Develop Bugs

Changing application icons - possible workaround?

So, I'm well-aware that the reason icons can't be changed easily on the Android home screen is because the icon image is stored in the APK file, and editing that image is, essentially, near impossible.
However, I had an idea that could potentially fix that problem, and I'm just curious how realistic the solution is:
As most G1 users know, AnyCut is a great application that can allow a user to create a shortcut to any number of actions on the phone. These shortcuts are customizable by name, and, for the time being, have a limited number of icons, one for each shortcut type.
I also recall using an app several months ago to change the icons of bookmarks (Bookmark 2, I believe it was called). With this app, a user could choose exactly what their icons would look like on the home screen, except, of course, that these icons could only link to bookmarks.
By combining these two applications, wouldn't an icon changer be quite possible?
Using this same methodology, wouldn't it be possible to create "shortcuts" to applications on the home screen, and thus, allow the user to rename apps and change their icons, at least on the desktop? I know that the icons would not be changed in the pull-out drawer or elsewhere on the system, but wouldn't this be a temporary workaround, until a better solution is reached? I have quite a few programs with horrendous icons, and it really takes away from the aesthetic of the home screen.
Again, all I'm asking is if there's a way to place a shortcut to an APK on the desktop, and preferably to customize that shortcut's icon, not the actual apps.

It is possible to edit .apk's and change the icons. Just look at the forum for theams.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/forumdisplay.php?f=450

soundwire said:
It is possible to edit .apk's and change the icons. Just look at the forum for theams.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/forumdisplay.php?f=450
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well, I know that the icons can be edited in a theme, but can non-stock icons be edited as well?
And also, my concern with that is that it seems like a lot of work to update a theme everytime a new app appears on the market. I'm a little OCD, so if I were able to change all the icons on my home screen, I would want them all to be absolutely uniform (like the themes' icons are). However, if a new, super-useful app were to appear on the market, and I absolutely needed it on my home screen, it would seem much easier to simply add an image to my phone, and make a shortcut using that image, than to have to edit an APK, resign the entire package, and reflash the phone each time. While I know my way around the G1, and I'm comfortable with basic rooting, I am by no means a developer, and just like most G1 users, I would probably be more comfortable making shortcuts than updating firmware.
Do you understand where I'm coming from?

I too, would also like to know how to change "non-stock" app icons. Bump.

jayaustn said:
Well, I know that the icons can be edited in a theme, but can non-stock icons be edited as well?
And also, my concern with that is that it seems like a lot of work to update a theme everytime a new app appears on the market. I'm a little OCD, so if I were able to change all the icons on my home screen, I would want them all to be absolutely uniform (like the themes' icons are). However, if a new, super-useful app were to appear on the market, and I absolutely needed it on my home screen, it would seem much easier to simply add an image to my phone, and make a shortcut using that image, than to have to edit an APK, resign the entire package, and reflash the phone each time. While I know my way around the G1, and I'm comfortable with basic rooting, I am by no means a developer, and just like most G1 users, I would probably be more comfortable making shortcuts than updating firmware.
Do you understand where I'm coming from?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have yet to try this, but (provided you have root), you should be able to use adb to pull the apk for an app off your phone, edit it as described, and push it back to the same place. I will give this a go tomorrow, as I'm rather sleepy, and it's probably not a good thing to mess about with superuser stuff when I can't think straight.
If there's any flaws in my theory, I'd be happy to hear them.

RE: Changeing Icons!
I have a video on you tube on how to change icons. Here it is!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AjnV_d9b22E
Hope you enjoy and your able to Change Your Icons.
Good Luck!

bms122223 said:
I have a video on you tube on how to change icons. Here it is!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AjnV_d9b22E
Hope you enjoy and your able to Change Your Icons.
Good Luck!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Video doesnt show you how to change "non-stock" app icons, only icons for the original apps.

Well, I kind of figured out how to change the non-stock icons. But got stuck at the end...here's what I did...
1) Install/Open Astro.
2) Back up the app you want to change the icon for.
3) Grab that backup apk file off of your sdcard and put it on your computer.
4) Open it with Winrar.
5) Go to the proper folder and drag your new icon into the folder.
6) Close Winrar and move the apk back to your sdcard.
...this is where I get stuck, I know the icon changed because I can see it when I TRY to install the app. But the app doesnt want to install, it says "install unsuccesful". I'm guessing it needs to be signed?

I have used astro as well, I even signed the apk the same way I sign themes and no luck.

ultra spikey said:
Well, I kind of figured out how to change the non-stock icons. But got stuck at the end...here's what I did...
1) Install/Open Astro.
2) Back up the app you want to change the icon for.
3) Grab that backup apk file off of your sdcard and put it on your computer.
4) Open it with Winrar.
5) Go to the proper folder and drag your new icon into the folder.
6) Close Winrar and move the apk back to your sdcard.
...this is where I get stuck, I know the icon changed because I can see it when I TRY to install the app. But the app doesnt want to install, it says "install unsuccesful". I'm guessing it needs to be signed?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You're real close; once you replace the icon you need you need to delete META-INF folder then zip it back up, rename file extension to .apk and sign it with the test keys like the stock .apk. The META-INF is where the signature info is kept from the original author, you need to delete this so it doesn't conflict with the test keys.

