I'm working on FireFixer! - General Topics

So, Fire tablet are kind of trash (except for the price). FireFixer will pretty much do everything Fire Toolbox does, except you just press one button (the only button, actually) to completely fix most problem people have with Fire tablets. It removes ads from the lockscreen (optional, can potentially cause legal issues with Amazon), delete Amazon bloatware, install Google Play and Google Play Services, and install a few custom apps made specifically for FireFixer.
I want to make a few things clear and answer a few questions you might have:
1. It will be free and open source
2. The goal is to make it as easy as possible to use. Not everyone who has a problem with their Fire tablet knows what to do or even what to search. The goal is to make an app that can be installed and completely set up out of the box. No extra installations, nothing. The user should be able to launch the app, plug in their Fire tablet, and click the start button. Of course they will need to turn on developer options and ADB debugging, so instructions on how to do so will be in the app.
3. Help is wanted! There's a lot I want this to do, and I can't make it all on my own. The FireFixer app (the desktop app which makes all the changes to the device) will be written in C# and will use Windows Forms for the UI. The custom made (mobile) apps that come with FireFixer will be written in Java and possibly Kotlin. If you know C# (F# and VB.NET could be useful too) or Java/Kotlin, and want to help, then go to the GitHub repo and start contributing (I'm assuming you know how to use GitHub).
I can't wait to start working on this, I'll post here and possibly make another thread when it's done.

Related

new Droid Sans for dev phone and other dev apks

First, the new Droid Sans for the dev phone works great! If you haven't seen it, check the market!
That program, and some of the other apks, such as the one for flash seem to get a ton of really stupid comments in the market. Also, the market now seems to be too big, with not enough sub-categories to find things easily.
IMO, there should at least be a category for advanced users and developers only. (Maybe even one which you would have to sign in to visit, with a big disclaimer saying something like "These programs will not run on most G1s. They are programs for rooted or (don't know if Google will like the rooted part), developer's phones. Many of them are apk's for developers to make it easier for them to write better apps for you, rather than stand-alone-apps. If you are a developer, or an advanced user, please sign up to download the apps."
Is there a place to suggest improvements to the market to Google?
(Maybe I just am feeling nasty after looking at all those grade school comments in the market).
kathi17 said:
First, the new Droid Sans for the dev phone works great! If you haven't seen it, check the market!
That program, and some of the other apks, such as the one for flash seem to get a ton of really stupid comments in the market. Also, the market now seems to be too big, with not enough sub-categories to find things easily.
IMO, there should at least be a category for advanced users and developers only. (Maybe even one which you would have to sign in to visit, with a big disclaimer saying something like "These programs will not run on most G1s. They are programs for rooted or (don't know if Google will like the rooted part), developer's phones. Many of them are apk's for developers to make it easier for them to write better apps for you, rather than stand-alone-apps. If you are a developer, or an advanced user, please sign up to download the apps."
Is there a place to suggest improvements to the market to Google?
(Maybe I just am feeling nasty after looking at all those grade school comments in the market).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
tbh i think that if you had a moderator (obviously not just the one ) who
monitored the market and removed stupid comments and who could even issue 24 hour bans or something it would improve things tenfold.
and about the rooted section, google wouldn't like it but what can they do? no matter what they release people will find a way to get root access again google might as well just release cupcake with root access already enabled.
If Google released cupcake with root access, there would be an awful lot of happy G1 users!
I see you have RC30, do you have auto rotate with your pictures? Now that I've got the new Droid Sans, everything except pictures seems to auto rotate. (although I've only tried one photo so far, I need to check others).
which app is for flash?
would u send me code for how to use different font in android
installed this app- this rocks.
debro012 said:
which app is for flash?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Action Script Reference. It doesn't do Flash, it's a help for Flash and Flex developers. (I added that in case there are any non developers reading this who think they are going to have Flash by downloading it).

Google closed source apps; a constructive idea/solution. Rom devs, please chime in.

First of all, let me say that I believe users doooshty and jjcd51590 has a great idea in this thread about remaking all the Google closed source apps form scratch in this thread.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=564263
However this has the obvious disadvantage that this could only help us at sometime in the future when all the new non Google apps are fully developed and stable. I have an idea that can help save the rom dev community immediately and it's 100% legal. (At least I think it is. Anyone on here a lawyer?)
This closed source app situation got me thinking about other programs I've used on my PC in which the legality of it was questionable; specifically PlayStation emulators. If you ever installed one you know that they come missing important files (the bios) that are needed for it to run because it is illegal for them to be distributed by anyone except Sony. You are left to obtain these files on your own and complete the program yourself. The legal way to obtain these missing files is to download them directly off your own personal PlayStation. This has many similarities to the current situation.
Only members of the Open Handset Alliance can legally distribute the Google closed source apps. Unfortunately, Cyanogen is not a member of this group. Neither is any other dev on this site. However, HTC is. HTC publicly distributes the Official rom for the Dev Phone and the Google I/O phone, which legally contains all the Google closed source apps.
http://www.htc.com/www/support/android/adp.html#s3
http://www.htc.com/www/support/android/google-io-device.html
My idea is for all rooted users to store the official Android release from HTC on there SD card in the same way you need to get the bios file for the emulator. Then perhaps someone (maybe Cyanogen) could create a new recovery image that can processes scripts in the update.zip files that can pull individual apk files from the HTC_Official.zip so the closed source apps don't have to be included in the custom rom itself. Allowing the devs to bundle an app extraction script to their roms would allow for a noob friendly and seamless transition. It would also give the devs the direct ability to choose which apps to install and where they want to install them to, much like they can do now. Does anyone know if this can already be done by using the firstboot.sh script? If scripts can't be run from the rom's zip file during the install, then maybe a separate menu option to generically install the closed source apps from the HTC_Official.zip on your sd card. Although this would limit the control the devs have over their roms.
