Hi all,
Well for everyone who want's to have the Google apps like:
Android market
Youtube
Gmail
etc.
Here is a link to a share where the gapps4archos can be downloaded.
http://code.google.com/p/archos-apps-installer/downloads/list
INSTALL INSTRUCTIONS:
WARNING: You cannot install this appInstaller if you installed gApps4Archos or any other gApps installer. Anytime you switch appInstaller programs, you MUST reset your device back to stock. If you've NEVER installed ANY market/gApps installer, then your good... no need to reset.
NOTE: If you've ONLY used my appInstaller, then you can REMOVE the old files using my app and re-install the apps at the same time, then REBOOT.
1) Download - http://code.google.com/p/archos-apps-installer/downloads/list
2) Copy download to your device via USB (if you didnt download directly using your Archos)
3) Use 'Files' app to locate gAppsInstaller, then execute/install it
4) Choose install packaged apps or choose to install your own packaged 'apps.zip' file located on the internal drive (not sdcard)
4a) There maybe a short delay after you tap an install button (its installing and you'll be notified when its done, about 5-10 seconds)
5) REBOOT!!
6) Follow the Market FIX instructions below
MARKET FIX:
This will get you most missing apps from the market, except some "protect market apps"
Setting-->Manage Applications-->All-->Market (Clear Cache then 'Force Stop' -- DO NOT clear data)
Setting-->Manage Applications-->All-->Google Services Framework (Clear data then 'Force Stop')
REBOOT again
Market Fix video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7l-nySibzeA&feature=player_embedded#!
If you do this correctly you will find most missing apps like 'Copilot Live USA' in the Market. However, some apps will not show because they are "protected" Market apps. These include 'NY Times'. Google search "android protected market apps" if your not familar.
NOTE: The latest version of GMAIL and Youtube can be downloaded in the market...
Thanks to our friends from the archosfans.com forum
Thankyou for this, I have seen how much work you have put into it. Tried gAppsInstaller_v3.apk this morning and seems to be working well, no FC's etc so far...
(edit)Oppss ment to say thankyou Kenyu73 for the app and thanks Dreetje for posting, thought you was Kenyu under a different name...
supagforce said:
Thankyou for this, I have seen how much work you have put into it. Tried gAppsInstaller_v3.apk this morning and seems to be working well, no FC's etc so far...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well i didn't made it, Kenyu73 did make it It makes my device complete, really love the Archos device!
Thanks! I've looked at these instructions a dozen times on ArchosFans and always missed that market was clear cache not clear data and never figured out why it didn't work right for me. With the latest gapps I'm now seeing most everything. Awesome guide!
Edit: For some reason when I use this installer however, TweetDeck will not run properly. It always Force Closes once I've signed into my account and I cannot fix it. This is one of my favorite apps. If someone could figure this out I would appreciate it.
Edit 2: This installer causes a ton of apps not to launch in my experience thus far. TweetDeck as mentioned, Moblox, Angry Birds, they all just FC or hang endlessly. I'd still recommended the other installer with the same steps outlined in this post.
Stupid question but does "reset your device back to stock" mean anything else than a reboot? Like an Android reset or something?
g00ner said:
Stupid question but does "reset your device back to stock" mean anything else than a reboot? Like an Android reset or something?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
from recovery or from menu, not reboot
thanks for the advise on market acces update, now finally updated gmail apk
I have the Google Marketplace up and running and for the most part it works wonderfully. My biggest issue are protected applications I use on my HTC EVO aren't showing up and some of these application I really use / enjoy. Some of these are:
1) BatteryView
2) Battery Watch
3) Splash ID!
4) Monster App Pro (I'm using the non-Pro right now)
I've been trying to add the "Market Access" application to the mix to help me with this issue, but thus far can't get z4root to work. Oh, it says it was successful, but none of the programs that need root can get it from the Super User application.
I can live without these protected applications, they are simply nice to have -- except Splash ID!, which IMHO, is necessary to protect my development personal, professional, and development information. I was able to get a work around for Splash ID, for which I'm thankful.
Bert Moshier
Excuse my ignorance, but how is this at all new? There's been a gapps hack available for every Archos device for quite some time now. It's always been readily available on ArchosFans.com.
MidwestDrummer said:
Excuse my ignorance, but how is this at all new? There's been a gapps hack available for every Archos device for quite some time now. It's always been readily available on ArchosFans.com.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's a different version which allows for more flexibility, especially for updating the two most useful core apps.
MidwestDrummer said:
Excuse my ignorance, but how is this at all new? There's been a gapps hack available for every Archos device for quite some time now. It's always been readily available on ArchosFans.com.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It also has less apps in it, saving space for where the apps are installed, especially since Archos only provided around 275~ MB of space for app installation
And not all apps can move to sd card so any space is helpful
All we need now is the Samsung Galaxy Tab email app ported over. If anyone has any idea please share.
