DROID Bionic: Apps That Are Safe To Disable (now that you are on ICS)

[Ry]

Just thought I'd get a list going, focusing on the apps that came on the phone/Blur ICS ROM -

To disable an app, Settings > Apps > All tab.

Select App. If necessary, Uninstall Updates. Option to Disable should appear.

Amazon Kindle
Apps (the Verizon Apps app)
City ID
Facebook
MOG Music
MOTOACTV
Music Store
My Music
NFL Mobile
Slacker Radio
Slingbox
Swype
V CAST Tones
Verizon Video
VZ Navigator


You should be able to uninstall these:

Blockbuster
Let's Golf
ZumoCast

 

[hokiesteve]

You can add NFL mobile to that too.

Sent from my DROID BIONIC using Android Central Forums

 

[Ry]

You can add NFL mobile to that too.

Sent from my DROID BIONIC using Android Central Forums

Ah true.

(But I use it)

Will add to the list.

 

[Frankn Stein]

Thanks! So what's the difference between disabling and uninstalling? Since you can't uninstall these. That is, what's this doing for me? Just got ICS on bionic about 30 min ago.

 

[spskeldon]

Hey Ry, do we know if Slacker Radio is safe to disable?

 

[Ry]

Hey Ry, do we know if Slacker Radio is safe to disable?

Yes. I'll add that to the list.

 

[Ry]

Thanks! So what's the difference between disabling and uninstalling? Since you can't uninstall these. That is, what's this doing for me? Just got ICS on bionic about 30 min ago.

Disabling an app keeps that app's resources from ever running. Its launcher icon is gone until you re-enable it. But this doesn?t free up any space because pre-installed apps are included in the read-only system storage.

Uninstalling would remove the app completely but since the pre-installed apps are in the read-only system storage, you can't completely uninstall them.

 

[the_animal99]

So if we disable these apps do we have to reenable them in order to receive future updates? If so, how do you do so?

 

[DaleGriggs]

You do the same thing except you click on enable instead of disable.

 

[the_animal99]

You do the same thing except you click on enable instead of disable.

Doesn't look like the disabled apps are available in the all Apps list to switch them back. {Edit: Sorry, saw the disabled apps listed down below. My Bad}

 

[Mooncatt]

I found a number of apps you can disable that I doubt will hurt the phone per se. The thing to watch for is will it interfere with usability. For example, you can safely disable the built in browser and Gmail apps, but you will need a replacement app for them if you still want to access the net and Gmail account.

I think any apps that would hurt stability if disabled have that option greyed out.

 

[mamawM]

2 of the apps that i removed did not have the disable option,only uninstall. i think it was blockbuster and let golf 2.

 

[skomic]

Great tip, thanks a lot.

Sent from my Nexus 7 using Android Central Forums

 

[Tom in Bristol]

2 of the apps that i removed did not have the disable option,only uninstall. i think it was blockbuster and let golf 2.

For the apps that don't show the 'Disable' button, do the 'Uninstall Updates' step and then go back to it and there will be the 'Disable option - do it.

 

[mamawM]

For the apps that don't show the 'Disable' button, do the 'Uninstall Updates' step and then go back to it and there will be the 'Disable option - do it.

Thanks Tom, but I already uninstalled them. I hope it doesn't cause problems down the line. I don't think it will because I had uninstalled lets golf 2 while we were on 2.3 and had no problems going forward to ics.

Sent from my A100 using Android Central Forums

 

[DroidST]

Just thought I'd get a list going, focusing on the apps that came on the phone/Blur ICS ROM -

To disable an app, Settings > Apps > All tab.

Select App. If necessary, Uninstall Updates. Option to Disable should appear.

Amazon Kindle
Apps (the Verizon Apps app)
City ID
MOG Music
MOTOACTV
Music Store
My Music
NFL Mobile
Slacker Radio
Slingbox
Swype
V CAST Tones
Verizon Video
VZ Navigator

I disabled all of these (except Slacker, which I use).. I did a Clear Data for City ID first... Uninstalled Blockbuster

 

[DroidST]

For the apps that don't show the 'Disable' button, do the 'Uninstall Updates' step and then go back to it and there will be the 'Disable option - do it.

From factory reset (246), there will be no Uninstall Updates (and of course no Disable) option for Blockbuster and Lets Golf, just Uninstall

 

[mamawM]

Also, you do not have to go into settings to disable or uninstall. Just open the app drawer, long press app (as if you wanted to add to home screen) and DO NOT PICK UP FINGER when home screen comes up, at the top of the screen where the trash icon usually sits it will say more, drag app here and let go. If an app can be uninstalled it will come up as an option.

Sent from my A100 using Android Central Forums

 

[CobbFC09]

Doesn't look like the disabled apps are available in the all Apps list to switch them back. {Edit: Sorry, saw the disabled apps listed down below. My Bad}

Where are they? I can't seem to find them.

 

[Ry]

Where are they? I can't seem to find them.

Scroll all the way down when in the Apps tab.

Sent from my DROID BIONIC using Android Central Forums