Replacing .apk's in rom file? - Android Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting

Hello,
I got a rom.zip file and I was wondering if it's possible to add/remove apps by removing or adding them to the /system/app folder? The reason I'm asking is becaused I pushed some files there but I never got the app properly working.
If I do it this way, will it work? Also, do you need to resign the rom or anything?

I am an amateur Dev, but yes you can, also, i.e. own an Evo 3D and in a lot of times developers add the data folder to there roms also for things like little market apps that people may or may not need, and can be uninstalled if they aren't needed. But yes you can add and remove apps in the ROM, and you need to have it signed, but I think their is a tool somewhere in these forums that makes it so that after you build the ROM, it signs it for you, maybe someone can clarify because the name of the tool skips my memory right now. But yes you just need to be sure its signed!
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I just use zipsigner2 on the device itself. Work great
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Related

What's bloatware?

I'm kinda new to this so can some one please explain to me what exactly is bloatware on my phone?
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Bloatware is all that crap on ur phone u never use and can't get rid of
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For example that annoying amazon mp3 app?
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Yes among others
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Can I remove them some how?i have root explorer so can I just go to system/app and delete them?
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If you have rooted your phone, you can do it with Titanium Backup. Just be extremely careful what you delete. I believe there is a list of safe things to delete floating around on the Cyanogen mod forum. Shouldn't be hard to find with inspector Google.
Bloatware would be anything that is not a stock android apk. Be careful not to delete anything that has to do with google or you will be sorry. I forgot the url but there is a master list of all the apks you can delete. Just google "android apk stock list"
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Its probably best to just move the apks into a separate folder on your sd card rather than deleting them. The that way if you mess up you can just move it back into the correct directory. Or if you change your mind.
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to the OP, I gave instructions in the sticky if you want something to reference. I agree with ^, I used Root Explorer to copy all of the files and then pasted them in a folder on my SD card. Then went back to system apps and deleted them, rebooted, good to go. I also gave a list of everything that could be deleted.
Samsung galaxy sgs2
Samsung GS2 GT19100
Hey guys Im sorry if this is not supposed to be here, But I really need some advice.
I just recently bought a SGS2 in Canada with Bell Mobility and I was able to root my phone so that I could unlocked it. However Since I did this every time I turn on my phone I get a Yellow Triangle with and exclamation mark. and also this mark is on the top left corner of my home screen but very tiny. Now the phone works like a charm nothing is wrong, but I want to know if there is some way I can remove that from my power up screen and from the home screen?
And my last questions would be, Now that I have unlocked my phone can I unroot it? or will this locked my phone again?
Thanks .
s15274n said:
to the OP, I gave instructions in the sticky if you want something to reference. I agree with ^, I used Root Explorer to copy all of the files and then pasted them in a folder on my SD card. Then went back to system apps and deleted them, rebooted, good to go. I also gave a list of everything that could be deleted.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
+1 Op this is probably the best way to do it. Plus if you ever need to put the apks back, all you got to do is move them back, wipe dex and cache and reboot.
One thing that I usually do is use TBPro to freeze it first and see if there are any adverse effects. Did you know that gTalk works with the market? If you delete gTalk, you may see some wierdness with the market. If you just froze it, then you can thaw it out and move on.
My question is can we delete the odex files singly or do they have to be deleted in pairs with the apk?

[Q] How do I edit the Android Market to show all applications?

