Help Choosing Between Multiple Apps Doing the Same Thing - T-Mobile Galaxy Note 4 Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting

I've come across a couple recommended apps that seem to do the same thing. I'm hoping you guys can help me pick which one does the job the best and if there really is no difference which one would be the most lightweight. Thanks!
For ad blocking:
AdAway
AdBlock Plus for Android
For my friend who has 1GB internal and 16GB mSD who wants to move as much as possible to her mSD:
FolderMount
Link2SD Plus (The Paid Version)
Root Uninstalling Apps Without Leaving Behind Gunk
Clean Master (With Root Access)
Root Toolbox Pro (Paid Version)
Root App Delete
Root Uninstaller Pro (Paid Version)
SD Maid Pro (Paid Version)
Titanium Backup Pro (Paid Version)
Junk Cleaning
Clean Master
CCleaner
SD Maid
EDIT:
Best Note Taking App for School:
S Note
Papyrus
Lecture Notes
Best OCR app that exports to pdf, txt, or anything I can copy/paste from? Apps I am considering:
CamScanner
OCR Instantly
Samsung Optical Reader

I use adfree. It doesn't mess up CNN or BBC app.

The ext SD card fix goes a long way:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2903733

Titanium backup pro

Cachemate

Android_Monsters said:
I use adfree. It doesn't mess up CNN or BBC app.
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Android_Monsters said:
Cachemate
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Click to collapse
I used to use AdFree since my G1 but I switched to AdAway when the hosts stopped updating. Cachemate I used to use since my G1 also but found Clean Master to be vastly superior.

The hosts still update. They didn't for a while.
Same with adaway.
Google can't openly support ad blocking software:

I wouldn't use clean master. If you like it. Then you answered your own question:

Android_Monsters said:
The hosts still update. They didn't for a while.
Same with adaway.
Google can't openly support ad blocking software:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well if AdFree still updates its hosts I'd seriously consider switching back
Android_Monsters said:
I wouldn't use clean master. If you like it. Then you answered your own question:
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I just felt cachemate hasn't been effective enough since the jump to Donut. What's your opinion on CCleaner and SD Maid? I have shared the same sentiments as that screenshot tbh

Just updated adfree:

Force closes with ccleaner.
Sd maid works and does more than cachemate.

That's a good find:

ThR1LL said:
I've come across a couple recommended apps that seem to do the same thing. I'm hoping you guys can help me pick which one does the job the best and if there really is no difference which one would be the most lightweight. Thanks!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
They might look like apps doing the same thing but actually they are all very different.
Root Uninstalling Apps Without Leaving Behind Gunk
Clean Master (With Root Access)
Does remove apps including left overs, but is far from leightweight. There are also some concerns about the app as a whole ( google a bit, build your own opinion). I consider it "scareware".
Root Toolbox Pro (Paid Version)
I'm not sure if this actually supports root uninstall? I'm pretty sure though it doesn't clean up after uninstalls.
Root App Delete
Does support root uninstalls, but does not clean up after them AFAIK.
Root Uninstaller Pro (Paid Version)
Has quite extensive options in terms of app management, but also does not clean up after uninstall AFAIK.
SD Maid Pro (Paid Version)
Does support root uninstalls and also cleans up after uninstalls. You also don't need the paid verison for this. (Full disclosure: This is my app).
Titanium Backup Pro (Paid Version)
Supports root uninstalls, but not clean up of leftovers, though that's not it's job (it's a backup app).
Junk Cleaning
Clean Master
CCleaner
SD Maid
While you should remember that SD Maid is my app (bias?), i would still whole heartedly recommended it over Clean Master and CCleaner.
If you really don't want SD Maid for some reason, go with CCleaner.
For Adblocking, "AdAway" does seems to work better. Sadly the dev has not a lot of spare time to keep it updated, but it's opensource and there is a nice community around it keeping working. Neither one is really bad though.
FolderMount and Link2SD are two different concepts (links vs mounts). Read up on both. I think Link2SD does not work in all scenarios.
If you are looking to get some good tools out of yours listed, get TitaniumBackup, SD Maid and AdAway. You won't regret it.

