Device ID Mod? - Android Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting

Anyone have an idea as to an app that will change the device seen by the market, on the fly (no editing and not permanent)?
Why I need this (example):
I flash a ROM and the device is seen as an HTC HD2 – some apps will be marked as incompatible and cannot be downloaded
I flash a ROM and the device is seen as a NexusHD2 – those same apps are not blocked and can be downloaded
It is a limitation of the information provided by the developer when he/she submits his/her app to the market, which restricts the access.
While I am affected by a number of apps, here is one that comes to mind... HBO GO is marked as incompatible. I pay FiOS & HBO and would like to make use of that free app (among others) to access what I am already paying for.
I have contacted HBO and was unable to talk with anyone having the slightest clue as to what I was talking about, subsequently sending me to a page that listed "currently" supported Android devices and suggested that I check that regularly for updates…
My suggested resolution:
Freeze Google Play
Run Device_Change_App (whatever it might be called) to change the device information, reported by my device, to a device that will work for the app I want
Defrost Google Play, login, and download (pay if needed) the app.
Exit Google Play
Freeze Google Play
Re-run the Device_Change_App app and return to the ROM defaults.
Defrost Google Play
Ideas?

Look at the build.prop of the rom that show device like NexusHD2
Open the build.prop of rom that show device as HTC HD2
Change those lines :
ro.product.model=
ro.product.brand=
ro.product.name=
ro.product.device=
ro.product.board=
You can do this on your PC then copy build.prop on your SDCard and after you have to replace the build.prop set in system folder or you can follow this tuto :
How-to-edit-build-prop

ghenarys said:
Look at the build.prop of the rom that show device like NexusHD2
Open the build.prop of rom that show device as HTC HD2
Change those lines :
ro.product.model=
ro.product.brand=
ro.product.name=
ro.product.device=
ro.product.board=
You can do this on your PC then copy build.prop on your SDCard and after you have to replace the build.prop set in system folder or you can follow this tuto :
How-to-edit-build-prop
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you, ghenarys. I know how to edit it. The first line of my OP was "Anyone have an idea as to an app that will change the device seen by the market, on the fly (no editing and not permanent)?"

There was some app called build.prop editor
Sent from my GT-S5660

Yes but he's not looking to edit the build prop, reboot, blablabla. Instead an app with su permossions to freeze, change, and unfreeze. Like what Market Enabler does but for device Id. Is marketenabler open scource I wonder, maybe get in contact with them and see how they do it?

Dubhaltach said:
Yes but he's not looking to edit the build prop, reboot, blablabla. Instead an app with su permossions to freeze, change, and unfreeze. Like what Market Enabler does but for device Id.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you, Dubhaltach. One app, would be ideal, but I was not pushing that far.
The problem would be for the app to contain, or look-up in real-time, info (ro.product.model=, ro.product.brand=, ro.product.name=, ro.product.device=, ro.product.board=) for the various ROMs that could be selected from.

Coding the app would definitely be easy enough as you wouldn't have to code in java, I'm sure a script would do. Maybe have a look over in Rom Toolbox, they let you run and write script codes. Let's see something like this
Code:
echo Changing Build prop...
pm disable vending.apk
Pull /system/build.prop /sdcard/buildpropbackup/build.prop
Move /sdcard/buildpropnew/build.prop /system/app
Echo rebooting...
Reboot
Pm enable vending.apk
you'd have premade custom build.props in your sd card. Can't think of a way of doping or without atleast 1 reboot. Making it a hot reboot would work I just don't know the busybox command for it. By the way what I wrote might have no effect at all its just my rough idea, needs refining!
Sent from my HTC One X using XDA

Post Deleted

I will move this back to development
But for future ref asking for or suggestions are not development as nothing has been developed so should go into the General or Q&A
When something has been developed then it goes into development
Thanks and good luck with this

Mods, if you could possibly move this back to development now that we have something to work on...
Eitherway, I present you................... device id changer!
Take it at your own risks, I'm not responsible for anything and havent fully had a chance to fully test anything. MAKE. A. NANDROID. BACKUP. And maybe try testing it from recovery if it doesn't work from Android.
If anyone would know how to throuw this into an android shell script (I don't know the syntax what with Echo and list's ect) give us a shout, or better yet a nice GUI app for this thing!
Good Luck!

