How to get an APK file form different ROM to work - Droid Incredible Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting

I like to try similar apps side by side.
For example, I would like to try different camera apps in my phone.
How can I use an apk file of camera extracted from a different ROM and install in my current ROM without removing the stock app.
I tried to push an apk from another ROM to the /system/app folder with appropriate permissions. This did not work. I got an FC.
Is there a way I can accomplish this without much changes?

You have to push it to that folder, but also set the permissions. This is also depending on if it's not tied into the framework. I'm on my phone so I can't dig around right now.
Edit: after changing permissions to 644, reboot.

PonsAsinorem said:
You have to push it to that folder, but also set the permissions. This is also depending on if it's not tied into the framework. I'm on my phone so I can't dig around right now.
Edit: after changing permissions to 644, reboot.
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thanks for your advice.
What I am trying to do is make an apk I can push or install which would act like an independent application so that I can still keep the stock application.

meazz1 said:
thanks for your advice.
What I am trying to do is make an apk I can push or install which would act like an independent application so that I can still keep the stock application.
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As long as they're not named the same, so that you're new one won't overwrite the original. You can have multiple apps in the app drawer with the same name. Make a nandroid and give it a shot.

PonsAsinorem said:
As long as they're not named the same, so that you're new one won't overwrite the original. You can have multiple apps in the app drawer with the same name. Make a nandroid and give it a shot.
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what name are you referring to? Is it the "camera.apk" or "HTCCamera.apk" name or something within the .apk file.
can you give me a hint?

meazz1 said:
what name are you referring to? Is it the "camera.apk" or "HTCCamera.apk" name or something within the .apk file.
can you give me a hint?
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The .apk name that gets pushed to the system app folder. Example, I run CM7. There is an app called Camera.apk which I don't really like, so I push MiuiCamera.apk to that folder, set the permissions and reboot. Now in my app drawer, there are two Cameras with different icons, (I usually wind up removing the stock Camera.apk).
If the new camera I used was named Camera.apk as well, it would just overwrite the original camera, replacing it, which is something you said you didn't want.

Related

SOLVED - Edited my Switchpro, but it will not let me reinstall apk.

Yea, I'd found the apk, and I've replaced the picture (just the dot color underneath the widgets)
Now my problem is that the damned thing won't install. I've tried just renaming it to zip and replacing the picture, and then using the apk manager to xtract, replace, rezip, and resign.
Both ways, I get "Application not installed". I know this is doable because I've seen other people with it done, but any help with what I have going on would be great.
Bumper Carts: I really need this answered.
This doesn't fix your problem, but is a quick work around. Try using root explorer or adb to put the apk in system/app. I guess resigning edited apks is only necessary if they're going in data/app. I do this all the time to skin fancy widget.
Ps, if you use root explorer, don't forget to change permissions back to their default settings.
vinscuzzy said:
This doesn't fix your problem, but is a quick work around. Try using root explorer or adb to put the apk in system/app. I guess resigning edited apks is only necessary if they're going in data/app. I do this all the time to skin fancy widget.
Ps, if you use root explorer, don't forget to change permissions back to their default settings.
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Click to collapse
It's a data app so I definitely needed to install it the package way, but my problem was that I had to uninstall the original through the market first.
Thanks for the input!.

[Q] system apk

what is considered a system apk? framework-res.apk? com.htc.resources.apk?
all files with com. in front of them? all files in the /system/app/ ? I'm using apk_manager_4.9 to experiment with some simple theming and at one point during zipping it ask if it's a regular apk or a system apk. I haven't a clue. I've only messed with Gmail.apk and I considered it a system apk from the file location it was in. Did I guess right?
In apk manager system apk is a question that, if answered yes, will prompt to keep other files (such as the signature) when recompiling the apk.
In apk manager there is a little hint about when you would choose yes or no to system app. It just takes a little bit of reading.
When in doubt just choose yes to system app and the follow up question. When the apk is recompiled you will have "unsignedxxx.apk". Copy that unsigned file somewhere and then sign the apk. Now you have a signed and unsigned version of the recompiled apk. If the unsigned version doesn't work try the signed version. If that doesn't work then you need to go back and see what you changed that might be causing the issue.
thanks, good info. I can work with that.
Which one would be the first pick to try to install, signed or unsigned. Guess I should go find out the difference.
Sent from my PC36100 using XDA App

