[HOWTO] Delete system apps

[snakehult]

There is many of you that asks how to remove this and that preinstallaed apps in different ROM

When a developer put apps in system/app it can not be removed so easy.
But if you have RomManager or fakeflash´s update.zip there is a other way.

I have attached a zip fil that contains a ordinare ROM installation script that only contains delete and copy.

Download file and unzip on your computer and take a look in the folders
data/app
META-INF/com/google/android/update-script
system/app

If your only wish is to remove a systemapp
edit the file update-script (textfile)
and add line with the filename of what you want to remove:
(example)

delete SYSTEM:app/unwanted.apk
delete SYSTEM:app/unwanted.odex

If you want to install some apps put them in system/app for not installable
and data/app for apps that can be removed as usual

rezip folders and install zip with RomManager NO WIPE!!

cm6 azures you will get a error because not same structure for data/app
never mind just select reboot. Delete will work anyway.

Sometimes there will be .so files in system/libs too. They are little more difficult to know which to remove so that demands more knowledge of the app.
Use for instance Astro filemanager or Estrong to look in system/app for correct filename to delete
Script work even if *.odex not exist.

The fact that when you zip folders it will not be signed so file will not work with adb recovery

Googleapps filenames:
CarHomeGoogle.apk, CarHomeLauncher.apk, com.amazon.mp3.apk,
Facebook.apk, GenieWidget.apk, Gmail.apk, GoogleBackupTransport.apk,
GoogleCalendarSyncAdapter.apk, GoogleContactsSyncAdapter.apk,
GoogleFeedback.apk, GoogleGoggles.apk, GooglePartnerSetup.apk, GoogleQuickSearchBox.apk, GoogleServicesFramework.apk, googlevoice.apk,
HtcCopyright.apk, HtcEmailPolicy.apk, HtcSettings.apk, kickback.apk, LatinImeGoogle.apk, LatinImeTutorial.apk, Maps.apk, MarketUpdater.apk, MediaUploader.apk, NetworkLocation.apk, OneTimeInitializer.apk, PassionQuickOffice.apk, SetupWizard.apk, soundback.apk, Street.apk, Talk.apk, talkback.apk, Twitter.apk, Vending.apk, VoiceSearch.apk, YouTube.apk, QuickSearchBox.apk, Provision.apk

Other apps:
ADWLauncher.apk, Gallery3D.apk

but filename may be different depending of ROM

Mainpart must exist for using phone normally

Hope that this help to remove "non-removable" systemapps in future.
/Snakehult

 

[nafnist]

Good guide.

via Legend using XDA-app

 

[c_man]

Thanks snakehult - great guide and very useful!!

(example)

delete SYSTEM:app/unwanted.apk
delete SYSTEM:app/unwanted.odex

It may be worth explaining how people:

- can find out the name of the app they want to remove;
- how they know whether to add the suffix of *.apk or *.odex, or both;

Thanks again for your efforts!

 

[snakehult]

Thanks snakehult - great guide and very useful!!



It may be worth explaining how people:

- can find out the name of the app they want to remove;
- how they know whether to add the suffix of *.apk or *.odex, or both;

Thanks again for your efforts!

Yes you can use some regular filemanager such Astro or Estrongs and look in system/app
Always delete both, script work even if odex file is missing

 

[stegg]

It may be worth explaining how people:

- can find out the name of the app they want to remove;
- how they know whether to add the suffix of *.apk or *.odex, or both;

Thanks again for your efforts!

cool guide!

anyway you have to detect the filename of the apps this way:

enter the recovery mode (in modaco-root-r4: recovery-windows.bat)

now type:

adb shell
mount -t yaffs2 /dev/block/mtdblock3 /system
ls -l /system/app

(this will give you the list of system apps, with space usage)

you have to delete both .apk and .odex files (the latter may not exist)


I use to delete the bigger ringtones too, the list is given by

ls -l /system/media/audio/ringtones


it is safe to delete, after you setup the google accounts (ie after first boot):
HTCSetup*
com.htc.Setup*
Stock*
HtcFoot*
NewsRead*

 

[smartsreenath]

wow its working......thanks dude........





