• After 15+ years, we've made a big change: Android Forums is now Early Bird Club. Learn more here.

Help Bought a Chinese import version but it needs de-bloating

  • Thread starter Thread starter Lenovo A806
  • Start date Start date
L

Lenovo A806

Guest
It's currently running 4.2.2 but should I root the phone in order to rid myself of "Mobomarket" "DU Battery Saver", UC Mini (Browser) plus various Lenovo apps including weather and music player ?

Or would updating the op sys get rid of all the stuff I really dont need ?

Thanks very much
 
If you can update the OS it might remove that stuff - it depends on what is included in the OS update.

Can you disable the bloat apps? If so, clear data, uninstall updates, disable is as good as uninstalling and doesn't require root. But if you can't then there are certainly apps there that I would not want on my device (Chinese app markets don't have a good reputation, and DU Battery Saver I'd certainly not allow to run).
 
Is it this one?
http://www.amazon.com/Lenovo-A806-Smartphone-Android-MTK6592/dp/B00N2JY1JW

You're not in the US are you? Because this phone won't work there, doesn't have North American cellular bands AFAICT.

You can certainly disable and hide the unwanted Chinese bloat and never see it again. :thumbsupdroid: ...however there's no Google on this device.

As for rooting it, maybe to properly de-bloat it and to install Google, there is information, but it's in Chinese, and is not straight forward....
http://bbs.lenovo.com/a8/t402705/?pid=8512163#pid8512163


OT:

I often wonder what the hell makes people want to buy Chinese version phones? o_O I see the things every day and have one myself, I am in China. :D Main thing is they don't have Google, will have China specific pre-installed apps and bloat, any warranty issues almost certainly it will have to go back to China for service, often won't have North American cellular bands, not a problem in Europe though. This Lenovo, it's only a mid-range Mediatek device nothing special. Because they seem exotic and are not sold by Verizon Wireless, is that why?
 
Last edited:
OK first of all thanks for all the responses. Couldnt log on to the site, despite posting the question, so I had to register again today.

1. I could update Android if I knew how ? However it doesnt seem likely that Android would allow all your existing apps to disappear after upgrading to the latest version ?

2. Chinese import cos I couldnt find it in the UK. It does run Google/Play Store but Mobomarket keeps hanging in there despite my various efforts to disable/uninstall etc. Is there an app that I can buy/download that will delete permanently these unwanted apps ?

I was informed, before I bought the phone, that it wouldnt work in the US but as it was a cheap replacement for my broken one and I wont be visiting anytime soon............

3. Knowledge of rooting etc is very basic so if I cannot find an app to remove these pests is there a "Newbie" guide to rooting a phone somewhere ?

Thanks
 
1. It depends on how the update would happen. When the update comes from the manufacturer, the apps already installed do not get removed. However, manually flashing an update that somebody else made needs a factory reset.

2. Mobomarket may be a system app. You'd need to root to get it off.

3. You can look at XDA or the specific forum forn your phone here.
 
"You can look at XDA or the specific forum forn your phone here"

Thanks for the advice however there doesnt appear to be a specific thread for this phone yet ? I've rooted another android in the past using some software which, if I recall, I downloaded from the web. Are there generic rooting software programs for Android phones either free or paid for ?
 
Lenovo A806 said:
"You can look at XDA or the specific forum forn your phone here"

Thanks for the advice however there doesnt appear to be a specific thread for this phone yet ? I've rooted another android in the past using some software which, if I recall, I downloaded from the web. Are there generic rooting software programs for Android phones either free or paid for ?
Click to expand...

Yeh, there's things like Kingroot* and Framaroot*, these are both Chinese, and might be phoning home the IMEI and other personal/private stuff to servers in China, I believe Kingroot does this. But then "Mobomarket", "DU Battery Saver" and "UC Mini (Browser)", along with Lenovo are all Chinese anyway. :thumbsupdroid:

*Disclaimer:
Use at your own risk. We are not responsible...yadda...yadda...yadda
 
OK we're getting closer ;) Thanks for the advice and fully appreciate the issues with carp phoning home. So I've read this about Towelroot
on YT.

Developed by XDA apparently ? Any reasons why I shouldnt try it ?
 
^This is exactly what I did. Super-sume seems to get rid of all the nasty Chinaware and leaves you with a clean rooted phone with the trusted SuperSU root app. No unlocked bootloader or custom recovery so be careful what you uninstall /do to the system
 
"This is exactly what I did" By that I assume you meant you used Kingroot ? But not on this particular phone ? Having visted the Kingroot site it appears they dont have Firmware or Drivers for the A806. However there is mention of a "Golden Warrior" A8
 
Last edited:
OK here's what I've found.

A site called Needrom has a whole host of Rom upgrades (?) for this Lenove phone. When I asked the question on the site about which one was the most suitable and whether I should root the phone first I received the following reply.

"Question: Hi I have one question. I'm no expert in mobile phone technology so I am not sure if this is a Rom to be installed after I have rooted the phone ? If I have to root the phone first can you suggest a product/software that will do the job ?
Many thanks
Andy

Reply : Hi Now you've the choice here http://www.needrom.com/category/lenovo/serial-a/serial-a800/a806/ you can installed MIUI, Lewa, Vibe, i can't say for you ( ROM is rooted ) search on youtube rom MIUI or lewa etc..."

So I'm guessing here but I think the respondent maybe Chinese/Japanese or someone whose first language isnt English. Without wishing to outstay my welcome on this or the Needrom site, can anyone, more tech savvy than me (which isnt difficult), translate the above paragraph and explain my course of actions re Rooting and Romming ?

Thanks a lot
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom