Database Users

Is it possible to move/install any .apk to /system/app

sorry for the double post
Curious..........when we install .apks do they alreadly know where to install its self. some apks i can completely move to the /system/app/ and others go straight to /data/app where most apks go and cannot be moved without FCing
IS there a way to force all data that i want to system/app/
just wanted to know if this is possible...would be sweet
TIA

As far as I know if you install them manually you can install them wherever you want. System or data.
While rom building I've put non-standard apps into the system/app folder with no problem.

If you put them in the system/app folder you might need to make sure the permissions are set right.

bp328i said:
If you put them in the system/app folder you might need to make sure the permissions are set right.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well here is my situation.........
i want to use the HTC_IME_lo.apk mod found here http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=624416
then I would like to Remove the stock HTC_IME.apk im sure everyone does this...
then i cook
bake and
flash but it doesnt install
how do i edit the permissions or maybe there is another solution ???????
TIA fellow chefs

DS36 said:
Well here is my situation.........
i want to use the HTC_IME_lo.apk mod found here http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=624416
then I would like to Remove the stock HTC_IME.apk im sure everyone does this...
then i cook
bake and
flash but it doesnt install
how do i edit the permissions or maybe there is another solution ???????
TIA fellow chefs
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm probably out of my league here, but I would guess that you should be able to add in the new keyboard (to the SYSTEM folder), select the new keyboard as your default keyboard (using an SMS app or something), then once it's selected you're good to go. You may be able to even delete the old one at that point without any errors?
However, you mentioned cooking and baking so this is what's over my head. Sorry if this doesn't help you.
Also, like that other dude said... "other" apps like the ones installed from the Market usually go in DATA. I noticed that when some ROMs have Maps installed in SYSTEM and you go to update it, it will install the newer version in DATA. I remember seeing in the logcat during boot that the phone detects both versions and just ignores the older version in the SYSTEM folder.

DS36 said:
Well here is my situation.........
i want to use the HTC_IME_lo.apk mod found here http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=624416
then I would like to Remove the stock HTC_IME.apk im sure everyone does this...
then i cook
bake and
flash but it doesnt install
how do i edit the permissions or maybe there is another solution ???????
TIA fellow chefs
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have used that exact keyboard on ROMs in the past. I did a straight install from the SD card using a file explorer, Astro to be exact.
Maybe I'm missing what you are trying to accomplish, but that's how I installed it. I'm not up on the cooking and baking, but maybe it's different if you are trying to add it to the ROM prior to flashing?
To remove the standard HTC_IME.apk, I would install the new one first then go into adb shell and remove it that route.

The only way I know how to change permissions is by using the Root Explorer app. If you have that you mount r/w and navigate to the apk you wanna change. Then you long press it and go to permissions. It looks like all the ones in /system/app are "User: Read, Write; Group: Read; Others: Read". Hope this helped!

zwade01 said:
The only way I know how to change permissions is by using the Root Explorer app. If you have that you mount r/w and navigate to the apk you wanna change. Then you long press it and go to permissions. It looks like all the ones in /system/app are "User: Read, Write; Group: Read; Others: Read". Hope this helped!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Great info guys but actually im trying to build a Rom from scratch in the Rom Kitchen.......
when i flash the Rom to my Phone i want the keyboard i want and not the stock one built in at all....i actually remove it while in the kitchen....
so basically if you were to flash this rom to you phone the stock is gone and the custom will be there.....
P.S. I already know about removing the htc ime_mod via ADB after i flash but i want it gone before
TIA everyone great info

ANYBODY ??????

how to change from shubCraft to darkstone froyo :s

Hi, i have ShubCrafts android rom from early august currently on my HD2 and i want to change over to darkstone HD2Froyo V2.1.
I wanted to know if i backed up my apps using titanium backup will it keep all my data from the apps? furthermore can i backup my personal information - sms, contacts, and then restore them in darkstone's rom without any problems.
lastly on the root of my sdcard i have several folders from android apps, Grooveshark, Kindle, Espn score center etc and i wanted to know if i should reformat my sdcard and then place a single android folder on there with the darkstone files, or can i just rename/delete the shubCraft android folder and then just replace it with darkstone's and then run android.
oh one last thing, i wanted to ask how do i go about adding a 1GB data image, i will be trying to use this file - 1GB data.img v1.1 for DarkStone's Froyo v1! - and hopefully it is compatible. Will i just have to boot android for the first time let it create the data image and then replace it with the 1GB file i have downloaded, directly in android or boot back to winmo and then copy/paste it into the android folder.
So sorry for the multitude of questions being asked, any help appreciated.
Arigato Gozaimasu

