Root [Guide] Removing stock apps

[dntesinfrno]

This isnt the first time someone has posted a stock app removal guide and probably wont be the last but lately i've seen a lot of threads on the topic so decided to put together a guide of apps that i have removed that has greatly helped out my battery life. For all intensive purposes this is the 'easiest' free way to get rid of the bloat, it does however require root access. You can always just buy root explorer from the market and delete them with it. I tried to make this guide as noob friendly as posible.

Edit: Created a rom that automate this process and removes pretty much anything that can be removed: http://forum.sdx-developers.com/roms/(rom)-infernal-1-0-bare-bones-rom-8-mflop-with-froyo-jit/


AmazonMp3.apk - com.amazon.mp3 - junk

*BejewledDemo.apk - junk

*Brightness.apk - junk

Broswer.apk - com.android.browser - stock broswer (safe to remove if you use another broswer, xscope is kickass and free)

*Calculator.apk - com.android.calculator2 - stock calculator (pleanty of better, free ones on the market)

cm-android.apk - visual voicemail (ok to remove if you dont want/need it)

*com.google.android.marvin.kickback.apk (accessibility stuff)

*com.google.android.marvin.soundback.apk (accessibility stuff)

*com.google.android.marvin.talkback.apk (accessibility stuff)

DrmProvider.apk - com.android.providers.drm - not sure what this does but i deleted it and no problems, one less thing ;P)

*Email.apk - com.android.email - stock email (email app for anything other than gmail)

*FactoryTest.apk (not sure here, but no problems with it gone...goodbye)

GlobalSearch.apk - com.android.globalserach - global search on phone (aka useless if you know where to look)

*im.apk - instant messenger app, isnt that what texting is for

InputEventApp.apk (once again dunno, works ok without)

*KeyBoardSlideUpCounter.apk - counts how many times the phone is slid open, gimme a break

*LatinImeTutorial.apk - dunno but im not latin and i dont need a tutorial

MediaUploader.apk - self explanitory, i dont upload....maybe you do??

*MoxierMail.apk - get rid of it if you dont use it

*nasacar09-prod-release.apk - this is what a tv is for

*nfl-prod-release.apk - same here

*PicoTts.apk - text to speech app, i can read but thanks

*SDSA.apk - sprint update crap, dont need it

*sfl-prod-release.apk - other nfl widget thingy

shutdown.apk - phone turns of fine without this, no worries

SprintAndroidExtension.apk - another app that sounds important but doesnt seem to do anything...kinda like the goverment

*SpintNavigation.apk - use google maps/nav its better

*SprintTV_MR2_Samsung_Moment_GM_Final_1.0.4.29-112596.apk - not paying to watch tv on my phone

*Sprint_App_Updater.apk - useless

Talk.apk - gmail talk app, i dont use it

*Term.apk - terminal app that doesnt work

version.apk - useless

VoiceSearchWithKeyboard.apk - keyboard and voice search app ok to remove but you should install 3rd party keyboard first, i like smart keyboard

*VSuiteApp.apk - Nuance Voice commands i think, if you remove this do it last, it will cause phone to force close loop until restarted...you've been warned

VpnServices.apk - dont need a vpn

*Weather2-16.apk - weather channel widget...doesnt like not having location on for me, and that kills the battery..goodbye

*WlanTest.apk - useless

*xms-android-1.1.4-signed.apk -

*YouTube.apk - stock youtube app....install the youtubehq from the kitchen if u want youtube


* removable with sdx kitchen

Note: It is not necessary to start from scratch, this guide can be started from any point for that matter, but if im going to spend time putting this together im going to do it right. This guide assumes a basic knowledge of the phone and installing custom roms/kernels/rooting. If you need help with this sdx-developers.com is where you need to start. Check out these videos as well - http://www.youtube.com/androidhelpers - thanks goes to IOWA for putting this together.

1. From a stock 2.1 flash install custom recovery of choice. Also going to need root access beyond this point. Pretty much every kernel other than stock that i've seen includes root. If your going to install any roms now is the time to do it, dont want to remove a bunch of stuff just to have a rom put it all back. Kernels arent a big deal as they dont have any effect on the /system/app folder.

2. **Optional** Take a trip over to the sdx custom rom kitchen (SDX-Downloads : Haxsung Custom ROM Kitchen) and create an update.zip file, any of the starred apps can be removed with this rom. (If you installed a rom already leave everything else alone until other than the apps, might screw somethin up and have to start over, not fun.)

