Database Develop

[need advice] after ~10 yrs kitkat and xposed, what are my options on a samsung note8

Hi all,
I have been a Samsung Note User from day one (and Note1). To keep apps in check, I always used xposed plus xprivacy or LBE. Today, I am totally aware my Note4 is totally outdated but I really got used to being able to deny data and (maybe more importantly) network access to any app at will.
I have been keeping to use my old phone because whenever I looked for viable app-fencing solutions on the current android versions, everything seemed very volatile and unstable. Recently my company gave me a Note8 and although I am not a big friend of the modern "glass brick" design trend at all, it is hard to ignore the advances in terms of hardware power and that my trusty old Note begins to be unable to execute certain new apps.
I presume most of you are using current Android versions. So I'd like to ask you which solutions are you using to prevent unwanted data and privacy drain on your devices. I my dreams I would continue to be able to willingly decide whether any app may be allowed to use either Wifi or mobile networks (bonus prize: depending on if the app is in foreground or not), be able to suppress advertising extensions in apps and deny access to privacy-related data like position, unique IDs and contact database.
Which solutions would I use to achieve as many of these goals as possible on Android 7 or even 8? Maybe even some without rooting?
Thank you very much for you suggestions and input..

Much of that is backed right into nougat and Oreo. Many permissions can be denied (depending on the app developers). Root on the newer samsungs seems to be problematic.

Bitmixer said:
Hi all,
I have been a Samsung Note User from day one (and Note1). To keep apps in check, I always used xposed plus xprivacy or LBE. Today, I am totally aware my Note4 is totally outdated but I really got used to being able to deny data and (maybe more importantly) network access to any app at will.
I have been keeping to use my old phone because whenever I looked for viable app-fencing solutions on the current android versions, everything seemed very volatile and unstable. Recently my company gave me a Note8 and although I am not a big friend of the modern "glass brick" design trend at all, it is hard to ignore the advances in terms of hardware power and that my trusty old Note begins to be unable to execute certain new apps.
I presume most of you are using current Android versions. So I'd like to ask you which solutions are you using to prevent unwanted data and privacy drain on your devices. I my dreams I would continue to be able to willingly decide whether any app may be allowed to use either Wifi or mobile networks (bonus prize: depending on if the app is in foreground or not), be able to suppress advertising extensions in apps and deny access to privacy-related data like position, unique IDs and contact database.
Which solutions would I use to achieve as many of these goals as possible on Android 7 or even 8? Maybe even some without rooting?
Thank you very much for you suggestions and input..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hey! We are together in this! I am exactly the same on my Motorola x play! Been using xprivacy and xposed too for ages on all apps, plus a firewall too.
Give a look at f-droid app store and xposed itself, on the download tab. There is the new xprivacy LUA for android 6/7, and it's the successor of the old version. Haven't tested out yet, but seems to be more or less the same, judging by what I read.
https://forum.xda-developers.com/xposed/modules/xprivacylua6-0-android-privacy-manager-t3730663
Also... Give a look at a good firewall, to block rogue internet access for all the nasty apps out there.
Anything just give me a shout. It's good to know I am not alone! [emoji108][emoji56]
Sent from my XT1563 using Tapatalk

madbat99 said:
Much of that is backed right into nougat and Oreo. Many permissions can be denied (depending on the app developers). Root on the newer samsungs seems to be problematic.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for your reply, madbat.
I have seen the new permission management in oreo. Please understand that to me it is important that not an app developer decides what I can deny but I want to be able to make that decision myself. Moreover, as far as my knowledge goes, android does not allow to deny network access to apps when I deem they shouldn't have any business on my uplink. Most importantly this applies for any Amazon apps and most apps from their store. All of them are trying to phone home every few minutes(!).

