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APK Edit v0.4, allows you to edit your apk file

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Download​
Buy me a beer​
The download is based on old source code, I don't have that source anymore due to a hard-disk failure.
I'm rebuilding the application as a open source project.
Source code C# version (Windows)
Source code Java version (Windows / Mac OS / Linux)
With this little program you can simply change icons of your android application.
It even lets you change the applications name.
But wait mike..... there's more.....
It even lets you edit the text used in applications.
Sounds to good to be true...
Well... to be honest.... it is.
But I've come a long way from that initial question to the final answer.
My conclusion so far, it works for most of my applications.
It probably will work on most of yours as well.
(Caution: when overwriting an existing application you will loose your associated data!!!)
Special thanks goes out to:
Brut.all for creating Apktool, the backbone of this little project.
Requirements:
Java & .Net Framework 3.5 (Why build on one platform if you can build on two? I know, I know....)
For installing system apps - S-OFF
Nice to know:
Clicking on the [Icons:] tag in the General tab will open a browser window and search for icons in "Google images".
Donations will be "forwarded" to fellow developers like Brutt.all and others, reinforcing the greatness of today's world.
How the magic works:
When opening an APK file it first tries to decompile it using APK Tool (with the version selected in the settings tab)
If decompile failed, because of a missing framework file, it tries to find this file on your phone.
Most of the times it will find what its looking for, pull it off your phone and tries to recompile the whole thing again.
If somehow it cannot find the required framework file, it will provide you a list of possible files on your phone. You can then choose the correct file yourself.
Assuming this process finishes without any problem you now can edit the apk file.
When you press Apply it will recompile the apk and then sign the newly compiled file.
- System APK files (APK files that needed an additional framework file) will get a copy of the original signature.
- Other APK files will get a brand new signature.
When you Click the phone animation it will push the APK to your phone
- System APK files will be pushed to /system/app (ADB PUSH)
- Other APK files will be installed the normal way (ADB INSTALL)
If install failed due to some signature failure it will do some additional fancy tricks and try it again.
Upcoming features:
New option in settings tab -> Only allow one instance of APK Edit to open at once.
New option in settings tab -> Add/remove APK file association to registry.
New option on startup -> Option to open up a "Phone Explorer", lets you edit APK files directly from phone.
Known issues:
CarHomeGoogle.apk - Doesn't save changes
Quickoffice.apk - Doesn't show up after installing
Version history:
Code:
[I]0.4e - Minor update[/I]
Added: Some more debug logging on startup of the application.
Fixed: Version number in settings tab now shows correct version.
[I]0.4d - Minor update[/I]
Fixed: Fixed startup crash if some APK properties are empty (like screensize/densities/locales), like in Settings.apk.
Fixed: A little bug in the fancy install mechanism, mainly experienced when installing system apk's
[I]0.4c - Minor update[/I]
Fixed: Compatibility issue with Windows XP, causing program to crash on startup.
[I]0.4b - Minor update[/I]
Fixed: Error extracting signature.
Changed: Extended logging.
[I]0.4a - Minor update[/I]
Changed: Logging is enabled by default.
Added: Some debug messages for when opening of apk goes wrong.
[I]0.4 - Major rewrite[/I]
Did a major rewrite of the code.
Added: Option to choose APK tool version
Added: Logging feature
Added: Auto retrieve required dependency files from phone if needed (for editing system apps)
Added: Details panel, shows information about the package.
Added: Restore original file link, for when thing's get really messed up.
Added: Donate button, for those who wanna celebrate with me.
Fixed: Some annoying issues ([URL="http://code.google.com/p/android-apktool/issues/detail?id=100"]APKtool Issue 100[/URL]) / ([URL="http://stackoverflow.com/questions/4709291/android-no-resource-identifier-found-for-xlargescreens"]XLargeScreens bug[/URL])
Removed: QR Code installation support
Removed: AdbWireless installation support
[I]0.3 - Update[/I]
Added: Language support.
Added: Installation method (USB Cable).
[I]0.2 - Minor update[/I]
Added: Save confirmation dialog (as req by [URL="http://forum.xda-developers.com/member.php?u=2987317"]droidzone[/URL])
Changed: Recreated the loading animation so that it theme's better with the rest of the application.
[I]0.1 - Initial release[/I]
For the record... only use on you're own apk files, otherwise it's not that legal I think.