I am also interested to see if this can be done. I just got a larger MicroSD card and I don't want to have to start from scratch.
Have you tried posting in the shubcraft build thread?

can anyone help us.... please

Hmmm. well I used this guide:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=741383
However make sure you read mstrk242 post on the 2nd page:
mstrk242 said:
I think some of the confusion on the linux side is resize2fs -p (size) is for block size not bytes. So 512000 is actually 2gb. If you do 256000 it worked for me my data.img was 4 block size. If you are using the build I am (mattc 1.4rc) this will work. I suggest copying the data.img to your hd and doing it there so you cant mess up the original. I also found that my build doesnt seem to like a bigger file than 1gb, but its the only one ive tested this on.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Only problem with this method is that you need linux (you could just use a live cd) and you kinda need to know how to start/use the terminal (which is a bit like cmd/command prompt on windows). But I've found this guide quite straight forward.

hey is anyone able to help, please i would greatly appreciate any answers to my problems.
thank you

ichigo786 said:
Hi, i have ShubCrafts android rom from early august currently on my HD2 and i want to change over to darkstone HD2Froyo V2.1.
I wanted to know if i backed up my apps using titanium backup will it keep all my data from the apps? furthermore can i backup my personal information - sms, contacts, and then restore them in darkstone's rom without any problems.
lastly on the root of my sdcard i have several folders from android apps, Grooveshark, Kindle, Espn score center etc and i wanted to know if i should reformat my sdcard and then place a single android folder on there with the darkstone files, or can i just rename/delete the shubCraft android folder and then just replace it with darkstone's and then run android.
oh one last thing, i wanted to ask how do i go about adding a 1GB data image, i will be trying to use this file - 1GB data.img v1.1 for DarkStone's Froyo v1! - and hopefully it is compatible. Will i just have to boot android for the first time let it create the data image and then replace it with the 1GB file i have downloaded, directly in android or boot back to winmo and then copy/paste it into the android folder.
So sorry for the multitude of questions being asked, any help appreciated.
Arigato Gozaimasu
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi,
I have frequently switched between shubcraft and Froyostone so might be able to help. I use Titanium back up.
1. Backup your current build using titanium backup (free on android market)
2. Download and extract your new build. What I also do is download the apk files (from www.freewarelovers.com) of a file manager such as Estrongs as well as Titanium backup and copy them into the 'AndroidApps' folder contained within the new build to be installed. This way they install on first boot and avoids me having to connect to market for their installation.
3. Go to your SD card and remove all your current native android files and folders. Leave folders that belong to your installed apps such as grooveshack, espn etc.
4. Copy your new build onto your SD card and boot.
5. After 1st boot, reboot again by pressing the power button.
6. Work though initial android set up
7. Go to settings>applications> tap 'unknown sources' > ok
8. Open your installed titanium back up. Tap 'backup/restore', Press windows hardkey button, select 'batch'. Scroll down on the list and tap 'restore missing apps + data'.
9. After installation, reboot device
10. Enjoy!!
NB: Froyostone v2. comes with 1GB data already!

[Q] Replacing build.prop?

hi!
in order to test something, i need to replace the build.prop in root/system with a modified one. but trying to delete this file with astro manager displays an error message, and just copying the modified build.prop over the old one doesn't work too (nothing happens).
so my question is: how do you replace such a file?
thanks in advance for your help

are you serious!?!?!?
If the build.prop is located on the Android folder IT HAS TO BE A SYSTEM FILE !!!
if you mod the system files you could break android or the system just won't let you do it, you will need R and W privileges to do that.
edit the system files from your PC or just boot up in to windows mobile.
use some common scene next time.
hope it helps!
Sent from my HTC HD2 using XDA App

