HTC Dot View App
HTC Gallery App
HTC Guide App
HTC Sense TV App
HTC Service Pack
ZOE
Odd.. I notice these having updates, but they don't get listed in with the available updates in the "My apps" section in Google Play.
If you go to the apps individually in Google Play though, it shows an "update" button (clicking the other apps by this developer link is helpful in finding the others BTW).
This sounds familiar for some system apps, but not others (many Google apps auto-updated when I first activated the phone, even before I could get to the UI to turn off auto-updating). Anyone found a way to actually find -all- apps that have updates?
gbritton said:
Odd.. I notice these having updates, but they don't get listed in with the available updates in the "My apps" section in Google Play.
If you go to the apps individually in Google Play though, it shows an "update" button (clicking the other apps by this developer link is helpful in finding the others BTW).
This sounds familiar for some system apps, but not others (many Google apps auto-updated when I first activated the phone, even before I could get to the UI to turn off auto-updating). Anyone found a way to actually find -all- apps that have updates?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Oh man I hate the autoupdating, I always turn that off, I like to be in control of that. I don't know why that setting doesnt save when you get a new phone or wipe your device.
The updates may be rolling out in phases. I recipes those updates yesterday afternoon while I was setting g the phone up for the first time.
Restart your phone and you'll get them
XT1097 - AT&T Version. When I go to My Apps in Play Store it only shows an update for an app if I've previously downloaded that app manually. Otherwise I have to search out the app, but when I find it it does show an update available in both the search list and when I click on the app. Example, I had not previously downloaded Hangouts and so it did not show under the update available section or all section under my apps, but when I search "Hangouts" it shows update instead of free in search list, and update and open as options when I click on it.
Finding this weird, I reset the phone and logged into another google account where I had never downloaded any android apps.... and the phone showed exactly zero updates available. Same thing happens whether I check immediately on reset phone (before new version of play store is installed) and after play store has been updated.
I ended up just manually searching through all apps by name, and then every google made and motorola made apps and it found 40 total updates (up from 13 from my first account, and zero with my second account)
Any idea whats going on here? Shouldn't all apps that have updates available show under my apps whether I have ever manually downloaded them or not?
So let me reduce my question then: if an android phone comes pre installed with an app that your google account has never downloaded, should the phone show an update for that app under my apps without manually searching?
njs05 said:
So let me reduce my question then: if an android phone comes pre installed with an app that your google account has never downloaded, should the phone show an update for that app under my apps without manually searching?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, it should... BUT... It seems that all of moto's apps are strangely exempt from that rule.
Hi,
I decided to clean up My Apps on the Play Store by going into the Play Store App, selecting My Apps and then hitting the "X" to drop those I no longer require.
That all worked fine but on my Galaxt Tab 8.9 there is one application called "eBook Application" from "Samsung Electronics Inc" which has me puzzled.
I have no recollection of ever installing this app and now it seems there is no way to get rid of it.
It appears only on the Play Store list, I can not find it anywhere on the device.
The attached screen shots should explain the problem.
When I select from the list I get the second screen saying that my device is not compatible with this version.
It's not a train smash, but it is annoying.
ANy advice or info will be gratefully welcomed.
HairyScot said:
Hi,
I decided to clean up My Apps on the Play Store by going into the Play Store App, selecting My Apps and then hitting the "X" to drop those I no longer require.
That all worked fine but on my Galaxt Tab 8.9 there is one application called "eBook Application" from "Samsung Electronics Inc" which has me puzzled.
I have no recollection of ever installing this app and now it seems there is no way to get rid of it.
It appears only on the Play Store list, I can not find it anywhere on the device.
The attached screen shots should explain the problem.
When I select from the list I get the second screen saying that my device is not compatible with this version.
It's not a train smash, but it is annoying.
ANy advice or info will be gratefully welcomed.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hmmm have you tried checking your Applications list?
Settings > Applications > All > look for "eBook Application" or possibly "Samsung eBooks" etc. > tap it and then select Disable (that is, if it'll let you uninstall it, Samsung can be crappy like that )
Hello,
I think this app is part of the Samsung apps installed by default on your tab.