Geo411m said:
You're real close; once you replace the icon you need you need to delete META-INF folder then zip it back up, rename file extension to .apk and sign it with the test keys like the stock .apk. The META-INF is where the signature info is kept from the original author, you need to delete this so it doesn't conflict with the test keys.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I will that a try. So this also mean that if author updates .apk file we will not be able to install update? Similar to google RC30 updates, we have to wait for JF to modify it.

johnowa636 said:
I will that a try. So this also mean that if author updates .apk file we will not be able to install update? Similar to google RC30 updates, we have to wait for JF to modify it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Agreed; this might be a problem.
I mean, opening up the APK files is definitely a start, but it seems the shortcut approach I mentioned earlier is just so much easier. Shortcuts would allow basic users to change icons effortlessly and without fear of ruining the app, and the process could be just as easy as Bookmark 2, if a developer took charge, no?

ultra spikey said:
Well, I kind of figured out how to change the non-stock icons. But got stuck at the end...here's what I did...
1) Install/Open Astro.
2) Back up the app you want to change the icon for.
3) Grab that backup apk file off of your sdcard and put it on your computer.
4) Open it with Winrar.
5) Go to the proper folder and drag your new icon into the folder.
6) Close Winrar and move the apk back to your sdcard.
...this is where I get stuck, I know the icon changed because I can see it when I TRY to install the app. But the app doesnt want to install, it says "install unsuccesful". I'm guessing it needs to be signed?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i would like to verify that this method works to change non-stock apps without pushing files or inserting apps into updates. i used 7zip but i'd imagine winrar will work fine as well. just remember to delete the entire metainf folder, not just its contents. once you have your .apk, re-sign it using stericson's auto-sign utility and you'll be able to install the app through astro.
i should also note that i deleted all instance of the unmodified app from my sdcard. i uninstalled it and deleted the backup on my sd card. this may or may not be necessary, but i just wanted to take precautions.

I've given this method a try, and it seems simply too complicated for a moderate user like me. Wouldn't the shortcut method I mentioned be so much easier to quickly change home screen icons? Would any of the developers on this forum be interested in throwing such an app together? I'd gladly donate some money if a good app was able to take care of this problem.

what are you having trouble with, exactly? i'm far from an advanced user myself, but this is probably one of the easier things to do on the g1, probably second to flashing themes.
though i will say that there are a few apps that i can't change icons for. chomp and cubik have installed but force close when opened.
i have a feeling it's something to do with the signing the apk's, but like i said, i'm not an advanced user at all.

TruLuvNvrDies said:
what are you having trouble with, exactly? i'm far from an advanced user myself, but this is probably one of the easier things to do on the g1, probably second to flashing themes.
though i will say that there are a few apps that i can't change icons for. chomp and cubik have installed but force close when opened.
i have a feeling it's something to do with the signing the apk's, but like i said, i'm not an advanced user at all.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I opened up the APK using WinRAR, replaced the icon.png with my icon of choice, and then I'm stuck. I known I have to auto-sign the APK, but am not exactly sure how. I have Stericson's auto-signer tool, and used command 4 to manually enter the APK path, but once I do that I get a bunch of errors. If need be, I can copy down the exact error I get.

ultra spikey said:
Video doesnt show you how to change "non-stock" app icons, only icons for the original apps.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Nice video!

jayaustn said:
I opened up the APK using WinRAR, replaced the icon.png with my icon of choice, and then I'm stuck. I known I have to auto-sign the APK, but am not exactly sure how. I have Stericson's auto-signer tool, and used command 4 to manually enter the APK path, but once I do that I get a bunch of errors. If need be, I can copy down the exact error I get.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
you probably need to delete the contents of the meta-inf folder. there should be three files in there, delete them all. if you extracted the contents of the .apk, zip them back up with an .apk extension. if you didn't extract them, you're at the last step, which is to re-sign the .apk. you don't actually need to manually re-sign the file through the console on stericson's re-signer. just right-click the .apk file and at the very top, there should be an option that says "resign .apk". click on that and your app will be re-signed and ready for an install attempt.
though, as i said before, this method is not 100%. of the 6 apps that i modified so far, i was only successful with 4 of them. even if you do all of the steps correctly, you might not have a working app at the end. the apps will install but will automatically force close when launched. i don't know what causes this, actually, and any suggestions would be appreciated.

I agree with the OP, while it is easy enough to edit the apks, resign them, copy them back onto your phone it would be far more elegant (IMHO) if you could have an application that allowed you to copy "Icon Packs" onto your SDCard, and then add links to applications on your home screen giving you a choice of icons from the aforementioned "Icon Pack".
Theme developers could then distribute the "Icon Pack" with the theme, and end users could easily add custom icons to your home screen from your phone without having to mess about on a PC.

liamw said:
I agree with the OP, while it is easy enough to edit the apks, resign them, copy them back onto your phone it would be far more elegant (IMHO) if you could have an application that allowed you to copy "Icon Packs" onto your SDCard, and then add links to applications on your home screen giving you a choice of icons from the aforementioned "Icon Pack".
Theme developers could then distribute the "Icon Pack" with the theme, and end users could easily add custom icons to your home screen from your phone without having to mess about on a PC.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So what everyone wants is Anycut that can do custom icons.

[Q] One click install all apk file?

Hi. Sometimes(most of the time) whenever we wish to switch to try another custom ROM, we have to wipe all data and hence all the downloaded app will gone. As a result of that, before we even flash new ROMs, we have to do a back-up of all the downloaded app, turning them into apk file into our SD card so that its easier to again reinstall those app.
My question is, is there any app that we can use to install ALL the apk files in our SD Card all at once in just a click of one or two taps? Because its tedious for us to actually install those apps one by one. Especially for me that have installed many apps in my Desire HD.
Thank you. =)

Well, your google backup restores all the market apps automatically, so you do not need to worry about those.
You can copy your apk files into /data/app/ in the rom zip file. Then you do not even have to install them, they will be ready to use immediately.

