[HOW TO] Stop the Amazon App Store from listing uninstalled apps under My Apps - Captivate Themes and Apps

Have you been sucked in by Amazon's free app of the day promotion, downloaded an app, played with it for a couple hours and then decided to uninstall it?
Have you noticed how that uninstalled app will forever appear under My Apps in the App Store?
I wanted Amazon to stop passively reminding me about my fleeting affair with a past free app every time I go to their app store to try out the next free app of the day. The app store doesn't offer any way of removing the uninstalled and I like my lists to be cleaned up.
The solution I found is not perfect, but it works for me. I tried a variety of ways and this is the only thing I could find that avoided having the uninstalled apps re-appear after the app store syncs itself with my account. It requires root, Root Explorer and SQLite Editor. There are probably other ways to do this, but this worked for me.
In Root Explorer, go to the data/data/com.amazon.venezia/databases folder and open the file called "locker". With SQLite Editor installed, Root Explorer will automatically open the file with write permissions. There will be a list of 8 tables:
Applications - this is the table you want to edit
Blacklist - seems to be a table containing apps that are removed from Amazon
BlacklistCursor - somehow related to Blacklist
ContentTokens - the tokens for the apps you've downloaded. Syncs with your Amazon account every time you open the App Store. Deleting records here does nothing, as far as I could tell.
Downloads - lists any downloaded but not yet installed apps. When you download an app from the Amazon App Store, it downloads to a folder on your SD Card located at sdcard/Android/data/com.amazon.venezia/cache. Amazon names the apk oddly. Deleting records here does nothing, as far as I could tell.
Wishlist - I assume this syncs with your Amazon wishlist for apps. I don't use it, so I don't know for sure.
android_metadata - One record that identifies the locale as en_US.
sqlite_sequence - identifies the next sequence number that can be used (right? I'm not that familiar with it)
Select Applications
The first field is the ASIN identifier that Amazon uses. You can search Amazon for this and find the app that way, just in case you wanted to know.
Now, it would be great if deleting the record you don't want worked, but Amazon will just resync and add the record again. Boo.
The more interesting fields are off to the right, so scroll down that way.
Right after the SoldBy field are true/false flags. I'm listing them here, because I'm not entirely sure what they all do and maybe someone can fill in the blanks. If you edit most of these fields, Amazon will just reset them when it syncs, too. We want IsHiddenFromActionableItems.
IsPurchased - 1 if purchased
IsNew - 1 if there is a new version (to download or already downloaded but not installed, it seems)
IsUpdateAvailable - 1 if there is an update available (installed, with update available)
IsFlagged - not sure
IsNewNotified - 1 if notified of the new version.
IsUpdateAvailableNotified - 1 if notified of an update available. Interestingly, for the apps I uninstall the IsNew flag is true and IsUpdateAvailable is false, but the IsNewNotified is false and IsUpdateAvailableNotified is true. Seems backwards.
IsFlaggedNotified - notified of flagging?
IsHiddenFromActionableItems - this is the one you want.
IsDownloaded - 1 if downloaded and the file is still in its download location.
IsInstalled - 1 if downloaded and installed.
Full step by step:
***You need root***
1. In Root Explorer, go to the data/data/com.amazon.venezia/databases folder and open the file called "locker".
2. Select Applications
3. Highlight the record you want to edit by tapping it
4. Long press on the value in IsHiddenFromActionableItems.
5. Select Edit Field
6. Change the value from 0 to 1 (or the opposite if you want it back in the list)
7. Click Save
8. Repeat 4 - 7 for any other records you want.
9. Hit back to return to the table list and back again to go back to the folder.
That's it. When you run the Amazon App Store again, the apps you've changed the IsHiddenFromActionableItems value to 1 for will no longer appear under New (and presumably Update Available). Unfortunately, the apps will still show up under the All menu, unless you filter by Installed apps only.
Sorry for the long post, but I thought maybe someone else with more background than me would be able to figure out some other workaround.
I'm not responsible if this somehow screws up your phone.

THANK YOU.
God I thought I'd be waiting forever for them to come up with a better way to manage your purchased apps.

I'd be willing to bet that we'll see a better way to manage apps in future releases of their app store, but I'm not willing to wait for that.

You. are a god! Thank you, thank you, thank you!

