Database Info

[GUIDE]Enable more homescreens on default launcher

In this guide I will show you how to enable more than the defaulft 5 homescreens
First of all, you'll need Apk Manager, this can be downloaded here.
Extract the zip to a folder you like, I'll use C:\Apk Manager\ in this guide!
Download the Home.apk from this post, note: it's for the .145 fw only.
Copy the Home.apk to C:\Apk Manager\place-apk-here-for-modding\
After you've done that, open Script.bat.
Select option 9.
Now the Home.apk will be decompiled.
When it's done decompiling, go here C:\Apk Manager\projects\Home.apk\res\values.
Open integers.xml with Notepad and go line 10. Will look like this:
Code:
<integer name="number_of_desktop_panes">5</integer>
You can change that number 5 to any number you like, let's use 9:
Code:
<integer name="number_of_desktop_panes">9</integer>
Open values/styles.xml and change line 16:
Code:
<style name="Layout.ButtonContainer">
to this
Code:
<style name="Layout.ButtonContainer" parent="@android:style/Theme.Wallpaper.NoTitleBar">
Save and close the files. Now go back to the Apk Manager tool and select option 11, the apk will now be compiled again. It will ask you this:
Is this a system apk (y/n)
Answer with y and press enter.
After that you'll get another question:
Aside from the signatures, would you like to copy
over any additional files that you didn't modify
from the original apk in order to ensure least
# of errors (y/n)
Anwer with y again.
Now this will show up:
In the apk manager folder u'll find
a keep folder. Within it, delete
everything you have modified and leave
files that you haven't. If you have modified
any xml, then delete resources.arsc from that
folder as well. Once done then press enter
on this script.
Go here C:\Apk Manager\keep and delete resources.arsc.
Now go back to the Apk Manager tool and press enter.
In C:\Apk Manager\place-apk-here-for-modding you'll find this: unsignedHome.apk. Rename it to Home.apk and push it to your device with adb.
Adb commands:
Code:
adb push Home.apk /sdcard/
adb shell
$su
#mount -o rw,remount -t yaffs2 /dev/block/mtdblock0 /system
#busybox cp -R /sdcard/Home.apk /system/app/
#sync
#reboot
After the restart you should have 9 homescreens
{
"lightbox_close": "Close",
"lightbox_next": "Next",
"lightbox_previous": "Previous",
"lightbox_error": "The requested content cannot be loaded. Please try again later.",
"lightbox_start_slideshow": "Start slideshow",
"lightbox_stop_slideshow": "Stop slideshow",
"lightbox_full_screen": "Full screen",
"lightbox_thumbnails": "Thumbnails",
"lightbox_download": "Download",
"lightbox_share": "Share",
"lightbox_zoom": "Zoom",
"lightbox_new_window": "New window",
"lightbox_toggle_sidebar": "Toggle sidebar"
}

Thanks,works perfectly.
Now all I need is landscape rotation ...

Cool stuff. What will happen to my existing homescreens and all the widgets and icons on them after doing this? Will they get wiped?
And what about the overall performance? Any "lags" during games with so many homescreens?
Edit: Tried it, but got a message after starting the script.bat, saying that i have no java?! I have Java installed on my system. What should i do?

Montechristo1979 said:
Cool stuff. What will happen to my existing homescreens and all the widgets and icons on them after doing this? Will they get wiped?
And what about the overall performance? Any "lags" during games with so many homescreens?
Edit: Tried it, but got a message after starting the script.bat, saying that i have no java?! I have Java installed on my system. What should i do?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
For some reason some widgets disappear, the best thing to do is clear data with Titanium backup and design your homescreens again
I didn't noticed any lag at all
Uhm, you might need Android SDK to be installed on your pc.. I could also compile the apk for you

I think i have the SDK on my netbook, but its about 100 km away. If you could compile it, i wouldnt say no

How many screens would you like to have?

I would like to try it with 9

Then you could just download the package from the first post

Oh, hehe, yes, um, i think i missed that one
I have root. Do i have to use adb push, or can i copy/paste the file to my device?

