Motorola Droid MAXX - App Disabling For Maximum Speed & Battery Life

doogald

Trusted Member
Jan 3, 2010
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In your original Post, in bold text you state "This does NOT require root, and is a perfect solution to those who want to de-bloat and not have to root their phones." I have read it over several times yet when I try to rename the app suffix on my Un-rooted Droid Maxx, it says "Failed" - seems the majority of these files are "Read Only"! How did you do it Un-Rooted? Thank you for your work on this too... always appreciate folks sharing their knowledge. :cool:

It's true that you can only rename the .apk files if you are rooted. However, apps can be disabled while running stock.

The easiest way is to open the app drawer, grab the named app and drag it. That will show the home screen with an "app info". Drop the app there, and in the app info screen, tap the "disable" button.
 

Masheen

Well-known member
Nov 11, 2010
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Hello Masheen,

In your original Post, in bold text you state "This does NOT require root, and is a perfect solution to those who want to de-bloat and not have to root their phones." I have read it over several times yet when I try to rename the app suffix on my Un-rooted Droid Maxx, it says "Failed" - seems the majority of these files are "Read Only"! How did you do it Un-Rooted? Thank you for your work on this too... always appreciate folks sharing their knowledge. :cool:

Sorry if it was a bit confusing. Changing the suffix of the .Apk can only be done with root access which allows Read/Write permissions as opposed to just Read. I used that example to show my experience with app disabling/freezing in the past. On our Maxx's go to: Settings--->Apps and slide to All. Then you can individually click on each app and click disable. Some apps the phone will not let you disable.
 

Moo Cow

Well-known member
Dec 5, 2011
455
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Really liked this thread. It was useful for me in helping tweak my Droid Maxx.
 

Masheen

Well-known member
Nov 11, 2010
499
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Really liked this thread. It was useful for me in helping tweak my Droid Maxx.

Your very welcome. I'm glad it was helpful. If you have any questions regarding disabling certain apps, or even anything in general, feel free to PM me. And maybe hit the like or thanks button =D
 

Catiebug

Member
Nov 20, 2010
7
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This is so awesome. Thank you!

Is it safe to disable Google+? I never use it.

Posted via Android Central App
 

Masheen

Well-known member
Nov 11, 2010
499
10
0
This is so awesome. Thank you!

Is it safe to disable Google+? I never use it.

Posted via Android Central App

Yes. 100% safe to do so. You can uncheck the sync from settings - google - (your act) or you can just disable it from the app list. It will probably ask you to restore to factory default first. This is okay just click yes and then disable. Clear the data before you disable and you can also uncheck "Show notifications"
 

scallawag

Well-known member
Nov 14, 2012
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In settings under accounts verizon backup assistant plus is still listed despite me deleting all of the other names verizon apps . Is they away to get this completely removed

Sent from my XT1080 using AC Forums mobile app
Yes if you are rooted disable the "Backup Assistance Plus" and "Backup Assistance + Contacts" apps with a app manager like "ES task manager" or "RootAppDelete" and then your Accounts section wont show it.
 

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theycallmetimmy

New member
Apr 9, 2014
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First off, thanks for the handy tips on apps to Disable on the Droid Maxx xt1080. They certainly help out with the performance and battery life of my phone.
I do have a few more things that I disabled, and didn't know if you wanted to add them to your list, and also trouble with one of the items on your list.

When I disabled TalkBack, I discovered a rather odd problem with the volume controls on my phone. Basically my phone would turn the ring volume and notification volume super low randomly. My previous phone was a Droid RAZR M, rooted with a stock rom I tweaked to the max. I had also disabled/frozen TalkBack on that phone, but with no issues.
My issue on the Droid MAXX xt1080 arose after I received a phone call while on vibrate only mode. When I swapped back to full volume/ringer mode, I noticed the next phone call was rather quiet. I didn't think much of it and turned the ringer volume back up. After this happening several times, I reasoned it was either an app I had installed that day, or some of the apps I had disabled.
After uninstalling apps, re-enabling frozen apps, and rebooting the phone numerous times, I found out the culprit. For some reason TalkBack is integrated in a way that alters your call and notification volumes when disabled. I was able to replicate it on two different DROID MAXX's, mine being preinstalled(from Verizon) with KitKat 4.4 and another which took an upgrade from 4.2.2 to 4.4.
To replicate the problem, disable TalkBack, then change your volume profile with the power button from Ringer(full) to silent. Then back to Ringer. Do that several times, and maybe take a call while on silent or vibrate. I was able to replicate it multiple times. I enabled TalkBack, rebooted the phone, and haven't had the problem since.
So, if you disable TalkBack, it messes with your call and notification volume.

Due to this being your original post, I will not repost the entire list with the additional items I disabled, I am just going to add the extra items below if you want to add them to your list. (Cause I'm nice and all that. :)

