Samsung devices have a built-in application named CHMProvider that keeps stopping every once in a while. Users are having trouble getting rid of this error. Before solving this issue, you have to understand what is the CMHProvider app?
CMHProvider app or Core Media Highlight Provider is an essential component of the Samsung Gallery app without which users cannot view and edit photos in the native Samsung Gallery app.
In this article, you’ll find out more about the CHMProvider app, what is its purpose, why does it keep stopping, and how to fix it.
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What is CMHProvider on Samsung Android Devices and What is it Used For?
CMHProvider is a preinstalled system application that is used by the Samsung Gallery app to preview photos, create thumbnail cache files of your stored photos, and edit photos. It is an integral component of the Samsung Gallery app without which the Samsung Gallery app cannot function properly.
This app works in conjunction with the Gallery3d app on Samsung Android devices. This app is essential for your native Gallery app to function properly.
The package file of the CMHProvider app is com.samsung.cmh. Apart from this package, the Samsung Gallery app has five other package files including com.samsung.dcmservice, com.samsung.faceservice, com.samsung.enhanceservice, com.samsung.ipservice and com.samsung.storyservice.
Is CMHProvider Safe or Is It a Virus?
CMHProvider is a safe application that is required by the Samsung Gallery app to function properly. It is not a virus or malware that causes damage to your device.
A few users are worried that it might spy on their photos but that’s false. This app helps you to preview images and create thumbnail files for your images. It doesn’t spy on your data or sell it to third parties. It is not Spyware.
This app isn’t Bloatware because it consumes your CPU to function with the Samsung Gallery app. There is no unnecessary CPU or battery usage.
CMHProvider Has Stopped?
There have been several complaints that the CMHProvider app keeps stopping frequently. When there is a malfunction in the app, an error message pops up that reads “Unfortunately CMHProvider has stopped” or “CMHProvider has stopped working.” This issue is seen mostly in Samsung Galaxy S7, Galaxy A3, and Galaxy J7.
Here are the reasons why this app might stop working:
1. Corrupted or Overloaded Cache Files – If the app cache isn’t cleared for a long time the cache files become corrupted. The cache file storage folder can store a limited number of files so when the size of the cache files becomes more than what could be stored, the cache files become overloaded which leads to these error messages.
2. Internal App Issue – If there is an internal issue with the CMHProvider app where it is having trouble previewing images or other functions in the Samsung Gallery app then it could stop the app from functioning properly.
3. Firmware issue – The app could also stop working if there are you’re using outdated Firmware or there are issues with your device’s Firmware. It may also happen if you’re using a Custom Firmware instead of the Stock Firmware.
How to Fix CMHProvider Has Stopped Error?
You can fix the “CMHProvider has stopped” issue by using the methods mentioned below:
(1) Clear App Cache of CMHProvider and Samsung Gallery App
To clear the CMHProvider app cache follow these steps:
- Open Settings.
- Tap Apps.
- Tap the Ellipsis icon(three vertical dots) in the upper right corner.
- Tap Show system apps.
- Find the CMHProvider app from the list and tap on it.
- Tap Storage.
- Tap Clear Cache
- Tap Clear Data.
To clear the app cache of the Samsung Gallery app, follow the steps mentioned below:
- Open Settings.
- Tap Apps.
- Tap Samsung Gallery.
- Tap Storage.
- Tap Clear Cache.
- Tap Clear Data.
(2) Force Stop CMHProvider App
To Force Stop the app, follow these steps:
- Open Settings.
- Tap Apps.
- Tap the Ellipsis icon(three vertical dots) in the upper right corner.
- Tap Show system apps.
- Tap CMHProvider app.
- Tap Force Stop.
(3) Factory Reset Your Samsung Device
A Factory Reset erases all the data from your phone and restores your phone to its original state. It can fix the annoying error messages popping up.
Before factory resetting your device, you should backup your data on Samsung Cloud or Google Drive. Once the backup is complete, follow the steps below to Factory Reset your Samsung Android device.
- Go to Settings.
- Tap General.
- Tap Reset.
- Tap Factory Data Reset.
- Tap Reset and you may need to enter your PIN or password.
- Tap Delete all and your phone will be reset.
(4) Flash Stock ROM(Firmware)
Flashing the Stock ROM(Firmware) reinstalls the system software on your device which can get rid of the app has stopped error messages.
You can flash the Stock Firmware using these two steps:
- Download the Stock Firmware files for your Samsung Android device from a Firmware file downloading website.
- Flash the downloaded Firmware files using a Firmware Flashing tool.
Samsung users can flash Stock ROM using the Samsung Odin flashing tool. You can follow the video below on how to do it step by step.
(5) Disable CMHProvider App Using Package Disabler Pro
Package Disabler Pro is a package disabler app that can disable built-in system apps which cannot be disabled normally. If you disable this app, you’ll have to install a third-party Gallery app like Google Photos and make this one your default Gallery app.
