Database Develop

[Q] Use Skip NFC tags with other apps

Is there any way to use the three Skip dots with other NFC apps? Everytime I'm in NFC Task Launcher and touch one of the dots to the phone, the Motorola Skip setup pops up. When I cancel out of that, NFC Task Launcher doesn't recognize the dot. I've tried turning off the service, but it just respawns. I've got some more NFC tags on order that should show up next week. Is it going to do this with all NFC tags, or is there something about the Motorola ones that kick that setup off?

chrobb said:
Is there any way to use the three Skip dots with other NFC apps? Everytime I'm in NFC Task Launcher and touch one of the dots to the phone, the Motorola Skip setup pops up. When I cancel out of that, NFC Task Launcher doesn't recognize the dot. I've tried turning off the service, but it just respawns. I've got some more NFC tags on order that should show up next week. Is it going to do this with all NFC tags, or is there something about the Motorola ones that kick that setup off?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm curious of the answer too.

Bump!

chrobb said:
Is there any way to use the three Skip dots with other NFC apps? Everytime I'm in NFC Task Launcher and touch one of the dots to the phone, the Motorola Skip setup pops up. When I cancel out of that, NFC Task Launcher doesn't recognize the dot. I've tried turning off the service, but it just respawns. I've got some more NFC tags on order that should show up next week. Is it going to do this with all NFC tags, or is there something about the Motorola ones that kick that setup off?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
the same question..
even i put a normal nfc tag into a moto skip, it cant be recognize too.

The skip tags have a specific header that the Moto X recognizes as a skip tag. If you open the skip app and try a non skip tag, it will find it and turn it into a skip if you choose. The problem is, the skip app will write protect the tag and it will only be a skip tag. The official tags are the same...they will always be a skip and nothing else.
Now I have an app that someone made to write the header to a normal tag, but without the write protect. So, the tag can be rewritten, but only with another NFC device...the Moto X will only see it as a Skip tag.
I can upload the app, once I find the thread and original creator. I don't want to post something without giving them props.

[Q] NFC Tag Write Error on Verizon G2

I just bought a bunch of NFC tags, and I can't get them to write with the LG G2. http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2457159 we were hijacking that thread so I moved it here.
Has anyone successfully written an NFC tag with any variant of the LG G2 (most notably the Verizon).??
What software did you use?
What type of NFC tags did you use?
I am wondering if there is either an incompatibility with NFC Task Launcher or with the TAGS I bought which are here
http://www.amazon.com/NFC-Tags-Anti-Metal-Waterproof-Compatible/dp/B00B42K5BM/ref=sr_1_4?s=wireless&ie=UTF8&qid=1380128869&sr=1-4&keywords=nfc+tags
Anyone have any thoughts?

I was able to write to a tag with Tag Launcher. It happens to be a tag I got through them. Using NFC Tag Info app, this is how it is identified:
Type A
NTAG203
NFC Forum Type 2 Tag
Maximum Message Size 142Byte
I just programmed it to put phone in Desktop dock mode.

jasonsf said:
I was able to write to a tag with Tag Launcher. It happens to be a tag I got through them. Using NFC Tag Info app, this is how it is identified:
Type A
NTAG203
NFC Forum Type 2 Tag
Maximum Message Size 142Byte
I just programmed it to put phone in Desktop dock mode.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What location on the phone was the tag.. maybe I just need to touch it to a different place.

dlang123 said:
What location on the phone was the tag.. maybe I just need to touch it to a different place.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I've been playing with different locations. It seems to work best a quarter to a third up from the bottom. Sometimes is works near the buttons. I think the inductive charging coils on the Verizon version are blocking the NFC antenna.

Thanks, I'll try that again tonight before sending the tags back.

So apparently what I bought was :
MIFARE 1K
and not the NTAG203s...
going to try and do some research.. I have never looked into NFC tags before. Never been on my radar except the concept. Wonder if they are not compatible..

dlang123 said:
So apparently what I bought was :
MIFARE 1K
and not the NTAG203s...
going to try and do some research.. I have never looked into NFC tags before. Never been on my radar except the concept. Wonder if they are not compatible..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I vaguely remember when the Nexus 4 came out there were discussions about MIFARE and compatibility. I really don't knwo the details, but here's an article about it. http://www.andytags.com/nfc-tags-compatibility-issues.html#.UkNmQ8afjA0
Not sure where this phone sits in this issue.

Yeah, I think that they are not supported.
Supposedly the 4ks work on all phones, I Ordered some more.. will try them when they get here. But definitely these come up as unsupported.. what a bummer.

I also (blindly) purchased some MIFARE tags from amazon only to find out that they do not work. I get the error in NFC Task Launcher, "Could not write to this tag. It will still work, but you may see the chooser when tapping it." I did some research and found that these types of tags will work for simple phone automation tasks however, the task that I setup was a complex URL which will not work. Will be ordering some NTAG203 tags and will report back. Quick question, are the samsung tectiles NTAG203?

mjfan82 said:
I also (blindly) purchased some MIFARE tags from amazon only to find out that they do not work. I get the error in NFC Task Launcher, "Could not write to this tag. It will still work, but you may see the chooser when tapping it." I did some research and found that these types of tags will work for simple phone automation tasks however, the task that I setup was a complex URL which will not work. Will be ordering some NTAG203 tags and will report back. Quick question, are the samsung tectiles NTAG203?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I stayed up way to late last night learning about NFC tags.. so NXP use to make all NFC hardware for phones, and they came out with the MiFare 1ks.. but they were proprietary.
Then when BroadCom made some NFC hardware for phones, they just used what the NFC specs were, which were the NTAG203s (they don't have a lot of memory, 130bytes or so) Topaz 512, and I read that the MiFare 4ks are also compatible.
Samsung's site identifies Tectiles as MiFare 1k. TecTiles 2 I think are, but I can not really find them or any info on them.
My 4ks were expensive, but I will let you know soon if they work.

