Database Info

Auto install after Wipe

smeone has probably already thought of this, but incase not i wanted to throw it out there, back on windows mobile we had the ability to set up SDconfig to instal our cab files after we flashed a new rom, saving us time on doing it ourselves. has anyone started to write a script to automatically grab apps from the market if we have to wipe our phone, i have had to wipe my phone 3 times in less than the month thati've had it and it's a bit of a hassle to try and find all the apps from the market again. just wondering if anyone had any idea on how to do this. i'm not that good at the whole coding thing but it would be great if this was implemented somehow.

You could always copy the apk files and do an "adb install x.apk" after a wipe.

The other option right now is to use ASTRO to back up all your apps. Download it in the market, it will copy all of your apps to your SD. Unfortunately you have to reinstall one at a time, but it puts them all in a list. Between this and Mybackup I don't lose anything when I wipe my phone except for data created by individual apps. I am sure I could back this info up too, but it just isn't important to me. Hope this helps.

trmacdonal said:
The other option right now is to use ASTRO to back up all your apps. Download it in the market, it will copy all of your apps to your SD. Unfortunately you have to reinstall one at a time, but it puts them all in a list. Between this and Mybackup I don't lose anything when I wipe my phone except for data created by individual apps. I am sure I could back this info up too, but it just isn't important to me. Hope this helps.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So make an update.zip with all your apks and favorite theme rolled-up. This way you can image your phone and then apply the update and you are set...
Or you can simply roll your own build of your image with your applications/themes already applied so you have a "live" image (so to speak).

Questions from a NOOOOB

I have a bunch of questions, but here is where I'm at.
I had 2.2 stock OTA. I then used bootstrapper to place dr154's Deodex OTA 2.2 onto my phone: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=794007
Next, I again used bootstrapper to put NexTheme on my phone: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=749692
Question 1: Are both the deodex OTA and NexTheme now on my phone, or did NexTheme replace the deodex OTA? If I were to load another Theme on, would all 3 coexist or would the other(s) be replaced?
Question 2: If I were to factory reset my phone, what would it revert to? Stock? dr154's deodex? Etc.
Question 3: If vzw released a system update, do I have to do anything to my phone before I receive it?
Now more questions regarding SYSTEM APPS.
Problem 1: MotoTorch was preloaded as a system app, as a part of either Deodex or NexTheme, assuming these coexist. When a new version came out in the market, I could not update to it, because it was a system app. Superuser, same thing, a newer version came out, couldnt get it, "installation unsuccessful".
Problem 2: Additionally, lots of the system apps aren't even recognized as installed by the market. So sometimes you won't even know if an update is available. This was the case with MotoTorch.
So I used the common solution that everyone uses and that I found with a little searching, I loaded adb and mounted /system/app as rw, then removed the apks. Then reinstalled them from the market. Then remounted /system/app as ro.
My question regarding system apps is this:
Question 4: What is the advantage of having an app be a system app?
Question 5: The stock system apps such as Amazon Mp3, or City ID - can I safely remove these? Which ones CANNOT be removed? When I did ls /system/app, there were a huge number.
Lastly, I am new, so I'm sorry if I missed it or could have search it or whatever, but I'm wondering....
Question 6: What is tranquility exactly? I see a lot of themes say they're based of tranquility? If I wanted it, where could i find the newest version? If I install a theme based off tranquility, and then a new version of tranquility comes out, can I reinstall tranquility on my phone, then reinstall the theme and will then the theme be using the newest tranquility?
Question 7: What are the advantages of being blur-less?
Question 8: Is xda the best place to find new themes? Or is there another more centralized site?
Thank you very much for any answers!!

just about everyone of your questions are answered somewhere on the web, but ill give it a shot anyways.
1. Themes only replace certain apks, (this is usually stated in the themers OP) so at times you are most likely going to have a merge of themes, sometimes you will notice it sometimes you wont.
for example, you load a new rom which has apks 1-20. Now you load a theme that has apks 1-6. next you decide to load theme 2 that has apks 1-4. then you load theme 3 with apks 1-2. so even though your main theme is is theme 3, you still have parts of 1 and 2.
2. I would avoid a factory reset, just keep a backup and a copy of the rom your on. And if need be boot to recovery and restore one of those.
3. Yes you would need to revert back to bone stock, best done with an sbf. Google it, that subject is beaten to death.
your using the term system app wrong.
1-2. if the apps were loaded and pushed to system/app they usually wont update. the apks should be in data/app.
when you did the mount/uninstall/install this loaded the apk to the proper data/app location.
4. again wrong terminology. consider system app an app that is either neccesary for phone to run or an apk that MUST be in system/app
5. google "remove droid x bloatware"
6. would take way to long to fully explain that. newest can be found on rom manager or TBH.
7. personal preference, plus less &%$# running in the background.
8. no centralized site, you can find different stuff on different sites. mydroidworld, droid-life, droidforums, droidxforums, etc.