It's probably possible to just copy/paste it, but I prefer using adb

Maybe i did something wrong?! I copied the apk, but i played around with the permissions. After reboot the homescreens were empty, but not 9, just 5. So i checked the permissions of the old home.apk (did a backup before copy). I took the same permissions and did a reboot again. Now the phone boots up, i can unlock it, but there is no homescreen. All i see is the notofication-bar. What can i do?
Edit: I can access my apps and data using my WaveLauncher. I try to set other permissions. Maybe it will work.
Edit2: Ok, i set permissions like every other app within /system/app. Now i can access the homescreen again. Its empty, and i have 5 screens. But when i try to add a widget on my "main" homescreen, it says that there is not enough space. So i think the old widgets are still there, but i cant see/remove them. What can i do?

Montechristo1979 said:
Maybe i did something wrong?! I copied the apk, but i played around with the permissions. After reboot the homescreens were empty, but not 9, just 5. So i checked the permissions of the old home.apk (did a backup before copy). I took the same permissions and did a reboot again. Now the phone boots up, i can unlock it, but there is no homescreen. All i see is the notofication-bar. What can i do?
Edit: I can access my apps and data using my WaveLauncher. I try to set other permissions. Maybe it will work.
Edit2: Ok, i set permissions like every other app within /system/app. Now i can access the homescreen again. Its empty, and i have 5 screens. But when i try to add a widget on my "main" homescreen, it says that there is not enough space. So i think the old widgets are still there, but i cant see/remove them. What can i do?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
happened to me before, stop the process and clear the data

Didn't work for me, couldn't get it to install, kept getting persmission denied through adb, despite the fact I'm rooted!
Could someone upload a version with 3 homescreens please?
Also, in the res/xml/default_settings_apptray -> could someone change the default sort to az instead of free! This means it should automatically sort it alphabetically and will remember it on restart...a bug in the current build.
Thanks guys
Niall

Works for me now. I did a complete new flash and root and now building up everything from scratch. Feels better now

Nhialor said:
Didn't work for me, couldn't get it to install, kept getting persmission denied through adb, despite the fact I'm rooted!
Could someone upload a version with 3 homescreens please?
Also, in the res/xml/default_settings_apptray -> could someone change the default sort to az instead of free! This means it should automatically sort it alphabetically and will remember it on restart...a bug in the current build.
Thanks guys
Niall
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Added the one with 3 screens to the first post
No luck on the order thing yet, sorry..

works a charm, thanks man

Works like a champ lo lags on 9 screens.Thanks

xperia play not showing up on adb devices. Why?

do I need root for this or will it push without? I used adb to save the angry birds high score successfully without root but don't know if this will work same way or not. thank you

is it possiable to make an app that will install it for us

[Tool] Yaffey - Utility for reading, editing and writing YAFFS2 images

I've created a GUI utility for reading, editing and creating YAFFS2 images that hopefully people will find useful. You can read Android system and data partitions and modify them how you like. Import and export files to and from the images. The tool is up on Google Code with source, written in Qt 4.8.1.
http://code.google.com/p/yaffey
Features
- Create new YAFFS2 image
- Open existing image
- Export files/directories from image
- Import files into image (permissions inherited from parent directory, dates created/modified/accessed set to current date & time)
- Delete files
- Edit filenames
- Edit permissions
- Edit user and group ids
- Edit symbolic link aliases
- ECC (Error Checking & Correction) support
New in v0.2
Added import dialog to choose to import file(s) or a directory
Added support to import multiple files
Added support to import 1 directory at a time (using dialog)
Added drag & drop importing (which supports multiple directories & files!)
Added support to delete more than one item at a time
Added summary dialog after saving an image
Added text below icons in toolbar at the request of varun.chitre15!
{
"lightbox_close": "Close",
"lightbox_next": "Next",
"lightbox_previous": "Previous",
"lightbox_error": "The requested content cannot be loaded. Please try again later.",
"lightbox_start_slideshow": "Start slideshow",
"lightbox_stop_slideshow": "Stop slideshow",
"lightbox_full_screen": "Full screen",
"lightbox_thumbnails": "Thumbnails",
"lightbox_download": "Download",
"lightbox_share": "Share",
"lightbox_zoom": "Zoom",
"lightbox_new_window": "New window",
"lightbox_toggle_sidebar": "Toggle sidebar"
}
I've been using it to modify the stock system image for my Xperia Play. You can easily add/remove APKs etc. It's a nice alternative to the unyaffs/mkyaffs command line tools.
It has limitations but am happy to extend the functionailty if it's found to be useful...

