Handling root for copy/modify files - Java for Android App Development

I'm creating an app to modify certain files under root file system but I'm finding a bit of difficulties, I don't know which is the "best practice" in this case.
To avoid to request everytime su permission for reading the files I've thought to copy all the folder in another one (with 777 permissions [!!!]), in this way I can modify without any problems my file and then copy them back.
The "problem" is that to do this I made a shell script to copy everything and when do all the stuff the root permission seems a bit scary:
Code:
rt = Runtime.getRuntime().exec(
"su | chmod 777 " + SCRIPT_FOLDER + SCRIPT
+ " | sh " + SCRIPT_FOLDER + SCRIPT
+ " | chmod -R 777 " + TEMP
);
Any hint on how to do it better?
Thanks!

There is a great library called RootTools.
It will make everything much easier and you will not see these requests all the time but just when you perform the first SU action. Check it.
If you still do not want to use it, check this tutorial: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2226664

nikwen said:
There is a great library called RootTools.
It will make everything much easier and you will not see these requests all the time but just when you perform the first SU action. Check it.
If you still do not want to use it, check this tutorial: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2226664
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This seems exactly what I was looking for! Thanks a lot!

Enrichman said:
I'm creating an app to modify certain files under root file system but I'm finding a bit of difficulties, I don't know which is the "best practice" in this case.
To avoid to request everytime su permission for reading the files I've thought to copy all the folder in another one (with 777 permissions [!!!]), in this way I can modify without any problems my file and then copy them back.
The "problem" is that to do this I made a shell script to copy everything and when do all the stuff the root permission seems a bit scary:
Code:
rt = Runtime.getRuntime().exec(
"su | chmod 777 " + SCRIPT_FOLDER + SCRIPT
+ " | sh " + SCRIPT_FOLDER + SCRIPT
+ " | chmod -R 777 " + TEMP
);
Any hint on how to do it better?
Thanks!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Alternatively, if you want something a little bit more barebone than RootTools, you can use Chainfire's libsuperuser

Related

[How To] Enable Non-Market apps on Captivate (consolidated)