I was so happy when I saw this post. I tried the recommended resolution. However, when I hit the refresh button in the Amazon App Store, the "hidden" application came back.
Any ideas? I would love to have a solution.
Thanks,
Evan

Two new ideas that may help with this issue:
1) If you are *totally sure* you never want to see the app again..
Just delete the app.
Amazon's official instructions are a ways down this page:
Amazon Appstore for Android says:
(AMAZON OFFICIAL)
Amazon Appstore for Android customers can now permanently delete apps from their account. To use this feature, visit the Your Apps and Devices (http://www.amazon.com/gp/mas/your-account/myapps) section of the Amazon Appstore for Android and click "Actions."
To learn more about this feature, visit:
Appstore for Android FAQs - http://www.amazon.com/appstore/faq
Appstore for Android "Manage Apps" overview - http://www.amazon.com/help/managingapps
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Note this is a somewhat drastic step - if you change your mind you will have to pay for the app all over again. Works great for free apps of course.
2) Amazon may have given us a way to run off *all* notifications with the latest Amazon App Store apk. See http://www.goodandevo.net/2012/03/turn-off-amazon-appstore-notifications-on-your-htc-evo.html

Does anyone know if there is a similar process that can now be used? It seems like the recent update to the appstore app broke this method.
Sent from my SGH-T999 using Tapatalk 2

Related

[Q] Amazon App Store Error Every Reboot

Something weird is going on and has been going on ever since I installed the Amazon App Store on my Cappy running the latest Serendipity rom. I've downloaded WeatherBug Elite and Shaazam when they were both the free paid app of the day through the Amazon App Store. They run just fine... until I reboot my phone. After every reboot, when I go to open either of those two apps I get a force close popup saying that there has been an unknown error with the Amazon App Store and that I need to reinstall the app (that I was trying to open). So I uninstall, go back into the Amazon App store and re-download/reinstall and they work fine again until the next time I reboot or power cycle my phone. The apps load up and run for a few seconds before I get that popup. So far I've only noticed this with those two apps, the other ones I've downloaded through Amazon have been working fine.
I contacted Amazon App Store support via email, but they were not very helpful, they told me I should call them to "discuss the issue further". I don't like calling, that's why I emailed them in the first place!
Anyone else having this issue? Could it be caused by the hosts file? Thanks in advance for any help!
I also have this issue with both WeatherBug Elite and Shazam Encore. I actually uninstalled Shazam (at the time I noticed it) because I installed SoundHound Infinity.
However, I just manually rebooted my phone and, yes, my WeatherBug Elite came back with the error (after re-installing and setting it up).
I tested my other Amazon apps (Airport Mania: First Flight, Angry Birds Rio, Angry Birds Seasons, Diner Dash 2, Doodle Jump, Flight Control, Fruit Ninja, SoundHound Infinity, and Talking Tom Cat) and it's only the WeatherBug Elite and Shazam Encore.
I'm running a Droid X with Liberty 1.5 ROM.
The same here... any solution..??
Same problem...
Any news or ideas?
I've been afraid to reboot my phone because of this issue. I guess it's not that big of a deal to uninstall and reinstall two apps, but it's just so annoying. I'm going to download Ad-Free from Google Market later and revert my hosts file and reboot my phone, I'm not sure if that has anything to do with it but I'll let you guys know if it works.
Reverting the hosts file does nothing. I have to reinstall Weatherbug Elite and Shazam again for the 5th time! Ugh.
This is the reply I received from Amazon customer service:
I’m sorry to hear that you are experiencing problems with the Amazon Appstore for Android.
Based on what you described, I think it would be best to investigate this issue further. I haven't heard of this happening before, and we'd like to get more information from you so we can come up with a fix.
You can reach us by phone directly and toll free from many countries by clicking the Contact Us option on our Help pages at:
http://www.amazon.com/amazonappstore
Contacting us through the website allows you to verify security before a call is placed and ensures we have your account information ready when we call you. If your country isn’t listed or you’re unable to take advantage of the Contact Us feature, you can call us directly at 1-866-749-7771. Support for the Amazon Appstore is available between the hours of 6 a.m. and 10 p.m. PST, 7 days a week.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If everyone that is having the same problem is willing to take a little bit of time to tell Amazon that this isn't an isolated issue, they might look into further and offer us a solution. Here is the email: [email protected]
I am having the same issue. I did not realize that it was the reboot that was triggering it until I read this thread. Same two apps, Weatherbug and Shazam. The only thing that fixes it is to uninstall and reinstall.
I am running Serendipity 6.3 also.
I have the same issue with those apps running on Cog4.3
+1
Same here!!
same problem here in continuum 4
I found a fix, seems to be working
1. Delete Amazon App store from device (under Settings->Applications, "Clear Data" and "Uninstall")
2. Delete (deregister) all occurrences of device in question from Amazon profile (Your Account > Your Apps and Devices)
3. "Send Amazon App store to a new device" (since mine is a tablet, I sent it to my email)
4. Install Amazon App Store from this new delivery
5. Run App store and log in
Apps should work at that point.
(Note: some of those steps may be unnecessary overkill, but hey, it worked...)
Source http://www.amazon.com/Angry-Birds-l...Z8NXOSQLX3UV/1?_encoding=UTF8&asin=B004SBS8LA
agarp said:
same problem here in continuum 4
I found a fix, seems to be working
1. Delete Amazon App store from device (under Settings->Applications, "Clear Data" and "Uninstall")
2. Delete (deregister) all occurrences of device in question from Amazon profile (Your Account > Your Apps and Devices)
3. "Send Amazon App store to a new device" (since mine is a tablet, I sent it to my email)
4. Install Amazon App Store from this new delivery
5. Run App store and log in
Apps should work at that point.
(Note: some of those steps may be unnecessary overkill, but hey, it worked...)
Source http://www.amazon.com/Angry-Birds-l...Z8NXOSQLX3UV/1?_encoding=UTF8&asin=B004SBS8LA
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Unfortunately, Shazam and Weatherbug Elite still crash on my device.
Red_81 said:
Unfortunately, Shazam and Weatherbug Elite still crash on my device.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
do you guys have any start up managers? It seems that the issue all revolve around the amazon market place. Weather bug has always caused issues with every rom I have ever used so I just dont use it any more. I have no prob with Shazam
Nope. I use stock cog4.3 running overstock kernel. That is it. Nothing special here.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I897 using XDA App
Could be rom related. Have you tried a different rom?
No but others on other roms have reported the same issues.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I897 using XDA App
I'm on stock Froyo and now any app that I've downloaded from the Amazon app store wont open, including WB and Shazam, but also AB Rio, Backbreaker Football and Doodle Jump.So ROM is not the issue, AAS has messed something up.
This is why the amazon store will not be on my phone.
Sent from a Captivate on Bluedipity 6.4, Onix 2.0.5, JQ1 with Xda App

