Develop Bugs

How can you install APKs from other ROMs?

I have looked around quite a bit, and haven't really figured out the straight answer on this.
I have seen apks that can be downloaded of things like the clock or gallery app, and then I have seen custom roms that include things like the AOSP dialer, contact app, browser, etc. However in my small amount of trying, I couldn't install them on top of another ROM (or stock).
Is there an issue with signing them, or does it have to be done in recovery mode, or do I have to remove the existing stuff in something like Titanium backup and then install the other APKs, or would my only option be to learn the dark arts of rom cooking?
Edit: Answered thanks to mrchu001. Doing an "adb remount" and then issuing the install command from the shell worked.

I'm not sure if this works for ALL apks between roms, but when i flashed Fresh it didn't have the cooliris 3d gallery that DC has, so i opened the zip, and copied the APK from one rom to the other then flashed it. I'm sure there are some programs that just won't work even if you did it this way, but something to consider.

That works in most cases..
Just get the zip on your computer, open it extract the apk you want and adb install it to your connected device.

No luck with either method mentioned above. I'm sure I don't know what I'm doing... but I did an adb install <apk name> and got an error:
Code:
MacBook: tools laydros$ adb install CarDock.apk
1344 KB/s (238640 bytes in 0.173s)
pkg: /data/local/tmp/CarDock.apk
Failure [INSTALL_PARSE_FAILED_UNEXPECTED_EXCEPTION]
And I grabbed one of the base rooted roms, unzipped, added the CarDock and DeskClock apks to the system/app folder with everything else, and the ROM failed to load. I did the same clockwork rom manager install rom from SD card methods I have done before. I assume this means that the zip was not properly signed.
The apks I was testing were ones from bugless beast 0.4, any ideas?

laydros said:
No luck with either method mentioned above. I'm sure I don't know what I'm doing... but I did an adb install <apk name> and got an error:
Code:
MacBook: tools laydros$ adb install CarDock.apk
1344 KB/s (238640 bytes in 0.173s)
pkg: /data/local/tmp/CarDock.apk
Failure [INSTALL_PARSE_FAILED_UNEXPECTED_EXCEPTION]
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
it looks like you didnt direct your terminal correctly. i'm assuming you have the sdk on your computer btw. now try to upload the rom you want on your phone. plug it in. make sure usb debugging is set. make sure the apks you want to put on your phone are on your desktop. and try this:
Code:
cd ~/*where every your sdk is*/tools
./adb remount
./adb shell
./adb install ~/desktop/*apk name* /system/app
./adb shell reboot

maybe you already tried but just incase.. do you have the Unknown sources check box "Checked" under "Settings/application" menu? if not you need to to install apps not from the market..

mrchu001 said:
it looks like you didnt direct your terminal correctly. i'm assuming you have the sdk on your computer btw. now try to upload the rom you want on your phone. plug it in. make sure usb debugging is set. make sure the apks you want to put on your phone are on your desktop. and try this:
Code:
cd ~/*where every your sdk is*/tools
./adb remount
./adb shell
./adb install ~/desktop/*apk name* /system/app
./adb shell reboot
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The remount part did it, and then doing the install from adb shell. Thanks so much.
For the sake of anyone else that finds this, once you type adb shell, you are working from the phones shell instead of the one on your computer, so you would skip that command. I ended up moving the files to the sdcard, and then doing
Code:
cd ~/*where every your sdk is*/tools
./adb remount
./adb shell
(at this point you are at the phone's prompt)
install /sdcard/*apk name* /system/app
exit
(now you are back at the computer's prompt)
./adb shell reboot
Now I need to figure out what to install to get the phone/contacts working. Calendar and Mms applications were easy, but after installing several apks for the phone and contacts I just have a mess.

