Develop Bugs

Gmail and Market blocked in China

Hi All,
I'm one of the unlucky ones stuck in the middle of the power struggle between the Chinese government and Google, and having my Gmail and Market rights rescinded (I only bought the damn phone yesterday!). Having scanned the forums here, it appears that one way in which I can log into the Gmail service and Market on my phone is to edit my hosts file. However, despite the fact my phone is rooted, and that I can pull, and edit, the hosts file, I CANNOT push it back onto the device. It just doesn't appear back in the folder, and after I have reset the device, the original, unedited hosts file makes an unwelcome reappearance. I've tried the adb stuff through Terminal on my Mac, editing it through Astro and through Estrongs File Manager, and it fails each time. I'm just stumped. I would love to get this sorted out if anyone else can help me?
Cheers!

Sorry, but bump!
Anyone out there help? In a similar boat?

me too!
I am having the same exact problem.
hxxp://hiapk.com/bbs/thread-278678-1-1.html
maybe this is a solution but I can't read chinese!

I could weep....
I can read Chinese, and have followed the instructions TO THE LETTER (it says to use Root Explorer, mount the file system as read/write, change the file, mount again to read only, and reboot). Every time I do, the hosts file just simply vanishes from the file list. I reboot the phone, connect to Wifi, and the damned original hosts file reappears again. Can anyone help??????

Try this one...
it just fixed my phone!
thread-279911-1-1.html

Could you post that link again? It didn't come through properly.
Thanks

Same problem here .
Live in shanghai . Stuck with my desire phone.

It works!!!!!!!!!!
Stick this file I've attached to this post on the root of your SD card. Boot into recovery. Install the zip (no need to wipe). Reboot, and your phone works!
edit: oh, and thanks ensup for pointing me in the right direction!

Thanks !!!!! it works for me also

is there someone in shanghai who can help me in this booting stuff of htc desire phone .
not good in this new mobile tech. world .

Pls can u tell me how do u stick the file into the boot of the sd card . Thx
I just figured out how to boot recovery by some other site .

I have android 2.1 in my desire . how can i root it just to change hosts files?

Cocytan said:
It works!!!!!!!!!!
Stick this file I've attached to this post on the root of your SD card. Boot into recovery. Install the zip (no need to wipe). Reboot, and your phone works!
edit: oh, and thanks ensup for pointing me in the right direction!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What does this file exactly do?

LOL ... The GREAT WALL of China ...

Gmail and Google services are workable from this thur in China

Cocytan said:
It works!!!!!!!!!!
Stick this file I've attached to this post on the root of your SD card. Boot into recovery. Install the zip (no need to wipe). Reboot, and your phone works!
edit: oh, and thanks ensup for pointing me in the right direction!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Can anyone help? how to install the zip if I boot into recovery module and I only see update.zip and NOT FIX_hosts.zip?
Thanks in advance

vennstrom said:
Can anyone help? how to install the zip if I boot into recovery module and I only see update.zip and NOT FIX_hosts.zip?
Thanks in advance
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
you go to install .zip from sd card, then choose .zip from sd card

Managed to find how (I'm using GOT OR)
Just put the file in update folder of Open Recovery, boot to GOT OR go find miscellaneous and find the update file there...run it.
and it gave "error (status 4)"
___________________________________________________________
Tried manually replacing the host file using root explorer...doesn't work as well.
____________________________________________________________
using WiFi without the host file is fine, everything work normal..but not through mobile network..
GFW huh...

[Q] What is the location of the pushed OTA update?

So last night I received the official OTA update on my phone. I'm not really ready for it (mainly because Lockpicker doesn't work on 2.2 yet).
Anyway, I digress. Anyone know the physical location of the update.zip file is downloaded to? The one on the root of my sd card is way too small to be the right one. I've searched through the directories with Astro File Manager and came up empty. It's on there though. I just can't seem to find it.
I just want to move the file for future use. The dialog box to update is already getting on my nerves and the day just started.
On a side note, is it safe to assume my update will fail with any changes I have made to the system folders? I haven't done a lot but I know I have done a few things. I may end up just going the RUU route when I'm ready. I think I've just renamed some bogus apps (City ID, etc.), updated the kernel to allow wireless tethering, installed boot animations with sound, and updated the splash screen after enabling S-OFF. I'm going to try and restore as much as I can to stock up ultimately will probably forgotten something I did. The boot animations and splash screen are probably not part of the update checksum, right?