Dubhaltach said:
Mods, if you could possibly move this back to development now that we have something to work on...
Eitherway, I present you................... device id changer!
Take it at your own risks, I'm not responsible for anything and havent fully had a chance to fully test anything. MAKE. A. NANDROID. BACKUP. And maybe try testing it from recovery if it doesn't work from Android.
If anyone would know how to throuw this into an android shell script (I don't know the syntax what with Echo and list's ect) give us a shout, or better yet a nice GUI app for this thing!
Good Luck!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you, Dubhatach! Will give it a try after I do a triple backup...

Not at all, was a lovely simple yet doable project! Yeah I didn't want any mobs with pitchforks after me and my HD2 temporarily went kaput.
Sent from my HTC One X using XDA

DizzyDen's IMEI generator and ROM updater
This thing has been slowly packed with features, I bet you could do a lot of what you want here.
Pdroid lets you pick a random or static imei number as well, but the generator may be closer to what you want.

Related

[THINK TANK - WIP] Apps2SD on Nexus with Option on Install Location

Hi all,
If you are going to say we don't need Apps2SD on the N1, please leave the thread now . (Actually, read on) There are various reasons I can think of why we need Apps2SD on the N1, and one of the biggest is actually Games. I don't really play any games to begin with, but the last I checked, some games are as large as 19MB, possibly more. Isn't it kind of crappy that the N1, the superphone, can't hold more than 10 such games?
I started this thread with the intention of gathering more information, and hopefully some coders will do it (including myself, if I've the time). Package Manager (the thing in charge of installing, if I'm not wrong), is in the AOSP, under frameworks/base. In such a case, wouldn't it be possible for some programmer to mod it such that it will ask you whether to install to (SD/Phone) before each installation process?
The other issue is, looking at current implementation of A2SD, it seems all apps on Phone are moved to the SD card partition. If we can have an implementation that allows both to co-exist, in addition to the Package Manager mod, I'd say we'll have a pretty nice implementation.
Your thoughts/findings? I may be completely off, have yet to actually look at the AOSP source.
Update:
@ChrisSoyars has an early implementation of this in his SnackPack - http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=638301
I would also like to thank everyone else for their valuable input and support ! Keep them coming. Lastly, sorry I'm not doing much code-wise (not at all), school work's too much .
Would be nice!
....I've got the same problem. Some application are very big and so i have got only 10MB free space anymore...
ADB is god
See my attachment file
And...there is already a post about app2SD and this is not in the correct section...
lazinase said:
See my attachment file
And...there is already a post about app2SD and this is not in the correct section...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
that doesnt work on roms like the desire by modaco. app2sd doesnt work, ive tried that method and it just hangs. true there is a thread already for app2sd, but its not going anywhere in terms of the newest desire release. i know its still early, but i only had like 50mb for apps and i have over 120 apps and i didnt feel like reinstalling. someone fix it please.
Apps to SD is of course necessary. The Nexus doesn't really have that much space for apps - about 190mb which is only the same as the Hero.
I have apps 2 SD working with CM 5.0.3 from the kitchen.
its also addable to a CM rom using the how to thread.
It WAS working ok with MoDaCo ROMS but for some reason has ceased to work and causes bootloops if you bake it in - shame...
I've no coding experience, but willing to test stuff out anytime.....
Dayz xx
i think what Wysie is trying to do is stimulate discussion about a different way to do A2SD.
He, and a lot of people believe (including myself) that running apps from the sd makes them slower, so what he wants is like WM where when you install an app it gives you an option to install it either onthe device or on the sd. So you can choose to install your most used and apps that require speed the most on your device...
