Database Develop

Recent File Manager update (hating Alcatel right now)

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.

Question Cant disable system applications.

Trying to see if there is a way to disable a system app in coloros 11 on my find X3
Want to disable chrome as it's bugging another app out but the disable option is greyed out.
Also tried the disabled apps menu in dev settings but doesn't seem to do anything.
Any other options I can attempt here?

ExpressEX said:
Trying to see if there is a way to disable a system app in coloros 11 on my find X3
Want to disable chrome as it's bugging another app out but the disable option is greyed out.
Also tried the disabled apps menu in dev settings but doesn't seem to do anything.
Any other options I can attempt here?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Try this if going through settings doesn't work
How to disable any pre-installed system app bloatware on Android without root
If you hate the bloatware or pre-installed apps on your Android smartphone, here's how to disable them even if Android doesn't normally let you.
www-xda--developers-com.cdn.ampproject.org

Good evening here in France it's almost 6pm. I use program to remove all the apps I didn't want on my such PRO FX3.
Cant disable system applications.
Trying to see if there is a way to disable a system app in coloros 11 on my find X3 Want to disable chrome as it's bugging another app out but the disable option is greyed out. Also tried the disabled apps menu in dev settings but doesn't seem...
forum.xda-developers.com
That you can find directly here
Download ADB AppControl
Bye-bye Google apps that I don't use and even be digital well

Go to Security, System Administrators.
Disable Find my device or whatever is locking you out

uzumakinaruto69 said:
Good evening here in France it's almost 6pm. I use program to remove all the apps I didn't want on my such PRO FX3.
Cant disable system applications.
Trying to see if there is a way to disable a system app in coloros 11 on my find X3 Want to disable chrome as it's bugging another app out but the disable option is greyed out. Also tried the disabled apps menu in dev settings but doesn't seem...
forum.xda-developers.com
That you can find directly here
Download ADB AppControl
Bye-bye Google apps that I don't use and even be digital well
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hello @uzumakinaruto69
just a small suggestion. You might receive more replies if you switch your system language to English prior to taking screenshots. However, and don't get me wrong it's not against the forum rules to provide non-English screenshots; I just want you to get the best support you deserve.
Stay safe and stay healthy!
Regards
Oswald Boelcke

Sorry I'm trying to think about it next time

uzumakinaruto69 said:
Sorry I'm trying to think about it next time
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You don't need to change the language as screenshots are self explanatory

Hello Frieds
can use phone dialer and messages Oppo? My find have installed google app, can change?

Hi tries to change the default app
Your browser is not able to display this video.

Question Fully disable assistant?

I just got my Pixel 5a yesterday and immediately am annoyed by the Google stuff. I installed the Nova launcher but still get thrown back to the Pixel launcher or tossed into various assistant screens all over the place. Is there any way to truly turn this stuff off via normal settings? I don't really want to root or get custom firmware, but I despise these forced integrations between everything.
I don't want anything launching of its own volition or because I accidentally touch or look at the phone. I just want the apps to launch when I click them, the 3-button navigation to let me switch between tasks, and a simple homescreen to hold widgets and shortcuts I choose. The first reason I don't want the Pixel launcher is because it doesn't' let me remove the stupid search bar, but I also don't want any of the other hidden and implicit triggers that tie into the assistant.
I also find it annoying that the home button opens some search if I touch it while already on the home screen. Is this coming from the assistant too? I didn't yet find any settings in Nova to adjust the buttons.

I'm with you here. Installed Nova for the exact same reason as you. I do this next thing on all my Android phones: GO to settings > Apps & notifications > see all apps > Google = DISABLE... o some phones it can be uninstalled!
Personally I also disable "Google Play Services for AR" but that is personal choice. I also disable a number of other apps that I know I do not want/use.
I suppose I could use ADB to try and uninstall them, but once they're disabled that is usually good enough. The first one though, Google being disabled, "should" remedy all your issues. I too use the three button navigation and hate ALL assistants!

