Full list of apps and apks that are removable and non-removable with root (Pre-Gingerbread)
UPDATED FOR 2.2
I've compiled the full list of apps in the system/app folder and have tried to put them in different categories based on whether or not they are safe to remove.
There are several ways to get rid of these (Titanium Backup, adb, etc), but I recommend using root explorer to simply rename the file from .apk to .bak so you do not have to worry about finding the file again if you delete it.
Messaging.apk (stock messaging app) safe to remove if you use another, like Handcent
Vvm.apk (Visual Voice Mail) This is the paid Verizon app. If you are not going to be paying for it, it is not needed. Google Voice is better anyway.
I've removed messages and messaging and I'm still able to send and receive text/picture messages without an extra messaging app.
Here's what I've removed and then performed a factory reset afterward.
Kindle
Amazon MP3
City ID
Blockbuster
Weather 2.1
Emergency Alert
Corporate Directory
3G Hotspot
Home Screen Tips
Skype
Swype
My Verizon
Email 2.1
FM Radio 2.1
FMRadioServices
Help Center
Messages 2.1
Messaging 2.1
News
Social Messaging 2.1
Social Messaging Services
Social Network
Social Sharing
Social Status
VPN Services
Last edited by Airmaxx23; July 26th, 2010 at 11:29 AM.
The Following 2 Users Say Thank You to Airmaxx23 For This Useful Post:
VideoPlayer (if you don't plan on playing back your recorded vids)
TtsService (will leave you without voice navigation - which I hate anyway
ToggleWidgets
StickyNoteWidget
Swype
SoundRecorder
StatusWidget
Skype_mobile.live
ScreenReader
QuickOffice
QuickContactWidget
PicoTts - same as above w/ navigation
PhotoWidget
CityID
Calculator
BlurEmail
DLNA
AudioEffectSettings
CarDock
Blockbuster
Gmail
GmailProvider
Stk
FMRadio
ClockWidget
HelpCenter
Dock
LiveWallpapers
LiveWallpapersPicker
MagicSmokeWallpaper
MessagesWidget
Messaging - I use google voice, so I don't need it
Mynet
MyVerizon
NewsWidget
MediaSync
ArcVideoEditorLite
VoiceSearch
Vvm
MotoGAL
cmas
YouTube
FriendFeed
BlurSNMessagingEngine
SocialMessaging
BlurEmailEngine
HomeSyncWizard
FMRadioService
Protips
BlurUpdater
Conversations
And a few others without issues so far. You can also rm BlurHome but you'll want to do so after adding a home replacement. Also, I'm not sure what removing BlurHome does w/ a factory reset. As for the ones listed above, I was also able to perform a factory reset without having the semi-brick issue that has been mentioned. Obviously, do this at your own risk!
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After removing Text Messaging app (Conversation service), I wasn't able to receive MMS messages using Handcent, but was able to send them. Weird... (I also have Moto's Messaging service removed).
Thanks all for the lists. Removing all these things has to speed the phone up! Especially that damn social networking crap.
Kind of a dumb question, I haven't rooted yet, but am considering it. Anyway, if I rename a file, let's say blockbuster from .apk to .bak and then change my mind and decide to 'reinstall' it - is it just as simple as changing the file name back to .apk?
Thanks all for the lists. Removing all these things has to speed the phone up! Especially that damn social networking crap.
Kind of a dumb question, I haven't rooted yet, but am considering it. Anyway, if I rename a file, let's say blockbuster from .apk to .bak and then change my mind and decide to 'reinstall' it - is it just as simple as changing the file name back to .apk?
Thanks
Yep its that easy as long as you have root explorer
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After removing Text Messaging app (Conversation service), I wasn't able to receive MMS messages using Handcent, but was able to send them. Weird... (I also have Moto's Messaging service removed).
Same thing here..does anyone know how to fix this? How do you reinstall messging.apk. I did a standard install and now the stock Text Msg app just crashes everytime I open it. Is there a certain way that I have to install this?
Did you delete or rename? If you renamed, just rename it back to apk.
If you deleted, put the original file back into the system/app folder. There's a zip with all of the apps in the OP.
