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Ok forum, so I got this idea: because a lot of people ask for CWM packages of this and that, why not let them create CWM flashable stuff without having to beg devs or other users to make them?
I think it saves them (yes, I am talking about YOU!) and us the trouble. So I created these two base CWM flashable zips to get everyone started:
Data_Skeleton.zip - Used for apps that you can uninstall afterwards.
System_Skeleton.zip - Used for anything that should be installed as a system app
Now, a short guide on how to use them:
1. Download the appropriate ZIP for what you plan to package. If you want to make a regular app package use Data_Skeleton.zip, for system apps, use System_Skeleton.zip.
2. Open the zip file with anything else other than Windows Explorer! Use 7zip, winzip, winrar or anything else, just not Explorer!
3. Look inside the zip! DO NOT DELETE ANYTHING! All you need to do is ADD STUFF!
4. Browse into the "data" or "system" zip folders, then down into the "app" folder inside.
5. After you get to the "app" folder, copy and paste the APKs you want to flash in the folder.
REMEMBER: do not DELETE anything! ADD APK files ONLY in the "app" folder.
6. Wait for the APK files you copy to get added to the archive.
7. Close the archive.
8. Rename and copy the archive to your SD card.
9. Boot into CWM and flash the copied zip file you just created.
10. Enjoy!!
Sooooo, quick 10-step process into cooking you own CWM Zips. You can do much more with them than flashing apps, but for general purpose usage, this should be enough!
Thanks and complaints go underneath.
PS: this idea was given to me by lambstone in a separate thread! Thanks a lot mate!!!
Peace,
C.
Nice thread, waiting for other..............
There's market apps that does this I.e apps2zip
Sent from my LG-P999 using Tapatalk 2 Beta-2
Ayysr,
App2zip works well for this purpose, but only when it works. There are apps that can't be zipped correctly, mainly those that rely on libs, media and/or other files that can't be included automagically. Needless to say that some apps (mainly games and such) store data on the SD card.
All of this can be easily accomplished by copying the files in a zip file; also learning something about Android in the process, wouldn't you say?
Peace,
C.
cheatman said:
Ayysr,
App2zip works well for this purpose, but only when it works. There are apps that can't be zipped correctly, mainly those that rely on libs, media and/or other files that can't be included automagically. Needless to say that some apps (mainly games and such) store data on the SD card.
All of this can be easily accomplished by copying the files in a zip file; also learning something about Android in the process, wouldn't you say?
Peace,
C.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Your right, I was not trying to deny your effort in any way
Sent from my LG-P999 using Tapatalk 2 Beta-2
I actually wasn't expecting anyone to comment on this thread to begin with
The fact that you mentioned app2zip is perfect! I know the intent is not to deny my effort, in fact, I am happy new information surfaced because it's useful and appropriate.
Very few contribute to such posts with relevant info for others. I think this is the point: sharing insightful and relevant stuff with others. But judging by the number of thanks you have, you already know this very well already
So, thanks! And glad to have you in my thread
Peace,
C.
cheatman said:
I actually wasn't expecting anyone to comment on this thread to begin with
The fact that you mentioned app2zip is perfect! I know the intent is not to deny my effort, in fact, I am happy new information surfaced because it's useful and appropriate.
Very few contribute to such posts with relevant info for others. I think this is the point: sharing insightful and relevant stuff with others. But judging by the number of thanks you have, you already know this very well already
So, thanks! And glad to have you in my thread
Peace,
C.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
have trying to put 5 apk files on data/app exactly doing what it's in your post, then rename it to apk.zip, but when i'm trying flashing from cwm it's geting error
E:Can't open /sdcard/apk.zip
(bad)
Installation aborted
do I miss something??
edit: i'm using data_skeleton.zip
Make sure you don't extract the ZIP. Open it and add files. If you extract it, you get that error message (usually). That is a problem related to the unzip process in CWM, it's not very "compatible"
I have also re-upped the DATA CWM zip, maybe it got borked in the process. So download again from first post. It works on my tab. You can test it by just getting the zip and flashing it empty, like that.
cheatman said:
Make sure you don't extract the ZIP. Open it and add files. If you extract it, you get that error message (usually). That is a problem related to the unzip process in CWM, it's not very "compatible"
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No dude, I do not extract the zip file, I do exzctly what you said in 1st post, just open it with winrar, look for Data-app, then adding apk files on app section/folder inside the zip files, i just try once again to make sure, and i just add 1 different apk file, but still not work, btw i always use this same method before when I' want to replace boot animation for ICS CM9 ROM and adding some apk file to ROM file, and it's always work.
cheatman said:
I have also re-upped the DATA CWM zip, maybe it got borked in the process. So download again from first post. It works on my tab. You can test it by just getting the zip and flashing it empty, like that.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
will try this one..,
EDIT: have try your 2nd Data_skeleton.zip, it's work when flashing from cwm with or without add apk files, but not with previous zip file, thought the problem it's coming from your zip file..,
Glad the second one works!
