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I am new to Android world and I am really curious about how difficult it is to modify OS to add/remove applications. I am not talking about installing/removing apps from Android Market, but actually customizing OS to only include apps of my choice. That includes both standard/system apps as well as apps from Android Market. For example, what if I only wanted to have access to Google Voice application (and nothing else)? I guess in this custom version of the OS, I would not necessary have to remove the application, but could just somehow hide it from user.

In any case, any clues on the amount of effort/approach would be greatly appreciated.

ale
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Rocket Surgeon
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2 Answers2

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You can modify system image. Pre-installed applications are located at /system/app/ folder. You can add new application to this folder or remove pre-existing applications from that folder.

Applications from this folder are not removable (if device is not rooted).

As a fast example for customizing Android emulator:

  • Go to Android SDK folder, .../platforms/android-9/images/
  • Note system.img file, it will be modified (you should back it up)
  • Extract system.img using unyaffs
  • Customize files inside extracted folder
  • Pack new modified system using mkyaffs2image (this tool is built when Android source is built).
  • Replace old system.img with new customized system.img
  • Create emulator for Android 2.3, launch it and verify that your changes took effect.

This mostly an overview of process, and customization of a real device is much trickier.

inazaruk
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You have several options that have varying degrees of difficulty and effectiveness (depending on what you are ultimately trying to do of course):

  1. Develop your own Custom ROM that only includes only the apps and functions that you want.
  2. Root the device, and then remove system apps that you don't want.
  3. For an unrooted device, you can download one of the numerous apps that hide & lock apps like iLock. I suppose this would be useful theoretically if you had a device that wanted to implement in a business where you were letting your customers or sales people use if for a very specific function and didn't want them messing around with anything beyond that.
  4. I had a 4th option to share but I forgot it as I was typing the other three. I'll update as soon as I remember it.
Community
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Matt
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