Database Info

[Q] Apps restricted via Google Play if ROOTED?

I came across this bit on wikipedia:
System access and copy protection
Applications developed for distribution on Google Play allow the developer to enable copy protection which prevents the end user from copying the application from the phone. Because the Android Dev Phone allows unrestricted access to the OS, this copy protection is disabled. If the developer enables copy protection on their application, then the application does not appear on Google Play for the Dev Phone.[3]
Click to expand...
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http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Android_Dev_Phone#Galaxy_Nexus
Now i was thinking, isnt a rooted phone technically same as developer edition phone? After all they both would have unrestricted access to the OS. Therefore is it so that as my device is rooted I might be missing some apps (though I havent noticed so far!).

shmotog said:
I came across this bit on wikipedia:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Android_Dev_Phone#Galaxy_Nexus
Now i was thinking, isnt a rooted phone technically same as developer edition phone? After all they both would have unrestricted access to the OS. Therefore is it so that as my device is rooted I might be missing some apps (though I havent noticed so far!).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't think so, it should be the opposite, if you have root, you can modify your build.prop to make your device compatible with ALL Apps.

KuGeL94 said:
I don't think so, it should be the opposite, if you have root, you can modify your build.prop to make your device compatible with ALL Apps.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Do you have a rooted device?
Can you confirm if there are some apps that you cant access (considering, or rather assuming, you havent modified your build.prof, yet).

shmotog said:
Do you have a rooted device?
Can you confirm if there are some apps that you cant access (considering, or rather assuming, you havent modified your build.prof, yet).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I do have a rooted stock ROM, but havent stumbled across any app that I cant acces, maybe tell me some examples and i will see if i can acces them or not, there are always some apps that arent compatible like high end games or so because the hardware of the moto g isnt powerful enough, gta sa for example

I think apps like play TV & movies won't work, as well as some media streaming apps but not 100% been off the scene a few years.
Sent from my XT1032 using Tapatalk

mutantlx said:
I think apps like play TV & movies won't work, as well as some media streaming apps but not 100% been off the scene a few years.
Sent from my XT1032 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
bought a stupid movie by google play just to test, works. hunger games, supposed to be top film, couldnt stand 5 mins of it.

It's possible for an app developer to block installation on rooted devices for a specific app - e.g. the SkyGo (UK TV provider) and Barclays Online Banking app can't be installed on rooted devices. There aren't many though and for those that are blocked you will find a thread somewhere on XDA where clever people have worked away around the restriction or are trying working a way around the restriction.

neu - smurph said:
It's possible for an app developer to block installation on rooted devices for a specific app - e.g. the SkyGo (UK TV provider) and Barclays Online Banking app can't be installed on rooted devices. There aren't many though and for those that are blocked you will find a thread somewhere on XDA where clever people have worked away around the restriction or are trying working a way around the restriction.
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Click to collapse
you are absolutely right about barclays. even though i dont have an account there, installed it just to test. quite disappointed.
my own banks app works but i read the fineprint and it said you shouldnt install it on rooted device, against t&c.
this is really depressing

Yep the restrictions on the Barclays app is the main reason I've left my Moto G stock.
What do the T&C's for your own banking app say? As far as I understand iit the worst case scenario is that your not covered for any loss if your bank account is hacked/defrauded AND the bank can categorically prove that the source of the hack was the app on a rooted device.
It does seem a bit ridiculous to me as there is nothing stopping anyone logging in to internet banking via their browser on a rooted phone, or for that matter on a computer in an Internet cafe somewhere which is IMHO far more risky. It's all about due diligence - if your account is defrauded and the bank can prove you haven't taken reasonable care with your bank cards / pin numbers / internet banking / connected apps and that is the cause of the fraud then you don't have the financial protection that you would get otherwise.

shmotog said:
you are absolutely right about barclays. even though i dont have an account there, installed it just to test. quite disappointed.
my own banks app works but i read the fineprint and it said you shouldnt install it on rooted device, against t&c.
this is really depressing
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think there was a app called rootcloak and it hides root access, or something like that, you need xposed for it to work and if your already rooted might as well install xposed here's the link
http://www.xda-developers.com/android/xda-xposed-tuesday-root-cloak-xda-developer-tv/
Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk

tkelly0727 said:
I think there was a app called rootcloak and it hides root access, or something like that, you need xposed for it to work and if your already rooted might as well install xposed here's the link
http://www.xda-developers.com/android/xda-xposed-tuesday-root-cloak-xda-developer-tv/
Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
cheers bro ill check that out

neu - smurph said:
Yep the restrictions on the Barclays app is the main reason I've left my Moto G stock.
What do the T&C's for your own banking app say? As far as I understand iit the worst case scenario is that your not covered for any loss if your bank account is hacked/defrauded AND the bank can categorically prove that the source of the hack was the app on a rooted device.
It does seem a bit ridiculous to me as there is nothing stopping anyone logging in to internet banking via their browser on a rooted phone, or for that matter on a computer in an Internet cafe somewhere which is IMHO far more risky. It's all about due diligence - if your account is defrauded and the bank can prove you haven't taken reasonable care with your bank cards / pin numbers / internet banking / connected apps and that is the cause of the fraud then you don't have the financial protection that you would get otherwise.
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Click to collapse
Yeah you're absolutely right. However HSBC, the one I'm with, installs fine, but in its terms and conditions it says dont install if youre rooted. So well I uninstalled it before I even logged in with it. I just do banking on my desktop pc now.
Another app I came across that doesnt work in 4OD. At same time BBC iPlayer works.

