The Complete Comprehensive List of System Apps for Xperia Arc
WARNING: Rooting and removing System apps is at personal choice and risk of lost of warranty and damaging the phone.
WARNING: Always make a complete backup of ALL the system apps before removing any in case of accidental deletion.
DISCLAIMER: This is only a reference guide. I will bear no responsibilities if by referencing this guide through your own discretion damages your phone in any way.
Apps that are unsafe to remove or are linked to phone's capabilities:
(Keep them if you want access to all of your phone's features.)
Note: Many of these only run when needed while a few of them are persistent services that are about 1mb sizes. While removing them may give you a few mb more, keeping them is rather insignificant.
Note: Some of them can also be removed if you have replaced or removed the main app they are tied to, but read the descriptions carefully!
Originally Posted by oddbasketAccountAndSyncSettings.apk --- Account and Sync Settings
AdobeFlashPlayer.apk --- Adobe Flash Player
AntHalService.apk --- Hardware Abstraction Layer
ApplicationsProvider.apk --- Search Applications Provider (ASP service)
Bluetooth.apk --- Bluetooth Share
bootinfo.apk --- Download Agent
CalendarProvider.apk --- calendar storage
CertInstaller.apk --- Certificate Installer
CredentialManagerService.apk --- Credential Manager Service
CustomizationProvider.apk --- regionalization
CustomizationSimPayType.apk --- regionalization
CustomizedApplicationInstaller.apk --- regionalization
CustomizedSettings.apk --- regionalization
DefaultCapabilities.apk --- hardware capabilities
DefaultContainerService.apk --- Package Access Helper (web container service)
device-monitor.apk --- plug and play monitoring
DMClient.apk --- Software Updater
DownloadProvider.apk --- Market Download Manager
DrmDialogs.apk --- DRM sync service
DrmProvider.apk --- DRM Protected Content Storage
enhancedusbux.apk --- usb driver
FastDormancy.apk --- Network Fast Dormancy
FmRxService.apk --- FM receiver service
genericappinstaller.apk --- application installer service
GoogleBackupTransport.apk --- Android Backup Service for apps
GoogleCalendarSyncAdapter.apk --- calendars sync
GoogleContactsSyncAdapter.apk --- contacts sync
GoogleServicesFramework.apk --- google services framework
InfiniteView.apk --- phonebook info page
LiveWallpapersPicker.apk --- Change Live wallpapers
LocalContacts.apk --- phone contacts
Maps.apk --- google maps
MarketUpdater.apk --- android market updater
MediaProvider.apk --- Media Storage (Ringtones, Notifications)
MtpAppGB.apk --- Media Transfer Protocol (MTP)
NetworkLocation.apk --- Network Location Manager (Location Services, Check-in, Geo-tagging)
OMAClientProvisioning.apk --- OTA network settings download
OmaV1AgentDownloadServices.apk --- OTA services download and purchase/billing services
PackageInstaller.apk --- package installer
Phonebook.apk --- Phonebook
PicoTts.apk --- SVOX Text To Speech service (used by navigation/translators/dictionaries)
ReadyToRun.apk --- OMA Sync extension
SemcCameraApplication.apk --- Camera
SemcContactsProvider.apk --- Contacts Storage
SemcHdmiControlService.apk --- HDMI CEC
SemcHdmiEnabler.apk --- HDMI
SemcPhone.apk --- Keypad Dialer
SemcSettings.apk --- Sony Ericsson Settings Menu > Connectivity/Settings Download
SemcTelephonyProvider.apk --- Dialer Storage
ServiceMenu.apk --- Service Menu
Settings.apk --- System Settings
SettingsProvider.apk --- Settings Storage
ShutDownAnimation.apk --- Shutdown Animation
SoundPicker.apk --- Sound picker
Sync.apk --- OMA account services
SystemUI.apk --- Notification bar
Talk.apk --- Google Talk
TtsService.apk --- Android Text To Speech Service
usb-mtp-update-wrapper.apk --- MTP extension polling
usb-mtp-vendor-extension-service.apk --- Sony Ericsson MTP extension
UseragentProvider.apk --- User Agent Storage
UserDictionaryProvider.apk --- user dictionary storage
Vending.apk --- Android Market
VerifyCertificatesDummyAppApplication.apk --- Certificate identifier
VerifyCertificatesDummyAppMedia.apk --- Certificate identifier
VerifyCertificatesDummyAppPlatform.apk --- Certificate identifier
VerifyCertificatesDummyAppShared.apk --- Certificate identifier
VoiceDialer.apk --- Voice Dialer
VoiceSearch.apk --- Voice Search
VoipCallLogProvider.apk --- VOIP Call Log
VpnServices.apk --- VPN Services
WapiCustomization.apk --- WAP settings
WapPush.apk --- WAP push (for receiving MMS)
Safe to remove:
(These apps can be removed without ill effects to the Arc's health.)
