Related
No Stranger to Android. However it is usually on a rooted phone. Now here my scenario. We are looking at issuing Defy's to our inspectors, however we would like to remove the bloatware apps such as Blockbuster, etc. So my question is whether or not there is a way to remove the apps without rooting the phones. I truthfully don't even care if its a paid app we need to do. Thanks!
You can't remove the bloatware without rooting but you could always root the phone using z4root, remove the bloatware and set things up how you like, install the custom recovery, create a backup of the rom then flash it to each of the phones and unroot them.
Yeah.....I was afraid of that. I figured that was the easiest way, but trying to explain that to the director is not going to be fun. At that point I might as well convince him to let me put Froyo or Gingerbread on it. hehe
z4root has a "temporary root" button, and when you reboot root is lost. Unninstall z4root and nothing happened
Perilla_ said:
z4root has a "temporary root" button, and when you reboot root is lost. Unninstall z4root and nothing happened
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sorry threadstarter for hijacking ur thread, but can you temporary root and remove all those unwanted applications and unroot it ? Is it possible ?
Yes, two options with z4root:
Temporary root: Install program, hit temporary root, remove all the baaaad stuff, reboot, uninstall z4root.
Permanent root: Install program, hit permanent root, remove all the ****, hit un-root, uninstall z4root.
Someone can say me if I am wrong?
Ok so I have z4Root installed and have rooted. Now how do I go about uninstalling apps I don't want. I looked under "Manage Applications" but all I see there are appps that I've installed.
Edit: Nevermind. I figured it out.
Edit: Nope still confused. Cant seem to find the "uninstall" button.
To remove unwanted stuff, the easy way is using rootexplorer, renaming the extension app from apk to bak for example. System apps are in /system/app.
You can too use adb, but it requires more knowledge.
Sent from my Defy using Tapatalk
As another follow up question on this. Is it possible to lock the phone down so that they cannot install any other apps on the phone? I know we could prolly lock the market, but we want it open just in case. Sorry.... never really explored using Android in a corporate enviroment and trying to enforce all the rules that you have under Blackberry and WinMo. Thanks!
So the stickied rooting guide is terrible. It's out of date, points to incorrect file locations, gives steps to take that don't work, and doesn't really explaina what any of the terms it is using actually mean.
Is there any well written guide for how to get root using unrevoked, and how to uninstall stock apps? I thought I had root access, apparently I lost it at some point, and the guide it just frankly less than useless at this point. I have no idead what a "recovery" is, or what a "nandroid" is, or any other terminology the author assumes the audience knows. I don't know what "koush" is, what busybox is, or what a NAND is, or when to reboot or not, there are no clear steps on what to do and when to do them
Any help would be appreciated.
Edit:
Apparently restarting the phone gave root back, and I was able to use an uninstaller program from the market to get rid of some stuff. But I never had to reboot to go into any bootloade mode, why is that needed sometimes? And what are those "com." entries, they're not apk's so you can't uninstall them. And there are some apps (Like "Search People") that you can't get rid of at all, how do you remove those?
emkorial said:
So the stickied rooting guide is terrible. It's out of date, points to incorrect file locations, gives steps to take that don't work, and doesn't really explaina what any of the terms it is using actually mean.
Is there any well written guide for how to get root using unrevoked, and how to uninstall stock apps? I thought I had root access, apparently I lost it at some point, and the guide it just frankly less than useless at this point. I have no idead what a "recovery" is, or what a "nandroid" is, or any other terminology the author assumes the audience knows. I don't know what "koush" is, what busybox is, or what a NAND is, or when to reboot or not, there are no clear steps on what to do and when to do them
Any help would be appreciated.
Edit:
Apparently restarting the phone gave root back, and I was able to use an uninstaller program from the market to get rid of some stuff. But I never had to reboot to go into any bootloade mode, why is that needed sometimes? And what are those "com." entries, they're not apk's so you can't uninstall them. And there are some apps (Like "Search People") that you can't get rid of at all, how do you remove those?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'd be very careful removing/uninstalling anything at all. Say you uninstall something and don't have it backed up then you won't be able to do an update if one comes out unless you can find them again.... OR, you did a complete backup.
Good way to do it is to rename the bloatware apps to something like, bloatware.apk.bak. add the .bak and it won't show/start.
