[Q] SD CARD fix (KitKat or higher) - Android Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting

I have a question, and if possible the answer should be as wide as possible to work on as many systems as possible. While I am not fully conversed in Android functions, syntax, and interfaces, I have been programing various computers since the mid 80's and have applied rooting/jailbreaking methods to several systems (if it functions like a computer, I want my Admin rights, much thanks to each and all authors of these). I know that someone somewhere out there may have asked and already found a solution to this very annoying problem.
Thanks to the Google's decision to increase security in the Android OSes (KitKat and higher) by removing write access to the SD Card (as I call it a very 'bonehead' and brute force decision), most of the older apps do not work properly anymore with the user added SD Cards and most are not being updated with some form of support (create a folder on SD Card). The solution for most persons is to root the system then either run an app that corrects the problem or install a new LRAM image (Lockable RAM: 'unlock' the RAM and overwrite its data with a new image then re-lock it. I don't like the term 'ROM' for this as it has been incorrectly used since the late 80's). I have found at least 2 file managers that say they have a (in-app) solution, but these solutions don't extend to all of your other apps (ie "Root Explorer" or "B1" solution doesn't help your File server/uTorrent/Photo Gallery app).
But what of the owners that for one reason or another can't root their system (unable to root, not authorized or allowed to root, etc.) but want/need to have write access to the user added cards (mainly because their internal storage is just too small)? Example, in my case my personal phone has several apps that require it to remain in an unrooted state for certain work related programs (security issues).
So here is my question:
Is it possible, on an unrooted and stock LRAM android device, using ADB to PULL the "platform.xml" file, add the line '<group gid=”media_rw” />' to it, then PUSH the edited file back to the android device?
I realize this may require entering (various name versions) Recovery or Update mode which is specific to each device (I think Samsung calls their ODIN). But I think the ADB commands and computer side instructions should be the same. So if it is possible, please list all ADB instructions (I know the text editor used will depend on the PC/MAC OS used).
Thank you one and all that give any advice or assistance.

Well it looks like there have been a lot of lookers since I first posted this but still no reply by anyone that knows Android OS inside and out. Most of you are probably thinking "tl:dr" to all of it.
I know there has to be a way to update/upgrade system files that doesn't require rooting or a way to find the manufacturer's or cellular vender's access path or password.

