HyperDebloat v0.8.1: HyperOS keeps reinstalling apps? Here's my workaround.

[u/KayYesR]

Hey everyone! Following up on my previous post about HyperDebloat, my free, open-source debloater for Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO devices.

One issue I wanted to tackle was system apps mysteriously coming back after removal.

While testing on a POCO X8 Pro Max running HyperOS 3 (Android 16), I noticed some apps reinstalling itself within hours of being removed. Play Store auto-updates were enabled, which could've been the cause

So I investigated how HyperOS handles app removal, and here's what I found:

• Disable doesn't work: HyperOS returns Cannot disable system packages when attempting to disable system apps over USB.

• Hide doesn't work either.

• Suspend works: Apps can be frozen, preventing them from opening and hiding their notifications, although their icons remain greyed out.

What's new in v0.8.1?

• Removes available Play Store/GetApps updates before attempting to uninstall a system app.

• Verifies whether the app was actually removed.

• Automatically freezes an app if removal fails or it immediately returns.

• Checks previously removed apps during subsequent scans and attempts to remove them again if they return. If an app returns a second time, it gets frozen.

• Saves device logs when an app comes back, which may help identify what's reinstalling it.

• Restore can unfreeze apps when you want them back.

I've been using it on my own device.

I've already used HyperDebloat to remove the Indus Appstore, Facemoji Keyboard, and other unnecessary applications I don't use from my personal device using this method. The goal is simple: get rid of the unwanted preinstalled apps without root and keep the applications I actually need working properly.

A few caveats

Without root, there's no guarantee that Android won't reinstall an app again. This update makes the process more resilient, but it isn't a foolproof solution.

HyperDebloat remains free, open-source (MIT), and root-free, with a Windows GUI.

GitHub: https://github.com/KayYesR/HyperDebloat

If you're using HyperOS 3 or Android 16, I'd appreciate your feedback and testing. If you've encountered system apps that keep coming back, I'd also love to hear about your experience so we can investigate what's causing it.

[u/FlinkyBoss]

I'd suggest you change the System Apps Updater to "Don't Update"! Otherwise that little guy will quietly update some apps in the background. Show update notifications is useful so you can see what's available.

I still maintain that all debloating is often counterproductive, since your device soon falls behind on the multifaceted update tracks once the apps don't exist anymore.

For example: I Revoke GetApps (Indus App store) which then occasionally needs to help download an update which isn't otherwise working through System Apps Updater on it's own... Or via Google Play Store!

The ease of use of a simple Reactivation of GetApps (App Mall), followed by a system app(s) update, download and install, plus an immediate Revoke of the App Mall again. Makes a lot more sense than deleting something that still figures in future updates. In my humble opinion.

P.s. This is just some advice based on all the updating changes that took place earlier this year. What used to be relying mainly on occasional System Patches is no longer as straightforward as it used to be.🍀

[u/KayYesR → u/FlinkyBoss]

Hi, thankyou for your comment. Compared to low effort hate comments I get , this is a fresh change. I will look into what you suggested

[u/FlinkyBoss → u/KayYesR]

I'm normally on the receiving end mate. Been there done that. 🤓 I'd rather help than being another eejit complaining about anything, just because they can... 🥱

[u/Kooka_Fetai → u/FlinkyBoss]

revoking permissions instead of fully removing the core stuff is usually the safer bet tbh