Downloaded file manager. Will not uninstall. How can I download it?

[AC Question]

Downloaded file manager. Will not uninstall

I downloaded a file mgr that came as an .apk file. It dumps full screen ads for other apps at any given time. I tried to uninstall but no luck. The uninstall button is greyed out. I got a dedicated uninstaller and tried but it says I have to go to accessability and remove it from the list there. It isn't on the list. When I go to Google Play, and touch an app I want to read about, other apps pop up instead like Credit Karma or internet ads.
How do I get rid of this file manager? It's not the native Galaxy app.

 

[mrsmumbles]

Re: Downloaded file manager. Will not uninstall

You could try running an antivirus and see if it un-grays the uninstall button?

 

[anon8380037]

Re: Downloaded file manager. Will not uninstall

... also try Security - Device Administrators (someone advised on another thread), if it's there uncheck it ; or maybe Clear Credentials also, I'm not sure.

 

[TheAvgJoe]

Re: Downloaded file manager. Will not uninstall

Thanks guys. I tried both suggestions. No luck. I don't want to hard reset the device if I don't have to. Anyone else have ideas?

 

[Crashdamage]

Re: Downloaded file manager. Will not uninstall

Need more information to try and help.

What is the name of this file manager?

Where did you download it from?

What is the names of other apps it throws up nag ads for?

What happens when you try to uninstall it? Please give any error messages.

Have you tried uninstalling the proper way?
Settings > Apps > Select app > Clear cache > Clear data > Uninstall

Android since v1.0. Linux user since 2001.

 

[TheAvgJoe]

Re: Downloaded file manager. Will not uninstall

Ok. Here goes. Playing clash of lords 2. When short of jewels, you can go to Tapjoy or Sponsorpay and download/run apps for jewels. Saw the file mgr app but instead of taking me to google play, it sent me to a website to download an .apk. it's just named File Manager v1.1. I get ads for Empire Options, Credit Sesame, and a couple others now. If I even touch the search field to enter a search in my browser, those ads pop up. I have Dolphin browser. Galaxy Tab S 8.4 almost new. When I try to uninstall, the uninstall button is greyed out. Tried the above suggestions, no luck.

 

[mrsmumbles]

Re: Downloaded file manager. Will not uninstall

Ok. Here goes. Playing clash of lords 2. When short of jewels, you can go to Tapjoy or Sponsorpay and download/run apps for jewels. Saw the file mgr app but instead of taking me to google play, it sent me to a website to download an .apk. it's just named File Manager v1.1. I get ads for Empire Options, Credit Sesame, and a couple others now. If I even touch the search field to enter a search in my browser, those ads pop up. I have Dolphin browser. Galaxy Tab S 8.4 almost new. When I try to uninstall, the uninstall button is greyed out. Tried the above suggestions, no luck.

You could try uninstalling the game. If you don't clear data it might save your history. Sorry but I don't know what else you can do. Have you tried to force stop that file manager?

 

[anon8380037]

Re: Downloaded file manager. Will not uninstall

Yeh, thanks for the detailed explanation. As mrsmumbles said, it would be better to lose the game first than reset completely. There are many who can advise better than I, on other time zones.

I know Malwarebytes is good, and an ad blocker from Lookout, but I don't use them anymore. And don't use Clean Master or anything from Cheetah, though Crashdamage loves them to pieces .
I would try to clean it up rather than add more apps. If I remember anything I will return.

 

[Crashdamage]

Re: Downloaded file manager. Will not uninstall

To install this malware you must have had 'Install from unknown sources' enabled in Security settings. A serious no-no unles you know *exactly* what you're installing. Lesson learned I hope.

As suggested, try uninstalling the game. probrably work cure it but worth a shot.

 

[TheAvgJoe]

Re: Downloaded file manager. Will not uninstall

I'll a couple of malware blockers. Thanks for the advice. Mrsmumbles, I can force stop it but it has no effect.
What about rooting my device?

 

[mrsmumbles]

Re: Downloaded file manager. Will not uninstall

I'll a couple of malware blockers. Thanks for the advice. Mrsmumbles, I can force stop it but it has no effect.
What about rooting my device?

I don't know how rooting will help. Did you try running malwarebytes?

 

[Imnutsnj]

Have you tried uninstalling it from your app drawer? Just hold your finger on the app icon, and somewhere along the top of your screen uninstall or remove should be up there, if so, slide the icon for the app to there. If it doesn't let you uninstall it that way, then there's a good chance that you'll find it in Settings, Security, Device Administrators. Make sure it's not there. If it is there, you can do as suggested earlier by making sure there's not a check mark next to it. It definitely sounds like it's malware. I hope this helps.
Frank

 

[TheAvgJoe]

Re: Downloaded file manager. Will not uninstall

I tried removing the icon. Only the icon disappears. App is?still there. It's not even listed in Device Administrators. I'm going to get an sd card and see if the option to move to external storage lights up and try deleting it from there. I'll also try Malwarebytes works. While I was writing this, 3 full page ads popped up, blocking my conversation. Thank you all for the help. This seriously sucks.

 

[Imnutsnj]

Re: Downloaded file manager. Will not uninstall

I tried removing the icon. Only the icon disappears. App is?still there. It's not even listed in Device Administrators. I'm going to get an sd card and see if the option to move to external storage lights up and try deleting it from there. I'll also try Malwarebytes works. While I was writing this, 3 full page ads popped up, blocking my conversation. Thank you all for the help. This seriously sucks.

If you try the drop and drag method from your homescreen you only get rid of the icon, if you drop and drag it from the app drawer it should disappear. Another idea, if you haven't tried it already and if someone hasn't suggested it already would be to download an Antivirus app. If that picks it up, it should give you the ability to uninstall the app. The only other thing I can suggest is a factory reset.

 

[TheAvgJoe]

Re: Downloaded file manager. Will not uninstall

I just ran Malwarebytes. It says the file manager is trojan malware. It attempted to uninstall but needs Device Administrator permission. Problem is, it isn't listed. Where do I find it?

 

[Crashdamage]

Re: Downloaded file manager. Will not uninstall

Settings > Security > Device administrators

Android since v1.0. Linux user since 2001.

 

[TheAvgJoe]

Re: Downloaded file manager. Will not uninstall

I know where Device Administrator is. I can't find the malware file manager on the list. Malwarebytes says the bad app is named "com.adv.fm.pro". I searched my fx file explore and there's no file by that name. Where is it?

 

[Kelly Kearns]

Re: Downloaded file manager. Will not uninstall

Does Malwarebytes needs Device Admin to remove it?

Go to Device Admin, and see if Malwarebytes needs to get a check mark beside it.

 

[Crashdamage]

Re: Downloaded file manager. Will not uninstall

Wait...you went to Settings > Security > Device administrators > Search > Malwarebytes and didn't find anything? It should be there see you can enable it and let it do its thing.

Android since v1.0. Linux user since 2001.

 

[Rukbat]

Re: Downloaded file manager. Will not uninstall

I Malwarebytes says the bad app is named "com.adv.fm.pro". I searched my fx file explore and there's no file by that name. Where is it?

In a system folder somewhere - the phone would have to be rooted for you to see it.

BTW, fm.pro is Filemaker Pro, it's not free, and it's written by Claris, which is owned by Apple. Someone posted a paid version for free download, but added a malware load to it. That's why you should only install apps from trusted sources like the Play Store and the Amazon Appstore.