# Why Shelter's work profile comes pre-loaded with some Google services?
**URL:** https://discuss.privacyguides.net/t/why-shelters-work-profile-comes-pre-loaded-with-some-google-services/14153
**Category:** Questions
**Tags:** software
**Created:** 2023-09-27T15:01:28Z
**Posts:** 18
## Post 1 by @matr — 2023-09-27T15:01:28Z
Hi there,
1. I’m starting experimenting with Shelter and noticed that right after creating the Work Profile I have 3-4 Google apps (Play, assistant and other) already installed…
2. When I click `Show All Apps` it’s even worth, I see tons of google packages installed
I thought the Work Profile would be a clean slate…
1. Even if I could take the time to remove all google packages with ADB should I do it? Is it not gonna break some stuff…
How are you guys using this app?
1. Clean stuff (Open source apps) in the Work Profile to keep maximum permissions control on the Main Profile (Google apps and banking apps) but exposing myself to not receiving all notifications from the Work one?
2. or the way around and just allowing that big mess to live their life freely inside Work Profile and not freezing it as I rely on Google Voice and some banking notifications…
cheers :wink:
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## Post 2 by @ph00lt0 — 2023-09-27T15:09:07Z
Not exactly how it works.
Shelter enables a work profile. Work profiles are just another user in your phone (usually user nr 10 or 12) with some interconnectivity. Shelter does not install these apps, but simply asks your phone to add that user. Your system apps will therefore also be installed (activated) for that new user. At least that is my understanding of it.
You can use ADB to clean up the work profile too. But you will need to specify the user. If you do show the app will be shown as: “not installed for this user” in android settings.
See: [Debloat or uninstall Android system apps · GitHub](https://gist.github.com/ph00lt0/cfa7b5def7111137ebc195807a6eb50e#5-remove-soter-chinese-gms)
---
## Post 3 by @matr — 2023-09-27T15:52:50Z
Hey @ph00lt0, thanks for taking the time.
1. So you’re saying all those google packages I see under `Show All Apps` are system apps…
2. Wouldn’t be breaking stuff if I decide to delete all those Work Profile packages with ADB? (no google packages what so ever…)
Also, any insight on this? :
> [@matr](#):
>
> How are you guys using this app?
>
> ```
> Clean stuff (Open source apps) in the Work Profile to keep maximum permissions control on the Main Profile (Google apps and banking apps) but exposing myself to not receiving all notifications from the Work one?
>
> or the way around and just allowing that big mess to live their life freely inside Work Profile and not freezing it as I rely on Google Voice and some banking notifications…
> ```
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## Post 4 by @ph00lt0 — 2023-09-27T15:59:29Z
They do not actually have to be system apps. I phrased that wrong. But your phone’ ROM decides to preload those in a new user.
Your second question I cannot answer. I would recommend to disable them instead if you don’t know the consequences, you can test more safely that way.
I actually use the work profile as intended for some work apps and i disable that profile in free time :wink:
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## Post 5 by @matr — 2023-09-27T17:06:13Z
thanks a lot @ph00lt0 :+1:
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## Post 6 by @anon63378630 — 2023-09-27T18:48:13Z
The system itself determines which apps are installed in different profiles by default.
You can see examples here:
- [android\_vendor\_lineage/overlay/common/frameworks/base/core/res/res/values/vendor\_required\_apps\_managed\_device.xml at 147545ac4871169b01715cc2b0649618ed36b25f · LineageOS/android\_vendor\_lineage · GitHub](https://github.com/LineageOS/android_vendor_lineage/blob/147545ac4871169b01715cc2b0649618ed36b25f/overlay/common/frameworks/base/core/res/res/values/vendor_required_apps_managed_device.xml)
- [android\_vendor\_lineage/overlay/common/frameworks/base/core/res/res/values/vendor\_required\_apps\_managed\_profile.xml at 147545ac4871169b01715cc2b0649618ed36b25f · LineageOS/android\_vendor\_lineage · GitHub](https://github.com/LineageOS/android_vendor_lineage/blob/147545ac4871169b01715cc2b0649618ed36b25f/overlay/common/frameworks/base/core/res/res/values/vendor_required_apps_managed_profile.xml)
- [android\_vendor\_lineage/overlay/common/frameworks/base/core/res/res/values/vendor\_required\_apps\_managed\_user.xml at 147545ac4871169b01715cc2b0649618ed36b25f · LineageOS/android\_vendor\_lineage · GitHub](https://github.com/LineageOS/android_vendor_lineage/blob/147545ac4871169b01715cc2b0649618ed36b25f/overlay/common/frameworks/base/core/res/res/values/vendor_required_apps_managed_user.xml)
If you want a system without garbage, then switch to GrapheneOS or my DivestOS.
