Develop Bugs

[Solved] Any way to access an apk file immediately after flashing?

I'm not sure if this is possible as ICS has no built in file manager, but is there anywhere I can put an apk file that it would be accessible without one? Specifically I want to be able to open an apk to install a file manager as the first thing I do after flashing a rom, to avoid needing to go through the market.
I thought maybe I could leave it in sdcard/download but it seems like the downloads program is blind to anything in that folder that wasn't officially "downloaded". (I suppose I could upload one to my dropbox and download it via the browser, if there are no viable options). Also made a few stabs at getting the gallery program to show one but it seems to filter out anything that's not a picture or video.
Any ideas for places to stick an apk and get one of the stock programs to let me open it?

maybe email it to yourself?
but you would have to log into the email app to do that
but there isnt really anyway to access the file without a file explorer

Open your favourite rom zip, add your apk to /system/app, save the zip, push that zip to the phone, flash.

Peesashiz said:
maybe email it to yourself?
but you would have to log into the email app to do that
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah in general I'm trying to cut out the step of signing into anything and just restoring my apps from a backup before I need to cancel automatic restore functions (which I do want on and running once I do my own initial run of things).
bk201doesntexist said:
Open your favourite rom zip, add your apk to /system/app, save the zip, push that zip to the phone, flash.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm guessing this comes with the consequence of raising any apk added in this manner to system app level? Not that I distrust the apps I'd have in mind for this to do anything malicious themselves, but is there any danger of opening security holes by elevating apps not designed to be system apps?

What I've done many times is just enabling Air Plane as soon as I can after flashing a ROM. That's way I can install any apk I want.
Hope it helps.

heo_con184 said:
What I've done many times is just enabling Air Plane as soon as I can after flashing a ROM. That's way I can install any apk I want.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hmm but then what is your method for getting to that apk? If you do it over wifi that seems to defeat the point, no?
Personally I've found that it works just fine to uncheck the boxes for recovery syncing during the setup process, and then just re-enabling them later in settings. (Alternately, not signing into my google account at all until I've performed a backup). That way even if I end up signing into the market to download a recovery app, it doesn't automatically try to re-download everything else on its own.
I'm starting to think that my dropbox solution will be the cleanest, as it'll be a simple step of opening the browser and downloading a single apk every time at the same link.
I bet that the inclusion of a basic file explorer will be one of those headline items in a future android release. A nice basic functionality that the bloggers can rehash to death before anything actually hits.

Download the file manager apk over wifi and install the APK via download manager.
I do it all the time with Chinese android tablets with no market access.
Or Bluetooth it from another device.
Or just use the market
LTE EX Galaxy Nexus - 4.0.3 AOSP
Asus Transformer - Revolver OC/UV

JoeSyr said:
Hmm but then what is your method for getting to that apk? If you do it over wifi that seems to defeat the point, no?
Personally I've found that it works just fine to uncheck the boxes for recovery syncing during the setup process, and then just re-enabling them later in settings. (Alternately, not signing into my google account at all until I've performed a backup). That way even if I end up signing into the market to download a recovery app, it doesn't automatically try to re-download everything else on its own.
I'm starting to think that my dropbox solution will be the cleanest, as it'll be a simple step of opening the browser and downloading a single apk every time at the same link.
I bet that the inclusion of a basic file explorer will be one of those headline items in a future android release. A nice basic functionality that the bloggers can rehash to death before anything actually hits.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Transfer by USB from my laptop.

Is there a way to do that in which the device will launch the apk you move over? When I copy files over usb, it only ever puts them into whatever directory, and I need a file explorer to interact with them on the phone. And then I'm back to square one, as far as this particular task is concerned (once things are up and running I just use the LAN option in ES file explorer and it's as convenient as could be).

you have the apk in your computer right?
connect the phone to pc, and use adb to install
'adb install <apk_file_name.apk>'

Ah. I haven't used adb since I first unlocked/rooted a few months ago. Guess it probably pays to be a little familiar with those tools; they don't even occur to me when problem solving these days.

JoeSyr said:
Ah. I haven't used adb since I first unlocked/rooted a few months ago. Guess it probably pays to be a little familiar with those tools; they don't even occur to me when problem solving these days.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
mark thread as solved then, if that solved it

Well a completely in-phone solution would still be nice, but I guess if there were any of those they'd have come up by now.
I'll probably use abd if I'm actively working at my computer and a dropbox download otherwise.

[Q] Cloud (Dropbox, Google Drive, Box.com) Encryption/Decryption

What programs are you using to en-/decrypt files/folders/containers on Windows & Android for i.e. Dropbox, Google Drive, Box.com ?

Boxcryptor

Any multi solutions?

Why have encryption?

you can use any archive format with a password and open it using zArchive, or if you using truecrypt, you can open the container with EDS lite... there's also an app called cryptonite, for boxcryptor alternative...
Or wuala cloud storage, file encryption is done directly on the phone...

esco123 said:
Why have encryption?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
As Jlowe (i think), simply because I do not want companies like Dropbox can have access to some of my private data.
I am ready to pay a service but I do not want to be spied on.
I do not trust Dropbox, Google Drive, Facebook ...
I use them because they are convenient but I'm careful.

Thanks for the answers!
Archives are not a bad idea, but you need first a complete local download and decrypt this, so you need a lot of storage and a fast internet connection.
If you are interested in this you can try also foldersync lite.
The best solution for me is, storing an encrypted folder online and just download the stuff you need.
But there's no program which supports i.e. EncFs for multiple clouds... so w8in
Concerning encryption: Yeah perhaps it's quite senseless, because if you are downloading it from the cloud on your Android mobile phone, at least Google knows everything

Encfs is definitely the way to go. For android we have Cryptonite which is in beta but works rather well on my Nexus s. Needs root probably to mount the encfs. Foldersync has a feature to pre-encrypt for Amazon S3 but this is not free software. On the desktop there are browser extensions for on-the-fly encryption for Google Docs. Maybe one day , Chrome for Android or even Firefox will get this. For now, encfs.

dabl8 said:
Encfs is definitely the way to go. For android we have Cryptonite which is in beta but works rather well on my Nexus s. Needs root probably to mount the encfs. Foldersync has a feature to pre-encrypt for Amazon S3 but this is not free software. On the desktop there are browser extensions for on-the-fly encryption for Google Docs. Maybe one day , Chrome for Android or even Firefox will get this. For now, encfs.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
hi
this works also with stock ics (unlocked and rooted ..)??
thanks

ironia. said:
this works also with stock ics (unlocked and rooted ..)??
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Cryptonite doesn't require root to decrypt local or Dropbox volumes. This should work on all devices with Android >= 2.2.
Mounting local EncFS volumes, on the other hand, requires root and FUSE. Some ICS stock kernels may support that - you'd have to test it. Let me know if it works, I'd be very interested.

htcvidi said:
Boxcryptor
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
ditto
I use the Windows client which maps an R: drive for me on startup on work laptop and also the Android app.
Works a treat and gives me some comfort that I can store work files in the cloud and have access to them when I need outside of the work supplied infrastructure.
---------- Post added at 12:22 PM ---------- Previous post was at 12:14 PM ----------
JLowe said:
Thanks for the answers!
Archives are not a bad idea, but you need first a complete local download and decrypt this, so you need a lot of storage and a fast internet connection.
If you are interested in this you can try also foldersync lite.
The best solution for me is, storing an encrypted folder online and just download the stuff you need.
But there's no program which supports i.e. EncFs for multiple clouds... so w8in
Concerning encryption: Yeah perhaps it's quite senseless, because if you are downloading it from the cloud on your Android mobile phone, at least Google knows everything
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I use Dropsync to transfer a local copy of the encrypted files I have on dropbox onto my external sdcard on the phone. Then I use boxcryptor to access those local files. Works great and can be configured to be a two way mirror if you are likely to alter the files in the phone, I believe but have not tested.

Either Cryptonite or BoxCryptor
If you create secure folder with BoxCryptor FIRST, you can decrypt the same folder with Cryptonite. BoxCryptor has more features but important thing is that if they ever go bust, the open source Cryptonite (Encfs) will still be able to let you access your data.
My setup (rooted phone):
MyData.bc folder on SD card is created by BoxCryptor.
I do mount of encfs volume using Cryptonite and then save all files docs using normal android file explorer to the crytonite.mnt folder. That's where I keep my important files.
That same folder MyData.bc is then synced to Dropbox and Box using FolderSync.
I also use FolderSync to sync some other foolders I encrypt.
Now, important thing for compatibility of your archives is that you keep one .encfs.xml file accross all ancrypted folders. That way, you can move encr. files between various encfs folders and you can still decrypt them using any .encfs.xml file. Just have good, looooong password.

[Q] Where is the File Manager?

Am I missing something? or is there no preinstalled File Manager?
Preinstalled apps, and google apps are the only apps allowed to write/edit to the miceSD card, so why wouldn't HTC install one?
Already regretting getting this phone, since I download a Lot of work files via my phone, and now I'm unable to move them from the downloads folder to the proper folder on the microSD.

Just downloaded one from Google play, loads to choose from.
Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk

UberSlackr said:
Am I missing something? or is there no preinstalled File Manager?
Preinstalled apps, and google apps are the only apps allowed to write/edit to the miceSD card, so why wouldn't HTC install one?
Already regretting getting this phone, since I download a Lot of work files via my phone, and now I'm unable to move them from the downloads folder to the proper folder on the microSD.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.estrongs.android.pop&hl=en_GB
this is the best one on the market never use stock file mangers always this one

jonny68 said:
Just downloaded one from Google play, loads to choose from.
Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The ones I've installed won't let me delete files or move anything to them...

jaythenut said:
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.estrongs.android.pop&hl=en_GB
this is the best one on the market never use stock file mangers always this one
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Will try... Thanks for the suggestion.

jaythenut said:
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.estrongs.android.pop&hl=en_GB
this is the best one on the market never use stock file mangers always this one
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well I tried it, but that app, just like all the other ones on the play store do not let you move files from the phone memory to the microSD.
It won't let you Delete anything either...
All you can do is view the microSD. No writes can be made to it.
Android 4.4 won't let the apps do that anymore. (Unless rooted)

UberSlackr said:
Android 4.4 won't let the apps do that anymore. (Unless rooted)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Then no other File Manager can do it either (without root). Can you delete files when connected to a PC?

EddyOS said:
Then no other File Manager can do it either (without root). Can you delete files when connected to a PC?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes the files on the microSD can be altered via the PC. But apps like airDroid won't work anymore.
Working all the go, I don't have time to stop to plug the phone up to the computer every time I need to move/rename/delete a file.

UberSlackr said:
Yes the files on the microSD can be altered via the PC. But apps like airDroid won't work anymore.
Working all the go, I don't have time to stop to plug the phone up to the computer every time I need to move/rename/delete a file.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
same boat here. I copy via USB2go all the time on my Note 3, and this is crippled for the M8. There's a work around, but you need to unlock the boot loader first, which for me is a pain, since it will reset the phone. I'm pretty OCD and it takes me some time to set everything up the way I like it. At this point, i'm just doing the PC transfer thing.

Upload the files to Google drive and then download to your memory card?
Sent from my HTC One_M8 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app

clax6 said:
Upload the files to Google drive and then download to your memory card?
Sent from my HTC One_M8 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Google Drive saves any downloaded files to the internal memory, under the download folder. And there is no way to change where its saved to (that I know of)
It was just a poor choice of Google to disallow 3rd Party Apps from emaking changes to the external memory. They should have atleast
Made it a requirement for the manufacturer to include a file manager. Or Google them self should have. I understand they trying to push people to use Google Drive, but until data usage is free I won't used Google Drive to save nothing more than Google docs.

UberSlackr said:
Google Drive saves any downloaded files to the internal memory, under the download folder. And there is no way to change where its saved to (that I know of)
It was just a poor choice of Google to disallow 3rd Party Apps from emaking changes to the external memory. They should have atleast
Made it a requirement for the manufacturer to include a file manager. Or Google them self should have. I understand they trying to push people to use Google Drive, but until data usage is free I won't used Google Drive to save nothing more than Google docs.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
A google backed file manager with full write permissions would be awesome, but that would be going against what they are trying to accomplish.

Anyone know of a way to install apps by not using the Package Manager?

Hey all,
So I updated my phone to the DVD v20F ROM the other day and since then I've noticed the install button in the Android package manager doesn't work. If I select an apk, it brings up the list of permissions and the install and uninstall buttons, but only the uninstall button works. If I hit the install button nothing happens, it's like the button has no function assigned to it. Updating apps still works fine though. So does anyone know of a way to install apps to my device without using the Package Manager?
Thanks!

iDefalt said:
Hey all,
So I updated my phone to the DVD v20F ROM the other day and since then I've noticed the install button in the Android package manager doesn't work. If I select an apk, it brings up the list of permissions and the install and uninstall buttons, but only the uninstall button works. If I hit the install button nothing happens, it's like the button has no function assigned to it. Updating apps still works fine though. So does anyone know of a way to install apps to my device without using the Package Manager?
Thanks!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There are few software witch can install application without using phone for that. Also, if you go to google store with your computer and select application to install, it will not require additional clicks on your phone. I think its best way to not install additional software and give permissions, just select applications from play store using your browser.

EmptySD said:
There are few software witch can install application without using phone for that. Also, if you go to google store with your computer and select application to install, it will not require additional clicks on your phone. I think its best way to not install additional software and give permissions, just select applications from play store using your browser.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
He wants to install apps from internal storage not play store I believe.
Try adb commands.

DelBoy said:
He wants to install apps from internal storage not play store I believe.
Try adb commands.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
In case that he want to use app's from store, i think its good solution.
Beside ABD commands, applications like MobileGo can be used. Connect with you computer and install it with double click.

DelBoy said:
He wants to install apps from internal storage not play store I believe.
Try adb commands.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Would you happen to know the adb commands to install a specific .apk file that is stored on my internal storage?
Thanks for the help the both of you!

Copy the app to system folder and set permissions. Then reboot

Try this, it has a built in flasher. Or even flashify from play store
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=org.namelessrom.devicecontrol

Cann't install apps anymore on Pixel 2XL

Hello all,
I cann't find a solution to install apps in sideload on my Pixel 2XL.
It was after flashing version 10 in the beginning of september.
After a lot of trying I give up and hope someone else here can help me.
My Pixel 2XL is unlocked but not rooted.
Normally I do the sideload by transfer an apk to my dropbox. After that I start it up and do what the system tells me.
Nowadays I got a return of a message in dropbox that -it is impossible to open the apk and download an app to open the apk-.
After that I download the apk to my download folder to try again. Then, when trying to startup, I get a popup with the name off the apk, the version nr, the size and packagename.
There is also a button to view apk content. When I push that button the right folders of the apk are indeed visible.
There are also 3 options. One to install, one to go to playstore and one to stop further actions and go back.
When I try to use the button install the result is that nothing happened, no signal, no message from the system, no popup, really nothing.
You all know that this is not what I want. I just want to install the apk. I have tried it with a few other apk's with the same results. :crying:
Before the last OTA upgrade to android 10 it was normal to install with these methods.
Thanks for who can helping me and others for trying to help me.
Greetings.

retaliator said:
Hello all,
I cann't find a solution to install apps in sideload on my Pixel 2XL.
It was after flashing version 10 in the beginning of september.
After a lot of trying I give up and hope someone else here can help me.
My Pixel 2XL is unlocked but not rooted.
Normally I do the sideload by transfer an apk to my dropbox. After that I start it up and do what the system tells me.
Nowadays I got a return of a message in dropbox that -it is impossible to open the apk and download an app to open the apk-.
After that I download the apk to my download folder to try again. Then, when trying to startup, I get a popup with the name off the apk, the version nr, the size and packagename.
There is also a button to view apk content. When I push that button the right folders of the apk are indeed visible.
There are also 3 options. One to install, one to go to playstore and one to stop further actions and go back.
When I try to use the button install the result is that nothing happened, no signal, no message from the system, no popup, really nothing.
You all know that this is not what I want. I just want to install the apk. I have tried it with a few other apk's with the same results. :crying:
Before the last OTA upgrade to android 10 it was normal to install with these methods.
Thanks for who can helping me and others for trying to help me.
Greetings.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Have you enabled install apps from unknown sources? You'll also need to enable apps to install apps from what I can see in android 10. If you pull up an apps indignation you can expand the options and there will be an option to allow it to install apps, which Dropbox may need. The first one needs to be enabled to install apks from the download folder.

wgrant said:
Have you enabled install apps from unknown sources? You'll also need to enable apps to install apps from what I can see in android 10. If you pull up an apps indignation you can expand the options and there will be an option to allow it to install apps, which Dropbox may need. The first one needs to be enabled to install apks from the download folder.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for helping me.
I did all these settings before.
Now I tried to open another filemanager (Google Files) and that did the job.
I don't know why installing in dropbox or installing in es file explorer doesn't do the same with equal settings.
Maybe an idea to uninstall and re-install these apps?
Anyway, a lot of thanks for your answer.
grts

retaliator said:
Thanks for helping me.
I did all these settings before.
Now I tried to open another filemanager (Google Files) and that did the job.
I don't know why installing in dropbox or installing in es file explorer doesn't do the same with equal settings.
Maybe an idea to uninstall and re-install these apps?
Anyway, a lot of thanks for your answer.
grts
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Android 10, install from unknown sources is like an app permission now, you have to grant it to things like chrome (download apk and install) and file managers rather than a global setting for phone. Safer as you trust an app o do it rather than letting some malware in background filling your phone with crap.

retaliator said:
Maybe an idea to uninstall and re-install these apps?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Uninstalling and reinstalling will not work, as I've done that with my modded version of ES File Explorer. This is a change in Android itself.
Go to Settings > Apps & Notifications > Special App Access > Install Unknown Apps. A list of apps will appear. Select an app and toggle the switch.
NOTE: Dropbox is on the list, but at least on my device my modded version of ES File Explorer is not.