[Extension] Updated version of the APK Downloader Chrome Extension - Android Apps and Games

What is it?
This is an updated (and slightly modified) version of redphx's awesome Google Chrome extension APK Downloader.
It allows you to download APKs from the Play Store webpage via your desktop browser directly onto your computer.
The original version stopped working as of Google Chrome version 20+ because starting with this Chrome version, all Google Chrome extension require to use the manifest version 2. When I noticed, I checked the author's page for any updates. But there were no updates on that.
Update: Earlier, I said that the original APK Downloader extension stopped working because it uses Manifest version 1 and that Google Chrome dropped support for all extensions that use Manifest version 1.
However, gt573 noted that he can still use the original extension (v1.2.1) with Chrome 21.
So, I checked again the Manifest version 1 support schedule and I found that I was wrong there. Manifest version 1 was announced deprecated with the release of Chrome 18, but will be partitially supported until "early 2013".
Nethertheless, the original APK Downloader (v1.2.1) does not work for me since my Chrome was update to 21.0.1180.60 m. The extension constantly throws content security policy exceptions when trying to download any App, which prevents the extension from working at all. Additionally, this is the error message I get on the extension page:
{
"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"
}
And according to the recent comments on the author's webpage, there's a bunch of other users who have/had the same problem with v1.2.1 within the last days. (For a detailed explanation of manifest version changes in Chrome and what that means for the original APK Downloader, click here to read the full story.)
So: If APK Downloader v1.2.1 stopped working for you, feel free to use this updated version.​
What was changed?
So.. Basically, this is the original APK Downloader v1.2.1 extension for the Google Chrome browser, downloaded from the author's - redphx - webpage. However, these are the changes that I made:
As of version 1.3.0
Updated the extension manifest version from 1 to 2
Replaced deprecated functions in JavaScript and references in manifest.json
Changed JavaScript formatting from compressed to "Pretty Print" (so that the source code is readable for everybody)
Removed Google Analytics Code (Sorry redphx, all credits to you! But using GA for this, without even anonymizing the User IPs, is a No-Go as I think).
Changed the download redirect Url (when clicking the icon in the Url bar) from the author's webpage to a local domain "http://localhost/[..]".
Removed all other "extra" code, that was not used for the actual functionality.
Replaced extension icons.
As of version 1.3.1
Changed the download redirect Url (when clicking the icon in the Url bar) from"http://localhost/[..]" to this thread's URL, because v1.3.0 required a local web server to be running for the extension in order to function.
As of version 1.3.2
Changed the download redirect Url (when clicking the icon in the Url bar). Instead of open a new tab, as of version 1.3.2 it will simply reload the current Play Store URL and start the download!
As of version 1.3.3
Fixed redirect bug, introduced in version 1.3.2
Major code clean up (reduced number of files from 16 to 12).
As of version 1.3.4
Improved new reload function to support Play Store URLs that contain a hash key already.
Get Started - Download
To install the extension the steps are as follows: download and extract the following zip archive to your computer.
Direct download link:
apkdownloader-1.3.1.zip
apkdownloader-1.3.2.zip
apkdownloader-1.3.3.zip
apkdownloader-1.3.4.zip​
How to set up?
After you extracted the downloaded zip file to your computer, open Google Chrome and go to the extension page; you can copy and paste into the Url bar: chrome://chrome/extensions/
Load it
Now, enable "Developer mode" and load the "APK Downloader"-extension from the directory where you extracted it to.
Set it up - Google-Account
To be able to download from the Play Store, you need to authenticate all requests. Therefore you need to "log in to your Google Account" at the extension's option page.
On the extension's options page, log in with your Google-Account (email-address and password) - the same Account that you used with your device! Also, you will need your Android Device-Id (which is part of the algorithm to generate a valid request key).
Note: Basically this is not a "login" in the common sense. Your credentials are stored safely in Chrome's local data storage - on your own computer!!!
Set it up - Android Device-Id
To get your Android Device-Id, type in the dialer of your phone...
Code:
*#*#8255#*#*
*#*#TALK*#*#
... and you will get the "GTalk Service Monitor" screen like the following. Search for "DEVICE-ID:". Everything that comes after "android-", that is your Device-Id.
OR
Use my App "Android Device-ID"
(Almost) Done
The extension is now available and ready set up. However, you need to follow 1 more step to actually use it; you need to disable SSL warnings. Therefore please read on at the original APK Downloader page at: http://codekiem.com/2012/02/24/apk-downloader/​
Credits
All credits for the extension goes to redphoenix89 (or redphx @xda)! It's his code - I did only cosmetics.​
Legal Note / Disclaimer
Finally, please note that the use of this Chrome extension is violating Google's Play Store TOS! You've been warned.​

As Wesnam pointed out the version 1.3.0 requires a local webserver to be running in order for the extension to work. I fixed that, so everybody can use it. Please download version 1.3.1 (click here).

APK downloader 1.2.1 seemed to work just as well on google chrome 21 as your 1.3.1. Neither will download the IBM think tablet app, which is a free app. I get an error with both extensions. Any idea if there is a fix?

Looks good, thx. Was always a bit worried about it using his server.
To everyone: I checked the code and there's no suspicious stuff in there, just what's expected to be there (a number of calls to the Market). 100% legit.

gt573 said:
APK downloader 1.2.1 seemed to work just as well on google chrome 21 as your 1.3.1. Neither will download the IBM think tablet app, which is a free app. I get an error with both extensions. Any idea if there is a fix?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There's a difference in the way they do not work. Original APK Downloader (v1.2.1) doesn't work at all. Mine doesn't work if there're server-side validations to be passed, such as country limitation, device limitation or screen size limitation (and of course you can download only free apps). For the IBM app there's a limit for the screen resolution. So you need to have a device registered with the same email address you use for the extension, that is compatible with the app's screen resolution minimum: A screen width of 800 pixels or more and screens classified as Xlarge. Do you match these criteria?

I just installed v1.2.1 last night and a quick test verified that it was able to download apps with my current version of google chrome (21). I only downloaded one app and it was one by the extension developer, I don't know if that makes a difference. Anyway, it wouldn't download the app I was after (IBM think) which is what brought me here. I was able to download another tablet app with your extension that the market tells me is not compatible with my device so I thought it would bypass the device and screen limitations. My device(Galaxy note sgh-i717) has 800 x 1280 resolution. It is running android 4.0.4. I changed the dpi to 160 in build.prop to match xlarge, still no go. Just for full disclosure (not asking for build.prop help here) I have tried modifying my build.prop to make my sgh-i717 appear as a Tab 10.1, but it didn't work, it still show as an sgh-i717 in the market.
Bexton said:
There's a difference in the way they do not work. Original APK Downloader (v1.2.1) doesn't work at all. Mine doesn't work if there're server-side validations to be passed, such as country limitation, device limitation or screen size limitation (and of course you can download only free apps). For the IBM app there's a limit for the screen resolution. So you need to have a device registered with the same email address you use for the extension, that is compatible with the app's screen resolution minimum: A screen width of 800 pixels or more and screens classified as Xlarge. Do you match these criteria?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

