Develop Bugs

Wow.

Hi all,
I have been a winmob user for over 5 years and i know pretty much everything about them. (see join date) Though 3 days ago i got a a8183 desire.
My god i have a lot to learn about Android. Winmob seemed so much simplier to pick apart with registry and custom roms.
Anyways i have been reading thread after thread for days yet i still have a couple of questions that i cannot get clear answers for.
I have a a8183 telstra desire running on optus. I have updated to the latest offical 2.2 ROM. (Everyone mentions OTA (over the air) though i downloaded it and installed thru windows).
So i would appreciate if someone could help me out with my questions/assumptions.
1. From what i have read you cannot r00t a froyo OS. Is that right? Though i have found an app z4root that will do it temporarily until reboot. Unrevoked doesnt seem to work.
2. To change system files you need not only root though you need the clockworkmod recovery part of the bootloader. (eg. to replace HOST file for adblocking).
3. You need permanent r00t to install the clockworkmod (so i cannot do this).
4. You cannot remove default ROM apps from your phone without the clockworkmod.
5. You need clockworkmod to install custom ROMs.
So from what i gather.. r00t is good. though really only cause it gets you the clockworkmod recovery which is where you can really hack it.
And to get this i need to downgrade to 2.1, r00t, clockwork then use a hacked rom for 2.2?
Your help is greatly appreciated.

hi sage, i too came from windows mobile so i know how you feel, lucky for me i jumped on the android bandwagon earlier with the htc hero, after i got bored with my HD1, anyway your wrong on quite a few points, so i'll point you in the right direction.
1) the latest version of unrevoked (www.unrevoked.com/recovery) is more than able to root the froyo roms, its a one click app and can root your device in minutes
2) to easly modify system files you need s-off (this is equivalent to HSPL on wm devices) after you have rooted, you need to search for alpharev, this is a linux live cd, you just burn it and boot it and it will security unlock your device.
3) when you download and run unrevoked, it will not only root your device but insatall the latest version of clockworkmod recovery. (just hold vol down and power when your device is off to access hboot, and choose recovery from the list) so unrevoked kills 2 birds with one stone
4) to remove the apps in the /system/ partition there are 2 ways, from recovery using adb, or if you flash the s-off mod, you can remove them directly from your device using a file manager.
5) yes you need clockworkmod or another custom recovery to install custom roms, but now you know how to do it, thats not a problem

Hi Sage,
If you're looking for an easier way to get rid of all the Telstra apps (more like a blob of links really ) on your phone you may want to try one of the stock HTC WWE ROMs. It's clean and you can flash it via exe, just like in WM. The latest RUU I believe is the 2.29.405.2. Also, be aware of the risks of rooting your phone.

thanks for your response guys
Ok so i am now r00ted and running Leedroid's WWE ROM! (thank you!) it was actually pretty easy.
I think unrevoked was failing cause i was using a USB HUB.
OK so now i just want to remove some more of the default apps that come with it.
So i will try alpharev to security unlock my device. (is this permanent or if i reflash my rom it will come back?)
once i have done this i can then delete anything i like thru r00t explorer?
At this stage i am trying to just make some more room for apps. As a number of them wont move to SD Card.
A couple of last questions if i may. I have an new SD Card on order. Am i able to simply copy everything from my existing SD to my new and then swap it over in my phone and it will all be ok? Or do i need 'clone' it with some tool?
Where in the system paths do i remove 'shortcuts' within all apps? (or even simply rename them.)
Much appreciate your help. Android is growing on me. I especially love adb logcat!

ok.. i am now security off'd alpharev worked a treat.
i am now using r00t explorer to try and delete items from /system/app though they come up read-only so i cannot delete them
i take when i get to remove these the phone will have more stoage space for apps yeah?
i also still cannot find where the all apps shortcuts sit! (so i can rename/remove).
and lastly now i have the alpharev bootloader so gonna google how to change that
i did use the Leedroid apps2sd ROM. though most of my apps are still going to phone memory and i cant move them across.
Is there a fix for this? i guess once i work out how to delete these read-only files ill be ok anyway.

