Database Users

help with modifying cm roms

i really like cyanogen, but i dont like a lot of the bloat that comes with it (adw launcher especially) but when i try and remove it from the .zip and put launcher2 in, sometime cwr wont install it, but sometimes it does, is there a specific method to create the .zips? ive also tried to install launcher2 through adb, but it always fails

After you install the rom remove it with titanium backup. Easy. I wouldn't muck around with zip files.

Root uninstaller works well to
Sent from my 'SilverBullet' HTCDesireZ running CM7

Mine is in terminal/adb
I get LP installed and go into adb shell
Remount the systen
Then do rm /system/app/adwlauncher.apk
And I go on my merry way,
Can do this in terminal too

This is what I have been using. Removes adw and themes and add stock launcher.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=933517

Are you unzipping the ROM or just opening it? If you unzip it then yes, you will run into some huge issues unless you know what you're doing.

[Q] How to deodex .605

I am trying to figure out how to deodex stock gingerbread .605. I am already rooted and have past experience flashing zips, roms, etc. I went back to stock because I was having problems with just about every rom I installed. I could not find a tutorial for .605 specifically so I was hoping that someone could help me out.
Thanks guys

The manual de-odexing method detailed in the DX themes section still works. I just did mine using xUltimate v2.3.3. You need to have a grasp of what the linux commands do though so you can handle anything unexpected. On mine, I ran out of room copying the framework jar files back so I deleted the odex files then retried it.
I also found a deodexer zip that works with CWM v2.x but not later versions because the script language being used is amend which was deimplemented after Froyo. I might convert it to edify if enough ppl are interested. google "4.5.605 deodexer" for the link at mydroidworld.com.
edit:
If you get deodexed and are interested in the two other zip files there (one gives the stock 605 rom the CRT off effect and the other does that and also eliminates the dual-unlock screen when you have a lock method going) then ping me for the edify versions. I'm using them on mine currently.

At my wits end here, what could possibly be going wrong?

Hey everyone.
As many of you know, the S4 system files don't seem to like playing nice. For me, it seems i can't modify literally any of them. No matter what i do, they force close after being baksmali'd.
I've even gone as far as d compile base apk > compile it back to an apk without moding ANYTHING > pushing to the phone.
Nothing will work until i go back to the stock apk the rom flashed with.
I'm currently using apktool1.52, with the 5-13-2103 aapt binary. I've installed the framework-res (if) from the rom itself as well.
Only commands i'm issuing is apktool d name.apk and apktool b name
The apks build fine, minus a few warning messages (no errors).
Does anyone have any idea what could be happening? This is driving me nuts.

kallell said:
Hey everyone.
As many of you know, the S4 system files don't seem to like playing nice. For me, it seems i can't modify literally any of them. No matter what i do, they force close after being baksmali'd.
I've even gone as far as d compile base apk > compile it back to an apk without moding ANYTHING > pushing to the phone.
Nothing will work until i go back to the stock apk the rom flashed with.
I'm currently using apktool1.52, with the 5-13-2103 aapt binary. I've installed the framework-res (if) from the rom itself as well.
Only commands i'm issuing is apktool d name.apk and apktool b name
The apks build fine, minus a few warning messages (no errors).
Does anyone have any idea what could be happening? This is driving me nuts.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Bump?

Backup existing Kernel - Adb or Zip file mothod

Hi, I'm trying various kernels on my rom.
Therefore I'd like to backup my existing kernel.
I know TWRP can easily do this.
However for information I'd like to know manual adb method, or terminal commands.
Or is there a Zip file which I can run to automate the process

why not just keep the kernel zip file in your storage?
as a hobby, i test kernels, trinity kernel to be exact. i probably have 20-30 kernels in my storage at all times. when im want to run my favorite again, i just reflash it. i cant imagine why id want to back up a kernel.

[Q] any PH1 rom with no GAPPS?