Looks nice..
I got an error on one apk though..There seems to be an unhandled exception when the filename contains special characters..
Other than that, the program looks and works awesome..Will comment in detail after I decompile something major..
Thanks//
One question:
The program shows smali files below the main prog, and on selecting the folder it opens in explorer. Would changing the smali be updated in the main prog on clicking Apply? Also a dialog to say that the file has been saved with changes, would be nice.

Tnx for the input, will look into the filename handling!
In the background it recompiles the whole thing, so changes to the smali code should be included in the application if you press apply.
About that dialog.... it's being grown in its incubator now..
Think it will hatch tomorrow

Anoniem100 said:
Tnx for the input, will look into the filename handling!
In the background it recompiles the whole thing, so changes to the smali code should be included in the application if you press apply.
About that dialog.... it's being grown in its incubator now..
Think it will hatch tomorrow
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Excellent! Thanks again, will pop in later to get the revisions

droidzone, tried out some weird combinations for the filenames but couldn't simulate your problem. Could you give an example?

When i try to open it, Windows 7 says it has stop working???

Anoniem100 said:
droidzone, tried out some weird combinations for the filenames but couldn't simulate your problem. Could you give an example?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I can do better.
My filename is Sample of Filename★(1.1).apk
Maybe the★ character is doing it
I've attached screenshots of the error.(Exception1.jpg)
Error Handle: The directory name C:\Users\Kpcc\AppData\Local\Temp\Sample of Filename?(1.1) is invalid.
I'm also attaching a text file with the actual error code given in the exception>Details. ( exception error text.txt)
The blanked out part is my actual username. Just an alphanumeric. Let it be Kpcc.
Edit: Got one more exception. This occured after inputting the ip of my phone in adb wireless and pressing enter. (Exception2.jpg, Exception2.txt)

max63094 said:
When i try to open it, Windows 7 says it has stop working???
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Maybe a missing .NET framework? The filename handle is the only error I'm getting in Win 7 Ultimate 64bit. And the filename I used is of course not "normal"..
By the way, a few more items on my wishlist:
1. Advanced Search (and replace?) for strings, with ability to use F3 for finding the next instance
2. Sorting the strings/variables in alphabetical and order of occurence, and another coloumn in the content tab with the name of the smali file in which the string appears.
3. Ability to Save As, without modding the source file.
4. Adb push via cable
5. Listing all the smalis in a tab, and ability to manual edit each one individually (Opening up Notepad would be fine. Maybe a Shell "Start file.txt"?)
Just a few wishes which would make it a powerful tool..

@max63094 Hmmm, what could go wrong... think droidzone is onto somthing with his comment about .net framework.
I used the .Net Framework 3.5 to create the whole thing.
You can download this for free at Microsoft
@droidzone, tnx again for the input and will work on the file issue, nice wishlist btw!!
Stuff I get exited about
I'm afraid I can't promise you all the requested features, have to check the required ammount of effort for some of them.
Have to balance my time, you know how it is whahaha
Sorting alphabetical shouldn't be that big a problem, as for the save as and adb push via cable.
Will work on those first!

Anoniem100 said:
@max63094 Hmmm, what could go wrong... think droidzone is onto somthing with his comment about .net framework.
I used the .Net Framework 3.5 to create the whole thing.
You can download this for free at Microsoft
@droidzone, tnx again for the input and will work on the file issue, nice wishlist btw!!
Stuff I get exited about
I'm afraid I can't promise you all the requested features, have to check the required ammount of effort for some of them.
Have to balance my time, you know how it is whahaha
Sorting alphabetical shouldn't be that big a problem, as for the save as and adb push via cable.
Will work on those first!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Of course..I know how even the tiniest of things can go wrong in an effort which involves file i/o..I'm rather amazed that your Version 0.2 is so finished! A month ago, I was working on a Gui File Explorer for Android, with Adb and Fastboot commands..However time didnt allow me to complete it..
Have you used apk manager? That's what I use when it comes to decompiling apks. Of course once it decompiles, all the rest of functions has to be done by hand. If you havent, check it out. It's the only other program which comes close to a gui. That uses batch commands of course.

@droidzone, Yeah, time sucks! ever finished a beta?
Funny you mention apk manager.
I'm fairly new to the android scene, but i bumped into apk manager yesterday.
Looks very promising, thinking of replacing the backbone with the crazy work of our dear friend Daneshm90.
Read some interesting stuff about the compression size in correlation to compatibility it could provide.
Maybe a little slider in the settings tab, giving you a simple tweaking mechanism.
Something like:
Big size (compatible) -------------------- Small size (less compatible)
Anyhow.... my brain is making overtime here ;-)

hmm .. just took an app .. changed the icon and the title .. and uploaded it back to the phone.
App doesn't appear anymore.
What might have gone wrong?