Unfortunately removing system apps wont give you more space to install apps, they are stored under a different partition, /system and /data are not on the same disk so you can save as much space on /system as you want but it won't affect /data at all.
With running out of space you have a few choices:
Go to settings..applications..then manage and move as many apps to SD as you can. This is fro-yo apps2sd, not all data is moved and not all apps can be moved, so you will probably run out of space again anyway.
Or
Reboot into recovery and partition your sdcard to create an ext partition, when you boot your rom ALL apps will be moved to the ext partition leaving lots of free space. Backup your sdcard before you partition it, you will lose all data.

Sage said:
ok.. i am now security off'd alpharev worked a treat.
1) i am now using r00t explorer to try and delete items from /system/app though they come up read-only so i cannot delete them
2) i take when i get to remove these the phone will have more stoage space for apps yeah?
3) i also still cannot find where the all apps shortcuts sit! (so i can rename/remove).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
1) Press on Remount as R/O, this should allow you to delete/replace system stuff & ringtones, fonts...etc.
2)No, because apps install to data/apps & not system/apps.
3)You mean like the applicatiuon menu when we used to delete shortcuts or rename them? Hahaha man that was sooooooooooooo long time ago for me. Anyway, the applications installed are displayer & you can't hide them or rearrange them like Winmo. You might want to try Launcher Pro to hide apps in the apps drawer.
If you need more info, ask freely because 2 years ago I went through the same

mr.r9 said:
1) Press on Remount as R/O, this should allow you to delete/replace system stuff & ringtones, fonts...etc. Typo..You meant R/W
2)No, because apps install to data/apps & not system/apps.
3)You mean like the applicatiuon menu when we used to delete shortcuts or rename them? Hahaha man that was sooooooooooooo long time ago for me. Anyway, the applications installed are displayer & you can't hide them or rearrange them like Winmo. You might want to try Launcher Pro to hide apps in the apps drawer.
If you need more info, ask freely because 2 years ago I went through the same
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hmm..actually the new MTD partition table hack should be able to free space on the /system, adjusting partitions with less for /system and /cache and more for /data/app should give enough space..Though I'm not sure if he wants to try this right now, since it's considered an advanced task and maybe he'd like to get more accustomed to Android before attempting it? His wish though..
And well, there's yet another method to remove system apps, other than the other two methods. This is to modify the zip file of the custom rom to remove the actual apks from /system and reflashing it on top of the actual flash..

droidzone said:
And well, there's yet another method to remove system apps, other than the other two methods. This is to modify the zip file of the custom rom to remove the actual apks from /system and reflashing it on top of the actual flash..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ohh yes indeed. OP, you can edit the zip before installing it to your device. You can remove/replace application in system/data and fonts...etc. Just remember to change signature verification to off in your recovery.

my god. i have spent days on this baby and im only barely scratching the surface
much appreciate all your help guys!
ok.. so its time to use app2sd i hear that app2sd+ is better though? (it moves more data to SD yeah? appcache?)
i only have 2Gb microsd right now so i might wait until i my 8GB arrives before i flash a new ROM and start again (again!)
i also noticed these online kitchens. http://cookmyrom.co.cc
which look great! tho they are still a version behind the leedroid i am using tho its a good way to get rid of some default apps.
i certainly like the idea of reparitioning the default disk though not quite ready for that yet especially when app2sd+ sounds much more straight forward.
i am dumbfounded that you cant remove 'shortcuts' from the All Apps! or even rename them!! my god. i would think that was first thing available on such an open source OS.
So i have now created a folder called "Folder" to reduce the clutter.. and now i guess i cant even rename it!?? and if i create another one its called "Folder" too!
lol.. this OS is so advanced yet some basic stuff seems to be overlooked.
I did try launcher pro though it removed my HTC Sense (which i like). So i might need to keep looking for an app to help organise my All Apps and my desktop (is desktop what its called?)
And just how do i add ringtones?
love your work guys thanks again.