Android_Monsters said:
Force closes with ccleaner.
Sd maid works and does more than cachemate.
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Click to collapse
Is it this CacheMate you're talking about? It's the one I'm referring too. Just wanting to make sure because you've convinced me lol
Dark3n;58350534SD Maid Pro (Paid Version)
Does support root uninstalls and also cleans up after uninstalls. You also don't need the paid verison for this. (Full disclosure: [URL="http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1013063" said:
This is my app[/URL]).
While you should remember that SD Maid is my app (bias?), i would still whole heartedly recommended it over Clean Master and CCleaner.
If you really don't want SD Maid for some reason, go with CCleaner
If you are looking to get some good tools out of yours listed, get TitaniumBackup, SD Maid and AdAway. You won't regret it.
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Well sir I applaud you on an absolutely thorough and well coded app! I have had it installed on my Android devices for the past 3 years and I must say I never knew it was this powerful! The GUI is really awesome now too so definitely hats off for that. I'm pretty much convinced what to go with!
As far as FolderMount and Link2SD I've read things regarding those apps with my friend's phone specifically and apparently Link2SD has broken a mSD here and there so I'll play with FolderMount on her phone. Thanks!

Updated with more questions Didn't see a reason to start a new topic :good:
Dark3n said:
While you should remember that SD Maid is my app (bias?), i would still whole heartedly recommended it over Clean Master and CCleaner.
If you really don't want SD Maid for some reason, go with CCleaner.
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Click to collapse
I installed SD Maid on my friend's phone (Cherry Mobile Omege HD 2.0) and she says SwiftKey and HoverChat are noticeable slower since I uninstalled Clean Master and put SD Maid (free) on there. Would you happen to know why it effects those 2 apps specifically? She also doesn't use SwiftKey predictions (since she texts a lot in the native dialect) if that helps with the troubleshooting.

ThR1LL said:
Updated with more questions Didn't see a reason to start a new topic :good:
I installed SD Maid on my friend's phone (Cherry Mobile Omege HD 2.0) and she says SwiftKey and HoverChat are noticeable slower since I uninstalled Clean Master and put SD Maid (free) on there. Would you happen to know why it effects those 2 apps specifically? She also doesn't use SwiftKey predictions (since she texts a lot in the native dialect) if that helps with the troubleshooting.
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Can't really say, there is too much influencing everything, including peoples own psychology. Troubleshooting would start with making it reproduceable, then see what tool specifically causes and then check logcats.

ThR1LL said:
Updated with more questions Didn't see a reason to start a new topic :good:
I installed SD Maid on my friend's phone (Cherry Mobile Omege HD 2.0) and she says SwiftKey and HoverChat are noticeable slower since I uninstalled Clean Master and put SD Maid (free) on there. Would you happen to know why it effects those 2 apps specifically? She also doesn't use SwiftKey predictions (since she texts a lot in the native dialect) if that helps with the troubleshooting.
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Click to collapse
Those apps really use a lot of cached data to respond to your actions (get the word you're trying to swipe correct) and most cleaning utilities clean out the app caches as well as the system cache. So after cleaning, some apps and possibly even the system itself will seem to respond a little slower which is only because it's rebuilding it's cache. Unless the slowdown seemed to last for an excessively long time, that's just normal and not "bad" behavior.
I'm of the opinion that cleaning caches / other junk that accumulates on your system is a good practice, to be done pretty frequently. In exchange for that period of slowdown, while caches are rebuilding, the entire phone, including those apps will get a speed-boost, but I'd think a person is more likely to think that their phone is "acting normally again" than to really notice that boost.
SD Maid Pro and Clean Master are actually my two favorite maintenance utilities. Clean Master in particular has stepped up its game huge time as of late, packing a plethora of super useful functions into it. Among the best is it's auto-start manager (only works for root users). Starting on my N4, I actually switched from Avast to CM Antivirus. Even when I had Avast running, CM was the only app to ever give me popup warnings that a sideloaded app was potentially malicious. Usually a false positive, but still.
Anyway, back to your question, when your friend complained of the slowdown, was it generally very soon after running a cleaner? I'd recommend that she reinstall at least CM, then after running it, just leave her phone sitting for about 10-15 mins. I would think that after that, any noticeable change in the performance of the app would be pretty significantly reduced.