In order for something like this to work, we would need to set standards that everyone could do. Similar to the way the SD card is always divided into three partitions ,first one fat32, second one ext2/3 and the third one linux-swap, always in that order. Downloading the official HTC release and saving it on a standardized location on the SD card will have to become common practice.
Please keep this thread limited to the discussion of if this idea is doable. I don't want this to turn into a "Google sux for doing this" thread.
This is a great idea. We would't have the new market, but ok ;-)
It was originally doooshty idea i liked it and asked if i could start the thread on it since he was busy
and it sounds good to me and i guessed the bios in the other thread (they were a b!tc# to get a hold of... legally of course )
but yea if nothing else a folder and a script moving them to the correct directory
izzit possible to cyanogen to leave out close source apps in his update.zip and we download the left out close source apps from some torrent sites?
ie so as to avoid the legal troubles?
Great idea, i hope this closed apps aren't need to boot rom witouth them.
I tought there were a big integration of this package.
But for sure this the good solution.
Hope devs can make it.
jjcd51590 said:
It was originally doooshty idea i liked it and asked if i could start the thread on it since he was busy
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks. Post edited. Credit given to doooshty as well.
Really I would be happy without the new market if that's all it takes who needs it what because it's prettier it's worth having Cyan make better ROMs that G ever did to not have it. just my opinion.
Alternatively, if someone were to post a tread about how to extact the needed files from a ROM, and the devs made ROMS missing those peices then the individual user could be responsible for putting them on their phone. This whole thing is a very fine line legally. I find it weird that Google are issuing the C&D to Cyanogen when EVERY ROM that has been posted here (except maybe 1 if I remeber right) Has had propriatory code from Google and/or HTC in it.
Relating it to your emulator example, the owners of the ROM copyright have every right to prevent you from doing this, it is their property, but what they usually do is get the sites distributing ROMS shutdown, not go after individual users.
testing567 said:
Thanks. Post edited. Credit given to doooshty as well.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
haha thanks i dont want him to think i took full credit
terrible - i have one question: why? (for the money )
Android should be open, why google turn back from developers? Custom roms are better and they probably see danger
this sucks, we need customs roms
Baldyman1966 said:
Alternatively, if someone were to post a tread about how to extact the needed files from a ROM, and the devs made ROMS missing those peices then the individual user could be responsible for putting them on their phone. This whole thing is a very fine line legally. I find it weird that Google are issuing the C&D to Cyanogen when EVERY ROM that has been posted here (except maybe 1 if I remeber right) Has had propriatory code from Google and/or HTC in it.
Relating it to your emulator example, the owners of the ROM copyright have every right to prevent you from doing this, it is their property, but what they usually do is get the sites distributing ROMS shutdown, not go after individual users.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
HTC can legally distribute the rom, and any user can legally download the rom directly from their site. As for putting the apk's in manually, yes that would work but I was wondering if it could be made noob friendly by having it built into the recovery console. Not only that, but if it could be done through scripting in the dev's individual update.zip's, then it allows the devs the freedom to choose which apps to install and to where.
Maybe it's time for a visual kitchen,
1 download the rom
2 add package
3 compile it
4 flash it
imfloflo said:
Maybe it's time for a visual kitchen,
1 download the rom
2 add package
3 compile it
4 flash it
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
THIS is a nice idea!
what if we took the official htc rom pulled the closed sourced apps, made a flash pack with just those apps, and left it to the individual user to flash, or would not work bc we would be giving them the apps?
another idea, have the closed sourced apps in a folder on your sdcard, use gscprits to make a script that would push all them to /system/app/ would that work?
or one more
on the principle of the above idea have a .sh file on the fat32 part of sdcard that you could run in the recovery console
Code:
mount /system
cp /sdcard/(standardized folder name)/appname.apk /system/app/
and have the cp command for each of the .apk names. something like
Code:
mount sdcard
sh /sdcard/scriptname.sh
My Opinion
Hey all,
I've mostly been a watcher here at XDA but I felt the need to make a comment. I'm not a lawyer but I am a developer on the application level. Anyways these are just my opinions and should be verified by legal counsel to hold merit
There's some good and viable ideas here for distributing modified Android ROM's w/o Google's proprietary apps. But rest assured any ideas which involve either distributing, installing, ripping, re-packaging, etc, any of Google's proprietary apps w/o their consent is ILLEGAL. That is what spawned off this whole rocus in the first place. Although I do applaud what Cyanogen is doing for the Android community... but I digress.
If Cyanogen or other devs can't workout a deal w/ Google, then the only LEGAL solution is to develop replacements for these proprietary apps. Lets keep in mind that the apps are what needs replacing, not the service that Google provides.
All these apps are replaceable, it will take some work but it is doable. The biggest hurdle, which Cyanogen made a comment about in this thread (http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=564263) is the syncing process. I don't really know the amount of effort required to come up with a workaround for the sync process. My knowledge of Android is mostly on the framework level.
“The most successful people are those who are good at Plan B.”
A build without google apps is a bit different from one with them.
imfloflo is dead on, without google apps, the phone won't work for phone calls (needs the SDKSetup package so that phone works), you lose contact syncing ability (so it depends on your SIM Contacts, therefore STK is a must). SDK Setup also interacts with ContactsProvider, and it would conflict if GoogleContactsProvider is also in the build, so the script would have to remove SDK setup and any other files meant to make the phone boot without the Google Apps.
This idea is dead on. When you buy the phone, you enter an end-user license, but we need to read the fine print to see if the license applies in a per-app and per-driver basis or if it only applies to the whole build, otherwise, it means we have to make TRULY custom roms (not a bad idea).