(additional CHOWN notes added below. If you are getting "chown: unknown user/group system:system" read them!
Ok, we do have a WHOLE other thread that was made a sticky already, but you need to read the WHOLE thing to get all the properly interesting parts. I'll make sure I keep this OP up to date.
The following methods enable side loading and installing of apps onto the captivate, without the need of a program on a computer attached via the SDK. There are multiple methods, and for the most part, these methods that have worked flawlessly for many users here on this forum. We're just collecting them all in one post for speed and clarity.
Methods that assist in loading applications, without modification to the settings (a.k.a still need a computer attached) can be found at the collective wiki, http://samsungcaptivate.wikia.com/wiki/How_to_Sideload
ALL METHODS REQUIRE ROOT & BUSYBOX:
Root your phone, see http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=725555
Busybox : http://www.appbrain.com/app/stericson.busybox
Please, save a clean, un-altered backup copy of this file. To be safe. Rarely does corruption occur, but if it does, it won't be good.
Method 1: From Win7x64, Samsung Drivers, Android SDK installed.
This method uses the tools you already have at hand, as part of the SDK. All instances in code blocks are run inside of the command prompt. You will need to know where you installed your SDK, and the tools directory therein.
Once rooted, go install BusyBox installer from the App Market/AppBrain etc and run it. It will download and install the latest version for you.
From my Win7x64, with USB Debugging ON. Ensure that you phone is UNLOCKED as it the SU app will ask for permission for 'UNKOWN' in the following command.
Connect to PC, and Eject/Safely Remove the SD card, and "Turn off USB Storage" on the phone.
open command prompt, follow along:
Code:
> c:
> cd \android\tools
> adb shell
$ su
# cp /dbdata/databases/com.android.providers.settings/settings.db /sdcard/settings.db
# exit
$ exit
mount the SD cards to the pc,
"USB Connected select to... ", Mount
mine mounted as H:
Code:
> copy H:\settings.db settings.db
> sqlite3 settings.db
~> update secure set value="1" where name="install_non_market_apps";
1 row updated
~> .quit
> copy settings.db H:\settings.db
Eject the drive, safely remove, etc.
"Turn off USB storage" etc, to mount it back to the phone
Code:
> adb shell
$ su
# cp /sdcard/settings.db /dbdata/databases/com.android.providers.settings/settings.db
# chmod 660 /dbdata/databases/com.android.providers.settings/settings.db
# chown system.system /dbdata/databases/com.android.providers.settings/settings.db
# exit
$ exit
> adb reboot
Bam. Done.
Method 2: with Root Explorer
(courtesy of kirbo20)
This is a pretty easy process. I went in to Root Explorer - dbdata - databases - com.android.providers.settings, copied settings.db to my sd card, edited it on my pc with a db editor changed 0 to a 1 next to non market apps. Copied it back to the original directory, rebooted and installed a non market app.
(added by gotfolk)
again using FF plug in..
Click Secure on the left pane
click on install_non_market_apps
click edit
number 3 states value click there and type in 1. hit ok
(/gotfolk)
Please use caution. If you want to make sure the db save properly open it on your sd card before you copy and replace the original. It should open up as a readable table. If it opens up in a txt editor its corrupt. This permanently enables non market apps. You can not toggle it on and off.
( This is a sqlite3 database file, you can find many GUI editors that will be able to handle the editing, including a FF plugin. Search "SQLite" )
Method 3: with Root Explorer & Sqlite Editor & Terminal Emulator
(courtesy of ice3186)
- Open Root Explorer
- Browse to /dbdata/databases/com.android.providers.settings/
- copy settings.db to the root of your sd card ( /sdcard/ )
- Click on the newly copied settings.db in /sdcard/, with SQLite Editor installed, you can open and edit it here.
- Select the "secure" table, and update the value of 'install_nonmarket_apps' from 0 to 1, and save.
- close out of SQLite editor
- copy the modified file ( /sdcard/settings.db ), and browse back to /dbdata/databases/com.android.providers.settings/ and paste
- confirm the overwrite if asked and then open again to confirm it's been changed.
- open Terminal Emulator
Code:
$ su
# chmod 660 /dbdata/databases/com.android.providers.settings/settings.db
# chown system.system /dbdata/databases/com.android.providers.settings/settings.db
# reboot
- reboot phone.
No PC, no Mac, no drivers, no SDK. Viola.
Method 4: Mac & Android SDK
You will see "[sdcard]" through this method...I don't own a Mac so I'm guessing a bit.
This method uses the tools you already have at hand, as part of the SDK. All instances in code blocks are run inside of the Terminal. You will need to know where you installed your SDK, and the tools directory therein.
Once rooted, go install BusyBox installer from the App Market/AppDroid etc and run it. It will download and install the latest version for you.
From a Max OS X, with USB Debugging ON. Ensure that you phone is UNLOCKED as it the SU app will ask for permission for 'UNKOWN' in the following command.
Connect to Mac, and Eject/Safely Remove the SD card, and "Turn off USB Storage" on the phone.
open Terminal, follow along:
Code:
> cd /android/tools
> ./adb shell
$ su
# cp /dbdata/databases/com.android.providers.settings/settings.db /sdcard/settings.db
# exit
$ exit
mount the SD cards to the Mac,
"USB Connected select to... ", Mount
mine mounted as [sdcard]
Code:
> cp [sdcard]/settings.db settings.db
> ./sqlite3 settings.db
~> update secure set value="1" where name="install_non_market_apps";
1 row updated
~> .quit
> cp settings.db [sdcard]/settings.db
Eject the drive, safely remove, etc.
"Turn off USB storage" etc, to mount it back to the phone
Code:
> ./adb shell
$ su
# cp /sdcard/settings.db /dbdata/databases/com.android.providers.settings/settings.db
# chmod 660 /dbdata/databases/com.android.providers.settings/settings.db
# chown system.system /dbdata/databases/com.android.providers.settings/settings.db
# exit
$ exit
> ./adb reboot
Method 5: Android SDK only
Of course, this also requires root and BusyBox.
From the android sdk tools folder in a command prompt:
note: all linux/mac should use './adb' in place of just 'adb', and place quotes on the echo statement between echo and |
Code:
adb shell
su
