Have you been sucked in by Amazon's free app of the day promotion, downloaded an app, played with it for a couple hours and then decided to uninstall it?
Have you noticed how that uninstalled app will forever appear under My Apps in the App Store?
I wanted Amazon to stop passively reminding me about my fleeting affair with a past free app every time I go to their app store to try out the next free app of the day. The app store doesn't offer any way of removing the uninstalled and I like my lists to be cleaned up.
The solution I found is not perfect, but it works for me. I tried a variety of ways and this is the only thing I could find that avoided having the uninstalled apps re-appear after the app store syncs itself with my account. It requires root, Root Explorer and SQLite Editor. There are probably other ways to do this, but this worked for me.
In Root Explorer, go to the data/data/com.amazon.venezia/databases folder and open the file called "locker". With SQLite Editor installed, Root Explorer will automatically open the file with write permissions. There will be a list of 8 tables:
Applications - this is the table you want to edit
Blacklist - seems to be a table containing apps that are removed from Amazon
BlacklistCursor - somehow related to Blacklist
ContentTokens - the tokens for the apps you've downloaded. Syncs with your Amazon account every time you open the App Store. Deleting records here does nothing, as far as I could tell.
Downloads - lists any downloaded but not yet installed apps. When you download an app from the Amazon App Store, it downloads to a folder on your SD Card located at sdcard/Android/data/com.amazon.venezia/cache. Amazon names the apk oddly. Deleting records here does nothing, as far as I could tell.
Wishlist - I assume this syncs with your Amazon wishlist for apps. I don't use it, so I don't know for sure.
android_metadata - One record that identifies the locale as en_US.
sqlite_sequence - identifies the next sequence number that can be used (right? I'm not that familiar with it)
Select Applications
The first field is the ASIN identifier that Amazon uses. You can search Amazon for this and find the app that way, just in case you wanted to know.
Now, it would be great if deleting the record you don't want worked, but Amazon will just resync and add the record again. Boo.
The more interesting fields are off to the right, so scroll down that way.
Right after the SoldBy field are true/false flags. I'm listing them here, because I'm not entirely sure what they all do and maybe someone can fill in the blanks. If you edit most of these fields, Amazon will just reset them when it syncs, too. We want IsHiddenFromActionableItems.
IsPurchased - 1 if purchased
IsNew - 1 if there is a new version (to download or already downloaded but not installed, it seems)
IsUpdateAvailable - 1 if there is an update available (installed, with update available)
IsFlagged - not sure
IsNewNotified - 1 if notified of the new version.
IsUpdateAvailableNotified - 1 if notified of an update available. Interestingly, for the apps I uninstall the IsNew flag is true and IsUpdateAvailable is false, but the IsNewNotified is false and IsUpdateAvailableNotified is true. Seems backwards.
IsFlaggedNotified - notified of flagging?
IsHiddenFromActionableItems - this is the one you want.
IsDownloaded - 1 if downloaded and the file is still in its download location.
IsInstalled - 1 if downloaded and installed.
Full step by step:
***You need root***
1. In Root Explorer, go to the data/data/com.amazon.venezia/databases folder and open the file called "locker".
2. Select Applications
3. Highlight the record you want to edit by tapping it
4. Long press on the value in IsHiddenFromActionableItems.
5. Select Edit Field
6. Change the value from 0 to 1 (or the opposite if you want it back in the list)
7. Click Save
8. Repeat 4 - 7 for any other records you want.
9. Hit back to return to the table list and back again to go back to the folder.
That's it. When you run the Amazon App Store again, the apps you've changed the IsHiddenFromActionableItems value to 1 for will no longer appear under New (and presumably Update Available). Unfortunately, the apps will still show up under the All menu, unless you filter by Installed apps only.
Sorry for the long post, but I thought maybe someone else with more background than me would be able to figure out some other workaround.
I'm not responsible if this somehow screws up your phone.
THANK YOU.