I could work a quick cupcake build that's based entirely on AOSP so you guys can see what it's like (it's not thaaaaat bad), but then there's the issue with the HTC proprietary files, since this event has raised that issue too. I guess I could toss in a script so that you guys have the files extracted on your sdcard and the script will copy them to the propper locations so that the phone can boot.
BoxyD said:
1. But rest assured any ideas which involve either distributing, installing, ripping, re-packaging, etc, any of Google's proprietary apps w/o their consent is ILLEGAL....
2. If Cyanogen or other devs can't workout a deal w/ Google, then the only LEGAL solution is to develop replacements for these proprietary apps. Lets keep in mind that the apps are what needs replacing, not the service that Google provides....
3. “The most successful people are those who are good at Plan B.”
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
1. It's redistribution that's illegal. If the app takes the existing program for which you already are licensed to use, then it's perfectly legal to 1. make a backup of that program and 2. re-install the program in the same environment provided that you're not using said backup application to restore the backup to more devices than which your license has allowed you to. If what you're saying were true, then there would be no backup programs. If you keep an image of the build with the programs you received, then it's basically the same as still having the installation medium, thus you can use this medium to restore your application, again, as long as it's done in a legal usage manner.
2. Making open-source alternatives to Google's apps would be great. We need to find out Google's API's for things such as contact sync, Maps (this is already part of the AOSP project), Market and YouTube, these are biggies, don't think there's an open API for them, for YouTube we could make an flv player based on an open-source player and then find out a way to force the video stream to be played, but without a legal API to stream YouTube content, it's still shakey ground.
3. I like your quote, I'm stealing it
BoxyD said:
Hey all,
I've mostly been a watcher here at XDA but I felt the need to make a comment. I'm not a lawyer but I am a developer on the application level. Anyways these are just my opinions and should be verified by legal counsel to hold merit
There's some good and viable ideas here for distributing modified Android ROM's w/o Google's proprietary apps. But rest assured any ideas which involve either distributing, installing, ripping, re-packaging, etc, any of Google's proprietary apps w/o their consent is ILLEGAL. That is what spawned off this whole rocus in the first place. Although I do applaud what Cyanogen is doing for the Android community... but I digress.
If Cyanogen or other devs can't workout a deal w/ Google, then the only LEGAL solution is to develop replacements for these proprietary apps. Lets keep in mind that the apps are what needs replacing, not the service that Google provides.
All these apps are replaceable, it will take some work but it is doable. The biggest hurdle, which Cyanogen made a comment about in this thread (http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=564263) is the syncing process. I don't really know the amount of effort required to come up with a workaround for the sync process. My knowledge of Android is mostly on the framework level.
“The most successful people are those who are good at Plan B.”
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ehh I think we CAN extract from the free downloadable package by HTC..
I don't think it's illegal, but it depends on where you live ;-)
Legal
You may not copy (except for backup purposes), modify, adapt, redistribute, decompile, reverse engineer, disassemble, or create derivative works of the Google Software or any part of the Google Software. You may only load the Google Software onto the Android Developer Phone 1, and except in conjunction with third party software that makes up the Android system image, you may not combine any part of the Google Software with other software, or distribute any software or device incorporating a part of the Google Software.
Nothing in this License Agreem
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Source:
http://www.htc.com/www/support/android/adp.html#s3
testing567 said:
My idea is for all rooted users to store the official Android release from HTC on there SD card in the same way you need to get the bios file for the emulator. Then perhaps someone (maybe Cyanogen) could create a new recovery image that can processes scripts in the update.zip files that can pull individual apk files from the HTC_Official.zip so the closed source apps don't have to be included in the custom rom itself. If scripts can't be run from the rom's zip file during the install, then maybe a separate menu option to install the closed source apps from the HTC_Official.zip on your sd card.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I was thinking about something similar.
When you build the AOSP code from scratch for your G1, you first have to pull some files off the phone which are device-specific and Google/AOSP doesn't have the rights to distribute them. But everyone who has a G1 already has those files on the ROM that came with it, so he/she can build a new one.
As for the closed source Apps, they're already on the phone. If a user first switches from the official ROM to CM, the closed source apps will be on the phone already (if it's a "Google Experience" phone).
So I think all that has to be done is just not touching those apps when flashing the new ROM. Users who don't have those apps preinstalled could always install them manually once using adb.
Of course, this would mean that we don't get the newest closed source apps when upgrading to a new CM version (like the new Market right now). But that's something I can live with...

[ROM] AOSP w/o Google apps (readd-able) FIRST HALFLEGAL ROM

Here I provide a half legal (I included the HTC drivers for the hardware...) stock AOSP (android-1.5_r3) ROM!
You can add Google Apps legally if you have bought a Google experienced phone by running this script on a linux-machine:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=564744
Features:
-No special features
-Just stock w/o Google apps
Download for G1:
http://www.4shared.com/file/135524283/e812c64f/dream.html
Instructions:
Unzip the file, then:
fastboot erase userdata
fastboot flash system system.img
fastboot flash boot boot.img
fastboot reboot
To Do:
I'm a lazy guy.
Next release will be cyanogenmod w/o googleapps.
Well does the rom working without all googles stuffs ?
Can we add them easily ?
Thanks for the new build, hope this googles' issue will be fine
It does work, but it's nearly useless.
I work on a windows version of my script which adds google apps legally.
I also will create a script for recovery.
I'll work on this ROM when I'm done with these, as soon as the scripts are ready, this ROM will get some goodies from Cyan.
Nice work Maxisma!
Its a good start
awesome bro
keep it up it's a start!
maxisma said:
It does work, but it's nearly useless.
I work on a windows version of my script which adds google apps legally.
I also will create a script for recovery.
I'll work on this ROM when I'm done with these, as soon as the scripts are ready, this ROM will get some goodies from Cyan.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Excellent.
