a quick question about custom rom - Android

i thought once my phone was rooted it would be easy. only gets way more complicated. basically i'm looking to make a custom rom based on one of the ones already out just with my own apks, only thing is i don' tknow which apps are safe to remove. i remember reading that some were necessary to make the phone work. also i don't even know what some of the apps are, is there any way to tell? for istance applicationprovider.apk as far as i know, i don't need that, but i have no idea what it does. any place with all that info?

http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=581976
XDA-Developers -> search -> "apps safe remove"

And I believe that's all you'll need. Thread closed.

Related

Old Versions .... ???

Is there any site or source on the web that provides downloads of old versions of Android Market apps? This would be for apps that are now updated or no longer available on the Market? I am looking for a site similar to "OldVersion.com" which has some old/classic PC software (but this would be something for android apps instead)?
Thanks if anyone knows of a source or sites.
CustomShortcut gone?
The app that I am looking for in the above post was a free one called CustomShortcut APK. I now have it on one of my two phones (the other phone had it but was lost and replaced). I have tried looking for a developer page for this app but no luck as everything seems to point back to android market as the source link for download.
Does anyone know of a way or source for me to get this APK back on my other phone? Is there a way to copy it from one phone to the other? I am assuming that it was removed from the market because it may not be compatible with ICS but I am not running ICS. The application was made by appli.club.
Are you rooted? If so use root explorer to look for the .apk in the /system/app folder and copy or email it to the other phone and install it.
85gallon said:
Are you rooted? If so use root explorer to look for the .apk in the /system/app folder and copy or email it to the other phone and install it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No sadly I am not rooted. Is that how this could be done? I have an HTC phone (Sensation) and I like my "sense" gui. Don't want to wipe it out by rooting (that is what would happen, right?) If access to the apk is possible with rooting, then I guess my question would be, does anyone else here have CustomCut on their rooted phone? (Or possibly know of any website that would have those apk's available for download). I would be willing to pay if someone would take the time to send me a replacement copy.
just google for any app you want like this:
"title" "versionnumber" "apk" "download"
for example:
android market 2.9 apk download
mojosingle said:
No sadly I am not rooted. Is that how this could be done? I have an HTC phone (Sensation) and I like my "sense" gui. Don't want to wipe it out by rooting (that is what would happen, right?) If access to the apk is possible with rooting, then I guess my question would be, does anyone else here have CustomCut on their rooted phone? (Or possibly know of any website that would have those apk's available for download). I would be willing to pay if someone would take the time to send me a replacement copy.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Rooting will not wipe out your phone or change it other than giving you super user privileges. That way you will have access to get to the system apps folder.
I notice apktop keeps old versions around. But part of the reason I like Titanium backup is because I have a fail safe if a new update to an app is bad, as I can just restore from the last backup the older version.
85gallon said:
Rooting will not wipe out your phone or change it other than giving you super user privileges. That way you will have access to get to the system apps folder.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well I am not really too concerned about it wiping out my phone, but I thought I had read many posts here talking about once you root your phone the native skin from the manufacturer is eliminated (for HTC that would be the "Sense" user interface). Can you please confirm? Is this not true? HTC Sense will remain exactly the same after rooting my phone?
