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Hello my name is P3Droid,
We (TBH) have a lot of experience in Motorola phones and hacking. This experience dates back to the Razr days.
Here is a word of caution. Do no delete apps from the System partition, I would suggest you only rename them to .bak. When Motorola pushes updates each of the files undergoes a hash check, if the file has been manipulated or is missing the entire update will fail.
Until a system only sbf or similar is released, unless you make a back up with bootstrap and recovery, you will eliminate your ability to take updates moving forward.
You can remove many of the stock apps without rooting just by using the built in app manager.
Those apps are in /data it is the apps that are in /system that count.
jimmydafish said:
Hello my name is P3Droid,
We (TBH) has a lot of experience in Motorola phones and hacking. The experience dates back to the Razr days.
Here is a word of caution. Do no delete apps from the System partition, I would suggest you only rename them to .bak. When Motorola pushes updates each of the files undergoes a hash check, if the file has been manipulated or is missing the entire update will fail.
Until a system only sbf or similar is released, unless you make a back up with bootstrap and recovery, you will eliminate your ability to take updates moving forward.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i take it that all the apps you can delete through app manager are on /data therefore are safe to delete right?
This should definitely be sticky'd.
franciscojavierleon said:
i take it that all the apps you can delete through app manager are on /data therefore are safe to delete right?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes anything that you can delete through the application manager is okay to remove, those have no impact on the update process.
And to complete my thought above. When an update is released, and they are coming, then you need to just change the file names back to normal to take the update.
Sound to me like we ned an ap that lets toys select programs to rename and then can change then back when needed. Would make it alot easier. Ill look onto this...also if some one else can confirm this info I might stick it.
Sent from my MB860 using XDA App
I can confirm that what p3droid is saying is true for all recent Motorola devices, but the point is really that you won't know until an OTA update is released how they have written the updater script in the zip file.
We have been through this with releases for every phone since the Droid X and many people got caught out by it and were stuck until we released SBF files that could safely restore the stock configuration and allow updating to official release versions.
This brings up another important point about modding your phone at this stage in the cycle. Without a full SBF to recover with in the event of a problem that renders the phone unbootable or unable to access recovery, or if you haven't made a complete nandroid, you will be again be stuck and have to return your phone to AT&T/Motorola for warranty replacement. This is never good for anyone.
When we mod our phones against the wishes of the carriers and manufacturers, we should really take responsibility for those actions and not produce a mountain of bricked phones whose cost is passed along to everyone in the form of higher ETFs for smartphones and other ways.
So, until a full SBF is released of the current build, people should be very careful what they change or remove from their phone's system and/or NVM and radio.
I also tried to warn users about this in another thread that was locked before p3droid started this thread. We have watched hundreds or even thousands of users destroy their phones in myriad ways and helped many of them recover them by providing SBF files as a safety net. It's not fun and if it can be avoided it is to everyone's benefit to do so and only requires care and forethought.
Is there anyway we could make a backup of this partition for later use? would each user need to make one or would one for all users suffice?
Assuming a bootstrapped custom recovery is possible, and we know Koush is already working on it, then a nandroid backup of at least the system, userdata and cache partitions would be the first and best step to take. Also assuming that the bootloader is locked/signed and true recovery is not possible, then the boot image and kernel will not be able to be backed up or written to by the bootstrapped recovery. It is always best to make your own backup for your device and store it on the sdcard where you have easy access, but users have also been able to use someone else's nandroid backup to restore their device in many cases as well. The recovery will give you the option to restore each partition separately in the advanced options so that you won't be restoring someone else's data to your phone.
We at TBH have also been able to create our own update.zip files and SBF files to help users recover from various mishaps.
This was because we had access to both official and unofficial files and tools to accomplish those things.
We have no idea if that will be the case here and we will not likely have the device ourselves to work with given we are VZW users primarily.
Again, there are many variables here that are yet to be determined and modes of access to the various partitions and radio baseband will be different with this phone as opposed to previous Qualcomm chipset devices.
All of this means that at this stage extreme caution is advised and being overzealous with root access is very dangerous right now.
I suggest everyone that is rooted use TITANIUM BACKUP to deal with their bloatware issues. The pro version, which you will need, is only a few bucks and is worth it. TB allows you to 'freeze' bloatware apps, which to my knowledge just blocks it fro the system, but does not delete it. The apps you choose to freeze are also removed from the app tray - so no more clutter. This way when an update rolls around, you can run down the list and simply touch 'thaw' to bring those apps back to recognition. This seems like a much more efficient and easy way to go back and forth, rather than renaming the .apk's.
I apologize if someone already mentioned TB in this thread - I just skimmed quickly.
I deleted all the bloat apps using the app manager without root. They were gone!
I did a factory reset on the phone and *surprise* the apps were back!
The things that were not part of the system come back during reset. On the other hand, im ****ed because I went crazy and deleted some actual apps that the system will check. Yay me.
pwndrone said:
The things that were not part of the system come back during reset. On the other hand, im ****ed because I went crazy and deleted some actual apps that the system will check. Yay me.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ouch. Might not work, but have you tried a hard reset?
We should make a list of what's safe to remove like we did for the Captivate. Might be helpful.
I did a full factory reset and those apps that weren't part of the system came back but stuff like the help center are still missing.
Hopefully there will be a way to load the stock firmware sometime in the future.
Sent from my MB860 using XDA App
Would an app like "Autostarts" work in this case?
Guys, I can't emphasize this enough: use Titanium Backup to freeze the apps rather than deleting them, it will make your life much easier.
does this apply to using different font files as well? I'd like to use a ttf font that's a little larger than DroidSans. if i rename and use a different font will that impact OTA updates or anything else for that matter? thanks!
before reading about "freezing" apps, i reset my atrix back to factory settings. i need help rooting my atrix again. it keeps me in "Waiting for Device" where before i had no problem rooting. and another thing, when i had reset back to factory settings...i still have superuser installed. do i uninstall superuser in order to gain root access again?
I have not rooted yet. My question is can we use freeze to turn off BlurAccounts or is it fully baked into the Rom?
Hello,
I'm a beginner lost in reading all the useful information on this forum.
I started with the idea to reduce the permissions of applications of my Razr I.
Google pointed to this http://www.xda-developers.com/protecting-your-privacy-app-ops-privacy-guard-and-xprivacy/
And I'm really happy and surprised about all information I can find here, thank you that much for
making this possible to all of you!
