I started this thread to place a known working solution to installing Alternative keyboards in an OP as the OP to the original thread has chosen not to mod their OP to document the solution there. (A choice I completely accept as it is their OP.)
If a moderator finds this excessive do what you need to!
Hopefully this will alleviate some of the noob's initial confusion with keyboards.
What is this for:
Rooted Nook Tablets 16gb in size is proven to work.
Thanks to:
yaggermr - found the keyboard debug screen
robertely for getting this started.
CelticWebSolutions for the steps that work.
The steps:
Enable keyboard Debug mode.
Install an Alternate launcher and Root explorer
Install anycut: http://goo.gl/isvc1
Open Anycut, Create a New Shortcut.
Pick "Activity"
Pick "Android Keyboard Debug" (PROTIP: the list is larger than it looks, Scroll down!)
While you are there, create another shortcut for "Accessibility", and "Debug settings."
Return to your alternate launchers home screen and open "Android Keyboard Debug"
Enable Debug mode, and click Back. (Side note, you can stop here if you only want to change themes.)
From OP of the original thread.
This is where my method differed to op.
Install swype from market or use a downloaded apk.
It won't work yet.
In ES File Explorer navigate to /data/app
Copy the keyboard apk (swype one)
Navigate to a safe place such as your sdcard
Paste the apk
Navigate to /data/app
Copy the keyboard apk (swype one) again
Navigate to /system/app
Paste the apk
Change properties of system copy to all ticks
Reboot
Once rebooted select the keyboard with any cut shortcut to accessibility settings
(it may say something about you having no accessibility installed, you can install something form market here if you wish but you don't actually need to)[*]Keyboard will keep crashing which is OK it's nothing to worry about, it's just a bit annoying for a moment
In Es File Explorer navigate to the safe place you stored a copy of the swype apk
(not the original one in /data/app or the duplicated one in /system/app)
Click install to install it from the apk
It will inform you that it's going to overwrite existing copy
Click OK
Crashes will stop
Finally delete the copy from system/app
I (SCClockDr) believe this step prevents issues on subsequent re-boots.
All should work now.
I've (CelticWebSolutions) got Go keyboard, swype and a couple of others installed this way and all work
I've (SCClockDr) got Swype, Hacker, Swiftkey and a couple of others installed this way and all work
Good luck!
Note for noobs like me, restarting after adding and deleting files from SYSTEM/APP takes a few minutes, be patient
Edit: I deleted the copy from system/apps and started getting force closes again, going to do it again and leave the copy their.
Edit: Leaving the copy stopped the force closing.
Thanks for this - Using Thumb keyboard 4
Edit - GRRRRR restarted and force close started again!
What if you need to install an apk from sdcard but you don't have a file manager installed yet, and to make things worse you don't have internet access to download it from the market!
Well, there's a solution to that. Provided by every internet browser available.
(I suppose you have one installed
Here's what you need to do:
1. Put the apk file in the main directory of your sdcard. Rename it to something very short for easy typing. In this example, I will use "fm.apk".
2. Boot your device. Goto Security Settings and check "Unknown Sources".
3. Open your internet browser. In the address bar type "file:///sdcard/<filename>.apk".
In our example above it should look like this: file:///sdcard/fm.apk
4. Press "Go". That's it! Installation started!
hi there:
i know sometimes googleplay store won't download or slow download or connection timeout(retry connect).
or sometimes you see your download speed too slow.
try my method i wish it will fix your problems:
first you should be rooted:
for google play fix ...you will need es file explorer(search in google if you don't have it).
open es file explorer >>press on menu key(option key in your phone)>>click on tools>>root explorer>>
mount r/w>>make (/) and /system >>>r/w.
then go to system directory>etc folder>there is file called hosts>>delete this file.(using es file explorer).
then on es file explorer >press on menu key(option key in your phone)>>click on tools>>root explorer>>
mount r/w>>make (/) and /system >>>r/o.(to protect system and prevent malware to enter system).
by this you will fix google play problem.
for internet speed fixyou don't need root):
from play store download and install :wifi settings (dns,ip,gateway).
then open it click on current dns and select open dns home .
after that click applay.
you are done.
i make this and worked for me(on galaxy s4 verizon on 4.4.2).
Nice solution
I don't know how it fixed play store download issue but it did and previously I tried every thing to get rid of it but in vein. I was stuck for weeks thanks a lot man.
1.- Move all these apks to the /system/priv-app folder of the android wear watch, and chmod 644 all apks with adb/terminal or change permissions to rw,r,r and change the owner to System and the group to System with file manager.