Related

[Q] Scripting on the Archos 70

Hi!
Could anyone help steer me towards a solution please?
Or tell me if its impossible (and why).
I am trying to put together a script of some kind which I can use to do a basic rebuild of my Archos 70 after I have done a Full Reinitialization. I like to mess around installing all sorts of stuff, but when done, it's nice to reset and go
back to a clean machine.
As it's not rooted (yet?) I generally rebuild manually which takes ages.
Although a relative newbie at Android/Linux, I have worked with scripting
on mainframes and in the Windoze arena for many years.
The scripting requirement is quite simple, namely to install packages one by one from the SD card. Also to copy back Bookmarks, launcher setting etc
I am happy to work in any language which will work, but to date have just been trying with .SL (Bash?) scripts which run quite happily from within the SL4A environment or according to my theory, should work also from Android natively.
I envisage the script residing on the SD card and when invoked installing my launcher, Dolphin Browser, various other apps and games, then copying back the settings which I have saved (also by script) before the Initialisation.
Trouble is, I can find no simple samples which help. When I try, I can 'cp' stuff about and echo messages etc, but when I try to install, I don't really know where to start. I have tried just the name of the app package
'/sdcard/sdcard/packagename.apk', it replies 'permission denied' and if I try 'sudo package.apk', it says 'not found'.
I am assuming that the 'permission denied' is a good sign because it understands what I'm trying to do at least. But if I am allowed to do it myself, then surely my script should be allowed to do it?
I am quite happy messing around myself. But if anyone has any pointers
(sample scripts, which language/environment to use, etc.) I would be most grateful.
Sorry if this is covered elsewhere. I have searched but was unable to find much which helped. I am continuing the search!
Thanks in anticipation!
1. All normal installed Apps are installed in /data/app as the apk
2. Local/private data comes into /data/data/name.of.the.package
Both directories are ony accessible with root.
Hell again,
Thanks for your reply fzelle, but I'm not sure as to whether I may have explained it properly.
I am running 'Quick System Info' which is great, and it has a function to backup all the installed apps to a directory you can get at without root access. From there I have copied them onto the SD card.
I am not just trying to copy them into the working directory.
If I click on an app, it lets me install it without any problem.
I am trying to automate that part of the process, and I need the name of the software which does the installation, and how to actually give it the parameters for it to do the install. Although a Linux newbie, I don't really understand why, if I am allowed to install apps myself,
a script that I run should not be allowed to install them also?
Anyone got any ideas please?
Oops! - Sorry for that unfortunate typo at the beginning of my last post. Please read as 'Hello'!
No, i didn't understand you wrong.
You want to automate the installation of your std programs, and that normaly doesn't only include the apk but also the private Data.
And if you manually want to install this, you need root to be able to write in /data/data
If you just want to Backup/Install the apps, use appSaver from the market.
That has allready everything you need, and doesn't need root.
fzelle said:
1. All normal installed Apps are installed in /data/app as the apk
2. Local/private data comes into /data/data/name.of.the.package
Both directories are ony accessible with root.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not entirely true.
I have some SSH tunnels set up on my rooted phone that use keys and a shell script to launch them, all set up with Better Terminal Emulator. The key and script files are located under /data/data/com.magicandroidapps.bettertempro/home. I wanted to use the same keys and script on my A70, so I copied the files from my phone to the same directory on my A70 using the terminal command line. Although you can't browse to the app folders under /data/data/, there is some ability to copy stuff into them. I guess the trick is knowing what and to where.
I've not used appsaver, but Astro will also let you back up and reinstall your apps all at once.