As today I feel ready to start playing around with my phone I wanted to ensure I understood the items right.
May be for you it takes only some seconds to verify my guess and can give a short notice
about Step 2 or 3 is easier to become implemented.
Step 1.) I wanted to do a full backup before I start, following this thread:
So I'll install ADB on my PC and run "adb backup -f FullBackup.ab -apk -all"
This works on a Razr I with 990.43.74.xt890.Retail.en.EU - of the shelf and is not risky at all - or?
Could you pls. tell whether it is really true I can switch back to my backup if I'm not happy with my System?
Step 2.) My first intention was to root my device and install Xposed framework
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2299428
http://repo.xposed.info/module/de.robv.android.xposed.installer
And to use Permission Master out from google play store
First of all I wanted to ask you whether this is feasible technicaly and esp. for a beginner?
Alternative to Step 2 Step 3?
Step 3.) In general I'm happy with my Razr I Android 4.4.2 (990.43.74.xt890.Retail.en.EU)
But I'm wondering whether it would be easier or has less risk to use a custom ROM instead of implementing Step 2.
By reading in this forum I found out there is a planty of features FM-Radio, enhanced stand-by current ,
to get rid of preinstalled aps and so on.
I'm an embedded developer but do not have the overview about the architecture of Android devices, what I got so far is:
There is a bootloader which needs to be changed from OEM closed to open.
There is a boot partition I flash ROMs in.
I need some tools on my PC combined with SDK and Motorola drivers to allow a USB-Debuging and flashing.
And sure as always once your bootloader is damaged you are lost, so I understand even backup will not help here.
So I'll keep my fingers crossed.
Thanking you in anticipation and pls accept my excuses about my english and stupid beginners questions.
Best Regards
gonso
PS:
As I main entry point I used the
http://forum.xda-developers.com/razr-i/general/index-razr-t2832722
from there I'll try to get ADB, drivers etc.
Hi GonsoXDA,
Step 1: I have never used it. Didn't even know that it existed. On the internet there are numerous people who uses it and it seems to work. Maybe someone else can give some info about this or just try it. U can try it with a non-important app and see if it works. Just backup it, delete it and restore it.
Step 2: This works just fine. But do know 3 things:
1. First root: To get root on stock rom, u need to use kingsdroot methode afaik. And that one sends your IMEI to some rare ip adress. I personnaly don't trust this and stay away from it, but there are many people who use it.
2. Xposed requires a recovery to install the framework. It can be done mannually or by the app i suppose. With only root u don't have a recovery on your device that can perform such action.
3. If something goes wrong only a full restore with RSD-Lite can most of the time help u out. Because u don't have a recovery that works than.
Step 3: We only have 2 full roms. 1 for JB (stock) and a working CM11 rom (kitkat).
Only the Jellybean roms support fm-radio, on every newer rom fm-radio is cut out of the audio firmwares. The risk of going to this is even less as Step 2, because u can do a full backup and restore of ur phone. ( I would chose for this if u want to play a bit with the phone and ur warranty is already out of years)
The gereneral idea about the android architecture is this (it is different for almost every device and the Razr I has many more thing to hold into account, but if u are here only for the roms and xposed, there is no more to know):
Bootloader: Is like an uefi bios for PC, but then for android. It also contains fastboot
Bootimage(boot): Has all the info like kernel and ramdisk to boot the system
Recovery: Is like 'boot', but boots into the recovery partition that lets u change every aspect of the device if u know how. Its mainly used to flash a custom recovery to, backup and restore a nandroid backup and flash/wipe roms, mods, (all/specific) data and packages.
Systempartition: Is the system the boot boots into. It's android.
Datapartition: Where all the user data is stored.
Cachepartition(dalvik): Where all cache is stored and in earlier android versions also dalvik. But not now anymore.
Fastboot: To flash/wipe the above partitions and many more (needs drivers)
Adb: To push, pull, command things in system or recovery (needs drivers)
Sdk: contain the abd and fastboot packages, but aren't needed for adb and fastboot because with the right drivers can work on there own (see the internet)
If u have a custom recovery and only change things on the system, data and cache partition there is almost no way to damage the phone. There is always a backup through recovery. As long as u stick to the things u can do in recovery.
The only thing tha can mesh up your phone beyond repair is doing wrong stuff withint the bootloader and other inner parts in the phone(like i did to get newer kernel working) or u are in bad luck and you internal memory blocks. See 'Super brick samsung phones' (emmc error).
I suggest:
- Unlock your bootloader
- Install custom recovery
- Make a backup with the recovery
- Do what u want, xposed on stock rom, try CM11?
- If things won't boot, restore through recovery
And always, read up before doing anything. There are thousands of articles about android, flashing things, repairing android, using adb and fastboot. AND ALWAYS HAVE A BACKUP PLAN!
Hello,
always having a backup seems not to be that easy.
So I unlocked my boot loader and tried to install twrp2850 and twrp2860 via mfastboot.
The mfastboot with 533.353kB caused the following "(bootloader) Variable not supported!"
I rebooted into bootloader and tried recovery -> horizontal Android man with a red !-rectangle
After reboot to normal power up my phone seems to be in factory reset, all my data is gone :crying:
ok crying dosn't help so I looked around and tried with another mfastboot 186.178kB and recoverycwm6.0.5.1.4.img.zip
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2441224
The twrp I tooked from here: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2278483 seems not to work.
I did a backup with cwm is there a change to get back my data? I think I know the answer.
In the meanwhile I installed
http://forum.xda-developers.com/razr-i/development/rom-unofficial-cyanogenmod-11-t2966855
And will try to install
http://forum.xda-developers.com/xposed/modules/tool-installer-xposed-installer-zenfones-t2983589
Thank you for the help, work and excuse the stupid beginner posts.
Regards
gonso
gonsoXDA said:
Hello,
always having a backup seems not to be that easy.
So I unlocked my boot loader and tried to install twrp2850 and twrp2860 via mfastboot.
The mfastboot with 533.353kB caused the following "(bootloader) Variable not supported!"
I rebooted into bootloader and tried recovery -> horizontal Android man with a red !-rectangle
After reboot to normal power up my phone seems to be in factory reset, all my data is gone :crying:
ok crying dosn't help so I looked around and tried with another mfastboot 186.178kB and recoverycwm6.0.5.1.4.img.zip
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2441224
The twrp I tooked from here: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2278483 seems not to work.