jazzmachine said:
Those apps really use a lot of cached data to respond to your actions (get the word you're trying to swipe correct) and most cleaning utilities clean out the app caches as well as the system cache. So after cleaning, some apps and possibly even the system itself will seem to respond a little slower which is only because it's rebuilding it's cache. Unless the slowdown seemed to last for an excessively long time, that's just normal and not "bad" behavior.
I'm of the opinion that cleaning caches / other junk that accumulates on your system is a good practice, to be done pretty frequently. In exchange for that period of slowdown, while caches are rebuilding, the entire phone, including those apps will get a speed-boost, but I'd think a person is more likely to think that their phone is "acting normally again" than to really notice that boost.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I was thinking the same thing regarding the rebuilding of cache. Also I've noticed SD Maid finds things Clean Master doesn't but also vice versa.
Out of the topic of cleaners anyone wanna share their $0.02 on my edited OP of best organized note taking app for school and best OCR app that exports to a copy/paste-able file like pdf or txt?

jazzmachine said:
Starting on my N4, I actually switched from Avast to CM Antivirus. Even when I had Avast running, CM was the only app to ever give me popup warnings that a sideloaded app was potentially malicious. Usually a false positive, but still.
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Click to collapse
I'm pretty sure Avast also checks sideloaded apps. Why would you rather have false positive results than just being notified when there is actually something?
I'd also like to point out over new year CM considered SD Maids Unlocker to be "malicious" and a "virus" that can "slow down the device" or "cause freezes". While the "false positive" may have been an overzealous database match, the information about it "slowing down the device" or "freezing it" is just pure bull**** that only serves the purpose of making it sound worse, and subsequently giving you the user the feeling of everything running smoother. Don't be manipulated by psychological cues.
CM may produce good results or not, but no matter what results their behavior undermines any good will you could have towards their apps. It's the textbook definition of scareware.
jazzmachine said:
after running it, just leave her phone sitting for about 10-15 mins. I would think that after that, any noticeable change in the performance of the app would be pretty significantly reduced.
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Apps regenerate their cache only on demand, as not all apps are running all the time, most apps will not regenerate caches just by waiting. In some cases the app has to be actually opened, in other cases apps that act on intents, may start and generate caches seemingly random.
ThR1LL said:
I was thinking the same thing regarding the rebuilding of cache.
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Click to collapse
You can exclude specific caches if it's always causing issues, if you are rooted you can also restrict cache cleaning to files that are older than X days.
Evernote is a fairly popular and pretty extensive note taking solution. Not sure how far you can get for free though. Some features require a premium subscription.

Dark3n said:
CM may produce good results or not, but no matter what results their behavior undermines any good will you could have towards their apps. It's the textbook definition of scareware.
Evernote is a fairly popular and pretty extensive note taking solution. Not sure how far you can get for free though. Some features require a premium subscription.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I recently reinstalled Clean Master to test something out and that is how I found out both apps clean things the other doesn't. For example I used the App Control tab on SD Maid to uninstall a couple apps. After running Clean Master it would pick up empty folders left behind from the uninstall that SD Maid didn't pick up in the System and Tombstones scan.
On a side note. Anyone recommend a sweet OCR app that exports to a searchable and copy/paste-able format?

Related

Why does the Link2SD application not link /data/data too?