The other thing that has made me cautious is that my phone runs perfectly now and I see so many threads on the xda boards here and over at various android forums that start off with "My ____ app is not working right since I rooted...." Just a little daunting for a newbie like myself.
spunker88 said:
I notice apktop keeps old versions around. But part of the reason I like Titanium backup is because I have a fail safe if a new update to an app is bad, as I can just restore from the last backup the older version.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks very much for the site suggestion. I have been trying to search for the CustomShortcut APK over there but no luck ...so far (the site search is not that easy to use). I have even tried to seach the site externally using google but, unfortunately, still no luck.
Wait for someone else to confirm on the htc, but nothing changed on my droidx. I just had superuser privs. All of the "this app quit working" is when people flash custom roms. You don't do that when you just root. But you have to be rooted in order to do things like that. Lol.
Rooting gives you the power to do that if you want to.
When I rooted my droidx, I did it just so I could have the power to do other things if I wanted. I am still on factory rom. But I am able to get to parts of the phone that are off limits if I wasnt rooted. I made it where I could tether, later I got rid of bloatware, etc.
85gallon said:
Wait for someone else to confirm on the htc, but nothing changed on my droidx. I just had superuser privs. All of the "this app quit working" is when people flash custom roms. You don't do that when you just root. But you have to be rooted in order to do things like that. Lol.
Rooting gives you the power to do that if you want to.
When I rooted my droidx, I did it just so I could have the power to do other things if I wanted. I am still on factory rom. But I am able to get to parts of the phone that are off limits if I wasnt rooted. I made it where I could tether, later I got rid of bloatware, etc.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks once again for the reply. Now that you mention it, I remember reading the terminology "flashed" rom and thought they were similar or the same thing as rooting. One other question, once a phone is in a rooted state, if I was to go in and copy the APK for my replacement phone and put it on there could I then "unroot" lol ...sorry if this is not a word... so that my phone was no longer open? I had read somewhere (perhaps I heard it on a TWIT or Android podcast) that when your phone is in root state that anyone (ie: potentially bad software) has easier access to your phone's vunerable areas.
mojosingle said:
Thanks once again for the reply. Now that you mention it, I remember reading the terminology "flashed" rom and thought they were similar or the same thing as rooting. One other question, once a phone is in a rooted state, if I was to go in and copy the APK for my replacement phone and put it on there could I then "unroot" lol ...sorry if this is not a word... so that my phone was no longer open? I had read somewhere (perhaps I heard it on a TWIT or Android podcast) that when your phone is in root state that anyone (ie: potentially bad software) has easier access to your phone's vunerable areas.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
yes you can unroot. As for easy access after you are rooted to vulnerable areas, they can only get access if you let them. If an app wants super user privileges, you will get a pop up from su(the super user apk) telling you that some app is wanting privileges. You can grant or deny access. The only things on my phone that have ever given me a pop up are things that i downloaded and know need su access. Wifi tether, root explorer, adfree, etc.
I have found a site that keeps older version of an android app. It's called Android Drawer.
Hope it helps