I'm using a couple ICS+sense roms that are giving me some issues with the Market. A bunch of apps aren't showing up including some that I paid for. It prob has something to do w/ me going from GB to ICS 4.0.1 aka CleanRom 2.1. Anyways, before I flashed these roms I was able to see all these apps in the Market that I can't now. Can someone explain how I can trick the Market into showing every app whether they're compatible with GB/ICS or not? If I have to pull my Market.apk and edit it, let me know how to do that or if there is a Market.apk out there that I can install over the current one I already have. If there's a way for me to keep that most updated market(3.4.4) that'd be great.
Thx for the help! -bal
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bal1985 said:
I'm using a couple CIS+sense roms that are giving me some issues with the Market. A bunch of apps aren't showing up including some that I paid for. It prob has something to do w/ me going from GB to ICS 4.0.1 aka CleanRom 2.1. Anyways, before I flashed these roms I was able to see all these apps in the Market that I can't now. Can someone explain how I can trick the Market into showing every app whether they're compatible with GB/ICS or not? If I have to pull my Market.apk and edit it, let me know how to do that or if there is a Market.apk out there that I can install over the current one I already have. If there's a way for me to keep that most updated market(3.4.4) that'd be great.
Thx for the help! -bal
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Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I know, it sucks. Essentially I think you have to edit your build.prop. It'll be a pain to get it to work. If you can find someone that knows how to correctly edit the build.prop, I think you can get those apps. The best thing to do would be to contact the app developers and ask when they'll make their apps compatible with ICS.
I've never used it but it sounds like maybe the "Market Enabler" app might work. It's at keast worth checking out
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WasabiWa83 said:
I know, it sucks. Essentially I think you have to edit your build.prop. It'll be a pain to get it to work. If you can find someone that knows how to correctly edit the build.prop, I think you can get those apps. The best thing to do would be to contact the app developers and ask when they'll make their apps compatible with ICS.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I swear I saw a market app that's currently in a Rezound rom here that shows all apps. I forget the rom though. With the build prob don't I just edit it to make it think my phone is on GB? Gotta be an easy way to do this.
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1. Flash a 2.3 rom
2. Use root file explorer >>go to data/app folder and copy app to SD card
3.reinstall 4.0 rom and reinstall app
Editing build prop is more trouble and time than its worth.
Copy and reinstall is faster and the apps will still function...paid apps will require the install key probably...
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androph said:
1. Flash a 2.3 rom
2. Use root file explorer >>go to data/app folder and copy app to SD card
3.reinstall 4.0 rom and reinstall app
Editing build prop is more trouble and time than its worth.
Copy and reinstall is faster and the apps will still function...paid apps will require the install key probably...
Sent from my Nexus S using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Why do I need to flash a Rom, can't I just download a Rom, open the zip with 7zip and extract the market.apk from system/app? I thought the market apk was in system/app?
Oh and could you name a Rom I could download to get the apk I need. Also, what is the name of the market.apk? How do I remove the market from the ICS Rom and install the GB market over it so I don't have two markets installed and in my launcher?
One last thing, what do you mean paid apps will require a licencse?
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Nope, not market.apk. You'll want to look in /data/app for the specific apps that are missing. /data/app is the location of all your apks downloaded from the market.
The reason we don't need to simply copy the market.apk is because your market app is working just fine. Google's servers filter based on device and rom according to the build.prop file. Because there's no official ICS rezound it doesn't know what to show you yet. Once it gets closer to release google will add the profile for ICS and everything will show properly.
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kingpin003 said:
Nope, not market.apk. You'll want to look in /data/app for the specific apps that are missing. /data/app is the location of all your apks downloaded from the market.
The reason we don't need to simply copy the market.apk is because your market app is working just fine. Google's servers filter based on device and rom according to the build.prop file. Because there's no official ICS rezound it doesn't know what to show you yet. Once it gets closer to release google will add the profile for ICS and everything will show properly.
Sent from my ADR6425LVW using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
gotcha, so until then there isnt a way to swap build.prop, replace the ics build.prop with GB build.prop from one of our GB roms.
bal1985 said:
gotcha, so until then there isnt a way to swap build.prop, replace the ics build.prop with GB build.prop from one of our GB roms.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sure there is. Extract build.prop from a ROM, and swap it out just like you said. I don't know if it's going to net you the desired result, but why not give it a shot.
MrSmith317 said:
Sure there is. Extract build.prop from a ROM, and swap it out just like you said. I don't know if it's going to net you the desired result, but why not give it a shot.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
dont think its that simple lol
If you go the flashing back to GB method I recommend grabbing AppMonster to back up all your apps. I've been using the pro version and it's pretty cool. Now I have access to all the apps I've downloaded in the past but don't have to install them until I need/want to. It also automatically backs up apps as soon as you've downloaded them. Super easy to restore too.
MrSmith317 said:
Sure there is. Extract build.prop from a ROM, and swap it out just like you said. I don't know if it's going to net you the desired result, but why not give it a shot.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
DO NOT DO THIS! The reason that some of the apps are not showing up in the market is because they have not been updated to say that they work with 4.0.1. If you swap build.props you could seriously harm your device, I STRONGLY advise against it.
I just went to the market website on my computer and looked under my apps, then just installed all the ones I wanted to from there. It was a little hassle, but really only took around 10 min for about 30-40 apps I wanted.
feralicious said:
If you go the flashing back to GB method I recommend grabbing AppMonster to back up all your apps. I've been using the pro version and it's pretty cool. .
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I agree 100%, that's how I do it too.
feralicious said:
If you go the flashing back to GB method I recommend grabbing AppMonster to back up all your apps. I've been using the pro version and it's pretty cool.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
in your opinion does it do any better/different than TB?
I've been looking into editing the build.prop file. I am hesitant to do so because all the other examples I've seen are from similar devices so very few lines are actually changing. I noticed the rezound has a crapload of lines, i'm not sure how many would be required to actually get an app showing.
Does anyone know what specific lines the Market app looks at to verify?
My problem is not that I'm trying to get an app on ICS but that I want Plants and Zombies. I understand it works on other GB's but not the rezound. Any more insight on the build.prop file would be awesome!
Back at it again. I'm a gameloft fan. Order and Chaos... I moved over to the Rez and was stymied for the longest until themusicmonkey set my feet onto the right path. viz a ve
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=21238982&postcount=18
Well, updated to CleanRom ICS edition v2.3 and tried my build.prop and my Rez wouldn't even boot... Booo!!!! So back to the drawing bored I went. Happy to say I now have a build.prop that is up and running. Issue here is not that I can't download games from the market. That's easy. Issue is, once downloaded, they won't download additional data. **shakes fist at gameloft**
So here it is, as always: I'm not responsible for any damages done to your phone by use of this file, etc..... Remember to nandroid backup!!!!
THIS HAS ONLY BEEN TESTED TO WORK ON CLEANROM ICS 2.3
How to Use:
Open file browser of choice and go to /system/
Rename build.prop to something like build.prop.bak
Download the file and unrar it
Move the file to /system/
Rename to build.prop
Reboot
When you need to switch back, just rename the modded build.prop to something like build.prop.mod and rename build.prop.bak to build.prop and reboot.
What it does - Makes your phone appear as the Desire HD.