From the Link2SD FAQ:
Link2SD does not link application's private data files that are located in /data/data directory, they remain in the internal storage. Thus each app you install will still have some data on the internal storage so you can still potentially fill up your internal storage even if you are moving all of your apps over.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Why is this the case? There are other Linking apps which do move /data/data files. Why would Link2SD not do this?
I wish to ask this before I go bothering the application author. I figure there is some well-known issue here which I am not aware of.
I may have to switch linking apps because my /data part is getting too full, mostly due to Google's crappy maps and browser apps, which are horrifically fat.
Data Linking ?
jmomo said:
From the Link2SD FAQ:
Why is this the case? There are other Linking apps which do move /data/data files. Why would Link2SD not do this?
I wish to ask this before I go bothering the application author. I figure there is some well-known issue here which I am not aware of.
I may have to switch linking apps because my /data part is getting too full, mostly due to Google's crappy maps and browser apps, which are horrifically fat.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I too have this issue, and am now running low on internal space (mainly due to the huge data\data folder) ...
Can you tell me the name(s) of the other apps that provide linking the data folder ?
I believe app data isn't moved, because it will make your phone laggy as hell. Guess the dev chose for finding more space, but not at the cost of speed.
tommert38 said:
I believe app data isn't moved, because it will make your phone laggy as hell. Guess the dev chose for finding more space, but not at the cost of speed.
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This makes no sense at all. In many cases, newer SD cards are FASTER than the internal flash on older phones.
Please don't guess wildly about stuff you don't understand.
d_bizzzz said:
I too have this issue, and am now running low on internal space (mainly due to the huge data\data folder) ...
Can you tell me the name(s) of the other apps that provide linking the data folder ?
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S2E does it, but from what I've seen, it's only for Cyanogen.
jmomo said:
This makes no sense at all. In many cases, newer SD cards are FASTER than the internal flash on older phones.
Please don't guess wildly about stuff you don't understand.
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Sustained write/read speeds don't tell the whole story, as you may know (probably not). You probably believe the more megapixels a camera sensor has, the better? Also, the phone must support those faster µSD cards. Seeing you've only been here for half a year and you've only contributed with a dozen posts, I can say for certain that you've never read any warnings for not moving app-data. It's not your fault.
Unfortunately, I noticed that all the new people coming here have no respect or decency and think they know everything already. Guess what: you don't know **** . So, like I already said before, drop the attitude.
Respectfully, you are simply wrong.
Modern SD cards are faster than the internal flash on older phones, which are the phones that need apps like Link2SD. I don't know about more modern phones.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=934087
Bonnie++ is the best way, that I know of, to benchmark a flash storage devices, but it's not for noobs
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1169910
I remember running bonnie++ against my Nexus One and a cheap 16GB card about a year ago when that above post was made and my SD card was faster than the internal flash in almost every way, and that was then.
Yes, my post count is low. XDA Devs is full of loud noobs who think writing a java app or rooting a phone makes them a leet technical resource. I've been writing software and managing unix systems for over a decade.
Well, sir, you go ahead and put your app-data on your µSD . Benchmarks are for [random word].
Did I also mention that somehow some new members are bragging about what they have achieved and are capable of, while they haven't made themselves useful in any way? If not, now I did.
Is there still no possibility to move also the data folder (e.g of games)? Most of my applications are rather small and most space is taken by the game data folders.
tommert38 is correct here.
Because there is no guarantee, that if your sdcard is fast, it'a also faster than your internal flash. There are more dependies than only the speed of the card. What are the specs of the nexus one sd-reader? This could be an popotentially barrier.
At least: Which size supports the nexus one for sd-cards?
I agree with the OP about this. If it is a worry about the speed, i'm sure mr. bulent akpinar can at least provide an option in the app to enable/disable saving /data/data to the link2sd partition. everybody happy!
