yashsingh1/xdaforums huggingface dataset:
[Google Pixel XL Questions & Answers] fatapia:
yeah this issue is annoying, it seems to initiate the download upon every reboot and each time it checks the play store for updates for any of your apps.

I found a way to disable it but it required freezing the app through Titanium Backup. I have NO CLUE why I couldn't see Instant Apps before in this list but it is listed as "Google Play Services for Instant Apps." It does not re-install or try to even download, does not show in Settings under Google, but if you look at the app itself in settings you will see it does still run. I am not sure to what extent but yeeeaahhh at least it doesnt seem like it can run anything
[Google Pixel XL Questions & Answers] G1A:
No problem ;) As an update, changing security permissions (specifically for writing) for chrome's target folder Definitely (in windows 10) serves as an effective measure to blockade its ability to regenerate itself. This same method also works for microsoft edge located in the C-Windows-SystemApps folder. I presume that the programming methods would be analogous with android on google's end. Anybody know how to restrict write access to a folder on android? So long as it checks for a folder existing and it does exist (multi-decade programming approach) then it attempts to write to that folder. However, because it's already running in stealth mode (aka background) then it will never show an error message when it fails to execute, and it won't report back either, as that functionality depends on the contents of the targeted folder it is denied access to. It should be effectively crippled without excessive CPU consumption if you can just restrict its ability to write to the default folder that it installs itself in. Any ideas how to execute this kind of blockade?

UPDATE: As a way to cripple not Instant Apps specifically, but an entire host of functionality on the android platform, something called "Power Saving Mode" seems to knock out a key background runtime required for this pest to run. Unfortunately it doesn't let you pick and choose what it shuts off, so other useful apps may lose their functionality too. Post if anybody finds a more app-specific method!
[Google Pixel XL Questions & Answers] evilwombat:
Does this crap have its own separate package? If so, you could uninstall it and make a dummy APK having the same package name. This could prevent "updates" due to signing key conflicts, but might also break things...
[Google Pixel XL Questions & Answers] nonxxxfixthis:
I'm surprised that no one mentions using a firewall to prevent the app fRom communicating. That's what I did. Can't update, will eventually be useless. Hopefully sooner than later.
[Google Pixel XL Questions & Answers] cavags5:
Im sick of this too, its not only in your pixel, Samsung is the same, i uninstall it but reinstall again, but only after i reboot the phone, and i have almost everything from Google disabled, and i notice when instant apps are installed Google services shows on my battery status.

I uninstalled right away.

But is very boring this Google crap.

I see i have to disable playstore and enable only when need to update the apps.
[Google Pixel XL Questions & Answers] fatapia:
I ended up freezing the application using titanium backup, but someone else has suggested blocking it using a firewall as well. Either option seems to keep it permanently disabled.
[Google Pixel XL Questions & Answers] themakersmarketandroid:
Use Disable Service to stop all 67 (!) entries.
[Google Pixel XL Questions & Answers] ninestarkoko:
The problem with freezing system apps is that some components like services can still be triggered and can run. Try to freeze com.android.nfc for example. It will still be running in bg.
[Google Pixel XL Questions & Answers] fatapia:
son of a... I didn't check that one I checked the app that I've been trying to get rid of. You're right it's running.
[Google Pixel XL Questions & Answers] ninestarkoko:
I know XD for apps you want to uninstall without removing the apk and data you can use the command

"pm hide packagename"

It will uninstall the package without removing its files and app will vanish.

"pm unhide packagename" will restore it back

Unfortunately if Google Play Services finds out that Instant apps was uninstalled or hidden it would probably reinstall it over.
[Google Pixel XL Questions & Answers] palosanto0:
I'm also very annoyed by Googles imposing attitude.

I think I found a work around that seems to work so far. Simply disable all permissions for the app. If you have an older OS (I have Lollipop 5.0), there are a few apps to manage the permissions although you need to be rooted.

One permission that does the trick is "Load on startup", so stop the app and next time you boot it won't load.

