[Samsung Galaxy S10 Guides, News, & Discussion] Manualeitor:
Thanks and some tricks on this

Hi!

Thanks a lot for this post. I've read all the +50 pages! (Which I deeply recommend prior to decide which things delete/uninstall).

I'm a sight disabled person and thus I don't like to have things I don't use. I need to keep things simple. I'm a system senior engineer with a high tech background in UNIX systems (and Android is a Linux variant created for SoC, so essentially it works in a similar way as other -IX flavors). Nevertheless, I'll keep this post simple. Also I'll share a small trick to reinstall apps quickly and two other simple tips for getting the most out of this superb phone. Read on!

I debloated various Samsung phones -also from other brands too- and found that the ADB method is exactly the same, it only differs in the brand-specific packages. Android and Google ones are generic.

As per my Samsung Galaxy S10 (8 Gb. RAM, 128 Gb. ROM, Android 10, last security patch, non-rooted) I debloated several Google items:

- Gmail (I use K-9 Mail + OpenKeyChain) for PGP signing, all free, tiny and incredibly fast)

- Chrome (I use Lightning Browser, buyed the Plus version to support the author, although the free one is as good and features an ad blocker)

- Play Music and Play Movies, I do not use these - see below.

- Google Duo (never used, so never mind)

- Google drive (Heavyweight app -see below)

- YouTube (I use Vanced + MicroG)

Other items I sent to oblivion:

- Microsoft's OneDrive (Useless to me, enough with Google -usable via other apps, see below- and Mega, IMHO)

- Samsung Notes (I use the Notepad app by Braden Farmer -free, tiny, simple). Here"s the Play Store link: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.farmerbb.note

Now for the trick. The matter is, see, I debloated the Samsung App Store just to find that the Samsung apps like the Edge Screen app won't update, though they work well anyway.

So, as I'm using the File Manager+ app (find it in Play Store, https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.alphainventor.filemanager) which has the useful ability to show the / (root) partition, and knowing that all the installable apps are within

/system/app

and

/system/priv-app

is simply a matter of finding there the one(s) you deleted and tapping on the .apk to start the (re)install. That simple. You can use any file manager which allows you to see the / partition -there are several. But read a little more and I'll explain why I prefer this one.

This trick worked in all my Samsung devices, rooted and non-rooted like this one. Also with some Redmi 5, 7 and 8 I had. Curiously didn't worked with a nasty Huawei Mate 20 Lite which I have (I mean, the apps are there, in the / partition, but many of them won't install, still dunno why -but I will ;) )

I just love that small and simple File Manager+ app. It's very visual, tiny, ad-free and features an audio/video player (there are some video files it won't play, mkv I guess, but for that there's always VLC for Android) and it can access directly to your Google Drive account. Again, I purchased a license to support the author and because I need the dark theme -only available in the paid version).

Now a small note on how to record calls. Wuth my old J3 2016 it was piece of cake... There's a extra nice Open Source Call R0ecorder app full of options and with great recording quality. But from Android 9 on, AFAIK, it's not that simple. That app records only sikence. Google has locked that feature, who knows why... But, I've found an app which works fine. it's called CubeACR. Its Play Store link is https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.catalinagroup.callrecorder

The free version only record calls in amr format, but sounds great and even can record from VoIP (Whatsapp, etc). Only must follow carefully all the setup steps and you're done. Then go to the app settings and adjust other options like dark mode, recording delay etc. No root needed!

And a small goodie. Wanna avoid ads globally? Easy, non-root way? Good then. Setup a private DNS by going to your phone Settings - Connections - Additional Settings - Private DNS. Now set

dns.adguard.com

Save, exit and enjoy! No ads neither browsing nor in many apps. Super simple!

There are a bunch of free DNS to filter other items (i.e. adult contents should you hand the phone to a child...). Go ahead and investigate by yourself. :)

Hope this helps. Cheers to everyone and all the best!

CREDITS TO THE WHOLE COMMUNITY!!!

P.S. Sorry for my bad english. I'm almost blind (I see around a mere 10%) plus I'm somewhat rusty with my english LOL ;)

Manu