Thanks for posting the info for my gAppsInstaller. I've been away from the game for a few days now doing housework "mods" (=
The only issue remaining that I'm aware of with this app is a certain sub-set of apps that FC (AutoZone, OSMonitor and a few others mentioned in this thread. I haven't had time to research, but whatever the gApps4Archos is doing is making these work ok... I'm thinking its some registration of dll files ('so' files perhaps). I do know it copies 4-5 .so files into the froyo/system directory, but i'm not sure right now if I need to do some type of '.so' file registration with them.
If any linux guru's out there know of something I need to do specifically with these (besides copying them to the '/froyo/system' directory, please let me know.
libspeech.so
libvoicesearch.so
libzxing.so
libimageutils.so
libinterstitial.so
kenyu73 said:
Thanks for posting the info for my gAppsInstaller. I've been away from the game for a few days now doing housework "mods" (=
The only issue remaining that I'm aware of with this app is a certain sub-set of apps that FC (AutoZone, OSMonitor and a few others mentioned in this thread. I haven't had time to research, but whatever the gApps4Archos is doing is making these work ok... I'm thinking its some registration of dll files ('so' files perhaps). I do know it copies 4-5 .so files into the froyo/system directory, but i'm not sure right now if I need to do some type of '.so' file registration with them.
If any linux guru's out there know of something I need to do specifically with these (besides copying them to the '/froyo/system' directory, please let me know.
libspeech.so
libvoicesearch.so
libzxing.so
libimageutils.so
libinterstitial.so
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There is the guru! I thought i share it with the XDA members
Your question: I searched for an explenation about registering the .so files and found this link: http://users.actcom.co.il/~choo/lupg/tutorials/libraries/unix-c-libraries.html#shared_dlopen
just checking - these instructions are for 2.2 only ?
-thanks for posting this in a clear easy to follow way and thanks to kenyu73 for all the work
- Stephen
kenyu73 said:
Thanks for posting the info for my gAppsInstaller. I've been away from the game for a few days now doing housework "mods" (=
The only issue remaining that I'm aware of with this app is a certain sub-set of apps that FC (AutoZone, OSMonitor and a few others mentioned in this thread. I haven't had time to research, but whatever the gApps4Archos is doing is making these work ok... I'm thinking its some registration of dll files ('so' files perhaps). I do know it copies 4-5 .so files into the froyo/system directory, but i'm not sure right now if I need to do some type of '.so' file registration with them.
If any linux guru's out there know of something I need to do specifically with these (besides copying them to the '/froyo/system' directory, please let me know.
libspeech.so
libvoicesearch.so
libzxing.so
libimageutils.so
libinterstitial.so
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
you tried to ask m4rk3t about this?
czesiu said:
you tried to ask m4rk3t about this?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I dont think he created the original gApps4Archos package, he only de-compiled it, added the updated the apps with the newer 2.2 market then vanished.
I think he dropped of the radar after he did the re-package of that app.
m4rk3t
Archos Novice
Posts: 6
Joined: Thu Nov 26, 2009 4:43 pm
my youtube wont update to new one in market and my youtube just fc
tmacgarris6727 said:
my youtube wont update to new one in market and my youtube just fc
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
My app doesn't include youtube (i required you to get it from the market) so I'm not sure why you say it wont update.
Did you use this one or gApps4Archos?
yes i use that and youtube comes with it but it keeps fc and it wont download from market
It seems that since Google updated Market to Google Play, I can't access or install a bunch of apps that I want.
The two that bother me right now are 'Lookout Mobile Security' and 'Firefox for Android'. If I search Google Play, neither show up in search results. If I use the browser and go directly to either Firefox's or Lookout's site to install, I get redirected to Google Play and the Install button in both cases is grayed out and nothing happens.
And I'm very unhappy that I can no longer download the apks using my computer and side load/install it.
????????????
I'm on a standard Nook Color, with the newest stable release running in EMMC:
Android version: 2.3.7
Kernel version: 2.6.32.9
Mod version: CyanogenMod 7.1.0-encore
Build No: GWK74
Everything else works fine and I have no other problems or complaints.
Can someone give me some things to try and get this working???
(is this the correct forum for this type of problem??? or can someone please direct me to the right place?? I didn't want to post this to the development forum.)
Same problem here, with last build of Mirage.
I modified the build.prop file, identifying as HTC Vision.
Playstore (in desktop) now shows HTC Vision as my device.
But still no full access to market with my nook, I can't see gmail app, for example.
I tried again to change build.prop with Nexus S as device.
Playstore has not even noticed the change.
Any hint ?
filigi said:
Same problem here, with last build of Mirage.
I modified the build.prop file, identifying as HTC Vision.
Playstore (in desktop) now shows HTC Vision as my device.
But still no full access to market with my nook, I can't see gmail app, for example.
I tried again to change build.prop with Nexus S as device.
Playstore has not even noticed the change.
Any hint ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't have your Rom, but never had problems with Nightly Cm7 or needed to change build.prop file.
Did you try again with flashing recommended gapps for your ROM?
Unleashed from my Revolutionized Desire HD
Yes, I flashed again gapps after having wiped cache and data, and restored stock build.prop.
Now market works again.
I think I lost full market access when I changed the resolution, using LCD resolution, though this app doesn't seem to change anything in build.prop.
