I've chosen not to use app2sd on my phone for various reasons and although I'm satisfied with my decision, flashing new roms has become quite a chore given the fact that I can't wipe without destroying all of my applications as well.
I've taken to using programs, but even using programs is a pain due to the long installation process. I'm currently using TI Package Installer.
Is there any way to backup and restore all applications (protected included) via adb shell or something in the recovery console?
I'm sorry if this has been asked and answered before, but I did a search and could not find anything specifically answering my question.
I'm running a Mytouch3g without a2sd with the newest AmonRa recovery.
I found this info on the following link:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=601567
So kudos to swissp:
backing up normal (public) apps:
adb shell cp -r -f /data/app/*.* /sdcard/backups/apps
private apps:
adb shell cp -r -f /data/app-private/*.* /sdcard/backups/apps
DullTree said:
I found this info on the following link:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=601567
So kudos to swissp:
backing up normal (public) apps:
adb shell cp -r -f /data/app/*.* /sdcard/backups/apps
private apps:
adb shell cp -r -f /data/app-private/*.* /sdcard/backups/apps
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Going to make a nandroid backup and try this out. Thanks! Hoping it takes when I send them back.
Edit: Seems to have worked perfectly. For some reason i figured something that simple wouldn't work or it'd be included in Amon RA. Thanks!
My pleasure
If you then want to reinstall all the apps at once :
1. Mount the SD Card on the PC
2. Open a cmd window in the Android SDK\Tools folder and launch this
for %I in ("I:\backups\apps\*.apk") do adb install "%I"
(Replace I: with your mounted SD card's drive letter)
Quite useful
swissp said:
If you then want to reinstall all the apps at once :
1. Mount the SD Card on the PC
2. Open a cmd window in the Android SDK\Tools folder and launch this
for %I in ("I:\backups\apps\*.apk") do adb install "%I"
(Replace I: with your mounted SD card's drive letter)
Quite useful
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Excellent. Thanks!
I`m trying to setup app2sd.
1. i wiped both SD and cache and data
2. installed latest Desire ROM
Did all these steps with no errors
adb remount
adb push 04apps2sd /system/etc/init.d/
adb push e2fsck /system/xbin
adb shell
chmod 755 /system/xbin/e2fsck
chmod 755 /system/etc/init.d/04apps2sd
mkdir /system/sd
Sill no more than 100 MB free space
I tried deleting /system/sd to recreate it because it seams i have 2 directories: 1 is called SD and the oder is called sd with a squre next to it. No matter where i try i cannot delete it because it is in use.
When i try all newly installed apps dissapear and i cannot access them anymore (need to re-download from market)
I tried booting into recovery, but there the sd folder does not exist.
Also booting takes 3-4 minutes and it always boot's twice (1 time reset)
Any ideas?
Any luck on this? I was planning on trying to setup app2sd on a desire rom using this method too..
########## IMPORTANT UPDATE ##########
There is an APP available that makes this much simpler
* No Console Commands Needed
* You still MUST HAVE ROOT
* It must be installed on internal memory to work correctly
* Be sure you know what a system app does before you remove it.
* If you remove a vital app you could mess up your system completely.
The APP is Called: "System APP Remover"
Here's a Link to Download it: http://www.megaupload.com/?d=ZFC2C1R7
Mirror Download Link: http://www.mediafire.com/?h3n3ftbwilshcvn
######################################
Here are the console commands for installing/removing system apps in android console emulator, very easy ; )
You must have ROOT and console emulator, I found this very helpful, so I hope it helps others as well...
_____________________________________________________________________________________
Install App to System:
Place APK file in the root folder on your sd card.
Open terminal and enter these commands:
# su
# mount -o remount,rw -t yaffs2 /dev/block/mtdblock3 /system
# cat /sdcard/filename.apk > /system/app/filename.apk
# mount -o remount,ro -t yaffs2 /dev/block/mtdblock3 /system
# reboot
_____________________________________________________________________________________
Remove App from System (Be careful what you remove):
# mount -o remount,rw /system
# rm /system/app/Filename.apk
[Optional, to make read-only again]
# mount -o remount,r /system
[When Finished]
# reboot
_____________________________________________________________________________________
****KEY****
"#" means root command will follow
[Notes are in these brackets and aren't commands]
- ENJOY
ALSO...
