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Be gentle please

T

Timbo1951

Newbie
Hi all - as per the title, please bear with an oldie here ( see my intro post for more background ).
I have a LOT to learn about these fancy new smart phones, and heck, I may even learn to make a phone call on it soon LOL.
Samsung galaxy3 mini ( i think ) running android ver 4.1.2

So..... heres the first of MANY questions that I hope someone will have a SIMPLE answer for :rolleyes:

For reasons best left alone, I decided to reset my phone a week or so ago ( Ive only had it two weeks! ) and had hoped this would let me start again and remove some of the mess I had already made of my files and libraries etc. I had also downloaded and installed some stupid apps, and was looking forward to starting afresh once the thing re-booted.
Oh dear...... what the heck is happening. Sure enough, the apps seem to have disappeared, but when I cherry picked one or two to re-install, googleplay ( whatever the heck that is:confused: ) tells me these are already installed, and I have no option to install them.
"My Apps" on the website simply lists all these old apps ( about a dozen or so ) and all it says against each of em is "installed". I had a look at various threads on various forums, but every path I follow, leaves me at this same dead end page.

Why is everything so hard these days arrrgggh - Im not 10 years old, so simply don't learn or understand this modern stuff as well as my grandson does!

Would some kind young person ( or old ) please tell me what the heck to do TYIA
 
Timbo,

The first thing to check is whether the apps are actually installed or not. I have a Galaxy S4 so things should be similar. Open your app drawer and when in the app drawer touch the menu button. There should be an option in there for View Type. Touch that and choose Alphabetical Grid. Now look through your app drawer and see if the apps are indeed installed. If they are, I would recommend uninstalling the ones that you want as opposed to resetting the phone.

The Google Play Store has a "feature" sometimes a curse, that remembers what apps you had installed and when you sign on to a phone with your account, it will reinstall your last installed apps. It reinstalls, not restores, so your data is gone, but the apps are back. You will have to set the apps back up to your preferences. Be aware though that this "feature" doesn't always work.
 
BigRedGonzo said:
Timbo,

The first thing to check is whether the apps are actually installed or not. I have a Galaxy S4 so things should be similar. Open your app drawer and when in the app drawer touch the menu button. There should be an option in there for View Type. Touch that and choose Alphabetical Grid. Now look through your app drawer and see if the apps are indeed installed. If they are, I would recommend uninstalling the ones that you want as opposed to resetting the phone.

The Google Play Store has a "feature" sometimes a curse, that remembers what apps you had installed and when you sign on to a phone with your account, it will reinstall your last installed apps. It reinstalls, not restores, so your data is gone, but the apps are back. You will have to set the apps back up to your preferences. Be aware though that this "feature" doesn't always work.
Click to expand...

Hmm, cant seem to find anything called an app drawer, view types or alpha grids etc, so I cant go down that route BRG.

If I go into "settings" / "app manager" / "All", then all I see is a HUGE list of hundreds of things ( most of which are abbreviated and mean NOTHING to me ) IE: Stock Daemon, or RosEUKor...... what the heck?
Clicking on one that has a hint of sense such as " Internet" shows only the following options
Force Stop
Disable
Show Notifications
Clear Data
Clear Cache

Thanks for your reply though ;)
 
Mikestony said:
Welcome Timbo!
If I understand you correctly, when you go to "my apps" in the PlayStore, yes it may say "installed" but if you click on "installed" you have the option to install them again:)
Click to expand...

Hi Mike - in google /android device manager/ it even still shows that I have a samsung tablet....which I returned to the shop unused several weeks ago :rolleyes:

Then I go to "google play" ( for gods sake, whats with all these google sites....I remember when google was just a search engine ! ) and choose "apps" / "my apps", a list appears ( some of which I have never installed or even heard of ). However, even though they say "installed" youre correct.....clicking the app windows presents the option to "install" !
How daft.
... but many thanks for the answer...seems to have sort of solved my first question :D
Still all very confusing though LOL
 
Timbo1951 said:
Hmm, cant seem to find anything called an app drawer...
Click to expand...

Take a look at the default screen for the S3 Mini below. That grid of squares in the lower right called "Apps" is your app drawer.

samsung-galaxy-s3-mini-review.jpg

Timbo1951 said:
Hi Mike - in google /android device manager/ it even still shows that I have a samsung tablet....which I returned to the shop unused several weeks ago :rolleyes:

Then I go to "google play" ( for gods sake, whats with all these google sites....I remember when google was just a search engine ! ) and choose "apps" / "my apps", a list appears ( some of which I have never installed or even heard of ). However, even though they say "installed" youre correct.....clicking the app windows presents the option to "install" !
How daft.
... but many thanks for the answer...seems to have sort of solved my first question :D
Still all very confusing though LOL
Click to expand...

The play store will list all the devices registered with that account (gmail address) and show any app ever installed on it, not just the ones that are actually installed. It's the way the store works even though it confounds a great number of users.
 
lunatic59 said:
Take a look at the default screen for the S3 Mini below. That grid of squares in the lower right called "Apps" is your app drawer.

samsung-galaxy-s3-mini-review.jpg



The play store will list all the devices registered with that account (gmail address) and show any app ever installed on it, not just the ones that are actually installed. It's the way the store works even though it confounds a great number of users.
Click to expand...