chmod 666 /dbdata/databases/com.android.providers.settings/settings.db
exit
exit
adb pull /dbdata/databases/com.android.providers.settings/settings.db settings.db
echo update secure set value = 1 where name = 'install_non_market_apps';|sqlite3 settings.db
adb push settings.db /dbdata/databases/com.android.providers.settings/settings.db
adb shell
su
chmod 660 /dbdata/databases/com.android.providers.settings/settings.db
chown system.system /dbdata/databases/com.android.providers.settings/settings.db
reboot
NOTICE
You must chown the settings.db file and reboot once it is back in its original location. If you do not, you will not be able to alter settings such as WiFi,GPS, default Ringtones, etc. It's also highly likely that you may wish to chmod to 660 (-rw-rw---), so I've tacked that in here and above.
Code:
> adb shell
$ su
# chmod 660 /dbdata/databases/com.android.providers.settings/settings.db
# chown system.system /dbdata/databases/com.android.providers.settings/settings.db
# exit
$ exit
> adb reboot
Chown Note
In the event that you are getting "chown: unknown user/group system:system" please try 1000.1000 as this has been reported to work on several of the samfirmware-released roms that fail with this message.
Absolutely do not use someone else's settings.db unless you specifially make it a point replace android_id with your android_id!
Special Note
Any of these adb comments can be run from Terminal Emulator (Android Terminal Emulator, free) from the su command. I use the ADB here as it is a lot easier to type into. Terminal Emulator will provide you with a shell that is an exact match of the 'adb shell' command, as they both simply provide the shell to you.
Result:
After completing this process you will be able to load non-market apps directly from the APK files, SDK tools, tools such as DroidExplorer and apps such as APKtor.
You will be able to download the APKs directly, and then install from your favorite file browser (e.g. MyFiles(s), Astro(f), RootExplorer($)...)
Tools
SQLite Administrator (Win, GUI, no FF required) http://sqliteadmin.orbmu2k.de/
SQLite Manager (FF addon, search for it)
Application links
Root Explorer http://www.appbrain.com/app/com.speedsoftware.rootexplorer
SQLite Editor http://www.appbrain.com/app/com.speedsoftware.sqleditor
Terminal Emulator http://www.appbrain.com/app/jackpal.androidterm
BusyBox http://www.appbrain.com/app/stericson.busybox
bump.. settings.db people.. please read the threads!!
good stuff!!!
Ok. I can find settings.db with root explorer. i can copy it and i put it in my sdcard folder but nothing is there when i try to find it on my computer. Im trying to use SQlite editor on firefox. Im also on a powermac g4 if that makes a difference. I did download sqlite editor on my phone and I can find where to change the values for installing non market apps but when I change from a zero to a one it denies me. Please help
Ok, so let me make sure I have your process:
- Rooted
- Installed busybox ?
- Installed Root Explorer
- copied settings.db to /sdcard
-- cant see the file when mounted to Mac, thus can't edit with FF plugin
-- SQLite editor for android wont allow access..
(is this the SQLite Editor you used? http://www.appbrain.com/app/com.speedsoftware.sqleditor)
Try installing "Android Terminal Emulator" from the market (http://www.appbrain.com/app/jackpal.androidterm)
- open Terminal Emulator
$ su
# cd /sdcard
# chmod 777 settings.db
# exit
- Open the sqlite editor, and make the change
- back to Terminal Emulator
$ su
# chmod 660 settings.db
- proceed with rest of instructions.
how many more threads do we need on the same thing? We already have ALL of this info posted, several times.
designgears said:
how many more threads do we need on the same thing? We already have ALL of this info posted, several times.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Please read my initial post, first few lines. I explained why, specifically: Consolidation.
Thanks I will give it a try later today.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I897 using XDA App
- OP updated to reflect stock ownership settings for 'chown'
Also, which sqlite app are you using? I'll put that up as method 3 if it works out nicely for you.
fixed a typo in the chown command.. bad copy paste.. bad.. doh.
added method 3 courtest of ice3186
added links to Root Explorer ($), SQLite Editor ($) and Android Terminal Emulator (free) and added the chmod/chown commands to method 3, as they were skipped by accident.
bump** for newcomers, sry.
thanks max for adding the third method. this was by far much easier than the first two methods. I have a hard time getting my mac to talk to my phone sometimes and it was good to not have to plug the lil guy in at all. Worked like a charm
myself and ice3186 are glad we could be of help
If I had accidentally deleted the settings.db how should I go about recovering my phone? Now I have the issue that my phone won't boot past the boot animation and I'm notbsure what to do
mkslt4 said:
If I had accidentally deleted the settings.db how should I go about recovering my phone? Now I have the issue that my phone won't boot past the boot animation and I'm notbsure what to do
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Did you make any kind of backup before hand?
You may have to use someone else's settings.db and then do a factory reset.
Depending on how much you've done with the phone I'd suggest deciding on doing a the reboot process for rooting, but choosing to clear data. This may rebuild it, I am not sure.
my dbdata directory is empty.. My phone is less then 2 hours old and i have some market apps installed..
xetrev said:
my dbdata directory is empty.. My phone is less then 2 hours old and i have some market apps installed..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Oh, if it's running, then this folder isn't actually empty.
What are you using to browse this folder?
i followed this guide to a T yesterday when i did this. I used option 1, ADB commands on terminal since i'm a mac and it was super easy, did it in about 5 minutes.
this is just my opinion but i think everyone should try playing with the ADB commands, they're actually really useful and educational to know. and if you should brick your phone, just use clockwork recovery to restore it.
that being said, maybe you should add a disclaimer that when done on a mac, the adb commands require a "./" in front (so adb reboot becomes ./adb reboot). cp, chown, and chmod commands don't need it though (or at least i didn't).

