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What does the pre-installed "Carrier Services" app do that you actually need to have done on your Android phone?
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Arlen Holder
Feb 19, 2020, 8:57:36 AM2/19/20
to
*What does the pre-installed "Carrier Services" app do*
that you actually need to have done on your Android phone?
For something like a week now, I've disabled all permissions of "Carrier
Services", to no noticeable ill effect on my Moto G7 Android Pie phone.
<https://i.postimg.cc/wxcg4Z4P/permission06.jpg>
Googling for what "Carrier Services" does, I find this app description:
o Carrier Services, Google LLC
<https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.google.android.ims>
"Carrier Services enables the latest communication services from
mobile carriers, including battery-optimizations and support
for enhanced features in the Android Messages app."
Hmmmmmm.... my PulseSMS messaging app is working just fine without Carrier
Services having any permissions whatsoever. So is my carrier & battery.
Digging further, I find this article from three years ago:
o Google Carrier Services Update Showed Up Today - What is It?
<https://www.droid-life.com/2017/03/13/what-is-google-carrier-services-android/>
"Carrier Services includes support for enhanced features
in the Android Messages app"
Specifically:
"I think it's safe to assume that it's going to allow for
RCS to reach your phone"
See also this, but note the date of the article is also 3 years old:
o Mysterious Google Carrier Services app lands on Google Play, but what does it do?
<https://www.digitaltrends.com/mobile/google-carrier-services-news/>
"So what exactly does Carrier Services do?
Well, right now, nothing. Android Police has gone over the app's code
to find that it only contains a dummy service, which simply means that
*it doesn't do anything*"
Hence, the question remains...
What does the pre-installed "Carrier Services" app do
that you actually need to have done on your Android phone?
--
Usenet brings the best out of helpful adults when sharing technical value.
that you actually need to have done on your Android phone?
For something like a week now, I've disabled all permissions of "Carrier
Services", to no noticeable ill effect on my Moto G7 Android Pie phone.
<https://i.postimg.cc/wxcg4Z4P/permission06.jpg>
Googling for what "Carrier Services" does, I find this app description:
o Carrier Services, Google LLC
<https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.google.android.ims>
"Carrier Services enables the latest communication services from
mobile carriers, including battery-optimizations and support
for enhanced features in the Android Messages app."
Hmmmmmm.... my PulseSMS messaging app is working just fine without Carrier
Services having any permissions whatsoever. So is my carrier & battery.
Digging further, I find this article from three years ago:
o Google Carrier Services Update Showed Up Today - What is It?
<https://www.droid-life.com/2017/03/13/what-is-google-carrier-services-android/>
"Carrier Services includes support for enhanced features
in the Android Messages app"
Specifically:
"I think it's safe to assume that it's going to allow for
RCS to reach your phone"
See also this, but note the date of the article is also 3 years old:
o Mysterious Google Carrier Services app lands on Google Play, but what does it do?
<https://www.digitaltrends.com/mobile/google-carrier-services-news/>
"So what exactly does Carrier Services do?
Well, right now, nothing. Android Police has gone over the app's code
to find that it only contains a dummy service, which simply means that
*it doesn't do anything*"
Hence, the question remains...
What does the pre-installed "Carrier Services" app do
that you actually need to have done on your Android phone?
--
Usenet brings the best out of helpful adults when sharing technical value.
123456789
Feb 19, 2020, 11:20:03 AM2/19/20
to
Arlen Holder wrote:
> What does the pre-installed
Carrier Services was not pre-installed on my Android 9 phone. The phone
> What does the pre-installed
has since been updated to Android 10 and still doesn't have the app.
> "Carrier Services" app do
According to the Play Store it allows me to "Manage all of my
conversations in one place" and has illustrations of a colorful Messages
app with "stickers".
> that you actually need to have done on your Android phone?
Arlen Holder
Feb 19, 2020, 6:43:29 PM2/19/20
to
On Wed, 19 Feb 2020 09:19:58 -0700, 123456789 wrote:
> Carrier Services was not pre-installed on my Android 9 phone.