Oh yea.. I did not even thought of that. Lol. Thank you so much.
Sent from my Desire HD using XDA App

One Click Installer [Root]
Hi, ive developed a new app that does exactly what you are looking for.
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.sharon.oneclickinstaller
All apps installs in background without user interaction.
Features:
Background installation without user interaction
Install all apks with with a single click.
Change the directory of apk files or load all apk files.
Delete unwanted apk
Hope you find it useful!
Thanks

Get Android Market Working on A7+

As you have already found out, an Android device is useless without the Android Market. Here is how you can get it working on your A7+.
First do a factory reset on your tablet.
Go to Settings>Privacy>Factory Data Reset
Once your tablet restart you will be ready to go.
Download this package here:
Dropbox: http://dl.dropbox.com/u/38313345/Elocity A7+ Market.rar
Filesonic: http://www.filesonic.com/file/u0jxLhN
and extract the contents to your micro sd card or USB stick. (I used a USB stick and it worked great). There is a folder and two files:
gapps folder
Amazon Marketplace.apk (optional - see below)
Z4Root.apk
You will also need to acquire a copy of root explorer. It's a paid app and well worth the $4. How YOU acquire it is entirely up to you, I will count on you to do the right thing. The Amazon marketplace DOES work on the Elocity A7 and you can buy Root Explorer from there. I personally installed Amazon MP and bought a copy, even though I already bought one from Android Marketplace. (You can use the Amazon MP on all devices and log in with the same credentials to install on multiple devices with one purchase.)
Insert your SD card or USB stick in to your tablet and wait for them to mount.
Open your app drawer and find OI File Manager that came pre-installed on your tabled and open it, and hit the HOME button icon in the upper left corner.
Now hit storage and scroll down and look for:
SDCARD - look for sdcard-disk
USB - look for usb0-disk
Find the appropriate folder and click it, then find the z4root.1.3.0.apk and click it and you will go to the installation screen. Click Install at the bottom. Once its done, open it.
You will be presented with two options, temporary root and permanent root. Click permanent root and let it do its thing. It will restart your tablet and it will be done. (if it fails - especially if it hangs on reboot, turn the tablet off and do it again).
Repeat the steps above to install the Amazon Market if you need to. Either way you do it at this point you need to install Root Explorer.
Once you have Root Explorer installed open it, you should get a prompt for Super User access. Make sure you choose to ALLOW.
With Root Explorer open you should see / in the upper left corner, if not hit the back button until you do.
scroll down and click find the system folder, open it, then find the bin folder and open it. Scroll all the way down and find the file
wpa_supplicant
long press on this file and choose COPY, and hit the back button twice so you are back at /.
At the top of the screen is a button that says Mount R/W - click it so that is says Mount R/O, then click the PASTE button at the bottom of the screen.
Long press on wpa_supplicant and choose rename - rename the file to wpa_supplicant_bk.
Now in this same folder find the Storage Folder and open it, and find the correct folder for your external storage method (same as above) and click it. Open the gapps folder, then system folder, then the app folder.
Hit the menu button, choose Multi Select, then click select all, then copy.
Now hit back again untill you are at the / directory, then go to the System folder, and open the app folder.
Click PASTE. (if you get an error hit the Mount R/W button again) when it asks if you want to over wright some apps, choose YES to all.
Your device will flash, and jump to the Elocity Boot screen, then it will make you go through the Android setup wizard.
At this point ensure WiFi is turned OFF.
Now open root explorer, browse back to your storage method, open gapps>System>bin and find the wpa_supplicant file. Long press it, and copy it.
Now browse back to the system folder, and open the bin folder, and click paste. It will ask to confirm over wright - choose YES. (Same as above if you get protected directory error).
Finally reboot one last time and you should now have a working market!

stuck at trying to paste into /system/app folder and can't seem to toggle Mount R/W there.
update: if this happens, apparently a reinstall from the amazon appstore fixes root explorer

Even with reinstalling the app I am unable to toggle the Mount R/W button at that same point.
Update: Installing BusyBox seemed to fix whatever was keeping the toggle from working. But once I go to paste the files, it tells me there isn't enough space.
Also, somewhere along the way I lost the keyboard software, and its not detected under settings either -.-

Hey, this worked! I didn't actually do a factory reset because I had a bunch of stuff I wanted to keep, so i thought I'd take a gamble.... My Elocity A4+ didn't restart automatically after copying the files, so I restarted it manually. I thought I might be in trouble when it brought up the "sign in to google" page over phone data. Of course that couldn't be done since I have no phone and the wireless authentication wouldn't work.
I restarted again and noticed that the google authentication had a "later" option, which I selected. That took me into my tablet like it had been before. I disabled the wireless, copied the wpa_supplicant file provided, restarted again and ... viola! It worked. Reenabled wifi, went into the market and updated a bunch of apps through appbrain. I thought this tablet was good before (able to sideload most apps I needed) ... I love this tablet a lot more now. Thanks again for the info.

Got Android Market working on Elocity A7+
I also was getting the message that there was not enough space to copy the files, so I deleted some the apps that were on the Elocity A7+, like Fring. It gave me an error when deleting Fring but I did a reboot and it was gone. Android Market is now on my tablet. So far so good.

Thank you! This worked for me.
(I'd click the Thanks button but I don't have one, maybe I'm too new?)
I didn't do the factory reset either.
Had to manually reboot.
Didn't have any space problems but I uninstalled some stuff anyway.

Very Grateful
Hey Destron5683,
As someone who is not particularly well versed with Android I am super grateful for this step by step fix you've provided.
I got the A7+ yesterday and found it to be quite a deal. I was unpleasantly surprised however to discover this whole no android market none-sense. Your fix worked flawlessly, I now have the market app an have downloaded a bunch of apps that have worked great.
Skype is the 1 app I have had no luck with. I've installed it but when I try to sign in it reads an error message like:
"Skype has stopped working. Would you like to sign in again or exit Skype?"
I can't get passed that error loop. Reading around, I get the sense that Skype detects whether or not the device is compatible and blocks you from successful log in.
If by chance you now of a way to get around this, please do tell!
Again, thanks so much for posting this useful step by step guide and for going through the trouble of creating this well needed fix.

