I want to keep the stock HTC factory ROM on the phone now. I want to remove some of the system apps that come preinstalled, that's all. Facebook, for example. What's the simplest way to do this?
Also, I want the OTA update to 2.2 when it comes, and I don't care if I lose root, so long as I can cherry-pick what programs are on my phone.
And I want a pony, too.
Seriously, isn't there an easy method to just kill a few apps that is noob-friendly?
Download estrongs file explorer, go into settings/root options/Select hiapk or cyanogenmod (whichever works, you will also be prompted to grant su permissions)/then mount.
Now you navigate to system/app and delete at will.
Sent from my PC36100 using XDA App
adelaney said:
Download estrongs file explorer, go into settings/root options/Select hiapk or cyanogenmod (whichever works, you will also be prompted to grant su permissions)/then mount.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Didn't work. Looks like root is required, plus a custom ROM flashed. Far too many steps to simply delete a preloaded system app. I'm running the stock HTC ROM. I suppose I can run Unrevoked3 to get root, but I have no interest in a custom ROM. I simply want the stock ROM with fewer apps. Thanks anyways...
adelaney said:
Download estrongs file explorer, go into settings/root options/Select hiapk or cyanogenmod (whichever works, you will also be prompted to grant su permissions)/then mount.
Now you navigate to system/app and delete at will.
Sent from my PC36100 using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That doesn't work on the stock ROM
I would also like to remove some apps. I want to keep the stock ROM for now (tried some 2.2 and did not like them... I'll just wait for OTA) and I'm root. What are the posibilities?
Unrevoked only gives you root, you don't have to install a custom ROM. You could just root, keep the stock ROM and just delete whatever you want. Don't see much point in that though. I also hate FB, stock and all the rest but as long as you don't use them / sign in they don't do anything and the free space you gain will be useless.
Simply there is no way to remove system apps without root..
With root you can only do it in recovery by issuing adb commands or by simply deleting .apk files from a custom rom before you flash it.
edit: and i agree with pascanu no need, and you might just screw something up
So basically I have to get root access using something like Unrevoked3, then type in some commands (adb) in my computer, with the phone hooked up via USB, and delete the apps that way?
I can refer to one of the threads explaining how to use ADB, but a quick search tells me that I need to download & install the SDK to use it. Already we are getting way too complicated. Each solution I see involves downloading large files and installing software.
If this is the only way currently, than I can accept that. I have rooted phones and flashed ROMs before, and I am confident I could figure it out again if needed. I just don't want to bother now. I like the stock ROM from HTC on my Desire. All I want is control over exactly which apps live on my phone, just like I control which programs are on my PC. Imagine if you couldn't remove some toolbar or AOL from a new PC when you bought it? Scary, huh? That's where a lot of us are now.
Until it's easy and quick, I and the majority of users just won't bother. I'm still hoping it's possible, and if anyone can explain how to do it then please do.
Yes as i wrote there is no need for that, if you are going to root it should be because you want some of all the good stuff it comes with (wireless tether, a2sd, froyo, decent backup, custom theming etc.)
It is quite easy though.
I may know where you can get a pony..........
Related
No Stranger to Android. However it is usually on a rooted phone. Now here my scenario. We are looking at issuing Defy's to our inspectors, however we would like to remove the bloatware apps such as Blockbuster, etc. So my question is whether or not there is a way to remove the apps without rooting the phones. I truthfully don't even care if its a paid app we need to do. Thanks!
You can't remove the bloatware without rooting but you could always root the phone using z4root, remove the bloatware and set things up how you like, install the custom recovery, create a backup of the rom then flash it to each of the phones and unroot them.
Yeah.....I was afraid of that. I figured that was the easiest way, but trying to explain that to the director is not going to be fun. At that point I might as well convince him to let me put Froyo or Gingerbread on it. hehe
z4root has a "temporary root" button, and when you reboot root is lost. Unninstall z4root and nothing happened
Perilla_ said:
z4root has a "temporary root" button, and when you reboot root is lost. Unninstall z4root and nothing happened
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sorry threadstarter for hijacking ur thread, but can you temporary root and remove all those unwanted applications and unroot it ? Is it possible ?
