Database Info

Manually install APKs which resist rooted devices?

Squareup.com's app will not show-up in the market on some androids which are rooted.
I acquired the APK, but the installer ends with "Application not installed"
This is really sad. Windows and many other OSes have insecure features and may be used as a POS system.. BUT A ROOTED ANDROID PHONE CANNOT BE A POS??
Is there a way to manually extract the files within the APK, and do a manual install?
Link to Squareup APK: http://db.tt/TlcrKji

Tried pushing it to /data/app or /system/app with terminal emulator?

minus30 said:
Tried pushing it to /data/app or /system/app with terminal emulator?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the response.
Can you clarify these steps?
Are you suggesting that I extract all the contents and place all of them into one or both of the folders you listed?
I'm savvy with term emulator, but would root explorer do the same?
Again, thanks.

Rooted, trying to reinstall deleted Stock.apk

I had a questions about restoring the deleted Stocks app. I rooted with the new unrevoked last night and then installed Titanium to remove apps. I prematurely removed the Stocks app and I have been trying to get it back since.
I've tried multiple routes, from this Wildefire thread http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=738147 I tried the apk via adb and Root Explorer. Neither worked.
Then I downloaded the stock odexed EVO rom from this thread http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=874251, grabbd the stock.apk and moved it to my \system\apps folder with Root Explorer. I've restarted, tried clearing the Dalvik Cache, pushing it via adb, none have worked.
Right now it's still sitting in the \system\app folder.
I wanted to see if there was anything else I can try to get it back? Or am I doing something wrong?
Thanks in advance.

I take it you are running stock Rom. I think the best way is to make a nandroid of the stock Rom that you are running, with ClockworkMod. Once done download Myn's Rom or sprint lovers. Both of this Rom's have the stock Sprint apps. When flashing the Roms, please, make sure to use Rom Manager and flash ClockworkMod, than flash Amo-ra; is located at the buttom as an alternate recovery. Than once you flash the Rom, let it load, than flash clockworkMod again, than go into recovery, than restore,advance restore, select the newest nandroid, and just restore data. This will give you all the stock apps. OR just try this.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=832388

Here are some more apk's.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=901393

grab the apk out of the stock rom you have, then in adb do this
adb remount
adb push Stock.apk /system/app
if you need to push the odex do this also
adb push Stock.odex /system/app
the important thing is the remount to make the system/app read write

you can go to the rom file open the file then open system then open app and add the apk you want and reload the rom into the phone that sit more simple

ifly4vamerica said:
grab the apk out of the stock rom you have, then in adb do this
adb remount
adb push Stock.apk /system/app
if you need to push the odex do this also
adb push Stock.odex /system/app
the important thing is the remount to make the system/app read write
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I did the above while booted in recovery mode with the system mounted. It successfully went in the system/app folder. I see it in Root Explorer, although it still doesn't show up in the apps menu. Oh well.

baker2gs said:
I did the above while booted in recovery mode with the system mounted. It successfully went in the system/app folder. I see it in Root Explorer, although it still doesn't show up in the apps menu. Oh well.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah it doesn't work right if you are in recovery because it messes with permissions I heard. Just do it with phone plugged in to computer and on. If that doesn't work you can try deleting the apk and then using
Adb remount
Adb install stock.apk
Don't know if these will work but worth a try. Last resort is find a flashable zip that writes something to system/app and drop the apk in there.
Evo Sent

ifly4vamerica said:
Yeah it doesn't work right if you are in recovery because it messes with permissions I heard. Just do it with phone plugged in to computer and on. If that doesn't work you can try deleting the apk and then using
Adb remount
Adb install stock.apk
Don't know if these will work but worth a try. Last resort is find a flashable zip that writes something to system/app and drop the apk in there.
Evo Sent
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
When I run that command with the phone on charge mode with debugging on plugged into the computer I get a "remount failed: Operation not permitted".
I installed the Sync drivers and tried it with that but it didn't work either.
Any suggestions? Thanks for your help by the way.

baker2gs said:
When I run that command with the phone on charge mode with debugging on plugged into the computer I get a "remount failed: Operation not permitted".
I installed the Sync drivers and tried it with that but it didn't work either.
Any suggestions? Thanks for your help by the way.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I can't help with that, never ran in to that problem before, are you nand unlocked and s-off?