And if this isnt thread development where the hell should he have posted it? It certainly is development if you ask me. he is thinking of ways to develop a better A2SD.
Seems like unionfs + some kind of app to manage which apps live where might work. This would require kernel support, however. You would set up /data/app and /data/app-private as union mounts of (say) /data/app-internal with /sdcard/app and /data/app-private-internal with /sdcard/app-private. You would then want a custom app management tool to move things to the appropriate places.
Nice initative Wysie.
My suggestions are as follows:
Use a different mount point, not inside any of the other file systems.
Like /apps2sd, this makes it alot easier to handle in the recovery realm (which is what I care about).
As for handling the specific apps installed in either /data/app or /apps2sd I suggest we have a look at something simple. Like symlinking individual apps.
Ext filesystem is mounted on /apps2sd on boot.
New installs of apps are done in /data/app like normally. /data/app is not symlinked to the apps2sd directory like it is today.
If a user want a app to be stored on apps2sd instead of in /data/app a management app can just move the .apk from /data/app to /apps2sd and set up a symlink it up into /data/app again.
Simple demonstration:
Initial state, two apps installed normally:
/data/app:
SomeApp.apk
SomeOtherApp.apk
/apps2sd
<empty>
Now the user moves SomeApp to apps2sd:
/data/app
SomeApp.apk -> /apps2sd/SomeApp.apk (symlink)
SomeOtherApp.apk
/apps2sd
SomeApp.apk
If this is possible, i.e. making sure that Android doesn't bork on symlinked apps (can't see why it would, but best to make sure). This is clean simple way handle it. It gives more control on what apps are stored where, better handling of ext stuff in recovery.
Also writing scripts/apps to facilitate this is trivial since it's so simple.
What do you think? Want input especially from ROM makers.
packetlss said:
As for handling the specific apps installed in either /data/app or /apps2sd I suggest we have a look at something simple. Like symlinking individual apps.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Okay, that's better than my idea, assuming it works. One disadvantage is that removing the SD card breaks all the links. You could conceivably swap cards with the unionfs approach, as long as you were not using any widgets or launcher icons which rely on APKs in the SD storage, and had a way to properly unmount the disk. Might not be worth the complexity, though.
I think the biggest issue is with regards to removal of SD card. You guys have made it way more complex than I thought, thanks for enlightening/sharing !
I thought it could be as simple as simply modifying the Apps2SD script to allow apps to exist on both the sdcard and the phone, and then modifying the Package Manager to prompt the user on where to install to. Keep those thoughts/opinions coming!
If it wasn't for my school work and lousy time management i'd definitely start doing something. For now, it's good enough if all the necessary knowledge is shared here, then some dev can actually start work and put it on github or something for the rest of the community to contribute!
i haven't looked deeply into android's files. but i've worked on hacking motorola phones to engineer a packet manager system. (EZX phones)
i believe the solution that we want isn't with the use of symlink or that sort. we should aim to find a clean, programmatic way of doing it - built to the heart of android.
any idea how android am manage the apps on the phone? is there an sqlite app db or something? how does it store the installed applications information?
arctu said:
i haven't looked deeply into android's files. but i've worked on hacking motorola phones to engineer a packet manager system. (EZX phones)
i believe the solution that we want isn't with the use of symlink or that sort. we should aim to find a clean, programmatic way of doing it - built to the heart of android.
