Avoid task killers
It is best to avoid task killers such as Advanced Task Killer. Android is designed to automatically pre-load certain applications, even if you don't load them yourself. If it starts to run low on memory, it will smartly unload the oldest running apps automatically.
Manually killing tasks will only mean they get loaded in memory again. Task killers can make the phone slow, laggy, or drain battery life more quickly.
Bookmark a contact on your homescreen
To bookmark a contact on your homescreen, long press on the home screen background and select Shortcuts. Then select Direct dial.
If you call someone regularly this can be useful as you will have a shortcut to them handily placed on your homescreen
Bookmark a web page on your homescreen
To bookmark a website on your homescreen, go into your browser and find the bookmark of the page you want to create a shortcut for.
Then long press on the bookmark and select Add Shortcut to Home.
If you regularly visit certain websites, this can be handy as you will have a shortcut to the site on your homescreen.
Create folders to tidy your Apps
If you find yourself with too many Apps on the homescreen, then you can create folders to organise them.
To start, simply press and hold on an App and drag it over the top of another App. The App should change colour/shape. Then release your finger and the two Apps will be combined into a folder.
You can then drag more Apps into this folder using the same process.
To give your folder a label, simply long press on the folder and you will be able to enter a name.
Double tap for a full stop (period)
While typing emails or notes, you can simply tap the space key twice and the phone will insert a full stop / period
Install new keyboard to improve accuracy
The standard Android keyboard is good, but not great. There are many third party keyboards available which will improve your typing speed and accuracy.
Go to the Android Market and search for 'Keyboard' to see some great alternatives, many of which are more accurate and make typing much easier.
A good one is GoKeyboard.
If you see a warning saying the keyboard will collect all information (including credit cards) just ignore this. This is just a security feature that Android shows for every third-party keyboard that you install.
Accents and special characters
If you want to type non-English letters (eg those with an accent), long-press on the relevant letter. A list of options will appear for you to select.
Access the scientific calculator
To access the scientific calculator, rotate the phone to landscape mode.
The calculator will change to a scientific one
Add email or phone number from text
To add an email or phone number to your contacts from a text message, you can long-press on the email / phone number. Then select Add to contacts
Add widget to the homescreen
To add a widget, go to the homescreen and press the Apps icon (the circle with 6 dots). Then you will see a list of your Apps with the word Apps and Widgets at the top. Press Widgets, then you will be presented with a list of available widgets.
To add a widget, press and hold on it and then position it where you want
Android Easter egg
There is an Easter egg hidden in the Android operating system. To see it, go to your Homescreen, then press Menu - Settings - About phone.
Then tap on the Android version option 5 times and you will get a surprise.
Sometimes it doesn't work, so try a couple of times. By the way don't expect to see an actual Easter Egg. That is just the name given to things hidden inside software or operating systems.
Auto focus the camera
When taking photos or videos, tap the screen where you want to focus on. The phone will automatically adjust the settings to improve the image or video
Bring up more predicted words
If you have word prediction enabled while you are typing, you can long press the middle word that is suggested. This will bring up a menu allowing you to select various other suggested words.
Browse websites in full-screen mode
If you want to browse in full screen mode, without the URL bar at the top of the browser, then you can enable this..
Open the standard browser and press Menu - Settings - Labs. Then put a check mark under Full Screen .
To get access to the browser options (that are now invisible), there is now a neat hidden menu. Slide your finger in from the left or right of the screen. A circular menu will appear with various options.
Capture a still shot while recording video
To capture a still shot while recording a video, simply tap the screen while you are recording.
This will save a still image.
Change keyboards
To change keyboards (if you have additional keyboards installed), you can switch between them by pressing the small keyboard symbol in the top left of your screen. You will need to be in keyboard input mode (i.e. typing something) for this to work.
Note: you need to have more than one keyboard installed for this to work
Change quick response texts
The phone has the ability to send quick response text messages if your phone is ringing but you can't answer it.
To change these, go to your Dialer App - Settings - Quick responses. You can only have 4 of them and you may need to edit existing ones.
Change the backlight screen timeout
To change the backlight screen timeout, go to Settings - Display - Screen. Then choose the screen time out duration.
You can also tell the phone screen to always stay lit when it is plugged in via USB. Go to Settings - Developer Options. Then check Stay Awake.
Change the screen brightness
To change the screen brightness, start from the Homescreen and press Menu - Settings - Display - Brightness.
Then choose the desired brightness setting. You can also select Automatic brightness to let the phone decide for you.
If you have auto-brightness enabled, you can also press, hold and slide the top notification bar left and right. The brightness will increase and decrease accordingly.
Check phone status and battery usage
To find out information about Signal Strength, Network Information, Remaining Battery Time and Battery Usage (by Application), go to your Homescreen - Menu - Settings - About Phone.
Check the firmware version
To check your firmware version, start from the Homescreen and press Menu - Settings - About Phone- software version
This should list your Android version, Build number and Model Number.
Copy files between your phone and PC using WiFi
To copy files between your phone and PC, go to the Android Play Market and download an app called AirDroid.
This is an extremely useful App that connects your phone to your PC wirelessly, allowing you to move files and many, many other things.
Copying iTunes songs to Android
If you have decided to ditch your iPhone in favour of Android, then there is a simple way to take your iTunes music, playlists and album art with you.
Simply go the Android Marketplace and download a Free App called Easy Phone Tunes. You will also need the computer version of the software, so go to http://easyphonetunes.com and download it from there.
Then, when that is done, turn your phone into a USB storage device (this will vary from device to device, but instructions are on the website).
Once your phone is connected to your computer, open the computer version of the software and select your device from the Easy Phone Tunes list. Then follow the instructions to Sync your media
Create folders in your Quick Launch bar
If you have used up all of your Quick Launch spaces, then there is a trick.
