[Q] Where does android get the installed application list from? - Android Software/Hacking General [Developers Only]

Hello
I was hoping someone could help me out with some info. I'm trying to figure out how to remove items from the installed apps list. There are some apps there that is uninstalled and so trying to uninstall them again just shows an error.
Can I somehow edit the list?
I'm new to android but I am used to Linux and I have root access plus terminal and scripting (python) installed.
It's android 1,6.
Sent from my X10i mini pro

Doesn't anybody know?
Sent from my X10i mini pro

Thanks for the help guys!
Sent from my X10i mini pro

You might want to consider what the rules say about posting. It says give appropriate time for people to answer.
I found your post because I have nothing better to do than go one by one through threads. I don't think I has been visible to many people (unless you got a really high views number), but then again might be that the ones who saw simply don't know the answer.
I do not know the answer to your question but all apps that show in the list are either in /data/app/ or in /system/app/ once you delete them from there they are actually uninstalled and removed from that list. Note that /system/app/ is a read only file structure and you need to remount it as RW with terminal or use something like Root Explorer. As always, there is a reason for it to be read only, so you dont mess with it unless you know exactly what you're doing. Apps here are the ones that you cannot normally uninstall.

Look at the date of the first post. Deleting from those folders does not remove apps from the installed apps list. They just show up with a size of zero. Deleted them from the cache too and still no luck. Android must have some kind of file or database with installed app names. Only way to remove apps is to delete them, install them like normal apps and then uninstall them. Someone must know where it actually get the items on the installed apps list from.
Sent from my X10i mini pro

I remember when I was removing Motonav from Milestone, in some tutorial there was some xml-scutrctured file containing all that information, but now I can't remember it's name and location, sorry

Related

[help needed] terminology and a clear answer?

Im a bit of a noob when it comes to Android.
im more a windows mobile person however....
For xmas i recieved an android tablet which is an awesome toy! but ive had issues with making the widgets work on the home screen - they dont show up.
Ive read forums and forums all day and each forum points back to xda:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=780828&page=13
Looks great, downloaded the apk tried to copy it to the system/app folder but it wont let me do it.
Ive managed to confuse myself after hours of reading so hoping someone can give me some ideas.
Ive read about needing the device 'rooted' i still dont understand what this is n how i do it.
Ive also read the file is to be pushed into the folder??
Ive downloaded the terminal emulator, file explorer etc... tried copy/paste, move, cut etc... all with the same answer of insufficent access.
The terminal emulator on the other hand i cannot use as its all touch screen with no hard buttons once running i cannot type into the program.
surely theres an easier way to load things into the system folders?
Sorry if its the wrong section or what seems a simple ask for some direction, I'm used to windows mobile and htc sence modding where you can just delete and replace files at will
Hey,
Root is like the administrator in Windows. By default, you have a user account, not a root or admin account. And therefore you're access permissions are limited. You do not have write permissions to most internal directories and are pretty much limited to the sd card, which is kinda like 'home' in linux or 'my documents' in windows. Also, cannot run applications that require su (superuser, ie: root, admin).
Rooting is the act of accessing the root user account, or admin account. Like 'jail-breaking' in the apple world.
How to root your android depends on which model you have.
For installing the widget app, as long as its an .apk file, you should be able to just click on it and be prompted to install it.
To access your widgets, should be able to log press on a blank area of the home screen and get a option box to select from. Or if you have a 'menu' button there should be an add option.
To use the Terminal, long press 'menu' and your keyboard will popup. Or click menu and there will be an option for the keyboard, also settings to change color, text size and others.
Sent from my ERIS using XDA App
Also, in the terminal, it will use linux commands, not windows commands.
You can google android commands and get a list of common commands.
Good luck. Have fun. If you don't have some linux experience, it may seem like there's a steep learning curve, but most things will become easy after a little tinkering.
Sent from my ERIS using XDA App
im finding this an incredibly steep curve - a bit too steep lol
I would recommend searching <(name of device) root guide> and then you will find your way around.
But, i don't think you need root, root is for when you need to install applications that you need higher permissions to control system settings. Also to install different versions of android.
Your problem seems to be only a bug. If you want to install an application that is not on the market, you just go to your settings and turn on installing from unknown sources.
You don't need to put it in system apps, the apk is like an .exe, just put it on your sd card, install a file manager program like ASTRO, and then open that app, go to the directory you transfered the file, and click it, ASTRO will give you the ability to install it.
patriotaus said:
I would recommend searching <(name of device) root guide> and then you will find your way around.
But, i don't think you need root, root is for when you need to install applications that you need higher permissions to control system settings. Also to install different versions of android.
Your problem seems to be only a bug. If you want to install an application that is not on the market, you just go to your settings and turn on installing from unknown sources.
You don't need to put it in system apps, the apk is like an .exe, just put it on your sd card, install a file manager program like ASTRO, and then open that app, go to the directory you transfered the file, and click it, ASTRO will give you the ability to install it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I dont think rooting is essential to do this but from what ive read - it helps.
the app in question is this: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=780828
this should replace the file on my system which doesnt work. unless anyone has a suggestion to get the same item by installing an apk to achieve as per the instructions state "copy into system/app and set permissions"

Recent Opened Files Log?

