Editing an APK - Other Tools & General Discussion

So i want to modify the stock AOSP android browser. (Using a galaxy Note 2).
I removed the original secbrowser.apk out of the sys/app folder and copied it to my pc. Rebooted phone.
On my pc, I just want to take an image file out out of the apk. I renamed the apk to a zip. Deleted the file (while still unpackaged) and then put the apk back on the phone. (Per instructions i read on here)
However, for the life of me I cant get it back into the sys/app folder. Permissions for the file are rw -r-r just as the original file.
The original file is able to be moved in and out of the sys/app folder without trouble. The new one however, not so lucky.
Am I completely missing something here?
Sent from my SGH-T989 using xda app-developers app

Or try other (complicated but reliable) method.
Decompile with apktool.
Edit/Delete any PNG files.
Recompile by apktool.
Copy META-INF from original apk to new apk using 7zip.
Push and give permission 644(rw-r--r--).
Believe me I have done this hundreds of times. Not a single fail.
Sent from my GT-S5360 Gadget of Mass Destruction using xda-app
Using CWM........Busybox Commands........No I use my hands

Related

[Q] Convert .RAR to .apk

Hey, i have downloaded an aplication for android to my pc, it's winrar archive. I have some files and folders like META-INF, classes, resources etc. I know that those files are files from apk but i dont know how to convert rar to apk. I cant just change file name after dot, from rar to apk. Please help me.
Well I know it might be a dumb suggestion but did you open the
.rar to see if the .apk is inside?
Sent from my PC36100 using XDA App
yust rename is to .apk lol , winrar wil see a .apk file as a .zip or .rar file
My APK files are seen are seen as winrar files in the pc, but as APK files in my cell
caguirr4 said:
Well I know it might be a dumb suggestion but did you open the
.rar to see if the .apk is inside?
Sent from my PC36100 using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sure i opened it. Like I wrote there was files and folders like META-INF. I cant rename this file.
gkenny1991 said:
yust rename is to .apk lol , winrar wil see a .apk file as a .zip or .rar file
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I cant rename this file. When I change it's name its like xxxx.apk.zip not xxxx.apk
Diamond_dawg said:
My APK files are seen are seen as winrar files in the pc, but as APK files in my cell
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
My PC see apk an rar files, so it's not it.
Well you should be able to just change the file name to xxxxx.apk. You should download 7zip and associate .apk with that instead of winrar. But you might have to change the file name in properties instead of maybe just right clicking and rename.
Sent from my PC36100 using XDA App
I fixed problem on my own, but thanks for helping guys.
Make sure that on your computer, you have 'See Hidden File Extensions' in your folders option. You can then rename it and you can change the type.
Sent from my Zio using XDA App
Scarface666 said:
I fixed problem on my own, but thanks for helping guys.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
How did you fix it.
Sent from my PC36100 using XDA App
APKs are just ZIP files. Extract the files from the RAR, archive them as ZIP and then just rename to ".apk". I know this because this is how I theme.
caguirr4 said:
How did you fix it.
Sent from my PC36100 using XDA App
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Click to collapse
I just downloaded this archive one more time and when "save as" window appeared i changed the line under name from "winrar archive" to "all files" and I added one more ".apk" to the name.
Exclareçendo
What did the friend is trying to report, and looking for solutions is as follows: I have the .apk Extracted ... Shaped Pasta ... and want to convert it in APK ... I open the folder and select the files and send pro Winrar, compact for RAR, and RAR to rename the .apk. However when trying to install, the packet error ... Not simply rename .rar to .apk
View attachment 3116983
View attachment 3116985

fully working gingerbread keyboard, WITHOUT ROOT

http://forum.xda-developers.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=457740&d=1291677305
a simple .apk for the gingerbread keyboard. everything works perfectly; vibration, multi touch. you dont even need to be rooted to use this.
The other one worked without root too I took the .apk out of the original flashable and just installed that but thanks for taking an annoying step out
Sent from my Incredible using XDA App
Probably user error...
I attempted to install another file that was a .zip to get the keyboard, I did not do a wipe. I use the Virtuous ROM. The update I used did not seem to do anything and the keyboard was no different.
I attempted to use your APK to install and it won't let me install. Am I missing something? Did I boo boo?
Did you extract the files and then install with root explorer or a siimilar file browser?
jbucklee said:
I attempted to install another file that was a .zip to get the keyboard, I did not do a wipe. I use the Virtuous ROM. The update I used did not seem to do anything and the keyboard was no different.
I attempted to use your APK to install and it won't let me install. Am I missing something? Did I boo boo?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sent from my Incredible using XDA App
"Did you extract the files and then install with root explorer or a siimilar file browser?"
.apk files are (java) .jar files which are actually .zip archives. The fact that they are named ".apk" reflects the fact that they always contain certain folders and files (including, but not limited to the manifest signature files and public key of the signer) - not "random crap"
Your file has nothing to extract. A valid app will contain folders named META-INF (always), res (usually), and some files with extensions of either .dex or .odex.

