How to disable Android bloatware without root

Every single time I get a new phone, my first mission is to get rid of that pesky software manufacturers and carriers insist on pushing down our throats. Yes, I am talking about bloatware, those apps which come pre-installed in your new handsets, but you will likely never use and can’t truly uninstall.

These applications include, but are not limited to, carrier services, cloud storage, sports and games. I have come to the realization that they mostly exist so that us Android enthusiasts can complain about something. But don’t you worry, for there are ways to get them out of your way, and you don’t even need to tinker away and get root access. Let’s show you how this is done.

Hiding apps

The easiest way to clean up your app drawer is by hiding your apps. This used to be a feature we could only see in third-party launchers, which was heaven-sent for those of us who wanted to get rid of bloatware without having to root. The good news is some manufacturers have started baking this feature straight into their launchers, so you may not even need a third-party launcher to do this.

We can’t exactly tell you how to hide apps, as this process is very different for every manufacturer and launcher, but it’s usually an option in the app drawer settings.

Here’s how I can do it in the LG G4:

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The downside to this is that hiding apps doesn’t do much other than keeping them out of sight. These apps will still run in the background and take up space. And given that most times bloatware can’t be uninstalled, the next best option would be to disable these applications from the system settings.

How to disable apps

Disabling apps will ensure installed applications are not running in the background. The icons will also fail to appear in your app drawer or home screens. The only issue is the app will continue to be in the phone, taking up precious space, but at least it won’t be draining other resources or cluttering your apps drawer.

1. Open your Settings app
2. Scroll down until you find “Apps” or “Application Manager”, tap on it.
3. Find the application you want to disable and select it.
4. There will be an option to “Disable”.
5. You should get a message warning you about the risks of disabling an app. Just press “Yes”.
6. You are done! The app is now out of sight and no longer active.

Keep in mind that some of these steps may vary a bit depending on your specific device. It shouldn’t be difficult to figure out, though. Just find the application manager and enter the app. Your option should be there.

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While none of these methods are quite as satisfying as completely removing bloatware from a device, it is certainly better than just leaving the apps enabled and eating away at your system resources. For those that want to take it to the next level, you can always root your phone and there are then plenty of free root-enabled apps that will help you further eradicate the bloatware menace.

Tesla’s Model S hack still proves it’s better than other car makers

In the run up to this year’s DEF CON, major car hacks seem to be a recurring theme. A few weeks ago we saw how hackers were able to remotely take control and shut down Chrysler vehicles — now Tesla’s Model S is the latest target. Researchers have figured out a way to digitally “hot wire” a Model S, Wired reports. They can also plant a Trojan that allows them to remotely control the car, including shutting it down. It’s a sign that even the most technologically advanced car in the world will never be fully safe from security vulnerabilities. But while Chrysler had to issue a “voluntary safety recall” (in the form of a software update on a USB stick) for 1.4 million affected vehicles, Tesla has already sent out a fix to all Model S owners with an over-the-air update. Look at it this way: In one day every Model S owner is protected against these hacks, whereas it’ll take much longer for the majority of Chrysler owners to get their patch (and there’s a good chance it’ll never reach them all).

It’s also not as if these hacks were easy to pull off. They require getting physical access to a Model S, which means potential attackers would have to deal with the car’s security system first. The researchers, Lookout Security CTO Kevin Mahaffey and Cloudflare head security researcher Marc Rogers, used a network cable behind the Model S’ dashboard to plug in a laptop and get access to the car’s infotainment system. They then spent two years digging into the car’s architecture, ultimately digging up six vulnerabilities that they helped Tesla resolve. They’ll be discussing their findings at DEF CON this week.

The researchers also point to a few other elements of Tesla’s architecture that makes it more secure than other car firms: It keeps the infotainment and drive systems completely separate (which wasn’t the case for Chrysler’s vehicles), and it also developed a graceful way for its cars to stop when they lose power. While there are still potential issues with Tesla’s technology — the researchers aren’t clear how safe the car’s drive system is from remote hacks — this hack shows it’s still got a leg up on the competition when it comes to security.

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Source:
Wired

Tags: hacks, ModelS, Tesla