[Privacy Discussion] DeGoogle & Debloat - Root & adb uninstall

[denisuu]

Hi all,

I created this thread to discuss ways to DeGoogle, remove bloatware, increase privacy and the various ways to remove packages without bricking the device.

Many seem to believe that Onyx is a untrustworthy corporation because they're violating the Linux kernel's license and refusing to release source code. There are some guides to install a firewall to block unidentifiable traffic, which I will link some in the 2nd post.

Due to growing privacy concerns regarding Google, people are also choosing to completely DeGoogle. Another benefit of not using Google Services would be that less RAM is consumed (~300mb). More info in the second post.

I removed all Onyx apps, Google apps and Play Services through adb. The commands are in the second post.

How do you increase privacy? Did you root the device and remove all unwanted apps?

Any other tips and tricks are welcome too!

[denisuu]

Onyx Boox Privacy concerns:

• Onyx is violating the Linux kernel's license, refuses to release source code
• Opinion on Boox Security Concerns
• Are Onyx Boox devices actually safe/secure to use?
• Is anyone concerned with security or privacy with their Note Air?

DeGoogle:

• DeGoogle Wikipedia
• Getting Started - Why You Should DeGoogle
• Android without Google? How is that Possible?

Firewall Guides (NetGuard )

• Boox "Phone Home" Issue? What Is It And How To Solve It (KSync Process)
• Lock Down your Onyx Boox Internet Traffic!

Uninstalling all Google & Onyx apps through ADB:

I removed the following 77 applications from my Onyx Leaf 2 running firmware 3.3.1_a3d24621e. I recommend installing replacement apps before you start uninstalling bloatware. Obviously by removing all Onyx applications some features might break.

You can use the commands below or use the universal android debloater tool. This method is unlikely to brick the device as the apps are only uninstalled for user 0. Worst case you'd have to factory reset it through recovery mode.

Universal Android Debloater GUI

pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.android.bips
pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.android.bluetoothmidiservice
pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.android.calllogbackup
pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.android.cellbroadcastreceiver
pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.android.cellbroadcastreceiver.module
pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.android.cellbroadcastservice
pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.android.cts.ctsshim
pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.android.cts.priv.ctsshim
pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.android.dreams.phototable
pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.android.egg
pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.android.emergency
pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.android.internal.display.cutout.emulation.corner
pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.android.internal.display.cutout.emulation.double
pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.android.internal.display.cutout.emulation.hole
pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.android.internal.display.cutout.emulation.tall
pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.android.internal.display.cutout.emulation.waterfall
pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.android.internal.systemui.navbar.gestural
pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.android.internal.systemui.navbar.gestural_extra_wide_back
pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.android.internal.systemui.navbar.gestural_narrow_back
pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.android.internal.systemui.navbar.gestural_onyx
pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.android.internal.systemui.navbar.gestural_wide_back
pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.android.internal.systemui.navbar.threebutton
pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.android.nfc
pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.android.printservice.recommendation
pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.android.protips
pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.android.providers.blockednumber
pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.android.providers.contacts
pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.android.quicksearchbox
pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.android.smspush
pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.android.theme.color.amethyst
pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.android.theme.color.aquamarine
pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.android.theme.color.black
pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.android.theme.color.carbon
pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.android.theme.color.cinnamon
pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.android.theme.color.green
pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.android.theme.color.ocean
pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.android.theme.color.orchid
pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.android.theme.color.palette
pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.android.theme.color.purple
pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.android.theme.color.sand
pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.android.theme.color.space
pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.android.theme.color.tangerine
pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.android.theme.icon.teardrop
pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.android.theme.icon_pack.victor.android
pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.android.theme.icon_pack.victor.launcher
pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.android.theme.icon_pack.victor.settings
pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.android.theme.icon_pack.victor.systemui
pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.android.theme.icon_pack.victor.themepicker
pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.android.vending
pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.google.android.gms
pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.google.android.gsf
pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.google.android.partnersetup
pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.google.android.syncadapters.calendar
pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.google.android.syncadapters.contacts
pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.google.android.tts
pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.onyx
pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.onyx.android.ksync
pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.onyx.android.onyxotaservice
pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.onyx.android.production.test
pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.onyx.appmarket
pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.onyx.calculator
pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.onyx.dict
pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.onyx.easytransfer
pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.onyx.factorytest
pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.onyx.floatingbutton
pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.onyx.igetshop
pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.onyx.kime
pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.onyx.kreader
pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.onyx.latinime
pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.onyx.mail
pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.qualcomm.embms
pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.qualcomm.qti.sva
pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.simplemobiletools.clock
pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.simplemobiletools.gallery
pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.simplemobiletools.musicplayer
pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.simplemobiletools.voicerecorder
pm uninstall -k --user 0 org.chromium.chrome

[Renate]

I've always just kept WiFi off on all my ereaders.
With my usage, I don't need to really back them up.
I sync them with new content from the desktop over ADB using my AdbSync.exe (in the sig).