FroydVillain 1.0.0 install *.apk files in /system/app
Hi has anyone tried installing another apk file in FroydVillain 1.0. I follow the steps in the thread described i am able to issue adb shell commands and i have placed the apk files in the SD card as described. but i am getting an error as below that the file or dir is not found. tried several paths:
# install /mnt/sdcard/*.apk /system/app
install /mnt/sdcard/*.apk /system/app
install: can't stat '/mnt/sdcard/*.apk': No such file or directory
# install /sdcard/*.apk /system/app
install /sdcard/*.apk /system/app
install: can't stat '/sdcard/*.apk': No such file or directory
I use /mnt/sdcard path cause on Froyo the SDCARD folder is under /mnt.
any help solving this. i am trying to install some of the HTC Sense UI app to sys app. Like Stock.apk for test. and HTCAlbum.apk and others same result every time.
I have tried also AndroidCommander 0.7.9.6 updated for froyo. installing with it's install option button, and also from the console i run the shell command for install, successfully adds the apk in sys app folder but the apk is not installed, and asks for installation.
Thanks.
Regards Alek

help
Hi,
Can you explain to begginers (like me) how do you installed the apk in system/app? please, I want to install contacs.apk form CM9 to other rom.
Thanks.

How to install a custom font on desire?

Once you a custom rom installed is it possible to install a custom font to your phone?
I've been able to change all my icons with bettercut just want to change the system font now
Sent from my HTC Desire using XDA App

Me too please. I would love to change my system fonts. Just a little bigger

If you are rooted, you can do this if you are familiar with adb commands. The commands would be something similar to this and would be executed while in Recovery Mode with USB connected:
adb shell mount /system
adb shell rm /system/fonts/(font name)
adb push (font name) /system/fonts
adb shell remount
adb shell reboot
Sent from my HTC Desire using XDA App

Thanks Masdroid. I am rooted but not familiar with adb commands. Would you be kind enough to expand a little. I am using windows vista 32 and phone is defrost 1.6

duryard said:
Thanks Masdroid. I am rooted but not familiar with adb commands. Would you be kind enough to expand a little. I am using windows vista 32 and phone is defrost 1.6
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you are running Windows, you need to first make sure that you have the Windows Android SDK (http://developer.android.com/sdk/index.html) downloaded and extracted to your computer, use the following path to extract it: C:\android-sdk-windows.
Next, download and place the selected font files to the root of your C: (e.g. C:\[font name])
Then, switch off your phone and boot to Recovery Mode. Once booted into Recovery Mode, first perform a Nandroid backup which you can restore afterwards if anything happens to go wrong. Now, while still in Recovery Mode, open a separate command-line window and then type: cd C:\android-sdk-windows\tools, press enter.
Now type the following commands in adb and hit enter afterwards to execute:
adb shell mount /system
adb shell rm /system/fonts/[font name]
adb push [font name] /system/fonts
adb shell remount
adb shell reboot
The default system fonts that the Desire uses are:
DroidSans.ttf
DroidSans-Bold.ttf
DroidSansMono.ttf
etc. I had some other font (I forget, let's say Helvetica for fun):
Helvetica.ttf
HelveticaBold.ttf
HelveticaMono.ttf
If you rename the Helveticas into the DroidSans names, back up the old fonts somewhere else, and then put your renamed fonts in the /system/fonts folder, it will work. Since we don't have /system write access while in the device, we can't tell Android to look at our different fonts while running - we just have to replace what's there.
I have attached a zip with random the font files I renamed. The non-mono fonts came from a font called Comfortaa; the mono is Vera Sans Mono. These are plug-and-play - back up your old versions of DroidSans.ttf, DroidSans-Bold.ttf and DroidSansMono.ttf and push these to your /system/fonts folder in their place. Replacing DroidSans.ttf pretty much updates everything in the system.

Thanks Masdroid

No worries bud.
Sent from my HTC Desire using XDA App

MasDroid said:
Now, while still in Recovery Mode, open a separate command-line window and then type: cd C:\android-sdk-windows\tools, press enter.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What do you mean open a separate command line window, open it where?
And do you know any sites or anything which convert fonts to .ttf?