I did a backup with cwm is there a change to get back my data? I think I know the answer.
In the meanwhile I installed
http://forum.xda-developers.com/razr-i/development/rom-unofficial-cyanogenmod-11-t2966855
And will try to install
http://forum.xda-developers.com/xposed/modules/tool-installer-xposed-installer-zenfones-t2983589
Thank you for the help, work and excuse the stupid beginner posts.
Regards
gonso
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Than u know the answer, it is no I think.
Both twrp images should work just fine, but always chose the latest. The message "(bootloader) Variable not supported!" doesn't do anything So don't worry about that one. There should be a lot more in you log that the message if twrp didn't install. U did extract it and flash it with the command: mFastboot flash recovery <recovery-image>. Where <recovery-image> could be C:/users/*/Downloads/recovery.img.
Hello,
yes sure "The secret of health for both mind and body is not to mourn for the past, worry about the future"
So I use CM11 now for about 2 days and I'm really impressed, so far everything works :good: THANK YOU!!!
As I asked already I installed XPosed and Permission Manager, but I found XPrivacy might be the better solution and switched to this.
(Today I do not have all the technical background to judge whether it is technically equivalent, but I'll investigate on it)
Esp. one thing I'm wondering, why XPrivacy is reading my Contacts once I check the permissions of an app?
But the more important thing I recognized differences between CM11 and the Stock ROM. One is the Entry
"Privacy" in the settings. It seems to be more or less the XPosed and XPrivacy, or?
But it seems the Restrictions are not shared, so I can restrict in the one and do not see the restriction in the other tool.
So first is there a risk to use both, is it useful or just doing the same twice.
Thank you
Gonso
gonsoXDA said:
Hello,
yes sure "The secret of health for both mind and body is not to mourn for the past, worry about the future"
So I use CM11 now for about 2 days and I'm really impressed, so far everything works :good: THANK YOU!!!
As I asked already I installed XPosed and Permission Manager, but I found XPrivacy might be the better solution and switched to this.
(Today I do not have all the technical background to judge whether it is technically equivalent, but I'll investigate on it)
Esp. one thing I'm wondering, why XPrivacy is reading my Contacts once I check the permissions of an app?
But the more important thing I recognized differences between CM11 and the Stock ROM. One is the Entry
"Privacy" in the settings. It seems to be more or less the XPosed and XPrivacy, or?
But it seems the Restrictions are not shared, so I can restrict in the one and do not see the restriction in the other tool.
So first is there a risk to use both, is it useful or just doing the same twice.
Thank you
Gonso
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's a sentence.
Why XPrivacy needs it i don't have a clue. For that sort of things u need to be by the dev of the app.
CM has a lot of features out of the box compared to stock, but stock is most of the time a bit more optimized in terms of proprietary stuff like camera.
So as u noticed, CM had an inbuilt security app. This app (CM) and XPrivacy don't share there settings, so that's the difference u see. But most likely if u disable something in one of the apps it is disabled even tho the other doesn't say it because it doesn't know of it.
I don't think it will be a risk. They both do the same thing, but they don't know about it. To be on the safe side, just use one and restore the other to default. U can always search on the web if they don't get along.
U can now make a full backup, so everything can be reverted and your data should be relative safe.
Hello,
thank you again - I now find the answer by reading in the development part of the forum. For me as a beginner it is sometimes not easy to interpret the discussions there.
If accepted I will use the thread now as a kind of diary, may be some other users will have similar destinations and my learn from my mistakes.
So to answer my question a little more detailed, but with less background know how than Hazou. Pls. do not trust me I'm a beginner, I have not analyzed the code just the behavior - feel free to correct or contradict my words!
The XPosed is in the area of permissions just a framework which allow other modules to put some code between an app requesting permissions and the Android core granting this permissions. The Xposed it self doesn't handle settings or permissions you did in modules like the CM Privacy, Permission Manager or XPrivacy.
As a result I came to the same conclusion it is not a risk, but an overhead to have more than one pice of code between the app requesting permissions and the Android core. -> My proposal: Do not use more than one of this Permission control apps in parallel.
From the privacy perspective the Permission is just a starting point, it allows you to hide your private information from the app. On the other side many apps will need access to the data to work and most of them are able to connect to the internet.
So I realized the next step would be the restriction of internet usage of apps. Here permissions are sword but we need a scalpel, to separate the necessary from the unwanted connections. This scalpel could be AFWall+ and "Netzwerk Log", this is a firewall and a sniffer.
What I can say to day the apps run on CM11 installed on my Razr I.
So it looks like I see my destination raising on the horizon and I will try to formulate it in the following order:
1.) Hide Contacts, Calls and SMS from Apps who do not need this to work -> XPrivacy
2.) Disable some Android features I think I don't need.
(e.g. Captive Portal Check - settings put global captive_portal_detection_enabled 0)
3.) Restrict the internet access of some apps to servers they need to connect. ( e.g. E-Mail client is restricted to connect to the mail server)
4.) Limit the access to my pictures, stored on SD card. [I have not found a solution so far]
If you read this I think 1 is reasonable for most of you, even if you do not have deep Android or Network know how (as I have), you just restrict the permissions - if app crashes or doesn't do the job you expect you may permit access or uninstall the app. (XPrivacy allows you also to fake data)
3 is a usual task of a network administrator, if you are used with iptables it is just work. I'll try to find out whether there is somewhere a source of "Templates". Usually the network admins share there common settings based on services, once I find out I'll post.
To restrict the access to SD Card I only see the change to extend the sandbox of Android to the SD and to hide files which does not belong to the app. As I would store my pictures on SD as I would store my Navi Data, but neither the Navi app should see my pictures nor the Cam and Gallery my Navi Data. ...
I don't know whether there is an app out there but It should be possible the same way like XPrivacy fakes the other data.
Thank you
Gonso
Hello,
Most of the time I used the numbers to just put in the extension, so if I want to call 0049 9876 54 321 I put the numbers 321 the Motorola dialer will show a list of all contacts where the number contains 321.
Some Numbers of contacts are not shown as well, seems if a contact has more numbers only one or two are shown.
The CM11 dialer doesn't show the number, is there a setting to get this feature?
I tried to get my Stock dialer back, so I copied dialer.apk from stock into the /system/sec-app/ directory of the CM11 and restarted the phone -> doesn't change the dialer ....
