can enabled/disabled real time. Useful for troubleshooting. Uses little resources and battery. After activating it you can firewall block if desired ie with Karma Firewall for example.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Nice
blackhawk said:
If you want to keep it stock and debloat it the easiest way is to use a Package Disabler.
You can enabled/disabled real time. Useful for troubleshooting. Uses little resources and battery. After activating it you can firewall block if desired ie with Karma Firewall for example.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So that method requires the user to have some knowledge of which apps can be safely deleted.
My method allows them to debloat without that worry
physwizz said:
So that method requires the user to have some knowledge of which apps can be safely deleted.
My method allows them to debloat without that worry
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I've never boot looped any phones using this kind of app in 6 years. Some apps like One UI Home or Galaxy Graphics Driver shouldn't be disabled.
Other times apps you normally wouldn't disable you want to because it's using excessive battery or misbehaving like Playstore or Google backup Transport.
blackhawk said:
I've never boot looped any phones using this kind of app in 6 years. Some apps like One UI Home or Galaxy Graphics Driver shouldn't be disabled.
Other times apps you normally wouldn't disable you want to because it's using excessive battery or misbehaving like Playstore or Google backup Transport.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
As I told my students over many years.
There is never ever only one way to do anything.
What is great for one person may not suit another
Just don't use stock at all, some apps like ONE UI home you might be able to get a workaround. There is always a workaround for anything. There use to be workarounds and probably they still exist but in some other way then before, I use to do.
You can remove at least some of the bloatware just by flashing a PNG (Papua New Guinea) or some other financially-unpromising country stock firmware. Just look at the size of the CSC image file, it must be about 64 MB. For example, prism.img in the PNG firmware is absolutely minimal and completely devoid of the "app" dir, so you'll get no forcefully installed "partner" applications. Many other unneeded apps are either uninstallable or blockable in Android 11. Even Google Services are blockable, you'll only get two extra warning notifications after a phone reboot but otherwise no other functionality lost (in case you're using Aurora Store instead of Google Play that is). But actually it will be a pretty privacy-lame system, because there's still a lot of Samsung's and Google's stuff left in the system. So basically, to achieve at least some kind of actual degooglification you have to root it with Magisk, and then uproot all the Samsung's and Google's apps via "adb shell pm uninstall".
I've never rooted an Android. One of the warnings I see over and over is that rooted devices are more vulnerable to malware. I don't see any solutions for this though.
What extra measures will I need to take to keep my Android safe?
I use Norton 360 on my PC and Androids. Will this be of any help?
Are there any apps I can install to help with this issue?
Are there any system settings I should use for this particular problem?
Thank you
With stock or rooted the biggest threat is the user themselves. Most either install or download the malware themselves. A fully updated stock Android isn't invulnerable; there's no saving dumb bunnies...
Side loaded apps are high risk; at the least scan with online Virustotal and consider the results before installing. Keep email in the cloud and be careful if you choose to download anything.
All downloads stay in the download folder until vetted. Jpeg's and png's are suspect; open them there first before moving them and watch for strange behavior in that folder. Check the download folder daily for anything you didn't download, if found do not open, delete.
Keep thrash social media apps off the phone, all of them. They are targets and vectors for malware of all types.
Use a good firewall and police what apps are doing. Revoke internet access to all apps that don't need it. Know what apps have run at start permissions; do they need it? Updates and upgrades can cause more lost time then malware trying to find work arounds. Lock auto updates down, and download them only if needed. Updates and firmware upgrades can and do break things...
Most importantly cover your six and be prepared.
Critical data can not be lost, protect it!
Redundantly backup all critical data to at least 2 hdds that are physically and electronically isolated from each other and the PC. Be ready to do a full reload if needed.
If malware is found or suspected, isolate the phone and if it can't be completely deleted in an hour or two, nuke that load. Be ready to change passwords and secure accounts.
Never trust antivirus apps to detect malware or save you, mostly they just waste resources on an Android.
Thank you!
I'm already doing a lot of those things, especially social media apps.
One of the reasons I want to root my phone is that I can't uninstall, force stop, disable or take away permissions for some apps, like Facebook, Facebook App installer, FB app manager Google, ad nauseum. The same goes for the millions of preinstalled Samsung bloatware apps. They dont stay disabled and routinely restore permissions. Im sick of having to routinely check them all. I'll never buy another Saamsung again.
You're welcome. Welcome to XDA
I run 2 stock N10+'s, one on Pie, the other on 10.
I use package disabler to kill bloatware and services I don't want to run at bootup. You can also use a adb editing app to disable apks. Don't go too nuts; be wary of disabling any Samsung system apps. Most of these apps just sit unless needed. Dependencies... actions have consequences; understand what the app does and what other apps, services or UI functions are dependent on it!
Google play Services can be disabled when not needed; disable find my device as System Administrator first.
On Pie Karma Firewall is fully functional but not on Android 10 and up, although it will still block access. It uses virtually no battery.