Thanks for letting me know the first zip was borked!
Its a good thread man, makes creating flash able zips simple, you should also look into zipsigner2 on the play market
Sent from my LG-P999 using Tapatalk 2 Beta-2
Thx for the great work!!
Does this one only works for apks?? say i would like to add some files to system/bin or system/lib what do i need to add??
Thx again
You need to create the appropriate folder structure on your PC/Laptop/Mac drive (system/bin or system/lib as per your example) and add it to the archive.
Do not create the folders directly inside the archive as they seem to get borked. Instead archive the folders after you create them locally. It also works if you extract the skeleton archive as an example, delete the "system" folder from inside it and add to the archive the system folder from your drive to replace the original one.
Sounds more complicated than it is. With these CWM Zips you can create any zip that changes either "/data/*" or "/system/*"
Anything, including full ROMs, libs, firmware etc (i.e. except kernel!) can go inside. Play with them. You can't mess your tab with them. Worst case, you need to flash again your ICS copy and factory reset...
Peace,
C.
yeah jejeje i just mess up i am trying to flash a sound driver for my phone (by the way it works in my live with walkman) but they are not working so.
but it is great because i was able to use your file to flash my phone it seems to be universal.
thx again for your work.
Is it possible for this to work for radio images?
Sent from my Nexus S 4G using Tapatalk 2 Beta-5
No, it can't be used for radio images.
First off, radio images need to be flashed (i.e. not copied to a folder as this script does) and secondly because as far as I know with the latest versions of CWM don't support this anymore.
The old zips used to flash radio don't seem to be supported anymore. I recently encountered this problem while flashing a friend's HTC Buzz/Wildfire. So, no, I have no idea how to flash radio using CWM anymore. You can flash using Odin, though...
Peace,
C.
cheatman said:
You need to create the appropriate folder structure on your PC/Laptop/Mac drive (system/bin or system/lib as per your example) and add it to the archive.
Do not create the folders directly inside the archive as they seem to get borked. Instead archive the folders after you create them locally. It also works if you extract the skeleton archive as an example, delete the "system" folder from inside it and add to the archive the system folder from your drive to replace the original one.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ah, this explains how come my /system/app zips were coming out fine but my /system/framework were messed up, thanks for the explanation.
I wonder if it's possible for a small tutorial in how to add our own text to a zip when it's being flashed.
I guess I could reupload the zips without the intro section (stating my nickname and galaxy tab / version etc.) if I weren't so lazy...
The problem with changing the text is that although a tutorial can be made, it requires external tools and such, which would make this waaay to complicated and out of the scope of this thread.
For your purposes (I assume you are using some version of Windows), here's my advice: extract the Zip archive, look for the "updater-script" file, change it and make sure you run it through a "dos2unix" tool to convert CR/LFs. Then add it back to the archive.
To everyone else: if this doesn't work for you, just stick to adding apps to the zip. You should be safe, there's no need to edit any files anyway!
Peace,
C.
Great, apparently it was just that simple, worked great, <3
Dumb question - is this only for Galaxy tab? Or can I use it on my Captivate?
Hi there,
I have some previous backups (nandroid.md5) files and I would like to explore them in order to retreive some files.
I am looking for a way through mac or win 7. I do not want to restore te back up version.
Any ideas ?
I don't know about files but you can get apps from a nandroid via appextractor
And PLZ!!!!!! QUESTIONS IN THE GENERAL SECTION...... EVEN IF THEY ARE DEV RELATED!!!
The md5 contains only the files' checksum which is used to check if is corrupt or not. You really can't extract any information from them.
The main content lies in the other files.
You can use unyaffs to extract and view the files.
The sd-ext partition is backed up in tar format so you extract it using tar.
Sent from my Wildfire S
Search the market (play store)
'nandroid browser'
Great tool for extracting single files/folders from a nandroid backup without restoring.
It's been very usefully for me.
sorry guys my mistake.
I need to retrieve all camera photos from a backup image.
I just noticed that the md5 file is too small to contain images and I found some .img files.
Is there a way I can extract them straight to my pc and not from the phone?
I find it hard to locate the files through nandroid browser.
Thanks a lot for you help and apologise for the incovenience.
ThoDis said:
sorry guys my mistake.
I need to retrieve all camera photos from a backup image.
I just noticed that the md5 file is too small to contain images and I found some .img files.
Is there a way I can extract them straight to my pc and not from the phone?
I find it hard to locate the files through nandroid browser.
Thanks a lot for you help and apologise for the incovenience.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Your camera pictures are saved to the sdcard and not a nandroid backup look in the DCIM folder on your SD card :thumbup:
Sent from my HTC Wildfire S A510e using Tapatalk 2
i installed "4.0.3 Leak On Screen Buttons" which was in zip having two folders
1 - meta- inf [which has a com folder (with files in it update-binary and updater-script) and with three files CERT.RSA, MANIFEST.MF and CERT.SF]
2 - system (in it framework-res.apk)
so i installed this zip via cwm, but i didn't liked the concept as it wasn't looking good,etc
so as i had already backed up my original framework-res.apk , so using root explorer i moved it back in sys/framework folder
restarted my phone and all got fine....
Though my question is as those files : update-binary and updater-script ---- CERT.RSA, MANIFEST.MF and CERT.SF are not searchable and i guess should not be deleted as they were just updated .. so still would they be impacting my phone or its all kool as i havn't been able to search them or delete them ?!
is it important to find and delete them or its no need for that and its ok ?!
Hope someone understands what i am trying to ask and reply appropriately please i would highly appreciate the same!
Think them like busybox (so you can mount delete etc)
And script file, that includes commands to do.
Every cwm zip files includes them. when you install zip file, these commands executed.
Sent from my LT18i using xda premium
eryen said:
Think them like busybox (so you can mount delete etc)
And script file, that includes commands to do.
Every cwm zip files includes them. when you install zip file, these commands executed.
Sent from my LT18i using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Awesome!
Just ease me by telling that so its nothing but just used for commands, so i need not to be worried for them could be hampering my phone's performance ?!
a yes answer will do
eryen said:
Think them like busybox (so you can mount delete etc)
And script file, that includes commands to do.
Every cwm zip files includes them. when you install zip file, these commands executed.
Sent from my LT18i using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
shantusingh said:
Awesome!
Just ease me by telling that so its nothing but just used for commands, so i need not to be worried for them could be hampering my phone's performance ?!
a yes answer will do
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just to clarify,
That folder contains the Zip signatures and file manifests. as well as the CWM controll scripts. ect. these should never be coppied to the phone on a flash. likewise if you edit them the zip will prob not work without resigning the zip.
Pvy.
pvyParts said:
Just to clarify,
these should never be coppied to the phone on a flash. likewise if you edit them the zip will prob not work without resigning the zip.
Pvy.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
thank you for your reply but now this got way over my head, m not that deep into this stuff so would appreciate if i get a simple answer to my question only please?
like asked in first post that i installed this zip via cwm, but i didn't liked the concept as it wasn't looking good,etc
so as i had already backed up my original framework-res.apk , so using root explorer i moved it back in sys/framework folder
restarted my phone and all got fine....
Though my question is as those files : update-binary and updater-script ---- CERT.RSA, MANIFEST.MF and CERT.SF are not searchable and i guess should not be deleted as they were just updated .. So still would they be impacting my phone or its all kool evn if as i havn't been able to search them and delete them ?!
is it important to find and delete them or its no need for that and its all ok now as i just moved the original framework back ?!
shantusingh said:
thank you for your reply but now this got way over my head, m not that deep into this stuff so would appreciate if i get a simple answer to my question only please?
like asked in first post that i installed this zip via cwm, but i didn't liked the concept as it wasn't looking good,etc
so as i had already backed up my original framework-res.apk , so using root explorer i moved it back in sys/framework folder
restarted my phone and all got fine....
Though my question is as those files : update-binary and updater-script ---- CERT.RSA, MANIFEST.MF and CERT.SF are not searchable and i guess should not be deleted as they were just updated .. So still would they be impacting my phone or its all kool evn if as i havn't been able to search them and delete them ?!
is it important to find and delete them or its no need for that and its all ok now as i just moved the original framework back ?!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sorry if I didn't make it clear.
They are not flashed. Hence you can't find them. So no need to worry.
Pvy.
Sent from my TEAM Powered Arc S
pvyParts said:
Sorry if I didn't make it clear.
They are not flashed. Hence you can't find them. So no need to worry.
Pvy.
Sent from my TEAM Powered Arc S
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Awesome thank you! I understood they just help in probably installing that particular app giving its own correct signatures and file manifests w.e so it gets installed via cwm and nothing more . And as i just backed up my original framework-res.apk to framework folder so its ofcourse all back to normal, though my phone is fine always as it was, I just had this doubt in my mind and m glad it got cleared thanks again!!
Cheers!!
Where did you place the Meta-INF files? I know system files goto system/framework but I cant find where Meta-INF files go. I'm using a root file manager.
chipdawg said:
Where did you place the Meta-INF files? I know system files goto system/framework but I cant find where Meta-INF files go. I'm using a root file manager.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You are not correct about the system files. And I recommend you do some more reading on how these zips work.
Metainf is FOR THE ZIP. And has been prety well explained above.