Once it is full, press and drag an App from the homescreen and move it over the top of an App in the Quick Launch area. Then release your finger. This will create a folder containing the original App plus the new one. This is a great way to have access to regularly used App
Create shortcut to websites on your home screen
To create a shortcut to a website on your homescreen, go to your browser bookmarks.
Then long press on a site and select Add shortcut to Home
Customise your favourites tray
At the bottom of each homescreen is your favourites tray, which consists of 5 icons. You can customise it by adding icons to the tray. If it's full however, you will first need to remove some.
To remove an icon, simply press and hold an icon. Then drag it to your desktop.
Then to add a new one, simply drag an icon from your homescreen to the favourites tray.
Enable / disable vibrate / haptic feedback when you type
To disable / enable vibrate (also called haptic feedback) when you type or press the screen, go to Settings - Language & input - Settings.
Then uncheck Vibrate on keypress.
Enable sideload of Apps
If you want to install Apps outside of the Android Market (called sideloading), then go to Settings - Security - Unknown sources.
Note: use at your own risk.
Help, I have forgotten my unlock pattern
If you have forgotten your custom unlock pattern, then don't panic.
After 5 unsuccessful tries a button should appear saying 'Forgot pattern'. Press this and you will be asked to enter your Gmail username/password.
The phone will then ask for a new unlock pattern. If you don't have a Gmail account, then you might have to either call your carrier or factory reset your phone.
Hide folders or files
If you want to hide folders or files from being index or displayed, simple put a . (full stop / period) before the file or folder name.
Make volume / music louder
WARNING: Making your volume or music louder can damage your hearing.
Most phones have their volumes limited by local laws to protect our hearing. There is a way to boost your volume however. Go to the Android Market and download an App called Volume+ (Sound Boost). There is also a free version called Volume+ Free.
You will need to root your phone for this App to work.
Make your phone run faster
Here are the top 5 tips to make your phone run faster:
1) Use only essential widgets on your homescreen - each widget consumes memory and processing power which can slow your down your phone.
2) Uninstall apps that you don't use - after awhile your phone can get cluttered as some Apps are designed to always run in the background. If you rarely use an App, then uninstall it to free up memory and CPU resource.
3) Install Apps to your phone memory - if you have an SDCard, always install Apps to the phone memory, which can be accessed faster. If you have Apps on the SDCard, then move them back to the phone memory with an App called Move2SD available from the Play Market.
4) Use Static rather than Live wallpapers - Live wallpapers consume processing power and memory. Unless you really must have them, uninstall them.
5) Kill tasks occasionally - Some Apps will run in the background indefinitely unless you kill them. Most of them won't cause a problem, but it pays to check your running tasks from time to time. Hold down your Home key and check the Task Manager.
One last thing: Don't use Task Killers. Android manages tasks very well and Task Killers just make your phone unstable and can slow it down further
note this guide is mainy to help the people who didnt recieved a manual instructions booklet along with their phone like my country(INDIA)
CREDITS-paarthdesai
help
please help....my wildfire s restarts itself when i get calls,but its ok to when i charge it...it fell in the water. Is there a way to sort this out.
thnx bhai.. can u suggest me some essential apps for android??
I should add something about using task managers. Using task manager is a good thing to free up some ram quickly if required. Some good task managers like ''advanced task manager'' has a feature of ''ignore list'' in which such apps which automatically start or always run in background can be put to exception from getting killed. Indeed, restarting apps consume battery and CPU resources but I am mentioning some tricks for those who want to use task manager and also want better performing phone.
1-Use good task manager which has ''ignore apps'' type feature in it.
2- Utilizing this feature, add ''People'', ''Contacts'', ''Messaging'', ''Settings'', ''Music'' and all other apps which are set to ''auto start'' or always running in background (antivirus, facebook, Whatsapp, Google+, Google maps etc) to exception. In this way, these will not get killed and won't slow down phone while getting restarted.
is this really tips and tricks for wildfire s ?
'coz i cant rename a folder, either deleting an app from recent history
PART 2 of 2 - SYSTEM OPTIMIZATION, TWEAKS, RECOVERY, FACTORY IMAGES, TIPS
Picture for stock lock screen:
./sdcard0/lock/user-photo/user_photo.jpg
./sdcard0/lock/user-photo/user_photo_thumbnail.jpg
Replaced the original JPGs with a black 1x1 px JPG.
Change / Replace Lock Screen:
I used "Next Lock Screen" (NLS) as a replacement, not my favorite but it's a suitable example.
After installation, make sure to give notification access to the new lock screen. In the NLS settings, choose 'compact' or 'hide' as status bar mode. Doing this will prevent problems showing the quick access panel from NLS.
{
"lightbox_close": "Close",
"lightbox_next": "Next",
"lightbox_previous": "Previous",
"lightbox_error": "The requested content cannot be loaded. Please try again later.",
"lightbox_start_slideshow": "Start slideshow",
"lightbox_stop_slideshow": "Stop slideshow",
"lightbox_full_screen": "Full screen",
"lightbox_thumbnails": "Thumbnails",
"lightbox_download": "Download",
"lightbox_share": "Share",
"lightbox_zoom": "Zoom",
"lightbox_new_window": "New window",
"lightbox_toggle_sidebar": "Toggle sidebar"
}
Stock Ringtones, Alarms, Notifications, UI Sounds, Boot Animation:
./system/media/audio
I deleted most of the files in the subfolders, since I don't need / like them.
./system/media/fremedia
Contains 4 videos (01s.mp4, 02s.mp4, 03s.mp4, 04s.mp4). 20 MB of useless data = deleted.
They are used for the Fire "tutorial" that you can choose to watch when you first boot up a "factory fresh" phone.
./system/media
boot.wav & bootanimation.zip = default boot logo & audio, deleted, who cares.