Ev0luti0n_ said:
Hey! We are together in this! I am exactly the same on my Motorola x play! Been using xprivacy and xposed too for ages on all apps, plus a firewall too.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I had hoped I am not alone
Ev0luti0n_ said:
(...) There is the new xprivacy LUA for android 6/7, and it's the successor of the old version. Haven't tested out yet, but seems to be more or less the same, judging by what I read.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have read about that one and to me it appears like it is not quite there. Last time I looked, the developer was about to REMOVE protection of several sensitive data points like IMEI. Also, like madcat mentioned, rooting the latest Samsung devices can be problematic and I might get some problems bricking a $1000 company device
Ev0luti0n_ said:
Also... Give a look at a good firewall, to block rogue internet access for all the nasty apps out there.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Any recommendations here?
kind regards

Oh... I use afwall, which requires root. I did read here on XDA, that there is a good no root firewall here, but I can't remember the name. ..
Also you won't be able to root the device? I am not sure you are going to have much luck... [emoji848]
Sent from my XT1563 using Tapatalk

Ev0luti0n_ said:
Also you won't be able to root the device? I am not sure you are going to have much luck... [emoji848]
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I guess I am able to root it, just a little reluctant yet Like, waiting for someone to finally discover a rooting method that does not invalidate knox for the note8

Hey guys, I have a question. What firewall were you talking about for KitKat?

Andromeda/Substratum support?

Andromeda and substratum themes does not work.. I am putting this thread up to see if anyone knows a work around or able to contact the devs to get support.

Is this the same for Swift Installer?

roaduardo said:
Is this the same for Swift Installer?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Most likely

roaduardo said:
Is this the same for Swift Installer?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes

blkghost22 said:
Most likely
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Looks like Swift Installer is working. Whew... Now if I can only get something to give me call recording then we'll be in business...

roaduardo said:
Looks like Swift Installer is working. Whew... Now if I can only get something to give me call recording then we'll be in business...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So it is confirmed to be working? The post above you and the app developer states root is required on the S10 models to get swift installer to work.

Black00StangGT said:
So it is confirmed to be working? The post above you and the app developer states root is required on the S10 models to get swift installer to work.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Damn. I'm testing this on my One UI Note 9. I didn't realize Samsung has been selectively blocking support on different models like this. Shoot. Un-rooted S9, S9+ and Note 9 on Pie is supported. Why the heck is Samsung being this way with their other phones??

Black00StangGT said:
So it is confirmed to be working? The post above you and the app developer states root is required on the S10 models to get swift installer to work.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Root is required at the moment... but the snapdragon does notbuave root... til then its unusable (i may be wrong about not having root) have not seen any news about root yet

roaduardo said:
Damn. I'm testing this on my One UI Note 9. I didn't realize Samsung has been selectively blocking support on different models like this. Shoot. Un-rooted S9, S9+ and Note 9 on Pie is supported. Why the heck is Samsung being this way with their other phones??
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Samsung is apparently tired of their app store being neglected, and is pushing people into it for everything. Fonts were the first thing to get locked into their app store, and it's only gotten worse since. It's kind of ironic, as Samsung used to be one of the few Android vendors that let you customize nearly everything, but now it's among the most locked down.
I believe one of the lesser known issues is that, as of Pie, Samsung will no longer allow free themes or fonts either. Anything in their app store that is "free" will be a demo only and time out.

jshamlet said:
Samsung is apparently tired of their app store being neglected, and is pushing people into it for everything. Fonts were the first thing to get locked into their app store, and it's only gotten worse since. It's kind of ironic, as Samsung used to be one of the few Android vendors that let you customize nearly everything, but now it's among the most locked down.
I believe one of the lesser known issues is that, as of Pie, Samsung will no longer allow free themes or fonts either. Anything in their app store that is "free" will be a demo only and time out.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What absolute BS.

I'm using substratum and andromeda on my Note 9 but I only theme Google apps and a few Samsung apps. I don't use it to theme the system because dark mode is built in

Samsung really doesnt want us to make changes that not by them... arghh

jshamlet said:
Samsung is apparently tired of their app store being neglected, and is pushing people into it for everything. Fonts were the first thing to get locked into their app store, and it's only gotten worse since. It's kind of ironic, as Samsung used to be one of the few Android vendors that let you customize nearly everything, but now it's among the most locked down.
I believe one of the lesser known issues is that, as of Pie, Samsung will no longer allow free themes or fonts either. Anything in their app store that is "free" will be a demo only and time out.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I thought they went back on that demo thing? I remember reading when the pie beat came out that they were making free themes a trial only but changed it back to having completely free ones. I might be wrong though, however I'm using a free theme as we speak and it didnt say anything about a trial or anything.