**** I'm new to Android APP creation, but if anyone can automate this script to make a simple One-Click GUI APP that would be awesome, all I ask is that you put my name in the co-dev/"Thanks to" list for the app, just so I can say I helped ;-) ****
- CuriousAndroid
I am trying to reinstall some files I uninstalled. I went to the following link on this site and found some apps that people said could be removed - http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=773142
however, my Act1 video player now quits whenever I receive an incoming text, so I need to reinstall some programs and see which one is causing the problem
I downloaded an app called Android Terminal Emulator by Jack Palevich. I tried a "reboot" command (without the #) but it said reboot operation not permitted. Is this the Emulator I need to reinstall files? Am I doing something wrong?
--------------
EDITED:
ok nevermind, i realized the "su" command gives superuser access needed for the reboot....going to try to install files now
yeah, to use any root commands "su" must be used first otherwise the shell will think your just some generic user with limited privileges and nothing will work.
It's very important to identify any apps you plan on removing before you attempt it to make sure it isn't needed by another process.
You got lucky, some apps once removed can cause the whole rom to fail, so be careful!
- CuriousAndroid
well i think i messed something up...is there a way to recover back to stock after using the sdx stock app remover? i removed the video player but tried reinstalling it...when i uninstalled it from sdx, i noticed my other video player (Act1) would quit whenever i'd get an incoming text
i have all the .apks backed up, but after attempting to reinstall the stock video player, it hangs in MyFiles...then i reset back to factory (no Act1), and it can't play my videos, i get the error "No applications can perform this action"
Is there a way to recovery back to stock with all applications installed and in tact? i have all the .apks, but this video player won't work, after following your instructions above
thanks
It will work. Check the following:
* All shell commands are CASE-sensitive, so if the app is called Vending.apk you can't type vending.apk
* for the command to work you must have the apk on the root of your SDcard, not in sub-directories.
* if you have a copy of the rom you installed you can unzip it on your PC and find the system app folder, which you can use to cross-refference with the system/app folder on your phone to see if your missing something else.
in terminal you can list system apps like this:
# su
# cd /system/app/
# ls | more
[that will allow you hit space bar to navigate through app list if it's longer than a page,press ESC when done to go back to prompt]
* If all else fails you can backup your settings to your sd card and re-install your rom (as a last resort)
-Good Luck
curiousandroid said:
Install App to System:
Place APK file in the root folder on your sd card.
Open terminal and enter these commands:
# su
# mount -o remount,rw -t yaffs2 /dev/block/mtdblock3 /system
# cat /sdcard/filename.apk > /system/app/filename.apk
# mount -o remount,ro -t yaffs2 /dev/block/mtdblock3 /system
# reboot
_____________________________________________________________________________________
Remove App from System (Be careful what you remove):
# mount -o remount,rw /system
# rm /system/app/Filename.apk
[Optional, to make read-only again]
# mount -o remount,r /system
[When Finished]
# reboot
_____________________________________________________________________________________
****KEY****
"#" means root command will follow
[Notes are in these brackets and aren't commands]
- ENJOY
ALSO...
**** I'm new to Android APP creation, but if anyone can automate this script to make a simple One-Click GUI APP that would be awesome, all I ask is that you put my name in the co-dev/"Thanks to" list for the app, just so I can say I helped ;-) ****
- CuriousAndroid
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
When I am doing the first part here of installing app to system I dont just simply do that first I can already have an app ready to go that I want to move to sd card right? I am just making sure I didnt have to do that simply first before I even start moving the apps. This site has be great and thanks for everybody help. Wish I would have known have this site way back when.
What is "yaffs2" standing for? I type "yaffs" instead of "yaffs2". What has this done to my system? Do I have to expect any "side-effects"?
When I call # ls | more to list the directories content, the apk is listed but it is not installed yet. Is there anything else i have to do?
yaffs is nand flash filesystem
yaffs2 is more elaborate updated version
yaff2 has greater support
so if your device isnt supported by yaffs1, it may not work.
it's best to follow the commands as they're written.
apps still appear as apks in system/apps folder after installation.
Haha thats funny!! I downloaded this app.. put it on my sdcard.. installed it and when i tried to open it it said " Shame on you for trying to pirate a 1.00 app "
If you have Applanet just go there and look for Systemapp Remover - it's a bit older version but seems to do the job.
By mistake my contacts.apk is removed. Above trick also not worked. my phone is LG GT540. Pl suggest any other way.
rajhan9412 said:
By mistake my contacts.apk is removed. Above trick also not worked. my phone is LG GT540. Pl suggest any other way.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Grab the contacts.apk from the rom you're running and push it back in. Btw titanium backup removes system/apps without terminal commands while allowing to to make a backup first in case u want. it back or for little hickups such as this.