Samsung has a "Samsung app Store", and a manager app on the tab for this store.
The eBook app you're talking about is certainly part of that samsung store. I don't know if you can remove it, maybe you can only uninstall updates that have been automatically installed.
Try by using the Samsung app Store, if there is one on you tab.
Hope that helps
If you're on stock rom, you probably can't install it, as it is part of the factory preloaded apps. Still, you can disable them in Settings -> Apps or uninstall updates. Hope this helps.
I'm seeing update to 604 OTA on my brand new Remix mini but I had read that the new releases remove Google mobile services, basically ruining a huge reason people buy this device. If I want to continue using Google mobile services should I just stick with the stock ROM and work with the limitations and the various bug fixes?
Wow that was several updates ago. The mini still has Google Services. It was only removed to overlay some ground work and to finish talks with Google. If it does disappear after you update, just go to the Remix Central app to download the service back onto the mini.
Your Jide Ambassador is here!!!
AmoraRei said:
Wow that was several updates ago. The mini still has Google Services. It was only removed to overlay some ground work and to finish talks with Google. If it does disappear after you update, just go to the Remix Central app to download the service back onto the mini.
Your Jide Ambassador is here!!!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thxx Amora, that's what I thought but I'm on the device right now and there is a big pop up warning on the 604 update that says if you agree to this update, Google Play services and all your apps will be disabled and removed. You can choose not to upgrade and continue using these services.
I assume this is an error in the warning from what you are stating. I'm updating it despite the warning and will see.
So just to confirm, this device still has Play Store / GAPPS? They have a 40% off special and I want one.
The process of rooting the device is still a bit unpleasant, and as such I can't tweak options and patches to get APKs working. I'd rather have the Play Store outright.
mttrwlnd said:
So just to confirm, this device still has Play Store / GAPPS? They have a 40% off special and I want one.
The process of rooting the device is still a bit unpleasant, and as such I can't tweak options and patches to get APKs working. I'd rather have the Play Store outright.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes. The remix can still use Google apps. You just have to install Google services and the apps yourself instead of having them come pre-loaded now.
And as is often the case with hardware, the box will come with an old version of the os installed. The first time you hook it up it will check for updates and you will get the warning since you are moving from a factory version of the os which has the apps installed to a new version which does not.
Once the update completes, open the remix central app from the drawer (or desktop if you have a shortcut there) and scroll the bottom to find Google services installer. Download and follow the instructions, and when it tells you to - reboot. Once that's done open the "app store" app (also in app drawer) and install/update Google play (handy dandy search in the top right) and the icon will reappear on your desktop/in the app drawer if for some reason it vanished in the first place.
Note if you previously set up settings/accounts - you will need to do it again (so you have to give the store your Google account again as this was wiped out during the update).
Idol 4 6055u hidden update last week and File Manager is now like a 'Clean Master' clone with all the clean-your-phone and boost-your-phone notifications spam. And since there's no way to root it the app is not removable.
Anyone had any luck stabbing this one to death?
Sucks right? Mentioned it in a thread I made a few weeks back:
https://forum.xda-developers.com/idol-4s/help/alcatel-phone-t3634870
If possible, uninstalling updates or disabling the app should revert the app to its pre-spam state. If not, disabling the apps and using a less invasive file manager app is an option.
Alternatively a factory reset will return all system apps to their pre-spammy state if I recall correctly. From there, you can just avoid updating that individual app.
macallik said:
Sucks right? Mentioned it in a thread I made a few weeks back:
https://forum.xda-developers.com/idol-4s/help/alcatel-phone-t3634870
If possible, uninstalling updates or disabling the app should revert the app to its pre-spam state. If not, disabling the apps and using a less invasive file manager app is an option.
Alternatively a factory reset will return all system apps to their pre-spammy state if I recall correctly. From there, you can just avoid updating that individual app.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Unfortunately you can't disable the app, even though it appears you can under dev options (tried that, it just updates itself in the background again). Have tried uninstalling (updates) but it updates itself again and the spam reappears. It also places a perma-notification (can't slide off) at the top of the notifications.