Textures (for the atrocious "dynamic perspective"):
./system/euclid/vbls/home_icons/...
and folders like "home_icons-de", "home_icons-es", etc. depending on your OS version
The textures folder in the above mentioned folder(s) can be removed if you don't use "dynamic perspective".
Text to Speech:
./system/tts/ivona
One folder for each language, e. g. "deu.deu.marlene_1418201400000", "eng.usa.nina_1418201400000".
The two folders above have over 340 MB(!) of data. Folders can be deleted if you don't use TTS.
./system/tts/lang_pico
The bin files inside this folder can also be deleted if you don't need TTS.
Factory Data Reset Whitelist - "protects" the following folders & files:
/data/app
/data/dalvik-cache
/data/resource-cache
/data/app-res
/data/app-lib
/data/system/packages.list
/data/system/packages.xml
/data/media/0/Android/data/com.amazon.kindle/files/dictionaries
/data/securedStorageLocation/com.amazon.providers.contentsupport/tts/ivona
/data/system/uiderrors.txt
/data/system/dropbox
Just to show you which parts exactly get spared when FR is executed.
Delete Fonts:
./system/sqfs/container.sqfs
Stored in a compressed sqfs container (read only), because including 160 Fonts was a good idea. -.-
The fonts folder weighs over 180 MB, compressed into a container it's still 109 MB.
Replacing the XMLs ➜ clicked on settings ➜ FC, third party apps still work (e.g. root explorer) ➜
Replacing the container.sqfs ➜ clicked on settings ➜ everything ok ➜ restart phone ➜ everything ok ➜ power off phone ➜ boot up phone ➜ stuck in boot ➜ black screen ➜
Copied the fonts from the container to a temp directory ➜ deleted the container.sqfs file ➜ created a real folder namend "fonts" in ./system ➜ moved the fonts back into the real fonts folder ➜ survives restart & complete power off
I deleted the CN and JP fonts, font configuration list:
DELETE:
STKai
STYuanMedium
TBGothic_213
TBMincho_213
TsukuMinPr5
MYingHeiSMedium
STBShusong
STYuanMedium
MTChineseSurrogates
MHeiM-Big5HKSCS_E
Code2000
DroidNaskh
DroidSansEthiopic
DroidSansHebrew
NotoSansThai
NotoSansThaiUI
DroidSansArmenian
DroidSansGeorgian
NotoSansDevanagari
NotoSansTamil
NotoSansMalayalam
NotoSansBengali
NotoSansTelugu
NotoSansKannada
NotoSansKhmer
NotoSansLao
NanumGothic
Padauk-book
NotoSansSymbols
AndroidEmoji
NotoColorEmoji
MTLmr3m
KEEP:
Roboto
DroidSerif
DroidSans
DroidSansFallback
Helvetica
LucidaSans
Baskerville
Palatino
Verdana
Georgia
Amazon DCP Menu / OTA Dashboard:
I will just link the post from rbeavers since it explains it perfectly.
Final Steps:
Used SD Maid Pro to clean up unused Libs, obsolete & orphaned files (e. g. Epson & Canon Printer Libs, etc.) won another ~ 50 MB of system space.
I made an exception for:
./data/data/vitals.db
./data/data/vitals.db-wal
You can delete them when SD Maid offers to, but they will be generated again by the system.
Using Greenify depends on the selection of your apps, some people will profit more from using it than others.
Stock Apps (pre-installed) / Updated Apps:
3 archives. One with all system apps, the other with all priv-apps and the third with all updated apps as of 2015-06-21.
Download - System Apps Archive
Download - Priv-Apps Archive
Download - Updated Apps
Recovery / Sideload Factory Images:
If your OS is messed up "beyond repair", try re-installing it.
All images are multi language (English, Spanish, French, Italian, German, regarding the UI & keyboard, some TTS languages need to be downloaded if the user wants to have proper support), so you could use the US version for an EU user / phone.
You might run into problems using certain WiFi channels (e. g. CH 13) because of the WiFi country codes. Advanced users know how to handle / fix that, ofc. The US image is the so called "GSM unlocked" version, suitable for most users.
1.a Download the *.bin file (FireOS 4.6.1):
——————————————————
US - Amazon Server DDL
US - Mega.nz Mirror
——————————————————
UK - Amazon Server DDL
UK - Mega.nz Mirror
——————————————————
GER - Amazon Server DDL
GER - Mega.nz Mirror
1.b or download the *.bin file (FireOS 4.6.3):
——————————————————
US - Amazon Server DDL
——————————————————
UK - Amazon Server DDL
——————————————————
GER - Amazon Server DDL
2. Connect device to PC & boot in recovery: PWR + VOL. UP (hold both buttons until recovery screen appears)
From the list, choose "Apply update from ADB"
3. adb sideload 'name_of_your_bin_file'
I recommend renaming the the downloaded file to "update.bin" so you can just type in cmd: adb sideload update.bin
4. If you have trouble getting your device recognised after entering recovery / ADB sideloading mode:
If you boot up your phone in recovery mode / ADB mode, you will need additional ADB device drivers for your Windows system.
The regular (Amazon / Kindle) USB driver that is used when you connect your phone to the PC won't work, it's simply not the same method.
That's why your phone "disappears" as soon as you (re)boot into recovery / ADB sideload mode.
Open your "device manager" (assuming, you're using Windows as your main OS) and check for your device with missing drivers.
Try this tool (& driver) http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2588979
You can even use (old) "Google USB drivers", I successfully tested google drivers from 2010 on Win 7 x64 with this phone in ADB mode.
If everything worked as planned, it should look like this: next to your device name, it will say "sideload"
PART 1 of 2 - APP LIST
This thread was created before ggow introduced Safestrap and custom ROMs to the Fire Phone.
