List updated, now with complete descriptions for all APKs.
This is a handy reference guide I had posted on my local forum, the list of apps may not be identical to everyone else, but the core ones are there. Hope it's helpful here too!
Feel free to let me know if this is helpful or if there's any additions or corrections needed to be done.
WARNING: Rooting and removing System apps is at personal choice and risk of lost of warranty and damaging the phone.
WARNING: Always make a complete backup of ALL the system apps before removing any in case of accidental deletion.
DISCLAIMER: This is only a reference guide. I will bear no responsibilities if by referencing this guide through your own discretion damages your phone in any way.
Apps that are unsafe to remove or are linked to phone's capabilities:
(Keep them if you want access to all of your phone's features.)
Note: Many of these only run when needed while a few of them are persistent services that are about 1mb sizes. While removing them may give you a few mb more, keeping them is rather insignificant.
Note: Some of them can also be removed if you have replaced or removed the main app they are tied to, but read the descriptions carefully!
Safe to remove:
(These apps can be removed without ill effects to the Arc's health.)
*Note: New APKs from the 2.3.3 update.
Can be replaced:
(These apps can be safely removed and be replaced by preferred third party apps of the same function.)
Warning: Sony Ericsson's home launcher should not be removed until after another third party home launcher has been installed and properly set up to take over it's function.
Note: Depending on the third party calendar app of choice, it may be advisable to setup your calendars using the default calendar app before removing it.
Note: Most third party messaging apps cannot send and receive MMS if the stock messaging app is removed.
Note: Removing the default clock widget will also remove the alarm feature. Ensure your clock of choice has alarms or have another alarm app installed.
Updating of System apps:
Unlike user apps, when system apps get updated, the original apk in /system/app cannot be replaced automatically. Hence the newer version will be installed as a user app in /data/app.
To save space on your rom, the original ones in /system/app can be deleted. Or, you can manually replace the newer ones from /data/app to /system/app.
Deleting the ones in /system/app is recommended since future updates will replace them and saves space on the rom.
Warning: It is safer to remove System apps from /System/App after you have updated them.
Note: Doing either method for facebook.apk will cause you to lose your facebook contacts. However, they can be restored by launching the facebook app, press back button, then menu button > Settings > Sync Contacts. You will also have to manually resync the ones that have been manually added using 'Join Contacts' as well.
Note: The exception is AdobeFlashPlayer.apk. Manually moving it to /system/app will not work. It only works when it's properly installed. So, simply delete the one in /system/app instead. And if it stops working, simply tap the one in /data/app to reinstall it properly.
Note: Having only one instance of Android Market will also fix the bug where some users' Market will not correctly show all the apps that are installed under 'My apps'.
Note: If you use the copy and paste method, you need to set the permissions for the APK after moving. Permissions: Check all for Read, check Owner for Write, leave the rest unchecked.
The apks currently with updates are:
Making User Apps into System Apps:
System and User apps are stored in partitioned memory, meaning they have separate amounts of memory allocated ie. System Storage Memory and User Storage Memory.
There is ~100mb of unused System app storage going to waste.
By making a User app into a System app, you change it's storage location and free up space to allow you to install more User apps. This is done simply by moving the User app to System app storage.
Note: Recommended apps to move can be home launchers, input methods, apps that you want permanently available on the phone ie. without SD card, apps that you don't need to update.
Warning: Caution when moving a system app back to user app! Example: Moving a home launcher from System/App to Data/App breaks it. Your phone will not work without a working home launcher! Restore the default home launcher to System/App before doing it!
Steps:
1. Browse to /data/app and locate the APK you want to move
2. Move* the APK to /system/app
3. Reboot
*If you use the copy and paste method, you need to set the permissions for the APK after moving. Permissions: Check all for Read, check Owner for Write, leave the rest unchecked.
Telco specific system bloatware:
(These are the ones in /System/App. The ones in /Data/App can be removed through Settings > Applications > Manage Applications.)