I believe it's in /cache. I'm not 100% sure though, never actually had to check, just what i've heard. Try using root explorer and checking.

tcberg2010 said:
I believe it's in /cache. I'm not 100% sure though, never actually had to check, just what i've heard. Try using root explorer and checking.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Is Root Explorer really better than ASTRO File Manager? Would it allow me to access this directory? ASTRO File Manager didn't see anything due to rights probably. Root Explorer nice but I'm not sure if it's worth the cash. Worth it?
I was able to pull the via adb by mounting the system.
Thanks for the help. The location was dead on.

Any ideas of what files I can delete other than the .zip file? I deleted the zip file but still am getting the update dialog.

Out of curiosity, does anyone know that update.zip can be used on any Incredible, or is there some sort of authentication process?

Any Droid Incredible that is at the proper level can use the update. Same as getting it Over The Air.

Does anyone know what files I should delete in the /cache folder to get rid of whatever files the OTA pushed? It tried to update but failed and am trying to get rid of all traces of it.
Thanks.

8e5ad8d6ea2d.OTA_IncredibleC_Verizon_WWE_3.21.605.1_1.22.605.2_release_sign.zip

What folder is that in?

zmanzbo said:
What folder is that in?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's in /cache, as stated in Post #2 of this thread. You can access it with Root Explorer, which is cool, or via adb in shell by mounting the system folder.

[How-to] Disable OTA updates on Stock + Rooted ROMs

1. Download FOTAKill.apk and copy to your Phone/SD
2. Use a root explorer (such as ES Explorer) to copy the file to /system/app
3. If the update already downloaded, delete it from /cache
4. reboot
*Credit for the apk goes to the CM team and or whoever creates the gapps packages!
Alternate method if you have a custom recovery *E4GT ONLY*:
1. Download the Disable.OTA.Updates.zip file and flash in CWM (this will install fotakill and clear cach for you)
*Thanks to tdunham for alternate method!

Screenshot 1: FOTAKill.apk in the /system/app folder
Screenshot 2/3: Checking for updates on EL29 shows I am up to date
Been running my phone this way for a few days and have had no update prompts since I followed the steps in the OP.
BTW, EL29 gives CRAZY good battery life after getting use to the high drain on FF18/AOSP.

works great thanks

My system/app is a read only folder, how do I change the permission so I can paste the apk to the app folder?

eversavage said:
My system/app is a read only folder, how do I change the permission so I can paste the apk to the app folder?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You need to be rooted and use a file manager (I use File Manager from the market) that supports root write access. Then set write access on the root and system folder from within the file manager settings. Then you can copy the files to the /system/app folder

eversavage said:
My system/app is a read only folder, how do I change the permission so I can paste the apk to the app folder?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I had to grant Superuser permission to my ES File Explorer program to allow me to copy the apk file to my /system/apps directory.

Fotakill did not work for me. OTA kept popping up. There is a zip file here on xda that you flash and finally fixed it. No more OTA.
Sent from my SPH-D710 using Tapatalk 2

montecristo1 said:
Fotakill did not work for me. OTA kept popping up. There is a zip file here on xda that you flash and finally fixed it. No more OTA.
Sent from my SPH-D710 using Tapatalk 2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Glad you found a solution that works for you.
I will say my method has been applied for over a week with no update prompts so it seems to be a successful solution for me and others.
Sent from my SPH-D710 using xda app-developers app

@montechristo1:
Which zip do you mean? I am also looking for a working solution for my Samsung Galaxy Tab 2 P3113..
Thanks Ohm66
GFotakill did not work for me. OTA kept popping up. There is a zip file here on xda that you flash and finally fixed it. No more OTA
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

What would the name of the folder be called in /cache? I am not sure if the update was downloaded or not. TIA.