Root request for Verizon Ellipsis 8 Tablet

Hello XDA, I'm new here and I haven't found any info regarding root on the aforementioned tablet. I know its only been out a short while and isn't anything to shake a stick at, however I believe that the ability to root and install custom ROMs on this device would allow it to run much smoother even with the low grade hardware.
Anyhow if anyone is willing to look into rooting I would be appreciative. I did find something where a fella tried kingoroot, towelroot, and one other method which apparently worked on the ellipsis 7, but had no success. If anyone else is in favor reply and let's get some attention. Thanks XDA.
stealth_sli said:
Hello XDA, I'm new here and I haven't found any info regarding root on the aforementioned tablet. I know its only been out a short while and isn't anything to shake a stick at, however I believe that the ability to root and install custom ROMs on this device would allow it to run much smoother even with the low grade hardware.
Anyhow if anyone is willing to look into rooting I would be appreciative. I did find something where a fella tried kingoroot, towelroot, and one other method which apparently worked on the ellipsis 7, but had no success. If anyone else is in favor reply and let's get some attention. Thanks XDA.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's a real shame that no one's done this. There are guys, here, that write whole ROMs for tablets they don't even own and no one's taken a shot at a root. Not being a coder, i can't but there are so many talented guys here i'm just really surprised someone didn't lean over, fart, and put out a root. lol.
Just no real demand for it for these tablets.
Verizon is charging more for these than what you would pay for a MUCH better tablet like a Nexus 7, or Gpad 8.3, etc...
The only people that are "buying" them, are the ones that VZW is giving away for free with you upgrade your phone and add the tablet to your data plan for $10 a month. If not for them giving them away for free, nobody would have one.
I'm stuck with a nexus 8 and require root.
the latest update was forced and now hundreds of my apps will not work due to not being allowed to change sd card files. Root for me is not cool or optional.
zerothis said:
I'm stuck with a nexus 8 and require root.
the latest update was forced and now hundreds of my apps will not work due to not being allowed to change sd card files. Root for me is not cool or optional.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hundreds of apps don't work with the small and incremental update? Like which ones?
For 1, I cannot imagine even having hundreds of apps... But the update was a small one, nothing significant, and I don't see why they would have stopped working?
Disabling writing to the SD is hardly incremental!
can't add new accounts
about half my created files on SD were deleted (save games, notes, configurations)
since existing files on SD cannot be changed, and new SD files cannot be created, the following apps will not function as I need them too, or fail to do anything:
roguelike classics
angband variants
angband
humble bundle app
es file manager
astro file manager
retro arch
and bible
hacker's keyboard
teamviewer for remote
teamviewer quicksupport
android VNC
scummvm
gdosbox
unipatcher
andftp
nesemu
snes9x
gbaemu
androgens
freeciv
That's just a few of the top of my head. Since some of those are emus, each adds hundreds more games and software that will not work (I own over 8000).
zerothis said:
Disabling writing to the SD is hardly incremental!
can't add new accounts
about half my created files on SD were deleted (save games, notes, configurations)
since existing files on SD cannot be changed, and new SD files cannot be created, the following apps will not function as I need them too, or fail to do anything:
roguelike classics
angband variants
angband
humble bundle app
es file manager
astro file manager
retro arch
and bible
hacker's keyboard
teamviewer for remote
teamviewer quicksupport
android VNC
scummvm
gdosbox
unipatcher
andftp
nesemu
snes9x
gbaemu
androgens
freeciv
That's just a few of the top of my head. Since some of those are emus, each adds hundreds more games and software that will not work (I own over 8000).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What format is your SD card formatted in? Maybe something changed with the update... like the Shield Tablet cannot write to the SD card if it is over 32GB and formatted with exFAT... it needs to be in NTFS for anything higher than 32GB...
Maybe the same case here? Try copying the files to your PC, format the SD card with your PC(and specify NTFS and defaults for everything else), not the tablet because the tablet will format in exFAT even if it is larger than 32GB...
Try that and see if it works.
My Ellipsis 8 is on the latest update, and I can read and write to the SD card just fine... Not sure what the issues are that you are having.
What size SD card do you have?
I have this tab, and rooted. It took me a while to get the right combination though. Go here (it's in Chinese): http://www.kingroot.net and click on the download button with the Android icon to download the kingroot apk. Find a way to install the downloaded apk to your tab. You are rooted. I didn't like the kinguser root manager so I used this Replace_Kingroot_With_SuperSU.zip to change to SuperSU for root managing. The zip is attached. Just unzip, copy the "mrw" folder to your tab and use adb as root (either terminal emulator or adb shell from your computer) to run this command:
sh /sdcard/mrw/root.sh
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
. Ignore the errors that may appear. After a while SuperSU will open and ask you to update binary. Do so and reboot. you are still rooted, but with SuperSU as root manager.
Now if only there were any custom ROMs...
immortalsoule said:
It's a real shame that no one's done this. There are guys, here, that write whole ROMs for tablets they don't even own and no one's taken a shot at a root. Not being a coder, i can't but there are so many talented guys here i'm just really surprised someone didn't lean over, fart, and put out a root. lol.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Rooted using Kingroot just download and open click root let it do its thing if it fails select try again.... After root is established install suoerSUme let it do its thing.. Viola Root

microSD card access in Android Apps

Hello,
I'm considering purchasing the Samsung Chromebook Plus when it gets released and I don't to get anything wrong considering I live in the EU and will be importing it from the USA shall I decide to make this purchase. What finally pushed to towards purchasing a Chromebook is Android Apps and Play Store availability. However, as I understand, the only folder Chrome OS and Android actually have in common and can both access in the Downloads folder, which means no access to microSD card. In any case, if a purchase a chromebook, I plan to put it in Developer Mode, for multiple reasons among which is the ability to install a APK. My question is : is it possible, when in Dev Mode, to create a symlink (the way you create a symlink in *NIX systems) in the Downloads folder that leads to the microSD card and access the external storage from Android Apps (one of the main reason I want to do that is sync Dropbox and OneDrive files to the microSD) ? I thought I read it was possible sometimes in late 2016 but I can't seem to find it anymore.
Thanks in advance for your help.
There's a way to mount it as read only: http://nolirium.blogspot.com/2016/12/making-sd-card-content-accessible-to.html
Or if you get root within the android application it may work: http://nolirium.blogspot.com/2016/12/android-on-chrome-os-rooting-shell.html
Wow thanks! That's not even very difficult (at least for read access). Only problem is when suspending. Maybe that could be solved by automating the process!
Do you know if it is possible to manually mount ext4 sd cards in chrome os ? I just thought you might be unable to write due to folder ownership but maybe setting it manually would help.
Do you what the unix username of Android user is ?
EDIT: there is so little information about it that I believe I'll have to try it out myself

