Develop Bugs

[Q] Apps

I know this topic has probably been talked about already, and I am pretty sure I have already read a thread exactly like mine, but the question gets asked and then it goes off in different directions not giving an exact answer.
I have a Galaxy Nexus, brand new as of Saturday Jan 4. As soon as I got it, it got an update, I'm guessing to Android 4.0.2 since that is the version I have. My question has to do with My Verizon Mobile app, the Books app and the Email app. Will disabling these apps screw up anything with the phone, like are they very connected to any other apps or setting with the phone ?
Also, is disable like delete, if not how do I truly delete an app ? And while on topic of getting rid of things i dont use that wont effect the phone/other apps/anything, what other stock apps that come on the phone from the start could I get rid of with no side effects at all ?

Robode said:
My question has to do with My Verizon Mobile app, the Books app and the Email app. Will disabling these apps screw up anything with the phone, like are they very connected to any other apps or setting with the phone ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Those 3 should be able to be disabled with no adverse effects.
Also, is disable like delete, if not how do I truly delete an app ? And while on topic of getting rid of things i dont use that wont effect the phone/other apps/anything, what other stock apps that come on the phone from the start could I get rid of with no side effects at all ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Disable is just like it sounds. It removes the app from menus and stops it from running. In order to fully 100% delete system-level apps, you must be rooted.
There are many different threads/lists of "safe to disable" apps.

Google Play Services - How to delete/remove

OK, so first things first. I am rooted and have attempted repeatedly to remove the Google Play Services apk with no luck. I have used TB to uninstall. freeze, delete. It will delete the file and or remove it but when I reboot its back and it wont go away. I have looked into the my
/data/app
folder and deleted the file from there and then removing it with TB, still whether I reboot or I wait anywhere from minutes to a coupel hours its back and as it doesnt show up under the PLAY store I cant think of any other way to remove the dang thing and its eating about 40mb of internal storage. I move it to SD and it will work for a bit, but then its back to internal storage..... I dont even use Google+ that much on my phone. I use it on my PC.
Any ideas/suggestions?
File in question:
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.google.android.gms&hl=en

ozzmanj1 said:
OK, so first things first. I am rooted and have attempted repeatedly to remove the Google Play Services apk with no luck. I have used TB to uninstall. freeze, delete. It will delete the file and or remove it but when I reboot its back and it wont go away. I have looked into the my
/data/app
folder and deleted the file from there and then removing it with TB, still whether I reboot or I wait anywhere from minutes to a coupel hours its back and as it doesnt show up under the PLAY store I cant think of any other way to remove the dang thing and its eating about 40mb of internal storage. I move it to SD and it will work for a bit, but then its back to internal storage..... I dont even use Google+ that much on my phone. I use it on my PC.
Any ideas/suggestions?
File in question:
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.google.android.gms&hl=en
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It takes only 7.92MB of internal storage for me.
You need to remove the GPlay store to remove it permanently.

Maybe if I rename the play store apk and add a .bak then reboot then remove the dang thing entirely it will be gone.
I looked and I dont know whats different with mine but its eating around 39mb on my phone.

Why would you want to remove it? This app, as far as I can remember I read, gives us "Smart Update" which lets you install and update only the updated portions of apps instead of redownloading the entire app. So... I just moved the app to my system partition using TB, then Integrate it with the ROM everytime it gets updated. Internal memory problem solved.

According to Google Play reviews, you need it for YouTube and possibly other Google services.

narflynn619 said:
This app, as far as I can remember I read, gives us "Smart Update" which lets you install and update only the updated portions of apps instead of redownloading the entire app.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sorry, but this is wrong. Smart Update is a Google Play Store feature and has nothing to do with Google Play Services.
ridder215215 said:
According to Google Play reviews, you need it for YouTube and possibly other Google services.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah true, since newest version.
Google Play Services is something like a replacement for older Google APIs on Android. It allows developers to use a newer version of those APIs (this "newer" version is not better in any way, but new ). Google's idea is to get more independant from hardware manufacturers and their updates. They want this APIs to be no longer part of the system to update them on their own. They started porting their Apps to the new APIs, YouTube is one of the affected apps (what means they did not add any feature but let the app work only on Android systems with Play Services installed).