Question about flashing

I was curious if there is a way to extract a zip file instead of using CWM to flash it, for instance let's say I have a different keyboard that can be flashed through CWM but I don't want to flash it I'd rather just extract files and put them somewhere using root explorer, can this be done? And if so could someone tell me how to do it and where to put the files? Thank you
Sent from my LG-E980 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
MrKite4 said:
I was curious if there is a way to extract a zip file instead of using CWM to flash it, for instance let's say I have a different keyboard that can be flashed through CWM but I don't want to flash it I'd rather just extract files and put them somewhere using root explorer, can this be done? And if so could someone tell me how to do it and where to put the files? Thank you
Sent from my LG-E980 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you unzip the file to flash, you will notice a file hierarchy in the zip. Follow that hierarchy to the file(s) you want and then use a root explorer to paste the file(s) in the same location. Then reboot and if you pasted everything correctly, it should make that change.
cmendonc2 said:
If you unzip the file to flash, you will notice a file hierarchy in the zip. Follow that hierarchy to the file(s) you want and then use a root explorer to paste the file(s) in the same location. Then reboot and if you pasted everything correctly, it should make that change.
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Click to collapse
Okay, so what I have are 2 folders in the unzipped file in root explorer, one is labeled META-INF and the other is System. In the system there is an app and a lib folder, the app folder contains apps and the lib contains files with the extension .so, so I'm assuming paste the app files in the system/app folder and the .so files in the system/lib folder, correct? Now the META-INF folder contains files a com folder and three files, CERT.RSA, CERT.SF, and MANIFEST.MF. the com folder turns into a Google folder, then an Android folder which contains 2 files, update-binary and update-script. I pretty much have no idea what to do with everything in the META-INF folder. Could you possibly help with that I'd greatly appreciate it.
Sent from my LG-E980 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
MrKite4 said:
Okay, so what I have are 2 folders in the unzipped file in root explorer, one is labeled META-INF and the other is System. In the system there is an app and a lib folder, the app folder contains apps and the lib contains files with the extension .so, so I'm assuming paste the app files in the system/app folder and the .so files in the system/lib folder, correct? Now the META-INF folder contains files a com folder and three files, CERT.RSA, CERT.SF, and MANIFEST.MF. the com folder turns into a Google folder, then an Android folder which contains 2 files, update-binary and update-script. I pretty much have no idea what to do with everything in the META-INF folder. Could you possibly help with that I'd greatly appreciate it.
Sent from my LG-E980 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ignore the META-INF folder, that is used for the actual flashing procedure. Most apps can be installed without the certificate and manifest.
The app files would go in
Code:
/system/app
The library files (.so) would go in
Code:
/system/lib
cmendonc2 said:
Ignore the META-INF folder, that is used for the actual flashing procedure. Most apps can be installed without the certificate and manifest.
The app files would go in
Code:
/system/app
The library files (.so) would go in
Code:
/system/lib
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Awesome, it worked! Thank you so much
Sent from my LG-E980 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app

[Q] How can I restore a system app with .odex file ?

Hi,
I've deleted the app Docs that was in system\app\DocumentsUI.
There was the file DocumentsUI.apk in this folder and a subfolder named arm with the file DocumentsUI.odex like every system app.
I'd like to know how can I restore this app. I've tried to put back in place all the files but Android don't recognise the app...
Thank
Sebacestmoi said:
Hi,
I've deleted the app Docs that was in system\app\DocumentsUI.
There was the file DocumentsUI.apk in this folder and a subfolder named arm with the file DocumentsUI.odex like every system app.
I'd like to know how can I restore this app. I've tried to put back in place all the files but Android don't recognise the app...
Thank
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Have you set the permission of both apk and odex file? Both file must be given rw-r--r-- as permission.
Yes but it didn't change anything...
The phone recognise the app if I put the .apk in directly in system/app and not in system/app/DocumentsUI but then it can't find the .odex file even if I put it next to the .apk...
It'll work without the odex won't it?
Sent from my Nexus 5 using Tapatalk
Unfortunately no. It give a force close message...
You still on kitkat?
Sent from my Nexus 5 using Tapatalk
No, I'm on official 5.1.1
Still no help. Nobody know how I can restore a system app ?

Find Files Used by Installed App

Hey, I am currently using an app that has built in backgrounds to make quote cards and memes and such. I want to know how to find the actual background files so I can modify them. How can I find these files? Any help is appreciated!!!
usimg the es file explorer rename the app as appname.zip and extract the app normally. now search for images in it. edit them. and aelect all folders or files in the extracted folder and compress them and rename the zip as appname.apk ans inatall
its done
Sent from my SM-G355H using XDA Free mobile app
Thank you! I'll give it a shot and see how it goes!
So am I just renaming the app.apk file as app.zip then? Then download, extract file, search images, etc. right?
Obviously if the app updates I'm guessing my changes will be overwritten each time?
may be well i donot update my apps.
Sent from my SM-G355H using XDA Free mobile app

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