neu - smurph said:
Yep the restrictions on the Barclays app is the main reason I've left my Moto G stock.
What do the T&C's for your own banking app say? As far as I understand iit the worst case scenario is that your not covered for any loss if your bank account is hacked/defrauded AND the bank can categorically prove that the source of the hack was the app on a rooted device.
It does seem a bit ridiculous to me as there is nothing stopping anyone logging in to internet banking via their browser on a rooted phone, or for that matter on a computer in an Internet cafe somewhere which is IMHO far more risky. It's all about due diligence - if your account is defrauded and the bank can prove you haven't taken reasonable care with your bank cards / pin numbers / internet banking / connected apps and that is the cause of the fraud then you don't have the financial protection that you would get otherwise.
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Click to collapse
Could you confirm something for me, have you come across a Call Recorder that works on your moto g? I'm on ANDROREC and it works fine on 4.3 but when I updated to kitkat it stopped. Thats the primary reason why I rooted in first place to have call recorder. Could you check that for me @Neu-smurph?

tkelly0727 said:
I think there was a app called rootcloak and it hides root access, or something like that, you need xposed for it to work and if your already rooted might as well install xposed here's the link
http://www.xda-developers.com/android/xda-xposed-tuesday-root-cloak-xda-developer-tv/
Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
installed xposed, 4od or barclay still dont work.

shmotog said:
Could you confirm something for me, have you come across a Call Recorder that works on your moto g? I'm on ANDROREC and it works fine on 4.3 but when I updated to kitkat it stopped. Thats the primary reason why I rooted in first place to have call recorder. Could you check that for me @Neu-smurph?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It installs fine and appears to be working, but the recordings are empty - no audio.

HELP! Ad's poping up on my android home screen.

Hi I'm not sure if it's my carrier "Assurance Wireless" that's doing this or if I may have done this my self iv'e only installed a few apps the same apps I have on another phone that's not mine testing purpose "Virgin Mobile" but it dose not get full ads pop up on it. My question is their any aps I could use to scan get rid of or block these thank you.
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If you've only got a few apps installed, uninstall all of them and see if the ads go away. If they do, reinstall the apps one at a time, until the ads come back and you'll have the culprit. If they don't go away with no apps installed, you can try a factory reset.

In addition to what Char_G said I would recommend to try anti malware and spyware app to scan the phone maybe likely the app causing this issue would be blacklisted.

It could also be the device. Some oems encludes ads like that when they sale discounted devices.

New behavior
Something new is happening apps are being installed automatically with out me doing anything only happens on wifi but recently have had the apps letgo, Lucktastic, Yahoo Sports, And BOSS revolution installed. I have ran malwarebytes and AVG for android both apps report no viruses or malware detected. I'm going to reset my phone to factory settings and install nothing from the play store and see what happens.

zelendel said:
It could also be the device. Some oems encludes ads like that when they sale discounted devices.
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A friend thought this as well as it's a smartphone that Assurance Wireless gives you through the government program I'm on. Not a known name brand "UMX" as far as I can tell it manufactured by a Chinese company "Teleepoch" I'm not expecting something fancy from this program but this is nuts lol.

Brian7k said:
A friend thought this as well as it's a smartphone that Assurance Wireless gives you through the government program I'm on. Not a known name brand "UMX" as far as I can tell it manufactured by a Chinese company "Teleepoch" I'm not expecting something fancy from this program but this is nuts lol.
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Click to collapse
UMX is known to me and I'm betting I am right. It is a common thing mainly for devices like that. The inclusion of ads help off set the price of the device.
You may have a chance but it would depend on unlockable status of the device. If you could unlock the bootloader then by some work you could make a rom that removes it all. But again that depends.

zelendel said:
UMX is known to me and I'm betting I am right. It is a common thing mainly for devices like that. The inclusion of ads help off set the price of the device.
You may have a chance but it would depend on unlockable status of the device. If you could unlock the bootloader then by some work you could make a rom that removes it all. But again that depends.
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You are correct reformat to factory settings did not install anything from the play store left my phone on with wifi on and got the same ads and apps on my phone. My question to you is their a firewall app I can download that would block this behavior or is it just something I will live with until I can get a better phone one day.

