Is the apk file essentially the same as a .deb file or .rpm file in that once it's installed it can be removed from the phone? Or is the .apk required for the application to run?
Thanks.
Basically, what you said. It can be removed once installed.
Thank you.
ktmdms said:
Is the apk file essentially the same as a .deb file or .rpm file in that once it's installed it can be removed from the phone? Or is the .apk required for the application to run?
Thanks.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Depends what you mean. If you mean the apk on the device itself (/data/app or /system/app), then don't touch it, as Android runs from the apk.
If you mean the sd card, then sure, delete it
Ah, nuts! /data/app has 4 apk files in it. /system/app has 75. What I was hoping to do was clear out the .apk's in /system/app (or move them to the sdcard and maybe link /system/app to a directory on the sdcard) to make room in the phone. Not safe to do that, huh?
Thanks.
I wouldn't think so. I'd leave them just incase.
Related
i am moving my apps to the sdcard obviously, and when i copied my apps to the sdcard(cp -R /data/app/ /sdcard), i get a zip file for one of the apps. it should be an a apk. but the res, resources, and the android manifest, are all in this zip folder and i dont know a way to install that app to my sdcard to make it work.i tried the package installer on the phone, it worked by recoginzing the app but it said install uncessfull. so does anyone know a way so i can install the app someway or get it to a apk. format?
id appreciate it very much and thank you!!!!
mybackup saves backups in a "zip" file, could this be what you are seeing?
davidhooper4 said:
i am moving my apps to the sdcard obviously, and when i copied my apps to the sdcard(cp -R /data/app/ /sdcard), i get a zip file for one of the apps. it should be an a apk. but the res, resources, and the android manifest, are all in this zip folder and i dont know a way to install that app to my sdcard to make it work.i tried the package installer on the phone, it worked by recoginzing the app but it said install uncessfull. so does anyone know a way so i can install the app someway or get it to a apk. format?
id appreciate it very much and thank you!!!!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i noticed the paid apps are showing up in /data/app as *.zip and in /data/app-private as the *.apk .. things like pac-man etc
I wasn't able to find info about this until now. But I need to know how to make the apks I include in a rom removable. I guess, maybe, I have to copy into a different folder instead or /system/app. is it right?
thanks
you have to install it in data directory not in system directory. so data/app
ok, thanks, but, if it doesn't exist, should I create it?
no u should not create it because then it wouldnt be a proper directory for your rom, the rom may not recognize it, i think.
which rom are you on? most rom has a data directory, that is where third party apps are installed and where apps downloaded from the market is also installed
this one
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=556962&highlight=enomther
ok i see what u mean when there's no data directory. what you should test out first is go to market and download an app. then see where that app is install. see if it created a data directory or not. it should...
I had a look using root explorer, and there is a folder in the root called /data/app , and there inside are every installed apk, even the ones I installed by astro...
and there is another one called /data/data where I find folder of every app too
ANd another one called /data/app-private (there I found one apk that I downloaded from market.
I try to download a new one
Yup put your apks in data/app
on a related note, is there any way to flash unsigned ROMs? like if I want to drop .apk 's into the data folder of a rom before flashing?
The_Chrome_Coyote said:
on a related note, is there any way to flash unsigned ROMs? like if I want to drop .apk 's into the data folder of a rom before flashing?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think no, but have a look for a program called autosign.
It very easy
NguyenHuu said:
Yup put your apks in data/app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
but it only appear in my phone,not in the files of the rom.
Anyway I'm going to ask enomther, the creator of the rom, maybe he can help me
joshuas_79 said:
but it only appear in my phone,not in the files of the rom.
Anyway I'm going to ask enomther, the creator of the rom, maybe he can help me
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
ok your running a reg rom system, thus meaning 1.5/1.6 non hero. i can teach you step by step on how to set up "signing .zip's". its super super convenient!! i promise and its not to hard. just pm me if you need help. its way way easier to flash a rom with whatever apk you want then to push them and hope you pushed them to the right spot.
Hi,
I often dowload apps that come in a zip, and once unzipped are not in apk format.
For example, after being unzipped will usually include the following:
android manifest.xml
classes.dex
resources.arsc
a 'Meta-INF' folder
a 'res' folder
and a 'lib' folder
Was wondering how to get these packages installed. Any help is appreciated. Thanks.
Those are usually things you have to flash through recovery (install zip option), or install through MetaMorph if they're themes.
Hi,
just saw, you were faster.
have the same problem, in my case a *. sis file.
I don´t really know what to do with those files.
Regards
NetJay
Was a game I downloaded if that helps any1 understand.
dancforfreedom said:
Hi,
I often dowload apps that come in a zip, and once unzipped are not in apk format.
For example, after being unzipped will usually include the following:
android manifest.xml
classes.dex
resources.arsc
a 'Meta-INF' folder
a 'res' folder
and a 'lib' folder
Was wondering how to get these packages installed. Any help is appreciated. Thanks.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This folders are the typical folders found in an apk file. Actually, all you have to do in this case is to just rename the .zip file to .apk without unzipping it and it should work. I do that when my apk files that I downloaded comes out as .zip. It works for me all the time.
Sent from my HTC Original Desire using Tapatalk
Thanks a lot, worked a treat!
itachi1706 said:
This folders are the typical folders found in an apk file. Actually, all you have to do in this case is to just rename the .zip file to .apk without unzipping it and it should work. I do that when my apk files that I downloaded comes out as .zip. It works for me all the time.
Sent from my HTC Original Desire using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi,
thats all? Omg can´t belive it, will try.
Thanks so lot !
Regards
NetJay
dancforfreedom said:
Was a game I downloaded if that helps any1 understand.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Downloaded from where? Any official channels would supply an .apk surely?
dancforfreedom said:
Hi,
I often dowload apps that come in a zip, and once unzipped are not in apk format.