ifly4vamerica said:
I can't help with that, never ran in to that problem before, are you nand unlocked and s-off?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes to both, I have been trying to do research on it. It may be the stock rom...
I tried some workarounds but they didn't work. Thanks for your help.

baker2gs said:
Yes to both, I have been trying to do research on it. It may be the stock rom...
I tried some workarounds but they didn't work. Thanks for your help.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No problem, sorry I couldn't help.
Evo Sent

Just an update, I tried the .zip route you suggested. I created a Titanium back up and threw the Stock.apk in the zip. I ran the update.zip in recovery. It placed Stock.apk in the system/app folder but the app still does not appear in the apps menu. Thanks again.

Problem Changing System Background Image

Hi all.. Having a problem changing the system background on my daughters x10.. (The background you get behind all the system menus and apps like calculator and calendar etc..)
I did this on my Arc recently and it was a doddle - once I'd got the images cropped to the right size..
So here's what I did on the X10.
Copied the framework-res.apk to the SD card
Opened it using 7zip
navigated to res\drawable-hdpi
replaced the semc_bg and semc_general_bg images with the new ones I'd created.
then navigated to res\drawable-land-hdpi and replaced the semc_bg image in there.
copied the file back into the system folder.
changed the permissions to rw-r--r--
copied it to framework folder...
phone reboots and then gets stuck at sony ericsson white logo screen...
reflashed using SEUS twice now!..
On the Arc I also had to amend the image files in another place.. SemcGenericUxpRes\res
but I don't seem to have that folder on the x10...
Thanks.

** BUMP ** Anyone?

What rom/firmware are you on?
How are you moving the framework-res?
Sent from my X10a using XDA App

stock 2.1 unbranded.. moving it using root explorer.. which is what I did on my arc..
Sent from The Arc!

Try moving it using adb push. Or use adb mask controller or x10 mod tool if you like/need a gui. You could also make a zip for xrecovery if you have it installed. Root explorer method never worked for me on x10 either...
Sent from my X10a using XDA App

Thanks Might try ADB pushing it.. although if I knacker her phone up again she'll not be happy.. so I might just let her decide if she wants me to take the risk... haven't bought titanium for her phone cos I don't want to register MY card on HER phone... recipe for disaster!

im_iceman said:
Thanks Might try ADB pushing it.. although if I knacker her phone up again she'll not be happy.. so I might just let her decide if she wants me to take the risk... haven't bought titanium for her phone cos I don't want to register MY card on HER phone... recipe for disaster!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
adb should work just fine. Also have you installed recovery ? If no do it and take nandroid before doing it. It would go back to just like it was before.

Yea, xrecovery is super-easy to install & well worth it. Plus you (or one of us) could add the framework-res into a flashable zip we know will work.
BTW, there is a free version of titanium... &/or xrecovery will back up your entire phone as realunited said.

Thanks - Yeah - realised there was a free version after I posted - got it mixed up in my head with Root Explorer!.. yes - have xrecovery on there too.. is nandroid on the market? or is it part of xrecovery - not used it for a few months..
Cheers.

It just means using the backup option in xrecovery. There is a tut for making xrec zips in the dev section or post the framework-res here & I can look at it later when I get home.
Sent from my X10a using XDA App

Hi Aydee - Thanks for your help with this so far!!.. I've done a nandroid backup on the x10 and trying to ADB push the file - it won't let me - says "permission denied".. I tried ADB Remount and shell commands...
$ adb shell
$ su
$ mount -o rw,remount -t yaffs2 /dev/block/mtdblock3 /system
both not giving me r/w access...
X10 is rooted and busybox installed....
What am I doing wrong?!
[edit - got the su working in shell.. and tried mtdblock2 also.. still won't let me push!]
[edit2 - unsecured the shell and mounted as rw... still won't let me push!!.. saying permission denied!]