Wow!!
Was looking for this since ages
Thanks a lot
This is indeed useful
Burned from my laser torch using pencil cells

Hi varun, that's good news. Spread the word! I've been wanting to reply to some threads about YAFFS images and tools etc but can't post in most forums yet... Need to spend some time on here to get my post count up I guess.
I'm planning on adding more features to the app like adding su, superuser.apk & busybox with a few clicks for easy rooting and a GUI for fastboot for easy flashing to make the whole image editing and rooting process as easy as possible.

Great!!!
Can u add a feature to make images directly from a flashable zip?
Thanks!!
Burned from my laser torch using pencil cells

Here is the suggestion list
1. Add support for adding multiple files at once while creating image file
2. Add support to add folders inside image fle
3. Add Drag and drop if possible
4. In the tool bar of the tool, can u add the text below the icons as it is somewhat difficult to identify which option does what and to see its function I had to move mouse over the buttons
5. Add support for EXT2, EXT4 images too
Your tool is very great

varun.chitre15 said:
Here is the suggestion list
1. Add support for adding multiple files at once while creating image file
2. Add support to add folders inside image fle
3. Add Drag and drop if possible
4. In the tool bar of the tool, can u add the text below the icons as it is somewhat difficult to identify which option does what and to see its function I had to move mouse over the buttons
5. Add support for EXT2, EXT4 images too
Your tool is very great
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Never thought about converting a zip to YAFFS2 image, that's a good idea.
On your suggestion list:
1, 2 & 3 are definites and will do those next.
4. I could add the text to the toolbar but will look ugly so not sure about that one yet.
5... maybe one day

Linux version would be cool

kangkong! said:
Linux version would be cool
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have built the code and got a Linux version working. When I put up the next update I'll include a Linux build!

Cant find it on Google Code.

Yaffey now on XDA Portal
http://www.xda-developers.com/android/yaffey-for-all-your-yaffs2-needs/
Congo necro_!!!
Waiting eagerly for next update!
Burned from my laser torch using pencil cells

Thanks a lot!
Helped me retrieve some files from a nandroid backup I just couldn't open.

Thankyou so much! Much needed this is

Really great work, mate!!! I hope we also can use this for our Razr. What about the signature? If you rebuild an image with your tool, will the signature persist or does this only work on phones with unlocked bootloader?

dtrail1 said:
Really great work, mate!!! I hope we also can use this for our Razr. What about the signature? If you rebuild an image with your tool, will the signature persist or does this only work on phones with unlocked bootloader?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's not working to me. Any hints?
Thanks man, nice work!

SWEET!!! That'll help me pick apart the ota for WP7. Thanks, you just made my day a lot easier.

jaywillsoul said:
SWEET!!! That'll help me pick apart the ota for WP7. Thanks, you just made my day a lot easier.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I haven't tested it with any Windows based images. The dates created, accessed and modified are stored differently and the user and groups IDs aren't used. The app currently doesn't handle this. This won't affect exporting data from the image but if you're adding files then when the image is used the dates will be very wrong.
I'd be interested to know what you're experience of using it with Windows images is like!

dtrail1 said:
Really great work, mate!!! I hope we also can use this for our Razr. What about the signature? If you rebuild an image with your tool, will the signature persist or does this only work on phones with unlocked bootloader?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm not sure what signature you're referring to. If it's similar to Sony Ericsson's .sin files that contain extra data at the start of the file before the YAFFS2 image then currently the tool doesn't handle this, only pure YAFFS2 images.

Here's the link http://code.google.com/p/yaffey/

Very nice.
Having the ability to sort the displayed results would be useful.

Good work, thanks

[Guide]How to merge multiple mmssms.db into one file .

