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Help Remove bloatware or move to sd without rooting also backup a backup 2 computer app?

Notes_Norton

Notes_Norton

Android Expert
I want to either remove or move some of the bloatware to the SD card without voiding my warranty (therefore without rooting). I keep getting the low on memory warning when I'm surfing a lot.

I've searched the archives and am now even more confused than when I started. It seems so much requires basic knowledge that I don't possess yet.

I did find a list of safe apps to remove and I'd like to ditch Boingo, Analog Clock, Calendar, CarHome, Loopt, Mobile Banking, MocoSpace, UNO and a few others that I don't think I'll ever want to use.

Searching the marketplace I've discovered App 2 Sd and aCCleaner in the which both seem to do the same thing.

Then there is the similarly named App2SD (no spaces in name) which seems to look like it is well integrated into froyo (since I've seen that screenshot when my memory gets full, but move to SD card is not highlighted). Is this one better?

Anything even better? (Foolproof for an experienced computer user but smart phone noob).

Since I will be screwing with the phone, is there any way to back up the entire phone to a computer (Windows XP)?

I'm used to using disk imaging software on my computers before trying anything that might go wrong (and sometimes things just go wrong). It has saved my "you know what" many times in the past. Is there anything that will allow me to back up the phone and restore it in the same way so I can be brave and try out apps without asking for advice on the forum first?

I don't know if you need this info: I have an Optimus M / Metro PCS and my computers all run WinXP.

Thanks,
Bob
 
The closest to a surefire backup is a NAND backup, performed by following the steps in the Newbie guide in the rooting subforum (available on 2.2 only). The only way to remove System software (Android and bloatware) is to root your phone. The Metro Bloatware added up doesn't take as much space as one would think. Some people opt to simply disable them instead of removing them completely. This way they're not completely gone in case of a needed factory reset.

If you surf alot, check your browser cache's space to see how much it eats up. Unfortunately the browser will only cache to the phone and not the SD card. There are alternative browsers that will, though.

[Edit]: The actual Android OS version of your phone will determine how easy or hard rooting is. Menu Button -> Settings -> About phone -> Android version (2.2 or 2.2.1)
 
The App2SD app is a pre version 2.2 thing. Your phone can already do anything that app can do. It cannot just move any app to SD. Also be aware that if an app has associated widgets, then you cannot use the widgets if it is moved to SD. I do however have App2SD installed simply because it is a very easy way to clear the cache files from the installed apps.

I use the Dolphin browser partly because it can cache to SD.
 
I think I'll try the Dolphin browser as soon as I learn how to back up the phone.

Right now I'm gigging a lot - one-nighters so with the PA and instrument setup/tear-down they are long days. December, February and March are our 3 biggest gigging months.

Add to that the day-to-day operations of Norton Music, and I'm a delightfully busy guy ;)

Thanks for the advice.

Notes
 
So I see different variations of the Dolphin browser. Would the MIDI be OK?

Not looking for many whistles and bells, just basic surfing.

Notes
 
I got a response from Dolphin support (quickly at that) and I installed the Dolphin Mini.

Thanks UKCatFan for the recommendation. It is soooooo much better than the stock browser. And hopefully, I won't see the low memory thing again.

Notes
 
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