Sony Z3

gfmalan

Expert Member
Joined
Nov 11, 2013
Messages
2,676
Years ago I’ve liked to build my own Roms from scratch for Windows Mobile devices(5-7) (that old HTC Touch Pro 2) and other phones. My main objective always was to remove all the bloatware and just install what I really need, selecting radio software for each component, customize till the last button, and see how much “Vanilla” you could make it.

Then I left that custom Rom thing and got a Blackberry, stock standard and very secure. (Used BES Server)

So getting my G3 and in fact all the other Android devices (6 Samsung’s) in the last 3 years irritated me so much that I sell them in less than a week after I bought them. The reason… bloatware.
I am all over the hacking of my phone to make it better, it consume so much time to find and compile the correct radio that works with our SA networks, and then on the other side save the power and and and. Now I’m happy with just the stock standard firmware from the vendor. (I mean all the stuff works) The only frustration now, the bloatware.

These days I see a phone as a tool, and not a product that needs improving the whole time, after saying that, I do want to improve it, but with not allot of effort. To fix my one problem, you always had to root your device, and then go and remove the apps not needed, but that present another problem, that certain apps like DSTV doesn’t want to work. (check if your device was rooted)

After going through the XDA forum this afternoon, I found the answer, this guy Gatesjunior wrote a Windows app to connect to your phone and de-bloat your phone.
He call it “Debloater” and I’ve tested it, it use the USB debugging part to bypass the rooting issue on Kit Kat, and thus no rooting required and your other apps stay working.
Nice part is, with this you can disable and remove it from the “desktop”, so no resources other than space it takes up. On later stage you can re-enable if needed.

This work on earlier versions than Kit Kat, but then the device needs to be rooted, or in Kit Kat and Lollipop it works with debugging mode.

http://rootjunkysdl.com/?device=Android Programs&folder=DeBloater
Norton did say it is virus like, but I trust the source.

The actual Post:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/and...er-remove-carrier-bloat-t2998294#post58069093

View attachment 182120
 
K

kingrob

Guest
How do I uninstall the Vodacom apps?
Go to Settings > Application Manager > All, tap on any app you don't want, and tap on Stop > Disable. That's it.

You won't see the app in the app drawer anymore and it won't use any RAM.

Only need to do it once and it will stay disabled.
 

biometrics

Honorary Master
Joined
Aug 7, 2003
Messages
71,858
Go to Settings > Application Manager > All, tap on any app you don't want, and tap on Stop > Disable. That's it.

You won't see the app in the app drawer anymore and it won't use any RAM.

Only need to do it once and it will stay disabled.

But can I uninstall it? I'm OCD, can't stand seeing them in the apps menus!

Will have a look at gfmalans tip ...
 
K

kingrob

Guest
But can I uninstall it? I'm OCD, can't stand seeing them in the apps menus!

Will have a look at gfmalans tip ...
Not the Sony apps, AFAIK. ( It's the same with Samsung.)

Once you have disabled it, you will only see it, if you open the all App menu.

You will forget about it in no time, and much safer than rooting your phone.
 

jman

Expert Member
Joined
May 9, 2014
Messages
2,508
Years ago I’ve liked to build my own Roms from scratch for Windows Mobile devices(5-7) (that old HTC Touch Pro 2) and other phones. My main objective always was to remove all the bloatware and just install what I really need, selecting radio software for each component, customize till the last button, and see how much “Vanilla” you could make it.

Then I left that custom Rom thing and got a Blackberry, stock standard and very secure. (Used BES Server)

So getting my G3 and in fact all the other Android devices (6 Samsung’s) in the last 3 years irritated me so much that I sell them in less than a week after I bought them. The reason… bloatware.
I am all over the hacking of my phone to make it better, it consume so much time to find and compile the correct radio that works with our SA networks, and then on the other side save the power and and and. Now I’m happy with just the stock standard firmware from the vendor. (I mean all the stuff works) The only frustration now, the bloatware.