It will probably keep re-installing itself but since it doesn't load on startup it does the trick. It is not a solution, I know but at least it doesn't run.
[Google Pixel XL Questions & Answers] WuTang37:
you can't disable instant apps

But you can disable your download app in your settings boom problem solved been 2 weeks and no instant apps except when i enable my download app to update or download an app i want
[Google Pixel XL Questions & Answers] mwake4goten:
Hi hopefully some can help me. I am on stock unrooted carrier locked marshmallow and also see the instant apps download notification... However when I try to follow the instructions to disable it I can't find the Instant Apps in the settings. Could the instant apps be enabled still even though the settings for it is not showing?
[Google Pixel XL Questions & Answers] :
I think this a malware, spyware, and adware. It appears only when using public wifi. I did full factory reset. Once it get installed, you will see lots of dirty ads like bigo live etc in many apps including XDA. Also your device will overheat. It is not original Google app. It is an app which is faking to be a Google instant apps. After reset all ads are gone and device is bit cool as well. Today it appear again. I immediately cancel download and disable automatic software update. Hope it works.
[Google Pixel XL Questions & Answers] cavags5:
No its not malware, its really a Google apps that install without permission, only have 2 ways, or you disable playstore and enable when you need, or with BK package disabler, you disable and its done.
[Google Pixel XL Questions & Answers] :
What about those annoying video ads? It overheat the phone. You can see those ads while scrolling XDA page. It is visible after each post. If you want I will take a risk and install it and show you the screenshot of ads on XDA page.
[Google Pixel XL Questions & Answers] cavags5:
That app don't have any adds, you can't even open, its must be other app you have, the only thing instant apps do is drain a little bit in the battery with Google services.
[Google Pixel XL Questions & Answers] :
Deleted
[Google Pixel XL Questions & Answers] :
Also the main benefit of original Google instant apps is that it allow you to use apps without installing them.
[Google Pixel XL Questions & Answers] cavags5:
It's not about that app this thread is about,

And what do you need that for?

This thread is for Google play services for instant apps, this is a app that install automatically, if you uninstall it, it reinstall after a boot, or when connected to wifi, that app you show on the screenshot its a normal app, and maybe have that adds you say.
[Google Pixel XL Questions & Answers] cavags5:
Sorry mate, i see all your comments now, i refresh the app and all show now, i have bad reception where I am.

That app you show, it install by it self again after a reset?

Do you have another phone?
[Google Pixel XL Questions & Answers] :
Ok I will take a risk. Even I wanna know whether I faced this problem due to instant apps or not. I do lot of research in order to figure out the exact issue. All of sudden I started seeing so many ads on few apps. Initially I thought it is publish by XDA only. But then I notice all ads are same in all apps. This seems strange. These are bad ads. After analyzing everything I came to conclusion that problem occurs after installing instant apps. Then I search instant apps on Google and came across XDA thread and Google playstore. I have not installed anything manually, it was automatic. I read comments ppl are saying it got install on public WiFi. I use public WiFi as well. I will comeback with my findings.
[Google Pixel XL Questions & Answers] cavags5:
Try in other wifi, if it install again, maybe you can try other Google account, with other reset in the phone.
[Google Pixel XL Questions & Answers] ranajideb:
Wait and watch mode - On

Thanks for the suggestion. Seems like the app keeps attempting to reinstall itself soon after each reboot. Here's what I did:

Stood far away from the wifi router for intermittent connection and kept an eye out for the installation to start, before quickly canceling it

Checked off auto update apps

Searched for instant app on playstore and reported the app to google

Downloaded the Disable Service app

Disabled the InstantApp service within google play services (with root access)

Seems sneaky to install an app without permission, although the other app which did the same was google voice package. At some point we will have to get over our paranoia and ask "what's the worse that could happen? That being said - hoping this solution works.

Update: The InstantApp service activated itself again after reboot. So this time, I went ahead and revoked all data access, storage and boot permissions from (system) app permissions. Now the download starts and cancels out automatically.
[Google Pixel XL Questions & Answers] jago25_98:
Which app do you recommend to do it best? Have root...
[Google Pixel XL Questions & Answers] potato man:
Maybe found a simple solution...

'Google play services for instant app' kept reinstalling itself on my phone (moto x play) so I simply deleted it and restricted background data for the play store. I never heard from it again...
[Google Pixel XL Questions & Answers] fatapia:
That worked for me for a bit but remember other services are tied into this as well so you affect more than just this download.
[Google Pixel XL Questions & Answers] Ibuprophen:
What i had done was open my Root Uninstaller app (because it can also freeze apps too) and located the Google Play Services for Instant Apps.

Then i went into the app info for "Google Play Services for Instant Apps" and first force stopped it then i selected the storage option and and cleared the data.

I then went back to my Root Uninstaller app and froze the Google Play Services for Instant Apps.

And now when I go into the Play Store, it's gone.

I didn't uninstall it because it was implemented in the Play Store and has files that are dependent.

Stopping, cleaning and freezing will prevent it from running while keeping any file dependencies in place.

This should, hopefully, do the trick...

I don't like Google determining what goes on my device either.

I wish you all the best of luck!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I Am The Egg Man,

They Are The Egg Men.

I Am The Walrus!

Coo Coo Cachoo!

I DO NOT PROVIDE SUPPORT VIA PM UNLESS ASKED/REQUESTED BY MYSELF.

PLEASE KEEP IT IN THE THREADS WHERE EVERYONE CAN SHARE
[Google Pixel XL Questions & Answers] icantstandtheinternet:
Not rooted - blocking Play Store & Account Manager with firewall stops the updates; at least while they are blocked. I got updates even though GIA isn't available on my device !
[Google Pixel XL Questions & Answers] :
I disabled the android download manager, that worked ;>
[Google Pixel XL Questions & Answers] darkensx:
As far as I can tell atm its tied directly to Google play services itself so anything short of removing play services all together (and have 0 play store access :-\ ) and instant apps will just keep reinstalling if removed (not disabled or frozen though)
[Google Pixel XL Questions & Answers] fiahyautoapp:
Just had my phone die of battery, restarted and took a screenshot of this odd app installing or updating itself even though every single setting on this Samsung Galaxyon5 from metro is disabled for auto updates. Very weird stuff, i am the type who turns off and disables everything on a stock phone...this is VERY unusual of an app, I wonder if it gets revealed as something later on.... i noticed this specific phone, galaxyon5, is free at a lot of cell pbone stores in my area, and lots of people get this phone free.... hm, i wonder.

Also, Only thing I downloaded last few hours was a bill from federal congress website and government website for the state,i know, a pdf file for a new emerging market in the green rush,could be spywared easily... so I am worried or such this might be tracking, esp coming from infosec background.fishy..fishy!

I put it into airplane mode at 50 percent. And it went away no popups or error.... as soon as i enabled wifi, magically pops up and finishes slowly....so strange how its veiled, super fishy. I did snapshot it, and Have screenshot of it autoinstalling, ... oh, and when i try to open it in the google settings page it freezes and the app crashes..hmmmm...so damn weird.

---------- Post added at 12:59 AM ---------- Previous post was at 12:45 AM ----------

Now I have a 3rd or 4th thing to add to this list of fishyness.... i went to apps,Google Services for Instant App.... this thing has permissions for my camera turned on!..location AND PRECISE LOCATION, VIDEO RECORD AND AUDIO RECORD.. hmm.. why. I had disabled everything like that MONTHS AGO in every single page of google and android settings. Fishy!

This is smelling like bad mystery meat, very much...
[Google Pixel XL Questions & Answers] WoodEe23:
Just remember since 2008, Android has been considered open source, which had users feeling like they owned their phones. Now, Google is slowly turning into APPLE..geez guys
[Google Pixel XL Questions & Answers] eris667:
I am testing TB Freezing Instant apps

About 6hrs in...

Updating Instant Apps has stopped

Downloading download file.bin 1-5 has stopped

I thought I had a virus so earlier today I did a cache wipe and two full factory resets - as soon as I logged in this started again... So after some Google Fu I decided to test freezing
[Google Pixel XL Questions & Answers] Ibuprophen:
I had recently found the following on the Android Stack Exchange and thought that others may be able to benefit from this.

https://android.stackexchange.com/q...ps-downloads-installs-itself-without-authoriz

I haven't had a chance to get too involved in this but, it does look promising.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I DO NOT PROVIDE SUPPORT VIA PM UNLESS ASKED/REQUESTED BY MYSELF.

PLEASE KEEP IT IN THE THREADS WHERE EVERYONE CAN SHARE
[Google Pixel XL Questions & Answers] bonbonboi:
Sorry to interrupt the discussion, what's wrong with "Google Play services for Instant Apps" if it kept to do whatever it wants to do, any logical security/privacy risk?
[Google Pixel XL Questions & Answers] cavags5:
Google play services drain more the battery.
[Google Pixel XL Questions & Answers] jerryhou85:
Hello, notice you are posting questions of your Galaxy On5, actually we have a section for this phone: https://xdaforums.com/samsung-galaxy-on5/help

Please visit that section and search for help. This is section about Pixel XL. Thanks.
[Google Pixel XL Questions & Answers] bonbonboi:
Google play services or Google Services for Instant App?

okay then it's all about other things, but no other risks whatsoever.
[Google Pixel XL Questions & Answers] cavags5:
Other than drain the battery there is no other risks.

You can disable it easy with package Disabler.
[Google Pixel XL Questions & Answers] Marko Indaco:
...anyway, this crap from fck G auto-update itself. I restore just few minutes ago a ViperOneM9 backup where (I know for sure) the auto-update settings in PlayStore app was disabled.

Now G auto-update his apps without ask nor advice... very nice. Thank you G for ruin my Android experience, every day worst and even worster.
[Google Pixel XL Questions & Answers] cavags5:
Best way is this.
[Google Pixel XL Questions & Answers] Marko Indaco:
Thank you for reply. I already freeze with Titanium BackUp... but this it's absurd imo...
[Google Pixel XL Questions & Answers] cavags5:
Yes you are right, this piss me off a lot.

Why a app that we can uninstall it, install again without permission.

Google is BS.
[Google Pixel XL Questions & Answers] eris667:
I thought freezing fixed it..... After a few weeks it is back with a vengeance, still frozen, updating 2-3 times a day

Freezing did stop the download.bin files

I don't know why, but every time I see this I just want to throw my phone across the room in frustration - it doesn't help that my phone and wifi/data turns into a lag machine for ~5m every time this happens

No issues other than when Instant apps runs
[Google Pixel XL Questions & Answers] jago25_98:
Only thing I have is freeze Google Play store and replace with Yalp store
[Google Pixel XL Questions & Answers] eris667:
Any difference between TB Pro Freeze vs. BK Service Disabler?

I am not opposed to buying another app - if it gets the job done!
[Google Pixel XL Questions & Answers] eris667:
I surrender - I unfroze the app, going to just let it do what it wants when it wants and live with it

The app actually seems to be going crazy less than once a day in the unfrozen state - but I am going to give it a few weeks run time, I thought it was doing less frozen and then the app proved me wrong

Two things to note

1) The Instant App Integration acts like a virus, no way to stop it from running, replicates, tied to Google Play

2) The Instant App Integration downloads / updates Instant Apps, and Downloadfile1-10.bin (that I have seen) with no information or consent from the user (I wish they would at least name the downloadfile.bin to something like GoogleInstantApps1-10.bin)

I don't want this service, I have disabled it in settings (not that it matters), and it is misleading that an official Google Program would interact with the system in the same way as a virus / trojan. Almost like clockwork at 8:30pm CST (and other random times throughout the day) my download manager fires off with 1-11 downloads most of the time the first one is "updating google instant apps" then it proceeds to randomly downloadfile1-10.bin for 5-10m

