so i wanted to search but didnt now what terms to use in order to find what i need to know.
basically, after i install an .apk to my phone, can i delete the .apk file off my device?
as with windows, after you use the .exe to install, you can delete it
i thought for sure id have a few responses by now the way this forum moves lol
You may do so if you like. The apk is the installer file.
Sent from my SCH-I500 using XDA App
yes you can delete any .apk file that is downloaded to the phone. all you need to do is either download uninstaller by Rhytm Software in the market or you can just go into menu>settings>applications and go from there.
Related
Hi All -
Firstly.. Please don't burn me for being thick!..
I've been trying to see how much I can get out of my phone since I got it, without having to root and mess about "under the hood" of the apps I've installed..
But now I'm getting curious and for my first attempt at this I will remain "unrooted"..
I've got ADW and I want to amend some of the .png files - so I tried extracing the app from the phone, openned the APK using winzip and amended some of the .png files.. I've uninstalled ADW from the phone and then tried to reinstall the updated version which I've put back onto my SD card - but it says "Cannot install ADW on this phone".....
I've had a search around XDA but can't find anything that helps..
If there is already a thread that talks me through this please point me in the right direction, otherwise if someone could explain to me if I'm missing a step I'd appreciate it!..
Cheers!
Alan.
EDIT - Ok - It's solved... I downloaded the SignApk app off t'internet signed the new APK that I'd created and then sent it back to my phone - which worked.. finally solved.
Thanks for all who helped me..
Solution is - YOU HAVE TO SIGN the Apk if it's NOT a system APK..
if i read correct you have extracted the apk ? If yes it won't install unless you sign it. All you have to know about signing is here .
Or you can just open the archive with 7zip or whatever you want and drag the files there and it will work just fine.(Haven't checked though but it was pointed out here ) .
Hi - Thanks for this...
By Extracted... What I did was I used astro to back it up to the SD card then bluetoothed it to my laptop - opened the APK using Winzip and edited some of the png's within the archive.. then I saved it, bluetoothed it back to my SD card and tried to reinstall it from there..
that's I got the message "can't install ADW on this phone" message...
?? Perhaps I need to extract it differently? or would I need to re-sign it first?
Thanks again.
Use 7zip instead and right click the apk and hit open archive instead of extract. Then drop the files u edited into the correct folder. It should install...
Hope it helps.
currently stuck with this aswell, ive just opened the archive and stuck in the edited images. cannot intall on this phone error afterwards
my post on it the now http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=779702&page=3
yours worked lol need to read into signapk a bit more i think lol only few imaged need sorted, the google search widget seems to be a bit crazy
very old version aswell cant get my backed up settings etc doesnt have many options at all will use the 1.1.3 i had earlier when i get home
Check out the hacks and mods thread. It covers how to do this.
Btw I'm not flaming (in any sense of the term. )
Drag n drop works for system apps but for apps like the ones in market ul need to remove meta inf folder, sign the apk file n all should be well. although I think because the certificates have been changed you won't be able to update it via market. I've done quite a bit of editing..
Sent from my rooted 026 X10i using swype via Xda
Mobzter said:
Drag n drop works for system apps but for apps like the ones in market ul need to remove meta inf folder, sign the apk file n all should be well. although I think because the certificates have been changed you won't be able to update it via market. I've done quite a bit of editing..
Sent from my rooted 026 X10i using swype via Xda
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks Mobzter - you can ignore my question in the other thread now!!!.. you've answered it here!
Cheers.
Mobzter said:
Drag n drop works for system apps but for apps like the ones in market ul need to remove meta inf folder, sign the apk file n all should be well. although I think because the certificates have been changed you won't be able to update it via market. I've done quite a bit of editing..
Sent from my rooted 026 X10i using swype via Xda
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
My mistake sorry. :-(
I'll forgive you graviel!! just don't do it again!! ;-)
Lol I was jus saying.. hell im not even saying that im right but from personal experience aswel as what I've read over time thats my conclusion! wish I learnt this **** before I got a job lol
Sent from my rooted 026 X10i using swype via Xda
Hey there, I just recently downloaded perception custom rom and all of the APK's were taken out to keep the initial download and install of perception small, and now I have no idea how to install them onto my phone to use. Can someone instruct me on how to do so? Thank you
Sent from my GT-I9000 using XDA App
I used Sideload Wonder Machine to install APK files onto my non-rooted stock phone. Not sure if that would work for you or not, but it's available at: http://www.androidcentral.com/sideload-android-apps-all-you-want-sideload-wonder-machine
Yea you could use side load wonder machine. Also, you could just root and enable off market installations.
or u can use the new app that can install multiple apk at a time
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I897 using XDA App
If u already have the apk stored on ur sd from a separate theme for the same rom, could you extract the apk u want and move it to a different theme?
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I897 using XDA App
from command line
Code:
adb install name_of.apk
is what I use, there is no need for root.
If you are on windows you can put loads of these commands into a batch file and automate your re-installation.(You'll have to look that up yourself) If you are on linux you use a shell script or do like I have and make it a script for your file manager (Nautilus) so you just right click a group of .apk files and select install...
Sideload wonder machine works wonders.
Perception is an I9000 rom you don't need to do anything special to enable non market installation. Find the file on your SD card and just click on it to install.
Hi all.
I play with quite a few different roms, and currently add a little program apkinstaller to the rom before I load it.
I use the apkinstaller to first re-install TB off the SD card, and then I use TB to re-install everything else, then I go setup my accounts for market and syncing (don't need the cloud servers to do the re-installs wasting bandwidth).
It would be even better if I could put this apkinstaller and TB into a zip file which I could install after loading the rom.
If I can get it to load from a zip file, then I wouldn't even need the apk installer; I would just install TB from the zip file, reboot, and reload from there.
Where can I find information about what I need to do in a zip file to install an apk?
Thanks all.
Yeah I have the same question. Any one have any suggestions?
no-one able to assist
Seems there isn't much interest in replying - I assume this rather than no-one actually knowing.
I need my post count up anyway so I might as well reply with what I have seen. There was a thread somewhere else that I saw someone had a fresh_install.zip script to delete a set of files, and add launcher pro. I guess I need to pull that apart and see what I can work out from it. I only want to do the single file add, so it hopefully will be simple.
easier solution already available
Adding to my own thread again in case anyone else is interested.
I have been looking at the file, and have information about what would need to be done, but now find an easier alternative. It seems that many (most?) of the file managers have an apk installer built in. The roms typically come with a file manager, so I can just use that to start off my re-install process- nothing else required.
Will probably still play with the .zip file though just to understand what it needs.
I am a noob but two things I kind of figured out after a while that were not intuitively obvious so I thought I would post them here to help any other noobs.
First, when you download a file off of XDA-Developers.com, it might be in .RAR format. RAR is a compressed file much like a .ZIP but you will need a special program to extract it. I downloaded a freeware program called Free RAR Extract Frog to my PC to do that and it works well.
Second, when you load an .APK file from XDA onto your G-Tab, it probably didn't come from the Market because it has been modified, so you will need to have an App to install it. I got Easy Installer off the Market for free and it works.
Before you use it, you will need to go into your Settings\Applications and change the permissions to allow installation of non-Market Apps. Load the .APK file into the root folder and when you start Easy Installer, it will find it and it will ask you if you want to install it. Click yes.
Good to hear you are getting past the obstacles
I would also recommend 7-zip for RAR extraction.
As for apk installations, an apk installer app will do just fine, but a simple file manager will work as well. All you need to do is open the apk and select "package installer" if prompted.
I agree, a file manager is all thats needed, much better. Download astro or root explorer
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