topic Re: Bloatware on Xperia X Compact in X Series

Bloatware on Xperia X Compact

Hekkie — Thu, 05 Jan 2017 08:34:35 GMT

There is a lot of bloatware present on the Xc. Well, actually there is on all the Sony phone. But with the previous Z models you could remove unwanted apps. Today, the apps can only be turned off after wich they take memory.
Why is it that Sony switched from the possibility to delete a app to only turning it off?
I don't need Swiftkey, I use the Xperia keyboard or the Jellybean 4.3 version. I don't use the Google agenda, I use the Xperia version. I don't want Amazon, AVG, Kobo Books, Lifelog etc etc.

Re: Bloatware on Xperia X Compact

Uliwooly — Thu, 05 Jan 2017 10:03:41 GMT

@Hekkie

Android it's developed by Google, which means that Google apps must be preloaded, and since this is a SONY phone, you will get Sony's apps and services, just like any other brand.

As far as preloaded third party apps:

Preloaded apps vary per region, BUT keep in mind that Sony is the brand (non-pixel/nexus) with the least bloatware. You can send your suggestions/feedback to Sony directly >>> Local support

Re: Bloatware on Xperia X Compact

tbessie — Mon, 09 Jan 2017 19:00:28 GMT

I agree - the X Compact seems to contain at least 2gb of stuff that's not in vanilla Android releases (such as what's found on Nexus/Pixel phones).

I was surprised to find that Facebook was updating itself; it turns out that Sony baked Facebook and a Facebook automatic update service into the phone, and they can't be uninstalled (the service can't, at least, I didn't check to see if Facebook itself is removeable). I had to disable the service to keep Facebook from updating itself without my permission.

Why is Sony loading this phone down with so much stuff that I'll never use, and which, in fact, is kind of annoying? Why the move towards more bloat? After installing all my apps (not a ton), I only have 14gb left on the phone, out of 32gb. That's ridiculous.

Re: Bloatware on Xperia X Compact

alex_ncfc — Tue, 10 Jan 2017 14:17:00 GMT

Totally agree Tbessie.

I remember when the only bloat on Sony Android phones used to be some e-mail client, I can't remember what it's called now, but there was nothing else.

But the apps on this phone take it too far, for example, if I want a virus scanner, I will download and install one, I don't want AVG pre-installed. People will say "you can disable them in settings" which I have done obviously, but it's not the point when they are just sat on your phone taking up valuable space. The whole point of phones going to 32GB and upwards now is because apps are getting bigger and bigger (why the Facebook app needs to take up 300-400MB now is anyones guess but that's another story) - so why take away the space we have paid for the privilege of having by wasting it on pre-loaded apps that nobody wants? Not everybody is a noob who wants all their apps pre-loaded, and likewise not everybody wants to root their brand new phone in order to remove them.

Sort it out Sony.

Re: Bloatware on Xperia X Compact

Hekkie — Tue, 10 Jan 2017 14:47:06 GMT

I believe the mobile phone producers get a lot of money from the developers to put there apps on the phones. I can not think of any other reason why Amazon, AVG or Kobo is pre-installed. Or why the presence of those apps would make my life more satisfying. I'm not talking about Google or Sony apps but the other stuff.
My point is, in the past one could remove these unwanted apps but nowadays you can only shut them off leaving them talking a lot of space on your flash mamory.

And about that memory. Wen I came from Symbian with the Sony Ericsson G900 to my first Android phone. This Sony Ericsson Ray had just 512mb of space. Try updating Facebook on that phone these days. The difference between the facebook app in 2011 and 2017? Functionality is practically the same so I don't know.
What I do know is I can't get rid of it. Even though I'm not using it.

Re: Bloatware on Xperia X Compact

tbessie — Tue, 10 Jan 2017 18:41:45 GMT

alex_ncfc - agreed. I wish Sony would listen to the customers who are buying their phones. 😞

I'd bet that this phone is similar to prior Sony phones, where the Camera app is hobbled and takes worse pictures on purpose if the phone is rooted. Have you rooted yours and discovered anything of the kind?

Re: Bloatware on Xperia X Compact

AnnoyedUKCustom — Fri, 13 Jan 2017 16:34:08 GMT

Glad to see people agree with me even if my kudoed posts were deleted. "What's New" itself is enough to make Sony the worst Android brand for bloatware.

