I have seen many tutorials which guide to press su directly in cmd (Command Prompt) after entering the command, does it mean that the shell is in root mode but only through the pc? So, is it possible to edit the build prop by copying the default one from /system and overriding the build prop after editing it from notepad? @iXaidyiu
Theoretically yes (except your title), but you need to be in recovery mode (TWRP) and mount /system -RW in order to perform such action.
Ref.:http://www.theandroidsoul.com/edit-build-prop-without-root-using-adb-in-twrp-recovery/
ok, thanks
Related
Hello Forum!
So i am currently using a Virgin Mobile LG Optimus Elite.
After 2 days of refuge here on the forums i amazingly found a small little program that was intended to root p500 devices and worked for mine.
I did run root checker and all plus i have root access so it is rooted.
My problem is,
1.) I cannot edit my build.prop
2.) Install Xbox Smartglass (which is the whole reason i'm killing myself for all this right now)
I'm running 2.3.7 gingerbread, and the smartglass app requires 4.0 and up.
I am certain this phone can run the app.
From the very beginning i tried to take the easy path out by manually downloading the .apk from an outside source but when i try to install it
i get an error stating that it had a problem "parsing" the info.
Running my little research i found you could edit the build.prop file to make the play store think you were running another device that was compatible. Then realizing my device must be rooted first, began my 2 days long journey to root the stubborn thing.
After root success, I installed ES File Explorer. From there, i went to my build.prop, proceeded to edit it with the ES text editor. Re-wrote the 2 lines required then when i went to save, "Error occurred when trying to save the file. It will not be saved." And just left me hanging after that.
In a quick desperate attempt, i found QtADB, which i thought would allow me to edit the system files. It only allowed me access to a hand full of the root directories. I downloaded the newest android dev kit (obviously you need it to run QtADB) so i don't know what exactly the problem here is.
For my absolute last desperate attempt i decided to do it manually. I took the build.prop and edited it manually through wordpad. (NOTE: i backed up the original) I named it "copy.build.prop" and placed it back in an easy to find directory. I then opened up ES file explorer, located the file and tried to copy it to the original location but no matter what i name it or what i do in general it will not move. It keeps failing and just telling me the file cannot be moved.
I am at my last legs with this to the point where i may just give up.
I dont know what to do and was hoping someone on here would.
If there was another way to install the app? If i could install it manually? Something to get me around all these utterly frustrating and annoying errors. I've ran from error to error, fixing it then coming to another. And at this point i just dont know what to do.
The help and replies would be much appreciated! Thanks in advanced!
The build.prop file is located in the /system partition, which is by default mounted as read-only (and for good reason).
Here are some simple steps to modifying the build.prop file.
1) Fire up an ADB shell ("adb shell" from a command prompt without quotes)
2) Within the ADB shell, execute "mount -o rw,remount /system /system" without quotes. This will remount your /system partition in read-write mode
3) Open a new command prompt and CD to an easily accessible directory (e.g "cd ~/Desktop" if on a Linux box)
4) Execute "adb pull /system/build.prop" without quotes
5) Edit the build.prop file as needed with a good text editor (DO NOT use Wordpad or Notepad, I prefer Notepad++ on Windows and Geany on Linux)
6) Execute "adb push /path/to/your/edited/build.prop /system/build.prop" without quotes. This will copy your modified build.prop back into the /system partition
7) In the ADB shell prompt, execute "mount -o ro,remount /system /system" without quotes. This will remount your /system partition read-only (never leave it read-write that is bad)
8) Reboot your phone
9) Profit!
As far as the Smartglass app goes, there is likely a good reason it requires ICS and above, and simply modifying your build.prop may not be enough. Don't take my word for it though, try the above steps and see what happens.
Cheers!
drewwalton19216801 said:
The build.prop file is located in the /system partition, which is by default mounted as read-only (and for good reason).
Here are some simple steps to modifying the build.prop file.
1) Fire up an ADB shell ("adb shell" from a command prompt without quotes)
2) Within the ADB shell, execute "mount -o rw,remount /system /system" without quotes. This will remount your /system partition in read-write mode
3) Open a new command prompt and CD to an easily accessible directory (e.g "cd ~/Desktop" if on a Linux box)
4) Execute "adb pull /system/build.prop" without quotes
5) Edit the build.prop file as needed with a good text editor (DO NOT use Wordpad or Notepad, I prefer Notepad++ on Windows and Geany on Linux)
6) Execute "adb push /path/to/your/edited/build.prop /system/build.prop" without quotes. This will copy your modified build.prop back into the /system partition
7) In the ADB shell prompt, execute "mount -o ro,remount /system /system" without quotes. This will remount your /system partition read-only (never leave it read-write that is bad)
8) Reboot your phone
9) Profit!
As far as the Smartglass app goes, there is likely a good reason it requires ICS and above, and simply modifying your build.prop may not be enough. Don't take my word for it though, try the above steps and see what happens.
Cheers!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm having problems setting a custom directory now... im on a windows 7 pc. I'm using the Qtabd shell, and at first it stated to give the CD a home, i've tried a million combinations and i just cant get one to work!!!
Hello, as the title states I have found a way to bypass the password with the pin, pattern, and password option on the lockscreen without doing a factory data reset. I have not tried face unlock, I will try it soon. I would first like to thank Kosborn for his p2p-adb which bothe helped and gave me the idea. His p2p-adb can be located here.
I will also be adding this feature to Kosborn's p2p-adb soon as well.
Now to get down to it.
What you will need:
Phone with eithier 'USB Debugging" enabled or a Custom Recovery
ADB
A file editor (I use Notepad++)
Basic adb skills
*If you already have "USB Debugging enabled please skip to Step 5*
Step 1)
If the phone does not have USB Debugging enabled you need to flash a custom recovery to the phone. I will not post a step to step guide to on how to flash a custom recovery, just google it.
Step 2)
When you have the custom recovery flashed to the phone boot into recovery mode and mount /system. In CWM it can be found under "Mounts and Storage"
Step 3)
When /system is mounted pull build.prop and open it with the file editor I mentioned above.
Code:
adb pull /system/build.prop
You will have to add one line into the build.prop file for adb to be enabled when you reboot the phone
Add the line below to the build.prop file.
Code:
persist.service.adb.enable=1
Save build.prop file.
Now we have to push the file back to the phone so
Code:
adb push build.prop /system/build.prop
adb shell chmod 0644 /system/build.prop
Step 4)
Reboot phone
Run command below and you should see you device attached, If not make sure you have the correct drivers installed.
Code:
adb devices
Step 5)
Using adb type the following commands
Code:
adb shell mv /data/system/gesture.key /data/system/gesture.key.bak
adb shell mv /data/system/password.key /data/system/password.key.bak
Step 6)
Reboot phone
You should now be able to unlock your phone without having any password. And more importantly with having all of your data on the phone still.
If you found this helpful please hit the thanks button.
RESERVED
So this will work on any device correct?
---------- Post added at 10:55 PM ---------- Previous post was at 10:55 PM ----------
With either pin lock or pattern?
prairiedogn said:
So this will work on any device correct?
---------- Post added at 10:55 PM ---------- Previous post was at 10:55 PM ----------
With either pin lock or pattern?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
In theory yes. I can't be for sure. It won't hurt it
When I had to use I typed "adb shell rm /data/system/gesture.key", not "adb shell mv /data/system/gesture.key" and that worked well.
eduds said:
When I had to use I typed "adb shell rm /data/system/gesture.key", not "adb shell mv /data/system/gesture.key" and that worked well.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That will work as well the reason why I used adb shell mv /data/system/gesture.key is to keep the file there when i was testing just incase but it could be removed as well.