Hiya there.
Im kinda new here in this forum so greet me well . ^^
Well I juz finished searching and figured out . I would like to share how to combine multiple mmssms.db (Message Data) file into one file where the file located on /data/data/.com.android.providers/databases
So what we gonna need is these 2 file .
*[TOOL] yaffs extractor, mmssms.db & contacts2.db converter
*SMS Backup & Restore
1. Extract yaffs extractor, mmssms.db & contacts2.db converter to you main drive. (Like mine ish C:\ )
{
"lightbox_close": "Close",
"lightbox_next": "Next",
"lightbox_previous": "Previous",
"lightbox_error": "The requested content cannot be loaded. Please try again later.",
"lightbox_start_slideshow": "Start slideshow",
"lightbox_stop_slideshow": "Stop slideshow",
"lightbox_full_screen": "Full screen",
"lightbox_thumbnails": "Thumbnails",
"lightbox_download": "Download",
"lightbox_share": "Share",
"lightbox_zoom": "Zoom",
"lightbox_new_window": "New window",
"lightbox_toggle_sidebar": "Toggle sidebar"
}
So theres the file that you extracted located open it up and see wether all the file extracted is same as in the pic.
2. Next we have to put the *.db file in the yaffs extractor, mmssms.db & contacts2.db converter folder,I have 2 backup *.db so I made 2 folder(Message1 and Message2) which is each mmssms.db file in each folder.
3. So now were gonna convert the *.db file into *.xml .
Run cmd and put this command . (Convert all your backup *.db cause we gonna need it , depends how many you have )
cd c:\yaffs-mmssmsdb-calls-extractor
extract -s Message1\mmssms.db
Message1.xml
Juz put anyname you like as long you put .xml along with the name .
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
And the converted file will be in the same folder yaffs extractor, mmssms.db & contacts2.db converter in the *.xml format . We gonna need those files soon just let it there .Now we're almost done , going to next step.
Next, install SMS Backup & Restore on your phone . Put all converted *.xml file in the /sdcard/SMSBackupRestore/
Now open up SMS Backup&Restore that you have install on your sdcard.
Wait till the Apps pop out and Click on Restore , you will see the *.xml file that you have copied to the /sdcard/SMSBackupRestore/ .
Now, Click on each of *.xml and restore every single of your backup message file.
And the Results ..
The Failed might be due to corrupted or unread message while backup.
Thats it ! You're done, you have merged all of you mmssms.db into one file.
Goodluck on trying , glad to help and share. ^^

Perfect
This has been a real life-saver for me. Works perfectly. Many many thanks for sharing.

Thanks a million
This is really a lifesaver,
The screen of my phone died, so all I had access to was adb and through this guide I was able to restore messages.
I did not have to merge, but it worked the same.
Thanks once again

Fantastic!
Worked like a charm! I've been different methods all week, trying to copy the old mmssms.db to the database directory, and everything failed. But not this!
Tank you!

agan TS
so what if we want to merge multiple contacts2.db? is it the same way? i am pretty sure it's not, the command would be different right?

thank you for this tutorial, very helpful

Does this merge MMS messages as well? Or does it only merge SMS text messages?
I know SMS Backup & Restore typically doesn't restore MMS so I'm thinking this method won't work for MMS.

SMS all Data with Delivered Date and Hour Backup/Merge/Restore
Hello,
I have a problem with all these sms backup programs.
I wish to get all SMS Data, like sent Date/Hour Text etc.
But also I wish to save the Delivered Time.
Does somebody know a Program the can list these Data and/or Backup this Data.
I could Backup nearly everything except the Delivery_Date and Delivery_Status.
Can somebody tell me how I can import/transfer/merge the SMS Data from my Note2 and Note4 to my new S7edge
Thanks for your help
George