any idea how android am manage the apps on the phone? is there an sqlite app db or something? how does it store the installed applications information?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well, you have to remember that the solution should work on stuff that we do not have source access to, like people wanting to use on ported ROMs or a rooted stock ROM.
I tried to simlink apk's but for some reason it didn't work, simlink the app directory works.
I think the best way would be to add paths in the program that actually searches/launches the apps (my guess would be that's in framework.jar)
Currently it looks in /system/app, /data/app & /data/app-private there should not be any technical reason why it couldn't look in a forth directory. this way you can keep the imporant/most used apps in the flash and large/less used on the sdcard...
rj3005 said:
I think the best way would be to add paths in the program that actually searches/launches the apps (my guess would be that's in framework.jar)
Currently it looks in /system/app, /data/app & /data/app-private there should not be any technical reason why it couldn't look in a forth directory. this way you can keep the imporant/most used apps in the flash and large/less used on the sdcard...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
packetlss said:
Well, you have to remember that the solution should work on stuff that we do not have source access to, like people wanting to use on ported ROMs or a rooted stock ROM.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Again, this is the problem. A general technique suitable for XDA-type applications must require only root or changes to GPL code. You can't touch the framework, which can (and does) have proprietary branches.
packetlss said:
Well, you have to remember that the solution should work on stuff that we do not have source access to, like people wanting to use on ported ROMs or a rooted stock ROM.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i would say that we have no choice but to implement it without considering those groups. however, i do suggest that we should make the implementation compatible, just that, on modded frameworks like cyan, it works to the fullest.
olearyp said:
unionfs
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Everything old is new again. Oh well.
olearyp said:
Everything old is new again. Oh well.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Unionfs is not available for android devices without kernel sources.
Concerning ported rom, I am not sure the package installer get modified by vendors. So it may be possible to implement the changes done to aosp code using baksmali.
So my two cents are:
- modify AOSP sources to have android lookup at /sd/app for apps
- modify package installer to have it asks where to install apps
Sure the removing of sdcard problem is still there. I don't know how we can ever handle a straight manual remove of it. It implies big modifications to AOSP sources to have the system aware of missing applications that have existing home shortcuts or widgets, so it "hides" them until app is back...
Anyway we can start implementing the functionality and look after for that sdcard removal problem.
I've been thinking of doing this for a while, has any progress been made?
I like the idea of modifying pm to prompt for the install location, I was thinking of just writing an app to manage that (but probably would be a good idea to have both).
If progress has been made, great, if not, I may start a fork of CM5's vendor tree for this.
Lox_Dev said:
Unionfs is not available for android devices without kernel sources.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Kernel sources are the one thing you most assuredly do have on all devices, at least if they're sold where copyright law can be enforced. No one needs to risk a lawsuit by intentionally violating GPL.
olearyp said:
Kernel sources are the one thing you most assuredly do have on all devices, at least if they're sold where copyright law can be enforced. No one needs to risk a lawsuit by intentionally violating GPL.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well.. it is not the case in real life.... For eg, acer Liquid kernel sources they acer provided is unusable.
Just a clue for aosp source modification:
services/java/com/android/server/PackageManagerService.java:frameworks/base/ Log.d(TAG, "Scanning app dir " + dir