Not even a beta. It exists as several separate modules, which have to be joined together. Work stopped when I had to give my phone for service.
Via T3 phone of the year 2010 - HTC Desire

daniello8 said:
hmm .. just took an app .. changed the icon and the title .. and uploaded it back to the phone.
App doesn't appear anymore.
What might have gone wrong?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Euhm... I renamed the title once and couldn't find it in its original place.
The app drawer will place icons alphabetical.
But maybe that was just me being stupid (this really happened whaha) and your app really vanished....
Is it just one app that has this behaviour?

droidzone said:
Not even a beta. It exists as several separate modules, which have to be joined together. Work stopped when I had to give my phone for service.
Via T3 phone of the year 2010 - HTC Desire
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
To be continued...

Anoniem100 said:
Euhm... I renamed the title once and couldn't find it in its original place.
The app drawer will place icons alphabetical.
But maybe that was just me being stupid (this really happened whaha) and your app really vanished....
Is it just one app that has this behaviour?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I only need a new icon for this one app .. so I didn't try others. Sorting is not the problem. I was hoping that someone gets a deja vu.

@daniello8, what method did u use for installing?

Anoniem100 said:
@daniello8, what method did u use for installing?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
adb push <appname> /data/app
Edit: Just tried with astro .. but install fails :-(
Edit2: The app icon displays correctly though *fwiw*

daniello8 said:
adb push <appname> /data/app
Edit: Just tried with astro .. but install fails :-(
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
O oh... anyone...

Hmm... probably has to do something with compression levels...

[Q] Tech explanation as to why TF101 can't natively open multiple docs at same time

Hi,
I was wondering if anyone could give me a semi-technical reason as to why you can't open multiple documents natively with the transformer. Natively, it's impossible open up document1.doc and then have document2.doc open at the same time and quickly switch between the 2 documents without having to manually find and reopen the other file.
At first, I thought it was something like the same application couldn't have 2 instances open at once as an OS limitation. However, it IS possible to have the same application with 2 different documents open at once but not without using multiple file managers (theres a vid on transformerforums demonstrating that if you open different files with the same app, but via different file managers, you can switch between multiple docs)
So why isn't it possible just to have 2 instances of the same application opened with different files without having to do multiple file explorer work around?
Also, do you think this will be/is without the work around in ICS?
Thanks in advanced

I don't think there is anything in Android that limits you to only a single document open at a time.. I think rather it is simply a limitation of the app you're using. If the developer had created a tabbed workspace or some other method of navigating through multiple documents opened simultaneously, it should work even with Honeycomb or Gingerbread. There's no reason to think that simply updating to Ice Cream Sandwich will add this feature to the app as it exists.. the developer will need to add in this functionality.
Have you tried a different app for viewing/editing your documents?

That's true, problem would be solved with tabbed browsing. Can you suggest a decent office style suite that supports tabbed browsing?
However, it's not possible to open multiple instances of pretty much any apps from what I can tell - that seems to be a limitation of the operating system does it not? But at the same time, it's not an OS limitation, because it is possible using multiple explorers to do a work around to have multiple instances open, but not without an impractical work around.
I find it strange that when I use the explorer to open a word document in any other app, it still appears on the "multi-task" bit as the explorer application. If I load the explorer app again (say to navigate to a different file) it closes the document I opened.
Thanks in advanced

You say explorer like ur talking about windows lol. Kinda confusing to picture exactly what ur doing, but i think i get it. As far as i know, there arent any word processing apps for android which allow multiple documents to be open side by side. Id bet its NOT an android limitation, as multiple internet browser tabs fit under the same concept(sorta) and probably take up much more memory than multiple text documents. its just an idea that i assume hasnt been ijmplemented yet. Id email the devs of whichever word processing app you use and ask them if its something theyd be interested in adding to their app. The only workaround i can think of for the time being, is to use two or more different word processing apps (for example polaris and quickoffice) simultaneously, and use the task switcher to go back and forth.
Just re-read ur post and saw you mentioned this...
MrGuy said:
At first, I thought it was something like the same application couldn't have 2 instances open at once as an OS limitation. However, it IS possible to have the same application with 2 different documents open at once but not without using multiple file managers (theres a vid on transformerforums demonstrating that if you open different files with the same app, but via different file managers, you can switch between multiple docs)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I guess that would be another work around, if it really works. that seems almost like a bug to me lol. Just wondering though, how would you switch between the documents if they are open in the same app? Would the task switcher show two instances of the same app open?

