These apps can safely be removed from the LG Optimus M.
Just because an app is listed here does not necessarily mean that it is useless or that you will want to remove it. It only means that it can safely be removed without damaging anything else.
If you remove an .apk, then you can also remove the corresponding .odex. Not all apps will have an .odex.
Apps safe to remove:
AnalogClockWidget.apk - Analog Clock widget
Boingo_Wi-Fi.apk - Boingo WiFi
Calculator.apk - Calculator
Calendar.apk - Calendar App
CalendarProvider.apk - Supports the calendar. Remove only if Calendar.apk and CalendarWidget.apk have been removed.
CalendarWidget.apk - Calendar Widget
CarHome.apk - Car Home - Remove CarHomeLauncher.apk if this is removed.
CarHomeLauncher.apk - Car Home Launcher - Linked to CarHome.apk
ClockWeatherWidget.apk - Clock Weather Widget
DeskClock.apk - Clock app
DigitalAlarmWidget.apk - Alarm Clock widget
DualClockWidget.apk - Dual Clock widget
Email.apk - Email app - Safe to remove if you use Gmail or some other email app
GoogleQuickSearchBox.apk - Google Search widget and app
Homeselector.apk - Home Selector - Will not work if LGHome.apk is removed
These apps can safely be removed from the LG Optimus M.
Apps safe to remove:
Boingo_Wi-Fi.apk - Boingo WiFi
Browser.apk - MetroWEB - Safe to remove only if another browser has been installed
Email.apk - Email app - Safe to remove if you use Gmail or some other email app
LG-MS690_MetroBackup_1.27_PRODBuild_10082010.apk - MetroBackup
LGMS690_MetroNavigator_4.9.1_Build_57_10222010_rel _signed_PROD.apk - MetroNavigator
LGMS690_MetroPCS_EasyWiFi_V4.0.90.apk - EasyWiFi
Loopt_Android_2.4.1_Oct.13.2010.apk - Loopt
Metro411.apk - Metro411
metroappstore-v1.3a.apk - MetroPCS App Store
MobileBanking.apk - Mobile Banking
MobilePosse.apk - MyExtras
Mocospace-1.2.4.apk - Moco Space
MPCS-MobileIM-0.4.24.2.apk - MobileIM
MVC.MetroPCS.android02.apk - Virtual Card
PEX-3.1.1.1-metro-rc.apk - Pocket Express
PGA_Android.apk - Games
SNS.apk - LG Facebook and Twitter app
thinkdroid.apk - Think Free Office
UNO_DEMO_LG_MS690_EN_NONIGP_MetroPCs_TS_307.apk - UNO Game
z7-android2x.apk - Mail@Metro
These apps SHOULD NOT be removed:
Phone.apk - Phone app/dialer
Settings.apk - Settings menu
Talk.apk - Google Talk - Android Market will not work without it.
I've removed all of those, plus:
Calculator = Sure it's convenient but if I ever want to add anything up I can usually do it in my head or just download an alternative one.
ClockWeatherWidget = I have Beautiful Widgets installed which provides a much nicer looking clock and weather.
GoogleQuickSearchBox = I can use a browser to search google
Music = I use doubleTwist as my music player
RSSViewerWidget = Don't care about RSS Feeds
Youtube = Dolphin HD browser as well as the Default browser plays Youtube videos just fine
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UNO_DEMO_LG_MS690_EN_NONIGP_MetroPCs_TS_307.apk - UNO Game
z7-android2x.apk - Mail@Metro
These apps SHOULD NOT be removed:
Phone.apk - Phone app/dialer
Settings.apk - Settings menu
Talk.apk - Google Talk - Android Market will not work without it.
I agree with the list that you can uninstall the items you listed.
I would add a caveat. 99% you do want to uninstall -- quickly and with haste, to get a better phone experience. But two items on the list ARE useful:
Easy Wi-Fi gives you free access to over 500,000 wi-fi hot spots nationwide. Just might need it sometime. One of those "can't hurt/might even help" apps.
Also "Think Free Office" lets you view and edit Word, Excel, Powerpoint documents someone might send you. It's quite useful! Another "just in case" app you should probably keep. It was actually nice this included this, preinstalled. See more here: ThinkFree Mobile for Android Smartphones
The rest? Yeah, trash.
