Hi!
Could anyone help steer me towards a solution please?
Or tell me if its impossible (and why).
I am trying to put together a script of some kind which I can use to do a basic rebuild of my Archos 70 after I have done a Full Reinitialization. I like to mess around installing all sorts of stuff, but when done, it's nice to reset and go
back to a clean machine.
As it's not rooted (yet?) I generally rebuild manually which takes ages.
Although a relative newbie at Android/Linux, I have worked with scripting
on mainframes and in the Windoze arena for many years.
The scripting requirement is quite simple, namely to install packages one by one from the SD card. Also to copy back Bookmarks, launcher setting etc
I am happy to work in any language which will work, but to date have just been trying with .SL (Bash?) scripts which run quite happily from within the SL4A environment or according to my theory, should work also from Android natively.
I envisage the script residing on the SD card and when invoked installing my launcher, Dolphin Browser, various other apps and games, then copying back the settings which I have saved (also by script) before the Initialisation.
Trouble is, I can find no simple samples which help. When I try, I can 'cp' stuff about and echo messages etc, but when I try to install, I don't really know where to start. I have tried just the name of the app package
'/sdcard/sdcard/packagename.apk', it replies 'permission denied' and if I try 'sudo package.apk', it says 'not found'.
I am assuming that the 'permission denied' is a good sign because it understands what I'm trying to do at least. But if I am allowed to do it myself, then surely my script should be allowed to do it?
I am quite happy messing around myself. But if anyone has any pointers
(sample scripts, which language/environment to use, etc.) I would be most grateful.
Sorry if this is covered elsewhere. I have searched but was unable to find much which helped. I am continuing the search!
Thanks in anticipation!
1. All normal installed Apps are installed in /data/app as the apk
2. Local/private data comes into /data/data/name.of.the.package
Both directories are ony accessible with root.
Hell again,
Thanks for your reply fzelle, but I'm not sure as to whether I may have explained it properly.
I am running 'Quick System Info' which is great, and it has a function to backup all the installed apps to a directory you can get at without root access. From there I have copied them onto the SD card.
I am not just trying to copy them into the working directory.
If I click on an app, it lets me install it without any problem.
I am trying to automate that part of the process, and I need the name of the software which does the installation, and how to actually give it the parameters for it to do the install. Although a Linux newbie, I don't really understand why, if I am allowed to install apps myself,
a script that I run should not be allowed to install them also?
Anyone got any ideas please?
Oops! - Sorry for that unfortunate typo at the beginning of my last post. Please read as 'Hello'!
No, i didn't understand you wrong.
You want to automate the installation of your std programs, and that normaly doesn't only include the apk but also the private Data.
And if you manually want to install this, you need root to be able to write in /data/data
If you just want to Backup/Install the apps, use appSaver from the market.
That has allready everything you need, and doesn't need root.
fzelle said:
1. All normal installed Apps are installed in /data/app as the apk
2. Local/private data comes into /data/data/name.of.the.package
Both directories are ony accessible with root.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not entirely true.
I have some SSH tunnels set up on my rooted phone that use keys and a shell script to launch them, all set up with Better Terminal Emulator. The key and script files are located under /data/data/com.magicandroidapps.bettertempro/home. I wanted to use the same keys and script on my A70, so I copied the files from my phone to the same directory on my A70 using the terminal command line. Although you can't browse to the app folders under /data/data/, there is some ability to copy stuff into them. I guess the trick is knowing what and to where.
I've not used appsaver, but Astro will also let you back up and reinstall your apps all at once.
Related
hi. i can't believe i'm the first person to ask this but i've searched as best i can through these forums, and on google, and cannot find a definitive answer. there are lots of pages giving high level descriptions of rooting a phone like "gives admin access", "allows access to the root filesystem", etc. but, when you root a phone, what actually happens ? does it simply make the "su" binary available so that apps can call it to access the root user ? eg. i've got a samsung galaxy s2, if i install an insecure kernel, then add su to /system/xbin, and then reinstall a stock kernel, is that technically a rooted phone ? this is actually what i did on my phone, although i installed superuser and busybox from the market after adding su. i am aware that there are various threads in the sgs2 forums on how to root, i'm just using my phone as an example, i'm just trying to understand generically what is meant when someone says a phone has been rooted. cheers.