No pre-installed app stores / markets. Only 'Phone', 'Messaging', 'Camera', 'Contacts', 'Settings' remain untouched.
The following list represents a highly modified configuration of the OS to my liking.
Please DON'T APPLY THESE SETTINGS BLINDLY to your device.
Tested OS versions: [ROOTED] US "GSM unlocked" 4.6.1 (461013820) & 4.6.3 (463001620)
If an Android L based version gets released, it will be a discussed in a separate thread.
ACTIVE APPS:
./system/app/
Amazon Clipboard Provider (com.amazon.clipboard.provider.apk) - Mandatory Framework for copy & paste
Bluetooth Ext(BluetoothExt.apk) - Mandatory for BT use
Bluetooth Share (Bluetooth.apk) - see ▲
Certificate Installer (CertInstaller.apk) - WiFi Certificate installer, mandatory
Documents (DocumentsUI.apk) - Simple document interface, e.g. used for BT file browsing, certificate import, etc.
Download Manager (DownloadProvider.apk) - Mandatory for general download function
Fast Dormancy (fastdormancy.apk) - GSM / mobile data feature, switches to idle state faster IF your carrier supports it
Key Chain (KeyChain.apk) - Mandatory password keeper
Media Storage (MediaProvider.apk) - Provides local & web media access & handling, e.g. ringtones, notification sounds, etc. through the menu on your phone
Pac Processor (PacProcessor.apk) - Mandatory proxy (script) parser
Package Installer (PackageInstaller.apk) - Mandatory app installer (non-market apps as well)
Phone / Messaging Storage (TelephonyProvider.apk) - Mandatory for phone calls
Qualcomm Timeservice (TimeService.apk) - Qualcomm hardware "time-keeper"
Settings (AmazonSettings.apk) - The big, main settings app
Unified Settings Provider (UnifiedSettingsProvider.apk) - Mandatory for a variety of settings
./system/priv-app/
Camera (Camera.apk) - self-explanatory
Clock (com.android.deskclock.apk) - the default clock incl. widgets
Contacts (com.android.contacts.apk) - self-explanatory
Contacts Storage (com.android.providers.contacts.apk) - needed by ▲
External Storage (ExternalStorageProvider.apk) - External storage handler
Fused Location (FusedLocation.apk) - Balances battery and combines GPS, Wifi, cell tower data into one module that determines the location
Keyguard (Keyguard.apk) - Mandatory for (any) lock screen
Location Services (com.qualcomm.location.apk) - self-explanatory
Location Services (com.qualcomm.services.location.apk) - self-explanatory
Messaging (com.amazon.scrod.apk) - Amazon messaging app
Modem Settings (ModemSettings.apk) - Contains signatures for carriers and (net)unlocked devices
Package Access Helper (DefaultContainerService.apk) - Mandatory android app container (needed for installs)
Phone (com.amazon.uhura.apk) - Amazon phone app
Phone (TeleService.apk) - Part of phone functionality, mandatory
Proxy Handler (ProxyHandler.apk) - Android HTTP proxy support
Settings Storage (SettingsProvider.apk) - Android settings backend, mandatory
Shell (Shell.apk) - Launched by "adb shell", mandatory for all terminal users
System UI (SystemUI.apk) - System UI (theming), related to framework-res, mandatory
VPN Dialogs (VpnDialogs.apk) - Part of android VPN system
DEACTIVATED APPS:
./system/app/
Amazon Settings Permissions (AmazonSettingsPermissions.apk) - DCP related (DeviceSoftwareOTA.apk) and permissions for a dozen other apps
Gesture Service (KinesisGestureService.apk) - For motion gestures, it's not used for the Amazon swipe gestures, however: pressing the home button to minimize an app worked better with this one remaining on the system. If removed, minimizing through home button only worked after long pressing it once first
Qualcomm Interface Permissions (InterfacePermissions.apk) - Permission to read / write external storage & read phone state
Qualcomm QMI Permissions (QComQMIPermissions.apk) - Qualcomm Mobile Station Modem Interface
./system/priv-app/
Amazon DP Logger (com.amazon.dp.logger.apk)
Client Metrics API (MetricsApi-2053110.apk)
DCP Contracts Framework (DeviceClientPlatformContractsFramework.apk)
Whenever I removed one of those 3 apps, the phone was heating up after reboot, basically running unthrottled, massive battery drain by the minute, FC on most stock apps (e. g. contacts, messages, phone).
I "triple checked", wiped cache, tested them one by one, removed and restored them multiple times. I was able to reproduce the above mentioned problem every time, that's why they remain on the device (deactivated).
DELETED APPS:
./system/app/
Amazon Enterprise Controls (DeviceControlService.apk) - Can access WiFi, Bluetooth & Touch Screen, permission to clear app user data, write secure settings
Content Adaptive Backlight Settings (CABLService.apk) - Auto brightness, color over saturation, can be removed, standard auto brightness control is still available after that
Downloads UI (DownloadProviderUi.apk) - Let's you see / "manage" all the downloads, not mandatory for downloading files through browsers and apps
Emergency Alerts (CellBroadcastReceiver.apk) - Receive government alerts (threat levels, amber alerts)
Factory Data Reset Whitelist Manager (fdrw.apk) - Useful to keep if you want to use your own whitelist, see paragraph below: "Factory Data Reset Whitelist - "protects" the following folders & files"
Home Screen Tips (Protips.apk) - self-explanatory
Keyboard (com.nuance.swype.input.apk) - replace it with your favorite keyboard
Kinesis Policy Service (KinesisPolicyService.apk) - Amazon Kinesis is a fully managed service for real-time processing of streaming data at massive scale = usage tracking, corporate junk
Lock Screen (LockScreen.apk) - Only delete this if you installed an alternate lock screen
Lock Screen Previewer (LockScreenPreviewer.apk) - Only delete this if you installed an alternate lock screen
Lock Screen Settings (LockScreenSettings.apk) - Only delete this if you installed an alternate lock screen
Lock Screen Settings Previewer (LockScreenSettingsPreviewer.apk) - Only delete this if you installed an alternate lock screen
NFC Service (NfcNci.apk) - self-explanatory
Notifications App List (com.amazon.lock.notification_app_list.apk) - Allows to configure banner, sound & vibration notifications from installed apps on top of the screen and on the lock screen. Can be found in main settings under "Sounds & Notifications" ➜ "Manage notifications"
OTA Verifier (otaverifier.apk) - self-explanatory, access to cache filesystem
Print Spooler (PrintSpooler.apk) - self-explanatory, mandatory for printing
Provision (Provision.apk) - Runs once on first boot, that's all
Shipmode (shipmode.apk) - Discharges the battery if it's higher than 70%, useful before shipping the device (lithium battery safety) and for long term storage
SIM Toolkit (Stk.apk) - The annoying sms "news" you could request from your provider in the 90s = garbage
SMS Push (WAPPushManager.apk) - Tethering connectivity, in combination with Qualcomms "WiFi Direct Service" (WfdService.apk)
Sound Recorder (SoundRecorder.apk) - System standard sound / voice recording, if you don't use voice controlled services = delete
Storage Manager (AmazonStorageManager.apk) - Removed it, explorer & nandroid still work, it's showing you the usage of your internal storage in the main settings menu, how much data is used by pictures, music, video, etc. and can offer to free up space. Apps like 'SD Maid Pro' are more efficient and far superior
Switch Virtual Interface Settings (SVIService.apk) - Qualcomms VLAN (supports bridging configurations and routing protocol) in combination with "WiFi Direct Service" (WfdService.apk)
User Dictionary (UserDictionaryProvider.apk) - self-explanatory, dictionary for pre-installed keyboard
WanPeek (Wanpeek_214000-release.apk) - It's for debugging the LTE modem connections, according to kschang
White Listed URL Provider (WhiteListedUrlProvider.apk) - self-explanatory, contains these URLs
WiFi Direct Service (WfdService.apk) - Enabling multiple devices to connect with each other without requiring a wireless access point
./system/priv-app/
Amazon App Store (com.amazon.venezia.apk) - self-explanatory, best app market in ze world. not
Amazon Backup and Restore (DeviceBackupAndRestoreInternalSDK-release.apk) - dfeldt91: After removing, access to 3 apps only: Texting, Contacts & Phone. Everything else will disappear. QuickSwitch stopped working. Custom Launcher is mandatory
Amazon Backup and Restore (DeviceBackupAndRestore-release.apk) - The Amazon backup solution, better leave your OS untouched if you plan on using this
Amazon Communication Discovery (com.amazon.communication.discovery.apk) - Use & manage accounts, DCP related, see (DeviceSoftwareOTA.apk) & (DeviceSoftwareOTAContracts.apk)
Amazon Communication Services (com.amazon.tcomm.apk) - Internal communication service mainly used by the DCP apps
Amazon Communication Services Client Library (com.amazon.communication.apk) - Lib. for ▲
Amazon DCP (DeviceSoftwareOTA.apk) - Handles updates autonomously, mandatory if you want to use the Amazon "ecosystem" with all its content
Amazon DCP Contracts (DeviceSoftwareOTAContracts.apk) - Lib. for ▲
Amazon Device Messaging (DeviceMessagingAndroid.apk) - Uses c2d messaging, can check & queue pending OTA updates, uses DCP
Amazon Device Messaging (DeviceMessagingAndroidInternalSDK.apk) - Lib. for ▲
Amazon Device Messaging (DeviceMessagingAndroidSDK.apk) - SDK Lib. for ▲
Amazon Device Settings (RemoteSettingsAndroid.apk) - Messaging as in DCP related communication, handle data migration
Amazon Device Settings (RemoteSettingsInternalSDK.apk) - SDK Lib. for ▲
Amazon Facebook Share (com.amazon.unifiedsharefacebook.apk) - self-explanatory
Amazon Instant Video (com.amazon.avod.apk) - self-explanatory
Amazon Jackson19 (amazon.jackson-19.apk) - Part of the "Shop Amazon" app (com.amazon.mShop.android.apk)
Amazon Kindle (com.amazon.kindle.apk) - self-explanatory
Amazon Maps API V2 (MapsAPISupportLibrary-release-signed.apk) - self-explanatory
Amazon Maps Platform Services V2 (MapsAPIClientServices-release-signed.apk) - self-explanatory
Amazon Metrics Service (MetricsService-2088210.apk) - Collect & upload metrics, DCP related
Amazon Platform (AmazonPlatform-release.apk) - Collect metrics, manage & auth. accounts, DCP related
Amazon PS (PrinterSetup-release.apk) - Want to print? Don't delete this
Amazon Retail Demo (com.amazon.kor.demo.apk) - used by the Quick Start app
Amazon Twitter Share (com.amazon.unifiedsharetwitter.apk) - self-explanatory
Amazon WebView (AmazonKKWebViewLib.apk) - DCP & Amazon Retail Demo related
Amazon Whispersync DX(com.amazon.device.sync.apk) - Synchronizes collections across Amazon devices and (kindle) reading apps so they’re available on all of your devices
Amazon Whispersync SDK (com.amazon.device.sync.sdk.internal.apk) - SDK Lib. for ▲
App Compatibility Settings (com.amazon.lastmile.appsettings.apk) - Can only read phone state, read / write ext. storage
Application Compatibility Enforcer (FireApplicationCompatibilityEnforcer.apk) - DCP related, read settings & check for pending updates
Application Compatibility Enforcer (FireApplicationCompatibilityEnforcerSDK.apk) - SDK Lib. for ▲
Audible (com.audible.application.kindle.apk) - self-explanatory
Audible Store (com.audible.application.store.apk) - self-explanatory
Backup Confirmation (BackupRestoreConfirmation.apk) - Restores (synced) settings.
