Android: How do I Get Read-Only Access to System & Data Partition Without Rooting? - Android Software/Hacking General [Developers Only]

Android: How do I Get Read-Only Access to System & Data Partition Without Rooting?
Hi everyone. I have an Android 7 device. It's not rooted. I need a file manager/utility that allows me to view the files & folders of the root directory; specifically the System and Data partitions. I don't need 'Write' permissions, just Read-Only. I want to copy some files. In other words, I don't want to root the device. I just need read-only access. I would prefer a file manager type app but I'm open to other methods.
I have tried Solid Explorer. It shows the System Partition but not the Data partition. Thanks.

TheoFitchner said:
Hi everyone. I have an Android 7 device. It's not rooted. I need a file manager/utility that allows me to view the files & folders of the root directory; specifically the System and Data partitions. I don't need 'Write' permissions, just Read-Only. I want to copy some files. In other words, I don't want to root the device. I just need read-only access. I would prefer a file manager type app but I'm open to other methods.
I have tried Solid Explorer. It shows the System Partition but not the Data partition. Thanks.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Try root browser:
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.jrummy.root.browserfree

@RaiZProduction
Thanks for your comment. However, I have tried Root Browser as well as FX File Explorer but still no success. I want to copy some files from an app's folder in /data/data/app folder
Both apps simply list the folders in /data/data but when I open the folder of any app, its contents are not displayed in Root Browser and in FX Browser, I get the message Access Denied. See the attached images.
I don't know how to use ABD. I'm searching for a command manual.

TheoFitchner said:
I don't know how to use ABD. I'm searching for a command manual.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=a.....69i57j0l5.2270j0j1&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8

Related

[Q] Why can't I save in /sdcard/ but can save in /mnt/sdcard?

I am a new user, and just ROM'd my Motorola Milestone XT720 using the cinci Bell's 2.2 froyo update. The major problem that I am encountering is that market aps are not downloading files correctly. For example I try to add a podcast into my que using "google listen" and I get the following error:
"Error (/sdcard/com.google.andriod.apps.listen/downloads/f09cfbe (Permission Denied)"
Now I go into supermanger's filesystem, and I notice that /sdcard/ has no permissions at all. I try to add them, but nothing happens when I do. Itself, /sdcard/ is empty.
When I plug the phone into my PC, it can access the SDcard fine. In super manager however, it appears that the directory it is accessing is /mnt/sdcard.
It seems that programs assume that the SDcard is going to be located at /sdcard/ but it is really located at /mnt/sdcard. Is there any way to redirect them?
The normal mount location is /mnt/sdcard, /sdcard is just a symlink for convenience.
Apps should use the android api to determine the sdcard location
Environment.getExternalStorageDirectory();
See http://developer.android.com/reference/android/os/Environment.html
You could readding a symlink from /sdcard to /mnt/sdcard.
Regarding you changing the permissions, do you have root? If not you won't be able to change the permissions or create a symlink.
Do I have root?
Thanks for replying Dark3n.
I think I have root access, but in supermanager explorer, the root directory reads "/(r/o)" - does that "(r/o)" mean read only?
That would make sense of my problem - since I cannot delete, rename, or change the permissions on /sdcard/.
However, I'm pretty sure I have root access. I never rooted my phone after applying the ROM. I just ran superoneclick again, and it said the phone was rooted. Supermanager explorer has superuser permissions. Am I missing something?
I have root
I just installed Root Checker by Joeykrim - it verified root access and a busybox installation.
yes r/o means read only
So what do I do about it? Is this a limitation of the file explorer I'm using or my permissions? I'm not sure how to gain more permissions than superuser.
It would be a huge help if you let me know what steps I need to take. Sorry for being a noob!
ive the same problem but it's with gscript folder.
So I downloaded ES File Explorer, then went into the settings. I turned on the root function, and then used the option below it that said something like "mount root to enable write." I clicked that. ES File Explorer didn't have a change permission feature, so I held down the home button and switched over to supermanager explorer. Now the root directory read "/(r/w)." I was then able to change the permissions for /sdcard/.
The podcasts from google listen at the NPR app I was using were still not downloading properly. I rebooted the phone. Strangely, the permissions that I had just set in the root directory, and the test directory I created in root, were both gone. I don't know how that happens.
I tried using BeyondPod, which works for downloading to /mnt/sdcard/. I wonder if that means Google Listen and the NPR app (DroidShogun) were coded to save to /Sdcard/ rather than prompting the API for a path.

[Q] Where is system/ lib and app folders?

InstigatorX said:
Originally Posted by Chouie
Im in v3...i donto have Google talk either
U can just use Samsung's social hub for gchat
Sent from my SGH-I727R
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Attached Google Talk files that worked for me (from TouchWiz 1.0.2 ROM). Put the lib file into /system/lib and the apk into /system/app. Change perms to 744.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I am trying to follow these instructions however I can not find the /system/lib and /system/app folders. The Google Talk stock app vanished when I flashed TCP's rom on the phone, so I am trying to reinstall it this way, since it is not on the market.
Where are these files usually located? Do I need to format my files differently or something?
/system/app
/system/lib
ANYTHING that is not /mnt/sdcard (/sdcard) or /ext-sd requires ROOT access and an app that will look at ROOT
ES File explorer or root explorer
you WILL NOT see these folders by just plugging into your computer, nor will you see it with basic file managers
Pirateghost said:
/system/app
/system/lib
ANYTHING that is not /mnt/sdcard (/sdcard) or /ext-sd requires ROOT access and an app that will look at ROOT
ES File explorer or root explorer
you WILL NOT see these folders by just plugging into your computer, nor will you see it with basic file managers
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the help,
Ok i downloaded ASTRO file manager, but when i try to paste into the app folder it gives me an error message that I have a read only file system...
Make sure you have r/o where it says r/o or r/w. this way you can paste it.
LazyMike said:
Thanks for the help,
Ok i downloaded ASTRO file manager, but when i try to paste into the app folder it gives me an error message that I have a read only file system...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Pirateghost said:
/system/app
/system/lib
ANYTHING that is not /mnt/sdcard (/sdcard) or /ext-sd requires ROOT access and an app that will look at ROOT
ES File explorer or root explorer
you WILL NOT see these folders by just plugging into your computer, nor will you see it with basic file managers
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I know I'm VERY! late with this answer, but I have to correct you. With zArchiver (file-explorer and zip/7-zip app) you can access androids system folders. On a S III mini I can copy the ringtones/notification-sounds or the start sound( on the micro-SD-card for example). It is possible to copy other files too, but that didn't make any sense for me. btw: phone is not rooted.
P.S. Also worked on a non-rooted Huawei Y 625 @ Android 4.4.2 . Of course I can not copy files INTO the system folder(s) but read-acces is definitely possible without root permissions.
Greetz HiddenAssassin2306
Access to /data is forbidden in Android unless you have root access.
/system is read only, and limited.
My quote from above did say you wouldn't see any of these from a computer. And the OP was trying to place files in /system, which is read only.
Is there some reason you felt the need to bring up a 3 year old thread to say I'm wrong, when in this thread, regarding the original post, I am 100% correct?

[Q] advance rooted file explorer

folks, newbie here.
i noticed that there are 2 types of file explorer, the system file explorer that allows you browse around the /system/ directories and the media file explorer such as andro file explorer
could anyone please advise me any file explorer that allows me to access both /sdcard/ and /system/ directories please?
i stumbled upon this thread http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=716309 that recommends root explorer, but it doesnt allow me to open /sdcard/ directories
thanks in advance
I use ES File Explorer and Root Explorer. Both give you full access to your phones file system, including /system and /sdcard.
_MetalHead_ said:
I use ES File Explorer and Root Explorer. Both give you full access to your phones file system, including /system and /sdcard.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
They do, es file explorer is free, and allows you to to lan shares from pc. Just have to enable root options in settings. I have both, but I currently use es file since I can access my pc from it.
Sent from my HTC One X using Tapatalk 2
kleeman7 said:
They do, es file explorer is free, and allows you to to lan shares from pc. Just have to enable root options in settings. I have both, but I currently use es file since I can access my pc from it.
Sent from my HTC One X using Tapatalk 2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
thanks kleeman for the info,
I have a rooted HTC One X ATT version, running on non ATT network (brought it to asia)
it doesnt allow me to tether out of a box nor play downloaded glumobile games.
i've browsed xdaforum and found out there are several files in root directory that need to be replaced to fix this.
so i need to access /data/data/com.android.providers.telephony/databases/telephony.db
(which root explorer allows me to access, but doesnt allow me to access the sdcard directory)
whereas ES only allows me to access /data/data/
did i do something wrong with the ES?
thanks again
nicodws said:
thanks kleeman for the info,
I have a rooted HTC One X ATT version, running on non ATT network (brought it to asia)
it doesnt allow me to tether out of a box nor play downloaded glumobile games.
i've browsed xdaforum and found out there are several files in root directory that need to be replaced to fix this.
so i need to access /data/data/com.android.providers.telephony/databases/telephony.db
(which root explorer allows me to access, but doesnt allow me to access the sdcard directory)
whereas ES only allows me to access /data/data/
did i do something wrong with the ES?
thanks again
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't get why you think you can't access your /sdcard with Root Explorer, you can access EVERYTHING with it.
And with ES you have to go into the settings an enable the root explorer to be able to access everything.
_MetalHead_ said:
I don't get why you think you can't access your /sdcard with Root Explorer, you can access EVERYTHING with it.
And with ES you have to go into the settings an enable the root explorer to be able to access everything.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
MetalHead,
Thanks, it works! now i can access the directory path.
one last question, whenever i tried to edit /system/build.prop
it doesnt allow me to save it after editing, or replace the file with a new one.
i'm referring to this xda article which i cant reply since i'm a noob with less than 10 posts
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1714298
please help me if you dont mind.
and as for the root explorer, i have no idea why it doesnt work. one touch of back button makes it "unfortunately root explorer has terminated"
thanks again
nicodws said:
MetalHead,
Thanks, it works! now i can access the directory path.
one last question, whenever i tried to edit /system/build.prop
it doesnt allow me to save it after editing, or replace the file with a new one.
i'm referring to this xda article which i cant reply since i'm a noob with less than 10 posts
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1714298
please help me if you dont mind.
and as for the root explorer, i have no idea why it doesnt work. one touch of back button makes it "unfortunately root explorer has terminated"
thanks again
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You have to mount the file system as read/write otherwise you can't edit anything in /system. Navigate to /system then hit menu >settings, then scroll down all the way to the root settings section and check the circle next to Mount File System. You will be able to edit the build.prop after doing that.
As far as Root Explorer FC'ing on you, I dunno man I've never had it crash on me once in the 3 years I've been using it. Try deleting it and re-installing it.
_MetalHead_ said:
You have to mount the file system as read/write otherwise you can't edit anything in /system. Navigate to /system then hit menu >settings, then scroll down all the way to the root settings section and check the circle next to Mount File System. You will be able to edit the build.prop after doing that.
As far as Root Explorer FC'ing on you, I dunno man I've never had it crash on me once in the 3 years I've been using it. Try deleting it and re-installing it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
MetalHead, the ES trick works!
thanks a lot!
No prob

[Q] Cannot mount system as RW

Hi all,
please advice (google translator)
I installed the official rom B199. I'm trying to connect the system directory as r / w, but it fails (of course I have a ROOT). I trying different methods (adb shell, es explorer, Root Browser, Mount /system (rw / ro) app ...) but in vain. It still says that the system is read-only.
I managed to somehow using Root Browser remove a few system applications, a few user applications I moved on to the system folder, but the any other is not allowed.
In default.prop file I have "ro.secure=1". I am rewrote this to "ro.secure=0" and restarting phone, after restart is here "ro.secure=1" again.
I have a Huawei Y300-0100 official stock ROM B199, android 4.1
Thanks for the help
birgis said:
Hi all,
please advice (google translator)
I installed the official rom B199. I'm trying to connect the system directory as r / w, but it fails (of course I have a ROOT). I trying different methods (adb shell, es explorer, Root Browser, Mount /system (rw / ro) app ...) but in vain. It still says that the system is read-only.
I managed to somehow using Root Browser remove a few system applications, a few user applications I moved on to the system folder, but the any other is not allowed.
In default.prop file I have "ro.secure=1". I am rewrote this to "ro.secure=0" and restarting phone, after restart is here "ro.secure=1" again.
I have a Huawei Y300-0100 official stock ROM B199, android 4.1
Thanks for the help
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
es file explorer has an option to set read/write, try that, it worked for me on a similar issue
Yes I use it also Es File Explorer and don't forget to give it the root rights (settings of the apk) if you want to use r / w
Thanks, but ES explorer doesn't help.