Full control over your system
Ability to alter system files. You can replace many parts of the "Android Core" with this including:
Themes
Core apps (maps, calendar, clock etc)
Recovery image
Bootloader
Toolbox (linux binary that lets you execute simple linux commands like "ls") can be replaced with Busybox (slightly better option)
Boot images
Add linux binaries
Run special apps that need more control over the system
SuperUser (lets you approve or deny the use of root access to any program)
Task Manager For Root (Lets you kill apps that you otherwise could not kill)
Tether apps (like the one found at [android-wifi-tether.googlecode.com])
<there are more but I cannot think of any right now>
Backup your system
You can make a folder on your sdcard and backup all of your .apk files to your sdcard (helps if an author decides to "upgrade" you to a version that requires you to pay to use the version you just had)
Relocate your (browser/maps/market) cache to your /sdcard
Relocate your installed applications to your /sdcard
Reboot your phone from the terminal app easily (su <enter> reboot <enter>)
Copied and pasted from google... it is your friend.
thanks for the response however, i'm trying to understand what actually changes on the phone when you root it, rather than simply the benefits of rooting a phone.
Carrot Cruncher said:
thanks for the response however, i'm trying to understand what actually changes on the phone when you root it, rather than simply the benefits of rooting a phone.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Unrooted phone is like logging on as user in a computer. By rooting you have "administrative" rights, just like using sudo command in Ubuntu. Some binaries which are important in gaining administrative rights are installed in the phone.
sent from my nokia 3210
If you come from Windows, you're familiar with the Administrator account. A user that can do everything on the system, as opposed to other users than only have limited privileges. In Linux, that account is called "root". That's all there is to it. It's a user that can do everything on the system.
@Panos_dm: Actually, it's *not* like using sudo. Sudo gives elevated privileges to your existing user account, whereas "root" is a whole separate account.
Nope, sudo actually switches users
i'm a linux user and have been a linux admin in the past so understand the difference between su and sudo. sorry to sound pedantic but i'm still not clear on exactly what happens when you root a phone, i.e. what exactly happens during the rooting process ?
It opens your phone to a whole new array of possibilities.
Sent from my HTC Sensation 4G using xda premium
Carrot Cruncher said:
but i'm still not clear on exactly what happens when you root a phone, i.e. what exactly happens during the rooting process ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
In a gist? The "su" binary and the Superuser.apk app get installed. Sometimes doing so requires exploiting a vulnerability via a trigger. Rageagainstthecage is a common trigger. I once had a link that explained what exactly rageagainstthecage does, but I don't have it anymore.
If you really want to know all the details, here's the script I used to root my Defy: http://pastebin.com/G3m9v4FQ
Hmm, I see the script contains a link to the explanation of what rageagainstthecage does. Cool.
many thanks for confirming my understanding of the process.
Hello,
Here is the short story.
I have Samsung Galaxy ACE which is rooted.
Till y'day I was using CM9 Beta 8 ICS 4.0.4 and it was working well.
I installed CM10 JB for Galaxy Ace alpha1 from "hxxp://maclaw.pl/?page_id=180#comment-3642"
Now the problem is, JB doesn't have File Manager installed and I need to install TB to revert my backups.
Due to some unknown reason I am not able to access internet on my device either through GPRS or 3G connection.
I am desperately looking for a way to access my SDCARD wherein I have all my apk's which I can install however, without File Manager I am not sure how to install an apk.
I did some google search and came across topics about installing apk using Android SDK etc.. however I would not want to work on SDK as I feel its bit tedious job for me.
I also tried Android Injector however that didnt work even if I have enabled USB debugging Mode for adb + apps.
Now, I am hoping that, I can use the Terminal Emulator which is preinstalledo n my phone to install apk present on my sdcard.
However, I am not sure how to do that, It would be really appreciated if anyone can suggest the steps to install apk present on my sdcard from Terminal Emulator available on my phone.
Here are some of the screen captures
http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/855/screenshot2012072418240.png/
http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/52/screenshot2012072418234.png/
http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/822/screenshot2012072418230.png/
Thanks
Never mind...
I managed to install Astro File Manager apk from Terminal Emulator.
For those who are interested, here is what I had done.
Previously, I wasn't able to browse sdcard contents from TE,
I rebooted my phone once, fired up TE again
~Android$ su
Allow root access for TE
~Android# cd sdcard
~Android# ls ( Contents of SD card are listed ) I had copied astrofm.apk on root of SDCARD
~Android# pm install astrofm.apk
Success !
Thanks
P.S. This thread can be closed.
@@
hsotnas said:
Never mind...
I managed to install Astro File Manager apk from Terminal Emulator.
For those who are interested, here is what I had done.