Singtel (Singapore):
This is a handy reference guide I had posted on my local forum, the list of apps may not be identical to everyone else, but the core ones are there. Hope it's helpful here too!
Feel free to let me know if this is helpful or if there's any additions or corrections needed to be done.
WARNING: Rooting and removing System apps is at personal choice and risk of lost of warranty and damaging the phone.
WARNING: Always make a complete backup of ALL the system apps before removing any in case of accidental deletion.
DISCLAIMER: This is only a reference guide. I will bear no responsibilities if by referencing this guide through your own discretion damages your phone in any way.
Apps that are unsafe to remove or are linked to phone's capabilities:
(Keep them if you want access to all of your phone's features.)
Note: Many of these only run when needed while a few of them are persistent services that are about 1mb sizes. While removing them may give you a few mb more, keeping them is rather insignificant.
Note: Some of them can also be removed if you have replaced or removed the main app they are tied to, but read the descriptions carefully!
oddbasket said:
Safe to remove:
(These apps can be removed without ill effects to the Arc's health.)
*Note: New APKs from the 2.3.3 update.
oddbasket said:
Can be replaced:
(These apps can be safely removed and be replaced by preferred third party apps of the same function.)
Warning: Sony Ericsson's home launcher should not be removed until after another third party home launcher has been installed and properly set up to take over it's function.
Note: Depending on the third party calendar app of choice, it may be advisable to setup your calendars using the default calendar app before removing it.
Note: Most third party messaging apps cannot send and receive MMS if the stock messaging app is removed.
Note: Removing the default clock widget will also remove the alarm feature. Ensure your clock of choice has alarms or have another alarm app installed.
oddbasket said:
Updating of System apps:
Unlike user apps, when system apps get updated, the original apk in /system/app cannot be replaced automatically. Hence the newer version will be installed as a user app in /data/app.
To save space on your rom, the original ones in /system/app can be deleted. Or, you can manually replace the newer ones from /data/app to /system/app.
Deleting the ones in /system/app is recommended since future updates will replace them and saves space on the rom.
Warning: It is safer to remove System apps from /System/App after you have updated them.
Note: Doing either method for facebook.apk will cause you to lose your facebook contacts. However, they can be restored by launching the facebook app, press back button, then menu button > Settings > Sync Contacts. You will also have to manually resync the ones that have been manually added using 'Join Contacts' as well.
Note: The exception is AdobeFlashPlayer.apk. Manually moving it to /system/app will not work. It only works when it's properly installed. So, simply delete the one in /system/app instead. And if it stops working, simply tap the one in /data/app to reinstall it properly.
Note: Having only one instance of Android Market will also fix the bug where some users' Market will not correctly show all the apps that are installed under 'My apps'.
Note: If you use the copy and paste method, you need to set the permissions for the APK after moving. Permissions: Check all for Read, check Owner for Write, leave the rest unchecked.
The apks currently with updates are:
oddbasket said:
Making User Apps into System Apps:
System and User apps are stored in partitioned memory, meaning they have separate amounts of memory allocated ie. System Storage Memory and User Storage Memory.
There is ~100mb of unused System app storage going to waste.
By making a User app into a System app, you change it's storage location and free up space to allow you to install more User apps. This is done simply by moving the User app to System app storage.
Note: Recommended apps to move can be home launchers, input methods, apps that you want permanently available on the phone ie. without SD card, apps that you don't need to update.
Warning: Caution when moving a system app back to user app! Example: Moving a home launcher from System/App to Data/App breaks it. Your phone will not work without a working home launcher! Restore the default home launcher to System/App before doing it!
Steps:
1. Browse to /data/app and locate the APK you want to move
2. Move* the APK to /system/app
3. Reboot
*If you use the copy and paste method, you need to set the permissions for the APK after moving. Permissions: Check all for Read, check Owner for Write, leave the rest unchecked.
Telco specific system bloatware:
(These are the ones in /System/App. The ones in /Data/App can be removed through Settings > Applications > Manage Applications.)
Singtel (Singapore):
oddbasket said:
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