Ah Ok, but TBF, how am I supposed to know it was called an "app drawer" - most of the terminology and acronyms used are probably commonplace to most of you, but a complete newbie has no chance! Thank god for forums eh ;).

Is there no way to update this "play store" so it actually reflects the true picture?
TY
 
On your phone go to the Google Play Store.Once the page loads go to the top left little 3 bar icon next to the Carrier bag icon and click on it and from the new screen choose,"My Apps".
A new page with two tabs should come up.Swipe right to left onto the,"ALL" and those entries you don't want you press the small,"X" on the right.On my Galaxy Ace these are a bit tricky so I have to touch very lightly and roll right to left across the small,"X" and then choose to remove.

If you want to see what's installed on the phone and for user installed removal find your,"Task Manager" icon and under the,"Package" tab you will see your programs.
Note this is on my Galaxy Ace so it may be slightly different on your phone.

HTH :)
 
Timbo1951 said:
Ah Ok, but TBF, how am I supposed to know it was called an "app drawer" - most of the terminology and acronyms used are probably commonplace to most of you, but a complete newbie has no chance! Thank god for forums eh ;).

Is there no way to update this "play store" so it actually reflects the true picture?
TY
Click to expand...

It's been called the "app tray" as well. We all were new to this once, and not so long ago, none of this existed so it's still pretty new to everybody. How are we supposed to know that a circle with a slash through it means "no"?

We do have a thread http://androidforums.com/faqs/764464-glossary-terms.html and http://androidforums.com/faqs/511679-android-forums-faq.html that could help you with some of the terminology. If there's something you don't see on the list, just ask. We'll be more than happy to explain.
 
Timbo,

Removing multiple apps from your account is rather simple. I've made a video specially for you and placed it on YouTube: How to remove multiple apps from your Google Play account - YouTube

First of all, open the Google Play store. Then, slide from the far left of the screen to the right and select My Apps. Next, click the ALL tab.

Now, long-press the first app you want to remove. You'll see that it will be selected, and the apps that still are on your phone cannot be selected. Now short-click any other old apps that you want to remove. When you have selected them all, click the X on the top right of the screen.

This is much easier than pressing the tiny x on each app individually.

Good luck and if you have more questions, don't hesitate to ask them. We're always gentle over here :-)
 
I apologize for not explaining about the app drawer. At some point these terms become second nature. Now that you know what it is have a look and see what is actually installed. Good luck!!
 
BigRedGonzo said:
I apologize for not explaining about the app drawer. At some point these terms become second nature. Now that you know what it is have a look and see what is actually installed. Good luck!!
Click to expand...

No problem at all BRG - and now that I know, I have followed your instructions, and feel v liberated LOL. The "installed" apps were not there, but as you may see from earlier posts, I have discovered from Mikestony that by clicking "installed" on the google store webpage, I was able to re-install the ones I wanted, and these now show up in my apps list.
Cheers again.
 
PaulS said:
On your phone go to the Google Play Store.Once the page loads go to the top left little 3 bar icon next to the Carrier bag icon and click on it and from the new screen choose,"My Apps".
A new page with two tabs should come up.Swipe right to left onto the,"ALL" and those entries you don't want you press the small,"X" on the right.On my Galaxy Ace these are a bit tricky so I have to touch very lightly and roll right to left across the small,"X" and then choose to remove.

If you want to see what's installed on the phone and for user installed removal find your,"Task Manager" icon and under the,"Package" tab you will see your programs.
Note this is on my Galaxy Ace so it may be slightly different on your phone.

HTH :)
Click to expand...

Hi Paul, and thanks for your reply. I got as far as "ALL" but on all the listed apps, I dont have a "X" just either.....
INSTALLED
UPDATE
DISABLED

Where do I find task manager - on the actual phone, or the web :confused:
 
lunatic59 said:
It's been called the "app tray" as well. We all were new to this once, and not so long ago, none of this existed so it's still pretty new to everybody. How are we supposed to know that a circle with a slash through it means "no"?

We do have a thread http://androidforums.com/faqs/764464-glossary-terms.html and http://androidforums.com/faqs/511679-android-forums-faq.html that could help you with some of the terminology. If there's something you don't see on the list, just ask. We'll be more than happy to explain.
Click to expand...

Thanks Lunatic, I will go and check those out now.:p
 
vosg said:
Timbo,

Removing multiple apps from your account is rather simple. I've made a video specially for you and placed it on YouTube: How to remove multiple apps from your Google Play account - YouTube

First of all, open the Google Play store. Then, slide from the far left of the screen to the right and select My Apps. Next, click the ALL tab.

Now, long-press the first app you want to remove. You'll see that it will be selected, and the apps that still are on your phone cannot be selected. Now short-click any other old apps that you want to remove. When you have selected them all, click the X on the top right of the screen.

This is much easier than pressing the tiny x on each app individually.



Good luck and if you have more questions, don't hesitate to ask them. We're always gentle over here :-)
Click to expand...

I feel very inferior.... I dont have any Xs little or big ( see earlier reply to Paul )
 
Android is a very 'tactile' OS. I think the main thing to do is not be afraid of it! Press the buttons, explore the options. I know that sounds patronising but that's the way it is. First thing I do when getting a new phone is find the settings menu, then configure it how I want.
 
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