Related
I want to install themes and I've read just about everything out there on this subject and still don't understand how to do it safely for this phone. There are a ton of threads on this but not one of them explains how to go about installing themes safely.
Some say just dump the .tsk files into the windows folder, others say use Diamond TF3D Config, others say not to use it because there's a version coming out specifically for the HD, others say cabs aren't as good as .theme files because you may not be able to uninstall the cab...
So I'm asking...for those of you who try out almost every theme that comes out...how are you doing it? Can you explain what you use, which types of theme files you use, how you safely change from one theme to another, and why your method is the method you choose to use?
Here are some things I've read that I'm not sure are true or not (please confirm/reject if you know):
-xxx.tsk files are a type of theme file you need to put in the Application folder and are only good for the "top and bottom bars"
-you have to use Diamond TF3D Config to install xxx.theme files; there are 2 versions of this software, one for gsm and one for cdma; you may need to delete the "tweaks file" for this software to work; there is a new version (version 1.0) coming out specifically for the Touch HD
-some say you must install xxx.theme files into the windows directory...others say you can install them in any folder you want
-even after installing a theme, you may need to perform extra steps to fix the top and bottom bars and to have the correct background
So, I know these things, but still don't understand. What is the cleanest way to install and change themes without leaving behind clutter files...is it by using a cab, by using a zip, by using diamond tf3d config?
I'd greatly appreciate if someone experienced who's tried different methods of installing/changing themes would respond and help clarify some of these confusing details.
anybody know?
goldsfool said:
I want to install themes and I've read just about everything out there on this subject and still don't understand how to do it safely for this phone. There are a ton of threads on this but not one of them explains how to go about installing themes safely.
Some say just dump the .tsk files into the windows folder, others say use Diamond TF3D Config, others say not to use it because there's a version coming out specifically for the HD, others say cabs aren't as good as .theme files because you may not be able to uninstall the cab...
So I'm asking...for those of you who try out almost every theme that comes out...how are you doing it? Can you explain what you use, which types of theme files you use, how you safely change from one theme to another, and why your method is the method you choose to use?
Here are some things I've read that I'm not sure are true or not (please confirm/reject if you know):
-xxx.tsk files are a type of theme file you need to put in the Application folder and are only good for the "top and bottom bars"
-you have to use Diamond TF3D Config to install xxx.theme files; there are 2 versions of this software, one for gsm and one for cdma; you may need to delete the "tweaks file" for this software to work; there is a new version (version 1.0) coming out specifically for the Touch HD
-some say you must install xxx.theme files into the windows directory...others say you can install them in any folder you want
-even after installing a theme, you may need to perform extra steps to fix the top and bottom bars and to have the correct background
So, I know these things, but still don't understand. What is the cleanest way to install and change themes without leaving behind clutter files...is it by using a cab, by using a zip, by using diamond tf3d config?
I'd greatly appreciate if someone experienced who's tried different methods of installing/changing themes would respond and help clarify some of these confusing details.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well it really depends on what you want to change. TSK files really only change the color of the top and bottom bars, highlights, etc. If you are referring to changing icons, transparency, etc of Manila/TouchFlo, that is a bit more involved. There are applications out there like Maxycy's TF3D Theme Maker that will assist with this. Also, like you said, there are lots of cabs floating around with customizations in them. Most, if not all cabs can be uninstalled. Your best bet if you want to start playing with your device is to get some backup software, like SPB Backup or Sprite Backup, and then playing with your device. Then you don't need to be worried about messing it up. You could just do a hard reset and then restore the backup and be back to where you were before playing around
cRaCKwHoRe said:
Well it really depends on what you want to change. TSK files really only change the color of the top and bottom bars, highlights, etc. If you are referring to changing icons, transparency, etc of Manila/TouchFlo, that is a bit more involved. There are applications out there like Maxycy's TF3D Theme Maker that will assist with this. Also, like you said, there are lots of cabs floating around with customizations in them. Most, if not all cabs can be uninstalled. Your best bet if you want to start playing with your device is to get some backup software, like SPB Backup or Sprite Backup, and then playing with your device. Then you don't need to be worried about messing it up. You could just do a hard reset and then restore the backup and be back to where you were before playing around
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks alot for your response. I have sprite backup and have made many backups but was hoping not to ever have to restore from one (afraid it won't work perfectly)...that's why I'm trying to understand all of the details. I guess my only concern is not being able to go back to a previous state EXACTLY as it was before installing a theme. From all of the methods available, what would you say is the best (not necessarily the easiest) and cleanest way to prevent random files from appearing or disappearing after installing or removing a theme?
goldsfool said:
Thanks alot for your response. I have sprite backup and have made many backups but was hoping not to ever have to restore from one (afraid it won't work perfectly)...that's why I'm trying to understand all of the details. I guess my only concern is not being able to go back to a previous state EXACTLY as it was before installing a theme. From all of the methods available, what would you say is the best (not necessarily the easiest) and cleanest way to prevent random files from appearing or disappearing after installing or removing a theme?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you have Sprite Backup, do a full backup. Once you have that you can completely destroy the current setup on your phone. Once you hard-reset just execute the backup file Sprite created. When the restore comes up do a merge level 1 restore. It will put your phone back to the exact state it was before. I have done this many many times as I do craptons of testing
cRaCKwHoRe said:
If you have Sprite Backup, do a full backup. Once you have that you can completely destroy the current setup on your phone. Once you hard-reset just execute the backup file Sprite created. When the restore comes up do a merge level 1 restore. It will put your phone back to the exact state it was before. I have done this many many times as I do craptons of testing
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks man, I took a step forward and did my first manila mod last night. It's amazing...by simply taking three manila files I found in Maxycy's Theme Maker and replacing the originals with them, I now have background for all tabs and a new clock ha. I've also downloaded m9editor and Manila Editor and have a better understanding of how individual files influence the system. Thanks again for the support...who knows maybe I'll even be able to create a theme one day.
