How to remove pre-installed software from Android and generally make Android your own? How to return to the old version of Android after updating your smartphone? How to remove new firmware on Android

Sooner or later there comes a time when, for some reason, you need to return more earlier version firmware on your Android device. These reasons can be very different: from software failures and errors to dissatisfaction with some unofficial assembly operating system. In any case, you need to be fully armed and know how to undo changes made to the software.

Possible problems after updating Android

Not to say that an Android upgrade will completely ruin the life of the device owner, but it is guaranteed to cause moments of headache.

After the update, some shortcuts periodically disappear from the desktop, and along with them, programs.

In other cases, after modifying the system, the user discovers new, completely unnecessary programs that cannot be removed.

Options for returning old firmware

Backup

There are many applications that are designed to create backup copies of your Android gadget, all of them have their own advantages and disadvantages. But we will look at the example of one of the first and most universal programs for Reserve copy and recovery - Titanium Backup.

Titanium Backup

First, let's figure out why you need to use special software at all, because Android natively has backup capabilities. For example, when you change your phone or after a full reset to factory settings, just log into your Google account and your contact data will be restored. However, do not forget that in this case all applications and games are lost. Wi-Fi settings and other networks, system settings etc. And this is a very significant problem if dozens of those same applications are installed - since restoration can take an prohibitively long time.

So, to create a backup, we need Root rights on the device and the Titanium Backup program itself. Root rights are required to access system files and folders in which the settings and data we are interested in are stored. Next, install the Titanium Backup program. Don't forget to allow installation of applications from " Unknown sources" After the first launch, Titanium Backup will ask for superuser rights, we give them and we can remember the decision. Don’t rush to click everything - the program is quite powerful, and with full access An inexperienced user can mess up the system. Adhere to the principle: “never use functions unless you are sure what they do.”

To create a backup, you will need a memory card installed in the appropriate slot with sufficient free space, since the backup will be made to it. On the main Titanium Backup work screen, select the “Backups” tab. Press the “Menu” button on the phone and select “Processing” at the bottom of the screen. In the menu that opens, select “Back up all user software and system data” and click “Start” next to it. The program will prompt you to select all applications for backup. We are interested in a complete copy of the system, so we don’t change anything. After this, I start the process of creating a backup. The process may take varying amounts of time, depending on the quantity installed programs. Now in the “TitaniumBackup” folder on your memory card you can see a large number of files with backup copies, it is advisable to copy them to a computer or other device - you never know, suddenly microSD card will fail. It is also possible to configure automatic creation backups in the “Schedules” menu.

When the time comes and you need to restore the contents of your Android device, you can do this in several ways. Firstly, you can restore both applications and settings. Through the “Processing” menu item, go to the “Recovery” section and click “Restore all software with data”. You can also restore only individual applications - then in the “Backups” section, select specific applications and click “Restore”. Don't forget that sometimes you need to restart your device before the changes take effect. In any case, Titanium Backup offers a huge number of options for creating and restoring backups, so you can always return your Android gadget to the initial state. If you need to restore a full copy of the operating system, that is, the firmware, then you need to use the alternative recovery menu ClockworkMod Recovery or similar.

Other rollback methods

Reset to menu

The path to the treasured option depends on the type and model of your device:

• phones on Android versions 2.3: Settings > Privacy >
• Android phones version 4: Settings > Device memory > Reset to factory settings;
• tablets on Android version 4: Settings > Backup & reset > Reset settings.

Hard reset

Go to the “Android system recovery” () menu. First you will need to turn off your smartphone or tablet, and then use the key combination, which again differs depending on the device manufacturer:

• a more or less universal option is to simultaneously hold down the power and volume down buttons;
• Samsung – simultaneously hold down the power and volume up buttons;
• Sony Ericsson – simultaneously hold down the power, volume down and camera buttons;
• Huawei – simultaneously hold down the power, volume down and volume up buttons;
• LG – simultaneously hold down the power, volume down and home screen buttons for more than 10 seconds. Release the power button after the LG logo lights up on the screen, hold the rest until you go to the recovery screen;
• HTC (the most interesting) - hold down the volume down key, then briefly press the power button. Once you see the recovery menu on the screen, you can temporarily leave the volume down button alone. Find the “Clear storage” item, select it by pressing the power button and confirm the action by clicking on volume down.

For more confident navigation through the “Android system recovery” menu, it would be useful to remind you of the button assignments: highlight is to move through the menu, and select is to select a menu item.