Brian7k said:
You are correct reformat to factory settings did not install anything from the play store left my phone on with wifi on and got the same ads and apps on my phone. My question to you is their a firewall app I can download that would block this behavior or is it just something I will live with until I can get a better phone one day.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you can manage to get root then an ad blocker might be able to help. Other then that you would need to flash a custom rom

No root solution found!
I have the same carrier and model of phone. I was getting the same kind of ads. But I also got ads in my notification area. I long pressed the notification to discover the app responsible was the in built gallery app (I had been curious of it's abnormally high data usage already). I disabled it and replaced it with an ad free gallery app from the play store and I haven't been assaulted with an advertisement since, 3-4 days ago. I actually created an account here for the explicit purpose of sharing this information because this was one of the top results in my search for answers and definitely the most helpful result. I hope it can help someone else.

Easy
I've had this before. It's basically an app. Except it's white and without a name so it's harder to find. Install a 3rd party installed apps list and you should find something white. Press on it and Uninstall it. Boom. Problem solved.
Unless if you're rooted, this may be a virus hidden deep in the system (not very commonly)

Not sure it could help, but have you tried installing a system-wide adblock app such as AdBlock from NoMobileAds? Here: https://nomobileads.com/

I have an app called "hidden apps." This is what i used to find a hidden app that kept throwing ads all over my phone and i was able to delete it

Goto your installed apps list, and check for all the app names. Malwares such as these have no names listed, so you should ideally be seeing a blank space in one of the apps, if you do see such an app, just uninstall it, and you should be good to go.
If you find no such app, then search for an app which has a peculiar name that you suspect.
I have had this same thing happen to me. I gave an app superuser access by mistake, and it kept doing this. I went to the app list, and found an app with no name listed. I uninstalled it, and everything went back to normal. Hope this helps.
For any reason, if you do not find a solution to this, flashing a new ROM will take care of this issue as all app data would be deleted. But this shouldn't be needed at all. Hope this helps. :good:

Just moved from T-Mobile Samsung Note 5 to Note 8. Only have a small number of my old programs moved over by SmartSwitch. Now, however, no matter what app I try to click on, about half the time I'm first presented with one or more pages of ads. I have to kill the app and restart it to get to it. This is being managed by something called appnews, which uses every facet of the phone, from monitoring contacts & email to embedding 1x1 transparent blocks on app screens, checking GPS and cell tower metadata to embedding itself in other apps (some apps even embed it intentionally for a payment) to gather info about me. Last night, my phone was charging and in hibernate mode when it woke up and gave me a strange ring at 3:00 AM. I picked up the phone and before I could even unlock it, a screen full of ads appeared.
My Note 5 was rooted, but I just got word that SafeSwitch is now available for the Note 8 (T-Mobile began locking bootloaders with the Galaxy S7, damn their hearts - friendly rooting was a major reason I switched from Verizon to T-Mobile). Will rooting give me access to appnews or do I have to root and load a custom kernel? EU members can opt out of appnews (there's a link in their EULA), but in no-privacy US, they don't offer the option.

ObamaPhoneMalware said:
I'm posting as a guest so I can get this out on the searchable web ASAP. I'll create a real account if anybody out there wants more info.
I found this thread by Googling "assurance wireless malware" BTW. I can confirm that this is also happening to me (across 4 devices) since October 2017.
This could potentially be a HUGE scandal - the Lifeline program serves some of the most vulnerable people, it's a multi-BILLION dollar yearly govt program, & the FCC chairman is already wanting to make cuts due to "waste, fraud, & abuse."
Plus the security implications of a botnet of compromised devices.
Plus the photos of Branson (Virgin CEO) palling around w/Obama (former US president ) whilst his company makes millions distributing malware-laden "ObamaPhones" & refusing to take responsibility.
I have hundreds of screenshots to prove the reality & the evolving symptoms of this malware. There's also a thread on the Virgin Mobile site where a mod confirms the Gallery app theory, but it's multiple programs also, in my experience. But no Assurance or Virgin phone rep will admit anything.
Anybody wanna help break a potentially huge story with me?
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Click to collapse
I agree I'm pretty good at figuring out things like this and I have disabled and deleted what I believe were the apps/rouge apps doing this. It worked for a month or two and their back but I can't find them so they must be hidden within the rom or someplace I have no root access. I'm with you in believing this is manufactured malware and it's a shame they can get away with this.

Yes... this absolutely is malware that is built into a custom ROM
The phones are being shipped with a bad custom ROM that contains malware or adware there is no way to completely stop it. Especially when it comes to the pop up full screen ads. Also note that the security software in Android is not being updated properly, because the custom ROM has a fake updater app that doesn't get you any real updates.
The malware is built into the custom ROM that someone has flash to these phones. People are complaining that this happens to them with replacement phones that they get from Assurance Wireless not the original phone that they got in the first place.
There is no way to restore the original ROM because there are no copies of it online. So phones that have this problem are completely useless as they may also have some kind of spyware, keylogger or screenshot program that is recording what you do. I would stop using this phone altogether if I were you.
I just bought mine from eBay and I'm going to contact the seller to request a refund and I will send screenshots of the problem and pages from the forums that I have visited that talk about this problem as proof that this is a bad device.
Remember that the updater app is fake it is not the real one that is built into Android to check for updates and it is only getting 4 out of 60 updates available which means that the security in the phone is completely compromised so that the malware cannot be automatically disabled or deleted by the security updates.