Hi All,
I am interested in any ROM, preferably based on LOS, that has no GAPPS pre-installed?
Is there any such? nougat, oreo, and whatever P is... doesn't matter.
A follow-up question for the more technically advanced than I: why is this such a problem for PH1? I believe the PIXEL phones also have A/B partitions, and are supported by LOS
Thanks!

lleo_ said:
Hi All,
I am interested in any ROM, preferably based on LOS, that has no GAPPS pre-installed?
Is there any such? nougat, oreo, and whatever P is... doesn't matter.
A follow-up question for the more technically advanced than I: why is this such a problem for PH1? I believe the PIXEL phones also have A/B partitions, and are supported by LOS
Thanks!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The number of developers fixing issues on the pixel vs this phone is astounding...

rignfool said:
The number of developers fixing issues on the pixel vs this phone is astounding...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I do recognize that, but given similarities between devices, would not be possible to adopt the work done by those developers. Granted that I ask this with the knowledge of a noob.
To follow up are you saying that there is no such as GAPPS-less ROM for PH1?

lleo_ said:
I do recognize that, but given similarities between devices, would not be possible to adopt the work done by those developers. Granted that I ask this with the knowledge of a noob.
To follow up are you saying that there is no such as GAPPS-less ROM for PH1?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There are... But they come and go as far as updates and such...
The demand is for Google... And moar features without losing Google...
Now... What you can do/try is wander over to the Project Trebble area... I would assume that you will find a plethora of development...
You're gonna be wading in some unknown territory... And it'll be a mystery as to what works... And whether it's fixable... Good luck
EDIT: or... You can magisk yourself... And try NanoMod... I think that disables a ton of Google stuff and puts FOSS stuff in it's place...

Sir! Thank You for your post. At first I thought it was a joke, but I learned something today. The concept and related work of project Treble bypassed me. I have already a GApps-less LOS on my Ph1. Again thanks!

Don't know if this applies, but lots of ppl are successfully running GSIs on the Essential.
Maybe some of them are GAPP-less?

@lleo_ another thing you can always do, is run Stock Android and Debloat it and run it Gapp Free, just like any custom rom...
As they say YMMV (Your Mileage May Vary), and I found Stock Oreo to be more stable on the Essential, so I debloated it, made it Deodex and patched for Signature Spoofing and of course Gapp Free. I still have the Gboard, Contacts, Messeges, and Phone, but these can be removed and replaced easily, any and everything Google can be taken out.
See the screen shot...

DoR3M3 said:
@lleo_ another thing you can always do, is run Stock Android and Debloat it and run it Gapp Free, just like any custom rom...
As they say YMMV (Your Mileage May Vary), and I found Stock Oreo to be more stable on the Essential, so I debloated it, made it Deodex and patched for Signature Spoofing and of course Gapp Free. I still have the Gboard, Contacts, Messeges, and Phone, but these can be removed and replaced easily, any and everything Google can be taken out.
See the screen shot...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hey can you explain how to debloat, is there a script for it. How do you patch it and deodex it.
Thanks