BUT: The latest update to File Manager allows you to turn off notifications. Problem solved.
NOTE: You do have to give permissions for storage before you can get into the settings that allow turning off notifications/shortcuts.
This is well-known problem, ads presents in all latest preinstalled Acatel's apps updates: File Manager, Sound Recorder, Weather, Launcher and others. All of them puts notifications with spam-news and in some cases tries to change default homepage of Google Chrome browser. To prevent this need to do the following things:
1. Uninstall all updates of these apps to revert it to stock-state.
2. Deny auto update of these apps in Google Play.
3. Deny auto update of system apps in standart Update application.
DeckerSU said:
This is well-known problem, ads presents in all latest preinstalled Acatel's apps updates: File Manager, Sound Recorder, Weather, Launcher and others. All of them puts notifications with spam-news and in some cases tries to change default homepage of Google Chrome browser. To prevent this need to do the following things:
1. Uninstall all updates of these apps to revert it to stock-state.
2. Deny auto update of these apps in Google Play.
3. Deny auto update of system apps in standart Update application.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks, following these steps I think I got them tamed. Not all the apps show up in Google Play but disabling auto-update in 'Updates' (Alcatel's version) should take care of those...
yosemite610 said:
Thanks, following these steps I think I got them tamed. Not all the apps show up in Google Play but disabling auto-update in 'Updates' (Alcatel's version) should take care of those...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Several of Alcatel's Apps updates throught Google Play and other via Updates app. For example, sound recorder updates via Google Play. If it's already updated - just remove updates and Google Play app for Sound Recorder and forbid / deny future updates. In 'Updates' need to forbid updates of system apps too. I already done all of this steps for each preinstalled app which tries to update - all fine. There is no any unwanted push notifications.
Rip ._. I hate this phone so much.
They are pathetic. Updating all apps and adding ads to them.
DeckerSU said:
Several of Alcatel's Apps updates throught Google Play and other via Updates app. For example, sound recorder updates via Google Play. If it's already updated - just remove updates and Google Play app for Sound Recorder and forbid / deny future updates. In 'Updates' need to forbid updates of system apps too. I already done all of this steps for each preinstalled app which tries to update - all fine. There is no any unwanted push notifications.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the tips and detailed info @DeckerSU. I had begun to prepare to unlock, root, and flash a custom ROM due to this adware and push notification nonsense. Up until the recent app updates, I had truly enjoyed the clean, stock android UI experience on my idol3 ... now I can relax again, the aggravation of those push notifications is gone!
DeckerSU said:
This is well-known problem, ads presents in all latest preinstalled Acatel's apps updates: File Manager, Sound Recorder, Weather, Launcher and others. All of them puts notifications with spam-news and in some cases tries to change default homepage of Google Chrome browser. To prevent this need to do the following things:
1. Uninstall all updates of these apps to revert it to stock-state.
2. Deny auto update of these apps in Google Play.
3. Deny auto update of system apps in standart Update application.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
thank you, I hadn't thought of step 3
I signed in just to thank you
edit: just realized this thread is for idol 4s, but it applied to my idol 3..
I didn't realize this is a problem on later phones.. so messed up
Very bad, all those spamming programs on a phone we paid for. They beter come out with a recent
Android update. Its a Shame for the alcatel brand.
DeckerSU said:
This is well-known problem, ads presents in all latest preinstalled Acatel's apps updates: File Manager, Sound Recorder, Weather, Launcher and others. All of them puts notifications with spam-news and in some cases tries to change default homepage of Google Chrome browser. To prevent this need to do the following things:
1. Uninstall all updates of these apps to revert it to stock-state.
2. Deny auto update of these apps in Google Play.
3. Deny auto update of system apps in standart Update application.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the tips! I was starting to think I would have to root the device... Very dissapointing to see this kind of behaviour from Alcatel
Cheers
It may be worse than you think!
It's bad enough for a SYSTEM app to be serving up potentially malicious advertising that could Pwn your device, but it ventures deep into dark waters if that SYSTEM app has the Facebook "Graph" API inside of it that could allow a developer (or in this case your Chinese phone manufacturer) to use your Facebook access token to pillage through your Facebook account and look through your photos, tags, pages visited, URL's, or even create Facebook posts or messages on your behalf!
