Information Source

[ptkelly]

I'm new to cellphones with my Nexus 5 but with laptop computers an early step for me is to disable trash that comes with the laptop. The Nexus 5 has a load of programs running but if I go to shut one down I get a threat that the app might misbehave. If I go to disable it the threat escalates to other apps might misbehave.

Is there some sort of app union that extorts compliance? Is there a site or document where I can find out which Google apps can be safely disabled?

 

[VidJunky]

Disabling apps varies from user to user, and what one person may not want or need will not be the same as someone else. Having said that if you Google your device and carrier, because bloatware will very from carrier to carrier, for apps that can be disabled there are dozens of opinions as to what can safely be disabled or isn't needed. I would look for a source that not only says what isn't needed but also includes why and/or what the disabled app is tied to or does. The opinions on this very as much as home screen backgrounds do but if you look there will always be a core set that no one wants or uses.

 

[ptkelly]

Thanks, VidJunky. In fiddling this morning I see the difference between apps that sit there, like FIT, and apps that actually run. Since I don't have games or music taking up space, I'm not sure having them just sit there makes much difference.

 

[camanokid]

My understanding is the Android manages RAM in such a fashion that the oldest running apps are killed when your start a new app. The fact that apps are still in your RECENT list is not a problem...but a benefit. But if you prefer, you can install an app such as Clean Master that will release RAM for you. But Android will quickly reuse that space! Some argue that it is better to maximize the use of your RAM.

Another option is to swipe an app OFF your RECENT list. This has an effect similiar to Killing the app.

 

[VidJunky]

I wouldn't install anything like an app killer or memory booster, they usually just take a toll on your battery and don't work anyway. They kill apps only for them to start up again and then the cycle begins and the app killer ends up being a problem. App killers have been obsolete since ginger bread. You'd be better off swiping them away and not worrying about them.

Posted via the Android Central App

 

[B. Diddy]

VidJunky is correct. Don't bother with automated task killers. Review these articles about how Android manages RAM:
http://forums.androidcentral.com/ambassador-guides-tips-how-tos/380592-guide-ram-android.html
RAM: What it is, how it's used, and why you shouldn't care | Android Central

The Nexus 5 doesn't come with that much bloatware. These are the apps I've disabled without any problem:

Email (because I only use Gmail)
Exchange Services
Fit
Google Hindi Input
Google Korean Input
Google Pinyin Input
iWnn IME
News & Weather
Sun Beam
TalkBack
Trusted Face

 

[wrecklass]

I'm new to cellphones with my Nexus 5 but with laptop computers an early step for me is to disable trash that comes with the laptop. The Nexus 5 has a load of programs running but if I go to shut one down I get a threat that the app might misbehave. If I go to disable it the threat escalates to other apps might misbehave.

Is there some sort of app union that extorts compliance? Is there a site or document where I can find out which Google apps can be safely disabled?

It would be very helpful if you could specify which apps you are referring to, and which carrier you are using.

My Nexus 5 came from Sprint and had nothing I would call bloatware. However, carriers do differ. It might also be your definition of bloat. If you don't have use of the Google Apps, like Gmail and YouTube for instance, then a Google Android phone may have been a poor choice.

Other manufacturers have considerable bloat. I'm looking directly at you Samsung. And don't get me started on the Amazon fire phones.

In any event some specific examples would help us to help you.

 

[ptkelly]

Thanks to all. The article that said what I know about computers doesn't necessarily transfer to cell phones was very good.

 

[belodion]

This is interesting too:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/goo...ps/guide-nexus-5-apps-safe-to-remove-t2622128

Posted via the Android Central App

 

[belodion]

The Nexus 5 doesn't come with that much bloatware. These are the apps I've disabled without any problem:

Email (because I only use Gmail)
Exchange Services
Fit
Google Hindi Input
Google Korean Input
Google Pinyin Input
iWnn IME
News & Weather
Sun Beam
TalkBack
Trusted Face

Did you do this to save battery, and if so, did it?

Posted via the Android Central App

 

[brosko]

Did you do this to save battery, and if so, did it?

Posted via the Android Central App

I am curious too. What kind of battery life improvement did you see disabling all of those apps? I just got an n5 also and notice how fast ot sucks the battery down (most noticeably when the screen is on).

 

[B. Diddy]

It's very difficult to say if disabling any of those apps really saves any significant battery--I've never done any kind of case-control study comparing battery usage with those apps disabled and again with them enabled. I just do it out of the philosophy that if I have absolutely no need for an app, I'll disable it if I can, so that it doesn't potentially get opened into RAM by the system. This might just allow a different app to be automatically opened in RAM--one that I use more often, let's say--and therefore cause my performance to be just a tad smoother.