[GUIDE] Disabling stock apps on the G2 (and other NAND locked devices)
- Thread starter paulobrien
- Start date
The packages don't load. I disabled a bunch of apps I never use and it freed up a BUNCH of memory.
With some of these, I'm getting output like this:
[1] Killed pm disable com.google.android.listen
Most of them work, but it seems I can't disable Listen or HTC Setup. I've already checked to make sure those apps aren't running. Any other suggestions?
[1] Killed pm disable com.google.android.listen
Most of them work, but it seems I can't disable Listen or HTC Setup. I've already checked to make sure those apps aren't running. Any other suggestions?
I've got the same issue... I've been trying to disable a few apps and I'm also getting:
[1] Killed pm disable com.android.tts
Any suggestions Paul?
Ahh, figured it out. Turns out, that's the output you see when you enter an incorrect package name.
It's not com.google.android.listen, it's com.google.android.apps.listen. Oops
It's not com.google.android.listen, it's com.google.android.apps.listen. Oops
Ahh, figured it out. Turns out, that's the output you see when you enter an incorrect package name.
It's not com.google.android.listen, it's com.google.android.apps.listen. Oops
Weird... it still doesn't work when i try to disable TTS:
I've tried both # pm disable com.android.tts and com.android.apps.tts
EDIT!
Nevermind, i looked at the name again it was actually just "android.tts" no "com.android.tts"
Thanks Paul. Just removed my visionary.sh script that was doing this each reboot. This is much better .
.
That's a great tut, thank you Paul for this.
One last question from me: If you reboot without root, will these changes stay? I'm not particularly convinced yet that I want to run Visionary on boot, so I want to check before getting into disabling packages.
Thanks again for your contributions.
One last question from me: If you reboot without root, will these changes stay? I'm not particularly convinced yet that I want to run Visionary on boot, so I want to check before getting into disabling packages.
Thanks again for your contributions.
This actually makes changes to the packages file on /data, so the NAND protection doesn't matter.
i.e. - you only have to do it once.
P
This makes me think that regardless of root access or permissions, the packages remain disabled which seems to mean that regardless of whether you run VISIONary or not to get temp root, the packages will remain disabled.
just bought g2...came from g1. the g1 had enough blotware on it when it dropped. amazonmp3 namely. i could not believe how much stuff the g2 comes loaded with and even told the sales guy i couldnt wait to root the thing to delete all the crap. lol.
he almost looked offended.
thank you opt. i was worried with the hastle of rooting the g2 that i would have to see amazon mp3 everyday til we got perma root.
he almost looked offended.
thank you opt. i was worried with the hastle of rooting the g2 that i would have to see amazon mp3 everyday til we got perma root.
Hah!
My next tutorial - how to fix Goggles so it actually updates properly.
P
rm google goggles
uninstall google goggles (having trouble typing that over and over)
redownload thru market?
something like that? i almost had a fit when it didnt update properly as soon as i walked outta the store.
Its a good idea, but it will have limited use once the device gets permanent root so the devs probably wouldn't be interested in putting the time in for something that will just end up being abandoned.
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8As promised on Twitter (@paulobrien), here's a guide on how to disable your chosen stock junk-ware on your G2.
Normally, you would remove stock apps by deleting the APKs from /system/app, however on the G2 this is not possible due to it's NAND protection. On reboot the apps will just re-appear, so that's no good. You could delete them on every boot via a script, but that's a bit kludgey... there has to be a better way right? RIGHT!
Internally, Android manages installed apps via something called 'Package Manager'. Package Manager (PM) references installed apps not by their filename or displayed name but by their internal package name (e.g. com.google.android.apps.maps). Handily, from a command line you can actually call Package Manager with the command 'pm', which gives you access to do some pretty cool stuff - especially if you have root - including disabling packages.
What does disabling a package do? It leaves the file on the system, but prevents the app from running or appearing in the launcher. This is actually quite cool because it means although the app isn't displaying or using any resources, if an update to the app is released, you'll still be notified by the Market. Should you choose to install the update, the package will be re-enabled, after which you can then disable it again if you choose. Neat eh?
So, let me give you a few examples of how you'd disable packages. Firstly you need to have temproot on your device (use VISIONary for this), and open a command shell. You can do this either via 'adb shell' on your PC, or using 'Connectbot' or 'Terminal Emulator' on your device (if you're feeling particularly sadistic). The shell needs to be elevated to root in order to use disable functionality, so type 'su'. You know if you are elevated because the prompt is a '#' instead of a '$'.