Just to follow up:
Wanted to confirm that the NTAG203 tags are working with the G2 :victory:: I would post the link but I'm not allowed. lol

Cool. Now if we can find some Topaz and then I'll let you know next week about the Mifare 4k's.

You can get both NTAG203 and Topaz 512 at AndyTags - www.andytags.com

[Q] Regular NFC Stickers in lieu of Skip

Apologies if it has been asked - didn't find it in a quick search. Anyone used a regular NFC sticker successfully instead of a 20 skip? I really like the idea but would easily make my own. I have tons of tectiles and NFC stickers just kicking around. Heck, even NFC keychains that I'm not using...

I haven't tried it, but if someone can scan a Skip with a phone without the Skip unlock we can make our own.
The Skip is a regular NFC chip with a code, I *think* it is '*motoskip########'
I forget the exact format, but that is close.

According to official docs, you can use non-Skip tags only if you've initially used a Skip tag to activate the app.
Sent from my Moto X

johnny grep said:
According to official docs, you can use non-Skip tags only if you've initially used a Skip tag to activate the app.
Sent from my Moto X
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I suspect they aren't white listing UUIDs in the app itself so it's either a payload on the tag (which should be fairly simple to replicate in theory) or they are calling home to verify UUIDs. I may have to buy one if I keep the moto x just to find out for sure which is accurate (if someone else doesn't first).

I got a SKIP and you can't scan it with the moto x because the skip app intercepts NFC read.
When I scanned the Skip with a SGS4 the tag payload was close to '*motoskip########'
But since I don't have an non-motox to test with at the moment I can't check right now.
Let me see if I can later. And the Skip comes with 4 tages, the clip on (which I lost on the first day, right after dropping my X) and 3 stickers.
As far as I know any of the 4 can be the master so you shouldn't need anything special.
If I remember correctly the tags are 64kb NXP NFC chips.
#LearnFromMyFail Don't buy a Cellphone while on Vacation

Yoshiofthewire said:
I got a SKIP and you can't scan it with the moto x because the skip app intercepts NFC read.
When I scanned the Skip with a SGS4 the tag payload was close to '*motoskip########'
But since I don't have an non-motox to test with at the moment I can't check right now.
Let me see if I can later. And the Skip comes with 4 tages, the clip on (which I lost on the first day, right after dropping my X) and 3 stickers.
As far as I know any of the 4 can be the master so you shouldn't need anything special.
If I remember correctly the tags are 64kb NXP NFC chips.
#LearnFromMyFail Don't buy a Cellphone while on Vacation
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just for reference, you don't need *any* skip tags to set up skip. When you set up the NFC lock screen you get the option to tap your skip to enable. If you use a standard tag (I used an already encoded NTAG203) it will erase this tag and over-write the data set with the appropriate data set. This will then serve as your "master" nfc tag (it's also encoded as a skip tag).
The dump looks like it's an external mime: urn:nfc:ext:motorola.com:xring with a data set that is numeric (I haven't done any sort of testing to find any correlation between the payload, device id, uuid, etc but it's a numeric data set.

ReUse the NFC tag in the gear charger

I downloaded the app NFC Writer from the play store and it let me blank the NFC tag on the cradle for my gear watch
Then I used the app Trigger to reprogram it. I figured I'll never need to pair it again now that I paired it to my phone and this way I can make it launch other programs and do other things instead. I have a sony bluetooth speaker with an NFC tag to pair it with my phone and I was able to do the same thing with it too!
I figured i would tell you guys since I'm sure you will think of really creative ways to use it
Sorry because I'm a new user xda won't let me post links to 3rd party sites so you'll have to search the apps yourself

hi, just on a sidenote, every time you update Gear manager software, or the Gear watch Rom, (the best ) is that you either reset watch when you update(clean install) or just update you need the cradle to pair ! (yes, you can manually pair also, but it is i found this to be more of a hassle and takes more time) So keep this in mind.
note8.0 for xda

How do you remove the NFC tag from the cradle?

sidhu.jaz said:
I downloaded the app NFC Writer from the play store and it let me blank the NFC tag on the cradle for my gear watch
Then I used the app Trigger to reprogram it. I figured I'll never need to pair it again now that I paired it to my phone and this way I can make it launch other programs and do other things instead. I have a sony bluetooth speaker with an NFC tag to pair it with my phone and I was able to do the same thing with it too!
I figured i would tell you guys since I'm sure you will think of really creative ways to use it
Sorry because I'm a new user xda won't let me post links to 3rd party sites so you'll have to search the apps yourself
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You may be better off using NFC ReTag instead because you don't need to wipe the NFC tag in order to define actions. NFC ReTag simply lets you define the actions when an ID is read....you can disable the actions if you ever wanted to revert your setup.
All-in-all, you will get the same end result without having to erase/overwrite the tag in the cradle.