With all this doom and gloom.
Surely this is the problem solved?
But what do you mean by google experience?
I know I got all the apps with my phone... T-Mobile G1...
Google Experience are all phones with Google Apps preinstalled.
Just some indian and russian HTC devices don't have it.
Out of interest would this boot fine without running the script?
I am presuming not, but i am just curious?
I would try it out, but at the moment I am not at home and only have 2g coverage on my phone so its a bit slow to download
Edit //
Could i (in theroy) install, boot and then use wget to download sam3 from slideme.org and then download a third party dialer / K9 etc... etc..
So use all third party apps
vixsandlee said:
Out of interest would this boot fine without running the script?
I am presuming not, but i am just curious?
I would try it out, but at the moment I am not at home and only have 2g coverage on my phone so its a bit slow to download
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It boot's fine w/o the script ;-)
Not to rain on your parade, but ....
Hi Maxisma,
Not to rain on the parade, but ...
Per Google, this ROM is no more "legal" than any other ...
The following is taken from http://source.android.com/documentation/building-for-dream
* The Dream device software contains some proprietary binaries. For contractual reasons, these cannot be redistributed separately from the shipping hardware, but the provided script may be used to extract these binaries from your development device so that they can be correctly included in your build. These libraries include the openGL|ES library, the Qualcomm camera library, the HTC Radio Interface Library, etc. You need adb to be in your path, and you need your device to be configured for adb access. If you don't have adb already, do a generic build first, which will put it in your path.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just my understanding of things.
~enom~
Interesting, i am going to have to have a look and a play later.
Cheers for the work (forgot to say that in my first post)
if you're interested on maybe trying to do this on your own:
http://www.johandekoning.nl/index.php/2009/06/07/building-android-15-build-environment/
Contrary to what you might think, a room w/o google apps is not entirely useless. Probably the major setbacks are the lack of market access, the lack of a YouTube player (we need to work on a port of Totem's Youtube implementation but for android), and a way to manage contacts (irrenhaus is looking at the posibility of setting up a Google Contacts sync), plus we'd probably need to write an utility to actually read/write contacts to and from SIM.
G-mail, you can acess from the browser (which, AFAIK, is still free and open source under the Apache Licence), Maps can be downloaded once we get Market access.
Other than that, a bone-stock android build will keep you connected to the internet, allow you to tether, allow you to run scripts, deliver your mms, give you camera and music player, have theme support, and ofcourse, make phone calls just like any other build will. You'll just have to go a bit off of your way to get apps, but again, that's the main drive here, either get acess to market of create a new one and invite app developers to submit their apps there too
enomther said:
Hi Maxisma,
Not to rain on the parade, but ...
Per Google, this ROM is no more "legal" than any other ...
The following is taken from http://source.android.com/documentation/building-for-dream
Just my understanding of things.
~enom~
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's dead on too, and I forgot about it. The issue would not be with google anymore though, but with HTC and it's hardware partners. This is what cyanogen realized, now that the spotlight is on rom development, companies will have watchdogs for re-distribution of binary code. If you own an ADP device, you can legally download the binaries from the HTC website and MAKE YOUR OWN BUILD (so redistribution targeting dream is out, unless we can talk to HTC about it), either that, or, as I've said before, move onto an open hardware platform so we can write our own drivers.
---edit---
By the way, I still don't agree with the whole feeling of gloom floating around here. This is only a change to the way we're doing things right now, but it doesn't hinder development in any way. If you're the kind of dev that's here for the praise, then yeah, you wont like it that now people will have to actually know what they're doing, so your fanbase will be reduced. I for one welcome the change. This rom, for example, can still be distributed without the HTC binaries and maybe have instructions for the user to download them, install them in their OTA package, and the actually flash the rom. But then that requires that people actually know what they're doing, since we can't legally provide them the finished product.
Also, it doesn't hinder improvement of the platform. None, I repeat, NONE of cyanogen's or other dev's work ever even touched the proprietary parts of the build, as this is nearly impossible without the source (I know, baksmali, but really, I'm trying to make a point here!...) and most of what made his work awesome was the behind-the-userland work; kernel's bfs patches, scripting, cpu time management, modifications to available source, for example, the settings package.
We can still improve the platform, we can contribute, and maybe this time around the way Google wanted people to, by submitting code for their consideration to have it maybe implemented in android's next build.
I'll be glad to see all the "OMG, MY PHONE WONT START" threads diminish as people realize that this will no longer be the place where you get it all dumbed down and easy to use.
hey just by simple curiosity, how do you then log into the phone, if this rom is google less? I presume you still need a google account to set up your machine right????
kmassada said:
hey just by simple curiosity, how do you then log into the phone, if this rom is google less? I presume you still need a google account to set up your machine right????
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You don't need to login as there is no setupwizard.
jubeh said:
That's dead on too, and I forgot about it. The issue would not be with google anymore though, but with HTC and it's hardware partners. This is what cyanogen realized, now that the spotlight is on rom development, companies will have watchdogs for re-distribution of binary code. If you own an ADP device, you can legally download the binaries from the HTC website and MAKE YOUR OWN BUILD (so redistribution targeting dream is out, unless we can talk to HTC about it), either that, or, as I've said before, move onto an open hardware platform so we can write our own drivers.
---edit---
By the way, I still don't agree with the whole feeling of gloom floating around here. This is only a change to the way we're doing things right now, but it doesn't hinder development in any way. If you're the kind of dev that's here for the praise, then yeah, you wont like it that now people will have to actually know what they're doing, so your fanbase will be reduced. I for one welcome the change. This rom, for example, can still be distributed without the HTC binaries and maybe have instructions for the user to download them, install them in their OTA package, and the actually flash the rom. But then that requires that people actually know what they're doing, since we can't legally provide them the finished product.