Sound crazy?
Take a look at the Facebook "Graph" developer site for yourself:
https://developers.facebook.com/docs/graph-api/using-graph-api/
And if someone was familiar with some open source tools that could allow them to look inside an Android app:
https://github.com/iBotPeaches/Apktool
https://github.com/pxb1988/dex2jar
https://github.com/sreenivasmula/JDGUI
http://www.7-zip.org/download.html
That person might look to see if the app has the Facebook Graph API inside of it:
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.jrdcom.filemanager&hl=en
Any one have a custom rom? Like Lineage or CM or AOSP any other one except the crapy stock rom?
Not good enough!
I no longer trust ANYTHING that is installed on my Alcatel device after the recent adware/spyware "upgrades"!
I installed TWRP and the (unofficial) Lineage ROM until I get a different phone all together.
https://forum.xda-developers.com/id...ficial-lineageos-14-1-idol36045x-5-5-t3615700
I will NEVER purchase another Alcatel device as long as I live and I will advise all my friends and family and anyone else that will listen to avoid Alcatel as well.
I also suggest that anyone with a stock Alcatel device not to use any "widgets" that create shortcuts that may use your access tokens for Facebook and/or Twitter until we know what is going on.
The Facebook Graph API on a native app has a greater access level than a web application and the token(s) don't expire for 60 days and can be extended.
I advise people to avoid logging in to apps or websites with their social media and/or Google credentials and to change your passwords and set up 2 factor authentication and remove any apps associated with your social media accounts.
Wtf
yosemite610 said:
Idol 4 6055u hidden update last week and File Manager is now like a 'Clean Master' clone with all the clean-your-phone and boost-your-phone notifications spam. And since there's no way to root it the app is not removable.
Anyone had any luck stabbing this one to death?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That update is from google play store! Not from alcatel.... Uninstall updates and don't let google play do whatever it wants in your phone!
That update is from google play store! Not from alcatel....
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The update may have come the Google Play Store but is every bit Alcatel!
The "boost" function comes from TCL (Alcatel) owned Hawk app's "Super Cleaner" and the antivirus function comes from Hawk's Hi Security app that uses McAfee technology.
http://www.ehawk.com/en/
Can you help me to unlock a sharp phone?
DeckerSU said:
This is well-known problem, ads presents in all latest preinstalled Acatel's apps updates: File Manager, Sound Recorder, Weather, Launcher and others. All of them puts notifications with spam-news and in some cases tries to change default homepage of Google Chrome browser. To prevent this need to do the following things:
1. Uninstall all updates of these apps to revert it to stock-state.
2. Deny auto update of these apps in Google Play.
3. Deny auto update of system apps in standart Update application.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Can you help me to unlock a sharp phone?
I have the modem.elf file.
Following the advice on this thread, I was able to revert to the old versions of these apps back in October, and my phone stayed usable from then until about 2 weeks ago. Suddenly, the "updates" installed themselves (as part of a "critical system update" that I was notified my phone needed, and now, I don't have the option to uninstall the updates (or rather, it uninstalls to another spammy, bloatware version, not to the factory original).
Any ideas on what I can do now? Or is it time to throw this phone in the trash, and get one from a company that doesn't do this?
critical system update
Following the advice on this thread, I was able to revert to the old versions of these apps back in October, and my phone stayed usable from then until about 2 weeks ago. Suddenly, the "updates" installed themselves (as part of a "critical system update" that I was notified my phone needed, and now, I don't have the option to uninstall the updates (or rather, it uninstalls to another spammy, bloatware version, not to the factory original).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You have got to be kidding me!
Now Alcatel and McAfee are tricking users into installing their adware/spyware through the use of fake "critical update" patches?
I think it is high time to do a complete breakdown/inspection of the app and do a full public disclosure.
It isn't surprising that Alcatel would infect a users phone with adware/spyware but for a so-called "security" company like McAfee to be involved is both frightening and disturbing.