[GUIDE] ADB Workshop and Guide for everyone

This workshop was held in #android-learning on irc.freenode.net by XDA Member Adrynalyne. All credit to him for this guide, I simply am taking it and turning it into a guide. Here we go!
You can find the raw IRC log here
Good evening folks, and welcome to my ADB workshop. This is by no means a full explanation on the subject, but more of a crash course to help folks get up to speed, and get more from their devices. There may be some things you already know here, so please be patient and respect those who do not.
Reference Files
http://adrynalyne.us/files/How to install adb.pdf
http://adrynalyne.us/files/Using ADB.pdf
So, lets just start with the basics.
What is ADB?
ADB stands for the android debugging bridge and is used for testing and debugging purposes by developers.
However, we like to get more out of our devices, and its a great way to fix things.
Knowing adb can mean the difference between a paperweight and a working phone.
So, to start with, we will look at installing ADB.
Generally speaking, the Sun/Oracle JDK is required to run all SDK functions.
ADB is but one tool in the SDK arsenal.
So, we begin by downloading and installing the JDK. This can be found here:
https://cds.sun.com/is-bin/[email protected]_Developer
Choose your OS, download and install. I recommend that 64 bit users use the regular x86/32 bit version as well.
Moving ahead, we download the Windows sdk from here:
http://dl.google.com/android/installer_r08-windows.exe
Due to already installing JDK, you won't be stopped by the install process.
Now, if you notice, I installed it to:
C:\android-sdk-windows
I did this because it makes things easier when setting up path variables.
I encourage everyone to do the same, but obviously it is not required.
So, this SDK is handy, but is only good up to 2.2. We want the latest and greatest! (Well I do)
So, we navigate to:
C:\android-sdk-windows\
and we run SDK Manager.exe
If you notice in your PDF file for installing adb, you will notice that you can update, and I made a choice not to include earlier sdk versions.
I won't go into full detail on that, but depending on the version of SDK you have, 8 or 9, it WILL make a difference in using adb.
By default, for version 8 adb.exe resides in C:\android-sdk-windows\tools
By default, for version 9 adb.exe resides in C:\android-sdk-windows\platform-tools
We will assume version 9 in this guide
Really, the SDK is installed and adb is usable right now, but in my humble opinion, its not enough
I like the ability to use adb in ANY directory on my machine.
To do this, we edit Windows's environment variables.
Specifically, the system path.
To do this, we click on start, or the orb (depending on OS), and right click on Computer, left clicking on properties in the menu.
If its windows XP, I believe it brings you into advanced system properties immediatly. Vista and 7 need a second step.
On the left hand side, as you notice I have highlighted in the pdf, left click advanced system settings.
Under advanced tab, we left click environment variables...
There are two boxes here.
We are concerned with system variables, however.
So we scroll down the list and highlight path and click edit.
Ignoring all the extra stuff in here, make sure you are at the end of the line, and type
Code:
;C:\android-sdk-windows\platform-tools
The semicolon allows us to separate it
from the previous path statement.
Click ok all the way out.
We now have ADB setup globally. We can use cmd.exe (I use powershell) and no matter what directory we are in, adb is recognized.
If it is not, make certain you entered the path into system variables, and made no typos.
If you installed to a different location, you will need to adjust the path accordingly.
This concludes the section on installing the Android SDK to use ADB.
This next section will be on using ADB, so please open that pdf now.
Now, this applies to any OS, not just Windows.
Well, with the exception of the USB drivers.
I will not go too much into that, but if you take a look at the PDF, it goes through installing usb drivers for the sdk, and how to download them.
Fiarly straightforward, in that rspect.
Now, to setup our phones to use with the SDK and ADB, we must change some settings.
First, we go to menu softkey, then settings.
We scroll down to Applications and tap it.
Under Development, we will check Enable USB Debugging. Please note the SGS phones are different in this respect.
The USB cable must be unplugged before enabling or disabling this setting.
Once this is done, we are now ready to play with adb
One quick note: If you get device not found/conencted, please reboot your phone. DJ05 has a quirk in it where ADBD randomly crashes on boot.
A reboot will fix this
ADBD= ADB Daemon
Ok, continuing on.
Lets look at installing applications. This is also known as sideloading.
Unlike installing from the SD card, it does not require unknown sources to be enabled.
The command for this is
Code:
adb install packagename
This assumes that you are working from the directory where the file is located.
This will install the application to /data/app.
It will also show sometimes useful errors if install fails.
That is not something you will see from the Android GUI.
Now, a lot of us have probably deleted files with apps like Root Explorer. While this isn't really a bad thing, it leaves behind databases and data for the application removed.
This is where the 0kb applicaiton entries come from.
If you take that application entry name, you can uninstall the extra data via adb.
First we go to the adb shell which logs into the phone.
Code:
adb shell
If we end up with a $, we will want admin rights, in many cases. This is not one of them, I don't beleive.
To get admin rights, you want to type
Code:
su
Look at your phone if this is the first time, it may prompt you to allow access. Else you will get permission denied.
If you are not rooted, this will not work either.
Ok, now that we are logged in, we will type
Code:
pm uninstall packagename
where packagename is the name of the 0kb listing.
Now this seems like a pain in the a** and I agree.
HOWEVER
There will be a time where Manage applications crashes when you try to uninstall it from the phone. In this case, a factory reset, or this method is the only effective way to fix the problem.
Moving on.
How many of us have removed system applications or renamed them? Did you know that you can simply disable them from the system?
Code:
adb shell
su
pm disable appllicationname
This will disable it, and the system will ignore it.
This can be seen as safer than deleting or renaming things, but your mileage may vary.
On the other hand, you can also re-enable these applications.
Code:
adb shell
su
pm enable applicationname
Please note: Not all applications will properly re-enable. I believe a factory reset or reinstall of said application will fix the issue.
Also, application names are absolutely case sensitive.
*nix based Operating Systems see the letter 'a' and 'A' as two different things.
when you log into adb shell, you are playing by android rules
Ok, a lot of us tweak and mod our phones and turning off the device to get to clockwork recovery, or battery pulls, or multiple button holds to get into Download mode are troublesome and annoying at best.
ADB can help us here.
Here, we do not need to be logged into the shell
If we want to merely reboot the phone:
Code:
adb reboot
If we want to go to recovery (works well with voodoo5)
Code:
adb reboot recovery
If we want to go to Download Mode because we need Odin, heaven forbid:
Code:
adb reboot download
Its instant. No waiting on animations or anything else.
Its also handy if Android has locked up, but yet still works in adb.
I for one hate taking my case off to battery pull.
So now we move on to pushing and pulling files.
Sometimes, I don't feel like mounting my sd card to copy a file over to my phone.
I can use this command to push a file straight to my sd card:
Code:
adb push filename /pathtodirectoryonphone
So for instance, if I have test.txt that I want to send, I would type:
Code:
adb push test.txt /sdcard/
and there it goes.
Ok moving on
Pushing files can be done to any directory, however, some are protected.
For instance, /system is going to give you a permission denied or a read only filesystem error.
To get around this, the easiest thing to do is push the file to your sdcard, then log into the shell:
Code:
adb shell
Code:
su
We will then mount the system as writable
Code:
mount -o rw,remount /dev/block/stl9 /system
Then we can use something like
Code:
cp /sdcard/test.txt /system/app/test.txt
cp stands for copy
and it requires the path of the file and destination path. The name of the file is optional
When you copy it, you can rename it to whatever you like.
For instance, if we wanted to backup a file
Code:
cp /sdcard/test.txt /sdcard/backuptest.txt
Now, lets assume you do not have busybox installed.
You non rooted users will not.
Then you must use a slightly more complicated command called dd
This is used like this:
Code:
dd if=/sdcard/test.txt of=/system/app/test.txt
if is for inputfile
of= output file
Not every user friendly, but probably one of the safer copy commands.
Ok, moving on to pulling files.
Lets say you want to get a file from your phone, to modify, backup, etc.
To do this, we simply use adb in this manner:
Code:
adb pull /pathtofile/filename destinationname
For instance, if I wanted to backup ADW launcher in system/app
I would do this
Code:
adb pull /system/app/ADWLaucnher.apk ADWLauncher.apk
And it will pull the file from the phone and put it in the current directory.
Like above, you can specifcy where it goes.
pushing files to the sdcard, it seems prudent to talk about changing permissions.
sdcards are typically fat32, which destroys permisisons, and Android is heavily permission based.
So if you push an application to your sd card, then try to copy it to /system/app/ bad things are going to happen, or the app may not even show up.
So in that case, we use something called chmod.
This is used in this manner
Code:
adb shell
su
chmod 755 /pathtoapplication/applicationname
Keep in mind
you dont want to do this while its still on your sd card.
an example
Code:
adb shell
su
chmod 755 /system/app/ADWLauncher.apk
755 is good for applications and script files.