While that may be the case, be advised that "Carrier Services" doesn't show
> Carrier Services was not pre-installed on my Android 9 phone.
up in the multiple "app launchers" on my Android 9 Moto G7 either; but, it
shows up if you know where to look for it.
<https://i.postimg.cc/d0zCJVgy/carrierservices02.jpg>
For example, "Carrier Services" shows up in my Android 9
"apps_packages info" application, which is the best there is, IMHO, for
showing what's _really_ installed on your Android phone:
o Apps_Packages Info, by (com.of2pks.applicationsinfo)
<https://f-droid.org/en/packages/com.oF2pks.applicationsinfo/>
Notice "Carrier Services" clearly shows up in that app over here:
<https://i.postimg.cc/L5VgkB5t/carrierservices03.jpg>
Yet, "Carrier Services" does _not_ show up in "normal" app drawer apps:
<https://i.postimg.cc/wjrykBqG/carrierservices04.jpg>
Where I tested this in a number of "app drawer" apps on Android 9:
<https://i.postimg.cc/V6QJ3Hb9/carrierservices05.jpg>
Can you screenshot Android 9 settings that show no "Carrier Services"?
o Settings > Advanced > App permissions > {Contacts, Camera, Contacts
Location, Microphone, Phone, Storage, etc.}, each of which has a "Carrier
Services" on my almost stock Android 9 Moto G7 (where I turned all of mine
"off").
Can someone else reproduce the results we are seeing?
--
Together, purposefully helpful people make Usenet a useful public helpdesk.
123456789
Feb 19, 2020, 8:56:16 PM2/19/20
to
Arlen Holder wrote:
> 123456789 wrote:
>> Carrier Services was not pre-installed on my Android 9 phone.
> While that may be the case, be advised that "Carrier Services"
> doesn't show up in the multiple "app launchers" on my Android 9 Moto
> G7 either; but, it shows up if you know where to look for it.
Not on my phone.
> 123456789 wrote:
>> Carrier Services was not pre-installed on my Android 9 phone.
> While that may be the case, be advised that "Carrier Services"
> doesn't show up in the multiple "app launchers" on my Android 9 Moto
> G7 either; but, it shows up if you know where to look for it.
> Can you screenshot Android 9 settings that show no "Carrier
> Services"?
apply to mine.
But perhaps this will persuade you. When I bring up the Carrier Services
app in the Play Store it gives me an 'INSTALL' button whereas if I bring
up any installed app (like Chrome) it gives me an 'OPEN' button. So even
the Play Store knows that the Carrier Services app is not installed (or
pre-installed) on my phone...
Arlen Holder
Feb 29, 2020, 9:00:44 AM2/29/20
to
UPDATE:
Does anyone else on this ng have this "Carrier Services" app pre installed?
So far the phone is working fine without Carrier Services having any
permissions whatsoever.
Initially I was getting constant complaints that whatever Carrier Services
"wanted" to do, it couldn't do (via notifications), but I turned those off.
Unfortunately, I haven't been able to turn of the same incessant
notifications every time "Google Play Services" complains (which also has
been set to zero permissions).
Does anyone else on this ng have this "Carrier Services" app pre installed?
Does anyone else on this ng have this "Carrier Services" app pre installed?
So far the phone is working fine without Carrier Services having any
permissions whatsoever.
Initially I was getting constant complaints that whatever Carrier Services
"wanted" to do, it couldn't do (via notifications), but I turned those off.
Unfortunately, I haven't been able to turn of the same incessant
notifications every time "Google Play Services" complains (which also has
been set to zero permissions).
Does anyone else on this ng have this "Carrier Services" app pre installed?
