Is it possible to install apps to the root of the phone?
If that question doesn't sound right, what I want to do is replace my standard camera app with the Google camera. If I ever reformat my phone I want the Google camera, instead of stock app. Basically replace stock apps with different ones but stay on my phone as if they oem.
Bump
You can move apps to the system partition (/system/app) and you can remove apps from there as well, this requires root of course. But, messing with system apps can cause OTA updates to fail or even damage your device. If neither of those things happen then the app you moved there will probably be overwritten by the stock one that you removed during an update. In short, yes you can replace system apps with other apps of your choosing. But, that will not survive updates or factory resets, and could damage your device. My advice: just install the apps from the Play Store as you usually would.
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i just integrated my updated system apps for my nexus s 2.3.4 root. it disabled market, music, and a few other apps. the only way i can think to reverse it would be to simply install a different rom.
But i am now unable to do so. Not thinking i ended up removing all apps from my phone in an attempt to completely reset it to stock, but it didnt change anything with the os system data. the files still dont work properly and keep force closing.
i can use my phone so its not a complete brick.
but how do i go about regaining access to market and other system apps?
claylay said:
i just integrated my updated system apps for my nexus s 2.3.4 root. it disabled market, music, and a few other apps. the only way i can think to reverse it would be to simply install a different rom.
But i am now unable to do so. Not thinking i ended up removing all apps from my phone in an attempt to completely reset it to stock, but it didnt change anything with the os system data. the files still dont work properly and keep force closing.
i can use my phone so its not a complete brick.
but how do i go about regaining access to market and other system apps?
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Click to collapse
If i was in your situation, I would try one of the official OTA updates that are a full rom. you will loose root and custom recovery, but those are easy to re-obtain. Since it's a full rom, it will rewrite all system apps and/or updated apps that are system integrated.
As always, since you are not coming from a full stock rom, A full wipe/reset should be done once flashing
i tried that actually. my issue was then error 7. it wouldnt verify the signature. all of the methods i have seen to make it verify the signature require me to have some apps on my phone and the ability to use market.
i also downloaded the sdk package and the adb software. i can link my phone up to it and lock/unlock the oem that way; but when i do a search for devices, it doesnt show my phone as a listed device. i tried to simply install titanium backup anyway to at least get my apps back and es file explorer, but it says device not found.
it really has become a puzzle for me.
and it is a stock rom. i just rooted it. unless that un-stocks it??
I've only ever seen the signature error on the incremental updates. Make sure you use the full ROM. Alternatively you could look for a CWM image of stock.
Root will not prevent an ota from being applied.
Sent from my Nexus S
I am currently using titanium backup which I'm assuming most of you do as well, however its a quite tedious process restoring all my apps, it asks me individually to install every app which takes a very long time depending on how many apps you are restoring.
With the developing section constantly streaming new updates and roms, how does one keep up with the restoring? I must be missing something here, do you guys all have to install your restored apps one by one?
There must be a simpler way right? I know that if you dont do a full wipe that your apps and settings stay but i find myself switching roms alot which do require full wipes.
If your rooted and buy titanium it will reinstall your apps without going one by one.
Sent from my HTC Sensation using xda premium
runderekrun said:
If your rooted and buy titanium it will reinstall your apps without going one by one.
Sent from my HTC Sensation using xda premium
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Thanks for the quick response, I did not know that I will get the paid version asap!
I have had Titanium Pro for a couple years. When you backup apps do you just choose non system apps?
Sent from my HTC Sensation 4G using xda premium
I've been using Titanium and as a complete system that backs up settings for apps as well as the app itself, it's pretty awesome.
However there are times (like immediately after flashing a new rom) when you have nothing extra installed but a file manager and you want to install just the app of something from your sdcard without having to re-download from Google Play. For this, I have used and app available on Google Play called "Android Assistant" that has a reasonably simple back up that will backup just the apks of installed apps. It installs it in a directory "AndroidAssistant_appbackup" in the root directory of the sdcard. Using a File Manager you can easily go into there and install backed up apps.
If you use Titanium, you seem to have to use Titanium itself to restore stuff.
Titanium Backup Pro and SMS Backup and Restore do the trick for me. They are both very quick processes, so once you get the hang of it youll have no hesitations in switching ROMs constantly. Flash ROM, let it boot, go through the setup real quick, connect your google/email/facebook and whatnot, restore apps from TB, and restore texts, all takes less than 10 minutes.
