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So in perusing my apps in the Play Store the other day, I noticed an app called SystemUpdates by chondong. I've never installed this app and there is no option to uninstall it.
It was created and forced into my phone on June 15.
I don't buy for one second that this is a system update app as the phone had the ability to search for and receive OTA updates prior to this being installed. The only description in English says "Update update the internal system of the application" (yes, it says update twice).
This is a Chinese phone and I'm very skeptical of what this app is.
Permissions are intrusive as well; see screenshots.
Any thoughts on this? Reading the feedback on the app, I'm not the only one concerned about this and it appears it doesn't only apply to ZTE, but other Chinese phones as well.
Let's keep this thread alive until someone can answer...
I just noticed the same app on my Axon A1R. One difference though - mine says it is produced by ZZte.
I have no idea when the app was installed (for sure less than 3 weeks ago - I know I went though all my apps because I was having WiFi issues and wanted to make sure it wasn't caused by a random app I'd downloaded). There is no way to uninstall it. I managed to disable it - but that just made the 'System updates' section disappear in the Settings>About Phone menu.
I'm starting to think that installing a mod OS published by some random person might be safer than using the Google approved, ZTE modified and FIDO distributed OS.
TX-Brad said:
So in perusing my apps in the Play Store the other day, I noticed an app called SystemUpdates by chondong. I've never installed this app and there is no option to uninstall it.
It was created and forced into my phone on June 15.
I don't buy for one second that this is a system update app as the phone had the ability to search for and receive OTA updates prior to this being installed. The only description in English says "Update update the internal system of the application" (yes, it says update twice).
This is a Chinese phone and I'm very skeptical of what this app is.
Permissions are intrusive as well; see screenshots.
Any thoughts on this? Reading the feedback on the app, I'm not the only one concerned about this and it appears it doesn't only apply to ZTE, but other Chinese phones as well.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It looks to me that you need to do a factory reset, and discontinue installing non-play store apps.
If you did indeed get it from the Play Store, then report it to Google, so it won't be there anymore.
But I find it really hard to believe it came from the Play Store, as Google does a lot of testing of new apps.
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.
I rooted my phone when i had it, so now, im unable to connect to my samsung account. Anyone can help me ?
J_O said:
I rooted my phone when i had it, so now, im unable to connect to my samsung account. Anyone can help me ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
perhaps you're having the same problem as i do, mine is outdated kernel. after updated the kernel, i'm all good. i'm using TGP rom with tgp permissive kernel.
Samsung not allowing logging into Samsung account on rooted phones
The exact same thing is happening to me after the last firmware update. On the old firmware, it was possible to log into one's SAMSUNG account to re-download previously purchased items from the Galaxy Store. Since the July 1st, 2019 security patch, SPAMDUNG have elevated their harassment of rooted customers to a new level:
Every time one tries to enter the user credentials (e-mail address and password for the Samsung account), the phone goes to the Legal Information page with the terms and conditions. After accepting them, a field at the bottom pops up, asking whether one would like to use biometrics for identification. No matter whether one chooses «not now» or «register», a black square appears between the two possible answers to the biometrics question, informing the user that «processing failed». Sometimes, the following error message is shown in the white field at the bottom of the screen ...
Account
Unknown error
(DataNull0/A300103)... before being taken back to the account settings with the field for the Samsung account's e-mail address and password. From there, one could play the scenario over and over again ad infinitum, but without any hope of ever getting out of this «login loop».
To make matters worse, as soon as one enters one's e-mail address in an attempt to log in, the Samsung Experience Service sends the following notification in 15 min. to 1 hour intervals, and they cannot be turned off in the configuration settings:
Samsung account
To continue using services securely, sign in again.When trying to «Continue with Google»:
To continue, sign in to your Samsung account again.The suggestions that one can find on the Internet to at least get rid of the nerve-killing notification messages are:
Settings | Developer Options | Running Services
Samsung Experience | Notification Listener | Settings | Notification Access
Samsung Experience => turn this off!!