goldsfool said:
Thanks man, I took a step forward and did my first manila mod last night. It's amazing...by simply taking three manila files I found in Maxycy's Theme Maker and replacing the originals with them, I now have background for all tabs and a new clock ha. I've also downloaded m9editor and Manila Editor and have a better understanding of how individual files influence the system. Thanks again for the support...who knows maybe I'll even be able to create a theme one day.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
See, it's easier than you think! Good job and good luck! Backups are your friend
cRaCKwHoRe said:
See, it's easier than you think! Good job and good luck! Backups are your friend
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I was on a roll until now...I encountered my first serious problem and will need to hard reset and restore from backup. You mentioned to do a merge level 1 restore. Is this what I should do even if I have all original ROM, radio, etc? From what I've read on the Sprite website, level one is the most "complicated" level and is MOST likely to fail. However, you and others on here say to use level 1 bc it causes the LEAST problems.
My default settings are as follows:
-unchecked box for "delete all files"
-checked box for "check for corrupt registry"
-system settings restore set to "merge" instead of replace
-upgrade mode set to "personal data only" instead of merge
How come one option is set for merge and the other isn't? Should I change the upgrade mode option to merge level 1? I'm assuming this option wouldn't apply to me since I haven't upgraded anything, but I'm not sure...
[and just for information/advise: my problem occurred when I clicked on the cab for sdkcerts that came with the Max TTM program. The program worked perfectly and everything was ok until I clicked on that cab. I wanted to install custom taskbars and read that you needed sdkcerts first, so I clicked on the sdkcerts cab I just happened to find in the Max TTM folder (bad move). Ever since doing so, almost half of my programs no longer open bc it's either "missing a component or is not certified." So, long story short, don't click on the sdkcerts cab or install another sdkcerts cab after installing Max TTM bc Max TTM already has a sdkcerts cab which I'm assuming automatically installs when you install Max TTM]
EDIT: I went ahead and restored via sprite backup with the settings described above and it worked PERFECTLY...all of my contacts, appointments, programs, system settings, background, where I left off in a game, etc etc is now EXACTLY how it was at time of backup. The restoration went without any warnings or errors...I'm stunned at how perfect it went. Thanks again...
The only time you would want to do a merge level 1 restore is if you are restoring to a different rom than you backed up from. If you are restoring to the same rom that you created the backup from you can do a full, normal restore.
1) What is: Nandroid, Titanium Backup, Rom Manager, Estrong Manager, AmonRa
to be specific - do I need all of them or just 1-2 of them?
2) What is the difference?
I read some perfer Clockwork Recover while other says there has been issues with it but AmonRa hasnt.
3)Answered
4) Do I really have to WIPE every time I switch (Flash) Rom?
I have read few posts that mention they don't do it and never had an issue.
What is the purpose of Wiping?
5) AOSP?? huh new jargon (working on it)
6) Answered
7) Confirm if im doing this right:
Download (new-rom.zip) - move to sd card - do one of the following: (nandroid, titanium or both?) - turn off phone, turn on to recovery mode, wipe (optional?), factory reset (optional?), wipe cache/delv (optional?), install zip, yada yada yada...?
8) What happens if I get (insert ROM) and open it's zip, remove the stuff I want out than rezip and load? good idea or bad idea?
9) What is a Launcher? how many types of Launcher are there? Adw, Pro, X, Y, Z?
I'll think of more later on. Sorry for the massive noob question. Im constantly reading the dev section forums and seeing several jargons im not fully understanding and alot of apps that some uses over the other.
dude, these are beyond noob questions.
every question in your post can easily be answered with a few minutes of searching.
I'm almost tempted to answer your questions but you need to learn this stuff, and not by having it spoon-fed to you, not to mention the subject matters you ask about would take a great deal of my precious time to explain. You read enough to get your phone rooted without bricking it, keep up the reading.
We all learned a ton of new stuff when we first got into android phones. Those with LINUX experience had a shorter learning curve, I for one had zero experience with LINUX. And most of us learned it by SEARCHING and READING. The more of this stuff you learn by your own research the better, you will have an actual understanding of how these things work.
If you want I will answer ONE of the above questions, in depth. Your choice..
Im constantly reading and I getting alot of contradiction answers. Thus im trying to break each one apart on pro/con. I guess my main concern that a search won't find an answer would be:
6) How do I get access into the Internal Memory?
caused I have searched using (internal storage, internal memory) and been unable to find an answer to it.
grrgrrgrr said:
Im constantly reading and I getting alot of contradiction answers. Thus im trying to break each one apart on pro/con. I guess my main concern that a search won't find an answer would be:
6) How do I get access into the Internal Memory?
caused I have searched using (internal storage, internal memory) and been unable to find an answer to it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Get a file explorer. They work very similarly to explorer windows in Windows. You'll be able to see the file structure, remove files you don't want, add ones you want, move stuff around (which is especially useful for managing your sdcard)
I prefer Root Explorer, but it's a paid app. If you want a free option just to get your feet wet then get Astro File Manager from the market and start poking around just DO NOT DELETE ANYTHING unless you KNOW what it is and KNOW you don't want it anymore.