Once you sort it out (learning curve ahead) stock Samsung's especially older ones like the N10+ are easy to run. They are the most customizable stock Android on the planet with an excellent UI. The current load on this one will be 2 yo this June; still fast, stable and fulfilling its mission. Security is simply not an issue.
blackhawk said:
You're welcome. Welcome to XDA
I run 2 stock N10+'s, one on Pie, the other on 10.
I use package disabler to kill bloatware and services I don't want to run at bootup. You can also use a adb editing app to disable apks. Don't go too nuts; be wary of disabling any Samsung system apps. Most of these apps just sit unless needed. Dependencies... actions have consequences; understand what the app does and what other apps, services or UI functions are dependent on it!
Google play Services can be disabled when not needed; disable find my device as System Administrator first.
On Pie Karma Firewall is fully functional but not on Android 10 and up, although it will still block access. It uses virtually no battery.
Once you sort it out (learning curve ahead) stock Samsung's especially older ones like the N10+ are easy to run. They are the most customizable stock Android on the planet with an excellent UI. The current load on this one will be 2 yo this June; still fast, stable and fulfilling its mission. Security is simply not an issue.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The more annoying Samsung apps I was referring to are the Bixby apps, AR doodle, Smarter things... those kind of apps. If they didn't re-enable themselves restore permissions, I wouldn't mind them so much. But they DO.
I won't be using that phone much longer anyway. I'm going back to Motorola.
I always buy factory or globally unlocked phones. That helps some. But Motorola recently started forcing FB. I can uninstall it, however I have to review updates to make sure it doesn't end up on my phone again. But then I review all updates before installing them anyway..
I always look up the system apps before making any changes. Like Google Easter Egg. Everything I could find says it's unnecessary.
All those mentioned apps can be safely disabled.
Bixby Vision is used for barcode scanning though.
Try the free Galaxy store icon packs, themes and the Good Lock family of apps including One Handed Operation plus.
Chose theme>icon pack>whatever wallpaper you want. The native high contrast theme looks good.
Play with it...
blackhawk said:
All those mentioned apps can be safely disabled.
Bixby Vision is used for barcode scanning though.
Try the free Galaxy store icon packs, themes and the Good Lock family of apps including One Handed Operation plus.
Chose theme>icon pack>whatever wallpaper you want. The native high contrast theme looks good.
Play with it...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I actually already ordered a new Moto. It will be here tomorrow. Well, it's after 1am, so I guess it'll be here later today.
I've disabled multiple Samsung apps, restricted data and battery, taken away permissions, not just in app settings, but in permissions setting, special access permissions... And all the other weird ways I keep finding out about that you wouldn't think would be a place to remove permissions. When my phone starts to slow down, or the battery isn't lasting very long, sure enough, Samsung has gone behind my back and reset my preferences again. I never had issues like this any of the Motorola phones I've had.
Hello.
I plan to turn my phone as "dumb" as possible, leaving only apps that are absolutely necessary and practical, essentially making my phone as minimalistic, simple and distraction free while at the same time maximizing the hurdle to install new apps due to the lack of willpower aswell as the general battery life.
I have the POCO F1 with LineageOS 19.1, root is currently enabled via Magisk.
I considered just buying a regular dumb phone, but unfortunately I do not feel they are worth it; plus I'd want to still use Spotify.
I'd greatly appreciate ideas/solutions for this particular project. Thank you in advance!
EnigmaticLife said:
Hello.
I plan to turn my phone as "dumb" as possible, leaving only apps that are absolutely necessary and practical, essentially making my phone as minimalistic, simple and distraction free while at the same time maximizing the hurdle to install new apps due to the lack of willpower aswell as the general battery life.
I have the POCO F1 with LineageOS 19.1, root is currently enabled via Magisk.
I considered just buying a regular dumb phone, but unfortunately I do not feel they are worth it; plus I'd want to still use Spotify.
I'd greatly appreciate ideas/solutions for this particular project. Thank you in advance!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What you'd like to do isn't really "dumbing down" XD - it is simply making a "barebones Android" phone with only the apps/functions you need without usual bloat that comes preinstalled on the new devices. This is in fact something a lot of people on XDA are passionate about, as it helps optimize for space, speed, battery life and privacy.
For the Android phone to be considered usable in modern day and age, it needs a handful of apps:
Dialer
SMS messenger
Contacts
File manager
Gallery
Clock
Calendar
Calculator
Web browser
Camera
Installing vanilla LineageOS rom (or any other rom with no GoogleApps) will give you this default Android experience. For 99% of tasks that do not involve Google this is enough.
However, most people want something more than just a dialer, and so phone manufacturers pre-install some other stuff for them: Google (play store, chrome, maps, drive, mail), Payment (Samsung Pay), Gallery/Music apps, social media apps, fancy wallpapers etc. This is what makes the phone "smart" for you, I guess?