Removing 170 system apps for fun and profit

Long time ago, in the mid-2000s, there was such a fabulous concept as "PDA". Unfortunately, Microsoft let it slip and the concept went downhill.
Now for me it was the idea of a device that is not a phone (hence the existence of a separate "smartphone") and that is rarely online. It's bigger than "phone" and you use it to do serious stuff, not reading Twitter and ranting on Facebook.
I understand this concept is not very popular these days but this thread is for those of you security paranoids who are not risking putting your precious data online at all. But even if you are not so extreme you can safely get rid of more than 100 apps, you'll just have to experiment a little given my lists here.
Below are the apps I have removed to make my Note Edge run as smooth as ever, with battery lasting days on average use. I have been experimenting with this, gathering info about each problematic app from the internets; details and links are included below where I could find them.
What is removed: cellular/phone/messages/Qualcomm support, Samsung-only sharing/device features (quick share, direct share, beacon, TV, battery sharing, etc.), location services, Google/Samsung stuff, Dropbox/Evernote/Flipboard/other bundled stuff, backup/sync/cloud, tracking/remote management/locking (it had lots of this stuff), wearable stuff, environment sound detecting, payment/checkout, Chrome/Chromecast, Play/Samsung stores (install apps offline by APK), Car Mode, private mode, Knox, printing, S Finder, S Voice, Emergency Mode, SIM support, weather, Safety info, wizard appearing when you hard-reset the device (so all settings are set to defaults, you can customize them later anyway), Smart Remote, talkback, default video player, editing and trimming.
What is kept: all legit core functionality: external SD card, Internet (for offline browsing), Wi-Fi (but didn't try it), Bluetooth, NFC, camera and photo studio, Edge panel (Cocktailbar) features, S Pen including direct input, notes, snippets, etc., voice recorder/other tools, Easy Mode including reduced screen and side panel, Night Clock, S Health (tested pedometer, heart rate), service menus (e.g. *#0*#), ART/Dalvik runtimes work (instead of 300+ apps to optimize you get 143), USB features including MTP/debugging/adb, most native Samsung apps like Gallery and S Planner that are good. Dialing 911 seems to work which is surprising given all removed phone components.
After using this unbloated version of Kitkat 4.4.4 all apps still work fine except for some games that need Google Services Framework (however, it'll need other Google components, not just that - experiment). Not all though - Heroes 3 HD work just fine. Also note that if GSF is removed (partially or fully) while setup wizards are not you won't be able to get past the first run wizard as it will crash due to missing GSF. So either remove both or none.
I used this app to remove things. But you can probably freeze them with Titanium Backup with the same effect (except wasted disk space).
Removed apps (in alphabetic order):
Adapt Sound
AirWakeUp - this gesture drains battery like crazy, 10-15% per hour in sleep mode
AllShare FileShare Service - for playing content on other devices: http://www.shouldiremoveit.com/Samsung-AllShare-12424-program.aspx
ANT HAL Service - wearable support
ANT Radio Service
ANT+ Plugins Service
Automation Test - some say it can freeze the device, some say it's safe to remove: http://forum.xda-developers.com/galaxy-s2/general/jelly-bean-xxlsj-solution-to-battery-t2016419
AutoPreconfig - cellular stuff: http://www.w0lfdroid.com/2013/08/change-csc-samsung-galaxy-devices-s4.html
Backup
Basic Daydreams - appear when the device is locked like a screensaver (photos, etc.) instead of clock, etc.
BeaconManager
Beaming Service
Blurb Checkout
Briefing
CapabilityManagerService - Popups when headphone jack used: http://forums.androidcentral.com/sp...ng-galaxy-s3-sprint-version-stock-rooted.html
CarMode
CarModeRemote
CatchFavorites - Yahoo/Twitter stuff: http://forum.xda-developers.com/note-edge/general/themers-paradise-useful-information-t2946943
Chrome
ChromecastServerService
CloudAgent
com.android.backupconfirm
com.android.provider.partnerbookmarks
com.android.sharedstoragebackup
com.qualcom.qcom_qmi - cellular protocol: https://sigquit.wordpress.com/2012/08/20/an-introduction-to-libqmi/
com.qualcomm.interfacepermissions - seems to be safe to remove
com.sec.android.app.chromecustomizations
com.sec.android.app.sbrowsertry - probably safe to remove: http://techspooler.com/guides/remove-bloatware-apps/1868
com.sec.android.app.wfdbroker - All Share related: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1910885&page=2
com.sec.android.chromecastservice
com.sec.android.mimage.expressme
com.sec.android.minimode.res - there are no mini apps in Note, probably safe to remove
com.sec.android.pagebuddynotisvc
com.sec.android.SamsungDrmProvider
com.sec.bcservice - probably safe to remove, deals with system status (rooted, etc.): http://androidforums.com/threads/li...-de-bloat-your-boost-mobile-galaxy-s3.778877/ - http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2285894&page=2
com.sec.chromecast.remoteplayer
com.sec.enterprise.knox.attestation - this and other 4 apps are safe to remove
ConfigUpdater - Automatically updates certificates, firewall config, sms list, timezone info, said to be safe to remove: http://blog.burrowsapps.com/2014/03/what-android-apps-are-safe-to-remove.html, http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2727541
CSC - cellular stuff: https://spreadsheets.google.com/spr...1gdDJRekl4QmkyNmIzUmRvX2h3UDVkQXc&output=html, http://www.w0lfdroid.com/2013/08/change-csc-samsung-galaxy-devices-s4.html
DCMProvider - communicates with other Samsung devices: http://forums.androidcentral.com/samsung-galaxy-s5/380456-dcmprovider-what.html
DeviceTest (com.sec.factory) - service codes: http://androidforums.com/threads/all-bloatware-detailed-complet-list.871115/
DirectShareManager
Drive
Dropbox
DSMLawmo - Dedicated Security Management to remotely lock/reset/etc. the device: http://forum.xda-developers.com/galaxy-s2/help/dsmlawmo-t1863011
ELM Agent - multi-user support: http://androidforums.com/threads/elm-agent.825065/
Email
EmergencyManagerService
EmergencyProvider
Enterprise Sim Pin Service
EpsonPrintService
Evernote
Exchange Services
Favorite Contacts
Filter Installer
Filter Manager
FilterProvider
FixmoISA - some DoD stuff: http://gcn.com/articles/2013/05/29/breakdown-dod-security-controls--ios-android.aspx