Create a folder called Ringtones on the root of your SD to have...ringtones.
When you open a folder, long press on the header to rename it.
As for organizing, I stopped caring & started to use search, but maybe if you want you can try an app called folder organizer.

mr.r9 said:
Create a folder called Ringtones on the root of your SD to have...ringtones.
When you open a folder, long press on the header to rename it.
As for organizing, I stopped caring & started to use search, but maybe if you want you can try an app called folder organizer.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
nice one thank you!

Sage said:
...So i have now created a folder called "Folder" to reduce the clutter.. and now i guess i cant even rename it!??...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Open the folder then hold where it says folder to change its name.

Ok. Now have app2sd working!
thanks to all of you. Beginning to love this android phone now. I feel sorry for all the people who use them as they come from the factory! Thank god for all the xda people who rip them to shreds and make them better

If i can have one last question. Any way to remap hardware buttons to start an app?
Like when you hold down the search button it launches Google Voice. I want it to launch a different app..
I did a search and found the hardware button remapper though it only does hardware to hardware.. not hardware to app

For Folders(Assuming you're using full HTC Sense), just open it and hold the title bar. Took me some time to figure out. You cannot easily rename the apps in "All apps", but you can remove them(Which is essentially uninstalling them) from Settings > Applications > Manage, unless they are system apps which need to be manually deleted either via S-OFF + Root explorer(OR something similar) or ADB + Custom recovery(Clockworkmod or Amon Ra).
For setting a custom ringtone, open the music app, select the music > Menu > Set as ringtone.

so no love on the hardware remap for apps?
Oh well i have done a lot of googling and it seems it cant be done (well at least not easily).
My last question is when you launch an app from a folder the folder stays open.. any way to force close or change its behaviour?

for those following this. I found the Tasker app remaps hardware buttons amongst doing amazing other things.
Still no love on closing folders though.

i ended up using tasker to create app widgets to replace the folders...

If you want app widgets, there's also "Desktop Visualizer".
In terms of killing of an app, have you tried "Settings -> apps settings -> development" then there's an option there for "stop apps via long press"?

Rooted successfully ... but unable to remove original apps

Hi everyone
I know this thread might look like a dublicated thread, but its not
I searched the forum for similar threads but I couldnt find similar, so I posted it.
I've rooted my HTC desire and tried removing the original apps(like stock,footprint,...etc ) but I couldnt.
After rooting I tried the following apps and got those messages :
File Manager : No suffessient permission
Root Explorer : can't be deleted because the file system is read-ony.
Uninstaller for root : Root access is granted,Can't uninstall app, an unknown error occured.
Any Ideas or apps that could help me in getting rid of such apps

You need to be s-off to remove apps from the system partition while booted, you can however remove the apps in recovery with ADB. Also know that you won't gain any extra space in data because that are different partitions.
Sent from my HTC Desire using XDA App

TheGhost1233 said:
You need to be s-off to remove apps from the system partition while booted, you can however remove the apps in recovery with ADB. Also know that you won't gain any extra space in data because that are different partitions.
Sent from my HTC Desire using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks alot
To be frank with you, I'm a newbie to android
I'm not that much aware of system commands or programming
so my question is : is it that much complicated using the ADB method or any biggner can do it

Follow this tutorial.

You can also modify the zip before flashing it no ?

Yes, which is also the better way but if you don't want to flash a custom rom that's not a option.
Sent from my HTC Desire using XDA App

I have flashed a custom Sense ROM that includes certain original apps, but now if I want to remove them can I just reflash the ROM but just removing the apk files before flashing?
Will I lose any data, settings, etc?
[EDIT: Nvm, found the answer]

TheGhost1233 said:
Follow this tutorial.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks a lot for the help
I'll give it a try and get back to you for the final result

Same problem here.
Seems like for HTC Desire, you need to have S-OFF and NAND unlocked.
Google it and let me know if you made any progress, I'm trying too.

Hi there. You do not need to be S-Off-ed to remove system apps. You need to have write permissions for the system partition. A lot of apps can do that for you as long as you have superuser installed and you have granted access to the application. Personally when I was removing my sys apps i used Sysapp remover. I have even done it with titanium backup but I am not sure if it had the option to give you write permission for the system partition. Just check a some sysremoving apps and at least a couple will have that option.

