Database Users

[Q] Problem Rooting 1.2

I apologize if this has been asked already. I scrolled through a few pages of the Q&A and didn't see my specific problem.
This is my first attempt at a manual root, I've only used autonooter in the past. I'm following the instructions step by step in the ManualNooter thread. I am able to get to the point where my SD card runs CWM, I scroll through the options (install zip from sdcard/choose zip from sdcard/manualnooter-4-4-27.zip). However, after choosing the .zip file, instead of installing, the file is actually opened and I'm being asked to choose a .zip file again. I've tried clicking through each option, but nothing is happening except a sting of errors telling me there is no .zip file in the directory I've chosen.
Did I do something wrong? I thought I was fairly tech savvy, but I'm at a loss here!

[Q] How to create an flashable .zip file

Hello all,
I am looking for a good comprehensive guide to creating my own .zip files to flash certain changes I like to make when flashing a rom or just adding files.
Now I have found a few good guides here on XDA but they seem to no longer apply as the update script needs to be in edify and not amend. This is the issue I am having so if anyone can point me to a walk through that explains this type of thing I would appreciate it.

Anyone?

lol, i dont think developers/people-with-knowledge would go into a Q&A sub-forum .
I'm neither on of them, however here is my would-be-successful attempt p) :
1- Make all your modifications and finalize them, the root folder must be /system/ .
2- use apktool to recompile as an apk (apktool b system)
3- sign that .apk.
4- rename extension to zip and violla
theoretically, it should work.

Not shure if this can help you, but i created a zip (original Script is from dungphp) to replace files on my device from CWM:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1241244

[How To] Create a custom firmware for SmartQ Ten3 T15

These are the steps explaining you how to create a custom firmware based on the SmartQ firmware releases.
Warning : Creating a firmware and changing the files may cause your device to stop working, I won't be held responsible for any damage caused by this.
Creating a firmware file is actually very easy, not much is involved and nothing more than some basic software is required to create the files. If you don't understand the steps below than maybe you shouldn't fiddle around with this and wait for other members to create these.
There is nothing explained here about the flashing itself, as I will create a seperate How-To about that with pictures explaining the steps of the recovery.
Also there is nothing explained about kernel building itself, I have no clue how to do that and I'll leave that up to SmartQ.
Use the instructions below to make your own Firmware file with the software you want in it and make all configuration changes you want.
1. If you haven't already download the latest official firmware from SmartQ.
2. Extract the zip file. You then have 2 files, a Chinese .txt file with the release notes. And a file called "SmartQT15".
3. Rename the file "SmartQT15" to "SmartQT15.zip". Accept any warning about making the file useless, as in fact you are making it useful.
4. Extract the zip file. Then you end up with 4 new folders :
"boot" - This will be the files required for booting the OS. And possibly the recovery.
"data" - The user apps and data are in this folder.
"META-INF" - The certificate SmartQ used is in this folder and also the update script that manages the update process.
"system" - The actual Android OS.Stay clear of the boot folder, unless you are 100% sure about what you are doing, this may cause a bricked device without the possibility to reflash.
Add apps to the app subfolder in the data folder. Make sure if you do add apps to set the permissions in the update script file and make changes accordingly. The data-extra.tar file is extracted during the update process.
In the "META-INF\com\google\android" folder you can find the updater-script file, you can edit this with Notepad++. This file tells the CWM based recovery what to do and in this file the permissions are set for apps. Also is it required to edit this if you want to create a pre-rooted firmware.
Be carefull what to change in the system folder it can cause your OS not to boot, but it should be no problem to revert back to another build that did work previously as you didn't touch the boot folder and the recovery should work normally.
Once you have made all the changes you wanted to do. You follow the steps back.
5. zip the 4 folders backup using Winzip or WinRAR, whatever suits you best (You can use compression, I tried out Fast, Normal, Good compression in WinRAR and the firmware flashed without problems). Make sure you have the 4 folders in the "root" of your zip file. Use for filename "SmartQT15.zip"
6. Rename the "SmartQT15.zip" file to "SmartQT15" and accept any warning again about changing the extension of your file.
You have now created a flashable firmware file for the SmartQ Ten3 T15.
Copy his file to the root of an empty microSD card and follow my How-To about flashing Custom Firmwares.
Don't use the guide to flash original SmartQ firmwares as this won't work, by changing the firmware package you break the firmware signature and the recovery will check for this during flashing.
Signature checking can be disabled though in the recovery as I will explain in the new How-To.
If you have any questions feel free to post below and I'll do my best to answer them, all the above is based on my experience and from what I could find out on the Internet.

[Q] How do I apply this file into my Samsung GalaxyS4 that removes all the bloatware?