here's a link to the original link2sd thread http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=919326 maybe the app author can take note of it as a suggestion for future updates
One other benefit of not placing /data/data on the SD card is for the case if your sd-ext partition fails to mount for some reason (e.g. failing a file system check). If /data/data was on the SD card, then most of your application settings will be gone, including for builtin apps like the launcher. It will look very similar to a factory reset.
With /data/data on internal storage, your settings will be still be visible in this scenario and it will only be the downloaded apps that disappear. This should be somewhat easier to recover from.
RealCrogge said:
Is there still no possibility to move also the data folder (e.g of games)? Most of my applications are rather small and most space is taken by the game data folders.
Click to expand...
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Consider all the risks and if you are willing to take them you might find this thread usefull. Just be sure you know what you are doing
LINK2SD v3.4.1 - No links data/data
apologies for posting to an aged thread, but just today LINK2SD has been updated to include linking of the /data/data
I'm already enjoying the new found space made available, it seems to work very well so far ...
d_bizzzz said:
apologies for posting to an aged thread, but just today LINK2SD has been updated to include linking of the /data/data
I'm already enjoying the new found space made available, it seems to work very well so far ...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
May I ask you if you noticed a lag or performance slow down? I also love link2sd but I fear to upgrade to the latest version cause I don't want to compromise the reliability of my system, which so far, has been excellent.
I have read that moving the /data files could slow down the phone or cause overheating of the sd card. Actually I have a class 10 ultra II Sandisk.
Thanks for any report and opinion.
ik8vwa said:
May I ask you if you noticed a lag or performance slow down? I also love link2sd but I fear to upgrade to the latest version cause I don't want to compromise the reliability of my system, which so far, has been excellent.
I have read that moving the /data files could slow down the phone or cause overheating of the sd card. Actually I have a class 10 ultra II Sandisk.
Thanks for any report and opinion.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I haven't done any benchtesting or anything but haven't noticed any slowdown or battery drain what-so-ever.
My phone runs just as good as before.
I only link my game apps to SD because I expect one day the SD card will fail (like most media storage devices) and most of my essential apps are un-linked and stored on the internal phone mem.
d_bizzzz said:
I haven't done any benchtesting or anything but haven't noticed any slowdown or battery drain what-so-ever.
My phone runs just as good as before.
I only link my game apps to SD because I expect one day the SD card will fail (like most media storage devices) and most of my essential apps are un-linked and stored on the internal phone mem.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks, I have linked all my apps and it is now almost an year. I was very curious about the possibility to move the data too but was a bit on the standby, because if you check on the play store, there are some complaints. Now, I don't know what to do, maybe I'll give it a try.
Thanks for your kind reply.
ik8vwa said:
Thanks, I have linked all my apps and it is now almost an year. I was very curious about the possibility to move the data too but was a bit on the standby, because if you check on the play store, there are some complaints. Now, I don't know what to do, maybe I'll give it a try.
Thanks for your kind reply.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I guess some reviews may be on different phone models.
All I can advise is check the gppd & bad reviews and the phone model. Also to have a titanium backup of your older link2SD so you can roll back if needbe.
Worth just linking a few & see how it goes.
No complaints on my Galaxy S3, works fine & has done for the past 2 years
d_bizzzz said:
I guess some reviews may be on different phone models.
All I can advise is check the gppd & bad reviews and the phone model. Also to have a titanium backup of your older link2SD so you can roll back if needbe.
Worth just linking a few & see how it goes.
No complaints on my Galaxy S3, works fine & has done for the past 2 years
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well I downloaded the new version (I have the plus option) but I don't understand how to move the data to sd since in the options it is specified that only future installs will be moved (if I flag the option).
Back to the original question. I use Mounts2SD for my Nexus One. I check to move Apps, Data, Dalvik, and Libraries. The rest I leave alone. I have no problems with space with this set-up. Speed is decent, I think the issues I have are probably related to the various custom ROMs I've been using but I can't be 100% sure.

