Root Safe Default Apps to Remove

[RTAdams89]

So I know there are a few threads on this, but my questions is: Why is there not a sticky listing default apps that are safe to remove and, probably more importantly, NOT safe to remove? Seems like this would be good info (especially for noobs) to see.

EDIT: Is this perhaps already in the everything about rooting thread and I just missed it?

 

[xmr405o]

So I know there are a few threads on this, but my questions is: Why is there not a sticky listing default apps that are safe to remove and, probably more importantly, NOT safe to remove? Seems like this would be good info (especially for noobs) to see.

EDIT: Is this perhaps already in the everything about rooting thread and I just missed it?

I think if you can dl it in the market then it's safe to remove like Amazon Mp3, Google goggles and maps. Some of the default apps like messaging and the default browser can be deleted at the users discretion but just know that some apps in the market use these default apps and need them to function properly. For example, Skyfire needs the default browser.

 

[RTAdams89]

Right, so wouldn't it have be a good idea to have a sticky with that sort of info in it...?

 

[Willie Heckerslyke]

I'm looking to uninstall the HTC messaging app as I've got Chomp on and think it's just what I want....I send receive a lot of 'choice' jokes to/from my workmates and don't want my little uns picking up my phone and getting warp-sped into adulthood

On Chomp, you can use the security pattern to prevent unwanted prying eyes from reading your texts...but it's all pointless if the same messages are there to be read in the un-protected default Message App....which is what happens now!

Is it OK/possible to uninstall the HTC Messaging App?

Thx

 

[Kelmar]

I'm looking to uninstall the HTC messaging app as I've got Chomp on and think it's just what I want....I send receive a lot of 'choice' jokes to/from my workmates and don't want my little uns picking up my phone and getting warp-sped into adulthood

On Chomp, you can use the security pattern to prevent unwanted prying eyes from reading your texts...but it's all pointless if the same messages are there to be read in the un-protected default Message App....which is what happens now!

Is it OK/possible to uninstall the HTC Messaging App?

Thx

NO!!! Chomp/Handcent pull their information from the default messaging app.

 

[Willie Heckerslyke]

NO!!! Chomp/Handcent pull their information from the default messaging app.

Dammit!!!

Thanks for the info though kelmar...

What the heck's the point in having the security thing on Chomp then

 

[Kelmar]

No idea... I prefer the default regardless.

 

[Willie Heckerslyke]

No idea... I prefer the default regardless.

There's nothing wrong with the default app in my eyes either...repeat notifications aside....apart from the security thing

 

[Kelmar]

Turn off notifications in the default app, that'll solve that problem.

You can always just remove the default app from the home screen. Then people would only access it from the app drawer. Assuming of course you haven't already done that....

 

[Willie Heckerslyke]

Turn off notifications in the default app, that'll solve that problem.

You can always just remove the default app from the home screen. Then people would only access it from the app drawer. Assuming of course you haven't already done that....

In 'Repeat Notifications'...I meant that the def app does not keep reminding you if you've not acknowledged/noticed a txt coming through (unless I've missed summat)

I have already removed the app from the home screen, but when I passed the phone to a mate to have a look at today, he went into all the apps, messing about with this n that, and started up the messaging app....there were all my meassages for all to see (good job he's already heard all the words before tho... )

If you could use the security pattern to access the messaging app - it'd be a big PLUS for it....

 

[xmr405o]

Right, so wouldn't it have be a good idea to have a sticky with that sort of info in it...?

Maybe...just in case that this does get stickied. Here's a list of default apps that I usually remove...

Alarm apk - Don't need it because the desk clock app has an alarm
Amazon MP3
Email - Because I primarily use gmail
Corporate Calendar
Instant Messaging - Because I use Gtalk
Facebook- Because it's the devil hahaha jk

And optional

Browser and Messaging apps but I don't delete those but instead I hide them so they don't show up in the app drawer.

 

[xmr405o]

Dammit!!!

Thanks for the info though kelmar...

What the heck's the point in having the security thing on Chomp then

Dude you should check out App lock. It puts a lock on any application you want. It's free too.