For example, after being unzipped will usually include the following:
android manifest.xml
classes.dex
resources.arsc
a 'Meta-INF' folder
a 'res' folder
and a 'lib' folder
Was wondering how to get these packages installed. Any help is appreciated. Thanks.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
try to rename the files to *.apk and install.
DirkGently1 said:
Downloaded from where? Any official channels would supply an .apk surely?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
While they commonly will give you an .apk file, sometimes especially if you download it from your android device directly, it downloads as a .zip file. In that case you will have to rename it.
Hi. I just found out that apk files are kept in the device after installation of the app.
I just recently downloaded a file explorer app and I found out that the apk files of the free games which I downloaded and installed from android market are kept in this folder:
/mnt/asec (I'm using Samsung Galaxy Ace)
There are individual folders for each game, and in each folder are a lib folder and the apk file. For example:
Fruit Ninja folder (which is found in mnt/asec folder) contains a lib folder and an apk file.
Fruit Slice folder (which is also found in mnt/asec folder) contains a lib folder and an apk file.
My question is, is it ok to delete these apk files? Will the games still work?
Also, can I send these apk files to someone else via bluetooth so they may download the apps without having to visit android market?
yeah you can delete the apk file after installing any app for it to still function, I do it all the time. Yes you can send the apk file to your friend so they can install it. If you're still cautious, try doing a trial run with one apk file...send it to your friend first, then delete, see if it works.
The .apk files are like setup files for windows. Once installed, you don't need the apk, especially if you are backing up with Titanium or similar backup program.
follow up question
Hi. Thanks guys.
Is everything from the android market ".apk"? Is it possible that some have a different extension? I downloaded a dictionary app, I can't be sure but I think it's a .zip file.
Thank you.
pakattack
I tried to delete the apk file. It cannot be deleted.
However, I copied it to my sd card, uninstalled the app, re-installed it using the one already in my sdcard, and it installed just fine.
I still want to be able to delete the apk file that is in the system though (/mnt/asec).
Any ideas or do I just have to deal with it?
sending .apk signed with another device
PakAttack1994 said:
yeah you can delete the apk file after installing any app for it to still function, I do it all the time. Yes you can send the apk file to your friend so they can install it. If you're still cautious, try doing a trial run with one apk file...send it to your friend first, then delete, see if it works.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I agree with deleting it won't be a problem but sending to a friend?
sometimes I think there would be a message stating that its not sign
correctly.. correct me if I'm wrong Thank You
WillShaka, like I said, I tried to delete it. I can't. Not allowed.
I don't know why. I'm using ES File explorer
not sure if this works but have you tried unmounting the sd and delete?
WillShaka said:
I agree with deleting it won't be a problem but sending to a friend?
sometimes I think there would be a message stating that its not sign
correctly.. correct me if I'm wrong Thank You
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Also, and I don't mean to veer out of topic (this question is often ignored in Q&A forum), if I use Odin to upgrade my stock firmware instead of using Kies, will it erase all my data? I have a feeling it will...
WillShaka said:
not sure if this works but have you tried unmounting the sd and delete?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just tried it. Doesn't work, but thanks for suggesting. =)
Yes, you can delete the APK after installation. But the APKs in /system/app/ need to stay where they are to function appropriately
MarlonKaye said:
Also, and I don't mean to veer out of topic (this question is often ignored in Q&A forum), if I use Odin to upgrade my stock firmware instead of using Kies, will it erase all my data? I have a feeling it will...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
MarlonKaye said:
Just tried it. Doesn't work, but thanks for suggesting. =)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
yes odin your phone would wipe out all the user and data status.
your welcome sorry I couldn't help
All-In-One Toolbox App
MarlonKaye said:
WillShaka, like I said, I tried to delete it. I can't. Not allowed.
I don't know why. I'm using ES File explorer
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I use the All-In-One Toolbox app to automatically find and delete all .apk files. It also has an automatic backup and restore function for apps.
So my daragon city and messenger are in the apk files I don't know if its backed by another zip folder my tablet is the amazon fire so if I deleted the apk files that is downloaded for an android would my appe still work the same
It seems that TB is good for integrating most updates but on a few important ones using Google services it seems to break the device.
What has everyone else done to integrate updates to save on space?
Hand76 said:
It seems that TB is good for integrating most updates but on a few important ones using Google services it seems to break the device.
What has everyone else done to integrate updates to save on space?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
--Install root explorer
--Go to /data/app/ search for " com.google.android.gms-1.apk"
--Rename it to "PrebuiltGmsCore.apk"
--now cut the apk and then paste in /system/priv-app/
--make sure permissions are -rw--r--r
-- done
--hit THANKS
Sent from my Nexus 5
rahil3108 said:
--Install root explorer
--Go to /data/app/ search for " com.google.android.gms-1.apk"
--Rename it to "PrebuiltGmsCore.apk"
--now cut the apk and then paste in /system/priv-app/
--make sure permissions are -rw--r--r
-- done
--hit THANKS
Sent from my Nexus 5
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Im guessing the procedure stays the same for most other apps? Except some get renamed and go in system/app?
Also what about apps with an odex file? Just move the app/apk the odex files doesn't get touched does it?
Hand76 said:
Im guessing the procedure stays the same for most other apps? Except some get renamed and go in system/app?
Also what about apps with an odex file? Just move the app/apk the odex files doesn't get touched does it?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
the apps downloaded from play store or any other sites are always deodexed so if ur rom is odexed then delete the odex file u want to move apk of and then move apk ....like if u want to move prebuildgmscore.apk in odexed rom then 1st delete its .odex file in system/app and then move apk and set permissions and reboot and thanks :laugh: