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[Q] Extracting and Amending apps .png file - Need some help please

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

Netflix

So i tried to use the new netflix app but it keeps saying my phone is not supported even though it says the nexus s is. Looking around i read i could just change the build prop but when i try to change the build prop it says "file type prop not found". Any ideas what to do???
I have cm7.0.3 and a netatchy kernel if thats relevant
Sent from my Nexus S using XDA App

How did you change the build prop? I used root explorer to find it, long press it, open with text editor, find the upercase S and change it to a lowercase s, saved changes, rebooted. Works perfectly now.

all i did was change permissions to r/w and opened up astro except it wouldnt let me open it to make changes. ima try root explorer then
Sent from my Nexus S using XDA App

Deleted Swype on accident :(

I was messing with my newly rooted A2 while driving (I know, it's a big no no ><) and I accidentally deleted swype. I tried factory resetting the phone and now all that shows up is the Multi touch keyboard in settings. Can anyone post it so I can re-install it?

Here ya go. And remember no playing with your phone while driving...You could really mess up your phone.

Thank you! I installed it but it's not working?? I did it like a regular app, am I supposed to install it in a different way??
Sent from my MB865 using XDA App

You have to use root explorer and put it into /system/apps/ folder then restart the phone.

I did and still nothing >< do I need to set permissions??
Edit: or maybe I need the .odex file that comes with it?? I'm just giving ideas :/
Sent from my MB865 using XDA App

Ok so I messed around with the permissions a bit and I can get Swype to appear in the settings and input method BUT it keeps FC whenever I try to access swype settings or switch to it as my keyboard. Any suggestions?? DO I need the .odex file??
Sent from my MB865 using XDA App

you need to fix permissions and need the odex file, as well as the libSwypeCore.so file from /system/lib

I overwrote the latinIME.apk and latinIME.odex on my atrix 2 and forgot to backup can someone get me the stock apk and odex files? and will using root explorer work or will i have to use adb? thanks in advance, i'm kinda new at this.
nevermind, i found the post with all of the system apps, it's right here if anyone needs it.

lilhaiti said:
You have to use root explorer and put it into /system/apps/ folder then restart the phone.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Do NOT use root explorer EVER, to put system files in place. ALWAYS use adb to push the files, then chmod them to 550 once they are moved into place.
Jim
Sent from my MB865 using xda premium

Use swift x it is much better ;-)
Sent from my MB865 using XDA App

System App

Hello. Firts off I have a two part question. I have a sensation 4g hboot 1.27.xxx running bruce2728 cm10 rom, s-off, 4ext recovery touch, fw3.33. I have never had any major problems with this rom. The latest update to 10/25 I lost the sound recorder app. I downloaded the apk and installed it and it shows up in the system/app folder but not in the app drawer. I have tried to install the app from es file manager as well as placing the .apk in the system/app file and rebooting with same results. My first question is in regaurd to this, how do I install this app as a system app? I have done this before with superSU but it isn't working this time. My second question is how do you know what permissions to set for an .apk? I know how to fix permissions via recovery and also how to change them with root explorer but not, how to figure out what they are supposed to be. An explanation in layman's terms please would be appreciated.
Sent from my HTC Sensation using xda premium

*disregard my comment. I observe i have the apk in system folder too but not appearing in the drawer. Apologize for the misunderstanding*
It will show up once you set the right permission... to know what permission to set, just check other apps permission in the same folder. I usually use root explorer, long touh the apk and select permission.
Cant upload pic. Link shows how the permission should look like.
http://db.tt/dWeoTY4y
~HTC Sensation powered by Bricked AOKP milestone 6~

I have checked the permissions and they were the same as all the .apks in the file and it still doesn't show up in the app drawer. I even tried to fix permissions thru recovery and after reboot, still nothing.
The permissions for everything in the file are rw-r--r--.
Sent from my HTC Sensation using xda premium

evetsno1 said:
I have checked the permissions and they were the same as all the .apks in the file and it still doesn't show up in the app drawer. I even tried to fix permissions thru recovery and after reboot, still nothing.
The permissions for everything in the file are rw-r--r--.
Sent from my HTC Sensation using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I cant figure out why it doesnt show on mine either. I think it is link with another app where you can record from there, the note app for example (found an info that its related to the voice command but not sure).
I did found this on GPlay. Not sure if it will work but it seems to have a good review
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.kayan.nurav.soundrecorder&hl=en
Edit: I tried it and it works