I followed these instructions to a T but after copying the app files the tab did not switch to the splash screen, so I rebooted and the "Click the android" came up but I could not click the android to continue the setup, it just got stuck there.

Android market working
Followed the instructions and it worked like a charm if you get the not enough space error delete the video trailers and try again!!

android market
Great post. I have been looking for this since getting my A7+ passed over to me. One problem, I cannot get the file from the Filesonic site. They have changed policy and only the user can download his files. Is it possible to send another link to access this file?

The instructions are very helpfull and greatly appreciated
I got everything working fairly easily with the exception
of having to reboot it myself, as others have noted it didn't
auto reboot.
Still in process of trying to find a google play apk as the
old market app from this thread while functional, it really
sucks compared to play on my infuse.
via rooted/hacked A7+ with xda app

updated market app or play store?
only problem with this hack or mod is the included market app while functional it really does suck, anyone have a line on an apk for an updated market or play app?
update
ok I'm a Tool, I asked first rather than work for it... I dug around a bit and found exactly what I needed, installed and tested, then wrote a quick set of destructions.
my following post answers the question...

Elocity A7+ working market / play store
I followed the destructions provided here (use at own risk, worked perfect for me)
Thank you Destron5683
with a few exceptions, as noted in previous reply's most people had to manually reboot
I bought root explorer on amazon market, required for getting base market working.
Once you get that up and running it's fairly straight forward to install
play Vending-3.5.16.apk (destructions below) which is available from this thread
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1582422
scroll to bottom of first post and look for the attached files, I used the non mod version, save this file to root of an sd card
Thank you Deeco7
Again follow at your own risk, this process worked for me, it may not work for you...
I kept an sd card in so I could backup the file in a place that won't get overwritten/deleted if I have to factory reset at some point
open root explorer, make sure your at / in upper left corner, next navigate to /system/app scroll down list to Vending.apk
, long press, copy, hit back twice so your at / again, navigate to /storage/sdcard-disk0 (or wherever you prefer to save backup)
press paste, now rename file to Vending.bak (or whatever you will remember)
rename the Vending-3.5.16.apk to Vending.apk
long press it and select copy, navigate back to /system/app , hit Mount R/W , delete Vending.apk , then paste your new Vending.apk into folder.
hit back button untill root explorer exits, then shut off and restart
you should have Play Store icon in app bin, press it and enjoy.
not sure if it was my router or isp or tablet, apps didn't want to start downloading in play store,
as soon as I exited from play store it had downloaded 1 app and was getting the second one,
they installed fine, hope this helps people (next time I ran play it worked fine so likely isp)
fixxed link

Z4 seems to punish you when you uninstall it or turn off root. After uninstalling, my Bluetooth , Google Maps, Youtube and Foursquare no longer work properly on my A7+ Reinstall it and they all come back !
Dan

Google play
Ryan_D said:
I followed the destructions provided here (use at own risk, worked perfect for me)
Thank you Destron5683
with a few exceptions, as noted in previous reply's most people had to manually reboot
I bought root explorer on amazon market, required for getting base market working.
Once you get that up and running it's fairly straight forward to install
play Vending-3.5.16.apk (destructions below) which is available from this thread
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1582422
scroll to bottom of first post and look for the attached files, I used the non mod version, save this file to root of an sd card
Thank you Deeco7
Again follow at your own risk, this process worked for me, it may not work for you...
I kept an sd card in so I could backup the file in a place that won't get overwritten/deleted if I have to factory reset at some point
open root explorer, make sure your at / in upper left corner, next navigate to /system/app scroll down list to Vending.apk
, long press, copy, hit back twice so your at / again, navigate to /storage/sdcard-disk0 (or wherever you prefer to save backup)
press paste, now rename file to Vending.bak (or whatever you will remember)
rename the Vending-3.5.16.apk to Vending.apk
long press it and select copy, navigate back to /system/app , hit Mount R/W , delete Vending.apk , then paste your new Vending.apk into folder.
hit back button untill root explorer exits, then shut off and restart
you should have Play Store icon in app bin, press it and enjoy.
not sure if it was my router or isp or tablet, apps didn't want to start downloading in play store,
as soon as I exited from play store it had downloaded 1 app and was getting the second one,
they installed fine, hope this helps people (next time I ran play it worked fine so likely isp)
fixxed link
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
When you do this on Elocity A7+ does it allow you to use apps that would normally not work on the system?

filesonic link not working
Thanks for the great step by step! I just need the filesonic file(s) but the link does not seem to be working.
I would be most grateful if someone would host the file.
Thanks in advance.

thrash_metash said:
Thanks for the great step by step! I just need the filesonic file(s) but the link does not seem to be working.
I would be most grateful if someone would host the file.
Thanks in advance.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
goto http://forum.xda-developers.com/show....php?t=1582422
and if you click on the attached files you should be able to directly download the file that way.. its just under the meadiafire links i used the non mod after the modded version wouldnt let me download anything to my A7+

thank you is working good:good:

BG_AUS said:
thank you is working good:good:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Jonnycrash did you find a way around the android welcome screen that wont respond. I am stuck with the same problem.

my usb port is not working anymore

Zeki tbd753b is it possible to gaini root and google play

Long time lurker first time poster here.
I recently bought a Zeki 7" TBD753B. I would like to obtain root and install google play however I can only find firmware for other model numbers. Does anyone know if it exists? The only thing I can find on this tablet is a warning not to buy, however I have not experienced the wakeup bug stated in the only other thread mentioning this model and the device seems to work quiet well for the cheap price.
Im mostly looking to get adfree working being as ads do slow this device down.
Thanks ahead of time.