How to stop Google from disabling already installed apps "for our protection"?

My Google Play Protect is turned OFF - yet Handcent Next SMS app was disabled from my phone as well as everyone else's recently. Why Google did it is a separate story [issue has apparently been resolved with a new version of app] - but let's talk about how Google does this?
I manually reinstall the old .apk which reactivates the app, but Google nukes it within 24 hours.
What can be done to stop Google from doing this?
If you feel that Google should do this 'for our protection,' I respect your opinion, but this thread isn't about that. What can be done in Settings to prevent / stop Google from disabling an already installed app on our phones? This is not about the Play Store. It's about already installed apps on our phones. Play Protect is OFF.
There are reasons people want older versions of apps - such as features no longer available on new versions of a given app.

Disable all Google apps that are set as System Administrator including Find my Device, etc.
Disable Google play Services when not needed.
If Google play Services in enabled on a reboot it will trigger that type of behavior.
This may or may not work on a non Samsung device. Google apks are drooling pigs... and only getting worse.

Thank your for your reply. Phone is unlocked Samsung Galaxy S10e.
It sounds like the suggestion is to disable a plethora of apps and services that would have the end result of transfroming the phone into more or less a device that doesn't use anythig Google, even services that we actually may need..
Is there an app that could accomplish this, I mean all that's needed is to block disabling one single app.
I don't need to password protect usage or anything else - just prevent anything from disabling the app / removing it. Thank you.
Can I do anything to lay a trap so that we could see the mechanism which Google uses to disable an already installed app on your phone - it's not Play protect, It's OFF on my phone.
I mean, I will eventually start looking for another app - it's not really about that - but I mean think about it, do you really want them to disable your apps, with *no warning*, no *hey we've discovered a security issue, you might want to be aware of* - instead they just nuke an app we've used for like a decade, no explanation, just because they feel it's good for us, I mean are we in China? Or worse yet, Russia?
Anyone else bothered by this? I'd just like to see if anyone knows a way for us to have a choice, that's all.

8
c627627 said:
Thank your for your reply. Phone is unlocked Samsung Galaxy S10e.
It sounds like the suggestion is to disable a plethora of apps and services that would have the end result of transfroming the phone into more or less a device that doesn't use anythig Google, even services that we actually may need..
Is there an app that could accomplish this, I mean all that's needed is to block disabling one single app.
I don't need to password protect usage or anything else - just prevent anything from disabling the app / removing it. Thank you.
Can I do anything to lay a trap so that we could see the mechanism which Google uses to disable an already installed app on your phone - it's not Play protect, It's OFF on my phone.
I mean, I will eventually start looking for another app - it's not really about that - but I mean think about it, do you really want them to disable your apps, with *no warning*, no *hey we've discovered a security issue, you might want to be aware of* - instead they just nuke an app we've used for like a decade, no explanation, just because they feel it's good for us, I mean are we in China? Or worse yet, Russia?
Anyone else bothered by this? I'd just like to see if anyone knows a way for us to have a choice, that's all.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm also very much bothered by it. Like, on my older phone google just outright disabled the font manager app, that was a system/vendor app. What risk would that app would pose, if it was risky it surely wouldn't be pre-installed! Moreover it was just a font manager!!!

Gmh rafi said:
8
I'm also very much bothered by it. Like, on my older phone google just outright disabled the font manager app, that was a system/vendor app. What risk would that app would pose, if it was risky it surely wouldn't be pre-installed! Moreover it was just a font manager!!!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The app may have been compromised. Scan the apk with online Virustotal.
Google on the other hand has long been compromised
Blocking Playstore with Karma Firewall will stop this behavior.

blackhawk said:
The app may have been compromised. Scan the apk with online Virustotal.
Google on the other hand has long been compromised
Blocking Playstore with Karma Firewall will stop this behavior.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It isn't about if the app was compromised or not, it's just that google doesn't give us the choice. That's what iritates me. Just as @c627627 said, isn't it more like china or Russia? Dictating without our consent.

blackhawk said:
The app may have been compromised. Scan the apk with online Virustotal.
Google on the other hand has long been compromised
Blocking Playstore with Karma Firewall will stop this behavior.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Anyway, karma is the best firewall after all

Gmh rafi said:
Anyway, karma is the best firewall after all
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's great. My one Note 10+ is still running on Pie. Karma's logging feature is fully active in that version. Even tags/time stamps each app that connects. That functionality was lost with Android 10☹ It still will block but it greatly reduces its use for fast troubleshooting.
One reason I still run Pie.
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I would still scan that app to be on the safe side. I use ApkExport to make installable copies of all my apps and updates and take Playstore out of the loop. This protects those apps is case of bad upgrades or deletion from Playstore. Makes reloading much faster and no guessing/searching.