platform.xml patch app

So this seems to be a common thread in several areas, so I am asking for a simple answer.
First, I am not an Android app creater but I am familiar with programming in several languages.
Can anyone create an app that without root, computer program, or adb instructions that reliably (works on big and little named devices) can do the following:
(permission already granted)
: "Platform.xml is already modifed to allow read/write for external media."
: "Remove external read/write permissions [Yes/No(default)]?"
(permission not granted)
: "Platform.xml is not modified to allow read/write to external media."
: "Apply external read/write permissions [Yes(default)/No]?"
This is the main reason that I need to root any android device, and is the biggest headache to do on devices that are not big name (ie not a mainline manufacturer/major carrier Samsung, LG, Motorola, etc.). I have tried several methods (oneclick, towelroot, kingroot, etc.) and most of my devices remain unrooted (Craig, RCA).
Realized how some of this reads so clarification:
Method must work without rooting - as rooting is rarely supported on less popular devices especially on non-phone devices, some of us have purchasing issues (can't pay $500-$2000 for the latest/greatest android devices).
Must be as universal as possible (any manufacturer and carrier, not just the big names), list Android versions and alternate instructions/commands/apps as needed:
KitKat sub-thread, Marshmallow sub-thread, Lollipop sub-thread
Can use a computer (Linux/Mac, Windows) with ADB, Android app, or a combo of both
SD Card/Flash drive must remain portable - no "encryption to work with this device's memory" (the current manufacturer solution which removes portability).
If using ADB, include all instructions/commands (make no assumptions other than ADB is loaded, could say "Load ADB by following <i>this</i> guide" as the first line) from "adb devices" to completion.

Accessing 'Medion E4504' (Lollipop 5.1) - forgotten PIN

Hello,
my wife recently found her (very) old 'Medion E4504' and now claims that it appartly has many important pictures and messages stored, but she does not remember the PIN.
I can boot it up normally, but of course without the PIN we cannot get past the lockscreen.
As far as I can tell, it runs on Android 5.1 Lollipop, developer options (and USB-debugging) are disabled and it is not rooted.
If I hook it up to a PC, it is recognized, but I cannot see any files on the internal storage, I assume because it is locked.
Is there any way to either bypass the lockscreen (without hard reset and loosing all data of course), or alternatively somehow accessing the internal storage?
I tried this, but it does not work, since I cannot paste anything into the PIN field:
Android 5.x Lockscreen Bypass (CVE-2015-3860)
sites.utexas.edu
Perhaps the phone runs on a later software version where this was fixed.
I tried adb, but when I adb devices when it is booted up to the lockscreen, I cannot see it.
If I boot into bootloader, I can see it in the list if I adb devices, but it seems other commands do not work, I assume because developer options and USB-debugging are not enabled.
Thus, this did not work:
[Android][Guide]Hacking And Bypassing Android Password/Pattern/Face/PI
- DISCLAIMER - This Is For Educational Purposes Only You Shall Not Use This On Other People Phones Without Permission Under Any Circumstances I'm Not Responsible For Any Eventual Errors And Misbehaving Of Your Devices Files And Tutorials Are...
forum.xda-developers.com
Does anyone have any idea?
I would have thought that Android Lollipop 5.1 would be easier to beat . . .
I welcome all suggestions!
Regarding adb, please explain it to me as if I was a five year old, as I do not know much about adb.
Quick update:
I was able to boot into recovery and backup data on a microSD.
I now have two files: 'userdata_20150101_000026.backup' and 'userdata_20150101_000026.backup1', and am trying to figure out if it is possible to extract data from these files on a windows machine.
Sorry, if this is maybe trivial to some, but I am not a pro . . .

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