We get to the line “wipe data / factory reset” and select this item. Then in the new menu we find the action confirmation sub-item and select it.

With both the hard and the lighter reset options, a reboot will occur, after which your device will wake up with standard factory settings.

Video: How to restore firmware on Android

As you can see, the process of returning to the old version of Android is not as scary as many people think. Follow our instructions and don’t forget to make backups.

There are excellent instructions on 4pda (I don’t know how it is with links to other resources)

1. Q: Where are the stock programs and how to remove them?
A: Stock (standard or factory) programs are located in /system/app.
You can open this directory using RootExplorer, FileExplorer and the like, as well as Titanium Backup if you have ROOT rights and mount it in r/w. The order and names may differ (Titanium Backup displays program names instead of .apk files). Remember that you don't have to delete the application right away; you can rename it or freeze it using the Titanium Backup program. In this case, the phone will not recognize the renamed file as an application, and you will be able to restore/unfreeze it if necessary.

2. Q: What programs can be removed?
A: Each user must decide for himself which system applications he does not need, then you need to see whether there may be consequences from deleting applications you do not need, if there are no consequences, then you can safely delete these applications. And if there are consequences, for example, some programs have dependencies, then you need to think about whether to remove them or not, for example, you don’t need Google maps and you will never use system and third party programs that use Google maps data, which means you can safely delete these maps.

3. Q: Where are the files left from deleted applications and do they need to be deleted?
A: Parts of programs can remain in data/data, data/dalvik-cache, (system/lib - it is advisable not to touch them, because there are dependencies). File names do not always match the application name. Be careful. To find out the “internal” name of the program, you need to use rootexplorer to go to the folder where it is located, then short tap on the apk file - click view and look at the manifest. After removal, it is advisable to do XP. A little clarification.

4. Q: Is it possible to delete standard Google apps, will this affect the operation of the device?
A: Applications (Maps, Gmail, Gtalk, etc.) are possible. Services are undesirable, since if deleted, all Google services and applications will stop working, and permanent errors may appear on the device.

5. Q: Is it possible to remove standard Google applications (Navigation, Addresses, Street View) separately from the Maps application?
A: Street View (Street.apk) is possible, but the others are not, since they are part of the Maps application (Maps.apk).

6. Q: Is it necessary to delete the .odex program files along with the .apk files?
A: Yes. These files are part of the application of the same name.

7. Q: Where can I get the standard .apk file from any firmware?
A: Go to the topic about the previous firmware and ask those who still use it to cut out this apk for you. Or unpack the native firmware and pull out the necessary file.

8. Q: I deleted unnecessary system applications, and in the task manager the phone memory displayed is the same as it was before cleaning. What's the catch?
A: Answer (interaction of partitions in Android).

9. Q: Deleted standard keyboard, after which SWYPE does not work. What to do?
A: Make SWYPE system.

10.Q: Installed third party dialer and when a call is missed, 2 notifications appear in the notification panel at once: from a standard one and a third-party one.
A: Solution: make a third-party dialer a system one (I did this via titanium backup, but I suspect that it’s quite simple in system folder apk transfer).

11. Q: I can’t delete some Google applications; I deleted them from the system/app folder, but they still work.
A: Perhaps these applications are located in the data/app folder and you need to delete them from there as well.

12.Q: On Samsung Galaxy Gio I can’t delete stock applications: Hanger, Drive & Walk, Books.
A: The solution can be found in the topic header Samsung GT-S5660 Galaxy Gio - installing and updating software via recovery. Read the information under the spoiler "Removing firmware."

13. Q: How to restore system applications?
A: Answer.

14. Q: Is it possible to remove the stock launcher?
A: It is possible, but only if you have a stable third-party launcher, which it is advisable to make a system application. But please note that not all standard widgets can work on a third-party launcher.

15. Q: After deleting applications, gray shortcuts of deleted applications remain in the menu. How to remove them?
A: You should clear the launcher data through Settings (Settings -> Applications -> Launcher -> Clear data) or through ® Titanium Backup. Please note that as a result of this, all user desktop settings (widgets, etc.) will be lost.

16. Q: How to remove standard lockscreen?
A: Deleting it is very problematic (to do this you need to edit several system apk), and you can disable it through Settings -> Lock Screen. Or through ShutdownApp (service code *#7594#; please note that in this case the reboot menu will also disappear).

17. Q: Where can I find a list of applications for a specific device?
A: Links to most of the lists on this forum are under the spoiler "Applications deleted on specific models". If this device is not there, then you should look at the lists for similar devices (from the same manufacturer and on the same OS version).