I have discovered [the hard way] how to successfully deal with this.
Fact: Turning OFF Google Play Protect does not turn OFF Google Play Protect. Google *will* scan and disable anything it wants using Play Protect, *regardless* of whether your Play Protect is ON or OFF.
Play Protect OFF button is there as an illusion that you have a choice, you do not. Your phone may have any app disabled any time by Google... for your protection of course. For our protection.
Now here's the correct way to do this:
Google Play Store > [upper right corner] Tap your name icon > Play Protect >
You will see your disabled app listed, with two options:
Uninstall
and
Enable app
The *only* correct way to re-enable it, is to TAP on Enable App here > Enable [to confirm.]
Doing anything else, such as uninstalling/reinstalling/manually installing an .apk file will only _temporarily_ work.
Google will disable it again, 24 hours or so later...
So you must follow exact procedure above to Enable App if you wish to continue to use it, after it has been flagged by Google Play Protect.
Being able to re-enable it is a big deal. You don't get to do that in China or Russia so tank you Google for giving us this choice.

c627627 said:
I have discovered [the hard way] how to successfully deal with this.
Fact: Turning OFF Google Play Protect does not turn OFF Google Play Protect. Google *will* scan and disable anything it wants using Play Protect, *regardless* of whether your Play Protect is ON or OFF.
Play Protect OFF button is there as an illusion that you have a choice, you do not. Your phone may have any app disabled any time by Google... for your protection of course. For our protection.
Now here's the correct way to do this:
Google Play Store > [upper right corner] Tap your name icon > Play Protect >
You will see your disabled app listed, with two options:
Uninstall
and
Enable app
The *only* correct way to re-enable it, is to TAP on Enable App here > Enable [to confirm.]
Doing anything else, such as uninstalling/reinstalling/manually installing an .apk file will only _temporarily_ work.
Google will disable it again, 24 hours or so later...
So you must follow exact procedure above to Enable App if you wish to continue to use it, after it has been flagged by Google Play Protect.
Being able to re-enable it is a big deal. You don't get to do that in China or Russia so tank you Google for giving us this choice.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Blocking Google Playstore with Karma Firewall will probably stop it.
I have some apps long gone from Playstore, it ignores them if it runs. I don't know... maybe time to scan those apps you have getting wacked off with Virustotal, again.
They may have been compromised.
I always keep backup installable copies of all my apps for reloads or in case something else goes south.

Thanks for this but, in my case, a certain app has parts of its features stop working and THEN play protect disables it all. If I enable it in play protect section then some features are missing, until I uninstall the app and reinstall. But then I face the same issue with play protect slowly dismantling my app and the finally disabling it.
I wondered, what if I enable it once I get the prompt in play protect section then just install the app again without uninstalling it. Would that work without play protect disabling it again?

Question Can I avoid forced Android 12 update from Samsung?

There are things I don't want about update, and things I don't want to lose with update. I have postponed every time it asks, but Samsung says I can only postpone 2 more times. Is there any way to avoid this?

Package disable this app.
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blackhawk said:
Package disable this app.
View attachment 5581443
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks, but a little concerned about the process, removing all accounts, control, etc. Any other way to do this?

kat3k said:
Thanks, but a little concerned about the process, removing all accounts, control, etc. Any other way to do this?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Disabling just that app only stops the firmware updates. My stock N10+ is running on Pie for example.

blackhawk said:
Disabling just that app only stops the firmware updates. My stock N10+ is running on Pie for example.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
For the setup process did you have to remove all google accounts (and then reinstall after), connect phone to pc, debug, etc? Description of app sounded a little daunting. Do you think there's anything risky? I really DO NOT want to install the next android version, and am running out of time. Can't believe they're going to force it on me, so definitely want a workaround. Thanks for your help.

I use Package Disabler.
A adb edit can also be used.
Neither require removing Google accounts!

My personal method for disabling apps is by using this code in ADB
(assuming ADB is already setup and you have USB debugging enabled):
adb shell pm disable-user **ENTER.PACKAGE.NAME.HERE**
I personally use MiXplorer app, open menu on the left side, choose App then
search update; tap on what looks like the correct app and see the package
name. Each carrier may use different packages.
For me on my Huawei P30 Pro the complete command would look like this:
adb shell pm disable-user com.huawei.android.hwouc
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

I think adb is a little beyond me. I will give Package Disabler a try. This is what it says on its app page about removing Google acct, etc:, which I wondered if you had to do:
** No Rooting required **
** You will have to remove all google accounts temporarily to activate this app then you can add back your accounts**
** You will need to connect your device to PC once and run a command as listed below**
** Uninstall within few hours to get automatic refund, if you are not happy with the app**

Enable developer options
Open developer options and disable auto update system
Open software update and disable auto download
No adb or paid garbage required.

twistedumbrella said:
Enable developer options
Open developer options and disable auto update system
Open software update and disable auto download
No adb or paid garbage required.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
OK, that will disable the auto update, but what about the forced update after a certain number of postponements, different than auto?

kat3k said:
OK, that will disable the auto update, but what about the forced update after a certain number of postponements, different than auto?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm not 100% sure it will stop the clock once it's already ticking. I've never gotten that far. I do know it will prevent it from trying to update, though. Any update with those settings has to be manually checked. I don't even get notice when they're available.

kat3k said:
OK, that will disable the auto update, but what about the forced update after a certain number of postponements, different than auto?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Disable the app I showed you that should hopefully kill it...
Clearing the system cache apparently does not clear the download.
If it loads and upgrades the bootloader, you're boned.

