Root List of Apps to Safely Remove & Tips

[Oregon2]

EDITED!!!

CAUTION you are responsible for anthing you do to your own phone!!! These apps have been removed by multiple people to test.

Root your phone with Superone Click.

Then get Titanium Back-up from the Market after you root and use it to remove these apps:

(*) If you want to be more cautious than I, do not remove the ones wth and asterisk before the name. Some need a replacement app before you can remove, as noted. Some are ones I removed, and I cannot find a problems removal caused.

The rest are only needed if you want them. The system could not care less if you remove them. You DO need to have your GMail account set up on the phone if you want to use any Google service: Googles backup, sync, Market, etc.

Adventure Training (Part of GzGear)
Backup Assistant (Verizon backup, redundant to Googles backup)
Bing (Search engine, loaded Google instead)
Books (I refuse to read a book on this little screen)
Calendar (I use Touchdown for Exchange support, my Cal/mail/tasks work via that program)
Calendar Storage (Only needed if you keep calendar)
Calendar Sync Adapter (Only needed if you keep calendar)
Car mode 1.0 (Don't have a car dock, the dock mode looks worthless)
Car Mode 1.0 (make that "double" worthless)
City ID (It's a pay service, tells you where a call is originating from)
Clock Widget 2.2.1 (the clock on the notification bar works for me)
Cloud 1.0 (screensaver or wallpaper)
com.nec.android.ncmc.gzgear.shortcut 1.0 (GzGear)
*com.nec.android.ncmc.hiddenmenu.feature 1.0 (?)
*com.nec.android.ncmc.hiddenmenu.program 1.0 (?)
*com.nec.android.ncmc.modch 1.0 (?)
*com.nec.android.ncmc.permission.accesstodevstapi 2.2.1 (?)
*com.nec.android.ncmc.phone.nvwrapper 1.0 (?)
Compass 1.0 (I prefer to use an app called GPS-Status)
Deep Sea (screensaver/wallpaper)
*DRM Protected Content Storage 2.2.1 (Digital rights management)
Earth Compass 1.0 (See Compass, above)
Email (installed K9 Email from Market)
GzGear 1.0 (No need for any of it)
Gmail (added my GMail account to normal email app, don't need 2 email apps)
Growing Tree 1.0 (screensaver or wallpaper)
Guided tours (I think I can figure out how to use a phone)
*Home 2.2.1 (running Go Launcher EX instead) Do not delete without a replacement running!
Honeycomb pattern (screensaver or wallpaper)
*InnopathAvtiveCare (you will not get updates without this)
Live Wallpaper Picker 2.2.1 (no explanation req'd)
Memo 2.2.1 (dumb little voice-memo tool)
Mirage 1.0 (screensaver or wallpaper)
Mobile IM 3.0.4.3 (I think this is Verizons own IM program, how many do we need?)
Moonrise Moonset (I am not nocturnal, fangs are minimal)
My Verizon Mobile (Never worked right, supposed to be app that gives you acct/useage info)
NFL Mobile (wtf do I want football info for?)
Pedometer (I don't need a phone to tall me how far I have walked)
Pico TTS
*PVMtpServiceStart 1.0 (?)
*PVWmdrmServiceStart 1.0 (more drm)
Rainy Day Popup (tells you to bring an umbrella if reports predict rain......to protect phone? LOL)
*Setup wizard 1.0 (help you set up accounts, not really needed)
*Setup wizard 1.3 (not sure why there are two)
Shockwave 1.0 (screensaver/wallpaper)
Shootingstar 1.0 (screensaver/wallpaper)
*Sim Toolkit 2.2.1 (?)
Skype Mobile (internet video calling)
Slacker (an internet radio-like app)
Social Beat (I don't know but I thought that was normally a solo activity)
Sound Recorder 2.2.1 (no need)
Star Gazer (GzGear, crappy star-finder app, I thought Google-Sky was better, have neither loaded)
Sun / Moon (GzGear, Sun/moon set app)
Sunrise/sunset (GzGear, sun rise/set app)
Sync Service (Verizon sysnc service, when I do sync, prefer to just use the Google stuff)
Thermometer (GzGear crap, Why?, phones thermometers are not very accurate)
Tides 1.0 (GzGear, Yes, there are two different apps)
Tides 1.0
Trip Memory (GzGear crap)
VCast Apps (why?)
VCast Music (why?)
VCast Tones (why?)
VCast Videos (why?)
Virtual Trek 1.0 (GzGear to let you run/trek against an opponent, I guess)
Voice Control VSuite (voice command program, not impressed)
VoiceMemo 1.0 (voice memo app)
Voicemail 1.0 (I didnt want to pay for VVM, and this app just slows you down if you want to use regular VM)
VPN Client (I don't use Virtual Private Networking)
VPN services (I don't use VPN)
VZ Navigator (I prefer Google Maps)
VZW Package Installer 1.0 (I assume this is for getting apps from Verizon store)
VZW SMS Filter Service 1.2 (No idea)
Walking counter 1.0 (GzGear, Another pedometer?)
Waterproof 1.0 (wallpaper/screensaver)
Weather 1.0 (standalone weather widget, not part of the news/weather widget)
Wiper App 2.2.1 (used to wipe phone via InnopathActivecare, Touchdown already has this)