Last edited by ChazzMatt; January 13th, 2011 at 10:34 AM.
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Quote:
Originally Posted by TexDaddy57
...am very new to droid and smartphones. I have rooted my phone. Now, how do I remove these apps?
download and install Root Explorer.
Open it. You should be in the main OS folder.
go to the system/app sub-folder. You will see all the list of apps, with extensions like ".apk".
up at top of the phone display (in Root Explorer), click on "r/o" (read only) to change it to "r/w" (read/write). this give you permission to change stuff instead of just looking.
click the left hardware button down at the bottom of the phone. this will bring up a Root Explorer software menu that covers the lower portion of the screen. It has several choices.
choose "multi-select". this will put blank checkmarks on the right side beside every item in the "app" folder.
then scroll through the apps folder, touching each app you wish to choose. this will put a green checkmark beside the app.
when you finish checkmarking the apps -- and you double check your list! -- then on the bottom software menu where you chose "multi-select", now choose "delete".
done.
(when you delete Boingo it will protest and put up error messages. Wrestle it to the ground by forcing a Power Off of the phone. Turn phone back on, Boingo gone.)
Last edited by ChazzMatt; January 9th, 2011 at 05:02 PM.
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Quote:
Originally Posted by c0nejit09
Any. Body know how to remove Facebook and twitter for LG? ?? Not the ones downloaded from the market? Its not on the system/app...
YES it is in the system app folder. Go at the list again. Look for LG Facebook, LG Twitter.
You posted before actually reading the list.
At the top of this thread, it has the list of apps that can be removed. Left side is the file name, right side is what it's called by us. Now go look over the list carefully. OK, I'll even post the list again here:
Quote:
Originally Posted by edodonnell
These apps can safely be removed from the LG Optimus M.
Apps safe to remove:
Boingo_Wi-Fi.apk - Boingo WiFi
Email.apk - Email app - Safe to remove if you use Gmail or some other email app
YES it is in the system app folder. Go back up and look at the list.
You posted before actually reading the list.
At the top of this thread, it has the list of apps that can be removed. Left side is the file name, right side is what it's called by us. Now go look over the list carefully.
I may have been wrong about Browser.apk. I deleted it and now the market app is not working right. I will post details later. I am stranded in the snow storm now and can't get to my pc.
After deleting Browser.apk, whenever I tried to install an app from the market, it would download and then crash without installing. The error message was "The process android.process.media has stopped unexpectedly. Please try again." The app would eventually install after I restarted Android Market several times. Replacing Browser.apk fixed this.
I agree with the list that you can uninstall the items you listed.
I would add a caveat. 99% you do want to uninstall -- quickly and with haste, to get a better phone experience. But two items on the list ARE useful:
Easy Wi-Fi gives you free access to over 500,000 wi-fi hot spots nationwide. Just might need it sometime. One of those "can't hurt/might even help" apps.
Also "Think Free Office" lets you view and edit Word, Excel, Powerpoint documents someone might send you. It's quite useful! Another "just in case" app you should probably keep. It was actually nice this included this, preinstalled. See more here: ThinkFree Mobile for Android Smartphones
The rest? Yeah, trash.
I agree that many people will find those apps useful. I was am really just trying to get a complete list of which apps can safely be deleted without damaging anything else, regardless of how useful they may be.
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Quote:
Originally Posted by edodonnell
After deleting Browser.apk, whenever I tried to install an app from the market, it would download and then crash without installing. The error message was "The process android.process.media has stopped unexpectedly. Please try again." The app would eventually install after I restarted Android Market several times. Replacing Browser.apk fixed this.
Thanks for the update. I went back and edited any posts where I quoted your list, so that the browser package was not mentioned. Thank you for compiling this list. It's the most complete I've seen yet.
Quote:
Originally Posted by edodonnell
I agree that many people will find those apps useful. I was am really just trying to get a complete list of which apps can safely be deleted without damaging anything else, regardless of how useful they may be.
I understand and I was not criticizing you for listing those two apps -- "Easy Wi-Fi" and "Think Free Office". It's just I know people get enthusiastic and what *can* be removed should not be confused with what *should* be removed. I was just adding some context that not everything on the list is bloatware.
Many of these apk's sync with the OS or other apks using shared id's. Pulling one from the circle can break others or disturb the process of the OS. Lg w/ MPCS have made it nearly impossible to modify its contents, going as far as even using encryptions on even their pictures (.png's) inside the apk's... Sorry to be the bearer of the bad news...