Change folder icon?

I know there are many apps out there to change icons but I am wondering if it is possible to change the .JPEG in the root of the phone and where the original is located, I have not been able to find anything on this. Thank you for any help
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Sorry...
USE the xda search engine before you open a new post, there's an high probability that someone already asked your question, in this case in fact you should refer to this thread: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1528752
no solution yet, but let's get this thing being heard in just 1 thread

Decompiling an app

I ask a question on your site several weeks ago about the default messaging app on Samsung Galaxy s2 aokp jelly bean. It seems that if someone sends me a picture with text the picture covers to text and I can't read it. I asked if there was any way to correct it and below is the answer I got. I am sorry to disagree with whoever posted this however that is not a simple fix. I have Google and look for how to decompile a app and I am unable to find a app to edit a apk file. I am NOT asking for a step by step but surely someone can recommend an app I can download that would allow me to open the MMS app and edit it. Once again this is not a simple fix perhaps it is for you but it is not for me thank you for your time
This is a simple issue that the user can fix. Just have to decompile the apk and adjust the spacing. A search would have saved you opening a new thread.
Thread closed.
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lishron said:
I ask a question on your site several weeks ago about the default messaging app on Samsung Galaxy s2 aokp jelly bean. It seems that if someone sends me a picture with text the picture covers to text and I can't read it. I asked if there was any way to correct it and below is the answer I got. I am sorry to disagree with whoever posted this however that is not a simple fix. I have Google and look for how to decompile a app and I am unable to find a app to edit a apk file. I am NOT asking for a step by step but surely someone can recommend an app I can download that would allow me to open the MMS app and edit it. Once again this is not a simple fix perhaps it is for you but it is not for me thank you for your time
This is a simple issue that the user can fix. Just have to decompile the apk and adjust the spacing. A search would have saved you opening a new thread.
Thread closed.
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Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you search xda or google you will find plenty of tools that will do that for you.
I really do appreciate all the hard work that xda developers do. I do not like posting on here because I know your time is important but I also don't want to feel belittled. Have searched your site perhaps I'm poor at searching. Is there an app you would suggest that I could download to my phone or Android tablet to edit apk file. Thanks so much
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lishron said:
I really do appreciate all the hard work that xda developers do. I do not like posting on here because I know your time is important but I also don't want to feel belittled. Have searched your site perhaps I'm poor at searching. Is there an app you would suggest that I could download to my phone or Android tablet to edit apk file. Thanks so much
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Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Apktool, the app by virtuous team, and i think apk manager
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Thanks so much however after posting this I updated to the newest aokp and the issue is resolved. It does still have the sender's name overlapping the date but not the picture overlapping the message. Thanks so much and I will still try the suggested APK editor.
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Go check out the Android development guide by Google, you can get several tools to decompile an apk. As well as .dex file
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I agree that response was pretty rude. I'm guessing they were trying to scare you away rather than giving advice on next steps. That if you don't know how to do what they said you'd leave it to those that do know how.
But on to your original question...
Wikipedia's location for APK format (can't post link as I'm too new) says that the file is just a ZIP file (or JAR file). So likely 7-zip or your favorite program that can open ZIP's/JAR's will work. You might have to rename the extension to .ZIP or .JAR for the program to recognize it.
Nobody was being rude. We told him to search and that there are plenty of resources already available to him. Nothing wrong with that. Good luck and happy flashing.
The post was mine and it was not rude in the least. The information for what you need to do is posted. Has been for a few years now. Ever since people started doing customs themes. You will not be able to do this without a computer. All you have to do is decompile the apk, find the XML that displays the mms message and adjust the spacing by a few pixels. And then recompile the apk. There are tut all over the place on how to do this
You may have to be creative in your searches to be lead where you need to go but that is part of the learning that android requires. Sometimes you need to think outside the box to get the outcome you desire.
Batcom2
OneOfMany07 said:
I agree that response was pretty rude. I'm guessing they were trying to scare you away rather than giving advice on next steps. That if you don't know how to do what they said you'd leave it to those that do know how.
But on to your original question...
Wikipedia's location for APK format (can't post link as I'm too new) says that the file is just a ZIP file (or JAR file). So likely 7-zip or your favorite program that can open ZIP's/JAR's will work. You might have to rename the extension to .ZIP or .JAR for the program to recognize it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This only works for 35% of the apk as the XML files are encrypted until decompiled as are the .9 pngs
Batcom2

Adding apps to flashable files

So if I want to add apps like the note2 gallery to my port do I just put it in the app file zip it up and sign it?
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Hey skinzy98, real quick, just wanted to let you know that your work in the development sub-forum is greatly appreciated. Keep up the good work! :thumbup:
Now to answer your question. If you're planning to inject an app into a ROM, then you can accomplish this by placing the .apk into the system/app directory inside your ROMNAME.zip, and that's it (assuming the ROM sets recursive permissions to the entire system/app directory). This would result in your injected app being installed as a system app. However, if you want it to be installed as a data app... Well, it's gonna' be a little more involved. For what you plan to do, installing it as a system app would probably be best anyhow. Good luck, and let me know if you need any help/have any questions. Always glad to help a bro out when I can.
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N00B_IN_N33D said:
Hey skinzy98, real quick, just wanted to let you know that your work in the development sub-forum is greatly appreciated. Keep up the good work! :thumbup:
Now to answer your question. If you're planning to inject an app into a ROM, then you can accomplish this by placing the .apk into the system/app directory inside your ROMNAME.zip, and that's it (assuming the ROM sets recursive permissions to the entire system/app directory). This would result in your injected app being installed as a system app. However, if you want it to be installed as a data app... Well, it's gonna' be a little more involved. For what you plan to do, installing it as a system app would probably be best anyhow. Good luck, and let me know if you need any help/have any questions. Always glad to help a bro out when I can.
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Click to collapse
Thanks man that's what I thought I just didn't want to put in the builds I made yesterday and it screw em all up so I figured I'd ask
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skinzy98 said:
So if I want to add apps like the note2 gallery to my port do I just put it in the app file zip it up and sign it?
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Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You are going about it the right way, but beware some apps from different sources may in other files or framework.
Just fyi if you run into unexpected issues.
Good luck
PAC_Vibrant 360° Productions
jrongi1 said:
You are going about it the right way, but beware some apps from different sources may in other files or framework.
Just fyi if you run into unexpected issues.
Good luck
PAC_Vibrant 360° Productions
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Unfortunately happen my parents are against me doing ports and think it is a waste of time. I'll see what happens
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