I'vd been doing that, but onl some of the stuff shows up. I can't get rid of "people search", and there is all this com.android.xxxx stuff that I can't remove (there's a com.android.twitter, there's a com.android.FriendStreamWidget, etc) even though I uninstalled the related app. What are those and why are they running?
This looks like it could be a good phone if there wasn't so much garbage sucking up 1/2 the RAM all the time.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=7408250&postcount=1
Figured I would start here in my device thread before trying the SuperSU thread.
Anybody have issues with SuperSU since the last few updates ago?
SuperSU does not even open. Root-dependent apps do not open. Titanium sits there at the initial screen "asking for root rights" until I kill the app. AdAway does not open... just goes right to a black screen until I kill the app. AdAway seems to work though, as my web surfing does not have ads.
I've also tried manually going in and applying the latest update via (philz) recovery.
Would I be safe to roll back to an older version of SuperSU?
Mods... if you're going to gun the thread, please at least point me in the right direction as I did search, but did not find anything related to recent issues on the Note 2 for SuperSU.
TIA for help and suggestions.
Oh yeah its still sitting in the play store. I lost root the last couple updates ago. I had to re flash my rom and start over.
ceabbott2 said:
Oh yeah its still sitting in the play store. I lost root the last couple updates ago. I had to re flash my rom and start over.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
As part of my search, I did see Chainfire mention in his "fix" thread that some apps like wanam can cause issues. Of course, I have xsposed installed, so that could be the issue.
Do you (or did you) also have xsposed installed as well?
I have tried older versions of SU, uninstalling via philz then redownloading from Play - which now tells me the binaries are out of date and can't be done by SU, and I need to re-root.
Think I might try one of the other SuperUser apps "just to see how it works", or if it does.
lennykravitz2004 said:
As part of my search, I did see Chainfire mention in his "fix" thread that some apps like wanam can cause issues. Of course, I have xsposed installed, so that could be the issue.
Do you (or did you) also have xsposed installed as well?
I have tried older versions of SU, uninstalling via philz then redownloading from Play - which now tells me the binaries are out of date and can't be done by SU, and I need to re-root.
Think I might try one of the other SuperUser apps "just to see how it works", or if it does.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
For me, I just reflashed the ROM I was running at the time and that resolved it. Of course seeing that the update was " fixed" I attempted it and lost root again. I then did the same as before, wiped and relashed. I didn't do clean installs either time. Just wiped caches and reflashed. That sucks if you have to re-root. I mean, it's easy and all but it shouldn't have to be done.
D
Before attempting any drastic measures (i.e., full wipe and reinstallation of the ROM), try this. This trick usually works for me.
Open your Application Manager, and locate your SuperSU application. Turn it off (i.e., click the "Turn Off" button). It may prompt you that updates are about to be uninstalled; that's ok. Download "BETA-SuperSU-v2.25.zip" and verify the MD5. Reboot into recovery and flash this file. Reboot and re-enable the SuperSU application from the Application Manager (it will be easy to find this time - scroll all the way over to the right, under "Turned Off"). Open SuperSU and it should let you reinstall the binaries.
Recently I've inexplicably lost root a number of times, and the above method has fixed it for me every time.
DJ_Barcode said:
Before attempting any drastic measures (i.e., full wipe and reinstallation of the ROM), try this. This trick usually works for me.
Open your Application Manager, and locate your SuperSU application. Turn it off (i.e., click the "Turn Off" button). It may prompt you that updates are about to be uninstalled; that's ok. Download "BETA-SuperSU-v2.25.zip" and verify the MD5. Reboot into recovery and flash this file. Reboot and re-enable the SuperSU application from the Application Manager (it will be easy to find this time - scroll all the way over to the right, under "Turned Off"). Open SuperSU and it should let you reinstall the binaries.
Recently I've inexplicably lost root a number of times, and the above method has fixed it for me every time.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the try. Did not work though.
Looks like I just need to re-flash the ROM.
My problem was odd. Before I discovered the aforementioned trick, I'd re-root with Chainfire or Kingo. I'd reboot, and my device would be rooted. But those two methods have an additional payload - they flash the stock recovery. So I'd ODIN the Philz Touch recovery back to the device, reboot, and root would be gone. Never figured out what was going on.
Yup. Issues with new version. Only last 2 or three updates.
They seemed to be perfectly fine with cm12 though.
Sent from my SPH-L900 using XDA Free mobile app
Thanks for all of the input.