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## Post 7 by @matr — 2023-09-28T13:52:14Z
Thank you @anon63378630,
so in those list of packages you sent I could:
- delete all the one containing google like:
`- com.google.android.gms
`
- keep the android one like:
`- com.android.contacts
`
to have a clean Work Profile without any google services?
and yes I agree GrapheneOS looks really promising but I can’t buy a Pixel right now.
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## Post 8 by @anon63378630 — 2023-09-28T13:58:20Z
@matr
that isn’t a file you can edit, it gets compiled into the system
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## Post 10 by @matr — 2023-09-28T18:39:02Z
@anon4510900, @anon4510900, @ph00lt0
ok, how you would you guys go about best sanitizing an android stock phone?
Is this the best I can do ? (without buying a Pixel or installing a mod rom):
> [@Does using my phone (no rom) without an google account cause issues](https://discuss.privacyguides.net/t/does-using-my-phone-no-rom-without-an-google-account-cause-issues/13923/14):
>
> Okay in your situation best option: use ADB and debloat as much as possible. I did a [Samsung Galaxy s9 debloat](https://github.com/trytomakeyouprivate/Android-Tipps/tree/main/debloat) already, it was the worst of all others, but I can share the app list. Be cautious, some uninstalls may break features like lockscreen camera or you get constant crash notifications.
>
> Then get a NextDNS and setup samsung, facebook, microsoft and google tracker block lists. Switch your default DNS to this one.
>
> Uninstall as much as possible, install as regular user apps when needed.
>
> Your safety is totally okay, security never has to rely on online Accounts.
thank you
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## Post 11 by @ph00lt0 — 2023-09-28T19:19:29Z
Well you should realize that it is not very effective.
I wouldn’t just remove many things because it can break your phone. (While you can fix that) I have experimented with this quite a bit in the past.
You should just be aware that tracking can be/is embedded in the OS itself without the needing the apps. Still you may get somewhat of a benefit. I would f.x. always uninstall sorter. As you can see in the gist I linked earlier.
PG also doesn’t recommend this method as it generally isn’t complete and will not be giving you want you actually want.
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## Post 13 by @matr — 2023-10-07T16:57:58Z
yes thanks @anon4510900 I’m going to stick to using the maximum open source apps like simpletools possible and not installing Shelter I think.
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## Post 14 by @anon63378630 — 2023-10-07T17:29:13Z
Do note that Simple Mobile Tools from Play Store/Aurora does contain proprietary libraries.
Their Gallery app actually violates the GPL of users and contributors since it bundles an incompatible proprietary editor: [F-Droid NoSourceSince · Issue #1706 · SimpleMobileTools/Simple-Gallery · GitHub](https://github.com/SimpleMobileTools/Simple-Gallery/issues/1706)
They also have a questionable partnership with Secure Group for selling overpriced outdated/insecure MT6771 phones, the same chip used by the Brax Phone (also by SG) and the Murena Phone.
Old bonus pics:
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## Post 15 by @3QVvxrhnYZ — 2023-10-08T16:55:42Z
> [@anon63378630](#):
>
> Their Gallery app actually violates the GPL of users and contributors since it bundles an incompatible proprietary editor
In that same issue they say they [have a FOSS](https://github.com/SimpleMobileTools/Simple-Gallery/issues/1706#issuecomment-592668077) variant without any proprietary stuff (for 3 years already).
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## Post 16 by @anon63378630 — 2023-10-08T18:54:51Z
@3QVvxrhnYZ
yes, but their distribution of a variant with that proprietary library violates the license of those who contributed to it and of who use that variant.
The contributors licensed their _contribution_ under GPL, by SMT taking the app and adding proprietary components, they are violating the license of contributors.
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## Post 17 by @3QVvxrhnYZ — 2023-10-08T20:06:02Z
What’s SMT?
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## Post 18 by @anon63378630 — 2023-10-08T20:16:27Z
@3QVvxrhnYZ
Simple Mobile Tools