These notes reflect what I’ve found the best method to be as of the first half of 2011. There are many forums and sites out on the net with many different methods. I found most of them reflected the state of technology in 2009 or 2010.

My setup

I have a Motorla Droid X circa December 2010 running Android 2.2.1 Froyo

Bloatware apps that I hide and block

  • 3G Mobile Hotspot
  • Blockbuster
  • City ID
  • Madden NFL 11

  • Skype Mobile

  • NFS Shift
  • Verizon Apps (com.gravitymobile.app.hornbill)
  • VCast Media Manager
  • VZ Navigator

Root your Android phone

I found the easiest method for rooting the Droid X to be “z4root”. z4root will not work with newer versions of Android like 2.3 Gingerbread

  • Download z4root. Here are some links to download it
  • Install it and permanently root your phone
  • Install Superuser to allow you to grant processes rights to run as root

Install Gemini App Manager and LauncherPro

  • Install Gemini App Manager. This will allow you to block (“freeze”) apps.
  • -Install LauncherPro. This will provide an alternative app drawer and UI which will allow you to hide certain apps in your app drawer-
  • Install Go LauncherEX. This will provide an alternative app drawer and UI which will allow you to hide certain apps in your app drawer

-Hide Apps with LauncherPro-

I’m now using Go LauncherEX. You only need to follow this section if you’re using LauncherPro First step is to hide the apps. You must do this before blocking them.

  • From the desktop of your Droid X, hit the settings button, then choose “Preferences”
  • “General Settings”
  • “Hidden Apps”
  • Check the checkmarks next to all of the bloatware apps you want to hide
  • “Save”

Hide Apps with Go LauncherEX

First step is to hide the apps. You must do this before blocking them.

  • From the desktop of your Droid X, choose the App Drawer icon to display all your apps, then press the physical settings button.
  • “Hide app”
  • Check the checkmarks next to all of the bloatware apps you want to hide
  • hit the “Home” button to return to your desktop

Block Apps

  • Launch Gemini App Manager
  • hit the settings button
  • “More”
  • “Expert Mode”
  • Go to each of the apps that you want to block and follow these steps :
    • Select the app and it brings up a context menu (don’t press the checkbox, or the icons describing the permissions that the app uses)
    • Block “App” (root)
    • When prompted by Superuser for root privileges, click “Allow”
    • Once blocked the gold “lock” icon for the given app will light up

Summary

After hiding and blocking the bloatware apps they shouldn’t bother you anymore.