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redwingfaninnc
Guest
Quick question. Why would anyone want to convert an app to a system or user app? Is there a performance enhancement for system apps?
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Titanium Backup also has the option to merge updates into a system app, similarly saving space.
Additionally, system apps can do things that user apps cannot. A specific example is that in Gingerbread, only system apps can clear a missed call notification. So if you're using a third party app (installed as a user app) that displays the call log (usually in conjunction with a dialer), tapping on a missed call notification displays the log but the missed call notification doesn't get cleared. In my case, I converted aTAKEphONE to a system app, and it is now able to clear the missed call notification.
sadielynn
Android Enthusiast
Did not know this (about the clearing missed calls, etc) . Thanks for the info! Need to go look thru my apps again with this in mind. Any downsides to converting a user app to system app?
Usta
Android Expert
You will need to merge the version updates of the installed apps manually. For example, if Maps has an update, then you will need to first get it in data partition (which can be set auto), and only then integrate it to system with TB.
Also removing apps from system will not help you to free up internal storage space for other apps.
Kira Lawliet
Newbie
I'm trying to convert the handcent messaging app to system app but after converting it to system app via TB, it gives force close. I also tried manually by copying it from /data/app to /system/app but still force close. Tried rebooting in between but still not working. Are all apps not movable to /system/app? BTW i've got 70mb free in internal so space is not the problem..
Well I want to move it to /system/app because I replaced the system stock messaging app and it's much more customizable.
Well I want to move it to /system/app because I replaced the system stock messaging app and it's much more customizable.
daveybaby
Android Expert
Bear in mind that youre giving the application much more control over your phone than it would normally have, so only do it with apps you trust. The restrictions on non-system apps are there for a reason - to protect you from malicious or badly written apps.
Sorry for the late post. I just saw this thread. Very interesting.
If user to system frees up internal program space, then what is the cost? Is it possible to run into resource limitations by converting too many apps to system apps?
It only saves space if you are incorporating an update to a system app into the system. Just moving any regular user app to system will not save space.
Technically, converting a user app to a system app does not save space because the app continues to occupy the same amount of space. But it does free up space in the /data partition, at the expense of space in the /system partition.
It sounds like you are not rooted. You will need to do that first to use Titanium.
Has anyone tried integrating updates of Market (now Google Play) to /system? I have read from some threads that moving Market to sdcard will cause Market not function anymore. I'm just afraid whether moving Market app anywhere will cause Market not to work anymore thinking that Market is a sensitive app. I hope someone could enlighten me. Thanks!
khurrambhatti
Lurker
I am making user app to system app so that it cannot be removed when factory reset, in other sense, I am making it a part of the my installed custom ROM.... AM I DOING RIGHT?????
If you have space in your system partition then that's a valid operation. Take a nandroid first, just in case.
Of course with Ti Backup you can always restore the app after a factory reset, so I've never this. But it should work.
Of course with Ti Backup you can always restore the app after a factory reset, so I've never this. But it should work.
I beg to differ, I use DW Contacts and I have it as a User App on my Samsung Admire running Gingerbread EH02 and it clears the notifications. I don't know if it is the program or maybe an update from when you posted this fixed the issue.
Then what is the point of removing them? And is there a way to reclaim internal storage to make room for updates and stuff?