Do you use a cyanogen build?

yes and there is already a cyanogen rom posted with the proper build.prop fixed, so you won't have to edit anything, just search for it.
Sent from my HTC HD2 using XDA App

mmmh actually cyanogen made things easy to replace a system file, just copy your file into sdcard/android/root/system and reboot.

thanks for your help / posts. but unfortunately they're not helpful.
yes, i am serious! and yes, of course it's a system file. i know as well that modification might brick android.
there are reasons for modifying this file. some people seem to be able to, e.g. for chaning screen point density or modify the data passthrough.
so, please tell me, how can i edit/modify a system file from pc or windows mobile when its within the data.img-file?
thanks for any tips / hints on this.

use root explorer

Sichroteph said:
mmmh actually cyanogen made things easy to replace a system file, just copy your file into sdcard/android/root/system and reboot.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you VERY much for your help - I finally got it to work by listening your instructions. It is simply different if you have HD2 and plus CM mod. That figures why it was going back all the time to 180 instead of changing it - because it runs from sd card and that's where it needs to be replaced as well ...

Droid Explorer

Install your own apps via xRecovery - Collection of xRecovery files

Hi Guys!
Now that finally the devs arrived with some amazing ROMs, I change these ROMs a lot every day. But I experienced some problems because I often do that at work where I don't have adb shell available. So I created an xRecovery zip-file to install Android Terminal Emulator before booting into the ROM the first time.
That gave me the idea to offer you some zip-files with useful (free) applications you perhaps want to have pre-installed on any ROM before booting it.
I also attached two blank zip-files where you can easily add your own apps, perhaps a preferred keyboard in your language or whatever you want to push onto your phone via xRecovery.
If somebody's interested we could turn this into some kind of collection for universally usable xRecovery files.
How to use the blank zip-files:
To use this method, you need to have the app available as an apk-file, of course.
If you have the app already installed on the ROM you're looking to replace, you can just use a root file manager like Root Explorer to copy and paste the apk file from \data\app\ to your SD card.
If you cannot get the apk file, you can request it here or send me a PM and I'll try to prepare the zip-file for you. Don't ask me to do this with paid apps! This whole method is meant to be used with free apps and I will not add or support warez in any form!
Okay, now let's start. As you can see, I attached two blank zip-files: blank_data-app.zip and blank_system-app.zip. Why two of them?
There are basically two locations where you'll want to install your own apk's:
\data\app\ --> contains all non-system-relevant user apps and should be your choice in most cases. If you install here, you can easily uninstall the apps later if you don't need them anymore.
\system\app\ --> contains system-relevant and pre-installed apps such as vending.apk / phonebook.apk / Email.apk / Gmail.apk / Calender.apk / etc.
Only install here if you want to replace one of these apps with a themed one or if you want to force-update market for example! It's not possible to uninstall anything you installed here the usual way! You'll have to use Titanium Backup or another third-party app.
Only overwrite existing apps in this folder if you know what you're doing!
So, just choose where you want to install your app, open (NOT extract!) the corresponding file with a zip-file manager of your choice (I'd recommend 7Zip or WinRAR) and drag the apk-file you want to install into data\app\ (for blank_data-app.zip) or system\app\ (for blank_system-app.zip. pretty obvious, huh? ). Confirm to copy the file there and close the zip file.
That's it. Now you just have to give your zip-file an appropriate name and push it onto your SD card to install it via xRecovery-->install custom zip-->choose custom zip from sdcard.
__________________________________________________
Some comments on the zip-files attached:
- Android_Terminal_Emulator.zip:
This is useful if you installed a new ROM and experience problems like flashing homescreen or no GSM/data connection. In that case, open ATE and type the following:
su (confirm SuperUser rights)
busybox killall servicemanager
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This will restart the phone and hopefully solve your problems. (I know this mini guide seems not to fit here, but perhaps someone reads it before spamming the dev thread with questions that were answered a thousand times )
- JIT_Enabler_v2-zdz.zip:
all KUDOS go to zdzihu. Make sure you visit his thread to always get the latest version of JIT Enabler.
Note that you only need this file on 2.1 ROMs where JIT Enabler isn't pre-enabled! On 2.2+ ROMs JIT is always included.
- New Market V2.2.11.zip:
Make sure to sign into your google account and open market once (accept licence agreement) before you update to the new market. Many people experience problems if they don't do this!
- TitaniumBackup-3.6.7.1.zip:
You can also create this file yourself. If you open TB and tap on Settings-->more... there's an option to create an update.zip
- XDA_app.zip:
Useful for any kind of problems of course
__________________________________________________
So, not much of a collection at the moment, but perhaps there's interest for something like that. If you know something that will come handy to have it preinstalled, just tell me!
Cheers
qwer23