Removing/freezing bloat after OTA

I noticed there are some new apps and some new processes with the new update to ICS, like Google+ and a new messenger and some new authenticators. Does anyone have an updated list of what is safe to disable/freeze?
Marvin- said:
I noticed there are some new apps and some new processes with the new update to ICS, like Google+ and a new messenger and some new authenticators. Does anyone have an updated list of what is safe to disable/freeze?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm just looking to remove that junk. Root Uninstaller didn't seem to be helpful. Thankfully, this Moto junk is my work phone and not my personal. I'd never buy one of these!
I too am interested after noticing that I am down 75MB+ of available memory on average after the OTA ICS upgrade (coming from stock GB).
Actually, you don't really need any special guide. Almost everything can be either uninstalled or frozen by going into Settings => Applications and finding the app in the list. This is now built in to Android, so if you can disable it from there, it is safe. Also, most of the additional bloatware that isn't directly VZW can just be uninstalled now.
Awesome. I noticed that you can disable natively now. I just wanted to make sure disabling or removing stuff would not hurt future updates like people have said it would in the past.
Marvin- said:
Awesome. I noticed that you can disable natively now. I just wanted to make sure disabling or removing stuff would not hurt future updates like people have said it would in the past.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Nope, this is now an Android feature. You can, of course, root your phone and further disable some software, but for the most part, you should be fine sticking with the safety of the native disabling.
Excellent, thanks for the quick response.
i like how they discourage you from disabling the bloatware by telling you stuff might misbehave... yeah, if i disable the NFL thing and my phone misbehaves, it's getting returned. lol
i can't wait for the day when the carriers are forced to allow us to completely remove the bloat that comes on phones, just like PC manufacturers were required to in the 90s.
has anyone experimented with repartitioning so that the app storage and user data areas are in the same partition? i really don't see any reason to keep them separate. right now i could get another 2gb back from the app partition to store more music in if i wanted to.
Gibson99 said:
i like how they discourage you from disabling the bloatware by telling you stuff might misbehave... yeah, if i disable the NFL thing and my phone misbehaves, it's getting returned. lol
i can't wait for the day when the carriers are forced to allow us to completely remove the bloat that comes on phones, just like PC manufacturers were required to in the 90s.
has anyone experimented with repartitioning so that the app storage and user data areas are in the same partition? i really don't see any reason to keep them separate. right now i could get another 2gb back from the app partition to store more music in if i wanted to.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The "your phone might misbehave" is more of a generic message, but it can apply to anything. For example, if you have an app that relies on one of the activities from the NFL app, it is quite possible that your phone will do something unexpected (like crash).
Of course, I do also wish I could completely and safely obliterate all the VZW stuff.
As for repartitioning, Motorola does this so that they can continue to provide a mass storage connection mode. If you repartition to unified storage, it will mean that you will be restricted to MTP/PTP transfer modes. It also means that you'll need to be a LOT more careful when modifying your phone's OS. Personally, I recommend you simply invest $35 in a 32GB mirco SD card, or if you really have a lot of music, spring for a 64GB one.