Remove/Replace B&N Launcher

Not sure if this is the right place for this, or if it should be in General... BUT, can anyone tell me how to remove the Barnes and Noble Launcher and replace it with another (Looking at GO for now unless there's a way to run Nova on the current firmware. I'm looking at 1.4.2 right now (I saw the 1.4.0 stripped of B&N with GO launcher in its place)).
Any help would be appreciated
Yeah, this should probably be in General. And you'll need root access to install a new launcher.
you know... I ALMOST included "Yes, I have root" in my original post... but I thought, There is NO WAY someone would assume that given the question, I wouldnt have root access... that being said, YES, I have root access..
So, since you know i NEED root access... do you know how to accomplish this feat? or you just felt like telling me it should be in general, and that I need root?
Can an OP move this to general please?
RBThompsonV said:
you know... I ALMOST included "Yes, I have root" in my original post... but I thought, There is NO WAY someone would assume that given the question, I wouldnt have root access... that being said, YES, I have root access..
So, since you know i NEED root access... do you know how to accomplish this feat? or you just felt like telling me it should be in general, and that I need root?
Can an OP move this to general please?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This is a question. It should go in Q&A, not general.
If your launcher is available on the play store just install it and use button savior to hit home. Once you do that there will be a popup asking which launcher you'd like to use. Click the checkbox and select your launcher.
To remove the stock launcher, I would use AntTek app manager or Titanium to freeze the apk. That way if you ever need it, it's there. Only do it once your other launcher is installed.
RBThompsonV said:
you know... I ALMOST included "Yes, I have root" in my original post... but I thought, There is NO WAY someone would assume that given the question, I wouldnt have root access... that being said, YES, I have root access..
So, since you know i NEED root access... do you know how to accomplish this feat? or you just felt like telling me it should be in general, and that I need root?
Can an OP move this to general please?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Wow really? Have you ever read some of the questions that get asked around here? Then you'd understand why I have to assume you don't even know what root is. Sorry for trying to help you as simply as possible.
By the way, yeah, just install a launcher from the Play Store that are compatible. Then use that one as default.
Sorry, Been a member a long time, and yes.. I sometimes forget people have NO clue what it is that is needed prior to asking when they try doing something the device wasnt originally set up to do. I sort of equate the statement "Is it rooted" or "It needs to be rooted first" to something along the lines of: "How do I install a new transmission in my BMW" with an answer of "You need to have a BMW first". That being said, I have GO Launcher installed, but every time I hit the home key, it brings up the B&N interface, To get to GO, I have to go through TaskXP. Currently I'm using:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1494367
Using the 1.4.2 version.
Solar.Plexus said:
Wow really? Have you ever read some of the questions that get asked around here? Then you'd understand why I have to assume you don't even know what root is.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This is quite right. In my experience, if you want answers its best to give as much information as possible. Depending on the device it might consist of:
Bootloader unlocked, yes/no
S-off/on (HTC)
Root access, yes/no
Custom recovery, yes/no, if yes, what recovery + version
Current software version (if stock what version, if a rom, what version, etc)
Custom kernel, yes/no, if yes, what kernel/version
Solar is specifically referring to some posts we have seen on the nook forums; many nook users are very very new to Android and don't realize how important it is to provide the above information when asking for help.
RBThompsonV said:
Sorry, Been a member a long time, and yes.. I sometimes forget people have NO clue what it is that is needed prior to asking when they try doing something the device wasnt originally set up to do. I sort of equate the statement "Is it rooted" or "It needs to be rooted first" to something along the lines of: "How do I install a new transmission in my BMW" with an answer of "You need to have a BMW first". That being said, I have GO Launcher installed, but every time I hit the home key, it brings up the B&N interface, To get to GO, I have to go through TaskXP. Currently I'm using:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1494367
Using the 1.4.2 version.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
@Luke, my thought process exactly.
@OP, no problem, I understand.
Anyway, I haven't been on stock ROM for a long time, but try installing an app called Homecatcher. It prompts you which launcher you want when you hit the home button. After that, you can set a launcher to default.

[Q] Custom factory reset

I feel like this is a very basic question but I'm going to ask anyway, just want to make sure its the right direction before proceeding/researching and perhaps it would help others who may be looking to do the same. Hopefully I am posting in the right area, as this question should apply to any android based device.
I want to make a custom factory reset so when I factory reset my phone, it would revert back to almost factory settings, except with a few alterations. For example: some extra apps (maybe settings within those apps already selected), certain android settings already selected (developer tools, unknown sources etc), superuser with permissions already granted for certain apps, basically things beyond the scope of just pre-installed apps.
I understand the phone would need to be rooted, I would want to keep the original rom with the above mentioned changes. Of course I can always make a backup and simply load it, but I want to know if it can be done through factory reset. I only have experience rooting and loading custom roms (on many devices , I've always done so since droid 1) but I have never made a custom rom, which from my understanding, is what I need to do to for something like this.
Basically if you guys can tell me if I am in the right direction, completely off track and where should I go from here to make it happen.
Thanks!
Bump
No help?

