Database Users

[Q] making system apks Into regular installable apks.

I was wondering how to make a system apk such as idk the browser into a regular installable apk so that someone with no knowledge of pushing apks can install it along side their apk.

Generally system apps are just normal apps, only installed on a system partition. If you pull a system apk from a device, then you should be able to install it normally on any other device.
There are exceptions from this rule:
You can't install an app if you have it installed already. Many system apps are installed on most devices by default and this is the reason, why you can't install e.g. Browser.apk pulled from other device - most probably you have it installed already.
There are 2 solutions: you could remove system app before installation of new one or just replace it - but this isn't what you want. To create normal, installable apk you would have to modify its package name as I did with Google Maps.
Some system apps use system internals, private APIs or privileges, some additional libraries, etc. For example Settings.apk changes internal settings of OS - you can't do that in normal apk.
You can't easily move/install such apps, they're integrated with system.

thanks for this long great reply. So lets say I pulled my dialer apk changed the package name, could I install it on a friends phone NOT on the system partition ?
I'm trying to pull the dialer apk from gingerbread and port it into a normal apk using apk tool, but once and changed the package name and all that and compile it I go to install it on my phone but it says that it could not open it as an apk file. Any ideas?

Newklearx3 said:
thanks for this long great reply. So lets say I pulled my dialer apk changed the package name, could I install it on a friends phone NOT on the system partition ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think not. Note that Phone.apk is only one app that can dial, you can't add such feature to your own app, so most probably it uses private APIs to do that. It's integrated-with-system one. Same for Settings.apk and PackageManager.apk, but you should be able to pull Browser.apk, Launcher.apk, MMS.apk, Gmail.apk, Talk.apk, etc., change their package name and install on another device.
Ahh, there is one more group: SenseUI, Motoblur, etc. apps, which use additional framework resources: images, colors, texts. They won't work on a device lacking this framework, but it should be possible to make these apps framework-independent by copying all dependencies to app itself. Not that easy, but possible

Brut.all said:
I think not. Note that Phone.apk is only one app that can dial, you can't add such feature to your own app, so most probably it uses private APIs to do that. It's integrated-with-system one. Same for Settings.apk and PackageManager.apk, but you should be able to pull Browser.apk, Launcher.apk, MMS.apk, Gmail.apk, Talk.apk, etc., change their package name and install on another device.
Ahh, there is one more group: SenseUI, Motoblur, etc. apps, which use additional framework resources: images, colors, texts. They won't work on a device lacking this framework, but it should be possible to make these apps framework-independent by copying all dependents to app itself. Not that easy, but possible
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Dude, you're amazing! So how would I go about porting the gingerbread dialer to workable installable apk?
I might be doing something wrong but I pulled the launcher and changed the package name and still the same error
Okay, i guess I'm not. I copied the apk ( unmodded ) from the rom zip and placed it on my SD card to install it and the same error, so there must be something wrong.
figured out it was the sdk version, got it to show up but wont install now.

im also interested in porting specific development apk, lets say.. CM Settings into a non Cyanogen. Tried that once by pulling CM*.apk and push it to other non Cyanogen but got cant be installed message.. any hints on this?

phoezies said:
im also interested in porting specific development apk, lets say.. CM Settings into a non Cyanogen. Tried that once by pulling CM*.apk and push it to other non Cyanogen but got cant be installed message.. any hints on this?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Use logcat as a start to see dependencies
XDA App

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!!!

[Q] How to use application from a rom to another

Hi i have a question.
I tried different roms , and i noticed that the galaxy's one has a superb application for reading PDF (is the best i've ever tried...very fast). Now i'm on Virtuos Asus base rom and i would like to use Ebook readr form Galaxy one.
I have extracted ebook.apk from zip rom file and then installed on new rom.
Program starts but after start scannig for PDF close.
Is the right way to use application or i must copy something else from source rom??
Thaks in advnace

I've used Titanium backup
Sent from my Nexus One using XDA App

Thanks for suggest.
Unfortuynately at now i haven't possibility to do that.Is there any other solution??
If not i will installa rom again and then back it up with Titanium.
Thanks

Hey thats it. But you can also create an folder @ SD card with your preferred apps. Youse apk extractor or anything else which let's you extract an apk file... Fx can do it also. Nice tools get from fdroid repo..
You must extract apk from running system or unzipped....

Soft key color change?

I'm curious if anyone has used Rom Toolbox, and knows if it can change the color of the three soft key colors (you know, back, home, task mgr)? Or do you know how to do this WITHOUT running a ROM. I'm not a big fan of ROMs. I know how to manually replace the boot animation, but figured if ROM Toolbox can do both of these, then I will use it. Either my search skills are very crappy (which I know to be fact, lol) or nobody has ever really posted about this. Any help would be appreciated. These are last two things I need to finish my customizing. Thanks.
EDIT: CRAP! Can a mod move this to the Q&A? That's where I was, and I somehow ended up in the General section, lol. Thanks.

