3 ms·

So, which phones will be good options going forward if you want to avoid crapware?

zeveb 10y ago
I honestly have no idea. I don't want to go back to a dumbphone. I like having a computer in my hand. But what with privacy, the unsafety of apps, the crapware … what's the point anymore?
uabstraction 10y ago
The OnePlus looks like an option, though I haven't ever used one myself. It's got an unlockable bootloader, so an AOSP variant or CyanogenMod should be reasonable simple to install.
abawany 10y ago
Get a phone that has an unlockable bootloader and install Cyanogenmod and Google Play (if you must :) ).
- Abundnce10 10y ago
  Is that possible to do on a Galaxy S7? I'm competent on the command line but never worked much with Android/ROMs/etc.
  - abawany 10y ago
    It looks like there are quite a few options for your device: http://forum.xda-developers.com/s7-edge/development http://forum.xda-developers.com/s7-edge/development . On further investigation, there is a wrinkle - if your device has the Exynos chip, then your options are pretty limited while Snapdragon devices are well supported: http://forum.xda-developers.com/s7-edge/development http://forum.xda-developers.com/s7-edge/development . Unfortunately it looks like it won't be a slam dunk for your particular device.
    - Abundnce10 10y ago
      Unfortunately it looks like it won't be a slam dunk for your particular device. And this is why I won't attempt to it, since I really don't know what I'm doing. I'd love to use Cyanogenmod but probably won't until I buy a new phone that I feel more comfortable flashing a ROM onto. Looks like I'll just live with crapware for now :)
      - abawany 10y ago
        I understand. However, I do encourage you to read and at least consider rooting the phone (without triggering the flash counter if the phone is under warranty): this will enable you to remove/disable a lot of the 'system' apps that are fairly evil. The first link I included has options for your device for cleaned-up Samsung ROMs. I have a Sony Xperia Z2 now and I chose the root option instead of the (available) Cyanogenmod install for it since Sony, while being very open to rooting etc., chooses to remove some image enhancement functionality on flashed devices. The root has enabled me to remove a lot of the junk and also install the Xposed framework along with XPrivacy. The latter enables fine-grained control of permissions by app. Sure it is a bit of work but it depends on how you value your private data. I realize ultimately it might be futile but I am planning to put in as much effort as makes sense to protect my data as best as I know how.

zeveb 10y ago

I honestly have no idea. I don't want to go back to a dumbphone. I like having a computer in my hand. But what with privacy, the unsafety of apps, the crapware … what's the point anymore?

uabstraction 10y ago

The OnePlus looks like an option, though I haven't ever used one myself. It's got an unlockable bootloader, so an AOSP variant or CyanogenMod should be reasonable simple to install.

abawany 10y ago

Get a phone that has an unlockable bootloader and install Cyanogenmod and Google Play (if you must :) ).

Abundnce10 10y ago
Is that possible to do on a Galaxy S7? I'm competent on the command line but never worked much with Android/ROMs/etc.
- abawany 10y ago
  It looks like there are quite a few options for your device: http://forum.xda-developers.com/s7-edge/development http://forum.xda-developers.com/s7-edge/development . On further investigation, there is a wrinkle - if your device has the Exynos chip, then your options are pretty limited while Snapdragon devices are well supported: http://forum.xda-developers.com/s7-edge/development http://forum.xda-developers.com/s7-edge/development . Unfortunately it looks like it won't be a slam dunk for your particular device.
  - Abundnce10 10y ago
    Unfortunately it looks like it won't be a slam dunk for your particular device. And this is why I won't attempt to it, since I really don't know what I'm doing. I'd love to use Cyanogenmod but probably won't until I buy a new phone that I feel more comfortable flashing a ROM onto. Looks like I'll just live with crapware for now :)
    - abawany 10y ago
      I understand. However, I do encourage you to read and at least consider rooting the phone (without triggering the flash counter if the phone is under warranty): this will enable you to remove/disable a lot of the 'system' apps that are fairly evil. The first link I included has options for your device for cleaned-up Samsung ROMs. I have a Sony Xperia Z2 now and I chose the root option instead of the (available) Cyanogenmod install for it since Sony, while being very open to rooting etc., chooses to remove some image enhancement functionality on flashed devices. The root has enabled me to remove a lot of the junk and also install the Xposed framework along with XPrivacy. The latter enables fine-grained control of permissions by app. Sure it is a bit of work but it depends on how you value your private data. I realize ultimately it might be futile but I am planning to put in as much effort as makes sense to protect my data as best as I know how.