Database Users

[Q] Auto-install APKs at First Boot?

Did some searching on this but it came up blank, so maybe someone has a brilliant idea for this
Almost every other day we are getting new builds for Android. I'm sure many of you are like me and have a set of APKs you install with every build. For example SWYPE.
I would like to know if there is a way, when installing a new build, you can have certain apps auto-installed. This would really save me time.

Can't you just put them in the "AndroidApps" folder that usually comes with every build..?

shadiku said:
Can't you just put them in the "AndroidApps" folder that usually comes with every build..?
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Wasn't sure if that was the proper way it was done. I tried that once, needless to say it didn't work out to well. Had to eat a hard reset.
Anyways, can anyone confirm that this is the best way to do it, or if you know of another that would be great. Please share!

Yup!
yes, i'm 99.9% sure that this is a way to auto-install apps onto your phone, as i've read this in other threads which say the same thing

I did this myself with darkstone's builds. I just loaded up the android apps folder. On second boot I had issues so I then deleted all those apps through winmo and everything was fine again. Not sure with this folder that everytime you boot it tries to reinstall or not. Would like some clarification on that.

Not worked for me

I would suggest downloading 7zip file manager, then when you download your desired rom then just open it up. Navigate to the data/apps folder and drop your apps in there, when you flash the rom then your personal apps will be flashed and installed as if they came with the rom already.
That's what I do and I have never had an issue.

Or there always is ADB

HypoTurtle said:
Or there always is ADB
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there are some adb apk tools that could probably do a batch install

Am i right that after putting those in your folder, after hard reset all those apps that were there will reinstall(those that you wanted, and those you uninstalled)? Or there will be trouble uninstalling as it is part of ROM?
Personally i used one of those App Backup & Restore apps from market. I had to spend 10 minutes pressing "Accept" cause they install by regular way, but it was quite fast anyway.

Marquo said:
Am i right that after putting those in your folder, after hard reset all those apps that were there will reinstall(those that you wanted, and those you uninstalled)? Or there will be trouble uninstalling as it is part of ROM?
Personally i used one of those App Backup & Restore apps from market. I had to spend 10 minutes pressing "Accept" cause they install by regular way, but it was quite fast anyway.
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Click to collapse
Now which folder are you referring to? When I mentioned placing apps, I was talking about putting them into the data/app folder of the rom zip you are flashing so they will be installed on first boot.
As for backing up and restoring apps, I suggest using MyBackup as it does apps plus their associated data as a batch backup/restore. It doesn't require you to accept each one.
Please mybackup will do sms/mms, call logs, browser shortcuts, and so on. Here is the market link for it: MyBackup

chrisrj28 said:
Now which folder are you referring to? When I mentioned placing apps, I was talking about putting them into the data/app folder of the rom zip you are flashing so they will be installed on first boot.
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I got you right, and i thought that as they are part of ROM, they will be saved and restored when hard reseting(even if you uninstalled them on purpose).
Thiss app sounds really nice, i shall try it out.
EDIT
Look what i found when i came to forum by main site of xda: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=23291051
Seems nice.

[Q] Best way to switch builds and not loose everything

I am looking at switching builds but dont want to have to reinstall everything post the new build install on my sd card.
What back up system do people recommend, and do any actually allow a full backup/restore that will work?
If not then i will have to reinstall everything, but that seems a really long winded way about switching builds!
Thanks

I save the data .img file from the current build. Then I copy the new Android folder on the root of the mem stick. Then I put the data .img file from the old intall back in the new folder.

The above suggestion doesn't always work. If you're going to a completely different build then it may cause problems.
I use Titanium Backup Pro. It does cost, but not much and allows a full backup and restore of all apps and data.

i just use the free titanium backup to backup all my apps. google sync for contacts and then all i have to do it set up a couple of things like wifi and it work

I used to use the free version, but the last restore I did had nearly 200 apps in it, and you have to click "install" and then "ok" for every app with the free version. The paid one does it without you needing to do anything - that's the only reason I paid for it. (Oh, and it can freeze apps too, which is good for finding out what would happen if you uninstalled an app.)

[Q] How do I backup/restore the entrie system?