Im at war with Google now. Will go Windows
Up until today I was quite happy with my ZTE T60. Then suddenly upon waking up this morning it was sluggish, the Internet was unresponsive and became a great disappointment. Then the low memory warnings started, my "market" Icon was switched to "Play Store". So into settings and application management I go. Now I notice two new applications I did not install or was I asked for permissions. One being the play store which is only a MB or so bigger than the old "market" app but now I also have this "Google play services" thats 19MB! My device only has 128M ROM. I don't have room for it and I cant get rid of it. Being that Google took over my device I have decided to boycott all Android devices. I would also like to note the same exact thing was done by Google with my Samsung GT-S5570 Galaxy mini. Whats the point of pushing store software onto devices like this that takes up all of the Rom so one couldn't download anything from the store if they wanted to? Doesn't Google realize this enormous update is not suitable for every android device on-line and why have they mandated it? Sorry Google, I used to love ya but this is the big goodbye.

I am not sure about windows phone OS but I can agree with you. Now Apple and Android are doing the same bad things than Windows for desktop did in the past.
Unfortunately on mobilephones its is even worse because by default you are not root/admintrator.
Iron_Dingo said:
Up until today I was quite happy with my ZTE T60. Then suddenly upon waking up this morning it was sluggish, the Internet was unresponsive and became a great disappointment. Then the low memory warnings started, my "market" Icon was switched to "Play Store". So into settings and application management I go. Now I notice two new applications I did not install or was I asked for permissions. One being the play store which is only a MB or so bigger than the old "market" app but now I also have this "Google play services" thats 19MB! My device only has 128M ROM. I don't have room for it and I cant get rid of it. Being that Google took over my device I have decided to boycott all Android devices. I would also like to note the same exact thing was done by Google with my Samsung GT-S5570 Galaxy mini. Whats the point of pushing store software onto devices like this that takes up all of the Rom so one couldn't download anything from the store if they wanted to? Doesn't Google realize this enormous update is not suitable for every android device on-line and why have they mandated it? Sorry Google, I used to love ya but this is the big goodbye.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

You need it for like all services by google. The google play store will just keep downloading it and putting it on your phone until the end of time. Youd probably have to re engineer the google play and other google apps to not download this app.
Sent from my LT28i using XDA Free mobile app

OS 4.6.1 vs 3.6.8(unlocked GSM 32gig)

Fire OS 4.6.1 on unlocked GSM 32gig Fire Phone
Notable changes,
Finally we have native wallpaper support
Different slightly improved lock screen notifications
Smart dialer
Ability to switch default SMS/MMS and Keyboard apps
New Dev. Options
Ability to force quit and(or) Disable bloatware apps
Widgets seem to be working well
More detailed settings for Low Motion/Dynamic perspective(specifically for lockscreen, homescreen, and maps)
Google maps is now seemingly 100% functional
Ability to toggle switch cellular data(2g,3g,LTE)
Google Play and GAPPs still working well
Also we now have a bluetooth keyboard config. in our settings
New Emoticons
Status bar is semi-transparent and looks really nice despite lack of persistent icon notifications
Addition of print services pack(HP, Canon, Epson)
Updated Sounds and Notifications settings(
Things that sadly remained the same
No status bar notifications
Cannot individually clear calls or messages from carousel
Still not native android
Notifications seem hit and miss as usual
No Graphical updates or graphical setting in stock message or dialer apps
Camera seems to be the same and I'm still having having better luck with the google camera
App drawer functions the same(new options in app info though)
Overall function of the O.S. seems to improve a lot. Smooth scrolling through the carousel, less if not no lag at all on sleep/wake, and just all in all more pleasing to look at.
I updated manually by downloading the .bin and moving it to the home folder and searching for update with wifi/data off, and because of that I am unsure if the new att bloatware apps were part of the update due to my carrier or if they were packaged inside the update bin which was a shocking 1.3gb. Even though I am fairly certain that those apps are my fault in the first place I feel the need to warn that the U.S. att .bin file could have that affect and unlocked users may want to wait for the OTA just to play it safe. There is however a great guide on here explaining the process and linking quite a few files(for those who can't wait).
**This did work for me however if it does not work for you I am not at fault, sideload at your own risk**
Feel free to add what you find I know I missed a few things but since there is no apparent changelog from amazon I figured I'd try to compile a small unofficial changelog of sorts.
Tried Towelroot Its been hung at the towelroot screen with a highlighted "make it rain" button for about ten mins... I'm going to leave it running for a while and see if anything happens but I'm assuming its still a no go.
I've seen issues regarding call audio, google services and a few other things but I personally haven't been able to recreate them and fortunately haven't had them in the first place.

