So how do you get it? The first step is to head over to this thread on the XDA Developers Forum. The top post includes a set of instructions and a download link for a zip archive containing three APK files that need to be installed in a particular order.
My Android 4.1 Galaxy Note II, with a KitKat launcher face-lift.
Now, advanced users who are already comfortable opening zip archives on their phone and managing files can do all of this downloading and installing directly on their Android phone. But in general, I recommend downloading the zip archive to your computer first, decompressing it, and placing the files somewhere you can access easily. To get them on your phone, email the each file individually (to limit the possibility of file size limitations) to an email account you can access from the phone. Alternately, you can send to Dropbox or Google Drive and then download them back down to your phone.
But before you proceed with installing them, make sure your phone is setup to work with files from sources other than Google. To do this, dive into your phone settings, select Security, and then with any luck you should see an option to accept files from "unknown sources." Make sure the box is checked and then back out to your home screen.
You'll also need to make sure you're comfortable with the worst case scenario: a factory reset. Members of the XDA Forum have reported mostly successful results using devices running Android 4.2 or later. Anything earlier is iffy. My Galaxy Note II running Android 4.1 was a rare exception, but even then, features such as Google Now voice commands did not work properly. This is a "use at your own risk" procedure, so make sure your photos, videos, data and settings are backed up before attempting this.
After installing the last of the APK files, you'll be walked through the introduction to the new KitKat launcher.
Once the files are accessible from your phone, via email or whatever method you chose, select the PreBuiltGMScore APK file first. You may be given a choice of how to install the APK. I went with the Package Installer, but other options may be just as viable. It may also warn you that you are replacing an existing file -- that's fine. Once installed, simply hit Done and move on to the next file, which in this case is the Velvet APK. Rinse and repeat, and finally move on to the GoogleHome APK file. At the end of installing that one, however, you'll want to hit Open instead of Done. Doing so will usher you into clean, slick world of the KitKat launcher.
As your first order of business, I suggest a tap and hold on the home screen, which will bring up options for changing the wallpaper, installing home screen widgets, and configuring your Google Now experience. If nothing else, choosing from the new wallpapers will help complete the KitKat transformation.
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Im a bit of a noob when it comes to Android.
im more a windows mobile person however....
For xmas i recieved an android tablet which is an awesome toy! but ive had issues with making the widgets work on the home screen - they dont show up.
Ive read forums and forums all day and each forum points back to xda:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=780828&page=13
Looks great, downloaded the apk tried to copy it to the system/app folder but it wont let me do it.
Ive managed to confuse myself after hours of reading so hoping someone can give me some ideas.
Ive read about needing the device 'rooted' i still dont understand what this is n how i do it.
Ive also read the file is to be pushed into the folder??
Ive downloaded the terminal emulator, file explorer etc... tried copy/paste, move, cut etc... all with the same answer of insufficent access.
The terminal emulator on the other hand i cannot use as its all touch screen with no hard buttons once running i cannot type into the program.
surely theres an easier way to load things into the system folders?
Sorry if its the wrong section or what seems a simple ask for some direction, I'm used to windows mobile and htc sence modding where you can just delete and replace files at will
Hey,
Root is like the administrator in Windows. By default, you have a user account, not a root or admin account. And therefore you're access permissions are limited. You do not have write permissions to most internal directories and are pretty much limited to the sd card, which is kinda like 'home' in linux or 'my documents' in windows. Also, cannot run applications that require su (superuser, ie: root, admin).
Rooting is the act of accessing the root user account, or admin account. Like 'jail-breaking' in the apple world.
How to root your android depends on which model you have.
For installing the widget app, as long as its an .apk file, you should be able to just click on it and be prompted to install it.
To access your widgets, should be able to log press on a blank area of the home screen and get a option box to select from. Or if you have a 'menu' button there should be an add option.
To use the Terminal, long press 'menu' and your keyboard will popup. Or click menu and there will be an option for the keyboard, also settings to change color, text size and others.
Sent from my ERIS using XDA App
Also, in the terminal, it will use linux commands, not windows commands.
You can google android commands and get a list of common commands.
Good luck. Have fun. If you don't have some linux experience, it may seem like there's a steep learning curve, but most things will become easy after a little tinkering.
Sent from my ERIS using XDA App
im finding this an incredibly steep curve - a bit too steep lol
I would recommend searching <(name of device) root guide> and then you will find your way around.
But, i don't think you need root, root is for when you need to install applications that you need higher permissions to control system settings. Also to install different versions of android.
Your problem seems to be only a bug. If you want to install an application that is not on the market, you just go to your settings and turn on installing from unknown sources.
You don't need to put it in system apps, the apk is like an .exe, just put it on your sd card, install a file manager program like ASTRO, and then open that app, go to the directory you transfered the file, and click it, ASTRO will give you the ability to install it.
patriotaus said:
I would recommend searching <(name of device) root guide> and then you will find your way around.