Settings | Apps | ⁞ (upper right corner) | Show System Apps | Samsung Account => turn off Notific., uninstall updates
Navigate to http://findMyMobile.Samsung.com. Login, accept the terms & conditions, reboot the phone, voilà.
None of them work.
To disable SPAMDUNG Galaxy Apps notifications:
Open the Samsung folder and the Galaxy Apps therein.
Tap the ⁞ menu (three vertical dots to access more options) in the upper right corner.
Tap «Settings», then «Notifications» and slide the button to «off».
Samsung's notifications should now no longer bother you, but that does not solve the underlying problem.
This leads to the questions:
How to overcome the impertinence that SPAMDUNG harass their customers with and log into one's SPAMDUNG account on a rooted phone?
Alternatively, how to back up the purchased fonts, themes, etc., that were acquired from the Galaxy Store from an unrooted phone to an external SD card or Windows PC, in order to re-install them to the rooted phone later?
Thank you for any pointers to solutions that allow to update rooted phones every month, in a manner that preserves the software one has paid for as well as the configuration settings, apps, their data and so on.
Qui Peccavit said:
The exact same thing is happening to me after the last firmware update.
Thank you for any pointers to solutions that allow to update rooted phones every month, in a manner that preserves the software one has paid for as well as the configuration settings, apps, their data and so on.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you for your post. I've been evaluating if I want a Samsung Account. I am not rooted, but I am using the US UNLOCKED U1 firmware. I have it locked on Oreo so my line-of-business software can work, and blocked the play store security policy malware and auto-updates from there so I can use my phone productive. There are few carrots for me to want a Samsung account:
1. Samsung Pay
2. A few nice apps.
However, if sign up for a Samsung account, will I be required to update to their latest crippling firmware/malware, and the latest play store security policy malware? I can't afford to be forced into cow Pie and the latest play store security policy malware.
Thanks!
IT_Architect said:
Thank you for your post. I've been evaluating if I want a Samsung Account. I am not rooted, but I am using the US UNLOCKED U1 firmware. I have it locked on Oreo so my line-of-business software can work, and blocked the play store security policy malware and auto-updates from there so I can use my phone productive. There are few carrots for me to want a Samsung account:
1. Samsung Pay
2. A few nice apps.
However, if sign up for a Samsung account, will I be required to update to their latest crippling firmware/malware, and the latest play store security policy malware? I can't afford to be forced into cow Pie and the latest play store security policy malware.
Thanks!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I salute you for being still on Oreo as me yes, you can download updates and everything from play store and also from Galaxy store without needing any firmware update or going to Pie Oreo forever!
Da-BOSS said:
I salute you for being still on Oreo as me yes, you can download updates and everything from play store and also from Galaxy store without needing any firmware update or going to Pie Oreo forever!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
1. Do you use Samsung Pay?
2. I do manual updates of specific apps from the play store because call recording apps that uses the call logs to document call recordings using the phone number and contact name no longer work thus destroying its functionality. They not only destroy their ability going forward, they also destroy the history. This was caused by the play store updates, which they force on developers. Thus, you must download previous versions from apkpure.com etc., or have a backup copy, which is what I have. The other side I need to protect myself from is their "Security Policy Updates"/play store malware, that freezes app my older call recording apps. Thus, play store automatic updates and their "Security Policy Upates" make the play store less honorable that those who write ransomware because at least with them you can pay to get your data back while you cannot do with the play store.
3. You can record calls on Pie, but with any version of Pie, the call recording quality is terrible while the same phone flashed to Oreo is crystal clear.
4. Android 10/Q/Quicksand or whatever update stops call recording altogether so now the only ones with recordings of your phone calls, call logs, texts, and contact lists, are your phone manufacturer, wireless carrier, Google, the NSA, and anyone who will pay a nickle to have access to them, as long as they aren't the same people who participated in the conversations. Another "feature" of the Android 10/Q/Quicksand update is it kills Android Beam for exchanging data. However, in exchange for killing these capabilities they give you "long-awaited system-wide dark mode", which you could make happen on even Note 3s and 4s until they took it away, to where you needed 3rd party app, and now you don't need a 3rd party app because they are giving it back as a new feature.