Can someone explain how this works exactly? What is it doing to stop the notifications? Will this prevent me from being bugged to update to FH13 from FF18? -Grand

grandmastem said:
Can someone explain how this works exactly? What is it doing to stop the notifications? Will this prevent me from being bugged to update to FH13 from FF18? -Grand
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The apk was part of all gapps packages used on aosp roms such as CM7. However I noticed it was removed in the ics gapps packages, so I don't know if it will work on ics roms. It just blocks the ota update process keeping you from ever seeing an update prompt.
Sent from my SPH-D710 using xda app-developers app

itbmd said:
What would the name of the folder be called in /cache? I am not sure if the update was downloaded or not. TIA.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Once you have copied the apk to the phone /SD all you have to do is
1. Power down your device.
2. Press power and volume up key simultaneously for few seconds. (this will boot your phone in stock recovery)
3. Now using volume keys navigate to the option wipe cache partition and select it by pressing the home key or the power button on your device then reboot the phone.
These steps will clear the cache for your phone and if the ota was downloaded it will be removed from the phone.
---------- Post added at 10:54 PM ---------- Previous post was at 10:49 PM ----------
grandmastem said:
Can someone explain how this works exactly? What is it doing to stop the notifications? Will this prevent me from being bugged to update to FH13 from FF18? -Grand
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Once your follow the steps below it will hopefully not bother you with any more ota's And if you have downloaded it already, clearing the cache will remove the downloaded ota from the phone. These steps will make sure you do not get any more notifications for the same.
1. Download FOTAKill.apk and copy to your Phone/SD
2. Use a root explorer (such as ES Explorer) to copy the file to /system/app
3. If the update already downloaded, delete it from /cache
4. reboot
Once you have copied the apk to the phone /SD all you have to do is
1. Power down your device.
2. Press power and volume up key simultaneously for few seconds. (this will boot your phone in stock recovery)
3. Now using volume key navigate to the option wipe cache partition and select it by pressing the home key or the power button on your device then reboot the phone.
These steps will clear the cache for your phone and if the ota was downloaded it will be removed from the phone.

mujeebrehman said:
Once you have copied the apk to the phone /SD all you have to do is
1. Power down your device.
2. Press power and volume up key simultaneously for few seconds. (this will boot your phone in stock recovery)
3. Now using volume key navigate to the option wipe cache partition and select it by pressing the home key or the power button on your device then reboot the phone.
These steps will clear the cache for your phone and if the ota was downloaded it will be removed from the phone.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This would definitely work, however what I don't know is if you run the risk of triggering the /emmc brick by wiping cache with the stock recovery. I feel better about having folks use a root explorer, navigate to /cache, and deleting the update file from there.
The file under /cache will look something like: "bbe3997e3067.SPH-D710_update_EL29_to_FF18.zip" (Example of the FF18 OTA file name) and will be around 200MB's in size.

I am getting no access with either Root Explorer or ES File Explorer. Under Root Explorer it is telling me that my file system is Read Only. And it just says "FOTAKill.apk cannot be moved" under ES File Explorer.
I am rooted, running Calkulins E4GT ROM.

crkdslider said:
I am getting no access with either Root Explorer or ES File Explorer. Under Root Explorer it is telling me that my file system is Read Only. And it just says "FOTAKill.apk cannot be moved" under ES File Explorer.
I am rooted, running Calkulins E4GT ROM.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There is probably a setting you need to turn on to enable root + read/write access.
In ES File explorer its:
1. menu key > settings > (scroll to the bottom of the list) > check "Root Explorer" > check "Mount File System"
2. You will need to "Grant" root access when it asks you.
3. Now you can paste the file into /system/app