For a service I don't want - it is very determined to keep me up to date

---------- Post added at 04:57 PM ---------- Previous post was at 04:43 PM ----------

https://issuetracker.google.com/issues/68895529
[Google Pixel XL Questions & Answers] fatapia:
super late reply, but I only discovered this myself just today. You CAN disable Instant Apps (or so it appears) without needing root or another application. So I found Instant Apps under Settings -> Google -> Instant Apps, you can opt-out here but the process is still running so clearly this is not our solution. I also found Instant Apps here:

Under Settings -> Apps & Notifications -> Advanced -> Default Apps -> Opening Links, from here you can uncheck Instant Apps.

I checked under Settings -> Google and the Instant Apps entry has now been removed. I'm not rooted at this time so I'm unable to use Titanium Backup to view the actual app process to see if it is running. This may be the closest we get to removing Instant Apps without some modification.
[Google Pixel XL Questions & Answers] kdm6389:
Settings -> Google and the Instant Apps entry has now been removed

How did you achieved this.

I tried resting phone by this app keep coming back.

This app affects "Google setting" by addind one more line instant app.

Kindly help us, you can make YouTube video.
[Google Pixel XL Questions & Answers] xdiable:
So much whining, pointless anger and conspiracy theory bs over a complete non issue, smh. It seems like an idiotic herd has taken over XDA.
[Google Pixel XL Questions & Answers] pdpyen:
Sir, if you consider this as a non issue to you, why bother reply?

It is a ethical subject(read debate) which has to be looked into.

And when you say idiots, does that #include you, sir?

Apart from the above reference,

great job all, there are some who are willing to get a work around.

Im a victim of this forced update by google. Tried BK package which works onnly on samsung, my device wasnt allowed.

Im a OP2 user, stock rom.

If i could be of any help, please let me know.

(And i will keep an eye on this thread)

thanks!
[Google Pixel XL Questions & Answers] cavags5:
I notice in samsung oreo beta, instant apps don't install.

Maybe Google fix it or samsung.

Lets see in official version, but usually disable it with BK package disabler.
[Google Pixel XL Questions & Answers] ninestarkoko:
Instant Apps supervisor is part of Google Play Services companion apps and must be updated along with other "core" components. It's just like the Play store app. The problem is that it updates itself often and also on mobile data and when you are using the phone. It's a wild approach for a system app to be updated. Google should put limits to this behaviour. I can't stand seeing "updating instant apps" every now and then when I'm not under wifi and I'm using my phone.
[Google Pixel XL Questions & Answers] Pawprints1986:
Why did they even come up with this feature?? Wouldnt everyone rather just download stuff they want to try and delete if they dont like it? Paid apps have trial periods... what was wrong with how it was??

I went in and disabled any main play services with "instant" in the name which was only 2, see what happens i guess.
[Google Pixel XL Questions & Answers] alondor:
Hey everyone, I am a total newbie, but while browsing my phone yesterday I noticed there maybe another method.

Go to Settings - Apps (All Apps) Scroll down to Google Play Services for Instant Apps. Open it. There should be a Data Usage section. Tap it to open. There should be an option to restrict the apps usage of background data.

I son't know if this is a permanent solution, but it is something, and does not involve rooting or using code, which a lot of people can't do.
[Google Pixel XL Questions & Answers] VTech1855:
I just noticed this update notification today.

I went into Settings>Google>Instant Apps and then disabled it. I'm pretty sure that should do it. Anyone else try that yet?
[Google Pixel XL Questions & Answers] aleh07:
use android oreo(if there any development for your device). it stop the problem.
[Google Pixel XL Questions & Answers] xduglopx:
I have the SAME problem! Hell I don't even know what they ARE! What are the apps it includes/involves? All it says is instant apps!
[Google Pixel XL Questions & Answers] waingro808:
You have way too much free time on your hands.