Just a couple more topics to cover.
Lets go over deleting files.
This becomes especially handy for removing rogue applications.
To do this, we must be in the adb shell.
Code:
adb shell
su
rm /system/app/ADWLauncher.apk
You may need to remount system as writable with:
Code:
mount -o rw,remount /dev/block/stl9 /system
That applies when using chmod as well.
So what I did above was delete ADW Launcher from system/app
However, what if I wanted to delete the entire contents of a directory?
Same thing as before, except
Code:
adb shell
rm -f /data/dalvik-cache/*.*
I just cleared my dalvik-cache with that command
very quick, very effective.
If you just tried that, please reboot your phone now
Ok....this leaves us with the final topic: logcat
logcat allows us to log what the OS is doing, and possibly delve information for when things are not working
its quite simple Reading it is another.
To use logcat
Code:
adb shell
logcat
To logcat to a certain file do
Code:
adb shell
logcat > /sdcard/logcat.txt
Now we let the log settle down to a reasonable amount of data coming in and not a wall of scrolling, then start the app in question. When it gives an error, we hit ctrl-C and kill the adb shell session.
This should have captured enough data to see the error. Now, I prepared an example. A user came to me on IRC, and Google Maps was force closing. Clearing data didnt fix it, Clearing dalvik-cache, and fix permissions did not fix it. In this case, the user did not know how to use adb So I had him grab an app called alogcat from the market and email me the log. This is also a very valid method.
this file explains what the problem was, and highlights what to look for as an example.
http://adrynalyne.us/files/logcat.pdf
___________________________________________________________________
This concludes the guide from Adrynalyne, there will be more workshops such as this one in irc.freenode.net #android-learning.
Thanks to everyone in #samsung-fascinate !
Reserved for possible extension of topic
Great, saves a lot of questions/answers & search
Every new user should read this!!
Thread stuck as valuable reference thread
Just to add, if I may, a little about the permissions...
============================================================
File permissions for Unix... which Android is based, just so those who tinker with the file permissions may know what they are getting into.
============================================================
Use the chmod command to set file permissions.
The chmod command uses a three-digit code as an argument.
The three digits of the chmod code set permissions for these groups in this order:
1.Owner (you)
2.Group (a group of other users that you set up)
3.World (anyone else browsing around on the file system)
Each digit of this code sets permissions for one of these groups as follows. Read is 4. Write is 2. Execute is 1.
The sums of these numbers give combinations of these permissions:
0 = no permissions whatsoever; this person cannot read, write, or execute the file
1 = execute only
2 = write only
3 = write and execute (1+2)
4 = read only
5 = read and execute (4+1)
6 = read and write (4+2)
7 = read and write and execute (4+2+1)
Chmod commands on file apple.txt (use wildcards to include more files)
Command Purpose
chmod 700 apple.txt Only you can read, write to, or execute apple.txt
chmod 777 apple.txt Everybody can read, write to, or execute apple.txt
chmod 744 apple.txt Only you can read, write to, or execute apple.txt Everybody can read apple.txt;
chmod 444 apple.txt You can only read apple.txt, as everyone else.
Detecting File Permissions
You can use the ls command with the -l option to show the file permissions set. For example, for apple.txt, I can do this:
$ ls -l apple.txt
-rwxr--r-- 1 december december 81 Feb 12 12:45 apple.txt
$
The sequence -rwxr--r-- tells the permissions set for the file apple.txt. The first - tells that apple.txt is a file. The next three letters, rwx, show that the owner has read, write, and execute permissions. Then the next three symbols, r--, show that the group permissions are read only. The final three symbols, r--, show that the world permissions are read only.
Compliments and full credit from:
http://www.december.com/unix/ref/chmod.html
Amazing thread just what I needed lol thanks!
cooolone2 said:
Just to add, if I may, a little about the permissions...
============================================================
File permissions for Unix... which Android is based, just so those who tinker with the file permissions may know what they are getting into.
============================================================
Use the chmod command to set file permissions.
The chmod command uses a three-digit code as an argument.
The three digits of the chmod code set permissions for these groups in this order:
1.Owner (you)
2.Group (a group of other users that you set up)
3.World (anyone else browsing around on the file system)
Each digit of this code sets permissions for one of these groups as follows. Read is 4. Write is 2. Execute is 1.
The sums of these numbers give combinations of these permissions:
0 = no permissions whatsoever; this person cannot read, write, or execute the file
1 = execute only
2 = write only
3 = write and execute (1+2)
4 = read only
5 = read and execute (4+1)
6 = read and write (4+2)
7 = read and write and execute (4+2+1)
Chmod commands on file apple.txt (use wildcards to include more files)
Command Purpose
chmod 700 apple.txt Only you can read, write to, or execute apple.txt
chmod 777 apple.txt Everybody can read, write to, or execute apple.txt
chmod 744 apple.txt Only you can read, write to, or execute apple.txt Everybody can read apple.txt;
chmod 444 apple.txt You can only read apple.txt, as everyone else.
Detecting File Permissions
You can use the ls command with the -l option to show the file permissions set. For example, for apple.txt, I can do this:
$ ls -l apple.txt
-rwxr--r-- 1 december december 81 Feb 12 12:45 apple.txt
$
The sequence -rwxr--r-- tells the permissions set for the file apple.txt. The first - tells that apple.txt is a file. The next three letters, rwx, show that the owner has read, write, and execute permissions. Then the next three symbols, r--, show that the group permissions are read only. The final three symbols, r--, show that the world permissions are read only.
Compliments and full credit from:
http://www.december.com/unix/ref/chmod.html
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks! Added
ih4ckback said:
Amazing thread just what I needed lol thanks!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks, all goes to Adrynalyne
Thanks for the guide. Helped me pick out the stupid stupid mistakes I was making...so just a problem. I'm able to use fastboot easily but I seem to be unable to use ADB still on my windows 7. It says there are no devices and I'm dang well sure I have USB debugging on. Is it because Windows 7 is missing drivers for the nexus one or something else?
wonderful guide. I would like to add it to the guides thread.
Really awesome work, thumbs up.
But we should also take a guide on installing adb with Ubuntu/Linux, which isn't a very difficult thing...
mm7490 said:
Really awesome work, thumbs up.
But we should also take a guide on installing adb with Ubuntu/Linux, which isn't a very difficult thing...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If I got time tomorrow I could do that. I work primarily in Linux also
Sent from my Samsung Fascinate using Tapatalk Pro
This is good but I have a problem, when I try to remove an .apk file from /system/app it fails and says 'rm failed, Directory not empty'
I have followed exact instructions many time but never succeeded :s any help!!
(I am runnging these commands in device mod)
when I am in recovery mod I get this prompt ~ # and I am not able to enter su mod. how to get rid of this??
Well when the $ changes to # it means you have SU access
mustafa.aziz said:
This is good but I have a problem, when I try to remove an .apk file from /system/app it fails and says 'rm failed, Directory not empty'
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Please give us the exact command(s) you entered
Here are the commands I entered after adb shell;
su
mount -o rw,remount /dev/block/stl9 /system
rm /system/app/mytouchmusic-signed.apk
exact message returned is 'rm failed for mytouchmusic-signed.apk, Directory not empty'
mustafa.aziz said:
Here are the commands I entered after adb shell;
su
mount -o rw,remount /dev/block/stl9 /system
rm /system/app/mytouchmusic-signed.apk
exact message returned is 'rm failed for mytouchmusic-signed.apk, Directory not empty'
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ok i think you need to do a recursive force delete which should be rf but i am not too sure! could somebody please confirm/ correct this?
Well, I don't think so ^^ As he doesn't want to erase a whole directory, but only a file.
What surprises me the most is the returned message... You're trying to delete an apk, and it says it's a directory :/
Could you please give us the output of this :
Code:
su
mount -o rw,remount /dev/block/stl9 /system
ls -l /system/app/mytouch*
Perhaps you don't even need the su and mount lines, but I'm not sure about that, and that can't harm your system ^^
Khoral said:
Well, I don't think so ^^ As he doesn't want to erase a whole directory, but only a file.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I know he doesn't want to delete a whole directory, but since the apk isn't compressed perhaps android looks at is as a directory and not a file? i don't know since what was returned suggested that it was a directory i presumed it was a directory! :S
mustafa.aziz said:
Here are the commands I entered after adb shell;
su
mount -o rw,remount /dev/block/stl9 /system
rm /system/app/mytouchmusic-signed.apk
exact message returned is 'rm failed for mytouchmusic-signed.apk, Directory not empty'
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
rm -rf /blah/blah
here is your desired output:
sh-3.2# su
su
sh-3.2# mount -o rw,remount /dev/block/stl9 /system
mount -o rw,remount /dev/block/stl9 /system
sh-3.2# ls -l /system/app/mytouch*
ls -l /system/app/mytouch*
-rw-r--r-- root root 299838 2008-08-01 18:00 mytouchmusic-signed.apk
sh-3.2#