Pvy
Sent from my GT-P5110 using Tapatalk 2
Hi,
I have several wallpaper.zip-files. Everytime I change or update my rom, I have to install each of them seperately via CWM which gets a bit annoying. Is there a way to combine these zip-Files, so that I have only to flash one file, not three or four?
Thank you!
provide the zips you want to combince
I can do it as soon I can access my main PC again. How do you want to do it? Is there a way I can do it for myself?
Thank you
simplest way is to open system folder of 1 zip and put all stuff of system folders of other zip into that zip and then flash. EASY.
Is this working, even there are separate folders in each zip-file?
Provide the zip files here. I'll combine them and let you know how I did it...I have to see the file structure first for that
Cheers,
AJ
Abhinav2 said:
Provide the zip files here. I'll combine them and let you know how I did it...I have to see the file structure first for that
Cheers,
AJ
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Nice man.. would the process you would be opting be same for combining flashable modules? Currently I have to flash 3 different zips..
morfys said:
Nice man.. would the process you would be opting be same for combining flashable modules? Currently I have to flash 3 different zips..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
only one Updater-script will be present and one system(or data) folder and in it the folder structure of your wallpaper is copied.
mnishamk said:
only one Updater-script will be present and one system(or data) folder and in it the folder structure of your wallpaper is copied.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Will the Metadata need to be changed to include the updates we would be including?
Hi all, I'm using M9 (CID - 621, Software no - 2.10.709.1). My phone installed TWRP and rooted.
But I've backuped the stock firmware (Unroot) of HTC M9 via TWRP.
I want to make sure myself about some issues with OTA update.
Let's suppose if I found my correct recovery (with correct CID no. and Software no. Eg- HTC__621, 2.10.709.1 thanks to flippy498 from http://forum.xda-developers.com/one-m9/general/stock-nand-backup-ota-update-collection-t3132698 and I restored the stock firmware (that I backuped earlier) to my phone, would my phone be able to get OTA update?? or not???
if not where can I find my phone's RUU ??
winkhant said:
Hi all, I'm using M9 (CID - 621, Software no - 2.10.709.1). My phone installed TWRP and rooted.
But I've backuped the stock firmware (Unroot) of HTC M9 via TWRP.
I want to make sure myself about some issues with OTA update.
Let's suppose if I found my correct recovery (with correct CID no. and Software no. Eg- HTC__621, 2.10.709.1 thanks to flippy498 from http://forum.xda-developers.com/one-m9/general/stock-nand-backup-ota-update-collection-t3132698 and I restored the stock firmware (that I backuped earlier) to my phone, would my phone be able to get OTA update?? or not???
if not where can I find my phone's RUU ??
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There are no working RUUs for the 2.XX.XXX.X firmware versions (yet). Take a look at my google sheet (a link can be found in my signature). There you find working backups and the needed instructions for restoring the ability of installing OTAs.
Flippy498 said:
There are no working RUUs for the 2.XX.XXX.X firmware versions (yet). Take a look at my google sheet (a link can be found in my signature). There you find working backups and the needed instructions for restoring the ability of installing OTAs.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for your reply. I'm noob in this field so let me ask one question
06. Copy the unzipped backup folder to "TWRP/BACKUPS/<YourSerialnumber>/"on your SD card. I can not understand in this step
My TWRP backup folder contain too many files
(eg - boot.emmc.win, boot.emmc.win.md5, data.ext4.win000 etc)
So, must I delete this all files and replace with the downloaded backup???
winkhant said:
Thanks for your reply. I'm noob in this field so let me ask one question
06. Copy the unzipped backup folder to "TWRP/BACKUPS/<YourSerialnumber>/"on your SD card. I can not understand in this step
My TWRP backup folder contain too many files
(eg - boot.emmc.win, boot.emmc.win.md5, data.ext4.win000 etc)
So, must I delete this all files and replace with the downloaded backup???
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You don't have to delete your backup. If it contains at least a boot image, a system image and the stock recovery of a not-rooted system that is mounted as read-only then you can use it with my instructions, too. The thing is that I do know that my backups work whereas I'm not sure about your one as I do not know under which circustances you created it.
I wrote my instructions with all information people need to know if they downloaded my backups . Step 6 is only a continuation of Step 4 and 5. All in all those three say: Download the correct (zipped) backup. Unzip it. Copy the folder that was placed inside the zip file to the right directory.
Flippy498 said:
You don't have to delete your backup. If it contains at least a boot image, a system image and the stock recovery of a not-rooted system that is mounted as read-only then you can use it with my instructions, too. The thing is that I do know that my backups work whereas I'm not sure about your one as I do not know under which circustances you created it.
I wrote my instructions with all information people need to know if they downloaded my backups . Step 6 is only a continuation of Step 4 and 5. All in all those three say: Download the correct (zipped) backup. Unzip it. Copy the folder that was placed inside the zip file to the right directory.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Very thank you. Now I understand. really thanks