One tip regarding removing apps.. if you're not sure what the outcome will be you can add something like ".bak" to the end of the filename which essentially makes the file invisible to the system without removing it yet.
Although if it's a system critical apk then you might get a boot loop, in which case you will need a nandroid backup ready to restore.
what im currently doing now is constantly flashing 2.2 stock
I read titanium removes apps and I learned Sprint Zone = promotional.apk that is required to stay on to use *2 *3 dial...
But the .bak thing is nice, basically if I can't remove it, I still be able not to see it.
now as far as the .bak is concern - where do I rename it from? from the root explorer app? just long press it & rename the .xxx to .bak? or .xxx.bak?
you do not need sprint zone for anything
rename or remove files using a file explorer, and I don't know what you mean by "if I can't remove it".. you can remove any file using a file explorer
I usually just add .bak to whatever extension is already there. So if you're using LauncherPro and want to see if removing rosie.apk causes any problems (it wont, you can do without it just fine as long as you have another launcher installed) rename it to rosie.apk.bak and reboot
alright, btw I tried astro and it only shows me the folders/app of my SD card.
Im not looking to mess with those.
I want to view the Internal phone memory and possibly the Bios.
Second, with Astrofile - Let's say Amazonmp3 - im able to find that but within the stock2.2 rom.zip - removing from that zip wont change anything though unless I re-flash it, correct?
I am under the impression, once I flash a rom.zip, I can remove that rom.zip out of the sd card. the info is stored internally or in the bios. That is where I want to get acess to.
I know through titanium - if I find amazonmp3 and un-install from there, it removes from my phone.
there is no bios on android
astro's default view is the sdcard, you can go up one level and see all the system folders
yes, once you flash the rom you can remove the rom's zip from your sdcard but you might as well leave it in case you need to reflash it
Hi all,
I have been a winmob user for over 5 years and i know pretty much everything about them. (see join date) Though 3 days ago i got a a8183 desire.
My god i have a lot to learn about Android. Winmob seemed so much simplier to pick apart with registry and custom roms.
Anyways i have been reading thread after thread for days yet i still have a couple of questions that i cannot get clear answers for.
I have a a8183 telstra desire running on optus. I have updated to the latest offical 2.2 ROM. (Everyone mentions OTA (over the air) though i downloaded it and installed thru windows).
So i would appreciate if someone could help me out with my questions/assumptions.
1. From what i have read you cannot r00t a froyo OS. Is that right? Though i have found an app z4root that will do it temporarily until reboot. Unrevoked doesnt seem to work.
2. To change system files you need not only root though you need the clockworkmod recovery part of the bootloader. (eg. to replace HOST file for adblocking).
3. You need permanent r00t to install the clockworkmod (so i cannot do this).
4. You cannot remove default ROM apps from your phone without the clockworkmod.
5. You need clockworkmod to install custom ROMs.
So from what i gather.. r00t is good. though really only cause it gets you the clockworkmod recovery which is where you can really hack it.
And to get this i need to downgrade to 2.1, r00t, clockwork then use a hacked rom for 2.2?
Your help is greatly appreciated.
hi sage, i too came from windows mobile so i know how you feel, lucky for me i jumped on the android bandwagon earlier with the htc hero, after i got bored with my HD1, anyway your wrong on quite a few points, so i'll point you in the right direction.
1) the latest version of unrevoked (www.unrevoked.com/recovery) is more than able to root the froyo roms, its a one click app and can root your device in minutes
2) to easly modify system files you need s-off (this is equivalent to HSPL on wm devices) after you have rooted, you need to search for alpharev, this is a linux live cd, you just burn it and boot it and it will security unlock your device.
3) when you download and run unrevoked, it will not only root your device but insatall the latest version of clockworkmod recovery. (just hold vol down and power when your device is off to access hboot, and choose recovery from the list) so unrevoked kills 2 birds with one stone
4) to remove the apps in the /system/ partition there are 2 ways, from recovery using adb, or if you flash the s-off mod, you can remove them directly from your device using a file manager.
5) yes you need clockworkmod or another custom recovery to install custom roms, but now you know how to do it, thats not a problem
Hi Sage,
If you're looking for an easier way to get rid of all the Telstra apps (more like a blob of links really ) on your phone you may want to try one of the stock HTC WWE ROMs. It's clean and you can flash it via exe, just like in WM. The latest RUU I believe is the 2.29.405.2. Also, be aware of the risks of rooting your phone.
thanks for your response guys
Ok so i am now r00ted and running Leedroid's WWE ROM! (thank you!) it was actually pretty easy.
I think unrevoked was failing cause i was using a USB HUB.
OK so now i just want to remove some more of the default apps that come with it.
So i will try alpharev to security unlock my device. (is this permanent or if i reflash my rom it will come back?)
once i have done this i can then delete anything i like thru r00t explorer?
At this stage i am trying to just make some more room for apps. As a number of them wont move to SD Card.
A couple of last questions if i may. I have an new SD Card on order. Am i able to simply copy everything from my existing SD to my new and then swap it over in my phone and it will all be ok? Or do i need 'clone' it with some tool?
Where in the system paths do i remove 'shortcuts' within all apps? (or even simply rename them.)
