I notice in All Apps, there are two Files apps. One is just Files. The other is Files by Google. The Files app doesn't show "Open", "Disable" or "Force stop" options. It's using some internal storage and is version r_aml_301500700. I don't see any way to clear the cache. I'm wondering if anyone else has this or did it carry over from my Nexus 5 when I set the Pixel 5A up. I don't see a way to remove it.
This is apparently normal. I called Google support and the rep checked their phone... she also has the File app along with the Files by Google app.
I dont have files app. I only have Files by Google.
Pixel 3xl stock rooted.
The Google rep had a Pixel 4a. I don't see this in the app drawer, just in the listing of All Apps (where you can see the system apps).
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I have a few apps that I bought that I no long wanted. I'm tired of seeing them in "My Downloads". I will never use them again and would like to get rid of them. Is there anyway I can do this?
This only works on items that you have NOT purchased. You cannot stop the apps that have been purchased from automatically populating under "downloads". That is connected to your google account. Google doesn't want, nor anyone that purchases apps, to lose something that is paid for.
If they are NOT purchased apps you can:
if you have root and a file browser go to /data/data and delete the item com.android.vending.apk
You will have to reboot the phone and the market will act as if you just wiped the phone. It will, however, automatically populate most of the downloaded apps you have installed already.
The only sure fire way to get the market to not notice what you've installed is installing them through a file browser after performing a complete system wipe. The market will not see what you've installed via the browser.
Purchased apps will always populate under downloads... unless you change the google account connected to your phone.
That's what I was afraid of. Thanks!
Interesting thing about the donut market...
On first run, it will actually scan your system and add any installed apps to its database. This means that you must run market the first time BEFORE installing any apps outside of market.
Ssantos6981 said:
This only works on items that you have NOT purchased. You cannot stop the apps that have been purchased from automatically populating under "downloads". That is connected to your google account. Google doesn't want, nor anyone that purchases apps, to lose something that is paid for.
If they are NOT purchased apps you can:
if you have root and a file browser go to /data/data and delete the item com.android.vending.apk
You will have to reboot the phone and the market will act as if you just wiped the phone. It will, however, automatically populate most of the downloaded apps you have installed already.
The only sure fire way to get the market to not notice what you've installed is installing them through a file browser after performing a complete system wipe. The market will not see what you've installed via the browser.
Purchased apps will always populate under downloads... unless you change the google account connected to your phone.
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Hi All,
I haven't had much luck with the questions I've asked, it's a shame these forums aren't more active but I'll try my luck again (and thanks in advance to all those who read).
A lot of us newbies who want to debloat our phones are unsure what apks to delete and what needs to stay. I've found various lists of apks that others have deleted, but with no indication of what they are exactly are. Some are obvious but others are not.
I, for instance, can't figure out which apk produces Video Unlimited, Smart Connect or Xperia Care Support from looking in system/app with the root browser. Is this even the only place I'd need to delete each apk from to remove it? But I digress.
So there surely must be a way to read each package and view or extract the user-friendly name that appears to the user in the Apps list or in the home screen. Can anyone tell me what it is? I would be very happy to go through each apk and list it out for people to then use as a reference, and we'd have one more resource for newbies to draw on, instead of us just deleting them blindly and/or at random.
Cheers as always,
schnidex
Use ES File Explorer and check the "App" menu. You will be able to see the apps by its user-friendly name, and clicking on each one you will see its package name.
- Install ES File Explorer from the Play Store (it's free)
- Press the hamburger menu (located up-left -> Library -> App)
- You will see user apps, then you can click on the menu and check system apps or all apps installed.
If you are rooted, you may uninstall system apps from there (long press, uninstall located down-left).
BarajaVLC said:
Use ES File Explorer and check the "App" menu. You will be able to see the apps by its user-friendly name, and clicking on each one you will see its package name.
- Install ES File Explorer from the Play Store (it's free)
- Press the hamburger menu (located up-left -> Library -> App)
- You will see user apps, then you can click on the menu and check system apps or all apps installed.
If you are rooted, you may uninstall system apps from there (long press, uninstall located down-left).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
¡MUCHISIMAS GRACIAS, MI AMIGO!
:good:
The problem is not in knowing which APK belongs to which app (and sometimes one APK is several apps at once - like Google+, and you need to know it, and sometimes you don't see an app at all for the APK, like for most system APKs). The problem is knowing what the app actually does, which parts of the system rely on it being present, and how well will these parts behave if the app is removed (vs disabled, which is a normal way to deal with unwanted apps). And this is where "debloating" can do more harm than good.
Jack_R1 said:
The problem is not in knowing which APK belongs to which app (and sometimes one APK is several apps at once - like Google+, and you need to know it, and sometimes you don't see an app at all for the APK, like for most system APKs). The problem is knowing what the app actually does, which parts of the system rely on it being present, and how well will these parts behave if the app is removed (vs disabled, which is a normal way to deal with unwanted apps). And this is where "debloating" can do more harm than good.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
True in many ways, but my primary concern was removing the apps that appear in the app drawer. This seems to handle that perfectly.
Hi guys,
I am wondering if someone is experiencing similar issue with Google Photos on Pixel 4 XL.