Yes, two options with z4root:
Temporary root: Install program, hit temporary root, remove all the baaaad stuff, reboot, uninstall z4root.
Permanent root: Install program, hit permanent root, remove all the ****, hit un-root, uninstall z4root.
Someone can say me if I am wrong?
Ok so I have z4Root installed and have rooted. Now how do I go about uninstalling apps I don't want. I looked under "Manage Applications" but all I see there are appps that I've installed.
Edit: Nevermind. I figured it out.
Edit: Nope still confused. Cant seem to find the "uninstall" button.
To remove unwanted stuff, the easy way is using rootexplorer, renaming the extension app from apk to bak for example. System apps are in /system/app.
You can too use adb, but it requires more knowledge.
Sent from my Defy using Tapatalk
As another follow up question on this. Is it possible to lock the phone down so that they cannot install any other apps on the phone? I know we could prolly lock the market, but we want it open just in case. Sorry.... never really explored using Android in a corporate enviroment and trying to enforce all the rules that you have under Blackberry and WinMo. Thanks!
Hey All,
For Work I need to install the app Good for Enterprise so I can get my calendar and work email pushed to my phone. Unfortunately it is company policy that it be unrooted. Presumeably a security issue. Is it possible to unroot a custom rom? i'd rather not go back to stock for the simple reason of app storage. I love A2SD+ and being able to have as many apps as I want installed. Also nandroid backups, that would go away without root too wouldn;t it? Can I just remove the SU.apk? Will that suffice to be "unrooted"? Is that even possible?
Tweak_four17 said:
Hey All,
For Work I need to install the app Good for Enterprise so I can get my calendar and work email pushed to my phone. Unfortunately it is company policy that it be unrooted. Presumeably a security issue. Is it possible to unroot a custom rom? i'd rather not go back to stock for the simple reason of app storage. I love A2SD+ and being able to have as many apps as I want installed. Also nandroid backups, that would go away without root too wouldn;t it? Can I just remove the SU.apk? Will that suffice to be "unrooted"? Is that even possible?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you want to unroot, you'll need to go back to stock.
The reason they want unrooted phones, is not so much a security issue, as it is they just don't understand or don't wish to deal with possible problems.
If you backup your apps and data you can run the official RUU, and it will put the original unrooted system to your phone. I don't know other method.
Here are the official ROMs: http://shipped-roms.com/index.php?category=android&model=Bravo
Removing the SU binaries will unroot you, I don't see the need as to why you have to be unrooted though.
apparently you can't use the new movie-rental feature of google's market, when you are rooted.
Is it possible to stick to a custom rom but unroot it, so that google recognises your phone as a not-rooted device and allows you to watch movies from market?
I don't need root-permissions every day - in fact I only need it for Titanium Backup, so deleting su-binaries and/or superuser.apk would be ok - but it must be possible to restore them (via recovery/adb) to run TB.
This probably isn't what google wants you to do since you can download the movie to watch later and if you have a working recovery you probably could get you hands on the downloaded files, but still - would be nice, if this was possible.
Easiest way to unroot and go back to stock is to stick a PB99IMG.zip on your sdcard, and turn your phone on with volume held down
How about this:
1) Go back to stock ROM via RUU
2) Install Good For Enterprise (I guess your IT department installs this, so they can check you are not rooted?)
3) ROOT the stock ROM using UnRevoked
4) Take a Titanium Backup of Good For Enterprise
5) Re-install your custom ROM
6) Restore the Titanium Backup of GfE
-> You have a rooted, custom ROM with GfE installed. And your company will never know!
madcr0w said:
Easiest way to unroot and go back to stock is to stick a PB99IMG.zip on your sdcard, and turn your phone on with volume held down
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Congratulations for not reading the post. Here is your cookie.