PROBLEM: When I try to buy in playstore, it says transaction declined. I did read in one of the reviews that google has some kind of problem with license, surely political., although it still appears in playstore - can't get it. Is there any other way to get/buy/install the app?

kat3k said:
PROBLEM: When I try to buy in playstore, it says transaction declined. I did read in one of the reviews that google has some kind of problem with license, surely political., although it still appears in playstore - can't get it. Is there any other way to get/buy/install the app?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
A lot of apps get suspended for political reasons, but this one was legitimate. That said, if you are sure it's what you want, you can buy it on their website. It's the first Google result for "Package Disabler" but make sure to get what you want done as soon as you buy it. One of the big things that led to the app being removed was the developer revoking licenses to force additional purchases.

twistedumbrella said:
A lot of apps get suspended for political reasons, but this one was legitimate. That said, if you are sure it's what you want, you can buy it on their website. It's the first Google result for "Package Disabler" but make sure to get what you want done as soon as you buy it. One of the big things that led to the app being removed was the developer revoking licenses to force additional purchases.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks. It's on my list of things to do today. I did go to the site, and am slightly reluctant to use credit card, no paypal option even. I feel a lot more comfortable buying through playstore, not to mention the price on developer site is 5 british pounds, over $7 US. Wouldn't mind the price if it does what I want. Looks like a very complicated process from buying through activating. We'll see. It's a good lead for sure and I appreciate the input.

Before going the package disabler route, I've gone into developer options and have disabled automatic software update and am at the point of "stopping" the software update active app, but get a message saying the app cannot be stopped safely, so I'm still undecided. While looking around, I triggered one more software update postponement, so am down to one. Do you think it's safe to stop the software update in spite of the warning? I think it might help, or it might just reload next time phone is started.

kat3k said:
Before going the package disabler route, I've gone into developer options and have disabled automatic software update and am at the point of "stopping" the software update active app, but get a message saying the app cannot be stopped safely, so I'm still undecided. While looking around, I triggered one more software update postponement, so am down to one. Do you think it's safe to stop the software update in spite of the warning? I think it might help, or it might just reload next time phone is started.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Best stop screwing around or it will make the decision for you... that update app is insidious and acts more like malware. It has just about every permissions there is.
If you don't package block it, don't be surprised if it supersedes your settings

blackhawk said:
Best stop screwing around or it will make the decision for you... that update app is insidious and acts more like malware. It has just about every permissions there is.
If you don't package block it, don't be surprised if it supersedes your settings
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

Agreed, just a little scared of package disabler/app site/credit card info, but getting close

kat3k said:
Agreed, just a little scared of package disabler/app site/credit card info, but getting close
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I've used it at least 3 times over the years. MC and Visa purchases in the US are insured and for 5 bucks I don't sweat it.
That update app is a ball buster, I hate it. It's caused me more trouble than any Android malware has in the last 8 years

Help related to overheating/throttling?

Hello ppl. I'm user of xperia xzs but same is related to xz as they are similar models. Reason why i write here and not in "xperia XZs" section is cus forum section is inactive.
Phone is obviously heating too much, throttling, killing apps and android modules, afaik caused by bad snapdragon 820 power management etc. I belive there is ppl that have less of problems with their devices , which addres posible another issue: bad assembly of phones, in sense thermal pad/paste is not set correctly so even slight miss in assembly, bring overheating and other issues in fact that device is not for normal use.. I tried everything software related: downgrading to nougat, trying different firmwares etc, stamina mode, clearing cache/data etc etc, nothing help to bring my device in state: having a normalno decent phone capable of doing light surf. I dont use camera/games. My device is in very good condition, like new, battery work great. Anyone managed to fix problem somehow? Im thinking the last thing to do before trowing this crap to garbage, to dissasamble and try to check thermal pad/paste and somehow reaply. This is my definetly last smartphone from Sony which became a parody company for phones, not to mention their customer service which are some kind of very stupid AI or if not, that 'person' is on chimpanze level.
Best regards

Lol, you never dealt with Samsung tech support...
You need to find the root cause(s) using the tools available. Karma Firewall can help show which apps are accessing the internet excessively.
Battery trackers can be useful. Keep social media apps off the phone. Cloud apps are another potential trouble maker ie Google backup Transport.