To be honest I havent used just straight up adb in a while other than zipaligning, I usually use x10 mod tool or xrecovery zips lately. They have been a reliable and quick. So my manual commands are rusty at best.. Would you want to try one of the other ways maybe? Or I'm sure someone else will know why push isnt working...
Sent from my X10a using XDA App

Thanks Aydee tried x10 mod tool last night - was getting the same error - seems the phone isn't properly unsecured... will try a few different things later.. if anyone else has other ideas.. I'd appreciate it!

Could you post a copy of the apk? You are on .435 right?
Sent from my X10a using XDA App

im_iceman said:
Hi Aydee - Thanks for your help with this so far!!.. I've done a nandroid backup on the x10 and trying to ADB push the file - it won't let me - says "permission denied".. I tried ADB Remount and shell commands...
$ adb shell
$ su
$ mount -o rw,remount -t yaffs2 /dev/block/mtdblock3 /system
both not giving me r/w access...
X10 is rooted and busybox installed....
What am I doing wrong?!
[edit - got the su working in shell.. and tried mtdblock2 also.. still won't let me push!]
[edit2 - unsecured the shell and mounted as rw... still won't let me push!!.. saying permission denied!]
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It looks like it didn't get the su permission. Check your phone after typing su. If you want i can make a zip to flash.

Hi - Yeah it got the SU ok.. don't really know why it wasn't working - Think it may be to do with the way I was using ADB push - I was trying to push the file directly into the system or framework folders.. x10 mod tool pushed it to a "SD" folder first then ran another shell command to replace it in the framework folder.. don't really know enough about it !!.. anyway.. got it working via x10modtool.. just need to figure out how to do the same now for the phone and phonebook.. presume it's a PNG within those individual apps?
When making a ZIP.. does it need to be a complete system image or can you just zip the framework-res file on it's own and zip that via xrecovery?
Cheers!

im_iceman said:
Hi - Yeah it got the SU ok.. don't really know why it wasn't working - Think it may be to do with the way I was using ADB push - I was trying to push the file directly into the system or framework folders.. x10 mod tool pushed it to a "SD" folder first then ran another shell command to replace it in the framework folder.. don't really know enough about it !!.. anyway.. got it working via x10modtool.. just need to figure out how to do the same now for the phone and phonebook.. presume it's a PNG within those individual apps?
When making a ZIP.. does it need to be a complete system image or can you just zip the framework-res file on it's own and zip that via xrecovery?
Cheers!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just drag the framework-res.apk into the framework folder without extracting it. After that just flash it.

so presumably I would need to either ADB pull the whole FRAMEWORK folder first? or take a copy using a file manager (AKA root explorer etc)..?

im_iceman said:
so presumably I would need to either ADB pull the whole FRAMEWORK folder first? or take a copy using a file manager (AKA root explorer etc)..?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just the modified apk into the framework folder of the zip.
Sent from my X10project using XDA App

Nah m8 he said he got the framework-res working he needs to do the same for phone & phonebook. They are both in system/app.
Sent from my X10a using XDA App

[Q] Installing System Apps

Hi! I searched the forums, but didn't see any answers regarding to this.
I'm trying to install the moded versions of SMS and Phone/Contact apps found in Cyanogenmod ROM over stock 2.3.4.
What I did was to extract Contacts.apk, Mms.apk, and Phone.apk from one of CM releases and copied the APK files to /System/Apps/ via Root Explorer (set it from R/W to R/O) and rebooted the phone, but there was no change.
I then tried to install them (from the same /System/Apps/ location) through Root Explorer, but it doesn't let.
Any help would be much appreciated.

If you are trying this you need to check/change permission on each app...the phone.apk will not work though I've tried and got force closes. The dialer and mms apks will work though. The best way to do this is to push via adb. If you don't have sdk and knowledge of the basic adb and shell commands I would highly reccomend becoming familiar with them.
Sent from my Nexus S 4G using Tapatalk

I have sdk and worked with adb before to root my phone. I'll do some research on how to install apps via adb.
Thank you.

umbrae said:
I have sdk and worked with adb before to root my phone. I'll do some research on how to install apps via adb.
Thank you.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just put the apps on your tool folder and enter the following commands....
adb push "your.apk" system/app
Sent from my Nexus S 4G using Tapatalk

