[Q] Removal of Verizon Backup Assistant Plus from Accounts Setting - Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4

Hello xda forum!
This is my first post, so please forgive me if I am doing anything wrong.
Probably like others who frequent this forum, the second I got my S4, I immediately rooted the phone and tried to delete all the Verizob/Samsung bloatware using Titanium Backup. This went without hitch, BUT there was one problem: Backup Assistant Plus.
I have completely uninstalled the Backup Assistant Plus app itself, but the uninstall did not get rid of the "Backup Assistant Plus" icon from the "Accounts" menu in the settings. Now the button just causes the settings to force close and annoys me to now end. I have attached a screenshot of my settings to be clear as to what I am talking about.
I have googled the problem, and see that the owners of the Galaxy S3 have solved the problem by modding the secsettings.apk on this thread
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1814099
However, the thread does not provide any explanation as to how the modder did it, so I was not able to reproduce it on the S4.
Can anyone help quell my ocd and give advice on getting rid of the menu?
Thanks in advanced!

It is indeed in secsettings. Do you know how to decompile and recompile apks?
sent from my Verizon Galaxy s4

Dubbsy said:
It is indeed in secsettings. Do you know how to decompile and recompile apks?
sent from my Verizon Galaxy s4
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hello, thanks for replying!
I have read about the process while scouring the forums, but have never actually had a reason to try it
I am a quick learner though and know how to program, so if it requires decompiling and recompiling, I think I'd be fine.

TheChoBro said:
Hello, thanks for replying!
I have read about the process while scouring the forums, but have never actually had a reason to try it
I am a quick learner though and know how to program, so if it requires decompiling and recompiling, I think I'd be fine.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Head over the android development section and download whichever apktool/apkeditor/decompile+recompile tool you want. I use Rujelus22's AIO Script personally but they all work.
You'll need SDK and JDK downloaded. You'll need 4.2.2's SDK branch downloaded. Installed and path setup correctly(you'll find that info while gathering the tools). Then you'll need 7zip and notepad++(a modified notepad++ is included in Ruj's AIO)
While at it decompile the framework-res.apk, systemui.apk, and settingsprovider.apk. You may want to dig in those as well to pick out lingering VZW services.
When you go to decompile make sure your AAPT in your SDK folder is in platform-tools folder. Make sure it's up to date. Make sure you are using whatever the latest apktool is. If using the Ruj AIO it will walk you through setup. But if you go about the more manual methods you will need to install your framework-res and tw-framework-res files so that it can decompile and recompile correctly.
Be careful what you delete and what you modify. Fair warning, you will likely boot loop the first few times. You also will probably find recompiling will error out often. That's because when it decompiles it sometimes drops neccesary symbols that need to be in the files in order to pack back up. For systemui specifically there was a missing + sign from a bunch of strings. When you run across these errors, read your log, and then google search... 9 times out of 10 you will find something of use to correct the issue.
:good:

Related

noob who wants to learn

I want to learn how to theme. I've read this guide http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=916814
I Think i understand the process of editing images, I'm not a noob when it comes to photoshop, but i get a little frustrated when it comes to the topic of signing. I have a windows vista system, and section two of this https://docs.google.com/Doc?docid=0AcdxIJRSH9ypZGZzc2pxNDlfMjdnazk4OHNxZA&hl=en states that signing in vista causes bootloops unless you take other steps. The directions for XP seem so straight forward, is there a way to sign without all the hassle that vista seems to cause?
I've been told that if you use another theme for a base, resigning is not needed. I'm a noob at this also, really wanting to learn.
thenaut said:
I want to learn how to theme. I've read this guide http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=916814
I Think i understand the process of editing images, I'm not a noob when it comes to photoshop, but i get a little frustrated when it comes to the topic of signing. I have a windows vista system, and section two of this https://docs.google.com/Doc?docid=0AcdxIJRSH9ypZGZzc2pxNDlfMjdnazk4OHNxZA&hl=en states that signing in vista causes bootloops unless you take other steps. The directions for XP seem so straight forward, is there a way to sign without all the hassle that vista seems to cause?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
When it comes to basic themeing, you don't need to sign anything....its a matter of extracting and re-zipping the apk without signing it so it keeps its original signature...then you would add all your themed apks in a CWM flashable zip(that isn't signed either).....use APK Manager....it works wonders for theme devs
Mr. Apocalypse said:
When it comes to basic themeing, you don't need to sign anything....its a matter of extracting and re-zipping the apk without signing it so it keeps its original signature...then you would add all your themed apks in a CWM flashable zip(that isn't signed either).....use APK Manager....it works wonders for theme devs
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks man,
If i'm understanding you correctly you are basically saying that if i take from an existing theme i don't have to sign. but i create my own theme based off of a rom i need to sign it?
EDIT: nevermind, i mixed both responses up and with my question. i'm a little off today
thenaut said:
Thanks man,
If i'm understanding you correctly you are basically saying that if i take from an existing theme i don't have to sign. but i create my own theme based off of a rom i need to sign it?
EDIT: nevermind, i mixed both responses up and with my question. i'm a little off today
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ok...let me try to clarify this...if you're new to theme developing, get "signing" out of your head
You would only need to sign an apk if it was being installed...
When you theme, nothing is being "installed", all of the original apks that are in your /system/ directory are replaced with your themed ones while flashing....
YOU NEVER SIGN AN APK THAT IS BEING SENT TO /system/ DIRECTORY
In reality, no themed apks are signed, because they are sent to the /system/ directory....its just a matter of extracting the stock apk, make your mods, and re-zip. As a said above, if you use Apk Manager, this will be a breeze
Mr. Apocalypse said:
Ok...let me try to clarify this...if you're new to theme developing, get "signing" out of your head
You would only need to sign an apk if it was being installed...
When you theme, nothing is being "installed", all of the original apks that are in your /system/ directory are replaced with your themed ones while flashing....
YOU NEVER SIGN AN APK THAT IS BEING SENT TO /system/ DIRECTORY
In reality, no themed apks are signed, because they are sent to the /system/ directory....its just a matter of extracting the stock apk, make your mods, and re-zip. As a said above, if you use Apk Manager, this will be a breeze
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks, You've helped a lot. can't wait to start. I have to go to work though, so tomorrow, hopefully.
thenaut said:
Thanks, You've helped a lot. can't wait to start. I have to go to work though, so tomorrow, hopefully.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you have any other questions, PM me....i'm always willing to help someone who is willing to learn.
What I do when i want to change something... example I made my own lock screen.
If it was already explained how to do this... im sorry for wasting your and mine time... I only have about 5 minutes so I cant read everything before i post this... but this is what i do when i want to edit the theme.
I put the rom on my computer and extract it... locate the files I need to edit, (they are alwas going to be in the res folder of an extracted .apk and then in a drawable folder.) I take the files i want and I edit them. put them back on my phone... copy the framework-res.apk from systems>framework>framework-res.apk and then put it in a folder i created on my sdcard.
Using Astro File Manager I select my edited files and copy them.... then click on framework-res.apk and select browse and past my edited files into the framework-res.apk then using root explorer I then copy my edited framework-res.apk and paste it back in system>framework>framework-res.apk