Much appreciate your help. Android is growing on me. I especially love adb logcat!
ok.. i am now security off'd alpharev worked a treat.
i am now using r00t explorer to try and delete items from /system/app though they come up read-only so i cannot delete them
i take when i get to remove these the phone will have more stoage space for apps yeah?
i also still cannot find where the all apps shortcuts sit! (so i can rename/remove).
and lastly now i have the alpharev bootloader so gonna google how to change that
i did use the Leedroid apps2sd ROM. though most of my apps are still going to phone memory and i cant move them across.
Is there a fix for this? i guess once i work out how to delete these read-only files ill be ok anyway.
Unfortunately removing system apps wont give you more space to install apps, they are stored under a different partition, /system and /data are not on the same disk so you can save as much space on /system as you want but it won't affect /data at all.
With running out of space you have a few choices:
Go to settings..applications..then manage and move as many apps to SD as you can. This is fro-yo apps2sd, not all data is moved and not all apps can be moved, so you will probably run out of space again anyway.
Or
Reboot into recovery and partition your sdcard to create an ext partition, when you boot your rom ALL apps will be moved to the ext partition leaving lots of free space. Backup your sdcard before you partition it, you will lose all data.
Sage said:
ok.. i am now security off'd alpharev worked a treat.
1) i am now using r00t explorer to try and delete items from /system/app though they come up read-only so i cannot delete them
2) i take when i get to remove these the phone will have more stoage space for apps yeah?
3) i also still cannot find where the all apps shortcuts sit! (so i can rename/remove).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
1) Press on Remount as R/O, this should allow you to delete/replace system stuff & ringtones, fonts...etc.
2)No, because apps install to data/apps & not system/apps.
3)You mean like the applicatiuon menu when we used to delete shortcuts or rename them? Hahaha man that was sooooooooooooo long time ago for me. Anyway, the applications installed are displayer & you can't hide them or rearrange them like Winmo. You might want to try Launcher Pro to hide apps in the apps drawer.
If you need more info, ask freely because 2 years ago I went through the same
mr.r9 said:
1) Press on Remount as R/O, this should allow you to delete/replace system stuff & ringtones, fonts...etc. Typo..You meant R/W
2)No, because apps install to data/apps & not system/apps.
3)You mean like the applicatiuon menu when we used to delete shortcuts or rename them? Hahaha man that was sooooooooooooo long time ago for me. Anyway, the applications installed are displayer & you can't hide them or rearrange them like Winmo. You might want to try Launcher Pro to hide apps in the apps drawer.
If you need more info, ask freely because 2 years ago I went through the same
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hmm..actually the new MTD partition table hack should be able to free space on the /system, adjusting partitions with less for /system and /cache and more for /data/app should give enough space..Though I'm not sure if he wants to try this right now, since it's considered an advanced task and maybe he'd like to get more accustomed to Android before attempting it? His wish though..
And well, there's yet another method to remove system apps, other than the other two methods. This is to modify the zip file of the custom rom to remove the actual apks from /system and reflashing it on top of the actual flash..
droidzone said:
And well, there's yet another method to remove system apps, other than the other two methods. This is to modify the zip file of the custom rom to remove the actual apks from /system and reflashing it on top of the actual flash..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ohh yes indeed. OP, you can edit the zip before installing it to your device. You can remove/replace application in system/data and fonts...etc. Just remember to change signature verification to off in your recovery.
my god. i have spent days on this baby and im only barely scratching the surface
much appreciate all your help guys!
ok.. so its time to use app2sd i hear that app2sd+ is better though? (it moves more data to SD yeah? appcache?)
i only have 2Gb microsd right now so i might wait until i my 8GB arrives before i flash a new ROM and start again (again!)
i also noticed these online kitchens. http://cookmyrom.co.cc
which look great! tho they are still a version behind the leedroid i am using tho its a good way to get rid of some default apps.
i certainly like the idea of reparitioning the default disk though not quite ready for that yet especially when app2sd+ sounds much more straight forward.
i am dumbfounded that you cant remove 'shortcuts' from the All Apps! or even rename them!! my god. i would think that was first thing available on such an open source OS.
So i have now created a folder called "Folder" to reduce the clutter.. and now i guess i cant even rename it!?? and if i create another one its called "Folder" too!
lol.. this OS is so advanced yet some basic stuff seems to be overlooked.
I did try launcher pro though it removed my HTC Sense (which i like). So i might need to keep looking for an app to help organise my All Apps and my desktop (is desktop what its called?)
And just how do i add ringtones?
love your work guys thanks again.
Create a folder called Ringtones on the root of your SD to have...ringtones.
When you open a folder, long press on the header to rename it.
As for organizing, I stopped caring & started to use search, but maybe if you want you can try an app called folder organizer.
mr.r9 said:
Create a folder called Ringtones on the root of your SD to have...ringtones.
When you open a folder, long press on the header to rename it.
As for organizing, I stopped caring & started to use search, but maybe if you want you can try an app called folder organizer.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
nice one thank you!
Sage said:
...So i have now created a folder called "Folder" to reduce the clutter.. and now i guess i cant even rename it!??...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Open the folder then hold where it says folder to change its name.
Ok. Now have app2sd working!
thanks to all of you. Beginning to love this android phone now. I feel sorry for all the people who use them as they come from the factory! Thank god for all the xda people who rip them to shreds and make them better
If i can have one last question. Any way to remap hardware buttons to start an app?