Thanks i'll give it a try. It worked but now I have upgraded to 10/27 and its in there.
Sent from my HTC Sensation using xda premium

[Q] Build.prop tweaks don't stick, reset when I reboot

Hi,
I'm pretty sure this problem could be common to all rooted devices, so I'm posting it in the general Q&A.
Basically, I would like to experiment with some build.prop tweaks I found around other XDA topics. I'm sure all of you know about the general tweaking of the said file, so I won't get into too much detail about it.
However, the changes just don't stick. They reset to default every time I reboot, as if the build.prop file never changed. So, how do I make them stick?
Phone details:
Phone: Xperia X8
ROM: FroyoPro v2.5
Kernel: Stock (can't unlock the bootloader, unfortunately)

Are you saving before exiting?

XperienceD said:
Are you saving before exiting?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Of course! I even double-check if the changes were still there by opening the modified build.prop after the work is done. For the changes I used Root Browser Lite with the Text Editor pre-installed inside. This method does work well, as I used it to modify hw_config parameters related to governors a couple of weeks back.
I've read somewhere that sometimes changes aren't possible if the kernel is stock. Could that be the case here?
If not, are there any other methods I could use to modify build.prop?

xWhiskey said:
Of course! I even double-check if the changes were still there by opening the modified build.prop after the work is done. For the changes I used Root Browser Lite with the Text Editor pre-installed inside. This method does work well, as I used it to modify hw_config parameters related to governors a couple of weeks back.
I've read somewhere that sometimes changes aren't possible if the kernel is stock. Could that be the case here?
If not, are there any other methods I could use to modify build.prop?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
A quick google caused me to find this thread and I too am having the same problem. I'm currently trying to edit my build.prop to unlock games which say they are incompatible. I'm using ES File Explorer and the built in text editor to edit and save the .prop file, I check if the changes have saved before rebooting my phone but when I turn it back on it has reverted back to stock.

sircrisp said:
A quick google caused me to find this thread and I too am having the same problem. I'm currently trying to edit my build.prop to unlock games which say they are incompatible. I'm using ES File Explorer and the built in text editor to edit and save the .prop file, I check if the changes have saved before rebooting my phone but when I turn it back on it has reverted back to stock.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Check if your ROM has a dual build.prop file. If one exists in system/bin, you ought to edit that one for the change to stick. This solved the issue for me, and might solve it for you.
If it isn't there, try using search, and if you find another one somewhere else then try editing that one. A simple matter, but apparently easily missed

xWhiskey said:
Check if your ROM has a dual build.prop file. If one exists in system/bin, you ought to edit that one for the change to stick. This solved the issue for me, and might solve it for you.
If it isn't there, try using search, and if you find another one somewhere else then try editing that one. A simple matter, but apparently easily missed
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm here to wake this thread up, because I'm having this same issue and I can't seem to find any duplicate build.prop file...
Anyone having a good suggestion for me please give it, all assistance is welcome.
Android version 4.4.4
Galaxy Note Edge
Sent from my SM-N915P using Tapatalk 2

me too have the same problem , please some dev or expert help with these problem

You install root explorer and mount as r/w and copy the build.prop into your sd card (the unmoded one) and connect your phone to your pc and turn on usb copy file transfer or something like that. In your pc go into your sd and open your copied build.prop with notepad and mod it as you like. After that go into your root explorer and replace it with your original build.prop. Try on not bricking your phone bcz i bricked mine like that when i put a lot mods on it haha, make a cwm backup or if you know how to unbrick it in every case Hope i helped
Be sure its mounted as r/w otherwise you will not be able to do anything to system files.
Use the original root explorer or Andro Zip is recommeded by me
Sent from my GT-S5830i using XDA Free mobile app

Are you setting the file permissions correctly as rw-r--r-- ??