thanks for your answers, but when i ls /system/app i see a lot of useless junk that I am pretty sure aren't required for the system...
the theme gave me mototorch to /system not /data

Here's the BIG question. Did you make your own nandroid back-up before you started this whole process? In other words- did you go into bootstrap recovery and create a back up of your phone first? and then do all this other stuff? Bc that is the easiest and number one way to return your phone to its factory settings. In fact- at this point it may be the only way. With 2.1 we had an SBF file which was essentially the original "rom image" (i come from windows mobile so forgive me). So if you were tinkering around or flashing roms and something happened - you could restore using the SBF to the factory state.
On 2.2 there is no complete SBF. Team Black Hat released a partial SBF they are calling a "system SBF" that can help people that have fubared their phone installing themes and what not. But i don't think it returns the phone to factory settings- I could be wrong since I am a complete newb to android.
So to make a long story even longer- that is why I asked if your remembered to make your own nandroid back up of your phone b4 you did all this stuff- so you have a way to return your phone to its original factory state. If you did not- then don't let it bother you. I have read many posts from seasoned android users that simply got excited and forgot to do it. Eventually - the SBF has to be leaked and we all can sleep a little easier.

I didn't make a nandroid backup. Thanks for letting me know about this, now I know not to try to revert until a true sbf comes out, you might have just saved me from bricking. I guess if an OTA comes out, and we still don't have an SBF, I'll just have to wait for a customized version of that OTA to be released.

Turns out the full SBF was released yesterday by the way:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=807903

DroidXChat said:
I didn't make a nandroid backup. Thanks for letting me know about this, now I know not to try to revert until a true sbf comes out, you might have just saved me from bricking. I guess if an OTA comes out, and we still don't have an SBF, I'll just have to wait for a customized version of that OTA to be released.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
DroidXChat said:
Turns out the full SBF was released yesterday by the way:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=807903
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes- this is confirmed lagitamate. So you are good to go. You can now restore to factory by downloading this sbf and using RSDlite (RSDLight? - can't remember).
So- didn't have to wait to long

[Q] Can't Update!

OK, so I finally got the system update for the D2G yesterday. I'm not new to this whole game, so I removed Clockworkmod, unrooted, and installed the update. The update downloads fine, but the with the little Android guy screen, I get an "!" in a triangle and then the phone reboots.
Maybe I didn't remove clockwork all the way? Don't you delete hijack and logwrapper, and then rename the logwrapper.bin to logwrapper?

well basiclly the phone needs to be untouch in terms of the file structure, in my case, I deleted a few of the stock apk files and when I tried to do the update it would fail because the stock apps were missing and the update is a patch not a full system OS so it cant install the default apps, I had to install them back to the system/app with root explorer and then set the permissions back to what they needed to be, unforchenitly a hard reset would not install the stock apps. Also make sure anything that the root touched has been set back to default

I have the same problem too. I can't get the update to work at all after installing Fission ROM. I even restored from a nandroid from a fresh D2G. It worked fine on the untouched phone tho. I checked all the files in the /system/app and they were there. Is there any magical restore .zip perhaps?
If anyone is looking for the update: http://dump.no/files/2501381a2bd4/Blur_Version.2.4.29.A956.Verizon.en.US.zip MD5: a493e4efc9d27c8932d604806f817a85

evilp8ntballer7 said:
well basiclly the phone needs to be untouch in terms of the file structure, in my case, I deleted a few of the stock apk files and when I tried to do the update it would fail because the stock apps were missing and the update is a patch not a full system OS so it cant install the default apps, I had to install them back to the system/app with root explorer and then set the permissions back to what they needed to be, unforchenitly a hard reset would not install the stock apps. Also make sure anything that the root touched has been set back to default
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I never touched anything... I stopped using Titanium Backup a long time ago when I uninstalled everything verizon and had the same OTA problem you described. I am at a loss for the problem that I have! All I ever did was root and put on clockwork, and I made sure they were gone when I updated.
Please, someone help!

did you uninstall of freeze any of the stock apps in /system/app? You need to restore them in order to successfully apply the OTA update. One file missing or modified in /system and checksums will fail/update fails.

leobg said:
did you uninstall of freeze any of the stock apps in /system/app? You need to restore them in order to successfully apply the OTA update. One file missing or modified in /system and checksums will fail/update fails.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
the only time I touched anything in /system was when I removed clockwork by deleting hijack and renaming logwrapper.bin. Can anyone give me a number of files I'm supposed to have in /system, or maybe a way to go back to stock. Man, that SBF would be mighty helpful right now...