Automated script for enabling Wifi Hotspot on AT&T Atrix

I can't post this on the original thread because of The Rules about new users being blocked from developer forums(feh), but I wanted to share the script I used to automatically update the telephony database instead of buying the Root Explorer and SQLite Editor apps. Tested on my AT&T Atrix with stock builds 1.8.3 (Android 2.2.2 Froyo) and 4.5.91 (Android 2.3.4 Gingerbread).
Install the Android SDK and the Android Debug Bridge if you haven't already.
Get a copy of the sqlite3 binary for Android (I found one in the SuperOneClick zip file)
Root your phone (one method is here). The important part is to be able to su to root in an ADB shell.
Download the attached shell script, chmod it +x (and change the extension to .sh if you fee like it)
Push the sqlite3 binary and the shell script to a temp dir on the device:
Code:
$ adb push sqlite3 /data/local/tmp
$ adb push telephony.sh /data/local/tmp
Shell into the phone (make sure USB debugging is enabled):
Code:
$ adb shell
su to root:
Code:
$ su root
cd to /data/local/tmp:
Code:
# cd /data/local/tmp
make sure the script is executable:
Code:
# chmod 755 telephony.sh
run it:
Code:
# ./telephony.sh
Select AT&T Tether APN from list (Settings->Wireless & networking->Mobile Networks->Access point names)
Reboot device
Enable WiFi Hotspot
(Optional) Raise your fist in the air as you triumph over bloodsucking corporate greed.
If things get fouled for any reason, the script makes a backup of the files it modifies in the same directory with a "_backup" extension. You can restore the original databases by running the following commands in a root shell on the phone:
Code:
# cp -p /data/data/com.android.providers.telephony/databases/telephony.db_backup /data/data/com.android.providers.telephony/databases/telephony.db
# cp -p /data/data/com.motorola.android.providers.settings/databases/settings.db_backup /data/data/com.motorola.android.providers.settings/databases/settings.db
Make sure to include the -p switch, otherwise the file permissions won't be correct. It doesn't seem to be possible to set file permissions/ownership manually ("chgrp radio" gives an error).
Okay I need help......... I've rooted and I've completely lost the ability to have free wifi tethering.!!! I've been trying to do this procedure all day long and when I try and run the script from a cmd prompt (just like this........ ./telephony.sh) it tell me I do not have permission to do that even though I've already CHMOD'd the file to give SU permission........ GRRRRRRrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr please help.
Changing the permissions on the script with chmod is just the first step.
Make sure you've shelled into the phone ('adb shell'), and then logged in as root ('su root'). The command prompt should change from a '$' to a '#' when you're logged in as root.
If you're having problems getting the script to work for you, try this method for Wifi/tether enabling, it worked perfect for me on Stock 2.3.4, as well as Ninja Speed Freak
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1160452
yes sir
Malibee said:
Changing the permissions on the script with chmod is just the first step.
Make sure you've shelled into the phone ('adb shell'), and then logged in as root ('su root'). The command prompt should change from a '$' to a '#' when you're logged in as root.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Iam ssomewhat familiar with linux redhat enterprise. I will try the thread below.
BRILLIANT
Brilliant now that was easy as hell thank very much! I'm posting on the newly enabled Atrix hotspot using my Xoom! THANK YOU AL!
Awesome!
Agreed, worked perfect. Immediately. Now, I'm just having trouble getting my Xoom to connect. Everything else can, except the Xoom.