Flipboard
Fused Location - location-related: https://developers.google.com/andro...android/gms/location/FusedLocationProviderApi
FWUpgrade - Upgrade client for AllShare app: http://forums.androidcentral.com/sp...ng-galaxy-s3-sprint-version-stock-rooted.html
GALAXY Apps Widget
Gmail
Google Backup Transport
Google Calendar Sync
Google Contacts Sync
Google Partner Setup
Google Play Books
Google Play Games
Google Play Movies & TV
Google Play Music
Google Play Newsstand
Google Play Services
Google Search
Google Services Framework - needed for Google apps
Google Text-to-speech Engine
Google+
Hangouts
HP Print Service Plugin
InCallUI
IndexService - S Finder-related, causes problems: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2461958
Intelligence Service - spying, Carrier IQ: http://forum.xda-developers.com/galaxy-s5/help/kill-com-samsung-android-t2811304
Keyguard wallpaper updator
KeyguardTestActivity
Kies Application BnR
KLMS Agent
Live weather
LocalFOTA
LocationServices
Maps
Market Feedback Agent
MDMApp - some remote management: http://www.samsung.com/global/business/mobile/solution/security/mobile-device-management
Mobile print
Mobile Tracker
MobilePrintSvc_CUPS
MobilePrintSvc_CUPS_Backend
My interests
My Places
Nearby devices
Nearby Service
OMACP - SMS-related: https://spreadsheets.google.com/spr...1gdDJRekl4QmkyNmIzUmRvX2h3UDVkQXc&output=html
PacProcessor - claimed to be safe to remove: http://blog.burrowsapps.com/2014/03/what-android-apps-are-safe-to-remove.html
Pay with PayPal
PEN.UP
Perso - call sound personalization: http://androidforums.com/threads/all-bloatware-detailed-complet-list.871115/
Post_T_Promo - Dropbox stuff
Power Sharing - transfer power to another Samsung device: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.samsung.android.app.powersharing&hl=en
Preconfig - cellular stuff: http://www.w0lfdroid.com/2013/08/change-csc-samsung-galaxy-devices-s4.html
Print Spooler
Private Mode Service
Quick call contacts
Quick Connect
Quick Connect Interaction Service
RCPComponents - remote control: http://forums.androidcentral.com/samsung-galaxy-s5/396488-galaxy-s5-battery-life-getting-bad.html
Remote Controls - com.fmm.dm
Remote Controls - com.fmm.ds
Remote Controls - com.sec.pcw.device
RilNotifier - Radio interface layer: http://forum.xda-developers.com/gal...rom-v9-available-changelog-op-t2037363/page93
ringtonebackup
RootPA - looks like junk: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2523379&page=4
S Finder
S Voice
Safety Assistance
Safety Information
Samsung Account
Samsung Billing
Samsung Calendar SyncAdapter
Samsung Cloud Data Relay
Samsung Cloud Quota
Samsung Contact SyncAdapter
Samsung Content Agent
Samsung Galaxy
Samsung Link Platform - communication with other devices: http://www.androidpolice.com/2014/1...sier-share-media-across-devices-computers-tv/
Samsung Link Platform Connectivity
Samsung Memo SyncAdapter
Samsung Print Service Plugin
Samsung Push Service - notifications for ChanON, etc.: http://forums.androidcentral.com/verizon-galaxy-note-2/279259-samsung-push-service-what.html, https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.sec.spp.push
Samsung SBrowser SyncAdapter
Samsung setup wizard
Samsung Syncadapters
Secure UI Service - since it's from Qualcomm it's probably safe to remove
Security policy updates - automatic network updates for threat detection: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.policydm&hl=en
Service Mode RIL
Setup Wizard - since it's Google must be safe to remove
SilentLogging - some surveillance stuff: http://mobilesyrup.com/2011/10/03/s...-phone-numbers-gps-data-email-addresses-more/
SIM Toolkit
SLLibrary
Smart Remote
SmartcardManager - SIM-related, 3rd party: https://code.google.com/p/seek-for-android/wiki/SmartcardAPI
SmartcardService
SnsImageCache - social networking: https://android.stackexchange.com/questions/12265/what-is-sns-app
Software update
Software Update
Sound detectors
SoundAlive - music playback effects
Street View
SysScope - tracks system status (rooted/official/etc.)
Talkback
Tap and pay
TcpdumpService
Travel wallpaper
Trim
Video
Video clip studio
Video Player
Video Trimmer
Weather
WlanTest - said to be safe to remove
WlucTest - said to be safe to remove
wssyncmlnps
YouTube
Apps you should leave alone and why:
3DTourViewer - some camera feature: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2790808&page=231
com.android.keyguard - screen lock (PIN, pattern, etc.): https://stackoverflow.com/questions/17689842/what-the-heck-is-the-keyguard-in-android
com.qualcomm.timeservice - network date/time sync, if removed clock will be screwed on each restart
com.samsung.android.app.catchme - breaks Night Clock if removed (someone says it's Yahoo/Twitter stuff: http://forum.xda-developers.com/note-edge/general/themers-paradise-useful-information-t2946943)
Easy Settings
EasyBottomPanel
EasyOneHand
EasySidePanel - if this and/or other Easy* is removed Side Panel and Reduce Screen no more works
FlashAnnotateSvc - S Pen/screenshot related: http://www.sammobile.com/2012/11/28/n7000xxlsa-–-galaxy-note-android-4-1-2-jelly-bean-test-firmware/
Heatlh Service - S Health doesn't start w/o it
HwModuleTest - probably what appears when dialing *#0*#
LogsProvider
MyScript ResourceManager - S Pen stuff: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2469681
QuickTool - Edge ruler, flashlight, etc.: http://forum.xda-developers.com/note-edge/general/themers-paradise-useful-information-t2946943
RootPa - might be causing problems if deleted
SapaMonitor - probably okay, audio input/jack monitor: http://forums.androidcentral.com/samsung-galaxy-note-3/360445-sapamonitor-jammonitorservice.html
Service Mode - internal info window: https://stackoverflow.com/questions/20248195/open-servicemode-menu-programatically-in-android
Service mode - may be related to service menu (*#0*#): http://forum.cyanogenmod.org/topic/30459-service-mode-servicemodeappapk-on-sgs/
Tags - NFC tags
Touchwiz Easy Home - if deleted Night Clock won't show up
Wi-Fi Direct
Wi-Fi Direct share
Attached are lists of safe-to-remove apps authored by different people that I've collected from various places in general for Samsung devices (I only used this as a reference, don't know how valid it is).
There's also a screenshot with installed apps in the standard launcher - just one incomplete page.
.
Update from me 1 year after: how was the experience?
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=67600207&postcount=38

