Root Safe to Uninstall?

[.psd]

I have mikfroyo 4.4, so there is minimal bloatware remaining. I intend to use my evo for text, phone, camera, browse internet, use market voice recorder, use market notepad app, use market games, perhaps other market apps eventually, facebook, and have a contacts list (currently stock "People" app). I've done a fair amount of research, so I just want to confirm whether it's safe to uninstall (not freeze, uninstall, i want this shit off my device forever) the following, without causing unexpected loss in functionality:

car panel
fm radio
friend stream!!!
gmail (i dont use apps for mail, but i dont want to have unintended consequences of uninstalling gmail on a google phone)
latitude
mail
maps
navigation
news
news and weather
peep!!!
places
talk!!!
voice dialer!!!
stock voice recorder
voice search!!!
facebook for htc sense!!!
flickr!!!
swype

I'm sure there's plenty more unnecessary apps that I haven't uncovered yet, I just don't feel like the information I've found so far is thorough enough to help me decide if it's safe to get rid of permanently, given my intentions.

 

[evoX2]

Xda safe to remove

List over at XDA to cross reference with things that are ok to remove. Check it out.

 

[.psd]

Thank you I've seen that list, the problem is that a description of process and stating it's "safe to uninstall" doesn't help me decide whether uninstalling it will interfere with my ability to do the things I want to do. And tho a description isn't enough to make an important permanent decision, what's worse is that at least half of them don't even have descriptions.... That's why I listed my intentions for the phone. I essentially want nothing on it except what's absolutely mandatory, plus only what's required to allow the things I do. Also, I like the calculator, calendar, and weather.

For example, htcstreamplayer is "safe" to uninstall, but will that prevent me from streaming videos thru internet browser?

I feel like a list that describes each of these processes much more in depth would be MASSIVELY valuable to noobs like me. Maybe I could make that list if I can learn enough...

 

[akazabam]

I'll help you go through it tomorrow. I know you'll break a few things here and there with your list, so I'll have to do a little more complete research tomorrow.

 

[.psd]

As will I, and I'm looking forward to it. If it's worth it maybe we can start work on a comprehensive list that others can then build upon, which I think could be really really really useful. It seems common sense that most people don't want stuff on their phone they simply don't need, especially the types of people who are willing to root in the first place.



In the meantime, if anyone else can answer:

1. Is it safe to uninstall mail apps/widgets, and especially Gmail, if I don't use that stuff to check my mail? Or will uninstalling it have unintended consequences.
2. Will the facebook app alone do push notifications? Or does one need Facebook + Facebook for HTC Sense + Friendstream? Currently I've uninstalled Friendstream, and am worried that maybe I messed up push notifications and so I haven't gone as far as uninstalling Facebook for HTC Sense yet.
3. Will uninstalling Location Picker ruin Google Maps app? I uninstalled Street View because I don't care for it and I don't know what effect that's gonna have yet.

 

[.psd]

Confirmed:

* Facebook app alone doesn't do push notifications. Either Facebook for HTC Sense or Friendstream or both are required for push notifications, perhaps they must also be installed IN ADDITION TO Facebook app.

* Uninstalling Gmail has had no negative consequences yet.

* Maps still works after uninstalling Location Picker.

EDIT: Supposedly facebook app does push notifications, but they certainly aren't live, and therefore not push in my understanding. Rather, the app, as long as it's running, checks for updates based on the schedule you set in the settings. Thus, confirmed the app is useless, and FBFHTCS and Friendstream are still safe to uninstall without interfering with normal facebook app functionality. Still noticed no bad effects of uninstalling Gmail or Location Picker.

ALSO: Had the phone plugged in and charged until maybe 30 minutes after it reached 100%. Within 15 minutes it was at 91% whereupon I charged it again. To me this is unbelievable, is that a correct assessment? Still waiting patiently for a chance when I can be away from the phone for hours straight. Considering re-flashing mikfroyo under the impression this will over-write the netarchy kernel, then flashing the 1.9 pli. In fact I'm about to do that right now.

 

[archercc]

Getting rid of maps/navigation makes me wonder why you didnt save your pennies and get a dumbphone.

ALSO: Had the phone plugged in and charged until maybe 30 minutes after it reached 100%. Within 15 minutes it was at 91% whereupon I charged it again.

Its been addressed over and over and over again that this is due to the kernels not set to trickle charge, there are kernels that address this.

 

[JB in AZ]

...
ALSO: Had the phone plugged in and charged until maybe 30 minutes after it reached 100%. Within 15 minutes it was at 91% whereupon I charged it again. To me this is unbelievable, is that a correct assessment? Still waiting patiently for a chance when I can be away from the phone for hours straight. Considering re-flashing mikfroyo under the impression this will over-write the netarchy kernel, then flashing the 1.9 pli. In fact I'm about to do that right now.