gt573 said:
I just installed v1.2.1 last night and a quick test verified that it was able to download apps with my current version of google chrome (21).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's odd. But I checked back and according to the Manifest version 1 support schedule, the support for v1 extensions is not yet dropped - unlike I said in OP. According to the schedule the support will be dropped in "early 2013". Thus, APK Downloader v1.2.1 should still work as it did all the time; also with the latest Chrome versions. Now, to explain you why I said/thought it was:
The thing is that I used v1.2.1 almost every day and I never had problems to download Apps, except for a few that were labeled as non-compatible with my devices in the play store. (I will come back on that later..) Then, a few days ago, the extension just stopped working without me making any changes. So I opened Chrome's developer console and saw that the extension threw some content security policy errors fired by the extension's Javascript code.
Then I checked the author's website and saw a lot of recent comments by users having the same issue - that the extension just stopped working for them.
Since I've developed a few Chrome extensions myself, I remembered that the changelog between Manifest 1 and 2 includes a new content security policy and also that Manifest 1 was announced deprecated in Chrome 18.
So I checked my Chrome version and saw that it was updated just that morning (from 20.x to 21.0.1180.60 m). Hence, I thought that the exceptions, thrown by the extension, were due to the "fact" that the old content security policy, which was used before Manifest version 2, was unsupported with that Chrome-Update.
So I updated the extension's source code to use Manifest version 2. Finally, I had no more content security policy exceptions in the dev console and the downloads worked again.
And because there was no update by redphx and I've seen a lot of users had the same issue, I thought I'd share it here.
To cut a long story short:
I was wrong in saying that the original extension stopped as of Chrome 20+ due to missing support by Chrome.
However, for me v1.2.1 constantly throws content security policy exceptions in Chrome which prevent it from working at all. And as you can see from the comments on redphx's website it stopped working for others, too (whatever else the reason is..!?).
Also, as you can see from the schedule, v1.2.1 will stop working in the not-too-far-away future (unless redphx will release an update), whereas mine is "future-proof" (as far as it concerns Chrome).
Finally, my version does not include Analytics code, nor does it redirect you to a site which can not be verified to be safe (it should be, though).
gt573 said:
I only downloaded one app and it was one by the extension developer, I don't know if that makes a difference.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No, the developer should be irrelevant.
gt573 said:
Anyway, it wouldn't download the app I was after (IBM think) which is what brought me here. I was able to download another tablet app with your extension that the market tells me is not compatible with my device so I thought it would bypass the device and screen limitations.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Now, as I said earlier:
"I used v1.2.1 almost every day and I never had problems to download Apps, except for a few that were labeled as incompatible with my devices in the play store."
However, this was not true for all Apps that were labeled as incompatible. Some work, most do not. I'm not really sure how the checks work at this point. I know that there exist options for developers to restrict access to downloads by some "more advanced" parameters (apart from payment, obviously). And I think that the the device compatibility check for the In-App-Listings and the Play Store Website is separated from the logic that is used for those "advanced" restrictions (and no, I'm not talking about the basic country-limit here).
As another weird example take the new chameleon launcher beta. The Play Store says it would be compatible with my device. However, I can not download it. Neither through the Play Store, nor with the extension. Why not? Because, as you can read on the developer's website, your Emailaddress for Play Store must be paired with the Emailaddress that I/someone used in the developer's beta signup form that was on the website a few weeks ago. Means: eventhough it is a free App and labeled as compatible in Play Store, I can not download it because the developer needs to specifically allow my Account. As you can see, there're lots of possible and not always understandable reasons why somebody can download some apps while others can't.
gt573 said:
My device(Galaxy note sgh-i717) has 800 x 1280 resolution. It is running android 4.0.4. I changed the dpi to 160 in build.prop to match xlarge, still no go. Just for full disclosure (not asking for build.prop help here) I have tried modifying my build.prop to make my sgh-i717 appear as a Tab 10.1, but it didn't work, it still show as an sgh-i717 in the market.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't think that editing the build.prop file will help with that at all. Even if I change everything in my build.prop, the Useragent that is send by the Play Store App still uses/reveals the real device info. No matter what I change, it always sends: "AndroidDownloadManager/4.1.1 (Linux; U; Android 4.1.1; Nexus One Build/JRO03H)".

Hey bexton, thank u very much for your modded extension! I installed it because I get with the previous version the "ERROR: Cannot download this app!" message but with version I get the same message:
Chrome startup parameters: --ignore-certificate-errors --allow-running-insecure-content
Chrome Version: 21.0.1180.57
OS: Linux

thankz!! but not working here
Chrome version: 22.0.1219.0 (148586)
maybe disable ssl warnings don't work i don't know

Works for me. Is there a way to disable this page popping up everytime I download something?

maybe it'd be possible to use a data-uri instead of this thread as download page?

prodigy7 said:
Hey bexton, thank u very much for your modded extension! I installed it because I get with the previous version the "ERROR: Cannot download this app!" message but with version I get the same message:
Chrome startup parameters: --ignore-certificate-errors --allow-running-insecure-content
Chrome Version: 21.0.1180.57
OS: Linux
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi, I have the same problem unfortunately on Windows 7 on Chrome 21

I still get the error "ERROR: Cannot download this app!". This is happening on Chrome 22.0.1229.2 dev-m, Win7 32bit.
Ytain

Sorry for the late response, but I've been on holiday. For those of you who still get the error "ERROR: Cannot download this app!" for an app that should be downloadable(!!), please provide a link to the app. If you get this error for ALL apps, than please leave this info as well.
@XlAfbk: I don't think so, but I'd need to check on that.. If know how to, let me know.

This one won't work for me https://play.google.com/store/apps/...=W251bGwsMSwxLDMsImNvbS5jb25kdWl0LmxvY2tlciJd
How do I know if a free app is supposed to be downloadable?

Sadly, it still doesn't support most of the apps I attempt to download. Here's a list:
https://play.google.com/store/apps/...EsImNvbS5jbm4ubW9iaWxlLmFuZHJvaWQudGFibGV0Il0.
https://play.google.com/store/apps/...wyLDEsImNvbS53YXNoaW5ndG9ucG9zdC5hbmRyb2lkIl0.
https://play.google.com/store/apps/...t=W251bGwsMSwyLDEsImNvbS53ZWJtZC5hbmRyb2lkIl0.
https://play.google.com/store/apps/...t=W251bGwsMSwyLDEsImNvbS5rcm9nZXIubW9iaWxlIl0.
https://play.google.com/store/apps/...251bGwsMSwyLDEsImNvbS53YWxtYXJ0LmFuZHJvaWQiXQ..
https://play.google.com/store/apps/...ult#?t=W251bGwsMSwyLDEsImNvbS50YXJnZXQudWkiXQ..
https://play.google.com/store/apps/...251bGwsMSwyLDEsImNvbS5iZXN0YnV5LmFuZHJvaWQiXQ..
https://play.google.com/store/apps/...arch_result#?t=W251bGwsMSwyLDEsImNvbS5xdmMiXQ..
https://play.google.com/store/apps/...vbS5odWZmaW5ndG9ucG9zdC5hbmRyb2lkLnRhYmxldCJd
That's just a few.
I'm thinking that Google corrected some of the coding in Chrome as it regards to the Play Store to prevent people from downloading apps that WILL work with your devices, but still declare them incompatible.

I also notice this problem. Didn't worked with any app that Google was saying to be incompatible with my device.
Sent from my LT26i with Tapatalk 2

scottharris4 said:
This one won't work for me https://play.google.com/store/apps/...=W251bGwsMSwxLDMsImNvbS5jb25kdWl0LmxvY2tlciJd
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I had no problems downloading the app with the extension (find attached). Is it labeled as compatible with your device in the play store?
abarax said:
Sadly, it still doesn't support most of the apps I attempt to download. Here's a list:
[snip]
That's just a few.
I'm thinking that Google corrected some of the coding in Chrome as it regards to the Play Store to prevent people from downloading apps that WILL work with your devices, but still declare them incompatible.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I was able to download the apps that are labeled as compatible in play store. The Huffington Post and the CNN link were for Tablets only, so they failed. But when I tried their apps for phones, I was able to download those as well.
scottharris4 said:
How do I know if a free app is supposed to be downloadable?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You can't know. But if you set up everything correct, you can be almost sure that you can download all apps that are labeled as compatible with your device in Play Store. Me personally, I never found an app that was labeled as compatible and I was not able to download it via the extension. Whenever it is labeled as compatible, I can download it.
@Felimenta97: There're a few exceptions; for a few apps I was able to download them even though the Play Store said it would be incompatible. However, as said above, a general rule of thumb is that you will be able to download only the apps that are labeled as compatible for your device.