maddog46113 said:
Long time lurker first time poster here.
I recently bought a Zeki 7" TBD753B. I would like to obtain root and install google play however I can only find firmware for other model numbers. Does anyone know if it exists? The only thing I can find on this tablet is a warning not to buy, however I have not experienced the wakeup bug stated in the only other thread mentioning this model and the device seems to work quiet well for the cheap price.
Im mostly looking to get adfree working being as ads do slow this device down.
Thanks ahead of time.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It also has screen bug on landscape on the top left corner, Portrait its on the top right.
If you use apps that utilize the whole screen ie.. nova launcher you will experience tapping those corner are hard.
ILITEK utility apps is a good apps to test it.
BTW its google ready if you need to install google play just find vending.apk for jelly bean and tap to install it.
If you want to root it PM me and Ill send you the signed update.zip to install root access.
For some reason I cant seem to attach update.zip here

maddog46113 said:
Long time lurker first time poster here.
I recently bought a Zeki 7" TBD753B. I would like to obtain root and install google play however I can only find firmware for other model numbers. Does anyone know if it exists? The only thing I can find on this tablet is a warning not to buy, however I have not experienced the wakeup bug stated in the only other thread mentioning this model and the device seems to work quiet well for the cheap price.
Im mostly looking to get adfree working being as ads do slow this device down.
Thanks ahead of time.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
manufactured by
Shenzhen Ployer Electronics Co., Ltd.
Address: Building 8, Yusheng Industrial Park, No.467 of 107 National Road, Gushu, Xixiang Town, Baoan District, Shenzhen, China, 518102.
get stripped firmware from their website. they make two models rock chip and allwinner.
Search XDA forums for Crystal Root zip.
Will install SuperUser and BusyBox on TBD753B. Confirmed working on my device FID: BN
That is the million dollar question. So far my answer is, you can't. First you'll need root access, I described that above. Put crystal zip on SD card, do not unzip file. Shut tablet down. Boot by holding volume down and power buttons. Should enter recovery, select update from EXT, select crystal file, then reboot now, you will see android updating message and then have superuser and busy box installed. That gets you about 50% there. I have tried to flash gapps without luck using the correct files. I believe the problem with this device to be the firmware. It's for ICS. I am thinking about rolling back OS to 4.0.3 and trying from there. The TBD782 is almost identical, thinking of trying a modded ROM I found in XDA forums. Basically that gets you to where I am. I believe the device is actually a momo9 variant/clone with allwinner a10 compatible chip. The manual I downloaded from above manufacturer (I can't post links yet) is identical to the TBD753B. You can also get a working version of livesuit from them. Hope any of that helps. I will report back when I have a working method.

Thanks for the replies. Please let me know when you figue something out.

kotows said:
manufactured by
Shenzhen Ployer Electronics Co., Ltd.
Address: Building 8, Yusheng Industrial Park, No.467 of 107 National Road, Gushu, Xixiang Town, Baoan District, Shenzhen, China, 518102.
get stripped firmware from their website. they make two models rock chip and allwinner.
Search XDA forums for Crystal Root zip.
Will install SuperUser and BusyBox on TBD753B. Confirmed working on my device FID: BN
That is the million dollar question. So far my answer is, you can't. First you'll need root access, I described that above. Put crystal zip on SD card, do not unzip file. Shut tablet down. Boot by holding volume down and power buttons. Should enter recovery, select update from EXT, select crystal file, then reboot now, you will see android updating message and then have superuser and busy box installed. That gets you about 50% there. I have tried to flash gapps without luck using the correct files. I believe the problem with this device to be the firmware. It's for ICS. I am thinking about rolling back OS to 4.0.3 and trying from there. The TBD782 is almost identical, thinking of trying a modded ROM I found in XDA forums. Basically that gets you to where I am. I believe the device is actually a momo9 variant/clone with allwinner a10 compatible chip. The manual I downloaded from above manufacturer (I can't post links yet) is identical to the TBD753B. You can also get a working version of livesuit from them. Hope any of that helps. I will report back when I have a working method.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm confirming root technique. 100% working.

can't find crystal root zip
I tried a search for crystal root zip and could not find on the xda site but did find a link using google but am not sure it is legitimate. Where on the forum can I find the link so I know it is the correct file? Also I was able to install Google Play on the TB782B without using a custom Rom. I used Links2SD. I installed a copy of the play store apk and then converted it to system app using Links2SD, rebooted and then it worked fine. Without converting it to system app it would not work properly but once converted it worked fine. Maybe this will work with the newer model.
kotows said:
manufactured by
Shenzhen Ployer Electronics Co., Ltd.
Address: Building 8, Yusheng Industrial Park, No.467 of 107 National Road, Gushu, Xixiang Town, Baoan District, Shenzhen, China, 518102.
get stripped firmware from their website. they make two models rock chip and allwinner.
Search XDA forums for Crystal Root zip.
Will install SuperUser and BusyBox on TBD753B. Confirmed working on my device FID: BN
That is the million dollar question. So far my answer is, you can't. First you'll need root access, I described that above. Put crystal zip on SD card, do not unzip file. Shut tablet down. Boot by holding volume down and power buttons. Should enter recovery, select update from EXT, select crystal file, then reboot now, you will see android updating message and then have superuser and busy box installed. That gets you about 50% there. I have tried to flash gapps without luck using the correct files. I believe the problem with this device to be the firmware. It's for ICS. I am thinking about rolling back OS to 4.0.3 and trying from there. The TBD782 is almost identical, thinking of trying a modded ROM I found in XDA forums. Basically that gets you to where I am. I believe the device is actually a momo9 variant/clone with allwinner a10 compatible chip. The manual I downloaded from above manufacturer (I can't post links yet) is identical to the TBD753B. You can also get a working version of livesuit from them. Hope any of that helps. I will report back when I have a working method.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