How to find my paid programs?

Hi!
I wrote already similar question on Samsung Galaxy S GT-I9000 thread, but didn't got right answer. Got only one answer: go menu/ my apps. LOL. It shows the apps, what you have installed on your phone..
I am looking a way how to find my paid apps on Google Play market. Early days, when Google Android OS FroYo was hard stuff and market had name Android Market, there was a way find your paid apps. Not anymore. Even with this brand new Google Play market.
I am not talking now about custom ROM's and problem to find paid apps; prob.build or market enablers. No no. I can see all my apps if I just remember the name or have took a list with App Dragon or similar app collector. But if time runs on, you have change to forgot some your paid apps. Like I had bought Minecraft pocket edition when Google Market celebrated 10 000 000 0000 downloads and the price was only 10 cent. Etc.
Problem would be solved if there is a similar value than File Managers on PC have: name, modified, type, size, or it have advanced search for your paid apps. Or there is own tab for your paid apps.
Now I am looking your help. Have you met an app, what can search your paid apps or how you search them? In my case if I go with my PC browser to Google Play market, I can see first my installed apps for current AndroidOS. In this case Mackay v4.2.2 Jelly Bean custom ROM. Below I see other larger list of apps from early days and it start from first day I used my Android phone. There are all apps what I have installed and then uninstalled. Becouse the list is so huge, it can show only from letter A to E. So, if I have one hour time to browse all list, I can find some paid apps there, but if my paid app start letter F - Z, then I can see it never again. I have lost them forever, if I cannot remember the app name.
This forum is for qualifying members to release their paid applications. Please follow up on your original thread in the appropriate forum.

