Which Package Disabler App for S8?

[CincyGuy]

I'm getting tired of Bixby notifications popping up to ask me to use Bixby reminders, doesn't seem to be a way to turn that off. I'm also tired of hitting the dumb button and having Bixby on. I would guess I might also gain a little snappiness and battery life by disabling some of the Samsung junk.

SO, with that in mind, there seem to be the two most popular apps in the Play store:

Package Disabler Pro by Policdeveloper

BK Package Disabler by Waka Software

The first one has more reviews and supposedly offers a 5 day refund. The second one has fewer reviews but still enough (1,756) and high enough to make me think it is not fake. The second one also looks nicer. They both cost the same.

Which one of these are people using, and what has been your experience? Or are you using something else? Thanks.

 

[103Softail]

Package Disabler Pro. It's always worked as it says on s7 edge. Email assistance is great too.

 

[anon(826501)]

This one.

 

[SlippySlimm]

Either will be fine.

 

[ABOSWORTH007]

When I get a new device, the first thing I do is disable and uninstall updates on all of those junk apps that I don't use. Does this just accomplish the same thing?

As for Bixby, I went into my notification settings and disabled notifications for Bixby. I don't have a problem with hitting the button now that I'm used to the layout.

 

[SlippySlimm]

When I get a new device, the first thing I do is disable and uninstall updates on all of those junk apps that I don't use. Does this just accomplish the same thing?

As for Bixby, I went into my notification settings and disabled notifications for Bixby. I don't have a problem with hitting the button now that I'm used to the layout.

These package disabler apps allow you to disable apps that you aren't able to disable within the app manager in settings.

 

[munnarg]

Keep in mind Samsung has intentionally tried to block these apps from working as they send to before. Because of this, they have had to include an additional app to be downloaded in order to work like before. Don't be alarmed if either one prompts you to download the additional plug in.

 

[eric002]

This one. //uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20170619/32a72d15d768437fee99f48335e0ff68.jpg

Yup, absolutely! I have the premium version, and the application works beautifully! You can uninstall/disable whichever app you want, just be VERY careful of what you disable especially in the system framework menu. Other than that, have fun, and "go to town"!

 

[CincyGuy]

Thanks everyone for the feedback. I think I'll give BK Package Disabler by Waka Software a shot.

 

[eric002]

Good choice.

 

[Soylent_Green]

Package Disabler Pro is the best imo.

 

[clownin72]

BK has worked great for me

 

[H3aTeRzz]

Just be careful using Package Disabler on apps that don't offer a disable feature Natively, you could cause major issue that can only be reversed by factory reset.

 

[Lepa79]

I used package disable pro before but I honestly have not needed it on my AT&T S8 Plus. Phone runs smooth like butter as it is so why mess with it?

 

[hdhuntr]

I like PDP enough not to be using others.

 

[CincyGuy]

Maybe a dumb question at this late stage, but has anyone used either one of these apps to disable Bixby (or the Bixby button)? That is the biggest thing I'm looking to do with the app at this point.

 

[CincyGuy]

So I just purchased and installed BK Package Disabler by Waka Software. I disabled a few Samsung (and other) apps that were labeled as Bloatware by BK (Health Service, Group Play, Lookout, Samsung Health) which were things I know I won't use. Bixby was in the category of "System" apps, which BK says to disable only with caution because it could screw up your phone. There were about 6 different Bixby items listed in this category: Global Action, Home, service, Vision, Voice, and dummy. I didn't want to FUBAR the camera app or anything else, so I just disabled Bixby Home. And it worked! Pressing the stupid Bixby button now does n-o-t-h-i-n-g. Ahhhh.

If Bixby actually becomes useful in a future update all I need to do is re-enable it. Very nice app, and $1.49 well spent.

Side note: interestingly it showed Bixby Voice as running. Weird since it is not an activated feature of Bixby as of yet.

 

[hdhuntr]

This is pretty much why anyone is using them in this forum. It's great. I was hitting that danged button at least half the times I picked up the phone.

Maybe a dumb question at this late stage, but has anyone used either one of these apps to disable Bixby (or the Bixby button)? That is the biggest thing I'm looking to do with the app at this point.

 

[hdhuntr]

I think this is kind of a standard warning like those on your car's nav system saying not to look at it while driving. I have disabled lots of system apps for years to no ill effect that I knew about. Just be careful which ones. I have had good luck just trying to see them on 2 different lists when I was worried about a specific one.

So I just purchased and installed BK Package Disabler by Waka Software. I disabled a few Samsung (and other) apps that were labeled as Bloatware by BK (Health Service, Group Play, Lookout, Samsung Health) which were things I know I won't use. Bixby was in the category of "System" apps, which BK says to disable only with caution because it could screw up your phone. There were about 6 different Bixby items listed in this category: Global Action, Home, service, Vision, Voice, and dummy. I didn't want to FUBAR the camera app or anything else, so I just disabled Bixby Home. And it worked! Pressing the stupid Bixby button now does n-o-t-h-i-n-g. Ahhhh.

If Bixby actually becomes useful in a future update all I need to do is re-enable it. Very nice app, and $1.49 well spent.

Side note: interestingly it showed Bixby Voice as running. Weird since it is not an activated feature of Bixby as of yet.

 

[Zendroid1]

We need a comprehensive list of what is and isn't safe to disable. I really want to disable Bixby for starters and it seems like it can be done without any side effects.