[Q] Will be buying HDX 7" soon, have some questions

Is there currently a way to have both the Amazon App store and the Google Play store working together? On the newest update?
Does rooting have any adverse affects from Amazon? Like will anything stop working?
I plan on buying a used tablet, how can I check to make sure the tablet is deactivated so that I can use my own Amazon stuff on it and it doesn't get marked as stolen?
I may think of other questions I need help with in the meantime, but thanks for any help.
everwhere
Hobox10 said:
Is there currently a way to have both the Amazon App store and the Google Play store working together? On the newest update?
Does rooting have any adverse affects from Amazon? Like will anything stop working?
I plan on buying a used tablet, how can I check to make sure the tablet is deactivated so that I can use my own Amazon stuff on it and it doesn't get marked as stolen?
I may think of other questions I need help with in the meantime, but thanks for any help.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Check out the general section, you will find the anwser you seek. if you have any other questions there is also a search abilility..there are only about a half a dozen threads titled with the same or basically the same as yours...thanks for visiting and I hope you find all the information you need. Previous owner must unregister. the tablet from their account before u received it.and I would attempt to register it and setup your account before cash exchanges hands or contact amazon with id to verify that it has not been blackliisted already, it can either be unregistered by owner from tab then reset . Or done through ther online account..
A lot of the threads I have read seem to have people contradicting or trying to figure out what actually works or not, or is simply outdated.
Yeah, I'm with OP. I have a new Fire HDX and am trying to figure out the 'best' way to root it, and after reading through everything I'm more confused than before.
I haven't taken my Fire out of the box yet. There seems to be discussion that if I haven't downloaded an OTA yet, I can root in a way others can't because the new updates block it?
Is there a known "best" ROM someone can point us to?
Why do I keep seeing everyone say 'don't ever turn on wifi!'? I assume that is just to not get the OTA update at the beginning. But once rooted, obv we can use wifi right?
Is every root method dependant on creating a separate partition for the new ROM, and whenever we use the Kindle we have to choose to use the stock amazon rom or the new ROM we've flashed?
Thanks!
well
lordtigger said:
Yeah, I'm with OP. I have a new Fire HDX and am trying to figure out the 'best' way to root it, and after reading through everything I'm more confused than before.
I haven't taken my Fire out of the box yet. There seems to be discussion that if I haven't downloaded an OTA yet, I can root in a way others can't because the new updates block it?
Is there a known "best" ROM someone can point us to?
Why do I keep seeing everyone say 'don't ever turn on wifi!'? I assume that is just to not get the OTA update at the beginning. But once rooted, obv we can use wifi right?
Is every root method dependant on creating a separate partition for the new ROM, and whenever we use the Kindle we have to choose to use the stock amazon rom or the new ROM we've flashed?
Thanks!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well "root"has nothing to do with seperate partitions n such. root is all permission control over system.
The only way to flash anything currently is being on older os rooting,then installing safestrap which will set up alternate system and data boot path allowing you to flash a ROM separately from your factory os ,as to not disturb it. Because currently we do not have stable working fastboot for this device. As for BEST rom. In any situation is totally in one own experience and opinions. Currently there isn't any selection if u look in development section the only two that function only work on old firmware ...you can roll back to that firmware ..but also bootloader is locked tight thus the need for a "safe" type of recovery as of moment only works on older firmware also. Just.within the last couple of days have reveiled a couple of rooting options for lastest firmware so ...this tab per Amazon gives no warning nor asks permission to upgrade of firmware which unrooted a ton of people last few months...soooo no root no development....now we have root again we will get going again..Have fun and most of all be PATIENT and do not ask for ETA remember all the developers here are doing that on there FreeTime and free of pay most the time. AS FAR as rooting and adding gapps to newest firmware I heard that it has been achieved with HDXPOSED found in development and permission module . Then sideload gapps... As far as adverse effects... Like I said you will have to be patient if you want somebody else to find out bugs for you.. still to new .....due to new root releases..like last three days.
I'm perfectly fine with the stock rom honestly, as long as I can get Google Play store working alongside the Amazon app store. Now, assuming I can root when I receive the tablet, I will install safestrap. Is there any bugs or anything with safestrap but just using the stock rom? I saw some people mention getting permission errors and such but I think that was just for custom roms in another slot. I only want safestrap to make a backup.
Basically, is there any actual danger to modifying the stock rom at all, even something simply like play store? Or should it all be done on a custom rom slot? I would assume having the backup would mean if something got messed up I can just restore it.
Secondly, there is a SEPARATE play store mod you can do where they don't both work together right? I believe I saw something about it where you just have to install a custom launcher, and with the custom launcher the google play apps work but under the amazon launcher, amazon stuff works? If that's correct, does that work without root? Because I can live with that temporarily until root is secured.
Thanks.
nope
Hobox10 said:
I'm perfectly fine with the stock rom honestly, as long as I can get Google Play store working alongside the Amazon app store. Now, assuming I can root when I receive the tablet, I will install safestrap. Is there any bugs or anything with safestrap but just using the stock rom? I saw some people mention getting permission errors and such but I think that was just for custom roms in another slot. I only want safestrap to make a backup.
Basically, is there any actual danger to modifying the stock rom at all, even something simply like play store? Or should it all be done on a custom rom slot? I would assume having the backup would mean if something got messed up I can just restore it.
Secondly, there is a SEPARATE play store mod you can do where they don't both work together right? I believe I saw something about it where you just have to install a custom launcher, and with the custom launcher the google play apps work but under the amazon launcher, amazon stuff works? If that's correct, does that work without root? Because I can live with that temporarily until root is secured.
Thanks.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
As far as I know gapps aside from gmail will not work without root and HDXposed..(fixes permissions)and as far as doing any mods to stock slot it is not advised because of very difficult if even possible recovery due to no fastboot capabilities. Check for bugs for any mods in associated threads. As far as flashing anything ,again I am not sure safestrap is functioning on latest firmware .. And there hasn't been enough time for any development because of the recent rooting capabilities.
Alright, so it sounds like this is what I should do then:
Get tablet
Root it (If I can't, then I stop here)
Install safestrap
Backup
Install the backup on romslot 1??
Make the modifications I want to romslot 1
Is that right?
Also let's assume I can't root it, I can still sideload most apps I want like Gmail, Youtube, etc? (Those aren't on the amazon app store correct?)
yeap
Hobox10 said:
Alright, so it sounds like this is what I should do then:
Get tablet
Root it (If I can't, then I stop here)
Install safestrap
Backup
Install the backup on romslot 1??
Make the modifications I want to romslot 1
Is that right?
Also let's assume I can't root it, I can still sideload most apps I want like Gmail, Youtube, etc? (Those aren't on the amazon app store correct?)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah I would say you just about got the idea .... If it is a brand-new unit you have a possibility that it will be on the old firmware still ... That is why they need to bypass activation skip set up . And check firmware before you hook it to any active Wi-Fi service .. And even if it does or is already updated there is now root available for the latest firmware ... It's just a question whether or not we can get anything else to work along with the latest firmware ... I would be advised if you attempt to run the OTA blocker which comes in the HDX utility you may have Wi-Fi glitches and reboots .... But like I said those bugs need to be checked for and follow through and repaired in their associated threads ... Not a new thread that only plugs up our forums but puts the helpful threads on the next page where cannot find them ... Remember there are multiple pages each forum section and some of the helpful threads have been buried on the next page due to people starting new threads with the same questions or problem... That have been resolved already... Remember reading is more informative than typing . And remember if anybody here is giving you their personal time to answer your questions and respond to your post it is courtesy here to hit the thanks button in the left lower corner of the post.End rant. thx
<~~~~~~~~~~ ; )