God I thought I'd be waiting forever for them to come up with a better way to manage your purchased apps.
I'd be willing to bet that we'll see a better way to manage apps in future releases of their app store, but I'm not willing to wait for that.
You. are a god! Thank you, thank you, thank you!
I was so happy when I saw this post. I tried the recommended resolution. However, when I hit the refresh button in the Amazon App Store, the "hidden" application came back.
Any ideas? I would love to have a solution.
Thanks,
Evan
Two new ideas that may help with this issue:
1) If you are *totally sure* you never want to see the app again..
Just delete the app.
Amazon's official instructions are a ways down this page:
Amazon Appstore for Android says:
(AMAZON OFFICIAL)
Amazon Appstore for Android customers can now permanently delete apps from their account. To use this feature, visit the Your Apps and Devices (http://www.amazon.com/gp/mas/your-account/myapps) section of the Amazon Appstore for Android and click "Actions."
To learn more about this feature, visit:
Appstore for Android FAQs - http://www.amazon.com/appstore/faq
Appstore for Android "Manage Apps" overview - http://www.amazon.com/help/managingapps
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Note this is a somewhat drastic step - if you change your mind you will have to pay for the app all over again. Works great for free apps of course.
2) Amazon may have given us a way to run off *all* notifications with the latest Amazon App Store apk. See http://www.goodandevo.net/2012/03/turn-off-amazon-appstore-notifications-on-your-htc-evo.html
Does anyone know if there is a similar process that can now be used? It seems like the recent update to the appstore app broke this method.
Sent from my SGH-T999 using Tapatalk 2
Welcome, This Is My First Post, I Am Here To Share With You The Google Experience Launcher, It Has Being Released On The New Android 4.4, I Have Recently Installed It Onto My XOOM, And It Works Perfectly, No Need To Uninstall The Original Launcher.
First, make sure to enable the unknown apps by going into your device Settings > Security > and checking Unknown sources. From there download the updated Google Search and Google Home (linked below). From there, press the home button and select “Launcher” as your default homescreen — this is the new Google Experience Launcher. enjoy the new google experice launcher
because of me being new and I haven't got any posts I am unable to post links so what Ive done is added the links to a text document, sorry about this once I have the amount of posts needed I will added the links to the page. The document contains 2 links, one for the launcher and one for the new google search, both are working perfectly on the XOOM.
See the images attached
Thanks For Viewing
Search is available from the Play Store. Launcher worked great on my phone, but I needed to force close Trebuchet first. Thanks.
its working on my wingray, but it's a bit laggy, i'll stay on nova luncher.
HTC Dot View App
HTC Gallery App
HTC Guide App
HTC Sense TV App
HTC Service Pack
ZOE
Odd.. I notice these having updates, but they don't get listed in with the available updates in the "My apps" section in Google Play.
If you go to the apps individually in Google Play though, it shows an "update" button (clicking the other apps by this developer link is helpful in finding the others BTW).
This sounds familiar for some system apps, but not others (many Google apps auto-updated when I first activated the phone, even before I could get to the UI to turn off auto-updating). Anyone found a way to actually find -all- apps that have updates?
gbritton said:
Odd.. I notice these having updates, but they don't get listed in with the available updates in the "My apps" section in Google Play.
If you go to the apps individually in Google Play though, it shows an "update" button (clicking the other apps by this developer link is helpful in finding the others BTW).
This sounds familiar for some system apps, but not others (many Google apps auto-updated when I first activated the phone, even before I could get to the UI to turn off auto-updating). Anyone found a way to actually find -all- apps that have updates?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Oh man I hate the autoupdating, I always turn that off, I like to be in control of that. I don't know why that setting doesnt save when you get a new phone or wipe your device.
The updates may be rolling out in phases. I recipes those updates yesterday afternoon while I was setting g the phone up for the first time.