Arlen Holder
Dec 1, 2020, 5:58:58 PM12/1/20
to
On Tue, 1 Dec 2020 21:37:24 +0000 (UTC), Eli the Bearded wrote:
> Path: sewer!goblin3!goblin.stu.neva.ru!panix!qz!not-for-mail
> From: Eli the Bearded <*@eli.users.panix.com>
> Newsgroups: comp.mobile.android
> Subject: Explain Android's "Carrier Services" app
> Date: Tue, 1 Dec 2020 21:37:24 +0000 (UTC)
> Organization: Some absurd concept
> Lines: 54
> Message-ID: <eli$20120...@qaz.wtf>
> NNTP-Posting-Host: panix5.panix.com
> X-Trace: reader1.panix.com 1606858644 15073 166.84.1.5 (1 Dec 2020 21:37:24 GMT)
> X-Complaints-To: ab...@panix.com
> NNTP-Posting-Date: Tue, 1 Dec 2020 21:37:24 +0000 (UTC)
> X-Liz: It's actually happened, the entire Internet is a massive game of Redcode
> X-Motto: "Erosion of rights never seems to reverse itself." -- kenny@panix
> X-US-Congress: Moronic Fucks.
> X-Attribution: EtB
> XFrom: is a real address
> Encrypted: double rot-13
> User-Agent: Vectrex rn 2.1 (beta)
> Xref: sewer comp.mobile.android:70316
>
> What exactly does the "Carrier Services" app on Android do? Near as I
> can tell it is Google provided. The official description is super vague
> "helps carriers provide mobile services using the latest networking
> capabilities". I have seen hints that it is need for the SMS/MMS
> alternative "RCS" (Rich Communication Services) but nothing else about
> what it can do or does do.
>
> But it wants a bunch a permissions, far more than *receiving* RCS
> should need (and *sending* RCS gets handled in the Messages app, doesn't
> it?)
>
> Permissions
> Call logs, Camera, Contacts, Location, Microphone, Phone
>
> And when I attempt to disable those permissions, the device gets
> testy. First it pops up a window:
>
> If you deny this permission, basic features of your device may no
> longer function as intended.
> CANEL DENY ANYWAY
>
> "Basic" features? What basic features? Choosing DENY ANYWAY gets me an
> alert (one for each denial):
>
> /!\ Google Play services error
> Please complete action required by Carrier Services
>
> I disabled Camera and Microphone last week and noticed no changes to the
> "basic features" of my device, except that it asked me again on reboot
> to complete actions for Carrier Services. Today I disabled the rest of
> the permissions.
>
> I recall disabling Google Play's send SMS permission caused problems
> buying Play Store apps, so I'm aware that some "basic features" might
> exist that I do want, but I use so rarely I might not run into it often.
> But then I look at that list of permissions desired and really question
> what that could be.
>
> As far as I know, I have never sent nor received an RCS message. I don't
> think those work with Apple devices, and most people I send messages to
> use Iphones.
>
> If it helps any:
>
> App details
> App installed from Google Play Store
>
> version 48.0.335972766-carrierservices_V48E_RC01
>
> Phone is Android 9.
>
> Elijah
> ------
> hates the vagueness of it all
Update regarding today's similar thread:
o Explain Android's "Carrier Services" app, by Eli the Bearded
<https://groups.google.com/g/comp.mobile.android/c/aZuio22xNvQ>
If you look at what trackers & permissions it has, you'd be scared:
o <https://i.postimg.cc/bNqRK0Xs/appdrawer02.jpg>
I've been doing fine since February with Carrier Services disabled:
o <https://i.postimg.cc/ht5bzHXd/appdrawer03.jpg> lots of detail
That's on both Android 9 & Android 10 (Motorola updated the OS).
Please see gory details in this thread from February 19, 2020:
o What does the pre-installed "Carrier Services" app do that you actually need to have done on your Android phone?
<https://groups.google.com/g/comp.mobile.android/c/M4nyXFV7gnE>
--
Almost everything on Android from Google can be disabled & it works fine.
> Path: sewer!goblin3!goblin.stu.neva.ru!panix!qz!not-for-mail
> From: Eli the Bearded <*@eli.users.panix.com>
> Newsgroups: comp.mobile.android
> Subject: Explain Android's "Carrier Services" app
> Date: Tue, 1 Dec 2020 21:37:24 +0000 (UTC)
> Organization: Some absurd concept
> Lines: 54
> Message-ID: <eli$20120...@qaz.wtf>
> NNTP-Posting-Host: panix5.panix.com
> X-Trace: reader1.panix.com 1606858644 15073 166.84.1.5 (1 Dec 2020 21:37:24 GMT)
> X-Complaints-To: ab...@panix.com
> NNTP-Posting-Date: Tue, 1 Dec 2020 21:37:24 +0000 (UTC)
> X-Liz: It's actually happened, the entire Internet is a massive game of Redcode
> X-Motto: "Erosion of rights never seems to reverse itself." -- kenny@panix
> X-US-Congress: Moronic Fucks.