COOLBGT said:
Hi there. You do not need to be S-Off-ed to remove system apps. You need to have write permissions for the system partition. A lot of apps can do that for you as long as you have superuser installed and you have granted access to the application. Personally when I was removing my sys apps i used Sysapp remover. I have even done it with titanium backup but I am not sure if it had the option to give you write permission for the system partition. Just check a some sysremoving apps and at least a couple will have that option.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
AFAIK, not for the Desire. I was checking some sys app remover programs - all of them stated you need to be S-OFF if you have a Desire.
But It is true, you can remove apps even if you are S-ON. Using ADB.

davebugyi said:
AFAIK, not for the Desire. I was checking some sys app remover programs - all of them stated you need to be S-OFF if you have a Desire.
But It is true, you can remove apps even if you are S-ON. Using ADB.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I never S-Offed my Desire and also I do not know how to use ADB but still as I said some apps offer you to gain write permissions on the system partition and they will do the trick. I can guarantee you that because this is how I did it

What program was it?
RootUninstaller
https://market.android.com/details?id=com.danesh.system.app.remover
These did not work, when I was S-ON.

personally i've used 3 methods:
adb: works but is such a faff to type in all the apk names exactly!
delete from .zip: easiest way so they're never flashed in the first place. remember not to unzip the ROM, just delete them directly in winzip or similar program before flashing.
if you're S-OFF: i recently took the plunge, was scared of bricking but turned out to be much easier than i thought. then used root explorer to directly delete fancy widget after flashing Leedroid no-sense patch.

Do the s-off procedure at alpharev.nl - this takes less time than rooting (or it did for me) and then you can just delete the apps using Ti Backup or root explorer.
You might also want to flash one of the custom partition tables at this site to give yourself more room for apps. I have about 250mb free (internal) and nothing on SD - this means apps run faster and is apparently better for the battery!

[Q] Rooted - Can I delete these few things?

Hello
Sorry if this is in the wrong section.
I have rooted my stock Desire. Can I use Root Explorer or something to delete:
Most of the notification sounds (ring tones / message tones)?
Teeter game
Flashlight App
YouTube App (I just use the browser to go to the site)
Google App (I just use the browser to go to the site)
Unfortunately the "RootUninstaller" from the App market didn't work (just says an unexpected error).
Also, is there a way I can hide apps in the main window?
Things like "Setup" I would like to hide, along with a few others. Maybe put them in a folder?
Thanks

For most of the apps your need to be s-off. Otherwise if you delete them they will be back when you reboot. That's the reason for the error.

How do I make my phone S-Off?
And what does that actually do?
Thanks

Going by your answers you gain nothing by deleting these apps.
The apps are on the system partition, and your "internal memory" is on the data partition. Clearing space on one does not effect the other.
I suggest you just leave the apps there until you find a reason to delete them. If you still want to get rid of them remove them from the rom zip before flashing or use adb and recovery.

anotherxdauser said:
How do I make my phone S-Off?
And what does that actually do?
Thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
[TUTORIAL] How to S-OFF your HTC Desire
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=805811

[Q] Deleting stock broswer

Is it possible to delete the stock browser with a custom ROM? At the moment if I try and do it from the Manage applications view it doesn't give me the option. But I was wondering if I could manually locate it and delete it without causing any stability issues?
Thanks

You can. ADB from recovery (S-ON), Root explorer (S-OFF).
But I don't know if it causes stability issues - never tried it.

It can be done and has no bearing on anything - just means you can't browse until you get one from the Market

Yes, can confirm that! I'm using Dolphin HD - so removed the stock about an hour ago. No problems.

I can add stock email, news/weather & chat apps to this list - no effect on other apps performing these functions, at least on Oxygen 2.0.1 anyway...

Brilliant, next question. Where is the stock app stored, as I will manually have to remove it.