I have downloaded the Root Explorer and am able to access the system and app's folders and see at the top where it says r/o and I know I need to change it to r/w o but I'm not able to select it and change it. Please help! There are so many annoying applications.
This is a GREAT thread--so glad I found it!!--but I don't understand why apps like "MobileBanking" are still showing up in my menu after I deleted the .apk! There may be a couple of other apps doing this, too... What am I not doing??
I've tried rebooting, as well as powering down the phone and restarting it...
Last edited by wilberfan1; January 21st, 2011 at 12:51 AM.
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Removing unwanted apps using adb
Greetings, I have been perusing this site and all I can see is recommendation to buy "Root Explorer" in order to remove bloatware on our Optimus M. Why buy an app when it can easily be done on a ROOTED phone? ASSUMING your phone is ROOTED, and you have the proper USB driver loaded on your PC with Android SDK You will have c:\sdk\tools folder Start\Run\cmd cd\ cd sdk\tools this will take you to: c:\sdk\tools type in: adb shell (this will take u to $ prompt) su (superuser) ---> will take u to # prompt #mount -o rw,remount -t yaffs2 /dev/block/mtdblock3 /system #cd /system/app #ls ---> this simply lists the files in the /system/app subdirectory You will see a listing of all the .apk and corresponding .odex files Simply type: #rm filename.apk (please do not type "filename.apk") then, remove any corresponding .odex file, if any #reboot That's it, for those of you that are looking for instant gratification without the desire to learn, please feel free to download Root Explorer or Android Mate from market to accomplish this. Good luck.
ma2ga, you are right about not needing root explorer. You can also the terminal emulator, which is available free in the market. I have not purchased root explorer, and have used only adb shell and terminal emulator to remove apps, but I have been using Linux for years, and such things are easy for me. Some people may prefer to use a graphical file manager.
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ma2ga
Greetings, I have been perusing this site and all I can see is recommendation to buy "Root Explorer" in order to remove bloatware on our Optimus M. Why buy an app when it can easily be done on a ROOTED phone? ASSUMING your phone is ROOTED, and you have the proper USB driver loaded on your PC with Android SDK You will have c:\sdk\tools folder Start\Run\cmd cd\ cd sdk\tools this will take you to: c:\sdk\tools type in: adb shell (this will take u to $ prompt) su (superuser) ---> will take u to # prompt #mount -o rw,remount -t yaffs2 /dev/block/mtdblock3 /system #cd /system/app #ls ---> this simply lists the files in the /system/app subdirectory You will see a listing of all the .apk and corresponding .odex files Simply type: #rm filename.apk (please do not type "filename.apk" then, remove any corresponding .odex file, if any #reboot That's it, for those of you that are looking for instant gratification without the desire to learn, please feel free to download Root Explorer or Android Mate from market to accomplish this. Good luck.
While what you said is absolutely true, I still believe root explorer is an invaluable tool. I use it all the time as I'm not always sitting at a computer with my phone plugged in. If you only want to get rid of the bloatware and don't want to buy (or try to find it for free) then you can certainly do as stated above. Also, as you stated, using root explorer is an easy way to get rid of all the garbage for those who are not comfortable using adb.
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I agree with both of you guys. I actually love root explorer especially since I did not have to pay for it. A search on our favorite engine of the apk name and version number is what worked for me. That being said as a person that grew up with dos being able to do command line stuff on our phones is awesome and a great way to get stuff done.
And since no one responded to my other posting, I have seen all over that talk.apk cannot be removed without affecting the market functionality. I removed it and have had zero issues with the market as I have downloaded 10 apps since then no problem. Anyone know if talk.apk is now no longer needed or what? My curiosity must be quenched.
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Quote:
Originally Posted by shiiko
I'm an absolutely, fresh minted newbie.
Basic question: Do you have a link to...Root Explorer?
It's in the Market.
It's extremely useful and well worth the couple bucks. If for some reason you can't pay for it I'm sure you can find it somewhere but supporting Android developers is invaluable.
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I have broken down the /system/app folder for a better understanding.
NOTE:
-Android bare system, Android system standard extras, Lg Optimizations are signed with LG's private keys.
-Lg Google enhanced rom package are from google and signed with Google's private keys.