After doing a full wipe, and then re-loading Classic Stock 4.4.2, life is good again! Back to running awesome for a few weeks now.
Having said that, I did want to follow-up and ask others what current version of SuperSU you are on. As of right now, I am still on v2.01 (which is what was packaged with the ROM) and have not updated yet. Only other versions of SuperSU I have zips downloaded for are: 2.25 from post above, 2.36, and 2.37.
Any suggestions or confirmations on which newer/more recent versions will not bork my root status? Or which versions to definitely stay away from trying to use?
Thanks, and I appreciate any help and suggestions!
lennykravitz2004 said:
Thanks for all of the input.
After doing a full wipe, and then re-loading Classic Stock 4.4.2, life is good again! Back to running awesome for a few weeks now.
Having said that, I did want to follow-up and ask others what current version of SuperSU you are on. As of right now, I am still on v2.01 (which is what was packaged with the ROM) and have not updated yet. Only other versions of SuperSU I have zips downloaded for are: 2.25 from post above, 2.36, and 2.37.
Any suggestions or confirmations on which newer/more recent versions will not bork my root status? Or which versions to definitely stay away from trying to use?
Thanks, and I appreciate any help and suggestions!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The actual issue is not superuser or the updates. The issue is 4.4.2 and the original way we (ROM devs) had to implement superuser.
There are two routes to take to keep from losing root. The easiest for most users is to turn off auto updates and not to update superuser (app or binaries). The second is more difficult for the average user. Do a complete removal of superuser and install the latest.
I suggest the first way for everyone. It is simple and fool proof.
Sent from my XT1045 using XDA Free mobile app
jlmancuso said:
The actual issue is not superuser or the updates. The issue is 4.4.2 and the original way we (ROM devs) had to implement superuser.
There are two routes to take to keep from losing root. The easiest for most users is to turn off auto updates and not to update superuser (app or binaries). The second is more difficult for the average user. Do a complete removal of superuser and install the latest.
I suggest the first way for everyone. It is simple and fool proof.
Sent from my XT1045 using XDA Free mobile app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
As always, thanks for your response. Your recommendation is what I've been doing, just wanted to follow-up on this and see if there was anything else I needed to consider or change as well.
My main concern was to make sure I was not going to run into any "big" issues (especially security) by staying on current version. Thanks for explaining where the issue really lies on this too. I'm obviously not a dev, however I do want to understand what is exactly going on and responses like yours always provide that type of info. :good: Thank you.
And, FWIW, using "fool proof" to describe a process only makes me more curious (and no, not in that way) about your suggestion. :laugh:
Now I HAVE to find out more about that option... (only after some of the best BBQ in all of the land - Sugarfire BBQ in STL )
jlmancuso said:
The actual issue is not superuser or the updates. The issue is 4.4.2 and the original way we (ROM devs) had to implement superuser.
There are two routes to take to keep from losing root. The easiest for most users is to turn off auto updates and not to update superuser (app or binaries). The second is more difficult for the average user. Do a complete removal of superuser and install the latest.
I suggest the first way for everyone. It is simple and fool proof.
Sent from my XT1045 using XDA Free mobile app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
How do you disable auto update of binary on SuperSU? I keep seeing it in the notification bar, very annoying.
Device Info: Sprint Galaxy Note 2 Running rooted stock Android 4.4.2. (chainfire auto root using odin)
Wifi only unit. I have no sprint contract purchased it used (I'm new to customizing android- I have flashed an old palm pda, but only via guidance)
Situation: Rooted the unit and have customized it as mine
1. No custom backup and would like to do that
2. Do not like all the bloatware apps
3. Now a system update has been downloaded asking to install (I've not okayed it)
So please help me with each of these
1. Please point me in the direction of best way to take a backup of existing rom ( I do have philz downloaded, but I'm not sure about how to ?
2. Would that deal with the persistent update request? Would it be good to update?
3. and then the bloatware removal, should I use an app that removes system apps? ( I have titanium, but I'm not good at knowing which apps to touch and not to touch) Thanks in advance and no I'm not in a hurry as yet.
Hi,
I will have your thread moved to your device section so the experts who own your device can help you.
Good luck!
Point to links please
If someone doesn't want to tackle this whole question I'd just appreciate links on how to step by step. I'd appreciate any help at all, I'm just a bit fearful of bricking the device, but if the instructions are clear I can definitely do this.