But, i don't think you need root, root is for when you need to install applications that you need higher permissions to control system settings. Also to install different versions of android.
Your problem seems to be only a bug. If you want to install an application that is not on the market, you just go to your settings and turn on installing from unknown sources.
You don't need to put it in system apps, the apk is like an .exe, just put it on your sd card, install a file manager program like ASTRO, and then open that app, go to the directory you transfered the file, and click it, ASTRO will give you the ability to install it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I dont think rooting is essential to do this but from what ive read - it helps.
the app in question is this: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=780828
this should replace the file on my system which doesnt work. unless anyone has a suggestion to get the same item by installing an apk to achieve as per the instructions state "copy into system/app and set permissions"
The Gmail 4.2 APK is signed by Google, but with a different key than the one in the Play Store (we checked the signatures - they differ). One is probably the test key and the other the production key. For this reason, you can't simply install it as an update and therefore need to be rooted with the ability to mount the /system directory for writing in order to remove the existing Gmail APK.
OK, let's get down to it. You'll probably need ADB installed on your computer (here's an easy way that doesn't require downloading the Android SDK). There is a chance that this might work without ADB by just removing the APKs mentioned below and installing the new one, but it didn't seem to work reliably for everyone.
This should, though:
1. Download Gmail 4.2 from one of the mirrors above.
2. Rename it to Gmail2.apk.
3. Make a Nandroid backup in case something goes wrong (this is always a good thing to do before messing with your device).
4. Delete (or move if you want to save the APKs) all other versions of Gmail. Usually there are 2 or 3 copies. One will be in /system/app (that's the original Gmail that was pre-installed on the device) and there may be a few in /data/app (these are the updates installed from the Play Store). They'll be called "Gmail.apk," or "com.google.android.gm-[number].apk," An easy way to tell is to look for the Gmail icon.
5. You may need to delete the .odex files matching the APKs in step 4 too, if you have them. Neither I nor Artem had to do this, but there are many different ROMs out there, and we're trying to cover all bases. Ignore this step and only come back to it if something doesn't work later.
6. Reboot. Once you do, you should have no Gmail as far as Android is concerned.
7. You can try to install the Gmail 4.2 APK you downloaded at this point by tapping it in your favorite file explorer (move the APK to your device first, of course). If that doesn't work, or if you prefer ADB, fire up a command line and type adb install Gmail2.apk.
If you get an error message, you probably didn't delete all copies of Gmail. If you don't feel like playing with ADB for Step 7, I've also gotten it to work by just copying the APK to /data/app, but that's not as fool proof as "ADB install".
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
get it HERE
http://www.androidpolice.com/2012/1...ed-gmail-4-2-apk-with-pinch-to-zoom-and-more/
Thanks. I like the gmail interface and haven't found much need for pinch-to-zoom.
But the swype sideways on a message to delete or archive (as shown in the video) looks handy.
I assume this will eventually be available via normal Google Play update process (?)
electricpete1 said:
Thanks. I like the gmail interface and haven't found much need for pinch-to-zoom.
But the swype sideways on a message to delete or archive (as shown in the video) looks handy.
I assume this will eventually be available via normal Google Play update process (?)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Probably closer to the end of the month.
I think it is unaccessible at the moment due to the leakage of google and getting proper permissions
GoSooners345 said:
I think it is unaccessible at the moment due to the leakage of google and getting proper permissions
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Umm, just to clarify, Google asked Android Police to take down the mirrors because AP does not have distribution rights.
Installed using root explorer method. Works pretty good.
Love the pinch zoom function. The swipe to delete is pretty cool.. similar to the notification bar
Sent from my SGH-I997 using xda app-developers app
Is there a Droid Maxx specific how to guide for side loading apk files? If so, please share the link.
For the life of me my google abilities can't turn up a walk through specific to the Droid Maxx. I keep getting a lot of results for the older Razr Maxx, but that's a different animal.
I'm wanting to side load on a factory reset phone with the bootloader still locked and no Rooting done. I've got a few apps from older phones I'd like to put on my Maxx which are no longer available on the market and I've read that a few others here have been sideloading the Nexus mail management apk to get around the data limiting download features of the standard corp mail app installed on these phones.
Thanks
Wes
Wangstang said:
Is there a Droid Maxx specific how to guide for side loading apk files? If so, please share the link.
For the life of me my google abilities can't turn up a walk through specific to the Droid Maxx. I keep getting a lot of results for the older Razr Maxx, but that's a different animal.
I'm wanting to side load on a factory reset phone with the bootloader still locked and no Rooting done. I've got a few apps from older phones I'd like to put on my Maxx which are no longer available on the market and I've read that a few others here have been sideloading the Nexus mail management apk to get around the data limiting download features of the standard corp mail app installed on these phones.