I see. But if you could work on that it would be nice. Some apps work on my phone, just play store is crazy about that.
Sent from my LT26i with Tapatalk 2

Bexton said:
@XlAfbk: I don't think so, but I'd need to check on that.. If know how to, let me know.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I tried modding the extension but for some reason it even fails with localhost instead of this thread, just replacing the 1 line containing the url *confused* (not a chrome extension guy so probably missing something there. more of a web dev)
Maybe if you'd explain why that is and why it needs some site in the first place I'd be able to figure it out.

Related

[ROM][KFHD7][7.4.8] ♦ Kinology 3.3 ♦ 2014/03/12 ♦ Final

{
"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"
}
Introducing Kinology - The Premier KFHD7 Custom ROM​
Standard Disclaimer: I cannot be held responsible for loss, damages, or any kind of issue whatsoever that could arise from installing this ROM. You install it at your own risk.
Kinology is the premier custom ROM for the Kindle Fire HD 7" tablet. It will not work on any other device. Kinology should be considered a "hybrid OS"; it contains Amazon's 7.4.8 ICS-based core along with Google's ICS Services Framework and application stack.
Feature list
Installation / Download
Advanced Configuration
Known Issues
History
Screenshots
3.3 will be the last version of Kinology. The 7.4.9 update does not leave enough room on the system partition for the Kinology base. Additionally, that version of the Amazon OS is using server side filtering that prevents many non-Amazon approved applications from working correctly. My investigations into the issue did not turn up an easy fix.
What's new?
3.3 - 2014/03/12
Update the base to 7.4.8 and updated included apps. See the History page linked above for further details.
3.2 - 2013/11/21
Kinology itself is unchanged for this release. Only apps have been updated. See the History page linked above for details.
3.1 - 2013/08/11
Updated the base OS to 7.4.6.
The restart/failure message when flashing the boot zip will only be shown if the recovery is actually changed.
Installers now apply ASLR correctly to all libraries.
Added Adobe Flash Player again, as it no longer causes browsers to crash.
Updated GmsCore, Hangouts, and Play Store in the Google package.
Updated Adobe Air in the Amazon Updates package.
Behind the scenes stuff:
* Added code to the make scripts to build all-in-one installation.
* Modified the make scripts so that .apks with identical code and resources always result in binary-identical files.
* Because of the previous modification, update zips can now be automatically generated.
* Many other changes to the make scripts so that they are more resilient.
3.0. - 2013/07/21
Updated the base OS to 7.4.5.
Fixed the disabled wallpaper issue in 7.4.1.
Removed text on battery icons (a percentage option was added by Amazon).
Updated Gmail, GmsCore, and the Play Store in the Google package, and added Hangouts instead of Talk.
Update SuperSU and included SuperSUNoNag.
Removed Adobe Flash Player as it is not compatible with 7.4.5.
Fixed the install process: the boot zip is now required, but it will only flash items that you do not already have installed.
Separated Amazon app updates from Kinology proper in the install process.
XDA:DevDB Information
Kinology [KFHD7/TATE], ROM for the Amazon 7" Kindle Fire HD
Contributors
JulianPaoloThiry
ROM OS Version: 4.0.x Ice Cream Sandwich
Based On: Amazon OS 7.4.8
Version Information
Status: Stable
Current Stable Version: 3.3
Stable Release Date: 2014-03-12
Created 2014-10-16
Last Updated 2014-10-16
I was just cleaning up my system (Had CM10.1 on it, but was facing issues with Video chat in GTalk) to go back to Kinology 2.0.1 and was facing some boot issues. When I went back to see the potential list of ROMs to try, I noticed this thread.
Edit: Flashed it and seems to be stable so far. Still checking stability of various apps.
Edit 2: Spoke too soon. Just got a random reboot. The screen was in landscape mode and was trying to get it to portrait, it just rebooted.I did a first reboot before setting up the device as mentioned in the installation procedure.
Sequence of events before I got the random reboot: I flashed the files as per the installation procedure (verbatim), did a reboot after the first boot, set up the system, added google accounts, installed nova launcher, set that as my primary launcher, tried hangout, it hung in the Video call, force stopped it, then was editing the message here in the forum, went back to Kindle, was rotating to portrait mode, kindle rebooted.
EDIT 3: I am still getting random reboots trying to play around hangout. I will find GTalk apk from somewhere and install. I will update the status after that.
No flash, no fun . That was one of the best features in android for me, besides the roms. If it's possible, i would love to see a fix for it.
Thanks,
Grwy
Sent from my KFTT using xda app-developers app
Request to package just Gtalk and allow option to users to upgrade to Hangouts
One humble request: If you could, please let the users decide if they want to upgrade to hangout. I am facing issues with that, and I was able to uninstall updates to go back to GTalk. But given that Hangouts was directly add to the ROM itself, I could not go back to GTalk by just uninstalling it in Playstore.
I will figure a way to get GTalk back. But it was easier to uninstall from play store
raj3366 said:
I will figure a way to get GTalk back.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I can make an updater zip that replaces Hangouts with Talk. Will probably post it tomorrow sometime.
GreyGeist said:
No flash, no fun . That was one of the best features in android for me, besides the roms. If it's possible, i would love to see a fix for it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This bugs me a lot, too. I'm not sure if there will be a solution. Unfortunately, the crash is very low level (in the .so files), so it's very tough to even begin to know how to work around it. I certainly plan to continue working on it, though.
raj3366 said:
I am still getting random reboots trying to play around hangout.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I successfully made a video call using Hangouts to my phone for testing and didn't get any reboots. I know that's just one anecdote, but if I recall, GTalk's video/voice didn't work very well for some on Kinology 2 either.
JulianPaoloThiry said:
I can make an updater zip that replaces Hangouts with Talk. Will probably post it tomorrow sometime.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That would be awesome. I tried replacing the Hangouts.apk with Talk.apk in the google update zip. But the signature (SHA1-digest) had to be updated in META-INF/CERT.SF and META-INF/MANIFEST.MF files. So I could not get it working.
I had very good success rate using GTalk in Kinology 2.0. I guess my mileage varies. But having GTalk gives me the freedom to upgrade to Hangouts or stay with GTalk depending on whichever works. Again, that's just my personal opinion.
Thanks for looking into this Julian. I am sending this Kindle to my parents so that I could chat over Video call. I have to get it stabilized before that. They are not tech-savy.
So far I am not seeing any other issues. I will report back, if I run into any.
I can't thank you enough for doing this.:good:
JulianPaoloThiry said:
This bugs me a lot, too. I'm not sure if there will be a solution. Unfortunately, the crash is very low level (in the .so files), so it's very tough to even begin to know how to work around it. I certainly plan to continue working on it, though.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Alright, thanks. I've always really liked Kinology, but the gapps and lockscreen issues were its downfall for me. Are these fixed yet? In the previous build, gapps constantly crashes (especially chrome), and the lockscreen would randomly disappear.
There is now a download available to rollback from Google Hangouts to Google Talk. Be aware that your launcher's caching may cause the icon and/or name of Hangouts to remain unchanged. Be sure to actually launch the app and check it before claiming that the rollback did not work.
Edit: Hmmmm. Hold off downloading that. I can't seem to find the voice/video options at all now.
Edit: False alarm. Turns out that Google Talk cannot voice/video chat with Google Hangouts users. So if your friends upgrade and you do not, you're SOL. There's nothing wrong with the rollback package, so use it if you like.
GreyGeist said:
the gapps and lockscreen issues were its downfall for me. Are these fixed yet? In the previous build, gapps constantly crashes (especially chrome), and the lockscreen would randomly disappear.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
... no one reported either of those issues previously...
I've used Kinology since it was released and have not seen them. I must admit, however, that I have the lock screen disabled (my Kindle never leaves the house and has a book-like cover), so I wouldn't have noticed that one.
I do use Chrome and most other Google apps, and can't recall them ever crashing. Capturing a logcat dump immediately after a crash and sending it to me is the best way to get that sort of thing identified. The only other workable alternative is to report reproducible steps that always result in a crash.
JulianPaoloThiry said:
There is now a download available to rollback from Google Hangouts to Google Talk. Be aware that your launcher's caching may cause the icon and/or name of Hangouts to remain unchanged. Be sure to actually launch the app and check it before claiming that the rollback did not work.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks a lot. That solves my problem. I will try it tonight when I get back home and update you. As long as it works with other google talk users, I am good. Is there procedure to repackage it myself? (if you update the google zip, I would not want you to re-package it every time. I would be more than happy to do it myself and share it for those who need that.)
EDIT: I just saw the size of it. I guess no re-packaging necessary. I just need to flash it as the last zip. This even more awesome. Thanks!
Launcher
How do you start up in tablet mode, not Kindle carousel?
Do you need a launcher?
Wind Dancer said:
How do you start up in tablet mode, not Kindle carousel?
Do you need a launcher?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you do not want to use the carousel as your default launcher then you will need to install an alternative launcher from the Play Store, such as GO or Nova. The next time you reboot (or press the home button, I think), your Kindle will ask you which launcher to use, at which time you can tell it to stop asking and just use the one you pick.
JulianPaoloThiry said:
If you do not want to use the carousel as your default launcher then you will need to install an alternative launcher from the Play Store, such as GO or Nova. The next time you reboot (or press the home button, I think), your Kindle will ask you which launcher to use, at which time you can tell it to stop asking and just use the one you pick.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
okay, thanks for the confirmation
GreyGeist said:
Alright, thanks. I've always really liked Kinology, but the gapps and lockscreen issues were its downfall for me. Are these fixed yet? In the previous build, gapps constantly crashes (especially chrome), and the lockscreen would randomly disappear.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Odd, I never had a problems with Gaaps (Google Applications) although I have not liked chrome on any of my Android devices. . .Sorry, I can't compare with lockscreens -since I don't use one on my KFTT, but when I did it was never an issue. . . I hope this new version will be a stable, and dependable as Kinology2 -I am downloading now! (Thanks!) :victory:
Sorry to change topic but does anyone have the full build/version number for 7.4.5, it should be something like this: 7.4.5_D025_XXXXXXX
Thanks
Gilly10 said:
Sorry to change topic but does anyone have the full build/version number for 7.4.5, it should be something like this: 7.4.5_D025_XXXXXXX
Thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
4513120
I cat find the update file anywhere the one i found will not manually update. Could you send me the stock update file for 7.4.5. I like to be up to date as much as i can but amazon is not posting this update on there web site and my auto update is not updating to 7.4.5
Sent from my KFTT using xda app-developers app
Hinzman420 said:
I cat find the update file anywhere the one i found will not manually update. Could you send me the stock update file for 7.4.5. I like to be up to date as much as i can but amazon is not posting this update on there web site and my auto update is not updating to 7.4.5
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I downloaded this 7.4.5 file but since I'm not on stock Amazon OS I can't test it to see if it'll update properly, also supposedly Adobe Flash doesn't play nice with this build.
https://s3.amazonaws.com/kindle-fire-updates/update-kindle-7.4.5_D025_4513120.bin