Like when you hold down the search button it launches Google Voice. I want it to launch a different app..
I did a search and found the hardware button remapper though it only does hardware to hardware.. not hardware to app
For Folders(Assuming you're using full HTC Sense), just open it and hold the title bar. Took me some time to figure out. You cannot easily rename the apps in "All apps", but you can remove them(Which is essentially uninstalling them) from Settings > Applications > Manage, unless they are system apps which need to be manually deleted either via S-OFF + Root explorer(OR something similar) or ADB + Custom recovery(Clockworkmod or Amon Ra).
For setting a custom ringtone, open the music app, select the music > Menu > Set as ringtone.
so no love on the hardware remap for apps?
Oh well i have done a lot of googling and it seems it cant be done (well at least not easily).
My last question is when you launch an app from a folder the folder stays open.. any way to force close or change its behaviour?
for those following this. I found the Tasker app remaps hardware buttons amongst doing amazing other things.
Still no love on closing folders though.
i ended up using tasker to create app widgets to replace the folders...
If you want app widgets, there's also "Desktop Visualizer".
In terms of killing of an app, have you tried "Settings -> apps settings -> development" then there's an option there for "stop apps via long press"?
Is it possible to delete the stock browser with a custom ROM? At the moment if I try and do it from the Manage applications view it doesn't give me the option. But I was wondering if I could manually locate it and delete it without causing any stability issues?
Thanks
You can. ADB from recovery (S-ON), Root explorer (S-OFF).
But I don't know if it causes stability issues - never tried it.
It can be done and has no bearing on anything - just means you can't browse until you get one from the Market
Yes, can confirm that! I'm using Dolphin HD - so removed the stock about an hour ago. No problems.
I can add stock email, news/weather & chat apps to this list - no effect on other apps performing these functions, at least on Oxygen 2.0.1 anyway...
Brilliant, next question. Where is the stock app stored, as I will manually have to remove it.
Zammo76 said:
Brilliant, next question. Where is the stock app stored, as I will manually have to remove it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
For me it was system/app/Browser.apk
Removed with Root Explorer.
Sent from my customized HTC Desire using TTP
Ah yeah got to that file using Astro but it's only 684KB, yet when I look in Manage Applications it says that the Internet is 13.76MB.
Unless this includes other data rather than just the Browser, but I'm not so sure?
It surely includes other data (like history, cache etc.)
Probably cache and some settings. In manage applications, clear the data (if that's possible), then remove the .apk
in my opinion the best way to remove system apps is to install Titanium Backup (have the phone rooted), then go to apps in titanium backup then hold your finger on it , the menu appears, slide down and click on remove(using recovery bug)...
I have Titanium Backup but I can't seem to find the stock Browser under the Backup/ Restore tab the only thing I have which is remotely like that is:
[BOOKMARKS] Internet 2.2
Am I looking in the correct place?
Only you can remove it, if you have S-OFFed your phone. And I cant help you with that,I have it deleted already. But should be over there somewhere.
I've rooted my phone using the Unrevoked method and have CWM. But when I've checked the H-Boot screen it says I have S-ON, how do I get it Off?
S-OFF tutorial
Also, I forgot to mention, you can remove files via ADB from CWM/AmonRA. Guide here.
Thanks for this I think I'm going to try the ADB method as it looks a little easier. Plus I did read someone if you remove S-Off it can be permanent and effect warranty.
Zammo76 said:
Brilliant, next question. Where is the stock app stored, as I will manually have to remove it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Apps are stored in /system/apps (may vary with rom?). There are a couple of options:
Titanium backup is free from market and will permanently remove any apps - you need root and s-off for this. Root explorer can be used for the same - just delete the .apk file.
You can also do it via cmd prompt and adb, look for detailed threads about this in these forums!
OK I now have S-Off on my phone and its also now obviously rooted but I still cannot delete my stock browser. I've tried using Titanium Backup but I can't locate it to delete it, I've also tried Root Explorer but when I try to delete the Browser.apk it comes up with the following message:
Browser.apk cannot be deleted because the file system is read only.
Also I've wiped data and deleted many of the stock HTC apps & widgets but I don't seem to be freeing up much if any space. My Low on Space indicator has been on throughout even though I have got rid of the following:
Footprints,
Footprints Widget,
Friend Stream,
Friend Stream Widget,
Music,
Music Widget,
News and Weather,
Peep,
Photo Widget,
Stocks,
Stocks Widget,
Teeter,
Twitter Widget,
Weather Widget.
Does it actually free up much space un-installing these?
Can anyone please help with these issues?
Root explorer fix
Hi
The reason Root Explorer comes with that error is because the system folder is mounted ass read only (you can't edit anything on it)
Fix:
1. Browse to system/app
2. In the upper right corner there is a mount R/W button, press it
3. Now you can read and write and therefore also delete the browser.apk
4. Remember to mount as R/O when done
It doesn't free up space as they are located in /system and regular apps are installed in /data.
Edit: Please note this post does have a resolution at the end.
Did you ever have a tech quandry you just had to solve?
Last year I hid some apps in/from the app drawer of a stock, S-On, not unlocked or rooted, T-mobile HTC Wildfire S with the stock Sense 2.1 UI. I want to unhide them and can't find the info on how I hid them anywhere. They do show up in a different launcher, like LauncherPro. They're not disabled, I already checked that in adb in the Android SDK.
