Low on space? Start with Google Maps.

[KendallParis]

I don't recall seeing this on the board, so forgive me if it's been mentioned. Anyway, I was going through my account on the Market and it had Google Maps listed as installed. On my phone it was pre-installed, but I was wondering if the recent update somehow changed its status.

While I couldn't remove Maps entirely, I was able to remove the updates and a huge space hogging behemoth shrunk back down to an annoying, but much more manageable application on my phone.

I lost the Traffic widget that I would never use with the removal of the update. Don't know if this helps anyone other than the owners (I'm one) of the Samsung Prevail, but when internal space is tight, that can be one of the first things to partially get the boot.

 

[UncleMike]

Google Maps typically comes pre-installed - in the /system/app folder. Unfortunately, updates get installed to the /data/app folder (where user apps get installed). If you're rooted, you can use Titanium Backup to merge the update into the /system/app folder, saving space in the process, since you don't have it installed in two locations.

Note: I'm not sure, but this feature in Titanium Backup may only be available in the paid version.

 

[KendallParis]

I'm not completely sure, but I think one of us isn't understanding the other. I don't want or need Google Maps, so while I am not rooted, I am able to uninstall the update and free up the space. That's all I was suggesting to others that may feel the same way that I do.

I know that it was pre-installed. That's the part of the application that can't be simply removed. However, the update can be removed.

 

[amlothi]

So, basically your tip and suggestion is "if you don't need something on your phone, you should uninstall it to save space".

Thanks! I've had my phone for over a year and didn't figure that out yet.


In all seriousness, you should really read what the update is for before you allow apps to update. I have lots of apps that I haven't updated because I don't care or don't want the "new features" that they have. Also, "new features" sometimes is codes for "we broke the basic functionality of the free version so that you are forced to buy the pro version".

 

[KendallParis]

Wow. I'm sorry. Everyone is taking this thread the completely wrong way. Some people probably didn't know that they could delete any part of this particular application because it is a Google application and it was pre-installed on their phone. Any time someone mentions trying to remove one of the Google applications, someone comes in to remind them that unless their phone is rooted, they can't do it.

So, there are some people that received the update(which for me, was automatic), saw that it was for a pre-installed Google application and may not be aware that they can remove the update and get their space back.

That's all I was trying to mention. I wasn't talking about updates in general. I wasn't talking about rooting the phone. I wasn't talking about if you don't need an application, remove it. I was talking about this one app that takes up way too much space if you don't use it and had many befuddled as to what the new widget was in their list.

That's it. I don't have a lot of internal storage on my phone and I was overjoyed to remove the update. I thought someone else might want the space back too. Instead of trying to figure out which other application to remove, start (if you don't want it) with Google Maps.

 

[andygeog]

If you're rooted, you can use Titanium Backup to merge the update into the /system/app folder, saving space in the process, since you don't have it installed in two locations.

I'm rooted and have TB. How do I merge the update?

 

[ironass]

Titanium Backup > Backup/Restore > Maps > Long press > Integrate update into ROM

Hope this helps.

 

[andygeog]

Titanium Backup > Backup/Restore > Maps > Long press > Integrate update into ROM

Hope this helps.

Yep. Consider yourself thanked!

 

[AngryHatter]

I did the same for google music.

 

[wyelkins]

Wow. I'm sorry. Everyone is taking this thread the completely wrong way. Some people probably didn't know that they could delete any part of this particular application because it is a Google application and it was pre-installed on their phone. Any time someone mentions trying to remove one of the Google applications, someone comes in to remind them that unless their phone is rooted, they can't do it.

So, there are some people that received the update(which for me, was automatic), saw that it was for a pre-installed Google application and may not be aware that they can remove the update and get their space back.

That's all I was trying to mention. I wasn't talking about updates in general. I wasn't talking about rooting the phone. I wasn't talking about if you don't need an application, remove it. I was talking about this one app that takes up way too much space if you don't use it and had many befuddled as to what the new widget was in their list.

That's it. I don't have a lot of internal storage on my phone and I was overjoyed to remove the update. I thought someone else might want the space back too. Instead of trying to figure out which other application to remove, start (if you don't want it) with Google Maps.

I get where you are coming from. I have mixed feelings on Google Maps. It is an incredible app! And handy to have when you need it. I just really do not need it very often. But I cannot bring myself to uninstall it.

It is a HOG on resources and drinks up the battery, but I still keep it.

I had a wife like that once...

She is uninstalled without a backup.

 

[takeshi]

Low on space? Start with Google Maps.

I get the point of your thread but anyone low on space should actually start by looking into what's using up space and address the biggest space hogs first.

 

[UncleMike]

I get the point of your thread but anyone low on space should actually start by looking into what's using up space and address the biggest space hogs first.

