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Root Can't Uninstall Swype

tsaunders

Android Enthusiast
Nov 12, 2009
418
25
I have version 0.35.3989 installed for Swype. Every time I try to uninstall it says "Uninstall not successful"

I am using Astro to uninstall this version of Swype.

I can install the beta one that they just released, but it then tells me a version of Swype is already installed.

Any idea how to uninstall this app?
 
Yeah I tried that. I get the same issue.

I had the exact same problem, I am running SG 5.0.1 (which came with the leaked Swype beta) and the past couple of days i was getting the "trial expired" message, and trying to uninstall/install the legit beta was not working.

Here is what I did to get it to work:

1. Use the Applications manager to uninstall Swype Installer and anything Swype related.

2. Reboot

3. Open ASTRO File manager, and search for "swype" in "/"

you should see two main files ( i dont have them anymore so i don't remember their exact names/path) one was called Swype.apk i believe, and the other was libSwypecore or something similar. *write down the path to both of those file* (watch for caps)

4. Open Terminal Emulator and type "su" then your password

5. Type in rm -r /pathtothefilementioneabove

6. repeat for the 2nd file

7. Reboot

8. Re-download and install the Swype beta file from the confirmation email.

That should work.
 
Upvote 0
Not only do you need root, you also need to mount /system as R/W. I recommend the following steps, assuming you are already rooted:

1) Uninstall "Swype Installer" (optional; I did not have to).

2) Search for "mount /system (rw /ro)" in the Market and install it (free).

3) Search for "Terminal Emulator" in the Market and install it (free).

4) Open the mount app and click "Mount r/w". I do not recommend you check the box to mount as r/w at boot.

5) Open the terminal app and type the following ([Enter] represents the Enter key, so don't type it):

su [Enter]
rm -r /system/lib/libSwypeCore.so [Enter]
rm -r /system/app/Swype.apk [Enter]
exit [Enter]
exit [Enter]

6) Reboot the phone (optional; I didn't have to).

7) Download Swype Installer (if you have it already; you don't have to redownload it) from https://beta.swype.com/android/get directly on your phone browser.

8) Run Swype Installer and follow the prompts.

9) Go into settings, enable and configure your Swype keyboard.

Best of luck!

Those of you who switch between 2 languages often, you do not have to press and hold the Q letter anymore. Just swype your finger from the Swype key up to the Q key. The first time, you will need to select your second language. After that, every swype will toggle between the two.
 
Upvote 0
I simply used Titanium Back-up to uninstall it (go to the Uninstall System Apps batch). Very easy, worked like a charm. Now running Swype 3.0 Beta - it's great!

Thanks for this - I tried all the other methods for uninstalling swype including deleting every file in the system (using root explorer) that had swype in the title, and it still would not uninstall fully. Using titanium backup did it, though. It should be mentioned that when using the TiBu batch system uninstall, be sure to first choose DEselect All, then select the swype files, so you don't inadvertently delete all system apps.
 
Upvote 0

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