[denisuu]

Syncing through ADB is not such a bad idea. I'm using Calibre now.

I just updated my Onyx Boox Leaf to version 3.2.4, then wiped it completely and didn't connect it to WIFI again. I then removed all the packages in post 2 for user 0 through ADB. So far nothing seems to be broken.

[csdvrx]

Originally Posted by denisuu

version 3.2.4,

Would you mind putting the update.prx somewhere?

I'd like to have a look to compare it to 3.2.2

[mergen3107]

@denisuu
Is deleting this way better than pm disable?

For now I just disabled all onyx-related packages and installed AF Wall+

[denisuu]

Originally Posted by csdvrx

Would you mind putting the update.prx somewhere? I'd like to have a look to compare it to 3.2.2

I wouldn't mind but like I said in the second post, I wiped it completely after I did the update. I just checked, the update.prx file isn't there anymore. I can't find the update anywhere online either. Next time I will upload the update.

Onyx Leaf - Version: 2020-09-01_20-00_3.2.4_071fa5f

Originally Posted by mergen3107

@denisuu
Is deleting this way better than pm disable?

For now I just disabled all onyx-related packages and installed AF Wall+

It only uninstalls the apps for user0 so they're still there but they won't show under applications. The downside is that you can't just enable them again in settings you need to attach the device to a computer (or use an app). The upside is that you're certain they won't accidentally be enabled again I guess.

TBH I think there isn't much difference, a more permanent solution would ofcourse be rooting the device and fully removing them. The big downside would be that you might remove something essential which makes the device bootloop.

[denisuu]

I also removed all Onyx & Google packages. I use KoReader so I removed NeoReader 'com.onyx.kreader', but doing so removes all the books from the Library home screen. I'm not sure if there's a way around this?

Just out of curiosity what browser are you guys using? Brave needs Google play services and DuckDuckGo crashes every time on start-up. It seems most browsers need google play or microG.

[Renate]

I use FireFox and OpenIntents File Manager.
Those are the only installed apps on my Poke3 that I didn't write myself.

[denisuu]

Originally Posted by Renate

I use FireFox and OpenIntents File Manager.
Those are the only installed apps on my Poke3 that I didn't write myself.

Did you extract the FireFox .apk from a different phone or you downloaded it from a reliable source? I assume you don't have Google Play Services installed if you keep the device offline?

Originally Posted by csdvrx

Would you mind putting the update.prx somewhere?

After 2 days of use a line with dead-pixels appeared so I sent the device back. When I receive the replacement one I'll upload the update here.

[Renate]

3300 pages???

Apparently I'm using this FireFox:
https://archive.mozilla.org/pub/mobi...-api-16/multi/
Although I could be using this on 64 bit devices:
https://archive.mozilla.org/pub/mobi...aarch64/multi/

But these are the older "Fennec" (due to a lack of implementation in named tabs in the newer "Fenix").

The latest versions are all here:
https://github.com/mozilla-mobile/fenix/releases

Sorry about your display glitch.

[denisuu]

Originally Posted by Renate

3300 pages???

Apparently I'm using this FireFox:
https://archive.mozilla.org/pub/mobi...-api-16/multi/
Although I could be using this on 64 bit devices:
https://archive.mozilla.org/pub/mobi...aarch64/multi/

But these are the older "Fennec" (due to a lack of implementation in named tabs in the newer "Fenix").

The latest versions are all here:
https://github.com/mozilla-mobile/fenix/releases

Sorry about your display glitch.

It's 6 books in one lol (ISBN: 9780593333020), the photo is just to show the white line.

Broken screens seem quite common on Onyx devices after Googling a bit. Some people report them breaking underneath the glass without the top layer being broken. Onyx seems to refuse warranty in most cases. In my case the line just appeared after 2 days, I never dropped the device or put pressure on the screen. I hope the new one is of better build-quality.

Thanks for the links! Having an old browser on a device might also be a security risk though, maybe I'll just keep the device offline completely after updating. I don't really need internet on it, I just want to read books and PDF's.

[trott3r]

Some thought on the above.

I think disable only disables until reboot or maybe until a firmware update it done. uninstall only allows the user to install them again. Unless they are in an OS update thanks samsung for the samsung store again ;(

I have blokada dns blocker running on my note 2 air.
Its free so try it and see if it works for you eith v4 or v5.

I got firefox off fdroid store so just download that from fdroid website.

[Renate]

"pm disable" disables across reboots and even updates.

[mergen3107]

@denisuu
Thanks for your reply!

For Browser, I use Yandex Browser, a stripped down version from 4PDA forum this modded version has no analytics, ads, etc. I also installed Adguard and AdAway and AFWall+