Previously, I wasn't able to browse sdcard contents from TE,
I rebooted my phone once, fired up TE again
~Android$ su
Allow root access for TE
~Android# cd sdcard
~Android# ls ( Contents of SD card are listed ) I had copied astrofm.apk on root of SDCARD
~Android# pm install astrofm.apk
Success !
Thanks
P.S. This thread can be closed.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Awesome guide !!!! , thanks bro !! :good::fingers-crossed:
Thank you for the guide
it works. thank you
works, thanks
hsotnas said:
Never mind...
I managed to install Astro File Manager apk from Terminal Emulator.
For those who are interested, here is what I had done.
Previously, I wasn't able to browse sdcard contents from TE,
I rebooted my phone once, fired up TE again
~Android$ su
Allow root access for TE
~Android# cd sdcard
~Android# ls ( Contents of SD card are listed ) I had copied astrofm.apk on root of SDCARD
~Android# pm install astrofm.apk
Success !
Thanks
P.S. This thread can be closed.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I very much appreciate the quick tutorial!
However, with that being said, I am having an issue trying to install my .apk onto my Motorola Xoom (Rooted running CM10.1) through the use of Terminal Emulator. I first tried installing the .apk from my File Manager and just clicking on the icon, and clicking Install, like one would think one should be able to do. When that method failed, multiple times(kept saying "insufficient storage, please delete files through app manager") which by the way, I know for a fact I have 15.8GB of storage left on my Xoom, so this should not be the issue. I then decided to try and install through Terminal Emulator. Now one would think it would be about the same as using adb commands on a Computer, which it somewhat is I guess you could say. So I go to T.E. and type the commands to get Super User access, then cd sdcard to go into the directory, then cd download because this is where my file is located, then I type pm install ****.apk.
I get a line of command that says: a) pkg: ****.apk and then b) Failure [INSTALL_FAILED_INSUFFICIENT_STORAGE], and then the command line just goes back to my download folder directory.
I've had this issue before on my Galaxy S3, but can't remember how I ended up resolving the issue. Think I did a factory data reset/wipe, which I don't want to have to do to my Xoom. So any assistance would be much appreciated. I do understand that your device was a Galaxy ACE, but I wouldn't think it would matter as to what the device is, since it is the same install method/command for any Android device essentially. Hope someone can help out. If not, I may have to post in another Device Thread (Motorola Stingray Xoom I would assume).
Many thanks in advance, and I will click the Thank You, if any responses come through.
Really appreciate for the guide man
Sent from my LG-P700 using xda app-developers app
Thanks for the reply... short, to the point, and it works.
DannyShane said:
I very much appreciate the quick tutorial!
However, with that being said, I am having an issue trying to install my .apk onto my Motorola Xoom (Rooted running CM10.1) through the use of Terminal Emulator. I first tried installing the .apk from my File Manager and just clicking on the icon, and clicking Install, like one would think one should be able to do. When that method failed, multiple times(kept saying "insufficient storage, please delete files through app manager") which by the way, I know for a fact I have 15.8GB of storage left on my Xoom, so this should not be the issue. I then decided to try and install through Terminal Emulator. Now one would think it would be about the same as using adb commands on a Computer, which it somewhat is I guess you could say. So I go to T.E. and type the commands to get Super User access, then cd sdcard to go into the directory, then cd download because this is where my file is located, then I type pm install ****.apk.
I get a line of command that says: a) pkg: ****.apk and then b) Failure [INSTALL_FAILED_INSUFFICIENT_STORAGE], and then the command line just goes back to my download folder directory.
I've had this issue before on my Galaxy S3, but can't remember how I ended up resolving the issue. Think I did a factory data reset/wipe, which I don't want to have to do to my Xoom. So any assistance would be much appreciated. I do understand that your device was a Galaxy ACE, but I wouldn't think it would matter as to what the device is, since it is the same install method/command for any Android device essentially. Hope someone can help out. If not, I may have to post in another Device Thread (Motorola Stingray Xoom I would assume).
Many thanks in advance, and I will click the Thank You, if any responses come through.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi DannyShane,
Not sure if this is still relevant and you are around here, since it's been a very long time and I stopped using Android
I am not an Android geek but here are my 2 cents...
You need to keep .apk file on the root of the SD CARD instead of a folder. IIRC, I had the same exact error which you had mentioned, I was trying to install .apk which was placed in a folder and it didnt work., then I had to move the .apk file to root and it worked flawlessly.
Extremely sorry for the very late response though. I use my secondary e-mail for this forum and missed replies on this thread.