I have been using a 3rd party Wallpaper app called Wallcraft for years now. I had used it on my OG Pixel and Pixel 2 as well, never had any problems with it.
Since I bought my P4XL, not all wallpapers that I download through the Wallcraft application shows up in Google Photos.
The app creates a folder called WallpapersCraft in system memory inside the Pictures folder, if I navigate there in File manager all the downloaded wallpapers are there, but only a few shows in Google Photos.
Any idea why is it happening?
I have already tried:
- Clearing the cache and data of Wallcraft app
- Clearing the cache and data of Google Photos app
- Deleted the WallpapersCraft folder in File manager and let the app re-create it.
- Uninstalled and reinstalled Wallcraft app.
Nothing has worked so far. Any suggestions?
I guess you have to turn on "backup and sync". It should upload all missing pictures and you should see them in google photos. At least i think that this is how google photos operates.
Ati75 said:
I guess you have to turn on "backup and sync". It should upload all missing pictures and you should see them in google photos. At least i think that this is how google photos operates.
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Click to collapse
I don't think so. I have never had to do that on my previous phones. In fact I still have my Pixel 2 and it works as intended without sync.
Also, I don't want to sync the Wallpapers folder because then it will put them in the same folder where my camera photos are. I want them in a separate folder.
It is just really weird how it shows some of the wallpapers, but not all. I can't figure out how the Google Photos app decide which ones to show....
It is something to do with Google Photos, I just downloaded a random Gallery application from the Store and it shows all wallpapers.
Hello friends.
I'm posting this today seeking the help of someone who is smarter than me. I know it's not very likely for anyone to have my particular phone model and android version combination, but here goes nothing:
First of all, I'm talking about the "Files" application that is a basic file manager that comes with pixel phones.
Anyway, ever since I got my pixel 4xl phone over a year ago, I noticed the Files app is never "current". By that, I mean it keeps showing files that were already deleted, either with another file manager or by accessing the phone storage with a computer.
The deleted files keep being showed in "Files" for several hours and sometimes even days after they are actually gone from my storage. "Refreshing" the app (by pulling down) does nothing, and trying to open the files gets me a toast notification saying "Can't open file", while trying to delete it gets me a silent notification that sais "Couldn't delete item".
Surprisingly, deleting the apps cache and storage does nothing either.
After a while, seemingly without rhyme or reason, "Files" seems to "catch up" to the fact that the files are no longer there, and stops showing them.
Can anyone relate to this?
Best regards!
Details: Pixel 4xl, unrooted, android 10
Essentially Android keeps a "media" database that the Files app is probably looking at. Most actions that create or remove a file through high level APIs will update this database, but some will not. For example, an alternate file manager app could add/delete an image and Photos won't realize it. Or a folder contains a ".nomedia" file in it, and random apps won't know about files stored there.
The type of operation you're looking to do is to force a media rescan.
Thank you for your reply and your useful information. I will try to find out if the app has a media rescan option somewhere.
Cheers.
Hello,
As usual with all my 'new' phones, I struggle with file explorer as I prefer to sideload my apps (I'm not Google's best friend) via desktop / usb / micro-sb / install. This seems to coincide with Google's view that micro-sd card is not Google's best friend either, and it seems (am I wrong?) that with each new OS variant, it's a steeper and steeper uphill struggle with Android v. external storage. I managed, in the end, to take it under control in Android 6, but under Android 12 in my new G50 I've failed miserably. Basically, every (about 5 - 6) file manager / browser apps I installed (from apks put directly in internal memory), fails to see the micro-sd. I formatted and then formatted again inside my phone (my desktop can see it, G50 can see it in settings (storage), Storage can 'see it, but those apps can't see what is actually inside. I have a vague idea it's about 'permissions', but I did check that those file manager apps have permission for 'file and media' and no other permissions have been denied, so I've hit the wall here.
Interestingly (perhaps 'obviously'), VLC player can browse (and play) sound files on the card, even though it's got exactly the same permissions. Presumably some photo browser would be able to access images on the card, so why is that such a struggle with file managers?
In fact, I wouldn't mind the built-in file browser ('Files'?), if it wasn't for the fact that it's an abomination to start it. I can see it in settings (as system app), but I can't create a shortcut to it (home screen), because it's not listed in the app drawer (presumably, as it's a system app). So, to get to any files on micro-sd, I need to go through a very convoluted route of:
Settings > Storage > choose storage > Files.
On top of which, it is a truly HORRIBLE file browser in terms of features and interface. Yes, there's the google files app, which also can access micro-sd card, but I generally disable all Google apps, unless I absolutely have to.
Is there anything else I can do about it, or is that 'it', i.e. this is baked in and no replacements will work? (short of google files and rooting, presumably, but I can't root G50, because I do need a couple of banking apps and one or two others, which won't work on rooted handset).
Regards,
N.
Welcome the the Gookill nightmare of scoped storage. Some more work arounds.
Google hates expandable storage as it conflicts with their lame cloud everything strategy. Like MS they want to ram cloud down our throats.
I run 2 Samsung N10+'s one on Pie the other Q so I don't have to deal with this bs.