Camera seems faster in taking photos for me. Also there is an auto HDR setting, before it was either on or off.

buhloon said:
Camera seems faster in taking photos for me. Also there is an auto HDR setting, before it was either on or off.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I didnt notice that but in my opinion so far the google cam seems to just take better pictures in general
Sent from my SD4930UR using XDA Premium 4 mobile app

matsnackson said:
I didnt notice that but in my opinion so far the google cam seems to just take better pictures in general
Sent from my SD4930UR using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So, matsnackson do you think that is better to install (sideload) the Google-Camera APP, and used it instead of the default Amazon Camera APP?
Could you please, let us know what differences or improvements do you have noticed, if you use the Google Camara APP instead of the Amazon one?

Notable changes
- Chooseable colors for mail accounts and calendars, but there aren't too much colors to choose to.
Things that sadly remained the same
- Shared Google calendars won't show up in the/any calendar app, that's very very annoying

Still can't connect to my LG g Watch

Android Wear or Google now not working
hungrymr2 said:
Still can't connect to my LG g Watch
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I second your opinion as I have not been able to conect my LG G watch to Fire phone with 4.6.1.
Also sideloding Google play services and play store worked fine for few minutes after which the play services auto updates when I install google search and now from Playstore.
After this any sideloaded google apps start hanging with white screen and circle clock running. Uninstall and install after factory resets also did not help.

ulises.rodriguez said:
So, matsnackson do you think that is better to install (sideload) the Google-Camera APP, and used it instead of the default Amazon Camera APP?
Could you please, let us know what differences or improvements do you have noticed, if you use the Google Camara APP instead of the Amazon one?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
s.raghuveer said:
I second your opinion as I have not been able to conect my LG G watch to Fire phone with 4.6.1.
Also sideloding Google play services and play store worked fine for few minutes after which the play services auto updates when I install google search and now from Playstore.
After this any sideloaded google apps start hanging with white screen and circle clock running. Uninstall and install after factory resets also did not help.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I've been using the stock camera app for a few days and it seems to be better than I first thought but I still prefer the google camera app, but at this point it seems to be my personal preference... I really just feel more comfortable with the google camera app.(long time nexus user)
I have seen quite a few people with the google play issues and I tried removing then reloading google services and google play but i havent had any issues the only advice i can give is to remove and try again making sure to pay close attention to the order you install the packages(there is a specific order, and a few great guides on here)

The LG watch seems to be common issue as well but I don’t have one to test with, I'll look into buying one and see what I can do. Until then the only advice I have is to unpair the watch and your phone and reboot before attemting to repair the two. Good luck and sorry.

s.raghuveer said:
I second your opinion as I have not been able to conect my LG G watch to Fire phone with 4.6.1.
Also sideloding Google play services and play store worked fine for few minutes after which the play services auto updates when I install google search and now from Playstore.
After this any sideloaded google apps start hanging with white screen and circle clock running. Uninstall and install after factory resets also did not help.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'll third this. I feel like Amazon is intentionally crippling Google services, and I've already ordered a replacement phone.
These are services that run fine on what, 99% of Android phones?

tzenrick said:
I'll third this. I feel like Amazon is intentionally crippling Google services, and I've already ordered a replacement phone.
These are services that run fine on what, 99% of Android phones?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Honestly I don't think this is intentionally being done by either side, we run an outdated version of android so naturally were going to see at least a few compatibility issues, have you tried a factory reset and full reload of play services in order? Also be patient with 4.6.1 from everything I've read its not technically official on the unlocked phones yet.
Sent from my SD4930UR using XDA Premium 4 mobile app

Download Notification
Download in Notification bar now shows Pause/Resume & Cancel options.