Great post. Thanks

so you've bought a Note Edge, disabled everything of use, and carry a separate device for calls, texts and web browsing? I'm not getting this!
Don't you use the interweb at all?? If you need a diary, just get a little black book.
I find that I can encrypt my device, use secure passwords and maintain all of the above securely in one package. Photos on SD which can be backed up to my NAS if I didnt want to keep images on google...
Sorry - really not trying to be rude but why?

bonerp said:
and carry a separate device for calls, texts and web browsing?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't. I own a cheap Philips cellphone that can only call and read/send SMS. I don't browse web while I'm away from my laptop - I read books, watch movies, play games, think about projects taking notes and making mind maps, etc. Then since you have BT you can easily share/receive stuff. GPS is also working - you just use offline maps which are better than Google's anyway (you can get routes, etc. without paying for traffic and even in the countryside).
Don't you use the interweb at all?? If you need a diary, just get a little black book.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Lol, and do you use your phone only for web surfing? I don't think so. There's so much you can do even without being online.
I find that I can encrypt my device, use secure passwords and maintain all of the above securely in one package.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's useless in most cases. Even secure passwords are challenging - can you really type 20 symbols or more that are sufficiently random using just soft keyboard? Won't it drive you mad after a couple dozen of times?
Besides, stock ROM includes loads of spyware. And it's not just Samsung - read about Lenovo's recent spyware "Superfish" that read all user's communications (even encrypted).

fundaprob said:
That's useless in most cases. Even secure passwords are challenging - can you really type 20 symbols or more that are sufficiently random using just soft keyboard? Won't it drive you mad after a couple dozen of times?
Besides, stock ROM includes loads of spyware. And it's not just Samsung - read about Lenovo's recent spyware "Superfish" that read all user's communications (even encrypted).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
But google/the device remembers passwords. If you happen to lose it, android device manager allows you to remotely wipe it. I'm not worried about this, but if you are, doesn't knox help to further secure your use? I've never really used it.
Good on you if it worries you that much regarding keeping your life secure, but there are ways without staying offline and disconnecting yourself from the outside world.
20 yrs ago we never had all this, but now I couldn't manage my life without it.:good:

bonerp said:
But google/the device remembers passwords. If you happen to lose it, android device manager allows you to remotely wipe it. I'm not worried about this, but if you are, doesn't knox help to further secure your use? I've never really used it.
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Click to collapse
Losing the device doesn't trouble me that much; what troubles me is that treats to mobile OSes are much bigger than to desktop because you have much less control over what goes in and out. Not just bad guys trying to trojan you but also manufacturers, ISPs, app writers - this is beyond the reasonable point. It's best to just keep the mobile device offline IMO. As an added benefit you see no more ads
Good on you if it worries you that much regarding keeping your life secure, but there are ways without staying offline and disconnecting yourself from the outside world.
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I'm not disconnecting myself, I'm disconnecting my smartphone only for the reasons explained above. I'm still perfectly online but only when I want it.

This is fantastic. I have a large percent of these apps frozen in TB, and you are 100% correct, not just about phones being preloaded with various degrees of spyware, but freaking redundant spyware. Of all the potential things that could affect the performance of my phone, just "no" on SO many level.
One thing I've often wondered about re: debloating. Does AdaptSound have an effect on call audio quality? I've kind of always thought that it did to some degree, and gone through the test to set it up, and keep in installed alongside Viper (of course...). What I do for battery is have a shortcut straight to sound settings on my home screen (thank you kindly Nova Prime), and switch my mixer to Viper (with the Super Quality drivers, since I do this), then when I'm not listening to music, like 97% of the time, I just switch the mixer back to AdaptSound with the shortcut and two additional taps.
Thoughts on the above strategy / any value whatsoever to AdaptSound?
Edit: I probably meant SoundAlive at least half of the time I referred to AdaptSound above.. I suppose my question appilies to both...

this is insanity. why even bother with a smartphone if youre going to remove the smarts from it and not even use it as a phone.
none of that stuff is spyware. youre removing API libraries and interconnection stuff which is necessary to actually use the phone as a smartphone.
and ironically youre removing the security layer completely which is knox. that means your phone cant isolate your private data from apps installed on it.

zurkx said:
this is insanity. why even bother with a smartphone if youre going to remove the smarts from it and not even use it as a phone.
none of that stuff is spyware. youre removing API libraries and interconnection stuff which is necessary to actually use the phone as a smartphone.
and ironically youre removing the security layer completely which is knox. that means your phone cant isolate your private data from apps installed on it.
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What he/she said.
Just get off the grid completely if you're that paranoid.