Guide for Bluetooth Setup for [Win32/64][Dual Boot] Tubuntu for X3maniac Thread

I'm pleased to tell everyone Bluetooth finally works!!! I can't take any credit other than putting together the instructions to get it working and digging all over the interwebs so have a look below!!!!!!!:
Also note, this may work on other Linux setups using the Transformer and possibly other devices using similar instructions and files.
OP for Tubutnu by x3maniac
1. Go to this site and download the gz file. This contains a few missing files we need and it's compile for ARMHF. http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1476835
2. Extract the contents of the gz to /usr/sbin
3. Go to this site. Copy the code in the box and make a new file called bsp-tf101. Save the file to /etc/init.d. http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=21388706&postcount=1456
4. In Android (or mount the Android file system if it isn't already) copy the file /data/misc/bluetooth/bcm4329.hcd to /lib/firmware. If the file with CAPITAL letters exists like this already in /lib/firmware: BCM4329.hcd you are to delete it or CUT it from that directory (many XDA posts say to get rid of that file. We want to use the lower case file.
5. In Android (or mount the Android file system if it isn't already) copy the file /data/misc/bluetooth/mac.txt to /lib/firmware/brcm.
6. Now, edit /etc/init.d/bsp-tf101. Go to the line that starts with /usr/sbin/brcm_patchram_plus and REMOVE --bd_addr and whatever MAC address is in the file. We are doing this because when you run the service, the MAC will be read from /lib/firmware/brcm/mac.txt.
7. In terminal type "service bsp-tf101 start" NO QUOTES.
8. After the terminal says Done Setting Line Discipline, open your Bluetooth Manager application from Preferences in Lubuntu.
9. Happy scanning and pairing! I successfully connected my GS3 and saw other devices nearby.
Addendum for Bluetooth in Raring
1. Create a file called "tfbatch" or whatever name you want, it does not matter. Save it in your home directory for the moment. Edit your file with nano /home/username/tfbatch with the following lines in it below.
#! /bin/sh​rfkill unblock 0​/usr/sbin/brcm_patchram_plus --enable_hci --baudrate 3000000 --patchram /lib/firmware/bcm4329.hcd /dev/ttyHS2​chmod /dev/nv* /dev/tegra_*​exit​
2. Now copy "tfbatch" or whatever you named it to /usr/bin. You can do (without quotes) "cp /home/username/tfbatch /usr/bin"
3. sudo nano /etc/rc.local
4. Type tfbatch in this file before the line that says exit 0. I'm not sure if you need a space in between tfbatch and exit 0 but put one there just in case.
5. If you haven't done so already, from terminal do the following for these files:
sudo chmod 777 /usr/bin/tfbatch​sudo chmod 777 /lib/firmware/bcm4329.hcd​sudo chmod 777 /usr/sbin/brcm_patchram_plus​sudo chmod 777 /usr/sbin/brcm_patchram_plus.c​
6. Please note, I understand the security risks of 777 for these files but if you are worried then you must choose something different. Maybe 644 but I don't know for sure. We are doing 777 for some files becacuse of permission denied errors. If you find a better method I'll update my post.
7. Reboot and Profit. (I was perfectly able to use PAN for Bluetooth tethering without installing anything extra using Raring and GNOME-CORE. However, I did not get Bluetooth headsets to work yet so if someone else wants to help out then that's great too.
Hi!
First of all thank you, that worked perfectly for me.
I just had to chmod bcm4329.hcd and brcm_patchram_plus's files.
For those who have the same "problem" just type this once you placed all the files in good folders.
Code:
sudo chmod 777 /lib/firmware/bcm4329.hcd
Code:
sudo chmod 777 /etc/init.d/bsp-tf101
And do the same for all files you extracted from brcm.tar.gz
Not sure if chmod all of these files is useful but that's what I've done and it worked.
Hope it'll help.
147keul said:
Hi!
First of all thank you, that worked perfectly for me.
I just had to chmod bcm4329.hcd and brcm_patchram_plus's files.
For those who have the same "problem" just type this once you placed all the files in good folders.
Code:
sudo chmod 777 /lib/firmware/bcm4329.hcd
Code:
sudo chmod 777 /etc/init.d/bsp-tf101
And do the same for all files you extracted from brcm.tar.gz
Not sure if chmod all of these files is useful but that's what I've done and it worked.
Hope it'll help.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have been problems getting this to work on Raring 13.04 build from X3. Are you using Raring by chance or one of the other versions by X3?
I've not been using yet Raring method, I used the one click method with 2.6.36 kernel.
Gonna take a look in a few with raring, I'll tell you if I manage to make it work.
147keul said:
I've not been using yet Raring method, I used the one click method with 2.6.36 kernel.
Gonna take a look in a few with raring, I'll tell you if I manage to make it work.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I got it to work a little bit ago and tethering for Bluetooth internet. Good call with chmod it worked like a champ. Thanks!
When using your Bluetooth tethering, you can also use Conky to display the IP address. You can edit the file by sudo nano /etc/conky/conky.conf. Go to the line that is displaying ${addr wlan0}. Copy that whole line below and replace wlan0 with bnep0. Bnep0 is the adapter interface that has the BT tether IP address.
Has anyone seen this? Ubuntu Developer Preview for Galaxy Nexus, Nexus 4 Arrives Feb. 21
"Our platform supports a wide range of screen sizes and resolutions. Developers who have experience bringing up phone environments will find it relatively easy to port Ubuntu to current handsets"
"For developers, contributors and partners, there is now a coherent experience that warrants attention. The cleanest, most stylish mobile interface around."
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't have the files starting from step 4 (folder is empty). I'm guessing it's because I installed another ROM (EOS JB MR1 4.2 from http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2063406). Would anyone happen to know where else I can obtain the files needed starting from step 4? Thanks!
Treizy said:
I don't have the files starting from step 4 (folder is empty). I'm guessing it's because I installed another ROM (EOS JB MR1 4.2 from http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2063406). Would anyone happen to know where else I can obtain the files needed starting from step 4? Thanks!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Search android from terminal:
Find / | grep bcm4329.hcd
If you get nothing I'll try to upload later.
TomTcom said:
Search android from terminal:
Find / | grep bcm4329.hcd
If you get nothing I'll try to upload later.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks! Found that file in /system/etc/firmware.
I wasn't able to find the mac.txt file but I know my bluetooth mac address. Is that the only thing that I need to include in that file?
Treizy said:
Thanks! Found that file in /system/etc/firmware.
I wasn't able to find the mac.txt file but I know my bluetooth mac address. Is that the only thing that I need to include in that file?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, that's the only thing you need to put in. Strange you can't find needed files in right places, have you tried with a "root explorer"? Try to download it, and normally you should find mac.txt.
Trying this again with the raring build and still running into problems.
When I try to start the service, i get the following error:
Code:
$ sudo service bsp-tf101 start
* Starting Bluetooth Support Deamon...
* Setting correct permissions on nvtegra device nodes...
/etc/init.d/bsp-tf101: 23: /etc/init.d/bsp-tf101: /usr/sbin/brcm_patchram_plus: Permission denied
I did run the following commands before hand:
sudo apt-get install rfkill (I didn't have this installed before and it was giving an error)
sudo chmod 777 /lib/firmware/bcm4329.hcd
sudo chmod 777 /etc/init.d/bsp-tf101
sudo chmod -R 777 /usr/sbin/brcm_patchram_plus
Any idea why it still says permission denied?
Thanks!
Treizy said:
Trying this again with the raring build and still running into problems.
When I try to start the service, i get the following error:
Code:
$ sudo service bsp-tf101 start
* Starting Bluetooth Support Deamon...
* Setting correct permissions on nvtegra device nodes...
/etc/init.d/bsp-tf101: 23: /etc/init.d/bsp-tf101: /usr/sbin/brcm_patchram_plus: Permission denied
I did run the following commands before hand:
sudo apt-get install rfkill (I didn't have this installed before and it was giving an error)
sudo chmod 777 /lib/firmware/bcm4329.hcd
sudo chmod 777 /etc/init.d/bsp-tf101
sudo chmod -R 777 /usr/sbin/brcm_patchram_plus
Any idea why it still says permission denied?
Thanks!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Try also chmod 777 the brcm_patchram_plus.c file as well.
Also, I need to update my guide. I don't run it as a service but rather a batch file launched from rc.local so everything is executed as root. I'll have to update the guide to include Raring. So that could be part of the problem as well.
TomTcom said:
Try also chmod 777 the brcm_patchram_plus.c file as well.
Also, I need to update my guide. I don't run it as a service but rather a batch file launched from rc.local so everything is executed as root. I'll have to update the guide to include Raring. So that could be part of the problem as well.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So if I add these commands to the rc.local file in /etc it should work?
Code:
sudo chmod 777 /lib/firmware/bcm4329.hcd
sudo chmod 777 /etc/init.d/bsp-tf101
sudo chmod -R 777 /usr/sbin/brcm_patchram_plus
sudo service bsp-tf101 start
Or do I need to do something else?
Treizy said:
So if I add these commands to the rc.local file in /etc it should work?
Code:
sudo chmod 777 /lib/firmware/bcm4329.hcd
sudo chmod 777 /etc/init.d/bsp-tf101
sudo chmod -R 777 /usr/sbin/brcm_patchram_plus
sudo service bsp-tf101 start
Or do I need to do something else?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No don't do that. I'll try and post what you need to do later tonight.
Treizy said:
So if I add these commands to the rc.local file in /etc it should work?
Code:
sudo chmod 777 /lib/firmware/bcm4329.hcd
sudo chmod 777 /etc/init.d/bsp-tf101
sudo chmod -R 777 /usr/sbin/brcm_patchram_plus
sudo service bsp-tf101 start
Or do I need to do something else?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have updated my guide. See the OP for the Addendum for Raring installation. The file you create will be ran before the GUI loads with root permissions from rc.local.
Let me know if this worked.
TomTcom said:
I have updated my guide. See the OP for the Addendum for Raring installation. The file you create will be ran before the GUI loads with root permissions from rc.local.
Let me know if this worked.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Nope
When I try to turn bluetooth on, nothing happens. It will switch back to off when i close the settings popup.
Treizy said:
Nope
When I try to turn bluetooth on, nothing happens. It will switch back to off when i close the settings popup.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hmmm...if you followed the guide you shouldn't have to turn it on. The batch is executed on boot from RC.local. Try and give me some more details.
TomTcom said:
Hmmm...if you followed the guide you shouldn't have to turn it on. The batch is executed on boot from RC.local. Try and give me some more details.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Maybe I messed up. For step 1, the files you are asking us to download are the ones in post #10 correct (brcm.tar.gz)? Also, I don't have this mac.txt file anywhere so I created my own and just put my mac address in it (hopefully the correct one). Lastly, i dont have this file for this step:
sudo chmod 777 /usr/sbin/brcm_patchram_plus.c
but instead i have it in this location:
/usr/sbin/brcm_patchram_plus/brcm_patchram_plus.c
Treizy said:
Maybe I messed up. For step 1, the files you are asking us to download are the ones in post #10 correct (brcm.tar.gz)? Also, I don't have this mac.txt file anywhere so I created my own and just put my mac address in it (hopefully the correct one). Lastly, i dont have this file for this step:
sudo chmod 777 /usr/sbin/brcm_patchram_plus.c
but instead i have it in this location:
/usr/sbin/brcm_patchram_plus/brcm_patchram_plus.c
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think you might have files in the wrong location, there should be no brcm_patchram_plus directory. Try to extract the zip again and make sure they are all in /usr/sbin only.
If you didn't have mac.txt from Android, you can just make it like you did and make sure it is in /lib/firmware/brcm.