Sent from my Sensation 4G using XDA
whats the simplest option for non rooted phones to back up the entire phone/data ? are there any apps that will create a full image that you can restore at a later date ?
chriskinetic said:
whats the simplest option for non rooted phones to back up the entire phone/data ? are there any apps that will create a full image that you can restore at a later date ?
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You are looking for clockwork mode, backup and restore - but unless you are prepared to root this isn't possible. Why would anyone want to stay rooted? Stock ROM is really, really poor.
I back up my apps using this tool...
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1448239
It's free and downloadable right from XDA.
It makes a single flashable zip file with all of your downloaded apps in it. (I don't think it backs up system apps)
When you install a new ROM you simply flash the zip and boom...all your apps are back.
The drawback is that it doesn't save app data. For that I use Titanium free version. Reinstalling data takes about 2 seconds per app instead of 30 seconds per app to reinstall the entire thing.
The whole process of putting apps and data back into a new ROM takes about 10-15 minutes.
I prefer Mybackup Pro, backs up apps and their data, sms & mms. Call log, settings and even how your homescreen setup. Been using it for about a year now and it's awesome.
Google Play Link
Is there a way to backup apps' data on non-rooted system?
Every application witch I saw backups only .apks, none of them saves application's data, I don't even know if it's possible?
WereWolf_PL said:
Is there a way to backup apps' data on non-rooted system?
Every application witch I saw backups only .apks, none of them saves application's data, I don't even know if it's possible?
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Many apps have a built in back up system that will let you do this.
For example, Go Launcher lets you back up your Go Launcher settings to a file it stores on the SD Card.
If you have to do a factory reset at some point and need to reinstall Go Launcher from scratch you can install it then simply restore your saved settings. Works like a charm. I'd say about 10% of the apps I use have this feature.
However, if you're talking about being able to back up every app and all its data and restore it....then no. You can't do that when not rooted.
Now if you don't want to root because you like your stock set up the way it is, you should know that you can root your phone without changing anything about the stock interface. You'll just have the ability to do more complete back ups, modifications to settings etc.
(Though fair warning, if you do root it, you won't stop with just doing backups. You'll get carried away like the rest of us and start tweaking EVERYTHING. But that's cool too.)
chrisrj28 said:
I prefer Mybackup Pro, backs up apps and their data, sms & mms. Call log, settings and even how your homescreen setup. Been using it for about a year now and it's awesome.
Google Play Link
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Click to collapse
just what im looking for , thank you
Skipjacks said:
Many apps have a built in back up system that will let you do this.
For example, Go Launcher lets you back up your Go Launcher settings to a file it stores on the SD Card.
If you have to do a factory reset at some point and need to reinstall Go Launcher from scratch you can install it then simply restore your saved settings. Works like a charm. I'd say about 10% of the apps I use have this feature.
However, if you're talking about being able to back up every app and all its data and restore it....then no. You can't do that when not rooted.
Now if you don't want to root because you like your stock set up the way it is, you should know that you can root your phone without changing anything about the stock interface. You'll just have the ability to do more complete back ups, modifications to settings etc.
(Though fair warning, if you do root it, you won't stop with just doing backups. You'll get carried away like the rest of us and start tweaking EVERYTHING. But that's cool too.)
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Thanks for the info. I know that some applications have backup options, but I was hopping that there's an easier way to backup more important apps, or actually its data.
I also know what rooting means, and I'm not going to end at backups
Actually, I like stock firmware for now, don't need to change that, I just want to root for some more advanced options, additional software that needs root access, and maybe to remove, or at least freeze some unnecessary apps.
P.S. I'm actually a little disappointed about HTCdev web page. I was almost sure, that I can unlock bootloader and root the system without factory reset. I read all the info, and warnings on HTCdev.com, and nowhere, NOWHERE was written that to unlock bootloader you need to factory reset your device.
I went through all the steps, and on the last one, where I had a choice to flash, or to abort, was mentioned that flashing will do factory reset. The worst thing is that the steps shows up one after another, I couldn't even read the last one before sending the unlock code to HTC. So now - even when I didn't unlock my device, they have info that I wanted to do this, and my warranty is voided (or at least partially voided).