-Lg included 3rd party apks are partnered with LG and are signed by their partners private keys.
-Metro package apks are signed by MetroPCS by their private keys.
Here is the list of applications aka .apk (Android PacKage)'s
Hey, guys. Just want to make a suggestion. Deleting/moving the .apk's really doesn't save that much space. What I suggest you do is use Titanium Backup and freeze the System apps you don't want. The .apk's will still be there, but the app won't run or show up in the app list, and if you ever want to use one of the frozen apps again, you can. Good luck!
These apps can safely be removed from the LG Optimus M.
Just because an app is listed here does not necessarily mean that it is useless or that you will want to remove it. It only means that it can safely be removed without damaging anything else.
If you remove an .apk, then you can also remove the corresponding .odex. Not all apps will have an .odex.
HELPPPP!!! I installed Root Explorer / Android Mate / AndExplorer. I cant delete anything!!!! Now how can I delete annoying things off the phone. Android newb Just got my first cellphone in over 5 years. Using Root Explorer the filesystem wont mount as RW!!!. Android Mate gives me an error saying it cannot delete the file. Is there any help or should I go back to not even bothering with cellphones. I hate this bloatware crap, if this was a pc id have my way with it. thanks
Hey, guys. Just want to make a suggestion. Deleting/moving the .apk's really doesn't save that much space. What I suggest you do is use Titanium Backup and freeze the System apps you don't want. The .apk's will still be there, but the app won't run or show up in the app list, and if you ever want to use one of the frozen apps again, you can. Good luck!
Yeah and this crap wont run without ROOT!!!
"Sorry I could not acquire root priveleges. This application will *****NOT!!!!**** work!!!! (F$%^&*) Please verify that your ROM is rooted and includes BusyBox and try your call again"
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Quote:
Originally Posted by elusion
HELPPPP!!! I installed Root Explorer / Android Mate / AndExplorer. I cant delete anything!!!! Now how can I delete annoying things off the phone. Android newb Just got my first cellphone in over 5 years. Using Root Explorer the filesystem wont mount as RW!!!. Android Mate gives me an error saying it cannot delete the file. Is there any help or should I go back to not even bothering with cellphones. I hate this bloatware crap, if this was a pc id have my way with it. thanks
Quote:
Originally Posted by elusion
Yeah and this crap wont run without ROOT!!!
"Sorry I could not acquire root priveleges. This application will *****NOT!!!!**** work!!!! (F$%^&*) Please verify that your ROM is rooted and includes BusyBox and try your call again"
So, did you actually ROOT it first before installing all those other things? Rooting it is like becoming Administrator in Windows.
With Android 2.2 you can use the 1-click Z4 root. Search here in the forum. With 2.2.1, it's harder. Again, search here in the forum, especially in the sub-forum, all things root.
Which version of the Android do you have on your phone? Your box is going to say 2.2, but you probably have 2.2.1. On the home page (not in a program), click the bottom left menu button, click "settings", scroll down to "About Phone", click that, then see the Android version number.
Last edited by ChazzMatt; March 30th, 2011 at 04:36 AM.
I notice on the list that the phone.apk is listed as something you generally don't want to remove... I use GOContacts which is much better and want to rid myself of the stock phone app, I just don't know if it's safe to do so?
When I look through my apps in the app 'Uninstaller for root' I see 2 things I can remove: >Dialer which is 4KB and then Dialer which is 24KB.
Reason is because it is still using memory I think; however this may just be a process needed in the background for phone calls?
LGHome is NOT safe to remove.
If you do a factory reset, you will boot to a blank desktop. Not worth the little bit of space that it takes up. It's less hassle to just leave that one in there.
Quote:
Originally Posted by edodonnell
These apps can safely be removed from the LG Optimus M.
Just because an app is listed here does not necessarily mean that it is useless or that you will want to remove it. It only means that it can safely be removed without damaging anything else.
If you remove an .apk, then you can also remove the corresponding .odex. Not all apps will have an .odex.
Apps safe to remove:
AnalogClockWidget.apk - Analog Clock widget
Boingo_Wi-Fi.apk - Boingo WiFi
Calculator.apk - Calculator
Calendar.apk - Calendar App
CalendarProvider.apk - Supports the calendar. Remove only if Calendar.apk and CalendarWidget.apk have been removed.