[MOD] Fix Protected Apps not Showing on FroYo

This is just a simple build.prop mod to fix the fingerprint back to the working ERE27 one used in CM. Everything in Settings still shows FroYo, but the Market sees you as ERE27 & thus gives you your protected apps back
To install run this from the directory you unzip the file to:
ADB Method:
Code:
adb remount
adb shell rm /system/build.prop
adb push froyo.prop /system/build.prop
adb shell reboot
Then, once it reboots, go into the dialer, and type
Code:
*#*#CHECKIN#*#*
which is
Code:
*#*#2432546#*#*
for those of you who are too lazy to read the letters
A message should pop up into the status bar after a few seconds depending on your connection speed saying checkin succeeded.
Now you're good to go, open Market and download away
EDIT: Since I know some of you will wonder what this does, it just changes the ro.build.fingerprint & ro.build.description settings back to ERE27. This alone would normally be enough, but you're depending on luck to when you next check in. Dialing that code in the Dialer will force a checkin.
EDIT 2: Thanks to Shafty023 here is a method for the shell:
LINUX SHELL METHOD
Copy froyo.zip to /sdcard, then open a Terminal shell on your phone
Code:
su
mount -o remount,rw /system
cd /system
mv build.prop new.build.prop
unzip /sdcard/froyo.zip
mv froyo.prop build.prop
rm /sdcard/froyo.zip
reboot
Upon booting back up, open Dialer and type in the following code
Code:
*#*#2432546#*#*
Once you see a notification in the notification bar that says checkin succeeded you can now open Market and are done.
Nice! Trying it now.
EDIT: Working great so far. Thanks!
athereal said:
Nice! Trying it now.
EDIT: Working great so far. Thanks!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
testing it in a few minutes too.... [UPDATE: works like a charm!]
Nice job Geniusdog254! really nice
thanks!
Thanks, works great!
Grrr... adb has been broken for me for months. Any way to fix this without adb?
Part Four said:
Grrr... adb has been broken for me for months. Any way to fix this without adb?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Use one of the root file explorers to unzip the file, delete the old build.prop, put the new one in, and then type the command in the dialer
Works like a charm, thanks!
Worked great, THANK YOU!!!!!
I'm getting checkin failed. should I have renamed froyo.prop to build.prop?
edit: I'm able to see protected apps though.
So what happens when apps start getting udated to take advantage of JIT? If you have ERE27 signature do you get the JIT'less version of the apps? I know Replica Island is coming with a JIT version. I'm afraid to mess with anything right now, rather be patient and give it a few days.
dudebro said:
I'm getting checkin failed. should I have renamed froyo.prop to build.prop?
edit: I'm able to see protected apps though.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you inserted this line correctly, it renames and places the file in its directory as build.prop
adb push froyo.prop /system/build.prop
Mikey1022 said:
If you inserted this line correctly, it renames and places the file in its directory as build.prop
adb push froyo.prop /system/build.prop
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
yeah, I was wondering if it worked because I was getting checkin failed.
bluehaze said:
So what happens when apps start getting udated to take advantage of JIT? If you have ERE27 signature do you get the JIT'less version of the apps? I know Replica Island is coming with a JIT version. I'm afraid to mess with anything right now, rather be patient and give it a few days.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Apps don't have to be updated to take advantage of JIT at all. They can be optimized but they can be optimized without JIT too. There are no different versions. JIT just converts the Java/Dalvik code into native code at app launch, instead of running it through the slower virtual machine. Its like C++ vs Java on a desktop, the native code (C++) is much faster when executed.
The only thing this will lead to is when apps start showing up in the Market as 2.2+ only, but by that point Google will have updated the market to recognize the new footprint.
Can someone give an example of a "Protected" app? If its worth anything, im assuming its paid apps. If so, i can see them without a modded build.prop.
serialtoon said:
Can someone give an example of a "Protected" app? If its worth anything, im assuming its paid apps. If so, i can see them without a modded build.prop.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think Twidroid Pro is protected.
What I'm wondering is, if somebody swaps out the build prop but hasn't installed flash yet, would this block them from doing so?
serialtoon said:
Can someone give an example of a "Protected" app? If its worth anything, im assuming its paid apps. If so, i can see them without a modded build.prop.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Pure calender widget (agenda) is a protected app taht doesnt show up in the 2.2 market
Edit: Works perfect! Thanks.
If you are having problems with the checkin, make sure your on 3g and not WiFi.
Mi|enko said:
I think Twidroid Pro is protected.
What I'm wondering is, if somebody swaps out the build prop but hasn't installed flash yet, would this block them from doing so?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Nope, Flash still shows up in the Market top apps for me, but I already have it installed. Technically it probably should show up only on the 2.2 Market, but Google may not be able to filter that yet since they haven't enabled the 2.2 fingerprint yet. Just theories here, don't take anything I say too seriously
Also, a perfect example of protected apps is all the Gameloft apps. Search the Market for Gameloft. They won't show up on 2.2 without this, I tried multiple times
Geniusdog254 said:
Nope, Flash still shows up in the Market top apps for me, but I already have it installed. Technically it probably should show up only on the 2.2 Market, but Google may not be able to filter that yet since they haven't enabled the 2.2 fingerprint yet. Just theories here, don't take anything I say too seriously
Also, a perfect example of protected apps is all the Gameloft apps. Search the Market for Gameloft. They won't show up on 2.2 without this, I tried multiple times
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yea, im not getting any of the GameLoft games.
serialtoon said:
Yea, im not getting any of the GameLoft games.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Even after this?

