[How to] Deal with Bloat Safely & Properly {Freeze Method/ROOT} | BIGGER LIST(S)! 3/1

[xyrovice]

[How to] Deal with Bloat Safely & Properly {Freeze Method/ROOT} | BIGGER LIST(S)! 3/1

UPDATE: 3/1/11 @ 23:49

BIGGER COMPREHENSIVE LIST
+
A "RECOMMENDED" LIST!​

I'm holding off on a "Not Recommended" List for a bit until I get your guys thoughts on what should stay, be added, or be taken off of the recommended list!

PLEASE COMMENT WITH YOUR THOUGHTS!

(And thanks to kgeissler for a bunch of new frozen goods!)

__________________________________________________________________​

You are here because...
You bought your Atrix and hate your cluttered app drawer, as well as the feeling that your phone has to fight with one hand behind it's back...hell, maybe blindfolded, too.

You want...
To get rid of as much of the bloat on your phone as possible. You want to de-Motoblur it. You want to de-AT&T it. You want to give it back its other hand, and maybe a small knife (not to mention doing away with the blindfold).

You don't want...
To modify your phone in a manner that would be harmful. You don't want a brick/paper weight/somehow broken device.


If this is you, keep reading.

___________________________________________________________________________________________________​

First Offs:

> This thread is meant to help, not hurt. That being said, if, after reading this thread and performing some of the procedures detailed within, you do end up damaging your phone, neither I nor any of the others who contributed can be held responsible in any way. By reading this and performing any of the said procedures, you take full responsibility for what might happen to your phone.

> Upon writing this, the Atrix has only been officially released for less than 5 days. Devs are still working to free the bootloader, and thus most users are still only able to perform rudimentary modifications to the phone. Please realize that this thread may become obsolete as developers become more familiar with the device and are able to write all sorts of one-clicks/recovery flashables to remove bloat! This brings us to...

> I will be doing my absolute best to update this as frequently as possible in the case that new methods and/or new dangers arise regarding file modification on our devices. If this thread ever becomes obsolete, it will be noted as such in both the thread title as well as being the first thing in the original post (this).

With all that said, let us continue:

One of the most valuable pieces of information regarding modifying the Atrix's files comes from TeamBlackHat's P3Droid, known on XDA as jimmydafish:

Hello my name is P3Droid,

We (TBH) have a lot of experience in Motorola phones and hacking. This experience dates back to the Razr days.

Here is a word of caution. Do no delete apps from the System partition, I would suggest you only rename them to .bak. When Motorola pushes updates each of the files undergoes a hash check, if the file has been manipulated or is missing the entire update will fail.

Until a system only sbf or similar is released, unless you make a back up with bootstrap and recovery, you will eliminate your ability to take updates moving forward.

In summary: DO NOT DELETE APPS FROM THE SYSTEM PARTITION. This will result in the inability to receive official Motorola updates.

The thread from which the above quote was taken can be found here, and I would highly recommend that every single Atrix owner wishing to do any sort of file manipulation read it before doing anything else. It's only 4 pages, and well worth one's time.

So, how do we go about removing any bloat?

1) Any apps that are NOT in the system partition are safe to modify. Many have reported being able to remove apps by means of the standard Android applications manager. Details on this method can be found in this thread started by Fixter, who says:

They can be removed by the Manage Applications settings. Very simple indeed.

PLEASE NOTE: This method does NOT require root priviliges, and would be a very good place to start for more inexperienced users due to the relative ease and safety it affords. At the same time, it does not allow for access to some of the more deeply embedded apps/files you may wish to modify. This brings us to...

The Freezing Method​

First suggested (to my knowledge) by acPIZZA:

I suggest everyone that is rooted use TITANIUM BACKUP to deal with their bloatware issues. The pro version, which you will need, is only a few bucks and is worth it. TB allows you to 'freeze' bloatware apps, which to my knowledge just blocks it fro the system, but does not delete it. The apps you choose to freeze are also removed from the app tray - so no more clutter. This way when an update rolls around, you can run down the list and simply touch 'thaw' to bring those apps back to recognition. This seems like a much more efficient and easy way to go back and forth, rather than renaming the .apk's.

I apologize if someone already mentioned TB in this thread - I just skimmed quickly.