There is system dump laying around. I'll PM you the link (not sure if appropriate to post it here). You can use it to compare content and recover missing file(s).

leobg said:
There is system dump laying around. I'll PM you the link (not sure if appropriate to post it here). You can use it to compare content and recover missing file(s).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi, I've been trying to find an answer, and I think you could help me.
I had the same problem as this person you were helping, but I already knew that I should look through the system dump and compare. I did that, and deleted one file called dbus.conf from /system/ect. Now, my phone just does the DROID animation over and over again! Please help, I made a copy of dbus.conf on my computer and did a nandroid backup. Please, you or someone else on here, HELP!

So you are in a boot loop. If you can't get the phone to boot into clockwork recovery, today is your lucky day! SBF was finally released!!! Get the SBF and reflash /system

leobg said:
So you are in a boot loop. If you can't get the phone to boot into clockwork recovery, today is your lucky day! SBF was finally released!!! Get the SBF and reflash /system
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Where is it? Isn't it only available to those with some app called TBH (or something like that)? And now I have to wait for a public release? And, if I'm wrong, can you give me a link to thee file? I can't find it anywhere...
Thanks for your help, I really appreciate it!

I would recommend you to approach the team black hat members and talk to them directly about how to get the sbf while your phone is non functional.
Sent from my DROID2 GLOBAL

But where is the system update located? I checked on the verizon website and there is nothing there. Also, do you have to be a verizon customer to get the update?
Sent from my DROID2 GLOBAL using XDA App

[Q] Lost Android Market!!

I have a Motorola Photon, and I had tried to get the old Market backet back with a process I found in the forum. It didn't work, and somewhere along the line I lost the Market all together. I tried wiping the phone back to factory and the Market app did not come back. I tried to just install a version from 4Shared, but still doesn't work with any version I install. It says that "com.android.vending has quit unexpectedly" and then it FC's. It only seems to do this when I go to download an app. I can browse and search fine with no problems, just no downloading!! I admit I'm a noob, and probably messed with something I shouldn't, but I figured this would be a nondestructive thing to learn on. Man was I wrong!! This sucks...please help me!!

Please use the Q&A Forum for questions Thanks
Moving to Q&A

Did your phone rooted ? if rooted just backup all ur apps, and flash custom rom back. that way will restore all basic app. wait, did u try install market.apk ?

arifafzan said:
Did your phone rooted ? if rooted just backup all ur apps, and flash custom rom back. that way will restore all basic app. wait, did u try install market.apk ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes...I was rooted but no custom rom. I don't know how to do that yet. This is going to sound stupid, but what exactly is a custom rom? After I wiped to factory condition I tried to install a vending.apk from 4shared and that still gives me same error. I will uninstall again and try a market.apk now. Is that the same as vending.apk?

A factory reset will only delete user data, it won't put back something that has been removed. You need to get the vending apk for the version you want and instead of installing it normally put it in /system/app. You can do so using Root Explorer or another root level file explorer. If you don't have one installed, I can post the apk of a free one for you. Mount system as r/w and copy/paste the apk into /system/app, then set permissions to rw-r--r--, then reboot. You should have your market back up & running.
Sent from my PC36100 using Tapatalk

plainjane said:
A factory reset will only delete user data, it won't put back something that has been removed. You need to get the vending apk for the version you want and instead of installing it normally put it in /system/app. You can do so using Root Explorer or another root level file explorer. If you don't have one installed, I can post the apk of a free one for you. Mount system as r/w and copy/paste the apk into /system/app, then set permissions to rw-r--r--, then reboot. You should have your market back up & running.
Sent from my PC36100 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's what I originally tried to do and didn't work, but I will try it again...If you could post an apk of the market you know is good that would be great. Can u post an apk of a root explorer also? I havent checked 4shared yet. Is there another free download service other than 4shared? Thanks for your help!!

Just download Market and install it. If it FC then check the permissions.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1231290
(It's the new market btw. I know you don't want it, but you don't really have a choice at the moment)

Ok so this is weird!! I left the Market that wasn't working installed by mistake. I installed the OTA update that Motorola did, and then re-rooted my phone again. Now the Market is working for the most part!!! Only thing is...it FC's every time iot installs an app. It downloads and installs, but right after it installs it FC's!! It doesn't always close all the way...sometimes just goes to Market home screen. All the functionality seems to be working though, so I can deal with that.
Does anybody know why after the OTA update I can only get EDGE instead of 3G on a Rogers SIM card?

Did you clear Google Services Framework data and Market data?

Apps randomly deleted (both system and user apps!)