Edit the systemui.apk file, in the res/drawable-hdpi folder all the icons are there.
Custom ROM not needed, just root since it's a system file.
Sent from my Nexus 7 using xda premium

More difficult than thought. I extracted SystemUI.apk from "system/app", replaced the default images with the ones I want to use, zipped it back up, renamed it from SystemUI.zip to SystemUI.apk, and then when I attempted to paste it back into system/app, it wouldn't let me since the folder is read only. I can't seem to change the permissions of "/system/app" so that I can paste this in there. I had a feeling this try wouldn't work, as I got the instructions from a Galaxy Nexus instruction which stated that it would really only work if a deodexed ROM was installed, but figured i'd give it a shot anyway.
I also tried using ROM ToolBox. Created my theme, but it says the theme is incompatible when I try to install it (followed the directions step by step for creating the theme). Looks like I may have to contact the developer of RTB since it would appear that the Nexus 7 isn't supported yet.
"We have compared the images and apps with your current system and have determined that this theme will not work for your current device setup."
Any other thoughts? Am I doing something wrong? Just don't really have a need for a full fledged ROM. Just wanna change 3 little software buttons, lol.
EDIT:
Forgot to mention that I also tried Zip Themer, but like RTB, it doesn't support Nexus 7 yet. I'll be sure to inform both developers

Use root explorer, put the modded apk on your SD then using the phone copy it from SD to /system/app with root explorer and click the mount r/w button at top , or use adb t push it to the device
Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk 2

If your rom is odexed (which the stock.rom is), then you will not be able.to achieve what you want...
You will need to deodex your rom before theme'ing
Sent from my HTC One X using xda premium

Building first ROM for G900V

Good day, all!
I've been working on [my first] ROM for Verizon S5 and everything seems to be going great! I've cleaned out as much Samsung/Verizon/Google trash as I can, applied some tweaks to build.prop, changed some default apps to (IMHO) better replacements, and anything that is left (functions correctly) has been moved to /data/app so they can be Uninstalled fully (not just Turned Off). Just a few quick questions:
1) How can I "bake-in" app data? I have replaced the normal, crap launcher with Holo Launcher and cannot seem to get correct permissions when the ROM is installed thru SS. I believe the issue is permissions for /data/data/ get screwed up or not set correctly. I have looked and looked and tried to determine the correct permissions, but still no joy. I've tried to fix /data/data permissions in the updater-script, but it seems like each subfolder/file has different permissions making me think I'll have to go thru them one-by-one.
I have a work-around in place using a OneTimeInit script that does work, but it seems like that's not really the best approach?
2) Kind of ties into question number 1, I patched the framework-res.apk in to allow WiFiHotspot, but without being able to install the system settings data properly, there is not a "Quick Shortcut". Again, I've resolved the problem using the OneTimeInit to update Sqlite DBs after the system is up.
3) How do I de-odex the stock ROM? Using Android Kitchen doesn't seem to do it right. It works mostly but I still seem to get various FCs. I tend to believe that some things just cannot (should not) be De-Odex'd?
I've also discontinued Zip-Aligning because it sometimes produces errors on my ROM. Is it not advised to use Android Kitchen to do these tasks or is there some trick to getting it to work just right?
Bonus Question) I was going to share my ROM on XDA but it says I'm not allowed to post in Development. I assume because of my low post count. Any way I can get an over-ride or should I just make a few more posts and then do it?
Thanks again guys!
I appreciate all the help as always!
Jake

jake5253 said:
Good day, all!
I've been working on [my first] ROM for Verizon S5 and everything seems to be going great! I've cleaned out as much Samsung/Verizon/Google trash as I can, applied some tweaks to build.prop, changed some default apps to (IMHO) better replacements, and anything that is left (functions correctly) has been moved to /data/app so they can be Uninstalled fully (not just Turned Off). Just a few quick questions:
1) How can I "bake-in" app data? I have replaced the normal, crap launcher with Holo Launcher and cannot seem to get correct permissions when the ROM is installed thru SS. I believe the issue is permissions for /data/data/ get screwed up or not set correctly. I have looked and looked and tried to determine the correct permissions, but still no joy. I've tried to fix /data/data permissions in the updater-script, but it seems like each subfolder/file has different permissions making me think I'll have to go thru them one-by-one.
I have a work-around in place using a OneTimeInit script that does work, but it seems like that's not really the best approach?
2) Kind of ties into question number 1, I patched the framework-res.apk in to allow WiFiHotspot, but without being able to install the system settings data properly, there is not a "Quick Shortcut". Again, I've resolved the problem using the OneTimeInit to update Sqlite DBs after the system is up.
3) How do I de-odex the stock ROM? Using Android Kitchen doesn't seem to do it right. It works mostly but I still seem to get various FCs. I tend to believe that some things just cannot (should not) be De-Odex'd?
I've also discontinued Zip-Aligning because it sometimes produces errors on my ROM. Is it not advised to use Android Kitchen to do these tasks or is there some trick to getting it to work just right?
Bonus Question) I was going to share my ROM on XDA but it says I'm not allowed to post in Development. I assume because of my low post count. Any way I can get an over-ride or should I just make a few more posts and then do it?
Thanks again guys!
I appreciate all the help as always!
Jake
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
1: All I had to do was place apk in /system/app or /system/priv-app and thats it. Make sure when you add your apks you dont unzip the archive. basically use kitchen and build your base rom then simply open the archive and make your edits. I also used the updater script from beans base build and only edited the ui print.. Messing with the updater script i wouldnt recommend as it could be causing some of your issues.
2: If using beans base theres no reason for you to edit anything as the hotspot is already baked in.. you must have borked it.. If you are not using beans base then maybe you should copy his files for the native hotspot as its already done properly. I wouldnt mess with framework or settings apks unless you know what your doing. Id work on gettin the fcs n other issues sorted first as you might b doin too much too fast.. work on learning how to make your apks work first before making edits to framework n settings apks.
3: The kitchen is best to deodex and zipalign.. also these two things should not cause fcs or errors if done properly. zipalign should help more than anything.. i just like workin with deodex bcuz its easier and only one set of files instead of .apk and .odex for just bout everything..
Again, if you are not using beans bases id recommend to do so.. his bases are already deodexed have hotspot zipaligned read/write to ext sd etc.. so you wouldnt have to do all from scratch and have so many issues..
Sent from my SM-G900V using XDA Premium HD app