[APP] UnifiedNlp - FLOSS Wi-Fi- and cell-tower-based geolocation

Introduction
UnifiedNlp is a FLOSS (Free/Libre Open Source Software) tool for geolocating android phones without Google's Geolocation service. It allows apps that use Android's coarse or network locating features to geolocate the phone which is usually faster and less battery consuming then GPS. If you use your phone without GAPPS this might become a useful tool for you.
The real location work is done by backends (plug-ins) that can be configured through the UnifiedNlp UI. There is already a number of backends out there that use data from various data sources, some of them working completely offline.
The same backend technique is used for UnifiedNlp's secondary feature: (reverse) geocoding. This allows apps like the android gallery to convert geo-coordinates to an address, resulting in better user experience.
UnifiedNlp is the successor of NOGAPPS NetworkLocation and part of the microG Project.
Installation
UnifiedNlp comes with official support for Android 4.4 (KitKat) and Android 5.0 (Lollipop). Installation on AOSP-based ROMs for this version is easy:
Make sure that no Google geolocation tool is installed (it is usually listed as Google Play Services in Apps)
Download and install NetworkLocation.apk as a usual app (you may need to enable "Unknown sources" in Settings->Security)
Reboot
If your system is not AOSP-based but GAPPS-free and the above instructions do not work for you, try placing NetworkLocation.apk directly in /system/priv-app/ and reboot.
If your system has Xposed, you can use this Xposed module together with UnifiedNlp.apk
Android 2.3 (Gingerbread) through Android 4.3 (Jelly Bean) are not officially supported (meaning newer versions of UnifiedNlp are not tested on these platforms). Still a legacy version is published with every release. Android 4.2+ is known to usually work properly, older versions are often not supported by backends and thus can't use UnifiedNlp. Push LegacyNetworkLocation.apk directly to /system/app and reboot to try it out.
Download
Latest stable release: v1.4.0 - Download NetworkLocation.apk - LegacyNetworkLocation.apk - UnifiedNlp.apk
Older versions and pre-release builds can be found on GitHub
Backends
I developed and will support three backends, that you can find on GitHub:AppleWifiNlpBackend, IchnaeaNlpBackend (Mozilla Location Service), OpenWlanMapNlpBackend and NominatimGeocoderBackend
These and backends by other developers are usually released on F-Droid.
If you installed a third-party backend and you're not sure whether the problem is caused by UnifiedNlp or the backend, feel free to write here.
Upcoming/planned features
- Better status information to check whether installation succeeded or not and what steps might be needed
- Backend prioritization and complex rule system
FAQ
Q: It does not work!
A: Make sure you read the installation instructions properly and that locating would be possible using the backends provided. Are you sure you rebooted? Is your system GAPPS free? OK. Now, ask!
Thanks
Big thanks to everyone who continuously supported me doing this, by donating, pull-requests or just feedback. Thanks to backend developers, that made this tool useful. Thanks to Google for leaving a door in Android that makes this possible.
XDA:DevDB Information
microG UnifiedNlp, App for all devices (see above for details)
Contributors
MaR-V-iN
Source Code: https://github.com/microg/android_packages_apps_UnifiedNlp
Version Information
Status: Stable
Current Stable Version: 1.4.0
Stable Release Date: 2015-09-15
Created 2015-01-02
Last Updated 2015-10-04
yahoooo.! thank you @MaR-V-iN.
"all i can really do , is stay out of my own way and let the will of heaven be done"
Hail to the King!
What other apps will be affected by disabling google play services? Want to try this but I have Play services installed.
Thank you very much for this.
Just a note to point out that GitHub's mobile site has no downloads anywhere to be seen if one gets there from a smartphone on default mode, and users might get really confused about it. One has to switch to the desktop site to find the backend APKs.
sherpa25 said:
What other apps will be affected by disabling google play services? Want to try this but I have Play services installed.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you run with play services I guess you installed the complete GAPPS package, including Play Store etc. These either require Play Services or misbehave with Play Services removed or replaced.
However, chances are good that there will be a complete Play Services replacement including UnifiedNlp sometime (sooner or later - no ETA here)
sherpa25 said:
What other apps will be affected by disabling google play services? Want to try this but I have Play services installed.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Every APP which requires Google play licensing or the play services. F.e. Google Music
A lot of paid apps f.e. Poweramp will not work
But u are able to download your paid apps in Blank Store f.e. Tasker
Nova Launcher or Atlas Browser and most CM Themes are working fine without gapps even the paid Version.
U can only buy apps on the Play Store Website and you have no option to return the APP.
But if everything is working fine for you then stay with Gapps because it requires a lot of work and knowledge.
But some people like it that way
MaR-V-iN said:
If you run with play services I guess you installed the complete GAPPS package, including Play Store etc. These either require Play Services or misbehave with Play Services removed or replaced.
However, chances are good that there will be a complete Play Services replacement including UnifiedNlp sometime (sooner or later - no ETA here)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Cozmos23 said:
Every APP which requires Google play licensing or the play services. F.e. Google Music
A lot of paid apps f.e. Poweramp will not work
But u are able to download your paid apps in Blank Store f.e. Tasker
Nova Launcher or Atlas Browser and most CM Themes are working fine without gapps even the paid Version.
U can only buy apps on the Play Store Website and you have no option to return the APP.
But if everything is working fine for you then stay with Gapps because it requires a lot of work and knowledge.
But some people like it that way
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I see, thanks for the info. I use Nova and Phoenix ROM and just selected a few gapps.
I do use Play Store....well, it's the only app I know where to easily get and install apps from (when searching for an app), other than getting an apk elsewhere which I copy and install manually. What are you guys using? I tried browsing and downloading a few times on my phone but they don't work when installing. Probably I need an installer app on my phone? How do you guys manage these installations via the phone? I'd like this so I don't have to keep attaching my phone to the PC and transferring apks to install. Thanks again.
µg UnifiedNlp works great on Android 4.2.2.
GPS first fix time is faster than Google network location.
Looks like µg UnifiedNlp can save more battery since it's lower wakelock time compare with Google network location.