Bookstore (com.amazon.webapp.apk) - self-explanatory
Calculator (com.amazon.calculator.apk) - replace it with your favorite calculator
Calendar (com.android.calendar.apk) - replace it with your favorite calendar
Calendar Storage (com.android.providers.calendar.apk) - needed by ▲
Canon Print Service (CanonPrintService_Kindle.apk) - self-explanatory
Canon Print Service (CanonPrintService-KitKat.apk) - self-explanatory
Contact Sync Adapter (com.amazon.dp.contacts.apk) - You want to keep this. I transfer & sync my contacts differently
Content Library (com.amazon.kindle.contentlibrary.apk) - DCP & CMS related
Content Management Service (com.amazon.kindle.cms-service.apk) - CMS that can SQL DB search for any content (apps, books, music, etc.)
Content Support Manager (ContentSupportProvider.apk) - Can access the download manager, content DL in background
Context Client Library (PinochleClientLibrary-signed-release.apk) - Can collect metrics, no idea what it actually does
Crash Manager (CrashManager-2080810.apk) - self-explanatory
Digital Asset Ownership Android Client (com.amazon.digital.asset.ownership.app.apk) - DCP related
Docs (com.amazon.zico.apk) - Just use documents with your favorite office app, delete this one
Dynamic Updation Service (com.amazon.dynamicupdationservice.apk) - DCP related, so only important if DCP apps are still used
Email (com.android.email.apk) - replace it with your favorite email client
Enterprise Identity Service (com.amazon.kindle.identityservice.apk) - Another authenticator app, DCP related
Epson Print Enabler (EpsonPrintServicePlugin_1_0_0.apk) - self-explanatory
Epson Print Plugin (EpsonPrintPlugin_BuildIn_1_0_5.apk) - self-explanatory
Facebook Sync Adapter (com.amazon.dp.fbcontacts.apk) - self-explanatory
Family Library (com.amazon.household.sharing.settings.duke.apk) - self-explanatory
Fire Input Devices (com.amazon.fireinputdevices.apk) - Contains keyboard layouts, this can be deleted if a custom keyboard is installed
Fire Tutorial (com.amazon.kcp.tutorial.apk) - Kindle tutorial, useless
Firefly (FireflyAppFireOS-release.apk) - Product identification / Amazon marketing reseach tool ^^
Firefly Identifies (FireflyIdentifiesSDK-release.apk) - part of ▲
Games (com.amazon.ags.app.apk) - self-explanatory
Geo Service (com.amazon.geo.service.apk) - Used for navigation with GPS
H2Client Service (com.amazon.alta.h2clientservice.apk) - Database engine used by Amazon for storing, uhm, stuff
Help (com.amazon.csapp.apk) - self-explanatory
Home Right Panel (com.amazon.pinochle.deviceagent.apk) - A panel that can be swiped in, useless if you're using a custom launcher
Home Screen (com.tyto.home.apk) - replace it with your favorite launcher
HP Print Plugin (HPLegacyPlugin_AmzPreload-release.apk) - self-explanatory
Identity Mobile Platform (com.amazon.imp_130130310.apk) - Authenticate accounts, DCP related
Ivona TTS (IvonaTTS.apk) - Mandatory if you use TTS services / apps
Kindle Connect (com.amazon.ods.kindleconnect.apk) - Can use camera (autofocus) & microphone
Legal Notices (com.amazon.legalnotices.apk) - self-explanatory
Lock Screen Scene Group 0 (com.amazon.lock.scenes.apk) - This is the big pack, that holds the basic set of lock screens (125 MB!) There's one lock screen scene that is stored separately: ./system/etc/com.amazon.lock/files/lockscenes/ls_moon.vbl
Lock Screen Scene Group 1 (com.amazon.lock.scenes.slot1.apk) - More lock screen scenes via update, if you like them, keep them
Lock Screen Scene Group 2 (com.amazon.lock.scenes.slot2.apk) - see ▲
Lock Screen Scene Group 3 (com.amazon.lock.scenes.slot3.apk) - see ▲
Lock Screen Scene Group 4 (com.amazon.lock.scenes.slot4.apk) - see ▲
Lock Screen Scene Group 5 (com.amazon.lock.scenes.slot5.apk) - see ▲
Lock Screen Scene Group 6 (com.amazon.lock.scenes.slot6.apk) - see ▲
Lock Screen Scene Group 7 (com.amazon.lock.scenes.slot7.apk) - see ▲
Lock Screen Scene Group 8 (com.amazon.lock.scenes.slot8.apk) - see ▲
Lock Screen Scene Group 9 (com.amazon.lock.scenes.slot9.apk) - see ▲
Lock Screen Scene Group 10 (com.amazon.lock.scenes.slot10.apk) - see ▲
Log Manager (LogManager-1078110.apk) - Can send logs, collect metrics, e. g. CMS & DCP logs
Manage Social Networks (com.amazon.socialplatform.apk) - self-explanatory, centerpiece for all things "social", services can use location, etc.
Maps (com.amazon.geo.client.maps.apk) - self-explanatory
Maps Context Cards Service (com.amazon.geo.contextcards.apk) - needed by ▲
Marketplace Service Receiver (marketplace_service_receiver.apk) - Appstore can forward information to the client
Media Player (com.amazon.mediaplayer.apk) - replace it with your favorite media player
Messaging Backup (com.amazon.messbackup.apk) - self-explanatory, can use cloud services
Mobile Authentication Platform (MobileAuthenticationPlatformAndroid-1001000610.apk) - Helps with authentication by handling account information, etc.