18. Q: Is it possible to create a script that removes applications, and how to do it?
A: Yes, such scripts are often found in firmware discussion threads. You can read about creating and editing here.

19. Q: Why after reboots deleted applications are they recovering?
A: To prevent this from happening, you should probably install custom kernels. Which kernels are best to install and installation instructions can be found in the topic of firmware or kernels.

20. Q: After uninstalling the SamsungHub.apk application, auto-rotate the screen stopped working. How to fix it?
A: The problem lies in the deleted libgnustl_shared.so. The solution to this problem is written here.

21. Q: How can I see running background processes?
A: Enable the CPU usage information layer (Settings-Developer Options-Output CPU usage).

In the first case, there is nothing much to worry about, since, most likely, the cause of the trouble was a conflict in some applications or widgets, and everything can be corrected by returning to the factory settings. If the smartphone still works, albeit with various “artifacts,” you can also fix this yourself. In the third case, it is unlikely that it will be possible to get by with “little loss” and you will have to either restore the smartphone via a computer using special software, or contact service center or to a familiar computer guru who knows how to restore Android after unsuccessful firmware.

How to restore factory firmware on Android

First of all, you need to find it. This will not be difficult to do, since popular manufacturers of mobile gadgets post on their official websites current versions firmware for all models of smartphones and tablets. The necessary software and detailed guide, how to return factory firmware Android. If there is none, you can easily find it on the Internet by indicating the exact name and model of the device.

Rollback "raw" new version updating the firmware to stable is the easiest way to fix a smartphone after an unsuccessful upgrade. If, of course, the user has a backup copy made in advance. It should be noted that even Google Lately strongly recommends making a backup of the system before each update and this suggestion should not be neglected. Moreover, all the necessary functionality is included in the firmware, and if desired, you can use special programs from Google Play. This will not take much time, but it will protect the user from the loss of valuable data and other problems that may arise if the update is unsuccessful.

Popular utilities for creating backups and restoring Android systems

Titanium Backup

One of the oldest and most popular programs for data backup and recovery. It has very broad functionality, which is both its advantage and disadvantage. The latter is that if you accidentally activate the wrong process, you may not get the desired result or cause even more harm. Therefore, before you restore the firmware on Android using it, you need to find suitable instructions and strictly follow them.

Important note: the program only runs as superuser ().

Easy Backup & Restore

Also very a good option. The capabilities of this utility are even wider than the previous one, since you can copy everything from applications to contacts, bookmarks, calendar events and language layouts on the keyboard. Moreover, the “backup” can be either saved on a smartphone or sent to the “cloud” or to a PC. In general, everything is provided.

How to flash Android through recovery

ClockworkMod Recovery is a “must have” application. It is a much more advanced alternative to the standard utility (recovery), which is included in the operating system by default. If the latter can only clear the cache and perform updates, then ClockworkMod Recovery allows the following:

• edit system components via Android SDK;
• create a complete snapshot of the system and use it as backup copy;
• install third-party firmware;
• update hotel rooms system utilities;
• create and edit partitions in the file system.

Download ClockworkMod Recovery for Android

CMR is popular app, so there are versions for almost all smartphone models. How to flash Android through recovery using ClockworkMod Recovery? The instructions are actually very simple and all the work is done in a few steps:

In this article we will look at questions about why and how to remove root rights. One part experienced users Android operating system wants to get root rights in order to customize your gadget for yourself and do it as efficiently as possible. There is another part, these want to get rid of the administrator mode and remove root rights.

Why remove root rights

The reasons for this may be different. Here are a few main ones:

1. the user is concerned about security installed applications and is wary of malware because a device with special rights is less secure;
2. a lot of “bugs” have appeared in your smartphone or tablet;
3. the device began to discharge quickly;
4. the user wants to return his smartphone to a repair service under warranty (having root rights will void the warranty);
5. If the device ends up in the wrong hands, with root rights, it can easily turn into a lifeless “brick” (an inexperienced user can delete something necessary for the system to work).

Next, we will discuss in detail how to remove root rights on Android. There are several removal methods. Let's look at each of them. First method: manual removal or using file manager. A file manager is required to access the root system of an Android device. The most famous of them are: X-Plore File Manager and ES File Explorer. In addition to the file manager, you will need the Root Checker application. All this can be downloaded for free from Play Market.