Maybe the solution is there: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1580827
The market has always been weird on my Nook. It randomly decides to not allow me to install some apps one day, then will allow me to install the next. Not sure what the cause is either. Just says the device is not compatible.
filigi said:
Yes, I flashed again gapps after having wiped cache and data, and restored stock build.prop.
Now market works again.
I think I lost full market access when I changed the resolution, using LCD resolution, though this app doesn't seem to change anything in build.prop.
Maybe the solution is there: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1580827
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Any report of a fix yet? My Nook has also weirded out after changing LCD resolution!
Taken from the samiam's old cm9 thread
If you notice that some apps are missing from the market, this may be due to the fact that these ICS builds for the nook do not include support for apps which request phone permissions. Although this ideally would be fixed by developers not requesting phone permissions for their app unless it absolutely needs to be phone-specific, you can also fix it by flashing the telephony-permissions-fix.zip file located in the misc folder. You will likely want to flash this file immediately after flashing your rom.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
greenmuggy said:
Taken from the samiam's old cm9 thread
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Helped with a few but not what I was hoping... bit it did help
Sent from my SPH-D700 using XDA
Anything other than the standard LCD densities will not allow access to some applications. There is a list somewhere that I had bookmarked, but must have deleted it. If you search for the densities that are standard (MDPI, HDPI, etc) and set it, it may help.
Yeah, these missing apps are most likely a result of a non-standard LCD Density. To fix this, you can install a hardcoded 160 dpi play store that does not run an LCD Density check. If for any other reasons you can't access apps (different country or whatever), this hardcoded play store will let you.
See the thread with DL links here: (http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1551118)
Make a backup of your vending.apk in /system/app/, and then rename the hardcoded play store to vending.apk. Place the hardcoded vending.apk in system/app/, change permissions to rw-r--r--, and reboot. Should work right away. If not, follow the additional instructions in the link above.
I take no credit nor liability for the results of following these instructions. Make backups of every file you replace and you should be alright.
Updated and revised, 11-29-20
In this post I am presenting a way to slightly extend the practical range of the 8 gb Nook Tablet by using microG for Google Services Framework spoofing rather than the resource-hogging GApps. Although I have tested these ROMs thoroughly on the BNTV250a, they would all likely run just fine with GApps on the 16 gb model (I currently run AOSP 7.0 with microG on my 16 gb tablet), while only CM 11 runs acceptably on the 8 gb model with GApps. Let's get that simple setup out of the way first.
I selected the unofficial CM 11 ROM with the final security patches by Chris Hoffmann [https://www.mediafire.com/?gq1y21uz11lr1c0]. It is serviceable for me. The main drawback is the old WebView (which cannot be updated) resulting in the inability of browsers to display many sites properly, including the current default skin for XDA. Despite this, I've come to feel that it's perhaps the best option, with or without GApps. Installing this ROM is easy. Flash with the recovery listed in post #2, reboot, then flash a pico GApps package from Open GApps. To run the ROM without GApps, read on.
I made a quick tour of CM 12.1, CM 13, AOSP 6.0 and AOSP 7.0, and Lineage 14.1. In the following post I'll lay out some pros, cons and hints based on my experiences. I flashed each ROM several times, trying different things, building the system from scratch each time rather than restoring apps from backup. That gave me a chance to work with each OS and see how it would perform not only during setup, but also during a shakedown/tweaking phase. What I can say about all of these ROMs is that GApps effectively kills each and every one on the BNTV250a.
Life without GApps
I, of course, tried side-loading apps without GApps. Easy, right? I thought so until I came to a few that whined about requiring Google Play Services to run. Even mundane things like the NPR News app, my local newspaper and MX Player are "GSF dependent" (Google Services Framework). Then I tried another app that would not install at all. Turns out it did a license verification check (it's free!) and saw no Google anything, so forget it. This was sort of news to me I suppose because even my lowly NST had GApps installed once upon a time, so I never encountered this issue before. You can hunt around for apps elsewhere but if you pick up an app that happens to be featured in the PlayStore, you may be out of luck no matter where you got it from. Or maybe not.
There is a project called microG by XDA member @MaR-V-iN. It consists of a lightweight set of apps (two at minimum, a third if you want location services) which provide the needed authentication to Google servers and/or inquisitive apps. There is a catch: the ROM must support "signature spoofing".
These ROMs do not have that option. You can Google "signature spoofing" to read the pros and cons. This is just information. Caveat emptor, etc. There is an Xposed module called FakeGapps which enables signature spoofing. I tried this on a few ROMs and found it worked fine. At the time I started this there was no official Xposed update for Android 7.0 and as that was one of my targets, I started looking for something else [note: Xposed has since been updated to include Android 7.0 and beyond]. That led me to Tingle by XDA member @ale5000. This is a Python/ADB based method of automatically patching framework.jar to enable signature spoofing. This seemed to me a more direct and elegant approach. Although I was intimidated by it at first, I eventually just dove in. The only thing I didn't already have was Python and that was easy enough to install. The process is basically automatic once it gets going. Unfortunately it does not work for ROMs that are odexed or deodexed. The AOSP 7.0 ROM turned out to fall in that category. Xposed must be used there.