A bit extreme but great resource, thanks! I'll pick what to do. Good stuff.
Sent from my SM-N910H using XDA Premium HD app

If what OP did is not your cup of tea, why flame him? Just take it as a resource you can use incase you missed out any 'bloat' to remove.
Hes not telling you to do it, not that you guys will listen either.
Good info @fundaprob

but freaking redundant spyware
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That's right, they're not comfortable with just one or two, they want a few dozens just in case. Like FixmoISA from what I have read is aimed at DoD compliance. But why on Earth it is preinstalled at my device?! What if I buy this outside of USA at all? Do you think it's removed from foreign firmware? It's surely not. And that's just one example - there's also a bunch of SilentLogging, SLLLogging, marketing, tracker apps that are running in background. Even if you're fine with giving away your personal data to whoever is there on the other side of the wire then think about your battery life at least. Running this mess doesn't add to it you know.
Does AdaptSound have an effect on call audio quality?
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Since I'm not using Edge as a phone I can't tell how it affects the mic. However, I haven't noticed any ill effect on audio/video playback. I suspect that AdaptSound is constantly running as a background service - just like any other sensor it drains the battery even when you're not using that specific feature (audio). Unlike adaptive brightness this doesn't look too useful to me so I've got rid of it.
and switch my mixer to Viper (with the Super Quality drivers, since I do this)
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This may work but I wanted to avoid having to do any special actions to concerve the battery on the dialy basis. With your approach I'll be in and out switching the mixer several times a day. Not good
Besides, like I've said I see no effect of AdaptSound. Especially since 90% of the time I'm using headphones, it can hardly have any use for this.
About SoundAlive I'm not sure, I also have seen no effect of it.
if youre going to remove the smarts from it and not even use it as a phone.
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If they would still produce PDAs I would buy them in bulk. But since they don't I'm happy to turn a smartphone into one. Seriously, have you never ended up with smartphone's battery completely drained when you most needed it?
It's not my fault that manufacturers suddenly decided that devices with screens of 3-4-5+ inches also qualify as the "phones".
none of that stuff is spyware. youre removing API libraries and interconnection stuff which is necessary to actually use the phone as a smartphone.
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No, really. You'd do better by reading the links I've left in the list. Besides, 2/3 of the stuff has no purpose if you don't own devices that use it or features that you need, like remote locking. Otherwise there's no explanation why I am able to use every single app I have tried normally, with more than 50% of preinstalled stuff gone.
AirWakeUp - this is meant for the gesture that does drain 10-15% of the battery in sleep mode. What for do you need it if not using it?
ANT - this is meant to communicate with other devices (http://www.thisisant.com/directory/ant-radio-service). Since I have none, why do I need it?
BeaconManager, Beaming, QuickConnect, DirectShare, DCMProvider, Power Sharing - these all are meant for sharing stuff but mostly with other Samsung devices. Since I don't have any and since I can as well use Bluetooth - why do I need these?
Blurb Checkout, Pay with Paypal, Tap and Pay - these are completely off the wall for me. I'm not going to use my device as a wallet. There exist credit cards.
CarMode - I don't use it hence don't need it.
Chromecast - I don't have any TV that supports it. If at friend's I can always stick a USB drive which won't even drain the battery.
KNOX - I'm not in corporate environment, my KNOX counter is tripped and I see no use for this. Why keep it?
DSMLawmo (http://forum.xda-developers.com/galaxy-s2/help/dsmlawmo-t1863011), FixmoISA (http://gcn.com/articles/2013/05/29/breakdown-dod-security-controls--ios-android.aspx), Intelligence Service (http://forum.xda-developers.com/galaxy-s5/help/kill-com-samsung-android-t2811304), MDMApp (http://www.samsung.com/global/business/mobile/solution/security/mobile-device-management), RCPComponents (http://forums.androidcentral.com/samsung-galaxy-s5/396488-galaxy-s5-battery-life-getting-bad.html) - these are stuff to remotely mess up with your device. Whether it's you or not you can't even be sure. I'm not going to trade potential one time use of these for the possibility of spying on me 24/7.
Printing drivers - I don't even have a printer.
the list goes on
and ironically youre removing the security layer completely which is knox. that means your phone cant isolate your private data from apps installed on it.
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Funny thing is that these days even malware doesn't run without active Internet connection. Okay, let's say it grabs all my passwords, photos and documents. Now what? It will disappear the next time I do hard reset, with all the traces and stuff it has collected. Have you seen malware that bricks device on purpose? I think 99% of it nowadays is meant for extracting profit. Even if we take cryptolockers (which serve exactly this purpose) they only start working after obtaining the public key from the server. No connection - no key.
There's more to it than you think at first.
Just take it as a resource you can use incase you missed out any 'bloat' to remove.
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Exactly. I'm not suggesting everyone follows my steps. I'm only suggesting that you look through the lists and see that you can remove a number of obvious bloatware that you can identify after a bit of googling (which I did for you). There are also a few lists of other people I've collected that I've updated the post with.