[Q] Note 2 Gallery/Lockscreen wallpaper help

Had the bright idea to delete the stock gallery app while clearing bloatware. Unbeknownst to me, that was needed to set the lock screen wallpaper to anything other than the stock wallpapers. I use quickpic instead. Now I can't set a picture as the lock screen background (I can change wallpaper).
I've tried reinstalling the gallery, but when choosing to set the paper from the home screen, the gallery option does not show up. Is there a way to again associate the gallery, or an alternative app to do so?
SilveradoZ71 said:
Had the bright idea to delete the stock gallery app while clearing bloatware. Unbeknownst to me, that was needed to set the lock screen wallpaper to anything other than the stock wallpapers. I use quickpic instead. Now I can't set a picture as the lock screen background (I can change wallpaper).
I've tried reinstalling the gallery, but when choosing to set the paper from the home screen, the gallery option does not show up. Is there a way to again associate the gallery, or an alternative app to do so?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm no expert, but have you restored gallery back to /system/app or did you just click on .apk and chose to install it? Because if you installed it, it went to /data/app - maybe that's the reason it does not function as it supposed to?
And second, try to run it as an app - see if it starts in first place, maybe there's something else missing. Perhaps you deleted odex file as well, and because of this it does not start?
Just did a little experiment - restored apk and odex files back to /system/app - and option to change wallpaper appeared again. No reboot needed.
Move gallery apk to system/app and set the permissions to rw-r-r aand reboot.
akp.ajinkya said:
Move gallery apk to system/app and set the permissions to rw-r-r aand reboot.
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I believe you both are right, as I just installed like normal. Noob issue though, when I go to copy and paste the apk into system/app, I get a permission denied message. I'm rooted of course and granted es file explorer su privileges, so I'm not sure why. Any suggestions?
Thanks for the help
SilveradoZ71 said:
I believe you both are right, as I just installed like normal. Noob issue though, when I go to copy and paste the apk into system/app, I get a permission denied message. I'm rooted of course and granted es file explorer su privileges, so I'm not sure why. Any suggestions?
Thanks for the help
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Click to collapse
You need to remount /system as read-write, just like you did before removing apps (if you removed them manually). Go to your terminal emulator or use ./adb shell get superuser (by typing "su") and type: mount -o rw,remount /system
After that you can move files to*/system. Just don't forget to reboot or remount /system as read-only when done.
Root explorer allows pasting and permissions changing. I'm not sure I'm using the right apk. I had a nexus one that installed and worked (though not able to change lock screen). I uninstalled it, and installed 2 different versions of the Samsung app. It never gets recognized on the reboot like the nexus one did. I assume I'm using the wrong one. Any link to an official one? I am on 4.1.2 stock.
Thanks again
SilveradoZ71 said:
Root explorer allows pasting and permissions changing. I'm not sure I'm using the right apk. I had a nexus one that installed and worked (though not able to change lock screen). I uninstalled it, and installed 2 different versions of the Samsung app. It never gets recognized on the reboot like the nexus one did. I assume I'm using the wrong one. Any link to an official one? I am on 4.1.2 stock.
Thanks again
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm using 4.1.2 stock, so here are files from my /system/app:
http://ge.tt/11an8Gz
Sha256sum:
9f1a440e1aefb1bed74c0c8b0cdd0e462d24d70cad3da7063034db5f905f2d52 SecGallery2_Galaxy.apk
cf96394bcce1c1b07915265b953074d79960f530b4872770597f6cd4349ffd0e SecGallery2_Galaxy.odex
Good luck, and let me know if this helps.
P.S. Next time you clean you ROM, just move files to some location (for example your PC) Comes in handy later, I know that from my own painful experience
Userius said:
I'm using 4.1.2 stock, so here are files from my /system/app:
Sha256sum:
9f1a440e1aefb1bed74c0c8b0cdd0e462d24d70cad3da7063034db5f905f2d52 SecGallery2_Galaxy.apk
cf96394bcce1c1b07915265b953074d79960f530b4872770597f6cd4349ffd0e SecGallery2_Galaxy.odex
Good luck, and let me know if this helps.
P.S. Next time you clean you ROM, just move files to some location (for example your PC) Comes in handy later, I know that from my own painful experience
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Click to collapse
Any specific way to install it all back? I put everything back in system/app and rebooted. Nothing changed, it's not installed, and Android didn't "Update Apps" on the reboot. I try to install it with package installer like any other app and that fails. I've tried your odex and mine (which was never deleted).
That's great advice!