jshamlet said:
Samsung is apparently tired of their app store being neglected, and is pushing people into it for everything. Fonts were the first thing to get locked into their app store, and it's only gotten worse since. It's kind of ironic, as Samsung used to be one of the few Android vendors that let you customize nearly everything, but now it's among the most locked down.
I believe one of the lesser known issues is that, as of Pie, Samsung will no longer allow free themes or fonts either. Anything in their app store that is "free" will be a demo only and time out.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Once we have root none of this will be an issue ...

sparky2029 said:
I thought they went back on that demo thing? I remember reading when the pie beat came out that they were making free themes a trial only but changed it back to having completely free ones. I might be wrong though, however I'm using a free theme as we speak and it didnt say anything about a trial or anything.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I looked it up, and yes, it seems Samsung backed off of the demo/time trial thing for free themes. So, unless they do it again in the future, my bad.
Of course, the fact that you can only get themes/fonts/etc. through the Galaxy App store is ridiculous, but at least that particular bit of ridiculousness got walked back.

Man... I'm not even asking for much when it comes to custom theming. I just want a black theme for WhatsApp, Twitter, IG and Outlook on my phone. The rest of the system UI is fine with what Samsung gives us in night/dark mode.
I'm wondering I use an app extractor that I can use that to rip the Swift-customized apps on my Note 9 and install them on my S10e the Swift stuff will still be on the APKs?

roaduardo said:
Man... I'm not even asking for much when it comes to custom theming. I just want a black theme for WhatsApp, Twitter, IG and Outlook on my phone. The rest of the system UI is fine with what Samsung gives us in night/dark mode.
I'm wondering I use an app extractor that I can use that to rip the Swift-customized apps on my Note 9 and install them on my S10e the Swift stuff will still be on the APKs?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Same

jshamlet said:
Samsung is apparently tired of their app store being neglected, and is pushing people into it for everything. Fonts were the first thing to get locked into their app store, and it's only gotten worse since. It's kind of ironic, as Samsung used to be one of the few Android vendors that let you customize nearly everything, but now it's among the most locked down.
I believe one of the lesser known issues is that, as of Pie, Samsung will no longer allow free themes or fonts either. Anything in their app store that is "free" will be a demo only and time out.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Gvien the popularity of Substratum, Swift, and Andromeda, I'd work with them to get them on the Galaxy Store if I were Samsung. But what do I know, I'm just a guy and not a multi-billion dollar company.
If they want people to use their store, give people a reason to use it. I've been using the Galaxy Themes in conjunction with Substratum ever since I first learned about it since there's overlap that is beneficial for both.

Tacoo said:
Gvien the popularity of Substratum, Swift, and Andromeda, I'd work with them to get them on the Galaxy Store if I were Samsung. But what do I know, I'm just a guy and not a multi-billion dollar company.
If they want people to use their store, give people a reason to use it. I've been using the Galaxy Themes in conjunction with Substratum ever since I first learned about it since there's overlap that is beneficial for both.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I've been doing the same.
However, I'm not 100% sure this was Samsung's fault. Google was the one who purposefully neutered rootless Substratum on Pie. They went so far as in the March 2018 security update retroactively try to break it on Oreo as well. The fact that Samsung left it intact when they released Pie for the S9 probably irritated Google enough for them to push Samsung into blocking it.
The idea of having Substratum and its themes move to the Galaxy Store is a great one, but I'm not sure Google would like that and Samsung seems to have moved pass the time when they didn't care about what Google thought. I mean...Samsung itself admitted (in the Good Lock update announcement) that the ruining of the split-screen on Android Pie was the result of a demand from Google. I wouldn't be surprised is blocking Substratum on rootless phones was also a result of Google's meddling.
Question is: why? Is Google actually building their own version of Substratum into Android Q? Twitter's CEO, when talking about moving their night mode from blue to black, mentioned his wish to have a system wide theme that would change the Twitter app as well. This would be the ideal scenario. Third party devs would have the work of theming their apps lifted from them and outsourced to someone else, Google would "secure" the OMS engine for public use and we would finally get what we've been asking for years (it would also put an end to the debate about what is a good and a bad Dark Theme).
If only I believed Google ever had the interest of its users at heart...