OK, what can all this do for you? It can get you a spoof of Google Services Framework without GApps. Period. There are a few simple additions to allow for location services. It used to be that you could also enable Calendar and Contacts syncing. No more. As for PlayStore access, this is possible running microG with CM 11, but not beyond. It's just too resource intensive. For ROMs beyond CM 11 I found the Aurora Store (F-Droid) to work OK, although not always in the same way. On some ROMs you can use the anonymous Aurora Store login, on others you need to supply a Google account (email). Trial and error.
The General Process
If you have never "flashed" anything before that you can talk about at work, then you need some basic instructions for creating an SD card that will allow you to try out these procedures. The excellent instructions by @digixmax here will get you started with the SD card. You need to follow steps 1-2 to prepare the card, although the version of TWRP you use will depend on the ROM you want to try out (see second post for links). Also, the ROM itself will vary (see second post for links) and you will not want GApps (unless you are just installing CM 11 with GApps). The remainder of the steps (3-10, skipping 9) also describe the general process of flashing a ROM (or other "flashable" files like Xposed, etc.) using the SD card.
1. Flash the ROM using an appropriate recovery (I have listed the ones I used in the following post)
2. First boot, enable root, USB debugging and ADB
EITHER
3. Connect tablet to PC via USB and access via ADB ("adb devices"--some of these ROMs require that you approve PC access to the tablet via ADB, so check the tablet screen to approve that option if needed)
4. Open a command window on the PC and navigate to your Python installation directory. Because I was not sure what I was doing I just dumped the entire contents of Tingle into the Python directory. That simplified path issues for me. Type "python main.py" and select option 1. Wait for the "all done", hit CTRL-c and kill ADB server. Disconnect tablet from USB and reboot.
OR
3. Flash appropriate Xposed for the OS; reboot
4. Install Xposed installer app and FakeGApps.apk; use Xposed installer app to enable FakeGapps (signature spoofing); reboot
5. Install root file manager of choice if desired (the CM stock file managers are totally capable of the following operations if given root access; the stock file explorers of the AOSP and Lineage ROMs may allow the same, although I have had mixed results. You can always install a root file manager via ADB before continuing if all else fails) A copy of ES File Explorer is attached below.
for CM 11 without GApps but with the PlayStore:
6. Move Phonesky.apk--i.e. the PlayStore-- (old, lightweight version from a KitKat ROM: http://www.mediafire.com/file/1c2f0n3k3cwsln7/Phonesky.apk/file) into /system/priv-app; set apk file permissions to rwx-r-r.
7. Move microG component apks into /system/priv-app; set apk file permissions to rw-r-r (you need a minimum of Services Core, Services Framework Proxy for this step)
8. Reboot
9. Check microG Settings to be sure spoofing is enabled and other permissions are given; set to enable Google device registration; add an account. This process can be slow. Be patient. If you end up at a black screen, reboot and try again or see if the account is already established.
10. Open the PlayStore. Do some searching. You want to give it time to auto-update (this process may be completely silent). Exit. Check Settings>Apps>Downloaded to see if PlayStore has shown up there. If it has, then it may be updated. You can check yourself to see if the version number is higher. If there is no update, access the PlayStore again and check again. Once you have an update, you're good to go.
OR, for ROMs beyond CM 11:
6. Use root file manager to create the folder "Phonesky" in /system/priv-app. Set folder permissions to rwx-rx-rx. Use root file manager to move "FakeStore" apk into /system/priv-app/Phonesky and set apk file permissions to rw-r-r.
7. Move microG component apks into /system/priv-app; set apk file permissions to rw-r-r (you need a minimum of Services Core, Services Framework Proxy for this step)
8. Reboot
9. Check microG Settings to be sure spoofing is enabled and other permissions are given.
It's a lot, but if I could do it many times over you could do it once
In the end you'll have a tablet spoofing Google Services Framework so most apps will run without whining, but without the crushing weight of the PlayStore or the full GApps.
Contacts and Location
Life without GApps doesn't mean you have to give up these services. Just keep in mind that running background services can compromise a system that is already on the edge.
I tested the instructions that follow on a BNTV250a, using the stock Contacts and Calendar apps.
1. Contacts
There are some places in "on-line land" that describe a method for enabling contacts sync. I have not found the various methods to work any longer. It is possible to sync Contacts using DavDroid. There is only one version that will run on CM 11 and the same app will run on the other ROMs as well (attached below). However, you are adding more overhead to a device that is already pushing the limits. In the end I opted to export my contacts in vcard format and read them in as a local file. The more socially active may find this unacceptable, but it works for me.
2. Location
To enable location you will need to install an app which coordinates WiFi triangulation (something usually handled by GApps). There are two possibilities. You can get a Unified NLP apk from the microG download page. After installing the app you can check your microG settings to see if everything is OK. Then you can check Settings>Location and set it up the way you want.
If you want to use Maps you will also need to flash a maps.zip file from microG. This contains a couple of library files for Maps. As far as the Maps app itself, I have never had good performance from any version of Google Maps on my devices--until now. That's because I went fishing for an older, less bloated version that would run on the BNTV250a. It works beautifully on all my devices from KitKat to Nougat and allows pre-cache of map areas which don't expire. I've attached a copy of the apk file below.