Music (com.amazon.mp3.apk) - self-explanatory
My Accounts (com.amazon.kindle.otter.settings.apk) - Manage your Amazon & social network account(s), menu can be found in the main settings
Notes (com.amazon.notes.apk) - replace it with your favorite notes app
Octantis (HorizonAndroidSourcingService-release.apk) - Uses GPS & WiFi location...
Parental Controls (com.amazon.parentalcontrols.apk) - self-explanatory
Photos (com.amazon.gallery.app.apk) - replace it with your favorite gallery app
Platform Remote Settings (com.amazon.platformsettings.apk) - DCP related, if you removed "Amazon Platform" (AmazonPlatform-release.apk), this can be removed as well
Precog (com.amazon.precog.apk) - Data analysis platform that helps companies productize their data assets = no thanks
Quick Start (com.amazon.quickstart.apk) - The tutorial that can be watched at first setup and everytime you re-install the OS, can launch the "try Amazon prime" app and the "Amazon retail demo" = useless
Recess (FireRecessProxy.apk) - Can receive cloud to device messaging (c2dm), that's all
Remote Device Management (com.amazon.kindle.rdmdeviceadmin.apk) - Remote device admin tool, DCP related
Screen Reader (TalkBack.apk) - Accessibility service that helps blind and vision-impaired users interact with their device. If you can read this, you probably don't need it
Search (com.amazon.kindle.unifiedSearch.apk) - self-explanatory
Setup Wizard (com.amazon.setupwizard.apk) - Used after first boot, after that: useless
Share To Menu (com.amazon.unifiedshare.actionchooser.apk) - Keep this to share files and actions with various apps (e. g. share to "twitter", "bluetooth", etc.)
Shared Storage Backup (SharedStorageBackup.apk) - Android backup component. Removed it, external backup tools still work
Sharing Service Android Client (com.amazon.sharingservice.android.client.proxy.release.apk) - Amazon related sharing service, again DCP related. If you removed the "Amazon DCP" apps, this can go as well
Shop Amazon (com.amazon.mShop.android.apk) - self-explanatory
Silk Browser (com.amazon.cloud9.apk) - replace it with your favorite browser
Store Picker (com.amazon.storepicker.apk) - not verified
System Browser Provider (com.amazon.cloud9.systembrowserprovider.apk) - Part of Silk Browser (com.amazon.cloud9.apk), read / write history & bookmarks
System Updates (SystemUpdatesDuke.apk) - Used for the Amazon updates, e. g. new app version of Appstore, lock screen scenes, etc.
System Updates (SystemUpdatesUI.apk) - Used for the Amazon updates, e. g. new app version of Appstore, lock screen scenes, etc.
Tags (Tag.apk) - NFC tags
Try Amazon Prime (com.amazon.primeupsell.apk) - self-explanatory
Voice Input (com.amazon.device.speech.apk) - Don't delete this if you use voice controlled apps / services
Voicemail (com.amazon.nyota.apk) - Voicemail, used in the 90s, if you still do, keep this one
Wallet (com.amazon.wallet.apk) - Electronic wallet, if you can put it to use, keep it
Warranty (com.amazon.warranty.apk) - self-explanatory
Weather (com.amazon.weather.apk) - self-explanatory
Weather Service (com.amazon.weather.service.apk) - needed by ▲
Whispercast (com.amazon.kindle.devicecontrols.apk) - Discover, procure, manage and deliver eBooks, eTextbooks, apps and documents to almost any device (including Fire tabs, eReaders, iPads, PC, Mac & android devices, also helps to centrally manage all of your Amazon devices. Yay
Whisperlink Activity View (WhisperplayActivityViewDuke.apk) - Part of Whisperplay: fling content from tablet to TV, download prioritization ensures data transfers in the background don't compromise device performance
Whisperlink SDK (WhisperlinkSdk.apk) - Part of Whisperplay, depends on "Amazon Communication Services" (com.amazon.tcomm.apk)
Whisperplay CDS Service (CdsServices.apk) - Part of Whisperplay
Whisperplay Daemon (WhisperplayCore.apk) - Part of Whisperplay
Whisperplay Display Mirroring (WhisperplayCDSSettingsDuke.apk) - Part of Whisperplay
WPS Office (moffice_6.0.1_default_en00105_multidex_195423.apk) - Pre-installed office app, replace it with something better
Xtra Injector (com.amazon.xtrainjector) - GPS location injector
Thanks to all XDA members who contributed additional information: dfeldt91, Kryxan, ratbags
Great list! Here are a few questions:
How's the general performance of your device now?
My Fire phone has approximately 35-45% available ram at boot up (thanks Whatsapp, Telegram, Skype, Facebook, etc.), how about yours now?
Do you play games? Have you noticed any improvement in frame-rate/responsiveness?
Has your Battery life improved? My phone lasts about 8-12 hours on very light use (mostly instant messaging over wi-fi).
So, you disabled the Download UI... Do you still get notifications for downloads?
Totally unrelated, but I'm curious... do you think it'd be possible to modify status bar icons and the boot animation?
@ namelessxsoul
Performance is gooood. Quick responses, fluid navigation. But it should be like that, this is basically a "Galaxy S5 lite" running with a (almost) bare minimum of apps.
RAM used: 400 - 450 MB / RAM free: 1,2 GB. (Then again, I only use whatsapp. Skype is ridiculous on any platform, as we all know.)
I played "Monument Valley" & "Real Racing 3" some time ago while testing. I assume games will perform almost the same, although having less background processes & more free RAM never hurts.