I'm rooted, trying to install Xposed Framework, how do I delete a file from /system/?

I tried installing it with both Flashify and Magisk, but both methods failed.
When I tried installing it via the included Xposed Installer, it also failed, but gave me the message:
> Error: Xposed_Framework.jar already exists in /system/framework
I'm guessing a previous installation failed, but left the file there.
My next idea is to delete that file from /system/framework and try again, but since it's in an RO directory I don't have permission.
I tried using a terminal emulator to mount the drive in rw mode, and also tried using a root file explorer, but either both methods don't work, or I just couldn't figure it out.
Anyone have an idea of how to remove or rename that file so I can try to install the .zip ?
-Thanks
Highfiverobot said:
I tried installing it with both Flashify and Magisk, but both methods failed.
When I tried installing it via the included Xposed Installer, it also failed, but gave me the message:
> Error: Xposed_Framework.jar already exists in /system/framework
I'm guessing a previous installation failed, but left the file there.
My next idea is to delete that file from /system/framework and try again, but since it's in an RO directory I don't have permission.
I tried using a terminal emulator to mount the drive in rw mode, and also tried using a root file explorer, but either both methods don't work, or I just couldn't figure it out.
Anyone have an idea of how to remove or rename that file so I can try to install the .zip ?
-Thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
In the Xposed app you should be able to just run the uninstaller script. If that doesn't work, boot TRWP and delete it from there.
D3RP_ said:
In the Xposed app you should be able to just run the uninstaller script. If that doesn't work, boot TRWP and delete it from there.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Unfortunately, the uninstaller also fails.
It says it can't remove that file from a read only directory..
Highfiverobot said:
Unfortunately, the uninstaller also fails.
It says it can't remove that file from a read only directory..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
flash installer or uninstaller through TWRP
wmcdrugs said:
flash installer or uninstaller through TWRP
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Root Explorer....
This app does wonders, it allows you to modify directories in /system and other root folders. You can even change permissions of specific folders/files from read/write/read-only....etc. I've had this app since the earliest of android days and it has been my go to file explorer. Root Explorer of course requires root....but it completely unlocks your phone and allows you to modify any system file that is set to any permission. Of course there are other file explorers that allow you to modify system files, but this is the one that i have the most experience with. You should be able to access the system folder where the Xposed file remains and modify it so it can fix your problem.
djer34 said:
Root Explorer....
This app does wonders, it allows you to modify directories in /system and other root folders. You can even change permissions of specific folders/files from read/write/read-only....etc. I've had this app since the earliest of android days and it has been my go to file explorer. Root Explorer of course requires root....but it completely unlocks your phone and allows you to modify and system file that is set to any permission. Of course there are other file explorers that allow you to modify system files, but this is the one that i have the most experience with. You should be able to access the system folder where the Xposed file remains and modify it so it can fix your problem.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This!. I've used it for years. Not muss no fuss. It's not bloated like a certain couple others I know of. It just does what it does and does it well. Manages files. No extra garbage.Give it a try. I'd be surprised if you can't delete it with Root Explorer. If you do try it, go to the folder you want to delete the file from. Once in there, look at the top right of the screen. Somewhere up there It will say MOUNT R/W. Touch that and you should be able to do whatever you want to within that folder.
Do you have the magisk DNSCrypt module installed? If so, thats why you cant modify anything in /system. Not sure why or how it breaks it, but it does. Took me for ever to figure out what was causing it. Now that i removed the module, i can modify anything i want again.
Sent from my [device_name] using XDA-Developers Legacy app

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