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Disabling preinstalled Verizon bloatware

beowulf7

beowulf7

Android Enthusiast
Which preinstalled bloatware (crapware, whatever you want to call it) did you disable on your Droid Turbo 2? These apps could from Google, Motorola, Verizon, or elsewhere. I have been cautious on disabling such apps and have started with the following so far:
  • Amazon Music
  • DT Ignite
  • Hangouts
  • Message+
  • Photos
  • Photos (not sure why it appears twice, but one is 28.00 KB, the other is 40.47 MB)
  • Slacker Radio
  • VZ Navigator
I edited this on 12/23/15 to add a few more bloatware apps I disabled.
 
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Disabled:
Amazon Kindle (I have a real Kindle- no need for the app)
Audible
Caller Name ID
Cloud
DT Ignite
Message+
Messaging
Support & Protection
VZNavigator

In addition, I uninstalled just about all of the other apps that were not actually part of Android (like those crappy games that were pre-installed). I don't have an exact list, since they're all gone now...
 
I call it pre-installed software.

I did not disable any of it. I use Nova Launcher Prime and hide it in an app drawer that I seldom visit. Nova Launcher Prime also has a hide option but I choose not to use it.

If root-ing ever exists in the future and you choose to uninstall any of it remember that you must reinstall it if you ever want to apply an OTA system update.

... Thom
 
beowulf7 said:
You can only disable them. You can only uninstall them if you root your phone, which to my knowledge, doesn't exist yet.
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Not entirely true. Many of the pre-installed apps can only be disabled, true. However, a number of the apps that the phone ships with (specifically the games that I mentioned previously, as well as a few others) can be completely uninstalled. That was why I differentiated in my list above. The ones I marked as disabled were disabled in the OS, the others were uninstalled completely.
 
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tweak4 said:
Not entire true. Many of the pre-installed apps can only be disabled, true. However, a number of the apps that the phone ships with (specifically the games that I mentioned previously, as well as a few others) can be completely uninstalled. That was why I differentiated in my list above. The ones I marked as disabled were disabled in the OS, the others were uninstalled completely.
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Thanks for the clarification. I guess since you uninstalled them, you don't remember what games you got rid of.
 
Thom said:
My guess ...
Cookie Jar
Empire
Panda Pop
Sugar Smile​
... still in my seldom visited drawer.

... Thom
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The odd thing is none of those apps/games appear on my phone and I didn't delete or uninstall them. I disabled a few more apps, which I will update my original post on.
 
I thought the whole thing was stupid when I saw it for the first time. I am now convinced that it is REALLY stupid. How to go Verizon.

How many times do you get to make a first impression?

... Thom
 
I'm bring this over from another thread since it belongs here...

Please note that apps that are listed in this list are extensive and in some cases may disable other features you want ( or not )... an example would be if you disable Moto, Moto Voice and Google you won't be able to do voice searches or voice dialing etc ... but the phone will work properly none the less if those aren't features you want...

weatherlover1 said:
Here is the link. http://www.andromods.com/tips-trick/disable-bloatware-apps-droid-turbo-2-list.html
Click to expand...
 
Verizon really seems to go way out there on a limb to make "good?" 1st impressions...

how in the world, they think that crap is worthy of being on a phone, I don't know.

they must be raking in some moola from app developers to get it included on their ROMs.
____________________________________
Verizon: 2 ea. Galaxy S5, Note 4, HTC One M9, VZW MiFi $212/month :(
 
rdsok said:
I'm bring this over from another thread since it belongs here...
Click to expand...

I find the referenced list to be rather odd. The fact that Moto is on the list is REALLY odd. One of the strongest attributes of this device is touchless control.

I suggest caution in using this list.

... Thom
 
Thom said:
I find the referenced list to be rather odd. The fact that Moto is on the list is REALLY odd. One of the strongest attributes of this device is touchless control.

I suggest caution in using this list.

... Thom
Click to expand...

I agree that the list is aggressive in what it lists and I mentioned that even giving an example of the voice controls getting disabled if those items that I pointed out are disabled. Knowing what can be disabled is important but the users must understand that it also may disable features they may want and they should do it with that understanding.

What we have to consider is that not everyone uses their phone in the same manner so the list is about what can be disabled... not what should be disabled. I would never use the voice controls in public places ( it's rude IMO ) and I certainly would use them to enter my PIN number as you had given as an example, that is just stupid in most cases since it has the potential to have someone overhear it.
 
I'm not aware of ever suggesting that someone use voice to enter a PIN while in a public place. It is possible to enter it. I personally don't use a PIN in a public (or private) area.

I find people texting in a public area to be annoying also. Their attention is diverted. They can drive or walk into things.

Texting in a car ... I have a Tasker read all incoming messages to me. If one requires fast response ... I park my car and respond.

... Thom
 
You used entering a PIN as an example... you didn't define if it was in public or privately in that post.

In fact, texting... I'm almost a text-phobe ... lol ( yeah, not really ) .... I think there are right and wrong ways to use it... the obvious uses would be when one party or the other are in meetings, the theater and passing on information specific details... ie addresses, other peoples phone numbers or even in some cases a password ( I had to fix someones server the other day, having them text the password was much easier than spelling it out verbally ). For general conversations, most of the time I think a phone call is the proper thing.

The car is about the only place I actually use any of the voice commands and then only on a limited basis... obviously that is a personal preference but it works well in that situation and keeps my attention on the road. I don't have anything read text back to me while driving though... again keeping my attention on the road, I figure the text will wait until I have time for it when I'm not driving. I don't find the reading back of the caller id very helpful... it takes too long IMO and I want to answer the phone much more quickly... I don't screen my calls in most cases either. Perhaps if it was a simple "[FirstName] is calling" when it's a phone book entry would be fine, but reading out the whole number takes too many rings to complete.

I see now I've gone off topic... sorry....
 
In regards to using voice commands in public places, remember the Turbo 2 has the feature that if you lift the phone from your waist/hip area to your ear there is a beep and then you can do voice commands into the phone and get a reply as if you were on a private call versus speaker phone. Still not sure I would use it that much, but in a pinch it is at least an alternative to holding the phone out and speaking that way into it.

Off topic again I know in regards to app deleting, but it seemed to follow some of the other comments.
 
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