Also, it doesn't hinder improvement of the platform. None, I repeat, NONE of cyanogen's or other dev's work ever even touched the proprietary parts of the build, as this is nearly impossible without the source (I know, baksmali, but really, I'm trying to make a point here!...) and most of what made his work awesome was the behind-the-userland work; kernel's bfs patches, scripting, cpu time management, modifications to available source, for example, the settings package.
We can still improve the platform, we can contribute, and maybe this time around the way Google wanted people to, by submitting code for their consideration to have it maybe implemented in android's next build.
I'll be glad to see all the "OMG, MY PHONE WONT START" threads diminish as people realize that this will no longer be the place where you get it all dumbed down and easy to use.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I could probably write a Java application that would allow the user to:
1) hook their google phone up over USB and grab the existing google apps off of it
2) point to the location of their proprietary drivers on a manufacturers website for download
3) point to a central location of legal ROMS for download
4) click an ASSEMBLE button to put it all together. The resulting update file would be like they have always been, but no illegal redistribution has taken place.
One little problem ...
Ohsaka said:
I could probably write a Java application that would allow the user to:
1) hook their google phone up over USB and grab the existing google apps off of it
2) point to the location of their proprietary drivers on a manufacturers website for download
3) point to a central location of legal ROMS for download
4) click an ASSEMBLE button to put it all together. The resulting update file would be like they have always been, but no illegal redistribution has taken place.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi Ohsaka,
One little problem with that is ... the manufacturers do not post the drivers (standalone) on their websites for download, they only redist with the hardware. Also, there are other library files as well, it's not only drivers.
~enom~
Simple fix.. just don't include it. People will have to "magically" find the drivers on their own.
If it boots, why is it nearly useless?

[Q] Newly Rooted User With Questions.

First off, great forum, tons of awesome information.
I apologize in advance as I am sure these questions have been answered a million times but being new to a Rooted device, I'm looking for a little clarity and guidence.
I have the AT&T variant of the LG G3, awesome awesome device.
I rooted the device with Stump Root (doesn't get any simplier then that)
I then installed "Xposed Installer", "Titanium Backup", "SuperSu", and "G3 Tweak Box".
Questions,
Xposed
1) Seems pretty straight forward, is there anything as a newbie I should know, avoid, lookout for?
Titanium Back Up
1) Well, it all looks like chinese to me. First off, I have backed up all my apps, but when I check "Backup/Restore" I still see certain apps as "No Backup Yet". Why?
2) Also, how often should I backup the apps? Is once enough?
3) After backing up bloatware, is it then safe to remove and delete?
4) Schedules, should I be enabling either option?
5) Main Menu, whats the most important actions to take here?
SuperSu
1) Seems fairly straight forward, what are "logs" and do I need to pay attention to them?
2) Settings, is there any options I need to change, take advantage of? Anything I should avoid tampering with?
Misc Questions
1) When system updates come out, will this cause me to lose Root access, if so why and how do I avoid that?
2) Is there any prevenitive measures that I need to take to protect my device against any crashes, bricking, or any other general screw ups a newbie might cause with Root access?
3) Also, how do I not destroy my device while learning to take advantage of Root access?
4) In addition to what I have already installed, is there any other must have apps for the Rooted user?
I appreciate any & all help, thanks alot in advance!
I'll answer what I can, as best I can.
Vic098 said:
Xposed
1) Seems pretty straight forward, is there anything as a newbie I should know, avoid, lookout for?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Make sure you have BusyBox installed as well.
It's best to change one setting at a time. It's tedious, especially if you have to reboot after changes, but if something goes awry, it's much easier to track down the conflict or bug, especially if you're using multiple modules.
Titanium Back Up
1) Well, it all looks like chinese to me. First off, I have backed up all my apps, but when I check "Backup/Restore" I still see certain apps as "No Backup Yet". Why?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There's a definite learning curve with TB. I'm not sure why some apps might not back up. It could be because they're core components of the OS and are write protected.
2.) Also, how often should I backup the apps? Is once enough?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
When talking about batch backups, "enough" is at your discretion. No harm in doing them periodically, especially if you install a bunch of new apps. Backing up individual apps is good to do before updating them, in case you decide you preferred the older version. Or a game you don't want lose progress in or revert to an old "save".
3) After backing up bloatware, is it then safe to remove and delete?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Depends on the bloat. Some apps by AT&T or LG might seem unnecessary or unwanted, but actually are necessary and can cause crashes or force closes ("unfortunately XXXXX process has stopped"). Always back them up first, and remove them one at a time. It's better to freeze them first, then delete after testing. Personally, I don't delete bloat, just freeze it.
4) Schedules, should I be enabling either option?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Both, if you want to schedule period backups rather than just doing them youself. Again, your discretion .
5) Main Menu, whats the most important actions to take here?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Batch actions and Preferences (where to store them) are all you really should be messing with now. At least until you learn more.
SuperSu
1) Seems fairly straight forward, what are "logs" and do I need to pay attention to them?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The logs keep track of what was granted SU access and when. Not really necessary.
2) Settings, is there any options I need to change, take advantage of? Anything I should avoid tampering with?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
PIN code is your choice. If you're the only one that ever uses your phone, it's not really necessary, but if if you let others use it frequently(for games, or to browse or log into Facebook), you might want to use a PIN so they don't simply hit "grant" whenever SuperSU requests rights. I use "prompt" as the default action, so I know what needs to access the system. For example, some apps that don't require root (like Clean Master) have additional functions if you are rooted, and this might not be clear in the description in Play. That way you know, and you won't accidentally screw something up. Also, malicious apps that have no business with root access can be identified and blocked.