3. BACKUP BACKUP BACKUP BACKUP BACKUP....not that many times in a row just getting the point across. Before you do anything else reboot into recovery and backup the data and system (or however else you prefer to backup, this is my prefered method). The /system backup stores stock apps and system files, whereas the /data backup is where market apps and user settings are located. Its also a good idea and will save you a big headache to make a backup before you make any major changes to /system. Keep in mind deleting these apps doesnt cause any problems with MY phone, that doesnt mean it wont on yours. Each one is different especially with all the custom stuff floating around the web. My suggestion is to remove a couple at a time, reboot the phone and give it a once over to see if anything odd happens and then backup if all is well. This will help to narrow down a problem should one arise. It is also recommend that you make copies of any files you delete in case you want to reinstall it down the road. Most of the free file explorer apps will be able to handle this since copying is a read only operation.

4. Now the fun begins, get yourself a shell terminal from the market...connectbot works well for me.

-Switch to local in bottom left corner and type a username, anything will do (connectbot specific
other apps may vary)
Commands are in bold
-type su the $ will change to # indicating root access
-type remount rw ..this gives you the ability to read/write and best of all delete
-type cd /system/app/ ..this will move you to the system/app folder where all the goodies are
-to remove apps type rm [appname.apk] (without the brackets and also make sure your punctuation is correct, Talk.apk and talk.apk are two different files in android) ..also any .odex files with the same name can be deleted if you remove the .apk. An alternate command to remove both at once would be rm [appname.*] You can also type ls to see a list of files in the current directory.

After remounting the file system as r/w you have free reign over the files and can back out to the home screen and use a file browser app to copy/paste/delete etc...

You will notice that after you have removed an .apk the package will appear in you applications menu, or any app management apps you may have. Its ok to uninstall these after you have removed the .apk and highly suggest you do. The ones i could find or know what they were i put the package name beside the .apk (e.g. com.android.calculator2). Removing as much of this crap as you are comfortable with will decrease the load on the system thereby increasing battery life. It also helps to follow the other well know tips like turning off location, wifi, and gps unless you are using them right now, when you are done turn them off....your battery will thank you for this by staying on longer.

 

[godsdragon]

Is there an easier way to go about this?... I am now rooted, but learning how to remove the apps I dont want on my phone is kicking my butt!! Maybe I've been at this 5 or 8 too many hours...lol

 

[dntesinfrno]

The only other way that is any easier will cost you a couple bucks from the market. You can download root explorer which will allow you to just navigate to the /system/app/ folder and delete the files directly. Just like flashing a kernel for the first time, once you figure it out and get it done once you'll be rm'ing in your sleep.

 

[IOWA]

Is there an easier way to go about this?... I am now rooted, but learning how to remove the apps I dont want on my phone is kicking my butt!! Maybe I've been at this 5 or 8 too many hours...lol

I'm making a video tutorial soon about just this =D

Stay tuned to YouTube - androidhelpers's Channel

In fact, there's a new video going up tonight/tomarrow on how root for dummies.

 

[SoulTerror]

I cannot get rid of the *VSuiteApp.apk. I've tried command line in ConnectBot, Root Explorer, and AppBrain. They all just say invalid name, or failed to remove even though it still shows up on my list.

 

[dopeismarcus]

The only other way that is any easier will cost you a couple bucks from the market. You can download root explorer which will allow you to just navigate to the /system/app/ folder and delete the files directly. Just like flashing a kernel for the first time, once you figure it out and get it done once you'll be rm'ing in your sleep.

i downloaded root explorer but i dont see amazon mp3 in the /system/app folder.

 

[dntesinfrno]

i downloaded root explorer but i dont see amazon mp3 in the /system/app folder.

If its not in the folder, its already been removed.

 

[dntesinfrno]

I'm making a video tutorial soon about just this =D

Stay tuned to YouTube - androidhelpers's Channel

In fact, there's a new video going up tonight/tomarrow on how root for dummies.

Cool, onces its up let me know and i'll edit the OP to include the video.

 

[dntesinfrno]

I cannot get rid of the *VSuiteApp.apk. I've tried command line in ConnectBot, Root Explorer, and AppBrain. They all just say invalid name, or failed to remove even though it still shows up on my list.

Personally i just used the kitchen to remove this app, and any that it is able to for that matter. Have you tried doing it that way? Im assuming root explorer is giving the failed to remove error and not the invalid name as it deletes the file directly. If this is the case it is because you didn't remount the folder as r/w, in root explorer there is a grey box at the top that toggles between r/o and r/w by clicking on it. To the left of the box it shows the current status of the folder. When the folder is read only the toggle will show remount r/w and vice versa.

 

[IOWA]

Cool, onces its up let me know and i'll edit the OP to include the video.

Sorry for the delay, has some snags editing the video, but that's done now. Just gotta lay down the sound and it'll be uploaded probably tonight.

 

[VertigoKid]

I'm making a video tutorial soon about just this =D

Stay tuned to YouTube - androidhelpers's Channel

In fact, there's a new video going up tonight/tomarrow on how root for dummies.