@ All others who have replied, I am glad that, my little finding helped you guys.
Cheers :angel:
I have a few things to add to hsotnas answer. The insufficent space error seems to be a very generic error on android that can have various causes. Maybe there is something like this in the android source code:
PHP:
try{
installApk();
} catch (Exception ex){
output("Failure [INSTALL_FAILED_INSUFFICIENT_STORAGE]");
}
If you understand what I mean
I had this error myself a few days ago and for me it was caused by some left over files in the /data/app-lib directory. It was a self-developed application and I added a library to this directory manually. As I uninstalled the application, it wasn't removed and the reinstall failed with the above mentioned error. So make sure the directories /data/data/app.package.name/ and /data/app-lib/app.package.name/ are empty.
I tried this, to install the play store apk. But I get the error INSTALL_FAILED_INVALID_URI. What is this error refering to?
PSV_Supporter said:
I tried this, to install the play store apk. But I get the error INSTALL_FAILED_INVALID_URI. What is this error refering to?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Me too same thing happens when I try to install 3.apk
the command used is "pm install apps/*.apk"
Mine are backups of play store
Thankyou for this tutorial... IT WORKS.. Can't believe it.. You made my day. Thankyou :good:
I'm trying to recover an old tablet and need to install a file manager... the touch screen inst working so I thought terminal would do the job... but .APK's dont show when I go to the root of the SD card and type 'ls'
An ideas?
Thanks it works
failed on me ..
Hi.
I tried to use the Emacs app from Google play store to see if I could see and edit various settings (as I sometimes do in classical unix when nothing else helps), but apparently the "dired" command is not working. I get the message "Listing directory failed, but 'access file ' worked". Is this due to the fact that I do not have superuser rights? Is it possible to give the emacs app su rights?
(As you can see, I do not know much about Android.)
Olof47 said:
Hi.
I tried to use the Emacs app from Google play store to see if I could see and edit various settings (as I sometimes do in classical unix when nothing else helps), but apparently the "dired" command is not working. I get the message "Listing directory failed, but 'access file ' worked". Is this due to the fact that I do not have superuser rights? Is it possible to give the emacs app su rights?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The original question still remains unanswered, but I just realized that for me there is a very simple workaround (which I should have realized much earlier):
Since I use NativeSD the whole system is on the SD-card, and nothing prevents me from putting the SD-card into a card reader, and mounting it on a unix computer (in my case Kubuntu). This way I can mount both the FAT-partition and the Ext4-partition, and modify whatever I want.
This is one of the reasons why I like NativeSD: I have the original boot loader and the original Windows Mobile 6.5 in DRAM in my HD2, and no matter how many errors I do when I try to install NaviteSD roms on the SD card I do not brick the phone, as long as I do not touch DRAM. And I find the NativeSD roms surpisingly fast.
Hi
"Invalid download uri" is a bad ass error that is the biggest flaw (IMHO) You can encounter. Solutions are (as far as I can tell):
- cache clear
- factory reset
But for those, who did this and still have the same problem (or don't wanna try the factory reset) there might be some hope. (I was searching for solutions and found none like this, so I hope I don't duplicate someone's ideas)
I was fighting with this for a longer time and I guess I finally managed to fix it. I tried to clear cache, Google Store and Services, I even removed and reinstalled Google Play. But as logcat said, there was still problem with access to the file that was downloaded (something about JaveException:FileAccessInvalid - or something similar).
So, to make the long story short:
- connect phone
- adb shell
- cd /data/data/com.android.providers.downloads
- ls -al
There should be 4 directories:
- one of them (install) is a link (not visible in CM File Manager, but visible in shell)
- app_sslcache, cache, databases
Those three should have similar attributes (drwxrwx--x), in my case, cache had ony drwx--x--x.
So an easy fix: chmod 771 cache (You should be root) and voila, everything works (You don't need reboot or to stop google play or anything) and no more "invalid download uri".
Please, if You have this problem try this fix and if it works for You, let others know (maybe even in the comment section below)...
PS: It's not dangerous, but anyway... You do this at Your own risk.
It WORKED!
What a life saver, I was able to change the permissions through FX Root Explorer.
Thank YOU.
Thanks!!!
Old thread but throwing a thank you out there. Was having this issue after rooting my VZW M8 and this solved the problem. Thanks! I also shared this link over on AndroidForums.com as I found a similar thread with no solution while googling this issue.
So thanks!