There's a program on here called 'adpappcontrol' that's great for removing anything you want via ADB.
It's basically just a gui for the command line program. It's worked great for me on at least three phones.
[TOOL] ADB AppControl 1.8.0 🚀 Ultimate App Manager & Debloat Tool + Tweaks
ADB AppControl 🚀 Root is not required. Works with any Android device. Can do almost everything you dreamed about with applications. ADB AppControl - the desktop program, that will allow you to easily manage applications on your android device...
forum.xda-developers.com
Highly recommend. Make sure you tip the dev, since he does it in his spare time.

jaseman said:
I'm with you here. Installed Nova for the exact same reason as you. I do this next thing on all my Android phones: GO to settings > Apps & notifications > see all apps > Google = DISABLE... o some phones it can be uninstalled!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I could have sworn I already did that, but just checked and it is enabled. Has yours stayed off? Would the automatic Google Play app updates cause this to be reenabled?

I also now found the Nova setting Gestures -> Home Button that was causing this other search to appear if I press the home button when already on the home screen. Setting it to None with the checkbox still set for Only on main home page seems to give me what I want there...

lightuser said:
I could have sworn I already did that, but just checked and it is enabled. Has yours stayed off? Would the automatic Google Play app updates cause this to be reenabled?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Mine has stayed disabled. I can't speak to whether auto updates may have reenabled it. I always turn auto updates off. I like to see what is being updated on my phone.

jaseman said:
Mine has stayed disabled. I can't speak to whether auto updates may have reenabled it. I always turn auto updates off. I like to see what is being updated on my phone.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
they wont turn it back on but i have found in the past that sometimes with a os update they will re-enable.

IMPORTANT: Real reason custom AA apps are not working any more!

I have been reading the various threads and GitHub issues for popular custom AA apps and it seems nobody has really explained the real reason the apps are not working any more: any apps developed using an unofficial AA app SDK (aauto-sdk) OR using the internal AA APIs will no longer run (crash on start - the screen just blinks and goes back to AA launcher) because of this Exception:
java.lang.SecurityException: Wrong signature - go/gearhead-retail-device
There are temporary workarounds such as downgrading the Android Auto APK and preventing server-side config from downloading to device but currently, for normal non-rooted users which have auto-update on these apps won't work. Renaming their package names won't help either as they will still trigger the Exception when trying to show their UI on AA screen.
For AA developers: Google wants to limit the functionality of AA apps for various reasons, including safety while driving. The only official way to develop AA apps is to use the Android for Cars App Library. This library does of course not allow for low-level API access which custom AA apps relied on - no longer can you just manipulate your own Activity and draw normal Android UI. It also limits the amount of text/interaction permitted. This means any custom apps will have to workaround using the very limited APIs available in this library - a full redesign will be needed.

Perhaps load older version and either use a adb edit or a package disabler to kill updates on stock devices.
OTA updates is the first thing I lock down on a stock Android... once bitten, twice shy.

Any directions what someone which is rooted should do so, never need to update android auto? I have a dedicated phone for android auto in car. I use it only for this. But every now and then, android auto doesn't work and force you to update to last version. (in which last version custom apps doesn't work).
Some suggest use firewall for Google play services and android auto, to cut internet from those. I tried it but I'm not sure it's working..

sosimple said:
Any directions what someone which is rooted should do so, never need to update android auto? I have a dedicated phone for android auto in car. I use it only for this. But every now and then, android auto doesn't work and force you to update to last version. (in which last version custom apps doesn't work).
Some suggest use firewall for Google play services and android auto, to cut internet from those. I tried it but I'm not sure it's working..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You have to ID what are the offending update app/UID(s).
Google play Services can be temporarily disabled but it has dependencies like Gmail and certain 3rd party apps. The update app(s) may also be dependencies of this service.
Not a practical solution.
Each case is unique. Sometimes it's a force update to an app like in my Samsung's case, Wearables. The update screwed my Buds+ sound proper. Wearables checks for updates everytime it's used.
Solution: uninstalled new version, install older previous backup copy and use Karma Firewall* to ID the app's and/or UID when it connected to the internet.
Repeat above process as when it connected it again updated Except the second time around I firewall blocked Wearables (there are actually 2 that needed to be blocked) internet access.
Took close to an hour to troubleshoot, quit irritating.
Updates, destroyer of worlds
Yes, well... play with it
*Karma's valuable logging feature is blocked on Android 10 and higher. You can still ferret out the offending app/UIDs but it's harder

Actually app are working correctly on android 9\10\11 installed using aaad, kingInstaller or aaease. Unfortunately this error is showed on android 12 devices and can't find a workaround for now

fcaronte said:
Actually app are working correctly on android 9\10\11 installed using aaad, kingInstaller or aaease. Unfortunately this error is showed on android 12 devices and can't find a workaround for now
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
is Android Auto not working on Android 12 ?