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Wow, this is awesome! It must have been a LOT of work to get this working, let alone making it stable and usable, thank you! Android is really very usable without gapps now.
Also, here are a couple links to anyone interested in using it completely offline: https://f-droid.org/repository/browse/?fdfilter=Backend&fdid=org.fitchfamily.android.wifi_backend and https://f-droid.org/repository/browse/?fdfilter=Backend&fdid=org.fitchfamily.android.gsmlocation
The wifi backend even updates the local database with nearby APs once it has found a GPS fix, real neat!
---------- Post added at 12:50 AM ---------- Previous post was at 12:39 AM ----------
sherpa25 said:
I see, thanks for the info. I use Nova and Phoenix ROM and just selected a few gapps.
I do use Play Store....well, it's the only app I know where to easily get and install apps from (when searching for an app), other than getting an apk elsewhere which I copy and install manually. What are you guys using? I tried browsing and downloading a few times on my phone but they don't work when installing. Probably I need an installer app on my phone? How do you guys manage these installations via the phone? I'd like this so I don't have to keep attaching my phone to the PC and transferring apks to install. Thanks again.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I use F-Droid and Aptoide. Aptoide really has a LOT of software, highly recommended. It is a fork of F-Droid if I'm not mistaken, still open source and you can set-up your own repositories.
dp_alvarez said:
Wow, this is awesome! It must have been a LOT of work to get this working, let alone making it stable and usable, thank you! Android is really very usable without gapps now.
Also, here are a couple links to anyone interested in using it completely offline: https://f-droid.org/repository/browse/?fdfilter=Backend&fdid=org.fitchfamily.android.wifi_backend and https://f-droid.org/repository/browse/?fdfilter=Backend&fdid=org.fitchfamily.android.gsmlocation
The wifi backend even updates the local database with nearby APs once it has found a GPS fix, real neat!
---------- Post added at 12:50 AM ---------- Previous post was at 12:39 AM ----------
I use F-Droid and Aptoide. Aptoide really has a LOT of software, highly recommended. It is a fork of F-Droid if I'm not mistaken, still open source and you can set-up your own repositories.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks, downloaded these 2 apps now. Still reading up on UnifiedNlp. Since nogapps is needed, will I still be accessing gmail and/or google account, w/c is asked by some apps? Sorry for some confusion. Thanks.
I have a question: Is it possible to use UnifiedNlp with a offline copy of the OpenWlanMap database? In their website they provide the database for download, but I see no mention of using it with OpenWlanMapNlpBackend.
LocalWifiNlpBackend is intended to be used with our own database, but can I convert the OpenWlanMap database and use it?
sherpa25 said:
Thanks, downloaded these 2 apps now. Still reading up on UnifiedNlp. Since nogapps is needed, will I still be accessing gmail and/or google account, w/c is asked by some apps? Sorry for some confusion. Thanks.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Currently it's not possible to use UnifiedNlp and apps requiring play services or Google apps.
dp_alvarez said:
I have a question: Is it possible to use UnifiedNlp with a offline copy of the OpenWlanMap database? In their website they provide the database for download, but I see no mention of using it with OpenWlanMapNlpBackend.
LocalWifiNlpBackend is intended to be used with our own database, but can I convert the OpenWlanMap database and use it?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This will be included in the next release.
@MaR-V-iN you got PM.
Device: Samsung Galaxy S4 (GT-I9505)
ROM: CyanogenMod 11/M12 (KK 4.4.4)
Kernel: Alucard-V1.4qs
Recovery: TWRP 2.8.3.0
Modem: I9505XXUGNE8
Device: Nexus 7 (Grouper)
ROM: CyanogenMod 11/M9 (KK 4.4.4)
Kernel: Default CM11/M9 3.1.10
Recovery: TWRP 2.7.1.0
Is it possible to disable Google location services with "My Android Tool" and use µg UnifiedNlp for location service but keep the Google services installed for other purposes (app licenses, ...)?
Exactly what I was looking for; don't want Google snooping around on my phone. Thanks a lot!
One thing though: I am running an unofficial CM11 on my Razr i. Installing your app via F-Droid or directly as an apk fails due to a wrong signature, i.e. UnifiedNlp seems to be installed already - I can't find it anywhere on my phone though...
MaR-V-iN said:
[Offline OpenWLANMap location service] will be included in the next release.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ooh I love you! That feature + a device patched to passively scan for Wifi APs = pinpoint the location without emitting any signals whatsoever even if GPS coverage is poor. That's some exquisite stuff, man.
By the way, does µg implement Google Cloud Messaging? It would be fantastic for RedPhone, to get secure(ish) voice comms to our poor iOS using friends.
Been using this across devices since months back.. Happy to see a dedicated thread.. Good stuff.
dp_alvarez said:
I use F-Droid and Aptoide. Aptoide really has a LOT of software, highly recommended. It is a fork of F-Droid if I'm not mistaken, still open source and you can set-up your own repositories.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's the opposite, F-Droid is a fork of Aptoide.
@MaR-V-iN it's possible to use lacells.db and cells.db both on µg UnifiedNlp and NetLocation just by changing their names. Are these databases compatible between them?
Device: Samsung Galaxy S4 (GT-I9505)
ROM: CyanogenMod 11/M12 (KK 4.4.4)
Kernel: Alucard-V1.4qs
Recovery: TWRP 2.8.3.0
Modem: I9505XXUGNE8
Device: Nexus 7 (Grouper)
ROM: CyanogenMod 11/M9 (KK 4.4.4)
Kernel: Default CM11/M9 3.1.10
Recovery: TWRP 2.7.1.0
sancho_panzer said:
MaR-V-iN it's possible to use lacells.db and cells.db both on µg UnifiedNlp and NetLocation just by changing their names. Are these databases compatible between them?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
lacells.db is compatible with NOGAPPS NetworkLocation and the gsm backend for UnifiedNlp. cells.db is a different incompatible format. Renaming files will cause problems.

Error while opening play store beta links

I receive a strange error when trying to open play store beta links.
I tried opening https://play.google.com/apps/testing/com.catalyst06.fingerprintactionpro which is a beta app that I was invited to.
Clicking on the link gives the following error. (Screenshot attached)
Copying and pasting the URL to chrome for Android also gives the same error.
"to view this content install a web browsing app"
Looking forward to support and suggestions.
I think maybe you should set Chrome as your default web browser.
That does not work. Setting any of (in my experience anyway) 3 browsers as default still does not enable beta links to work.
After noticing the date of the OP, and not having seen this bug myself until buying a new phone just days ago, I figured there might be a link between the Play Store update, and the bug manifesting. It turned out that after disabling the Play Store entirely and allowing the phone to rollback to the previous version of Play Store, I was able to open the beta link that I was having problems with.