While your phone is connected via USB and in Recovery Mode (green and black menu), simply open up another command prompt window (Start > Run > type cmd, press Ok). Access adb and execute commands.
Nope, not aware of any sites that convert fonts to .ttf - try Google or Bing
Sent from my HTC Desire using XDA App

did anyone manage to do this? is there not an app or something? like rom manager

Can you tell me how i can do this on mac osx snow leop?
I can't change fonts with root explorer so i want to try with another tutorial..

hello
I have a HTC desire
I am root and in recovery mode, I also copied that are interested in c: \annifont.ttf.
once in the cmd, I type the first line
"Adb shell mount / system" and enter all goes well. For the second,
"Adb shell rm / system / fonts / annifont.ttf" and it goes wrong, he said:
"Rm can not remove '/ system / fonts / annifont.ttf': No such file or directory.
Help, what is the problem??

i must rename the fonts

you can try this app, it's really easy
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=618019

syfo said:
you can try this app, it's really easy
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=618019
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I just wanted to post this too
You have to download HTC Sync (because of the drivers) before you can use this suite on your desire

Hi ! I was trying to change the lockscreen font ( Clockopia.tff ) with Root Explorer ( just renamed the old one and placed another font there ( named Clockopia.tff ofc )), but it resulted in bootloop. So what am I missing here?
A little help would be apreciated! Thought I'd ask in this thread and not create a new one.
EDIT: Found a little program called Type Fresh, installed it to my Desire and changed the font. I was afraid the font was some way corrupted, but I guess not.

i need help

i was tolf to move this here this is a question ,,,idk how to do step 5..it has to do with movin file to sd card im guessing..idk help me?
help me root my phone i dont understand this im really f'd up this is like dsa adveture
ok here is the problklmemo
"Step 5: Plug your phone into the computer via USB, Make sure that the connection type in the Notification Pull-Down Bar is "Charge Only", not "Disk Drive" or else this won't work.
If your computer asks you to restart after the new drivers were installed, do that now
Once ready, type these commands in cmd prompt from your adb tools directory.
Code:
adb push unrevoked-forever.zip /sdcard/
adb push flash_image /data/local/
adb push rageagainstthecage-arm5.bin /data/local/tmp/
adb push mtd-eng.img /sdcard/
adb push PC36IMG.zip /sdcard/"
oksssssss now..one person say i right click on tools and open cmd,,,so i dids that
then i type it in and its doesnt work..it says adb or abd waterver it is is not a command and its not reconixed...help me please!!!thanjs
i have windows 7 64 bit

Did you do ALL of this first?
Step 1: Download the Android SDK here
Step 2: Extract the Android SDK zip. Move the contents of the extracted zip to C:\
Your Android tools folder path should now be C:\android-sdk-windows\tools
Step 3: Download HTC Sync 2.0.40 here
Run the installer. Move on once installed. If reboot is required, do so and then move on.
Download my evo-root.zip.
It contains a few files necessary to root the EVO.
Unzip the contents of the zip to your android sdk tools folder.
Download the unrevoked-forever.zip
Place this zip in your tools folder as well, as a zip, not extracted.
Download this PC36IMG.zip (This is the same as running an RUU, so it will delete all of your user data when we use it later in the guide, so backup everything you want to save on your phone first)
Put this zip in your sdk tools folder as well, as a zip, not extracted.
After unzipping the contents of evo-root.zip to your android sdk tools folder and placing the PC36IMG.zip and unrevoked-forever.zip in the folder, move on.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

You need to change the directory to your tools fold so that the computer can execute advanced commands. Look for a thread about setting up adb. In the thread it will tell you the steps to do so. I would post this for you however I do not have access to a computer and I am use to using advanced on a Mac.
Sent from my PC36100

nebenezer said:
Did you do ALL of this first?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
yes i did i had no problems untill step 5

Read my post in the thread you created in development.

[Guide] Get Swype back. For a Noob. By a Noob.

