Database Develop

Uninstall of Apps does not remove all related files!

I apologize if this has been answered earlier.
I use a stock N1 with ADW.Launcher and a bunch of other apps. I recently noticed that even when I uninstall an app from my phone, there are some directories / files that remain on the phone.
Is there any reason why these do not get deleted when the app is unistalled.

May be the same answer as installers written for windows. If the developer didn't do a good job with cleanup, you get trash leftover you need to manually clean.

i agree with both above. i found devs dont do good with uninstalling and leaving folders left behind, i wonder if there is an app that clears them?

The best way is to realize what should and shouldn't be there and manually take care of it. To write an application to clean up after 50,000+ other applications that are messy. Would be a programming nightmare and I would not want to support such an application.

or someone could make some sort of app similar to those on pc, montors what and where files are being installed to so if uninstall doesnt take em out alteast you know where to look exactly.
Edit: better yet, the app itself can uninstall everything on the users request! now that would be an app i wouldnt mind paying a good buck for.

I agree, apps itself should uninstall everything with user consent.
Also I don't think a lot of us mind taking the manual route as long as we know what to delete ..
Any way to find out what files belong to what apps?.... or is it the same as on any unix/linux platform.

thats what i was trying to say. windows has a simple app that makes a txt file of all files being installed including registery. launch the app to monitor first, install like normal. in this case, the app itself will make a database of the app then the user can use that app to delete everything catched that was installed. that would be very nice. i find myself doing google search to see where files came from and when i see i uninstalled that i have to delete it myself. this would save me lots of time. i dont really worry about it though i have a list of apps i must install and with all the froyo i keep wiping the os to try new roms. until everything is stable ill worry then but for now im good.

garryvirdi said:
I apologize if this has been answered earlier.
I use a stock N1 with ADW.Launcher and a bunch of other apps. I recently noticed that even when I uninstall an app from my phone, there are some directories / files that remain on the phone.
Is there any reason why these do not get deleted when the app is unistalled.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
do you mean the directories on the sd card?

Yes directories and files on the SD card.
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Sent from my Nexus One

garryvirdi said:
Yes directories and files on the SD card.
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Sent from my Nexus One
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You could have data that could be reused if you decide to use the app again. Settings, preferences, keys, notes, photos etc..
I do hope that the default folder for apps defaults to something like /sdcard/appdata/ instead of the root folder /sdcard/ (unless explicitly set)

[Q] Harmful .apk file

Say I download an *.apk file from some site or I get one from a friend, could it potentially harm my phone, cost me money etc.? Basically what I'm wondering is, when I install an app it generally says what the app has/wants access to, is this "warning" coded by the programmer to tell the user what it's accessing or is it determined automatically by built in functions? I don't want to install and app that has access to stuff that I'm not aware of.
Regards,
B
Edit: On a second note. Say I do download some harmful application, would uninstalling it solve the problem or could there be remaining harmful files still at work? The whole Android OS is sorta worrying me...bad experiences with Windows is making me cautious.

if you can think of it
there can always be a chance of happening
yes, a malicious hacker could do something like that
yes, a pissed programmer might including something like that into their apps to stop people from sharing their apps without buying it
yes, the apk might be legit but might have been corrupted some how
yes, you might be able to uninstall if lucky
but worse case scenario if i were a malicious hacker i wouldn't code a way to uninstall the app, instead i'll probably code a way to lock the user out of all access forcing you to Flash the phone from scratch

You didn't really answer my one major question, or maybe you did but I didn't understand. Are the services that the app is able to access programmed or are they determined by a function?

Well when installing I've resorted to checking a few things:
1) Make sure the app that I've downloaded is the same size as the one in the market (for equivalent versions...obviously)
2) Compare the system permissions when installing with those found at www.androlib.com
This way seems pretty safe to me. If the size is the same and the permissions are the same...you can be quite (not 100%) certain that they are legit/the same.