Misc Questions
1) When system updates come out, will this cause me to lose Root access, if so why and how do I avoid that?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You can sometimes (usually?) lose root access after an update, but it's usually possibly simply to re-root with the same method. If not, it's best to wait to do the update until others can confirm/deny. SuperSU has a "survival mode" that can try to keep root during an update, but again, it's best to wait for confirmation by others.
2) Is there any prevenitive measures that I need to take to protect my device against any crashes, bricking, or any other general screw ups a newbie might cause with Root access?
3) Also, how do I not destroy my device while learning to take advantage of Root access?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Read, ask, and learn. It's easy to grow confident and think you're more clever than you really are and really screw something up (I know from experience). If you look at the first couple pages of general Q&A/Help forums, you'll see lots of people who did stupid stuff and now have bootloops and crashes and bricks. Do lots of searches, here, on google, and youtube. You can often find guides for what you're wanting to do.
4) In addition to what I have already installed, is there any other must have apps for the Rooted user?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
AdAway or other ad blocker. Not only does it block ads in your browsers, it blocks Google ads in free apps. Apart from being cleaner and more convenient, since ads don't get loaded, pages load faster and you consume less data.
BetterBatteryStats gives you much more info on what's draining your battery than the stock Android function.
Some sort of root browser/explorer is essential. You can use it to completely delete folders/data that got left behind even after an app is deleted (which can sometimes cure Google Play Store errors), among other things.
I personally like ROM Toolbox Pro. It doesn't really do anything special, just packs a ton of utilities that you can get elsewhere into a single app.
SQLite editor is necessary to do some things, but you'd better make sure you know what you're doing before doing anything with it.
WiFi Tether Router might be able to bypass AT&T's tether app. Changing some settings with SQLite might be necessary. You'd have to research this for your device.
Those are the root apps I use, as well as Xposed and assorted modules to do theming or other functionality tweaks. Xposed is quite powerful, and you should familiarize yourself with what the multitude of different modules can do. The possibilities are seemingly endless, as developers come up with no mods every day to do new things that nobody else has done yet (or ported other mods to work with other devices).
I appreciate any & all help, thanks alot in advance!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Good luck and have fun!
Planterz said:
I'll answer what I can, as best I can.
Make sure you have BusyBox installed as well.
It's best to change one setting at a time. It's tedious, especially if you have to reboot after changes, but if something goes awry, it's much easier to track down the conflict or bug, especially if you're using multiple modules.
There's a definite learning curve with TB. I'm not sure why some apps might not back up. It could be because they're core components of the OS and are write protected.
When talking about batch backups, "enough" is at your discretion. No harm in doing them periodically, especially if you install a bunch of new apps. Backing up individual apps is good to do before updating them, in case you decide you preferred the older version. Or a game you don't want lose progress in or revert to an old "save".
Depends on the bloat. Some apps by AT&T or LG might seem unnecessary or unwanted, but actually are necessary and can cause crashes or force closes ("unfortunately XXXXX process has stopped"). Always back them up first, and remove them one at a time. It's better to freeze them first, then delete after testing. Personally, I don't delete bloat, just freeze it.
Both, if you want to schedule period backups rather than just doing them youself. Again, your discretion .
Batch actions and Preferences (where to store them) are all you really should be messing with now. At least until you learn more.
The logs keep track of what was granted SU access and when. Not really necessary.
PIN code is your choice. If you're the only one that ever uses your phone, it's not really necessary, but if if you let others use it frequently(for games, or to browse or log into Facebook), you might want to use a PIN so they don't simply hit "grant" whenever SuperSU requests rights. I use "prompt" as the default action, so I know what needs to access the system. For example, some apps that don't require root (like Clean Master) have additional functions if you are rooted, and this might not be clear in the description in Play. That way you know, and you won't accidentally screw something up. Also, malicious apps that have no business with root access can be identified and blocked.
You can sometimes (usually?) lose root access after an update, but it's usually possibly simply to re-root with the same method. If not, it's best to wait to do the update until others can confirm/deny. SuperSU has a "survival mode" that can try to keep root during an update, but again, it's best to wait for confirmation by others.
Read, ask, and learn. It's easy to grow confident and think you're more clever than you really are and really screw something up (I know from experience). If you look at the first couple pages of general Q&A/Help forums, you'll see lots of people who did stupid stuff and now have bootloops and crashes and bricks. Do lots of searches, here, on google, and youtube. You can often find guides for what you're wanting to do.
AdAway or other ad blocker. Not only does it block ads in your browsers, it blocks Google ads in free apps. Apart from being cleaner and more convenient, since ads don't get loaded, pages load faster and you consume less data.
BetterBatteryStats gives you much more info on what's draining your battery than the stock Android function.
Some sort of root browser/explorer is essential. You can use it to completely delete folders/data that got left behind even after an app is deleted (which can sometimes cure Google Play Store errors), among other things.
I personally like ROM Toolbox Pro. It doesn't really do anything special, just packs a ton of utilities that you can get elsewhere into a single app.
SQLite editor is necessary to do some things, but you'd better make sure you know what you're doing before doing anything with it.
WiFi Tether Router might be able to bypass AT&T's tether app. Changing some settings with SQLite might be necessary. You'd have to research this for your device.
Those are the root apps I use, as well as Xposed and assorted modules to do theming or other functionality tweaks. Xposed is quite powerful, and you should familiarize yourself with what the multitude of different modules can do. The possibilities are seemingly endless, as developers come up with no mods every day to do new things that nobody else has done yet (or ported other mods to work with other devices).
Good luck and have fun!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the detailed response. Just a follow up, when googling AdAway, I see some long threads and what I think are different versions, is there a link, or a place that I can find the latest (and safe??) version to download?
Again, appreciate the feedback.
