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Help Safe to remove bloatware apk files without root?

jeeptrekker

jeeptrekker

Newbie
Hi all. I'm new to Androidforums. Is it safe to remove Sprint's bloatware apk files (Blockbuster, Sprint NFL, etc.) without root access? I easily located a few of them using "Astro File Manager," each of them in the located in /system/app. A long press on these each of these apk files gives me an option to "delete."

I have an unrooted Sprint Evo 4G with Android version 2.3.5. After uninstalling all unessential (for my purposes) downloaded apps and clearing caches, temp files, etc. on multiple occasions, I still can't get rid of the "Low on space" warning that keeps me from updating my installed apps.

I'm trying to avoid rooting my phone to maximize OS compatibility with my current apps. Plus, I'm a technophobe.
 
jeeptrekker said:
Hi all. I'm new to Androidforums. Is it safe to remove Sprint's bloatware apk files (Blockbuster, Sprint NFL, etc.) without root access? I easily located a few of them using "Astro File Manager," each of them in the located in /system/app. A long press on these each of these apk files gives me an option to "delete."

I have an unrooted Sprint Evo 4G with Android version 2.3.5. After uninstalling all unessential (for my purposes) downloaded apps and clearing caches, temp files, etc. on multiple occasions, I still can't get rid of the "Low on space" warning that keeps me from updating my installed apps.

I'm trying to avoid rooting my phone to maximize OS compatibility with my current apps. Plus, I'm a technophobe.
Click to expand...

To my understanding, you require root access to delete bloatware. If you have the option to delete the apk's w/o root, I don't see why it would be a problem. Just be careful on choosing which files you're deleting, you can cause your Evo to become buggy if you delete the wrong things. Ultimately I recommend you root so you can use Titanium Backup and freeze the undesired files rather than deleting them. If you don't run into issues after freezing a file, it's safe to assume you can delete it.
 
While it may give you the option to delete them in the file manager, it will require root access in order to write to the system partition.

Therefore, its not possible to remove it that way. Try it if you want, but I'm 95% positive it wont work


If you want to get rid of the bloatware and get rid of space issues forever... rooting and partitioning your SD card is the only way to go
 
Thanks! I'd prefer the safer option of freezing first, and then deleting. If I summon up the courage, I just may try the routing route.
 
ocnbrze said:
yeah like the others have said you do not have access to the system partitions which is where the bloatware is stored. you will need to root the phone to delete them.

if you are interested you can follow this guide to root your phone:http://androidforums.com/evo-4g-all...-rooting-gingerbread-2-3-5-dummies-guide.html

we can help you out if you need help getting it rooted, if you go this route.
Click to expand...

You were right, guys. Astro gave me the option to delete, but the delete attempt failed. It appears that rooting is the only option to free up enough room on my EVO to make it function as I would like... or AT LEAST enough to allow it to start downloading my email messages again and updating my essential apps.

The language in that Dummies Guide is foreign to me, but I'll probably go that route. I'm quite used to carefully following tech instructions that I don't remotely comprehend.

This was my first post on Androidforums, and I eventually stopped monitoring this because I wasn't sure if anyone would respond. I really appreciate you guys' feedback!
 
jeeptrekker said:
You were right, guys. Astro gave me the option to delete, but the delete attempt failed. It appears that rooting is the only option to free up enough room on my EVO to make it function as I would like... or AT LEAST enough to allow it to start downloading my email messages again and updating my essential apps.

The language in that Dummies Guide is foreign to me, but I'll probably go that route. I'm quite used to carefully following tech instructions that I don't remotely comprehend.

This was my first post on Androidforums, and I eventually stopped monitoring this because I wasn't sure if anyone would respond. I really appreciate you guys' feedback!
Click to expand...

Good for you! If you have questions all the people in the all things root forum are super helpful
 
jeeptrekker said:
You were right, guys. Astro gave me the option to delete, but the delete attempt failed. It appears that rooting is the only option to free up enough room on my EVO to make it function as I would like... or AT LEAST enough to allow it to start downloading my email messages again and updating my essential apps.

The language in that Dummies Guide is foreign to me, but I'll probably go that route. I'm quite used to carefully following tech instructions that I don't remotely comprehend.

This was my first post on Androidforums, and I eventually stopped monitoring this because I wasn't sure if anyone would respond. I really appreciate you guys' feedback!
Click to expand...

yes rooting your phone will free you phone and open so much more possibilities. rooting the evo with the latest ota is much harder then it was in the past. so i can understand the language issue. but like mizzou said folks in the EVO 4G - All Things Root - Android Forums are really helpful. and please if you have any questions, please feel free to post there.

and i'm glad that you found AF. this is truly the best place on the net.
 
jeeptrekker said:
Hi all. I'm new to Androidforums. Is it safe to remove Sprint's bloatware apk files (Blockbuster, Sprint NFL, etc.) without root access? I easily located a few of them using "Astro File Manager," each of them in the located in /system/app. A long press on these each of these apk files gives me an option to "delete."

I have an unrooted Sprint Evo 4G with Android version 2.3.5. After uninstalling all unessential (for my purposes) downloaded apps and clearing caches, temp files, etc. on multiple occasions, I still can't get rid of the "Low on space" warning that keeps me from updating my installed apps.

I'm trying to avoid rooting my phone to maximize OS compatibility with my current apps. Plus, I'm a technophobe.
Click to expand...

Hey Jeep. Welcome to AF! :cheers:
The whole rooting process can be intimidating but the admins here are very helpful to everyone! Good Luck.
 
jeeptrekker said:
You were right, guys. Astro gave me the option to delete, but the delete attempt failed. It appears that rooting is the only option to free up enough room on my EVO to make it function as I would like... or AT LEAST enough to allow it to start downloading my email messages again and updating my essential apps.

The language in that Dummies Guide is foreign to me, but I'll probably go that route. I'm quite used to carefully following tech instructions that I don't remotely comprehend.

This was my first post on Androidforums, and I eventually stopped monitoring this because I wasn't sure if anyone would respond. I really appreciate you guys' feedback!
Click to expand...

Take your time, ask questions, download the stuff you need, ask more questions, read and re read and re re read, and you got it ask more questions. I would rather answer your questions a hundred times than have you feel uncomfortable during the rooting process.
 
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