I'll edit the post to reflect that it may screw with MMS.
Actually I just figured out the problem. I had to install conversations.apk and then messaging.apk. Lol..Man I was getting worried there for a sec. Thanks for the reply though Aldo. I appreciate it.
Incase this happens to anyone else, I renamed BackupAssistanceClient.apk and did a factory reset that lead me to a black screen after you activate the phone..all I did to fix was double tap home to get voice commands and managed my to apps. I downloaded installer app(to install my root explorer apk) then opened root explorer, then renamed BackupAssistanceClient.apk to its original name and I could continue the set up....thought id share my experience
Last edited by Dark Matter; July 27th, 2010 at 11:30 AM.
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Device(s): Stock Bionic, Ready for commands. Waiting for OTA for ICS.
Carrier: Not Provided
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jadambpharm
I have removed:
amazonmp3_1.7.22_signed_zipaligned
WeatherWidget
WorkContacts
redding-7648-signed-zipped (Kindle)
ZoomService
VisualizationWallpapers
UniversalInbox
VoiceCommands
Visualization
VideoPlayer (if you don't plan on playing back your recorded vids)
TtsService (will leave you without voice navigation - which I hate anyway
ToggleWidgets
StickyNoteWidget
Swype
SoundRecorder
StatusWidget
Skype_mobile.live
ScreenReader
QuickOffice
QuickContactWidget
PicoTts - same as above w/ navigation
PhotoWidget
CityID
Calculator
BlurEmail
DLNA
AudioEffectSettings
CarDock
Blockbuster
Gmail
GmailProvider
Stk
FMRadio
ClockWidget
HelpCenter
Dock
LiveWallpapers
LiveWallpapersPicker
MagicSmokeWallpaper
MessagesWidget
Messaging - I use google voice, so I don't need it
Mynet
MyVerizon
NewsWidget
MediaSync
ArcVideoEditorLite
VoiceSearch
Vvm
MotoGAL
cmas
YouTube
FriendFeed
BlurSNMessagingEngine
SocialMessaging
BlurEmailEngine
HomeSyncWizard
FMRadioService
Protips
BlurUpdater
Conversations
And a few others without issues so far. You can also rm BlurHome but you'll want to do so after adding a home replacement. Also, I'm not sure what removing BlurHome does w/ a factory reset. As for the ones listed above, I was also able to perform a factory reset without having the semi-brick issue that has been mentioned. Obviously, do this at your own risk!
Nice list... Have you noticed a difference in speed? Do you have any lag at all? Have you done any bench mark testd, if so, before and after scores?
I really want to remove all the blur junk like jadambpharm has in the list. (Nice BTW!) But i've read on other droid forums that it is not at all recommended, but if i'm using another launcher and none of the blur programs....should be fine i'm thinking.
Are there any blur apks that anyone has experience problems after removing?
Also you can remove the browser.apk if you want to install a 3rd party browser. I'm a big fan of the Dolphin HD browser. Any other recommendation? Opera? Skyfire? Firefox is developing one as well.
Browser.apk should *ok* to remove if you have another browser installed. The only reason I left it on the do not remove is simply for stability. If an app or something makes a call for the stock android browser (instead of Opera or whatever you have installed), who knows what might happen.
I'm not touching Blur with the way Motorola has integrated it with the OS. I've read some people have had success.
Factory Reset:
From any homescreen of your phone, tap the Menu hard key.
Tap Settings.
Scroll down and tap Privacy.
Scroll down and tap Factory Data Reset.
Tap Reset Phone, confirm to execute.
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Guys,
I can't seem to get the Kindle, and social networking apps to uninstall. any ideas?
Regards
for me I'm using root explorer, for social networking, under settings and app, rename app friendfeed.apk to something else (I added .bak to simply remove it from the launcher) thanks to Airmaxx23 for giving me that bit of info
I don't have kindle, I don't know about it sorry.
Last edited by P1DroidX; July 29th, 2010 at 06:30 PM.
for me I'm using root explorer, for social networking, under settings and app, rename app friendfeed.apk to something else (I added .bak to simply remove it from the launcher) thanks to Airmaxx23 for giving me that bit of info
I don't have kindle, I don't know about it sorry.