There's no need to criticize him for doing what he wants with his phone. He just shows that it's possible, and if others want to do the same, they can. He even provided a list of all apps he could remove without breaking anything he didn't want, which is awesome.
I for instance rarely use ROMs with a lot of tweaks and extras, as I like it as stock as possible. I rarely use custom kernels, except when they're superior and minimal compared to stock. I don't lash out against those who choose to use the ROMs and kernels with more features.
If everyone were to complain about everything that didn't fit their preferences, this forum would be a mess.
zurkx said:
this is insanity. why even bother with a smartphone if youre going to remove the smarts from it and not even use it as a phone.
none of that stuff is spyware. youre removing API libraries and interconnection stuff which is necessary to actually use the phone as a smartphone.
and ironically youre removing the security layer completely which is knox. that means your phone cant isolate your private data from apps installed on it.
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Click to collapse
Haha, good one.

Archiimonde said:
There's no need to criticize him for doing what he wants with his phone. He just shows that it's possible, and if others want to do the same, they can. He even provided a list of all apps he could remove without breaking anything he didn't want, which is awesome.
I for instance rarely use ROMs with a lot of tweaks and extras, as I like it as stock as possible. I rarely use custom kernels, except when they're superior and minimal compared to stock. I don't lash out against those who choose to use the ROMs and kernels with more features.
If everyone were to complain about everything that didn't fit their preferences, this forum would be a mess.
Haha, good one.
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oh please. lets not enable paranoia - and illogical paranoia at that. do you really think OPs crippled phone with "spyware" removed is secure ?
While removing all the actually useful features his phone has also been stripped of basic security. he does not have a knox encrypted container which means his phone data can be accessed using the modem baseband processor and all the data copied off it. Since his phone is no longer a phone he wouldnt even see the activity. Removing "location services" APIs do nothing since the phone is going to ping the towers anyway regardless of whether it has a SIM or not and since it has no SIM it will ping *all* the towers instead of the ones it is registered to. So everyone with a basic stingray can track his location at all times. Removing the cellular control protocol disables modem control using flight mode so even in flight mode the phone would be pinging everything in sight. bravo. awesome "security". and how does OP make it even more secure ? I know .. lets strip out the basic modem key loading so your baseband modem is now open completely to anyone with a spoofed cell tower with zero encryption keys loaded on it in default factory config! woo! home run.
He might as well buy an etch a sketch instead of a phone at this point since he converted his $900 smartphone into an insecure brick. there is nothing useful to be gained by stripping out functionality while reducing security in the name of "hiding from the man" when the "man" can easily get access to anything on your phone anyway and its kept there unencrypted for easier access. My stock 910U with encrypted knox container, DoD CAC enabled and switched to flight mode is waay more secure than his stripped down insecure brick.

I think that android is perfect for those people that want to customize their phones the way they like it. that's what we're all here for and that's what the dude have done. *however* I can't feel that this wasn't done properly as the OP took the smart out of the phone. to the OP- you just own a 1990's phone now. maybe thats the way you like it but frankly I don't get why getting a 700$ phone for only calls/sms. if that's what you want i'd just get an actual old yearly 2000's phone that doesn't even have 3g, or the cheapest smartphone available today and do the same thing- just there it would make more sense(as all of the smart features are slow anyway). and as much as I agree regarding the lack of privacy these days- I'm also realistic. there are a few billions of people around the world and even more mobile phones. yes, google can locate you when you use location services. so what? if you are not a terorrist, not the NSA or anybody else gives a damn about it. there is no privacy today, and it's not necessarily worst thing possible.

OK, so we've established that different people use their devices in different ways. Moving on... take a look at the system apps on your phone. What percent percentage of them perform a function that you're aware of? How many of them provide the exact same function as other (in many cases system) apps? If either question is difficult to answer some research can be VERY illuminating.
Rather than jumping all over the OP for removing certain things due to personal preference, consider mine. I recently had 301 system apps on my phone (have begun uninstalling certain things I've just had frozen before). Of those 301 apps, I had 104 frozen. Determining the purpose of an app before ditching it, I've lost ZERO featues / functionality and hardly ever see an OOM error which happened somewhat often before debloating.
The fact is that there are pre-installed apps on your phone that are very likely just taking up space, or doing things that you would explicitly prohibit if you were aware / able to. OP has provided an excellent resource for determining to some extent what these apps are doing. What he's personally chosen to remove is a matter that's really of no concern to anyone but himself.