TansDeva said:
Download in Notification bar now shows Pause/Resume & Cancel options.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't download too much on here so I hadn't even noticed thanks for adding in though
I did want to add in as well that my battery life seems much better than before I actually forgot to charge this for two days and still had 30%( I disabled low motion setting and don't use auto brightness, but none the less that's a great battery life)
Sent from my SD4930UR using XDA Premium 4 mobile app

I'm looking forward to the update. I feel changing your keyboard is a few months late, but I'd be happy to finally have swiftkey back. I'm running an unlocked Fire Phone with 3.6.8. Amazon doesn't even acknowledge a new update on their Fire Phone update page. Perhaps it's in some sort of beta as they harvest data before making it official?
http://www.amazon.com/gp/help/customer/display.html?nodeId=201531560

LilLowEK said:
I'm looking forward to the update. I feel changing your keyboard is a few months late, but I'd be happy to finally have swiftkey back. I'm running an unlocked Fire Phone with 3.6.8. Amazon doesn't even acknowledge a new update on their Fire Phone update page. Perhaps it's in some sort of beta as they harvest data before making it official?
http://www.amazon.com/gp/help/customer/display.html?nodeId=201531560
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That was cleared up in the OTA thread this is unofficial at this point those who have it either got lucky or manually installed it, I personally used the at&t bin file even though I have the unlocked 32gig.
Sent from my SD4930UR using XDA Premium 4 mobile app

Working Widgets?
matsnackson said:
Fire OS 4.6.1 on unlocked GSM 32gig Fire Phone
Notable changes,
...
Widgets seem to be working well
...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Which launcher did you use? I tried it on Nova Launcher and Aviate and it still gives me the same error message as before

Smart Dialer? I don't see it.
matsnackson said:
Fire OS 4.6.1 on unlocked GSM 32gig Fire Phone
Notable changes,
Finally we have native wallpaper support
Different slightly improved lock screen notifications
Smart dialer
.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't see smart dialer. I had one in my MOTO-X.

downloaded the us version of 4.6 and guess what? Andriod wear is back. Now I can finally put my lg watch to use.

Guys,
I got my Fire Phone unlocked updated to new 4.6.1 but after the update I am unable to see the Maps icon. I am currently in Australia but the phone is an unlocked US version. Do I reset or is it something Amazon has done?

Google+ Contacts - Keep Contacts up to Date in Google+ settings Missing?

I am on the latest 7.1.2 Verizon build and I noticed when I did a factory reset that in Google+ settings, I no longer have the option under settings to keep the contacts up to date. This option would always keep my user profile picture under the phone settings to stay updated instead of a blank photo. Anybody else seeing this?

Yes, thank you! I thought I was going nuts lol
I just got a OnePlus 3t (my N5x put itself in reboot purgatory) and while trying to set it up, I couldn't find this option for the LIFE of me.
Any idea on how we can get this functionality back?
I really liked how it synced with my G+ profile pic and I never had to worry about it...

danger355 said:
Yes, thank you! I thought I was going nuts lol
I just got a OnePlus 3t (my N5x put itself in reboot purgatory) and while trying to set it up, I couldn't find this option for the LIFE of me.
Any idea on how we can get this functionality back?
I really liked how it synced with my G+ profile pic and I never had to worry about it...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah i just upgraded to 7.1.2 on my Verizon Pixel XL and just noticed this. Not sure why this was removed or if it is just located somewhere else. Would really love it back though.

