Best basic, featureless ROM for a child - OnePlus 3 Questions & Answers

I'm looking for a good, stable ROM without features for my son. He is constantly getting himself in trouble with getting on the internet, creating accounts on eBay, buying/selling trading with people he doesn't know, etc. I've tried getting him a "feature phone" (the re-released Nokia 3110), but that still has a browser, and even 8 calls to T-Mobile hasn't resulted in getting the data shut off (seriously, how hard can that be?).
So now I'm thinking of just giving him back his OP3, wiped, with nothing on it except exactly what he needs. We use MMGuardian as a parent app, which should let me know if he tries to sideload an APK or something, but I was looking for a good, clean ROM as a starting point.
I've also heard there was a free/open source Android monitoring tool out there... but I can't remember the name. If anyone knows that also, it would be really helpful.
Thanks!

Flapjack said:
I'm looking for a good, stable ROM without features for my son. He is constantly getting himself in trouble with getting on the internet, creating accounts on eBay, buying/selling trading with people he doesn't know, etc. I've tried getting him a "feature phone" (the re-released Nokia 3110), but that still has a browser, and even 8 calls to T-Mobile hasn't resulted in getting the data shut off (seriously, how hard can that be?).
So now I'm thinking of just giving him back his OP3, wiped, with nothing on it except exactly what he needs. We use MMGuardian as a parent app, which should let me know if he tries to sideload an APK or something, but I was looking for a good, clean ROM as a starting point.
I've also heard there was a free/open source Android monitoring tool out there... but I can't remember the name. If anyone knows that also, it would be really helpful.
Thanks!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Dirty Unicorns is the most basic you will find I guess.
You have to add phone, mail, browser, messenger etc... yourself because even basic AOSP apps are not included.
Perfect for a lean start.
Other option is to take for example LOS and remove the stuff you do not want (see also this post).

It might be hard as in today's world, you really can't keep him off the internet unless you configure a guest account for him to login that you can disable at any time. Additionally, you can also try LineageOS or NLOS or any other rom WITHOUT flashing gapps. That way, he will have no play store and no access to google apps to do anything with. If he has to use a sim in it, i think he'll find a way around to access mobile data so really all you can do is to monitor if he ever installs a web browser. The beauty of custom ROM is that you can make it as barebone as you could but if your primary concern is keeping him off unwanted apps, you really have to rely on an app that monitors his phone or check his phone daily.

Related

removing "bloat" in wm 6.5 and carrier software, mostly the latter

hi,
just got first winmo phone, have been avid computer user for years, but never had felt like getting a pda or smartphone, until now.
I want to find a whole new home-cooked ROM to flash, which is, obviously, good. have the htc imagio, and in searching have not found hardly anything, so may put that on back burner for now.
Meanwhile there is lots of stuff I don't want on the phone, namely all the carrier's software, it pops up at annoying times with an advertisement, and i'm not going to use it anyway, and it's taking up space, and possibly resources. I just saw, before I registered, a post including some info, but can't find it now. I've done a bunch of searches and come up with similar tasks, but on different phones and different os's. i've also come across the infamous "this is posted everywhere" post, but nevertheless I am not able to find anything specific to my phone. i want to remove stuff like touch flo, mobile email, visual voice mail, vznavigator, city id, and so on.
thanks for anyhelp,
rlr
runLoganrun said:
hi,
just got first winmo phone, have been avid computer user for years, but never had felt like getting a pda or smartphone, until now.
I want to find a whole new home-cooked ROM to flash, which is, obviously, good. have the htc imagio, and in searching have not found hardly anything, so may put that on back burner for now.
Meanwhile there is lots of stuff I don't want on the phone, namely all the carrier's software, it pops up at annoying times with an advertisement, and i'm not going to use it anyway, and it's taking up space, and possibly resources. I just saw, before I registered, a post including some info, but can't find it now. I've done a bunch of searches and come up with similar tasks, but on different phones and different os's. i've also come across the infamous "this is posted everywhere" post, but nevertheless I am not able to find anything specific to my phone. i want to remove stuff like touch flo, mobile email, visual voice mail, vznavigator, city id, and so on.
thanks for anyhelp,
rlr
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
u will have to find a cook rom to out all of this programs that u dont want