Any proposals? I'm terrible sorry for my stupid questions, I read several threads and still no idea about a possible solution
Gonso
PS: CM11 file manager shows a secure storage /storage/emulated/0/storage/secure - what is the algorithm used for the encryption.
gonsoXDA said:
Hello,
Most of the time I used the numbers to just put in the extension, so if I want to call 0049 9876 54 321 I put the numbers 321 the Motorola dialer will show a list of all contacts where the number contains 321.
Some Numbers of contacts are not shown as well, seems if a contact has more numbers only one or two are shown.
The CM11 dialer doesn't show the number, is there a setting to get this feature?
I tried to get my Stock dialer back, so I copied dialer.apk from stock into the /system/sec-app/ directory of the CM11 and restarted the phone -> doesn't change the dialer ....
Any proposals? I'm terrible sorry for my stupid questions, I read several threads and still no idea about a possible solution
Gonso
PS: CM11 file manager shows a secure storage /storage/emulated/0/storage/secure - what is the algorithm used for the encryption.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Stock CM dialer doesn't have that function afaik. The moto one doesn't work because it needs the Moto framework to work. Just download a dialer U trust from the playstore.
I don't have any clue about the secure storage, sorry.
The first tweak/fix is for a GPS update/change.
Starting with Android 5.0, GPS has been flaky for a lot of people. The device picks up satellites, gets a lock, but then loses the lock. Sometimes it then gets a lock again and holds it, sometimes it just drops it again.
This was not fixed with 5.0.1, 6.0, or 6.0.1. It took Google over a year to even acknowledge it was an issue.
A user suggested a fix in the official bug report thread:
https://code.google.com/p/android/issues/detail?id=81140#c695
They suggest telling the device to not attempt a Mobile Station Based update of GPS information.
This can be done by changing the "CAPABILITIES" value in /system/etc/gps.conf.
I've made a file to automate this. It can be flashed from TWRP.
Nexus_5_GPS_Update_0.1.zip changes /system/etc/gps.conf to not use "MSB" updates.
Nexus_5_GPS_Restore_0.1.zip changes /system/etc/gps.conf back to the default of using "MSB" updates.
-----
The second tweak/fix is for CDMA users. I use my Nexus 5 on FreedomPop (a Sprint MVNO), and on almost every boot I'm greeted with this lovely message:
"Unfortunately, Update Device has stopped."
Its crash message mentions this:
java.lang.IllegalArgumentException: You cannot keep your settings in the secure settings.
From what I've read, moving an app from /system/app to /system/priv-app is supposed to fix this. The two problem files (OmaClient.apk and UpdateSetting.apk) are both located in /system/app, not /system/priv-app.
I figured, "why not move them to priv-app?"
So I've made a file to automate this. It can be flashed from TWRP.
Nexus_5_Sprint_Update_0.1.zip moves the apps from /system/app to /system/priv-app
Nexus_5_Sprint_Restore_0.1.zip moves the apps back from /system/priv-app to /system/app
-----
I tested these on CyanogenMod 13 (May 10th nightly build). There is no binary in the zip, each just contains a script to update the system, so you can easily view them in plain-text. Since both of the issues experienced seem to be impossible to purposely reproduce, I cannot say for sure if these fix the issue.
That's why I wanted to see if the files work or help others.
You can boot to TWRP and flash the zip files there. If you use something like CM Downloader, you can add them as additional zips to flash after any ROM update.
Let me know!
My GPS has been really useless these days. I guess I have to root my phone to try this out..
If I want to do it manually, what do I have to change it to?
ashirviskas said:
If I want to do it manually, what do I have to change it to?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Open /system/etc/gps.conf
Change this:
CAPABILITIES=0x33
To this:
CAPABILITIES=0x31
I state that I am really new in smartphone modding, I am in Linux Arch (I could also use Windows, but I would prefer to use Linux); I have installed Heimdall, the device is not detected by my system, so if you can tell me some good guide for Android and Linux I would be grateful.
anyway: what are the ROMs you recommend me? should I also backup the system as it is? do you also advise me to change the kernel? What steps should I take before starting these procedures? It is possible to find a simple, up-to-date and active Custom ROM, which improves the use of the battery (which is a bit old but still working) and which eliminates all those factory app fastening (mostly useless (or replaces the necessary ones). with better and open-source apps)
moreover: is there a way to install Google in the smartphone without all the real connections, but only with: Play, Gmail, Search, YouTube?
Hi all.
Noob here on the forum, my very first post so i am not allowed to post this where i imagine this would belong - the 'Original Android development'. That's why it is posted here.
First of all, i wish to express my sincere gratitude to all you people that work hard on making it possible for rest of us mortals to make the best of those small devices that somehow managed to become so big parts of our lives.. I have been following the forum for a while and been using some things posted here to fiddle with several devices without actually bricking any of them as yet. And this is the first time i felt the need of actually asking for help and/or guidelines.
Anyhew - here's the thing: i still run a N910F on stock marshmallow as my main device. (Please no lectures about this). And lately i came to really, really resent mr.Google. I did make a Lineage version of the Android Pie work together with microG (without google), and that actually is rather sweet, runs smooth as silk. I run that on my backup N910F device. (Ok, so i am a Note 4 freek, sue me).
But for different reasons, actually mainly because i really appreciate the s-pen, i want to continue using stock rom on my daily driver so now i am looking for a google-free version of the stock marshmallow for the N910F (trlte) model. I tried to find it here on the forum, but i couldn't, or i couldn't understand the terminology. Haven't found in the rest of the internet either. So i would appreciate if somebody here could either:
1. point me to the direction of such a version if it's already existing, or
2. give me very specific information as to how i could de-google the stock rom by myself. Either on the device or in Windows. I haven't used adb or fastboot yet, but perhaps i could learn if i don't have to take a class in engineering first…
Or could i simply use Titanium backup and just delete (freeze first of course) all the apps that have 'google' in their name?
The third option is perhaps that some kind sould de-googles the stock rom for me and lets me download it. I would donate, of course.
I would really appreciate all the pointers you could give me.
Regards,
prkfsz
Nope, the N910F stock firmwares are definitely not de-Googled. Flash one for yourself and see. I would recommend flashing a LineageOS/AOSP-based ROM, they are generally Google-free.
