Disable Android system packages without root

From WickyWiki
Revision as of 14:11, 25 March 2023 by Wilbert (talk | contribs)


Steps

This method allows you to have more control over what packages are active. Packages are not really removed but instead 'uninstalled' for user '0'.

More info:

Steps:

  1. Download the latest Android SDK Platform-tools and extract the zip. You don't need to install.
  2. You might need to install USB drivers for access to your device. For example:
  3. Open your device Settings and turn on USB debugging from Developer options.
  4. Increase the device Screen Timeout duration.
  5. Now connect your Android device to the computer via USB.
  6. DOS Command prompt:
    • cd /d d:\platform-tools\
    • adb devices
  7. allow on device

Adb commands

Start a shell

dos> adb shell

List system packages

List system packages: 

#  -s : system packages 
#  -3 : 3rd party packages
#  -f : full
dos> adb shell "pm list packages -s -f" > output.txt

Example line in output.txt for package com.android.package.application1 

 package:/data/app/application1.apk=com.android.package.application1

Uninstall or "freeze" a package

#uninstall an app with its data
adb> pm uninstall --user 0 <package name>

#uninstall an app but keep its data
adb> pm uninstall -k --user 0 <package name>

Reinstall or "unfreeze" a package

adb> cmd package install-existing <package name>

Find Package name

1. Find in GooglePlay, the package name will be in the link. For example com.samsung.android.privateshare in: 

 https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.samsung.android.privateshare

2. Use an app like MiX Explorer

  • Go to Bookmarks and pick 'App'
  • Select USER or SYSTEM APP.
  • Click on the icon for more details including the package name
  • Close.

On Galaxy S8: disabled these

# Bixby
pm uninstall --user 0 com.samsung.android.bixby.wakeup
# Bixby homepage launcher
pm uninstall --user 0 com.samsung.android.app.spage
# Bixby features
pm uninstall --user 0 com.samsung.android.bixby.service 
# Bixby Vision
pm uninstall --user 0 com.samsung.android.visionintelligence 
# Bixby Voice
pm uninstall --user 0 com.samsung.android.bixby.agent 
# Bixby debug app
pm uninstall --user 0 com.samsung.android.bixby.agent.dummy

On Galaxy S20 FE: disabled these

# Private Share
pm uninstall --user 0 com.samsung.android.privateshare

# Your Phone Companion - Link to Windows
pm uninstall --user 0 com.microsoft.appmanager

# Samsung Cloud Client
pm uninstall --user 0 com.samsung.android.scloud

# Autofill with Samsung Pass
pm uninstall --user 0 com.samsung.android.samsungpassautofill

See also

Overview of packages with some info. Be warned that you can make it difficult for yourself if you disable packages:

Retrieved from "https://wjv.duckdns.org/mediawiki/index.php?title=Disable_Android_system_packages_without_root&oldid=3523"