In order to disable a package, you first need to know the name of the package. pm has a function to list installed packages... simply type 'pm list packages' (obvious huh!). The output will look something like this:
Most of the names are pretty self explanatory... you can work out what you want to get rid of.Code:# pm list packages package:com.google.android.location package:com.tmobile.selfhelp package:com.android.voicedialer package:com.android.defcontainer package:com.android.launcher package:com.google.android.maps.mytracks package:com.android.debugtool package:com.android.contacts package:com.android.phone package:com.tmobile.userkeystool package:com.android.calculator2 package:com.android.htmlviewer package:com.android.providers.calendar package:com.android.bluetooth package:com.android.calendar package:com.android.browser package:com.android.music package:com.google.tts package:com.android.email.policy package:com.android.qxdmlog package:com.android.mms package:com.android.provision package:com.htc.copyright package:com.android.providers.media package:com.android.certinstaller package:com.google.android.deskclock package:com.android.updater package:com.android.settings package:com.google.android.carhome package:com.google.android.street package:com.google.android.apps.genie.geniewidget package:com.facebook.katana package:com.google.android.googlequicksearchbox package:com.android.providers.drm package:com.adobe.flashplayer package:com.android.musicvis package:com.google.android.apps.unveil package:com.google.android.apps.listen package:com.android.wallpaper.livepicker package:com.htc.web2goshortcut package:com.android.packageinstaller package:com.htc.fieldtest package:com.android.providers.telephony package:com.android.providers.subscribedfeeds package:com.svox.pico package:com.android.email package:com.google.android.apps.maps package:com.google.android.latinimetutorial package:com.android.providers.settings package:com.android.magicsmoke package:com.android.providers.downloads package:com.amazon.mp3 package:com.android.server.vpn package:com.google.android.apps.googlevoice package:com.photobucket.android package:com.android.soundrecorder package:com.htc.android.htcsetupwizard package:com.android.vending.updater package:com.android.inputmethod.latin package:com.google.android.partnersetup package:com.android.cardock package:com.qo.android.oeme package:com.google.android.voicesearch package:com.google.android.apps.finance package:com.google.android.feedback package:com.google.android.apps.shopper package:com.google.android.talk package:com.htc.htcMessageUploader package:com.cooliris.media package:com.android.stk package:com.android.providers.userdictionary package:com.android.setupwizard package:android.tts package:com.google.android.stardroid package:com.twitter.android package:com.google.android.syncadapters.calendar package:android package:com.android.providers.contacts package:com.android.protips package:com.google.android.apps.uploader package:com.google.android.apps.translate package:com.android.providers.applications package:com.android.vending package:com.google.android.gm package:com.swype.android.inputmethod package:com.android.providers.htcCheckin package:com.android.wallpaper package:com.android.camera package:com.google.android.youtube package:com.google.earth package:com.google.android.gsf package:com.google.android.syncadapters.contacts package:com.google.android.backup #
To disable an app, you use the 'pm disable' command with the package name. I wanted to disable the T-Mo App, MyTracks, Goggles, Listen, Web2Go, Amazon MP3, Google Voice, Photobucket, the Setup icon, Finance, Twitter and Translate, so I did this...
Code:pm disable com.tmobile.selfhelp pm disable com.google.android.maps.mytracks pm disable com.google.android.apps.unveil pm disable com.google.android.apps.listen pm disable com.htc.web2goshortcut pm disable com.amazon.mp3 pm disable com.google.android.apps.googlevoice pm disable com.photobucket.android pm disable com.htc.android.htcsetupwizard pm disable com.google.android.apps.finance pm disable com.twitter.android pm disable com.google.android.apps.translate #
...which returned...
...and that's it, job done!Code:#Package com.tmobile.selfhelp new state: disabled # Package com.google.android.maps.mytracks new state: disabled # Package com.google.android.apps.unveil new state: disabled # Package com.google.android.apps.listen new state: disabled # Package com.htc.web2goshortcut new state: disabled # Package com.amazon.mp3 new state: disabled # Package com.google.android.apps.googlevoice new state: disabled # Package com.photobucket.android new state: disabled # Package com.htc.android.htcsetupwizard new state: disabled # Package com.google.android.apps.finance new state: disabled # Package com.twitter.android new state: disabled
You'll need to restart your Launcher to see the changes (you can do this from Settings -> Applications -> Launcher -> Force Stop) and then you're done!