On my (rooted) S7 I suddenly notices that the Google services and play store were GONE. After installing these from GAPPS, I notice that several apps are disappearing.
I don't know why, don't know how, but I do know it concerns both system apps as well as user apps.
eg: I lost Waze (user app) this morning and, after a reboot, es explorer (user app), Google pictures (system app) and the gallery (also system app).
What can I do to prevent this from happening again?
I did make a titanium backup and a TWRP backup, but of cause it's unacceptable to work with my phone: clicking on an icon has about 2% change that the app is gone!
I noticed others that have this problem too, but I have nothing installed to the external SD card (which, btw. is a pain in the @SS with marshmallow)

No one can help me?
Still on every reboot I lose apps, both user and system apps.
Annoyingly is also that titanium backup cannot restore system apps!
I had link 2nd and foldermount, but removed both before. They are not installed, but still this is happening.
Please, please help!
BTW: a factory reset won't get me my system apps back, right?

I'm also having the exact same problem. Tried to search for a solution but to no avail... This is so frustrating...

what apps are missing ?
i have not seen anything like that

Randomly any apps it feels like removing. System apps, user installed apps. Once my google play store got uninstalled.
Sent from my SM-G930F using Tapatalk

u say u installed GAPPS , maybe thats the problem

Bright.light did, I didn't.
Sent from my SM-G930F using Tapatalk

I think this might be because I flashed ExtSD_Fix_rw-signed-v1.9b.zip
This is used to change the permissions for the external card.
It messes with /system/etc/permissions/platform.xml and /data/system/packages.xml
maybe that got wrong, so I made a factory reset and started all over. Now it works, even with xposed and root.
btw: It's only after I lost the play store/google services that I installed GAPPS, so GAPPS is not the problem.

Same here. I tried to revert to the packages.xml before the flash but it didn't work. Apps still getting uninstalled. So a factory reset did the trick for you? Did u flash ExtSD again after the reset?
Sent from my SM-G930F using Tapatalk

madhero said:
Same here. I tried to revert to the packages.xml before the flash but it didn't work. Apps still getting uninstalled. So a factory reset did the trick for you? Did u flash ExtSD again after the reset?
Sent from my SM-G930F using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No, I removed this ExtSD immediately, just to be sure that I won't flash it again.
For the moment I learn to live with this problem. It's possible because most sophisticated apps are already requesting the correct rights. Including the root capabilities it works as I like it to work.
When there is a better solution, I will TWRP backup and try that one, but this ExtSD is not the correct way.
I haven't found the thread, or else I would have put a warning in there too...

I have changed the permissions and ownership of the files in newer versions. Tonight I will release v2.8 with additional logging to help me finish this thing.
The ExtSD Fix thread is here.

rufus.wilson said:
I have changed the permissions and ownership of the files in newer versions. Tonight I will release v2.8 with additional logging to help me finish this thing.
The ExtSD Fix thread is here.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank rufus! Still appreciate your work on this. Don't take it the wrong way that I'm blaming this app. Users install at their own risk, so it's all in the user. [emoji4]
Sent from my SM-G930F using Tapatalk

madhero said:
Thank rufus! Still appreciate your work on this. Don't take it the wrong way that I'm blaming this app. Users install at their own risk, so it's all in the user. [emoji4]
Sent from my SM-G930F using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No bad feelings ?
My stuff does not work as well as I want it to yet and that frustrates me quite a bit...
Please join the testing team to help. If you don't want to mess your system, nandroid backup before flash and then restore. I hope the apps disappear quickly though... I know it is a pain to loose data/settings/texts/call logs...

rufus.wilson said:
No bad feelings
My stuff does not work as well as I want it to yet and that frustrates me quite a bit...
Please join the testing team to help. If you don't want to mess your system, nandroid backup before flash and then restore. I hope the apps disappear quickly though... I know it is a pain to loose data/settings/texts/call logs...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I didn't loose those things, however, since my backup was 'old', I just started all over, only retrieving some items from backup selectively.
No hard feelings for the ExtSD, I know it's my own risk
I do hope that the development of ExtSD will continue and that there will be a time that we beat this monster problem! :good: Or that Google finally understands that this is NOT wat we want!
btw: I have several apps which I cannot use anymore because of these ridiculous rights.:crying:

I have the same trouble with missing apps on my rooted 5.0 Lollipop phone.
I find that the missing apps usually have two copies of themselves in the data\app directory.
What I describe will apply to all updated system apps and user apps:
For example playstore is a system app but, after it is updated it is stored as data\app\com.android.vending-1 for the first update. Then data\app\com.android.vending-2 for the 2nd update.
Further updates will alternate between these two storage locations.
If something goes wrong and data\app\com.android.vending-1 does not get deleted you will have two copies of Playstore which I think will lead to a randomly disappearing Playstore.
I delete the oldest dated of the two storage locations and reboot phone. If still missing I reinstall the app and make sure there is only one copy in data\app directory, I will delete the oldest again.
I have auto update apps turned off to reduce the problem. I have a TWRP backup so I do not worry about messing up the phone.
Good Luck!