You can also delete XT9 keyboard, IF you load another keyboard app.

You can also uninstall all the live wallpapers...If someone still has them on the phone and list them I can insert them into the list alphabetically so that people new to rooting can just go down the list and remove in succession.

Thanks to Rafael for most of the help. And to anybody else who has provided input/feedback. If you have any other apps your have removed please let us know and I will add them to the bottom of the list so we can all see the updated list. Or if you have any tips please let us know. Thanks

 

[Oregon2]

Tip #1: Install GO Launcher Ex from the market and set it as default. It will get rid of that annoying snap-out menu and allow you to set the magnifying glass button to Google Search (you must download Google Search and Voice Search by Google from the Market)

Tip #2: Make a quick voicmail button. First make a contact named voicemail and enter the number as *86,,1234 (that is star 86 comma comma and then YOUR four number voicemail passcode.) This will call voicemail and enter your passcode for you. Next find an empty spot on your Home Screen and long hold, click on Shortcut, click on Direct Dial, then scroll down and select your voicemail contact.
Apps you may want to try:

Free Gingerbread Keyboard (It will allow you to use voice input anywhere the keyboard is available)

K-9 Mail (it is based off the stock email only better, MAKE SURE wifi is off when you get it from Market don't know why but you may have issues if you have wifi on)

Accuweather (was more accurate in my testing than any of the others I have tried)

My Tracks (It's from google and lets you make custom maps to use in Google Maps, kind of like dropping pins on an Iphone)

 

[DFD01]

Tip #1: Install GO Launcher Ex from the market and set it as default. It will get rid of that annoying snap-out menu and allow you to set the magnifying glass button to Google Search (you must download Google Search and Voice Search by Google from the Market)

How well does GO Launcher EX work on the Commando? I'm trying to decide between the Commando and Incredible 2...

 

[Rafael]

Works great on Commando!

 

[Oregon2]

yup work great on the commando. and with this phone you dont have to worry about a thing, which is why I got it. I would have already had to replace it twice and I've only had it a little over a month. I fell off a rock into the ocean with it in my pocket and a different day i set in on my car hood and forgot about it during a pretty hefty rain and didn't miss a beat. I've also dropped it on the beach into the sand. no other phone would have made it!! but your most likely gonna want to root it to get off all the verizon bloatware and it will be as fast as you need it to be. thats easy though and there is a sub forum for that. good luck and I would get the commando if you do anything outside or think you might accidently spill a drink on it

 

[rjglenn]

You can add Weather 1.0 to the list.

 

[4DAIVI PAI2K5]

yup work great on the commando. and with this phone you dont have to worry about a thing, which is why I got it. I would have already had to replace it twice and I've only had it a little over a month. I fell off a rock into the ocean with it in my pocket and a different day i set in on my car hood and forgot about it during a pretty hefty rain and didn't miss a beat. I've also dropped it on the beach into the sand. no other phone would have made it!! but your most likely gonna want to root it to get off all the verizon bloatware and it will be as fast as you need it to be. thats easy though and there is a sub forum for that. good luck and I would get the commando if you do anything outside or think you might accidently spill a drink on it

My buddy and I got our phones on the same rainy day. He got his started up, and threw it into his rainy yard haha. I still baby mine. haha

 

[Rafael]

You can add Weather 1.0 to the list.

I forgot that one too.
I use the weather/news widget, but it is not dependent on the weather app. Weather is now gone on my phone.

 

[ni6hthawk]

I have a few questions about these apps...



TTS Service 2.2.1 this is needed for GPS correct?
Account and Snc settings / Sync Service …What do these apps do?
Some have deleted Backup Assistant. It is posted in other forums that this is one app you should not remove. I froze it and had all my bookmarks deleted… I guess I could import a .csv file.


Document Viewer is installed in my Commando.. is it replaceable by another document app?
Playlists Media Storage… replaceable? I Imagine its for media music etc?
Wallpaper/Settings Settings 2.2.1 can this be deleted?
Vzw SMS Filter Service 1.2 Does this affect SMS/texts?
Pico TTS 1.0 What does this app affect?