Okay, maybe not a "limitation" of the OS, more a "feature" where if you try and open the same application when its' already in the "recent items" it just restores the previous one from previous items rather than opening a new instance simultaneously.
Yeah, it's true, try it. If you have multiple file explorers (e.g. ES explorer and file manager) go into ES explorer, open up document1.doc in DocumentToGo (for example) and then open up file manager and open document2.doc in DocumentsToGo. It seems android opens DTG within the explorer/manager, so if you switch between the 2 different managers using the recent items, you can see DocumentsToGo open twice, once with doc1 and once with doc2. (I can't take credit for this btw, I made a similar request as to if its possible to open 2 docs at once on transformerforums and someone made a video showing that work around - I would post a link, but despite being a member/lurker here for over 5 years, I still can't be trusted)
I may just have to try and put my CS degree to some use and try make a tabbed word processor.
Thanks for the responses

Somewhat relevant to this... whatever happened to Onskreen? I thought they were trying to appeal to Google or something to get some real multitasking on tablets?

[GUIDE][HOW-TO]Keep timestamp and attributes correct

1. What is the problem?
The implementation of FUSE by Google runs using the root-account. The disadvantage is that the standard user is not capable of changing any attribute including timestamp. A copy or move file operation usually keeps all attributes including date and time on all known operating system - except Android if FUSE is involved. This can complicate management of backups or syncing - and sorting or filtering by date is not helpful anymore.
2. What is concerned?
The problem exists at least on all file systems which are emulated by Android using FUSE. Android 8 and later uses SDCardFS and therefore is not concerned.
Concerned from Android 4.0: ext4, exFAT
Not Concerned on 4.0: FAT32
It seems FAT32 is done via FUSE in later Android versions also, so it seems every file system is concerned from 4.1 to last Android 7.
Most Android 4.x-devices are using ext4 for the file system of the internal storage and are therefore concerned. The usage of FAT32 which can not manage file greater than 4 GiB seems not appropriate anyway. For memory cards smaller than 64 GiB it is usual to use FAT32, bigger cards use exFAT by default.
It is possible to access external file systems, eg SAMBA or FTP, and then usually the timestamp is set correctly, because this is not part of FUSE and uses other file systems. AFAIK most file manager still try to set the timestamps, although it always fails without root, and ignore the error returned by FUSE, so copying and moving should be fine. At least Total Commander copies the timestamp fine if writing to Samba using the appropriate plug-in on non-rooted devices.
3. How to recognize/test the problem?
If you copy or move a file, the date and time should be kept. But if the destination on Android uses FUSE, instead of the original timestamp the current date/time is being set. Also all other attributes which the file system may manage (rights, owner, groups etc.) usually are concerned. The original values vanish.
If you want to see which file system is being used for internal memory or some external card you may use the app DiskInfo.
If it shows vfat, it means FAT32.
4. Which possibilities exist to correct the behavior?
Google fixed the bug in Android 8 which was known for a long time (start of 2009).
Google issue 34691 with links to related issues
With Android 8 usage of FUSE was removed, the problem was corrected
https://issuetracker.google.com/issues/36930892#comment120
(careful when using command line under Android 8: cp -a seems not always to be working, but touch -r will)
5. Which possibilities exist to circumvent the problem?
5.0. do not use Android for writing to filesystem: If you don't use Android for writing the files, setting the timestamp mostly will be fine. As mentioned in 4. you can use any filesharing server (Samba, ftp etc.). Storing your documents there instead of the local device will relocate the write access to the filesystem of the filesharing server, which usually manages timestamps fine. There also exist possibilities like adopted storage mode, where the SD card gets accessed by Linux and Android only is being used like a card reader.
As the files have the owner root, all possibilities to circumvent using Android need a rooted device. All following solutions shown here won't work for devices which are not rooted.
5.1. Afterwards correcting (not tested): In the app store there exists at least one app File Timestamp which can afterwards set the timestamp.
5.2. Samba Filesharing runs under root account. If some file is accessed via samba server, the time stamp and attributes can be set correctly.
5.3. Make use of a file manager which sets the timestamp using the power of root on a rooted device:
X-Plore sets file time after copying if root mode is enabled.
Ghost Commander is said to work fine (additional requirement: Busybox)
Total Commander 2.04 and newer support changing the time stamp under root account. On Android 5 and newer you need to use link /storage/xxxx-xxxx for external SD, not ///_Name, to make it behave correctly.
SManager by devwom also deals fine with timestamp using root
MiXplorer tries calling touch. The standard touch on some Android versions is faulty implemented, MiXplorer then only succeeds when BusyBox (internal download of MiX) is installed. Try if it works on your device with your current setup, and have a second look if the timezone correctly evaluated.
5.4. Manual call via command line: Who opens a terminal (eg Open Android Terminal) on a rooted device preferrably with BusyBox can execute commands as root.
Example 5.4.
Archive (also possible on Unix/Windows/etc)
cd <Quelle>
tar -cf <Pfad_zu_Archiv>/Archiv.tar *
Extract
cd <Ziel>
su
tar -xf <Pfad_zu_Archiv>/Archiv.tar
Copy
su
cp -a <Quelle> <Ziel>
The command su changes to root user, so that write access to time stamps is possible. It is always possible to read them, so that it is not necessary to su before archive.
Careful when calling touch: The standard implementation (toybox) seems to be faulty, it does not set the given time when called using -d or -t switch.
Careful when using Android 8 (root not required), it seems at least some implementation of cp does not set timestamp on cp -a