If you are really insistent on running stock, then do this to completely de-Google it:
In Titanium backup, search for 'goo', this will find almost all Google apps on the ROM. Uninstall them.
Also, download the latest OpenGapps ARM 6.0 nano zip from opengapps.org. Extract the gapps-remove.txt file from the zip. Use the contents of that file as a reference, find all the files listed in it, manually delete them. The reason for this is that Titanium will miss some things.
Now you should be mostly if not entirely Google-free.
Once you have done that, you can optionally patch your ROM for signature spoofing support, and install MicroG, which is an open source Google Play Services alternative. These 2 steps are optional, your choice.
Very simple. I've done this before, things will work fine overall. But some things (apps) requiring Google components may not work correctly, if at all. MicroG can help mitigate this to an extent. You've been warned.
I'm running Resurrection Remix Nougat v5.8.5 (Android 7.1.2), SPen works fine here. Every app I've tested that can use the pen, works fine. There is really no reason to stay with stock just for pen functionality. I also like the huge amount of customization options that RR has compared to stock. And I can use Substratum (no go on stock) with all black themes, for battery savings.
Thank you! Wasn't aware of the google-remove.txt file within gapps. Will definitelly use it. Otherwise it's like i thought: use Titanium and just go loose on everything that starts with 'go'...
I know about microG and use it regularly. Happy customer…
I do like stock marshmallow on note 4 and want to run it as long as it can go. I will perhaps try the RR nougat you suggested on the backup unit. Even tho i am in no particular need of customisation.
Thanx again.
prkfsz said:
Thank you! Wasn't aware of the google-remove.txt file within gapps. Will definitelly use it. Otherwise it's like i thought: use Titanium and just go loose on everything that starts with 'go'...
I know about microG and use it regularly. Happy customer…
I do like stock marshmallow on note 4 and want to run it as long as it can go. I will perhaps try the RR nougat you suggested on the backup unit. Even tho i am in no particular need of customisation.
Thanx again.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You might find this of some interest.
https://forum.xda-developers.com/android/general/guide-degoogle-device-install-microg-t4058743
I'm afraid i got stuck here and i need a bit further assistance.. :-/
Coming from stock marshmallow on Galaxy Note 4. I uninstalled google things first using Titanium. Then manually cleaned some leftovers using file manager in TWRP (not sure i did the right way), altho it looked quite empty in the /system map. Another time erased just the Google Play-services before going to TWRPs file manager and it looked just as empty. At both occasions i lost auto-rotate. Is this normal?
After deleting all the google (and in the second try only google play services app) i tried just for the heck of it to run the Nanodroid patch file but i got an error message that it couldnt deodex services.jar file, which was pretty much expected. My skills are not sufficient for deodexing files so i tried other approaches for patching. Smalipatcher - the damn thing couldn't even see i had admin privileges in Win no matter what i did and just refused to run alltogether.
Then i tried the link that was put here by @MrJavi in the post above (thank you sir!). Did everything as the tutorial says, got no error message, everything seemed to run smooth and the apps i chose were installed. (altho TWRP did freeze a couple of times during aroma setup so i had to reset by taking out the battery). When i wanted to set up the microG settings, the microG icon and the app is nowhere to be found. The modul named NanoDroid exists and is activ in Magisk, but it's not possible to open it.
Last, but not least of course, i tryied patching with fake gapps module in Xposed, but Xposed of course does not want to play nice with mr.Samsung. Even when i try and run Xposed from Magisk...
Not sure how to proceed from here.. I'm thinking of switching my starting point to the already deodexed version of marshmallow i thought i saw around here, because it would be easier to patch.
If it's still out there available for download, which i don't take for granted anymore nowadays..
But i would like to make it work on my device anyway. So, if anyone has any ideas, they will be so welcome.
Perhaps Samsung knox is causing issues with Xposed framework/installer. The link below is for a different "Samy" but the the Knox remover is a flashablw .zip made specifically for the Note 4 .
https://www.google.com/amp/s/forum....-how-to-deodex-root-remove-knox-t3458921/amp/
https://www.google.com/amp/s/forum....al/toad-source-android-deodexer-t3848307/amp/
Always take a full Nandroid backup by checking all partition beforehand and save to your external sd card. You can then choose to flaah an Aroma Google debloater .zip .
https://forum.xda-developers.com/android/software-hacking/aroma-google-services-debloater-t3668456
Mr. JAVI said:
Perhaps Samsung knox is causing issues with Xposed framework/installer. The link below is for a different "Samy" but the the Knox remover is a flashablw .zip made specifically for the Note 4 .
https://www.google.com/amp/s/forum....-how-to-deodex-root-remove-knox-t3458921/amp/
https://www.google.com/amp/s/forum....al/toad-source-android-deodexer-t3848307/amp/
Always take a full Nandroid backup by checking all partition beforehand and save to your external sd card. You can then choose to flaah an Aroma Google debloater .zip .
https://forum.xda-developers.com/android/software-hacking/aroma-google-services-debloater-t3668456
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
wow, those were really some good links! thanks, @mr.javi. However....
tried the first link and to work with firmware but the ext4uninstaller does not want to recognize the ext4 file (wtf??), regardless from where i download the software and regardless what ext4 file and from what firmware (tested a few), and without that part working it was pretty much impossible to go on. So i ran only the deknoxing tool through twrp. No error. But still when i try and install the xposed - boom! it will not boot. Not even damn zip uninstaller for magisk will work as it should..
Tried the second link with the TOAD. Weird: some versions get recognized as malware by my antivirus and windows does not want to run other versions for safety reasons. Strange..
Tried the third and that de-googling script is rather sweet.
But my conclusion from all this is that it is not so hard to exorcise the google, but to patch the rom in the next step... If i understand correctly i have to get the rom deodexed first to be able to patch it with nanodroid?
I tried some deodexing tools on pc, but i'm not really sure if i'm doing it correctly. I take it i have to copy some folders (/apps, /framework and one more) from the phone to the computer to work with them there, but i get error message when i try to copy files through file manager in twrp. Am i supposed to do it some other way? And can you do that directly in the phone? I tried an app called 3c -all in one-toolbox that has native option of deodexing but i get error message there, something about classes i think, i don't remember and i can't see it now cause the phone is just being reflashed..
Any more thoughts and ideas? As usual, grateful for anything you can give me.
