So after my last phone got stolen I bought the cheapest android I could find. Viwa i7. Chinese crap but seemingly functional. I installed Whatsapp and was happy, but then after two weeks I started getting storage almost full warnings and Whatsapp started crapping itself. So I began deleting all media files, going into apps settings and deleting unnessecary data.
Then I noticed one system app called phone/messaging taking up 4+ GB of storage. I thought that was weird. But alas since its core system I can't touch the data. See attached screenshot.
Any ideas what I can do about this? I'm thinking about rooting the phone and getting cyanogen mod but I've never tried that before...
I deleted all media, and still the untouchable file kept growing until I had to reset to factory defaults. But this happened after two weeks with a fresh out of the box phone, so I reckon factory defaults will only cause another delay before it happens again. Anybody know what that app actually is and/or does? Android 6 for the record
Ok, I used to be a Droid Rat, tinkered a lot with those little machines...
First, a cheap Xiaomi, Blu, even a DooGee is better.
Problem is not only quality, but "very unorthodox" programming techniques and decisions, down to terrifying spyware and so.
Now, the first thing I notice is the fact you CAN'T wipe core apps' data storage, that is ultra unorthodox. All core apps should let users wipe data, looks like that maker locked it - You may try a file explorer to delete those folders by hand, provided the system don't keep them open in use / protected. In that case you'll need an app to force delete active files. I used titanium backup for those low level tasks but the interface is a loser.
Also, no message app uses 4GB. Even if you send/receive lotta social/porn videos (and I suppose that's your case), the native app is for SMS/MMS - That would be too expensive for such use, I guess. Whatsapp, on the other hand, uses data packets. So, unless you're using that VoLTE bulshit or some rogue texting app, it could be too high a value under normal usage, specially if you say you did NOT use it! 90% chance ROM bugged or rogue!
Finally, the root thing. It may be possible. The custom Android, not so sure... ROMs are tailored for specific phones, and even amongst peers (same model) there're hardware/firmware variations; I predict the chance of finding a decent ROM for that phone under 10%. And, if it works, should be a simple one in order to conserve memory, as it sounds like a low-spec phone.
But I wouldn't suggest Cyanogen, I heard news they're dead.
I think cyanogen turned into LineageOS. I used to install a custom rom on my G2 phone.
Follow some of the instructions in this video to install ADB, then try the commands in the link under it to see if you can lower the bloat of that package.
ADB Commands Try to search for the package and then try the clear application data command.
TK shifted up to high gear and is talking faster than ever!
From what I could understand (didn't pay attention to all that) he proposes to hide apps from the user interface; that won't block them from running.
It is a plain standard app store freebie that blocks calls and sms's but, most important, redirects the text service, thus blocking the factory loaded app.
Obviously, if that phone follows some minimum standards. It's a good blocker, no root necessary, too.
Well, after flashing the phone, said app is using "only" 200 mb. I suspect chinese spyware like suggested by dueda. But as long as the phone is working I cant be arsed to do anything about it. Thanks for the suggestions tho