Hi. I've recently got an X8, which is my first Android device. As I tend to customize and change everything I can reach (yes, I'm a Linux user , I updated to 2.1, gained root and started to explore the world of Android. Sadly, while editing the default theme, I managed to screw the system up to the point where it won't even boot anymore (although I still could access the shell via adb, but it wouldn't let me push files and I couldn't run su). I had to reinstall 2.1 via SEUS, which caused all of my settings and apps to disappear. I spent some hours to bring them back, and I would like to save the current state to prevent future failures. tl;dr: I'm looking for a way to backup and restore the whole system easily, any suggestions? A step-by-step guide is highly appreciated.
EDIT: I'm sorry, I apparently posted in the wrong forum but realized it too late. Please move to General.

install xrecovery and app2sd
when you mess something go to xrecovery\backup and restore\advanced restore\select your newest backup\restore system
when restore will be over,restart your phone and you will see all your apps and all your data like in setting or save game will not be deleted

after root, just install xrecovery to backup entire system..

or try backup with the default backup & restore app
2.1 system apps
simply download it and install as regular .apk

How do you restore your Settings/Apps after flashing? [UPDATE]

So,
now that the first usable ROMs for X8 pop up i am wondering: what is the easiest way to import all your settings to a new ROM?
i am thinking of Apps, App-Settings, Sync-Settings (gmail, Roadsync..), SMS, Mails etc etc...
Restoring/Setting this up manually after every installation of a new ROM takes some time.
What is your trick for the lazy people?
How much can be backed up with Titanium Backup? I'm still not sure about this.
What other Apps can you recommend?
update: found a solution at lifehacker today.

Non of them will work when going from ROM to ROM. When you go to a new ROM, you should backup the previous one so you can go back to the default when there is a problems with the Custom ROM.
Basically, you can't transfer apps or anything from one ROM to another. You will have to manually install them yourself, take a list of them and download/install again. I wish it could work but it cant ):

Too bad.
Ok, I cant backup apps this way.
Is there a way or script to automatically install apps (apks) from a folder on sdcard?
Maybe I could use AppBrain to sync apps.
But how about System Settings, Accounts...

Hm, actually come to think of it .. If your phone is rooted (obviously is lol) you can go to Root Explorer or any root application manager, go to System>App and if you can transfer them to your SD card, I use Root Explorer, just select all and zip them, then transfer to SD card .. All the .apk's will be in the zip file. I suppose just install one by one
As for system settings, accounts etc. those can't be backed up .. You'll just have to be updated manually :L Don't be lazy haha

just found this tip from lifehacker using titanium backup. looks pretty convinient.
if someone tries this, please report if you have success.

laureus said:
just found this tip from lifehacker using titanium backup. looks pretty convinient.
if someone tries this, please report if you have success.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Use this, for me it's the best way.
Titanium backup can store all your current apps and data settings for theseapps, too.
After flashing your new ROM, install Titanium backup and restore your backuped apps. Works fine.

[Q] Best Out... ?

I bought a Desire Z about two weeks before the 1.72.405.2 OTA update came along, and I allowed it to update (Yeah I know, this was after all my first Android device).
Anyway, lately my phones been running slowly and apps force closing, so I've decided to downgrade it and root it (psneuter method), and try some different ROM's.
What I was wondering is, what would be the best way without root, to backup as much of my data as possible, apps, sms, files, and also if possible a backup that I can use in case I scew it up, so I can get it back to the way it is now.
I have a copy of:-
RUU_Vision_HTC_WWE_1.34.405.5_Radio_12.28b.60.140e_26.03.02.26_M_release_155556_signed
which I believe is the stock ROM for this device, but as far as I know if it goes wrong I'll be unable to flash this as the update won't allow me to flash an earlier version..
Would I be able to mount and then backup the whole phone using adb or any other method.
I've been reading about it for a while now, and while I have lots of bits of information, I've been unable to find a good solution.
Thanks,
...John...

j0hn0n1 said:
I bought a Desire Z about two weeks before the 1.72.405.2 OTA update came along, and I allowed it to update (Yeah I know, this was after all my first Android device).
What I was wondering is, what would be the best way without root, to backup as much of my data as possible, apps, sms, files, and also if possible a backup that I can use in case I scew it up, so I can get it back to the way it is now.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Without root, a good app to backup your other apps is astro file manager, its available free from the market, you just have to hit menu, tools and it'll back up all the apps on your sd card, in terms of files, just make sure their all on your sd card and they'll be fine
Not sure how to back up SmS but i know their are apps out their, a point you may have forgotten is to make sure you back up your contacts as they all get wiped and I made this mistake, the easiest way to do that is to make sure your contacts sync up with your google account so after rooting, you can just sync them back,
Hope i helped!