General Official List of Sideloaded Apps and Workarounds For Wear OS (Tested on Galaxy Watch)

SIDELOAD LIBRARY
COMPATIBLE WITH WEAR OS 3
TESTED ON GALAXY WATCHES
All Smart Watches Can Probably Benefit From This Guide
Special thanks to everyone who has contributed to testing and providing feedback on various apps and versions. Thanks to you guys, this library remains up to date. I recommend disabling most permissions associated with these apps including notifications to prevent excess battery drain. Please post to this thread or PM me if you find any discrepancies. Enjoy! ​Google Assistant GO v2.8 (ApkMirror)
Official Google Assistant for Wear OS 3 now available!
Google GO v1.7 (ApkMirror): Lightweight Google browser that can perform quick Google searches or display quick search result answers (such as weather or definitions). Tapping a link will launch in default browser app due to watches not having WebView support. Need to lower DPI temporarily after installing to get past initial language selection screen (see below for instructions on how to do this).
Google Chrome for GW4 (XDA)(Google Drive): This version of Chrome is listed in the XDA Google Assistant for GW4 Mega-Thread. It works well Sideloaded but I'm not sure if it's just an older version or also modded to not crash on GW4.
Samsung browser is also a good option for default browser. In case you need it, here it is from ApkMirror: Samsung Internet Browser (Wear OS)
Messenger Lite v25 (ApkMirror): Very convenient app to have if you use Messenger often. This app gives you full Messenger functionality for your wrist. Period. Stick to low versions due to clutter in later versions makes it impossible to tap on chat bar to write a message. If you also use Messenger on phone, to avoid getting notifications from both apps, disable Messenger Lite notifications.
If you have issues getting past 2FA, try to login on watch and then go to your Facebook notifications on phone to approve unrecognized device. Next time you try to log in on watch it should skip the 2FA.
Facebook Messenger (Wear OS) (ApkMirror): Official Wear OS implementation for Messenger. This is not an application that can be launched directly. It functions as a bridge between watch and phone so when you receive a message, pressing the "open app" button on the watch side notification will launch a convenient conversation window designed for round screens to message back and forth. This only works with Messenger installed on phone when it syncs notifications with watch. Does not work with Messenger Lite.
Facebook Lite v39 (ApkMirror): Easy to use Facebook scrolling from your watch screen. Dark mode and quality options available in settings. For better visibility, in the Facebook Lite settings menu, set the font size option to small. This app also includes it's own Messenger interface built into it that can be used for sending and reading messages.
If you have issues getting past 2FA, try to login on watch and then go to your Facebook notifications on phone to approve unrecognized device. Next time you try to log in on watch it should skip the 2FA.
YouTube Go v1.22.54 (ApkMirror):
YouTube Go has been discontinued by Google. Applications no longer work.
Google News v5.7 (ApkMirror): This is the best News option available to Smart Watches and It looks good on small round screens. You can set dark mode and data saver by launching settings (upper right corner) and while in the settings menu (not before or you won't be able to access the settings menu), lower the DPI to 200 (see below on how to do this). You'll then be available to see and access all available settings. Reset your DPI when you're done prior to exiting settings menu to avoid UI jank.
Update 12/18/2022 - Due to previous uploaded version now requiring update to use, v5.7 is now the ONLY VERSION left that doesn't crash or force mandatory update to use.
Google Translator (Google Drive): This is the old Translator app that used to come installed on Google Wear OS watches.
Google Phone (Wear OS) (Google Drive)(ApkMirror): Google's own phone app used on other Wear OS watches isn't available to Galaxy Watches on the Play Store due to Samsung wanting us to use Samsung Phone I'd imagine. However, the app can be sideloaded and works perfectly. If you use Google Phone app on your phone then I suggest sideloading the app on your watch as well and setting it as your default phone app.
Due to the Pixel Watch version of Google Phone lacking functionality on Galaxy Watches, I linked the older Google Phone app. Does all the same things with a different UI. If you're interested in the Pixel Watch version of Google Phone, you can find it in the link below.
PIXEL WATCH VERSION - Phone By Google (Wear OS) (Buggy on Galaxy Watches)
Google Home v2.7.21.2 (ApkMirror): After extensive testing with various versions of the APK, I can confirm v2.7 is the best version currently for Galaxy Watches.
Official Google Home app now available on Wear OS Play Store as a pre-install.
UPDATE 12/11/2022: Currently, still only a preview version is out which doesn't include much functionality other than launching directly to phone. Not ready to write the workaround off yet.
Google Files (ApkMirror): Excellent file manager for your watch that includes an app manager, automatic junk removal, and cache cleaning. You will have to lower your DPI to dismiss the initial dialog upon installing the app.
Google Calendar (ApkMirror): There are plenty of calendar apps available for Wear OS that include syncing with Google Calendar. However, if you want the real deal, it does work on Galaxy Watches with any of the recent versions. It crashes a few times when you first launch it, but then it seems to work fine once it's cached making it not the most stable option. However, all features are functional and it doesn't look too bad either. Dark mode available in settings manually.
Wear Mail (Watch) (Phone): Standalone or companion email client designed for Wear OS that's available on the mobile Play Store but not Wear OS Play Store. Excellent functionality and UI that is pretty much the only email client for Wear OS that supports direct Gmail account linking and access. It does all basic email functions including composing, reading, archiving, deleting, syncing, and sending of emails in standalone or companion mode directly from watch. Must upgrade to premium version for full functionality. Reported that application doesn't work at all in free mode anymore. If you upgrade to premium and find it doesn't work, you can request an instant refund through the pay.google website.
2/20/2023: Confirmed application still functions normally despite last update in 2021.
Other Semi-Functional Wear Apps
Google Cloud Access Disabled
Wear Messages
Wear Photos
Wear Videos
Wear Calendar
Wear Documents​Spotify MOL (Google Drive): A modded Spotify Lite version. I've tried several modded Spotify apps and this is the best one I've found. It can play anything from your Spotify premium account directly from your watch as a standalone. You don't need your mobile device at all.
Here's a link I found on XDA of a Spotify version modded and adapted specifically for Wear OS. Have not tried: Click Here
GW4 Remap (Github): Button remapping for Galaxy Watches using Logcat. It can Remap both hardware keys to launch any application you want. There's a short delay between pressing and launching however. See link below for guide on using this. Despite the name, it does work on Galaxy Watch 5. Older version will launch over Samsung Pay instead of using logcat for button press which is instant but requires Samsung Pay remain installed and enabled. For watches without Samsung Pay pre-installed, see below for alternative option.
INSTALL GUIDE
Source: XDA / Github
SPayToGPay (XDA / Github): If you live in a region that doesn't have Samsung Pay, use this version to launch Google Pay using hardware key long press.
​Discord v89.11 (ApkMirror): Not the best UI for round screens due to Discord's side swiping layout. However, works pretty good and just requires a little patience.
NOTE: If you run into captcha or other login issues, check out the workaround HERE. To summarize, while your watch and phone are connected, log into Discord on the web to trigger captcha using phone. After verifying with phone, you should be able to log into Discord on watch without triggering a captcha verification.
Instagram Lite v200+ (ApkMirror): Old versions crash. It doesn't look the greatest but it's fully functional. The problem is that the bottom status bar covers 20-25% of the display with blank white space for some absurd reason. Unless you use Instagram often there's no reason to bother with this.
Any Custom Font Guide: We can use zFont 3 to install custom fonts. The Samsung Cloud procedure isn't required since there are no font restrictions on watch. Here's the steps to set a custom font on your watch:
Download and install zFont 3 on phone HERE.
Import your font file into zFont using their custom font wizard. Google Fonts is a giant open source option for custom fonts that can be downloaded in TTF or OTF format. Google Sans is not available in Google Fonts but a simple Google Search will locate it easily. I recommend Product Sans as an alternative.
You'll need to install SamsungSans from Galaxy store. Most steps in application can be ignored since watches don't have the font restrictions that phones do and therefore don't require Samsung Cloud workaround. Start at the step that has you uninstall SamsungSans followed by installing CustomFontName(zFont 3).apk, STOP THERE. You're done with zFont.