Vic098 said:
Thanks for the detailed response. Just a follow up, when googling AdAway, I see some long threads and what I think are different versions, is there a link, or a place that I can find the latest (and safe??) version to download?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
http://d-h.st/BZs
If you haven't done so already, you'll have to go into your settings and check the box to allow app installation from unknown sources. Then just go to that link on your device, download the .apk, then install. Go to a site with a heavy amount of ads like phonearena.com (Verizon ads up the wazoo) and see how long it takes to load. Then reboot, and load the app. It'll update sources, and it'll be good to go. Go back to that website and marvel at how quickly it loads without the ads.
Vic098 said:
Thanks for the detailed response. Just a follow up, when googling AdAway, I see some long threads and what I think are different versions, is there a link, or a place that I can find the latest (and safe??) version to download?
Again, appreciate the feedback.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Is this a Xposed Module or some APK off the google market? Because if it's an Xposed Mod then links are direct.
Radigen said:
Is this a Xposed Module or some APK off the google market? Because if it's an Xposed Mod then links are direct.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Gotchya.
Planterz said:
If you haven't done so already, you'll have to go into your settings and check the box to allow app installation from unknown sources. Then just go to that link on your device, download the .apk, then install.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The link downloads a file called mobogenie. Is that correct?
Vic098 said:
The link downloads a file called mobogenie. Is that correct?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No. I don't know what that is, and I can't recreate whatever you did to get that. Whatever it is, don't install it.The file to download will match the name in the description. Make sure you're not clicking an ad (oh, the irony).
Try this link instead. https://f-droid.org/repository/browse/?fdid=org.adaway or try downloading on your computer to Dropbox or Drive or whatever cloud storage you use, or just download it to your computer, plug in your phone, copy it to your phone's storage, and run it from there.
Radigen said:
Is this a Xposed Module or some APK off the google market? Because if it's an Xposed Mod then links are direct.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Neither. It's not an Xposed module, just a regular app, but it's not available from the Google Play Store because they don't want you blocking your ads, so you have to side load it.
Planterz said:
No. I don't know what that is, and I can't recreate whatever you did to get that. Whatever it is, don't install it.The file to download will match the name in the description. Make sure you're not clicking an ad (oh, the irony).
Try this link instead. https://f-droid.org/repository/browse/?fdid=org.adaway or try downloading on your computer to Dropbox or Drive or whatever cloud storage you use, or just download it to your computer, plug in your phone, copy it to your phone's storage, and run it from there.
Neither. It's not an Xposed module, just a regular app, but it's not available from the Google Play Store because they don't want you blocking your ads, so you have to side load it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Oh alright, thanks then, good thing we're all developers here.

PenTesters_Paradise ~ Take Your ROM to the Next Level

PenTesters_Paradise​
Code:
[b][center]DISCLAMER[/center][/b]
I can not be held responsible for how you use this package.
I am also not to be held responsible if flashing this package
damages your device in anyway. This package is for
educational use only and should not be taken lightly. This is
the exact package that I use for my 2nd job, and is not meant
to just be played with willy nilly. Ask permission before doing
anything in public OR private.
PenTesters_Paradise​​This package was originally supposed to be a custom ROM, but I wanted to give everyone an equal opportunity to enjoy this package, so I converted it to something everyone can use! This package isn't for the faint of heart. This is for those of you curious about Pen Testing and for those who basically want to feel like they're bringing Watch_Dogs to the real world. Below I will explain the package, and what each item can actually do. I will also have YouTube videos (when I get the time to record them) explaining each app and package. I also have some custom content coming, some that will be shown off and not released as well. Please enjoy and remember to play it safe and always ask permission first before using any of these packages or tweaks.
What's A Pen Tester?​​If you're asking yourself this question, this package MIGHT NOT be for you. A Pen Tester is either a White Hat or Grey Hat hacker that gets hired by individuals or companies to basically purposely hack their products, networks, or any other sorts of electronically based applications. Pen Testers are becoming a big deal especially in the Gaming world. Dev companies are starting to get smart and are realizing that they honestly can't BEAT the hackers with out TRUE HACKERS of their own. This is slowly becoming a big money life style and more and more people want into it. This is basically your "License to Kill" when it comes to a product/project/ect. when the company or individual gives you the green light to crack in and have at it.
Package Includes​
Screen Shots will be added to the 3rd post of this thread, tutorials for each app and the change log to the 2nd
AnDOSid
This app is an Android-based DOS attacker. Basically, this app allows you to simulate a DOS attack (Denial of Service) as a HTTP POST flood attack on either another person or a web server.
NetSpoofer
Network Spoofer lets you change websites on other people’s computers from an Android phone. Simply log onto a Wifi network, choose a spoof to use and press start. This can be a lot of fun, but always ask first.
AndroidVNC
please see this thread for all the info about this
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=497187
aWPScan
This app lets you scan wordpress based sites for exploitable entrances to the sites admin panel. Fairly simple to use and can sometimes come in handy when working for a client and building them a WP based site.
DroidSheep and FaceNiff
These apps were popular for a very short time but are very powerful. They both kind of have the same functions as they work as a MITM (Man In The Middle) attacker service. Basically, login to any WiFi hot spot, and you will start capturing web traffic. You can manipulate the web traffic to do as you want from here.
DroidSheep Guard
This app guards you from anyone else using Droid Sheep. I'm not entirely sure if it will guard against FaceNiff as well.
DriveDroid
This app turns your device basically into a disc image mounting device. Basically, you can take an ISO or IMG file, mount it with this app, and install full operating systems to another PC. Read below on how to work it with the Galaxy S5 Specifically, as there's 1 special step you need to know
1.) Run the app and go through the setup.
2.) When you get to the selection about selecting a driver, select the 3rd item, which should be a "Legacy USB Driver"
3.) When you get to the point abut TESTING it and restarting your PC, this is where the trick lies.