Tried this on my stock gingerbread phone. FOTAKILL did not work for me.
There is a zip file somewhere in xda, that did it.
Sent from my Samsung S2 ET4G using Tapatalk

guys it does work and not for nothing but I posted this quite some time ago as a flashable zip file. I have used it on my stock based roms for quite some time and I have never had an issue as well as others. You can find the flashable zip here. Now you have to remember to clear cache(s) prior to flashing. This was also done back before the problem error of ET4g so please use a safe recovery.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=21117723&postcount=6

Just used it on calk 3.0 gb Rom
. Worked flawlessly. Thanks

playya said:
guys it does work and not for nothing but I posted this quite some time ago as a flashable zip file. I have used it on my stock based roms for quite some time and I have never had an issue as well as others. You can find the flashable zip here. Now you have to remember to clear cache(s) prior to flashing. This was also done back before the problem error of ET4g so please use a safe recovery.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=21117723&postcount=6
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Quick question :
After booting into Recovery, and before running the FOTAKILL.zip, do I wipe cache or davlik cache or both?
Sent from my SPH-D710 using xda app-developers app

How to disable OTA update , I'm rooted

Hi,
I have a galaxy s2 from sprint...I rooted it last month with the latest ver of ICS at that time. (Fh13 i think)
anyway, 3 days, my phone downloaded the OTA update for ICS and it EVEY 2 MINUTES, there is a pop up asking me to install or install later.
I have done the following:
1. downloaded fotakill.apk and copied it to my sd download folder and instlaled/ran...did nothing. ( i cannot copy this file to /system/apps - error: "read only" )
2. tried to disable fotaupate.apk / fwupgrade from applications/all from andriod settings menu... this did not work.
there is no fotaupdate.apk app and no fwupgrade.
So, can anyone help me get rid of this stupid pop up msg ??

mrkool44 said:
Hi,
I have a galaxy s2 from sprint...I rooted it last month with the latest ver of ICS at that time. (FF18 i think)
anyway, 3 days, my phone downloaded the OTA update for ICS and it EVEY 2 MINUTES, there is a pop up asking me to install or install later.
I have done the following:
1. downloaded fotakill.apk and copied it to my sd download folder and instlaled/ran...did nothing. ( i cannot copy this file to /system/apps - error: "read only" )
2. tried to disable fotaupate.apk / fwupgrade from applications/all from andriod settings menu... this did not work.
there is no fotaupdate.apk app and no fwupgrade.
So, can anyone help me get rid of this stupid pop up msg ??
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I am assuming that you also tried the zip file in the thread about how to disable OTA updates? I created one of the zips that worked flawlessly and it has been updated and I have also used that zip without issue.... Just search Google or this section and yee shall find
Edit: Also you would need root explorer or es file explorer to gain r/w access to your system/app folder to transfer and set permissions.... All this information is out there for you. I understand you may be new but please understand its good to actually read up on your phone before you root it and potentially destroy because you of lack of knowledge.
Sorry man no disrespect just know this is a tricky phone to mess with and you should be careful

ok..i have gave es file explorer root access and i was able to move fotakill.apk to root/system/app and install frm there. i also renamed the .zip file to .zip.bak. i also deleted the ota update file from /cache
also i deleted sprint installer using titanium backup
and deleted systemupdate app
after all this...still.. im getting ota update notification

Go to recovery and wipe cache. Its still in there which is why its still giving you the prompt
sent from MY BAD A$$ ET4G

patrao_n said:
Go to recovery and wipe cache. Its still in there which is why its still giving you the prompt
sent from MY BAD A$$ ET4G
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
went into recovery and wiped cache partition
thanks, that worked....no more OTA update notifications!

Workaround to write to Ext SDCARD?