I can run them, either from Titanium Backup or Launcher Pro, and then from my recent apps drawer in Sense 2.1 after I've run them in one of the mentioned ways; but, I really want to get those icons back and do a CWM backup of my stock ROM before I start trying custom ROMs on this phone. I like Sense and want to be able to go back if I choose.
I'm rooted now thanks to the many articles and guides here. Unlocked at HTC Dev, and ran root.zip. Installed SuperUser, ROM_Manager, TitaniumBackup
I have spent a LOT of time recently and all day every day since Monday researching here and at Android Forums, the 2 defacto places for phone knowledge. I've also used Google, searched on Life Hacker, looked in all my browsers favs for articles, searched my computers for notes (I usually make a file in Notepad for things I do that I might not remember), checked magazines I read, and so on.
I don't know if I did something in adb, changed a manifest (too many to do that), or installed a launcher that left those apps hidden when it was deleted. I hid about a half dozen apps/icons.
There has to be an answer.
Sure would appreciate some help. I'm exhausted trying to find the tip/trick I followed to do this so I can undo it. If it will help. When I try to enable the Stocks package in adb I get a return of:
C:\>adb shell pm enable com.htc.android.Stock
[1] Killed pm enable com.ht...
Does that mean I killed the app, "Way back when"; or, maybe just the process is killed without invoking root (remember the phone wasn't rooted when I first did this)? If I do it this way invoking root, I get a diff result, but neither way shows the app (unlike freezing/unfreezing in the many apps like TB, etc.):
C:\>adb shell
$ su
su
# pm enable com.htc.android.Stock
pm enable com.htc.android.Stock
Package com.htc.android.Stock new state: enabled
BTW if I disable it disappears from LauncherPro and then enable and it reappears in Launcher Pro; but, nothing gets it to reappear in Sense except in the recent apps drawer after I open it in Launcher Pro or TB as mentioned in the above post.
The control has to be in a file somewhere. Do phones have an, "xxx.ini" file for apps like computers sometimes do?
Re: [Q] There must be an answer to show apps
MiCeltic said:
Sure would appreciate some help. I'm exhausted trying to find the tip/trick I followed to do this so I can undo it. If it will help. When I try to enable the Stocks package in adb I get a return of:
C:\>adb shell pm enable com.htc.android.Stock
[1] Killed pm enable com.ht...
Does that mean I killed the app, "Way back when"; or, maybe just the process is killed without invoking root (remember the phone wasn't rooted when I first did this)? If I do it this way invoking root, I get a diff result, but neither way shows the app (unlike freezing/unfreezing in the many apps like TB, etc.):
C:\>adb shell
$ su
su
# pm enable com.htc.android.Stock
pm enable com.htc.android.Stock
Package com.htc.android.Stock new state: enabled
BTW if I disable it disappears from LauncherPro and then enable and it reappears in Launcher Pro; but, nothing gets it to reappear in Sense except in the recent apps drawer after I open it in Launcher Pro or TB as mentioned in the above post.
The control has to be in a file somewhere. Do phones have an, "xxx.ini" file for apps like computers sometimes do?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What apps are you trying to show again? Since you have root you can try to use a root uninstaller app to make a back up of the app first, then reboot the phone. Then use the app to reinstall and then reboot to recovery and use fix permissions.
Feel free to make a nandroid back up first just incase you lose any data
Sent from my HTC Sensation XE with Beats Audio Z715e using xda premium
Thanks for the response heavy_metal_man. It's hard to tell everything. I missed what and the kind of apps, thanks. I am talking about system apps like, "Stocks" and, "Voice Recorder", and there's others. I did Fix permissions in ROM Manager before and it didn't fix anything. I have tried a lot of stuff and am getting flustered and tired, but not giving up! For the sake of knowledge, I really want to find out the what and how...not just use a workaround. I tried your suggestions with, "Voice Recorder"...backed up in Titanium Backup...uninstalled with Root Uninstaller...checked everything to be sure it was gone and then restarted...attempted a restore of, "App only" with TB and it just churned long enough to know it was hung (I did get a notice there was an update, but don't think that would interfere); so, I powered off and restarted. No changes; so, tried another restore of, "App + Data"...same thing it just churned...another restart and everthing was back to the way it was. VoiceRec in Settings>>Apps>>ManageApps, but not in the Sense app drawer. I then couldn't get ROM Manager to do anything when I selected Fix Permissions...couldn't get into TB, did the update, still couldn't get ROM Mgr or TB to do anything, and so did a battery pull restart...I did go into CWM, but just rebooted. Then everything was normal, meaning as before, and fixed Permissions in ROM Manger. I don't think it matters whether I fix in CWM, ROM Mgr, or ADB...they're all reading the same .xml files to set permissions. Anyway, No VoiceRec in the Apps Drawer.
So I'm back to square one. Any more ideas I'll be glad to try them. I don't think I used APKToolkit to do anything or that it would be in the apk's. Tomorrow I think I'll try to find something in the package xml's...just need to find the right package that would address them all. I've looked at a few, but just for change dates on all the files in the packages...all were 2009, and I'd have done this in 2012.
Thanks again...tomorrow is another day.
Re: [Q] There must be an answer to show apps
Hmm. For the sake of argument make a full backup and then factory reset from recovery, then reboot and go through the first setup nonsense. Are the apps back?
Also the sense launcher is called Rosie should that ring any bells.