Kindle Fire 5th Gen & G-Suite issues with Google Play

Howdy,
I am looking for some very specific help here on my device and so will try to provide as much information as I can with regards to it.
The basic issue is that I cannot, for any adequate length of time (more than a few minutes or hours), access the Google Play store on my Kindle Fire 5th Gen after it's initial installation. This is on Fire OS 5.3.2.1.
Where I started:
I have followed the instructions on how to install Google Play on the Kindle Fire without requiring root, which is basically the installation of the four required APKs. I used the script posted here on the forums and it worked well enough, but I've also copied the APKs locally to the device and installed them from there using the Local Storage tab in the Docs app.
The issue:
Within a few minutes or hours of having the Google Play store working, I am, for a second time, prompted to accept the Google Play terms and conditions when I load the store app. Once I accept (which I have no real choice otherwise, it just exits the app if I click Decline), I am now faced with an empty store screen and the message saying that there are no apps I can install as my Administrator has not made any available to me.
As I am my own Administrator, I know this is utter nonsense. This is also only the case on my account, as a dummy account that is not part of my G-Suite account does not have this issue, but alas, also does not have my purchases associated with it so this is not a good permanent choice.
My troubleshooting:
This issue seems to be entirely due to some issue with the fact that I am using a G-Suite account (the previously named Google Apps for Work) and not just your average Google account. The "apparent" issue is that the Google Play Store app seems to think I am using an Advanced management device (more info here, support.google.com/a/answer/6328699).
I have spent a few hours on the phone with G-Suite support on this. There was a point I mistakenly had the Advanced management settings on (EMM is the main culprit setting, the ability for the Administrator to control which apps their users can install, users being myself, my wife, and our son), but I have since, and for over a week now, had it off. They say toggling that takes about 24 hours to propagate, so that should be plenty of time. All I really wanted anyway was the Basic management anyway, i.e., being able to remotely locate, wipe, remove account, etc., on my various devices should they be lost or stolen, but I turned on some settings that weren't worded well enough for me to understand, apparently, and so Advanced it was.
Even with the EMM off, I still receive this error. At this point, I have many times over removed both the device from my G-Suite account as well as turned off mobile management entirely (it currently sits off and has since last week) which should have made it about as equivalent to a standard Google account as you can get, and yet still, the second prompting of the terms and service and the subsequent inability to browse the store after more than a short while after it just worked a bit ago.
Workarounds:
I can uninstall all four Google services apps, re-install them, add a dummy account, and get any free apps I want installed on my Kindle added, then uninstall again, re-install again, and add my account back, and then launch the apps and have them work. But again, this doesn't give me access to my purchased apps or add-ins so is not the best choice of action, nor is having to do this whole process again and try to get the Google Play store to work for those precious few minutes before it conks out. Sometimes it's not even a few minutes, but usually it is, but nevertheless, not the best all-around choice.
My hopeful resolution?:
Since neither I nor G-Suite Support seems to know of a setting that is currently preventing this from working, I am wanting to try some other methods that seem logical to me.
1) Putting the Google Play Store on my wife's profile on my Kindle and have it install any apps for all users and not just her profile. That "all users" part is what I am missing how to do. I know the script mentioned above that installs Google Play does install to all users so I know it's possible. Naturally, I would prefer this done through the store and not through manual APKs but beggars can't be choosers. I just want my auto-updates!
2) Allowing the adding and management of multiple Google accounts under my single profile. Currently, only one Google account can be added using the method of installing the Google Play store above, and if I could add mine and a dummy one, it should also work, in theory, by just swapping back and forth on the Play store. Still limited by purchases that are tied to my account (I believe), but not add-ins. I'd have to see how much trouble that is worth, but it could be better than nothing.
3) Anything else someone here on the forums can think of.
I'm open to questions, suggestions, or whatever at this point. I've now spent two weeks on this and yet still no resolution.
Thanks!
Tough issue, but not entirely unexpected behavior given the interdependencies of Google Play services components and undocumented assumptions of how play services/store will be installed on unrooted systems. Layer on G-suite and you have a snakes pit. My guess is one of more of the installed components is self-updating while the others are not. Probably not going to be able to control that behavior on an unrooted device.
May be less involved (and more successful) grabbing a refurb from Amazon Warehouse which typically arrive with older/rootable firmware.
Did you ever find a solution to this? I've got exactly the same problem now... Information seems light out there.
oilerfan21 said:
Did you ever find a solution to this? I've got exactly the same problem now... Information seems light out there.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No, I never got a fix for this, and unfortunately I have been relegated to just uninstalling all apps that came direct from APKs or just not from the Amazon Appstore. It sucks and makes my Fire not very worth it, despite the nice price tag.

Recent File Manager update (hating Alcatel right now)