Android 6.0, install system apps

Does anyone know if there is a way to install apps manually?
I know in KitKat, you could place .apk's in the /system/app folder, or /data/app folder, restart, and have your apps installed. Just wondering if there's some method to achieve the same outcome in Marshmallow (i.e. Android 6.0).
I have some of the Samsung apps, like snote, that I would like to still use if possible. Any ideas of help are appreciated. Thanks.
palmaswildbill said:
Does anyone know if there is a way to install apps manually?
I know in KitKat, you could place .apk's in the /system/app folder, or /data/app folder, restart, and have your apps installed. Just wondering if there's some method to achieve the same outcome in Marshmallow (i.e. Android 6.0).
I have some of the Samsung apps, like snote, that I would like to still use if possible. Any ideas of help are appreciated. Thanks.
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Click to collapse
You could always try it the same way. Just move the folder and apk files to system/app or system/priv-app and set the permissions like the rest of the folders and apps. The folders should be set to 0755 and the apk files to 0644. Then reboot to test the apps after that. I would recommend doing them one at a time to test them. Where did you get the apps from? It would be good to get a whole 6.0+ based ROM to make sure you put them in the correct path.
Sent from my SM-N920T using Tapatalk
ludeawakening said:
You could always try it the same way. Just move the folder and apk files to system/app or system/priv-app and set the permissions like the rest of the folders and apps. The folders should be set to 0755 and the apk files to 0644. Then reboot to test the apps after that. I would recommend doing them one at a time to test them. Where did you get the apps from? It would be good to get a whole 6.0+ based ROM to make sure you put them in the correct path.
Sent from my SM-N920T using Tapatalk
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Click to collapse
Thanks very much for your reply. Sorry I'm just getting back to this (after like 2 months), wasnt trying to be rude or unappreciative, just been busy.
I had extracted the apps from a couple of other roms, lollipop based. Its basically some of the samsung apps, for the note. Before upgrading to 6.0 I had a stock/rooted kitkat rom. I was used to using SNOTE for note taking, and liked the abiltiy to take 360° photos withe samsung camera surround effect. I realize that most people probably see these as bloatware, but I havent really seen anything comparable.