[/COLOR]
flexton said:
You install root explorer and mount as r/w and copy the build.prop into your sd card (the unmoded one) and connect your phone to your pc and turn on usb copy file transfer or something like that. In your pc go into your sd and open your copied build.prop with notepad and mod it as you like. After that go into your root explorer and replace it with your original build.prop. Try on not bricking your phone bcz i bricked mine like that when i put a lot mods on it haha, make a cwm backup or if you know how to unbrick it in every case Hope i helped
Be sure its mounted as r/w otherwise you will not be able to do anything to system files.
Use the original root explorer or Andro Zip is recommeded by me
Sent from my GT-S5830i using XDA Free mobile app
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Click to collapse
samsungrockz said:
Are you setting the file permissions correctly as rw-r--r-- ??
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
thank u for answering but sorry guys to say this , it's not the way of editing it , or the permission , when i make changes they are saved correctly and the device apply the changes in the start of the first boot after these changes are made , but during the boot (after applying the changes) the device restore the stock build.prop , so when the device finishes boot up the changes are applyed but the build.prop (i cheked it) is back to stock , this mean another boot & the changes are gone , :crying: :crying: no matter how many times or changes u do they are applyed only for the first boot after they are made

Maybe it has some stock security feed, try to go to custom roms i dont now what else can you do
Sent from my GT-S5830i using XDA Free mobile app

flexton said:
Maybe it has some stock security feed, try to go to custom roms i dont now what else can you do
Sent from my GT-S5830i using XDA Free mobile app
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Click to collapse
it my first ported rom -porting by replacing files ,not expert work- and i'm having this problem

Kico.MMK said:
it my first ported rom -porting by replacing files ,not expert work- and i'm having this problem
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Try finding your device on xda and look for a custom rom that someone more expirienced than you if it doesnt work i dont know what will
Sent from my GT-S5830i using XDA Free mobile app

flexton said:
Try finding your device on xda and look for a custom rom that someone more expirienced than you if it doesnt work i dont know what will
Sent from my GT-S5830i using XDA Free mobile app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
thanks for the advice , actually i did that but you know there is always something to be fixed :silly:

I have the same issue with my Vodafone Smart Ultra 6. I have root and system has read write access according to ES File Explorer. But any app that has root privileges, writes just fine without errors. However, if I close the app and load it again, or reboot, any changes are lost. So if I remove a system app using a root uninstaller it will say the app has been uninstalled. But it's still there. Drives me insane.

Exactly the same on the Smart Ultra 6.
Was hard enough to get it rooted but seems any changes to the system partition/file system just don't stick. Short of putting a custom rom on it I'm stuck for ideas.
I'd love to know what causes this behaviour.

Any updates here? I just started running into this after updating to the 7.1.1 January factory image on my 5x. The weird thing is when i reboot in TWRP it all looks fine but when I look at my system directory from Android the boot-from-recovery.p is still there and my build.prop changes aren't...push TWRP again, boot to recovery read build.prop and it's my edited version. wtf?

I have found a solution which works in my case.
Edit build prop using any root explorer and save it.
Now once again edit the file with different root explorer app like amaze or es explorer with some comment line like
#comment
and save it.
Now it should prevent the build prop from resetting after a reboot.

I have the same problem: after reboot all the changes are gone....
ashd63 said:
I have found a solution which works in my case.
Edit build prop using any root explorer and save it.
Now once again edit the file with different root explorer app like amaze or es explorer with some comment line like
#comment
and save it.
Now it should prevent the build prop from resetting after a reboot.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's not working for me ☹
---------- Post added at 09:43 AM ---------- Previous post was at 09:30 AM ----------
Is it normal that my build.prop has the permissions -rw------ ?
This could be the problem.

ullie4404 said:
I have the same problem: after reboot all the changes are gone....
It's not working for me ☹
---------- Post added at 09:43 AM ---------- Previous post was at 09:30 AM ----------
Is it normal that my build.prop has the permissions -rw------ ?
This could be the problem.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Did you ever find the solution to this? I'm having the same problem..all changes reset with every reboot and the file's permission is like -rw-----