Idol 4 6055u hidden update last week and File Manager is now like a 'Clean Master' clone with all the clean-your-phone and boost-your-phone notifications spam. And since there's no way to root it the app is not removable.
Anyone had any luck stabbing this one to death?
Sucks right? Mentioned it in a thread I made a few weeks back:
https://forum.xda-developers.com/idol-4s/help/alcatel-phone-t3634870
If possible, uninstalling updates or disabling the app should revert the app to its pre-spam state. If not, disabling the apps and using a less invasive file manager app is an option.
Alternatively a factory reset will return all system apps to their pre-spammy state if I recall correctly. From there, you can just avoid updating that individual app.
macallik said:
Sucks right? Mentioned it in a thread I made a few weeks back:
https://forum.xda-developers.com/idol-4s/help/alcatel-phone-t3634870
If possible, uninstalling updates or disabling the app should revert the app to its pre-spam state. If not, disabling the apps and using a less invasive file manager app is an option.
Alternatively a factory reset will return all system apps to their pre-spammy state if I recall correctly. From there, you can just avoid updating that individual app.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Unfortunately you can't disable the app, even though it appears you can under dev options (tried that, it just updates itself in the background again). Have tried uninstalling (updates) but it updates itself again and the spam reappears. It also places a perma-notification (can't slide off) at the top of the notifications.
BUT: The latest update to File Manager allows you to turn off notifications. Problem solved.
NOTE: You do have to give permissions for storage before you can get into the settings that allow turning off notifications/shortcuts.
This is well-known problem, ads presents in all latest preinstalled Acatel's apps updates: File Manager, Sound Recorder, Weather, Launcher and others. All of them puts notifications with spam-news and in some cases tries to change default homepage of Google Chrome browser. To prevent this need to do the following things:
1. Uninstall all updates of these apps to revert it to stock-state.
2. Deny auto update of these apps in Google Play.
3. Deny auto update of system apps in standart Update application.
DeckerSU said:
This is well-known problem, ads presents in all latest preinstalled Acatel's apps updates: File Manager, Sound Recorder, Weather, Launcher and others. All of them puts notifications with spam-news and in some cases tries to change default homepage of Google Chrome browser. To prevent this need to do the following things:
1. Uninstall all updates of these apps to revert it to stock-state.
2. Deny auto update of these apps in Google Play.
3. Deny auto update of system apps in standart Update application.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks, following these steps I think I got them tamed. Not all the apps show up in Google Play but disabling auto-update in 'Updates' (Alcatel's version) should take care of those...
yosemite610 said:
Thanks, following these steps I think I got them tamed. Not all the apps show up in Google Play but disabling auto-update in 'Updates' (Alcatel's version) should take care of those...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Several of Alcatel's Apps updates throught Google Play and other via Updates app. For example, sound recorder updates via Google Play. If it's already updated - just remove updates and Google Play app for Sound Recorder and forbid / deny future updates. In 'Updates' need to forbid updates of system apps too. I already done all of this steps for each preinstalled app which tries to update - all fine. There is no any unwanted push notifications.
Rip ._. I hate this phone so much.
They are pathetic. Updating all apps and adding ads to them.
DeckerSU said:
Several of Alcatel's Apps updates throught Google Play and other via Updates app. For example, sound recorder updates via Google Play. If it's already updated - just remove updates and Google Play app for Sound Recorder and forbid / deny future updates. In 'Updates' need to forbid updates of system apps too. I already done all of this steps for each preinstalled app which tries to update - all fine. There is no any unwanted push notifications.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the tips and detailed info @DeckerSU. I had begun to prepare to unlock, root, and flash a custom ROM due to this adware and push notification nonsense. Up until the recent app updates, I had truly enjoyed the clean, stock android UI experience on my idol3 ... now I can relax again, the aggravation of those push notifications is gone!
DeckerSU said:
This is well-known problem, ads presents in all latest preinstalled Acatel's apps updates: File Manager, Sound Recorder, Weather, Launcher and others. All of them puts notifications with spam-news and in some cases tries to change default homepage of Google Chrome browser. To prevent this need to do the following things:
1. Uninstall all updates of these apps to revert it to stock-state.
2. Deny auto update of these apps in Google Play.
3. Deny auto update of system apps in standart Update application.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
thank you, I hadn't thought of step 3
I signed in just to thank you
edit: just realized this thread is for idol 4s, but it applied to my idol 3..
I didn't realize this is a problem on later phones.. so messed up
Very bad, all those spamming programs on a phone we paid for. They beter come out with a recent
Android update. Its a Shame for the alcatel brand.
DeckerSU said:
This is well-known problem, ads presents in all latest preinstalled Acatel's apps updates: File Manager, Sound Recorder, Weather, Launcher and others. All of them puts notifications with spam-news and in some cases tries to change default homepage of Google Chrome browser. To prevent this need to do the following things:
1. Uninstall all updates of these apps to revert it to stock-state.
2. Deny auto update of these apps in Google Play.
3. Deny auto update of system apps in standart Update application.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the tips! I was starting to think I would have to root the device... Very dissapointing to see this kind of behaviour from Alcatel
Cheers
It may be worse than you think!
It's bad enough for a SYSTEM app to be serving up potentially malicious advertising that could Pwn your device, but it ventures deep into dark waters if that SYSTEM app has the Facebook "Graph" API inside of it that could allow a developer (or in this case your Chinese phone manufacturer) to use your Facebook access token to pillage through your Facebook account and look through your photos, tags, pages visited, URL's, or even create Facebook posts or messages on your behalf!
Sound crazy?
Take a look at the Facebook "Graph" developer site for yourself:
https://developers.facebook.com/docs/graph-api/using-graph-api/
And if someone was familiar with some open source tools that could allow them to look inside an Android app:
https://github.com/iBotPeaches/Apktool
https://github.com/pxb1988/dex2jar
https://github.com/sreenivasmula/JDGUI
http://www.7-zip.org/download.html
That person might look to see if the app has the Facebook Graph API inside of it:
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.jrdcom.filemanager&hl=en
Any one have a custom rom? Like Lineage or CM or AOSP any other one except the crapy stock rom?
Not good enough!
I no longer trust ANYTHING that is installed on my Alcatel device after the recent adware/spyware "upgrades"!
I installed TWRP and the (unofficial) Lineage ROM until I get a different phone all together.
https://forum.xda-developers.com/id...ficial-lineageos-14-1-idol36045x-5-5-t3615700
I will NEVER purchase another Alcatel device as long as I live and I will advise all my friends and family and anyone else that will listen to avoid Alcatel as well.
I also suggest that anyone with a stock Alcatel device not to use any "widgets" that create shortcuts that may use your access tokens for Facebook and/or Twitter until we know what is going on.
The Facebook Graph API on a native app has a greater access level than a web application and the token(s) don't expire for 60 days and can be extended.
I advise people to avoid logging in to apps or websites with their social media and/or Google credentials and to change your passwords and set up 2 factor authentication and remove any apps associated with your social media accounts.
Wtf
yosemite610 said:
Idol 4 6055u hidden update last week and File Manager is now like a 'Clean Master' clone with all the clean-your-phone and boost-your-phone notifications spam. And since there's no way to root it the app is not removable.
Anyone had any luck stabbing this one to death?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That update is from google play store! Not from alcatel.... Uninstall updates and don't let google play do whatever it wants in your phone!
That update is from google play store! Not from alcatel....
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The update may have come the Google Play Store but is every bit Alcatel!
The "boost" function comes from TCL (Alcatel) owned Hawk app's "Super Cleaner" and the antivirus function comes from Hawk's Hi Security app that uses McAfee technology.
http://www.ehawk.com/en/
Can you help me to unlock a sharp phone?
DeckerSU said:
This is well-known problem, ads presents in all latest preinstalled Acatel's apps updates: File Manager, Sound Recorder, Weather, Launcher and others. All of them puts notifications with spam-news and in some cases tries to change default homepage of Google Chrome browser. To prevent this need to do the following things:
1. Uninstall all updates of these apps to revert it to stock-state.
2. Deny auto update of these apps in Google Play.
3. Deny auto update of system apps in standart Update application.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Can you help me to unlock a sharp phone?
I have the modem.elf file.
Following the advice on this thread, I was able to revert to the old versions of these apps back in October, and my phone stayed usable from then until about 2 weeks ago. Suddenly, the "updates" installed themselves (as part of a "critical system update" that I was notified my phone needed, and now, I don't have the option to uninstall the updates (or rather, it uninstalls to another spammy, bloatware version, not to the factory original).
Any ideas on what I can do now? Or is it time to throw this phone in the trash, and get one from a company that doesn't do this?
critical system update
Following the advice on this thread, I was able to revert to the old versions of these apps back in October, and my phone stayed usable from then until about 2 weeks ago. Suddenly, the "updates" installed themselves (as part of a "critical system update" that I was notified my phone needed, and now, I don't have the option to uninstall the updates (or rather, it uninstalls to another spammy, bloatware version, not to the factory original).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You have got to be kidding me!
Now Alcatel and McAfee are tricking users into installing their adware/spyware through the use of fake "critical update" patches?
I think it is high time to do a complete breakdown/inspection of the app and do a full public disclosure.
It isn't surprising that Alcatel would infect a users phone with adware/spyware but for a so-called "security" company like McAfee to be involved is both frightening and disturbing.