Soo hey... Does anyone have all the files backed up/saved on their computer? If so would someone mind sharing the voicemail apk with me? :-)
I used Titanium Backup to remove some files, and wanted to reinstall that one file, but Titanium only backed up the information and isn't installing the file correctly... PM me if you have it. I'd appreciate it.
In anticipation of 2.2, I've read that not having some of the bloatware may brick our phones once we update. How do I reinstall the apps I deleted? I've downloaded the zip file with all the apps from the link in the 1st post, but more specifically how do I get them installed back on my phone?
Ayuda por favor?
I'm having an internal debate about this. If we're getting Froyo in a month, why bother renaming apps until we have Froyo? For me, it just seems like a hassle.
One question: If I do rename apps when I get Froyo, can't I just do it through my PC? I mean can't I just connect up my phone, select "show file extensions" and rename .apk to .bak? Or will file name changing only work using a file manager on the phone?
In anticipation of 2.2, I've read that not having some of the bloatware may brick our phones once we update. How do I reinstall the apps I deleted? I've downloaded the zip file with all the apps from the link in the 1st post, but more specifically how do I get them installed back on my phone?
Ayuda por favor?
Did you delete them or rename? If you deleted them, check the how to install system apps as system apps thread. If you renamed them, just rename them back to .apk from .bak via Root Explorer. I just tried it with Blockbuster and rebooted and the app properly showed back up in my drawer and it ran fine.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Steven58
I'm having an internal debate about this. If we're getting Froyo in a month, why bother renaming apps until we have Froyo? For me, it just seems like a hassle.
One question: If I do rename apps when I get Froyo, can't I just do it through my PC? I mean can't I just connect up my phone, select "show file extensions" and rename .apk to .bak? Or will file name changing only work using a file manager on the phone?
TIA.
I figure it will take me less than 1 or 2 minutes to rename all of the apps back to .apk via Root Explorer right on the phone. Then reboot and you're done. Well worth the cleaner app list and speedier (for me at least) performance until the update.
I don't know if you'll be able to do it on your PC via USB mode. I figure no. I'll check it out at home tonight.
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Did you delete them or rename? If you deleted them, check the how to install system apps as system apps thread. If you renamed them, just rename them back to .apk from .bak via Root Explorer. I just tried it with Blockbuster and rebooted and the app properly showed back up in my drawer and it ran fine.
Thanks, I had deleted. Just saw that thread and reinstalled them.
Originally Posted by P1DroidX for me I'm using root explorer, for social networking, under settings and app, rename app friendfeed.apk to something else (I added .bak to simply remove it from the launcher) thanks to Airmaxx23 for giving me that bit of info
for kindle - - redding-7648-signed-zipped.apk
tried that. says it is read only.
did you notice the little bar at the top that says mount r/w and if you tap it, it will change to mount r/o this changes the folder from protected read only, to unprotected read and write, just tap it back before you exit root explorer so the folder will be secured again.
Last edited by P1DroidX; August 8th, 2010 at 07:02 PM.
I thought anything with Blur in it IS NOT supposed to be removed?
I am now confused...
It's not recommended (my guess is because there are a lot of unknowns), but some may be removed w/out issues (obviosly you need to know what you need).
I removed BlurSNMessagingEngine.apk hoping that Social Status a widget would go away, but it didn't.
I'm not sure what BlurSNMessagingEngine.apk is so I will probably just put it back just in case, but I haven't had any issues texting.
What is the purpose of doing a factory reset after removing things? Does it pull out the settings and what not for them or something?
First phone I've had, no real reason to root yet, but I am wanting to remove all those extra apps (I use maybe 5-8 of the default apps max). If I do root the phone, I will likely wait until 2.2 though.
But, is a factory reset required to finish removing the items you remove or something?
I renamed the files to .bak but then they were showing up under Applications -> Manage Applications so I went through an uninstalled them all. The files are still there. What did this do, exactly? Did I do a bad thing?
Full list of apps and apks that are removable and non-removable with root (Pre-Gingerbread)