Once you have the custom font installed on phone, use a third party application or ADB command (GUIDE) to extract the .apk file to device storage. Once extracted, sideload it directly to your watch through any method you prefer. GeminiMan (see below) can extract the APK and sideload directly to watch and is the best method.
Once sideloaded, from your watch go to Settings > Display > Font > CustomFontName. Done.
Sideload Ready Fonts
Google Sans Regular - DOWNLOAD
Google Sans Bold - DOWNLOAD
Product Sans Black - DOWNLOAD
The Google Sans fonts are under the name CircleRounded so you can only have bold or regular installed at 1 time. Product Sans is under the name SamsungSans.
User Recommendations
Google Voice
Google Chat
WhatsApp - GUIDE
Alexa Assistant - HERE​Side Loading Applications
Below are a few applications designed specifically to streamline the ADB process for Wear OS so that even beginner's or non-tech savvy people can make use of sideloading applications, uninstalling bloatware, and sending commands to watch
• GeminiMan Wear OS Manager (Play Store): This is an extremely useful app by @Dante63. It's essentially an app that simplifies any ADB related function for your smart watch. It allows you to sideload or debloat apps by selecting from the list of installed apps or apk's directly. Also includes an interface for sending custom commands to watch with an option to save commands for quick access. I was able to debloat and sideload everything I wanted on a freshly installed Galaxy Watch 5 within 10 minutes thanks to this app. PM @Dante63 directly with questions, feedback, or suggestions. You can accomplish any ADB related operation to Wear OS using this app. It smartly includes a reinstall option if you debloat something you shouldn't have.
• Wear Installer 2 (Play Store): This is the easiest app available for sideloading apps to Wear OS. It dumbs it down to the point where you never have to enter a command since it doesn't have a manual command input. Also includes ability to modify the screen density so that you can get past the initial setup in some sideloaded apps. In my experience, this is the best and most stable app available when it comes to just sideloading.
• Bugjaeger (Play Store): This app is an all inclusive ADB app designed for Android devices. This is my go-to option for ADB operations on my phone. However, it can pair to Galaxy Watch 5 using the Wireless Debugging option with a six digit pairing code and port number. This application isn't easy to use like the first two options but includes more advanced operations. Free and premium version available in Play Store.
​ADB COMMANDS
Change DPI
wm density xxx
Display Current DPI
wm density
Reset DPI
wm density reset
Install App
-e install <filename.apk>
Uninstall App
pm uninstall -k --user 0 <package_name>
Reinstall Debloated System Apps
pm install-existing <package_name>
Customize Font Size
settings put system font_scale x.xx
APK Version Selection
The best place to download various unmodified versions of any application is ApkMirror. Some APK versions have multiple variants available. Only architecture (Arch) "armeabi-v7a" is compatible with Galaxy Watches. If it's listed as "Universal" then the manifest includes support for all architectures but uses up more storage to compensate. The more modern "armabi-v8a" is not compatible with Galaxy Watches and will crash if you try to launch it. Older versions typically look and run better on smart watches due to less cluttering and memory usage. With smart watches, less is more.
Last updated on 6/6/2023​
Good afternoon, I don't have anything to add but would be very interested to learn more.
I have Assistant Go 2.12.x I think installed but it seems earlier is better? Also is there a phone based ADB for changing DPI to remove blue banner?
Also a link to learn more about messenger lite?
FYI: Using Easy File Tools to sideload the assistant APK
Really appreciate it!
I have found an app and removed the banner (FYI there is a 'em' typo on the command on the assistant)
I've also installed messenger lite! Thanks for the tip off
-Sie- said:
I have found an app and removed the banner (FYI there is a 'em' typo on the command on the assistant)
I've also installed messenger lite! Thanks for the tip off
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I ran into the same problems as you. What app did you use? I tried Bugjaeger but only got a "unknown command: density200" error
I used 'Easy Fire Tools'
-Sie- said:
I used 'Easy Fire Tools'
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This one? https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=de.agondev.easyfiretools
I downloaded it but didn`t find an option to send ADB commands
Google News: V5.5 (Early)
Google Assistant GO: 2.8 (Early)
Google GO: 1.7 (Early)
Facebook Lite: V49 (Early)
Messenger Lite: v18 (Early)
Just got Gmail working on wear OS through old mail client wear app
DenMasiano said:
This one? https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=de.agondev.easyfiretools
I downloaded it but didn`t find an option to send ADB commands
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Oh ADB, thought you meant side loading apps.
For ADB I used this one
{
"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"
}
-Sie- said:
Oh ADB, thought you meant side loading apps.
For ADB I used this one
View attachment 5493865
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Side loading is using ADB to install apps on your watch...
DenMasiano said:
Bugjaeger
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I use Bugjaeger. To change density enter the command like this "wm density xxx"
Replace the xxx with a number
bingblop said:
Side loading is using ADB to install apps on your watch...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
True but in the previous app I listed there is no access to the adb shell
Are we sure the default is 330? My notification 'tile' is off centered... Can't remember if it was like that before.
Watch4 46mm
Edit: Set mine to 340, seems centered again
-Sie- said:
Oh ADB, thought you meant side loading apps.
For ADB I used this one
View attachment 5493865
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Worked like a charm! Thanks!
bingblop said:
I use Bugjaeger. To change density enter the command like this "wm density xxx"
Replace the xxx with a number
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I tried exactly that but only got a "unknown command: density200" error, even tough the command I sent had a space before '200'. Thankfully the app @-Sie- suggested worked on first try.
-Sie- said:
Are we sure the default is 330? My notification 'tile' is off centered... Can't remember if it was like that before.
Watch4 46mm
Edit: Set mine to 340, seems centered again
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
"wm density reset" to go back to default value. You're right , it is 340. I did a reset and used " wm density" to display it
List of additional APKs that can be Sideloaded to your watch by Appfour developer (Extracted from the phone app version). These apps are wear apps but were removed from the wear side of the play store.
Wear Messages: Syncs to Default sms and Facebook messenger.
Wear Mail: Provides standalone or companion access to Gmail and various other emails. Full email functionality.
Calendar for Wear or Calendar W: 2 of them included. Both can link to Google or Samsung calendar account. I prefer Calendar W.
Wear Photos: Standalone or linked app that can view all the images from your phone.
Wear Video: Standalone or linked that can view all the videos from your phone.
Wear WiFi: Great Standalone Wi-Fi manager. (This app is available on both play stores, no need to sideload).
Those are all the appfour apps that I have installed that WORK. All the other ones don't work so I didn't include them like the YouTube or Document viewer.
I highly recommend the Email if nothing else.
Note: Wear Mail was too big to import at 7mb so I had to zip it first.
Also: I attached the old Facebook messenger addon that wear OS used to have installed. It can't open messenger directly but when you receive a messenger notification on your watch, there's an option to "open app" which will then open a messenger interface that is designed for wear OS with full functionality.
Null
I have tried to install different versions of GO Assistant with no success. The 1.x versions do not even start (the loading circle remains). The 2.x versions start but then he doesn't "hear" me when I speak (even if from the interface it is listening and I obviously gave permission for the microphone).
Which version have you installed successfully?
ilpincio85 said:
I have tried to install different versions of GO Assistant with no success. The 1.x versions do not even start (the loading circle remains). The 2.x versions start but then he doesn't "hear" me when I speak (even if from the interface it is listening and I obviously gave permission for the microphone).
Which version have you installed successfully?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
For me it was 2.8
Google Assistant Go 2.8.0.343042221.release (arm-v7a) (Android 8.0+) APK Download by Google LLC - APKMirror
Google Assistant Go 2.8.0.343042221.release (arm-v7a) (Android 8.0+) APK Download by Google LLC - APKMirror Free and safe Android APK downloads
www.apkmirror.com
Messenger Lite V47 I found doesn't work for my gw4. Can you attach it here? Thanks.
stavrakas2007 said:
Messenger Lite V47 I found doesn't work for my gw4. Can you attach it here? Thanks.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
For Messenger Lite use early versions. I use V18.