not trying to be too much of a smart-butt, but heres the full version to do it, what u did is the basic commands, but leaves an empty pin/pattern for ANY input will be correct, heres each command (new line=new command):
adb shell
cd /data/data/com.android.providers.settings/databases
sqlite3 settings.db
update system set value=0 where name='lock_pattern_autolock';
update secure set value=0 where name='lock_pattern_autolock';
update system set value=0 where name='lockscreen.lockedoutpermanently';
update secure set value=0 where name='lockscreen.lockedoutpermanently';
.quit
busybox rm /data/system/gesture.key
busybox rm /data/system/cm-gesture.key
busybox rm /data/system/password.key
busybox rm /data/system/cm-password.key
busybox rm /data/system/locksettings.db
busybox rm /data/system/locksettings.db-wal
busybox rm /data/system/locksettings.db-shm
reboot
some kernels+file-systems(or user actions) convert databases to "wal", or "shm" so they will have different names, as for some newer CM-based rom builds, the pattern, gesture unlock (if implemented), and sometimes pin get put into a different file "cm-***.key" but pin+password goes into "cm-password.key";
u need to only do first two commands(adb shell, and the cd), then skip to after the .quit if u ARE NOT locked out, if u are u need to do ALL these commands, and if it says "file/directory not found" or simmalier errors when doing the "gesture.key","cm-gesture.key","cm-password.key", the "locksettings.db-wal" +"locksettings.db-wal"; just ignore those errors as u dont have the configurations stored in there like some other custom roms do =)
i found and compiled this list from my app i made, if u heard about it "SMS Tasks", and this is acually the exact code (in adb shell form, not in java command line with added characters, voids, etc...) to unlock the phone remotely =), idk why people tell me not to share this code, as its good for users to have so they dont lose their data incase of forgotten passwords on devices stored in their dressers/storages for ages and got out for whatever reason (maybee a new rom-tree was born for it and u want to see it in action, idk =S) but use this if u want, if not u can ignore this post, just wanted to share this with u incase u want to add some to the OP as the commands u do some roms might not fully unlock (it will erase pass/pin, but some roms keep the config that its still set, but any pass (even one characters+a single_space, or one-three dot patterns), so if anyone got those errors, or want more understanding on what files are used, this is my most resent list of things to delete by what i see used on rom developer's github's anyways =S
but hope this helps any of u in any ways =)
much simpler way
download aroma file manager from
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1646108
flash aroma file manager in cwm with system mounted
browse to data/system
delete gestures.key
delete password.key
restart
of course you will need aroma file manager on the root of your sd card so download it and put it there now for safe keeping
you can always put it there via a card reader or pop your sd card into another phone if your phone is already locked
Using Aroma File Manager would be the easiest way!
Thanks for the share Marcussmith2626!
There is a way to do this without USB Debugging enabled nor Custom Recovery installed, as long as stock Android system recovery <3e> "backup user data" option is working:
- create a backup
- modify the backup file
- root the phone
- restore backup
root is not required for backup, but for restore. i prefer restore from custom recovery. but i have done this without flashing, too.
please see this link
Android system recovery <3e> alternative restoring program
i know this is an old thread, but im trying to bypass the screen where it says that youve tried your pattern too many times on a zte z932l (also known as the rapido) for a friends sister. She really just wants the pictures that are stored on the internal memory is all because they are of her kids. Any ideas on how to get this done? I would up on this thread because i was hoping that usb debugging had been enabled, but it hasnt
no "backup user data" option in Android system recovery <3e> i guess? if you can't create a backup then my friend, this is the hardest case for unlocking... if playstore is working and wifi enabled, you can unlock using Android Device Manager first. if this not help, check if fastboot is working. you can boot custom recovery with "fastboot boot recovery.img" if no fastboot mode available, find any way to make a backup of usrdata partition (maybe in download mode?) once you have a backup, its easy to modify and restore (as long as FRP lock is disabled)
with usb debugging enabler you can modify a rom and flash it via odin (without losing data???), and with Android Multi Tools you can unlock the screen. if this is possible for samsung devices, then there should be a way for other phones, too. another way is to enable adb via sideload, if someone will create such app.
and of course, if fastboot mode is available, the easiest way is booting a custom recovery without flashing it. then just delete /data/system/locksettings.db* files from adb or with aroma file manager (try calung version 1.80)
Hi there
I was messing with my build.prop to tweak and test it on my ROM and I got bootloop. I had to flash system again via ftf as I didnot make a backup on my PC. However, there are many ways to edit/flash build.prop again and thus if anyone of you have a problem while editing build.prop you can write it back to your device using ADB Shell commands.