Does this affect F2FS as well?

As my current device Moto G uses f2fs for internal storage and I didn't root it by now the test was easy to do
Yes f2fs is also affected. Current time is being used for copy of a file. Thanks for the question, I will add this. Guess it also is implemented using fuse. Until someone tells the opposite I will add it to the fuse-managed fs.
There is another information which I want to add: That the default file manager on most os (Finder on Mac, Windows Explorer on Windows, even cp on Unix and copy on DOS iirc) keep time and attributes for files, but not for folders. Please if you test the behavior, watch files not folders. Although I'd like to keep timestamp there also, you can't rely on these anyway.
Keeping date/time of folders usually can be achieved across platforms when using any archiver. tar, zip, anything. Compress and extract keeps the date of folders. Total commander on Android also.

Issue 34691 is now marked as obsolete. Probably someone at Google has read my FAQ, and the bug won't be fixed. I just can ask the same question like the newest comment in the issue: is the issue obsolete, or is it Android?

tag68 said:
As my current device Moto G uses f2fs for internal storage and I didn't root it by now the test was easy to do
Yes f2fs is also affected. Current time is being used for copy of a file. Thanks for the question, I will add this. Guess it also is implemented using fuse. Until someone tells the opposite I will add it to the fuse-managed fs.
There is another information which I want to add: That the default file manager on most os (Finder on Mac, Windows Explorer on Windows, even cp on Unix and copy on DOS iirc) keep time and attributes for files, but not for folders. Please if you test the behavior, watch files not folders. Although I'd like to keep timestamp there also, you can't rely on these anyway.
Keeping date/time of folders usually can be achieved across platforms when using any archiver. tar, zip, anything. Compress and extract keeps the date of folders. Total commander on Android also.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Actually, from my experience:
Windows:
Explorer didn't maintain folder ts, only file. Total Commander has option to do so. Some archivers do maintain while some not, meaning it's possible on Windows.
Linux:
Most Explorer-like eg KDE's Konqueror didn't preserve ts. Midnight Commander can, the option when copying is there. Also cp -a or cp -prv works in Terminal. So its possible on Linux.
OSX:
I'm using MC too solely for this purpose (I'm a timestamp freak) because most file mangers on osx sux just like the os (not the underlying bsd core) Krusader even show wrong ts. Disk Order comes close but can't rival Total Commander on Windows, or Norton Commander, Volkov Commander on DOS or Midnight Commander on Linux/OSX for that matter. So also possible on OSX/HPFS.
Android:
The closest to almost able is Total Commander, and to some extent, later versions of ES File Manager. Most others simply failed even ones with root support. So I have to cp -a in Android if I have to maintain folder ts, so far I'm not able to get even TC to do that (don't know where's the option, is it there? You're implying as if it's there, do tell if so) Used 2.04 and 2.05 beta builds so far.
And also, I never get a single archiver on Android to extract timestampfor folder (files are fine obviously) except 7zip on vfat, but that means no permissions since 7zip is not unix native.
And oh, by that I meant 7za command line, not anything in apps aka shell, not going to use those archiver shells anytime (unless embedded in a file manager)

kotey said:
I'm using MC too solely for this purpose (I'm a timestamp freak) because most file mangers on osx sux just like the os (not the underlying bsd core) Krusader even show wrong ts. Disk Order comes close but can't rival Total Commander on Windows, or Norton Commander, Volkov Commander on DOS or Midnight Commander on Linux/OSX for that matter. So also possible on OSX/HPFS.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm using muCommander on OSX, it also keeps timestamps of folders.
kotey said:
Android:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Oh, guess I remembered wrong in this point that TC keeps timestamp of folders. I'll ask the author. Like I did for setting timestamp as root, I gave the authors of TC and ES Explorer the hint. While Christian Ghisler (TC) immediately answered and helped a lot, I did not get any reply from the authors of ES Explorer. Does it keep timestamp if you have root in the meantime?

