AT&T "Bloatware" getting in your way? Delete some of it!
*** Standard Disclaimer: I AM NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY DAMAGE TO YOUR PHONE IF SOMETHING GOES WRONG WITH THIS PROCEDURE. ***
*** READ THIS PARAGRAPH BEFORE PROCEEDING ***
I purposefully do NOT include the commands to DELETE the AT&T apps. I am simply renaming the applications to something Android ignores. The reason for this is that this deletion is PERMANENT. It will persist through a factory reset. By renaming and not deleting, we can UNDO this if necessary. If you're squeamish about AT&T seeing that you've tinkered with your phone, a back-out procedure is included at the end of this post. If you don't care, delete away, but I'm not responsible for any problems you incur.
Here's how you can remove some (I stress SOME) of that AT&T bloatware from your app list.
You'll need the Android SDK (guide to download and install is here)
You'll need the USB drivers (Stickied post in this forum)
You'll need root access ( look for the Captivate Root thread by chaoscentral)
You'll need Busybox (available on the market after you root the phone)
Turn on USB debugging on your phone.
Plug in your USB
Open command prompt on your computer, cd to your SDK install directory.
cd to tools within the SDK directory
type this:
adb shell
su
mv /system/app/ATTNav-Samsung-Vega-1488.apk /system/app/ATTNav-Samsung-Vega-1488.tmp
mv /system/app/ATT_Radio_2.1.07.apk /system/app/ATT_Radio_2.1.07.tmp
mv /system/app/MobiTV_800x480_320_20100610_1.0.0.15-118829.apk /system/app/MobiTV_800x480_320_20100610_1.0.0.15-118829.tmp
mv /system/app/MobileBanking.apk /system/app/MobileBanking.tmp
mv /system/app/attmaps20-1094.apk /system/app/attmaps20-1094.tmp
exit
exit
DONE!
If you can find the install path to some of the other AT&T "tools", please post in this thread.
-----------------------------------------------------
BACK-OUT PROCEDURE:
The above procedure persists through a factory reset. If for some reason you're planning a factory reset of the phone and you want the above apps to show up again, do the same as above BEFORE you do the factory reset, but in the renaming section (all those 'mv' commands), do this instead:
There's another step to this. Once you've renamed the files, you can delete the application remnants from the phone. This will NOT delete the renamed .tmp files or affect the back-out procedure in any way.
On the phone..
Settings->Applications->Manage Applications
You'll see several unusual entries. like "com.mspot.android.music.radio". These are the remains of your AT&T Bloatware. Simply click on them, then hit the "Uninstall" button. Use your noggin, match up the apps you're deleting to the apps whose apk files you renamed in the previous post.
Although we can mostly read what it is in the commands, it would be nice if you would specify what specifically we are deleting incase it there was something a user wanted to keep.
Although we can mostly read what it is in the commands, it would be nice if you would specify what specifically we are deleting incase it there was something a user wanted to keep.
Anyone else do this and now have the phone stuck in Debugging mode?
Yes, actually, but I'm not sure if it's a byproduct of this or of my other method to enable side-loading apps (or neither). It's kind of weird, earlier when in debug mode my phone wouldn't allow me to use it as mass storage. Now, I have debug mode AND can use as mass storage at the same time.
Did you only do this procedure, or did you also enable side-loading in my other thread? I'd be interested to know which one (if either) is causing this. That way I can at least post a warning in the original post.
Or simply (after rooting) download the free Titanium Backup app from the Market, find the app(s) you don't want in the Titanium Backup list and touch "delete." Why go through all that ADB crap?
Many edits to original post. I've confirmed that this procedure does NOT affect USB Debugging in any way. I've also included a back-out procedure in case you want the AT&T apps back.
Or simply (after rooting) download the free Titanium Backup app from the Market, find the app(s) you don't want in the Titanium Backup list and touch "delete." Why go through all that ADB crap?
Have you tested this? I was unaware Titanium Backup could delete the apps even with root.
Also, my way allows for a back-out procedure if for any reason you want those AT&T apps back on the phone.
Have you tested this? I was unaware Titanium Backup could delete the apps even with root.
Also, my way allows for a back-out procedure if for any reason you want those AT&T apps back on the phone.
I've done it on every rooted Android phone I have had including 2 models of MyTouch 3G and my former EVO. As long as it is fully rooted it works fine. The original root on the EVO didn't work, but when they got the full root it worked fine. Can't see why it would be any different on this device if it is truly rooted. You can also restore with TB. You can also save all the files you have removed.
