Database Info

Need some clarification regarding app folders (newbie)

Hi,
This is my first post so first I'd like to say hello to all of users
I'd like to understand more how apk files are installed on android file system. So there go my questions:
1. After installation (via market for example) apk files are stored somewhere in file system - data/app for example from what i've heard - are those apk only backed up installation packages or actual "executable" and program itself?
2. Where are stored application settings, user preferences etc?
3. Is process of uninstallation always means removing ALL leftover from each application or after some time system gets cluttered with those (I know it is not windows with registry leftovers etc but even in linux from what i know there could be some problems if app won't remove all dependant libraries and file when uninstalling)
Thanks in advance

[GUIDE] Merging updated system apps with old one, GET MORE FREE MEMORY!!

(Preface for noobs : /system and /data are two different partitions. Freeying up /system won't get you more intrenal memory, but /data does. Old apks rest in /system and updated versions placed in /data. You can replace the old apks using newer versions)
I heared Titanium Backup PRO does something like, but you can do this with any File Explorer with ROOT access. Its works 100% for Android Gingerbread 2.3.x , try on other versions.
### Do it on your own risk, I am not responsible for anything ###
1. Update the desired app to the latest version from Google Play Store
2. Open File Manager, Enable ROOT_ACCESS, remount /System as writable
3. Goto /system/app and backup the desired apk to sdcard
4. Goto /data/app and copy updated apk
5. Paste into /System/app
6. Note down the filename of old apk and delete the old apk
7. Rename the new apk into the old filename
8. You may encounter a FORCE CLOSE if the app was running in background
9. The updated apk in /data/app will be removed automatically
10.Restart your device, Done!
I replaced Playstore, Maps, Google Search ect..
Example: For PlayStore, updated apk will be com.android.vending-1.apk, and old apk is vending.apk
Hit thanks it it works, Thanks

thanks, nice guide! All is ok (PlayStore, Terminal Emulator), but if I merge last version of "Google Play Service", then Gmail or Maps shows the message "Unknown issue with Google Play services" when I open them... do you know how to solve? thanks in advance
p.s. configuration in signature

Better use Link2SD. It makes the integration of updates into system seamless. Rebooting the device is optional (restart only if you encounter errors).

thank you for your suggestion! I tried TitaniumBackup but it gives me the same error, then now I'm trying with Link2sd and it works well, BUT the new apk file is in system/app instead of system/priv-app, and its name is "com.google.android.gms-1.apk" instead of "PrebuiltGmsCore.apk"... can this create some problems in future?
EDIT: I tried moving to the priv-app folder and renaming the apk to be identical as before and it seems to work... for now...

It's the package name, it won't create any problems. There is no need to rename the app to match the old one. Default location when converting to system app is in /system/app. I don't know if you can change the location, but you can move it manually to /system/priv-app thru root explorer. Just restart the device afterwards to eliminate FC errors.

[Q] Replace android apps

fellaws i want to replace my stock apps with the advanced ones available on google play like my files with es file explorer. but when i install it the es file explorer is added instead of replacing the old my files app. this is just an example. i want many other apps replaced.
i am using custom rom with rooted samsung 5670.
please tell me the method.

hasham33 said:
fellaws i want to replace my stock apps with the advanced ones available on google play like my files with es file explorer. but when i install it the es file explorer is added instead of replacing the old my files app. this is just an example. i want many other apps replaced.
i am using custom rom with rooted samsung 5670.
please tell me the method.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Installing one app, does not replace another app. If it is a newer version of the same app, then it will update the old one.
You can install all the file explorers you find on the play store, and you will have all of them installed at the end and they won't replace each other.
The only solution is to uninstall the app you don't want. In your case: My Files.
But My Files is a system app (talking about a samsung tw rom?) and you can't uninstall it normally. You are rooted so you can uninstall it. Use an app like this one: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.jumobile.manager.systemapp
There are many more like it.
Beware though, if you uninstall critical system apps, your phone might not work properly any more. Make sure you know what you're doing.
And also, you won't be able to remove some apps for various reasons.
Edit: One other way to remove system apps is to use a browser like Root Explorer or Root Browser, navigate to the location: /system/app or /system/priv-app and remove the app from there. But again: USE CAUTION!!
Cheers

Replace apps
thank you for your reply.
i know how to uninstall system apps with my rooted phone. now let me explain to you my real problem.
i have some files which i want hidden. now the ES Explorer does the task and requires password to show hidden files . BUT anyone can see them using the option in "my files" that is "show hidden files" . Hence it is an application that nulls the security enhancement provided by the ES file Explorer:crying:.
so i thought that i should uninstall the "my files" app but when i did this, other apps like Camera and Gallery stopped working and i had to re-install the "my files" app.
But i have seen custom Roms in which one or two stock apps are replaced by other advanced apps. Can you tell me the process?