Sent from my HTC Desire using XDA Premium App
Demonic idea
kuroneko007 said:
How about this:
1) Go back to stock ROM via RUU
2) Install Good For Enterprise (I guess your IT department installs this, so they can check you are not rooted?)
3) ROOT the stock ROM using UnRevoked
4) Take a Titanium Backup of Good For Enterprise
5) Re-install your custom ROM
6) Restore the Titanium Backup of GfE
-> You have a rooted, custom ROM with GfE installed. And your company will never know!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I like your idea mate! Hahahahahaha....
Edit: Bad boy! Bad bad boy! hahahahahahahaha....
kuroneko007 said:
How about this:
1) Go back to stock ROM via RUU
2) Install Good For Enterprise (I guess your IT department installs this, so they can check you are not rooted?)
3) ROOT the stock ROM using UnRevoked
4) Take a Titanium Backup of Good For Enterprise
5) Re-install your custom ROM
6) Restore the Titanium Backup of GfE
-> You have a rooted, custom ROM with GfE installed. And your company will never know!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Has anyone ever tested this?
Or why don't you just delete superuser via adb or android commander
good for enterprise checks for root access/ su every time it starts. It's not an issue of not being able to install the app. It's available for free on the market. The problem is when entering all your info and starting it up, it checks for SU.
I am guessing the best way around this is to install custom rom, set everything up that you need that requires SU/root. Then delete all the su/root related files. Then install Good.
Unfortunately I don't have a list of all the files that have to be deleted for this to work.
There have been reports that other users who have tried this method got it to work but the App stopped syncing after a few days.
List:
/system/app/superuser
/system/bin/su
Sent from my HTC Desire using Tapatalk
I tried this method, renamed the 2 files. It has been working for last 24 hours. I'll update again after a week if it still works..
Edit:
yep this works perfectly.
vvelumm said:
I tried this method, renamed the 2 files. It has been working for last 24 hours. I'll update again after a week if it still works..
Edit:
yep this works perfectly.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You renamed SU.apk to SU.apk.bak most likely...
What did you rename the libs file to?
vvelumm said:
good for enterprise checks for root access/ su every time it starts. It's not an issue of not being able to install the app. It's available for free on the market. The problem is when entering all your info and starting it up, it checks for SU.
I am guessing the best way around this is to install custom rom, set everything up that you need that requires SU/root. Then delete all the su/root related files. Then install Good.
Unfortunately I don't have a list of all the files that have to be deleted for this to work.
There have been reports that other users who have tried this method got it to work but the App stopped syncing after a few days.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have rooted my HTC Salsa to get apps2sd which is great, but now my mobile banking app says it will not work on a rooted device, similar to your issue.
I am new to android modding, what commands do i need to enter where to rename the files you mention ?
Thanks in advance.
Mike
wont work good enterprises would more than likely check every time like sky go. you would have to removed a2sd command line i think and all su binarys ( and su.akp ( difficult as its normally a system app and once one of the su has been removed you dont have premition to remove the other/
and to the donunt who said ( the dont understand root) wanna cookie 0. basicly good enterprise is a secure web client for companys to send information to mobiles, i have it on my work (iphone) <<<< scummmy.. anyways as root gives to the option to do what ever you or anyone else wants with the phone in theory you could use that system to breack the law or for instance chaindd could possible put an update in to su that will take data from the company> for google videos ) well with root you can screen record ( basicly ) excuse the spelling im trying to find out how to un root and keep all of my system ui mods and themes and my rom ( proving difficult)
hey I know that this is based on a old post but I have a question did you ever find out how to unroot a custom rom that is pre-rooted?
Hi all, hope this is in the right section.
I rooted my Desire last night using unRevoked 3.3 with the intention of removing all the bloatware on my phone and forcing most of the apps onto the sd card.
My phone seems to have rooted fine, i have the Superuser Permissions application on there, and Titanium backup pro seems to be working too.