Thanks for any and all help!

 

[ni6hthawk]

I deleted the following without problems...

XT9 Text Input... (must have another keyboard installed to phone)
Search...
Browser... Replaced with Opera mini...(really fast) Dolphin is good too (much larger file though)

 

[Rafael]

I recently deleted the following, no problems so far.

com.nec.android.ncmc.gzgear.shortcut 1.0
com.nec.android.ncmc.hiddenmenu.feature 1.0
com.nec.android.ncmc.hiddenmenu.program 1.0
com.nec.android.ncmc.modch 1.0
com.nec.android.ncmc.permission.accesstodevstapi 2.2.1

I will let everyoe know if any problem occur.
Will post a full list of my removed apps this evening.
It is extensive.

Anyone have info on "Sim Toolkit 2.2.1"?

 

[Rafael]

Here is my list of removed apps. I can't say if anyone else has tried all of them.

(*) If you want to be more cautious than I, do not remove the ones wth and asterisk before the name. Some need a replacement app before you can remove, as noted. Some are ones I removed, and I cannot find a problems removal caused.

The rest are only needed if you want them. The system could not care less if you remove them. You DO need to have your GMail account set up on the phone if you want to use any Google service: Googles backup, sync, Market, etc.

411 Search 1.0.9 (cannot figure out what it does, but no problems removing) added 9-17-2011
Adventure Training (Part of GzGear)
Backup Assistant (Verizon backup, redundant to Googles backup)
Bing (Search engine, loaded Google instead)
Books (I refuse to read a book on this little screen)
Calendar (I use Touchdown for Exchange support, my Cal/mail/tasks work via that program)
Calendar Storage (Only needed if you keep calendar)
Calendar Sync Adapter (Only needed if you keep calendar)
Car mode 1.0 (Don't have a car dock, the dock mode looks worthless)
Car Mode 1.0 (make that "double" worthless)
City ID (It's a pay service, tells you where a call is originating from)
Clock Widget 2.2.1 (the clock on the notification bar works for me)
Cloud 1.0 (screensaver or wallpaper)
com.nec.android.ncmc.gzgear.shortcut 1.0 (GzGear)
*com.nec.android.ncmc.hiddenmenu.feature 1.0 (?)
*com.nec.android.ncmc.hiddenmenu.program 1.0 (?)
*com.nec.android.ncmc.modch 1.0 (?)
*com.nec.android.ncmc.NcmcNVForEri 1.0 (?) Added 9-17-2011
*com.nec.android.ncmc.permission.accesstodevstapi 2.2.1 (?)
*com.nec.android.ncmc.phone.nvwrapper 1.0 (?)
Compass 1.0 (I prefer to use an app called GPS-Status)
Deep Sea (screensaver/wallpaper)
*DRM Protected Content Storage 2.2.1 (Digital rights management)
Earth Compass 1.0 (See Compass, above)
Email (installed K9 Email from Market)
GzGear 1.0 (No need for any of it)
Gmail (added my GMail account to normal email app, don't need 2 email apps)
Growing Tree 1.0 (screensaver or wallpaper)
Guided tours (I think I can figure out how to use a phone)
*Home 2.2.1 (running Go Launcher EX instead) Do not delete without a replacement running!
Honeycomb pattern (screensaver or wallpaper)
*InnopathAvtiveCare (you will not get updates without this)
Live Wallpaper Picker 2.2.1 (no explanation req'd)
Memo 2.2.1 (dumb little voice-memo tool)
Mirage 1.0 (screensaver or wallpaper)
Mobile IM 3.0.4.3 (I think this is Verizons own IM program, how many do we need?)
Moonrise Moonset (I am not nocturnal, fangs are minimal)
My Verizon Mobile (Never worked right, supposed to be app that gives you acct/useage info)
NFL Mobile (wtf do I want football info for?)
Pedometer (I don't need a phone to tall me how far I have walked)
Pico TTS 1.0 (Text to Speech app, keep it if you like it) added 9-17-2011
*PVMtpServiceStart 1.0 (?)
*PVWmdrmServiceStart 1.0 (more drm)
Rainy Day Popup (tells you to bring an umbrella if reports predict rain......to protect phone? LOL)
*Setup wizard 1.0 (help you set up accounts, not really needed)
*Setup wizard 1.3 (not sure why there are two)
Shockwave 1.0 (screensaver/wallpaper)
Shootingstar 1.0 (screensaver/wallpaper)
*Sim Toolkit 2.2.1 (?)
Skype Mobile (internet video calling)
Slacker (an internet radio-like app)
Social Beat (I don't know but I thought that was normally a solo activity)
Sound Recorder 2.2.1 (no need)
Star Gazer (GzGear, crappy star-finder app, I thought Google-Sky was better, have neither loaded)
Sun / Moon (GzGear, Sun/moon set app)
Sunrise/sunset (GzGear, sun rise/set app)
Sync Service (Verizon sysnc service, when I do sync, prefer to just use the Google stuff)
Thermometer (GzGear crap, Why?, phones thermometers are not very accurate)
Tides 1.0 (GzGear, Yes, there are two different apps)
Tides 1.0
Trip Memory (GzGear crap)
TTS Service 2.2.1 (Text to Speech service, keep if you like) added 9-17-2011
VCast Apps (why?)
VCast Music (why?)
VCast Tones (why?)
VCast Videos (why?)
Virtual Trek 1.0 (GzGear to let you run/trek against an opponent, I guess)
Voice Control VSuite (voice command program, not impressed)
VoiceMemo 1.0 (voice memo app)
Voicemail 1.0 (I didnt want to pay for VVM, and this app just slows you down if you want to use regular VM)
VPN Client (I don't use Virtual Private Networking)
VPN services (I don't use VPN)
VZ Navigator (I prefer Google Maps)
VZW Package Installer 1.0 (I assume this is for getting apps from Verizon store)
VZW SMS Filter Service 1.2 (No idea)
Walking counter 1.0 (GzGear, Another pedometer?)
Waterproof 1.0 (wallpaper/screensaver)
Weather 1.0 (standalone weather widget, not part of the news/weather widget)
Wiper App 2.2.1 (used to wipe phone via InnopathActivecare, Touchdown already has this)