Ze2ro said:
is Android Auto not working on Android 12 ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
As now on android 12 will work only with version 6.9xxxx44 but Google is start showing a notification to update, you can avoid it for now but I don't know how lot will work this trick. The other solutions is working with new version but is really annoying and practically you need to clear data of android apps every time you want to connect to the car and use custom app

Question [CLOSED]Hidden google apps

I recently found some hidden google apps on my Zenfone 8 that I had not heard about before...
Settings > Apps & notifications > See all apps > click 3 dots upper right corner of screen "Show system".....
I uninstalled these that I don't have a use for:
Companion Device Manager
Basic Daydreams
Google Assistant
Syndor Flipfont
And I force stopped many other apps (that could not be uninstalled) that I didn't see a use for.
There were other apps that I disabled wi-fi and mobile connections to.
I also use Netguard to control which apps have internet and mobile access. However Netguard shows vastly more system apps that I have no idea what they do - I leave these alone. It the moment I'm only trying to reduce the amount of surveillance built into a normal android phone.
I haven't heard of a published an up-to-date rundown of system apps that have no business sending data out of the phone? I know you can just disable all data out connections using Netguard and then spend the rest of your life figuring out which ones to enable to get a useable phone. Perhaps such a list is impractical as it may have to be tailored to each phone and OS? But there might be system apps common to recent android systems that could have the wi-fi and mobile data disabled?
Anything would help if I didn't have to fiddle around so much. The alternative is a degoogled phone. Many google play apps can work on these but there are several important ones I use that don't work and so far I have found no viable open source apps to replace them.

Tom100% said:
I recently found some hidden google apps on my Zenfone 8 that I had not heard about before...
Settings > Apps & notifications > See all apps > click 3 dots upper right corner of screen "Show system".....
I uninstalled these that I don't have a use for:
Companion Device Manager
Basic Daydreams
Google Assistant
Syndor Flipfont
And I force stopped many other apps (that could not be uninstalled) that I didn't see a use for.
There were other apps that I disabled wi-fi and mobile connections to.
I also use Netguard to control which apps have internet and mobile access. However Netguard shows vastly more system apps that I have no idea what they do - I leave these alone. It the moment I'm only trying to reduce the amount of surveillance built into a normal android phone.
I haven't heard of a published an up-to-date rundown of system apps that have no business sending data out of the phone? I know you can just disable all data out connections using Netguard and then spend the rest of your life figuring out which ones to enable to get a useable phone. Perhaps such a list is impractical as it may have to be tailored to each phone and OS? But there might be system apps common to recent android systems that could have the wi-fi and mobile data disabled?
Anything would help if I didn't have to fiddle around so much. The alternative is a degoogled phone. Many google play apps can work on these but there are several important ones I use that don't work and so far I have found no viable open source apps to replace them.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Maybe the apps that are not available are accessible as a web app? I personally never encountered an app that does not work on Lineage and OmniRom (currently on onmirom). Maybe thats because of MicroG. A bonus to roms is better battery life, I think thank to MicroG

Adaoh said:
Maybe the apps that are not available are accessible as a web app? I personally never encountered an app that does not work on Lineage and OmniRom (currently on onmirom). Maybe thats because of MicroG. A bonus to roms is better battery life, I think thank to MicroG
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Can you use Waze and google translate? I've tried the open source alternative to Waze but in the country I'm living in it's too clunky to use. I haven't found an open source alternative to translate (that can scan documents and items in the supermarket, translate them and do all the other things. I might buy a degoogled phone in the future as I don't want to get into the technicalities.

Mod Edit
Thread closed per [OP] request.
jackeagle
Forum Moderator