Restart your phone and you'll get them
I'm seeing update to 604 OTA on my brand new Remix mini but I had read that the new releases remove Google mobile services, basically ruining a huge reason people buy this device. If I want to continue using Google mobile services should I just stick with the stock ROM and work with the limitations and the various bug fixes?
Wow that was several updates ago. The mini still has Google Services. It was only removed to overlay some ground work and to finish talks with Google. If it does disappear after you update, just go to the Remix Central app to download the service back onto the mini.
Your Jide Ambassador is here!!!
AmoraRei said:
Wow that was several updates ago. The mini still has Google Services. It was only removed to overlay some ground work and to finish talks with Google. If it does disappear after you update, just go to the Remix Central app to download the service back onto the mini.
Your Jide Ambassador is here!!!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thxx Amora, that's what I thought but I'm on the device right now and there is a big pop up warning on the 604 update that says if you agree to this update, Google Play services and all your apps will be disabled and removed. You can choose not to upgrade and continue using these services.
I assume this is an error in the warning from what you are stating. I'm updating it despite the warning and will see.
So just to confirm, this device still has Play Store / GAPPS? They have a 40% off special and I want one.
The process of rooting the device is still a bit unpleasant, and as such I can't tweak options and patches to get APKs working. I'd rather have the Play Store outright.
mttrwlnd said:
So just to confirm, this device still has Play Store / GAPPS? They have a 40% off special and I want one.
The process of rooting the device is still a bit unpleasant, and as such I can't tweak options and patches to get APKs working. I'd rather have the Play Store outright.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes. The remix can still use Google apps. You just have to install Google services and the apps yourself instead of having them come pre-loaded now.
And as is often the case with hardware, the box will come with an old version of the os installed. The first time you hook it up it will check for updates and you will get the warning since you are moving from a factory version of the os which has the apps installed to a new version which does not.
Once the update completes, open the remix central app from the drawer (or desktop if you have a shortcut there) and scroll the bottom to find Google services installer. Download and follow the instructions, and when it tells you to - reboot. Once that's done open the "app store" app (also in app drawer) and install/update Google play (handy dandy search in the top right) and the icon will reappear on your desktop/in the app drawer if for some reason it vanished in the first place.
Note if you previously set up settings/accounts - you will need to do it again (so you have to give the store your Google account again as this was wiped out during the update).
Idol 4 6055u hidden update last week and File Manager is now like a 'Clean Master' clone with all the clean-your-phone and boost-your-phone notifications spam. And since there's no way to root it the app is not removable.
Anyone had any luck stabbing this one to death?
Sucks right? Mentioned it in a thread I made a few weeks back:
https://forum.xda-developers.com/idol-4s/help/alcatel-phone-t3634870
If possible, uninstalling updates or disabling the app should revert the app to its pre-spam state. If not, disabling the apps and using a less invasive file manager app is an option.
Alternatively a factory reset will return all system apps to their pre-spammy state if I recall correctly. From there, you can just avoid updating that individual app.
macallik said:
Sucks right? Mentioned it in a thread I made a few weeks back:
https://forum.xda-developers.com/idol-4s/help/alcatel-phone-t3634870
If possible, uninstalling updates or disabling the app should revert the app to its pre-spam state. If not, disabling the apps and using a less invasive file manager app is an option.
Alternatively a factory reset will return all system apps to their pre-spammy state if I recall correctly. From there, you can just avoid updating that individual app.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Unfortunately you can't disable the app, even though it appears you can under dev options (tried that, it just updates itself in the background again). Have tried uninstalling (updates) but it updates itself again and the spam reappears. It also places a perma-notification (can't slide off) at the top of the notifications.
BUT: The latest update to File Manager allows you to turn off notifications. Problem solved.
NOTE: You do have to give permissions for storage before you can get into the settings that allow turning off notifications/shortcuts.
