Database Info

[Q] Cannot Uninstall Apps!??

Hello...
I'm having a couple issues with my EVO. I'm rooted but haven't flashed ANY custom ROMS. The only thing I done really root-wise is to flash a couple font packs and to backup everything with Titanium Pro.
Anyway, I have been having a problem where all the apps installed on my SD card will NOT launch. They don't even show up in the app drawer!! Occasionally, once every 5-10 reboots of the phone, the apps WILL show up but more often than not (and lately EVERY TIME I reboot) I can only access the apps installed on the internal phone memory.
It has been suggested to me to free up some space on my card and with the internal memory of my phone. I have an 8GB SD card that was down to 250MB of space. That is now been cleared out so that 1.2GB is free.
Now, HERE IS MY PROBLEM going forward...
I've been trying to clear out some apps installed on the phone because I only had about 42MB of memory left and received a warning on the phone that space was getting low. I was able to uninstall a few apps to free up space to 61MB, HOWEVER, I CANNOT SEEM TO UNINSTALL APPS ANYMORE!! No matter what method I try...using an app like "Easy Uninstaller" or going through the Manage Applications option on the phone, it is NOT working.
If I use Easy Uninstaller or the Manage Applications route, I see the progress bar of the supposed uninstall but it just HANGS...never finishes.
In addition, ODDLY, as I look at my phone next to me as I type, all the information in the "Manage Applications" mode is stuck on "computing..." If I click on an app name to bring me to the Force Stop/Uninstall/Clear Data/Move to SD card, etc screen, there is NO information about the app!! The Storage information Total, Application and Data are "stuck" on "Computing..." as is the "Cache" information.
I THOUGHT my problem was with the card or reading the card. All the data is INTACT in the card. I can access anything with a file explorer. I can even view gallery pictures that I have saved in folders I have created ON THE CARD. I just can't get to or launch the apps installed the card and NOW it appears that the information associated with apps installed ON THE PHONE is now banged up.
Has anyone seen this problem with uninstalling apps?? Seeing the "Computing..." information just hang and not go anywhere?? Any thoughts on a fix short of doing a hard reset of the phone and/or Nandroid restore?? I'm not averse to a Nandroid restore, however, I am NOT sure if my underlying problem causing these issues is WITHIN MY BACKUP FILES
THANKS!!

I would do a hard reset regardless. It will return your ROM to a pristine state in less time than it took to write that post and you'll soon find out if it fixed your problems.
If it doesn't i would back up files from SD, format and try again.

DirkGently1 said:
I would do a hard reset regardless. It will return your ROM to a pristine state in less time than it took to write that post and you'll soon find out if it fixed your problems.
If it doesn't i would back up files from SD, format and try again.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I sure am glad you decided to edit your post to include a bit more helpful information rather than your original terse and not-so-warm statement which read:
DirkGently1 said:
I would do a hard reset regardless. It will return your ROM to a pristine state in less time than it took to write that post
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I apologize if I wasn't clear in the fact that I knew I could easily and simply do a hard reset to, likely, eliminate my problems. In fact, I wrote:
Scudderb said:
Any thoughts on a fix short of doing a hard reset of the phone and/or Nandroid restore?? I'm not averse to a Nandroid restore, however, I am NOT sure if my underlying problem causing these issues is WITHIN MY BACKUP FILES
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
See??
My GOAL with this post was to try to figure out WHY this was happening. My fear was, if I backed up, reformatted and tried again, that I might simply be transferring the problem BACK to my clean settings. I was HOPING with this post, which took "longer than a hard reset to type," that the information I provided might shed some light on what was causing the problems and that SOMEONE might suggest how to avoid in the future.
Yeah, so I wasn't quite looking for the obvious "start from scratch" answer...

DirkGently1 said:
I would do a hard reset regardless. It will return your ROM to a pristine state in less time than it took to write that post and you'll soon find out if it fixed your problems.
If it doesn't i would back up files from SD, format and try again.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Read it again. I just told you what i would do. If you choose to do something different it's up to you.
We learn by doing!