Samsung is even worse? Damn, is there any human beings in that corporations..
Thx for respond! I tried app that you attach, it gives me some interesting infos for now. User apps block didnt do nothing so i did block all system apps and started burnout benchmark test which usualy stop working when im in ~2/7 test. I find out that Apps (UID 1000) and Apps (UID 10039) is trying to access internet many times. When i disable that 2 alone, burnout benchmark goes to end 7/7 (56c max) which is great. Then i tried to see which one is problematic, and that is Apps (UID 10039) which make problem and kill e.g. Burnout benchmark test . Any suggestion what to try from this point? Thx again mate!

slayernn said:
Samsung is even worse? Damn, is there any human beings in that corporations..
Thx for respond! I tried app that you attach, it gives me some interesting infos for now. User apps block didnt do nothing so i did block all system apps and started burnout benchmark test which usualy stop working when im in ~2/7 test. I find out that Apps (UID 1000) and Apps (UID 10039) is trying to access internet many times. When i disable that 2 alone, burnout benchmark goes to end 7/7 (56c max) which is great. Then i tried to see which one is problematic, and that is Apps (UID 10039) which make problem and kill e.g. Burnout benchmark test . Any suggestion what to try from this point? Thx again mate!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You're welcome. I've dealt with Sony before, they are a pain. For hifi equipment Denon is the one you wanted.
Disable Sony, app and carrier feedback. Disable Google Firebase.
You can temporarily disable Google play Services and see if that helps especially at night.
Accubattery is useful for it's charge/discharge history, allows you to track SOT usage easily by the hour %@hr. In time Karma helps you spot odd or unwanted behaviors.
Use this settings mod to globally block ads, it also blocks some blacklisted sites.
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"lightbox_stop_slideshow": "Stop slideshow",
"lightbox_full_screen": "Full screen",
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blackhawk said:
You're welcome. I've dealt with Sony before, they are a pain. For hifi equipment Denon is the one you wanted.
Disable Sony, app and carrier feedback. Disable Google Firebase.
You can temporarily disable Google play Services and see if that helps especially at night.
Accubattery is useful for it's charge/discharge history, allows you to track SOT usage easily by the hour %@hr. In time Karma helps you spot odd or unwanted behaviors.
Use this settings mod to globally block ads, it also blocks some blacklisted sites.
View attachment 5689379
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Can you tell me where to find and disable 'Sony,app and carrier feedback, google firebase" ? Cant find private DNS option, i have android 8, there is no "more connection settings", i can find printing, its in "Device connection" its all. Thx

slayernn said:
Can you tell me where to find and disable 'Sony,app and carrier feedback, google firebase" ? Cant find private DNS option, i have android 8, there is no "more connection settings", i can find printing, its in "Device connection" its all. Thx
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I never used 8, only 4, 5, 9 and 10.
Explore all of settings. Probably there, somewhere. Firebase is at the end of the Google settings in the phone settings.

blackhawk said:
I never used 8, only 4, 5, 9 and 10.
Explore all of settings. Probably there, somewhere. Firebase is at the end of the Google settings in the phone settings.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There is no dns option in oreo but there is 3rd party app for that, i will try. But still cant find Firebase option and carrier feedback dont know what u mean by that and where to find it? In google settings under "services on this device" there is "ads, auto-fill,backup,dev&sharing ....settings for google apps(connected apps play games etc" cant find there. HM

Maybe Oreo doesn't support Firebase, good!
Pie has better security at the cost of some functionality. Oreo is suspectable to the X-helper rootkit, a real nasty worm.

blackhawk said:
Maybe Oreo doesn't support Firebase, good!
Pie has better security at the cost of some functionality. Oreo is suspectable to the X-helper rootkit, a real nasty worm.
View attachment 5689419
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I turn on dev options and now i see firebase app indexing which is already disabled. I will try to look at Karma fw and accu battery for that "Apps (UID 10039)" which is main problem. So that gives me hope that it is all software problem. Another problem which is probably imposible to fix is that soc start bad throthling etc when it reach ~56c, if thats only few degree up..

slayernn said:
I turn on dev options and now i see firebase app indexing which is already disabled. I will try to look at Karma fw and accu battery for that "Apps (UID 10039)" which is main problem. So that gives me hope that it is all software problem. Another problem which is probably imposible to fix is that soc start bad throthling etc when it reach ~56c, if thats only few degree up..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's almost always software or a firmware problem you can work around.
Yeah but what's the battery temp? That the temperature I watch. At 102-3F I turn it off.
Not sure what that UID is.
The app, UID Lookup for Android might be helpful, I haven't tried it yet.

blackhawk said:
It's almost always software or a firmware problem you can work around.
Yeah but what's the battery temp? That the temperature I watch. At 102-3F I turn it off.
Not sure what that UID is.
The app, UID Lookup for Android might be helpful, I haven't tried it yet.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
First of all thank you very much you helped me a lot... you show me the way a posible full-fix for my device! That app UID lookup is not working for me. What i find out is that UID 10039 = com.android.vending aka google play. I unistalled it via adb shell and then run benchmark test and it went all to the end 7/7. Later i installed latest google play apk and after that, benchmark start crashing again and phone overheats. Last thing i did is to DISABLE avg protection and now benchmark run to end 7/7. Avg is present in every xzs firmware by default, if thats reason why device behave this way then ...
ps playstore app crash again randomly during normal use of phone without using playstore. Something with playstore modules are maybe wrong hm...

Goggle Play or Google Play Store, a known trouble maker?
To optimize a stock device you need to play with it until you understand why (cause and effect) it's behaving the way it is. It takes some time, but after which it becomes almost second nature.
No coding skills needed as there's lots of ways to work within the UI framework including 3rd party apps like Package Disabler for non-Samsung devices but I've never used that version. That's my main means of debloating my Samsung's. PM if you want the link to the website, not on Playstore.