[GUIDE][7.1.1] Making The System Half-Writable & Convert The Apps To Be System-Apps

[GUIDE][7.1.1] Making The System Half-Writable & Convert The Apps To Be System-Apps
Okay. This is my first guide. My English isnt that so good. I tried something for my phone. I thought maybe it will helps you too.
HERE IS MY EASY GUIDE FOR UNINSTALL SYSTEM-APPS ON NOUGAT 7.1.1 VERSION 34.3.A.0.244 (AND ALSO MAKE THE SYSTEM HALF-WRITABLE?)(I DONT KNOW MUCH THESE SUBJECTS SORRY)
-Requires
- Version 34.3.A.0.244
- Magisked
- TWRPed
Note: Here is my TWRP and Magisking Guide Here Here Here
Installation
1. First Install
a. Android Terminal
b. Busybox By Meefik
2. Open Busybox and Install.
3. Open The Terminal Emulator. Its just like this
Code:
F5121:/ $
and type "su" just like this (NOT "Su", just "su" with little S)
Code:
F5121:/ $ su
press okay (on your keyboard)
Now this dollar symbol changed the like this #
Code:
F5121:/ #
That was First Step of terminal. Now the second step, type this command carefully
Code:
busybox mount -o rw,remount,rw /system
rw,remount,rw
-These are not dots, These are virgules.(commas)
Type and enter. If it doesnt give any error message just like this "mount: '/dev/block/bootdevice/by-name/system'->'/system': Device or resource busy" or something, congrats you did.
-Now you can delete your system-apps using Link2SD.
-But you cant still convert the u-apps to system-apps using Link2SD!
If you want convert user-apps to system-apps, use Root Explorer.
- User-apps located at root/data/app
- So cut the folder (wanted to convert system-app) from data/app
- Paste to root/system/app
- Restart The Phone
- I know this is manual guide for converting apps but it simple and easy.
(When some apps converted, maybe doesnt work. You have been warned.)
+thanks for the SoNyek for post
+commands from YasuHamed. Thanks. His guide is here

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