DirkGently1 said:
Read it again. I just told you what i would do. If you choose to do something different it's up to you.
We learn by doing!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Big, BIG thanks for stating the OBVIOUS. By the way, way BEFORE you even replied, I flashed a recovery that put my system back to where I was before the problem. That option was neither difficult nor what I was seeking in posting my questions.
We learn NOTHING by "doing" what you suggested. We learn NOTHING by hitting "factory reset" on the phone or even doing what I did with flashing a recovery. One WOULD LEARN if told some of the reasons this might have occurred and ways to avoid in the future. Feel free to follow this thread so that you can learn as well.
Actually, you, yourself might need your own "hard reset"...or change your username to "Dirk-Not-So-Gently." I've never quite encountered such attitude with a suggestion so obvious and uninformative.
Ok...moving forward beyond the obvious, brain-dead "factory restore"/flash recovery option that I have already done. I was hoping someone might shed some light on this situation so that I and others might LEARN the reasons this occurred and avoid it in the future??
Thanks...
BTW..."Insanity is defined as doing the same thing over and over again, expecting a different result". You can keep your insanity and reset your phone every time without figuring out the the cause. Forgive me though, I'm gonna try and LEARN why this happened...

Have you fixed it yet? Let us know when you've done a hard reset of the phone and/or Nandroid restore.

DirkGently1 said:
Have you fixed it yet? Let us know when you've done a hard reset of the phone and/or Nandroid restore.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
WOW...do we even READ before we post??
Scudderb said:
Big, BIG thanks for stating the OBVIOUS. By the way, way BEFORE you even replied, I flashed a recovery that put my system back to where I was before the problem. That option was neither difficult nor what I was seeking in posting my questions.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I added a little emphasis...you must have overlooked or not read thoroughly. Shocker. I'm WAAAAAY beyond the need to reset/restore...did so even before your first reply.
It's OK...honestly...don't mean to waste your time and have you struggle to help me here. Let's just let someone else read this to see if they might have an idea about the CAUSES of the problems. You, yourself are on some sort of endless loop suggesting to reset reset reset restore without giving ANY assistance as to the CAUSE of the problem. It's OK...you can rest...no need to keep replying...nighty, night...

Download an uninstaller from the android market, if not get root explorer(check r/w) and go to /data/app and uninstall the desired app.

It looks like you need to do a master reset using Odin3, I am sure that will fix the problem if nothing else you have done has fixed it......

Eth3n said:
Download an uninstaller from the android market, if not get root explorer(check r/w) and go to /data/app and uninstall the desired app.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Interestingly, ALL methods of uninstalling apps were not working..."Uninstaller," "Easy Uninstaller" and the typical Manage Applications options were what I tried. I didn't try to check r/w and also didn't try to uninstall through Titanium Pro but wound up flashing a nand recovery that brought me back a few days to BEFORE when my problem started. So I'm OK now.
What I'm TRYING to do, however, is to figure out WHY this was happening so that it doesn't happen again. Internal memory too low (got down to 9-10%)?? Internal memory corruption?? Cache issues?? Any ideas??

Misterjunky said:
It looks like you need to do a master reset using Odin3, I am sure that will fix the problem if nothing else you have done has fixed it......
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you were suggesting a un-root and/or getting me back to stock, fortunately, I didn't have to do that!
As I mentioned above, I'm now trying to see if someone might know WHY this happened so that I can avoid it in the future. Thanks...

Scudderb said:
....I'm now trying to see if someone might know WHY this happened so that I can avoid it in the future. Thanks...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
User error. Try a Factory Reset.

DirkGently1 said:
Have you fixed it yet? Let us know when you've done a hard reset of the phone and/or Nandroid restore.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just wanted to let anyone else having the problem that I was posting about that I was able to fix my problem!!
Whoever suggested the information above REALLY didn't know what he was talking about. The suggestion was QUITE unnecessary...and pretty OBVIOUS if you think about it?? I'm surprised the suggestion wasn't to go to the store and get a new phone. I'm sure happy I did some more research!!
Well, the problem resides in what was likely some corruptions in the .android_secure directory. I simply uninstalled the apps installed on the card, deleted the contents of the .android_secure directory and restored the apps and data using Titanium Backup! That's it!! Even if a Nandroid restore was done it would not have changed the corruption that would have remained in the directory.
So, hope what I asked, what I tried and what worked helps someone!!