Hello,
i have search for about 30minutes but i wasn't able in finding a solution so i will start with the generic question and then go into the specific..
i am trying to look for a way to have logged (with an app or any other method) all the recent files read on my device.. so that if i launch an app which reads some files, anywhere they are stored, it will report me what was opened and read..
in the specific i have a app installed which saves the info into a file surely (i doubt it uses any kind of database). i would like to get in hold of that file and since i don't know where to look into my phone memory i was looking for a sort of file logger which could help me in this way. Else it could be also usefull to know if there is a specific folder dedicated for saving files of the various installed apps..
thanks
/mStation
Italy!

[q] need help removing bloatware!?!?

So I have my phone rooted, but I don't feel like using a different ROM. I only want to get rid of all the bloatware. I downloaded super manager from the market, and I was able to find many of the apps I wanted to delete in the "system folder"
My problem is that I cannot find the following apps in that folder.
T-Mobile Mall
Highlight
App Pack
The folder i found that had the rest of the apps was under the heading system/apps. Those three, however, are no where to be found. I tried using the search feature but that does not bring up anything. I am looking for the .apk files so that I can remove that stuff from the phone. Any ideas?????
Andrew.Dodson07 said:
So I have my phone rooted, but I don't feel like using a different ROM. I only want to get rid of all the bloatware. I downloaded super manager from the market, and I was able to find many of the apps I wanted to delete in the "system folder"
My problem is that I cannot find the following apps in that folder.
T-Mobile Mall
Highlight
App Pack
The folder i found that had the rest of the apps was under the heading system/apps. Those three, however, are no where to be found. I tried using the search feature but that does not bring up anything. I am looking for the .apk files so that I can remove that stuff from the phone. Any ideas?????
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
root and install root explorer. go to /system/app and delete what you don't want and than reboot. all done. i deleted all my t-mobile crap there. have fun and be careful. make a backup just in case you make a mistake. i found all my t-mobile preinstalled apps there. some dont go by the name in the app drawer just look for the icon and go from there.
App Pack is in the system/app/ folder.Highlight & T-Mobile Mall are part of App Pack,so once that is deleted you will see all three icons disappear,use Root Explorer.
Sent from my LG-P999 using XDA Premium App
I would root and then use bloat freezer from the market. It just freezes your apps so they don't appear and can't run. You can unfreeze them at any time. It's on sale for 99 cents.
same issue
So I'm coming across the same issue. I rooted the device, downloaded root explorer and bloat freeze. After using root explorer to delete other items, I still cantfind the above apps to delete. Highlight, and tmobile mall are still present, but dont show in root explorer.
Any suggestions on where to go now.
Bloat freeze can't find them as well.
Titanium back up.

[Q] Remove app from applist, but keep it installed?

Hello,
I just flashed a custom rom and since then I love using the folders app!
I'm wondering if there's a way to remove an entry from the App list (since I can run it via the folder application) to take care that the App list is more tidy than it is now?
I think it is not me only, many people would find this useful, wouldn't hey?
Thank You!
Hide Apps
http://windowsphonehacker.com/artic..._from_the_windows_phone_7_start_menu-11-10-11
Hope this helps
Press thanks if it helped.
Thanks, it helped me for all those Homebrew Applications, since those are the ones that are annoying me the most
Glad to see that it works for free Apps as well.. now I'd only love a Solution that can edit the Manifest files OnThePhone ^^
Basically I just need to find the manifest file on the phone and edit it right there ..
Lately i have to say that the solution is not as good as some might think, since the APPNAME is not shown in the Folders Application as well! I just shows the Icon in there.
FoldersApp needs some improvement! !
[Update] Okay I spend some time on it.
The best Solution is:
1. Remove Title from Manifest!
2. Deploy Application!
3. Goto Install Folder (Windows Phone Device Manager!)
4. Open Manifest from the Install folder on PC!
5. Add Title again!
6. You're Done!! You can see the Title in Folders Application but it keeps hidden in Applist!!*
*This hints that there must be an Registry entry for Applist entries..
And backward?
well.. uninstall the app and deploy it again will help!
How to uninstall on phone? No idea! But Windows Phone Device Manager on PC should work!
I'm thinking about coding an App for the first part.. !
Garockt said:
I'm thinking about coding an App for the first part.. !
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, please make an app that lets me hide apps from the app list! The app could remember what was hidden in order to restore things later. The config could be exported to SkyDrive

Nova Launcher: recovering deleted file from home screen

I do this on impulse: deleting spam from an application that I've installed. Now I want it back, (no solid reason). I really believe it has been deleted for good and there's no cache system for this. Let me know if there is a process to find the orgin or the deleted file. I'll keep using my file manager to search my phone for something until I get a better option.
*browseing the forums found simular post but not the phone, let me know if there is an answer here or you've got one to tell*

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