Thanks
Wes
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
First of all if you have Internet connection on your phone, download a file manager app from the play store. Maybe something like ES File Explorer. This is to make sure you are able to install apk files later. Go to Settings - Security & Screen Lock. Find 'Unknown sources' option and enable it. Connect your phone to your pc (I assume you have Windows) with the usb cable, check your phone and make sure it says there 'Connected as media device'. Open up Windows Explorer, you should find the phone under Portable Devices section. Get into the Internal Storage folder, create a temporary folder and put all your apps apk inside it. Unplug the phone, fire up the file explorer and go to the apk folder. Just select the apk and it will do the rest of the installation.
Btw, you will not be able to side load system apps without root.
pijes said:
First of all if you have Internet connection on your phone, download a file manager app from the play store. Maybe something like ES File Explorer. This is to make sure you are able to install apk files later. Go to Settings - Security & Screen Lock. Find 'Unknown sources' option and enable it. Connect your phone to your pc (I assume you have Windows) with the usb cable, check your phone and make sure it says there 'Connected as media device'. Open up Windows Explorer, you should find the phone under Portable Devices section. Get into the Internal Storage folder, create a temporary folder and put all your apps apk inside it. Unplug the phone, fire up the file explorer and go to the apk folder. Just select the apk and it will do the rest of the installation.
Btw, you will not be able to side load system apps without root.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the walk through. The apps in particulart I'm wanting to sideload are games and ringtone apps so I don't think I'll run into any issues.
Thanks again!
Wes
I have run out of space on my phone. (Again. Why can't I add an sdcard to this nexus thing dammit?) I'm going through the Storage sections under Settings, picking and choosing what I want to keep and discard. There's a number of items appearing in Downloads that I want to move to my PC, but I can't find the files and the only commands available are Open, Delete and Share.
How do I locate the items so can copy them?
My phone is not rooted and is running Lollipop 5.1.1.
Downloads as shown in from Settings >> Storage:
i.imgur.com/LzJz05I.png
Downloads as seen by ES File Explorer:
i.imgur.com/EJZUHYu.png
(sorry, no active links. I don't have the reputation to post links).
I'm sure someone will correct me if I'm wrong, but the first image shows the list of things that you've downloaded (and then maybe moved to another folder?) while the second shows what is in your downloads folder now. In other words, one image shows an application, the other shows files.
The Downloads app seems to show items downloaded in the traditional sense (like from my browser, those are the items also seen in 2nd screen shot)
as well as items downloaded by apps, and these are saved somewhere else, not in /sdcard/download.
My question is how do I follow the items from the Download app to their actual location, so I can do something with them?
Double tap on the item opens it. Long press selects it. I need to copy it (or rename or move or...)
Sent from my Nexus 5 using XDA Free mobile app
If my suggestion is correct, and nobody so far has contradicted it, then the download list needn't correspond in any way to what's actually on your phone at this moment. You may have moved the files, deleted them... there may not be anything to find. What you're seeing is just your file download history, not what actually exists now.
One tool that I find invaluable for this sort of thing is Search Everything - https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.marlon.searcheverything
It indexes all your files and displays them on the fly - as you type each letter the list of files shown diminishes until you're left with the one you're looking for. If you're looking for a downloaded file then it shouldn't be hidden in an unreachable system folder requiring root. If Search Everything doesn't find what you're looking for, it's a pretty safe bet that it's been deleted.
On your comment about the reason for your question, that your phone is getting full, have you tried Disk Usage to see where the heavy usage is? https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.google.android.diskusage
And finally consider Stickmount - https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=eu.chainfire.stickmount
In combination with an OTG cable (a couple of dollars) and a USB stick, Stickmount allows you to store files on the USB stick, so you can have effectively unlimited storage.
Many people would like to add custom fonts from their pc or online. The new Microsoft Office do allow to download custom fonts from cloud, but the list is not exhaustive. Furthermore if you want to use fonts other than English, there seems to be no way out. But fortunately I’ve found a way. Let’s get into action then:
Prerequisites:
Your device must have root access.
You must have a file manager other than the default file manager which can access root folders.
Before you begin please make sure Microsoft Word is not running; not even in background.
Steps:
Download or paste the fonts you want to use in your device’s internal/external memory.
Copy the font using the file manager. (In my case I’ve used ROM Toolbox lite)
Now keep pressing back until further pressing back will exit the program. Here you will see folders like .system, cache, config, data etc.
Now go to data>data>com.microsoft.office.word>files>data>fonts and paste your font
Follow the preceding steps for each fonts you want to use. In my case I could only copy one font at a time.
That’s it. Open Microsoft Word and you will see your desired fonts God willing.
Happy Typing.