Need Samsung Email APK

Hi all,
Something happened to my phone and I ended up having to wipe and re-flash everything. Long story short, I did have the Samsung email 5.0.0.00400 install with the new ROM but I accidentally deleted it via TI Backup. I tried re-installing a backed up version of 5.0.0.00200 but it will not install for some reason.
I've searched around and the most recent apk I could find is 3.3.something, which I have installed now, but I'd really like to get back to the newer version. I know I can re-flash the ROM, but I've done quite a bit of setup, restoring apps and widgets, etc. at this point and I'd hate to lose all that. Figured I'd ask here before going down that road.
Could someone please be kind and link me to a stock Samsung mail app apk for version 5.0 and above?
Thank you in advance!
Shuggaloaf said:
Hi all,
Something happened to my phone and I ended up having to wipe and re-flash everything. Long story short, I did have the Samsung email 5.0.0.00400 install with the new ROM but I accidentally deleted it via TI Backup. I tried re-installing a backed up version of 5.0.0.00200 but it will not install for some reason.
I've searched around and the most recent apk I could find is 3.3.something, which I have installed now, but I'd really like to get back to the newer version. I know I can re-flash the ROM, but I've done quite a bit of setup, restoring apps and widgets, etc. at this point and I'd hate to lose all that. Figured I'd ask here before going down that road.
Could someone please be kind and link me to a stock Samsung mail app apk for version 5.0 and above?
Thank you in advance!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Here you go, both email & exchange. They are deodex though.
aaron74 said:
Here you go, both email & exchange. They are deodex though.
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Click to collapse
Hey Aaron very much appreciated! :good::good:
Still a noob when it comes to some most of this stuff. In this case odex vs deodex. I see the 2 apk files as well as all the files in the lib folder. I'm assuming the apk files install as normal? What do I do with the lib files?
Thanks again for your help!
Shuggaloaf said:
Hey Aaron very much appreciated! :good::good:
Still a noob when it comes to some most of this stuff. In this case odex vs deodex. I see the 2 apk files as well as all the files in the lib folder. I'm assuming the apk files install as normal? What do I do with the lib files?
Thanks again for your help!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No problem.
If your rooted, you could try just copying the folders over to /system/app. The folder gets 0755 permission and the files get 0644 permission. And then they would be system files. This should work fine, as long as the permissions are set.
Or you could just try installing them regularly.
And Then if you want maybe use Ti Backup to make them system files.
Hope that helps
aaron74 said:
No problem.
If your rooted, you could try just copying the folders over to /system/app. The folder gets 0755 permission and the files get 0644 permission. And then they would be system files. This should work fine, as long as the permissions are set.
Or you could just try installing them regularly.
And Then if you want maybe use Ti Backup to make them system files.
Hope that helps
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes I am rooted. So just to talk this out before I do anything... I've looked up how to set permissions for files and folders. I have ES File Explorer and understand I can change permissions with root explorer on. I've never done this before so just to make sure I have it correct...
I would copy both secEmail_K and SecExchange folders to the /system/app folder on the phone.
Using Root explorer I would set permissions as:
Folders: rwxr-xr-x
Files: rw-r--r--
Thanks again for your help and quick responses. One more question if you don't mind, just to help me understand permissions. If the files have no executable permissions for any of the 3 classes it would seem as though they wouldn't be able to run. I'm sure I'm misunderstanding however.
Shuggaloaf said:
Yes I am rooted. So just to talk this out before I do anything... I've looked up how to set permissions for files and folders. I have ES File Explorer and understand I can change permissions with root explorer on. I've never done this before so just to make sure I have it correct...
I would copy both secEmail_K and SecExchange folders to the /system/app folder on the phone.
Using Root explorer I would set permissions as:
Folders: rwxr-xr-x
Files: rw-r--r--
Thanks again for your help and quick responses. One more question if you don't mind, just to help me understand permissions. If the files have no executable permissions for any of the 3 classes it would seem as though they wouldn't be able to run. I'm sure I'm misunderstanding however.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think so, attached pic. Plus make sure owner and group are root.
This is right from my phone now. So all should be good. You might not even have to change it, they might be good before.
aaron74 said:
I think so, attached pic. Plus make sure owner and group are root.
This is right from my phone now. So all should be good. You might not even have to change it, they might be good before.
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Click to collapse
Awesome! Thanks for your patience and help Aaaron.
Shuggaloaf said:
Awesome! Thanks for your patience and help Aaaron.
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Click to collapse
No problem. Let me know you got it working!

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