How to: YouTube Kids and other sideloaded (Google services) apps on a Child Profile

How to have side-loaded apps (including those requiring Google services) show up and work on a Child Profile.
It its a processes and maybe there is another way, but I couldn't find it. Here's how I did it:
Primary Account
Install ES File Explorer from Amazon App store
Install Kids Folder from Amazon App store
Download and Install Google Account Manager - This should prompt you to allow Unknown Sources from Settings
Download and Install Google Services Framework
Download and Install Google Play Services
Download and Install Google Play Store
Primary Account - Setup Google Play
Launch Google Play and add account
Install MyAppSharer
Install YouTube Kids
Primary Account - Prep Files for Child Profile
Open MyAppSharer
Select YouTube Kids and export to SdCard Download folder
Open ES File Explorer
From the left menu, Select Download folder, copy the YoutTube APK, (also copy all 4 Google APKs), select SdCard and paste it at the root of the card
Primary Account - Add Content to Child Profile
From tablet Settings->Profiles and Library, select child profile
Add Content, Share Content
Click Games & Apps
Select Kids Folder, ES File Explorer
Primary Account - Uninstall Play Services
This has to be uninstalled before it can be installed on the child profile
Settings->Apps & Games->Manage All Apps, Uninstall Google Play Services
Child Profile -Google APKs
Switch to Child Profile
Open ES File Explorer
Select SD Card
Install All Google APKs - This should prompt you to allow Unknown Sources from Settings
Install YouTube Kids apk
Open Kids Folder and configure child
Click Manage apps, choose YouTube Kids. Play Store, Click OK
Click on YT Kids
Child Profile - GO!
From Kid Folder open Play Store
Complete Signing in, then exit once at the store
From Kid Folder open YouTube Kids
Complete parent signup and select your Google account to continue
YAY!
Notes:
- I was able to go back to the Primary account and reinstall Google Play Services. It told my to sign in, but then it said the account already existed. Simply backing a step or two let it finish the signup process.
- Play store download does not seem to work under the child profile. Simply use the primary account to download new apps/games, then use MyAppSharer to create APK and repeat the copy and install process for that app.
- I think I got all the steps noted here. If not let me know!
reserving for updates, I guess...
No longer working..at least for me..
Is there a way to have Youtube Kids or other sideloaded apps show up in Amazon FreeTime?
So this method no longer works, sadly. (Fire 10)
- "Kid Folder" no longer populates *any* apps including YT Kids or Play store.
- "GoToApp Full" also suffers from the same problem.
So, you can isntall apps, but you have no access to them from the Freetime app which is what is being used as a launcher for child profiles.
Any ideas?
Same as greenlndr
So this method no longer works, sadly. (Kids Fire 10)
Open ES File Explorer not allowed permission to the storage now.
"kids folder" seems to be dead: doesn't do more than the setup dialogue over and over again.
The "gotoapp full" works for me, but it is horribly designed (black text on black background) and translated... AND there is no parental lock included: your kid can access ALL apps through it through the menues.
JackOrJohn said:
"kids folder" seems to be dead: doesn't do more than the setup dialogue over and over again.
The "gotoapp full" works for me, but it is horribly designed (black text on black background) and translated... AND there is no parental lock included: your kid can access ALL apps through it through the menues.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi,
I got it to work
2 things:
1. Make sure you download the latest GPS APK - the link above is not the latest. (scroll down the page to see the latest one)
2. when prompted to enter pin for kids folder........................don't put anything and it will go through. not happy about leaving the pin blank but the kid will need to figure out you have to press and hold the balloons to edit.
Hope this helps everyone
I’m confused. Can’t get past the ES File Explorer on the kids screen. Asks to be a premium member to install third party applications. No way around it.
I did a search for "kids folder" on my son's tablet and it did not come up! Any ideas what I should do?
JackOrJohn said:
"kids folder" seems to be dead: doesn't do more than the setup dialogue over and over again.
The "gotoapp full" works for me, but it is horribly designed (black text on black background) and translated... AND there is no parental lock included: your kid can access ALL apps through it through the menues.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The "no parental lock" is my issue as well. The whole idea of the child profile is to lock them out of things you choose. I needed gotoapp to install Khan Academy (only available on GPS-not amazon apps) into my son's child profile (HD8 7th gen). I got it to to work but found that, with a little playing with the menus, my son could easily enable any app I had installed in my parent profile. This defeats the whole purpose of using a child profile.
So, I'm back to square one. How to install apps from the GPS into a child's profile while still having parent control over app accessibility?
Any fix for this yet please guys? I've sideloaded GPS and installed apps through there but frustrating I can't get them into my daughter's profile. TIA
Edit: I'm stuck on the Kids Folder app looping at first opening of the app.
sorry, see below
Teoman079 said:
sorry, see below
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It works with goto app full (I cannot post links)
english: amazon . com/gp/product/?ASIN=B007TLGPQ6
german: amazon . de/gp/product/?ASIN=B007TLGPQ6
BUT there is NO parental lock in goto app. You can preselect the apps your kids should see in goto app. But If your child is old / smart enough, he/she can find out how to add more apps that you don't want your kid to use. Having said that, the kid is still not able to start all of these apps. It still requires that this app is installed in kids profile.
