[GUIDE] Disabling stock apps on the G2 (and other NAND locked devices)

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jbunnell

New member
Nov 10, 2010
1
0
Wi-Fi calling app

Thanks for all the good information in this thread!! Following instructions here I'm managed to root my new G2 and stop unwanted bloatware from running..:p
Has someone come across a way to rid my app killer list of the WI-Fi Calling .. I've tried to disable it (com.android.kineto).. and that rids it out of the app tray.. but it remains on the app killer list as a function constantlyl running..
thanks in advance ..
 
I

iamwhere

New member
Nov 14, 2010
1
0
has anyone since found out how to get rid of the wifi calling?

i noticed theres a kernel module associated with it (/system/lib/modules/kineto_gan.ko) and the app that is always on might be some userland process for the kernel module.. but i tried rmmod and to kill wifi calling but it still comes back.

Or for that matter, how can you completely get rid of a package? "pm uninstall" always returns "Failure", but if we could just read all the directories and files associated with a package could just rm them manually. The linux user in me says to not do this but I'm out of ideas.

Also, is there a way to get rid of applications in the widget menu? The stock news & weather is still there even though I "pm disable"d it..

Ideas?
 
Neejay

Neejay

Senior Member
Jul 29, 2009
1,016
148
Atlanta, GA
Could someone PLEASE give me the geniewidget.apk from the stock build? I deleted mine and I think it's the reason "fancy widget" stopped working.
 
L

labrea

Senior Member
Dec 8, 2010
130
7
anyone knows how to disable wifi calling ? i could not found command when I type pm package list
it shows everything except wifi calling
 
CTR01

CTR01

Senior Member
Jan 19, 2011
387
9
Seattle
ThAnKs!

Thanks for this info! Always hate seeing stuff i dont use pop up/use resources, no matter how little is being used.
 
R

rojocohete

Member
Oct 14, 2010
7
0
Thank you!

I'll admit it, I haven't read every post in all 21 pages, but if there is some place to donate to POB, I'd like to. This has corrected every issue I have with the phone.

Well except one issue. Does anyone know how to make a shortcut to the 'MENU'?
I find the soft MENU button not to be completely responsive and would love a home screen shortcut icon.

thanks again...
 
J

jaoyina

Member
Jan 30, 2011
44
0
Why i can only execute on pm command at a time, after that, the # sign just disappear, is this my terminal tool issue?
 
J

jaoyina

Member
Jan 30, 2011
44
0
iamwhere said:
has anyone since found out how to get rid of the wifi calling?

i noticed theres a kernel module associated with it (/system/lib/modules/kineto_gan.ko) and the app that is always on might be some userland process for the kernel module.. but i tried rmmod and to kill wifi calling but it still comes back.

Or for that matter, how can you completely get rid of a package? "pm uninstall" always returns "Failure", but if we could just read all the directories and files associated with a package could just rm them manually. The linux user in me says to not do this but I'm out of ideas.

Also, is there a way to get rid of applications in the widget menu? The stock news & weather is still there even though I "pm disable"d it..

Ideas?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

pm disable com.android.kineto (wifi calling)
pm disable com.google.android.apps.genie.geniewidget (news and weather)

use these 2 packages should be working.
 
H

hoetel4dawgs

Member
Feb 6, 2010
31
0
Just get "system app remover" app and delete unwanted apps.

best rapper on the planet...youtube.com/scoobythegamber

sent from t-mo g2 dz rom
 
R

rojocohete

Member
Oct 14, 2010
7
0
Still hopeing someone will answer this. thanks

rojocohete said:
I'll admit it, I haven't read every post in all 21 pages, but if there is some place to donate to POB, I'd like to. This has corrected every issue I have with the phone.

Well except one issue. Does anyone know how to make a shortcut to the 'MENU'?
I find the soft MENU button not to be completely responsive and would love a home screen shortcut icon.

thanks again...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
 
J

jjuice525

Senior Member
Apr 26, 2010
71
3
Or.... you can just download Root Explorer, Mount rw and then delete all the apps from system/apps. They will still be deleted even after you reboot.
 
Cobra281

Cobra281

Senior Member
Mar 9, 2009
285
23
i have root access(no hacked ROM, just the stock 2.2), and typed the commands, went to (settings > applications > manage applications > forcestop launcher). then restarted the phone. exactly as the 1st post. these are the messages i got from typing the pm disable commands:

adavek.jpg


however, the services are still running when i restart the phone. do i have to "pm disable com.android.launcher" also? and what package name do you use to disable wifi calling?
 
Last edited:
H

hollal

Senior Member
Nov 27, 2011
76
12
Lincolnshire
Many thanks. Now I have shortcuts created with Tasker to enable, run and then disable applications like Facebook and Maps which I found consumed more than their fair share of time and battery.
 
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  • 8
    paulobrien
    paulobrien
    As 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! :p

    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:

    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
#
    Most of the names are pretty self explanatory... you can work out what you want to get rid of.

    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...

    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
    ...and that's it, job done!

    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! :)

    P
    View
    1
    paulobrien
    paulobrien
    rhodes588 said:
    This disables them from starting up and running if phone is rebooted and not running temproot? Or do we have to put these cmd lines in again once rebooted?

    Sent from my T-Mobile G2 using XDA App
    Click to expand...
    Click to collapse

    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
    View
    1
    paulobrien
    paulobrien
    ryaninc said:
    Great 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. :cool:
    Click to expand...
    Click to collapse

    Voice - doesn't work in UK
    Twitter - Seesmic > Official App
    Goggles - Meh
    Listen - Meh

    :D

    P
    View
    1
    konoplya
    konoplya
    larryccf said:
    lol - i never did get sdk & adb figured out

    connectbot is much easier and quicker - you just need a magnifying glass to read that #2 font size
    Click to expand...
    Click to collapse

    you can actually use the volume up/down to increase the font size :)
    View
    1
    S
    Stryder5
    mftek said:
    Sweet! That would be awesome.
    Thanks brotha!

    Sent from my T-Mobile G2
    Click to expand...
    Click to collapse

    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"
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