Thank you, for the inspiration, by looking at the logs, it was some permission pbl in com.android.vending and after some try, it was com.android.vending itself that was with bad permission.
771 on com.android.vending fix it for me!
Hi, was reading your suggestion how to fix problem"invalid dowload url' problem, followed your guide but no luck.
You wrote:
There should be 4 directories:
- one of them (install) is a link (not visible in CM File Manager, but visible in shell)
- app_sslcache, cache, databases
I have galaxy S5, rooted, using root explorer(everything visible) and within data/data/androidproviders.downloads I have only 3 files.
cache,databeses and lib.
but in another directory data/data/com.android.vending I do have files you mentioned and some more.
All of my files as well directories have same set of permissions, which is
rwxrwx-x
I know you mentioned we should have drwxrwx--x and I don't know how to change it(if my permissions are wrong).
IF you can help pls I would appreciate.
sweetmango said:
Hi, was reading your suggestion how to fix problem"invalid dowload url' problem, followed your guide but no luck.
You wrote:
There should be 4 directories:
- one of them (install) is a link (not visible in CM File Manager, but visible in shell)
- app_sslcache, cache, databases
I have galaxy S5, rooted, using root explorer(everything visible) and within data/data/androidproviders.downloads I have only 3 files.
cache,databeses and lib.
but in another directory data/data/com.android.vending I do have files you mentioned and some more.
All of my files as well directories have same set of permissions, which is
rwxrwx-x
I know you mentioned we should have drwxrwx--x and I don't know how to change it(if my permissions are wrong).
IF you can help pls I would appreciate.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Must be the "new" Android version... I don't have enough info to help You. the pesmissions are correct. That "d" in the beginning says it's a directory. After that there are rwx (means: Read, Write, eXecute) three times. These permissions are for Owner, Group and Others. That means the owner (the app that created this directory/file) should have full rights:rwx. He can read, write and execute the file/directory. Group is just a group of owners that can share some data. Like, You can put pictures into a directory and have all apps in group "viewers" access them. And then Others. Others are all other apps that are there. So basically drwxrwxrwx means anyone can do anything with that file/directory. drwx------ means only the owner has full access, all others cannot do anything. That's the permission system in linux/android in a really really fast lesson.
Now what You need to do is to find where S5 puts the things it downloads from App Store. Maybe You are missing that folder I have found. Dunno. Try to google it out and maybe someone can help You better. Or try to find it Yourself.
What I would do is to connect S5 with a cable to a PC, run adb shell logcat and then I would try to install something from the App Store. You will see all that crap that's going on and if there will be an error, You can see it, read it, think about it and solve it
Ot put it here and I will think for You
"invalid dowload url' problem
Thank you very much for super fast response. BTW, besides this post about 'invalid dowload url' problem there is nothing on the net, not one single word. I resolved my issue with reseting my phone and everything is fine now(it was easy since I have back up of everything). Will re search more and let you know if find any answers. Anyway, was looking at permissions in same folder after reseting my phone and everything is same as before but works. Thank you again, for your effort.
ntn_labs said:
Must be the "new" Android version... I don't have enough info to help You. the pesmissions are correct. That "d" in the beginning says it's a directory. After that there are rwx (means: Read, Write, eXecute) three times. These permissions are for Owner, Group and Others. That means the owner (the app that created this directory/file) should have full rights:rwx. He can read, write and execute the file/directory. Group is just a group of owners that can share some data. Like, You can put pictures into a directory and have all apps in group "viewers" access them. And then Others. Others are all other apps that are there. So basically drwxrwxrwx means anyone can do anything with that file/directory. drwx------ means only the owner has full access, all others cannot do anything. That's the permission system in linux/android in a really really fast lesson.
Now what You need to do is to find where S5 puts the things it downloads from App Store. Maybe You are missing that folder I have found. Dunno. Try to google it out and maybe someone can help You better. Or try to find it Yourself.
What I would do is to connect S5 with a cable to a PC, run adb shell logcat and then I would try to install something from the App Store. You will see all that crap that's going on and if there will be an error, You can see it, read it, think about it and solve it
Ot put it here and I will think for You
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Try without an SD card in your device.
I don't have install in either place (com.android.provides.downloads or com.android.vending) on my PadFone X and keep running into this issue
EDIT: In my case it won't download the whole app.
EDIT: Downgrading Play Store fixed it!
Thanks, it worked
I didn't try changing permissions but just cleared the Download Manager data and it did work
Did this with Root Explorer, just want to mention, permission 771 should be granted not only for cache folder, but to every sub-folder.