In summary:
Use Titanium Backup's "Freeze" feature to deactivate or disable files. This method allows for the safe and long term deactivation of files in order to free up RAM/CPU resources, while allowing users to easily reactivate, or "Thaw"/"Defrost" the files if the need arises (official Motorola updates, requiring a certain functionality given by a file, etc). Note: This does not free up any storage on one's phone. It merely stops a phone process so that it does not consume RAM and/or processing power.

Prerequisites:
>Root privileges (procedure can be found here; thanks goes to designgears)
>Titanium Backup (application; can be found in/downloaded from the Android Market)
Note: The "Freeze" feature of TiBU is only available in the paid version of the app. TiBU Pro only costs $3.99, and is very useful beyond just what is discussed within this thread. (Trust me, I was hesitant to spend any money in the Android Market, but this has saved me countless hours of time and much of my sanity. It is well worth it.)

Procedure: (It's actually pretty simple)
1. Open Titanium Backup
2a. If previously unopened, click "Allow" on the Superuser dialog box- this grants TiBU the required root privileges
2b. If, for whatever reason, you do not grant TiBU superuser permission, don't panic- press the menu button and tap "Reload Application"; this should give you a second shot to give the necessary permission
2c. Alternatively, you can kill TiBU in a task manager and reopen it, also giving you that second chance
3. Navigate to the Backup/Restore section by clicking the corresponding little grey bubble at the top. This brings you to a list of all sorts of system/application elements.
4. From here, it's a simple matter of tapping (not long-clicking) on an element to bring up a dialog box. This box will contain options to, among other things, backup, uninstall, and freeze.

At this point regarding Atrix development,

YOU ARE TO TOUCH NOTHING BUT "FREEZE"​

...EVER. (I guess "Back up" is also fine, but that is not relevant).

Note: To Defrost/Thaw an element, simply repeat steps 1-4, instead selecting the Defrost/Thaw option.

ALSO, I personally have found that any changes made by freezing will only take effect after a reboot. Ultimately, even if this isn't the case, I suggest a reboot anyways (just for good measure). I don't believe there's a need to do this after every single time you Freeze an element, just once after you've Frozen all you'd like.

This of course brings us to...

Elements that are safe to Freeze:

Note:
This list is likely to change as more elements are found to be safe to touch. At the same time, if an element is ever found to cause problems after being Frozen, the list will be updated as soon as possible. Here we go...

The first post containing "Safe-to-Freeze" apps can be found here (Thank you, snlu178). I did not quote this post so as to avoid confusion, though I will be incorporating the list of elements in the linked post into my list. Once again, I owe a big thanks to snlu178 for the risk he took, as well taking the time to list the apps he found safe to Freeze.

The List: (Alphabetized, I believe)

*Disclaimer: Some of these elements correspond to docking/widget functionality. If something appears to be linked to a certain functionality that you need/want, DO NOT TAMPER WITH IT.

COMPREHENSIVE LIST

AdService 1.0
Alarm & Timer 2.2.1
AtCommandService 1.1
AT&T Code Scanner
AT&T Family Map
AT&T Navigator
Blockbuster 0.6
Blur.res 2.2.1
BrowserMessage 2.0.0
Cardock 1.0
com.android.providers.applications 2.2.1
com.motorola.android.extdispservice 1.0.0
com.motorola.android.syncml.service 2.2.1
com.motorola.photowidget 2.2.1
Contacts Sync 2.2.1 (google contacts will still sync)
ContactsUnconnected 2.2.1
Data Manager Service 1.1 (internet and data still works)
Desk Home 2.2.1
DLNA 0709.69
DlnaSystemService 1.0
DMService 1.0.0
DRM Protected Content Storage 2.2.1
Entertainment Center 1.0
Files 2.2.1
Forest Wallpaper 1.0
FOTA 2.2.1 (THIS DIRECTLY AFFECTS OFFICIAL MOTOROLA OVER-THE-AIR FIRMWARE UPDATES! NOT RECOMMENDED AT ALL!)
Help Center
Home 2.2.1 (this is the default Motoblur launcher; as such, have a home replacement already installed and set as the default if you wish to freeze this!)
Home Screen Tips
Live TV
LocationProxyDmPlugin 2.2.1
Mediashare 1.0.0
MediaSync 1.0.0
Mobile Desktop 1.0
Motorola Dock Service 1.0
myAT&T 1.0
News & Weather 1.3.03 (Android widget, not Motoblur, just FYI)
News 2.2.1
NFS Shift 1.1.73
Purchased Media 1.0
Quick Contact 2.2.1
Quick Tutorial 0.0.1
Quickoffice
SDMService 1.0
Social Messaging 2.2.1
Social Messaging Service 2.2.1
Social Networking 2.2.1
Social Sharing 2.2.1
Social Status 2.2.1
Sticky Note 2.2.1
Swype
SyncML 2.2.1
Task Manager 9.0
Terminal Emulator (I & others believe this may affect ADB functionality; though safe, freezing this is not necessarily recommended!)
Toggle Widgets
Universal Inbox 2.2.1
VLingo
Voice Commands
Weather 2.2.1
Webtop Connector
Work Contacts 2.2.1
YPmobile