elliwigy said:
1: All I had to do was place apk in /system/app or /system/priv-app and thats it. Make sure when you add your apks you dont unzip the archive. basically use kitchen and build your base rom then simply open the archive and make your edits. I also used the updater script from beans base build and only edited the ui print.. Messing with the updater script i wouldnt recommend as it could be causing some of your issues.
2: If using beans base theres no reason for you to edit anything as the hotspot is already baked in.. you must have borked it.. If you are not using beans base then maybe you should copy his files for the native hotspot as its already done properly. I wouldnt mess with framework or settings apks unless you know what your doing. Id work on gettin the fcs n other issues sorted first as you might b doin too much too fast.. work on learning how to make your apks work first before making edits to framework n settings apks.
3: The kitchen is best to deodex and zipalign.. also these two things should not cause fcs or errors if done properly. zipalign should help more than anything.. i just like workin with deodex bcuz its easier and only one set of files instead of .apk and .odex for just bout everything..
Again, if you are not using beans bases id recommend to do so.. his bases are already deodexed have hotspot zipaligned read/write to ext sd etc.. so you wouldnt have to do all from scratch and have so many issues..
Sent from my SM-G900V using XDA Premium HD app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you for the response!
It seems perhaps I didn't quite make clear what I've done versus what I'm trying to accomplish.
Firstly, I wouldn't go so far as to say I'm "having so many issues". Everything in my ROM is in perfectly fine working order. I just have these few quirks that I would like to address both so I can learn, and to make this and future projects better.
While I appreciate the recommendation to use bean's base, I have taken a look at his and there seems to be nothing in his which copies data into /data/data/com.whatever.package (or at least there's nothing in his zip in the /data/data folder -- not sure if his ROM has the toggle activated?)
I have the Apps working correctly in my ROM -- they just go in /data/apps, /system/app or /system/priv-app, respectively.
What I need, is to get /data/data/com.whatever.package/ copied With Correct Permissions when the ROM is installed; I do not want a second zip to update things after install, especially for a toggle and a couple shortcuts, seems silly.
For instance, when you boot your phone up with the default [stock] samsung launcher, it has a list of default apps and widgets on the first screen you see such as phone, messages, a clock widget, etc, etc. Since I've replaced the stock launcher with Holo Launcher HD and some other default apps have also been replaced, there's very few shortcuts on the main launcher screen.
** Holo Launcher does have a list of default apps it adds to your main page, but many of those have been removed in my rom.
The solution I've come up with basically waits for the system to boot up to the point that Holo Launcher actually creates the default (mostly blank) /data/data/com.mobint.hololauncher.hd/databases/launcher.db and then my script uses sqlite3 to update the DBs with a list of different shortcuts -- ones to apps that actually exist.
The Hotspot Toggle is the same way as above.. Hotspot works fine in my rom if you go through settings!
I just cannot add the notification panel pull-down toggle to /data/data/com.android.providers.settings/database/settings.db until after the system boots up at least ONE time, and then update the DB to include WiFiHotspot in notification_panel_active_app_list and notification_panel_active_app_list_for_reset
As for the zipalign and deodexing, I will have to try those again now that I have a fairly stable rom.
****EDIT****
I think I figured it out. I can just use busybox to kill the systemui after I update the databases during the first boot. I also figured out how I can add the SetupWizard without it locking up on activation.
Thanks anyways, guys.
Look for my rom, coming soon!
=P

Please add support for more languages
I found a mod for Motorola latest 4.4 please port it
Sent from my SM-G900T using XDA Free mobile app