[Thread in wrong area! Mods please move to AT&T S4 under Q/A!]
I recently rooted/installed CleanROM for my S4, but now I have some basic questions regarding what actually happened in the process and how I could improve it. (First smartphone, first Android).
1. Is flashing the exact equivalent of installing a kernel/ROM/app in a recovery like TeamWin that is zipped in an SD card? All I did was select my zipped file and install--the guide says to use GooManager but I never used it. Also, does updating TWRP, kernel, or ROM (same application/kernel/ROM, but newer version) require that you delete the old ZIP, copy over the new ZIP, then install it? Is there a cleaner method (I feel that since we have to wipe to prevent old files from interfering with new ROM that maybe parts of the old version of a ROM may be redundant or may interfere with the new ROM?
2. Is there a way I can save the phone settings when dealing with one ROM and transferring these settings to another ROM? I really don't want to spend 20 minutes to go through all the settings and change it to my liking every time I install a new ROM.
3. With TWRP I could backup the entire ROM and also be able to install that backup ROM if I don't like the new ROM installed? What does Titanium Backup offer in regards to this aside from backing up app data and the ability freeze/uninstall system apps?
4. Does Titanium Backup leave any residual files? I see other apps designed to uninstall system apps and Titanium Backup seems like an all-in-one jack of all trades.
5. I thought I wiped everything and to me, that sounds like reformatting the entire drive. I only wiped system, boot, and data though (good enough for ROMs, according to what I've read). I was surprised when I saw my videos that I had already backed up to my PC accessible on the phone. Should I just wipe literally everything (I assume it would be cleaner) like cache, preload, EFS, modem, recovery, etc.? Will wiping literally everything be like reformatting my phone (since my phone was not reformatted because my personal videos was still there when I installed my custom ROM? If I were to install completely different ROMs cleanly and wanted to keep my personal files, I would only need to wipe system, data, and boot?
4. Do I have to use CASUAL again to install an updated TWRP?
5. Does backing up a ROM also backup its root? I'm going to assume this is a dumb question and the answer is no. I'm also guessing I have to block OTA updates from AT&T to ensure I keep my root. How would I go about doing this? Also, would my phone be "safe" if I stick to my ROM (no updates or anything) for 4+ years? I'm asking this as an extreme case because I feel like I'm missing out on AT&T security updates that could protect my phone and also I don't think the developer my ROM (CleanROM) will do frequent updates).
6. I had problems with my computer not being able to recognize my phone and my SD card in the phone after I wiped everything and before I installed a ROM. I literally had to take the SD card from the phone and use an SD card reader to transfer my custom ROM/loki then put it back into the phone. Was I missing a driver?
7. What are some must-have apps a newly rooted user would want?
8. I read that you only need 1 EFS backup and you don't need to back it up every time you are going to install a custom ROM. Can I get a confirmation?
9. What does Goo Manager do and would I want it?
10. Is it essential that I keep up to date with news about my custom ROM/phone to ensure my phone is secured?
**Not Root/ROM related--Is swiping an app away from the Recent Apps List (long-press home button) the equivalent of killing an app? I use the Recent Apps List often but I don't want to go about swiping apps away if means it is killing it, since I read that killing apps are bad and actually drains battery life. Also, is there a mod that lets you access the Recent Apps List by long-pressing the menu one? I only see a mod that kills the app if you long-press it.
Thanks. I'm hoping for many responses as I have more questions to ask but not a lot of free time (I will check back on this thread every several hours until there are no more responses on the thread.
I think you are in the wrong forum.
@work said:
I think you are in the wrong forum.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I know, I clicked the edit/delete thread but can't find the delete button. Under reason for editing I told the mods to move it to AT&T S4 under Q/A. I'm new to XDA, what should I do?
otumsel and
just wait,someone will be along and move it.
Is it possible to make an application that in no way it can be removed, i.e. hardreset or installing new ROM, except if user roots the phone & manually removes the application.
ipika said:
Is it possible to make an application that in no way it can be removed, i.e. hardreset or installing new ROM, except if user roots the phone & manually removes the application.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
System applications will not be deleted by performing a hard reset. Installing a new rom will probably be done via custom recovery, which mean full access to the phone's storage. So "NO" there is no way to do so. May I ask what kind of app you want to protect?