3a.) As your PC boots up, boot directly to your BIOS (for HP and ASUS its either Escape or F2. not sure about others off the top of my head)
4.) From here, make sure your phone as connected successfully in MTP mode.
4a.) Go into Drive Droid (After MTP has been set), and select the IMG or ISO you wish to emulate from your device.
4b.) In the BIOS, Save Settings and restart (I know you didn't change anything, hear me out)
5.) From here, you need to test...
5a.) You'll either (after the bios loading screen) boot directly to the ISO or IMG, or into your standard OS.
6.) If you boot directly to your standard OS, reattempt from step 3 onwards, but at step 5, go to 6a
6a.) When the PC restarts, bring up your Boot Menu of options (F12 I believe on ASUS and HP)
6b.) From here, select the Samsung device listed, and it should boot!
dSploit
dSploit is a package of all sorts of tools ranging from MITM attacks to DOS attacks, and other testing abilities. Plenty of videos around on how to use this app.
HackAppData
This is for any app on your device. This app lets you modify the AppData of any application installed on your device.
Hackers Keyboard
Just a highly customizable keyboard.
Network Mapper
This app simply maps out the WiFi Network you are currently connected to, showing you every device connected.
Shark
Basically WireShark for Android. Lets you see incoming and outgoing data packets from your device and other things on the network.
Penetrate Pro
No this isn't a dirty joke (couldn't resist), This app works with decoding WiFi connections to allow you to connect to locked and private connections.
SQLMap
SQLMap is one of the most highly used tools around for SQL Injection attacks as its basically the best automated tool for it. There's tons of tutorials out there about it and soon I'll post one of my own.
LockScreen Widgets Tweak
Created by BigBot96, this tweak lets you apply Widgets to your lock screen. PLEASE Make sure you download the correct file. Currently, only the NE9 builds are supported with this tweak, but I'll have an option available for you to not have to worry about this.
Coming Soon...​​
Future Additions will be coming around soon for this, so keep checking the thread!
Kali Linux NetHunter Features.
So far, only supported by the Nexus devices, I'm attempting to port over the apps and data for this to the S5 as the first non-Nexus device to have support for Kali Linux control. Below will be the list of what will be included.
KaliLauncher
This is the heart of the NetHunter features. This controls everything, and launches all the different exploits available through Kali Linux. To learn more, keep reading
BadUSB
BadUSB is a form of undetectable Malware that is applied to specific USB devices that match the exploit. Basically, this hijacks your USB plug while your device is connected to a computer (windows based), and lets you install a faulty driver to it that houses your malware files. You could use this to transfer things like BotNets, Trojans, and many other forms of malware to a users system and they'd never even know.
DNSSpoofer
Basically, this tool just spoofs the DNS connection you're using or the other person/s are using and lets you reroute people. DNS Attacks are few and far between, but they're slowly getting easier.
PowerSploit
I'll admit, I haven't read up on this yet, but when I have, I'll edit this lol.
NoUpStream
This stops any up stream data entirely.
Other Future Additions​​
Basically, I'd like to convert this to something like a "Mini-ROM" that gives you a Launcher, themed Gapps, themed system apps, and much more, but for now, this is the temp solution. Next Update should have at least a custom boot animation.
How-To Install​​1.) Transfer the Zip file that matches your device to your SD card or Internal Storage
2.) Boot up into recovery mode and Flash the ZIP
3.) Done!
Special thanks to the creators of all these apps, scripts and tweaks that are being applied to this package. The ZIP packages below simply just need to be flashed to your Android device via SafeStrap (only method I can test). If someone could test a standard TWRP on a Dev Edition or another unlocked device, that'd be awesome.
Download Links Below
UPLOADING NEW ONES AFTER THE NEXT FLASH Test.
Thought it was ready, and realized it wasn't.
All apps are force closing -_- I'll fix it when I wake up. I've been at it for 12 hours now
Planning on updating this/adding a download?
Nice waiting anxiously for this
Waiting like wagging dog.... I went to source and got working nice..like to wait for add ons.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=3518324
Subscribed.
Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk
lol he posted this weeks ago.. he respondin in his rom thread also saying he was working on a new rom which isnt out yet and said a week or two ago that his tmo budfy got 5.0 lollipop which was false lol so not sure if and when this will actually be uploaded.. its been here for weeks with no zip or apks at all in the themes n apps section..
most of these apks are stuff you can manually install if you dont want to wait :-/
Reinventing the wheel
Kali nethunter had been out for a while for the S5 variants, it's like having a VM copy of Kali on your galaxy S5 the instructions/apps/kernel are all available
http://forum.xda-developers.com/galaxy-s5/unified-development/kali-nethunter-galaxy-s5-t3298477 all the other apps he's taking about are available just search on Google or download a app called bugdroid pro from the app store it provides downloads and installs for all of these.
Faceniff
Droid sheep
I don't think those function anymore on anything.. on pretty sure those security holes they exploit have been patched..
dmayniak said:
Kali nethunter had been out for a while for the S5 variants, it's like having a VM copy of Kali on your galaxy S5 the instructions/apps/kernel are all available
http://forum.xda-developers.com/galaxy-s5/unified-development/kali-nethunter-galaxy-s5-t3298477 all the other apps he's taking about are available just search on Google or download a app called bugdroid pro from the app store it provides downloads and installs for all of these.
Faceniff
Droid sheep
I don't think those function anymore on anything.. on pretty sure those security holes they exploit have been patched..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
lol the last comment was me about 2 years ago
elliwigy said:
lol the last comment was me about 2 years ago
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i know right? lol i gave up on this because at the time i sucked at making flashable zip's
Vortell said:
It would be cool if you started it back up!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The reason I haven't is because Kali Linux has an official release for this phone as long as your bootloader is unlocked and you're on CM

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