Email
The stock Email client works great (at least for GMail accounts) and looks a lot like GMail (no surprise there). If you have your heart set on GMail, version 4.5.2--from GApps for Jellybean--seems to run just fine with a footprint of about 11 MB. I've attached a copy below.
The ROMs
Updated and revised 2-5-23
Generally I disabled any stock stuff I could that I would not use. Anything past CM 11 has a maddening issue I call "peek-a-boo keyboard", most noticeable when using the browsers. The keyboard drops out while you are typing or simply refuses to open without a struggle. You can solve this problem in CM 12 and minimize it in CM 13 by installing Simple Keyboard.
CM 11 is beginning to show expired certificates and SSL issues. You can try replacing or adding new certificates, but it's not easy and you're left with warning artifacts in the status bar. Ditto with CM 12 and CM 13, but they are not nearly as bad--for now. The stock browsers, fortunately, allow you to "ignore" security warnings which makes browsing more pleasant. You may not feel that's a great idea, but the reality is that browsing is the Achilles Heel for all these ROMS, and it's worse the higher you go. The stock browsers may give the best overall performance, whatever their shortcomings.
Because of the SSL issues, I don't recommend CM 11 any longer unless you are not going to do much in the way of internet stuff.
Note: I have noticed that both my Nook Tablets (8 and 16 GB) run better if they've been on for a bit. If yours is cranky when it gets up in the morning, pouring coffee on it won't help, but a little siesta after boot may be just the thing
CM 11 (but with issues as described above)
https://www.mediafire.com/?gq1y21uz11lr1c0
Flashed with SD-based TWRP 2.8.6.0, enabled signature spoofing with Tingle
This is arguably the best choice for the BNTV250a if you want something other than the stock B&N ROM. It runs smoothly enough that you could even keep the PlayStore app on it and it would still behave reasonably. It's even better without it. The only drawback with this ROM is that Android Webview cannot be updated. This means that some websites will not display properly or may simply crash, regardless of what browser you choose to use. I found the antique stock browser to be surprisingly good, but Via also works well. Also, the SSL is in need of updating, so you will run into issues with some websites and apps like OverDrive.
The lesson that this ROM taught me is that these tablets are for casual use. You can't just load them up with apps and expect them to run well. Think about what you really would like to use the tablet for. Consider older versions of apps that will probably still have more features than you will ever want but are less taxing to the system. You can see from the attached screenshot how I eventually pared my choices down. I should probably pare it down even more. Most of the apps are older versions and I've kept the total count low, certainly less than on my 16 GB tablet and other devices. You don't want to exceed about half of the internal storage capacity.
CM 12.1 (potential WiFi issue as described below)
http://www.mediafire.com/file/7zxc2e...K6-acclaim.zip
Flashed with SD-based TWRP 2.8.6.0, enabled signature spoofing with Tingle
Edit 9-30-22: I recently booted this up to find that it would no longer connect to my fairly new ATT router. Puzzled, I took the tablet to my local library and had no difficulty connecting there (open network, though). Next I started restoring backups of each of the other ROMs in this list and each one had no trouble with WiFi at home. I installed a fresh copy of the CM 12.1 ROM. It also refused to connect to the router. I scrounged around the web and found two more versions of CM 12.1. Neither would connect to my router. So...I'm not sure if there is some additional security ATT has built into their WPA2 authentication or what, but I mention this just to alert you that this might be a problem. I was even able to connect to a mobile hotspot generated by my Windows 10 machine (password needed). Why this new(?) problem for the 12.1 ROM only, I have no idea.
Before you start installing apps the behavior is sprightly, even on the BNTV250a. As the internal space decreases and RAM use increases, it becomes a little less so. Even so, when running well I think it comes close to CM 11 (with GApps), albeit with more lag.
The stock browser seems like the best bet (I tried many), though it can be slow.
For me this ROM has two major issues. When it is unhappy, it will simply shut down the tablet, literally turning it off. This used to sometimes happen when I ran it on my 16 GB model, so it's not the fault of the BNTV250a. The other issue is problems for apps writing to the external SD card. For a tablet with precious little internal space, you just don't want apps downloading into internal space or storing lots of data there. There is an edit to the file /system/etc/permissions/platform.xml which corrects this issue for some apps. Find the section of platform.xml below and add the last line:
Code:
<permission name=”android.permission.WRITE_EXTERNAL_STORAGE” >
<group gid=”sdcard_r” />
<group gid=”sdcard_rw” />
<group gid=”media_rw” />
This change enabled OverDrive and Kodi, for example, to download files to the external SD card. It might work for others.
Not as fluid as CM 11, but WebView issues are gone and you can access most up-to-date content (if slowly).