zurkx said:
While removing all the actually useful features his phone has also been stripped of basic security.
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Now we're talking. What you are saying makes sense but to be completely sure you should provide some links or other proof that it is exactly as you describe. Because I am not sure that the following is true:
zurkx said:
Removing the cellular control protocol disables modem control using flight mode so even in flight mode the phone would be pinging everything in sight.
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I have just tried this: enable flight mode (side note: it's permanently on for me), go to Phone, dial 911 and then observe the screen saying "enabling radio, please wait". If what you are saying is true - i.e. if I have removed cellular controls - then (1) how it would be enabling, if no control interface is present? (2) how would it actually call the number (by this I mean that I could hear the other guy)?
Something is wrong here.
Then, you are missing another point. For some reason you are assuming that whatever I have done was done for "security". But it was not. Sure, I am eager to strip off unwanted spyware (please, don't object that Fixmo and co. produces something useful for us). But I am as well eager to remove unnecessary processes to conserve the battery and make the device run smoother. This actually happens. Attached is screenshot of the battery stats - 20 hours on battery with about 5-6 hours of active usage (1.5 hours of gaming) and limited charging while transferring stuff via USB. It virtually doesn't use the battery in sleep mode as you can see. 39% remains, that's given that the device was charged up to 60% or so in the beginning. Sounds good to me unless I interpret it wrong.
(You can also see short Mobile signal spikes - that's my 911 calls. Doesn't look like the device no more controls what happens with its cellular module, does it?)
And to be clear: I understand that it's possible to spy on probably everyone depending on who does that. But stock "spyware" spies on everyone just in case. It's not targeted, it's common. That's what I am against. Targeted spying is completely another story and not my case (bad guys use another means to get rid of it, I'm sure).
zurkx said:
My stock 910U with encrypted knox container, DoD CAC enabled and switched to flight mode is waay more secure than his stripped down insecure brick.
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I think it is but is it faster and has better battery life? Also, what happens once you switch off flight mode? It happily pours all the sniffed data to the other side. When you have data going not only in but out (online) you are always in catching-up position because patching broken defence by definition takes time after the breach happens (virus, etc.) and before the patch is on your device. Since defences are studied beforehand it doesn't matter how good they are because otherwise there would be no viruses whatsoever.
Now, zurkx, I don't want to offend you or anything but you sound angry and not very constructive. Try this: think of all the features I have removed/lost with my modification and write them down on one side of a piece of paper. Now think of all that remain and write on the other side. I am sure that the left list would be cluttered with "Chromecast", "Clever house", "Fitness clocks", "Mobile printing" and things like that. The other side will stay with "Awesome camera", "1080p video", "Extreme games that don't even heat up the device", etc.
Obviously, the latter is more important to me. I have no use in devices I will never own. It is imprudent to just leave them consuming CPU cycles and battery life.
tal123 said:
you just own a 1990's phone now. maybe thats the way you like it but frankly I don't get why getting a 700$ phone for only calls/sms.
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Guys! I have ONLY removed cellular connectivity and various wireless stuff. I have NOT taken out the CPU, NFC, GPS or whatever. I can still watch video, use regular apps, play games and whatnot.
I do own a cellphone that can only send/receive calls and SMS and has no 3G but it costs $39, not $900. Mind you. I charge it once a month and happy with that.
No, seriously, I can't get it. Can you play World of Tanks on Nokia 3310? What are you saying man? The life doesn't end with LTE!
jazzmachine said:
What percent percentage of them perform a function that you're aware of?
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True and that also doesn't mean that you should just leave the obvious garbage take its place. Because then you can as well abandon HTTPS when using online banking, or turn off WPA2 encryption just because if they wanted to spy on you that wouldn't stop them, so why bother? Also, you never know if your laptop is not preinstalled with another "Superfish" that works around TLS so all that is useless anyway.
Hopefully it's clear that I'm ironizing.
jazzmachine said:
Determining the purpose of an app before ditching it, I've lost ZERO featues / functionality and hardly ever see an OOM error which happened somewhat often before debloating.
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Oh heaven, somebody has got his senses. I thought something was wrong with me. Hurray.

question- so if you have a phone just for calls/texts and all you wanted is a device just for games, etc- and that's why you stripped everything from your note 4 and made it just for offline apps- why not just get an ipod touch?

This is a very comprehensive list on which apps are safe to remove and which are not. And to get the list from a person who is willing to strip off this much is even better as they will tell you all the apps that are sefe to remove because they were not afraid to take them off.
Thank you for this list I am going to go through it and remove the apps that make sense for me to remove.
One question though, How much space did you free up by uninstalling all of these apps? It might be good to add the weight of each app next to them as well for easy refrence. Just a thought. Great job by the way!

zurkx said:
oh please. lets not enable paranoia - and illogical paranoia at that. do you really think OPs crippled phone with "spyware" removed is secure ?
While removing all the actually useful features his phone has also been stripped of basic security. he does not have a knox encrypted container which means his phone data can be accessed using the modem baseband processor and all the data copied off it. Since his phone is no longer a phone he wouldnt even see the activity. Removing "location services" APIs do nothing since the phone is going to ping the towers anyway regardless of whether it has a SIM or not and since it has no SIM it will ping *all* the towers instead of the ones it is registered to. So everyone with a basic stingray can track his location at all times. Removing the cellular control protocol disables modem control using flight mode so even in flight mode the phone would be pinging everything in sight. bravo. awesome "security". and how does OP make it even more secure ? I know .. lets strip out the basic modem key loading so your baseband modem is now open completely to anyone with a spoofed cell tower with zero encryption keys loaded on it in default factory config! woo! home run.
He might as well buy an etch a sketch instead of a phone at this point since he converted his $900 smartphone into an insecure brick. there is nothing useful to be gained by stripping out functionality while reducing security in the name of "hiding from the man" when the "man" can easily get access to anything on your phone anyway and its kept there unencrypted for easier access. My stock 910U with encrypted knox container, DoD CAC enabled and switched to flight mode is waay more secure than his stripped down insecure brick.
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There's no need to rant. I never said the phone was more secure. You claimed that nothing of what he removed was spyware, which is wrong. I'm sure your phone is more secure. I agree with OP though that you statements make sense, but I'd also like to see some sources.
And to be clear: I understand that it's possible to spy on probably everyone depending on who does that. But stock "spyware" spies on everyone just in case. It's not targeted, it's common. That's what I am against. Targeted spying is completely another story and not my case (bad guys use another means to get rid of it, I'm sure).
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This is what I meant.