Update app for working with new android versions? - Android Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting

Hello!
I bought an app that only works until android 7. The developer left and its impossible to contact him for updating the app.
So, its possible, having the .apk, to update for newer versions of android or a workaround for that purpose?
Regards!

An app always gets compiled to run on specific Android versions ( keywords: minSDKVersion, targetSDKVersion ).
To change these SDKVersions pre-defined you would have to re-write / re-compile the APK so it matches higher SDKVersions.

jwoegerbauer said:
An app always gets compiled to run on specific Android versions ( keywords: minSDKVersion, targetSDKVersion ).
To change these SDKVersions pre-defined you would have to re-write / re-compile the APK so it matches higher SDKVersions.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Can i recompile the apk for newer version? what do i need?
Regards!

Related

[Q] Two versions of one app installed at the same time?

It seems that this is the first time I start a new thread.
Hi, all. I want to know how to install two versions of one same application at the same time.
As a matter of fact, I want to install Opera Mini 4.2 China Version and Opera Mini 4.2 Internaional Version at the time. But...Since Opera Mini 5 makes it difficult to describe the question, here takes HelloWorld.apk as an example.
Well, there are two versions of the application "HelloWorld": 1.0 and 1.1. (This is just an example)
I have installed HelloWorld 1.0 on my phone, and when I try to install HelloWorld 1.1, the 1.0 version will be replaced. But...I want to have both of them installed on my phone. That is to say, there will be two "HelloWorld" icons in the app drawer.
I use APKTool to extract the com.hello.world.apk into some "text" files, including an AndroidManifest.xml and a lot of *.smali files. In the AndroidManifest.xml, I saw this:
<manifest package="com.hello.world" versionCode="100" versionName="1.0">
I chaged the value "com.hello.world" to "com.goodbye.world". Then I re-build the apk file and transferred it to my phone.
I installed the modified package, it was successfully installed and I see two "HelloWorld" icons in my app drawer!
I try to launch the HelloWorld 1.0, it succeeds.
I try to launch the HelloWorld 1.1, it FCs immediately.
Well, this is my situation. How can I make both of them launch-able in my phone? Is it possible? What should I modify apart from "package" filed in AndroidManifest.xml?
Thanks a lot.
~~~~
wzyboy
wzyboy said:
It seems that this is the first time I start a new thread.
Hi, all. I want to know how to install two versions of one same application at the same time.
As a matter of fact, I want to install Opera Mini 4.2 China Version and Opera Mini 4.2 Internaional Version at the time. But...Since Opera Mini 5 makes it difficult to describe the question, here takes HelloWorld.apk as an example.
Well, there are two versions of the application "HelloWorld": 1.0 and 1.1. (This is just an example)
I have installed HelloWorld 1.0 on my phone, and when I try to install HelloWorld 1.1, the 1.0 version will be replaced. But...I want to have both of them installed on my phone. That is to say, there will be two "HelloWorld" icons in the app drawer.
I use APKTool to extract the com.hello.world.apk into some "text" files, including an AndroidManifest.xml and a lot of *.smali files. In the AndroidManifest.xml, I saw this:
<manifest package="com.hello.world" versionCode="100" versionName="1.0">
I chaged the value "com.hello.world" to "com.goodbye.world". Then I re-build the apk file and transferred it to my phone.
I installed the modified package, it was successfully installed and I see two "HelloWorld" icons in my app drawer!
I try to launch the HelloWorld 1.0, it succeeds.
I try to launch the HelloWorld 1.1, it FCs immediately.
Well, this is my situation. How can I make both of them launch-able in my phone? Is it possible? What should I modify apart from "package" filed in AndroidManifest.xml?
Thanks a lot.
~~~~
wzyboy
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well I'm not an android programmer but if I'm understanding you correctly you did the following (in the order I'm listing them):
1) Installed helloworld 1.1 (which over-wrote v1.0)
2) Opened the APK for helloworld 1.0 and made the manifest change
3) Installed the modded helloworld 1.0 on your phone
From a programmer point of view (just not with Android), if you followed the above scenario what is happening is HW1.1 installs it's files which are updated versions of the previous one (why else install an update). When you modded the HW1.0 you only changed the name and nothing else.
What is happening is when you go to install the modded version it's overwriting the newer files with the older ones since the phone is assuming the modded app is an entirely new program and allows the process to occur. This is why the modded one works and the 1.1 won't since the files it needs are the wrong version.
The only option of really have is to mod the actual program to look for different filenames, but without the source code to that app, that isn't going to happen.
Basically you need to have version 1.1 use the default files, and with the modded 1.0 you need to tell the software to "look" for the updated filenames (just don't forget to rename the actual files too).
Short of all that, as far as I know your SOL.
Rayvenhawk said:
Well I'm not an android programmer but if I'm understanding you correctly you did the following (in the order I'm listing them):
1) Installed helloworld 1.1 (which over-wrote v1.0)
2) Opened the APK for helloworld 1.0 and made the manifest change
3) Installed the modded helloworld 1.0 on your phone
From a programmer point of view (just not with Android), if you followed the above scenario what is happening is HW1.1 installs it's files which are updated versions of the previous one (why else install an update). When you modded the HW1.0 you only changed the name and nothing else.
What is happening is when you go to install the modded version it's overwriting the newer files with the older ones since the phone is assuming the modded app is an entirely new program and allows the process to occur. This is why the modded one works and the 1.1 won't since the files it needs are the wrong version.