thafngame24 said:
Yeah i just upgraded to 7.1.2 on my Verizon Pixel XL and just noticed this. Not sure why this was removed or if it is just located somewhere else. Would really love it back though.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Google removed it a couple weeks ago. You have to load your own image under quick settings account now. As for tracking contacts where abouts you can do it through maps. But the person you tracking needs to set up who they share location with

thesplitter said:
I have resolved by downloading and installing the 9.5 version, you can then enable that option and let the app update
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This fixed worked 100% for me. While it's a bit annoying way to get back functionality, there's really not much to it.
I also tested it by letting the app update from the Play Store, then changing my profile pic in g+ and it updated in android. Win!
Google+ 9.5.x APKMirror Link

danger355 said:
This fixed worked 100% for me. While it's a bit annoying way to get back functionality, there's really not much to it.
I also tested it by letting the app update from the Play Store, then changing my profile pic in g+ and it updated in android. Win!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
On Marshmallow (6.0.1), I was getting "App not Installed" errors when I tried to install the old APK over the new one; had to revert the G+ app to stock (Settings > Apps > Google + - tap top right, then "Uninstall Updates") first to get the older APK to install.

danger355 said:
This fixed worked 100% for me. While it's a bit annoying way to get back functionality, there's really not much to it.
I also tested it by letting the app update from the Play Store, then changing my profile pic in g+ and it updated in android. Win!
Google+ 9.5.x APKMirror Link
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
+1 to you!
This helped me fix the problem

I tried this with Sony XZ Premium but no luck.
Installing the old app works and i get the profile picture however when I update to latest app it disappears again.
Any ideas?

ali_bobo said:
I tried this with Sony XZ Premium but no luck.
Installing the old app works and i get the profile picture however when I update to latest app it disappears again.
Any ideas?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have the same problem on my Pixel XL running 7.1.2 (NJH47B).
The fix is fine at first, but stops working when I update Google+ to the latest version again.
Funnily enough, this doesn't affect my older devices running Android 6.x and below - my profile picture stays ok regardless of Google+ version.
Help, anybody?

Any luck for anyone?
Sent from my Pixel using Tapatalk

Anything new ?
I've tried downgrading but as soon as the app is updated the pic disappears, I'm on a Nexus 6P 7.1.2.
The same thing happen on the beta version of Android O.

Still don't have Google Assistant

I'm running on the latest firmware and I also received the April Security patch update. But I still don't have Google Asistant. Long pressing the home button opens the Marshmallow style Now on tap interface, and the Ok Google voice activation opens up traditional voice search. Any ideas how to activate Google Assistant without unlocking the bootloader.

rondias18 said:
I'm running on the latest firmware and I also received the April Security patch update. But I still don't have Google Asistant. Long pressing the home button opens the Marshmallow style Now on tap interface, and the Ok Google voice activation opens up traditional voice search. Any ideas how to activate Google Assistant without unlocking the bootloader.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Here you go :fingers-crossed:
http://bfy.tw/Bzuv

quite strange.
Everyone one had received check if all google apps or inbuilt apps are updated in Play store.

jatinkhatri said:
Here you go :fingers-crossed:
http://bfy.tw/Bzuv
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Omg thanks for the suggestion! Didn't work though. Next useless suggestion please. And also stop assuming that people haven't tried googling stuff before posting here.
I googled, searched xda for similar posts before asking here. So kindly stick to useful and helpful advise.

Yash24 said:
quite strange.
Everyone one had received check if all google apps or inbuilt apps are updated in Play store.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Tried that too, sideloaded the latest beta's for google Play services and Google app as well even though I'm on enrolled on the beta program for all those apps in the Play Store. I have phones running 6.0.0 having Assistant!

rondias18 said:
Tried that too, sideloaded the latest beta's for google Play services and Google app as well even though I'm on enrolled on the beta program for all those apps in the Play Store. I have phones running 6.0.0 having Assistant!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So hard reset is your last option.

Yash24 said:
So hard reset is your last option.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's actually not a bad option. Quick question: Does it wipe the internal storage too? I haven't factory reset my phone except via TWRP

rondias18 said:
That's actually not a bad option. Quick question: Does it wipe the internal storage too? I haven't factory reset my phone except via TWRP
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yea of course!