The first is issue is backup that is my priority at the moment. The second is whether to install the update or not and how to get rid of the nag. thanks
Not sure about backing up the ROM itself... but what I do is just back up the apps with Titanium and then re-load the apps (or just data) when I have to re-install my ROM like I did a couple of weeks ago. Prior to the Note II, I had an HTC Hero (stop laughing) and would do nandroids for that device. Don't know that you need that for Samsung devices, but somebody may be better to explain than I am.
ETA: here's an article on creating a nandroid, FWIW
http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/what-is-a-nandroid-backup-and-how-exactly-does-it-work/
If you are rooted, I don't know that the persistent update will actually apply/install. I'm on Classic Stock 4.4.2 and I also had the same nag. Here's a link on how to disable the update nag. This is what I did, as my phone would not apply the update so I just disabled the persistent reminder using the steps below.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2442207
With respect to removing system apps, not sure I can offer much direction other than to suggest removing obvious apps (maybe like the Sprint Zone app) and then just doing a search on each app that looks like you can/want to delete or uninstall. Probably a bit time consuming, however, I am not aware of a "bloatware list" or anything which outlines safe-to-remove apps.
Much appreciated Lenny
When I did the root, I didn't really want a custom rom, just stock with root. Now that I've used titanium backup and have removed the install update nag- I'm set for a while!
lost in cyberspace said:
Much appreciated Lenny
When I did the root, I didn't really want a custom rom, just stock with root. Now that I've used titanium backup and have removed the install update nag- I'm set for a while!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You might also look at adding a free version of BusyBox (I use stericson's, and jrummy also has one out there).
Also might want to look at an install of AdAway, which you'll need to install manually (not available from the Play Store). You don't have to install the whole F-Droid package, you can download only the AdAway apk if you want.
https://f-droid.org/repository/browse/?fdid=org.adaway
One last piece of info, you may want to turn off automatic updating for apps, as the SuperSU app can have problems after an update and you might have to re-root your phone. Here's what I ran into.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=58955076&postcount=10
lennykravitz2004 said:
You might also look at adding a free version of BusyBox (I use stericson's, and jrummy also has one out there).
Also might want to look at an install of AdAway, which you'll need to install manually (not available from the Play Store). You don't have to install the whole F-Droid package, you can download only the AdAway apk if you want.
https://f-droid.org/repository/browse/?fdid=org.adaway
One last piece of info, you may want to turn off automatic updating for apps, as the SuperSU app can have problems after an update and you might have to re-root your phone. Here's what I ran into.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=58955076&postcount=10
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you! I've side loaded adb adblock is adaway better? I use App Ops to turn off specific things within each app such as location finding, I like MW apps manager to add more apps to the multiwindow feature., and I've turned off most apps auto update, but some apps I've left auto update. I've just turned off auto update on super user -- even though, I've not yet experienced any major issues as yet.
lost in cyberspace said:
Thank you! I've side loaded adb adblock is adaway better? I use App Ops to turn off specific things within each app such as location finding, I like MW apps manager to add more apps to the multiwindow feature., and I've turned off most apps auto update, but some apps I've left auto update. I've just turned off auto update on super user -- even though, I've not yet experienced any major issues as yet.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Don't know if adb adblock is better - I've never used it. Didn't see you mention a couple of these things when you said you were "all set for awhile", so I was just trying to offer a few other things to consider and look into. Sounds like you're already on the ball though!
Personally, I'm happy with stock. Big reason for me to root was getting rid of ads. I've tried some of the other ROMs but I've always come back to the stock look and feel. I've had the device since about 1 week after it came out in Fall 2012. Of course, I am also on my third one since I totaled two other ones. I absolutely love it, and am in no hurry to upgrade (if possible). Hope you enjoy it as I have... lots of good stuff from devs here!
see #5 for problem
Hi guys,
so after quite some time with custom Roms I decided to go stock again as somehow I don't need root at all. Well, that's not true. I miss AdAway.
As there is no possibility to root the stock rom, is there ANY AdBlocker that works on Lollipop? AdBlock Plus doesn't (yet).
Why did you say there is no possibility to root the stock rom ?
I'm running Stock ROM, rooted and AdAway running fine.
ckpv5 said:
Why did you say there is no possibility to root the stock rom ?
I'm running Stock ROM, rooted and AdAway running fine.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
How do you root the stock rom? I couldn't find out how.
Can I root without losing my data?
fBx said:
How do you root the stock rom? I couldn't find out how.