Run Command Prompt where you have adb. You must have drivers installed properly. For drivers check into my forum :
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2493042
adb pull /system/build.prop C:\Users\user\Desktop
User is your user name on PC. You may copy it anywhere else by changing the location of the file.
"build.prop" on your desktop should appear. Open it with using a wordpad. Change what ever you want to.
adb push C:\Users\user\Desktop\build.prop /sdcard/build.prop
This will copy the build.prop on your sd card
ADB remount
ADB push c:\build.prop /system/ depending where your file is. In this case, I am trying to mount directly from C:/ to phone. If this doesnot work, you should use the above command to copy it in sdcard and then try to push it from sd card.
If suppose that doesnot work either, use adb shell
adb shell
A shell is used to run commands.
su mount -o remount,rw none /system
busybox cp /sdcard/build.prop /system/build.prop
mount -o remount,ro none /system
You are done ! Good Luck
UPDATE
I am unable to reach device using adb commands. Anyone who knows how can i push build.prop when my adb is not working and my phone is bootlooped
Hello guys, experiencing another problem now :silly:
Have search all around, couldn't find any valid answers so I decided to ask myself.
So I was just making a rom, which I have already installed. It's based on Cataclysm (personal use only - Till I ask for perm).
I have installed the rom, then I decided to theme some system files. And so I did. I theme the "Settings.apk" for now, and decided to push it to my device instead of installing the whole rom over again. Now mind you when I made roms and modified system apps, pushing these files to the device was straight forward. However on this Hammerhead, I've been running into some issues.
When pushing the file to my device like this
Code:
adb push Settings.apk system/priv-app
.
I get an error that says -
Code:
failed to copy "Settings.apk" to "system/priv-app/Settings.apk" : Read only file system.
So I then decided to try the following -
Code:
[x] adb root - Permission Denied
[x] adb remount - Permission Denied
So then I decided to use some shell commands to set the system as rw, I did the following.
Code:
[x] adb shell
[x] $ su - gave it permission
[x] $ mount -o rw,remount /system - It mounts it.
I then restarted cmd with root permission.
Code:
adb root"
- it restarted however, this time it stated.
Code:
Device not found.
I probably did the wrong thing above, so how exactly can I push files to /system?
SOLVED
Thanks to everyone that answered my question in detail.
The easiest way I know to push files to /system through adb is using a custom recovery . Try with it.
Why not use usb or AirDroid to transfer files?
gee2012 said:
Why not use usb or AirDroid to transfer files?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Is it possible to push files to /sustem/priv-app with it?
varuntis1993 said:
The easiest way I know to push files to /system is using a custom recovery . Try with it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
How would I do so? I've ever only used recovery to flash. And that was it, thanks if you can guide me through it?
Sent from this toast making Nexus 5, you wish your Nexus could make toast don't you? (;
krishneelg3 said:
Is it possible to push files to /sustem/priv-app with it?
How would I do so? I've ever only used recovery to flash. And that was it, thanks if you can guide me through it?
Sent from this toast making Nexus 5, you wish your Nexus could make toast don't you? (;
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Boot into recovery and connect the usb cable. Open a cmd prompt.
Code:
adb shell
mount /system
exit
adb push c:\users\krishneelg3\desktopmyfile /system/priv-app
You can also use the "mount system" option in recovery and skip the first 2 commands above.
krishneelg3 said:
How would I do so? I've ever only used recovery to flash. And that was it, thanks if you can guide me through it?