AnonVendetta said:
Once you have done that, you can optionally patch your ROM for signature spoofing support, and install MicroG, which is an open source Google Play Services alternative. These 2 steps are optional, your choice.
Very simple. I've done this before, things will work fine overall. But some things (apps) requiring Google components may not work correctly, if at all. MicroG can help mitigate this to an extent. You've been warned.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
HOW?! did you manage to patch it??
prkfsz said:
wow, those were really some good links! thanks, @mr.javi. However....
tried the first link and to work with firmware but the ext4uninstaller does not want to recognize the ext4 file (wtf??), regardless from where i download the software and regardless what ext4 file and from what firmware (tested a few), and without that part working it was pretty much impossible to go on. So i ran only the deknoxing tool through twrp. No error. But still when i try and install the xposed - boom! it will not boot. Not even damn zip uninstaller for magisk will work as it should..
Tried the second link with the TOAD. Weird: some versions get recognized as malware by my antivirus and windows does not want to run other versions for safety reasons. Strange..
Tried the third and that de-googling script is rather sweet.
But my conclusion from all this is that it is not so hard to exorcise the google, but to patch the rom in the next step... If i understand correctly i have to get the rom deodexed first to be able to patch it with nanodroid?
I tried some deodexing tools on pc, but i'm not really sure if i'm doing it correctly. I take it i have to copy some folders (/apps, /framework and one more) from the phone to the computer to work with them there, but i get error message when i try to copy files through file manager in twrp. Am i supposed to do it some other way? And can you do that directly in the phone? I tried an app called 3c -all in one-toolbox that has native option of deodexing but i get error message there, something about classes i think, i don't remember and i can't see it now cause the phone is just being reflashed..
Any more thoughts and ideas? As usual, grateful for anything you can give me.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You're very welcome @prkfsz
https://mtkcustomroms.com/deodex-stock-rom-custom-rom-without-pc-2018/
https://how-to-easily-deodex-android-stock-rom-without-pc/
Mr. JAVI said:
You're very welcome @prkfsz
https://mtkcustomroms.com/deodex-stock-rom-custom-rom-without-pc-2018/
https://************/how-to-easily-deodex-android-stock-rom-without-pc/
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanx again, @Mr. JAVI! :good:
Both links are about the same app and i've tried that one recently, so it seems like we think rather alike.
I get the exact same error message like the guy that wrote that one comment at the bottom of the second link (error saying "needs rebuild classes.dex").
And strangely enough when i open the deodexing window in the app it says that of the number of apps in the rom not all are odexed (says something like "deodexed 124/187"), which is rather perplexing because it's on the freshly installed stock (from nandroid backup directly after factory reset). So I tried to fool the app and get all the apps odexed first, but that didn't fly either..
Btw, thanks for the advice before - i always back the device upp (all partitions) before messing with it.. I forgot to do that on one device before and instantly regretted it..
-------------------------------------------
Edit: the second link in your last post was dead so i tried to correct it in my message, but xda forum doesn't like that.
Tried to post in the right link here in the message too, but that didn't work either for some reason.
but searching the phrase 'how to easily deodex Android stock rom without pc' will give you the first search result.
Oat2dex.jar
https://www.google.com/amp/s/forum....eral/tool-deodex-tool-android-l-t2972025/amp/
https://github.com/testwhat/SmaliEx/releases
---------- Post added at 01:14 PM ---------- Previous post was at 12:43 PM ----------
prkfsz said:
Thanx again, @Mr. JAVI! :good:
Both links are about the same app and i've tried that one recently, so it seems like we think rather alike.
I get the exact same error message like the guy that wrote that one comment at the bottom of the second link (error saying "needs rebuild classes.dex").
And strangely enough when i open the deodexing window in the app it says that of the number of apps in the rom not all are odexed (says something like "deodexed 124/187"), which is rather perplexing because it's on the freshly installed stock (from nandroid backup directly after factory reset). So I tried to fool the app and get all the apps odexed first, but that didn't fly either..
Btw, thanks for the advice before - i always back the device upp (all partitions) before messing with it.. I forgot to do that on one device before and instantly regretted it..
-------------------------------------------
Edit: the second link in your last post was dead so i tried to correct it in my message, but xda forum doesn't like that.
Tried to post in the right link here in the message too, but that didn't work either for some reason.
but searching the phrase 'how to easily deodex Android stock rom without pc' will give you the first search result.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well to tell you the truth, even a full Nandroid backup couldn't fix a dm-verity/drk issue on one of my Note 4's. Up until then I have always recovered from softbricking my devices. Stubborn as I am, I spent hours and hours and hours o no avail. I connected my other N4 but still kept trying to revive my old N4. It wasn't until a year and a half later, assisting another member that I came across a possible solution and it worked. Spent more time than my old N4 was worth but my record is untarnished non the less. lol I sure hope you never ever encounter either of thoughts @prkfsz .
Mr. JAVI said:
Oat2dex.jar
https://www.google.com/amp/s/forum....eral/tool-deodex-tool-android-l-t2972025/amp/
https://github.com/testwhat/SmaliEx/releases
---------- Post added at 01:14 PM ---------- Previous post was at 12:43 PM ----------
Well to tell you the truth, even a full Nandroid backup couldn't fix a dm-verity/drk issue on one of my Note 4's. Up until then I have always recovered from softbricking my devices. Stubborn as I am, I spent hours and hours and hours o no avail. I connected my other N4 but still kept trying to revive my old N4. It wasn't until a year and a half later, assisting another member that I came across a possible solution and it worked. Spent more time than my old N4 was worth but my record is untarnished non the less. lol I sure hope you never ever encounter either of thoughts @prkfsz .
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
And i thought i was stubborn for this, insisting on tweaking an age-old os and spending hours on looking for solutions.. thank you!
Not sure about what that issue you mentioned was, since i'm not really on that experience level, but i'm sure it was a mean one.. lol Good job of fixing it! I ended up a few times in similar situations (not with that high level issues apparently) and i just couldn't let go untill i resolved them or bricked them completelly... Luckily haven't bricked anything even tho i play mostly with older devices so it wouldn't be such a waste. But as you too apparently feel - unblemished record is a matter of pride..
And yes, i too recently understood that nandroid backup isn't allmighty - it can't for instance save certain safety settings, fingerprints and such. I always thought of nandroid backup like a 'clone' feature on PC. Loved that..
Aanyhew - back to business.