Lenovo A916 - New owners read this!

Hi all, when I bought the Lenovo A916 phone from www.lightinthebox.com it came with spyware included in the Stock Rom(which had been modified by 3rd party), impossible to get rid of unless you root the phone, because its located in system files.
Beware, if you do a factory reset the spyware will be back! Also, do NOT use your phone for banking or anything else with passwords, before you have removed the spyware since it contains a keylogger!
You can flash it with new Rom(also known as Firmware) or a clean Stock(original) Rom - that will remove the spyware. You have to be rooted for this to work.
Right now my phone has A916_S1205_141013 rom - below there is a link to this Rom - its multilingual - I have not yet had the time to try it myself and don't know if its clean.
http://firmwarefile.com/lenovo-a916
I have removed all the spyware, after I rooted my phone, and its working as it should - But as I said earlier, the spyware will return if I do factory reset.
If you bought this phone on the net like most of us, then I suggest that you install the following and scan for spyware. Take note, that the spyware is not from Lenovo!
Avast, Avira, ESET, 360 security, Malwarebytes - use all of them, since there are always something one don't find but the other one will.
Be aware that something can go wrong, and I'm not responsible for you trying this out.
The best way to root is Kingo root. But first, attach your phone to your PC/laptop(make its connected to the internet) and on the phone choose MTP, now the phone will install drivere for its first use - this is important!
Then you click the icon in the notification area in windows, to dissconnect usb devices and dissconnect your phone. Wait a few min, - then re-connect and this time (on he phone) choose the last option which say something like "Virtual CD". If autorun is enabled on your pc, you will then get an option to browse this virtual CD - do so!
Copy the content of the virtual CD to a new folder on your pc, then run and install LenovoUsbDriver_autorun_1.0.12.exe - this is important. Don't bother with the other things there since its in chinese.
Then get Kingo root from here:
http://www.kingoapp.com/android-root.htm
Click to download it from CNET, be aware that it might get caught by your antivirus - not that it contains virus, but because its used to root phones. If it got to you pc safely, then run it and it will download the real rooting software - make sure to say NO/Decline/uncheck to any offer that comes up(like install Yahoo). Stupid and annoying way CNET try to impose their stuff onto people.
Now, the real software has been downloaded(android_root.exe) - run it and follow the guide. There are also a guide on Kingo root's webpage.
After you have rooted your phone, run the antivirus Apps again, this time you will be able to remove some but not all of the spyware. Make a list of those you can't remove - then go to the superuser app you can remove the software that contains spyware and cannot be cleaned otherwise. Be careful what you remove.
I found spyware in these and removed with the supeuser app
Trojan.Agent.mq in /system/app/CallerID.apk
PUP.Adware.ShinyMob.a in /mnt/sdcard/funweather.apk
Backdoor.Ginmaster in /system/app/Weatherservice_K517_u002_20140910.apk
Trojan.Fadeb.a in /system/app/Twitter_qd_3025.apk
Do NOT remove the ThemeCenter app!! Its used its used by the system to set wallpaper. If it has spyware then you can remove it and replace it with the one in this post:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=63651753&postcount=42
Good luck!
JBJ
Moderator, please don't remove any of this - Its super important!
If someone has suggestion or tips to this thread then please PM me an I can insert it with credit in the 1st post!
I don't have any direct experience with this device, being in the USA, but this seems like it might work http://www.needrom.com/download/lenovo-a916-multilang-root-gapps/ .
I don't have any direct experience with this device, being in the USA, but this seems like it might work http://www.needrom.com/download/leno...ng-root-gapps/ .
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi and thank you for the answer, I have looked at these already, but the authors seem not to want to answer questions on if this is clean.
EDIT: this is obsolete now - please read at 1st post!
EDIT: this is obsolete now - please read at 1st post!
Moderator: Is there a way to delete ones own post?
insomniacno1 said:
EDIT: this is obsolete now - please read at 1st post!
Moderator: Is there a way to delete ones own post?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hello I have a Lenovo A916 and im planing on rooting it and installing a vanilla version of android on it to get rid of the bloatware it contains
I was thinking of using the rom you just shared but after seeing your comment about "this is obsolete now" I have now to ask you what do you mean by obsolete? the rom link didnt turn out to be safe or something?

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