Root for ZEKI TBD753B and TBDB763B
tengwer said:
I tried a search for crystal root zip and could not find on the xda site but did find a link using google but am not sure it is legitimate. Where on the forum can I find the link so I know it is the correct file? Also I was able to install Google Play on the TB782B without using a custom Rom. I used Links2SD. I installed a copy of the play store apk and then converted it to system app using Links2SD, rebooted and then it worked fine. Without converting it to system app it would not work properly but once converted it worked fine. Maybe this will work with the newer model.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Finally I can upload
Attach here are
Root for the Jelly bean zeki
TBD753B
TBDB763B (with bluetooth)
I recieved the root from Zeki tech support
Build no 4.1.1 20121204
Root Flash with recovery Vol- and Power button
Copy the update zip into sd card
Insert the card into the tablet.
Hold vol - and press power button to go to recovery.
Release the vol- button once you enter recovery
navigate with vol button , and power to select
select apply update from ext
Select the update zip you copy earlier
once its done reboot
Vending for Google play store
the tablet is google ready you can install the vending.apk (aka google play store) just by simply tapping it without root. (wont survive factory reset)
Manual way to install google play with root (this will survive factory reset)
use file explorer/manager ie.. ES file explorer, Root file explorer etc
You can use any file manager that you want and
ITS A BASIC ANDROID KNOWLEDGE you need to mount the system folder into writable before copying or change permission
copy the vending apk into system/app and change permission into RW R R
and important REBOOT.
UPDATE
Due too many emails
let me try to explain as basic as possible
ZEKI tablet already has Google Services Framework installed you dont need to re-install it again.
If you install Google Play store by flashing Gapps zip make sure it doesnt include Google Services Framework APK on the zip files.
Otherwise you will encounter too many FC later on. Dont ask me about GApps.zip since i dont use those methods.
In order for you to access, copy or modify into/on system folder
you need to enable or mount the system folder as writable and your phone/tablet need to be rooted
You can use any file manager apps you want
ie.. ES File Explorer, Root Explorer, Astro File Manager or etc
Below is example for ES file explorer
Tap options
tap settings
Scroll down and select Root Settings
Put a Check mark for Root explorer and mount file system
You have to figure out with the file manager apps you use how to mount the File System as writtable
I dont know every single apps there
Try to GOOGLE it.

proper procedure
Thanks so much for the help! As for the update.zip can I do what I usually do and just go into settings/about tablet/system updates and update from there with the update file on the root of my sd card? And for the google apps I just copy it over to my tablet and just install after doing the update? Thanks again for your time.
hoodred said:
Finally I can upload
Attach here are
Root for the Jelly bean zeki
TBD753B
TBDB763B (with bluetooth)
I recieved the root from Zeki tech support
and vending.apk for Google play store
the tablet is google ready you can install the vending.apk (aka google play store) just by simply tapping it without root.
Manual way to install google play with root (this will survive factory reset)
use file explorer ie.. ES file explorer
copy the vending apk into system/app and change permission into RW R R
and important REBOOT.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

tengwer said:
Thanks so much for the help! As for the update.zip can I do what I usually do and just go into settings/about tablet/system updates and update from there with the update file on the root of my sd card? And for the google apps I just copy it over to my tablet and just install after doing the update? Thanks again for your time.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I updated the instruction above.
Flash it with recovery

the vending is showing as a zip. not apk

zounduser said:
the vending is showing as a zip. not apk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The vending files that i uploaded here is vending-jellybean.apk

See attached pic. The vending.apk is not being recognixed as a app. http://db.tt/fex3dCgO
Sent from my ADR6425LVW using Xparent Skyblue Tapatalk 2

zounduser said:
See attached pic. The vending.apk is not being recognixed as a app. http://db.tt/fex3dCgO
Sent from my ADR6425LVW using Xparent Skyblue Tapatalk 2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Limit your posting to one forum only,
Posting in multiple forums for the same question are confusing.
From the pictures it looks like you have corrupted files.
re-download it again the vending apk MD5 is 14BEBEC455594BD71C47B6F57164CA91.
and again I ask you What is your firmware.

hoodred said:
Limit your posting to one forum only,
Posting in multiple forums for the same question are confusing.
From the pictures it looks like you have corrupted files.
re-download it again the vending apk MD5 is 14BEBEC455594BD71C47B6F57164CA91.
and again I ask you What is your firmware.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No need to get all headstrong. I posted in two places because theres two threads. I didnt create the threads. And i know all about this stuff man, my download isnt corrupt, i tried copying over a different vending.apk, and it looks the exact same. So, thats not the problem.
The firmware just says (Build number) ZEKI 4.1.1 20121213, I dont see any other firmware number anywhere?
I appreciate you uploading the files needed for this. I dont appreciate u telling me to limit my posts though. Lol. Theres 2 threads. :what: And i didnt ask the same question, or say the same thing in both threads.
Anyway, ill figure it out. Thanks again for the root, and google play.
Zound
Sent from my ADR6425LVW using Xparent Skyblue Tapatalk 2

zounduser said:
No need to get all headstrong. I posted in two places because theres two threads. I didnt create the threads. And i know all about this stuff man, my download isnt corrupt, i tried copying over a different vending.apk, and it looks the exact same. So, thats not the problem.
The firmware just says (Build number) ZEKI 4.1.1 20121213, I dont see any other firmware number anywhere?
I appreciate you uploading the files needed for this. I dont appreciate u telling me to limit my posts though. Lol. Theres 2 threads. :what: And i didnt ask the same question, or say the same thing in both threads.
Anyway, ill figure it out. Thanks again for the root, and google play.
Zound
Sent from my ADR6425LVW using Xparent Skyblue Tapatalk 2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Than Don't Ask.
You made mistake downloading yourself and posted same question for me in multiple forum.
"Google is your best friend."

