Hello!
We are android developers and are currently running a "win a tablet with all our apps" contest. Apart from our apps, we'd like to offer pristine, out-of-the box tablets (Galaxy Tab 10.1, in case it matters).
That means users should expect the initial tablet setup screens (language, Google account, etc.) in an otherwise untouched tablet (unrooted with original bootloader).
The user should also be able to update our (paid) apps through the regular Play Store interface.
I have a feeling this is in effect impossible.
Investigated so far:
- adb install the apps, require dev mode (reversible, so ok) but doesn't appear in Play Store's "my apps";
- adb push *.apk /data/app, failed due to the device being unrooted (rooting should be reversible, it might be a solution). Is it the same as adb install? Would it appear in "my apps"?
- (not tried) installing the app through an account which has already purchased the app (ie.: internal store test account), then wiping (how?) the account data
Help? :fingers-crossed:
Related
UPDATE: I tried a few things on another NT running 1.4.1 and I was able to get the Android Market working. Here are the steps I followed:
Both of the units I have the market working on were initially rooted on 1.4.0 and Google Apps installed using the method described by Indirect. Note that this did not include installing the FOTAkill.apk which prevents Firmware Over-The-Air upgrades.
On the first unit the Google Apps packages were side loaded prior to rooting as described by Anlog.
The second unit I did not side load Google Apps first, instead installing them as part of Indirect's root kit.
Both units also had the tgps_launcher package installed. It is not necessary to use this particular package (you could use AnyCut to create the shortcut). If you do not side load the Google Apps apks prior to upgrade to 1.4.1 you will need some method to get back to the Application Settings screen.
Firmware 1.4.1 arrived on both Nook Tablets. On the first tablet that had Google Apps side loaded the market and Google Mail continued to work properly. On the second tablet that installed Google Apps as root the market and Google Mail both stopped working.
On the second unit I used tgps_launcher to get to the Application Settings screen. I disabled auto-mount, and enabled USB debugging (twice, once for each check box). I then connected the USB cable to my PC where the unit showed up as an Android Phone.
Launch a command prompt. Change directory to C:\ntroot (this is where you unzipped Indirect's files right?). Then execute the following commands:
C:\ntroot>adb install system\app\GoogleServicesFramework.apk
2869 KB/s (2238785 bytes in 0.762s)
pkg: /data/local/tmp/GoogleServicesFramework.apk
Success
C:\ntroot>adb install system\app\MediaUploader.apk
1988 KB/s (270892 bytes in 0.133s)
pkg: /data/local/tmp/MediaUploader.apk
Success
Once these steps were completed I was able to launch Android Market and I was prompted to sign in to my account. Once signed in I could install new apps and upgrade existing apps from the Android Market.
Also, if you need to manage the Google accounts on your Nook Tablet, you can get to the account management screen from the GMail app. Launch GMail, then click the soft menu button. Select Accounts. Click the soft menu button again and choose Account Settings. This displays the Account Settings activity where you can add a new account, adjust the sync settings for existing accounts, or delete an account.
I've read in several other threads that post 1.4.1 update a lot of folks are experiencing trouble with Android Market. Am I the only lucky one who can still use the Android Market after the 1.4.1 upgrade?
Here are some notes on my experience:
My NT firmware version is 1.4.1
I no longer have root access
Side loading from the nook tablet no longer works
I can still purchase and install apps via the Android Market properly
Since side loading doesn't work I can't purchase apps via alternative markets (Amazon, AppBrain, GetJar, etc). It also appears that the files I replaced in /system/apps have been at least partially restored (Google Calendar is missing, the keyboard is now a weird mashup of the NT stock keyboard and the honeycomb keyboard).
Thinking back on the initial steps I took with my nook tablet, I first side loaded all of the google apps prior to rooting. That meant I had an installed copy of Android Market and GMail outside of /system/apps. I was also able to launch the Android Market and setup my google account, but received the familiar crash at that point. I then rooted and installed google apps to /system/apps which left me with a working Android Market. I'm wondering if that first step of side loading google apps prior to root is why I have a working Android Market now on firmware 1.4.1.
Anyone else have a working Android Market on 1.4.1? If so, was your setup process similar to mine, or different in some way?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I managed to install MediaUploader, but GoogleServicesFramework failed:
C:\ntroot>adb install GoogleServicesFramework.apk
2052 KB/s (2189960 bytes in 1.042s)
pkg: /data/local/tmp/GoogleServicesFramework.apk
Failure [INSTALL_PARSE_FAILED_NO_CERTIFICATES]
I found that I had the google certificate inside the file OneTimeInitializer.apk, but I'm unable to install it (same error).
Does anyone know if there's any way to get the google cert installed without rooting?
Thanks
Hmmm, I must have loaded that cert as one of the side effects of actions I took while still running 1.4.0. I get that same error when I attempt to install the other apks from the gApps folder.
Thank you thank you thank you!!!