Anyway thanx, this is really working solution.
Just a quick note: Noticed this error after installing the Xposed Module "Root Cloak". Since this error only showed up for root apps I figured that was the problem. Was able to update (TiBU and Greenify) by disabling Root Cloak - rebooting - updating - re-enabling Root Cloak.
Not sure what item I added to Root Cloak that is causing this issue, but for now this "solved" the problem for me.
Merman1983 said:
Just a quick note: Noticed this error after installing the Xposed Module "Root Cloak". Since this error only showed up for root apps I figured that was the problem. Was able to update (TiBU and Greenify) by disabling Root Cloak - rebooting - updating - re-enabling Root Cloak.
Not sure what item I added to Root Cloak that is causing this issue, but for now this "solved" the problem for me.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Dead or not I have ran into the exact same thing twice. First time was right after root cloak, and this time its been a while. That and a bad memory had me end up here. Root Cloak or not a simple fix permissions in something as old as ROM Manager or just do it in custom recovery fixed it for me. Android 4.3. Galaxy Note 10.1 2014 rooted stock with multi user. I note multi user because it has also caused me some grief due to knox magically appearing in the second user even though completely removed from ROM and also must enable multi user root in supersu. Thanks for making me chase permissions instead of go after the old sd card mount issues.
Fixing permissions worked for me thanks!
Solution to "Invalid download URI."
After some time of troubleshooting this issue, and performing all the previously recommended steps, we believe we found a really easy solution. In fact, I feel really frustrated that I didn't do this to begin with, but hey, live and learn.
This solution will typically work for folks who are getting this on almost every app, with a few exceptions. You may notice that some apps will install while others throw this "Invalid download URI." When an app is downloaded, the installer will then look to see where the app wants to install. Most of the time, these apps request to use the "SD Card" mount point. On most Android devices, even if you do not have a SD card installed, you will still have a SD Card mount point, which simply points to another location within the phones storage. It turns out that in this case, the S4 we were working on, had a SD card installed, but it was defective. So the installer would attempt to perform the installation step, but since the SD card wasn't responding appropriately, we would get this "Invalid download URI" error. After the card was removed, the Play store began functioning normally and apps would install without any issues.
Hopefully this helps everyone who had no success with the cache clearing and permission change solutions.
I wanna bump this to say thanks to the op and xda in general I been fighting with the aopen Opensign tablet10s that uses some hacked apon version of ics trying to get gapps working this thread was the final piece of the puzzle
THANK YOU
The multi user and guest account feature is not available on either of the two recent releases of Lollipop for the Z3v. I did some research and it appears this is the case, not only on other Verizon handsets like the Droid Turbo and the Galaxy S5 / S6, but a few other non-VZW devices as well. I'm not sure why it was removed but apparently it's just hidden. It can be enabled and I followed the instructions for doing this for the various other devices and can report that it works for our Z3v (see attached screenshots).
I've kind of cleaned up the instructions and put them below. Usual disclaimer - I'm not responsible for anything that may happen to you or your cat if you choose to do the following. You DO need root access to edit and write to the system file.
** To be safe, please make a backup of your phone and/or a copy of the build.prop file that you are going to edit.
Get ES File Explorer. Run it and enable Root Explorer setting. (You may be able to use any file explorer and editor with root access but this is used most in the instructions and works.)
With ES File Explorer, go to device/system/ and find the file: build.prop
Choose to edit it with ES Note Editor.
Scroll to the end of the file and type in the following:
fw.max_users=5
fw.show_multiuserui=1
Save the file.
I'm not sure if the next step is required but it was in half the instructions I saw, and I did it myself: Click and hold the file, go to Properties, and then change the permissions to Read, Write & Execute. [all three]
Reboot your phone.
When you're up and running, access multi user mode by pulling down your notification shade and then clicking on your user icon at the top right corner.
Notes so far:
A guest user does not have access to the original user's files on the internal drive - the guest user has their own file directory. The guest CAN access the External SD Card, though.
Therefore, an app such as Movie Creator can and will create a "highlight" movie that is composed from photos that are saved on the external SD Card. Just keep this in mind as far as privacy.
There is a per user option that lets you decide whether or not the additional users can use the phone and access the text messages. If you disable this ability, while they cannot open the phone app to make a call, the CAN receive an incoming call.
You can find out more about the nuances of additional users with your Google Fu.
Enjoy!
Wow! Great work!