If a factory reset doesn't fix this then you may have to flash a stock rom to sort it like
Sent from my HTC Sensation XE with Beats Audio Z715e using xda premium
h_m_m,
I did a factory data reset myself before, which I believe is really just an erase of data, and not a real reset (like formatting and reinstalling an OS in a computer). Then of course there was the factory reset that occurred after unlocking and rooting. Neither of those changed anything. I have flashed a CWM recovery after rooting.
Are you saying, boot into recovery:
1. Factory Reset as
a. DO NOT wipe the factory data reset
b. Wipe cache and dalvik cache
c. Throw in a wipe of the batt stats too
then
d. Do the factory data reset and let all the caches rebuild as they will
or
2. Factory Reset as
a. Wipe factory data reset
b. Wipe cache and dalvik cache
c. Wipe batt stats
then
d. Backup and Restore>>Advance Restore>>Original ROM>>Restore system (not the data, cache or any of the other stuff there)
If number 2., then I wonder if that would put me back to OOB (Out Of Box), and if so, would I lose root, have T-mobile...yeah, I like T-mobile for some things - - blame it on Catherine Zeta-Jones time as spokesperson. As long as I have CWM recovery and have backed up from there I can't do anything that would ever leave the phone bricked; and, I can always unlock and root again if needed.
Either 1. or 2. I want to hold those in reserve because I do want to find out how I hide them. They act exactly as though they're disabled, i.e., The icon is gone, but I still get updates (Voice Recorder was updated just a week ago); however, they're only disabled in SenseUI. LauncherPro shows them all, and of course functionally...and remember once I run one of these apps, like Stocks, in LauncherPro, I can then switch to Sense and run it from my recent apps (long press on Home) or the pull down notifications area list of recents.
BTW, You were too gentlemanly to ask, but I clicked a couple, "Thanks" for you today. I was tired and forgot yesterday. We may not solve anything, but I'm enjoying/appreciate the conversaton/thread.
Even though I'm holding on those ideas above, let me know which/what you think of them please, in case I ultimately go that way. I did clear the data in Apps>>Manage for both of the HTC Senses and Rosie. I'll have to look at what's in Rosie though, maybe that holds the key!
As an aside, the first personal web page I made had, "Iron Man" as the background music!
Re: [Q] There must be an answer to show apps
MiCeltic said:
h_m_m,
I did a factory data reset myself before, which I believe is really just an erase of data, and not a real reset (like formatting and reinstalling an OS in a computer). Then of course there was the factory reset that occurred after unlocking and rooting. Neither of those changed anything. I have flashed a CWM recovery after rooting.
Are you saying, boot into recovery:
1. Factory Reset as
a. DO NOT wipe the factory data reset
b. Wipe cache and dalvik cache
c. Throw in a wipe of the batt stats too
then
d. Do the factory data reset and let all the caches rebuild as they will
or
2. Factory Reset as
a. Wipe factory data reset
b. Wipe cache and dalvik cache
c. Wipe batt stats
then
d. Backup and Restore>>Advance Restore>>Original ROM>>Restore system (not the data, cache or any of the other stuff there)
If number 2., then I wonder if that would put me back to OOB (Out Of Box), and if so, would I lose root, have T-mobile...yeah, I like T-mobile for some things - - blame it on Catherine Zeta-Jones time as spokesperson. As long as I have CWM recovery and have backed up from there I can't do anything that would ever leave the phone bricked; and, I can always unlock and root again if needed.
Either 1. or 2. I want to hold those in reserve because I do want to find out how I hide them. They act exactly as though they're disabled, i.e., The icon is gone, but I still get updates (Voice Recorder was updated just a week ago); however, they're only disabled in SenseUI. LauncherPro shows them all, and of course functionally...and remember once I run one of these apps, like Stocks, in LauncherPro, I can then switch to Sense and run it from my recent apps (long press on Home) or the pull down notifications area list of recents.
BTW, You were too gentlemanly to ask, but I clicked a couple, "Thanks" for you today. I was tired and forgot yesterday. We may not solve anything, but I'm enjoying/appreciate the conversaton/thread.
Even though I'm holding on those ideas above, let me know which/what you think of them please, in case I ultimately go that way. I did clear the data in Apps>>Manage for both of the HTC Senses and Rosie. I'll have to look at what's in Rosie though, maybe that holds the key!
As an aside, the first personal web page I made had, "Iron Man" as the background music!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Firstly thanks for the thanks , I love helping people out! Its how I get my kicks
Secondly as long as you have made a nandroid back up in your recovery you are pretty much covered for everything. If I was you I would go for option 2 and wipe the lot. Then let the phone fully boot up and go through the set up. If a full wipe fixes the issue then we at least have a solid starting point to find out what's happened after that little test then restore your back up regardless.
Notes: the factory reset will not remove root or any extra system apps you have installed.
As long as you have the back up done you can always go back to it, allowing you don't destroy the bootloader. But that is highly unlikely as you are still s-on
Also an option to help this might be to use the app titanium back up to back up all your apps data separately, then back up your contacts, SMS ect, and then do a fresh install of a stock rom. Once that is done you could restore your back ups manually and go from there
I must say though this is a very odd case indeed, I'm pretty stumped as to how you have managed this without root
Tapped out from my sexy nexus 7
Re: [Q] There must be an answer to show apps
I have been looking into this more and it turns out sense hides some system app icons by default. Such as the camcorder, as we already have the camera app. Can you post a list of the apps to cross reference them?