CM 13
https://archive.org/download/cmarchive_snapshots/cm-13.0-20160819-SNAPSHOT-ZNH5YAO0IN-acclaim.zip
Flashed with SD-based TWRP 2.8.6.0, enabled signature spoofing with Tingle
Never having tried this ROM on my 16 GB tablet, I was actually pleasantly surprised by its behavior on the BNTV250a. There's a funny WiFi thing where if you leave WiFi on when you shut down and then boot up again, it will not automatically connect (unless the lockscreen has come on, which is pretty fast after booting, so no biggie). Otherwise it's pretty much like CM 12 although maybe a little more stable--if you don't overdo it. The Sound Recorder app is somehow broken on the CM 13 ROM. If this is something you'd like, you can replace the broken version in /system/app/SoundRecorder with the one attached below. Make sure the permissions are rw-r-r and reboot.
Some apps can't write to the SD card (as portable storage). Kodi is an example, I'm sorry to say. I've tried many "solutions" to this problem but the only one that worked for me is to edit /data/system/packages.xml, adding the permission for each specific app you want. This is a long file and I did this using the editor from the CM File Manager. There are probably easier ways. After locating the app you want in the xml file, add this line anywhere between the <perms> and </perms> tags:
Code:
<item name="android.permission.WRITE_MEDIA_STORAGE" granted="true" flags="0" />
This change will be overwritten if the app updates, so you might want to keep that in mind.
This is the ROM I've settled on for my BNTV250a (screenshot of home screen below)
AOSP 6.01 "Marshmallow"
Box
notredame.app.box.com
(you want aosp_acclaim-ota-MOB30Z.160820.zip)
Flashed with emmc-based TWRP 3.0.2-0, enabled signature spoofing with Tingle
This is one of the ROMs built by @amaces. The AOSP builds are very lean compared to CM ROMs so I was hoping this might perform somewhat better than CM 13. But I don't think it does.
The first big hurdle is enabling root. My thanks to @digixmax for pointing out the right tool. After first boot (or maybe even before, but I did it after) you need to flash UPDATE-SuperSU-v2.46.zip. Works perfectly.
The stock launcher is, well, funky. I replaced it with Nova Launcher but after installing a few other apps it was clear the system was under great stress. Lots of black screens and crashes. Not a good option for the BNTV250a.
AOSP 7.0
https://www.mediafire.com/?5vcw8l603d3r5sc
Flashed with emmc-based TWRP 3.0.2-0, enabled signature spoofing with Xposed
This is another ROM by @amaces and what I run on my 16 GB tablet. On that device it is virtually flawless. I really wanted to say the same for the BNTV250a, but I can't.
Enabling root for the ROM is achieved with Magisk.
The ROM appears to be odexed to Tingle and so you must flash the correct Xposed (for 7.0 and Magisk) and install the installer app along with the FakeGapps app as described in the previous post.
The stock launcher is pitiful and you need to install a root file manager to get anything done. The system is laggy and video is not smooth. Not even a potential option for the BNTV250a.
Lineage 14.1
Box
notredame.app.box.com
(there are many versions of this ROM. The link takes you to the "obsolete" folder where you need to hunt down lnos_acclaim-ota-NJH47F.180211.zip. This seems to be the only version without the shut-down bug)
Edit 2-5-23: Well...no, it does not have the classic shut-down bug (tablet reboots right after it "shuts down"). Instead, it often shuts down just fine, but occasionally locks up during shut down and has to be forced off with the power button.
Flashed with emmc-based TWRP 3.0.2-0, enabled signature spoofing with Tingle
This is a third ROM built by @amaces (his most recent for the NT). I didn't have much hope for this because if 7.0 was an issue, I didn't expect 7.1 to perform well.
The only native root capability is for ADB. To enable full root, you need to flash addonsu-14.1-arm.zip (attached below). I did that after first boot but perhaps it can be done along with the ROM.
Not surprisingly the ROM has the feel of CM. There appears to be a file manager but it is only a partial reflection of the native file explorer and is useless for the manipulations that need to be done, so you need to adb install a root file manager as described in the previous post.
The stock browser is complete rubbish. It looks to be Gello(?) but it is the most infuriating collection of electrons I have ever encountered. There are no navigational buttons, no bookmark button--no buttons at all! I really tried. I used gestures (some rude), I tried magic words (many of which do not appear in children's books). Nada. When I finally managed to reach my test site it was like wading through, well, Jello! So....attached below is the nice lightweight stock browser from AOSP 7.0. Navigate to /system/app/Browser and there you will find Browser2.apk. Rename it to something else and copy in the Browser2.apk attached below, setting file permissions to rwx-r-r. Reboot. If you are successful, you can delete the old, useless browser apk. To enable bookmarks, navigate to /system/app/BookmarkProvider and inside you will find the apk file. Tap to install. I don't know why this needs to be done, but it does even on AOSP 7.0. Reboot and you've got a functioning browser (rife with "peek-a-boo keyboard")
The ROM hates Kodi, crashing constantly. Video from other apps is not smooth. Not a viable choice for the BNTV250a.
For a lark I tried it on the 16 GB model and it's actually not bad, but then I saw that embedded browser videos (like YouTube, for example) were funky colors, so... It may be that later versions corrected this, but those likely have the shut-down bug. In any event, a terrible choice for the 8 GB model.
Took a bit of trial and error to get the perfect version of playstore to not give an error, but I got it working. Thank you a lot for this write-up!