In case you want to cut it down further, you can use adb to remove certain apps from this list. This includes certain system apps too, like unnecessary fonts or accessibility services (web search is your friend here). Theoretically the phone can serve as a GSM calling brick only with the following:
Dialer
SMS messenger
Contacts
But then you'd be doing the hardware a misservice - why lug around Octa-core 8GB RAM 4000mAh HD TFT6.1" 999GB device if you could achieve the same with a Nokia 1100 or 3310? These are still being sold
UPDATE: Just saw your additions about Spotify. If you only want to use the phone for Calling/Web browsing/YouTube/Spotify, go with the "Install No GApps LineageOS -> Sideload apps you need and nothing else".
Word of WARNING though: a lot of popular messaging/steraming/quality of life (maps) apps APSOLUTELY DEPEND on google ecosystem (i.e. GApps like google play, google play services and google services framework).
WITHOUT GOOGLE THESE APPS WILL LIKELY CRASH or won't work as intended. I.e. Whatsapp will not give you "New message" notifications and will not ring UNLESS you have it open in your face right when the call comes in. Delivery/Ride sharing apps that need google maps will not show you the map. Facebook messenger will has the same problem as Whatsapp. List of risks is far too long, and you will need to have an idea of whether the app requires google and whatsnot.
Therefore Make absolutely sure that barebones phone is what you want. If it is, a lot of apps that reliably work with the barebones setups can be found on Fdroid.
Despite having "dumb" in the name, this procedure requires one to be amazingly smart about it
To conclude, you have the following ways of achieving this:
1. Install no-Gapps (i.e. "vanilla") lineageOs, delete what you wont need, sideload .apk of apps you are after
2. Install stock android rom, then Degoogle and Debloat it. Guides for your particular model can be found here on XDA
3. Install SlimROM, a custom Android distro whose developers had the same idea as you did, i.e. optimized for simplicity.
Totesnochill said:
What you'd like to do isn't really "dumbing down" XD - it is simply making a "barebones Android" phone with only the apps/functions you need without usual bloat that comes preinstalled on the new devices. This is in fact something a lot of people on XDA are passionate about, as it helps optimize for space, speed, battery life and privacy.
For the Android phone to be considered usable in modern day and age, it needs a handful of apps:
Dialer
SMS messenger
Contacts
File manager
Gallery
Clock
Calendar
Calculator
Web browser
Camera
Installing vanilla LineageOS rom (or any other rom with no GoogleApps) will give you this default Android experience. For 99% of tasks that do not involve Google this is enough.
However, most people want something more than just a dialer, and so phone manufacturers pre-install some other stuff for them: Google (play store, chrome, maps, drive, mail), Payment (Samsung Pay), Gallery/Music apps, social media apps, fancy wallpapers etc. This is what makes the phone "smart" for you, I guess?
In case you want to cut it down further, you can use adb to remove certain apps from this list. This includes certain system apps too, like unnecessary fonts or accessibility services (web search is your friend here). Theoretically the phone can serve as a GSM calling brick only with the following:
Dialer
SMS messenger
Contacts
But then you'd be doing the hardware a misservice - why lug around Octa-core 8GB RAM 4000mAh HD TFT6.1" 999GB device if you could achieve the same with a Nokia 1100 or 3310? These are still being sold
UPDATE: Just saw your additions about Spotify. If you only want to use the phone for Calling/Web browsing/YouTube/Spotify, go with the "Install No GApps LineageOS -> Sideload apps you need and nothing else".
Word of WARNING though: a lot of popular messaging/steraming/quality of life (maps) apps APSOLUTELY DEPEND on google ecosystem (i.e. GApps like google play, google play services and google services framework).
WITHOUT GOOGLE THESE APPS WILL LIKELY CRASH or won't work as intended. I.e. Whatsapp will not give you "New message" notifications and will not ring UNLESS you have it open in your face right when the call comes in. Delivery/Ride sharing apps that need google maps will not show you the map. Facebook messenger will has the same problem as Whatsapp. List of risks is far too long, and you will need to have an idea of whether the app requires google and whatsnot.
Therefore Make absolutely sure that barebones phone is what you want. If it is, a lot of apps that reliably work with the barebones setups can be found on Fdroid.
Despite having "dumb" in the name, this procedure requires one to be amazingly smart about it
To conclude, you have the following ways of achieving this:
1. Install no-Gapps (i.e. "vanilla") lineageOs, delete what you wont need, sideload .apk of apps you are after
2. Install stock android rom, then Degoogle and Debloat it. Guides for your particular model can be found here on XDA
3. Install SlimROM, a custom Android distro whose developers had the same idea as you did, i.e. optimized for simplicity.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This is really interesting. I am thinking of trying to do this with a Google pixel 4a. Would I be able to do the lineage OS with that? I haven't found other threads that speak on this topic, am I right? Thinking that I would like to customize exactly what apps I have on the phone etc.
LineageOS for Google Pixel 4a exists:
LineageOS Downloads
download.lineageos.org