For example, I go to kids profile, pretending to be the child. Starting gotoapp, adding Silk Browser (even my dad didn't want me to use it). Then I start Silk Browser, but it will close immediately. Because it is not installed in the kids profile.
Antoher example. If the kid adds settins in gotoapp, he/she can start android settings. Play around.
So it's still kind of restricted, not the perfect way though.
For me it's ok until there is a better solution.
Update: I realized that screen time is not reduced, if you use sideloaded apps in freetime. So this is a big disadvantage.
RocketApps
Advert Disclaimer but there's a new app launcher for the Kindle Fire called RocketApps which has PIN code protected settings and can be used on the Kids Edition with FreeTime too. You can find it in the Amazon AppStore. #Ad #Advert
KwarkLabs said:
Advert Disclaimer but there's a new app launcher for the Kindle Fire called RocketApps which has PIN code protected settings and can be used on the Kids Edition with FreeTime too. You can find it in the Amazon AppStore. #Ad #Advert
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Is the in freetime configured time periode elapsing when the kids uses the apps via the launcher (RocketApps)?
So say I configured 30 Minutes and my kid is going to start apps via RocketApps. After 30 minutes is it over or is it so to say infinite?
RocketApps and parental controls
Teoman79 said:
Is the in freetime configured time periode elapsing when the kids uses the apps via the launcher (RocketApps)?
So say I configured 30 Minutes and my kid is going to start apps via RocketApps. After 30 minutes is it over or is it so to say infinite?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for your question about RocketApps Teoman79.
Whether the FreeTime parental controls apply to an app is not connected with how the app is launched or installed. It is only dependent on whether the app has been added to the list of allowed apps in the Amazon parents dashboard. All FreeTime parental controls will apply to an app which is on the allowed list if it is launched through RocketApps. There are also Amazon apps installed in the Kindle Fire Kids profile by default which are not on the allowed list – Amazon Music for example. If you launch Amazon Music without adding it to the allowed list then the time-based parental controls do not apply.
If you want to add time-based parental controls for apps that are not on the FreeTime allowed list then you could try using an additional parental control app. One example is "Limitly" which is free and can be sideloaded. You will need RocketApps to launch and configure Limitly. Like RocketApps, Limitly is protected using it's own PIN code. Hope this answers your question and helps.
KwarkLabs said:
Thanks for your question about RocketApps Teoman79.
Whether the FreeTime parental controls apply to an app is not connected with how the app is launched or installed. It is only dependent on whether the app has been added to the list of allowed apps in the Amazon parents dashboard. All FreeTime parental controls will apply to an app which is on the allowed list if it is launched through RocketApps. There are also Amazon apps installed in the Kindle Fire Kids profile by default which are not on the allowed list – Amazon Music for example. If you launch Amazon Music without adding it to the allowed list then the time-based parental controls do not apply.
If you want to add time-based parental controls for apps that are not on the FreeTime allowed list then you could try using an additional parental control app. One example is "Limitly" which is free and can be sideloaded. You will need RocketApps to launch and configure Limitly. Like RocketApps, Limitly is protected using it's own PIN code. Hope this answers your question and helps.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If sideload an app on the kids side It will not show up and my son has absolutely no way to access it.
Does Rocketapps see these sideloaded apps and give him access to the sideloaded apps?, or is the launcher only for apps installed through the amazon store?
Just want to make sure before paying for the app. Everything I seem to try is not working for me.
Edit:
I also want to confirm, this app only allows access to the apps that I choose?? Apps I don't want my son to use will not be accessable?
The last time I used one of these launcher apps my son was able to get into the settings menu and accidentally formatted the tablet!!
RocketApps for sideloaded apps on Amazon Kindle Fire
ThaDraGun said:
If sideload an app on the kids side It will not show up and my son has absolutely no way to access it.
Does Rocketapps see these sideloaded apps and give him access to the sideloaded apps?, or is the launcher only for apps installed through the amazon store?
Just want to make sure before paying for the app. Everything I seem to try is not working for me.
Edit:
I also want to confirm, this app only allows access to the apps that I choose?? Apps I don't want my son to use will not be accessable?
The last time I used one of these launcher apps my son was able to get into the settings menu and accidentally formatted the tablet!!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sorry to hear about your formatting incident, that was particularly unfortunate! Yes, RocketApps should see all apps regardless of how they were installed. If you find an app that doesn't show up in RocketApps then please do let us know via the email link on the Amazon AppStore listing. And yes, RocketApps only enables the selected apps to be launched. The RockeApps PIN code is needed to alter the list of the apps. Please also note that, as mentioned above, the Amazon FreeTime time limits become "soft" limits with apps that have not been installed via the Amazon parental controls. That means the timers do not interrupt a running application. If "hard" time limits that do interrupt a running app are important to you then you could look at installing an additional parental contol app alongside RocketApps. Hope that helps.
Hi,
RocketApps has better graphics than GotoApps.
But it`s not working for me.
No one of the Apps installed via Google Play on my "adult" profile is shown on the RocketApps on the kids profile.
Could you help me?
Thanks

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