RECOMMENDED LIST -----------------------------------> {UNDER EVALUATION |:::::|:::::|:::::| PLEASE COMMENT!}

Alarm & Timer 2.2.1
AtCommandService 1.1
AT&T Code Scanner
AT&T Family Map
AT&T Navigator
Blockbuster 0.6
com.motorola.photowidget 2.2.1
Entertainment Center 1.0
Help Center
Home Screen Tips
Live TV
Mediashare 1.0.0
MediaSync 1.0.0
myAT&T 1.0
News 2.2.1
NFS Shift 1.1.73
Quick Contact 2.2.1
Quick Tutorial 0.0.1
Quickoffice
Social Messaging 2.2.1
Social Messaging Service 2.2.1
Social Networking 2.2.1
Social Sharing 2.2.1
Social Status 2.2.1
Sticky Note 2.2.1
Toggle Widgets
Universal Inbox 2.2.1
VLingo
Voice Commands
Weather 2.2.1
YPmobile

Miscellaneous:
If you happen to SNAFU your phone, as of right now your best bet is this procedure laid out by designgears.




Thanks to:
designgears
Getaphixx
Fixter
snlu178
acPIZZA
franciscojavierleon
numerous TeamBlackHat members (esp. P3Droid/Jimmydafish, cellzealot)
our dear forum moderator, Mr. Clown (thanks for the sticky!)

 

[xyrovice]

reserved (just in case, I suppose)

 

[Fixter]

Thanks for the mention friend. We need to make sure we tell them that Freeze is a paid feature of Titanium Backup paid version.

 

[MysteryOfTime]

Hmm, so I was dump and didn't read the sentence in the parenthesis next to Home 2.2.1. I froze it without have something else and now after a reboot my phone is stuck at the AT&T Rethink Possible Screen. Any ideas?

 

[franciscojavierleon]

Thanks for the mention friend. We need to make sure we tell them that Freeze is a paid feature of Titanium Backup paid version.

is the freeze option the equivalent of just renaming the .apk to .bak? If so, it could be an alternative to buying tibu.

 

[snlu178]

This is great. Thanks for getting it stickied.

Re: the no home rebooting nag this point, check out the post on recovering from a soft boot. You will have to learn about adb, but you can get the phone back to life. Anyone else have a faster way to factory reset?

 

[snlu178]

is the freeze option the equivalent of just renaming the .apk to .bak? If so, it could be an alternative to buying tibu.

In a sense yes. But TiBu is faster and I would argue has less user error. Plus the app is so great you should spend the money to support the dev. But, you can go through changing the names.

 

[xyrovice]

Thanks for staying on top of things, snlu178.

I should have a moment now to update a couple of things, including the mention that the freeze feature is paid only (something I was wondering about but didn't want to speak on too soon; thanks again, Fixter).

Also, regarding the ghetto .bak alternative, does that require Root Explorer? I guess I'd be willing to mention it, but ultimately, if it's a matter of buying Root Explorer, then I might just confine this thread to dealing with TiBU.

Let me work on a small revision, and also make sure freezing Home 2.2.1 can be risky if done so improperly.

 

[franciscojavierleon]

Also, regarding the ghetto .bak alternative, does that require Root Explorer? I guess I'd be willing to mention it, but ultimately, if it's a matter of buying Root Explorer, then I might just confine this thread to dealing with TiBU.

Let me work on a small revision, and also make sure freezing Home 2.2.1 can be risky if done so improperly.

Just found out root explorer is also paid. Not that i don't want to pay, it's just that i am new at android (atrix will ship down here in about 2 weeks) and don't know if the market accepts credit cards from Venezuela yet. I will try...

My guess is that there should be a way to rename files from the adb shell as well. Either that, or install openssh or something on the phone and then just su and rename. It's linux, after all.