Xiaomi making money from software yet officially letting us unlock the bootloader?

So i have never used a Xiaomi device but im looking forward to getting the Mi 9T pro version ,what i got from searching was that one of the main reasons that Xiaomi devices are cheaper is that Xiaomi makes or intends to make most of its profit from showing ads and stuff on the software they have installed on their phones.
If this is the case, then im really curious to know why they would officially give users the tools to unlock their bootloaders ( i know the whole waiting game stuff but still they are officially supporting it ) and possibly root their phones and from what i've gathered it doesn't even void the warranty!!
wouldn't it make much more sense if they instead tried to lock their bootloaders so that users were forced to use their software?
to be clear im not saying that they should change their policy in this way, im very happy that i can root the device and not void the warranty . im just saying that it doesn't make a lot of sense that they'd officially give you the tools and permissions to stop them from profiting from the users.

Hxonper said:
So i have never used a Xiaomi device but im looking forward to getting the Mi 9T pro version ,what i got from searching was that one of the main reasons that Xiaomi devices are cheaper is that Xiaomi makes or intends to make most of its profit from showing ads and stuff on the software they have installed on their phones.
If this is the case, then im really curious to know why they would officially give users the tools to unlock their bootloaders ( i know the whole waiting game stuff but still they are officially supporting it ) and possibly root their phones and from what i've gathered it doesn't even void the warranty!!
wouldn't it make much more sense if they instead tried to lock their bootloaders so that users were forced to use their software?
to be clear im not saying that they should change their policy in this way, im very happy that i can root the device not void the warranty . im just saying that it doesn't make a lot of sense that they'd officially give you the tools and permissions to stop them from profiting from the users.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
FYI i am using k20 pro china rom , yet to see any ads , lol cause i dont use most of their apps . the most forced ads i see is using this xda forum on pc , lol

Hxonper said:
So i have never used a Xiaomi device but im looking forward to getting the Mi 9T pro version ,what i got from searching was that one of the main reasons that Xiaomi devices are cheaper is that Xiaomi makes or intends to make most of its profit from showing ads and stuff on the software they have installed on their phones.
If this is the case, then im really curious to know why they would officially give users the tools to unlock their bootloaders ( i know the whole waiting game stuff but still they are officially supporting it ) and possibly root their phones and from what i've gathered it doesn't even void the warranty!!
wouldn't it make much more sense if they instead tried to lock their bootloaders so that users were forced to use their software?
to be clear im not saying that they should change their policy in this way, im very happy that i can root the device not void the warranty . im just saying that it doesn't make a lot of sense that they'd officially give you the tools and permissions to stop them from profiting from the users.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi, well ok they shouldn't change their policy. Its a fine business model. Few people actually want to root the phone and do all that - they put up with the ads and all that, ads are relatively common online.
But not only that - those people who really want to remove such ads are the people like you and me even who /want/! to buy more of these phones and support the company further. Its not like you maybe will never buy another xiaomi. Once you get the phone you will see.
Its good to have it both ways though? It covers all bases. BUT! Ads are not the entire thing you are on about because like me and others over time we have considered ads wrong - ads don't make the phone completely, its a subsidy. Well just 'one of' several subsidies.
They give you the tools I think because if you really want to remove ads in order to use the phone then you must like the phone enough. Also I think that the 'big' ad days are further and further behind them as they become more profitable and can say to themselves they can make larger launch dates etc and be increasingly well known and purchased - they will probably find even better ways to implement these things.
So for people like you and me and others the ad-loss is not a big deal - its more a way for them to bring you the phone rather than to smack us round the ears with ads for the sake of it.
What a great phone.