very nice idea, but i was wondering if there is a guide to how to make .zip files for xrecovery
"instead of giving me a fish to eat for a day, teach me how to fish!"
Sent from my X10 using Tapatalk

mezo9090 said:
very nice idea, but i was wondering if there is a guide to how to make .zip files for xrecovery
"instead of giving me a fish to eat for a day, teach me how to fish!"
Sent from my X10 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i like that point of view! well i only found one for creating a whole update. zip for a rom with android kitchen I can explain some of the basics inside this zip file this evening after work. a zip just for installing apps is created quite easily. it gets more complicated if you have to set permissions and things like that.
Sent from my rooted X10i using XDA App

good idea!
thanks

Great! thanks a lot for this useful guide, I will use it.
Just one question in the same line like mezo, If I already have a rom zip file and I want to add to this rom the apps, would it be possible? and Could you explain us? or its just copy the files inside the \data\app\ folder?
Thanks again for your help.

Great idea, thanks!
Sent from my Freex10 2.2.1 Darkstyle

770G said:
Great! thanks a lot for this useful guide, I will use it.
Just one question in the same line like mezo, If I already have a rom zip file and I want to add to this rom the apps, would it be possible? and Could you explain us? or its just copy the files inside the \data\app\ folder?
Thanks again for your help.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
As long as the apps aren't system-relevan, it's as easy as that, yes
For all of you willing to learn more: I'm quite a noob, too, but I'll try to make a tutorial on how to create recovery zip-files as soon as I can.
Won't be today though, because I'll go out to party into my birthday this evening
So long,
qwer23

mezo9090 said:
very nice idea, but i was wondering if there is a guide to how to make .zip files for xrecovery
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You can use the Android Kitchen to create custom zip files, I use the Cygwin method as it makes file management a little easier imo.

Great idea man, a lot of thanks!

1 zip - several apps
Is it possible to create one zip to install several apk's?
Maybe I have a few "stock" apps, the ones that I always need, and want to install all in a single step.
Can this be done or I have to install one by one even using xRecovery?
Thanks!
Great tuto and thank you for sharing

jpdediego said:
Is it possible to create one zip to install several apk's?
Maybe I have a few "stock" apps, the ones that I always need, and want to install all in a single step.
Can this be done or I have to install one by one even using xRecovery?
Thanks!
Great tuto and thank you for sharing
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
you can throw as many apps as you want into the zip file. everything inside the data\app folder will be installed
Sent from my rooted X10i using XDA App

Hello all. Ihave a problem with xRecovery 0.2 (the last release) when I reboot my phone holding the back button a few moments after the SE Logo appears, it doesn't work. I've installed it with the xRecovery installer and with the FlashTool with BusyBox 1.17 installed. I'm on a X10 2.1 Generic . Thaks

Gugoo said:
Hello all. Ihave a problem with xRecovery 0.2 (the last release) when I reboot my phone holding the back button a few moments after the SE Logo appears, it doesn't work. I've installed it with the xRecovery installer and with the FlashTool with BusyBox 1.17 installed. I'm on a X10 2.1 Generic . Thaks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Firstly, the xRecovery depends upon its version of busybox. In the version I use it is 1. 15. 3
So re-install xRecovery(just in case).
Secondly, u don't hv to keep the back key pressed but tap it a few times repeatedly during the screen with "Sony Ericsson" logo.
Hope this helps.
Regards
kLouD™
Sent from my X10i on zdzihu's 2.2.1(beta3) using XDA App

thanks for the info!

kloud_ said:
Secondly, u don't hv to keep the back key pressed but tap it a few times repeatedly during the screen with "Sony Ericsson" logo.
Hope this helps.
Regards
kLouD™
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thx but that doesn't working =(

it works ! thx

bro i need your help... im using froyo custom rom on my x10.. now i need to install backup & restore apps but it said apps cannot installed. so how to install it using xrecovery... i have the apk as well.. but i think the apk is for Eclair.