Re: Bloatware on Xperia X Compact

tbessie — Sat, 14 Jan 2017 23:51:55 GMT

@AnnoyedUKCustomer wrote:
Glad to see people agree with me even if my kudoed posts were deleted. "What's New" itself is enough to make Sony the worst Android brand for bloatware.

Huh - what did you say in your posts, and why did they get deleted - do you know?

- Tim

Re: Bloatware on Xperia X Compact

Markus4 — Tue, 09 May 2017 18:47:01 GMT

Hi folks,

Somewhat old thread but still usefull. I own an Xperia SP and is now looking for a new phone. The Xperia X compact looks promising. Good battery and size. But you don't see everything on it's outside... A major annoyance with my current SP is - you guessed it - bloatware that can't be removed. Was hoping Sony had got rid of it but obviously not. For me, reason enough to disqualify Sony.

Thanks for sharing your experiences.

Re: Bloatware on Xperia X Compact

Uliwooly — Tue, 09 May 2017 19:22:22 GMT

@Markus4

lol, so you will go with a different brand with more bloatware? lol good luck

Re: Bloatware on Xperia X Compact

Markus4 — Tue, 09 May 2017 19:50:22 GMT

@uliwooly

Well, by reading other reviews and comments I have got the impression other phones might suffer less from bloatware. But yes, future will show. I expect no device to be totally "clean". Preinstalled apps can be accepted as long as they can be removed though.

Re: Bloatware on Xperia X Compact

Uliwooly — Tue, 09 May 2017 20:36:22 GMT

@Markus4

only Nexus devices have less bloatware BUT they will still include ALL GOOGLE apps/services, other than that, Sony is the brand with less bloatware.

Re: Bloatware on Xperia X Compact

PFWindibank — Thu, 11 May 2017 12:09:19 GMT

I've disabled the Facebook application (I use Metal which is a great alternative) but I've noticed occasionally that something tries to update itself without my permission. It disappears before I can react to it so I can't tell what is being updated. Particularly annoying as it uses my mobile data. How did you disable this please?

Re: Bloatware on Xperia X Compact

pj147 — Thu, 01 Jun 2017 10:58:15 GMT

@uliwooly wrote:
@Markus4
only Nexus devices have less bloatware BUT they will still include ALL GOOGLE apps/services, other than that, Sony is the brand with less bloatware.

Pixel devices now that the Nexus line is finished. Motorola and Nokia also offer "vanilla" Android with no bloat. Well, okay, there are 2 small Moto apps on my Moto X Play.

How much user space is left on the X Compact when it's fully updated? I'm tempted by the X Compact, but memory is a concern. My current phone only has 16Gb, I forget how much of that is usable space, but I'm really pinched for space now.

Re: Bloatware on Xperia X Compact

pj147 — Mon, 12 Jun 2017 19:32:54 GMT

@pj147 wrote:
How much user space is left on the X Compact when it's fully updated? I'm tempted by the X Compact, but memory is a concern. My current phone only has 16Gb, I forget how much of that is usable space, but I'm really pinched for space now.

To answer my own question, after 3 (I think it was 3) updates were applied to my new X Compact to take it from Android 6 to Android 7, and the phone was in a virgin state, there was 11.38GB out of 32GB used by the OS and "bloatware". In other words, there was 20.62GB free for me to use.

Re: Bloatware on Xperia X Compact

Mmatsoku — Thu, 02 Aug 2018 00:48:26 GMT

The best way is to disabled those applications buy mobile carrier data only for social media only and use no root firewall application since sony is forcing users to use those applications and no option for uninstalled. I don't use xperia services because of stupid boatware installed in my phone.

Re: Bloatware on Xperia X Compact

Mmatsoku — Thu, 02 Aug 2018 01:02:17 GMT

If you buy a cellphone it is no longer owned by someone it is yours. The problem with boatware is even if you don't use those things they still require updates and eating battery, mobile data space. i understand why people root their devices and risk their warranty

Re: Bloatware on Xperia X Compact

Ozon_Aleksei — Thu, 02 Aug 2018 06:29:37 GMT

The output is.

1. Choose the optimal and stable version of Android. For me it is Android 7.1

(Android 8.0 Oreo - disgusting)

2. Make Root system.

3. Install the optimal version of Android and get rid of the installed Sony parasite programs and Google ads.

Re: Bloatware on Xperia X Compact

Strampke — Mon, 06 Aug 2018 22:20:09 GMT

You don't need root access.

ADB will do.

Howto on XDA