Now when i use Titanium backup to try and remove programs such as Stocks, News and Weather, News etc... I click on the app in the list, click un-install and then it tells me its uninstalled. However the apps still appear in my menu and are still there following a reboot. Ive also tried another method using Super Manager and that doesent seem to work either. The apps are still there following them being 'uninstalled'.
Also, similar situation with the SD card, i downloaded Move2SD enabler and that doesent seem to let me move certain apps like Maps, Facebook and others.
Any idea where im going wrong? Im on stock 2.2. My phone is in debug usb mode too.
Any help would be great.
Cheers
The apps you want to remove/move are system apps in stock roms. So you cannot do such things, because you are not s-off. But you might be able to do the things you want with adb:
http://wiki.cyanogenmod.com/wiki/Barebones
How to install adb:
http://wiki.cyanogenmod.com/wiki/Howto:_Install_the_Android_SDK
Or just delete specified .apk's from the .zip file before flashing.
k3lcior said:
Or just delete specified .apk's from the .zip file before flashing.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
He did not flash a rom. He is just using stock rom. There is nothing to delete from a zip file, because there is no zip file he wants to flash.
Then what i suggest is flashing custom ROM and customize it just how you like, you wont need to S-OFF. (which is much more risky than flashing a ROM)
What i would also try is application called "SystemAppRemover", i'm using it for removing all the system bloatware which you mentioned, but im S-OFF so i cannot guarantee it will work.
k3lcior said:
Then what i suggest is flashing custom ROM and customize it just how you like, you wont need to S-OFF. (which is much more risky than flashing a ROM)
What i would also try is application called "SystemAppRemover", i'm using it for removing all the system bloatware which you mentioned, but im S-OFF so i cannot guarantee it will work.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Maybe he wants to stay with stock rom? If he wants to flash custom rom, I guess he would have asked for it.
To remove system apps in running system with an app, you have to be s-off.
MatDrOiD said:
Maybe he wants to stay with stock rom? If he wants to flash custom rom, I guess he would have asked for it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I guess you know better than him, fine.
k3lcior said:
I guess you know better than him, fine.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It was just a clue, had nothing to do with knowledge.
Nevertheless, we should stop filling this thread with our senseless discussion.
haha thanks for the responses guys!
ive been looking at all the custom roms and whilst most of them look pretty cool, im quite happy with whats already on there at the moment, im just bored of seeing my phone telling me i dont have enough internal space etc... so i wanted to root and move as many apps onto the sd card as possible and delete all the unwanted stuff that im constantly closing in taskiller.
i did read something about putting the phone into s-off mode, i guess this is the way to go in regards to deleting the unwanted system apps?
also i believe that i cannot move facebook or google maps onto the sd card, am i correct?
Best option is flashing custom ROM, you could remove any apps you want from the flashable .zip file, and give you an unlimited storage for apps - A2SD. (well limited by SD Card capacity)
You can also S-OFF and remove apps you dont want, but it will barely help as you will probably still run with "low internal storage" errors at some point.
Also with stock ROM you are running, most apps wont be able to move onto SD anyways.
There are custom rom's based on Froyo 2.2 if you like it.
i guess i will look into flashing a ROM. i didnt really want to do that as i didnt want to have to reinstall everything etc... but i guess its the only way i will be satisifed lol.
Just make backup with Titanium Backup and then restore it.
I rooted my AT&T i747 with Android 4.0.4 a couple months ago and installed SuperSU as well and was working great. When I upgraded my phone to android 4.1.1 a few days ago I lost all rooting capabilities. My Titanium Backup Pro no longer has root access as well as my SuperSU and a couple of other apps that require it. I also have tried uninstalling SuperSU with no success.
Could I just reflash my i747 just like I did back on 4.0.4 to root it again or is there a way to correct the current root access? What would you recommend?
Thanks in advance!
If you took the official update then you have lost root. You just need to re root and you will be back in business.
Sent from my SGH-I747M using xda app-developers app
jbradbury said:
If you took the official update then you have lost root. You just need to re root and you will be back in business.
