How to modify android files at runtime.(requires root) - Android Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting

This is a guide to show you how to modify android files like framework-res.apk and other files at runtime.
Procedue
1. Copy the file u want to your sdcard
2; using application like root explorer copy the file(s) to the system partition of your android device. i mean in just any folder. but it should be in the system partion of your device.
3. change the permissions to rwx-r-r using the root explorer. meaning the owner can read the file(r) write to the file(w) and execute the file(x).and group can only read the file(r) and others can only read the file (r) hence the sequence rwx-r-r.
4. now move the files to the desired location you wanted. your device might reboot automitically or remain normal.
5. this procedure is safe if followed properly and wont result in a boot loop.
6. failure to change permissions will result in a boot loop ...
8. happy modding. i used the method above to changed my android framework at runtime.
9. share with others

Related

Custom ROM for new device

Hi, I have new Prestigio tablet PMT5777_3G and I want to modify it's default ROM. I followed this tutorial: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1801690. I successfully extracted system folder, but I have no idea how to create updater-script for this specific ROM. If I understand correctly I need to get updater-script from original ROM.
I've got something that resembles original ROM, but it's folder structure is completely different from what I would expect.
I would expect:
META-INF
system
boot.img
I've got:
APDB_MT6582_S01_MAIN2.1_W10.24
boot-sign.img
BPLGUInfoCustomAppSrcP_MT6582_S00_MOLY_WR8_W1315_MD_WG_MP_V12_P4_1_wg_n
cache-sign.img
Checksum.ini
EBR1-sign
lk-sign.bin
logo-sign.bin
MBR-sign
MT6582_Android_scatter.txt
preloader_htt82_tb_jb5.bin
recovery-sign.img
secro-sign.img
system-sign.img
sro-lock-sign.img
sro-unlock-sign.img
userdata-sign.img
I'm an android developer, but have no experience with custom ROM's and now am in a situation, where I want to get that custom ROM up and running, but am unable, because I can't figure out how to create updater-script or extract it from files that I currently have. It would be great if someone could point me to the right direction of what to do next.
Thanks
P. S. It seems it's against the rules to ask questions here, but I can't seem to find where else to ask this on xda
Dantenas said:
Hi, I have new Prestigio tablet PMT5777_3G and I want to modify it's default ROM. I followed this tutorial: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1801690. I successfully extracted system folder, but I have no idea how to create updater-script for this specific ROM. If I understand correctly I need to get updater-script from original ROM.
I've got something that resembles original ROM, but it's folder structure is completely different from what I would expect.
I would expect:
META-INF
system
boot.img
I've got:
APDB_MT6582_S01_MAIN2.1_W10.24
boot-sign.img
BPLGUInfoCustomAppSrcP_MT6582_S00_MOLY_WR8_W1315_MD_WG_MP_V12_P4_1_wg_n
cache-sign.img
Checksum.ini
EBR1-sign
lk-sign.bin
logo-sign.bin
MBR-sign
MT6582_Android_scatter.txt
preloader_htt82_tb_jb5.bin
recovery-sign.img
secro-sign.img
system-sign.img
sro-lock-sign.img
sro-unlock-sign.img
userdata-sign.img
I'm an android developer, but have no experience with custom ROM's and now am in a situation, where I want to get that custom ROM up and running, but am unable, because I can't figure out how to create updater-script or extract it from files that I currently have. It would be great if someone could point me to the right direction of what to do next.
Thanks
P. S. It seems it's against the rules to ask questions here, but I can't seem to find where else to ask this on xda
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Since you are a beginner to ROM development, I would recommend the use of dsixda's Android kitchen, which you probably have downloaded already. If not use this link
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=633246
Follow these steps to obtain the file structure and Meta-Inf folder for your custom rom.
1. Open the folder where you have placed the kitchen.
2. You will find a folder called original_update.
3. Open that folder and copy your boot.img and system.img files into it. ( In your case it is boot-sign.img and system-sign.img. Rename those files into boot.img and system.img and place them in the folder )
4. Now open the kitchen. ( Refer the above link to know how to do it )
5. You will find " 1. Set up working folder from ROM " option under Main Menu.
6. Type 1 and you will be directed to another menu. Click Enter.
7. Select your boot.img and system.img from the menu.
8. Now follow the instructions that appear on the screen.
9. When you successfully complete the steps, you will have the required Working folder, with boot.img, system folder and Meta-Inf folder, which will contain the updater-script (It will be automatically generated)
All the best. :good:
Hit Thanks if this helped you... PM me if you need further help or search the forum for detailed instructions.
Thanks, this helped me, but I still can't create ROM.
I encountered a problem with kitchen:
Code:
Available ROMs:
(1) system.img and boot.img
Enter selection number (default=1, cancel=0, r=refresh):
Found original_update/system.img
Found original_update/boot.img
The new working folder will be named WORKING_061614_070841
Change the name (y/n)? (default: n):
Creating working folder WORKING_061614_070841 ...
Copying boot.img ...
Copying system.img ...
Adding an update-script ...
NON-YAFFS/NON-TAR FILE FORMAT DETECTED IN ROM
Mounting system.img to loopback device and then extracting files ...
Error: Unable to mount system.img
Error: No /system/framework folder found!
Press Enter to continue
This creates my missing update-script and boot.img, but system folder is empty.
Would it be a good idea to extract all system files from device and attempt to create ROM with them, and this update-script, or is there something I could do with system.img to make it extract?
Try this
Don't worry. There's always an alternative. Try this simple method.
1. Boot into CWM (Clockwork Mod) Recovery. (I'm pretty sure you know how to do it, if not, you can feel free to search the forum)
2. Choose Backup and Restore.
3. Make a backup in your external sdcard.
4. Now boot normally, open your external sdcard. You will find a folder called clockworkmod. Copy that folder to your PC.
5. Inside that folder, you will find the backup.
6. Now, copy boot.img and system.ext4.tar.a to your original_update folder of the kitchen.
7. Warning! Do not copy system.ext4.tar, only copy system.ext4.tar.a
8. Once you have copied these two files, rename system.ext4.tar.a into system.ext4.tar
9. Now, open android kitchen and follow the exact same steps as you did before.
10. When you choose the available rom, you will find the screen as below.
Code:
Available Roms:
(1) system.ext4.tar and boot.img
11. Choose it and follow the instructions. You will have your required working folder.
Try this and let me know if you still face any issues. :good:
I was unable to load CWM recovery, because it is not supported by my device. I tried TWRP too, which also doesn't support my device. Is it possible to do without CWM?
Dantenas said:
I was unable to load CWM recovery, because it is not supported by my device. I tried TWRP too, which also doesn't support my device. Is it possible to do without CWM?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm sorry my friend, even if you create your own ROM, you require either one of them to flash the ROM to your device. Seeing you so keen on developing the rom, try to use any yaffs tool to create your system.img from extracted system folder. You may refer this thread.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1645412

[Q] colors x factor plus

Hello,
i wish to create an update.zip to copy fonts from the zip into the system/fonts/ folder because i delete them and kept one font but it seems android doesn't boot with one font only need other fonts to be there (or atleast matching the names) to be able to boot.
adb push doesn't work giving me permission denied because /system is not mounted R/W (which i do using Super Manager for example)
i read other update.zip files and it seems i need to create CERT.SF and MANIFEST.MF files in META-INF , but it seems there are some SHA1-Digest: below each file (is this a md5checksum?) so i can't just replace file names and apply it
any ideas how can i do it without Wipe data/factory reset ? (and if factory reset is my last option would fonts be returned or factory reset doesn't get fonts back? i feel not)

[Q] How to create simple updater-script that only changes file permissions?

Hello,
Does anyone know how create a very simple "updater.zip" file that does nothing except run the "set_perm_recursive" function and set the "/storage/sdcard0/DCIM" folder and all files/folders under it to 777?
I recently screwed up my wife's phone trying to install an app, and didn't have a backup. Now it is stuck on the bootup image screen and won't finish booting up. I am trying to download her photos.
I connected using ADB pull, but since I don't have root on the phone... I don't have permissions to access the /storage/sdcard0/DCIM folder.
So I thought it might be possible to create a simple "updater.zip" script that I can run from the recovery screen, which would give world read/write permissions to the /storage/sdcard0/DCIM folder. Then I can use ADB pull to get a copy of all her pictures to my computer.
Thanks for any help!

[MOD][4.4.4]Native Tether for Build 24.3.7

YOU HOLD MYSELF AND XDA FREE FROM ANY LIABILITY. WE ARE NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR YOUR DEVICE. FLASH AT YOUR OWN RISK.
I just modified the files from the previous mod of Topsnakes and uploaded them here. All credit should go to Topsnake. I even copied the instructions.
I messaged Topsnake prior to posting. He no longer has this phone and was O.K. with me posting.
This will enable Native Tether for Build 24.3.7.
Prerequisites:
Droid Maxx/Ultra Rooted w/WP off
or
Bootloader Unlocked
METHOD 1: TWRP INSTALL
1) Download the package below labeled "24.3.7-tether_twrpinstall".
2) Reboot Into TWRP recovery and navigate to the file for flashing.
3) Reboot
4) Verify tether works
5) Profit.
METHOD 2: MANUAL INSTALL
1) Download the package below labeled "24.3.7-tether".
2) Download root browser by Jrummy from the play store
3) Navigate to System/Priv-App and rename VZWEntitlementservice.apk to VzwEntitlementservice.apk.bak.
4) Navigate to System and rename the build.prop to build.prop.bak
5) Place the package on the root of your sd card and extract the build.prop file within the folder.
6) Navigate to system and Copy and paste the new file.
7) Set permissions for the file to
Owner: Read/Write
Group: Read
Others: Read
This should show (rw-r--r--)
8) Reboot. Verify tether works
9) Profit.
REVERTING
METHOD 1:
If installed in twrp, download the package below labeled 24.3.7-tether_revert. Flash in Twrp, reboot, verify subscription check re-enabled.
METHOD 2:
If manually installed, simply delete the build.prop you installed, remove the .bak extension from the original build.prop, verify permissions, reboot.
Files
Files
Nice, would you happen to have the modem too?
Will this work on the Droid Mini?

Deleted /system/vendor folder using ES File Manager Explorer

Hello,
I have Lenovo S720 running on Android 4.0.4 that I recently factory reset because It has only few little internal storage (~1,4 GB), and cannot support many updating apps.
After I do that, whats left in the internal storage is about 500 MB of storage, the rest being taken up by the system (I suppose).
I installed Framaroot to root the device, then System App Uninstaller (ROOT) and ES File Explorer.
First, I try to uninstall any bloatware with the System App Uninstaller -> I didn't get much free internal storage.
Then, I use ES File Explorer to seek, which folder took up the most space.
-> One of the is /system/vendor folder.
-> So, I copied that folder to /mnt/sdcard/backupsys/ (or /sdcard/backupsys/ [little bit forget]), Thinking it would come in handy later.
-> Then, I (foolishly) proceed to delete the folder using the root privileges .
-> It took a moment until all of my app start crashing (including the ES File Explorer!).
-> I turned-off the device, and now it still stuck in the (what I think as) "bootloop" mode.
Fortunately I still can communicate to the phone using adb tools, which I have a little knowledge of. But, the pm and am command cannot function well.
Now, I'm only thinking about moving back the vendor folder from /mnt/sdcard to the /system folder.
But I encounter some problem:
1) I can't (& don't know how to) write to the /system
2) I can't (& don't know how to) read from the /sdcard
- command 'ls' inside this dir returned nothing.
Glad I have the "su" tools from the Framaroot. I searched on the Internet and it seems the problem can be solved with mount tools, but I don't know how.
ls -la tools on root (/) return:
(other dir)
root /system ,,,,,,,,,,other info,,,,,,,
system /sdcard ,,,,,,,,,,other info,,,,,,,
(other dir)
So maybe because I can't gain system account, I can't access the folder and read it...
I try to hard-reset in the recovery mode, but I can't select the options! (I can move the selector with volume up/down) but I cant click it with the power button!
The phone seems to be worse every second.
My main question is: can I recover my phone (copying the vendor folder back) using command tools on my development computer? Or is there any other ways?
I'm willing to install any custom ROM best suited to my phone.
Thanks in advance.
Hello,
Welcome to XDA.
If you have a copy of what you deleted or can get it from somewhere and you want to adb push your missing files and folders back to your device then you need to have the files you want to push stored on your PC and push them from there to the device. For instructions on how to use adb read through the thread linked below and go from there.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2141817
If you have further questions or need further help with using adb then you can post in the Q&A forum linked below:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/android/help

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