These days I see a phone as a tool, and not a product that needs improving the whole time, after saying that, I do want to improve it, but with not allot of effort. To fix my one problem, you always had to root your device, and then go and remove the apps not needed, but that present another problem, that certain apps like DSTV doesn’t want to work. (check if your device was rooted)

After going through the XDA forum this afternoon, I found the answer, this guy Gatesjunior wrote a Windows app to connect to your phone and de-bloat your phone.
He call it “Debloater” and I’ve tested it, it use the USB debugging part to bypass the rooting issue on Kit Kat, and thus no rooting required and your other apps stay working.
Nice part is, with this you can disable and remove it from the “desktop”, so no resources other than space it takes up. On later stage you can re-enable if needed.

This work on earlier versions than Kit Kat, but then the device needs to be rooted, or in Kit Kat and Lollipop it works with debugging mode.

http://rootjunkysdl.com/?device=Android Programs&folder=DeBloater
Norton did say it is virus like, but I trust the source.

The actual Post:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/and...er-remove-carrier-bloat-t2998294#post58069093

View attachment 182120
Thanks! One thing I also hate is the Vodacom screen that appears at startup. Can this tool remove that too?
 

gfmalan

Expert Member
Joined
Nov 11, 2013
Messages
2,676
Thanks! One thing I also hate is the Vodacom screen that appears at startup. Can this tool remove that too?


Hi No sorry, this is just to remove/disable apps and processes running in the background. There is a way to change the background away from the carrier one. I can disable the start-up animation with LG phone, but the thread below show you how to delete or replace animation with something cool/generic, depends....
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2760043
 

Spizz

Goat Botherer
Joined
Jan 19, 2009
Messages
31,550
I picked up a dual sim Z3 yesterday and so far am very impressed. Feels a bit slippery though so its kid gloves until I can get the chance to buy a case only next weekend
 

Franky003

Active Member
Joined
Apr 21, 2014
Messages
51
I picked up a dual sim Z3 yesterday and so far am very impressed. Feels a bit slippery though so its kid gloves until I can get the chance to buy a case only next weekend

Where did you get the dual sim version??
 

biometrics

Honorary Master
Joined
Aug 7, 2003
Messages
71,858

Spizz

Goat Botherer
Joined
Jan 19, 2009
Messages
31,550
Where did you get the dual sim version??

Sorry man, not local. I got it in Oman.

And I picked up the flip case and magnetic charging craddle last weekend too in UAE for about R800 combined. Really funky arangement for charging which I love, and the case is excellent too because it's nice and slim.

I saw an ad earlier for the magnetic charging craddle on Amazon UK on sale here although I have no idea if they will deliver to SA or whatever.
 

jman

Expert Member
Joined
May 9, 2014
Messages
2,508
Got Lollipop running with no issues. I'd recommend it to anyone, fairly simple. No more Vodacom apps and all that. Yay :D
 

MaximusZA

Senior Member
Joined
Jul 7, 2011
Messages
689
Got Lollipop running with no issues. I'd recommend it to anyone, fairly simple. No more Vodacom apps and all that. Yay :D

I see Sony officially launch Lollipop on Monday. but who knows when our Service providers will release it. Are you running the official sony version of lollipop or another ROM?
 

jman

Expert Member
Joined
May 9, 2014
Messages
2,508
I see Sony officially launch Lollipop on Monday. but who knows when our Service providers will release it. Are you running the official sony version of lollipop or another ROM?
It was launched officially in the Nordic and Baltic regions the other day. You can flash it to your device, it's an official ROM. Could take weeks for our local providers to push it
 

MaximusZA

Senior Member
Joined
Jul 7, 2011
Messages
689
It was launched officially in the Nordic and Baltic regions the other day. You can flash it to your device, it's an official ROM. Could take weeks for our local providers to push it[/QUOTE

Just found your posts on the Z3 Compact thread and it looks awesome going to pull it down as soon as i can. Does it delete all your info?
 

biometrics

Honorary Master
Joined
Aug 7, 2003
Messages
71,858
Just found your posts on the Z3 Compact thread and it looks awesome going to pull it down as soon as i can. Does it delete all your info?

There is an option to retain your data and apps.

Check this step:

Select the firmware build version that you want to flash from the “Firmware” pane. If you want to retain your apps/data, untick “DATA” in the “Wipe” pane. Then click “Flash”.

FlashTool_14-640x440.png
 
Last edited:

MaximusZA

Senior Member
Joined
Jul 7, 2011
Messages
689
awesome thanks guys, I will have to wait till i get home unfortunately the flashtool download sites are blocked at work :(
 
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