tag68 said:
I'm using muCommander on OSX, it also keeps timestamps of folders.
Oh, guess I remembered wrong in this point that TC keeps timestamp of folders. I'll ask the author. Like I did for setting timestamp as root, I gave the authors of TC and ES Explorer the hint. While Christian Ghisler (TC) immediately answered and helped a lot, I did not get any reply from the authors of ES Explorer. Does it keep timestamp if you have root in the meantime?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Old ES doesn't keep ts of anything.
ES v3 has the same behaviour as TC, it keeps ts of files but not folders.
AFAIK both ES and TC doesn't actually require root in order to keep ts of files, just like cp -a did in a non-root shell (but cp will throw lots of permission copy error, just ignore those obvious warnings, in fact it does the job perfectly)

Just tested ES File Explorer on my unrooted Moto G: Without root it does not keep ts of files. Of course not. It can't. Like cp -a can not do what the OS does not allow.
On which file system did you test when it worked?

Just did a test on my rooted S3 for a file copy operation:
1. ES Explorer keeps timestamp on external SD card where it can write without root according to FAT32 on Android 4.1.2 where FUSE is not active for FAT32
2. ES does not keep timestamp when writing to internal sdcard where FUSE is active - it does not use the power of the root account to set it.
ES is not capable. For my mail 2013-10-23 to [email protected] there was no reply. Guess it was not read, or just ignored ... and I asked 2014-01-23 if my mail arrived and repeated the question, again without answer ... so I strongly recommend to prefer Total Commander at least for rooted devices.

The author of Total Commander now found out why the timestamp could not be copied under Lollipop. The next version sure will bring a fix.
For interested readers here the link to the German discussion . Cause of the problem was discussed on Stack overflow

tag68 said:
Just did a test on my rooted S3 for a file copy operation:
1. ES Explorer keeps timestamp on external SD card where it can write without root according to FAT32 on Android 4.1.2 where FUSE is not active for FAT32
2. ES does not keep timestamp when writing to internal sdcard where FUSE is active - it does not use the power of the root account to set it.
ES is not capable. For my mail 2013-10-23 to [email protected] there was no reply. Guess it was not read, or just ignored ... and I asked 2014-01-23 if my mail arrived and repeated the question, again without answer ... so I strongly recommend to prefer Total Commander at least for rooted devices.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm dealing with this issue from sometime but only now I'm finding your fantastic thread (THANKS A LOT!!!!).
I have something slightly different about ES Explorer (v 3.2.5) :
- exactly as you say with JB 3.2 on a Sony M and an Asus tf101
- as it should be (preserving timestamps) on a Sony z1c with kitkat 4.4.4
Of course all the devices are rooted.
It's crucial for me to have timestamps preserved and I cannot afford to have on my devices two different file managers; unfortunately I'm forced to take the decision to leave ES Explorer and join Total Commander.

Since ES seems not to use power of root, my guess is that Sony allows writing of ts. If I am right it would work the same way if you disallow ES to use root.
Btw I could not reply to your email, although the address when replying was the same like you wrote inside the mail.

tag68 said:
Since ES seems not to use power of root, my guess is that Sony allows writing of ts. If I am right it would work the same way if you disallow ES to use root.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I've run the test and...you've right: with or without usage of root ES behavior remains the same !