Sent from my SGH-I747M using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I want to do it but this is what the app says on Google play...
"NOTICE: A SPECIAL PROCEDURE IS NEEDED FOR UNINSTALLATION. IF YOU DO NOT LIKE THE APP, DO *NOT* JUST UNINSTALL IT, YOU *WILL* LOSE ROOT.
Superuser access management runs through a so called "su binary". There can be only one of these at a time. So if you install SuperSU, your previous superuser access management solution will no longer operate. So if you want to switch back: (1) Open that application, and search for an option for it to install/update/replace the "su binary". (2) Confirm root-using apps are using the superuser solution you want. (3) Uninstall SuperSU."
Does that mean I will lose root for good if I just try to reroot it a second time without first uninstalling it? That is where I am having trouble as well. The app will not let me properly uninstall it from within the app.
Thanks.
SCADAman said:
I want to do it but this is what the app says on Google play...
"NOTICE: A SPECIAL PROCEDURE IS NEEDED FOR UNINSTALLATION. IF YOU DO NOT LIKE THE APP, DO *NOT* JUST UNINSTALL IT, YOU *WILL* LOSE ROOT.
Superuser access management runs through a so called "su binary". There can be only one of these at a time. So if you install SuperSU, your previous superuser access management solution will no longer operate. So if you want to switch back: (1) Open that application, and search for an option for it to install/update/replace the "su binary". (2) Confirm root-using apps are using the superuser solution you want. (3) Uninstall SuperSU."
Does that mean I will lose root for good if I just try to reroot it a second time without first uninstalling it? That is where I am having trouble as well. The app will not let me properly uninstall it from within the app.
Thanks.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That warning by Chainfire relates to the various other superuser shells out there (like superuser.apk, ROM-specific superuser shells). Wait, what's the shell? Let me explain:
OK, so having root means you have three folders/files available:
superSU.apk (the shell; it's an interface lets you allow certain apps access to the actual superuser files..think of it as the root gatekeeper..having it alone does not mean you're rooted...seems like you have this)
/system/xbin/su/ (folder with files SPECIFIC to SuperSU.apk...apps can ask superSU.apk to access these "root-enabling" files ...you lost this)
/system/bin/su (folder with files SPECIFIC to SuperSU.apk...apps can ask superSU.apk to access these "root-enabling" files...you lost this, too)
The latter two, the folders, are collectively referred as su binaries. His warning: if don't like using superSU.apk as your shell, do not simply uninstall superSU.apk. Why? I'm not totally sure, but I think it's because that will leave the su binaries, specific to his app! Then, when an app wants to ask for root, it doesn't know what the flip to do. It has to interact with the shell, but the shell is missing!
The special method to really remove root is:
creepyncrawly said:
You can remove root by using a root file explorer to remove /system/app/superuser, /system/bin/su and /system/xbin/su. After you reboot, you'll not longer be rooted.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
OK, the "what is going on behind the scenes" is over. To get root back:
Basically, you need to replace the su binaries. But, the only way I know how is to replace all three of those parts. I'm pretty sure you're fine to "overwrite" the 1/3 of root you already have (SuperSU.apk). Thus, you have two main options:
1) Use CF AutoRoot (http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1963790). It will temporarily flash a modified recovery, and then add those binaries and the SuperSU.apk, and then flash the stock recovery back, but it will trip the flash counter. Takes 30 seconds. Should be safe, because it will just overwrite the apk and add the su binaries. [I rooted this way; triangle away is cheap to reset the flash counter!]
2) Use Mr. Robinson's method (http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1739426). This contain a /system image with all three aforementioned parts. Will take about 15 minutes, but will not trip the flash counter. As long as you're on stock firmware (which I think you are), this won't delete any apps/data.
I got it rooted again. Thanks for help guys. I just reinstalled the supersu.apk and the binary files and it's rooted once again. Whoo-hoo!