[Q] Modifying smilies in LatinImeGoogle.apk

I've seen previously that you can modify 'more_keys_for_smiley' in LatinIME.apk to modify the predefined smilies in the keyboard ( http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=23362533 ).
I'm trying to do this for LatinImeGoogle.apk.
I've got it decompiled with apktool, but I can't seem to find where 'more_keys_for_smiley' is defined to change it. The only reference to it inside of that apk is in key_styles_common.xml where it has:
<key-style latin:moreKeys="!text/more_keys_for_smiley" latin:backgroundType="functional" latin:keyOutputText=" " latin:keyLabel="" latin:keyLabelFlags="hasPopupHint" latin:styleName="enterKeyStyle" />
Can anyone help me locate more_keys_for_smiley so I can modify it? Does the "!text" refer to a different package?
Thanks in advance for any help.
Ok, thanks to someone's help I was able to figure out that the string is now located in the odex file for the keyboard. I was able to deodex LatinImeGoogle.odex using baksmali and edited the file com/android/inputmethod/keyboard/internal/KeyboardTextsSet.smali. I then used smali to recreate the odex file, but pushing it to my device and rebooting causes the keyboard to not load. Do I need to do anything special with this new odex file?
I tried following tutorials ( http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1208320 ) and using automatic batch scripts ( http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=31360029 ) for recreating the new odex file and copying the signature from the old one, but I could not get it to work. At best I got the keyboard to load and instantly crash, at worst it wouldn't even load the keyboard upon boot.
Anyone want to offer some advice or take a stab at this?
Seems like your doing exactly what i'm trying to accomplish, and had success, so i'm gonna ask a couple questions, but first some background info.
I'm using a (Verizon) Galaxy Nexus, CM10.1 Clockwork Recovery, GAPPS. (no custom Kernels, etc)
I'm a windows guy, definitely a noob to linux, i'm comfortable following the more complicated instructionals, but traveling off the beaten path is difficult for me.
I was able to use apktool tool to decompile Latinime.apk, and i found KeyboardTextsSet.smali, and the smileys i want modified.
Is it as simple as recompiling and installing it? (remove/uninstall keyboard via TitaniumBackup first?)
You refer to a LatinImeGoogle.odex, is this only relevant to someone using an odexed rom?
I appreciate greatly any assistance you are able to provide!:good:
PrettyPistol555 said:
Seems like your doing exactly what i'm trying to accomplish, and had success, so i'm gonna ask a couple questions, but first some background info.
I'm using a (Verizon) Galaxy Nexus, CM10.1 Clockwork Recovery, GAPPS. (no custom Kernels, etc)
I'm a windows guy, definitely a noob to linux, i'm comfortable following the more complicated instructionals, but traveling off the beaten path is difficult for me.
I was able to use apktool tool to decompile Latinime.apk, and i found KeyboardTextsSet.smali, and the smileys i want modified.
Is it as simple as recompiling and installing it? (remove/uninstall keyboard via TitaniumBackup first?)
You refer to a LatinImeGoogle.odex, is this only relevant to someone using an odexed rom?
I appreciate greatly any assistance you are able to provide!:good:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, you should be able to modify KeyboardTextsSet.smali and then recompile and install the keyboard. I never achieved any success because I'm on an odexed ROM and couldn't get reodexing to work properly.
Tried but no joy, then realized it could be because the apk was from a previous nightly (couple days) than the one currently installed. Crossing my fingers that it's the reason it didn't work.
I'll try again.
sent from my vzw Galaxy Nexus / CM10.1 (nightlies)

[Q] How to disable Tethering on a S3

Hi
Please can anyone help me to DISABLE tethering on the S3. I want all types: USB, WiFi hotspot and Bluetooth Tethering disabled but for the mobile still to be able to use data for other apps like WhatsApp etc. Its to disable access to the internet for a minor (I have removed the browser applications already but there are computers in the house that can be connected via these other routes and the kids these days are sharp ).
Any help would be appreciated.
Thanks
Mark
Just go to the notification panel and disable them from there i know this is not that helpful but i tried to be
Sent from my GT-I9300 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
With a rooted phone, you would have to decompile system/settings.apk using apktool or similar (in a pc with the android sdk installed).
Edit its xml to remove, just delete, the thetering and portable hotspot menu, and then put the modified settings.apk back into the phone.
That would make it so they cannot activate it via the settings menu, but the phone would still be able to by using 3rd party apps.
Look into decompiling and compiling system apps with framework and apktool. Its a lot to put in the post, but there are great tutorials in the xda community. It's time consuming, but once you get the hang of it, really easy.
Re. How to disable tethering
dxppxd said:
With a rooted phone, you would have to decompile system/settings.apk using apktool or similar (in a pc with the android sdk installed).
Edit its xml to remove, just delete, the thetering and portable hotspot menu, and then put the modified settings.apk back into the phone.
That would make it so they cannot activate it via the settings menu, but the phone would still be able to by using 3rd party apps.
Look into decompiling and compiling system apps with framework and apktool. Its a lot to put in the post, but there are great tutorials in the xda community. It's time consuming, but once you get the hang of it, really easy.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you dxppxd, that's exactly what I wanted to know. I am familiar with the apktools method of modifying apk files and my phone is rooted. :good::laugh:
Any other suggestions are welcome too.
Blaauwberg said:
Thank you dxppxd, that's exactly what I wanted to know. I am familiar with the apktools method of modifying apk files and my phone is rooted. :good::laugh:
Any other suggestions are welcome too.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi dxppxd, there is no Settings.apk under /system. Any idea where else it could be. Also, is the xml file in the res directory and is it also called settings.xml?
The version of android is 4.1.2 and is stock.
Your help is appreciated.
R
Mark
Blaauwberg said:
Hi dxppxd, there is no Settings.apk under /system. Any idea where else it could be. Also, is the xml file in the res directory and is it also called settings.xml?
The version of android is 4.1.2 and is stock.
Your help is appreciated.
R
Mark
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Edit: Ooops! It's system/app/settings.apk my bad!
Also, you probably have an odexed rom. I suggest installing a stock deodexed rom so you can decompile settings.apk
You can get one in the roms section, I remember 4.1.2 stock deodexed versions of wanamlite or archidroid roms.
I'll look into which xml to edit, don't really remember. It's usually one called layout or res_layout or something like that.
There was a tut for modding the settings layout, ill look for it when I get home and post the link, was very helpful a long time ago.
Edit2: this is the tutorial. It was made for moding android 2.3.6 settings. But a lot of things still apply. It gives a very good idea on what each section does, and how the layout is made and you're only removing stuff, not adding titles or sections:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=24317850
Good luck.