AddictedToGlass said:
Wow! Great work!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks! I really wanted this feature and it seemed like not many people care too much about it. It's my way of circumventing the awful permissions control we currently have in Android. That is, there are apps I want to use but refuse to install because of their overreaching permission requirements (contacts, etc) and so I can now create a second user with a new "dummy" Gmail account that has no sensitive information and install these apps without worrying.
By the way, something neat I figured out about this. Additional user accounts are not allowed to side load apps (the toggle to install from unknown sources is grayed out). I figured out that if the main user / owner restores an app through Titanium Backup, any other currently existing user will have it installed for some reason. I don't know why this happens but it's a neat glitch that gets you around that restriction.
Well I think most people simply don't let others touch their phones and so don't have a use for multiple user accounts. I find that my phone, as big as the screen is, is becoming more and more of a computer / tablet replacement. I like the idea of a multiuser functionality, but mostly to hide my own stuff. I'll silk never let anyone else touch my phone!
The use for multi-user that I've seen that makes the most sense is people with children. They will create a user profile for the child so they can't get into any of the parent's stuff or settings. That or the guest profile which will let them do whatever the heck they want without screwing up the phone.
Aside from that I have read that devs find the feature very useful for testing. Heck, that's not a bad idea to install and test apps, in general.
uh oh.
Well something didnt work. Maybe a certain build I have to be on or what. I followed the instructions to a t. Now stuck on endless boot loop. Only bad part is I'm on as hotel room working out of town without a laptop Or pc to fix it. I used a one click root just today and didn't install a proper recovery. Any thoughts
rpelljr said:
Well something didnt work. Maybe a certain build I have to be on or what. I followed the instructions to a t. Now stuck on endless boot loop. Only bad part is I'm on as hotel room working out of town without a laptop Or pc to fix it. I used a one click root just today and didn't install a proper recovery. Any thoughts
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I had a problem with this also twice cause I'm always doing stupid things to my phone my guess is you didn't change the system to r/w but modified it anyway or you used a editor that would let you input the correct values I used s manager I think. As far as getting your phone working you could try safe mode or maybe a factory reset if you can hold power and the volume button down and enter recovery.
Tigerhoods said:
I had a problem with this also twice cause I'm always doing stupid things to my phone my guess is you didn't change the system to r/w but modified it anyway or you used a editor that would let you input the correct values I used s manager I think. As far as getting your phone working you could try safe mode or maybe a factory reset if you can hold power and the volume button down and enter recovery.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I believe the mistake was made when i changed the permissions per instructions. I finially got to my house and im using adb to freeze the loop then going to push a script over to fix the permissions. I will update when i get it done and I will post my fix. Also I used ES file explorer, which i have already used it for years now. Never had anything like this happen before. it just baffles me. I have never got any instructions off of XDA that led to any malfuntion of my phone. But oh well, sh!+ happens.
rpelljr said:
I believe the mistake was made when i changed the permissions per instructions. I finially got to my house and im using adb to freeze the loop then going to push a script over to fix the permissions. I will update when i get it done and I will post my fix. Also I used ES file explorer, which i have already used it for years now. Never had anything like this happen before. it just baffles me. I have never got any instructions off of XDA that led to any malfuntion of my phone. But oh well, sh!+ happens.
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Click to collapse
Hey! I'm so sorry! I got a couple of new phones (Droid Maxx 2 and LG G4) and have been using those phones so I haven't been checking these forums like I was when I just had the Z3v. Really sorry to hear that you ran into that kind of trouble . Thing is, the instructions above are culled from 4 or 5 different sets of instructions for various devices that I found across the web. I performed them step by step myself while cross referencing them to each other and combined them all to the instruction set above as I did it. Did you ever fix it with the method you mentioned? I'm curious if it was the permissions thing (odd, because it worked for me).
Jurassic Pork Fried Rice said:
Hey! I'm so sorry! I got a couple of new phones (Droid Maxx 2 and LG G4) and have been using those phones so I haven't been checking these forums like I was when I just had the Z3v. Really sorry to hear that you ran into that kind of trouble . Thing is, the instructions above are culled from 4 or 5 different sets of instructions for various devices that I found across the web. I performed them step by step myself while cross referencing them to each other and combined them all to the instruction set above as I did it. Did you ever fix it with the method you mentioned? I'm curious if it was the permissions thing (odd, because it worked for me).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
it is guys if done right your system needs to be switched to r/w then go back to r/o after modifying the build prop if you modify in r/o you will get bootloop to a hard brick it depends.