Direct APK download without google-play

Aurorastore appears to download apps directly from googleplay, but it doesn't just download the apps, it installs them instantly.
I would like to download apps without installing them so i have the apps i need on an offline drive, how can i do that?
Doesn't need to be aurora since that's probably not even supported, any way to do it then?
Librem5OS said:
Aurorastore appears to download apps directly from googleplay, but it doesn't just download the apps, it installs them instantly.
I would like to download apps without installing them so i have the apps i need on an offline drive, how can i do that?
Doesn't need to be aurora since that's probably not even supported, any way to do it then?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Go to APKpure..com, find the apps you want to download, download their apk files, store the files wherever you want.
From the famous apkmirror or apkpure website, you can download apk files directly.
Why APKPure Is Safe to Download Android Apps?​Official records from APKPure guarantee that apps available on it are uploaded with a trusted and verified digital signature. And the downloadable files on APKPure are all original files, not modified versions which may contain potential risks and threats. Therefore, users can believe that APKPure is a trusted platform when it comes to downloading apps and games.
Only Download from Trusted Resources.​
When i said i want to download apps to store them on an offline drive without installing them, i did not mean downloading them from a malicious site like apkpure. I know that site, it's not trustworthy, not downloading anything there.
Other suggestions? Real ones?
Basicaly i want to what aurorastore does, download the app from the official source (androidmarket/googleplay) but without using an account and without giving google my real ip. I can't be the first person asking this, impossible, has nobody done it?!
@Librem5OS
When i said i want to download apps to store them on an offline drive without installing them, i did not mean downloading them from a malicious site like apkpure. I know that site, it's not trustworthy, not downloading anything there.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
When it comes to finding free, secure APK files, APKPure is #1 option, IMO. Before publishing apps, APKPure uses SHA1 to validate them and ensure that their certificates are secure. In addition, it checks whether the new app versions have cryptographic signatures that match previously released versions, while new apps are compared to other software from the same developer. According to this security standard, APKPure never publishes an app on its website if they have any concerns about the app's security or provenance. Moreover, APKPure does not provide modified APKs. Instead, it pulls screenshots, app descriptions and general metadata from Google to improve the site's usability
{
"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"
}
And fact is that the supposed lack of security can occur in the Google Play Store as well but they have a much stronger layer of protection in place than APKPure or any other unofficial stores to protect its users against harmful apps and keep their devices safe and secure.
However, if you don’t have any other choice than downloading apps from APKPure then don’t forget to at least scan the downloaded APK file with VirusTotal before installing it on your device.
It is so because despite APKPure being virus-free, there is no 100% guarantee of APK apps being virus-free as well.
Librem5OS said:
Basicaly i want to what aurorastore does, download the app from the official source (androidmarket/googleplay) but without using an account and without giving google my real ip. I can't be the first person asking this, impossible, has nobody done it?!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Maybe you could just go into Aurora Store's settings --> Download and enable use external storage and disable delete apk post-install. Idk where it will store the apk though but you can try.
Edit: it works, it saves the apk in /sdcard/Aurora/Store/Downloads/[package name of the app]/[some randome number]/apk files
Librem5OS said:
Basicaly i want to what aurorastore does, download the app from the official source (androidmarket/googleplay) but without using an account and without giving google my real ip. I can't be the first person asking this, impossible, has nobody done it?!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The problem is that the Aurora Store itself is not an official Google app, but it accesses the API of the Google Play Store. Aurora itself can be used without an own Google account by signing up "anonymously". For this purpose, a "foreign" Google account is provided for downloading apps. Where these accounts come from is difficult to say. This also leads to Google blocking these accounts from time to time. The error message "API failed" appears. Therefore, do not be surprised if the app download is not always possible. Usually, the download is possible again in a few days or weeks. To do this, connect to a new "anonymous account". On the other hand, it is not recommended to use the Aurora Store with your own Google account, since this will then most likely be blacklisted or blocked by Google. Probably downloading apps with a fake account is a copyright infringement. Therefore, before use, inform yourself about any risks and the legal situation in your respective country to avoid possible copyright infringement. At the very least, Google's terms of use are being deliberately violated.
Librem5OS said:
Aurorastore appears to download apps directly from googleplay, but it doesn't just download the apps, it installs them instantly.
I would like to download apps without installing them so i have the apps i need on an offline drive, how can i do that?
Doesn't need to be aurora since that's probably not even supported, any way to do it then?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Librem5OS said:
Basicaly i want to what aurorastore does, download the app from the official source (androidmarket/googleplay) but without using an account and without giving google my real ip. I can't be the first person asking this, impossible, has nobody done it?!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Actually it is possible - look here at the first answer by possibly our very own @SigmundDroid. Manual download does not delete the files after installing them. This solution worked for me a few days ago!
damnbro3004 said:
Maybe you could just go into Aurora Store's settings --> Download and enable use external storage and disable delete apk post-install. Idk where it will store the apk though but you can try.
Edit: it works, it saves the apk in /sdcard/Aurora/Store/Downloads/[package name of the app]/[some randome number]/apk files
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the great idea! will try that once aurora is working again (if it is working again..).
But why is there n option to disable delete apk post-install for external storage but not for internal. how could anyone guess that if they don't intend to usde external storage, eh?
xXx yYy said:
The problem is that the Aurora Store itself is not an official Google app, but it accesses the API of the Google Play Store. Aurora itself can be used without an own Google account by signing up "anonymously". For this purpose, a "foreign" Google account is provided for downloading apps. Where these accounts come from is difficult to say. This also leads to Google blocking these accounts from time to time. The error message "API failed" appears. Therefore, do not be surprised if the app download is not always possible. Usually, the download is possible again in a few days or weeks. To do this, connect to a new "anonymous account". On the other hand, it is not recommended to use the Aurora Store with your own Google account, since this will then most likely be blacklisted or blocked by Google. Probably downloading apps with a fake account is a copyright infringement. Therefore, before use, inform yourself about any risks and the legal situation in your respective country to avoid possible copyright infringement. At the very least, Google's terms of use are being deliberately violated.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Do i look like i give a sh!t about Google's terms of use are being deliberately violated.
Spoiler: i give zero ****s
You can say all you want that apkpure is a legit source and present your own replys as facts, i'm not downloading anything there.
Searching "is apk pure safe" provides enough reports to make up your mind, which i already did.
For example, nordvpn states that apkpure had malicious downloads in the past https://nordvpn.com/blog/is-apkpure-safe
And ofcourse nordvpn is the same sh!t as apkpure, actually it's even worse, never use nord...
Librem5OS said:
Thanks for the great idea! will try that once aurora is working again (if it is working again..).
But why is there n option to disable delete apk post-install for external storage but not for internal. how could anyone guess that if they don't intend to usde external storage, eh?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Though it says "external storage" it saves it in your phone's internal storage only. I have an sdcard in my phone, yet the apk was stored in internal storage only
damnbro3004 said:
Though it says "external storage" it saves it in your phone's internal storage only. I have an sdcard in my phone, yet the apk was stored in internal storage only
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I ment why is there no option to keep the installer file after installation when using interal storage install method, or is there?
Anybody, is https://apkpure.com/ or is https://m.apkpure.com/ the original?!
The 2nd URL is invalid: Should be https://m.apkpure.com/
Librem5OS said:
I ment why is there no option to keep the installer file after installation when using interal storage install method, or is there?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think, for aurora store, the internal storage means either /sdcard/Android/data or /data/data (these both folders are accessible to the app without "files and media" permission) which is inaccessible to us without root. what i mean to say is that, if you have "use external storage" option disabled, the apk downloaded will be saved in the folders which i mentioned and if you have it enabled they will stored in /sdcard/Aurora which is accessible without root
xXx yYy said:
The 2nd URL is invalid: Should be https://m.apkpure.com/
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the correction, since you seem like an expert regarding apkpure, you would most likely know which one is the original? what the matter with the m. ?
Librem5OS said:
Thanks for the correction, since you seem like an expert regarding apkpure, you would most likely know which one is the original? what the matter with the m. ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ig they both are the same. The link with 'm.' is when you open the site on mobile phones and the one without 'm.' is when you open with desktop browser

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