My brain is now throttling badly and temp is rising!!
Case 1: In Karma FW > disable AVG, disable google play store, enable Apps (UID 10039) = Benchmark go 100%
Case 2: enable avg, disable google play store, enable Apps (UID 10039) = Benchmark crash at 2/7
Case 3: enable avg, enable google play store, disable Apps (UID 10039) = Benchmark go 100%
So there is some rule in relation to avg-google play store-Apps(UID 100039) and i dont have a clue how they are interconnected, im only 100% sure in coherence with benchmark failing/finishing. I'm not smart..
One thing come to my mind right now, mighty sony support and how banal they are: did you reset your device? And similar anti-brain suggestions. HAHAH

Clear system cache.
I always disable location unless needed.
Try running the bench with internet disabled.
Try firewall blocking Playstore, I normally do.
Playstore, another good reason to hate it

Tried everything posible i think of, even unistalling chrome (so to enable default android webview), tried different ver of play store (even disabled it true adb). Nothing gives me hope except blocking Apps (UID 10039). I uploaded latest log of blocked uid while successfully running benchmark. I now understand less and less and have no idea what to do next. Is this Sony way to force us to buy a new phone? If so they definetly force me to buy another manufacturer phone.

Lol, this N10+ was a hot running, lagging battery hog at first. It took a lot time to optimize it. Turned out so good I got a second one.
Dependencies, sometimes it's another app or service causing the drain that's not being correctly reported. Or there's a conflict that creates constant, excessive polling. Trial and error to find them. Add tools that help you to do that... it takes some effort and thought.
Like I said I normally package disable and firewall block Playstore. It's a menace in more ways than one and eats some battery too. Google play Services is normally disabled unless I need it, which is once or twice a day usually. Modify notifications so it doesn't complain endlessly as it will when disabled. Turning off Google play Services and Google Backup Transport is not enough to fully disable it as it may still run in the background at night even.
My N10+ misreports as Google play Services I believe it is... instead Backup must be package disabled to kill it completely.
Your device may behave differently so this is an example of how cryptic this can get. Keep chipping anyway at it until you find the trouble makers and the solutions.
Make sure global power management is disabled or it will cause erratic behavior even more battery consumption.
Developer options>standby apps, all app buckets should show as active otherwise global power management is active! It can't be turned off here though. It's under battery management. In setting under individual apps you can limit data and background battery usage without effecting the global settings, sometimes this gets it.
This is what I'm talking about per Samsung. Sony will have something similar as the global power management/buckets thing is a Google Android apk that manufacturers modify for their flavor. The core functionality though still exists and will likely cause problems when enabled. Its not needed and complicates optimization.

Tried your instructions, it was not easy as i use different manufacturer with oreo and much less options then yours but i got everythink right i think. I found program called "Net blocker" and then go with trial&error to find that real cause of issue and thats 2 modules with same uid no (10039 remember) that karma didnt show me. Now my phone work stable, i can even use google play store. Only related apps like youtube dont work with this 2 modules blocked. Im still not 100% satisfied, i want to come to real solution so if i give my phone to someone, that person dont have to mess around like i did, e.g. after hard reset everything needs to be set with advance knowledge you know..
Here is pic of that 2 modules. Tell me if you know why they making so much problems to whole system and is there a way to fix. Btw Net blocker didnt give me option to disable just 1 of that 2 modules, both of them is selected at same time. Cheers mate and thanx again !

Try clearing cache and data (if possible).
This how mine looks:

blackhawk said:
Try clearing cache and data (if possible).
This how mine looks:
View attachment 5690793
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hey mate. Tried clearing cache and data, guess what .. random crashes again non stop. So now im 100% sure root of problem is Google services framework. If i disable it, everything works fine except related apps(youtube etc etc) and if its enabled, i have to block in firewall. Clearing cache/data/restart/hard resent dont help my device, i tried different firmwares, its always the same. There is some incompatability with xz/s firmwares and that services framework.. i imagine fix is posible and easy but no1 cares.

slayernn said:
Hey mate. Tried clearing cache and data, guess what .. random crashes again non stop. So now im 100% sure root of problem is Google services framework. If i disable it, everything works fine except related apps(youtube etc etc) and if its enabled, i have to block in firewall. Clearing cache/data/restart/hard resent dont help my device, i tried different firmwares, its always the same. There is some incompatability with xz/s firmwares and that services framework.. i imagine fix is posible and easy but no1 cares.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sorry...
I always keep Framework disabled. Forgot about it, lol maybe that's why Playstore can't connect It was constantly draining power even at night.
Bah-ha-ha-ha I had forgotten about it and had been ignoring Playstore, Thanks for reminding me. tff
I may experiment with Framework again but it always ended up being a battery drain that was rarely needed unless I went to Playstore. I knew it was something simple
Damn, you're good.
So you see how giving the phone to someone that isn't willing to take any interest in the system what will happen.