This is well-known problem, ads presents in all latest preinstalled Acatel's apps updates: File Manager, Sound Recorder, Weather, Launcher and others. All of them puts notifications with spam-news and in some cases tries to change default homepage of Google Chrome browser. To prevent this need to do the following things:
1. Uninstall all updates of these apps to revert it to stock-state.
2. Deny auto update of these apps in Google Play.
3. Deny auto update of system apps in standart Update application.
DeckerSU said:
This is well-known problem, ads presents in all latest preinstalled Acatel's apps updates: File Manager, Sound Recorder, Weather, Launcher and others. All of them puts notifications with spam-news and in some cases tries to change default homepage of Google Chrome browser. To prevent this need to do the following things:
1. Uninstall all updates of these apps to revert it to stock-state.
2. Deny auto update of these apps in Google Play.
3. Deny auto update of system apps in standart Update application.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks, following these steps I think I got them tamed. Not all the apps show up in Google Play but disabling auto-update in 'Updates' (Alcatel's version) should take care of those...
yosemite610 said:
Thanks, following these steps I think I got them tamed. Not all the apps show up in Google Play but disabling auto-update in 'Updates' (Alcatel's version) should take care of those...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Several of Alcatel's Apps updates throught Google Play and other via Updates app. For example, sound recorder updates via Google Play. If it's already updated - just remove updates and Google Play app for Sound Recorder and forbid / deny future updates. In 'Updates' need to forbid updates of system apps too. I already done all of this steps for each preinstalled app which tries to update - all fine. There is no any unwanted push notifications.
Rip ._. I hate this phone so much.
They are pathetic. Updating all apps and adding ads to them.
DeckerSU said:
Several of Alcatel's Apps updates throught Google Play and other via Updates app. For example, sound recorder updates via Google Play. If it's already updated - just remove updates and Google Play app for Sound Recorder and forbid / deny future updates. In 'Updates' need to forbid updates of system apps too. I already done all of this steps for each preinstalled app which tries to update - all fine. There is no any unwanted push notifications.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the tips and detailed info @DeckerSU. I had begun to prepare to unlock, root, and flash a custom ROM due to this adware and push notification nonsense. Up until the recent app updates, I had truly enjoyed the clean, stock android UI experience on my idol3 ... now I can relax again, the aggravation of those push notifications is gone!
DeckerSU said:
This is well-known problem, ads presents in all latest preinstalled Acatel's apps updates: File Manager, Sound Recorder, Weather, Launcher and others. All of them puts notifications with spam-news and in some cases tries to change default homepage of Google Chrome browser. To prevent this need to do the following things:
1. Uninstall all updates of these apps to revert it to stock-state.
2. Deny auto update of these apps in Google Play.
3. Deny auto update of system apps in standart Update application.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
thank you, I hadn't thought of step 3
I signed in just to thank you
edit: just realized this thread is for idol 4s, but it applied to my idol 3..
I didn't realize this is a problem on later phones.. so messed up
Very bad, all those spamming programs on a phone we paid for. They beter come out with a recent
Android update. Its a Shame for the alcatel brand.
DeckerSU said:
This is well-known problem, ads presents in all latest preinstalled Acatel's apps updates: File Manager, Sound Recorder, Weather, Launcher and others. All of them puts notifications with spam-news and in some cases tries to change default homepage of Google Chrome browser. To prevent this need to do the following things:
1. Uninstall all updates of these apps to revert it to stock-state.
2. Deny auto update of these apps in Google Play.
3. Deny auto update of system apps in standart Update application.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the tips! I was starting to think I would have to root the device... Very dissapointing to see this kind of behaviour from Alcatel
Cheers
It may be worse than you think!
It's bad enough for a SYSTEM app to be serving up potentially malicious advertising that could Pwn your device, but it ventures deep into dark waters if that SYSTEM app has the Facebook "Graph" API inside of it that could allow a developer (or in this case your Chinese phone manufacturer) to use your Facebook access token to pillage through your Facebook account and look through your photos, tags, pages visited, URL's, or even create Facebook posts or messages on your behalf!