I know you all are going to think I'm ridiculous, but I bought 2 shield tablets for my kids ages 3 and nearly 2 for educational purposes. After weighing the Nexus 9, shield tablet and Sony's Z2 tablet the shield seemed to be the best value. My kids have a restricted profile with only the educational/learning apps that I have selected available to them. My question is how do I disable or uninstall the preloaded NVIDIA apps such as SHIELD HUB, the controller one, Twitch sharing, etc.? My kids will never use them likely for the usable life of the tablets and I don't need them poking around with them so I'd like to have them removed or hidden at the least. I have the tablets stock rooted with TWRP recovery and I've used Titanium backup on previous devices to do something similar before but it doesn't seem be to able to located the APKs of these apps to uninstall them.
Thanks for the help!
Go into Settings and then Apps, you can select which you want to disable and uninstall (will not always uninstall as its part of the system i think) This is what I have done as i dont want junk running when I dont need/want it to
ady702 said:
Go into Settings and then Apps, you can select which you want to disable and uninstall (will not always uninstall as its part of the system i think) This is what I have done as i dont want junk running when I dont need/want it to
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I tried that first before resorting to Titanium Backup. The Disable button is greyed out and not available to click for these apps. These are like some super system level apps that can't be disabled or uninstalled the normal way.
tutech said:
I tried that first before resorting to Titanium Backup. The Disable button is greyed out and not available to click for these apps. These are like some super system level apps that can't be disabled or uninstalled the normal way.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
My suggestion would be to root the device. Many apps such as Titanium require root access for full functionality. Once rooted you'll be able to remove anything that you want. I personally just use Root Browser to navigate to System/App and delete what I don't want.
The drawback to rooting is that you won't have automatic OTA updates. (Not hard to get past that, download the OTA file and flash in Recovery.) But for your use you might not want to receive OTAs anyway.
koop1955 said:
My suggestion would be to root the device. Many apps such as Titanium require root access for full functionality. Once rooted you'll be able to remove anything that you want. I personally just use Root Browser to navigate to System/App and delete what I don't want.
The drawback to rooting is that you won't have automatic OTA updates. (Not hard to get past that, download the OTA file and flash in Recovery.) But for your use you might not want to receive OTAs anyway.
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Click to collapse
My tablets are rooted, I mentioned that in the original post. However, Titanium Backup was unable to uninstall them (thus my question here) saying something about being unable to locate the APKs. I'll try Root Browser manually like you suggested when I get back home to them later.
I'm fully aware of all consequences of rooting, OTAs, etc. Every Android device I've owned since the original T-Mobile G1 has been rooted, but I do appreciate your willingness to help!
tutech said:
My tablets are rooted, I mentioned that in the original post. However, Titanium Backup was unable to uninstall them (thus my question here) saying something about being unable to locate the APKs. I'll try Root Browser manually like you suggested when I get back home to them later.
I'm fully aware of all consequences of rooting, OTAs, etc. Every Android device I've owned since the original T-Mobile G1 has been rooted, but I do appreciate your willingness to help!
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Click to collapse
Got it, I misread the part about being rooted and your experience on previous devices.
I stopped using Titanium Backup a while ago. There are simpler means of restoring apps and restoring data is likely to cause headaches. That said, the problem seems odd. As far as I know, all apps install to either /system/app or /data/app, That being the case, can't imagine why TB wouldn't be able to find them.
Are you by any chance running Multirom?
koop1955 said:
Got it, I misread the part about being rooted and your experience on previous devices.
I stopped using Titanium Backup a while ago. There are simpler means of restoring apps and restoring data is likely to cause headaches. That said, the problem seems odd. As far as I know, all apps install to either /system/app or /data/app, That being the case, can't imagine why TB wouldn't be able to find them.
Are you by any chance running Multirom?
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Not running MultiROM, just stock with root. I thought it was odd that Titanium couldn't locate the APKs too, that's why I decided to ask here. I suspect if I go cruising around /system/app looking for these APKs to remove I won't find them there.
tutech said:
Not running MultiROM, just stock with root. I thought it was odd that Titanium couldn't locate the APKs too, that's why I decided to ask here. I suspect if I go cruising around /system/app looking for these APKs to remove I won't find them there.
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You would be correct about them not being in system. Look in /vendor/app. Should be what you want.