Lol. I didnt make any mistake.
Anywho, i got it all hooked up now. Thanks again for this :thumbup:
Sent from my ADR6425LVW using Xparent Skyblue Tapatalk 2

Thanks, It worked!
hoodred said:
Finally I can upload
Attach here are
Root for the Jelly bean zeki
TBD753B
TBDB763B (with bluetooth)
I recieved the root from Zeki tech support
Build no 4.1.1 20121204
Root Flash with recovery Vol- and Power button
Copy the update zip into sd card
Insert the card into the tablet.
Hold vol - and press power button to go to recovery.
Release the vol- button once you enter recovery
navigate with vol button , and power to select
select apply update from ext
Select the update zip you copy earlier
once its done reboot
Vending for Google play store
the tablet is google ready you can install the vending.apk (aka google play store) just by simply tapping it without root. (wont survive factory reset)
Manual way to install google play with root (this will survive factory reset)
use file explorer/manager ie.. ES file explorer, Root file explorer etc
You can use any file manager that you want and
ITS A BASIC ANDROID KNOWLEDGE you need to mount the system folder into writable before copying or change permission
copy the vending apk into system/app and change permission into RW R R
and important REBOOT.
UPDATE
Due too many emails
let me try to explain as basic as possible
ZEKI tablet already has Google Services Framework installed you dont need to re-install it again.
If you install Google Play store by flashing Gapps zip make sure it doesnt include Google Services Framework APK on the zip files.
Otherwise you will encounter too many FC later on. Dont ask me about GApps.zip since i dont use those methods.
In order for you to access, copy or modify into/on system folder
you need to enable or mount the system folder as writable and your phone/tablet need to be rooted
You can use any file manager apps you want
ie.. ES File Explorer, Root Explorer, Astro File Manager or etc
Below is example for ES file explorer
Tap options
tap settings
Scroll down and select Root Settings
Put a Check mark for Root explorer and mount file system
You have to figure out with the file manager apps you use how to mount the File System as writtable
I dont know every single apps there
Try to GOOGLE it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This worked great, if your having problems with the permissions, see how another file in system/apps has it's permissions set, using root explorer click on another file name, then permissions..it will show you how to properly set it for the vending.apk.

friendlybiker said:
This worked great, if your having problems with the permissions, see how another file in system/apps has it's permissions set, using root explorer click on another file name, then permissions..it will show you how to properly set it for the vending.apk.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Its es file explorer that was giving me problems. Ive never used it in the past, so.....i got rid of it, and used 4shared to swoop up rom toolbox. Got it on the first shot with rom toolbox.
My suggestion........use rom toolbox. It sets proper permissions for the user automatically.
Sent from my ADR6425LVW using Xparent Skyblue Tapatalk 2

Attaboy
5 minutes and done! Works perfectly. And yes I had been getting the FCs after GApps flash. Thanks so much.
hoodred said:
Finally I can upload
Attach here are
Root for the Jelly bean zeki
TBD753B
TBDB763B (with bluetooth)
I recieved the root from Zeki tech support
Build no 4.1.1 20121204
Root Flash with recovery Vol- and Power button
Copy the update zip into sd card
Insert the card into the tablet.
Hold vol - and press power button to go to recovery.
Release the vol- button once you enter recovery
navigate with vol button , and power to select
select apply update from ext
Select the update zip you copy earlier
once its done reboot
Vending for Google play store
the tablet is google ready you can install the vending.apk (aka google play store) just by simply tapping it without root. (wont survive factory reset)
Manual way to install google play with root (this will survive factory reset)
use file explorer/manager ie.. ES file explorer, Root file explorer etc
You can use any file manager that you want and
ITS A BASIC ANDROID KNOWLEDGE you need to mount the system folder into writable before copying or change permission
copy the vending apk into system/app and change permission into RW R R
and important REBOOT.
UPDATE
Due too many emails
let me try to explain as basic as possible
ZEKI tablet already has Google Services Framework installed you dont need to re-install it again.
If you install Google Play store by flashing Gapps zip make sure it doesnt include Google Services Framework APK on the zip files.
Otherwise you will encounter too many FC later on. Dont ask me about GApps.zip since i dont use those methods.
In order for you to access, copy or modify into/on system folder
you need to enable or mount the system folder as writable and your phone/tablet need to be rooted
You can use any file manager apps you want
ie.. ES File Explorer, Root Explorer, Astro File Manager or etc
Below is example for ES file explorer
Tap options
tap settings
Scroll down and select Root Settings
Put a Check mark for Root explorer and mount file system
You have to figure out with the file manager apps you use how to mount the File System as writtable
I dont know every single apps there
Try to GOOGLE it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

not working
I followed all instructions but I get a message "unfortunately, Google play store has stopped" after I setup my account

Any way to copy file when not rooted?

Hello all
Forgive me for any ignorance for any part of this, kinda still learning the Android stuff.
Basically I got a Tab Pro 8.4 for Xmas, an like a lot of it, but really don't care for the huge Weather widget, or how it's designed. But I do want to stay with a Accuweather version.
My first learning of Android came from a Stratosphere II phone I have, an I kinda like that weather widget. Plus I think it would be a little smaller.
To mention, I rooted that device as it was pretty easy, (an way out of warranty), but I have yet to root the 8.4 as seems to be more complicated and I kinda almost don't want to unless I really have too as I really don't want to trip the Knox.
Anyway, so my goal here was to try the Strat's weather widget in the 8.4, so I went into the system folder of the Strat, got all the files that had to do with anything of the weather widget, copied them to my PC, put them in the doc's folder of the 8.4, and then tried to copy them to same system folder, which I was able to view with Root Explorer, but when I went to paste them in, it told me I couldn't as the device was not rooted.
So is there any way I can get these files into there?
Thanks for any help.