In the OP's case, a big offender was Google Maps. But I think the point of the post was to let others know that even though Google Maps is pre-installed, the updates can still be removed - saving a lot of space in the process, since the updates don't actually replace the original app. With most devices, non-rooted users are stuck with pre-installed apps. However, they are not stuck with the updates, and this may not occur to everyone.

 

[BoneDaddy]

Beautiful explanation. I got what Kendall meant right away, but, obviously, that was not the case with everyone. With your concise, wonderfully worded explanation, all but the most intellectually challenged should have no problem "getting it".

 

[NoMoreSymbian]

I get where you are coming from. I have mixed feelings on Google Maps. It is an incredible app! And handy to have when you need it. I just really do not need it very often. But I cannot bring myself to uninstall it.

It is a HOG on resources and drinks up the battery, but I still keep it.

I had a wife like that once...

She is uninstalled without a backup.

Had the same issue and it just irritated me. It was recommended to me to get an app called "Autostarts". I stopped Maps and many other self loaders from starting up to only running when I tell them to.

 

[Usta]

Had the same issue and it just irritated me. It was recommended to me to get an app called "Autostarts". I stopped Maps and many other self loaders from starting up to only running when I tell them to.

Stopping Maps app to run has nothing to do with its size on internal storage.

I read Autostarts needs root access to make changes. Then again, if you have a root access, then instead of forcing the phone to stop Maps or other apps, simply uninstall them from the phone...

 

[Sokudo Ningyou]

Freezing Maps in Titanium Backup also helps, but that's root.

I did notice that, in Gingerbread, it seemed like choosing Google Location Services in Location and Security Settings kept updating Google Maps all the freaking time. So I switched to Standalone GPS Services and froze Google Maps and use Locus instead; seems to work a bit better.

 

[KendallParis]

It is a HOG on resources and drinks up the battery, but I still keep it.

I had a wife like that once...

She is uninstalled without a backup.

I'm sure it's handy, but overwhelming on a phone. As for your ex-wife, hilarious.

I get the point of your thread but anyone low on space should actually start by looking into what's using up space and address the biggest space hogs first.

Sooo, looking at the manage applications list and starting with Google Maps if you don't need it, doesn't fit "addressing the biggest space hogs?" Okay.

In the OP's case, a big offender was Google Maps. But I think the point of the post was to let others know that even though Google Maps is pre-installed, the updates can still be removed - saving a lot of space in the process, since the updates don't actually replace the original app. With most devices, non-rooted users are stuck with pre-installed apps. However, they are not stuck with the updates, and this may not occur to everyone.

Exactly. Thank you.

Beautiful explanation. I got what Kendall meant right away, but, obviously, that was not the case with everyone. With your concise, wonderfully worded explanation, all but the most intellectually challenged should have no problem "getting it".

Thank you. I didn't really think I'd have to make any responses in this thread. I thought it would just be a bunch of "cool, I don't need it, so off it goes." Some of the replies were just so far off from the intent...

 

[_mw_]

I didn't really think I'd have to make any responses in this thread. I thought it would just be a bunch of "cool, I don't need it, so off it goes." Some of the replies were just so far off from the intent...

The belief that everybody will agree with you is often met with disagreement. Surprising, I know.

 

[paps79]

It is a HOG on resources and drinks up the battery, but I still keep it.

I had a wife like that once...

She is uninstalled without a backup.

*Raised fist* Yeah!

 

[amlothi]

I'm sure it's handy, but overwhelming on a phone.

Yes, it's handy. I don't find it overwhelming. I have enough space, and it's worth it to me to keep it installed. It doesn't use resources unnecessarily, because it doesn't actively do anything unless I want to use it.

Sooo, looking at the manage applications list and starting with Google Maps if you don't need it, doesn't fit "addressing the biggest space hogs?" Okay.

You are missing the point completely. You said "start with Google Maps". What if someone uses the features of Google Maps? What if someone has 27 other apps they NEVER use that they forgot were installed?

If you need to create more space, and you aren't rooted (which gives you other options) the best way to do so is:

1) Look for apps you installed but never use (like games you don't play anymore). Backup the app to an apk file on your SD card (for easy reinstall if you decide you want it back) and then uninstall.
2) If you don't have any apps you can uninstall, check the data used by each app for things like cache. Many people have found that apps like Facebook use a lot of data in cache that is never cleared, and clearing it frees a lot of space. Others have found problems with contact storage (contacts being duplicated many times) and that clearing contact data and restoring (from backup) gives a lot of free space.


The problem you don't mention with blindly removing updates to Google Maps is that there is no way to incrementally remove the updates. It's all or nothing. The user goes back to the original factory installed version of Maps that came on the phone. In my case, the original version doesn't have offline caching, which is important to me.

So the point, in case you still missed it, is that "starting with Google Maps" isn't really the best recommendation. However, rolling back the updates is something one can consider, if they are sure they don't want or need any of the new features in the updates.