Jurassic Pork Fried Rice said:
Hey! I'm so sorry! I got a couple of new phones (Droid Maxx 2 and LG G4) and have been using those phones so I haven't been checking these forums like I was when I just had the Z3v. Really sorry to hear that you ran into that kind of trouble . Thing is, the instructions above are culled from 4 or 5 different sets of instructions for various devices that I found across the web. I performed them step by step myself while cross referencing them to each other and combined them all to the instruction set above as I did it. Did you ever fix it with the method you mentioned? I'm curious if it was the permissions thing (odd, because it worked for me).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well I kinda fixed it. I went and bought a HTC M9. Lol but not yet, I'm still working on it. I have found scripts to run, even a specific build.prop fix to push, but I have windows 10 and couldn't get adb to find the device. Plus I'm a little rusty. So I broke out my old windows 7 laptop I have used just for rooting an modding phones and tablets. I did get adb and fastboot to find it once. Then some reason lost it. I didn't have it ready to go. But I'm almost 100 percent sure I can get it. Just need to play around with it a little bit more. Having trouble with drivers etc. I will let you know when I have it.
And didn't really hurt my feelings getting the phone I truly want. I never had problems with HTC since I was flashing roms on my old window phones. I just want my pictures I cannot replace.
"Run it and enable Root Explorer setting. (You may be able to use any file explorer and editor with root access but this is used most in the instructions and works.)"
Alas- I am not rooted, and therefore can not enable "Root Explorer" option. Unless someone has some other suggestions- I think I can't do this unless I'm rooted.
Well this is probably what I did to brick my first z3v.
I don't suggest anyone do this at all. There does seem to be an issue with the permission setting on the build.prop file. If it's not reset correctly after editing, you'll get stuck in a loop or worse. I'm stuck in bootloop, but can get into recovery. I made a backup hoping to learn how to edit the build.prop (delete it and rename the copied original to set it back as it was). But I can't even run the original zip that GigaSPX made up for us. (I don't have a backup like I hought I did.)
Anytime I try to install the flashable prerooted zip it tells me it's done after 2 seconds and says;
set_perm: some changes failed
I'm typing this on my z2 tablet, which has the multi user feature enabled. I'm going to see if RootExplorer will give me some clues as to why this doesn't work.
In the mean time I'm hoping someone can help me out?
If love to get this feature to work, but it has to be safe.
Just checked the build.prop on my tablet and got no clue.
AddictedToGlass said:
Well this is probably what I did to brick my first z3v.
I don't suggest anyone do this at all. There does seem to be an issue with the permission setting on the build.prop file. If it's not reset correctly after editing, you'll get stuck in a loop or worse. I'm stuck in bootloop, but can get into recovery. I made a backup hoping to learn how to edit the build.prop (delete it and rename the copied original to set it back as it was). But I can't even run the original zip that GigaSPX made up for us. (I don't have a backup like I hought I did.)
Anytime I try to install the flashable prerooted zip it tells me it's done after 2 seconds and says;
set_perm: some changes failed
I'm typing this on my z2 tablet, which has the multi user feature enabled. I'm going to see if RootExplorer will give me some clues as to why this doesn't work.
In the mean time I'm hoping someone can help me out?
If love to get this feature to work, but it has to be safe.
Just checked the build.prop on my tablet and got no clue.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
a backup usually means going into your twrp and hit the back up button and make a copy of your system including data and all that. This is mandatory before messing with the build prop. If you want Pm me your build prop and I will send it back to you. With multi user enabled.
Yup, I know what a back-up is and how to do it, and I know it's a must before messing with the build.prop. I just really thought I had done it recently...
-and I had! But I forgot that a few days ago I bought myself a Christmas present; a 200 Gb micro SD, and copied most of the contents to the new card from my old one. I chose not to copy the backup because I had planned to make some changes and create a more recent backup. Never happened though because I got side tracked loading music and such. Lol!
So I'm all back together, but would still like to play with this feature. So I'm going to give it another shot.
A guest user does not have access to the original user's files on the internal drive - the guest user has their own file directory. The guest CAN access the External SD Card, though.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Perhaps the wrong thread but: enabled multi user on a Cube T8 only to find that guest and other user can access INTERNAL sd but not external sd. I'd rather have it the other way round. So the kids (other users) can use the whole of 32 GB sd card rather than me having to share the small internal sd with them.
Any ideas how to fix this? Phablet is not rooted btw.
got bootloop..... but i'm safe as i've backup.... through recovery..
I've inserted two lines and fell in bootloop
Thanks bro.. working....!!!! but second step is not needed...