Device Management - version 1.0 (Motorola remote locate and wipe of your device. Meaning you can sign into their website, find your phone, wipe it or possibly ring it. I use Android Device Manager which already comes from Google. Either or, it's your choice.)
Drive - version 1.2.461.14 (Google online storage.)
Google+ - version 4.2.3.56698342 (Google Plus. I hate Facebook, I hate this too.)
Hangouts - version 2.0.128 (Google Hangouts. Instant messenger, video chat.)
IMDb - version 3.2.2.103220310 (Internet Movie Database.com on your phone. No thanks.)
Motorola Checkin - version 1.0 (Not sure yet. Nothing is giving me problems though.
Motorola Connect - version 1.1.4 (Allows you to receive texts and calls via Chrome on your computer, and reply to them. Mmmmmmmdon't care.)
Motorola DriveActivator - version 1.1 (I believe this helps to enable the Car Dock or driving feature of your phone when used with Motorola Assist. Don't need it.)
Motorola ID - version 1.0 (Used in conjunction with Motorola Connect. See above.)
Motorola Skip Setup - version 1.0.39 (When using the NFC service, you can use this service/app to unlock your phone with a NFC tag. Why? Is entering in the password so hard you have to go find a NFC tag to unlock your phone?)
Music Visualization Wallpapers - version 4.4-15 (Live wallpapers, don't use them.)
My Verizon Mobile - version 10.0.441 (If you can live without checking your minutes or data usage all the time, do it. I check mine online, but sometimes this thing is a necessary evil.)
Picasa Uploader - version 1.2.242047 (Not necessarily need to be shut off, I just hate Picasa being on my phone.)
Setup Wizard - version 1.3 (Part of the Setup Wizard when you first turn on your brand new phone. Not needed any more.)
Tags - version 1.1 (Used for or conjunction with the NFC service.)
Updater - version 1.0 (Discovered this from my RAZR M. Motorola uses it to help push Over-The-Air updates to your phone. I have it disabled as I am waiting on root for Android 4.4. Sadly I may be waiting awhile.)

The above was all from my stock Verizon Droid MAXX xt1080 NOT rooted(not yet anyway)


Hope this helps,
The Timmy
 

Masheen

Well-known member
Nov 11, 2010
499
10
0
First off, thanks for the handy tips on apps to Disable on the Droid Maxx xt1080. They certainly help out with the performance and battery life of my phone.
I do have a few more things that I disabled, and didn't know if you wanted to add them to your list, and also trouble with one of the items on your list.

Hope this helps,
The Timmy

Thank you for the compliment Timmy; and thank you for the additions.

Device Management was not allowing me to disable, so I didn't add it yet. Going to check on a friend's Maxx.
IMDB Is a third party app. I don't remember if it came pre-installed or not

In your RAZR M experience, when you disabled Updater, did it prevent you from receiving the OTA? (if one was available)
I'm looking into the Picasa Uploader and if it negatively affects Google+ or its auto photo/video backup.

Thanks for the finds, I really appreciate the input.
 

theycallmetimmy

New member
Apr 9, 2014
2
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Thank you for the compliment Timmy; and thank you for the additions.

Device Management was not allowing me to disable, so I didn't add it yet. Going to check on a friend's Maxx.
IMDB Is a third party app. I don't remember if it came pre-installed or not

In your RAZR M experience, when you disabled Updater, did it prevent you from receiving the OTA? (if one was available)
I'm looking into the Picasa Uploader and if it negatively affects Google+ or its auto photo/video backup.

Thanks for the finds, I really appreciate the input.

With my RAZR M, I had to freeze the Updater app with RootUninstaller because it only had Android 4.1.2 so you weren't allowed to disable it normally. But yes, freezing the app on the RAZR M stopped the update process from ever showing. I could enable it, check for an update, and then disable the Updater again. However doing a little digging about the Droid MAXX xt1080, it looks like freezing only the Updater app won't work. They added another app you have to freeze, which unfortunately you can't do on a non rooted phone. That app is MotorolaOTA (Over The Air I'm assuming.) That I found on [Q] Android Update Coming... how to stop? - Page 2 - xda-developers For the Picasa Uploader, I didn't test its effects on Google+.
The Device Management, for some reason it was hard to disable for me. It had the button to disable it, but when I pressed it, it would self-enable and I would press it again. Did that about 5 times before it disabled.
 

jfriend33

Well-known member
Oct 10, 2010
365
1
0
I have most of these disabled but not all. I also use greenify, with the donation package, with xposed framework. That way, I can safely hibernate apps, even system apps, but they can be awaken if they use google cloud messaging! Then, if the app is killed or hibernated, the notifications stay until I delete them!

I don't use greenify or disable any apps for battery life, as I have noticed little to no difference. I do it for performance reasons. Sure facebook may take an extra second to load, but the phone runs a heck of a lot faster this way without so many background processes!
 

P-raggles

Well-known member
May 18, 2014
51
0
0
Just found this great list answers my ingress questions. Thought I would bring top.

Sent from my XT1080 using AC Forums mobile app
 

fuddster

Well-known member
Sep 21, 2011
77
2
0
I just received a notification from the Play Store to update an app called Verizon Cloud. I don't intend to ever use it, but can't find the app to disable it. Anyone know where I can find it?

Posted via Android Central App
 

doogald

Trusted Member
Jan 3, 2010
4,425
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I just received a notification from the Play Store to update an app called Verizon Cloud. I don't intend to ever use it, but can't find the app to disable it. Anyone know where I can find it?

It's called "Cloud" in settings / apps; I have it disabled on my phone.

Hint: you can always get to the settings for an app where you can disable a system app by dragging the app off the app drawer. There will be a spot on the top that says "App info" - drag the app there and you can disable a system app (that can be disabled), or wipe cache or data for an app, or even uninstall a play store app, from the screen that pops up.
 

fuddster

Well-known member
Sep 21, 2011
77
2
0
It's called "Cloud" in settings / apps; I have it disabled on my phone.

D'oh! I was so focused on looking for an app with 'Verizon' in the title that I completely passed over the 'Cloud' app. Thanks, doogald! And that app info hint is really helpful, I use it all the time.

Posted via Android Central App
 

walt1007

New member
Sep 24, 2014
4
0
0
Thank you for your support with droid maxx preinstalled apps. I also have a moto x and I am trying to turn off the hand gesture feature for the ir sensors. Can you help. Thank you

Posted via the Android Central App
 

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