Have you thought about going to the store and buying a new phone? I don't know if there's a way to recover from such a ruthless error.

DreamPCs said:
Have you thought about going to the store and buying a new phone? I don't know if there's a way to recover from such a ruthless error.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Based on your suggestion I went ahead and bought TWO new phones...so I can call one phone to see if the other is working.
Wow, with a recommendation like yours, whoever said there weren't any geniuses on here...and funny ones too...were just proven wrong.
I'll let you know how my third phone turns out when I buy it...

DreamPCs said:
Have you thought about going to the store and buying a new phone? I don't know if there's a way to recover from such a ruthless error.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hey, I tried to donate to you for this great information but the link doesn't work...oh well, darn!!

Have you fixed it yet?

[APP] Undelete Beta - recover deleted files on rooted devices

Undelete
Welcome to the open beta of our newest root application - Undelete for Android, an application for root users that allows you
to recover deleted files on your SD card or internal storage.
Features:
- Fast scanning logic
- Restore any file that has not been written over
- Securely wipe/shred files
- Works with images, video, music, archives and binaries
Currently, only FAT is supported. On Tegra devices, only the external SD is supported.
We may write a special version supporting EXT4 if this app is successful.
Be warned: this is an early Beta build, provided "as is" with no support of any kind.
We take no responsibility for any issues that may arise from using the app. In some rare cases attempting to restore files may
corrupt the memory entirely (though we have not seen this problem, it is theoretically possible).
That said it has been in development for a while and well tested on the devices we have at the office - Incredible S, Nexus S,
Xoom, Transformer, Sensation, Galaxy S I/II, Galaxy Ace, Desire.
Market:
https://market.android.com/details?id=fahrbot.apps.undelete&feature=search_result
Screens:

You guys make nice apps!

Thanks. We are pretty awesome. And humble too

Really great idea! Looking forward to support for ext3 and ext4

For most people this will be enough. The only ones who will truly suffer will be those with no sd tablets like the galaxy tab family...
I myself build a variant of cm on ext4, but have no need to restore data from the internal memory.

Just took it for a spin and it found one file I deleted. It also showed an asec file. You might want to filter those out or have it for advanced users only.
I can see a need from some users to undelete from /data/app and /data/data. For example, an accidental app install. If you can tie the apk and deleted app data directory together, it would be even more convenient. I know some might have Titanium Backup but this would cover the cases where they don't or only have an older backup. Just an idea

Damn..I'm impressed. Keep up the good work.

One more question . Do you have plans to implement deeper recovery methods?

As mister morden told londo mollari - one thing at a time

Looking forward to it.

OK, you're going to hate me, but I have another suggestion . Since you opened a can of worms with file recovery some of your more paranoid users will want secure deletion (rewriting the file with junk data or 1s and 0s, etc) I think this would go pretty well in this app. So have a section for users to pick the file to be securely deleted and also give them an option to overwrite files that can be recovered.

doesn't seem to work for me,crashes every time I attempt to restore something

You'll have to be more specific. What file system are you using? What phone? Did you send logs?

Has anyone had problems? Lets get some feedback please!

No problems yet. I tried undeleting a few things and it has worked without a hitch.

ftgg99 said:
You'll have to be more specific. What file system are you using? What phone? Did you send logs?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
incredible,cm7 rom with latest nightly and log was sent

I havent looked at the logs yet, have been avoiding work on my bday. However, there is no guarantee that a file can be recovered, sometimes the data is just corrupted.
If one file doesnt work, another will.