Sent from transparent xda app by theimpaler747
I did everything right, and the apps that I removed disappeared from the app drawer. But, after I reboot my phone, they show up again.
What can I do?
In terminal type
ls system/app
Hit enter and see if said apps are in the list
Sent from my HTC Sensation 4G using XDA App
i got a better method.
app is called app quarantine
it need root and is totally free
it can quaratine every app including rom apps and system apps
really that thing awesome. no manuall backup needed anymore and as long you dont brick the os you can easy try and error - but of course still be carefull and login and activate com.brain.logic.provider lol
Hi there i use root explorer and that is the easiest way i think to remove system apps on android phones [root required] you can download root explorer from the market or get it from 4shared just search for root explorer.apk install it and navigate to /system/apps/ and the app you wish to delete long press the app and delete make sure you mount as read/write instead of read only.
Hope this helps
@0mpranav
actually its not and actually you didnt read my post
i advertise this little peace of freeware because it really made my day (im not related in anyway to the developer)
the quarantine removes it but store it automatically in another directory
just multiselect and press one button DONE
no need to single delete something because you always should backup first
for example turns out on samsungs device EMAIl application is also related to exchange sync - huh i was happy to restore it
really take a look -
btw i hate the root explorer - for some taksts might be usefull but fileexpert is way better in that and its free as the quaratine app is too
bofh999 said:
actually its not and actually you didnt read my post
i advertise this little peace of freeware because it really made my day (im not related in anyway to the developer)
the quarantine removes it but store it automatically in another directory
just multiselect and press one button DONE
no need to single delete something because you always should backup first
for example turns out on samsungs device EMAIl application is also related to exchange sync - huh i was happy to restore it
really take a look -
btw i hate the root explorer - for some taksts might be usefull but fileexpert is way better in that and its free as the quaratine app is too
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You were right mate got problems in upgrading my nexus one coz i deleted the .odex system apps directly without any backup but upgraded to 2.3.6 with some trial and error method but lost root access any help would be appriciated
@0mpranav
Installing system app
Hi, i have the same problem. I tried Root Explorer, and the Shell Commands method (with Cat command), the files i copy are in there, with all the permissions and everything, but when i reboot, none of them are installed, and my "contacts" app is still broken. Can anyone help please?
Nevermind, found the problem. I needed the exact files for my Atrix 4G with the same android version.
Hello,
I have found a way to remove unwanted applications from probably any Android phone with stock ROM (like Motorola Defy XT320). Linux console basics needed.
Procedure is safe as long as you know what you are doing.
However if you remove important applications you will damage your ROM. Some bloatware is needed by ROM.
I do not take responsibility. Experiment, but backup your phone first!
1) Root phone
2) Install and setup SSHDroid on the phone
3) Connect through ssh to your phone and login as root. Depending on system use putty (WIN) or console command ssh (LINUX).
command: su (login as root)
4) Find package of the aplication you want to remove
command: pm list packages (list packages installed in the phone)
command: pm path <PACKAGE> (use package name found in previous step to determine where the file is)
5) Move to this folder and change file access rights and move file to ie. SD card. Probably you will need to remount first folder applications are in. So if application is in /flex/app, then remount only /flex as below.
command: mount -o rw,remount /<FOLDER>
command: chmod 777 <FILENAME>
command: mv <FILENAME> /mnt/sdcard/
6) Probably we don't need this, but change access rights to the file and remount folder again.
command: chmod 644 <FILENAME>
command: mount -o ro,remount /<FOLDER>
7) Enjoy more internal memory on your phone! Comments welcome!
[Guide] Moving applications to SD card
You can also move heavy applications to SD card and still use them.
Not all applications may be moved this way. Some will disappear from application menu.
I do not take responsibility. Experiment, but backup your phone first!
command: mv <FILENAME> /mnt/sdcard/
command: ln -s <TARGET FILENAME> <APPLICATION FILENAME>
In my example I have moved 10MB Quickoffice from internal memory to SD card and created symlink in /flex/app folder:
mv Quick* /mnt/sdcard/app/
ln -s /mnt/sdcard/app/Quickoffice-Motorola-SP-5_0_104_V_Signed_2012-01-03_10-18-47.apk Quickoffice-Motorola-SP-5_0_104_V_Signed_2012-01-03_10-18-47.apk
Works like a charm!