arjunv said:
Hey can you explain how to debloat, is there a script for it. How do you patch it and deodex it.
Thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
These steps below, you're probably going to wonder, why do I need to Deodex and Signature Spoof just to debloat? Good point, you don't, but then you can only get so far away from Google in your system by not doing this. The point to this method is to have Signature Spoofing support in Android, where you can better utilize microg support, to have it as the alternative instead of Google.
The Deodex and Nanodroid-patcher support, only need to be performed if you are running Stock Android, or a ROM that has not been Deodex and doesn't support Signature Spoofing. This also doesn't have to be done, if you still want to run the Google Services/Framework.
If you only want to Debloat, then follow the Debloat section below.
For the Deodex, YMMV (Your Mileage May Vary), but it's been working great for me, so here goes!
I did this on Stock Oreo 8.1.0 which has both odex and vdex files in /system/framework, so I followed the VDEX method mentioned below.
This is going to be easy if you're a Linux User/Geek, if you are running Windows and have never done anything like this, and if you have both odex and vdex files on your phone in /system/framework, then I can do this for you if you want, unless you want to get into learning this.
If you want me to, then in TWRP, click Mount and click on System at the top to mount it and then run this command in the command prompt, I'm assuming you have adb/fastboot installed...
adb pull /system/framework framework If that doesn't work, it typically ends up being, adb pull /system/system/framework framework
I'm assuming your device is arm64, so then look in the directory; framework/oat/arm64/ or /arm, and attach the services.vdex file and I'll patch it for you.
Deodex & Signature Spoofing
1. Check /system/framework, do you see both .odex and .vdex files?
2. If you have both .odex and .vdex files follow the guide under VDEX, if you only have .odex files, then follow the ODEX section. Don't be confused by the guide as only having either services.vdex or services.odex. You are looking to see if all the files are one or the other or both.
https://gitlab.com/Nanolx/NanoDroid/blob/master/doc/DeodexServices.md
3. If you have both files and need to follow the VDEX method in Windows, then you'll need cygwin as stated on the vdexExtractor Github, and install zlib-devel from the cygwin installer. cygwin as stated on the site is a collection of GNU and Open Source tools, this allows you to compile the vdexExtractor source in Windows into the running program.
https://www.cygwin.com/
4. If you have to do the ODEX method the baksmali.jar and smali.jar are already built, there's a download for them on the GitHub page, and you'll need to have Java JRE installed.
http://www.oracle.com/technetwork/java/javase/downloads/jre8-downloads-2133155.html
Whether I'm patching it, or you follow one of the methods I've described, once this is done, you'll need to download the latest NanoDroid-patcher. This is what patches the Deodex ROM to apply signature spoofing support.
https://forum.xda-developers.com/apps/magisk/module-nanomod-5-0-20170405-microg-t3584928 - Stable Download (Nanolx)
Be sure to also grab NanoDroid-fdroid if you don't have F-droid installed. You might want to also grab NanoDroid-microG while you're at it, if you want to go for a real system Google Debloat too, but any concerns, or issues, please post on Setialpha's NanoDroid post for any microg support.
As soon as you're done with the Deodex steps, at the bottom the tutorials clearly state; unmount /system and flash the NanoDroid-Patcher, so uncheck System that you checked before in Mount, and now install/flash NanoDroid-patcher, TWRP > Install
If the device is not rooted, then make sure to root it with Magisk. Personally I find it best with the Essential to now boot to the bootloader, then boot back into TWRP. In TWRP flash NanoDroid-fdroid if you grabbed it, then the boot.img and then Magisk, then boot into the System.
Debloating Apps Systemlessly
1. Open Magisk Manager - Downloads - search for Debloater, then you should see Debloater (Terminal Emulator).
2. Reboot
3. Now you'll need a terminal emulator in Android because Debloater (Terminal Emulator) runs from the command line, it doesn't have a GUI. I recommend using Termux, it's a very powerful terminal emulator with lots of things going on about it. If you didn't install F-Droid as I mentioned before, then you should of noticed on the NanoDroid download link NanoDroid-fdroid, download this and flash/install it in TWRP.
4. Now with F-Droid, open it, go to Settings and turn on Expert mode and check Privileged Extension, then close and reopen F-Droid. Next, search for and install Termux.
5. Open Termux and at the command prompt type su for superuser access. On a side note, if you don't know, or have never used Termux, press and hold Vol UP on the phone and tap q on the keyboard which will give you some short cut options. But you'll want to go online to their Wiki and learn about the power of Termux.
6. Now simply type debloat and remove what you want. Remember if you make a mistake, you have Option 4 to reinstall what you removed by mistake.
That's all there is to Deodex, Signature Spoof Patching and Debloating apps systemlessly in Android.
If the VDEX/ODEX methods don't work for some strange reason, then you'll want to explore using SuperR's Kitchen to Deodex the rom, and most people recommend you get the donate version for better features and support.
https://forum.xda-developers.com/ap...dows-linux-superr-s-kitchen-v3-0-0-0-t3601702
Good Luck

