Root Replacing System Apps

[savetheknot]

I am new to the whole Android world. I have rooted my phone and gotten rid of the MetroPCS bulk, but I am curious about removing/replacing system apps. For example, I have Handcent SMS installed. Does this mean I can uninstall the stock messenger app? Same question for other apps such as launcher and contacts.

If removing these is a common practice, where/how do I back them up?

 

[Scur]

I am new to the whole Android world. I have rooted my phone and gotten rid of the MetroPCS bulk, but I am curious about removing/replacing system apps. For example, I have Handcent SMS installed. Does this mean I can uninstall the stock messenger app? Same question for other apps such as launcher and contacts.

If removing these is a common practice, where/how do I back them up?

I've never had issues with removing a launcher, but I know some programs actually use the stock apps they're replacing, or other apps completely. An example is HeyTell. You can show your location on a map when you send a tell, but the maps aren't included. HeyTell is using Google maps.
My point is be wary.
Here is a list of what you can remove and what you can't.

 

[savetheknot]

Thats the thing I was worried about. Ex: I use 3 as my music player, but I'm worried if I delete my stock music player it will cause 3 to be useless. The list you linked to read as if deleting the stock app will make it impossible to listen to music. Seems like the author was on Cyanogen (sp?) Mod. I am still on stock 2.2, only rooted.

 

[Scur]

Thats the thing I was worried about. Ex: I use 3 as my music player, but I'm worried if I delete my stock music player it will cause 3 to be useless. The list you linked to read as if deleting the stock app will make it impossible to listen to music. Seems like the author was on Cyanogen (sp?) Mod. I am still on stock 2.2, only rooted.

Heh, I have a habit of skimming over detals.
You might want to grab Titanium Backup, then you can just freeze the apps instead of removing them, and see if it messes anything up. If it does, just unfreeze and reboot if needed.