> X-Attribution: EtB
> XFrom: is a real address
> Encrypted: double rot-13
> User-Agent: Vectrex rn 2.1 (beta)
> Xref: sewer comp.mobile.android:70316
>
> What exactly does the "Carrier Services" app on Android do? Near as I
> can tell it is Google provided. The official description is super vague
> "helps carriers provide mobile services using the latest networking
> capabilities". I have seen hints that it is need for the SMS/MMS
> alternative "RCS" (Rich Communication Services) but nothing else about
> what it can do or does do.
>
> But it wants a bunch a permissions, far more than *receiving* RCS
> should need (and *sending* RCS gets handled in the Messages app, doesn't
> it?)
>
> Permissions
> Call logs, Camera, Contacts, Location, Microphone, Phone
>
> And when I attempt to disable those permissions, the device gets
> testy. First it pops up a window:
>
> If you deny this permission, basic features of your device may no
> longer function as intended.
> CANEL DENY ANYWAY
>
> "Basic" features? What basic features? Choosing DENY ANYWAY gets me an
> alert (one for each denial):
>
> /!\ Google Play services error
> Please complete action required by Carrier Services
>
> I disabled Camera and Microphone last week and noticed no changes to the
> "basic features" of my device, except that it asked me again on reboot
> to complete actions for Carrier Services. Today I disabled the rest of
> the permissions.
>
> I recall disabling Google Play's send SMS permission caused problems
> buying Play Store apps, so I'm aware that some "basic features" might
> exist that I do want, but I use so rarely I might not run into it often.
> But then I look at that list of permissions desired and really question
> what that could be.
>
> As far as I know, I have never sent nor received an RCS message. I don't
> think those work with Apple devices, and most people I send messages to
> use Iphones.
>
> If it helps any:
>
> App details
> App installed from Google Play Store
>
> version 48.0.335972766-carrierservices_V48E_RC01
>
> Phone is Android 9.
>
> Elijah
> ------
> hates the vagueness of it all
Update regarding today's similar thread:
o Explain Android's "Carrier Services" app, by Eli the Bearded
<https://groups.google.com/g/comp.mobile.android/c/aZuio22xNvQ>
If you look at what trackers & permissions it has, you'd be scared:
o <https://i.postimg.cc/bNqRK0Xs/appdrawer02.jpg>
I've been doing fine since February with Carrier Services disabled:
o <https://i.postimg.cc/ht5bzHXd/appdrawer03.jpg> lots of detail
That's on both Android 9 & Android 10 (Motorola updated the OS).
Please see gory details in this thread from February 19, 2020:
o What does the pre-installed "Carrier Services" app do that you actually need to have done on your Android phone?
<https://groups.google.com/g/comp.mobile.android/c/M4nyXFV7gnE>
--
Almost everything on Android from Google can be disabled & it works fine.
Arlen Holder
Dec 1, 2020, 6:09:32 PM12/1/20
to
I realize I haven't updated this thread in a while, where I no longer get
_any_ complaints in my notifications about "Carrier Services".
Unrelated, I also turned off the Google Play Services notifications (I
forget how I did that but I noticed just now that I mentioned it above).
Personally, I agree with Eli the Bearded that Google seems to have written
the description for "Carrier Services" extremely vaguely, worse, they seem
to have the permissions set rather widely for something not even needed!
o Explain Android's "Carrier Services" app, by Eli the Bearded
<https://groups.google.com/g/comp.mobile.android/c/aZuio22xNvQ>
Just be careful if you're not aware that a _lot_ of the "app drawer" apps
<https://groups.google.com/g/comp.mobile.android/c/aZuio22xNvQ>
don't even show Carrier Services as being installed, even when it is!
o <https://i.postimg.cc/y6mPQQbM/appdrawer01.jpg> basic app drawer GUI
o <https://i.postimg.cc/bNqRK0Xs/appdrawer02.jpg> expert apps gui
o <https://i.postimg.cc/ht5bzHXd/appdrawer03.jpg> lots of detail
--
Almost everything from Google can be disabled on your Android phone.