I just switched from my M7 to the M8 yesterday. I was excited to have the external SD for saving pictures, moving apps, but mostly to host my backups. I have since unlocked my bootloader and rooted the device. Unfortunately I'm unable to write any back ups through TWRP to the card. I was wondering if anyone found any fixes? I've already tried SDFix but it seems not to work with our device. Any help would be appreciated!
Sidenote: I know this probably belongs under development but I'm unable to post yet as my post count is too low. Thanks again!

iNiREALiZED said:
I just switched from my M7 to the M8 yesterday. I was excited to have the external SD for saving pictures, moving apps, but mostly to host my backups. I have since unlocked my bootloader and rooted the device. Unfortunately I'm unable to write any back ups through TWRP to the card. I was wondering if anyone found any fixes? I've already tried SDFix but it seems not to work with our device. Any help would be appreciated!
Sidenote: I know this probably belongs under development but I'm unable to post yet as my post count is too low. Thanks again!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You will need to edit platform.xml file in/system/etc. Are you comfortable ?

I'm not sure. If there was a tutorial that was available I could possibly follow it. Otherwise is this something that could be included in future rom builds? I wouldn't mind waiting.
Sent from my HTC One_M8 using xda app-developers app

iNiREALiZED said:
I'm not sure. If there was a tutorial that was available I could possibly follow it. Otherwise is this something that could be included in future rom builds? I wouldn't mind waiting.
Sent from my HTC One_M8 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Look for nextapp's SDFix in the play store.. Root and system write protection off is required. It basically edits the file for you (also backs up the original)

silentvisitor said:
You will need to edit platform.xml file in/system/etc. Are you comfortable ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Could you detail the edits for reference anyway please? I'll need to know shortly too.

graffixnyc said:
Look for nextapp's SDFix in the play store.. Root and system write protection off is required. It basically edits the file for you (also backs up the original)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The app worked for me!

graffixnyc said:
Look for nextapp's SDFix in the play store.. Root and system write protection off is required. It basically edits the file for you (also backs up the original)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the help. I tried sdfix this morning. It kept failing and rebooting. I'm rooted but if you could explain how I turn write protection off that would be awesome!

iNiREALiZED said:
Thanks for the help. I tried sdfix this morning. It kept failing and rebooting. I'm rooted but if you could explain how I turn write protection off that would be awesome!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
the quick way? go to the module thread in Original development and follow the instructions. You'll have to do it at every boot though unless you're on a rom that supports init.d support. If you're on stock I made a guide to disable it on boot automatically without init.d support
My guide: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2702575

graffixnyc said:
the quick way? go to the module thread in Original development and follow the instructions. You'll have to do it at every boot though unless you're on a rom that supports init.d support. If you're on stock I made a guide to disable it on boot automatically without init.d support
My guide: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2702575
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sorry if I'm missing something totally obvious. I went and read the thread. I download the file with extension .ko. Copied it to root of internal memory. Opened up terminal app and typed "sh" then used command "insmod /storage/sdcard0/wp_mod.ko"
Am I missing something?

iNiREALiZED said:
Sorry if I'm missing something totally obvious. I went and read the thread. I download the file with extension .ko. Copied it to root of internal memory. Opened up terminal app and typed "sh" then used command "insmod /storage/sdcard0/wp_mod.ko"
Am I missing something?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
su
not sh..
type su
hit enter
then type
insmod /storage/sdcard0/wp_mod.ko it wont show you any output or anything.. if it brings your back to the terminal prompt it ran right

graffixnyc said:
su
not sh..
type su
hit enter
then type
insmod /storage/sdcard0/wp_mod.ko it wont show you any output or anything.. if it brings your back to the terminal prompt it ran right
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I tried it again using "su". I'm pretty sure that is what I used the first time as well because when I entered the command the super user prompt came up to allow access for terminal. Same results. Didn't see any confirmation. Exited app and tried running SDFix and failed again. I then followed your link to your thread and followed step by step. Got all the way to the point where I was trying to save the text document at the end and got the prompt that I could not save the file.
I'm usually pretty good at following tutorials and I'm sure I'm not skipping steps but who knows. I think this one has me defeated lol.