/system/Priv-app Apks -
ES filee explorer https://app.box.com/s/j4u1hiwymkbyvh4py2welvn88puyrn8w
Google Backup transport https://app.box.com/s/tvothkbt7yv0vw3fd6rcuxuf2vwa09qw
Google calendar sync https://app.box.com/s/i4ribv2kta4nhapb93tsesblgm3efvox
Google onetime init https://app.box.com/s/llxqniqy3thddj11g4jletk5qxpduw08
Google partner setup https://app.box.com/s/yg18h5rhs8d3ozdgmd2cufjgkynm55rs
UCBrowser https://app.box.com/s/misbdk8dg2nw1pz01ik8zrhxemvk5v9l
PlayStore https://app.box.com/s/cndzlazkq1z3599u39r842ocn7addlra
2.-Reboot watch to recovery and wipe dalvik and cache partitions.
3.- delete and move the dummy apks to system/priv-app folder
Google Play Store dummy apk https://app.box.com/s/thyhe4fscsbfnzacjpzh8ee5ufz5t8wu
UC Browser dummy apk https://app.box.com/s/epbyt8q2s1un5weigxeugphglbrjo01z
4.- Install these apks with ES file explorer -might not need to install all apks but that's what I use
Apks- https://app.box.com/s/rf5870pwmaeym7i132tlf5nt7uho72eg
4.- Reboot watch twice
Let me know how it goes!
Reserved
Hello,
thanks for this. But I need help.
I get this message: "com.google.process.gapps has stopped". Can you help me please ?
Thanks
mister-gwada97one said:
Hello,
thanks for this. But I need help.
I get this message: "com.google.process.gapps has stopped". Can you help me please ?
Thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Did you get apks installed ok?
iAppleDev said:
Did you get apks installed ok?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes I got all intalled ok. I did everything as you said.
I can't figure out what's wrong.
Does UCBrowser open and work?
"Google play services has stopped to work" after this process. I can´t get uc browser or play store working (installing as user apps as shown at step 3) If I move it to priv-app, UC browser works, but playstore´s still crashing. I don´t understand the dummy apks and its purpose...
If I install the dummy and before the user app UC browser, it doesn´t work. It needs to be pushed on priv-app to get networking
iAppleDev said:
Does UCBrowser open and work?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I got UC Browser working in system/app folder.
prototovsky said:
"Google play services has stopped to work" after this process. I can´t get uc browser or play store working (installing as user apps as shown at step 3) If I move it to priv-app, UC browser works, but playstore´s still crashing. I don´t understand the dummy apks and its purpose...
If I install the dummy and before the user app UC browser, it doesn´t work. It needs to be pushed on priv-app to get networking
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes I guess it needs to be done first! If you use /system/app mover to move playStore to system then after it reboots install the newer PlayStore apk as an user with ES file explorer then delete the play store apk on the system/priv-app folder and add the older dummy apk again and it should work! I think it needs to be installed to system for real first then update it then move the older dummy apk to /system folder after you've updated it, the point of the dummy apk is to save space! if you want you could just leave the real apk in the System/folder
iAppleDev said:
Yes I guess it needs to be done first! If you use /system/app mover to move playStore to system then after it reboots install the newer PlayStore apk as an user with ES file explorer then delete the play store apk on the system/priv-app folder and add the older dummy apk again and it should work! I think it needs to be installed to system for real first then update it then move the older dummy apk to /system folder after you've updated it, the point of the dummy apk is to save space! if you want you could just leave the real apk in the System/folder
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don´t understand the steps. If I install something outside from priv-app, it won´t work on network, that´s a fact. I think google play services must be in priv-app also with play store and other google apps, but I don´t have space enought on /system partition (the play store crashes saying google play services has stopped, and I cannot install play services as user app because it says that already exists). Why it already exists? Must I delete the default Android wear Play services and replace with this new package? And what´s the installation order?
1- Install the dummy as user app and move it to /system with permissions, etc.
2- Reboot and install the real google play apk as user app
3- Reinstall the dummy on /system again (mantaining the real Gplay as user app and getting free space on /system)
Is this?
I only got UC browser working while being on priv-app, but nothing with play store... Really I´m trying to get it working
Yes any apps in the system folders get networking! And if you update that app it moves it to /data and still works as long as an dummy apk is in system folder. And yes I might have use the adb -r command to install play services or threw ES file explorer as an update? I'm not to sure
iAppleDev said:
Yes any apps in the system folders get networking! And if you update that app it moves it to /data and still works as long as an dummy apk is in system folder. And yes I might have use the adb -r command to install play services or threw ES file explorer as an update? I'm not to sure
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Then, how I update an app for save space on /system? And how I install new play services without corrupting anything?
