Root Remove bloatware without rooting?

[amk2795]

Is it possible to remove the VM bloatware without rooting?
If not, are there any sorts of root that would keep the Android as close to stock as possible but let me remove the bloatware?

(I love how I'm talking about this phone like I own it...oh I'm silly.)

 

[lunatic59]

Without root there is not any way to remove the carrier installed apps. Root changes nothing about the stock OS other than granting you administrative permissions. If all you do it remove unwanted apps, then it will remain stock without the apps.

No, let me offer a word of caution. Many apps provide services for other parts of the OS and if you remove them, you can disable certain features or make your phone unusable. More importantly, system apps are not easily restorable like simply installing an .apk file. And once deleted, even a factory reset will not recover them. You will have to locate and flash a stock rom image to get them back. If you plan on rooting and deleting those apps, please check back here first before you do anything so we can make sure it's safe for you to delete those without any negative impact to your phone.

 

[amk2795]

Hmm, what about the twitter app, the WHERE app, Poynt, SCVNGR, and other things that aren't VM-specific apps (Live, account link, etc)? Those aren't essential, I presume? (Not sure what other bloatware apps come preloaded on VM 2.3 devices)

 

[lunatic59]

I'm not a VM customer, so I couldn't tell you about those apps specifically. I would be wary removing any app that is intrinsically linked to communication like Twitter.

I found this thread about the Optimus V. It may help you out.

 

[amk2795]

Thanks! And yeah, I'm just not a twitter-er and would rather not have the app.

 

[El Presidente]

From my knowledge of other HTC handsets, removing twitter is a relatively bad idea unfortunately. Anything that you can add/link an account for can't be safely removed.

 

[primetech]

On every other vm phone I have been able to safely remove Twitter and Facebook. But that isn't speaking from the experience that goes with htc devices... They certainly act like totally different machines. FWIW back when they released their first Android phones they actually included TweetCaster. Or whatever controversial app Twitter temporarily banned...

Scavngr, poynt, whatever other silly things they put on there shouldn't be necessary though. The only Virgin Mobile based app you need to leave put is Activate. Because without it you can't.

 

[John Clarton]

I have the same issue, is rooting the phone risky? If it is how do I back up my phone?

 

[agentc13]

On my triumph and my wife's OV, I was able to uninstall twidroyd, WHERE, Poynt, SCVNGR, Live, Facebook (and probably a few others, I don't remember them all). So with the other VM phones you are able to get rid of all of that.

That being said, I have not used a HTC device, so like others have posted it may mess things up to remove those.

 

[insink71]

safe to delete

It is Peep; which, VM doesn't have that is intrinsically linked (would break at the very least your Friendstream). That is the twitteresque app you should be somewhat wary of deleting.
Also, safe to delete... Facebook but NOT HTC Facebook for same reason aforementioned.

Regards,
Rob