Zammo76 said:
Brilliant, next question. Where is the stock app stored, as I will manually have to remove it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
For me it was system/app/Browser.apk
Removed with Root Explorer.
Sent from my customized HTC Desire using TTP

Ah yeah got to that file using Astro but it's only 684KB, yet when I look in Manage Applications it says that the Internet is 13.76MB.
Unless this includes other data rather than just the Browser, but I'm not so sure?

It surely includes other data (like history, cache etc.)

Probably cache and some settings. In manage applications, clear the data (if that's possible), then remove the .apk

in my opinion the best way to remove system apps is to install Titanium Backup (have the phone rooted), then go to apps in titanium backup then hold your finger on it , the menu appears, slide down and click on remove(using recovery bug)...

I have Titanium Backup but I can't seem to find the stock Browser under the Backup/ Restore tab the only thing I have which is remotely like that is:
[BOOKMARKS] Internet 2.2
Am I looking in the correct place?

Only you can remove it, if you have S-OFFed your phone. And I cant help you with that,I have it deleted already. But should be over there somewhere.

I've rooted my phone using the Unrevoked method and have CWM. But when I've checked the H-Boot screen it says I have S-ON, how do I get it Off?

S-OFF tutorial
Also, I forgot to mention, you can remove files via ADB from CWM/AmonRA. Guide here.

Thanks for this I think I'm going to try the ADB method as it looks a little easier. Plus I did read someone if you remove S-Off it can be permanent and effect warranty.

Zammo76 said:
Brilliant, next question. Where is the stock app stored, as I will manually have to remove it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Apps are stored in /system/apps (may vary with rom?). There are a couple of options:
Titanium backup is free from market and will permanently remove any apps - you need root and s-off for this. Root explorer can be used for the same - just delete the .apk file.
You can also do it via cmd prompt and adb, look for detailed threads about this in these forums!

OK I now have S-Off on my phone and its also now obviously rooted but I still cannot delete my stock browser. I've tried using Titanium Backup but I can't locate it to delete it, I've also tried Root Explorer but when I try to delete the Browser.apk it comes up with the following message:
Browser.apk cannot be deleted because the file system is read only.
Also I've wiped data and deleted many of the stock HTC apps & widgets but I don't seem to be freeing up much if any space. My Low on Space indicator has been on throughout even though I have got rid of the following:
Footprints,
Footprints Widget,
Friend Stream,
Friend Stream Widget,
Music,
Music Widget,
News and Weather,
Peep,
Photo Widget,
Stocks,
Stocks Widget,
Teeter,
Twitter Widget,
Weather Widget.
Does it actually free up much space un-installing these?
Can anyone please help with these issues?

Root explorer fix
Hi
The reason Root Explorer comes with that error is because the system folder is mounted ass read only (you can't edit anything on it)
Fix:
1. Browse to system/app
2. In the upper right corner there is a mount R/W button, press it
3. Now you can read and write and therefore also delete the browser.apk
4. Remember to mount as R/O when done

It doesn't free up space as they are located in /system and regular apps are installed in /data.

Device is Rooted,Still Cannot Remove Bloatware

My device is rooted.
I've read a few other topics regarding this issue, but I'm still confused. As I understand it, using typical uninstall apps such as Titanium or Root Uninstaller do not remove the manufacturer apps from the phone still because of an S feature? I'm new to this process, so please forgive my naive rhetoric. I tried those programs, and as previously stated in other posts, the bloatware comes back.
I installed AROMA file manager to try and manually find the bloatware and delete the physical files, but I can't find the files that I'm looking to delete. I don't mind taking the time and manually deleting these unnecessary files, but, I need some guidance on where to look (or any other viable solutions.)
Thanks for your time!