5. A Note 9 frozen to Oreo with blocked "Security Policy Updates" is worth far more than a Note 10+ and beyond will ever be. You want to do frequent backups with matching pre-2019 APK and Windows versions of backup software such as SmartSwitch, and another backup software in case you want to switch to another brand phone later. That way if they slip in some of their ransomware 2.0 or other malware, you can re-flash and restore your phone to full functionality.
The way someone can determine if they have a diseased version of Oreo is to download the call recording app, "Automatic Call Recorder" by Appliqato from APKPure that is version v5.43.11 or older. If Oreo allows you to install it, make a call to and from your phone from a contact in your contacts list. If the app doesn't freeze, go into the call recorder and check your recordings. If you do not see the name of the person you called or who called you, then you have the disease and need to re-flash Oreo. See Restore Call Recording to your Note 9 SM-N960U and SM-N960U1 to stay safe from malware authored authored by the carrier and play store. Simply because they are incorporated or are a government-run clandestine operation doesn't make them honorable. The same can be said for Mafia's businesses and the government of Democratic People's Republic of Korea, which is neither democratic nor belongs to the people. In the US, the Edward Snowden revelations, FISA court violations, and deep-state investigations, leaks, social media "oppsies" prove that you need to do your own due-diligence because with regard to security because you are the product being bought and sold like a pack of cigarettes to fund Google, Android, IOS, apps, agendas, etc.
From what I know once you have rooted your Samsung device. You will not be able to connect to any Samsung services via that device.
jalanbesi said:
perhaps you're having the same problem as i do, mine is outdated kernel. after updated the kernel, i'm all good. i'm using TGP rom with tgp permissive kernel.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So you're saying that it is possible to use and login to samsung account on a rooted device ??? My backups are there and I can't restore my phone because of that. Is there a way to do it. ???
Just try deleting all the cache and data on all the Samsung apps I used *link2sd* then rebooted worked for me ?*
A little backstory: As most of you probably know, you are/were able to run up to 4 instances of most apps on your phone. One download from Play Store, one from Galaxy Store, then repeat inside Secure Folder. Obviously with apps like Facebook, you could also use the Dual Messenger feature to run yet another instance.
I'm assuming the October update broke that feature, as I was prompted to update Pokemon Go today (I manage four accounts on one device) and it wouldn't let me update because it's already installed. At the time the issue store, I could access 3 instances that were already up-to-date (both Play Stores and one Galaxy Store). Thinking it was just a glitch, I uninstalled the working Galaxy Store version and tried to reinstall. Would not install, citing that it's already installed. So I uninstalled one Play Store download. Same thing.
In conclusion, I went from four working versions to three, and finally two (one from each store).
So my question is: has anyone else come across this issue AND does anyone have a workaround/solution?
My first thought would be to just downloads the updated APKs via a mirror, but I don't know the phone decides whether to overwrite or install a second instance (that is, how does it install the second instance and is there a way to force it to do that instead of overwriting?) I've also considered downgrading, but I'm on a Snapdragon phone and I /do/ want to stay as updated as I can.
I know it seems like such a minor thing, but it's pretty important to me to be able to manage my accounts on the fly without extra devices or constant logging in/out.
Two shots. One is me checking for updates manually. The second is only seen in my notifications. If I swipe away it disappears for 24 Hours.
I'm on June and rooted. I'm confident in reflashing if something were to go wrong, so with that said, anyone find any use to test with this?
it is a play services update (not a system update), most likely specifically for "Google Play system", July 1st update.
uicnren said:
it is a play services update (not a system update), most likely specifically for "Google Play system", July 1st update.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Looks like it was a Google Play update. Weird that it jumped from May to July and that OTAs don't do that for me.
ibphantom said:
Looks like it was a Google Play update. Weird that it jumped from May to July and that OTAs don't do that for me.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
google play system updates are not related to OTAs. it's a totally different story now, gplay system updates will be installed in the background, especially different other things, like fixes/driver updates, which gonna be updated "frequently". look up for mainline updates etc.