Sound crazy?
Take a look at the Facebook "Graph" developer site for yourself:
https://developers.facebook.com/docs/graph-api/using-graph-api/
And if someone was familiar with some open source tools that could allow them to look inside an Android app:
https://github.com/iBotPeaches/Apktool
https://github.com/pxb1988/dex2jar
https://github.com/sreenivasmula/JDGUI
http://www.7-zip.org/download.html
That person might look to see if the app has the Facebook Graph API inside of it:
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.jrdcom.filemanager&hl=en
Any one have a custom rom? Like Lineage or CM or AOSP any other one except the crapy stock rom?
Not good enough!
I no longer trust ANYTHING that is installed on my Alcatel device after the recent adware/spyware "upgrades"!
I installed TWRP and the (unofficial) Lineage ROM until I get a different phone all together.
https://forum.xda-developers.com/id...ficial-lineageos-14-1-idol36045x-5-5-t3615700
I will NEVER purchase another Alcatel device as long as I live and I will advise all my friends and family and anyone else that will listen to avoid Alcatel as well.
I also suggest that anyone with a stock Alcatel device not to use any "widgets" that create shortcuts that may use your access tokens for Facebook and/or Twitter until we know what is going on.
The Facebook Graph API on a native app has a greater access level than a web application and the token(s) don't expire for 60 days and can be extended.
I advise people to avoid logging in to apps or websites with their social media and/or Google credentials and to change your passwords and set up 2 factor authentication and remove any apps associated with your social media accounts.
Wtf
yosemite610 said:
Idol 4 6055u hidden update last week and File Manager is now like a 'Clean Master' clone with all the clean-your-phone and boost-your-phone notifications spam. And since there's no way to root it the app is not removable.
Anyone had any luck stabbing this one to death?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That update is from google play store! Not from alcatel.... Uninstall updates and don't let google play do whatever it wants in your phone!
That update is from google play store! Not from alcatel....
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The update may have come the Google Play Store but is every bit Alcatel!
The "boost" function comes from TCL (Alcatel) owned Hawk app's "Super Cleaner" and the antivirus function comes from Hawk's Hi Security app that uses McAfee technology.
http://www.ehawk.com/en/
Can you help me to unlock a sharp phone?
DeckerSU said:
This is well-known problem, ads presents in all latest preinstalled Acatel's apps updates: File Manager, Sound Recorder, Weather, Launcher and others. All of them puts notifications with spam-news and in some cases tries to change default homepage of Google Chrome browser. To prevent this need to do the following things:
1. Uninstall all updates of these apps to revert it to stock-state.
2. Deny auto update of these apps in Google Play.
3. Deny auto update of system apps in standart Update application.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Can you help me to unlock a sharp phone?
I have the modem.elf file.
Following the advice on this thread, I was able to revert to the old versions of these apps back in October, and my phone stayed usable from then until about 2 weeks ago. Suddenly, the "updates" installed themselves (as part of a "critical system update" that I was notified my phone needed, and now, I don't have the option to uninstall the updates (or rather, it uninstalls to another spammy, bloatware version, not to the factory original).
Any ideas on what I can do now? Or is it time to throw this phone in the trash, and get one from a company that doesn't do this?
critical system update
Following the advice on this thread, I was able to revert to the old versions of these apps back in October, and my phone stayed usable from then until about 2 weeks ago. Suddenly, the "updates" installed themselves (as part of a "critical system update" that I was notified my phone needed, and now, I don't have the option to uninstall the updates (or rather, it uninstalls to another spammy, bloatware version, not to the factory original).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You have got to be kidding me!
Now Alcatel and McAfee are tricking users into installing their adware/spyware through the use of fake "critical update" patches?
I think it is high time to do a complete breakdown/inspection of the app and do a full public disclosure.
It isn't surprising that Alcatel would infect a users phone with adware/spyware but for a so-called "security" company like McAfee to be involved is both frightening and disturbing.