Download this patch and edit update-binary file what application need remove then flash via recovery mode .

espmma said:
My device is rooted.
I've read a few other topics regarding this issue, but I'm still confused. As I understand it, using typical uninstall apps such as Titanium or Root Uninstaller do not remove the manufacturer apps from the phone still because of an S feature? I'm new to this process, so please forgive my naive rhetoric. I tried those programs, and as previously stated in other posts, the bloatware comes back.
I installed AROMA file manager to try and manually find the bloatware and delete the physical files, but I can't find the files that I'm looking to delete. I don't mind taking the time and manually deleting these unnecessary files, but, I need some guidance on where to look (or any other viable solutions.)
HTC devices are set "S on" from the manufacture. That means there are certain partitions in the nand storage that you can't access without S off ( boot partition, radio partition). The write permissions to the system partition are also not accessible unless you either obtain S off through the Sunshine app which costs $25 or a another option that is not true S off is a write permission mod called WP.MOD_ko that you flash to your phone and it installs a script and changes your phone's SElinux permissions and enables the system partition write permissions to be able to uninstall system apps or fully use certain root apps like Link2SD that also need the system write permissions at bootup.
1st option " fully" unlocks your phone and all partitions. 2nd option just installs scripts to kind of trick your system partition to allow apps to write to it and you to be able to uninstall system apps. It also changes your SElinux permissions from enforcing to permissive so be aware that's disabling the phone's security system. Not a problem unless you get malware but you should be aware of what any mod does to your phone. They have to do that because the mod can't get the phone to be true S off so this is a workaround for that one partition.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

Okay cool, thank you for breaking that down for me. So, if I use what pham posted, then that would be a script change? But, even if it were a script change I could still fully uninstall the bloatware, with the risk of a potential virus. Is that correct?

espmma said:
Okay cool, thank you for breaking that down for me. So, if I use what pham posted, then that would be a script change? But, even if it were a script change I could still fully uninstall the bloatware, with the risk of a potential virus. Is that correct?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You're welcome. I'm not familiar with what Pham linked you but I'm sure it's similar to the 2nd option I mentioned. The one I was referring to was written for lollipop versions by CaptainTitti I believe is his handle but if you search XDA for our phone WP_MOD.ko that forum should be for kit Kat and a few pages forward is the link to the lollipop version with instructions from CaptainTitti on how to install it. The malware risk is minimal i just wanted to mention it. You have that as well with just rooting and also full S off it's just those 2 leave your SElinux permissions set to enforcing not permissive. Just giving you the info so your informed because no one but us pays for our devices so we should have as much info as possible I believe but good info .
The only one of these I've actually tried is the full S off one with Sunshine so understand and read the whole forum for the other before flashing so you know all the feedback but it does work. Also be aware that the WP_MOD.ko would have to be fully removed and SElinux reenabled to be able to do stock updates and there's not just an " uninstall" box with them. You have to use a root file explorer and remove what was changed and replace with the stock files I believe. Good idea to do a stock Android backup using your custom recovery before flashing any of these, S off excepted as it doesn't mess with doing stock updates. Not knocking the others but these are the things you don't find out about till after you flash them. Now you know before.
Below is the link to the forum page for the kitkat mod and if you scroll down a bit CaptainTiiti had a link to the one for lollipop.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2707378&page=7

Can't you just use Root Browser, then go to system/app & system/priv-app to remove the bloat? That's what I do on my phone everytime I install a new ROM [emoji1]

Stachura5 said:
Can't you just use Root Browser, then go to system/app & system/priv-app to remove the bloat? That's what I do on my phone everytime I install a new ROM [emoji1]
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't know my friend I've never tried that. Maybe he can try it first and see if it works. To be honest I never tried to just remove system apps before i was S off I just read of all the people here on XDA saying they couldn't without S off so I did it. Turns out I switched to debloated CM roms soon after and never even debloated my stock rom, which definitely needed it ! I used Titanium backup to debloat my Samsung tablet after root to get rid of Knox and Samsung junk but it wasn't nand locked like the HTC's are. Can't hurt for him to try it because S off costs and the other mods have their down sides also.

i have completely deleted their bloatware folder, but bloatware will appear if the device boots without root and there is no app folder in user app or system folder but they can run and update normally, maybe it specially designed. Will the above patch zip help me clear the problem completely? i want to clean up the crap, and my device uses system as root so i need to flash modified binary in boot.img separately after signing.