Ok heres the deal. Apps have 2 types of access.
1. Standard permissions
So if u don't do adb-install (where u dont see an app's permissions), then market / copy to sdcard and install from there u'll see the permission screen. An app cannot do something w/o permissions. If an uninstaller is askin for email permissions u know somethings wrong.
2. Root
Most dangerous. An app will ask u for 0 standard android api permissions. But when u run it, u will be asked for a superuser allow/deny request. From their its up to you. An app could do anything behind the scenes from tht point.
So read reviews/ user comments before trying root apps. Standard apps, just look over the permissions thts all.
FYI : The permissions are read by android, they're not user defined. Any permissions will always show up when installing it using the native package manager.

To be honest I wouldn't advise downloading an .apk from a non-trusted source. If its on the market, you're near certainly ok, and if its from a trusted developer (say from these boards, or some other similar dev portal) then again, you are likely to be ok. In the second case, you are unlikely to be getting a finished app if you get a straight apk from boards, because when they are finished or at least solid, they go to the app store anyway, so harm in that case is more likely to be of the force close variety rather than bricked variety.
Outside of that, I can't see why you would get an apk from a friend rather than downloading it yourself, simply because that way it makes certain you get a clean, non-corrupted version. If apps don't show up in the market for you, its mostly because your device can't run them, in which case, again, force close.

Uninstalling it is possibly too late. All smartphones suffer this issue though.
As mentioned, if you get the files from market though, you are likely to be safe..
Also, not all melicious programs are obvious..

Daneshm90 said:
Ok heres the deal. Apps have 2 types of access.
1. Standard permissions
So if u don't do adb-install (where u dont see an app's permissions), then market / copy to sdcard and install from there u'll see the permission screen. An app cannot do something w/o permissions. If an uninstaller is askin for email permissions u know somethings wrong.
2. Root
Most dangerous. An app will ask u for 0 standard android api permissions. But when u run it, u will be asked for a superuser allow/deny request. From their its up to you. An app could do anything behind the scenes from tht point.
So read reviews/ user comments before trying root apps. Standard apps, just look over the permissions thts all.
FYI : The permissions are read by android, they're not user defined. Any permissions will always show up when installing it using the native package manager.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
EXACTLY what I was looking for. Thank you.

Btw, just because security on App store says an app can do stuff like make phone calls etc, doesn't mean it's malicious.
A few people were misled by an article that stated that apps with such extreme permissions were malicious, but it's untrue. It isn't always the case, but if an app uses functionality you don't believe it should, it's possible it is dodgy

andrewluecke said:
Btw, just because security on App store says an app can do stuff like make phone calls etc, doesn't mean it's malicious.
A few people were misled by an article that stated that apps with such extreme permissions were malicious, but it's untrue. It isn't always the case, but if an app uses functionality you don't believe it should, it's possible it is dodgy
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Aye, I know. Thanks for the advice. I've actually been comparing any app I download off the internet to the actual ones on the market (size and permissions).

Hi everyone im a noob member to the site but have read some interesting threads before membership but as usual joining when i have a problem that needs some of your help
I have had a .apk file download to my htc desire running 2.2.2. I was browsing pics of the fake kind when it started downloading. i did see some letters and numbers before the file ext. It is not an official .apk that im sure off. I have searched for it on my phone but cannot find it to delete .
can anyone help please

After hooking up htc to my pc by usb lead, I have managed to locate the file by searching. It was in the download folder, I deleted it via the pc and then did a factory reset on htc.
Would this get rid of it safely

[Q] using Tasker to disable geotagging in camera with stock 2.2?