I hit the wall here again, the same one as with Fulmics deodexer. It's not that it isn't working, it's that i don't know how to point it to the right maps for deodexing.
As far as i understand, i have to copy those 3 folders from the phone to the PC, do the deodexing on the pc, and then move back to the phone and replace the original folders. Is this correct? I tried doing this in TWRPs file manager using micro sd card, but i gott error message that it wouldn't copy all the files for some reason. Should i use some other method of copying those folders to the PC?
Perhaps a stupid question but is there any way to let the deodexer on the pc find the folders directly on the phone?
As always - a huge thank you from the struggling noob, @Mr. JAVI. :good:
Perhaps this is the Xposed framework and installer that might be compatible with your N910f
https://forum.xda-developers.com/note-4/themes-apps/unofficial-xposed-v87-3-magisk-v18-t3897017/amp/
As far as TWRP you might be able to patch it and save internal data with Tipatch apk. The drawback is you backups will be much larger.
https://www.google.com/amp/s/forum....pp-twrp-tipatch-backup-internal-t3831217/amp/
PS: Thsnks for the compliment my friend but I'm still learning. Modifications is just a hobby of mine. We learn from each other here on XDA.
PC : skills are not my strong point . Your skills with PC far
exceed your ability. I actually bought a laptop years ago, just so I could flash TWRP Odin and root . The complete ssd laptop cost alot more than my Note 4. I port or create my own flashable .zips. Although, I've never been faced with having to deodex a custom rom, simply because there readily available from the developers on xda for the n910p. Sucks there hasn't been one developed for your n910f.
Something posted by @IBNobody
"Anything past Magisk v15.3 will not pass SafetyNet on QI5.*
Magisk v15.4+ added a check in its Magiskhide subsystem that looks a service (logd) to be loaded. That service is not running on our stock or slightly modified QI5 build. If this service check fails, Magiskhide does not get loaded. If Magiskhide is not running, it can't hide Magisk from the SafetyNet checks.
(You'll know if this is affecting you because the Magisk Manager app won't remember any settings you make in the Magisk Hide tab.)*
Our only options are:
1. Build our own fork of Magisk that skips this check.
2. Enable logd by modifying the init.rc file in boot.img. (logd is commented out. I have not tried un-commenting it.)
3. Remain on v15.3."
DQ15 is the Sprint firmware 6.0.1 and not n910f but it could be the same with yours as well.
A slightly lower version Xpoaed framework api 23
https://androidfilehost.com/?fid=529152257862685344
Mr. JAVI said:
Perhaps this is the Xposed framework and installer that might be compatible with your N910f
https://forum.xda-developers.com/note-4/themes-apps/unofficial-xposed-v87-3-magisk-v18-t3897017/amp/
As far as TWRP you might be able to patch it and save internal data with Tipatch apk. The drawback is you backups will be much larger.
https://www.google.com/amp/s/forum....pp-twrp-tipatch-backup-internal-t3831217/amp/
PS: Thsnks for the compliment my friend but I'm still learning. Modifications is just a hobby of mine. We learn from each other here on XDA.
PC : skills are not my strong point . Your skills with PC far
exceed your ability. I actually bought a laptop years ago, just so I could flash TWRP Odin and root . The complete ssd laptop cost alot more than my Note 4. I port or create my own flashable .zips. Although, I've never been faced with having to deodex a custom rom, simply because there readily available from the developers on xda for the n910p. Sucks there hasn't been one developed for your n910f.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Laptop cost way over Note 4? I see i'm not the only one..... ehh, let's say determined bloke around here haha.. Hope it was worth it.. And btw creating your own flashable zips is way above my level of skills, i can tell you that, my friend. Never did that, nor am i planning to. But since i am stubborn (or so i've heard.. lol) and i feel uttermost distaste for mrGoogle and, like you said, noone has apparently done the deodexing the stock N910F - I am simply forced to take matters into my own hands. Flashing a pie and microG is ... apparently too easy. Besides, i am already running that on one of my spare Note 4s.. And i appreciate xda, just like you say people can give each other a hand. What i dislike tho is lots of dead download links... Oh, well..
ok, back to business again.
I guess i am going to need a more detailed help now.
I tried with that version of Framework you linked to. At that page the link for Xposed installer app for Magisk is dead. Tried to play a little with the other file, the version 87.3 of Xposed and just flashed it in TWRP, but nothing happens.
As far as the Tipatch, excuse my ignorance but i have to ask here: what difference would it make for deodexing to be able to copy internal storage? I am thinking it's other folders that need to be copied, like /system.
Apart from that, i love the idea of Tipatch! Will install it anyway.
--------------------------------------------------------
I am beginning to realize that there are not many reasonable options left, since i'm not sure it is worth much more time and effort on my part. I am not going to be an engineer over this..
So there is but one more question to perhaps get solved before i run out of options and go with custom Pie anyway.
And that is - how do i copy the needed 3 folders intact to PC for deodexing software? I can't find that information anywhere together with this pc based deodexers.
Oh well. I have vague memory of ES file manager being mentioned somewhere. So i guess that will be my last attempt before i give up. Unless some new solution emerges.
Mr. JAVI said:
Something posted by @IBNobody
"Anything past Magisk v15.3 will not pass SafetyNet on QI5.*
Magisk v15.4+ added a check in its Magiskhide subsystem that looks a service (logd) to be loaded. That service is not running on our stock or slightly modified QI5 build. If this service check fails, Magiskhide does not get loaded. If Magiskhide is not running, it can't hide Magisk from the SafetyNet checks.
(You'll know if this is affecting you because the Magisk Manager app won't remember any settings you make in the Magisk Hide tab.)*
Our only options are:
1. Build our own fork of Magisk that skips this check.
2. Enable logd by modifying the init.rc file in boot.img. (logd is commented out. I have not tried un-commenting it.)
3. Remain on v15.3."
DQ15 is the Sprint firmware 6.0.1 and not n910f but it could be the same with yours as well.
A slightly lower version Xpoaed framework api 23
https://androidfilehost.com/?fid=529152257862685344
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ok, i managed to actually copy the system directory from the phone to the pc using Root explorer app. And none of the deodexers work. Fulmics says it needs smali and baksmali versions over 2.2 even tho i fed it with versions 2.4. SVADeodexerforart runs through all the files without actually doing anything. Logfile shows error 'cannot acces jar file' on all 300+ files.