Sof_600 said:
bro i need your help... im using froyo custom rom on my x10.. now i need to install backup & restore apps but it said apps cannot installed. so how to install it using xrecovery... i have the apk as well.. but i think the apk is for Eclair.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
sorry, backup and restore only works with stock se rom and mods based on it (like kx10 or blue sparks,...). it's impossible to install on any 2.2/2. 3 or 2.1 AOSP rom.
Sent from my rooted X10i using XDA App

in deed ..you only have to press twice.. (press one..wait one sec then press again and release...and wait for the terminal to popup) voilà!
--------
hey im having a problem.
I know that you will say "this belong to another thread" but since this way i can trick the thing and install again the system apps like the Package administrator etc, i need to know what to do in mi case with this method:
mi BETA3 was working smooth!
iv been using the BETA3 a long time but some days ago, suddently i couldn't install apps anymore (thouse that are in mi SD or frome the market...not even Applanet...nothing)
The screen shows the "barber shop black and white" bar rolling and rolling and never stop.
Mi USB detection is not working, that means that mi PC is recognazing the phone (it sound like a UYSB is been conected) but never apear the folder of the SD. nto even options of debugging usb etc in the notification bar of the device.
and when i get in Settings> runing aplications, all aplication are in "calculating..." mode. so they say 00 mb. and never stop triying to get the numbers. its so odd.
the other aplication (that came installed with the BETA) works fine.
I have tryed, erasing the firmwares and isntalling them from the beginning and everything worked fine with old firms like 2.0 and 2.1 update1. too!
then i do the root (first z4root, then busybox, then xRecovery) and make xrecovery work. install the beta 3, and again i can't do anything.
i triyed installing the BETA4 but never stop rebooting so i just yield and stick with BETA3.
any idea..plzzz!!! i really don't whon't to use Eclair...it's just so ugly!!

it's not working on mi xRecovery. i put the apps insinde app folder of thwe .zip and put it in a random folder of mi SD, then do >the Recovery > install custom.zip>Choose from SD card>confirm install the selected "blank_data-app.zip".
and it say:
Finding update package.....
opening update package.....
E i asume E means Error!) can't open blablabla/blblabla folder/blank_data-app.zip (bad)
installation Abnorted.
i asume iv done something wrong...!?!?
PS: BTW can somebody sen me the original .apk of FROYO bwecasue i can't find them , to use the system-apps.zip
thanxxx!!!

Question about booting android

Im trading my HD7 for a HD2 on monday and i was looking at roms, i was placed into an instant confusion. What does it me to put files into sdcard/andriod, do you have to make your own folder cause im pretty sure the sd card doesnt already have that folder and how do you go to haret.exe from the phone itself? the hd7 functions are not the same so maybe thats why i have no idea whats going on.
Please help
-Thank You

Here's a link to the procedure to add Android using SD builds. Once you do the required steps, Haret, etc. will be added and you will not need to manually add them yourself. If you do not need Windows, I would recommend the NAND ROMs using CWM. Using CWM, you will be able to quickly change ROMs. Also, I found that the NAND ROMs boot faster and use less battery in standby and actual use.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=881958

Basically what that means is to create a folder on the root of your SD card called "Android" and copy the ROM files to it then on your phone go to WinMo's built-in file manager and open the Android folder and run CLRCAD (audio file) then Haret.exe and you'll boot in to Android.

thank you for the replies, but would you mind giving me a step by step instruction for the NAND boot too then if thats more recommended since i wont be using windows anymore.

dxaznxk said:
thank you for the replies, but would you mind giving me a step by step instruction for the NAND boot too then if thats more recommended since i wont be using windows anymore.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Check the stickie roll up threads, or click the guide link in my sig I have to links to how to install Android at the top of my guide. Or one more suggestion.........
Use Search!