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[cryshop]

http://android.modaco.com/content/h...apps-from-the-htc-desire-with-adb-in-windows/

Simple guide from MoDaCo

 

[AllWin]

That must be the hardest way to remove apps i guess Have you seen "modaco guide"? All you have to do is reboot your phone in to recovery mode and type 2-3 commands in ADB. Simple as that.
Thanks anyway for your efforts

 

[snakehult]

Many way för same thing
But with a custom-made zipfile you always remove/install favourite apps without adb. And quick modify new ROM install.


Sent from my Legend using XDA App

 

[bobstar_fr]

Hello,
Good guide.
The Legend may be rooted to do this?
I am a newbie.
Thanks.

 

[snakehult]

Hello,
Good guide.
The Legend may be rooted to do this?
I am a newbie.
Thanks.

As I see it, no use to do much in the dev forum without an rooted Phone

 

[Learners Lisence]

hey guys, thanks for bringing this up. i just tried modaco site method and i deleted stock and its widget only. the internal storage shot from 113 mb to 122 mb and ram from 42 to 134 mb !

what else can i delete

 

[cryshop]

hey guys, thanks for bringing this up. i just tried modaco site method and i deleted stock and its widget only. the internal storage shot from 113 mb to 122 mb and ram from 42 to 134 mb !

what else can i delete

Just delete what you will never use and....no regret

 

[Learners Lisence]

thank you cryshop for your expert advise

i tried deleting Innovation.mp3 by this script -

adb-windows shell rm /system/media/audio/ringtones/Innovation.mp3

said file not found even though its listed.

whats my mistake ?

i will try snakehults method also but later.

thanks

 

[kdma]

im trying to use modaco's method but what is the green recovery menu?
i dont understand i go in fastboot then recovery and then?thank you
edit done im stupid

 

[cryshop]

thank you cryshop for your expert advise

i tried deleting Innovation.mp3 by this script -

adb-windows shell rm /system/media/audio/ringtones/Innovation.mp3

said file not found even though its listed.

whats my mistake ?

i will try snakehults method also but later.

thanks

Hmm, did you forget a slash or a letter in the command? because I tried and I could actually delete it.

@kdma : install ROM Manager from the Market, and there is an option inside the app : Reboot into Recovery (easiest way to get into recovery mod)

 

[stegg]

I also deleted /system/etc/clock* and saved some space again
(of course I don't need Htc clock widgets)

 

[Learners Lisence]

Hmm, did you forget a slash or a letter in the command? because I tried and I could actually delete it.

cryshop, i was typing in the wrong directory

Ps - snakehults's appfixer is real delight ! smooooth.

except that my winzip is a trial version and legend dont recognize winrar files.

I was wondering how i got such good figures for change in space and ram the first time. i havent since then. my legend just likes the rebooting involved coz i dont use task killers anymore. and maybe i deleted more than just stock the first time

 

[jjmckaskie]

Will this work with android 2.2 on Hero?

Hey I've been looking all over for something like this. I downloaded the zip, added the lines
delete SYSTEM:app/mms.apk
delete SYSTEM:app/mms.odex
delete SYSTEM:app/email.apk
delete SYSTEM:app/email.odex
and rezipped it.

I used Rom Manager and selected install rom from SD card. It rebooted, seemed to execute the zip. But the original email and mms apps are still installed. What am i doing wrong?

 

[blade1911]

im trying to use modaco's method but what is the green recovery menu?
i dont understand i go in fastboot then recovery and then?thank you
edit done im stupid

The first thing you should do is download the required zip file from modaco (I'm a new user of xda and is not permitted to post outside links here. You may easily find that post "24/May r4 - HTC Legend rooting guide - Now with 1.31.x" in android.madaco.com)

I think many of us rooted the device followed the instructions of Paul. So that file might be already in your hands.

Fastboot and then recovery, as you have done before. Run Recovery-linux.sh (or Recovery-windows.bat, if you use Windows) in a terminal window - your device shall be at the green recovery screen.

Open another terminal window and enter:
./adb-linux shell mount /system

and then you can push, pull or rm file. For example,
./adb-linux shell rm /system/app/Calculator.apk
./adb-linux push abc.so /system/lib

--
I didn't notice you have already solved the problem, when I compiled this post. It is no longer useful.