Sent from my HTC Sensation XE with Beats Audio Z715e using xda premium
Sorry h_m_m, I didn't get an email notice of your reply on the 24th. Stocks and Voice Recorder are 2 definite ones. They don't show in Sense, but do in LP, and are discussed in the T-mobile HTC Wildfire S manual. I did notice in LP that there are some that I'm not sure I ever saw.
Re: your 2nd last post, I am 99% sure I did something with SDK, either in recovery or in the emulator...possibly debugging, that could be done without root!? I installed the SDK just short of one month after getting the phone. I really believe this was an article/tutorial by a programmer/developer that just walked me through. I felt OK using my computer skills in things like Visual Basic, SQL, and so on, but I was nervous because it was my 1st smartphone.
Anyway, in the last few days I've decompiled Rosie.apk to see if there was anything I could recognize or reason in the Manifest or Resources, but no clue there. I decompiled the Stock.apk from my WFS and one from a Hero to compare, again specific to the rosie/htc launcher, but nothing. I decompiled the htcSoundRecorder, no joy, Calculator (shows, but for comparison) - no joy. I have not done anything with the .odex files...maybe the tutorial I followed set something in those smali/java files, BUT, I don't see evidence on the computer I use for all this, of Eclipse or the JDK...only Java FX 2.1, but it's install coincides with the install of Google's Chrome browser, which uses it.
I believe this info is so obscure (except to ROM developers, I'm sure) because a lot of phones after Gingerbread got the menu option in the app drawer to hide icon shortcuts. So I'm going to keep this post in my favs and hope I get any email notifications if someone posts; and, search for articles now and then, but get back to living and leave this obsession behind...but not forgotten.
Hopefully I'll find something, come back and post it and even get a thanks for an interesting article and providing some obscure information!.
Oh, and I'll try option 2. from a couple posts ago before I take off flashing a bunch of ROMs, or after I delete stuff from this one and make a 2nd backup...like we rooted for! Clicked a couple more thanks too.
Re: [Q] There must be an answer to show apps
MiCeltic said:
..........
I believe this info is so obscure (except to ROM developers, I'm sure) because a lot of phones after Gingerbread got the menu option in the app drawer to hide icon shortcuts. So I'm going to keep this post in my favs and hope I get any email notifications if someone posts; and, search for articles now and then, but get back to living and leave this obsession behind...but not forgotten.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's probably the best plan at this point sorry I couldn't help out more, but you have totally baffled me with this one just goes to show that the sdk can do far more than it lets on still, I hope one day you find that illusive tutorial and post it here
PS, gave you some thanks
Sent from my HTC Sensation XE with Beats Audio Z715e using xda premium
Hey h_m_m,
Thanks for the thanks!
I had time Sunday and I found some info and fixed them to show! I used search terms based on your statement that HTC hides some apps by default and found an article that referenced the, "/system/customize/mns/default.xml" file that contained a function, "applications_hide". So without getting into what I might do or might have done previously in the SDK, and since I was rooted, I just copied the file to my sdcard, attached to a computer and opened it in Notepad (needed to use the computer because it's well over 2000 lines in the file with no speed scrolling in es file explorer), changed (as one example):
<set name="plenty" max="7">
<item name="package">com.htc.android.Stock</item>
<item name="class">com.htc.android.Stock.StockWidget</item>
</set>
to
<!--<set name="plenty" max="7">
<item name="package">com.htc.android.Stock</item>
<item name="class">com.htc.android.Stock.StockWidget</item>
</set>-->
saved the file, mounted the file system using ES File Explorer and copied the file, then pasted it back in the, "/system/customize/mns/" folder. I commented the lines out so they wouldn't run and would still be there for history (instead of deleting the lines), and commented the code with a statement, <!--uncomment to hide the app's shortcut icon in the app drawer--> so that if I ever looked back I'd have info on it. I also did the same with the Sound Recorder, Voice Dialer, and WiFi (all at the same time as Stocks).
I did a factory reset and the shortcuts showed! This file, after all, sets the defaults. Well it didn't end there. I lost root. The su binary was still in it's folder(s) but Titanium Backup, ES File Explorer, and Super User wouldn't run...or rather wouldn't stop searching for root. It was like the su binary wasn't registered in the system; long story short, I re-flashed root.zip and all was right once more. The interesting thing is I had opened and abandoned this, "default.xml" file a couple times because it was so long and tedious to scroll through on the phone!
You can see a sample, "default.xml" for Gingerbread on code.google at http://code.google.com/p/warm-ginge...e/trunk/system/customize/MNS/default.xml?r=34 just stop the script if you get a pop-up. It's about 1/4 of the way down, or just do a find for, "applications_hide". There's only 2 things hid in that example file. ***Note that default is misspelled as defeault, but it seems to parse...it's in my phone's file that way too. I'd be cautious about opening that site on a phone browser, it seems to want to run on my computer when I open it.
What's the advantage of this? It could show apps or enable features that someone might like. This file sets all the defaults present OOB or after a factory reset, i.e., bookmarks, what I call sample app shortcuts and widgets on the screens, wallpaper, the 4 stocks in the stocks app, etc., etc., so those could be modified if desired as well. Proceed at own risk!
Clicking more thanks h_m_m! I don't know how long this would have taken without your feedback and input.
Re: [Q] There must be an answer to show apps
That is great news man I'm glad you got sorted and posted your findings here that's really interesting, and good to know
Tapped out from my sexy nexus 7