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
Related
I would like to know how people make copies of their apk files. What I mean is people get an apk. They like it and want to share it, so they somehow make a copy of it that they can upload for others to download. I just want to know how do they make that copy?? You can find all kinds of apps on the web so there has to be a way.
Using the ADB pull thingy commands I reckon ?
Use Astro
You can use Astro File Manager to make app backups, and this saves an apk file on your mem card. Now, they can still be locked down, etc., but this often works.
to copy/send apk
what you do is download astro file manager, find the apk on your sd card, long click, and email attachment. the reciever of the apk will have to download "tattach" before installign the apk on their phone..hope this helped..
Appmanager, Astro, adb pull, etc. There are countless ways to save .apk files on your sd card and/or computer
I use estrongs file manager. Have allways preferred it to astro.
i just bought an x10 phone and wanted to know how to install applications and themes... PLEASE HELP ME...
OK,
for apps:
From the market it should be pretty obvious, so I'm assuming you mean from an apk on your SD card.
You'll need a file explorer like Estrong (from the market) or RootExplorer (only works with 'root' (see below)).
You also need to allow 'applications from unknown sources' (Settings -> Applications)
Then just browse to the apk in the file explorer and selecting it should prompt the installation. After that you're good to go.
Themes:
this is a bit trickier (is that a word).
1. First up, you'll need root (kind of like admin rights on windows). The easiest way is to use the one-click root app from the development section, this installs as above and then on launching there's a 'Root' and an 'Unroot' button. Click root and you're done.
2. What you're doing when you install a theme is replacing the apk files for the phones framework and certain key apps. The modified versions that are copied mostly just contain updated resources (almost always .png files).
This is the reason you need root, you are replaced protected system files. It is also the reason that you can only have one theme at a time and can't 'hot-swap' them like in timescape, for example.
The best way to go about this, in my opinion, is to download one of chewitts themes. Before you install it take a look at the installer bat - open it in Notepad - sorry I'm just assuming everyone uses windows , probably get shot for those sort of assumptions here
It is my firm belief that, if you don't understand what is going on in that installer file then you need to do some more research, start with the stickies here (maybe the one about how to use chewitts installer) and check this thread out as well:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=714288&highlight=modify
Hope this is enough to get you started. Let me know if something isn't clear.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=457740&d=1291677305
a simple .apk for the gingerbread keyboard. everything works perfectly; vibration, multi touch. you dont even need to be rooted to use this.
The other one worked without root too I took the .apk out of the original flashable and just installed that but thanks for taking an annoying step out
Sent from my Incredible using XDA App
Probably user error...
I attempted to install another file that was a .zip to get the keyboard, I did not do a wipe. I use the Virtuous ROM. The update I used did not seem to do anything and the keyboard was no different.
I attempted to use your APK to install and it won't let me install. Am I missing something? Did I boo boo?
Did you extract the files and then install with root explorer or a siimilar file browser?
jbucklee said:
I attempted to install another file that was a .zip to get the keyboard, I did not do a wipe. I use the Virtuous ROM. The update I used did not seem to do anything and the keyboard was no different.
I attempted to use your APK to install and it won't let me install. Am I missing something? Did I boo boo?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sent from my Incredible using XDA App
"Did you extract the files and then install with root explorer or a siimilar file browser?"
.apk files are (java) .jar files which are actually .zip archives. The fact that they are named ".apk" reflects the fact that they always contain certain folders and files (including, but not limited to the manifest signature files and public key of the signer) - not "random crap"
Your file has nothing to extract. A valid app will contain folders named META-INF (always), res (usually), and some files with extensions of either .dex or .odex.
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.
here's what I did.
I don't have a computer. I changed apk to zip and unzipped it. Then I used Axel xml/editor viewer to change things. Then saved it and compressed file to zip then changed to apk. I tried using Zip Signer from app store. I still get the same parsing error when I click app to install.
What do I do to fix it ? apk editor pro works and installs the modded app but won't load the modded app to change things again so I don't want to use that.
Anyone have an answer ?
Try this process, instead. It works famously for me.
First, copy the .apk to a safe place just in case!
1. Extract your .apk to a folder.
2. Edit what you want.
3. Open up your original .apk in an archive manager (7zip, WinRAR).
4. Navigate to the directory where your edited files will go while in the archive manager.
5. Drag-and-drop your edited files into the archiver window which has the .apk open. Click "OK" if it asks if you're sure.
6. Close that window, ADB push it to /[wherever], and install.
Done! :good:
thenookieforlife3 said:
Try this process, instead. It works famously for me.
First, copy the .apk to a safe place just in case!
1. Extract your .apk to a folder.
2. Edit what you want.
3. Open up your original .apk in an archive manager (7zip, WinRAR).
4. Navigate to the directory where your edited files will go while in the archive manager.
5. Drag-and-drop your edited files into the archiver window which has the .apk open. Click "OK" if it asks if you're sure.
6. Close that window, ADB push it to /[wherever], and install.
Done! :good:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I said I don't have a computer. I can't do that.
I read the problem is the apk is lot aligned. Can I run commands in a Terminal Emulator on my phone ?
1. Compress back to zip. 2 sign zip. 3 change to apk. 4 zipalign apk.
How do I zipalign ? I tried spme things I read for commands but don't know if I'm doing it right.
ryan012 said:
I said I don't have a computer. I can't do that.
I read the problem is the apk is lot aligned. Can I run commands in a Terminal Emulator on my phone ?
1. Compress back to zip. 2 sign zip. 3 change to apk. 4 zipalign apk.
How do I zipalign ? I tried spme things I read for commands but don't know if I'm doing it right.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Oops. Missed that part.
I have no experience with the commands you are referring to, therefore I cannot help you.
Sorry.
thenookieforlife3 said:
Oops. Missed that part.
I have no experience with the commands you are referring to, therefore I cannot help you.
Sorry.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's like this, http://stackoverflow.com/questions/...apk-with-7zip-cause-error-during-installation
I don't know how to do the commands or which ones. I tried the ones shown but didn't do anything. I don't know if I did it right.
Stealthy App
Hi there i want to modify an app( Want add stealth Option in menu) please tell my how i can modify app with some easy editor softwares not complicated. Share some links.
Thanks in advance. hoping you will help me!
Scarface47 said:
Hi there i want to modify an app( Want add stealth Option in menu) please tell my how i can modify app with some easy editor softwares not complicated. Share some links.
Thanks in advance. hoping you will help me!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
For reading all the xml files I use Axel (XML Editor / Viewer)
https://play.google.com/store/apps/...aystore&pcampaignid=APPU_pzkdVL_aBcmONsKggsgE
You have to click open as on xml and choose axel then click Save As... save it somewhere with the same name as the file name as it is.
then copy the saved file into the folder of where you got it from and overwrite it. Make sure name is same. Now open the saved xml again in Axel ans now you can modify it, then click Save before exiting it.
For changing other things like button images I haven't done that.
I changed what app says inside and what some buttons says. The Strings.XML file is where buttons are or some other things
there's one called APK Editor Pro but it only lets you change app one time. It won't load modified one.
Here, https://play.google.com/store/apps/...aystore&pcampaignid=APPU_pzkdVL_aBcmONsKggsgE
is anyone able to tell me how to fix it ? How to get the apk aligned not using a computer ?