Aimara said:
FYI i am using k20 pro china rom , yet to see any ads , lol cause i dont use most of their apps . the most forced ads i see is using this xda forum on pc , lol
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
interesting !! i thought only the global rom was nearly ad-free.
Haha there are ways around your pc browsing experience as well

SlimBeaner said:
Hi, well ok they shouldn't change their policy. Its a fine business model. Few people actually want to root the phone and do all that - they put up with the ads and all that, ads are relatively common online.
But not only that - those people who really want to remove such ads are the people like you and me even who /want/! to buy more of these phones and support the company further. Its not like you maybe will never buy another xiaomi. Once you get the phone you will see.
Its good to have it both ways though? It covers all bases. BUT! Ads are not the entire thing you are on about because like me and others over time we have considered ads wrong - ads don't make the phone completely, its a subsidy. Well just 'one of' several subsidies.
They give you the tools I think because if you really want to remove ads in order to use the phone then you must like the phone enough. Also I think that the 'big' ad days are further and further behind them as they become more profitable and can say to themselves they can make larger launch dates etc and be increasingly well known and purchased - they will probably find even better ways to implement these things.
So for people like you and me and others the ad-loss is not a big deal - its more a way for them to bring you the phone rather than to smack us round the ears with ads for the sake of it.
What a great phone.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
well yeah it has been a positive point for me when i was considering whether i should get this device or not and yeah i agree the percentage of users who'd root their devices is very low.
however i just get suspicious when big tech companies try to be on the good side and well in this case sell flagship phones with low prices and also support those who only want the hardware!

Hxonper said:
interesting !! i thought only the global rom was nearly ad-free.
Haha there are ways around your pc browsing experience as well
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hmmm these ads on PC seem to be Google based, wtf they keep showing the Adidas shoes I wanted to get but I am holding back, resist .... Haha

Real "flagship" phones costs around $200-$300 to make. Xiaomi is only making nominal profit from selling their hardware and yes, it also relies on ads through its MIUI OS to gain some more. But overall it is really not that surprising that other phone companies put huge margin of profit on their devices to make more money and many people think that's really how much it costs. lol
To put it into perspective, a $1,000 pixel phone actually costs around $250 to make. Same with iphones and Samsung phones. Samsung flagships might cost a bit higher because of its flagship parts.

I used to see ads on my old Mi4i. Those were on phone UI such as tasks view. I was pretty bummed about that. Few years later I'm on a Xiaomi phone again, but this time I'm using Netguard firewall with ad block host filters and haven't seen an ad yet.

BlackCommando said:
I used to see ads on my old Mi4i. Those were on phone UI such as tasks view. I was pretty bummed about that. Few years later I'm on a Xiaomi phone again, but this time I'm using Netguard firewall with ad block host filters and haven't seen an ad yet.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just use adguard DNS. No need to install anything. It also blocks ads on apps.
No link because moderators might think that I am advertising it, well, I am sort of, but it is my humble suggestion to you. :angel:

ntmalol said:
Just use adguard DNS. No need to install anything. It also blocks ads on apps.
No link because moderators might think that I am advertising it, well, I am sort of, but it is my humble suggestion to you. :angel:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks, I did use Adguard DNS and it blocked almost all ads. But I moved to Netguard to use multiple host files.
Another reason was that unfortunately MIUI firewall doesn't let us block wifi for system apps.

Been using Xiomi phones for 10 months now (both MIUI 10) and I'm yet to see an ad. I actually had no idea ads were included in MIUI.

ntmalol said:
Real "flagship" phones costs around $200-$300 to make. Xiaomi is only making nominal profit from selling their hardware and yes, it also relies on ads through its MIUI OS to gain some more. But overall it is really not that surprising that other phone companies put huge margin of profit on their devices to make more money and many people think that's really how much it costs. lol
To put it into perspective, a $1,000 pixel phone actually costs around $250 to make. Same with iphones and Samsung phones. Samsung flagships might cost a bit higher because of its flagship parts.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I agree, once Apple started selling phones for 1k $ and higher it also gave competitors like Samsung more room to increase their prices. "flagship" has kinda turned into a marketing term for the huge sum of money you need to pay rather than the top tier hardware and software support you're getting.