[Q][RESOLVED] Browser app settings and sync contacts

Hi ,
Yesterday, I installed ubuntu touch in my nexus 4 and decided to use it as my daily rom.
So, i tried to modify some settings. Everything is working well, however i have two problems.
The first one : I failed to synchronized contacts with syncevolutions. It's working but it synchronise only one or few contacs in my .csv file. As a solution i used google contacts sync. But if somebody have (or had) the same problem it can be interesting to share the solution with evryvody.
The second one : I tried to change the browser app settings, but it didn't work. I used these two websites to help me :
"bazaar.launchpad.net/~phablet-team/webbrowser-app/trunk/view/head:/README#L71" and
"lists.launchpad.net/ubuntu-phone/msg10301.html" I removed the first part, because i'm not able to post outside links.
According to the first website, we can change the homepage and the searche engine, you can use the second website to understand how to do it, i followed the instructions, but it didn't work for me. So, if somebody want to try or already have the solution, it would be amazing.
Thanks.
Edit : Apparently It is now possible to change the search engine directly in the browser (18 June update)
Although it's about calendar sync, this might be helpful: http://forum.xda-developers.com/ubuntu-touch/help/calendar-app-doesnt-sync-t3054933
What's the content of your browser settings files? I have that working fine for me here.
Code:
[email protected]:~$ cat ~/.config/webbrowser-app/settings.conf
homepage=https://duckduckgo.com
searchengine=duck
allowOpenInBackgroundTab=true
[email protected]:~$ cat ~/.local/share/webbrowser-app/searchengines/duck.xml
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<OpenSearchDescription xmlns="http://a9.com/-/spec/opensearch/1.1/">
<ShortName>Duck Search</ShortName>
<Description>Search Duck Duck Go</Description>
<Url type="text/html"
template="https://duckduckgo.com/?q={searchTerms}"/>
<AdultContent>false</AdultContent>
<Language>en-au</Language>
<OutputEncoding>UTF-8</OutputEncoding>
<InputEncoding>UTF-8</InputEncoding>
</OpenSearchDescription>
thank you for your answer,
so i only had some problems in my duck.xml files, and it is working now.:good:
Thanks for everything, it might help other people too.
PS: i don't know have to change the title to [SOLVED]
Great to hear that. I'm glad that it's working now.
If you're using the web interface, you can click on the edit button below the first post, then on "Go Advanced" and then you can edit the title.
Sent from my awesome Ubuntu Touch device using the Forum Browser app
directory not found
Hello:
I can't find the directory: /home/phablet/.config/webbrowser-app /
on my bq aquaris 4.5 device...
When I try:
cat~/.config/webbrowser-app/settings.conf
the answer is:
No such file or directory
Thanks in advance.
natxuno said:
Hello:
I can't find the directory: /home/phablet/.config/webbrowser-app /
on my bq aquaris 4.5 device...
When I try:
cat~/.config/webbrowser-app/settings.conf
the answer is:
No such file or directory
Thanks in advance.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The file and directory isn't created by default. You have to create it manually.
Btw, a settings UI is coming soon.
Thx
nikwen said:
The file and directory isn't created by default. You have to create it manually.
Ok, I thought I only had to modify an existent file
I'll try...
Thanks a lot for your answer, nikwen.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
natxuno said:
The file and directory isn't created by default. You have to create it manually.
Ok, I thought I only had to modify an existent file
I'll try...
Thanks a lot for your answer, nikwen.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The file is automatically generated on devel-proposed build 166 now. However, it's called webbrowser-app.conf there.
If you're on the stable channel, expect that your browser settings will break in the future. However, you'll simply have to apply your changes to the new file then.
Hello,
I decided to install ubuntu touch again after all the new things they made.
However, changing the browser is no more working for.
I just wanted to know if there was another way to do it or if it was only my fault ?
Moreover, is that possible to uninstall preinstalled scopes like 7digital, amazon, ebay ... ?
@Remy.L There is just one browser for Ubuntu (except one third party browser). You can switch tabs by swiping up from the bottom edge though.
No, uninstalling preinstalled scopes isn't possible using the GUI as long as they aren't in the store.
Sent from my awesome Ubuntu Touch device using the Forum Browser app
---------- Post added at 12:07 AM ---------- Previous post was at 12:04 AM ----------
Now I get what you mean with "changing the browser". There should be a settings option in the browser itself now (install the update from this week if you haven't already). Give it a try.
If there is still something you want to change manually, check out the contents of the browser's data directory. I think they renamed the settings file.
Sent from my awesome Ubuntu Touch device using the Forum Browser app
Sorry, i did not mean browser but search engine (replace google by duckduckgo).
I did not managed to have it working in the new version.
Anyway, do not bother you, i'm not using ubuntu touch anymore because i'm do not like that path they are taking with this OS (you can not uninstall what you do not want).