Use Tmobile Network Speed Indicator on Galaxy S5

My question is simple. I am trying to use Tmobile HSPA+ indicator network for Galaxy S4/S5, which is a 4G icon, on another Carrier Galaxy S5, in my case Sprint, which has a 3G icon for HSPA+.
My first thought was to change the ro.product.name and ro.product.device properties from the build.prop file to kltetmo, which is the value that tmobile galaxy s5 has, and this worked as I was getting the TMobile 4g icon, but a popup message saying "unfortunately itson has stopped" showed up every second.
I got that idea from this post
I have also have been reading this and this but they are trying to change the whole status bar.
Is there a way to do this? Can I just change a file name and make this work? What can I do to accomplish this.
thanks.
locorecto said:
My question is simple. I am trying to use Tmobile HSPA+ indicator network for Galaxy S4/S5, which is a 4G icon, on another Carrier Galaxy S5, in my case Sprint, which has a 3G icon for HSPA+.
My first thought was to change the ro.product.name and ro.product.device properties from the build.prop file to kltetmo, which is the value that tmobile galaxy s5 has, and this worked as I was getting the TMobile 4g icon, but a popup message saying "unfortunately itson has stopped" showed up every second.
I got that idea from this post
I have also have been reading this and this but they are trying to change the whole status bar.
Is there a way to do this? Can I just change a file name and make this work? What can I do to accomplish this.
thanks.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Should be just a PNG or qmg file name exchange.
Tulsadiver said:
Should be just a PNG or qmg file name exchange.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ok. Attached is the SystemUI.apk. Maybe somebody can lead me in the right direction. Thanks Tulsadiver for the suggestion.
What does your emblem say? 3G+?
Try replacing your systemui with this one and see if anything changed. Backup your system first.
Tulsadiver said:
What does your emblem say? 3G+?
Try replacing your systemui with this one and see if anything changed. Backup your system first.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Good news, I was able to do this .
Tulsadiver, thanks for the help. My system says 3G when is connected to HSPA+. I was able to change the icon by simply renaming and changing a couple files. I had to try and guess as I couldn't find a viewer for qmg files but I was finally able to acomplish what I wanted. I will post the step by step a bit later. I am going to do the same thing for my S4 L720T as well since it has the same indicator bar.
I used the file stat_sys_data_connected_4g_tmo.qmg and gave it the name of all the follwing files in order to get this "working"
-SystemUI.apk\res\drawable-xxhdpi\stat_sys_data_activity_spr_[nn].qmg (nn from 01-12 )
-SystemUI.apk\res\drawable-xxhdpi\stat_sys_data_activity_spr_idle.qmg
-SystemUI.apk\res\drawable-xxhdpi\stat_sys_data_connected_3g_spr.qmg
Thanks again
Well, I am back because I am now experimenting some difficulties. I was able to do what I have posted on the OP on one phone. However, when I tried to replicate the same fix for another GAlaxy s5 with the same model and same build number as the one I fixed, sytemUI.apk is not rendering. It looks like when I change the file name inside the SystemUl.apk the signature of the apk changes and the system picks that. So when I restart the system, I get no status bar.
Is there any way I could fix go around this issue?
Well, I have investigated a bit more came across this post where it give you an idea on how to decomplile, edit and re-compile systemui.apk using a tool called Apktool. However, it looks like this is not working for my galaxy s5.
And the problem seems to be related to the signature of the file. As a matter of fact, I tried decompiling and re-compiling the systemui.apk without changes and the signature was different therefore my phone wasn't picking it up. So I am either doing something wrong or this apktool is not working for the galaxy s5.
Another weird things is, why in the world my first phone I just went into the SystemUI.apk file with 7zip and made all my changes and the apk worked just fine without compiling or decompiling. They are exactly the same phone model with the same software version, both rooted. This was really weird.
Tulsadiver said:
What does your emblem say? 3G+?
Try replacing your systemui with this one and see if anything changed. Backup your system first.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That didn't work bro. It looks like the signature was changed.
locorecto said:
Well, I have investigated a bit more came across this post where it give you an idea on how to decomplile, edit and re-compile systemui.apk using a tool called Apktool. However, it looks like this is not working for my galaxy s5.
And the problem seems to be related to the signature of the file. As a matter of fact, I tried decompiling and re-compiling the systemui.apk without changes and the signature was different therefore my phone wasn't picking it up. So I am either doing something wrong or this apktool is not working for the galaxy s5.
Another weird things is, why in the world my first phone I just went into the SystemUI.apk file with 7zip and made all my changes and the apk worked just fine without compiling or decompiling. They are exactly the same phone model with the same software version, both rooted. This was really weird.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Did you replace the meta-inf and android manifest with the original ones after recompiling?
yes, I did
I changed the quick setting toggles and status bar WiFi and data icons by exchanging them in root explorer.
I did just that on the first phone that I had and It worked, but on the second phone, I tried the same think, (Change the icon) and it doesn't work no matter what I do.
I was just reading about odexed and deodexed apps and I see that for the systemUI.apk there is a sytemUI.odex. Could that be the reason why my modified apk is not working? Do I need a Deodexed Rom in order to accomplish this?
locorecto said:
I was just reading about odexed and deodexed apps and I see that for the systemUI.apk there is a sytemUI.odex. Could that be the reason why my modified apk is not working?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Could be though I was able to change toggles on a odexed ROM. My understanding is that a ROM must be deodexed before you can properly decompile and edit it. I don't know if this root explorer would make a difference but it is the only one I've used for many years. I hardly use a PC anymore. You might give it a try. Go into the configuration and change root access to super user level. It is a duel pane window. They are duplicates of one another. Long press any apk and there is an option of opening the file as a zip.
Tulsadiver said:
Could be though I was able to change toggles on a odexed ROM. My understanding is that a ROM must be deodexed before you can properly decompile and edit it. I don't know if this root explorer would make a difference but it is the only one I've used for many years. I hardly use a PC anymore. You might give it a try. Go into the configuration and change root access to super user level. It is a duel pane window. They are duplicates of one another. Long press any apk and there is an option of opening the file as a zip.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ok, I will try that when I get home. I will keep you posted. Thanks again for your help.
Tulsadiver said:
Could be though I was able to change toggles on a odexed ROM. My understanding is that a ROM must be deodexed before you can properly decompile and edit it. I don't know if this root explorer would make a difference but it is the only one I've used for many years. I hardly use a PC anymore. You might give it a try. Go into the configuration and change root access to super user level. It is a duel pane window. They are duplicates of one another. Long press any apk and there is an option of opening the file as a zip.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well, that didn't work. I even installed a de-odexed rom and its doing the same thing, it's not recognizing the SystemUI.apk as a valid apk most likely because of its signature. Even if I move the file outside /system rename it and move it back, the app doesn't work.
I am clueless here.

APKTool gives me error everytime i try to modify my system apps??

I Have a Verizon Galaxy S4 and i am running on Hyperdrive ROM RLS 19.... I Wanted to edit some of my system apps specifically my keyboard, Messages, phone, and Notification center toggles. I Know some basics about apktool but not much. i know that you must first Use the command "apktool if framework-res.apk" and i also did the same for the SystemUI and Touchwiz framework apk ... However everytime after ive decompiled and I do the editing-- (Ex. editing image files with image editor or changing color codes in values files)-- and try to recompile it gives me errors and wont allow me to recompile. please help i cant seem to find out what im doing wrong. ive scowered the internet and cant seem to locate a solution. Please Help.... if there is an easier method or program for editing apps please tell me.
Thanks
ampiscool said:
I Have a Verizon Galaxy S4 and i am running on Hyperdrive ROM RLS 19.... I Wanted to edit some of my system apps specifically my keyboard, Messages, phone, and Notification center toggles. I Know some basics about apktool but not much. i know that you must first Use the command "apktool if framework-res.apk" and i also did the same for the SystemUI and Touchwiz framework apk ... However everytime after ive decompiled and I do the editing-- (Ex. editing image files with image editor or changing color codes in values files)-- and try to recompile it gives me errors and wont allow me to recompile. please help i cant seem to find out what im doing wrong. ive scowered the internet and cant seem to locate a solution. Please Help.... if there is an easier method or program for editing apps please tell me.
Thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Greetings.
Thank you for using XDA Assist. I'm going to move this thread to your device's Q & A forum. You should get an expert response there.
Good luck!

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