The only option of really have is to mod the actual program to look for different filenames, but without the source code to that app, that isn't going to happen.
Basically you need to have version 1.1 use the default files, and with the modded 1.0 you need to tell the software to "look" for the updated filenames (just don't forget to rename the actual files too).
Short of all that, as far as I know your SOL.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Great thanks to your reply. But...
Android uses .apk files to install and run the application. When installing an apk file, the package installer just copys the apk file to /data/app directory and "register" the program in the system. The apk itself will not be "extracted" or anything else. That is to say, an apk file can be installed, and also can be run.
On the other hand, the apk will generate some files in /data/data directory when running. I am considering that it was these file that made the modded version FCs. I will try to look into these files to see will this works...
English is my second language, hoping that I did not made many grammar misktaks...
+1 on this topic. It's been a year and a half since the last reply and I've done a bit of searching online to find no answers. I anyone have some feedback on this? I'd ultimately like to use this to install two Google voice applications. I actually have an app from a blacked out version with a different icon. But if I install it it will overwrite the original Google voice app
cowboyaryk said:
+1 on this topic. It's been a year and a half since the last reply and I've done a bit of searching online to find no answers. I anyone have some feedback on this? I'd ultimately like to use this to install two Google voice applications. I actually have an app from a blacked out version with a different icon. But if I install it it will overwrite the original Google voice app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You are one hell of an archaeologist
Sent from My Samsung Galaxy S2 running Paranoidandroid Rom.What else if not?=P
I'd also like to know if that's possible. Even if it were possible, and an updated version of helloworld is relaeased (Say, HelloWorld v1.2), which version would it replace? Would it replace the (original) HelloWorld 1.1 or the (modded)HelloWorld 1.0?
Yes. Titanium backup. Profiles. These are the keywords.
lambstone said:
Yes. Titanium backup. Profiles. These are the keywords.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
any idea how i would use TB and "profiles" to do it? sounds like you know from experience
Please use the Q&A Forum for questions &
Read the Forum Rules Ref Posting
Moving to Q&A
lufc said:
Please use the Q&A Forum for questions &
Read the Forum Rules Ref Posting
Moving to Q&A
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
thanks cheif i'm not the one who posted this almost two years ago
bbsrailfan said:
I'd also like to know if that's possible. Even if it were possible, and an updated version of helloworld is relaeased (Say, HelloWorld v1.2), which version would it replace? Would it replace the (original) HelloWorld 1.1 or the (modded)HelloWorld 1.0?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It would replace the only legitimate version found, the unmodded one. The point of modding the APK is to make Android see it as a completely different app, and not think of one as an update to the other.
dstruct2k said:
It would replace the only legitimate version found, the unmodded one. The point of modding the APK is to make Android see it as a completely different app, and not think of one as an update to the other.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
do how do you mod the apk? change the filename? i'm sure theres more to it than that
lambstone said:
Yes. Titanium backup. Profiles. These are the keywords.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
that feature on tibu is for switching DATA profiles basically so two or people can play the same game or whatever and keep they're progress separate like having multiple saved games. its not for switching versions of an app
I've tried to googling how to install multiple same applications in one device,but i didn't found anything how to do that simply...there are lot of stuff using ant and ruby script,but don't understand with that..so anyone figured out how to install multiple same apps with simply method? because i want to install operamini 7.5,but I've already instaled version 6.5...
sorry for my bad english
Need to install Galaxy S4 gallery on custom rom which has S4 gallary apk
Need help to install two versions of Gallary S4 and S5 Gallary can someone help...since I like the spiral option very good in S4 gallary which I miss and I like few features of Gallary from S5....in Ozcan rom on S4 i19500...please help
Necro, sorry. I have the same question. I have a copy of the old ifunny app and want both the new and the old, I would also like to run two versions of the same game (one with a nodded apk for unlimited coins and etc and one stock) I wouldn't mind if they shared data but if there's a way to make it where the asks do not share days that would be cool too.
Possible solution
Hi there,
While searching for a solution I found this thread and as it is one of the first results in google I thought to share what I found (didn't try yet) :
http://android.stackexchange.com/questions/19935/how-to-keep-two-versions-of-an-app-installed
It's first answer has a guide how to run two versions of same app throigh modifying onee of them with apktool.
Greets
Gachmuret said:
Hi there,
While searching for a solution I found this thread and as it is one of the first results in google I thought to share what I found (didn't try yet) :
http://android.stackexchange.com/questions/19935/how-to-keep-two-versions-of-an-app-installed
It's first answer has a guide how to run two versions of same app throigh modifying onee of them with apktool.
Greets
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi
I would also like to do this for Google earth app I want to have both version 7.1.3 and 8.0.1 because the earlier version has more features but the latest looks more beautiful so I read the instructions from that link but it is way too complicated for a noob user like me plus judging from the last message it seems it hasn't been resolved so isn't there an app or xposed mod that does this automatically ?