After searching forums, it seems that the only way to disable geotagging photos is to disable both Wireless and GPS location services under Location and Security.
This is really inconvenient to have to do before every use of the camera. I like having the location settings turned on for Maps and whatnot. Besides, I'd forget to turn it back on, if I remember to turn it off in the first place, because I'm easily distracted by shiny objects.
Does anyone have any idea if it would be possible to use Tasker to disable location services when the camera is running and then enable them again when exiting the camera?
I don't have Tasker and I don't have any experience with it. While I've been toying with the idea of buying it for some other things, I thought someone with Tasker experience may be able to answer this before I go out and buy it. I know there is a 7 day trial version on the Tasker website, so I could also give that a shot, I suppose.
UPDATE: I'm not bothering with this anymore since I found the modded camera.apk over in the Fascinate forum. This specific issue is resolved as far as I'm concerned.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=949566
I would, however, be interested in figuring out if Tasker would be able to activate/deactivate location services directly. I would use it for other applications. I may dig into it again some other time.

I was wondering this as well, a little frustrated we can't turn it off I'm the camera settings...
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I897 using XDA App

Installed Tasker, but it will only take you to the Location and Security menu to change the location services. It doesn't actually enable/disable them. There is no variable in the menu to use.
Toggling Airplane mode on and off doesn't work either. This doesn't really make sense, but I guess it uses the last known location to tag the photo.
I also downloaded Locale Execute, so maybe I can find a root command to do it. That's a stretch for me, though.
If anyone can provide some help or guidance, it'd be appreciated greatly.

I was wondering this as well, a little frustrated we can't turn it off I'm the camera settings...
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I897 using XDA App
__________________

Good question.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I897 using XDA App

Found this.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=949566
Working great for me.
Since I'm rooted, I followed the APK version installation rules.
Backed up using Titanium Backup first.
Used Root Explorer to move the apk to the system/apps folder.
Moved camera.odex to the sdcard and renamed it camera.odex.old for safekeeping.
Cleared the Dalvik cache with Titanium Backup.
Rebooted the phone.
Everything seems to be working fine.
Enabled location services again under Location and Security.
Unchecked GPS in the camera menu settings (under the wrench tab).
No geotagging on photos.

no option to store images on external sd with Fascinate camera.apk
lactardjosh said:
Found this.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=949566
Working great for me.
Since I'm rooted, I followed the APK version installation rules.
Backed up using Titanium Backup first.
Used Root Explorer to move the apk to the system/apps folder.
Moved camera.odex to the sdcard and renamed it camera.odex.old for safekeeping.
Cleared the Dalvik cache with Titanium Backup.
Rebooted the phone.
Everything seems to be working fine.
Enabled location services again under Location and Security.
Unchecked GPS in the camera menu settings (under the wrench tab).
No geotagging on photos.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I installed this modded camera.apk as well; however, this file was specifically developed for a Fascinate... not Captivate. Besides the "flash" options (which don't apply to Captivate) the real issue for me is the inability to direct pictures/videos directly to external SD. The Captivate has both the internal sd and (optional) external SD cards. This mod was built from the Fascinate which only has the external removable sd. I exchanged a few PMs with Developer and he recommends finding a Captivate developer to mod the Captivate camera using the pointers from the Fascinate camera mods. This Fascinate camera work great on my Captivate I897.. if only it had the ability to store images on external SD. It has ability to turn off GPS geo-tagging from the app... power-button works as camera shutter for BOTH camera and video... very clean app.

Automate copying/back up all video and pictures taken

I have a Moto X with Republic Wireless 4.2.2 and am wondering how I automate the following...
Anytime I shoot a video or take a picture on the phone I would like to have the phone automatically make a copy of the file to a different (specific) directory on the phone for backup purposes. I would also like to know if I can do this without rooting. I'm pretty sure I can make a script or something to do it, I just don't know how I would have it act upon seeing a new file created. Also I would prefer it operate in the background without any notifications.
Thanks

EntityPacket said:
I have a Moto X with Republic Wireless 4.2.2 and am wondering how I automate the following...
Anytime I shoot a video or take a picture on the phone I would like to have the phone automatically make a copy of the file to a different (specific) directory on the phone for backup purposes. I would also like to know if I can do this without rooting. I'm pretty sure I can make a script or something to do it, I just don't know how I would have it act upon seeing a new file created. Also I would prefer it operate in the background without any notifications.
Thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm not sure how to do that but you can always backup to google +. It won't share the images unless you ask it to. I've found it quite useful for a phone that only has 16gb of storage.

brian Marshall said:
I'm not sure how to do that but you can always backup to google +. It won't share the images unless you ask it to. I've found it quite useful for a phone that only has 16gb of storage.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This. I'm not sure having two copies of an image or video on the same device gives you any real redundancy. However letting them sync with G+ gives you a reliable backup.