Thanks again. I did that and got confirmation that the files were copied, but the new Mms, for example, wasn't installed.
I tried using "install" command after, but it wouldn't let me. I got a message saying that the file already exists.
I changed the permission and everything, too.
Any ideas?

umbrae said:
Thanks again. I did that and got confirmation that the files were copied, but the new Mms, for example, wasn't installed.
I tried using "install" command after, but it wouldn't let me. I got a message saying that the file already exists.
I changed the permission and everything, too.
Any ideas?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's odd...I usually don't have to change permissions when I push an app. What version of the cm7 mms apk are you using? I used it from the stable 7
Sent from my Nexus S 4G using Tapatalk

sunder74 said:
That's odd...I usually don't have to change permissions when I push an app. What version of the cm7 mms apk are you using? I used it from the stable 7
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I was using Nighties, but I'll try the latest stable 7. Downloading now.
Just to clarify what I did:
First, used the "adb push" method you suggested and the apk files were copied to system/app. I rebooted, but nothing had changed. I then tried to install the copied files via Root Explorer, but it wouldn't let me. I changed R/O and then Permissions, but still couldn't install.
Then I tried "adb install", but it said file already exists. I changed R/O then Permissions, but still couldn't.
After that, I deleted Mms.apk and Contacts.apk and tried all the methods described above again, but still nothing. The apps weren't installed and I kept getting FC.
Lastly, I manually copied the files again via Root Explorer (changed R/O then changed Permission), but still no change and couldn't install.
Hopefully CM 7 packages I'm downloading would work.

[Q] Is copying an .apk into /{system, data}/app sufficient to install an Android app?

If not, what else is done under the covers?
Also, what are the differences when installing applications
•From the android market
•sideloaded from web download
•sideloaded using adb install
•sideloaded using adb push
I copied this question from another place (I cannot put link here because I am new here) because I also have the same question and want to know more about this.

oldyoungguy said:
If not, what else is done under the covers?
Also, what are the differences when installing applications
•From the android market
•sideloaded from web download
•sideloaded using adb install
•sideloaded using adb push
I copied this question from another place (I cannot put link here because I am new here) because I also have the same question and want to know more about this.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Some .Apk's can be placed in system/data/app while others can't , make sure the .apk you're trying to place in system/data/app is supported or you may end up restoring your device. if the apk can run from the system /data/app then yes with the right permissions ...
Apk's from the market will give you detailed info from the apk like permission needed , supported devices ect, even the developers contact info ( in other word they are approved by Google.
while "sideloaded" apk or web apk (not coming from Google) are pirates apk,modified apk ect. who knows what permissions it needs or what info you are sharing with whoever modified the apk...
So be careful what you get into your device and where is placed on your device
Sent from my SPH-M930BST using Tapatalk 2

oldyoungguy said:
If not, what else is done under the covers?
Also, what are the differences when installing applications
•From the android market
•sideloaded from web download
•sideloaded using adb install
•sideloaded using adb push
I copied this question from another place (I cannot put link here because I am new here) because I also have the same question and want to know more about this.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Simply placing the apk into the correct folder is not enough. You will also need to set the permissions to the same as the other apps in that folder (I can't remember the permissions off the top of my head). This can easily be done using Root explorer, or using an adb shell and the chmod command.
Play Store installs and sideloaded installs achieve the same result, however you will want to be careful where you download apk files from. Apps from the Play Store are less likely to be malicious in nature, and , of course, you should never be pirating paid apps.
Adb push would not be enough as you would still need to set permissions. Unless you are installing a system app, it is better just to use adb install.

rootedVette said:
Adb push would not be enough as you would still need to set permissions. Unless you are installing a system app, it is better just to use adb install.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Are you saying the "adb push" will only copy file into the target location but "adb install" will copy the file into the target location AND also set the proper permission for you?

With all of the usual warnings about the source/safety of "side-loaded" apps aside. . .
I simply put the .apk file onto the SD card (anywhere), and then use a file manager like Astro to "open" it (root access not required). You will be prompted to see if you really wanted to install the app. Then let Android do its thing. The app will be installed where it belongs, with all the permissions it needs.
For this to work, you must first tell the device to allow installation of apps from unknown sources. Go to Settings | Security, and check Unknown Sources.