Can I root without losing my data?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Flash twrp recovery and root through the recovery. It'll ask you when you reboot the system if you want to root it
Sent from my HTC One_M8 using XDA Free mobile app
Huh. Didn't know it was THAT straightforward and I've been flashing my phones for years.
Well. I flashed TWRP and SuperSU 2.46, succeeded. But Adaway and Adfree don't work correctly. They block the ads but only until you reboot, then it's reverted, kinda like with a tethered jailbreak on iPhones.
What am I doing wrong here? Also the block is not like on KitKat - there it was really blocked, really removed, here only the images of the ads are removed but you still see the space they were supposed to be.
I also used a system app removal tool that also didn't work although it shows success. It just removes the installed data like updates.
When I delete apps manually via ES Explorer, they just reappear at the next reboot.
Root Checker says root is fine but it isn't supposed to behave like that and undo my changes.
What's wrong? Do I need another kernel maybe? As I said I went back to stock completely and updatet through to L.
I believe I got whats causing the issue.
After deleting a system app and rebooting, I got a message saying that the phone was restored from an "unnormal behaviour". Does Lollipop bring some kind of system restore point that just automatically restores itself when "weird" things like host file alteration happens? If yes, how do I get rid of that?
This phone has always had system files protected since KitKat. You need a kernel mod to delete system apps.
Don't know why the ad blockers aren't working. Adaway is working fine for me on stock US Dev Edition rooted. You said you are using Adaway and AdFree? Are you actually using both at the same time? maybe they are interfering with each other?
No I meant it happens with both. Only use adaway now. They work but after a reboot the adblock is gone and I need to apply it again. In fact, AdAway says it's deactivated and AdFree says it's already up to date but ads show anyway and I need to install the fix again to get rid of them.
Can you maybe point me to a kernel mod? Would want to get rid of some bloatware.
Maybe I should try installing xposed and see if it's gone after a reboot.
fBx said:
Can you maybe point me to a kernel mod? Would want to get rid of some bloatware.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The thread is here: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2701816
But unfortunately, flar2 hasn't had the time to update for LP. A user posted the kernel module in Post #210, but a subsequent user said it doesn't work. Custom ROMs have write protection disabled, as does Dev Edition stock ROM.
fBx said:
No I meant it happens with both. Only use adaway now. They work but after a reboot the adblock is gone and I need to apply it again. In fact, AdAway says it's deactivated and AdFree says it's already up to date but ads show anyway and I need to install the fix again to get rid of them.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Odd, as mentioned, I've used AdAway for quite some time now, and don't have these issues.
Yes, very odd indeed. Well, if I don't get it sorted out somehow I might as well switch to Viper or some other close to stock custom Rom again, or make it Dev like you.
Things are getting worse, in 1 of 2 cases AdAway spits an error at me when trying to apply the fixes and the phone just reboots and undos everything. It's like some protection from rooting or changing anything although I am rooted. I don't understand it. I can't possibly be the only one having problems with root on Stock Lollipop
This is really annoying me. I think I'm better of just installing a custom rom and setting the phone up again, will cost me an hour but at least I'm done with the bugs.
Yup, decided to jump the gun, wipe and install ViperOne and now everything works as I wanted it to. AdAway stays active and working.
fBx said:
Yup, decided to jump the gun, wipe and install ViperOne and now everything works as I wanted it to. AdAway stays active and working.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Interesting. I wonder if Adaway is dependent on the system write protection being disabled. I wouldn't normally suspect that, and only thinking of it since you mentioned the system write protection issue as well.
On the other hand, its the only difference I can think of between my phone and yours that would matter. I am on stock rooted Dev Edition, which apparently does not have the system write protection enabled by default.
redpoint73 said:
Interesting. I wonder if Adaway is dependent on the system write protection being disabled. I wouldn't normally suspect that, and only thinking of it since you mentioned the system write protection issue as well.
On the other hand, its the only difference I can think of between my phone and yours that would matter. I am on stock rooted Dev Edition, which apparently does not have the system write protection enabled by default.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I also assume that's the reason. I've never been on a stock rom since I don't know when, but figured that actually I only wanted AdAway which would normally not require a custom rom per se... but as it didn't really work in the end (and also other root-requiring stuff), I went back to custom again. Well, it's not that it's that difficult to wipe the phone occasionally and set up a clean custom rom to get it back to perfect performance. Gonna go with it.