[Q] Clean Master

I have the Clean Master app to clean out junk files. I don't use it to free up memory/memory boost though. I was wondering if the app is even useful at all or can I just uninstall it?
Uninstall this app. Its useless and damages your phone more than it helps from what I hear.
uses a lot of battery also, had it on my nexus 6 forever and my battery was ok, now that i uninstalled it im getting way better battery life
Always consider why you are using a system cleaning application to begin with. Are you using an application like that because your phone is running slow, is bogged down by junk files and years worth of SMS and photos?
I'm not going to say that all cleaning apps are snake oil, because every now and then a little spring cleaning on your phone is in order. Any phone, regardless of how it is maintained. I would recommend doing a factory reset after six months or so and only installing the applications you truly use. Nothing more, nothing less. You'd be amazed at all the remnants of files that remain after you uninstall an application. That's all I really try to clean out when I'm done with an app. If I installed a ton of apps recently I go with the factory reset. Otherwise I'll just plug my phone into the PC and use file explorer to remove old data and export pictures I haven't already uploaded to the cloud.

New to Android. Just looking for some pointers.

Hey all. Long time Blackberry user here. I have a couple questions about my note 5 I just picked up.
- Can I root the device (I'm on verizon)? I've done a bunch of googling and so far it seems like verizon has done a good job at making it impossible?
- The main reason I want to root is to just to rid my phone of all the JUNK apps I don't want. If rooting my phone isn't possible, what's the best way to prevent the apps from taking up space and using up data? With no sdcard slot, space will be a premium, and I'd like to free up as much as possible.
-RYknow
-RYknow said:
Hey all. Long time Blackberry user here. I have a couple questions about my note 5 I just picked up.
- Can I root the device (I'm on verizon)? I've done a bunch of googling and so far it seems like verizon has done a good job at making it impossible?
- The main reason I want to root is to just to rid my phone of all the JUNK apps I don't want. If rooting my phone isn't possible, what's the best way to prevent the apps from taking up space and using up data? With no sdcard slot, space will be a premium, and I'd like to free up as much as possible.
-RYknow
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Right now without root access on our Verizon Galaxy Note 5s there's no way to get rid of the apps to free up space. However there is a way to disable the apps by using Package Disabler but you have to make sure that you don't disable anything if you don't know what it does because you can end up causing the phone not to work or not boot in which case you'll have to do a restore and lose everything. I actually made the mistake and disabled some things that I shouldn't have and it caused the phone to get stuck at the Verizon logo so just be careful what you do with it! Also if you disable certain things that the system needs it can actually become detrimental to the battery life and make it run out faster. Personally I'd say to just leave it alone unless it's actually doing something because on mine I noticed that if I don't use them or tap into them they won't run anyway.
-RYknow said:
Hey all. Long time Blackberry user here. I have a couple questions about my note 5 I just picked up.
- Can I root the device (I'm on verizon)? I've done a bunch of googling and so far it seems like verizon has done a good job at making it impossible?
- The main reason I want to root is to just to rid my phone of all the JUNK apps I don't want. If rooting my phone isn't possible, what's the best way to prevent the apps from taking up space and using up data? With no sdcard slot, space will be a premium, and I'd like to free up as much as possible.
-RYknow
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
hi,
Here's a few pointers, what i do (managing free space)
Firstly, i am also on a branded version. No root, stock Rom.
I found that i could uninstall most of my carriers bloatware,
( see... Device /Settings /App Manager)
Other system bloat apps, i just disabled in App Manager.
Check system apps like...
Eg S Voice.. Briefing.. S HEALTH ?, (if you can disable.)
Secondly your stock Smart Manager, /App Powersaving, the apps i hardly use, i set to always... optimizing.
I used to store movies on my ext Sd card, (but as
we have no Ext Sd card) , i keep my movies on
a mini OTG SanDisk. If i want to watch,i plug /attach, OTG and watch.( Saves a lot of space)
Eventually, you just "adapt" to the limited space.
Good luck
Post note,
Root, is not always the answer.!
Sometimes you just create, more problems /issues
for yourself.
All my other devices Note 2/3/4 is rooted.
My Note5 is not rooted and i am overall very happy with device.
I only have 2 x small system bugs, nothing to stress about /root (Found a roundabout way to fix these.)
Otherwise.......
(Battery life is good , Device runs very smooth, optimized good)
willcor said:
hi,
Here's a few pointers, what i do (managing free space)
Firstly, i am also on a branded version. No root, stock Rom.
I found that i could uninstall most of my carriers bloatware,
( see... Device /Settings /App Manager)
Other system bloat apps, i just disabled in App Manager.
Check system apps like...
Eg S Voice.. Briefing.. S HEALTH ?, (if you can disable.)
Secondly your stock Smart Manager, /App Powersaving, the apps i hardly use, i set to always... optimizing.
I used to store movies on my ext Sd card, (but as
we have no Ext Sd card) , i keep my movies on
a mini OTG SanDisk. If i want to watch,i plug /attach, OTG and watch.( Saves a lot of space)
Eventually, you just "adapt" to the limited space.
Good luck
Post note,
Root, is not always the answer.!
Sometimes you just create, more problems /issues
for yourself.
All my other devices Note 2/3/4 is rooted.
My Note5 is not rooted and i am overall very happy with device.
I only have 2 x small system bugs, nothing to stress about /root (Found a roundabout way to fix these.)
Otherwise.......
(Battery life is good , Device runs very smooth, optimized good)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the response. I've gone through and just disabled all the verizon apps that I could, as well as a few of the samsung apps I feel pretty confident I won't be using. Seems like rooting is more of a headache then I really want to get into right now with a new device, and a brand new platform (I've literally been using an android for 2 days now).
Thanks again!
-RYknow
-RYknow said:
Thanks for the response. I've gone through and just disabled all the verizon apps that I could, as well as a few of the samsung apps I feel pretty confident I won't be using. Seems like rooting is more of a headache then I really want to get into right now with a new device, and a brand new platform (I've literally been using an android for 2 days now).
Thanks again!
-RYknow
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
yeah , dont root it. It voids your warranty, and also few features will not work. Like private mode, Samsung Pay etc

Maze Alpha X shipped with adware?