To use this app you’ll have to root your device and once the device is rooted, follow these steps to disable this app.
- Download and Install the Package Disabler Pro app on your Android device.
- Search for “CMHProvider” using the Search button in the top bar.
- Select the FaceService app and tap Disable.
- Confirm your decision by selecting “Yes.”
(6) Freeze CMHProvider App Using Titanium Backup
Freezing the CMHProvider app will stop the Samsung Gallery app from functioning so you’ll have to use another Gallery app like Google Photos to view the stored photos on your device.
You can freeze/disable system apps using the Titanium Backup but this also requires your device to be rooted. After rooting your Android device from the guide mentioned above, follow these steps:
- Download and install the “Titanium Backup” app.
- Launch the app.
- Search for CMHProvider app and tap on it.
- Tap “Freeze” to disable the app.
CMHProvider Consuming Too Much Battery
The CHMProvider app is required to preview photos and storage thumbnail cache files so this app runs in the background and uses your CPU. When you click a picture or receive a photo on WhatsApp, the CMHProvider app creates a thumbnail file of this photo and stores it on your phone.
During this process, this app consumes a lot of CPU which is why you see the high battery usage. The app also has high battery consumption when you view images in the Samsung Gallery app.
To reduce the high battery consumption of the CMHProvider app, use these methods:
(1) Enable Battery Optimization
Enabling battery optimization for the app can reduce its battery usage. Follow the steps to enable battery optimization:
- Open Settings.
- Tap Apps.
- Tap the three vertical dots symbol in the upper right corner.
- Tap Show system apps.
- Tap CMHProvider.
- Tap Battery.
- Turn On Battery Optimization.
(2) Prevent The App from Running in the Background
To prevent apps from running in the background, you have to put these apps in the “Sleeping apps” category. Follow the steps below:
- Open Settings.
- Tap Device Care.
- Tap Battery.
- Tap three vertical dots symbol in the upper right corner and then tap Settings.
- Tap Sleeping apps.
- Tap Add.
- Select the CMHProvider app and then tap on the Add button.
(3) Delete CMHProvider App Using Root Explorer
To delete the CMHProvider app permanently, follow these steps:
- Root your Android smartphone using our rooting guide mentioned previously.
- Download and Install the Root Explorer Android application.
- Open the app and browse to /system/priv-app/CMHProvider/CMHProvider.apk.
- Delete the CMHProvider APK file.
- Reboot your device.
Can You Uninstall CMHProvider App?
You can uninstall the CMHProvider app using the Android Debug Bridge software or with the System App Remover application.
If you uninstall the CMHProvider app, the Samsung Gallery app will stop working and you won’t be able to view your photos using the Samsung Gallery app.
So, before you uninstall the CMHProvider app, you’ll have to install a third-party Gallery app like Google Photos or any other Gallery app and set it as your default Gallery app. You can then view your photos on this new gallery app but remember that Samsung Gallery cannot be used anymore.
To uninstall this app use these two methods:
1. Uninstall Using Android Debug Bridge(ADB)
ADB allows you to bring up a Unix shell so you can issue commands directly on the Android device. You’ll need a Windows PC to use ADB.
Step 1 – Go to Settings > System > About phone.
Step 2 – Tap on the Build number 7 times to activate Developer Options.
Step 3 – Go back to the main Settings menu and tap on Developer Options to open it.
Step 4 – Enable USB debugging by tapping on it.
Step 5 – Download ADB on your PC.
Step 6 – Extract the ZIP file into a folder.
Step 7 – After extracting the ZIP file, open that folder.
Step 8 – Press and hold the shift button and right-click in a blank area.
Step 9 – Click on “Open Powershell window here.”
Step 10 – Enter the command adb devices
Step 11 – Connect your Android device to the PC using a USB data cable.
Step 12 – Run the command adb shell pm uninstall –user 0 com.samsung.cmh and wait for a few seconds till you notice the app has been uninstalled from your device.
2. Uninstall Using System App Remover
This method requires you to gain root access to your device. If you don’t know how to root your Android device then check our Android Rooting guide. After gaining root access follow the steps below to uninstall this system app.
- Download and install the System App Remover application.
- Launch the application, search for CMHProvider and select this app by tapping on it.
- Tap the “Uninstall” button to completely remove the app from your device.
What Permissions Does CMHProvider Require?
The CMHProvider app requires the following permissions:
- Storage permission – This allows the app to read the contents of your USB storage and modify/delete the contents of your USB Storage.
- Contacts permission – This allows the app to access all the contacts on your device.
- Telephone permission – This allows the app to modify phone state, read phone status and identity.
Users can check its permissions by going to Settings > Apps > Show system apps > CMHProvider > Permissions.