Thordelan said:
Been using Xiomi phones for 10 months now (both MIUI 10) and I'm yet to see an ad. I actually had no idea ads were included in MIUI.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Great but also not great !!! great that they don't bombard you with ads and don't ruin your experience and also not great cause showing ads is their way of making money and when that's not happening then what are they up to? idk maybe that's just me being paranoid

BlackCommando said:
Thanks, I did use Adguard DNS and it blocked almost all ads. But I moved to Netguard to use multiple host files.
Another reason was that unfortunately MIUI firewall doesn't let us block wifi for system apps.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This is for you and everyone who is reading this, you can disable MSA (MIUI System Ads).
--Go to the setting menu
--Go to Additional settings
--Tap on Authorization & revocation option
--Disable MSA (MIUI System Ads).
after turning msa off, the phone will stop collecting data from your device and sending you ads.
Unfortunately, to get an ad-free user experience you must disable ads recommendation in Mi Browser, Mi Security, Mi Music, and other Mi apps manually.
Posted with help from https://c.mi.com/thread-1864821-1-0.html

ntmalol said:
This is for you and everyone who is reading this, you can disable MSA (MIUI System Ads).
--Go to the setting menu
--Go to Additional settings
--Tap on Authorization & revocation option
--Disable MSA (MIUI System Ads).
after turning msa off, the phone will stop collecting data from your device and sending you ads.
Unfortunately, to get an ad-free user experience you must disable ads recommendation in Mi Browser, Mi Security, Mi Music, and other Mi apps manually.
Posted with help from https://c.mi.com/thread-1864821-1-0.html
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
thank you for your response . i hope it does really stop the data collection. in case it doesn't, does rooting, changing the recovery to a custom one and also installing a custom Rom like LOS stop Xiaomi from collecting data?
and also i read that in order to unlock the bootloader i need to install the vendor and firmware for my device , could this act as a backdoor for xiaomi?

If you use miui select to not send data ( should be during setup , other places as well ) .
Xiaomi eu removes all adds in apps ( but that could be considered custom rom ) .
I had adds in apps in mi global , im using miuimix custom rom so i have yet to see an add in apps ( besides browser ).
I don't think id buy a phone that don't allow bootloader unlock. As long as i have a choice I can't complain.

Most irritating feature on your smartphone

We all have our preferences. Our likes and dislikes. This is also true In the matter of our smartphones. There are some features or apps which we find most irritating.
For me, it is the bloatware that comes along with my Samsung. The first thing I do after setting up a new phone is I uninstall the extras that come with the OS.
Unfortunately, not all apps can be removed. There are a number of apps that just cannot be removed normally. They have fancy names and mention that they are there to improve your user experience. There are slightly complicated ways of removing them, and I am sure I will try that once the phone is a bit older!
What feature(s) on your smartphone irritate you ?

OTA updates, my arch nemesis.
Wittle Bixby is also a menace. After reading it's EULA my jaw dropped.

That it will be old in 3....2....1...

orb_selektor said:
That it will be old in 3....2....1...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Now, now, some of us were born irritated
Smartphones didn't help...

Fingerprints, fingerprints....🖐️

Question Is there a way to get rid of all the Google DARK UX pushy feathures?

Im not impressed at all by my Pixel since Black Friday. I actually received a S21 at work and its WAYYYYY better.
Anyway, a lot of BS feathures are problematic. I feel like Im being spied all the time by google rather than owning a phone.
I want for example to get rid of the google lens icon and the google bar.
Is there any way to do that?

Fennec23 said:
I feel like Im being spied all the time by google rather than owning a phone.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Congrats on buying the Google phone then.
If you want to deactivate system apps enable developer settings, enable ADB, connect your phone to your PC and disable Google Lens and Google Search system apps / packages using Universal Android Debloater GUI and maybe other googly bloat.
Want to have more privacy? Learn about flashing your phone, unlock the bootloader, flash Graphene OS, Calyx OS, Lineage OS or something like that.
Maybe root your device and block trackers and stuff using Adaway. Or stay unrooted and use something like personalDNSfilter.

Maybe selling it is a good choice for you

Fennec23 said:
Im not impressed at all by my Pixel since Black Friday. I actually received a S21 at work and its WAYYYYY better.
Anyway, a lot of BS feathures are problematic. I feel like Im being spied all the time by google rather than owning a phone.
I want for example to get rid of the google lens icon and the google bar.
Is there any way to do that?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
All of that spyware crap is preinstalled on ALL android phones, not just pixel. They're a bit more in your face on pixel maybe though, since gooble is showcasing it there.
My recommendation would be to switch to grapheneOS. If you absolutely MUST use proprietary gooble bits, grapheneos implements a unique compatibility layer to cause it all to run as a conventional user-installed application instead of demanding excessive permissions.