....
Its been addressed over and over and over again that this is due to the kernels not set to trickle charge, there are kernels that address this.

Yes, this "battery down 10% in the first few minutes after removing from a charger" is well documented, as archercc mentioned. And there IS a kernel to help with this. But keep in mind that there are a bunch of varying opinions...if this:
1) is safe for the phone and/or battery, (may shorten the overall battery lifespan, or cause phone to explode)... No current verified reports that I have seen of the latter..

2) really extends the battery time between charges. Some report that the battery actually lasts a shorter time between charges with this kernel, even though staying at 100% longer at first, and others swear by it. So...

 

[frenchy714]

Yes, this "battery down 10% in the first few minutes after removing from a charger" is well documented, as archercc mentioned. And there IS a kernel to help with this. But keep in mind that there are a bunch of varying opinions...if this:
1) is safe for the phone and/or battery, (may shorten the overall battery lifespan, or cause phone to explode)... No current verified reports that I have seen of the latter..

2) really extends the battery time between charges. Some report that the battery actually lasts a shorter time between charges with this kernel, even though staying at 100% longer at first, and others swear by it. So...

There is something you can do after that initial 10-12% drop after taking your Evo off the charger if you don't want to use a SBC kernel. You can do a bump charge to top you off after you experience that initial drop by turning your phone off, charging till fully charged, unplug and turn phone back on. You can also wipe battery stats (a formality at best). That should do the trick.

If you would like to give SBC (Superior Battery Charging) kernels a try, here you go:

[KERNEL][SENSE] - SBC. Update: 1/18/11 All kernels put back up! - xda-developers

 

[akazabam]

Sounds like you've got a pretty good start here. I will agree, though, that you should really consider what you want to remove. If you remove too much, you're going just leave yourself with an OS . Anyway, I'll go through some of your original list. Just remember, you should either freeze these or rename the .apk extension to .bak. Don't uninstall or remove them in case you need them. Of course, I know you have nandroid backups, so that's a good .

1) Car panel - I don't see why you'd need to keep it if you don't want it. I've seen it removed before, and heard of no ill effects. Just remember, you won't be able to go into car mode.
2) FM radio - You don't need it. It shouldn't harm anything
3) Friend stream/HTC Facebook - I'm going to bundle these together. Basically, if you try to remove these, you're going to break syncing, as you've seen. It shouldn't harm the system in any other way, but if you use facebook, you should hold on to them. They don't represent *huge* resource savings anyway. Also, if you like having your facebook contacts sync with your google contacts (pictures, etc.). You must keep htc facebook.
4) maps/latitude/navigation/places - These all go together. You can remove them if you want, but honestly, do you really want to? Keep in mind that some apps use them, so anything that would normally use maps is going to have a big problem.
5) news/weather, etc. - You should be able to remove them, but you might see some issues if you use the Sense launcher; not positive.
6) peep - I seem to recall this one causing problems when removed. I'll have to look more into it.
7) talk - this one might cause problems, but I think some people do it. Try removing it, then make sure things like the market still work. That's most likely what it would affect.
8) Voice dialer - no idea what it will affect, but I know you can remove it.
9) voice search - you don't need it, but any apps, keyboard, etc, that has speech to text via voice search is not going to work right.
10) fllickr - I don't see why you'd need it. I doubt anything depends on it
11) swype - You can probably safely remove it.

Also, as you saw, you don't need street view. Just remember, it's not all that necessary to remove all this stuff. Somethings just have no impact on system resources if you never use them. If you want *that* much stuff removed, you might consider just switching to AOSP. Of course, you'll lose 4g (for now) and hdmi.

EDIT: Oh, one more thing. If you don't want the Sense launcher, you can remove it if you use a different launcher. There are flashable zips out there to remove it. I highly recommend you push whatever launcher you use to /system/app if you decide to do that.

 

[Mr. Ed]

I will chime in on what I have removed from the list and what issues I have seen.
1. Car Panel...removed with no issues at all, There are better panel apps in the market if you decide you want to toy with it.
2. radio...deleted..no issues
3. friend stream...deleted, but first make sure and uncheck sync otherwise sync will loop
4. I use these so they have not been deleted. Have heard rumors of market issues
5. latitude...removed no issues
6. mail removed no issues... you remove this and gmail though..no email for u?
7. maps...I use this ..part of nav
8. nav..again..use it pretty frequently
9. - 13. all removed with no issues...make sure and turn off sync on accounts and sync 1st.
14. unsure...I thought you ahd to keep this one for calls
15. -17. I use...very handy voice recorder..did you know it can record phone conversations?

flickr and swype I removed with no issues.

Keep in mind I removed all of these items above because I don't use them. You really don't get much benefit otherwise.