As i prefer to use open source software, the best thing to do now is to use an AOSP rom (or maybe firefox OS)
Thanks a lot for all your answers and have a nice day
PS: Sorry for my English, i'm not totally fluent
Edit : Apparently with the new version it is possible to change and chose the search engine you want.:good:
However, I guess that it is still impossible to remove unwanted stock scopes (however, as it is possible to remove unwanted stock apps, it may be possible to do it soon)
Remy.L said:
Sorry, i did not mean browser but search engine (replace google by duckduckgo).
I did not managed to have it working in the new version.
Anyway, do not bother you, i'm not using ubuntu touch anymore because i'm do not like that path they are taking with this OS (you can not uninstall what you do not want).
As i prefer to use open source software, the best thing to do now is to use an AOSP rom (or maybe firefox OS)
Thanks a lot for all your answers and have a nice day
PS: Sorry for my English, i'm not totally fluent
Edit : Apparently with the new version it is possible to change and chose the search engine you want.:good:
However, I guess that it is still impossible to remove unwanted stock scopes (however, as it is possible to remove unwanted stock apps, it may be possible to do it soon)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You could try removing them with the terminal-app like this:
Code:
sudo click unregister --user=phablet com.ubuntu.badscope
That should actually work. Pretty much everything can be uninstalled, even though not easily.
nikwen said:
You could try removing them with the terminal-app like this:
Code:
sudo click unregister --user=phablet com.ubuntu.badscope
That should actually work. Pretty much everything can be uninstalled, even though not easily.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ok tried to use this command, however if i want to uninstall amazon scope, it says to me that com.ubuntu.amazon does not exist.
Moreover it seems that we still cannot change the search engine directly in the browser ( I tried the devel/ubuntu version via Multirom)
Remy
Remy.L said:
Ok tried to use this command, however if i want to uninstall amazon scope, it says to me that com.ubuntu.amazon does not exist.
Moreover it seems that we still cannot change the search engine directly in the browser ( I tried the devel/ubuntu version via Multirom)
Remy
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You need to find out the right package name of the amazon scope (given that it is installed as a click package, of course; I was unable to find it using "click list").
The reason why you don't see the option to change the search engine is that the devel builds are really, really outdated. I think they are half a year old or something like that. Either install the stable channel or devel-proposed.
Ok, thank you for all your answers, it may help a lot of people
Unfortunatly I broker my Nexus 4 screen last week (I'm planning to repair it but not yet [in few month]) so i can not try this rom right now.
Once more, thanks again for your help and for your answers,
Have a nice day
Oh, I'm sorry to hear that. Did you know that the Meizu MX4 Ubuntu Edition has just been released?
Sent from my awesome Ubuntu Touch device using the Forum Browser app
Hi nikwen,
I'm back on this forum because i repaired my nexus 4. Everything is now workinh, and the rom seems very nice.
However it is still impossible to uninstall unwanted scopes (like amazon) even with the terminal. (impossible to know the name of the scope).
I also tried this sudo dpkg --get-selections >liste but it does not list the scopes name.
Thank you for all your answers
Remy.L said:
Hi nikwen,
I'm back on this forum because i repaired my nexus 4. Everything is now workinh, and the rom seems very nice.
However it is still impossible to uninstall unwanted scopes (like amazon) even with the terminal. (impossible to know the name of the scope).
I also tried this sudo dpkg --get-selections >liste but it does not list the scopes name.
Thank you for all your answers
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi,
Yes, there's been a discussion about this on the ubuntu-phone mailing list recently. The reason why they can indeed not be uninstalled is that they are remote scopes with the code lying on a Canonical server and not on the device itself. I didn't follow the whole discussion, so if you are interested, check out the mailing list archive and you should be able to find the conversation within the first 5 pages.
Hi Nikwen,
So i checked your link and found what i needed
So yes, it is impossible to uninstall these scopes like you said, the only way is to keep it without using it.
But the thing i was thinking about is : If you do not use these scopes does it still get informations from you (in background) ? (because and do not want it to use my data continuously)
Sorry for all these questions
Have a nice day,
Remy
@Remy.L No, they won't be giving any information away. Scopes only run when they are in the foreground and even if they are, they are confined by a software called "apparmor", which means that they cannot access any data besides that which you enter into the search box. They don't have access to any of your private stuff.
Sent from my awesome Ubuntu Touch device using the Forum Browser app

