this post was submitted on 24 Sep 2023
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DeGoogle Yourself

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I just discovered this amazing app! It lets you remove (or just disable) preinstalled apps like Facebook, Netflix, etc. and system apps like samsung knox apps, diagnostic, bixby, and even One UI (but you must have installed other launcher). You can't brick your device, worst case it falls into a boot loop and after 5 reboots it will factory reset.

Debloating your device will make it faster, more private and more secure (less atack surface).

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[–] [email protected] 21 points 1 year ago (1 children)

The key part:

You can't brick your device, worst case it falls into a boot loop and after 5 reboots it will factory reset.

[–] [email protected] 13 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago) (1 children)

Actually you can brick it. You need to check recommendations from users in the note part of the app and never uninstall something you're not sure about. Especially on Xiaomi and Huawei phones which are, from my experiences, the hardest to clean without breaking a phone.

Also, I don't remember if it's Huawei or Xiaomi but on phones from one of this brand, you need to remember the google account bound to the phone for do a factory reset on it.

Edit: Anyway this app is amazing and helps a lot. For some reasons, some apps won't be uninstalled through this app, on some phones versions. In these cases, you can still use adb to uninstall it.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 1 year ago (1 children)

That's called Factory Reset Protection (FRP). I think most of the mobile brands have it included in these days, Samsung aswell.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 1 year ago

Ho. I didn't know. Thanks!

[–] [email protected] 9 points 1 year ago

Definetly recommend this as well! There's also a list of suggested apps to remove if unsure of which to keep, as well as an explanation of what each app does

[–] [email protected] 7 points 1 year ago

Been able to do this for some time via Adb shell. Nice to see a proper app that handles the commands

[–] RandomVideos 6 points 1 year ago (1 children)

Me, 3 days ago: I want to change my phone OS so I can remove the preinstalled apps that I couldn't remove

[–] [email protected] 6 points 1 year ago

Custom rom is still better than this

[–] [email protected] 5 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago) (2 children)

What's wrong with Samsung Knox?

[–] [email protected] 6 points 1 year ago

I didnt need it so I just removed it

[–] [email protected] 4 points 1 year ago (1 children)

Know is an MDM. (Device management software)

It has root level access to everything on your device AND built in tools to allow it all the be remote managed.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 1 year ago

It's more like a Secure Enclave but with slightly different features

[–] [email protected] 2 points 1 year ago

It could be helpful about unloading some crap though It does say that "system apps cannot be truly uninstalled without root".

[–] [email protected] 1 points 1 year ago (4 children)

How about buying a phone that doesn't come with all that shit pre-installed?

[–] [email protected] 14 points 1 year ago (1 children)

Not to many options out there, probably

[–] [email protected] 7 points 1 year ago (1 children)

I mean pixel doesn't, and they're unlockable and rootable from day 1.

[–] [email protected] 0 points 1 year ago (1 children)

Idk, the Google apps technically are bloatware installed by the manufacturer, too.

[–] [email protected] 0 points 1 year ago (1 children)

And you can root and install a custom ROM day 1.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 1 year ago

Which is something I'd expect people who visit this community to do anyway, so fair enough.

Still though, call me a purist for saying that, but Google takes AOSP and puts their own apps on top, that's technically bloatware imo.

To be fair, Googles' apps are actually useful at least. Can't say that about the stuff some other manufacturers preinstall.

[–] [email protected] 5 points 1 year ago (1 children)
[–] [email protected] 6 points 1 year ago (1 children)

A pixel? None of that comes pre-installed and it's one of the only devices that comes with the ability to unlock it and flash a custom ROM day 1.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago) (1 children)

Not everybody lives with gold coming out of their hands. Some of us have shitty phones because either we don't want to invest in an expensive one or we are too poor for that.

[–] [email protected] 0 points 1 year ago (1 children)

Okay?

Someone asked which phone, I replied.

[–] [email protected] 0 points 1 year ago (1 children)

Yet your answer wasn't valid and only reeked of fanboy :)

[–] [email protected] 0 points 1 year ago

What?

My answer is valid. A Pixel is a phone that doesn't come with bloat and allows you to root and flash a custom ROM on release day.

Sounds like you're a little challenged, so I'll forgive you. Have a great day today, sport!

[–] [email protected] 2 points 1 year ago

In the perfect universe all people have access to phones without bloatware. Unfortunately this isn't one.