Once the installation of the file manager is complete, open it and delete the su. Which is located at this path /system/bin/. The su file may not be in this folder, look for it elsewhere, because... its location depends on specific device Android.
Next, go to the /system/xbin/ folder and find the su. We remove it in the same way as the first one. In some cases, you can find the busybox file in the folders, instead of su. You need to do the same with him. The last thing to delete is the Superuser.apk or SuperSu.apk file, which is located in the /system/app folder. The name of the file to be deleted depends on how root rights were obtained. After the manipulations have been completed, reboot the device and launch the Root Checker application you downloaded earlier. If everything was done correctly, the application will not detect the presence of “special” rights.

Managing root rights of the Android operating system can be done using personal computer. Thanks to special software You can both access the rights and delete them from the device. Each device has its own flashing programs. For example, for Lenovo devices it is “Lenovo Downloader Tool”, for Xiaomi “Xiaomi Flashing tool”, for Samsung “Odin3”, etc. For firmware, it is better to use official utilities, because they will give a more reliable result and will not lead to problems with the Android device.

Removing root rights through a computer, as a rule, occurs by removing the old firmware and installing a new one. This is due to the fact that in most standard firmware, access to “super rights” is initially absent. Replacing the firmware is a radical method, so it is recommended to transfer all data from the device, even those on the memory card. Typically, flashing a device through a computer is required when removing root rights using mobile applications or it doesn't work manually.
It’s quite easy to find firmware on the Internet; the main thing is to download it from trusted sources. Usually, tips on firmware and the firmware themselves are posted on special sites dedicated to the Android operating system. There are many such sites. You just need to type “Android firmware” and phone model into Google. There are also a lot of instructions on the Internet for flashing a smartphone, where each stage of the process of flashing an Android device is described in detail.

Let's look at the firmware process using an LG smartphone as an example.
First of all, download the LG flasher Flash Tool, drivers for connecting a smartphone and a PC (drivers are not necessary, usually the need for them arises when automatic drivers installed incorrectly and the computer does not see the device), and, in fact, the firmware itself, which we can easily find on the network. Next, you need to put the phone into download mode, turn it off and hold down the “volume +” button, connect it to the USB port of the computer.

Now about the firmware utility itself. Having opened the LG Flash Tool, click “Select KDZ file” and select the firmware. The path to the file must not contain Russian characters. Next there will be 2 items: “normal flash” and “cse flash”. The first means flashing the firmware while saving user data. And the second erases everything, returning the phone to its factory state. Then click on “Start” - the process begins. If an error appears during loading, do not be alarmed. You need to take out the battery and put it back, press reboot. This is how a device from LG is flashed. In the majority modern smartphones or tablets on Android, the re-flashing process is approximately the same, with the exception of specific features of the software and models. Replacing the firmware removes access to root rights and returns the device to its original software environment. A separate story with the family Samsung Galaxy, which we will consider below.

If even after such a radical method of removing root rights, there are still some “glitches”, you need to perform full reset settings to factory settings, which is present in every model with Android OS.

How to remove root rights from a phone

Despite the ability to flash firmware on a smartphone or tablet, most users prefer to manipulate root rights in the device itself. The easiest way has already been described above - manual removal. It does not require installation of any programs. For those who do not want, or for some reason cannot remove root rights manually, there are special applications that will help in this difficult task. For novice users, there are several applications where in a couple of clicks you can remove root rights from your phone or tablet.

For most models, two applications are suitable - this and Universal Unroot. Both are downloaded from the Play Market. The first is suitable for those who do not have custom (third-party) firmware installed, and the second is paid ($1). These programs have their pros and cons, which will be described in the next paragraph.

Many users, in addition to root rights, also install custom Recovery. Recovery is a boot mode that is present as standard in all Android models. Standard boot mode is responsible for updating the system. Custom gives significantly more rights. First of all, they are suitable for those who like to constantly do something with their device, namely: install any patches and fixes, selectively delete unnecessary files without the risk of removing excess, etc. For those who want to completely remove root rights, it is necessary to delete Recovery, because even after removing the “super rights”, a third-party bootloader can easily return them. Removing Recovery occurs only by flashing the device, because Utilities for removing root rights, for the most part, do not remove custom boot mode.

Applications and programs for removing ROOT rights

Let's look at applications for removing root rights in more detail. As already mentioned, the application will help if the device does not have third-party firmware. After launching SuperSU, open the “settings” tab and, after reading the detailed window that appears, click “continue”. After the root removal process, reboot your device. The second application, Universal Unroot, works on the same principle, but is more effective.