Yes I am breathing life back into a BN Nook in 2020 (quarantine will do funny things to a guy). Thanks for the comprehensive guide. I had installed CM11 years ago and it kinda sucks as is, so looking forward to seeing how this shakes out. I have to re-educate myself on all the various steps like adb, installing root file manager etc, it has been a long while since I played around with android's innards!
denmalley said:
Yes I am breathing life back into a BN Nook in 2020 (quarantine will do funny things to a guy). Thanks for the comprehensive guide. I had installed CM11 years ago and it kinda sucks as is, so looking forward to seeing how this shakes out. I have to re-educate myself on all the various steps like adb, installing root file manager etc, it has been a long while since I played around with android's innards!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
While you're becoming familiar again with the procedures, give me a day or two to update the post. I recently redid my BNTV250a with CM 13 to try some things and then finally went back to CM 11 using the MicroG components rather than GApps. I'm really happy with it, but I have to say that the tablet (just like my BNTV250 with AOSP 7) behaves better if it's been on for awhile. It can be really cranky if you try to start using it right after boot.
So I'll update the post title to include CM 11 and add some details about CM 11 to the second post in a few days.
Hey thanks for keeping up with this thread! I installed CM11 as suggested but hitting a snag with tingle. I just dumped the tingl directory into the python folder as you did and ran main.py. This was the output.
C:\Python27>python main.py
MENU
1 - Patch file from a device (adb)
2 - Patch file from the input folder
> 1 adb
ERROR: Missing adb => ['adb']
NOTE: Only one binary per type is required
ERROR CODE: 65
Not sure what I'm doing wrong
denmalley said:
Hey thanks for keeping up with this thread! I installed CM11 as suggested but hitting a snag with tingle. I just dumped the tingl directory into the python folder as you did and ran main.py. This was the output.
C:\Python27>python main.py
MENU
1 - Patch file from a device (adb)
2 - Patch file from the input folder
> 1 adb
ERROR: Missing adb => ['adb']
NOTE: Only one binary per type is required
ERROR CODE: 65
Not sure what I'm doing wrong
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't remember seeing the "adb" after "> 1", but I may just not remember. So, just in case and to be really clear (in case I wasn't before):
1. I assume you have adb working on your PC or you wouldn't have gotten to the Python step. Did you ever set the PATH for adb? I confess I never bothered until I tried this procedure. But you have to be able to access adb from the Python folder for this to work. If you're not sure, just cd to the Python folder and try starting adb. If it doesn't work then the PATH needs to be set. Here's a good description for Windows (scroll down to "Step 2"): https://lifehacker.com/the-easiest-way-to-install-androids-adb-and-fastboot-to-1586992378
2. When I said I dumped the contents of Tingle into the Python folder, I meant that literally. There is no "Tingle" folder in my Python folder,but there are a bunch of extra files that are "Tingle". Just want to be sure.
Those are my only ideas at present. I hope one of them does the trick!
Ah yes path variable did the trick! On to the next steps, I'll keep you posted!
Ok, now i am at the play store step - keep getting error "unfortunately google play store has stopped." Over and over again when attempting to open. After reboot too.
denmalley said:
Ok, now i am at the play store step - keep getting error "unfortunately google play store has stopped." Over and over again when attempting to open. After reboot too.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Did you
1. Check microG settings to be sure everything is OK?
2. Sign in to your Google account from the microG settings (add account)?
3. Then try the PlayStore (check permissions on Phonesky folder and app)
One part I'm not clear on. I placed all of the apks where you say to (steps 6-8), once I reboot, is play store supposed to just appear? When I do self-check in microg everything is checked except playstore and the bottom two (location). I got the impression from your instructions that I'm supposed to wait for some background processes to appear.
denmalley said:
One part I'm not clear on. I placed all of the apks where you say to (steps 6-8), once I reboot, is play store supposed to just appear? When I do self-check in microg everything is checked except playstore and the bottom two (location). I got the impression from your instructions that I'm supposed to wait for some background processes to appear.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, the PlayStore icon should appear--admittedly a very old and funky one with this old version.
The Playstore automatically updates. I wish it did not, but there is no way to stop it. But to have that happen you have to access the Playstore at least once, maybe even download an app, and leave wifi on awhile.
On my main microG settings screen I show Google device registration ON. On the self-check screen, everything is checked except the last box. I have the location stuff installed.
So if PlayStore is unchecked, something is not right. Perhaps the app got corrupted when I uploaded it. I am shut down right now but can reup tomorrow. Or you can just get another app from Apkpure or similar. I used to use something around 8.02 to get started.
I am very much stuck at this point (unless I guess I continue with regular gapps which goes against the whole point of this approach). I tried nuking and redoing the whole process with the same result. Attached screenshots of all relevant screens to show permissions/settings/etc.
Also I can't find a "phonesky.apk" anywhere, only full-blown google store apks which are much larger than the phonesky.apk you provided and so I must assume are not the correct thing.
denmalley said:
I am very much stuck at this point (unless I guess I continue with regular gapps which goes against the whole point of this approach). I tried nuking and redoing the whole process with the same result. Attached screenshots of all relevant screens to show permissions/settings/etc.