[Q] Transitioning from Palm Pre to Evo 4G

Posted in androidcentral and went no where this seems to be a better site for this sort of thing. Transitioning from the Palm Pre Sprint to the Evo. Saw some Pre to / Evo4G threads but none have the info I need. Couple of questions hopefully someone can answer. I already rooted the EVO with the AC rom also nandroid with cm6 (the Pre basically comes already rooted just enter konami code and reboot). Hopefully these answers can help others later on too.
It allows to to make/end calls, send sms, open apps, reboot, change wallpaper, turn GPS on and off, get phone coordinates, turn leds/vibrator on. In short basically every function the phone does can be triggered remotely via ssh.
Nothing that will let you mess with people on command line if your phone is lost or stolen but lookout and prey are good apps for locating your phone.
OpenSSH server?
There is an app in the market but the lack of libraries, optware and physicial keyboard really make this a bad phone to use the command line in. Tunneling in or out is also a lost cause a vpn would be the best bet for this.
DDNS?
There is an app which is pretty nice but haven't found a good http server like the Pre so there is really no need for it.
Http server? My pre had a webserver with php. When I went to a page the Pre called its location and displayed a google maps page. I would prefer if theres no app so if I lose my phone theres nothing that can be easily uninstalled or turned off. Also good for hosting files locally.
Haven't found a replacement for this.
You can do Ubuntu chroot on the Evo but with no xserver it lags and is not a good experience.
Is there a third party app for homebrew mods like preware or cydia? Android market is more open than apple or palms so every app you can find there no alternative needed. Although sometimes you can find apks in threads for apps that are not in the market yet just put them in your sd card and browse with a file manager to install these.
Is there a way to download your sms database file like the iphone or pre ? Haven't found out where they are saved but plenty of apps to backup texts to either sd or gmail so no need to go searching for them.
I do have the script that installs optware on the Pre I tried doing the commands manually but failed. Haven't given up yet just havent had time since after midterms it will be on top of the list. Is there anyone with alot of experience with android that might also want to try this. It is a shell (.sh) script but I changed the extension to txt so I could upload it.

[Q] Performance Decreasing: After first reboot and over time

I have flashed many Roms over the last year, Jedi Roms, Infamous Roms, Stock, and most recently Rushing's Shadow Rom. I have stuck to only Touchwiz based Roms since I need WiFi Calling to use my cell phone in my apartment.
The one thing I noticed every time I flashed is that the phone would get significantly slower after I rebooted the phone the first time after I installed a bunch of apps. (Not after the first one I do after the phone has resynch'ed contacts and stuff from google) Additionally, after a couple months the phone would get so slow that I would reflash a new Rom (generally, by this time a new version, but if a new version is not available, I usually switch Roms)
The apps I usually download include:
Google - YouTube, Maps
T-Mobile -Visual Voicemail
Media - Pulse, BeyondPod, a music player
Root stuff - Titanium, Rom toolbox, ES file explorer, etc.
Popular apps - Facebook, twitter, ebay, bank of america, etc.
Are any of these apps known to degrade the performance of your phone over time? Is there a way to diagnose which of these apps are running and when?
A second theory I have is that something on my SD card is either corrupt or not getting wiped properly. Then, these corrupt sectors/files cause performance to decrease over time? Has anybody heard of anything like this? Are there any utilities out there to look for corrupt file. Can anyone reccomend a SD cleaning app that might help if this is the case?
A third theory is that these customized Roms aren't as stable as they are thought to be. I don't believe this is the case since the developers on this forum are much smarter than me, and thoroughly test their roms. Additionally, I have seen this happen with Stock rooted also, which also discounts this theory.
Most of this is spit-balling so that people can see my symptoms (if you had similar symptoms, please share troubleshooting steps and resolution) as well as maybe trigger an idea in someone that has an easy fix to my issue. I like this phone a lot and I don't want to buy a new phone just to avoid these issues. I think this phone is still capable of handling the workload of a 2013 smartphone.
Please let me know any tests/logs that would help you help me solve this problem.