And what´s adb -r command for?
Sorry for all of that questions, but I´m interested in learning And thanks for all!
Have you tried to install play services apk with ES file explorer or threw adb? Android wear has play services installed already so it's just an update! It's called prebuiltGmsCoreForClockworkWearable.apk on my watch and is in the priv-app folder!
you have to install the app or apps to the /system/priv-app or /system/app folder first - you can use the app /system/app mover or adb or terminal or file manager. then you need to use ES File explorer and install an newer version of the same app and it will be updated and re-installed to the /Data partition where there is more space, it does not remove the apk from the /system folders but it's not used only checked for and wastes space so that's why the dummy apk is used. If you don't want to install other apps to system then just install PlayStore or UCBrowser and leave it in system but there isn't much space 30+mb.
adb install -r package.name.apk reinstalls the app without replacing the data like an update.
Ahh I found what was going on I forgot an apk GoogleAccountManager.apk it don't need to be in the system folder but if you reset the watch it will get deleted too unless it's in the system folder!
Can you upload it please? I'll try it
@iAppleDev : Hello, is there a way to store google contacts directly on the watch please ?
mister-gwada97one said:
@iAppleDev : Hello, is there a way to store google contacts directly on the watch please ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Nope
iAppleDev said:
1.- Move all these apks to the /system/priv-app folder of the android wear watch, and chmod 644 all apks with adb/terminal or change permissions to rw,r,r and change the owner to System and the group to System with file manager.
/system/Priv-app Apks -
ES filee explorer https://app.box.com/s/j4u1hiwymkbyvh4py2welvn88puyrn8w
Google Backup transport https://app.box.com/s/tvothkbt7yv0vw3fd6rcuxuf2vwa09qw
Google calendar sync https://app.box.com/s/i4ribv2kta4nhapb93tsesblgm3efvox
Google onetime init https://app.box.com/s/llxqniqy3thddj11g4jletk5qxpduw08
Google partner setup https://app.box.com/s/yg18h5rhs8d3ozdgmd2cufjgkynm55rs
UCBrowser https://app.box.com/s/misbdk8dg2nw1pz01ik8zrhxemvk5v9l
PlayStore https://app.box.com/s/cndzlazkq1z3599u39r842ocn7addlra
2.-Reboot watch to recovery and wipe dalvik and cache partitions.
3.- delete and move the dummy apks to system/priv-app folder
Google Play Store dummy apk https://app.box.com/s/thyhe4fscsbfnzacjpzh8ee5ufz5t8wu
UC Browser dummy apk https://app.box.com/s/epbyt8q2s1un5weigxeugphglbrjo01z
4.- Install these apks with ES file explorer -might not need to install all apks but that's what I use
Apks- https://app.box.com/s/rf5870pwmaeym7i132tlf5nt7uho72eg
4.- Reboot watch twice
Let me know how it goes!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi, may I ask, what is the purpose of doing this? Is it for times when Android Wear becomes unstable?
I have put the apps to /system/priv-app. I chmod-ed them to 644. But i am not able to change user/group.
when in sdcard/Downloads the files are shown as root:sdcard_r. chown system:system filename result in no error, but ls -al still delivers root:sdcard_r
after putting the files in system/priv-app i am shown to have no rights to change user/group (no rights to write on system?). I dont know how to get these rights. Standard linux code doesnt work, necessary commands not integrated in wear?
In the file manager of twrp i dont find any option to change user/group. ES File Explorer is installed, but activation of root explorer returns an error. And yes, the device IS rooted
Edit:
When in /system/priv-app by adb shell su the files are shown root/root as user/group.
So the whole procedure results in:
I can start ES File Explorer (only through native GUI, not wear mini launcher, dont know why) - but i am not able to install an apk by it. Every try results in no app/no gesture. Now i am stuck...
Edit:
Ok, i made it by TWRP/Terminal. baaaaad work with that smaaaall keyboard and big fingers...
but it doesnt look as if that was the big point. File Explorer still cant get root explorer and i still cant install apps...
iAppleDev said:
1.- Move all these apks to the /system/priv-app folder of the android wear watch, and chmod 644 all apks with adb/terminal or change permissions to rw,r,r and change the owner to System and the group to System with file manager.
