Motorola Bloatware Removal Guide | Shizuku + Canta

bloatware-removal.md

Android Adware Removal Guide

This uses some open source tools to safely remove system apps without rooting your phone. This is what I do when I buy a new phone. However, I have ended up uninstalling way too many apps on my current daily driver (94, to be exact) and it has broken my bank app. I don't mind it and just haven't had time to go back and find which bloatware to reinstall. But you can always stop much earlier and it will be fine. More in the appropriate sections.

⚠️ please back up your files to your usual archival storage. The steps I have written here are safe to follow and the process here will not actually delete any of your user files/photos but it's always just safe to keep a backup before you start this. If any of yoru other system apps stop working correctly, you can always reinstall what you just uninstalled (more below) and it will be okay. Nevertheless, a disclaimer for disclaimer's sake.

What We're Installing

1. Install droid-ify - This is a frontend for F-Droid app repos. I like the UI better than regular F-Droid, but you can use F-Droid instead if you want. The reason we need droid-ify is that the app in step 2 isn't on the main F-Droid repo - it's on IzzyonDroid repo which droid-ify has by default.

2. Install Shizuku from droid-ify - This gives apps ADB-level permissions without needing root.

Setting Up Developer Mode

3. Enable developer mode and USB Debugging - Go to Settings → About Phone → tap Build Number 7 times. Then in Developer Options turn on USB Debugging and Wireless Debugging.

4. Check if your bank/payment apps are working - My bank app doesn't work if USB debugging is on. We only need the dev options to do the adware removal, so we can turn this off later and test our apps again.

Getting Shizuku Working

5. Follow the Shizuku setup process - Here's the Shizuku manual that explains installation and setup. There's also this Android Police article covering the same material if you prefer that format.

6. Activate Shizuku - The instructions above should walk you through this. Basically you're either pairing wirelessly or connecting via USB and running some ADB commands. I used to do the ADB commands from my laptop but I have found Canta to be much easier to manage. It allows you to reinstall an app if any of your payment apps stop working. I like having that option within the UI — I don't have to maintain elaborate version-controlled lists of package names I removed anymore.

The Actual Removal

7. Install Canta from droid-ify - This is the app that lets you uninstall system apps.

BE VERY CAREFUL HERE. Don't remove anything randomly. Only remove things that are tagged "Safe" in the app. Even among those, some stuff breaks bank or other payment apps.

Always just uninstall a few related things at a time (this is what I didn't do; don't be me). Then turn off USB debugging (and wireless debugging) and check if your banking apps broke. Come back and continue if everything's working.

It takes some time so pick a day when you have space to work through this methodically.

Here's the usage guide for Canta if you need more details.

What to Target

Look for obviously suspicious stuff like:

• Generic "Browser" or "Search" apps you didn't install
• Random social media apps
• Apps with vague names like "AppSelector"
• Manufacturer bloatware you never use

Note: For Motorola phones, here's a list of Moto apps I ran into on GitHub that you can apparently safely remove.

Recovery

If you mess something up, worst case you can factory reset (I understand if you have been using your phone Some apps can be reinstalled from Play Store if they're available there.