I try do this but i have some error :
extract : The term 'extract' is not recognized as the name of a cmdlet, function, script file, or operable program. Check the spelling of the name, or if a p
ath was included, verify that the path is correct and try again.
At line:1 char:1
+ extract -s Message1\mmssms.db
+ ~~~~~~~
+ CategoryInfo : ObjectNotFound: (extract:String) [], CommandNotFoundException
+ FullyQualifiedErrorId : CommandNotFoundException
Suggestion [3,General]: The command extract was not found, but does exist in the current location. Windows PowerShell does not load commands from the current location by default. If you trust this command, instead type: ".\extract". See "get-help about_Command_Precedence" for more details.
PS C:\yaffs-mmssmsdb-calls-extractor>

[GUIDE] Alternative (.IMG) Backup Method (For Kitchen, Etc.)

NOTE: IF YOU HAVE NO CLUE WHAT THIS IS, THEN LEAVE IT BE
CAUTION: PLEASE READ THE FOLLOWING POSTS ABOUT BACKING UP "USERDATA".
CONFIRMED WORKING!!!
Thanks to then following for their feedback and testing:
open1your1eyes0
con247
scrosler
While playing around with my extra SCH-I535, I came across something very interesting.
I was having a lot of problems getting "full" backups of my larger .img's (ie. data, cache, etc.) I was told to try and mount my system as r/w and adb through my computer instead.
When i would try backing them up in a terminal emulator, I would always get an error about the file being too large...[\B]
I got too confused trying and got way too frustrated.
I found out that I could obtain these .img's just as easily as copy and pasting.
I was able to get the full backup sizes this way also.
Now this method does not have EVERYTHING worked out. If I could get some input and help on this, that would be greatly appreciated.
DIRECTIONS:
1. Take any rooted sgs3 and install ES File Explorer.
2. Setup ES with root (go into settings and click on the "root options" and allow ES to take advantage of root and go up to the "/" directory).
3. Also make sure to change your default home folder to "/" in settings.
4. Now exit out of ES and open it up again. You should be in the root directory (/).
5. Open up the folder marked "dev" (or the "/dev" folder) and locate the "block" folder (or the "/dev/block" folder).
6. Copy the folder named "block" (long-press and select "Copy").
7. Now move to your extSdCard (or you can stay in your internal card if you insist and have a lot of room to spare).
8. Create a folder and name it something you will remember.
9. Paste in that folder and go make yourself a bowl of oatmeal or whatever (you can see the process ongoing in your notification bar).
10. After they are done copying, you will be left with a lot of files (there will be a folder in the folder you created and then a few more folders you will have to open to get to the folder with all the goodies in it)(you'll understand when you see it). Most of them you will find familiar if you ever opened up a stock ODIN tar.md5 before.
{
"lightbox_close": "Close",
"lightbox_next": "Next",
"lightbox_previous": "Previous",
"lightbox_error": "The requested content cannot be loaded. Please try again later.",
"lightbox_start_slideshow": "Start slideshow",
"lightbox_stop_slideshow": "Stop slideshow",
"lightbox_full_screen": "Full screen",
"lightbox_thumbnails": "Thumbnails",
"lightbox_download": "Download",
"lightbox_share": "Share",
"lightbox_zoom": "Zoom",
"lightbox_new_window": "New window",
"lightbox_toggle_sidebar": "Toggle sidebar"
}
---
11. Now you have all these files, but none of them have extensions. Transfer this folder to your Linux environment and go ahead and add the proper extensions to these files by renaming them.
Some of them should be .sbn, some should be .img or .ext4. The best thing to do is to download a stock ODIN img and add the file extensions that correspond with them to your copied files.
12. Now you can use the kitchen or any other method that would require these files.
I have only had time to test these files out in the kitchen and create a working folder for them (so I could remove unwanted things and bloat ware, etc.).
I used the system.img.ext4 and another boot.img to create a flashable ROM.
I didnt use the boot.img from the copy I made cause I didn't have time to play around at the moment. But I will be trying later tonight.
It would be cool if anyone else could help me out by testing this and letting me know what was up.
NOTE: I AM NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR ANYTHING YOU DO. PERIOD. BOOM.
IF I MADE YOUR LIFE ANY EASIER, HIT THE THANKS BUTTON
Sent from my SCH-I535 using Tapatalk 2

Interesting...
I will give it a shot tomorrow

Good method but essentially this is the same as this without creating an actual ODIN image: Link to thread
Minor word of caution, the "userdata" partition include all the contents of your /sdcard partition (meaning your internal storage). Basically if you're backing that up you have to have enough space to duplicate the contents of your internal storage your external SD card or the same internal SD card (whichever location you are copying to).

open1your1eyes0 said:
Good method but essentially this is the same as this without creating an actual ODIN image: Link to thread