So i believe this is it for me at this point. I just can't see how further struggle would be meaningsfull since it would just take even more time and i already invested way too much of it on this. But i guess being stubborn has it's price.. :silly:
I want to extend my sincere gratitude, @Mr. JAVI, for your patience, tips and guidelines. I think if it wasn't for you i would given up much quicker.. Which perhaps would've been a smart thing to do... But i wouldn't learn anything..
We will probably bump into each other more times here, since we seem to share the common affection towards a certain gadget.
all the best to you
prkfsz said:
Ok, i managed to actually copy the system directory from the phone to the pc using Root explorer app. And none of the deodexers work. Fulmics says it needs smali and baksmali versions over 2.2 even tho i fed it with versions 2.4. SVADeodexerforart runs through all the files without actually doing anything. Logfile shows error 'cannot acces jar file' on all 300+ files.
So i believe this is it for me at this point. I just can't see how further struggle would be meaningsfull since it would just take even more time and i already invested way too much of it on this. But i guess being stubborn has it's price.. :silly:
I want to extend my sincere gratitude, @Mr. JAVI, for your patience, tips and guidelines. I think if it wasn't for you i would given up much quicker.. Which perhaps would've been a smart thing to do... But i wouldn't learn anything..
We will probably bump into each other more times here, since we seem to share the common affection towards a certain gadget.
all the best to you
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I am just one of the "common folk". One of my hobbies is modifying my rooted Note 4. I have learned from my failures as well. The creating custom zips is not as hard as you think, in fact it was a failed camera .zip fash that ended in FC's. I came up with an idea to take the previous working camera .zip. left the meta-imf and replaced tge rest with an N7 camera from another rom and fkashed it. It's much easier explained with screen shots.
One of my favourite apps is ZArchiver apk. Downliad it and you'll see why. Ext4, tar, zip, roms, jar, apks and more. Freaking Awesome!!!
https://play.google.com/store/apps/...pk&pcampaignid=APPU_1_YUIBX4STE-aD9PwPh7ylmAg
Its like gold and did I mention free? lol
Welcome to XDA @prkfsz
Mr. JAVI said:
I am just one of the "common folk". One of my hobbies is modifying my rooted Note 4. I have learned from my failures as well. The creating custom zips is not as hard as you think, in fact it was a failed camera .zip fash that ended in FC's. I came up with an idea to take the previous working camera .zip. left the meta-imf and replaced tge rest with an N7 camera from another rom and fkashed it. It's much easier explained with screen shots.
One of my favourite apps is ZArchiver apk. Downliad it and you'll see why. Ext4, tar, zip, roms, jar, apks and more. Freaking Awesome!!!
https://play.google.com/store/apps/...pk&pcampaignid=APPU_1_YUIBX4STE-aD9PwPh7ylmAg
Its like gold and did I mention free? lol
Welcome to XDA @prkfsz
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Why thank you good sir, @Mr. JAVI! :good:
Every noob should get this friendly a welcome..
See? All that meta-inf, FC-talk is a bit over my lever right now. But i will check out your tool. Might come in handy for some future project. And free it is you say? Sold! haha
As for this project i had, i had to abandon it for now. I realized it wasn't the degoogling that was the problem, but the patching afterwards, and the deodexing that turned out to be downright impossible to get done. And it just gotten too time-consuming in relation to how much time i actually have and how much win i would get out of it. So i took the easy way for now and i went with the custom Pie. I do want the audio from the headphones..
@prkfsz: I used Tingle patch to integrate signature spoofing. You have a few options:
Tingle patch (requires deodexed framework.jar)
Needle patch (requires deodexed framework.jar)
Nanodroid patcher (requires deodexed services.jar)
Haystack patch (requires deodexed services.jar)
Smali patcher (services.jar can be odexed or deodexed, it will deodex and patch the file for you)
FakeGApps (requires Xposed)
Options 1/2/4/5 require a PC. Options 3/6 can be done on device without PC.
Hope this helps!
I don't really have a lot of time to go into detail, but if either of you are looking for a comprehensive way to properly deodex a ROM, check out SuperR's Kitchen. There a free and paid/donate versions. The free version can do what you want just fine.
I had recently used this to deodex the latest stock MM UK firmware for the N910F. In addition to deodexing, the Kitchen can also customize your ROM, and even build a zip that you can flash in TWRP. It flashed and booted fine for me. Once you have done this, you can debloat the ROM (or let the Kitchen do it for you). It won't remove all Google stuff by default, but you can configure it to delete pretty much any file/directory in the system partition. My advice is to use the Kitchen's debloater/Knox removal features, then use gapps-remove.txt and a root file manager to delete the rest. Once you have debloated/deodexed, you can then easily signature spoof patch with any of the tools I mentioned in my previous post.
I have also discovered that you can also run the Tingle patch without a PC, by using QPython3 app. Just supply the deodexed framework.jar and build.prop, it will do the rest. Grab the Tingle master zip from GitHub, unpack it into QPython3's scripts directory on the internal storage, then provide the 2 files into input folder, and run main.py from within the app. You will find the patched jar file in output folder, replace your ROM's framework.jar with the patched one. Use Signature Spoofing Checker to confirm that it worked. I don't think root is required, but it's better to have it anyway, just enable root in QPython3 settings.
Some last notes: don't use Titanium to debloat Google apps, it may also remove some needed shared library files that Android uses. Namely, a library file called libgnustl_shared.so, which will cause autorotation to not work. Use Titanium to determine the locations of Google apps, then delete them manually. This will keep the shared library files while still deleting the apps. On top of this, use gapps-remove.txt.
But while you are debloating, there may be 2 Google apps present that you should not remove, period:
/system/app/WebViewGoogle
/system/priv-app/GooglePackageInstaller
The first is needed by Android and apps to provide webview functionality (this might not sound important, but it is). The 2nd is needed to install apps, remove it and you won't be able to install any app from anywhere (Play Store, manual APK install, etc).
On the subject of Xposed, do *NOT* install the Xposed installer from the Magisk Manager downloads. It isn't designed to work on stock Samsung MM firmware, you won't be able to boot. Use the custom Xposed by wanam (available on XDA). Or you can google for "Xposed kevintm78", this will come up with an AndroidFileHost link that you can install from Magisk. The latter is just a systemless Magisk version of Wanam's Xposed.