/system/Priv-app Apks -
ES filee explorer https://app.box.com/s/j4u1hiwymkbyvh4py2welvn88puyrn8w
Google Backup transport https://app.box.com/s/tvothkbt7yv0vw3fd6rcuxuf2vwa09qw
Google calendar sync https://app.box.com/s/i4ribv2kta4nhapb93tsesblgm3efvox
Google onetime init https://app.box.com/s/llxqniqy3thddj11g4jletk5qxpduw08
Google partner setup https://app.box.com/s/yg18h5rhs8d3ozdgmd2cufjgkynm55rs
UCBrowser https://app.box.com/s/misbdk8dg2nw1pz01ik8zrhxemvk5v9l
PlayStore https://app.box.com/s/cndzlazkq1z3599u39r842ocn7addlra
2.-Reboot watch to recovery and wipe dalvik and cache partitions.
3.- delete and move the dummy apks to system/priv-app folder
Google Play Store dummy apk https://app.box.com/s/thyhe4fscsbfnzacjpzh8ee5ufz5t8wu
UC Browser dummy apk https://app.box.com/s/epbyt8q2s1un5weigxeugphglbrjo01z
4.- Install these apks with ES file explorer -might not need to install all apks but that's what I use
Apks- https://app.box.com/s/rf5870pwmaeym7i132tlf5nt7uho72eg
4.- Reboot watch twice
Let me know how it goes!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Do you have root for this? If so how have you granted access if superuser doesnt work yet? Also how do you change the groups? And do the apks need to be in a folder in system/priv-app like they are in our phones? I moved all the apks but none of them installed I have TWRP but im still trying ti work out my root on Sony Smartwatch 3
Many of Android users have been locked out Google cards (Now cards) service because of their location being NOT SUPPORTED. This is a way to re-enable the service with no VPN, removing sim or deleting account.
DISCLAIMER: I'm not responsible nor have legal obligations if your device happens to die, lose data or explode. always have a Nandroid backup or any type of data backup you're comfortable with.
This is a tested and verified method on Android Lollipop , KitKat and Jellybean. The country of testing is Syrian Arab Republic (Syria). Would appreciate feedback from other countries.
For this you need couple of things first:
1- Be rooted.
2- Download a launcher if you only have Google Now launcher. (Nova Launcher here).
3- Download a root file manager. (Solid Explorer File Manager here)
3- Download the attached file below (velvet.apk) DO NOT INSTALL. and put it in a known location on your local storage or SD card.
The procedure:
1- Clear Google app data from settings and uninstall updates.
2- Open the Root file manager and go to the root folder. Then navigate to "data/dalvik-cache/and delete [email protected] [email protected]@classes.dex".
NOTE: Lollipop users navigate to "data/dalvik-cache/arm/[email protected]@[email protected]"
3- Return to root and then navigate to "System/priv-app/ and backup "velvet.apk" and then delete it.
NOTE: Lollipop users navigate to "system/priv-app/Velvet/velvet.apk".
3- Copy velvet.apk file you just downloaded to the same directory on step (3) and change permissions to 644.
4- Fix velvet.apk permisions to 644 (view attached photo) and the reboot device.
5- Open Google app and opt-in, agree and go on.
6- Open Play Store and update Google Search to the latest version.
7- OPTIONAL: Navigate to the same directory on step (3) and restore system original velvet.apk which you've backed up and then reboot. This may help for new OTAs to arrive on some devices that checks all root/system/directory for any changes. OTA update may fail if it detects that user has changed system files. (Personally never had that problem on my Nexus 7 2013 LTE. I did NOT do this step and i still get OTA updates).
Now the "Now cards" service should be active on your latest Google app version. and you can re-use your Google now launcher with the left panel activated.:good::laugh:
##
HI
i dont have velvet.apk in my private-app nor the dalvik cache dex , should i st copy the velvet to that folder anyway or what ? plz helppppp
No Dice on 6.0.1 [Note 2]
Just tried on Note 2 [SGH-i317], 6.0.1 custom by Resurrection Remix and it didn't work.
Followed instructions as described [files were in same folders as description for Lollipop] and the Google app was completely gone upon reboot. Reinstalled from GPlay but it didn't work. Gonna give VPN a try, though I was hoping for a Root workaround.
Thanks for the help! Any further insight is appreciated, even though I know this wasn't intended for Marshmallow.
I tried this Velvet.apk on Android 6.0.1 and it caused bootloop. Is there a Marshmallow-compatible Velvet.apk which can bypass geo-restrictions?