If you put it on your SD card try just /sdcard/wp_mod.ko
Sent from my HTC One using Tapatalk

If you run the command.. And then run it again. It will tell you it already exists that's how I figured out it ran ok..
Sent from my HTC One using Tapatalk

backfromthestorm said:
Could you detail the edits for reference anyway please? I'll need to know shortly too.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sure. Here it is:
You need to make following change to platform.xml in /system/etc.
Add <group gid="Media_rw"/> under WRITE_EXTERNAL_STORAGE and WRITE_MEDIA_STORAGE(or similar).
Save. Set Permission to rw-r-r or 644.
Reboot and Enjoy
Good luck :good:

silentvisitor said:
Sure. Here it is:
You need to make following change to platform.xml in /system/etc.
Add <group gid="Media_rw"/> under WRITE_EXTERNAL_STORAGE and WRITE_MEDIA_STORAGE(or similar).
Save. Set Permission to rw-r-r or 644.
Reboot and Enjoy
Good luck :good:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well I ran through both tutorials (yours and the others) once again. Entered the command twice to confirm and got the message "failed file already exists". So I'm assuming that part went through fine but still unable to run SDFix successfully or edit the install_recovery.sh file. Wouldn't allow me to save through es text edit or the standard one.
So now I'm trying to manually change the platform.xml file. When I navigate to system/etc I don't see any file named "platform.xml". Also tried a search through es file explorer and couldn't find any file. Any thoughts?

iNiREALiZED said:
Well I ran through both tutorials (yours and the others) once again. Entered the command twice to confirm and got the message "failed file already exists". So I'm assuming that part went through fine but still unable to run SDFix successfully or edit the install_recovery.sh file. Wouldn't allow me to save through es text edit or the standard one.
So now I'm trying to manually change the platform.xml file. When I navigate to system/etc I don't see any file named "platform.xml". Also tried a search through es file explorer and couldn't find any file. Any thoughts?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
My apologies.
Its /system/etc/Permission/platform.xml

iNiREALiZED said:
Well I ran through both tutorials (yours and the others) once again. Entered the command twice to confirm and got the message "failed file already exists". So I'm assuming that part went through fine but still unable to run SDFix successfully or edit the install_recovery.sh file. Wouldn't allow me to save through es text edit or the standard one.
So now I'm trying to manually change the platform.xml file. When I navigate to system/etc I don't see any file named "platform.xml". Also tried a search through es file explorer and couldn't find any file. Any thoughts?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Are you mounting it as r/w in the file explorer? It doesn't seem like you're doing that. I know the module works.. You can't just install the module and it's magically writable.. you still have to make it r/w in a file explorer before you make any changes. I don't use es. I use root explorer and there is a r/w button on top.

graffixnyc said:
Are you mounting it as r/w in the file explorer? It doesn't seem like you're doing that. I know the module works.. You can't just install the module and it's magically writable.. you still have to make it r/w in a file explorer before you make any changes. I don't use es. I use root explorer and there is a r/w button on top.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Wow. Excuse my ignorance. I wasn't doing that. I downloaded root explorer and used the button to mount as you mentioned and viola I was able to save the edits! I'm now able to create folders on the ext SD. Still get an error when trying to backup from twrp but I guess that's an issue for another day.
I really appreciate all the help!

iNiREALiZED said:
Wow. Excuse my ignorance. I wasn't doing that. I downloaded root explorer and used the button to mount as you mentioned and viola I was able to save the edits! I'm now able to create folders on the ext SD. Still get an error when trying to backup from twrp but I guess that's an issue for another day.
I really appreciate all the help!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
As of now recovery doesn't support exfat formatted cards, If your sd card is formatted as exfat it will fail in recovery. You need to either format your external sd card to fat32 or just wait until the recovery is updated to support exfat. It will once they get kernel source code

graffixnyc said:
As of now recovery doesn't support exfat formatted cards, If your sd card is formatted as exfat it will fail in recovery. You need to either format your external sd card to fat32 or just wait until the recovery is updated to support exfat. It will once they get kernel source code
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
How far out do you think that is? I was figuring I could just get a cheaper card for my backups. Only thing is if I remember correctly Fat32 only supports up to 4GB files correct? I remember my backups being a tad over that so getting another card might not even make a difference.