*Note: New APKs from the 2.3.3 update.
Originally Posted by oddbasketAccessoryKeyDispatcher.apk --- event listener (unsure of trigger, hardware and handsfree keys work without it.)
Calculator.apk --- default calculator
CdfInfoAccessor.apk --- Software Component Descriptions
chinesetextinput.apk --- chinese keyboard
com.sonyericsson.androidapp.foursquare_ext_ts3.apk --- Timescape Foursquare Extension
com.sonyericsson.androidapp.timescapefeedsplugin.a pk --- Timescape Feeds
com.whatsapp.apk --- Whatsapp
*CoreNotificationPublisher.apk --- Lock Screen Notifications
CrashSMS.apk --- Diagnostics Tool (debug helper)
datatrafficswitch.apk --- mobile data on/off widget
DigitalClockWidget.apk --- clock widget
DownloadProviderUi.apk --- default browser downloads folder
EventStream.apk --- Timescape
EventStreamPluginCallLog.apk --- Timescape Call Log Extension
EventStreamPluginFacebook.apk --- Timescape Facebook Extension
EventStreamPluginTelephony.apk --- Timescape Telephony extension
EventStreamPluginTwitter.apk --- Timescape Twitter extension
facebook.apk --- Facebook
*FBCalendarSync.apk --- Sony Ericsson Facebook Integration Calendar Sync
*FBMediaDiscovery.apk --- Sony Ericsson Facebook Integration Media Discovery
*FBMusicLike.apk --- Sony Ericsson Facebook Integration Music Like
*FBNotificationPublisher.apk --- Sony Ericsson Facebook Integration Facebook Notifications
*FBSetupwizard.apk --- Sony Ericsson Facebook Integration Setup Wizard (not needed to setup or for FB Integration to work)
GenieWidget.apk --- News and Weather
Gmail.apk --- Gmail app
GoogleFeedback.apk --- Market Feedback Agent (forceclose reporting for apps installed from Market)
GooglePartnerSetup.apk --- Google Partner Setup (no longer needed after setting up Gmail)
GoogleQuickSearchBox.apk --- google quick search box
HTMLViewer.apk --- HTML viewer (view HTML files directly from file manager)
IddAgent.apk --- Anonymous Usage Stats
JapaneseIME.apk --- japanese keyboard
LearningClient.apk --- learns user typed words for default keyboard
letsgolf_A_353.apk --- Let's Golf game
LiveWallpapers.apk --- Live wallpapers pack
LivewareManager.apk --- Liveware Manager
MagicSmokeWallpapers.apk --- Live wallpaper
MediaWidget.apk --- Media shortcuts widget
MediaUploader.apk --- My Uploads for Youtube uploading (not needed if just watch Youtube)
MusicWidget.apk --- default Music player widget
*NotificationProvider.apk --- Lock Screeen Notifications Storage
officesuite.apk --- Office Suite
OmaDatasyncService.apk --- Sony Ericsson Sync
PhotoWidget.apk --- Picture Frame widget
*playnowclientarvato.apk --- Playnow Store (replaces the 2 APKs in the list directly below)
playnowappinstaller.apk --- Playnow updater
playnowclient.apk --- Playnow
POBoxSknPink.apk --- japanese keyboard skin
POBoxSknWood.apk --- japanese keyboard skin
Protips.apk --- Pro Tips widget
qcsemcservice.apk --- RIL extension for default browser
Radio.apk --- FM radio
retaildemo.apk --- retail demo
SecureClockJava.apk --- web clock service (some DRM or Secure services may use this, restore if you need it.)