Arlen Holder
Dec 3, 2020, 7:45:00 AM12/3/20
to
On Thu, 3 Dec 2020 11:49:46 +0100, Piet wrote:
>> Eli the Bearded wrote:
>>> What exactly does the "Carrier Services" app on Android do? Near as I
>>> can tell it is Google provided. The official description is super vague
>>> "helps carriers provide mobile services using the latest networking
>>> capabilities".
>>
>> From what I infer that's exactly what it does, having low level access
>> Eli the Bearded wrote:
>>> What exactly does the "Carrier Services" app on Android do? Near as I
>>> can tell it is Google provided. The official description is super vague
>>> "helps carriers provide mobile services using the latest networking
>>> capabilities".
>>
>> and bypassing the need for system updates, including branded systems
>> and systems that no longer get updates.
>>
>>> And when I attempt to disable those permissions, the device gets
>>> testy. First it pops up a window:
>>>
>>> If you deny this permission, basic features of your device may no
>>> longer function as intended.
>>
>> That's what I get every time I stop a background app, but in 99% of the
>>> And when I attempt to disable those permissions, the device gets
>>> testy. First it pops up a window:
>>>
>>> If you deny this permission, basic features of your device may no
>>> longer function as intended.
>>
>> cases it's false alarm.
>>
>> -p
>
>Eli the Bearded wrote:
>> What exactly does the "Carrier Services" app on Android do? Near as I
>> can tell it is Google provided. The official description is super vague
>> "helps carriers provide mobile services using the latest networking
>> capabilities".
>
>From what I infer that's exactly what it does, having low level access
>Eli the Bearded wrote:
>> What exactly does the "Carrier Services" app on Android do? Near as I
>> can tell it is Google provided. The official description is super vague
>> "helps carriers provide mobile services using the latest networking
>> capabilities".
>
>and bypassing the need for system updates, including branded systems
>and systems that no longer get updates.
>
>> And when I attempt to disable those permissions, the device gets
>> testy. First it pops up a window:
>>
>> If you deny this permission, basic features of your device may no
>> longer function as intended.
>
>That's what I get every time I stop a background app, but in 99% of the
>> And when I attempt to disable those permissions, the device gets
>> testy. First it pops up a window:
>>
>> If you deny this permission, basic features of your device may no
>> longer function as intended.
>
>cases it's false alarm.
In Android 10, I've been able to turn off all warnings like that (AFAIK).
BTW, aother pernicious Google addon is Google Transport Services (AFAICT).
o Google Backup Transport [What is it & why is it serving ads I've never
seen which AdClear had to then block?]
<https://groups.google.com/g/comp.mobile.android/c/Y3oZYE6Gb7U>
Here is a thread documenting how I disabled all apps with "google" in the
name, and then, one by one, re-enabled only the few that were needed.
o My experiment turning all Android app permissions off, specifically to
Google Play Services permission & Carrier Services permission
<https://groups.google.com/g/comp.mobile.android/c/FKjvRYbqgIw>
Most, if not almost all apps with "google" in the name can be disabled,
without loss of functionality (where if you disable the highly marketed
apps, such as Google Play like I do, you need to use the alternative app).
o Google Play ==> Aurora Store
o YouTube ==> New Pipe
o GMail ==> K9-Mail
etc.
Lillian Kulic
Jan 9, 2023, 10:16:30 PM1/9/23
to
Martin Gregory
May 8, 2023, 4:59:57 AM5/8/23
to
> How does it feel reading non informative info answers. Monkey chasing weasel around a more than likely a thorny bush what is it, if not mistaken a more than what the flying flitter are you saying in layman's terminology. IDK.... Why did I inquire
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