[Q] New to modding apk's

Hi there, I have to android phones and I found an app on the store that doesn't appear for my second phone (xperia ray and Desire S).
So I extracted the apk from my /data/app/ fodler but of course I still can't install it on my other phone.
I guess this is something to do with the AndroidManifest.xml, so here are the questions :
- What tool I can use to extract, compile apk's ?
- What tool can I use to mod my apk so it launches on my 2nd phone ?
Thanks
you can use apk tool to decompile the apk. then you can edit the whole apk using eclipse. to be able to install an apk from system/app you have to put the apk into the same spot and restart the phone.
Dataslycer said:
you can use apk tool to decompile the apk. then you can edit the whole apk using eclipse. to be able to install an apk from system/app you have to put the apk into the same spot and restart the phone.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks, so the device compatibility list is generated when compiling from Eclipse ?
You are unlikely to be able to get the apk working on an incompatible phone. The reason for the incompatibility is likely to be that the phone lacks certain necessary features (e.g. CPU type or version of android) so can't run. Unless you intend to reprogram the app to run on reduced features you are better off asking the app dev to add support for the 2nd phone.
Both phones have exact same features : 1Ghz 7x30 and adreno 205 GPU.
Both on GB and planned to get ICS...
Both on the latest MIUI GB release
Is there an option to make it unavailable/available for some specific devices when compiling ? in the XML ?

How to unlock an app on all android versions?

ive a i9300 wich i has no problems at all to instal the new bbm . but as far as i tried to manually instal the apk to some 2.3.6 phones from friends they all show "a problem has ocurred" . and obiously the installation won't proceed.
So i was wondering if there is some kind of hacking to make the apk work on devices with android version below 4.0
Obviously there is a set version that is required for a reason, the only way to change that is to decompile the apk and change the required api level.

[R] Trimnot successor for Marshmallow ?

Hi !
As you know, Android has a limit for call logs which is currently set to 500. There was a module working on Kitkat which seemed to break this limit, but this module doesn't work anymore on Marshmallow.
So my question is : is it possible to build a module which breaks the call logs limit of Android and works on Marshmallow ?
I tried to edit framework.jar myself but with no success, the file required is no longer available through neither framework.jar nor framework.odex.
Thanks for your help !
Can you provide me the source for trimnot? Or describe what it modifies?
Trimnot doesn't have a thread here or a github :/
I think that we have to change a value in CallLog.smali or CallLog$Calls.smali, but I didn't find these files in the framework...
Sent from my Nexus 5
You could try to decompile the APK, using an online tool. Decompiling isn't always perfect, but it comes close to the actual source.

Change specific app language without changing system language (android 11)

Hello, My phone is in Android 11. I downloaded so many calendar apps. I realised using calendar in native language helps! As, I am a student. But I can't change the Google Calendar into Bengali without changing whole phone languge. I know that Android 13 has a feature called 'App Languages' . But Android 11 don't have this. Android 11 is the latest in my phone. So I am looking forward to change a specific app language. And I also want to change the time to my language only others English. Thanks!
Have you checked youtube tutorials?
ze7zez said:
Have you checked youtube tutorials?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, sir. I checked. YT videos mostly talking about device language. And like how to update android to android 11. Which are not relevant to my problem! Thx!
Maybe this help you?
[TOOL] APK Editor Studio – Free APK reverse-engineering tool
APK Editor Studio APK Editor Studio is a free open-source APK reverse-engineering tool combining powerful features and the ease of use. It allows you to easily change APK icon, name, images and other Android application resources. Download...
forum.xda-developers.com
lightinfo10 said:
Hello, My phone is in Android 11. I downloaded so many calendar apps. I realised using calendar in native language helps! As, I am a student. But I can't change the Google Calendar into Bengali without changing whole phone languge. I know that Android 13 has a feature called 'App Languages' . But Android 11 don't have this. Android 11 is the latest in my phone. So I am looking forward to change a specific app language. And I also want to change the time to my language only others English. Thanks!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This app has been tested on Android 10, 11 and 12.
-- It's important to read, read and read because the requirements are specific if you are rooted.
Any update on a solution?

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