Minor word of caution, the "userdata" partition include all the contents of your /sdcard partition (meaning your internal storage). Basically if you're backing that up you have to have enough space to duplicate the contents of your internal storage your external SD card or the same internal SD card (whichever location you are copying to).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This!
And, backing up userdata while it is being "used" can result in corruption. I wouldn't recommend this backup method for backing up userdata.

Thanks for the feedback brothers.
For the system partition and what not, its a much easier way for me. And it takes some confusion out of getting the errors (too large errors).
Its a bit faster too.
Just wanted to share it with y'all.
Sent from my SCH-I535 using Tapatalk 2

Have you noticed anything odd with the files you get using this method? I was just wondering about backing up partitions while the system is booted normally. To be honest I haven't noticed anything wrong with images that I pull from my device while its booted normally, but I was looking at this thread and the thought popped into my mind that maybe some files might be in use by the system? Probably not except for log files.
Anyway, I could write a script that would do this on your device without having to fiddle around with ES. The only difference would be that I use tar and excludes to get /data without pulling /data/media. I'd really like to get a /data img without having to resort to tar, but I haven't gotten around trying to dd mmcblk0p15 without getting the whole internal sdcard along with it. I have the 32gig SGS3 so its a big issue for me. I had an idea to unmount /mnt/sdcard, but I'd imagine its not as trivial as unmounting the internal sdcard while in recovery and I really don't want to destroy my phone.
Anyway, nice find mate.
Ta,
ALQI

I personally haven't had any problems when backing up my system.img. I always make sure to do a fast reboot and kill any tasks running with ES right before I do it.
I have taken the system.img and used it in the kitchen a few times andnnot had any problems.
This method works for the most part but shouldnt be something to mess around with unless you know what your doing. I am trying to work out a way so that I can get it to match 100% with a regular dump (MD5).
This is really just a kind if a shortcut for people already using ES on a rooted system.
If your already rooted and already have ES File Explorer installed, all you literally have to do is go into the /dev folder and copy the /block folder (or whatever you need from it) to your extSdCard. And then add ".img" or whatever the extension should be to the end of the file.
Just copy, paste and add extension.
I was having issues with the terminal kicking back at me with "file too large" errors when trying to get some of my backups.
I was fiddling around with ES and discovered this.
I was hoping someone might be able to use this. Or that maybe it was a missing piece to someone's puzzle or that someone could do something more with it.
When I discovered I could get a result from just copy and pasting, I thought I might be able to figure out another easy way that backup. In known there is a couple really good ones out there already, but having different options can sometimes benefit different situations, scenarios and whatnot.
If you wanna play around with this, feel free to brother.
:thumbup:
Sent from my SCH-I535 using Tapatalk 2

.APK files not showing up in app folders

I am really lost with this problem as i cannot find any other instance of it...
device: Redmi note 9S, not rooted, developer options enabled, Android 10, MIUI 12.0.4.0
in the android/data/ directory, under the com.[author].[app] files, i can't seem to find any apk files, it just appears to be empty except for an additional "files" folder that doesn't contain any useful files, while the tutorials i was following need access to a base.apk file that, in my case, does not exist. I need to know if this is a new version general android change, a device specific one ? where are the apps running from? are they all web shortcuts? if they use an apk file, where can i find it? I'm unexperienced in all those things, but I felt this would be the best place to get an answer.

LasevIX_ said:
I am really lost with this problem as i cannot find any other instance of it...
device: Redmi note 9S, not rooted, developer options enabled, Android 10, MIUI 12.0.4.0
in the android/data/ directory, under the com.[author].[app] files, i can't seem to find any apk files, it just appears to be empty except for an additional "files" folder that doesn't contain any useful files, while the tutorials i was following need access to a base.apk file that, in my case, does not exist. I need to know if this is a new version general android change, a device specific one ? where are the apps running from? are they all web shortcuts? if they use an apk file, where can i find it? I'm unexperienced in all those things, but I felt this would be the best place to get an answer.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Go through your file manager settings and find the option to show hidden files.

@LasevIX_
An app's APK-file is housed in folder /data/data. The APK-file itself gets installed in folder /data/app as base.apk.