Very weird bug on my phone

Hi everyone,
I'm new here, nice to meet you all. Last night I finally bought the LG G3, switched from an iPhone 5S.
Right away I flashed the phone to Lollipop that I found in this thread: http://forum.xda-developers.com/lg-g3/general/kdz-poland-lollipop-lg-g3-20a00-t2938255
And the phone really works flawlessly except for one weird (and pretty annoying) bug.
When I'm surfing using Chrome or the generic browser that comes with the phone, after visiting a few websites (music forums, basketball websites, etc., nothing out of the ordinary that I usually visit), for some reason the browser gets redirected to an app called "Porn Factory" and wants me to download it to my phone.
Now, I'm pretty sure this isn't normal behaviour. And I've read that people have experienced a similar issue with their phones, but I still haven't found a solution to stop this from happening.
I tried a fresh install of Chrome, deleted all data/cache and it still happens from time to time. My phone isn't loaded with a lot of apps, just a few social media apps basically as it's brand new. Also tried scanning it with a few of the anti-virus apps on Google Play and nothing.
So yeah, if anybody could give a tip or two on how to solve this I would be very greatful. This is my last resort. :-\
Other than this, I'm really enjoying the G3!
p.s. I do apologize if the thread isn't in the right section, I'm new here.
Try to do factory reset (wipe data)
Next time use G3 Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting forum as it belongs to this section.
sounds like it is trying to tell you something
but seriously it doesn't sound like anyone else has that issue (or they think it's a good thing, who knows)
could it be an SD card issue?
Can you boot into safe mode by pressing+holding the reboot button?
So the only thing I can do is a complete factory reset? How certain are you guys this could work? I mean I could do it, but I just want to try everything else before wiping everything and starting again from scratch.
Really appreciate the help guys!
Are you signed into chrome?
Bert.C said:
Are you signed into chrome?
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Click to collapse
Yeah, I logged in with my google account the first time I launched it. I could clear all settings and re-install the app and not sign in when I launch it for the first time. If that's a viable solution?
The thing is this is also happening on the stock browser which came with the phone and I'm not signed into anything on there.
* Try other browsers.
*Try some free antivirus solution.
* Is this happening on the same connection (WiFI / Data)? Maybe it's something in the network / dns proxy, etc.
* Check your internet settings (ip, dns, etc.)
What you have there is either mallware or some other type of bad "virus". This can't be considered a but by a long shot.
kraven001 said:
* Try other browsers.
*Try some free antivirus solution.
* Is this happening on the same connection (WiFI / Data)? Maybe it's something in the network / dns proxy, etc.
* Check your internet settings (ip, dns, etc.)
What you have there is either mallware or some other type of bad "virus". This can't be considered a but by a long shot.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Same thing is happening on my home Wifi, my friend's house wifi and my cellular data. On Chrome and the stock browser.
Well I've done a factory reset a few moments ago, will see if anything changes.
My best guess is either some bad configuration (with a mallware dns or whatever) or some mallware that does that intercepting / redirect. Bugs are crashes, things not working etc not porn redirection , that's what mallware does.
kraven001 said:
My best guess is either some bad configuration (with a mallware dns or whatever) or some mallware that does that intercepting / redirect. Bugs are crashes, things not working etc not porn redirection , that's what mallware does.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I get what you're saying, but how is it possible the phone got infected out of the box? I basically used it for a couple of hours before this started happening. Didn't surf any "bad" websites and installed only a couple of social apps.
there are lots of "ways" these get pushed and lots of crappy ads that you press and install things or reconfigure things that you wouldn't know. I don't know, I would start analyzing the apps looking at what's going on ...
don't want to be the devil's advocate but maybe one of your friends played a practical joke on you ... don't know these things tend to happen ...
kraven001 said:
there are lots of "ways" these get pushed and lots of crappy ads that you press and install things or reconfigure things that you wouldn't know. I don't know, I would start analyzing the apps looking at what's going on ...
don't want to be the devil's advocate but maybe one of your friends played a practical joke on you ... don't know these things tend to happen ...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Nobody has touched the phone except me since I got it.... and just finished the factory reset thing and set up a totally new device, opened chrome, surfed a few pages and it happens again.
This makes no sense.
try this: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.bitdefender.antivirus
don't know, out of ideas really
One thing you guys may not have considered also, is that the guy you got the kdz from might have tampered with it and put adware or malware into the file...
Now, I'm in no way saying he has (Everyone on here is very trustworthy), but from all the solutions that look to have failed in this thread, that could be the only option. You can always try a factory reset, as stated above and if it's just something on the ROM then it might fix it, but if it's in the KDZ itself, the only way to get rid of it would be to flash a different file.
iDefalt said:
One thing you guys may not have considered also, is that the guy you got the kdz from might have tampered with it and put adware or malware into the file...
Now, I'm in no way saying he has (Everyone on here is very trustworthy), but from all the solutions that look to have failed in this thread, that could be the only option. You can always try a factory reset, as stated above and if it's just something on the ROM then it might fix it, but if it's in the KDZ itself, the only way to get rid of it would be to flash a different file.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Is there another 5.0 Lollipop KDZ file except the one I used? (http://forum.xda-developers.com/lg-g3/general/kdz-poland-lollipop-lg-g3-20a00-t2938255)
At this point I'm willing to try everything as reseting the phone to factory settings also didn't help.
Id consider flashing the stock kdz again. But get it from here from someone known and start fresh.
Bert.C said:
Id consider flashing the stock kdz again. But get it from here from someone known and start fresh.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Could you please point me to the file I need to download? I'm new to all this and really don't have an idea which file I need. I have the D855 version of the phone.
Thank you!
See if this is the what you're looking for.
Or here?
Or here?
Its not a bug, just webpage redirecting. Some website does that, some on both desktop and mobile version, some just one of them. One of the web page i visit lg-phone-firmware.com is one of them. In mobile version it always redirect to ads.
Viable solution is to try desktop view. Else try browser that support adblock.
Well it appears I got rid of this problem. Downgraded to KitKat, rooted my device and installed a custom ROM that I found here.
Thanks for the help guys!
Sent from my LG-D855 using XDA Free mobile app

Why can't I have it all?