You can also delete XT9 keyboard, IF you load another keyboard app. I have not yet found one I like.

I count 79 apps that can be removed safely, so far. "No, this phone doesn't have any bloatware!?!"

 

[DFD01]

So...now that I have my Commando and am waiting for it to port numbers so I can root, which out of this multitude of apps do I actually want to remove? It would be helpful if someone wrote up a listing of apps (like above) along with what they do and how safe they are to remove. THIS would be immensely useful to beginners such as myself.

 

[rjglenn]

There might not be any custom ROMs devolped for this phone, but this essentially is reverse engineering one right on the phone.

 

[Rafael]

So...now that I have my Commando and am waiting for it to port numbers so I can root, which out of this multitude of apps do I actually want to remove? It would be helpful if someone wrote up a listing of apps (like above) along with what they do and how safe they are to remove. THIS would be immensely useful to beginners such as myself.

Will work on notations for each app this evening.
As you use the phone more, the purpose of many of these will become apparent.

 

[Rafael]

There might not be any custom ROMs devolped for this phone, but this essentially is reverse engineering one right on the phone.

Yeah.....and it's mostly your fault.
You got me started with your Rooting posts.

(I really do appreciate it!)

 

[Rafael]

I have a few questions about these apps...



TTS Service 2.2.1 this is needed for GPS correct?
Account and Snc settings / Sync Service …What do these apps do?
Some have deleted Backup Assistant. It is posted in other forums that this is one app you should not remove. I froze it and had all my bookmarks deleted… I guess I could import a .csv file.


Document Viewer is installed in my Commando.. is it replaceable by another document app?
Playlists Media Storage… replaceable? I Imagine its for media music etc?
Wallpaper/Settings Settings 2.2.1 can this be deleted?
Vzw SMS Filter Service 1.2 Does this affect SMS/texts?
Pico TTS 1.0 What does this app affect?


Thanks for any and all help!

I removed backup assistant over 2 weeks ago, no problems here. Google already has backup programs on this device....how many do we need?
If you are using Verizon for alot of stuff....it may be worth keeping.

Verizon is trying to build additional business around media, Visual voice mail, and other crap like that. I do not wish to be a part of it. While the cell/daa services work well for me, I could do without all of the other stuff.

TTS stands for Text-To-Speech. You decide if you need them.
Removing will not cause operational problems.

Don't delete account and sync settings.
Sync Service is a separate sync for Verizon. This device already syncs with Google, do you need to sync something with Verizon? I don't, deleted.

You can delete the doc viewer, and use a new one if you want to.

Playlists....up to you. I do play some music and left it in.

Wallpaper? Kept it but deleted Live Wallpaper.

VZW SMS? not sure, but this is my second Android phone....and the last one had none of this Verizon proprietary stuff that duplicated the Google stuff. Deleted.