2 days with "medium" usage: browsing (watching videos in browser as well), music, messaging... I can go 4 days+ if I use it strictly for communication. I used the "battery calibration" app, hold on let me finish... This app is no snake oil garbage, no "battery booster", etc. It simply lets the system generate a new batterystats file, so that the full capacity is the actual capacity. This is only useful after flashing / reinstalling OS, or if you tampered a lot with the device, hehe.
I still get a notification bar popping in from the top whenever a download is started and finished. Since I don't need the Download UI only the Download Manager, it's perfect. I manage my downloads with the browser or through repo(s).
Hm, boot animation. I checked the original file: 5 folders and the "desc.txt". If someone wants to try his luck... (I don't care at all). Btw. bootanimation is 19 MB - Amazon splurge mode activated. -.-
Status bar icons? Let's consult ze infamous hydromän. I haven't tested it myself (again, don't care... ^^)
hydromän said:
...but for status bar icons you need xStana.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Woah, that is a huuuuuuge improvement overall. I am definitely going to try this out in my own way. Thank you!
Don't like the lack of window previews on recents. Is there away to get Amazon's quick switch assigned as an app to use as a shortcut or gesture?
@ ratbags You mean the "recents" on the screenshot? That is due to the launcher used at that time, so it won't affect you ^^. (Although QuickSwitch is always active as well.)
Unfortunately, QuickSwitch can only be called by the home button. QS is part of the SystemUI, I found some files in the 'euclid' folder but it takes more than that to create a stand alone app.
You could get involved here, super posh switcher, in app purchases, wall street journal approved, knock yourself out.
I use gestures for several things including bringing up recents with a slide from the side of the screen. Good for multi tasking. Regardless of launcher on the fire phone, recents appear as in your shot. No preview, only icon on window. Anyways, thanks for the other info regarding quick switch.
I am a clean freak and love to delete everything but some of the things you have mentioned deleting will cause issues with apps showing in the drawer. After deleting DeviceBackupAndRestoreInternalSDK-release.apk you will get access to 3 apps only: Texting, Contacts and Phone. Everything else, although still installed on the phone, will disappear. The regular app switcher will stop working also.
Оne question. If I use a custom keyboard, calendar, when I install it I should rename it to the original programs name? (com.nuance.swype.input.apk)
@ mazay2 No need to rename, just install it. Multiple keyboards are supported by FireOS, select your new keyboard as standard after installation and you're done. You can deactivate your old calendar when you found a good replacement.
After resetting my phone, I deleted the problematic app and see if it would repeat the issue. It did again for me but I had another launcher installed and the defaults cleared. I pressed home and all apps are visible in home replacement app. So it is only an issue if you plan to keep the stock Fire home app.
Also Stock music app will not open after deleting everything so be ready to find a new music app if it is important to you.
Back to stock again, The settings app does not open which is a big issue for me.
Will try to pinpoint problem at later time.
tried disabling most of the apps on the list. still have several disabled and would like to disable some more, but don't feel comfortable not knowing whats what. After I had disabled most of the apps in the list my phone deregistered itself, had to re enable apps to re register my phone. don;t know which apps caused the problem, but a non registered phone does not seem to launch all built in apps.
I think with a little more refinement of the list (something we all can add to) then this list would be an appropriate post to make sticky. perhaps an edit with a dependencies list as more feedback comes in. I realize thats a lot more work on top of what you have already done, but i worry about disabling apps I use (or at least have not found an adequate replacement for yet).
for example
*if you do not use the kindle app or audible it seems logical that the bookstore, whispersync, whisperlink etc. are dependant
* conversely, if you take out the fire launcher you will find the amazon quick switch will lose some of the default quick switch buttons. other apps have links to their quick switch as well but im uncertain which
sorry, don't mean to sound all naggy. I did a lot a testing last night and didn't make notes. your work to compile this list obviously took a lot a time and I am really glad to see some mentions of apps I wanted to take out but wasn't sure if i could.
Thanks for all the info. Is there a simple way to get rid of the Amazon lock screen by removing or disabling something?
@ ratbags You can freeze / remove just the "LockScreen.apk" and leave "LockScreenPreviewer.apk", "LockScreenSettings.apk" & "LockScreenSettingsPreviewer.apk" untouched (so it's easier / faster to undo it later).
Remember that the phone can also be woken up with the home button. Don't "activate" your phone by accident because of a missing lock screen.
I guess you might guess my next question: is there any way to disable wake with home feature?
@ ratbags I assume this option is buried "deep" somewhere and sadly won't be editable with an XML file that just happens to lay around in the system partition.
Oh, and about the "lack of window previews on recents", it needs an option enabled, something like onCreatethumbnail, so that's android API related, I guess you won't see nice little thumbnails any time soon. Maybe beg a Dev. to include this into an Xposed module.
I froze lock screen but things got a little flaky and the start button starting acting strangely so I've enabled it again. You wouldn't think that disabling the lock screen would have a knock on effect but it does.
@ ratbags
The inconsistency of this OS is driving me nuts. I had no trouble with lock screen (+ LSpreviewer & LSsettings) removed on my heavily modified system, now I'm running almost vanilla and it's a lottery. ^^
Look at the picture on the left, the first 3 entries of the menu are "behind" the header and the search field. Next try, all fine. Btw: My app drawer got messed up too but only after the first time, then it was perfectly fine.
Good thing I wrote "Only delete this if you installed an alternate lock screen" in the app list. Replacing is the way to go, or a "null lock screen". A lock screen that does nothing, just like the "null launcher" and "null live wallpaper". Maybe that would make this drama queen OS calm down.
Just to be clear: I encountered said problems when only the LockScreen.apk was removed, never had problems with custom launcher itself. 7 / 10 attempts without lock screen were successful, the others looked pretty much like the one on the pictures.
Some weird stuff this fire os. I'm trying to use it as it is to avoid the inconsistencies of an alt launcher but it's tough. Compared to my nexus that is.