Some days ago there were two comments, which I still wanted to reply. Unfortunately I'm not able to find them.
The first was about the issue closed by Google and the reason of closing. If it was duplicate, as there are still open issues dealing with timestamp. When the issue was closed I looked why Google closed issues in that case. The ratio was "the issue is so old now that we treat it as handled. If it still is active, please recreate." I don't believe it will help in any way that issues dealing with the timestamp problem are open but stay unchanged another 6 years. But time will tell, and you always can feel free in bugtracker systems to vote for the issues or watch them.
The second comment was mentioning an interesting script to set timestamp and therefore linked the Android timestamp keeper project. I don't think it would be helpful for an average user, so I wanted to thank for the link, but at least currently I do not want to add it to the Guide.

tag68 said:
Some days ago there were two comments, which I still wanted to reply. Unfortunately I'm not able to find them.
The first was about the issue closed by Google and the reason of closing. If it was duplicate, as there are still open issues dealing with timestamp. When the issue was closed I looked why Google closed issues in that case. The ratio was "the issue is so old now that we treat it as handled. If it still is active, please recreate." I don't believe it will help in any way that issues dealing with the timestamp problem are open but stay unchanged another 6 years. But time will tell, and you always can feel free in bugtracker systems to vote for the issues or watch them.
The second comment was mentioning an interesting script to set timestamp and therefore linked the Android timestamp keeper project. I don't think it would be helpful for an average user, so I wanted to thank for the link, but at least currently I do not want to add it to the Guide.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The correct active issue is:
https://code.google.com/p/android/issues/detail?id=25460
So far it's the only one, even though the issue is now 6 years old, I think. Once or twice a Google person has post that it'll be fixed, then the next update will come out, and nothing.

matthelm, please have a look at your link. On the left side you can see
Status: Duplicate
Merged: issue 18624
Owner: [email protected]
Closed: Nov 2013
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So the currently active issue is 18624. It is the third in the list of 34691 which I linked because it gives the overview which issues exist. Thank you for adding the link to 25640 there - but it is not active.

For those looking for a file manager that solves this issue - I've tested literally a dozen of file managers out there and the only one that keeps the filestamp intact is Ghost Commander. HIGHLY recommended, powerful, efficient, even has FTP over SSH. I'm thrilled!!!

Old faithful said:
For those looking for a file manager that solves this issue - I've tested literally a dozen of file managers out there and the only one that keeps the filestamp intact is Ghost Commander. HIGHLY recommended, powerful, efficient, even has FTP over SSH. I'm thrilled!!!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What is wrong with Total Commander? I'm using it since a long time and it does it correctly ...
Edit: In a short test did Ghost Commander not copy the attributes to internal memory of my Moto X Play. It could not because it did not ask for the power of root. So currently Total Commander stays the only comfortable option for me.

tag68 said:
What is wrong with Total Commander? I'm using it since a long time and it does it correctly ...
Edit: In a short test did Ghost Commander not copy the attributes to internal memory of my Moto X Play. It could not because it did not ask for the power of root. So currently Total Commander stays the only comfortable option for me.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Total Commander works on the PC, actually use it as my second file manager, but on android it has very few useful features. after a few hours trying to get it to do simple file management stuff such as moving, copying and the like, I got too frustrated and uninstalled it.
Ghost commander on the other hand has all the tools available right on the screen and when rooted, does not change file attributes at all, see for yourself
Test copy of one picture from the external SD Card to a test folder in the root of the device:
{
"lightbox_close": "Close",
"lightbox_next": "Next",
"lightbox_previous": "Previous",
"lightbox_error": "The requested content cannot be loaded. Please try again later.",
"lightbox_start_slideshow": "Start slideshow",
"lightbox_stop_slideshow": "Stop slideshow",
"lightbox_full_screen": "Full screen",
"lightbox_thumbnails": "Thumbnails",
"lightbox_download": "Download",
"lightbox_share": "Share",
"lightbox_zoom": "Zoom",
"lightbox_new_window": "New window",
"lightbox_toggle_sidebar": "Toggle sidebar"
}
Test copy of the previous file into a test subfolder onto the external SD Card
Running KitKat 4.4.4, rooted, Super Su 2.56 beta, with permissions added for writing to the external SD Card.
Sent from my Lenovo TAB 2 A10-70F using Tapatalk 2
BTW in case you wondered, I'm NOT German speaking but indeed to German descent

Hold on, I can't seem to replicate this. I don't know why, but after reboot the folder in the root directory (device) was gone... In other words, there is something weird going on with root here.
Second thing, the app I'm using seems to be a fork of ghost commander and there are some differences. I'm looking into it...
Sent from my Lenovo TAB 2 A10-70F using Tapatalk 2
OK, so I uninstalled this app (File Manager by GOODEV) and reinstalled Ghost Commander, then back again, and I am not able to create a permanent folder in the Device Root. I am, however, able to create folders in existing root folders, as well as copying files there.
In any case, both GOODEV File Manager and Ghost Commander will transfer files to and from SDCard, EXT SD Card and Device folders without changing timestamps.
BTW, I noticed that GOODEV File Manager loads ads when you're connected to WiFi so it may well be a spam version of Ghost Commander