In the case of removing root rights, they stand apart Samsung devices Galaxy. It's a little more complicated here. To remove “special” rights you will have to download:

• official firmware and find the file there.tar.md5;
• Odin3 program, which is used for firmware;
• Samsung and Samsung USB drivers.

To begin removing root rights on a Samsung Galaxy, you need to turn off the device to start in a special mode. After that, press and hold 3 buttons: “home”, “volume -”, and “power”. We turn on download mode and connect the gadget to the PC via USB. We launch Odin3 and see a green square (if we don’t see it, it means the driver installation was unsuccessful). In the program, click on PDA and find the same .tar.md5. Leave the checkboxes only for “PDA” and “Auto Reboot” and click “run”. After completing the procedure, the Odin3 program will write “Done”.

We remind you that in order to find out about removing root rights, you need to use Root application Checker. Which need to be opened after the removal process. The program should not detect any traces of root rights. To do this, click “Verify Root Status”. If “special” rights are detected, the icon will turn green and vice versa.

Let us remind you once again about the “full reset” function, which must be used in case of problems after removing root rights. By the way, on Samsung Galaxy reset can be done manually (for example, in case of constant rebooting of the gadget). To do this, you need to hold down the “home”, “volume +” and power buttons when the device is turned off. After that, use the volume buttons to look for the “reset settings” item and press the power button on it.

Finally, let’s remember another problem for Android users related to root rights – the . With which you can gain access to super rights. The utility has great functionality and its official version does not pose a threat to the system. However, recently the program has begun to be hacked, turning it into malware that can access personal data, slow down the device and quickly drain the battery.

How to get ROOT rights on Android

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You often hear from smartphone owners about the desire to change or remove the firmware. What is it and why do anything with it? Firmware is the most important program of the phone, on which all its work rests, that is, the brain of the mobile phone. Changing or deleting it is not recommended, but sometimes it is necessary. In this article we will look at changing the firmware using the Sony Xperia as an example.

A few words about the need for change. If the phone was purchased not in official stores, but on the Chinese “black” market, then the built-in language of the smart phone will be Chinese. Naturally, no one needs such a gadget. In this case, download the official firmware for your model in Russian and try to reflash it. Usually this procedure is painless for phones, but there are times when the program crashes and the mobile turns into a “brick.” In other words, it freezes at loading and does not continue working. Let's start work. Download and install the program “ Flashtool “. Install the phone drivers on your computer. Download the firmware from the official source exclusively for your phone model and processor. The file has the extension.FTF . Paste it into the folder C:\flashtool\firmwares . Now run the program. In the window that appears, click the lightning icon and select the mode.

Flashmode Select the firmware and click OK

• . At the same stage, you are given a choice of options for cleaning your phone. I strongly recommend doing a complete data wipe so that the firmware works well. If you want to save the information, uncheck the following items:
• Wipe User Data – clear user data (contacts, games, programs, SMS and more);
• Wipe Cash – clear cache;
• Exclude system – exclude system firmware;
• Exclude kernel – exclude kernel firmware;

Exclude baseband – exclude modem firmware. The program will ask you to connect mobile phone

via USB cable. To do this, insert the cable into the USB port. Then turn off your mobile phone. Press and hold the Volume DOWN button and at the same time insert the cable into the smartphone. When the manipulation is performed correctly, the green diode lights up. The phone's firmware has begun. You just have to wait for the process to complete. When the firmware has finished uploading, a green message will appear Flashing finished.

Disconnect the smartphone from the computer and turn it on. If the firmware fits your smart phone perfectly, then there should be no glitches or freezes.

When something went wrong and you end up with a phone that absolutely does not respond to being turned on, colloquially a “brick,” don’t panic. It is very easy to return your smartphone to its previous state. If you doubt your skills, it is better not to take on such a task, but take your mobile phone to a service center. And yet, let’s try to breathe life into a piece of iron. Download the official firmware. Search the forums to make sure this version is 100% working. Run the same program “ “. Connect the cable to the PC. Remove the battery from the mobile phone. Press three buttons at the same time: volume UP, DOWN and the smart power button. At the same time, plug the cord into the phone. Start flashing. Upon completion, the smart should work. Remember, each “brick” case has its own recovery method. If the phone still does not come out of the coma, take it to the service center and describe the problem in detail.

Before starting the firmware, think: “Is it necessary to do this?” If yes, read these instructions again; if not, close the article and leave your smartphone unharmed. Good luck and don't catch the brick!