I did this tutorial and tried to remove some stock apps with that Titanium Back Up and my phone isn't rooted. I did everything up to the Wifi and I'm not understanding why I still can't remove some of those nonesense apps from my Samsung Moment.

 

[dntesinfrno]

I did this tutorial and tried to remove some stock apps with that Titanium Back Up and my phone isn't rooted. I did everything up to the Wifi and I'm not understanding why I still can't remove some of those nonesense apps from my Samsung Moment.

You answered your own question, root is definitely required to remove stock apps. Hence the second sentence of step 1. "Also going to need root access beyond this point"

 

[pastafarian]

Moved to the All things root section and copied into the guide sticky. Thanks for great content!

 

[VertigoKid]

You answered your own question, root is definitely required to remove stock apps. Hence the second sentence of step 1. "Also going to need root access beyond this point"

How did I answer my own question? I did the tutorial on Youtube. It stated if you wanted to do something with the Wi-fi then continue. I didn't because all I want to do is remove some of those crappy apps off my phone like Bejewelled trial, Moxie Mail, Amazon MP3, just to name a few and what I did for my phone last night seems to be utterly useless. What did I miss?

 

[my1zamboni]

Because you said you aren't rooted.
The instructions clearly states you need to be rooted.
So by saying you aren't rooted explains why you can't do this.
So you answered your own question.

 

[VertigoKid]

Because you said you aren't rooted.
The instructions clearly states you need to be rooted.
So by saying you aren't rooted explains why you can't do this.
So you answered your own question.[/QUOTE
Believe me I'm not trying to be rude but after all I went through from the tutorial from Youtube I thought my phone was rooted. Since it's not I'm going to have to try another alternative. If it works then I'll spread the word. I'm still learning. Only had this phone for six and a half months. Thanks for bearing with me. I appreciate it.

 

[dntesinfrno]

Because you said you aren't rooted.
The instructions clearly states you need to be rooted.
So by saying you aren't rooted explains why you can't do this.
So you answered your own question.

+1

Im not sure which video you followed but here is a great rooting guide put together by pasta that should get you on the right foot.

http://androidforums.com/moment-all-things-root/163034-simple-root-instructions.html

 

[VertigoKid]

+1

Im not sure which video you followed but here is a great rooting guide put together by pasta that should get you on the right foot.

http://androidforums.com/moment-all-things-root/163034-simple-root-instructions.html

I think that's the reason I went to Youtube b/c I went to the highlighted link and I had to join the forum in order to get both files and I've out done myself with forums and wanted something I could see and follow since I'm not electronically savvy. I will probably pick this up tomorrow since football is on. But since my teams are playing like they've never seen a football field before...

 

[VertigoKid]

+1

Im not sure which video you followed but here is a great rooting guide put together by pasta that should get you on the right foot.

http://androidforums.com/moment-all-things-root/163034-simple-root-instructions.html

Anyway I can get this DE03? The website where it's at wants you to register in order to get the file.

 

[IOWA]

Check the video in my channel. No registration required for the download.

YouTube - androidhelpers's Channel

 

[VertigoKid]

Check the video in my channel. No registration required for the download.

YouTube - androidhelpers's Channel

That be the one I used. I know I did it right because when I turn on my phone, SDX loads up instead but my phone isn't rooted. Is it because I stopped before the Wi-fi instructions?

 

[IOWA]

That be the one I used. I know I did it right because when I turn on my phone, SDX loads up instead but my phone isn't rooted. Is it because I stopped before the Wi-fi instructions?

No, you should be rooted if you have the SDX Logo

 

[VertigoKid]

No, you should be rooted if you have the SDX Logo

When I installed the Titanium Back up it says 'Sorry, I could not acquire root privileges. This application will *not* work! Please verify that your ROM is rooted and includes BusyBox, and try again'. I'm not Android savvy and have no clue what BusyBox is or what it means by my ROM not being rooted but I'm guessing my phone isn't rooted.

 

[dntesinfrno]

Go to the market and download 'connectbot'
Once installed run it and change the box in the lower left corner to 'local'
Log into a local shell - name not required
once logged in the prompt will look like this

$


type 'su' with out the quotes
the $ will change to # if you have root access, otherwise you will get an error
This will tell you whether or not you are rooted.

** Also stated in the guide above **

 

[VertigoKid]

Go to the market and download 'connectbot'
Once installed run it and change the box in the lower left corner to 'local'
Log into a local shell - name not required
once logged in the prompt will look like this

$


type 'su' with out the quotes
the $ will change to # if you have root access, otherwise you will get an error
This will tell you whether or not you are rooted.

** Also stated in the guide above **

LOL, I know it's in the guide. The problem I'm having is typing in the 'su'(without the quotes). I don't have a 'enter' button so after I type in su I don't know what to hit.