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Disabling a system app

S

Swalih

Lurker
There's an app called "Software Update" (obviously a system app) in my device. What it does is give me ads that I don't want and install apps like Amazon, Clean master that I don't use. It do these things without my permission. Because of this, I have to daily delete whatever stuff they install in my device. I do not want to root my device. The problem is that I can't disable this app. There are other system apps in my device that I don't want and I could disable them. But this, there's a disable button, but it's not clickable. I know I can't delete it without rooting, so is there any want to disable this unwanted app? I tried using freeware firewall apps to block it from the internet . But those apps use pretty much ram.

Any ideas to disable it? Directly or indirectly?

Device - Micromax A350
Android version - 4.4.2

Thank you.
 
You can try Startup Manager or Autorun Manager Pro. These are the two best non-root startup preventers I've found. Without root, no guarantees that they will be successful. Even with root, some apps are set to not only start at boot, but also upon a system event. If the system event is something inevitable, like "screen on," there is nothing any non-root app can do to prevent it.

However, I believe you are incorrect about it being the source of your issues. The sole purpose of Software Update is to check for Android system updates.
 
^^I agree. It's probably another app giving you issues.
How did you discover it was Software Update?
 
I realized it was "Sofware update" when those ads came in my notification bar. I hold one of them and clicked App info.

I have installed Startup Manager. I have to wait for a day to see if the problem is gone. I'll inform you then.
 
Swalih said:
I realized it was "Sofware update" when those ads came in my notification bar. I hold one of them and clicked App info.

I have installed Startup Manager. I have to wait for a day to see if the problem is gone. I'll inform you then.
Click to expand...
Nope. Maybe because I'm on a custom rom?
 
Because it's unlikely that the ads come from Software Update. I have a Software Update service, all phones running OEM ROMs have it, and it won't give you ads because that's not what it's for. Just get Add-Ons Detector from the Play Store and look for which ones have Push ads.
 
OP are you absolutely certain this "Software Update" is the one that's actually serving the ads. It's definitely a system app you sure can't remove, and it was on there when you bought the phone?
But then this is a Micromax, a brand that's primarily available in India. I know some Chinese devices can have ad stuff built-in(bloat), wouldn't surprise me if the same thing was happening here.
 
chanchan05 said:
Because it's unlikely that the ads come from Software Update. I have a Software Update service, all phones running OEM ROMs have it, and it won't give you ads because that's not what it's for. Just get Add-Ons Detector from the Play Store and look for which ones have Push ads.
Click to expand...
I did as you said[I unchecked the skip system apps field] and the app you suggested failed to detect the app that gives the ads as notifications.

The reason I believe it is Software Update who's bringing the ads is because when the ads show up in the notification bar, I can hold it and "App Info" appears. It leads me to Software Update. There's another app for system update for updating the android version. This one is different. I think the sole purpose of this app is to bring ads. Correct me if I'm wrong.
 
mikedt said:
OP are you absolutely certain this "Software Update" is the one that's actually serving the ads. It's definitely a system app you sure can't remove, and it was on there when you bought the phone?
But then this is a Micromax, a brand that's primarily available in India. I know some Chinese devices can have ad stuff built-in(bloat), wouldn't surprise me if the same thing was happening here.
Click to expand...

Yes it was on there when I bought the phone.
 
Swalih said:
If I am to root my device, should I do anything other than what this says?
http://micromaxcanvas.co.in/root-mmx-a350-knight-phone/

Another question, not related to this topic. Can ROM for other phones or custom rom work on my phone? If yes, can you briefly explain what to do?
Click to expand...
Never use any rom, custom or stock, unless it was designed for your phone.

Never delete a system app after rooting. Always freeze it using an app like Titanium Backup - or a file manager that will let you mount the /system as read-write, then find the app in /system/app and add a ".bak" after ".apk" at the end of the file name.

If that root package has a custom recovery (I can't tell from the write up) you can use it to make a full image backup of your phone - that's the first step after rooting whenever possible.

That same sort of recovery will allow you to install a custom rom - again, only use one for your phone. Trying something from another phone could result in a brick.
 
EarlyMon said:
Never use any rom, custom or stock, unless it was designed for your phone.

Never delete a system app after rooting. Always freeze it using an app like Titanium Backup - or a file manager that will let you mount the /system as read-write, then find the app in /system/app and add a ".bak" after ".apk" at the end of the file name.

If that root package has a custom recovery (I can't tell from the write up) you can use it to make a full image backup of your phone - that's the first step after rooting whenever possible.

That same sort of recovery will allow you to install a custom rom - again, only use one for your phone. Trying something from another phone could result in a brick.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the advice.

Which way of rooting do you think is better?

http://micromaxcanvas.co.in/root-mmx-a350-knight-phone/

OR

http://technobuster.com/?page_id=552

[The second link doesn't use a PC. Is it even real?]
 
Your first link sounds like this -


Myself, I would go with your first link.

Where the instructions say to go to recovery and install SuperSU.zip - stop and look to see if you can do a backup first.
 
I read somewhere that the second method[ Framaroot.apk way ] only works with v4.2.2 in my device. I tried the first method but that isn't working. I don't know what's wrong in what I did. I think this too only works for v4.2.2. I use v4.4.2. Can you tell me how to do it or give me a website on that. All the videos and sites that I found leads to the older version. What can I do?
 
Maybe nothing more than a version issue, not you, in the first way.

This thread has some confusion but also some good clarity in it, I think this is worth reading all the way through if you haven't already -

http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2689916&page=3

I linked to that page because it looks like the original tool author is in there (calling out people for copying without credit).

I think that if anyone would be sure, it would be him.

If I read that right.
 
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