No ADB knowledge needed. Just follow instructions.
1. Download mini-adb Here
2. Extract that and put it on your desktop.
3. Download original image file Here
4. Extract the image file using winrar, and put the extracted file onto your desktop.
5. Go into the extracted image file you extracted in step 4, and navigate to
Desktop\ota_odex_V1.1\system\app and find swype.apk.
6. Take the swype.apk, copy it, and paste it into your mini-adb folder you extracted in step 2. Put it here: Desktop\EZ-MiniADB\MiniADB. The folder should also have RunMe.bat and adb.exe, and also the newly pasted swype.apk
7. Go back into the extracted image file you extracted in step 4, and navigate to Desktop\ota_odex_V1.1\system\lib and find libSwypeCore.so
8. Copy and paste that libSwypeCore.so into the same folder you pasted the Swype.apk
9. Go download HTC sync and install it.
10. Plug your phone into the laptop and make sure debugging mode is on.
9. Now go to your mini-adb folder on your desktop and double click RunMe.bat
10. When the black command prompt window pops up, type the following:
adb remount [PRESS ENTER]
adb push libSwypeCore.so /system/lib/ [PRESS ENTER]
adb push swype.apk /system/app/ [PRESS ENTER]
11. Unplug your phone, and you are done! You can set the option of using swype in your settings!
+1 Thanks if you got Swype Working
ADB KNOWLEDGE
Now that you used ADB to push the files, you can also use ADB to push other things to other places. Just make sure whatever you want to push is in the same folder as your RunMe.Bat....

or you could use the root explorer app and extract the files, move the files and install the apk from there... much easier and you dont have to use ADB

WarBird87 said:
or you could use the root explorer app and extract the files, move the files and install the apk from there... much easier and you dont have to use ADB
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Quite frankly I never came across with a guide with your method. If you think your way is better, go make a guide for it. All the guides I came across didn't work for me except for this one, so that is why I made a guide.

I also found this .apk called Swype Restore in the Cyanogen forums.
http://forum.cyanogenmod.com/topic/...over-your-swype-after-installing-cyanogenmod/

Does the tutorial mentioned in OP require me to have this Cyanogen mod installed ? .. I just got a Desire Z about a week or two ago and I'm just running the default stuff and would like to just install Swype into that directly if possible ..

Or just sign up for the beta and install it...

Mnemoch said:
Or just sign up for the beta and install it...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you take the effort to do it this way, you can always reinstall swype in like 3 seconds, beceause the apk and the lib file is already in ur mini adb folder.

[Q] I can't change the fonts in my rooted android

Hi,
I have my rooted htc desire with a custom rom (Oxygen).
I'm not able to change the fonts in /system/fonts. I used adb, but I get error!!
I tried this
> adb remount
> adb push ./DroidSans.ttf /system/fonts
> failed to copy './DroidSans.ttf' to '/system/fonts/DroidSans.ttf': Directory not empty
Any advise??

Try using absolute system.
But ADB thinks you're trying to move the font to a location that points to a file and not a folder, what I would do is
adb remount
adb push [drag the file into the terminal/cmd window, location will appear] /system/fonts/
and you're done.

It didn't work
I got the same error

sahaf525 said:
Hi,
I have my rooted htc desire with a custom rom (Oxygen).
I'm not able to change the fonts in /system/fonts. I used adb, but I get error!!
I tried this
> adb remount
> adb push ./DroidSans.ttf /system/fonts
> failed to copy './DroidSans.ttf' to '/system/fonts/DroidSans.ttf': Directory not empty
Any advise??
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I did not go through all that drama, use an app called type fresh once rooted and i was gold!
just do a search "type fresh app" the first hit has details, sorry cant post links yet

I got this error message:
Error remounting
Could not remount /system
Any way,, I changed the fonts before flashing the rom to my phone & it worked with me
Many Thanks,,,

I use Font Changer.
It works like a charm!
If that helps. (I have to reboot each time i want to instal a new font and i use oxygen too).