Today is one of the days per year that I have a full Saturday without my family around to bug me. As I sit here wasting my day trying to figure out how to "have it all", I have to "vent". I don't understand why this is so difficult. It's not about the money, I would write a check with several zeros if someone could find a solution for me. All I want, is a phone that Google and Apple can't track, but is still functional for my needs.
LineageOS with Micro is ALMOST that solution. But, every day something doesn't work like it should. I need to be able to schedule texts and send MMS messages that don't sacrafice quality. What do you user for that? Google Messages. Well, I don't want to sign into Google so none of those features work. In fact, even if I do sign in, none of those features work. Ok, I'll try Textra. Nope. Won't work with MicroG because it "needs google service". I have tried around a dozen messaging apps, but either they don't schedule texts or they don't send MMS.
I drive 1,000s of miles for work in different vehicles in unfamiliar areas. I listen to many podcasts and take lots of phone calls on the road. So, given the amount of travel and variation of vehicles I drive, having a physcial GPS or using a phone mount isn't practical. Using my phone as a handheld GPS isn't smart. What's left? Android Auto. Ok, I've tried using a separate phone for Android Auto, but then phone calls don't come through. I've almost crashed trying to juggle those.
What am I working on today? I've been using Brave Browser, but I also use 1password. 1password functionality is broken on 90% of the sites I visit on Brave, so I downloaded Firefox. 1password works great, but my corporate security app routes everything from Firefox through itself, and breaks everything. It doesn't happen with Brave and I can't delete my work app. So Brave wins that battle.
So I thought -- why don't I just install LinesageOS with gapps, create a brand new google account to login with, and never use that google ID anywhere else. But after some research and asking on different message boards, THAT doesn't work either.
At this point, how does someone in my shoes not just say f#*k it, you win Google/Apple, and go back to a stock OS?
faknit said:
have to "vent"
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Kinda know this feeling.
faknit said:
want, is a phone that Google and Apple can't track
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Click to collapse
How about Librem? Or at least iodeOS?
faknit said:
Google Messages
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Click to collapse
Why in the 1st place?
faknit said:
What's left? Android Auto
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Click to collapse
Well, other than that, perhaps Osmand?
faknit said:
you win Google/Apple, and go back to a stock OS?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
NO WAY, over my dad's cat!
I do understand and share your frustration but giving up is not a good choice here.
Sometimes less is more, I don't use MicroG at all and people keep pestering me since years to get Whatsapp, Signal, Threema, Telegram, Slack, Discord and all that ****. Nah, stop being stupid and just keep using email, SMS or jabber.
Unless another Noah posts free tickets for Ark 2 on whatsapp, I am perfectly fine, I guess
A little late on my reply! Figured I'd still throw this out there.
I can't use Librem & iodeOS because of work requirements. I have to use their applications for email/messaging etc. Unfortunately the apps also detect/block Custom ROMs so I have no choice but to root so I can use magisk.
Literally the only reason I want Google Messages (which, for what I want requires chat features enabled) is to schedule messages without losing other functionality. QKSMS works great, but you can't share videos. Several others that are recommended won't work without Google services. There was one that worked really well but crashed every couple hours and would only work after uninstalling.
Android Auto, I could care less which application I use TBH, but nothing else will do what I need. I need the map to display on the cars screen so I'm not staring at my phone. A second phone isn't an option because 1. I'd lose it 2. Work won't pay for a phone because they suck and I can't afford 2 plans. Same excuses for a dedicated GPS. A phone mount is difficult because of the sheer variety of vehicles I drive, and I usually don't know what I'll be driving. So I'd have to take several styles of mount on every trip.
All that said --- I vented and I feel better. I'm just dealing with the problems.
faknit said:
Work won't pay for a phone because they suck and I can't afford 2 plans
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That sounds familiar. A previous company insisted on iphone which I despised but I tried anyway for a month, ever since I hate everything crapple even more
But wait, can't solve issue 1... issue 2: Hotspot on company phone? Muahahahaaa

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