About freezing home, besides having already installed another launcher like launcher pro or adw, i guess it should be active before freezing it? To avoid force close or other problems.

 

[azwildfire]

Have you tried using google checkout?

 

[xyrovice]

Just found out root explorer is also paid. Not that i don't want to pay, it's just that i am new at android (atrix will ship down here in about 2 weeks) and don't know if the market accepts credit cards from Venezuela yet. I will try...

My guess is that there should be a way to rename files from the adb shell as well. Either that, or install openssh or something on the phone and then just su and rename. It's linux, after all.

About freezing home, besides having already installed another launcher like launcher pro or adw, i guess it should be active before freezing it? To avoid force close or other problems.

Really good idea. I don't know if it's necessary, but always better safe than sorry. I will add a notice to not only have another launcher installed, but also "defaulted".

 

[Fixter]

Really good idea. I don't know if it's necessary, but always better safe than sorry. I will add a notice to not only have another launcher installed, but also "defaulted".

When you install something like ADW and nothing else. Home = Motoblur is completely deactivated. Its like ADW becomes the default home app. You'll need app switcher to get back to it.

 

[xyrovice]

When you install something like ADW and nothing else. Home = Motoblur is completely deactivated. Its like ADW becomes the default home app. You'll need app switcher to get back to it.

Ducking out for a sec, but I'll make a note of this when I get the chance. And do you mean home switcher?

 

[Fixter]

Ducking out for a sec, but I'll make a note of this when I get the chance. And do you mean home switcher?

Yes Sir, sorry.

 

[franciscojavierleon]

Ducking out for a sec, but I'll make a note of this when I get the chance. And do you mean home switcher?

there's moto home fix in the Market specifically for moto phones with blur for this.

 

[Fixter]

there's moto home fix in the Market specifically for moto phones with blur for this.

I know this. I was just stating a fact.

 

[snlu178]

I agree to call out the need to have a new home app installed and defaulted prior.

Moto Home Fix is what switches back to Home 2.2.1 (if it's not frozen).

Also, though Home 2.2.1 is not default when you have a new launcher it still runs in the background draining CPU and RAM. And every bit you save helps in my book.

 

[kgeissler]

I compared running services on my Nexus One (with CM7) with my Atrix and tried disabling services that were on the Atrix, but not on the N1. I have froze the following with no ill effects yet....

I am not running Blur, I am running Launcher Pro.

If anyone recognizes any of these that I should defrost, please let me know.

AdService 1.0
AtCommandService 1.1
blur.res 2.2.1
BrowserMessage 2.0.0
com.android.providers.applications 2.2.1
com.motorola.android.extdispservice 1.0.0
com.motorola.android.syncml.service 2.2.1
com.motorola.photowidget 2.2.1
Contacts Sync 2.2.1 (google contacts will still sync)
ContactsUnconnected 2.2.1
Data Manager Service 1.1 (internet and data still works)
Desk Home 2.2.1
DLNA 0709.69
DlnaSystemService 1.0
DMService 1.0.0
DRM Protected Content Storage 2.2.1
Entertainment Center 1.0
Files 2.2.1
Forest Wallpaper 1.0
FOTA 2.2.1
Help Center 2.2.1
Home 2.2.1
Home Screen Tips 2.2.1
LocationProxyDmPlugin 2.2.1
MediaShare 1.0.0
MediaSync 1.0.0
Mobile Desktop 1.0
News 2.2.1
Purchased Media 1.0
Quick Contact 2.2.1
Quick Tutorial 0.0.1
SDMService 1.0
Social Messaging 2.2.1
Social Messaging Service 2.2.1
Social Networking 2.2.1
Social Sharing 2.2.1
Social Status 2.2.1
Sticky Note 2.2.1
SyncML 2.2.1
Task Manager 9.0
Toggle Widgets 2.2.1
Universal Inbox 2.2.1
Voice Commands
VPN Services 2.2.1
Weather 2.2.1
Work Contacts 2.2.1

 

[Err0xx]

Titanium Backup

Can Titanium Backup be placed on the SD card, or does it need to be kept in the main phone memory? Haven't seen this addressed anywhere and I have little experience with apps functioning from SD cards.

 

[acPIZZA]

Thanks for the mention friend. We need to make sure we tell them that Freeze is a paid feature of Titanium Backup paid version.

Yes, thanks for the mention.

Also, in my quote - I mention the paid version.