I have a 1.4.0 rooted tablet that autoupdated to 1.4.1. I had lost market functionality. I followed your three easy steps and everything is great now.
Hi,
I had an HTC incredible S and later I got a Kindle Fire. I flashed CM7 to kindle fire and when I set my google account in Kindle Fire it started downloading all apps I installed on the HTC. I stopped this action and installed the ones I wanted manually.
Is there a way (from a PC or directly from the device) to select a group of my apps and install them when I buy a device or reflash a rom?
I know backup programs can do it, but I don't see the point of storing app backups on the sdcard, while I already have them on the market in my account. (Maybe I'm wrong)
Hello,
I have been sideloading apps from Amazon Appstore using the ADB method onto the Nook Tablet (v1.4.2). It works well. However, when an updated version of the apps shows up, I have to completely uninstall it and re-install using ADB. Settings and info from previous version are lost.
So my question is: Is there a way to update an adb installed apps without losing the info from existing installation?
I recently uninstalled the Amazon Appstore and re-installed with a more recent version (using adb). Something happened to the sd card during the un-installation (I think it has to do with the amazon appstore directory (android/data/com.amazon.venezia is deleted). Afterwards, I cannot access B-N's store or account any more (internal error: exception executing the command) Evernote seems to crash from time to time too (issue accessing database file). The "update" Amazon Appstore seems to be working. I don't know if these are related.
Any idea on these 2 questions?
why don't you root it? you'll have access to Google play store (android market), then if you want you can install amazon appstore, and do whatever you want
nook_user said:
Hello,
I have been sideloading apps from Amazon Appstore using the ADB method onto the Nook Tablet (v1.4.2). It works well. However, when an updated version of the apps shows up, I have to completely uninstall it and re-install using ADB. Settings and info from previous version are lost.
So my question is: Is there a way to update an adb installed apps without losing the info from existing installation?
I recently uninstalled the Amazon Appstore and re-installed with a more recent version (using adb). Something happened to the sd card during the un-installation (I think it has to do with the amazon appstore directory (android/data/com.amazon.venezia is deleted). Afterwards, I cannot access B-N's store or account any more (internal error: exception executing the command) Evernote seems to crash from time to time too (issue accessing database file). The "update" Amazon Appstore seems to be working. I don't know if these are related.
Any idea on these 2 questions?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
As for your question of sideload apps, I'm not sure but I can install updates without uninstall in most cases.
Everything else you mention points toward the SDcard as a problem. If it were me I'd backup everything on the sd to your computer, reformat the sd and copy everything back from computer to sd.
Thanks for your replies.
FYI, my NT is not rooted and I have to use 'adb' to update. Normal update process does not work. After digging a bit more, it seems that "adb install -r" (re-install) option may just do the job for updating. I will try that this weekend.
As to the issue with connecting with B-N store. I don't think it is the issue with the SD card. I completely unmounted and removed the SD card, rebooted, and still cannot access BN store. I don't think that contacting BN store requires the SD card.
If you originally installed an application via adb, and you want to update that application to it's newer version via adb, while keeping its data and settings, use the following code:
Code:
adb install -r <packagename>.apk
adb install -r "packagename.apk" it should work
the version of Android is 2.3.4
Model is LGL55C
I don't have service with this phone at the moment, but when I did in the past it wouldn't let me install apps from Amazon - the file I was instructed to download to make this work didn't appear to be on there (but when I plugged it into the PC, it was showing up in the folder.)
Its as if the manufacturer or whatever didn't want me to install apps outside of Google Play or something... (yes, I did check the option to allow it to install from places other than Google Play)
Hi,
I've got my hands on a cheap chinese phone from a brand called "V7". The model is "Zyro". Unfortunately, the phone didn't come to me with pre-installed Google Play store. Nor is it rooted or flashed with custom recovery like TWRP. I wanted to install some apps on it via transferring data from PC to the phone. I've sourced apps such as Youtube, Facebook, Messenger, Google Internet Services, Google Play Store etc. from a trusted website apkmirror. Unfortunately, most of the apps seem to cause errors while attempting to install. The errors state that the apps are not meant "for this device". I've tried versions designed for numerous architectures such as 32 and 64 bit, as well as arm64-V8a based CPUs. I can't understand why is this happening as majority of those apps state in the description that they are either universal or are expected to work since Android 4.2 Jelly Bean. I have problems installing GBoard (Google Keyboard) and Samsung Keyboard on the device as I'm stuck with some chinese virtual input called "Sogou". I've tried to flash the device with custom recovery but unfortunately didn't find a version of TWRP which would be compatible with my device. The same happened when I've tried to find any sort of custom rom or even official, android stock rom. I would like to ask you:
1. What are possible causes of such majority of apps being not compatible with this device despite the fact that it seems to be a generic android phone?
2. Why universal input apps such as Google's Gboard crash after a while or do not install at all?
3. How can I safely flash the device with a custom recovery?
Thanks in advance
Eva