 

[darkjinni2]

If I want to delete an app, how do I find out the official name that I should use in adb or the terminal?
@xmr405o - How do you hide them?

 

[gwwjpd]

I have removed
CorpCal.apk
IM.apk
com.amazon.mp3.apk
Facebook.apk

I also renamed
Talk.apk (I'm not sure if other apps use this or not)

If I want to delete an app, how do I find out the official name that I should use in adb or the terminal?
@xmr405o - How do you hide them?

To see apps official names, in Terminal Emulator type

su
cd /system/app
ls

"ls" shows a list of whatever directory you are in.

You can slide the screen down to see higher up the list.

To hide instead of remove, while in the "/system/app" directory.

mv CorpCal.apk CorpCal.bak

"mv" changes the name so the app is not shown in app drawer.

To remove use "rm"

rm CorpCal.bak

 

[cggorman]

Here is a rough place to start: Barebones - CyanogenMod Wiki

I say rough because I have removed several items CM claims are not safe to remove, such as mms.apk...

If in doubt, just append ".bak" to the questionable app, reboot and test it out. if everything still works a couple days later, delete/move it.

 

[xmr405o]

Here is a rough place to start: Barebones - CyanogenMod Wiki

I say rough because I have removed several items CM claims are not safe to remove, such as mms.apk...

If in doubt, just append ".bak" to the questionable app, reboot and test it out. if everything still works a couple days later, delete/move it.

I was gonna link that. haha. I saw that on another thread. Thanks

 

[Teibidh]

NO!!! Chomp/Handcent pull their information from the default messaging app.

This is not accurate. I do not have the default messaging app on my DROID (BB1.0, using Pete's supplied script to remove/disable Messaging) and have Handcent, works perfectly.

I cannot state with a certainty how Pete's script works, but I can tell you that I don't see Messaging anywhere in my launchpad and Handcent works like a charm.

I don't think that Handcent relies on Messaging as much as both Handcent and Messaging rely on other parts of the Android framework.

 

[Teibidh]

I have removed
CorpCal.apk
IM.apk
com.amazon.mp3.apk
Facebook.apk

I also renamed
Talk.apk (I'm not sure if other apps use this or not)




To see apps official names, in Terminal Emulator type

su
cd /system/app
ls

"ls" shows a list of whatever directory you are in.

You can slide the screen down to see higher up the list.

To hide instead of remove, while in the "/system/app" directory.

mv CorpCal.apk CorpCal.bak

"mv" changes the name so the app is not shown in app drawer.

To remove use "rm"

rm CorpCal.bak

While this will work, technically, I think a better explanation is needed. Using mv to rename a file from *.apk to *.bak will in fact stop the application from showing up, but the side effects would be the same as simply removing the application using rm. On startup the OS looks in the apps folder for files named *.apk and installs whatever stubs, icons, event handlers and the like those applications need to function. If the file is there, but renamed to *.bak, none of its features, functions or libraries will be available for use during that session.

It is a good idea to use mv <filename>.apk <filename>.bak when first determining whether something is removable or not simply because it's easier to recover if you break something.

 

[dblock110]

i cant believe ppl still use the terminal lol .

root explorer is the way to go .

i can browse to the system app directory, long press on "corpcal.apk" and rename it to corpcal.apk.bak, and now it doesnt show up in the app drawer. i can even delete it or move it . . .

just pay the 1.50 for it lol damn . i know u guys arent poor since ur paying 30/month for the phone itself

you can probably even get it for free if u look . . .

i bought it so whenever i reflash i can just go into the market and redownload instantly and not have to mess with hooking it up to the computer

 

[gwwjpd]

While this will work, technically, I think a better explanation is needed. Using mv to rename a file from *.apk to *.bak will in fact stop the application from showing up, but the side effects would be the same as simply removing the application using rm. On startup the OS looks in the apps folder for files named *.apk and installs whatever stubs, icons, event handlers and the like those applications need to function. If the file is there, but renamed to *.bak, none of its features, functions or libraries will be available for use during that session.

It is a good idea to use mv <filename>.apk <filename>.bak when first determining whether something is removable or not simply because it's easier to recover if you break something.

Thanks for the follow-up explanation. I just wasn't 100% sure.