(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).
I am trying to install the Skype from market by every time it gets downloaded full and when the installation starts it says insufficient memory. Pls i need this app very much is this a known issue? or only with my phone?
Clear cache by going to recovery seems to solve that problem for me.
i used "Android Terminal Emulator" app from market. and did the following as described in another thread
[*]Root your device.
[*]Get a shell on your device, for example by using "Android Terminal Emulator" (easier option) – or by enabling "USB debugging" in Settings => Application => Development, connecting your device to your computer via USB and using the Windows command line tool "adb.exe shell" (Android Debug Bridge).
[*]Type "su" [ENTER] in the shell to gain root permissions. (You might have to confirm granting root permission on your device.)
[*]Type "cd /data/data" [ENTER] and then "ls" [ENTER]. You should see a folder named "com.skype.raider".
[*]Type "rm -R com.skype.raider" [ENTER] to delete Skype's leftovers.
[*]Type "exit" [Enter] twice, close the shell and re-install Skype.
[/list]
it worked perfect on my Samsung indulge from metro.
(as dhayman11 pointed out, "unknown sources" is in security settings, not developer options. but no luck anyway, like most of the settings app, it also crashes if you try to set it.)
instead, here is an extremely stupid idea that just came to me.
1. turn on adb wifi debugging
2. sideload your favorite terminal, e.g.
http://jackpal.github.com/Android-Terminal-Emulator/downloads/Term.apk
(ok I lied. you will need your desktop/laptop/phone/whatever, exactly 1 time. step 2 will be skipped forever after that 1 time.)
3. fire up said terminal from the settings->applications menu.
4. (LOL!)
$ adb devices
4a. if the above command shows no devices,
$ adb connect localhost
and proceed to step 5.
4b. if the command shows exactly 1 device, e.g. "emulator-5554", proceed to step 5.
4c. if the command shows more than 1 device (wtf?!) then you will need to specify a device of your choice ("-s somedevice") in every subsequent adb command, e.g.
$ adb -s emulator-5554 <whatever>
$ adb -s localhost:5555 <whatever>
etc.
5. e.g.
$ adb install /sdcard/Download/foobar.apk
$ adb shell
$ adb uninstall -k com.something.somethingelse
etc. etc.
6. profit? profit!
ok here is a slightly-less incoherent form of the senior-moment-reply I posted earlier
several days ago it occurred to me to alternatively use sshd for terminal access, because:
-a) I feel a little unsafe leaving adb wifi enabled all the time (ok it's only a small thing to turn it on and off, but still) - and for security reasons there is no way to enable/disable it programmatically e.g. from a script/shell/terminal/app (well theoretically this is not exactly true, but practically it is)
-2) some people (i.e. me) would like to do shell/terminal remotely sometimes, rather than on the AFTV (and other people don't have/want a keyboard)
ssh access makes a great alternative to Term.apk, but the problem is:
- Term.apk and/or (pick your favorite android ssh server) don't have permission to run e.g. "pm install foo.apk" - it will fail. (btw 'pm' is a great command, take a look sometime at all the options. it shares a lot of functions as the adb command itself. 'am' is another fun command...)
- so, the hilarious workaround of enabling adb wifi, "adb connect", and then finally "adb shell" or "adb install" etc., is still required. (b/c the adb user is in the 'shell' group, among others - giving it permission to run /system/bin/pm) - oh well.
for random reference:
Code:
127|[email protected]:/ $ id
uid=2000(shell) gid=2000(shell) groups=1004(input),1007(log),1009(mount),1011(adb),1015(sdcard_rw),1028(sdcard_r),3001(net_bt_admin),3002(net_bt),3003(inet),3006(net_bw_stats)
[email protected]:/ $ exit
[email protected]:/ $ id
uid=10009(app_9) gid=10009(app_9) groups=1015(sdcard_rw),1028,3003(inet),50009(app_40009)
(also note it appears the adb shell user might possibly have 'mount' abilities, but since the /dev/block/sd* nodes permissions' are really locked up, who knows...)
Hi,
I've just set up a new handset.
Since changes ive made over night im getting;
- unfortunately, 'app name' has stopped.
I'm trying to generate a logcat, having no joy.
- handset; SGSV
- rom; XTRESTROLITE
- kernel; blaze
I have turned logging on via 'pimp my rom' tweaks.
Upon adb logcat command i get;
- Unable to open log device '/dev/log/main': No such file or directory
So i set about tying to manually ensure logcat is enabled.
First with ADB;
> adb shell
> logcat-enable
Result;
C:\android-sdk\platform-tools>adb shell
[email protected]:/ $ logcat-enable
logcat-enable
/system/bin/sh: logcat-enable: not found
Then via USSD code;
> *#*#2846579#*#*
Result;
Number dialled, no code.
Then i attempted to follow as per these instructions;
http://bitmote.com/index.php?post/2013/02/19/Enabling-Logcat-in-Custom-Android-Roms
I found system set to ro, remounted rw ok.
But ran into a dead end here;
"First you need to locate the logger kernel module...
logger.ko located in...your /system folder...
Try these locations:
/system/lib/modules/logger.ko
/system/modules/logger.ko"
The folder "modules" does not exist in system or lib/system.
Help would be much appreciated.
Cheers.