Example:
/data/app/[your_package_name]-[1,2,n]/base.apk

jwoegerbauer said:
@LasevIX_
An app's APK-file is housed in folder /data/data. The APK-file itself gets installed in folder /data/app as base.apk.
Example:
/data/app/[your_package_name]-[1,2,n]/base.apk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
yes, i know that path. my problem was that it isn't available/doesn't exist on my machine

Droidriven said:
Go through your file manager settings and find the option to show hidden files.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have done that already, but the apk files still don't show up.

also, I think this thread may benefit from further precisions:
the .apk files do not show up either in the phone's built in file manager, windows explorer or in ADB ls commands.
I am practically sure it isn't hidden files, I have all the settings for viewing them enabled.
if there's some secret setting that may provide access to those files, please do tell where.

after further checking, the app i was trying do copy to my computer reports an app size of 106MB, but the com.____._____ folder reports 21B, so i suspect it may be some sort of shortcut to another folder.

.

Typically one makes use of ADB commands to pull an APK file ( Android must NOT be rooted ):
Step 1: Get location of desired app in Android's filesystem
Code:
adb shell "pm path com.example.someapp"
The output will look something like
package:/data/app/com.example.someapp-2.apk
or
package:/data/app/com.example.someapp-nfFSVxn_CTafgra3Fr_rXQ==/base.apk
Step 2: Using the full path name from Step 1, pull the APK file from the Android device to the Windows computer
Code:
adb pull /data/app/com.example.someapp-2.apk <PATH-ON-PC>

jwoegerbauer said:
Typically one makes use of ADB commands to pull an APK file ( Android must NOT be rooted ):
Step 1: Get location of desired app in Android's filesystem
Code:
adb shell "pm path com.example.someapp"
The output will look something like
package:/data/app/com.example.someapp-2.apk
or
package:/data/app/com.example.someapp-nfFSVxn_CTafgra3Fr_rXQ==/base.apk
Step 2: Using the full path name from Step 1, pull the APK file from the Android device to the Windows computer
Code:
adb pull /data/app/com.example.someapp-2.apk <PATH-ON-PC>
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I wasn't aware that you could use adb to find the location of apps, but the command you suggested gives an unexpected result (screenshot attached). it gives multiple results of files despite them being invisible to file explorers. Once i try to pull the package with the method you suggested, it gives an error as if it wasn't there. Did I type the wrong syntax? does the "pm path" command only give expected locations for files?
{
"lightbox_close": "Close",
"lightbox_next": "Next",
"lightbox_previous": "Previous",
"lightbox_error": "The requested content cannot be loaded. Please try again later.",
"lightbox_start_slideshow": "Start slideshow",
"lightbox_stop_slideshow": "Stop slideshow",
"lightbox_full_screen": "Full screen",
"lightbox_thumbnails": "Thumbnails",
"lightbox_download": "Download",
"lightbox_share": "Share",
"lightbox_zoom": "Zoom",
"lightbox_new_window": "New window",
"lightbox_toggle_sidebar": "Toggle sidebar"
}

for clarification, I am trying to access the netflix client APK in order to manually make it recognise widevine L1 certificates, as described in this thread: https://forum.xda-developers.com/t/netflix-hd-on-tab-s2.3274295/#post-65001865 .

The NETFLIX APK you want to extract from Android is a so-called Split-APK. IMO you've to turn this Split-APK into a normal non-Split-APK.
How to:
How to turn a split APK into a normal non-split APK - Platinmods.com - Android & iOS MODs, Mobile Games & Apps
Hey guys, recently many modders contacting me about how to mod a split APK. We have already many tutorials about how to download or extract the split APKs, mod a split APK as it is and how to use a split APK installer to make the mod apply to the device. Here some examples of the mentioned...
platinmods.com

jwoegerbauer said:
The NETFLIX APK you want to extract from Android is a so-called Split-APK. IMO you've to turn this Split-APK into a normal non-Split-APK.
How to:
How to turn a split APK into a normal non-split APK - Platinmods.com - Android & iOS MODs, Mobile Games & Apps
Hey guys, recently many modders contacting me about how to mod a split APK. We have already many tutorials about how to download or extract the split APKs, mod a split APK as it is and how to use a split APK installer to make the mod apply to the device. Here some examples of the mentioned...
platinmods.com
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This will be helpful for teh future, thank you for directing me to that tutorial.
but it still requires to pull the apk, which i have not been able to do.
as described in my previous reply, ADB seems to be able to return the location of the apk, but can't pull it, as if it never existed.

According to the screenschot you provided earlier I think the package ( APK ) you want to pull is stored as
/data/app/com.netflix.mediaclient-YUY-VwSu3KeCc44bkA
shorthanded as
base.apk
but don't really know it: this is not my world.