Any issues?

avgjoemomma said:
OK, you're going to hate me, but I have another suggestion . Since you opened a can of worms with file recovery some of your more paranoid users will want secure deletion (rewriting the file with junk data or 1s and 0s, etc) I think this would go pretty well in this app. So have a section for users to pick the file to be securely deleted and also give them an option to overwrite files that can be recovered.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There are already apps on the market that do this, look for SHRED, the typical name for this sort thing on PCs. I saw a few, although they all claim that due to journaling it will possibly not work.
Not sure what VFAT they're using, but the ones I know of don't journal So YMMV.

Indeed, deletion may not be right for this application...

Accessing system folder without root access

Hi all.
I'm after quite specific need but would like to know more general answer / solution if possible at all.
I know that wihtout being rooted there's not much one can do with system folders, but still, there are some ways and tricks to get to them, one of them being Backup option provided by android, using ADB shell.
I'm after specific file, that is /data/data/com.android.mms/shared_prefs/com.android.mms.categoryInfo.xml
Using Htc One M8, stock rom, I've tried to do adb backup of com.android.mms application, but all I got was 1kb (actually 41 bytes) sized file, which contains nothing.
I wonder, is there any other way to get to the specific system app folder, if you're NOT rooted?
Any help would be highly appreciated.
Additional info: I'm after that file because it has stored Secure message box password in Plain text. My phone is about to go to the service due to several issues, including battery getting way overheated when used, and not charging over 25% at all, and the only thing left to make a backup is the secure box storage, which I used as an "Other inbox" folder in order to have the main Inbox a bit more "clean", and I know I've set it to something stupid and short, and I've accessed them not long ago, but for the f's sake I can't get in the folder anymore (and I'm highly betting that after several attempts even the real password is no longer accepted, and that being the reason I can't figure out the pass by trying, but there's nowhere info it thats true, and if so, how long to wait before real one would be accepted etc...)
Big thanks if anyone could help out, if not - not gonna be the end of the world. But would kinda like to store some of the messages that are newer than my latest backup...
Cheers!

cucolino said:
Hi all.
I'm after quite specific need but would like to know more general answer / solution if possible at all.
I know that wihtout being rooted there's not much one can do with system folders, but still, there are some ways and tricks to get to them, one of them being Backup option provided by android, using ADB shell.
I'm after specific file, that is /data/data/com.android.mms/shared_prefs/com.android.mms.categoryInfo.xml
Using Htc One M8, stock rom, I've tried to do adb backup of com.android.mms application, but all I got was 1kb (actually 41 bytes) sized file, which contains nothing.
I wonder, is there any other way to get to the specific system app folder, if you're NOT rooted?
Any help would be highly appreciated.
Additional info: I'm after that file because it has stored Secure message box password in Plain text. My phone is about to go to the service due to several issues, including battery getting way overheated when used, and not charging over 25% at all, and the only thing left to make a backup is the secure box storage, which I used as an "Other inbox" folder in order to have the main Inbox a bit more "clean", and I know I've set it to something stupid and short, and I've accessed them not long ago, but for the f's sake I can't get in the folder anymore (and I'm highly betting that after several attempts even the real password is no longer accepted, and that being the reason I can't figure out the pass by trying, but there's nowhere info it thats true, and if so, how long to wait before real one would be accepted etc...)
Big thanks if anyone could help out, if not - not gonna be the end of the world. But would kinda like to store some of the messages that are newer than my latest backup...
Cheers!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes and not.
if you don't have root access, you can not copy an application from the system folder, to make this the ADB would need root permissions. but....
You can download the stock rom, and copy/extract/edit the app you need it.

xdedeone said:
Yes and not.
if you don't have root access, you can not copy an application from the system folder, to make this the ADB would need root permissions. but....
You can download the stock rom, and copy/extract/edit the app you need it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Actually no, if the file is user specific, as in my case, the help of stock rom's file is not gonna help.
Anyway, SOLVED now.
As per this post: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2054401
The backup of the app was made and got the file. I've done the same thing without success, because on HTC, the messaging app is com.htc.sense.mms and NOT com.android.mms.
Therefore creating backup of the com.htc.sense.mms did result kin getting exactly what I needed.
In the extraction of the tar .ab archive using dd in linux, I got folder app, within there is a folder com.htc.sense.mms, wihtin there's a folder sp, and there is com.htc.sense.mms.categoryInfo.xml which has the secure box password stored in plaintext.
Voila! )

What happened after I deleted .apks in /system/app ?