configure access to files and directories (SD) per app

Hello,
I was searching about a feature to limit the access of apps to certain files or directories.
Use Case: I may have a directory I store music and do not want to share this with (amazon music, ....)
I may have a directory where I store pictures which should not be seen by other applications.
Today I use a of the shelf Samsung A3 2016 Android 7.0, but I used Xposed, CM and rooted devices. in the past. I'm not registered as developer here did never codded Android app or kernel but developed on embedded Devices and Linux in the past. I would be happy if you could share a ready to use setting, app or development idea (even if you did not got it running).
What I investigated and did not work so far:
Option A - .nomedia
I know already there is a possibility to use .nomedia file in the directory to avoid pictures being shown in Gallery, BUT this is a feature of the Gallery app (as far as I see). So the developer of the Gallery app could also access to the pictures in the directories, if they would like. So I'm not happy with this.
Option B - using cryptography
So I could simply put the sensitive data into a container, there are apps out e.g. EDS.
But I found out if the application who should access the data is not providing a "path" where the data is stored or doesn't provide an interface to a cryptography it can not be used. And once I entered the password and the directory is mounted all the applications running are able to access the files.
Option C - restrict media access
The Android allows to restrict the access to media, so I simply could switch off the access in the app I do not want to allow. But this doesn't work if the app need to store data. Android Music should be able to store the music on the phone but should not be allowed to access the other directories on my SD.
In pure Linux it would be quite easy you can use different users and access to files.
But Xposed may provide a solution as I could filter requests to the file system, but is there a example out there.
Thank you for reading all the stuff
I'm looking forward to read about your ideas
gonso

Hello,
no one has an idea or solution? I'm not able to post in the developers section may be one of you
may move the post into the Development part.
If not existing yet I would try to find out how to develop
Regards
gonso

kindle RCE plugin, hidden files.

I saw this on my device, and only found little info/threads, with almost zero content/analysis. Aparently the kindle app leaves a bunch of random files around. And since the prefix is "RCE" i am a little paranoid, since that usually means "Remote code execution" and is usually associated with exploits
Files:
CS_JIT_Animation.mp4
jit_cs_positive_preview.png
rce_plugin_strings_resource_cs_CZ.json.min
rce_plugin_strings_resource_de_DE.json.min
rce_plugin_strings_resource_en_US.json.min
rce_plugin_strings_resource_es_ES.json.min
rce_plugin_strings_resource_fr_FR.json.min
rce_plugin_strings_resource_it_IT.json.min
rce_plugin_strings_resource_ja_JP.json.min
rce_plugin_strings_resource_nl_NL.json.min
rce_plugin_strings_resource_pt_BR.json.min
rce_plugin_strings_resource_v2_TYPO_TEST.json
rce_plugin_strings_resource_zh_CN.json.min
All Attached in a zip created by the android native file manager.
Current places mentioning this
https://forums.oneplus.com/threads/unkown-files-in-download.948860/
https://talk.sonymobile.com/t5/Xper...erious-Files-in-Downloads-Folder/td-p/1353185
https://forum.xda-developers.com/xperia-xz1/help/phone-mysterious-files-download-folder-t3871763
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eMmx5tRm0jM (one of the files is a video, someone uploaded to youtube ...and to https://gfycat.com/generouspinkcolt
How to make those files appear for you:
Install kindle from the google app store
if you already have it installed, or want to see the files again after you deleted, Stop the app and delete all storage. (nothing will be lost, this app syncs everything and some more to the amazon servers)
perform the first Sync on kindle app
Now, insert a pen drive and open the native android File Mananger and look at the local Download folder
Files are somewhat hidden:
If you look into the download folder with any other app (I tried, blackberry file manager, oi file manager, Ghost Commander, and Termux --after enabling the storage setup)
Files probably have a weird attribute or ownership... but the native android file manager does not show anything other than creation date! And every single file operation (copy, move, compress) reset the information to "regular user, creation time set to now". So either I see them on the Native File Manager, without any information available, or I do not see the files until I destroy the information.
Android version is not important (seems to happen on several versions) and has been happening for a while (First mention seems to be Nov2018)
Anyone have any idea what this is? I know I will probably reverse eng the kindle app at some point, wast a bunch of time, and realize it is just some dumb amateur library badly implemented by amazon... or maybe not. I think at this point I am most curious as to how the app "hides" the files from most everything.