Connect USB to phone with USB Debugging ON
Command prompt
cd to SDK install directory
cd tools
adb shell
su
chmod 777 /dbdata/databases/com.android.providers.settings/settings.db
Connect USB to phone with USB Debugging ON
Command prompt
cd to SDK install directory
cd tools
adb shell
su
chmod777 /dbdata/databases/com.android.providers.settings/settings.db
Regarding the Titanium Backup method, it does indeed work.
I removed All Share from my app menu that way.
However, I do not think you can restore it.
I did a backup of the Allshare, uninstalled it, and then there is no "restore" button anymore. It seems that Titanium Backup does NOT backup the "app" part of anything that's system service - just the data.
Anyone know how I can get Allshare back on my machine? (not that I want it...I just want to make sure I can get the machine to its original state in case I need to send it back or anything...)
Regarding the Titanium Backup method, it does indeed work.
I removed All Share from my app menu that way.
However, I do not think you can restore it.
I did a backup of the Allshare, uninstalled it, and then there is no "restore" button anymore. It seems that Titanium Backup does NOT backup the "app" part of anything that's system service - just the data.
Anyone know how I can get Allshare back on my machine? (not that I want it...I just want to make sure I can get the machine to its original state in case I need to send it back or anything...)
If you backed it up it's in the backup. If you didn't specify "system files" when you did the backup it was not backed up. If you backed up AGAIN after you deleted it, it would be gone unless you saved multiple backups (requires paid version for that).
The backup is simply a zip file. In fact, if you purchase an app and back it up it can be used on any phone just by finding the APK in the zip. The names are kind of strange but the names don't matter.
according to the galaxy site it only works for samsung tv's made after 2010
I've actually been using allshare with my Windows Home Server and Windows 7 PCs that have Media Center on them. Also, my PS3 works likewise with these devices, so I imagine sharing from my phone to the PS3 will allow me to stream music, video and pictures to my TV wirelessly, but I haven't tested that yet, since I only just got my phone recognized by Windows 7 and haven't loaded any files on it yet.
how do you do this part "cd to your SDK install directory.
cd to tools within the SDK directory"?
Provided you extracted the android SDK to C:\, you would enter cd \<AndroidSDK>\tools
(change <AndroidSDK> to whatever you named the extracted folder, and remove the brackets)
On a related note, I think /system/app/WHERE_Samsung_GT-I900_Vegas_EN_1.9.3_GM_06112010.apk is the Where app ($3/month to use), and I'd like to remove it using the same method. Can anyone confirm that this is correct?
Provided you extracted the android SDK to C:\, you would enter cd \<AndroidSDK>\tools
(change <AndroidSDK> to whatever you named the extracted folder, and remove the brackets)
On a related note, I think /system/app/WHERE_Samsung_GT-I900_Vegas_EN_1.9.3_GM_06112010.apk is the Where app ($3/month to use), and I'd like to remove it using the same method. Can anyone confirm that this is correct?
That's correct. I actually used Titanium backup instead to delete the bloatware. Thanks for your help anyway.
I tried using the method outlined in the first post and have no problem renaming them to .tmp or back to .apk. However, step 2 I am unable to perform. When I go to applications and find the com.* entries that newly appeared, there is no option to uninstall them.
I tried using the method outlined in the first post and have no problem renaming them to .tmp or back to .apk. However, step 2 I am unable to perform. When I go to applications and find the com.* entries that newly appeared, there is no option to uninstall them.
How to I enable that option?
I think you'll get that ability after you reboot your phone.
I totally agree with the Titanium Backup suggestion. I discovered that little gem and I love it! I'm even going to get the paid version - that's how good it is!
So I downloaded Astro File Manager and have the files for some other ones I wanted gone. Having done all the following, everything seems okay. These are by no means definitive, so attempt at your own risk.
Yes, I do like the Titanium method much more. It does leave some remnants in the Settings > Applications > Manage Applications. But those are easy to remove. Removing ATT apps - xda-developers
I'll tell you what. I have fooled around for a couple days on rooting and side loading. I don't really understand what and why things were done, but I am getting over the hump; this was easiest by far. Thanks
Just thought to mention that battery life appears to have improved significantly, after getting rid of all the bloatware. This is still tentative but I'm interested if others have had a similar experience.
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AT&T "Bloatware" getting in your way? Delete some of it!
(not that I want it...I just want to make sure I can get the machine to its original state in case I need to send it back or anything...)