To write or modify with '/' or '/system' files you will need root, really anything outside of the /mnt/sdcard directory(s) are mostly read only or 'locked' with permissions to a certain user (each "app" is a separate user).
Anyways I don't see why you would need to put the file there anyways as you should be able to just install it as a normal "User" application regardless where it was installed on the other device, all you need is the .apk file from the other device then install it on the 8.4, you will first need to enable "unknown Sources" in Settings.
(First on device that has the app you want - look in "/system/app/" ," /system/priv-app/" - there should be some files with a ".apk" extension find the one for the weather app /widget you want to use, and copy it to your pc, then copy the file to the tab 8.4, click on it in a file manager such as root explorer or the one that came with the tablet, it should prompt you to enable Unknown Sources under settings , enable the option, then proceed to install it - you shouldn't need any other files besides the apk )
If it doesn't work then the apk could be coded to a certain device (as some Samsung apps are) or just too old to run on kitkat.
See my screenshots for some basic example (the apk file will probably be called something else on the other device)

Thanks so much otyg, you are always such a great help.
So just to reply a few things . . . yes, the files were in the system/apps folder from the original device. Second, when I first got the 8.4, I went through all the settings menus, an found that thing on "Unknown Sources" an clicked it, kinda remember that from something I learned with the smartphone, so knew right off to check that. Guess the only reason am mentioning, is to mention that I have been using a few Explorer apps, but none have promoted me for what you mentioned, an am guessing as it was already checked(?).
So at the moment I have the files sitting in a documents folder of the 8.4, but now to ask on those . . . when I went into the app folder of the org device, there were several files that had the accuweather in them.
First on this point, there were three that had the apk ext, an those were, AccuweatherDaemon.apk, AccuweatherWidget_Main.apk and, AccuweatherWidget.apk.
Then to mention too, each one had a corresponding worded file with a .odex ext.
So not knowing much, I copied all six.
So don't know if you could answer this, but do you have any idea of which I should install, or should I install all of them? An again just to remind, what I am looking for here is the Widget from my org device, but I do want it to work. Then one more question on this point, is there anyway to uninstall these if any cause some kind of issue?
Lastly an just to mention, as I posted, I don't know much about the Android system, so just didn't know that a .apk file is basically a install file. KInda thought they were application execution files, which I think they are(?) . . . but they can be app install files a well? Sorry to ask such a knob question as well as so many others, but is how I will learn.
Again, thanks so much for the help.

WBFAir said:
Thanks so much otyg, you are always such a great help.
So just to reply a few things . . . yes, the files were in the system/apps folder from the original device. Second, when I first got the 8.4, I went through all the settings menus, an found that thing on "Unknown Sources" an clicked it, kinda remember that from something I learned with the smartphone, so knew right off to check that. Guess the only reason am mentioning, is to mention that I have been using a few Explorer apps, but none have promoted me for what you mentioned, an am guessing as it was already checked(?).
So at the moment I have the files sitting in a documents folder of the 8.4, but now to ask on those . . . when I went into the app folder of the org device, there were several files that had the accuweather in them.
First on this point, there were three that had the apk ext, an those were, AccuweatherDaemon.apk, AccuweatherWidget_Main.apk and, AccuweatherWidget.apk.
Then to mention too, each one had a corresponding worded file with a .odex ext.
So not knowing much, I copied all six.
So don't know if you could answer this, but do you have any idea of which I should install, or should I install all of them? An again just to remind, what I am looking for here is the Widget from my org device, but I do want it to work. Then one more question on this point, is there anyway to uninstall these if any cause some kind of issue?
Lastly an just to mention, as I posted, I don't know much about the Android system, so just didn't know that a .apk file is basically a install file. KInda thought they were application execution files, which I think they are(?) . . . but they can be app install files a well? Sorry to ask such a knob question as well as so many others, but is how I will learn.
Again, thanks so much for the help.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Apk files used for installing apps like an exe file on windows or a dmg on mac, when you install something from the play store it is delivered as an APK file but it just happens "behind the scenes" so to speak, you are just bypassing the play store and directly installing the app but it's the same process...
When you install a app this is what happens in most cases.
1. The APK(s) gets stored in /data/app/<applicationname.apk> (this will get removed on uninstall.)
2. it creates a unique directory under /data/data/<applicationname> (this will get removed on uninstall)
3. it can create a directory under /mnt/sdcard/Android/data/<applicationname> (these files usually get left behind on uninstall but since it's on the user storage the user can remove them, it usually contains settings or cache files)
You don't need the .odex files, these are encrypted and probably wont work on other devices, it's basically the apk optimized for the device so it starts faster.
Just install the 3 apk's, the widget probably needs the main program for support and the daemon service probably runs in the background for updates ..etc, since you are installing them as a normal user it won't do much harm and you can always remove them if they do cause an issue, Applications are self contained and when you remove them the corresponding data folders are removed too (on the device) so it is unlikely to do any lasting damage.
To remove them go to Settings -> General -> Application Manager -> Downloaded and remove the apps from there . (if you don't see them swipe right until you see All )

Thanks so much for the reply an the education otyg
Did just as you suggested, deleted the odex files an tapped on the apk's to install, an don't know for why, but while it seemed to go as normal, in the end, I got a message saying they did not install, for all three.
Replaced the odex's back an that didn't seem to make a dif.
Perhaps it didn't work as could not install as device is not rooted?
Just to mention, I did have something with my Strat II device back a few months ago, where I placed another version of a accuweather widget in the systems/app folder, an it did show up.
At any rate, was a good try an thanks again for all the info.
Perhaps if I can get this device rooted, I can try again by just putting the apps in the folder.