Accidentally I stumbled upon the folder gangyun and pref_storekeytool inside.
I scanned the Maze with an antivirus scanner and beautysnap.apk was reported as adware.
I guess beautysnap.apk is part of the system camera?
Unfortunately no app can beautify me, so I would like to delete this app. Is it safe to do it?
TIA
bestunameever said:
Accidentally I stumbled upon the folder gangyun and pref_storekeytool inside.
I scanned the Maze with an antivirus scanner and beautysnap.apk was reported as adware.
I guess beautysnap.apk is part of the system camera?
Unfortunately no app can beautify me, so I would like to delete this app. Is it safe to do it?
TIA
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What virus scanner did you use? I've just received my Maze Alpha X. There are some bad things about this phone, I'm a bit disappointed. The worst in my case is that the front camera doesn't work. It's like there's no camera at all.
Yeah unfortunately this phone is loaded with precarious apps, adupsfota for instance disguised as the ota wireless update is full of dodgy adware/spyware and if you look at the permissions your see just how worrying it is, it has permission to access banking apps, android pay, key-logger, microphone, camera the list goes on, I've disabled it several times but it manages to re-enable itself. Beautysnap is also a bad one which I have managed to disable for good, LocationEM2 is another suspect app, Fotaprovider which is also adups related. Basically this phone really needs an alternative kernel/custom rom before it can be safely used but as far as I'm aware there isn't one as yet.
The CPU usage is always very high too which is not a great sign, not good at all, I'm surprised Amazon can sell phones in this state tbh.
McSwifty said:
Yeah unfortunately this phone is loaded with precarious apps, adupsfota for instance disguised as the ota wireless update is full of dodgy adware/spyware and if you look at the permissions your see just how worrying it is, it has permission to access banking apps, android pay, key-logger, microphone, camera the list goes on, I've disabled it several times but it manages to re-enable itself. Beautysnap is also a bad one which I have managed to disable for good, LocationEM2 is another suspect app, Fotaprovider which is also adups related. Basically this phone really needs an alternative kernel/custom rom before it can be safely used but as far as I'm aware there isn't one as yet.
The CPU usage is always very high too which is not a great sign, not good at all, I'm surprised Amazon can sell phones in this state tbh.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Could you please say what scanner did you use?
dangerous666 said:
Could you please say what scanner did you use?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ive used a few but the adware/malware/spyware that the phone has installed as standard on the kernal/rom it's shipped with are installed as system apps with the exception of beautysnap so you need to go through them manually. I used an app called SystemPanel2, it's a great app that gives you a really complete overview of whats running on your phone and what not, it can record system processes, memory, battery and cpu usage over a period of time as well as network stats.
McSwifty said:
Ive used a few but the adware/malware/spyware that the phone has installed as standard on the kernal/rom it's shipped with are installed as system apps with the exception of beautysnap so you need to go through them manually. I used an app called SystemPanel2, it's a great app that gives you a really complete overview of whats running on your phone and what not, it can record system processes, memory, battery and cpu usage over a period of time as well as network stats.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I couldn't be able to find those suspicious apps. I've run a bunch of virus/malwares scanner, nothing reported. I've installed SystemPanel2 and I didn't find the processes you list. I believe our phones run different firmwares. I've got mine from Gear Best.
dangerous666 said:
I couldn't be able to find those suspicious apps. I've run a bunch of virus/malwares scanner, nothing reported. I've installed SystemPanel2 and I didn't find the processes you list. I believe our phones run different firmwares. I've got mine from Gear Best.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Under your Wireless Update system app what does it say? On mine for instance is says "com.adups.fota". If your firmware is good/clean then that's a good sign that if I put a fresh stock rom on here it should be fine, I was thinking maybe all the maze alpha firmware's were affected.
My com.adups.fota "seems" to be clean.
For hibernating apps on my rooted Alpha X I use SD Maid Pro.
Under app control you set several things
A) Hibernate the app
B) Disallow start on boot
C) Look up where all the files of the app are located
D) Remove app completely
E) etc
bestunameever said:
My com.adups.fota "seems" to be clean.
For hibernating apps on my rooted Alpha X I use SD Maid Pro.
Under app control you set several things
A) Hibernate the app
B) Disallow start on boot
C) Look up where all the files of the app are located
D) Remove app completely
E) etc
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No such thing as clean addups I'm afraid dude.
A newly discovered malicious app is found on China-made mobile devices running the Android OS. This is a baked-in system app used to update the device’s firmware but is found to also steal personal information, among other things. A blog is recently published about this malware by Kryptowire.
Already we have had inquiries on whether we detect Adups or not. The answer to that is I believe we do. You see, the app in question, which goes by the package name of com.adups.fota, has a couple of variants. There is an older version seen around 2014 and a newer version that emerged mid-2016. This older version we detect and have done so since 2014. I can verify that this older version was indeed pre-installed on various Chinese mobile devices bought cheaply on online stores, mainly Amazon. I know this because ever since we started detecting this older version of com.adups.fota, we have received support tickets periodically about why we are detecting a system app that cannot be uninstall—I’ll get to how to address this later.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
https://blog.malwarebytes.com/cybercrime/2016/11/mobile-menace-monday-adups-old-and-new/
I want to know if theirs a firmware for the Maze Alpha and the Alpha X without addups baked in, I hope so because it's a great phone otherwise.

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