[Guide] How to remove Bloatware from the Thunderbolt

[Cory Streater]

A lot of people root their phone's because they want to remove that pesky bloatware. After they've rooted (Either with their Mac or with their PC), they often ask, "Now how do I move the bloatware?" This procedure answers that question in detail. I use a file explorer called "Root Explorer" in this post because it's the most popular app when it comes to folder mounting and file manipulation. It's a paid app and will cost you a double tall latte.

Post #2 will walk you through the process of using Super Manager another file explorer that will also accomplish the job.

Also, before you go all crazy moving stuff, make sure you read the Thunderbolt: Apps that are safe to remove once rooted thread. Please.

Steps 1 & 2: Download, install, and open Root Explorer:


Steps 3 - 5: Use Root Explorer to get to the bloatware:


Steps 6 - 8: Select the bloatware you want to move and click move (don't forget to read this first!):


Steps 9 - 11: Navigate to the sdcard -- where the bloatware will be moved to:


Steps 12 - 14: Create a new folder on your SD card -- to park those files -- and then paste/move them in there:


The Bloatware has been moved. Depending on which apps you moved over - you might get a few force closes:

[Cory Streater]

As promised, here is the procedure for using a free file management alternative like Super Manager. It's hard to argue with free, but I still love Root Explorer.

Also, before you go all crazy moving stuff, make sure you read the Thunderbolt: Apps that are safe to remove once rooted thread. Please.

Steps 1 thru 3: Download, install, run, and setup Super Manager:


Steps 4 - 6: Enable and allow root:


Steps 7 - 9: By default, Super Manager opens the SD Card directory. You need to go up a few levels to the "Root" folder:


Steps 10 - 12: Now you're going to navigate to the /system/app folder and choose which apps to move (don't forget to read this first!):


Steps 13 - 15: Once you've finished selecting apps, you're going to navigate to the sdcard -- where the bloatware will be moved to:


Create a new folder on your SD card to move the files to:



Next you're going to paste/move the files:

[TBolt2011]

I was literally JUST gonna ask this...

Is it required to pay $4 for Root Explorer, or is there an alternative?

edit: Thank you so much for providing the free-app-version of the guide! Saved me my $4 :P

[Cory Streater]

Root Explorer is all I've ever known. There might be other file managers that are root capable, but I'm not familiar with any of them.

[TBolt2011]

Originally Posted by Cory Streater

Root Explorer is all I've ever known. There might be other file managers that are root capable, but I'm not familiar with any of them.

Well that's good enough for me. I'll probably end up with that one. Just too cheap to spend $4 blindly. :P

[smartass12]

do we move just the .apk files or the .odex ones as well.

[UndergroundWire]

Originally Posted by smartass12

do we move just the .apk files or the .odex ones as well.

Both of them.

[Cyber Warrior]

Another awesome tutorial Cory..

[the Ramen Noodle]

Bummer. I was hoping this was a miraculous root-free method for removing the bloatware.

[Rush Lindsay]

Originally Posted by the Ramen Noodle

Bummer. I was hoping this was a miraculous root-free method for removing the bloatware.

Yep, root or these steps doesn't apply to you.