CalendarWidget.apk - Calendar Widget
CarHome.apk - Car Home - Remove CarHomeLauncher.apk if this is removed.
CarHomeLauncher.apk - Car Home Launcher - Linked to CarHome.apk
ClockWeatherWidget.apk - Clock Weather Widget
DeskClock.apk - Clock app
DigitalAlarmWidget.apk - Alarm Clock widget
DualClockWidget.apk - Dual Clock widget
Email.apk - Email app - Safe to remove if you use Gmail or some other email app
GoogleQuickSearchBox.apk - Google Search widget and app
Homeselector.apk - Home Selector - Will not work if LGHome.apk is removed
You need to copy the APK from someone, place it back in /system/app
and then use the terminal (download it from the market) and type:
su
cd /system/app
chmod 644 gtalkservices.apk
That puts the app where it was, and sets root permissions that allows the phone to install it.
reboot your phone, it should be there when u boot back up.
Note: the APK name is case sensitive.
Quote:
Originally Posted by ChazzMatt
ed you added talk back to list of apps safe to remove, but MANY others say this is not good.
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Quote:
Originally Posted by mateo038
I notice on the list that the phone.apk is listed as something you generally don't want to remove... I use GOContacts which is much better and want to rid myself of the stock phone app, I just don't know if it's safe to do so?
When I look through my apps in the app 'Uninstaller for root' I see 2 things I can remove: >Dialer which is 4KB and then Dialer which is 24KB.
Reason is because it is still using memory I think; however this may just be a process needed in the background for phone calls?
Safe to remove???
It's better to just leave it alone. Android likes to link stuff in the background and you find out the hard way deletion was a bad idea. If it does use memory, it's not enough to concern you. Your replacement app might even hook into the android app and deleting it might disable everything.
I deleted most of the bloat. One thing... I deleted the music app, but on the "desktop" it still tries to load the music widget and it says "Problem loading Widget" at the top. Also goes for the weather/clock on the other side of the desktop.
Did I miss something?
OK, figured it out. I'll leave this up in case some other donkey needs it.
-You have to trash the widget box off the desktop!
Last edited by Interwebs; April 28th, 2011 at 12:54 PM.
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when you delete an app you have to delete the widget off the screen were it was just press and hold widget and drag it to dock and a trash bin will pop up.
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jabbawest - can't help you with #1; i was wondering that myself. As for #2, it is my understanding that you need to keep the stock messaging on your phone in order for MMS to work. For #3, I've already removed the memowidget.apk and have never encountered a problem.
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Quote:
Originally Posted by puyow18
jabbawest - can't help you with #1; i was wondering that myself. As for #2, it is my understanding that you need to keep the stock messaging on your phone in order for MMS to work. For #3, I've already removed the memowidget.apk and have never encountered a problem.
Thanks and you're correct. I froze Messaging 2.2.1 and could not send MMS.
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so i can remove this easy wifi and it's not gonna mess up my wifi? I really don't care for it. If i want wifi i just look at my phone. the annoying pop up sound every time it detects a spot is annoying and 1.86mb is too much space to waste.
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ginji_ban07
what software do you guys use for deleting? I use titanium backup but I really don't like it.
Root explorer would be the next choice but that means you need be sure you identify the correct .apk to delete and any .odex associated with it
It's not that hard but to me, it was more cumbersome than using TiBu and has a larger margin for error.
What is it that you don't like about using TiBu to delete apps?
At least with TiBu, you can delete safely since you would have a backup.
Root explorer would be the next choice but that means you need be sure you identify the correct .apk to delete and any .odex associated with it
It's not that hard but to me, it was more cumbersome than using TiBu and has a larger margin for error.
What is it that you don't like about using TiBu to delete apps?
At least with TiBu, you can delete safely since you would have a backup.
The free ver can only let me backup once
my phone keeps crashing everytime I want to uninstall something (I just replaced that old phone, so I don't know if its still the same)
I couldn't understand what programs to delete because I couldn't read the proper .apk names.
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ginji_ban07
The free ver can only let me backup once
my phone keeps crashing everytime I want to uninstall something (I just replaced that old phone, so I don't know if its still the same)
I couldn't understand what programs to delete because I couldn't read the proper .apk names.
Check your PM's
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List of apps safe to remove
/system/app broken down by package