Also I can't find a "phonesky.apk" anywhere, only full-blown google store apks which are much larger than the phonesky.apk you provided and so I must assume are not the correct thing.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Phonesky=PlayStore, just renamed--microG expects to see Phonesky
Something is not right with the app. I have to run, but here is a link to v. 8.02 which I have used in the past:
https://www.apkmirror.com/apk/google-inc/google-play-store/google-play-store-8-0-23-release/
Rename to Phonesky before using. It will be a little more cranky but it will work to get you going. I hope.
Edit: or, if you prefer, go to OpenGapps and download a KitKat pico GApps. Extract from that zip the Phonesky app and use it.
Edit, Edit: yeah, I tried reupping a copy of the Phonesky app but when I downloaded it the file size did not match. So I changed the first post and inserted a link to a copy on my mediafire account. That downloads with the right file size.
Well, I think I'm giving up. I've redone the process three times now. I used your new Phonesky.apk this last time and I still can't get the play store to show up. Only other thing I can think to ask - if I add a google account through microg settings, is it supposed to change to indicate that account is now added? Because if I go in there it will still say "add acount" even though I can see in the regular settings under accounts that a google account is present.
edit
The only other thing I haven't yet tried is redownloading everything and maybe even using a different PC. Ah heck who am I kidding, like I've got anything better to do. I'll keep cracking at it.
denmalley said:
Well, I think I'm giving up. I've redone the process three times now. I used your new Phonesky.apk this last time and I still can't get the play store to show up. Only other thing I can think to ask - if I add a google account through microg settings, is it supposed to change to indicate that account is now added? Because if I go in there it will still say "add acount" even though I can see in the regular settings under accounts that a google account is present.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm really baffled by this behavior. When you add a Google account via microG nothing changes on the microG settings page, but the account should show up in the CM11 settings under "accounts".
When you prepare the system for flashing, do you do an Advanced Wipe? I'm a little AR about this sort of thing, especially as my devices have been flashed with different OS's many times. I start with an Advanced Wipe, clearing out everything except, of course, the microSD card, and then I follow that by a regular wipe. Then I start flashing.
If you are still having trouble, let me know and I'll wipe my current system (I have a backup) and start again from scratch, downloading copies of the files I have posted to see if I can duplicate what is happening to you. Maybe Google has changed something in the time since I did my newest configuration and the microG folks have not caught up with it yet. This appears to be true for Contacts because I cannot get them to sync up or even see my Google contacts. This was not the case in the past. There is chatter about it on the microG site, but none of the "solutions" go anything beyond what I have already related and some of the conclusions are like "and it just started working..."
I did not do the advanced wipe, so let me try that. I'm also going to redownload everything and give it another go. No need to wipe your device just yet - you've already done WAY more than I expected to help! I will do this over the next few days and keep you posted.
Well I tried six different ways, full wipe, change the "group" set for the group permissions to "root" (it had been set to sdcard), redownloaded every last bit of software used in this process, used a different computer, etc etc etc. Nothing is working. Still no play store. Everything else seems to be fine except that.
So anyway, I finally just did a full wipe, flashed the CM11 unofficial that you provided in second post, and grabbed a kk gapps package and flashed that. Switched from trebuchet to nova and I've got a tablet I can live with! Working much better then the cm10 rom I had on there before (like swipe to unlock screen, wait 5 seconds....touch app drawer, wait 5-10 seconds....touch an app, wait 30 seconds....slooooooow).
Thanks for pushing me along in this direction, before I started back into this process I had completely forgotten all the little intricacies which would have gotten me hung up and possibly bricked. And all the of the other guides out there have broken links, outdated info, etc. So I'm happy with where I landed and very much appreciate the help, even if we didn't quite get there with your proposed improvements! I now have a capable e-book, backup songbook for gigs, and a spare digital mixer controller that I can clean up the personal stuff from and hand off to an assistant.
denmalley said:
Thanks for pushing me along in this direction, before I started back into this process I had completely forgotten all the little intricacies which would have gotten me hung up and possibly bricked. And all the of the other guides out there have broken links, outdated info, etc. So I'm happy with where I landed and very much appreciate the help, even if we didn't quite get there with your proposed improvements! I now have a capable e-book, backup songbook for gigs, and a spare digital mixer controller that I can clean up the personal stuff from and hand off to an assistant.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm glad you reached a point where you feel good about the outcome but sorry that you had to waste so much time.
I will run through the procedure again in the next few days. Maybe there's something that got garbled in the updating of the post. In any case I'd feel better if my instructions actually achieved the intended result.
nmyshkin said:
I will run through the procedure again in the next few days. Maybe there's something that got garbled in the updating of the post. In any case I'd feel better if my instructions actually achieved the intended result.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well.....I'm not sure how the error crept in, but it looks like the creation of the Phonesky folder was the issue. This is needed for ROMs beyond CM11, but there are no folders in /system/app or /system/priv-app for CM11. Thus for CM11 only, the files like Phonesky.apk are simply dropped into /system/priv-app and the permissions set as described, Then everything works as it should.
I've corrected the instructions. My apologies.