Root [MetroPCS] Game Theory's programs for the LG Optimus F6 (metro)

[Blackflag4]

Ok, Not sure where to post this but I'll drop it here and let it be moved if need be.

First I would like to start of by saying thank you to Game Theory and the rest of the devs for all of their work. I have only recently decided to join the android forums but I have been to the site many times over the past year and absolutely love how much information is here, and how dedicated all of the devs are. You all rock and time is a valuable thing, yet you all do what you can.

(Special shout to Trevor who was a huge help on my first question)

I would also like to thank the rest of our members who have taken time from their lives to assist those of us that are less tech savvy. Your time is also valuable and I am very appreciative for all of the help I have received by reading posts, and all of the help I am sure I'll get over time.

Now I do have a question, but I wanted to get that out of the way first.

The question is: I have used the Towelroot program to root my Metro F6, and was interested in using the Debloat tool on GT's site, but need to make sure of a few things first.
If used, does the tool remove the software in question from the stock system rom completely? If I need to unroot, do I need to find the original Metro software to re-add it, or would a factory restore reinstall it as it was before the tool was used?


That's all I need to know about it.

Thanks for any help in advance.

 

[breadnatty08]

Welcome to the forums, Blackflag6! I moved this thread to the Optimus F6 Root subforum for Metro.
I'm not really familiar with the tool, but all I can offer is if you're going to mess around with removing system apps is to be sure you have a nandroid backup on the device in case you run into a bootloop or a soft brick. Best of luck.

 

[Trevor Philips]

If you use GT's tool it will remove the apps completely so you should make a backup just like breadnatty08 said, if you choose not to make a backup, I believe a factory reset would not bring the apps back (someone correct me of I'm wrong). To get the apps back you may have to use our unbricking guide found on this forum.(Also found on GT's site)

 

[Blackflag4]

Ok, I'll have to do a bit more research before attempting it then. I just don't want to leave my phone naked without access to all of the apps, just n case.

 

[Masterchief87]

Ok, I'll have to do a bit more research before attempting it then. I just don't want to leave my phone naked without access to all of the apps, just n case.

I used GameTheory' debloat tool once and it did just what it was supposed to but it removed a lot more than I wanted to get rid of. A different option that also works very well is to use titanium backup to backup all apps and system data, then Uninstall only the apps you want to get rid of. That way you'll have a backup copy of anything you uninstall and can easily restore it if needed.

 

[infowarz]

If you use GT's tool it will remove the apps completely so you should make a backup just like breadnatty08 said, if you choose not to make a backup, I believe a factory reset would not bring the apps back (someone correct me of I'm wrong). To get the apps back you may have to use our unbricking guide found on this forum.(Also found on GT's site)

I can verify that . . .
Cause after a factory reset, what ever we re-moved (and saved to external_sd) or deleted do not restore with the factory reset.

Cause
they be Gone out of the system file that does the restore.

Learned that the hard way yesterday!

 

[jaycrewz]

OP, careful with Titanium Backup if you ever plan to change ROMs. Allow me to quote iowabowtech from another thread;

I'm sure there are plenty of tutorials out there but I can hit on a few highlights and how I do it.

One of the first things to do is enable the schedule for backups. You can use more than one option on the schedule if you want. Its worth noting that each backup takes the place of the last, this way you don't end up with huge amounts of data bogging down your phone.

2 schools of thought for backing up:

1.) Backup all user apps (easy, great for rom flashers, but will miss some things you may want)

2.) Backup all user apps + system data

You'll hear many people say the famous words...never restore system data. That can be true and many times it is so its a good catchall statement that has turned into a mantra for TiBu users. But bits and pieces of that system data might be worth restoring in certain situations so some poeple back up system data for those situations. A good example being the contacts and call logs you mentioned. If you want to back those up via the auto scheduler, you'll need to choose the option to backup user apps + system data.

The issue with restoring system data is that it can seriously bork things if you flash a different rom than the rom you were on when you made the backup. So if you do make the decision to backup system data, that's all good but it just takes a bit more intervention when it comes time to restore stuff. What you can do then is choose to restore all user apps + system data BUT you then have a secondary option to be more selective...a list comes up with all the stuff. Since its a large list, I find it easiest to choose the option to deselect all to start out with. Then recheck all user apps (anything acquired from Play Store) and you can then select the contacts, messages (sms &mms), and if you want bookmarks (stock browser). You'll note those last 3 items have the Titanium logo by them. Although they are technically system data, they have been separated into their own backup categories because so many people wanted them.

So bottom line, its ok to backup system data, you just need to be aware what system data you are restoring and be selective.

Clarity note:
The batch restore tool is found on the app's main screen. Upper right hand corner, it looks like a piece of paper with a checkmark on it.

Other items not related to backup/restore:
Freezing/defrosting apps is a nice feature. You can use that if you want to get bloatware out of sight out of mind without totally removing them. If you ever want to remove a system app, you may need to got into settings > preferences and enable "Chuck Norris" mode which will allow you to delete pretty much anything. Just realize that could be problematic depending on what it is and if it ties into other processes.

There are tons of other options in TiBu. I've hit on only the main points. We used to see tutorials on this but the app has become so option laden that I think people gave up on trying to explain it all.

So for the rest of the stuff, dive into the menu options and just check it all out. There's a ton of things most people don't even use but you can make your own call on those. Hope that helped somewhat.

Pay attention to the bold.

 

[netmatt]

I did not use the that particular tool, but I did use the list from that tool and manually removed them using a file manager after root. Only thing that I missed (and restored using a CWM backup) was the Musicbin, which is used by the F6 as the tool for adding ringtones, etc.