hasham33 said:
thank you for your reply.
i know how to uninstall system apps with my rooted phone. now let me explain to you my real problem.
i have some files which i want hidden. now the ES Explorer does the task and requires password to show hidden files . BUT anyone can see them using the option in "my files" that is "show hidden files" . Hence it is an application that nulls the security enhancement provided by the ES file Explorer:crying:.
so i thought that i should uninstall the "my files" app but when i did this, other apps like Camera and Gallery stopped working and i had to re-install the "my files" app.
But i have seen custom Roms in which one or two stock apps are replaced by other advanced apps. Can you tell me the process?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Unfortunately no. I do not know all the dependencies between apps. And I don't think you can change dependencies for an app. These are hardcoded inside the app itself. As an example, I have a galaxy s4 and use custom ROMS based on cyanogenmod. It's impossible to have the camera app from the stock Samsung rom because of the dependencies required for the app to run.
I think you need to find a different approach. Try maybe protecting them somehow instead of hiding them
Good luck

Oxygen OS 11-, Systemizing with twrp.

A reference to ware the file system in oxygen lays for apps.
User app= /data/app (the folders for each user app are not labeled after what they are.)
System apps (in OxygenOS))=/system/product/priv-app or /system/product/app
It depends which type of system app you intend to make to app. Either directory works.
So I like viper4android and will use it as an example.
1 download this version ViPER4Android-FX_2_7_1_0.apk
2: install it as a user app. It should work now but need the rootless driver install in twrp for it 1st.
3: boot 2 twrp, mount all partitions (works better). Flash the zip, reboot to system.
4: verify the app functions add the Ulta low buffer module or what ever else need to be hooked to the app were Systemizing.
5: everything set use a app like Sdmaid to get the actual directory name that oxygenOS installed it to. Just the 1st two letters works for this to ID it in twrp (ware we won't be able to check.
6: boot to twrp. Mount all partitions. open a file manager it has. Go-to the app's directory under /data/app/... That apps directory. Open that directory and move the next directory to...
/System/product/priv-app or /app.
7: you don't have to but you can now use the file manager in twrp to verify that the app folder moved there and rename it to a better ID if you want. Also you better compare the app's permissions to another system app in that directory and match it up.
Reboot and if the directions were followed, you have systemized an app.
This works better than a systemized app, or a magisk/twrp module. Why cause twrp work is the hands-on management.
The droidware I recommend is.
Sdmaid (lookup apps given directory name.)
Orangefox (dual boot) cause I use it.
A file manager to check you work helps. Need root authority. I recommend the one I'll linkup.
In other roms and OSs the system directory for system app placement is just /system/app or prive-app.
Don't forget to mount the partitions before any working in twrp. I realized that about flashing and twrps modules running while I'm editing my system.
Sorry not adding links or apps good luck with it.
One other thing the boot animation.zip file for changing in located /system/product/media on Oxygen 11.
Ohh yeah theirs a app on play store called partitions manage. You can save any partition live while running you OS to a .omg file. If I do that after Systemizing some apps. It makese a system.img with them included. No more work to redo.
Well gonna go get beer or white pirate stuff. Lol
Mod edit: removed references to warez app.

[HELP] My custom rom has no Android File Picker

Mi max 3
Android 13 Pixel Experience custom rom
Is there a way to enable/add/install the android file picker?
I discovered this issue when I tried copying or moving pics in Aves Gallery app. It asked me to grant permission to access the destination folder of the copy/move process. But instead of opening the default Android file picker app, it said Android file picker is either disabled or missing.
I tried different gallery apps from play store and this same issue still exists.
How do I fix this?

sgn15 said:
Mi max 3
Android 13 Pixel Experience custom rom
Is there a way to enable/add/install the android file picker?
I discovered this issue when I tried copying or moving pics in Aves Gallery app. It asked me to grant permission to access the destination folder of the copy/move process. But instead of opening the default Android file picker app, it said Android file picker is either disabled or missing.
I tried different gallery apps from play store and this same issue still exists.
How do I fix this?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Install a file manager such as Root Explorer.
You can also install Files by Google.

V0latyle said:
Install a file manager such as Root Explorer.
You can also install Files by Google.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
is there no gallery apps that can move pics instead of file explorer/manager apps?
Can you explain if this is android 13 issue or just specific tothe rom i am using?

sgn15 said:
is there no gallery apps that can move pics instead of file explorer/manager apps?
Can you explain if this is android 13 issue or just specific tothe rom i am using?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Gallery by Google can move photos