SemcCrashMonitor.apk --- debugger
SemcDlna.apk --- media server
*SEMCFacebookService.apk --- Sony Ericsson Facebook Integration Service
SEMCSetupWizard.apk --- setup wizard
SemcVideoEdit.apk --- video editor
SoundRecorder.apk --- sound recorder
StatusSwitch.apk --- Status switch widget
Stk.apk --- Sim Tool Kit
Street.apk --- Google Street view
SyncWizard.apk --- Sony Ericsson Sync Account
timescapelegacywrapper.apk --- Timescape plugin
TimescapeSpline.apk --- Timescape widget spline
TimescapeWidget.apk --- Timescape widget
touchnote.apk --- Touch notes postcard
trackid.apk --- TrackID
*UnsupportedHeadsetNotification.apk --- Possibly a notification when pairing with unsupported bluetooth headsets
usersupport.apk --- Support
VisualizationWallpapers.apk --- Live wallpaper
WallpaperPicker.apk --- Sony Ericsson Wallpapers
widgetdigitalclock.apk --- clock widget
widgetonoff.apk --- widget on/off toggles
YouTube.apk --- YouTube
Can be replaced:
(These apps can be safely removed and be replaced by preferred third party apps of the same function.)
Warning: Sony Ericsson's home launcher should not be removed until after another third party home launcher has been installed and properly set up to take over it's function.
Note: Depending on the third party calendar app of choice, it may be advisable to setup your calendars using the default calendar app before removing it.
Note: Most third party messaging apps cannot send and receive MMS if the stock messaging app is removed.
Note: Removing the default clock widget will also remove the alarm feature. Ensure your clock of choice has alarms or have another alarm app installed.
Originally Posted by oddbasketBrowser.apk --- default web browser
Calendar.apk --- default calendar
Conversations.apk --- default messaging
Home.apk --- default home launcher
SemcDeskClock.apk --- default clock and alarm
SemcEmail.apk --- default email app
SemcGallery3D.apk --- default gallery
SemcMusic.apk --- default music player
textinput-tng.apk --- default keyboard
Updating of System apps:
Unlike user apps, when system apps get updated, the original apk in /system/app cannot be replaced automatically. Hence the newer version will be installed as a user app in/data/app.
To save space on your rom, the original ones in /system/app can be deleted. Or, you can manually replace the newer ones from /data/app to /system/app.
Deleting the ones in /system/app is recommended since future updates will replace them and saves space on the rom.
Warning: It is safer to remove System apps from /System/App after you have updated them.
Note: Doing either method for facebook.apk will cause you to lose your facebook contacts. However, they can be restored by launching the facebook app, press back button, then menu button > Settings > Sync Contacts. You will also have to manually resync the ones that have been manually added using 'Join Contacts' as well.
Note: The exception is AdobeFlashPlayer.apk. Manually moving it to /system/app will not work. It only works when it's properly installed. So, simply delete the one in /system/appinstead. And if it stops working, simply tap the one in /data/app to reinstall it properly.
Note: Having only one instance of Android Market will also fix the bug where some users' Market will not correctly show all the apps that are installed under 'My apps'.
Note: If you use the copy and paste method, you need to set the permissions for the APK after moving. Permissions: Check all for Read, check Owner for Write, leave the rest unchecked.
The apks currently with updates are:
Originally Posted by oddbasketfacebook.apk --- Facebook
com.whatsapp.apk --- Whatsapp
Maps.apk --- Google Maps
Vending.apk --- Android Market
AdobeFlashPlayer.apk --- Adobe Flash Player
Making User Apps into System Apps:
System and User apps are stored in partitioned memory, meaning they have separate amounts of memory allocated ie. System Storage Memory and User Storage Memory.
There is ~100mb of unused System app storage going to waste.
By making a User app into a System app, you change it's storage location and free up space to allow you to install more User apps. This is done simply by moving the User app to System app storage.
Note: Recommended apps to move can be home launchers, input methods, apps that you want permanently available on the phone ie. without SD card, apps that you don't need to update.
Warning: Caution when moving a system app back to user app! Example: Moving a home launcher from System/App to Data/App breaks it. Your phone will not work without a working home launcher! Restore the default home launcher to System/App before doing it!
Steps:
1. Browse to /data/app and locate the APK you want to move
2. Move* the APK to /system/app
3. Reboot
*If you use the copy and paste method, you need to set the permissions for the APK after moving. Permissions: Check all for Read, check Owner for Write, leave the rest unchecked.
Telco specific system bloatware:
(These are the ones in /System/App. The ones in /Data/App can be removed through Settings > Applications > Manage Applications.)
Singtel (Singapore):
Originally Posted by oddbasketcom.qoowaa.act_103.apk --- AppXtra
com.singtel.singtelbpl.apk --- Singtel BPL
com.sonyericsson.androidapp.storefront.apk --- AMPed Store