Hello all,
I fell into a huge problem. I use a Nexus 5 16 GB variant with all sorts of games I can put inside of. Now I ran out of storage.
My smart ass told me search for culprits and I was ruthless on files as small as 50 MBs. . Now, then I saw a treasure trove of space which could be freed and that was in #/system/app. I deleted almost all of them and left behind some like Bluetooth.apk and NFC et al.
Now two things happened
1) I can no longer use the 'Explore Storage' in the Other category of Storage found i Settings app. It would say, Settings has Crashed.
2) I can no longer sync my contacts to Google as After asking to add account, it just asks again. Earlier I seamlessly used that feature.
I don't know what's broken more.
Please someone help.
Much thanks in advance.

Have you tried a full reset? Kinda of a risk... But worth it at times. My old phone I could delete all the system apps, then reset it and they'd all pop back up.

buffering.... said:
Have you tried a full reset? Kinda of a risk... But worth it at times. My old phone I could delete all the system apps, then reset it and they'd all pop back up.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have the ROM with me. Flashing that will ( or might) restore every functionality. But the point is why it did happen and unbreak the broken without flashing.

Why would you think that deleting anything from a system folder is a good idea...?
Just flash the system.img again. That should restore at least a working system, though I'd guess that you'll have to do some manual rework to restore lost apps. Your data should still be intact.
Just guessing, to be honest. I'm still astonished that you did this...
Have you considered an OTG USB stick? The attached photo shows an additional 128GB of storage on the tip of my little finger. I can post the links if anyone is interested.

dahawthorne said:
Why would you think that deleting anything from a system folder is a good idea...?
Just flash the system.img again. That should restore at least a working system, though I'd guess that you'll have to do some manual rework to restore lost apps. Your data should still be intact.
Just guessing, to be honest. I'm still astonished that you did this...
Have you considered an OTG USB stick? The attached photo shows an additional 128GB of storage on the tip of my little finger. I can post the links if anyone is interested.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't know why I did that. Maybe because I saw those apks lying there and thought to myself, what are they doing here. I deleted all of them.
The next part is more important now. I installed the same ROM on the same phone using multirom and then copied the whole system/app folder to my other ROMs broken app folder. And this helped remove the broken Settings functionality. But the Contacts functionality is still broken. Lastly I will flash the system image if I could not find the reason behind this. Thanks sir for the help.

Question Lost photos that are not in cloud or trash can.

Please help. Long time user but havent been on in forever.
Story.
My S22 ultra was giving me warnings for being close to full on the memory. I had to have Google backup off for work reasons, work provided phone. I normally use Android file transfer and make copies on a Mac computer.
The usb was giving my fits and i couldnt connect. I ended up using a Windows pc and i started coping over my pics. The windows track pad glitched and i deleted the new file and the old file on both the PC and the S22. My Camera folder was missing on the S22 where the phone default saves.
Ive tried a bunch of the data recovery apps and none work. I have read you need root to be able to see the delete files as they stay on the device until over written.
Is there truth to needing root to see the deleted files. I havent rooted a device in probably close to 10 years so the easiest method would be awesome.
Thanks in advance and please excuse my cluelessness im a bit rusty.

The files are lost especially if you ran out of memory; likely overwritten by now.
Always copy/paste to backup.
Keep work and personal phones separate.
In lieu of expandable storage use a OTG flashstick in the future. Thank Samsung for taking away your easiest, most sane option... on a flagship none the less.

radiofoneguy said:
have read you need root to be able to see the delete files as they stay on the device until over written.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There is no guarantee that with root you'd be able to recover lost files. You only have a better chance.
radiofoneguy said:
Is there truth to needing root to see the deleted files. I havent rooted a device in probably close to 10 years so the easiest method would be awesome.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
To root, you need an unlocked bootloader first.
If you unlock your bootloader, the process will wipe everything on your device. So you need to backup whatever files you have before proceeding with the unlock process, i.e. you have no chance of recovering already deleted files.
How come your files in PC that were deleted aren't in the recycle bin?

