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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

Readers Hub 12/06/10

i know theres other threads out there with readers hub
but none thats fully functional
this was ripped out of the jm6 fw that was just released last week
i pulled it off my own tab
just install all apks and all should work
you might have to put them in your system app folders then restart
see post 2 for zinio apk
Please let me know your results

heres zinio apk

Awesome. Thanks alot. I have a north american tab so these apps were not included. I hav ed actually found aldiko and nook to be great reader apps, especially since you can import epub files. I tried to replace my gallery app with another that was supposed to display as higher resolution images, which it does but also force closes often. Any chance you can upload the stock gallery 3d apk?

VZW Tab
I tried to install the ReadersHub.apk, no dice :-(

put in in your system apps folder and reboot

I installed this and can get zinio working to where the magazine subscriptions are present, but there are no pictures. I installed it about two weeks ago. Do you know how old this Apk is? I'd love to get it to work.

maxtcee said:
put in in your system apps folder and reboot
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm EXTREMELY new at this apparently, when you say system apps folder, which one is that? I tried to put it into the Root folder but I cannot get it to work.

sstevens805 said:
I installed this and can get zinio working to where the magazine subscriptions are present, but there are no pictures. I installed it about two weeks ago. Do you know how old this Apk is? I'd love to get it to work.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This zinio version is 1.0.1101

sstevens805 said:
I'm EXTREMELY new at this apparently, when you say system apps folder, which one is that? I tried to put it into the Root folder but I cannot get it to work.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i think you want to use root explorer or adb to put apk in /system/apps/ folder.

Zinio still doesn't show the page pictures unless you pinch to zoom for any magazines after August 2010. Does anyone know why this is or if there is a fix in the works? Cannot get any info from zinio directly.
Sent from my SGH-T849 using XDA App

+1 Got the following error when installing Reader's Hub, "Application not installed." Any suggestions?

rmorrisonva said:
I tried to install the ReadersHub.apk, no dice :-(
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
sstevens805 said:
I'm EXTREMELY new at this apparently, when you say system apps folder, which one is that? I tried to put it into the Root folder but I cannot get it to work.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
brattygirl72 said:
+1 Got the following error when installing Reader's Hub, "Application not installed." Any suggestions?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
ok you need to be rooted and have busy box install to be able to write to system
once you have above done open up estrongs/or root explorer find the app your trying to install copy it and paste it into system / apps folder then reboot

I still can't get the Reader's Hub file to install or show up in the apps list after rebooting. I've spent hours trying to get this work and no dice.

Wonder if the problems with Zinio can be remedied by changing our screen density settings? Just a thought, may be way off here.
Sent from my PC36100 using Tapatalk

maxtcee said:
ok you need to be rooted and have busy box install to be able to write to system
once you have above done open up estrongs/or root explorer find the app your trying to install copy it and paste it into system / apps folder then reboot
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Copied with Root explorer and rebooted. Still doesn't show up as installed. Is there supposed be a .odex file to go with it?

specmac said:
Copied with Root explorer and rebooted. Still doesn't show up as installed. Is there supposed be a .odex file to go with it?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Nope just the apk
go into system/app folder and make sure it pasted
if not try it again and make sure your in write mode

maxtcee said:
Nope just the apk
go into system/app folder and make sure it pasted
if not try it again and make sure your in write mode
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have same problem it says activety not found
Sent from my GT-P1000 using XDA App

Tried it, now I have no ReadersHub
Anyone save the old apk?
Sent from my GT-P1000 using XDA App

Don't know why this is right off jm6

Max, if you have Titanium backup, can you take a backup of Readerhub and post the backup file?
Sent from Samsung Galaxy Tab

[Q] Mod'ing System APKs

Hoping someone can give me a hand here... I feel like I am missing something obvious.
I wanted to learn how to make changes to system APKs, more educational than anything else... figured I'd do something simple like edit mms_config.xml for a slightly larger width/height in Mms.apk
I downloaded APK Manager and followed the steps (I thought). I decomplied the APK, made the adjustment, and recompiled the APK... choosing 'y' when it asked if it was a system file. The new APK was created (called unsignedMms.apk, which I figured was correct since it said never to sign system apps).
I renamed the file to Mms.apk and used root explorer to copy it over to /system/app. However, upon reboot the app doesn't install, as if the file is not there (but it is there and has the proper permissions).
Anyway... feel like I am missing something obvious, but I'd appreciate some enlightenment.
Thanks in advance.

Well, the info seemed confusing so I tried signing it anyway... and then after pushing the signed APK and rebooting the app was installed. I thought finally it was fixed.... but no, lol.
The app FC'd instantly upon opening, even if data was wiped and permissions fixed. I restored the original so I'm fine... but I wish I knew what I was being stupid about, lol.

Never re sign a system app, don't push it either. Flash it in cwm, and if it boots and force closes run adb logcat to see what your exact error is.
Sent from my Nexus S 4G using Tapatalk

dreamsforgotten said:
Never re sign a system app, don't push it either. Flash it in cwm, and if it boots and force closes run adb logcat to see what your exact error is.
Sent from my Nexus S 4G using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hrm... no dice. I took the unsigned APK I created and flashed it instead of pushing it and it acts as if it's not installed (the apk is in the right place with the right name and permissions).
I must be missing some fundamental step in the creation process.
Edit: This is the APK if that is useful in identifying my ignorance, lol.

[Q] pushing app to system

so it seems its a system limitation when using dialer apps where the missed call notification doesn't get cleared when opening the dialer app.. the stock phone app needs to be opened in order to clear it...
i'm running cm7.1 on nexus s 4g.. just installed touchpal dialer.. i read on this site
http://stackoverflow.com/questions/2007024/push-my-apk-to-system-app
that you could push the app into the system folder and that would address the problem.. i downloaded the app from the market so no idea how to get the apk..
i assume if i could get a hold of the apk.. i could use root explorer to change the persmissions, then move the file into system/app and then install the app??
any help would be appreciated.
p.s. all i really want is the search feature of these apps which stock dialer doesn't have.. which is a big oversight by google not to have this.. so if any other solutions are available.. great.. love to hear them

The apk should be somewhere in /data/app, there are also apps that let you backup apk files to sdcard.
Afterwards remount /system to read+write and push the apk file to /system/app.

do i need to uninstall the app from /data/app after? or should i leave that file in there

Using Root Explorer, find the apk in /data/app, long-press and select move. Navigate to /system/app, mount r/w (by pressing the button at the top), and paste. Long-press the apk again, select permissions and set to rw-r--r--, then mount r/o and reboot.
Voila! Your user app is now a system app. You can also use Titanium Backup to convert a user app to system app and vice versa. As I have the paid version I'm not sure if this feature is available in the free version.
Sent from my Evo + MIUI using Tapatalk!

thanks.. seems to work now.. i'm surprised apps can't automatically install in that way to notifications can be dealt with.. guess they don't have permissions to install into system?..appreciate the help.. all works now!!

so seems doesn't like to work like that.. every time i reboot i get a force close popup... then i have to delete the app and restart.. had permissions set correctly and everything

[Q] Is it ok to delete apk files after installation? Please read further.

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