P1
This actually makes changes to the packages file on /data, so the NAND protection doesn't matter.
i.e. - you only have to do it once.
P1Great tip! Thanks!
But...dude, you disabled some of my most frequently used apps. Google Voice, Twitter, Goggles, Listen...I use all of those apps every day. But Photobucket, MyAccount, Facebook, all killed.
Voice - doesn't work in UK
Twitter - Seesmic > Official App
Goggles - Meh
Listen - Meh
P11
Here you go.
For those who don't know how to use ADB (which you should learn should the phone get fully rooted in the future), or don't like typing out the command to disable a package one by one, here's a script that'll disable a few in one go. You can easily modify it yourself to add/remove packages you want disabled.
Prerequisites:
- Install Terminal Emulator from market place.
- Install Superuser from market place.
- Rooted
Instructions:
1. Copy the file (from the attachment) to the root of your SD card.
2. Temp root your phone (using Visionary or some alternative)
3. Open Terminal and type "su" (without the quotes)
4. This will bring up a Superuser prompt asking for permission. Allow it. You should now see a "#" sign (instead of the previous "$" sign, indicating you have root permissions in Terminal)
5. Type "cd /sdcard" (without the quotes)
6. Type "dos2unix disabler.txt" (without the quotes)
7. Type "sh disabler.txt" (without the quotes)
My little script will disable the following packages. I'll probably update the script to add more later but this was just a preliminary removal of the ones I saw in the app drawer that I don't use.
Web2Go, Photobucket, Finance, GenieWidget (news/weather widget), T-Mobile's My Account/Device, Earth, Talk, My Tracks, Quick Search Box, Listen, Unveil (think this is part of Listen but not sure), Latin IME Tutorial (tutorial to use the stock android keyboard, not the swype tutorial), Setup Wizard, Translate, Shopper
You can easily modify the list as you see fit by adding or removing these lines with the proper package names:
Code:pm_pkg_list=$pm_pkg_list" com.package.name"
If you need to enable the packages, just uncomment the lines towards the bottom (the text file indicates which ones to uncomment), then run the script again. It will enable ALL the packages listed in the file.
Here's the code if anyone is interested (or download the attached file):
Code:#!/system/bin/sh #Package Disabler v1 #Created by Stryder5 on XDA (Oct. 21, 2010) #This is to disable apps (not remove/uninstall them). Useful for temp roots. #Run "dos2unix scriptname.ext" before running the script itself to correctly format it #Run "sh scriptname.ext" to actually execute #List of apps to Enable/Disable #You can change this as you see fit. pm_pkg_list=$pm_pkg_list" com.photobucket.android" pm_pkg_list=$pm_pkg_list" com.google.android.apps.finance" pm_pkg_list=$pm_pkg_list" com.google.android.apps.genie.geniewidget" pm_pkg_list=$pm_pkg_list" com.tmobile.selfhelp" pm_pkg_list=$pm_pkg_list" com.google.earth" pm_pkg_list=$pm_pkg_list" com.google.android.talk" pm_pkg_list=$pm_pkg_list" com.google.android.maps.mytracks" pm_pkg_list=$pm_pkg_list" com.google.android.googlequicksearchbox" pm_pkg_list=$pm_pkg_list" com.google.android.apps.listen" pm_pkg_list=$pm_pkg_list" com.google.android.apps.unveil" pm_pkg_list=$pm_pkg_list" com.google.android.latinimetutorial" pm_pkg_list=$pm_pkg_list" com.htc.android.htcsetupwizard" pm_pkg_list=$pm_pkg_list" com.google.android.latinimetutorial" pm_pkg_list=$pm_pkg_list" com.google.android.apps.translate" pm_pkg_list=$pm_pkg_list" com.google.android.apps.shopper" #Start of disabling script echo "Disabling Packages in 2 Seconds" sleep 2 for pkg in $pm_pkg_list; do echo "Disabling $pkg" pm disable $pkg done echo "Package Disabling Complete" #Start of enabling script #To enable all the disabled packages, remove the pound sign (#) from the beginning of each line below. This will undo all the changes this file has done. #echo "Enabling Packages in 2 Seconds" #sleep 2 #for pkg in $pm_pkg_list; do # echo "Enabling $pkg" # pm enable $pkg #done # #echo "Package Enabling Complete" echo "Please reboot the phone or restart Launcher to take effect" sleep 2 echo "Script Completed"