I think that is easier to remove through root explorer.
pgreed said:
I think that is easier to remove through root explorer.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You are probably right. I bought my first Android phone two days earlier. Pieces of software I have tried were unsuccessful in removing bloatware. So I was looking for other way. Using console allows you to remove ie. default wallpapers or sounds. It frees some additional memory which is scarce in Defy Mini.
Hey i have really messed up my nexus 4.Please help.I'll tell you my problem in short:I have flashed recovery.img onto userdata by mistake using quikIMG.So now the phone got reset and the whole phone was seemed wiped.There was nothing on the phone.Thats what i assumed after peeking into galary/music etc but when i connected my phone to the pc it is showning that the phone's 10gb is used.Basically it is showing that the data is still there.Can you tell me any way to bring back the data?
Try factory reset
This may or may not work, no guarantees. This will be difficult, time consuming, and you must do everything exactly as written; so read it first and ask questions before you begin. I am using a Windows PC, most of these commands will be similar on other OS's, those when in the adb shell are identical. This will require adb and a custom recovery (I use TWRP, so I'll be able to offer TWRP specific help quicker), find a method to flash that before you begin, and find where that recovery keeps it backup files. Also this will require you to flash a rooted ROM, of the same android version you had before: if you had stock, I recommend you flash stock and root it; either way, have that ready to go before you start. Lastly, the worst case scenario will require you to have a linux system and possibly some kind of removable media (USB stick, external HDD, etc), you can just boot a linux live disk, and that's what I'll be doing with Ubuntu; again, have this ready first. There will come a point about mid way through, where, depending on the results you may need to wait for me to follow up with you, I will try to do this in a timely manner, but I can't promise anything.
Basically what we are going to do is explore the file system in an adb shell while it is booted to a custom recovery, hopefully from there your /data and /sdcard partitions will still be intact; if they are not we may still be able to recover some of your data. If they are intact you can simply use the recovery to make a backup of them.
And so, with your phone connected to your computer, boot to recovery. Then open a command prompt and enter:
Code:
adb shell
cat /proc/mounts
The output will look like:
/dev/block/mmcblk0p23 /data ext4 rw,relatime,data=ordered 0 0
/dev/block/mmcblk0p23 /sdcard ext4 rw,relatime,data=ordered 0 0
/dev/block/mmcblk0p22 /cache ext4 rw,relatime,data=ordered 0 0
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
First is the block, then the mount point, then the file system type, last is information about how recovery treats it.
If you do not see /dev/block/mmcblk0p23 associated with a mount point then enter:
Code:
mount -o rw /dev/block/mmcblk0p23 /data
mount -o rw /dev/block/mmcblk0p23 /sdcard
If you get an error on both of these then skip to the breakt.
Now check both these directories to ensure it is the data you expect it to be, enter:
Code:
cd /data
ls
cd /sdcard
ls
Maybe go down a few levels to confirm your data is really there. If the output doesn't look right, then skip to the break.
Otherwise, enter:
Code:
exit
Use the phone screen to navigate to the backups menu and backup data.
When the backup is complete use adb pull to copy the backup onto your computer, this may take a very long time.
Code:
adb pull /sdcard/TWRP TWRP
Now flash your ROM, including a data wipe, and boot it, once it is running fully, reboot into recovery and push the backup to the phone.
Code:
adb push TWRP /sdcard/TWRP
Use the phone screen to restore the data.
--------------------THE BREAK, cause XDA automagically made these two posts one, ****ers--------------------
Hopefully you got this sorted out with the first part, this part may not work at all, and it will be a lot more tedious if it does. So, at this point something happened which indicates /mmcblk0p23 really did lose the data, so we'll just copy the whole thing and explore that copy in linux to extract what data you can.
With the phone in recovery, and a command prompt in an adb shell:
Code:
dd if=/dev/block/mmcblk0p23 of=/tmp/userdata.ext4
This may take a REALLY long time. When it is done, enter:
Code:
exit
adb pull /tmp/userdata.ext4
This will take just as long or longer. Transfer userdata.ext4 to your removable media device. And boot to your linux setup. Open a terminal window in the directory with userdata.ext4 enter:
Code:
sudo mkdir userdata
sudo mount -o loop userdata.ext4 userdata
cd userdata
ls
Now if any of your data still exist in a form I'd be able to help you recover, it will be in this directory, userdata. If you see something that you recognize, or that you know you need, copy it and save it to the removable media. After that you can reboot your system.
Go ahead and flash your new ROM now, let it fully book, and then copy back whatever you managed to save.
I kinda lost steam there toward the end, sorry, it's 0316 here. If anything is unclear ask away. Good luck.