PicoTTS is another Text-To-Speech program. Forget what it works with. I left it. At least it is standard Android fare.

 

[Rafael]

So...now that I have my Commando and am waiting for it to port numbers so I can root, which out of this multitude of apps do I actually want to remove? It would be helpful if someone wrote up a listing of apps (like above) along with what they do and how safe they are to remove. THIS would be immensely useful to beginners such as myself.

I edited my list above, adding comments and notes.
I have removed 75 stock apps so far without problems.

I have removed a few that caused problems....left them off the list.
There is plenty of stuff you can remove without wondering which you cannot.

 

[rjglenn]

Rafael,

I have removed everything on your list as well as the TTSservice2.1.1. Again, you have reversed engineered a custom ROM because other than some kernal tweeks a custom ROM removes all the unneeded, unwanted apks that don't need to be on the phone, and adds stuff the the dev likes or wants.

Kernal tweeks - have you looked at the V6 Supercharger scripts? I am running it. I can't really tell if it has made a difference, but it hasn't caused any problems so I am going to go with it for the time being.

This is good stuff & I like my phone even more than I did from the begining.

 

[Rafael]

Cool. I will let you know if I decide to remove anything else, or reload anything... and the reason.

I have not yet used the TTS stuff on this phone, but I did use it a bit on my Droid1. Figured I would leave it for now.

I have heard of V6 Supercharger. I don't understand how to run it or what it improves. Was waiting to hear if there was a benefit.
Question: Does it alter our ability to put the phone phone back to original; as we currently can using titanium?

I did a little programming many years ago, long before Object Oriented Programming became popular. I know enough about computers to understand how removing apps with services that are constantly running can improve performance. The rest of the programs I removed were becuase I see no need in having them, or I removed them just to see if I could; for fun.

I agree. I think my phone is much improved over the original; though I must say that the smallest tweaks: the replacement of Bing, and the replacement of the Home app with Go Launcher EX; were the largest improvements.

Opinion:
Casio could have scored a much bigger hit with this thing than they have.
I assume they got paid by Microsoft to Bing it up, and concessions from Verizon to bloat it up. The Launcher, Email app, and keyboard suck....emphasis on the Launcher. Loading it up with the bloatware that is available on for free the Market makes no sense to me at all. I assume they get a percentage of service-charges on the Paid apps they loaded up. I wish they had fixed all of this and charged more rather than burdening us with this stuff.

 

[rjglenn]

I've really messed mine up now - tried to install the Android DSP like what is on Cyanogenmod. Installed the app & changed the audioflinger file in the lib folder. Big mistake, now I'm stuck in a boot loop & even adb can't break it. I'll work on it for a few days and probably end up getting another one, but it will be another Commando - I really do like them.

 

[Oregon2]

Damn you guys have been busy!! I'll have to give it a go removing the ones starting with com.whatevers lol. Sorry to hear about your phone rj, at least it sounds like you have the funds to replace it. Hope you figure out a fix though.

I got really busy working a lot and really late, but should I copy paste Rafael's List to an edit on the first post or just let the lazies do some reading? I think I'll move it to the top but just put a line in saying "New Bloat List Thanks to Rafael."

I have had Pico TTS removed for well over a week and can find nothing it hurts. I think it has to do with some sort of online picture viewer called Pico. I don't use it so I don't need it. Google Navigation will not work without the regular TTS app though, lol found that one out. Some weren't on my original list that I had uninstalled already too because I didn't back them up. oops

By the way has anyone got the boot logo to go away yet??

 

[Oregon2]

Not trying to take your credit just making it easier for more people to view list quickly. oh and had to throw pico in that list too. we dont need it

 

[Rafael]

No....I have no problem with anything you want to do with the list.
I don't see it as trying to take credit. It becomes public knowledge as soon as we post it.
We all post our results so others can benefit, or learn from our mistakes.

I liked your idea of starting this thread, and hope you don't mind me adding to it.
Do you think it would be better if we isolate our individual experiences in separate threads? I will be happy to post separately if you think people will get more out of it.

 

[Rafael]

I've really messed mine up now - tried to install the Android DSP like what is on Cyanogenmod. Installed the app & changed the audioflinger file in the lib folder. Big mistake, now I'm stuck in a boot loop & even adb can't break it. I'll work on it for a few days and probably end up getting another one, but it will be another Commando - I really do like them.

That sucks.

What is this DSP?

Both Oregon2 and myself have removed apps that put our phones into endless error loops, but we manged to get them back to normal with some fiddling. It is no fun trying to race a force-close screen so you can make a correction.

Try removing the battery? It can't hurt.