I have absolutely no background knowledge of anything in a smartphone so bear with me. My device is rooted though.
Ok you know how Samsung Galaxy S4 came with all those stock apps? I want to be able to delete all of them.
With some simple google searches I found this link:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2307355
I attempted some of these steps but I have absolutely, not even the slightest how to complete those steps that person has outlined.
Here are the steps:
Download the zip file "TrulyClean_v1.6_MEDIUM_SBROWSER" extract it.
1. Use the default script or edit the script after your taste. (see "hidden "tutorial above!)
2. Copy recovery.zip to phone.
3a. For best experience - do a full wipe, install a custom rom and then flash TrulyClean.zip.
3b. Script only removes apps in /system, so you have to uninstall any updated apps manually.
4. Flash in recovery (I use PhilZ Touch) & run script after every time you flash a new rom.
5. Enjoy and tell me what you think!
So I downloaded the zip file and extracted it, there were two files into: META-INF and busybox.
Ok so I put them in a folder on the desktop called recovery.
On step 2 I zip the folder I created, so now it's called recovery.zip
On step 3 I don't know anything beyond that, are there step by step tutorials with pictures that illustrate these steps?

michaelli1991 said:
Ok you know how Samsung Galaxy S4 came with all those stock apps? I want to be able to delete all of them.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hello,
This is ROMCleaner - http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2348256
It is a simple zip which you flash in recovery and also comes with a ROMCleaner_user.txt which you serves as the list of apps you want to delete.
Very easy to edit and use.
Also,
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2507931
This is a great ready-to-flash script you can try if you are a little unsure of editing your own custom list.

michaelli1991 said:
I have absolutely no background knowledge of anything in a smartphone so bear with me. My device is rooted though.
Ok you know how Samsung Galaxy S4 came with all those stock apps? I want to be able to delete all of them.
With some simple google searches I found this link:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2307355
I attempted some of these steps but I have absolutely, not even the slightest how to complete those steps that person has outlined.
Here are the steps:
Download the zip file "TrulyClean_v1.6_MEDIUM_SBROWSER" extract it.
1. Use the default script or edit the script after your taste. (see "hidden "tutorial above!)
2. Copy recovery.zip to phone.
3a. For best experience - do a full wipe, install a custom rom and then flash TrulyClean.zip.
3b. Script only removes apps in /system, so you have to uninstall any updated apps manually.
4. Flash in recovery (I use PhilZ Touch) & run script after every time you flash a new rom.
5. Enjoy and tell me what you think!
So I downloaded the zip file and extracted it, there were two files into: META-INF and busybox.
Ok so I put them in a folder on the desktop called recovery.
On step 2 I zip the folder I created, so now it's called recovery.zip
On step 3 I don't know anything beyond that, are there step by step tutorials with pictures that illustrate these steps?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi.
U do not need to extract the two files.
U only do this if u want to remove any system apps u don't want to remove in the update script.
Just copy the zip file in yr sdcard and flash in recovery.
That's it.
Cheers.

Wait, if your rooted. Why not just buy (yes buy, it's worth it) Titanium Backup or Rom Manager Pro and freeze, backup, and uninstall the apps you want removed. And then you have a good end user friendly GUI to work with.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app

Flash Stock ROM missing META-INF directory

Kinda makes this noob sick. I just got a new Moto G4 X1625 (not Amazon). Next came the steps to unlock the bootloader with Motorola and to install TWRP. Everything had gone so easily by following some how-to steps I jumped to the next step of installing SuperSU without doing a backup – thinking it was simply adding an app. Big mistake! Reboot and now always stuck on the logo boot animation.
Okay, so I found and tried use TWRP to install ATHENE_6.0.1_MPJ24.139-13.1_cid50_subsidy-DEFAULT_CFC.xml.zip in an attempt to get back to stock. No luck there since install always aborts with a "Could not find 'META-INF/com/google/android/update-binary' in the zip file."
I checked a couple of other ROMs and that META-INF directory doesn't seem to be included in them either.
What do I need to do just to get back to normal eliminating the effects of that SuperSU install? Help greatly appreciated.

That file you downloaded is not a flashable file.
Instead, read this linky

Thanks for the helpful clue @t0mm13b. I followed the approach at <http://www.stechguide.com/download-stock-firmware-of-moto-g4-and-g4-plus/> and executed the listed commands from my MacOS Terminal. They did the job resulting in a fresh install after bootup.
2-1/2 questions…
1. Are flashable ROM files readily available? The ones I found all seemed missing the META-INF directory. Will they be .img files and not .zip?
2. Is TWRP not useful for these stock ROMs?

The ones I found all seemed missing the META-INF directory. Will they be .img files and not .zip?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
As a general rule of thumb, read the accompanying text to the link of the download, on a web page where you find one. It will tell you if it's flashable or not.
Factory images, just like what you had to carry out previously, never have, and do not have the `META-INF` directory. They usually contain img files that requires `fastboot flash`.
On the other hand, OTAs and flashable zips will have that in their respective zip file.

Thanks again @t0mm13b for the clarification. I often didn't see info about whether a ROM is flashable in link or web page text, but it may have just been assumed based on being aware of what the zip contains.