Why would you backup the same image or video onto the same device? All you're doing is using more storage, of which is limited.

Thanks guys but I want to do what I said specifically. Nothing more, nothing less. The automated part is optional. I would be fine with having to hit an icon to kick off the process.

EntityPacket said:
Thanks guys but I want to do what I said specifically. Nothing more, nothing less. The automated part is optional. I would be fine with having to hit an icon to kick off the process.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
you can use rsync to do this. Android doesn't come with it, but you can install it by following instructions here: http://linux.wxs.ro/2011/08/05/rsync-your-android/. There's probably also apps in the play store that provide rsync.
'rsync -a --delete /src/ /dest/' will keep the directory /dest/ in sync with /src/
create a shell script with that in it, and you should be able to schedule it using tasker, or there are apps out there to create icons for shell scripts.

Thanks that's more what I'm looking for. Would that require rooting the phone?

Yeah....I don't get it. 2 sets of the same pics on the same drive is no fail safe at all. If you have a problem where you can't access the regular gallery stored pics, I doubt you'll be accessing the other folder either. Seems pointless?
Are you sure what you want to do is really what your trying to do?
Flashing roms or whatever won't wipe your pics by accident. And if for some strange reason your pics get wiped, chances are your backup pics will get wiped at the same time, since they are both on sd card.
Plus you'll have 2 sets in your gallery. Unless they are put in a backup apps file....which again...will be wiped along with your pics if something happens to your sd card folder.
Makes no sense.
Sent from my XT1058 using Tapatalk

EntityPacket said:
Thanks that's more what I'm looking for. Would that require rooting the phone?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The instructions indicate that you should copy it to /system/xbin/ and set the permissions to allow execute access. In order to be able to write to that directory you will need root.
In order to execute the command, you will not need root access. Assuming you're copying to someplace you have write access to.
I haven't tried this, but there's a "busybox non-root app" in the play store that contains rsync. You should be able to install that, and then you'll have access to rsync.

Look at bittorrent sync. You set it up to back up a specific folder or folders on your phone and using torrent technology, you can have it back up to your PC. I use it for exactly this purpose. All my photos of my kids and videos are automatically backed up to an external hard drive.

[Q] Security question Folder Moment.me?????

I have noticed that I have folder when cleaning cache by clean master with name Moment.me. I did run a full system scan using CM Security and nothing was found.
To explain this matter more in detail. When I open my bank app somewhat is creating an folder in emulated storage by name imagecache. Then when I scan cache using clean master, clean master is telling me that that folder is from uninstalled app from moment.me which I never had anyway. And this is only when I access my bank app. It's like it some kind of logger or trying to be a logger, by either keylogging or image capture cache something like that. I searched all Google to see what comes when typing Moment.me. Can somebody tell me what this is. It doesn't feel good knowing this. Second isn't uninstalled app being deleted from Android all the way. How can there be a left over and if no app. Who creates image cache folder? Which app does that when accessing bank app. And that antivirus doesn't recognize this stuff but recognize which app did that which was never installed in first place. Tell me what you know. Tnx
P.s I'm using stock lg l90 never rooted. Its on KitKat 4.4.2 have no shady app installed on my phone except that I tried yesterday opera max, some onvo data limiter not sure about exactly onvo but something like that and some other data limiter software. I think its with first in search. Blue icon. Please help

Sir,
Please wait until mods will move this thread to the device specific forum for more relevant answers.
Stand by
Good luck