Sent from this toast making Nexus 5, you wish your Nexus could make toast don't you? (;
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Open recovery, mount system partition and connect it to pc and then normal procedure.
It will be running as adbd to no need to type adb root. Hope this helps
rootSU said:
Boot into recovery and connect the usb cable. Open a cmd prompt.
Code:
adb shell
mount /system
exit
adb push c:\users\krishneelg3\desktopmyfile /system/priv-app
You can also use the "mount system" option in recovery and skip the first 2 commands above.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you so much! Greatly appreciated.
Sent from this toast making Nexus 5, you wish your Nexus could make toast don't you? (;
You can still do it through Android, but it's more difficult because adb root doesn't always work (requires kernel) and you have to mount r/w which is just a pain. I always adb push in recovery.
However, here is an example of a successful attempt to adb push on my nexus 5.
Code:
C:\Users\rootsu\Desktop\tools>adb root
adbd is already running as root
C:\Users\rootsu\Desktop\tools>adb shell
[email protected]:/ # mount -o remount,rw /system
mount -o remount,rw /system
[email protected]:/ # exit
exit
C:\Users\rootsu\Desktop\tools>adb push [B][COLOR="Red"]test.txt[/COLOR][/B] /system/
C:\Users\rootsu\Desktop\tools>adb shell
[email protected]:/ # cd system
cd system
[email protected]:/system # ls
ls
addon.d
app
bin
build.prop
core
etc
fonts
framework
lib
lost+found
media
priv-app
[B][COLOR="red"]test.txt[/COLOR][/B]
tts
usr
vendor
xbin
[email protected]:/system #
rootSU said:
You can still do it through Android, but it's more difficult because adb root doesn't always work (requires kernel) and you have to mount r/w which is just a pain. I always adb push in recovery.
However, here is an example of a successful attempt to adb push on my nexus 5.
Code:
C:\Users\rootsu\Desktop\tools>adb root
adbd is already running as root
C:\Users\rootsu\Desktop\tools>adb shell
[email protected]:/ # mount -o remount,rw /system
mount -o remount,rw /system
[email protected]:/ # exit
exit
C:\Users\rootsu\Desktop\tools>adb push [B][COLOR="Red"]test.txt[/COLOR][/B] /system/
C:\Users\rootsu\Desktop\tools>adb shell
[email protected]:/ # cd system
cd system
[email protected]:/system # ls
ls
addon.d
app
bin
build.prop
core
etc
fonts
framework
lib
lost+found
media
priv-app
[B][COLOR="red"]test.txt[/COLOR][/B]
tts
usr
vendor
xbin
[email protected]:/system #
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you I will keep my eye on this and see if the process is similar. Thanks for the info.
Sent from this toast making Nexus 5, you wish your Nexus could make toast don't you? (;
Sorry for my bad english.
I got a soft brick in my Moto G by changing this line in build.prop
ro.sf.lcd_density=320
for this line
ro.sf.lcd_density=260
My question is if is possible to flash the stock build.prop in /system folder?? Because I didn't make a backup of any picture and I wouldn't like to lose everything.
If it is possible. Would you bring me the .zip file?
By the way, I have this rom in my phone "US_retail_XT1032_KXB20.9-1.8-1.4_CFC.xml"
Easy:
1) get stock build.prop
2) adb push c:\build.prop /system
3) Reboot
alternatively to 1) you can
a) adb pull /system/build.prop c:\
b) edit build prop with editor
c) adb push c:\build.prop /system
(had the same problem with density=1320)
MrKra said:
Easy:
1) get stock build.prop
2) adb push c:\build.prop /system
3) Reboot
alternatively to 1) you can
a) adb pull /system/build.prop c:\
b) edit build prop with editor
c) adb push c:\build.prop /system
(had the same problem with density=1320)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Where do get the stock build prop from for xt1032 4.4.2?
Hello What if I don't have adb commands to use as i didn't have developer options enabled after factory reset