Use google to remember what apps you've downloaded from market. Once associated, when you flash a new rom, google will automatically redownload all your associated apps. For sms, i suggest you download GoSMS and use their internal backup feature. It will save to sd and be visible to your stock sms app as well on restore.
Sent from my AOSP Virtuous Desire Z using XDA App

Ya but too many times google starts restoring apps that I uninstalled months ago. Great idea but bad implementation imo.
Sent from my HTC Vision using XDA Premium App

Sorry I haven't replied, was in work all day yesterday.
I have Astro File Manager, but I hadn't even considered it, thanks. I have my contacts sync'd with Google, so it seems that as long as I backup my files and sms everything else should be done automatically anyway.
Go SMS seems worth getting anyway, as the bog standard Android messages app is seriously dull. I'll give it a try.
I had wondered about Google Market restoring apps, but I thought it would only reinstall apps that were installed at the last sync.
If you install an app and it screws up your phone, and do a factory reset then Google will just reinstall the app that caused all the problems in the first place.
Definitely a good idea, but needs more work.
Anyway, thanks for all the info, I'll give it try tonight, when I get back from work.
...John...

I find SMS Backup & Restore to be the best app for this purpose and I wouldn't recommend the backup feature from the market, as you said it is likely to give problems.
Without root though, the backup choices are somewhat limited for apps and such.

I've been using Super Manager by gpc. It works pretty good, plus offers a ton of other features that can be used with or without root.

I've backed up what I could, although it's typical that as soon as it's all gone I realised things that I should have wrote down (I had been using the wallet/pocket app and although I backed up all my apps, I'm guesing it won't have backed up any of the passwords, logins, bank details, etc).
Anyway, I've downgraded and successfully rooted my phone (through gfree), I have CID: 11111111 and S-Off, but I haven't installed and ROM's yet as I read somewhere that you are supposed to wipe everything between ROM's, am I wiping the Davlik cache or doing a factory reset (I mean won't the factory reset just reset my stock ROM back to it's original condition).
I'm also wondering about finding custom ROMs, on my dell streak I had installed ROM Manager and could get a list of any that were available.
I first installed ROM Manager and used it to flash recovery, but this time I've installed CWM first, so would it be safe to install ROM Manager now, will it want to flash a recovery over the one I have already.
Or is it not advisable to use ROM Manager, as I have previously heard of a few problems it may cause.
Thanks ...John...

Rom manager shouldn't give any problems, but for custom roms it's best to take a look at the development forum. If you don't like that you can still use the list in rommanager, it might be just me who prefers downloading roms to my pc first.
But before you install any of them I recommend you make a nandroid backup from recovery just to be safe.

I think the issues were that some people, not all, found problems flashing some of the gingerbread roms via Rom manager. Better to save the Rom to SD and then flash it via CWM.

Right I've done a nandroid backup, and I've saved one to another mSD card which I can keep somewhere just in case (probably a bit over cautious, but...).
I thought that by saving apps to an sd card, they would run from the sd when I restarted my phone, even the ones that I had moved previously with the application manager in settings are not seen.
Still reinstalling the ones I want isn't really that bad.
Seriously, somebody needs to sort out the Markets app backups feature, when I was setting up the phone at first, I specifically chose to not automatically sync with Google and that I would do it manually when needed. Then I went in to the market to get a file manager and the download failed, it was only when I looked at what was going on I realised it was already downloading and reinstalling 96 apps. I looked around for a 'cancel all' option and there isn't any, so I had to cancel them all one by one and then uninstall the ones that had managed to install.
A simple checklist to select the apps you want would be great, oh, and a cancel all button would be a bonus.
Anyway, things are not as much fun when they're too easy.
Thanks ...John...