Hey guys! So I had a Samsung vibrant for years before I got a 920 and rooted it. I would then of course flash roms every week. I looked over the main features of the Roms coming out for the new nexus 7 and don't see anything that I can't already do, but I may he wrong. Can you tell me what is unlocked if I root my amazing new n7? (Apps I can use if rooted , features, etc) Thanks!
Sent from my Nexus 7 using xda app-developers app
I am more than happy to answer that question for you. First: I want to shed a little light on what 'rooting' a device means, and what flashing new ROMs entails.
First and foremost: root is not required to flash new ROMs. Having root access to the file system is having full control and rights to your files. Think of it like having an Administrator account in Windows. You're free to manipulate all files on your device, including core system files, which is why you don't have root access by default; the normal end-user wouldn't know which system files do what and could delete a very important file that could soft-brick their device, or could download a malicious app that would do the same (think of it as a virus in Windows)(Protip: if you only download apps from the Play store, you're good).
Second: the only thing required to flash a new ROM is your bootloader to be unlocked, and maybe a custom recovery is required, I'm not too familiar with the stock recovery and whether or not you can flash .zips from there. Unlocking your bootloader enables you to flash unsigned images to your device, a custom ROM in this case. Here's where the confusion happens: when you flash a new ROM, it overwrites your old ROM, including the superuser status you had. Most custom ROMs have root enabled by default, which is why it seems like your old root access carried over. Think of flashing a new ROM as re-installing Windows on your computer. All of your old profiles are erased and you need to set up new ones. Having root access is like setting up your Administrator profile and using it.
Third: the benefits of rooting. I personally use root specifically for Titanium Backup, Cerberus, ES File Explorer, and franco.Kernel updater. If you don't know what those apps do, I'll explain. Titanium Backup backs up all of my apps so when I flash a new ROM, I can easily restore them, instead of having to manually re-install them from the Play store which takes time and sometimes, data. TB needs root because it's installing apps on your device automatically (after you tell it to). You can see why you would need root there. Cerberus is an anti-theft app, which needs root to remotely activate sensors like GPS, camera, take screenshots, show messages, get device info, etc. Again, you could see why root would be needed there: security. ES File Explorer (any root explorer app) needs root because, well, so you can see and manipulate files that you need superuser status to do those things. I use it for many miscellaneous reasons such as renaming my nandroid backups. franco.Kernel updater I use to tweak my kernel settings.
Now, I'm not trying to convince you to root. That is a decision that should be made by you. Having root comes with potentially negative consequences. You could mess up your ROM. The chances are very slim, and very reversible (worst-case scenario: flash new ROM), but still very real. If you don't know your way around the bootloader, or how to restore factory images to the device, it could be frustrating to fix a soft-brick caused by system files being manipulated. Still, you have XDA, full of helpful people and plenty of guides and if you have the patience to read and listen to advice, you should be able to learn how to fix your problem, should one arise.
Ok, sum-up. Having "root" is like having Administrator rights on Windows. Installing ROMs is like re-installing Windows on your computer. Recovery is like the BIOS on your computer. Therefor, root is not required to flash a new ROM, only your bootloader unlocked (possibly custom recovery). Root is nice to have, and poses almost zero risk to hard-bricking your device. Having root could soft-brick your device if you don't know what you're doing, however, and could potentially be very frustrating if you don't know your way around the bootloader and/or recovery. If you have the patience to learn or listen to advice, it can be fixed though. It's up to you to weigh the risks and rewards. One thing to keep in mind: if you only download apps from the Play store, you should be 100% A-Ok to have root. The only way to soft-brick your device then, is if you're in there poking around with files you shouldn't be messing with (so, user-error). If you do decide to root and/or flash new ROM's, I'd advise in doing it manually at first instead of using toolkits. That way, you can see what's happening, which could come in handy if something should come up later.
Well said, Johnmama.
Basically, the #1 reason I root is Titanium Backup. I do also use some additional root apps, like ES File Explorer, but I could live without them. Titanium Backup is the ONE app that I will not do without.
The majority of custom ROMs already come prerooted.