DoR3M3 said:
These steps below, you're probably going to wonder, why do I need to Deodex and Signature Spoof just to debloat? Good point, you don't, but then you can only get so far away from Google in your system by not doing this. The point to this method is to have Signature Spoofing support in Android, where you can better utilize microg support, to have it as the alternative instead of Google.
The Deodex and Nanodroid-patcher support, only need to be performed if you are running Stock Android, or a ROM that has not been Deodex and doesn't support Signature Spoofing. This also doesn't have to be done, if you still want to run the Google Services/Framework.
If you only want to Debloat, then follow the Debloat section below.
For the Deodex, YMMV (Your Mileage May Vary), but it's been working great for me, so here goes!
I did this on Stock Oreo 8.1.0 which has both odex and vdex files in /system/framework, so I followed the VDEX method mentioned below.
This is going to be easy if you're a Linux User/Geek, if you are running Windows and have never done anything like this, and if you have both odex and vdex files on your phone in /system/framework, then I can do this for you if you want, unless you want to get into learning this.
If you want me to, then in TWRP, click Mount and click on System at the top to mount it and then run this command in the command prompt, I'm assuming you have adb/fastboot installed...
adb pull /system/framework framework If that doesn't work, it typically ends up being, adb pull /system/system/framework framework
I'm assuming your device is arm64, so then look in the directory; framework/oat/arm64/ or /arm, and attach the services.vdex file and I'll patch it for you.
Deodex & Signature Spoofing
1. Check /system/framework, do you see both .odex and .vdex files?
2. If you have both .odex and .vdex files follow the guide under VDEX, if you only have .odex files, then follow the ODEX section. Don't be confused by the guide as only have either services.vdex or services.odex. You are looking to see if all the files are one or the other or both.
https://gitlab.com/Nanolx/NanoDroid/blob/master/doc/DeodexServices.md
3. If you have both files and need to follow the VDEX method in Windows, then you'll need cygwin as stated on the vdexExtractor Github, and install zlib-devel from the cygwin installer. cygwin as stated on the site is a collection of GNU and Open Source tools, this allows you to compile the vdexExtractor source in Windows into the running program.
https://www.cygwin.com/
4. If you have to do the ODEX method the baksmali.jar and smali.jar are already built, there's a download for them on the GitHub page, and you'll need to have Java JRE installed.
http://www.oracle.com/technetwork/java/javase/downloads/jre8-downloads-2133155.html
Whether I'm patching it, or you follow one of the methods I've described, once this is done, you'll need to download the latest NanoDroid-patcher. This is what patches the Deodex ROM to apply signature spoofing support.
https://forum.xda-developers.com/apps/magisk/module-nanomod-5-0-20170405-microg-t3584928 - Stable Download (Nanolx)
Be sure to also grab NanoDroid-fdroid if you don't have F-droid installed. You might want to also grab NanoDroid-microG while you're at it, if you want to go for a real system Google Debloat too, but any concerns, or issues, please post on Setialpha's NanoDroid post for any microg support.
As soon as you're done with the Deodex steps, at the bottom the tutorials clearly state; unmount /system and flash the NanoDroid-Patcher, so uncheck System that you checked before in Mount, and now install/flash NanoDroid-patcher, TWRP > Install
If the device is not rooted, then make sure to root it with Magisk. Personally I find it best with the Essential to now boot to the bootloader, then boot back into TWRP. In TWRP flash NanoDroid-fdroid if you grabbed it, then the boot.img and then Magisk, then boot into the System.
Debloating Apps Systemlessly
1. Open Magisk Manager - Downloads - search for Debloater, then you should see Debloater (Terminal Emulator).
2. Reboot
3. Now you'll need a terminal emulator in Android because Debloater (Terminal Emulator) runs from the command line, it doesn't have a GUI. I recommend using Termux, it's a very powerful terminal emulator with lots of things going on about it. If you didn't install F-Droid as I mentioned before, then you should of noticed on the NanoDroid download link NanoDroid-fdroid, download this and flash/install it in TWRP.
4. Now with F-Droid, open it, go to Settings and turn on Expert mode and check Privileged Extension, then close and reopen F-Droid. Next, search for and install Termux.
5. Open Termux and at the command prompt type su for superuser access. On a side note, if you don't know, or have never used Termux, press and hold Vol UP on the phone and tap q on the keyboard which will give you some short cut options. But you'll want to go online to their Wiki and learn about the power of Termux.
6. Now simply type debloat and remove what you want. Remember if you make a mistake, you have Option 4 to reinstall what you removed by mistake.
That's all there is to Deodex, Signature Spoof Patching and Debloating apps systemlessly in Android.
If the VDEX/ODEX methods don't work for some strange reason, then you'll want to explore using SuperR's Kitchen to Deodex the rom, and most people recommend you get the donate version for better features and support.
https://forum.xda-developers.com/ap...dows-linux-superr-s-kitchen-v3-0-0-0-t3601702
Good Luck
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you so much for a detailed post

DoR3M3 said:
@lleo_ another thing you can always do, is run Stock Android and Debloat it and run it Gapp Free, just like any custom rom...
As they say YMMV (Your Mileage May Vary), and I found Stock Oreo to be more stable on the Essential, so I debloated it, made it Deodex and patched for Signature Spoofing and of course Gapp Free. I still have the Gboard, Contacts, Messeges, and Phone, but these can be removed and replaced easily, any and everything Google can be taken out.
See the screen shot...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Stoked to see two things here...1.) the answer to the question I was searching for about running my Essential with no gapps...and 2.) your choice in file explorers!