TheMystic said:
How come your files in PC that were deleted aren't in the recycle bin?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It happens from time to time. When it happens if the source file is gone so is the data, unrecoverable.
That's why you always copy/paste rather than cut/paste critical data. Delete the source file only after the transfer is verified.

blackhawk said:
It happens from time to time.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If recycle bin is enabled, it should not happen.
blackhawk said:
That's why you always copy/paste rather than cut/paste critical data. Delete the source file only after the transfer is verified.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
100% true.
So the files disappeared because he was cut-pasting them, and not 'deleted' as he wrote. Now I understood what actually happened.

Yep nothing in any recycle bins. I was able to recover all the files on the PC side but they are corrupt and won't open. I've used several different programs to recover and to fix the corrupt files. I normally triple and quadruple backup everything. I used to test devices so i was constantly swapping SIMs so I used to save all the time. The program ended and I've been on this s22 since it came out and I became complacent with updating. It sucks a wipe is needed. I was hoping the files were just hidden like PC and Mac when deleted and easily archived. Thanks for the comments, I learned a hard lesson and I knew better.

TheMystic said:
If recycle bin is enabled, it should not happen.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That won't save you if the file is lost during transfer. Seen it happen enough to know.
It's different from deleting a file with the trash bin active. You need to be careful of that with critical data.
Never clone media files ie discs, partitions either, always copy/paste. Cloning or compacting media like .wav files can toss the null marks and they are needed and functional in that context.
Never encrypt data drives... as you are the most likely one to get locked out.

blackhawk said:
That won't save you if the file is lost during transfer. Seen it happen enough to know.
It's different from deleting a file with the trash bin active. You need to be careful of that with critical data.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Like I said, he didn't explain properly.
I have lost files too with a cut-paste, so I'm aware of this problem.
This is why on macOS, they don't give you a 'cut' or move (except move to bin) option, but only 'copy'. Those who are absolutely sure they need to cut will have to use the 'Option' key to make it show up.

radiofoneguy said:
Yep nothing in any recycle bins. I was able to recover all the files on the PC side but they are corrupt and won't open. I've used several different programs to recover and to fix the corrupt files. I normally triple and quadruple backup everything. I used to test devices so i was constantly swapping SIMs so I used to save all the time. The program ended and I've been on this s22 since it came out and I became complacent with updating. It sucks a wipe is needed. I was hoping the files were just hidden like PC and Mac when deleted and easily archived. Thanks for the comments, I learned a hard lesson and I knew better.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Always leave enough head room on Android internal memory. It can putt along like that for a while with just warnings until one day... boom.
If you're seeing warnings you're cutting it way too close. Leave at least 10% headroom. Lol, I played that wicked game with my S4+, 16gb isn't much.
Samsung should have a base starting at least 256gb internal memory in this day and age especially if they were rude enough to drop expandable storage. Since the N10+ I haven't been pleased with the Samsung flagships; they all have multiple issues. As such I haven't bought any. Samsung continues their ball dropping fest unabated. Here Sammy this Bud's for you

blackhawk said:
Always leave enough head room on Android internal memory. It can putt along like that for a while with just warnings until one day... boom.
If you're seeing warnings you're cutting it way too close. Leave at least 10% headroom. Lol, I played that wicked game with my S4+, 16gb isn't much.
Samsung should have a base starting at least 256gb internal memory in this day and age especially if they were rude enough to drop expandable storage. Since the N10+ I haven't been pleased with the Samsung flagships; they all have multiple issues. As such I haven't bought any. Samsung continues their ball dropping fest unabated. Here Sammy this Bud's for you
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I was bummed about not having an SD reader. I didn't know it was gone until 4 days ago.