Enable multi user / guest account feature on Lollipop

The multi user and guest account feature is not available on either of the two recent releases of Lollipop for the Z3v. I did some research and it appears this is the case, not only on other Verizon handsets like the Droid Turbo and the Galaxy S5 / S6, but a few other non-VZW devices as well. I'm not sure why it was removed but apparently it's just hidden. It can be enabled and I followed the instructions for doing this for the various other devices and can report that it works for our Z3v (see attached screenshots).
I've kind of cleaned up the instructions and put them below. Usual disclaimer - I'm not responsible for anything that may happen to you or your cat if you choose to do the following. You DO need root access to edit and write to the system file.
** To be safe, please make a backup of your phone and/or a copy of the build.prop file that you are going to edit.
Get ES File Explorer. Run it and enable Root Explorer setting. (You may be able to use any file explorer and editor with root access but this is used most in the instructions and works.)
With ES File Explorer, go to device/system/ and find the file: build.prop
Choose to edit it with ES Note Editor.
Scroll to the end of the file and type in the following:
fw.max_users=5
fw.show_multiuserui=1
Save the file.
I'm not sure if the next step is required but it was in half the instructions I saw, and I did it myself: Click and hold the file, go to Properties, and then change the permissions to Read, Write & Execute. [all three]
Reboot your phone.
When you're up and running, access multi user mode by pulling down your notification shade and then clicking on your user icon at the top right corner.
Notes so far:
A guest user does not have access to the original user's files on the internal drive - the guest user has their own file directory. The guest CAN access the External SD Card, though.
Therefore, an app such as Movie Creator can and will create a "highlight" movie that is composed from photos that are saved on the external SD Card. Just keep this in mind as far as privacy.
There is a per user option that lets you decide whether or not the additional users can use the phone and access the text messages. If you disable this ability, while they cannot open the phone app to make a call, the CAN receive an incoming call.
You can find out more about the nuances of additional users with your Google Fu.
Enjoy!
Wow! Great work!
AddictedToGlass said:
Wow! Great work!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks! I really wanted this feature and it seemed like not many people care too much about it. It's my way of circumventing the awful permissions control we currently have in Android. That is, there are apps I want to use but refuse to install because of their overreaching permission requirements (contacts, etc) and so I can now create a second user with a new "dummy" Gmail account that has no sensitive information and install these apps without worrying.
By the way, something neat I figured out about this. Additional user accounts are not allowed to side load apps (the toggle to install from unknown sources is grayed out). I figured out that if the main user / owner restores an app through Titanium Backup, any other currently existing user will have it installed for some reason. I don't know why this happens but it's a neat glitch that gets you around that restriction.
Well I think most people simply don't let others touch their phones and so don't have a use for multiple user accounts. I find that my phone, as big as the screen is, is becoming more and more of a computer / tablet replacement. I like the idea of a multiuser functionality, but mostly to hide my own stuff. I'll silk never let anyone else touch my phone!
The use for multi-user that I've seen that makes the most sense is people with children. They will create a user profile for the child so they can't get into any of the parent's stuff or settings. That or the guest profile which will let them do whatever the heck they want without screwing up the phone.
Aside from that I have read that devs find the feature very useful for testing. Heck, that's not a bad idea to install and test apps, in general.
uh oh.
Well something didnt work. Maybe a certain build I have to be on or what. I followed the instructions to a t. Now stuck on endless boot loop. Only bad part is I'm on as hotel room working out of town without a laptop Or pc to fix it. I used a one click root just today and didn't install a proper recovery. Any thoughts
rpelljr said:
Well something didnt work. Maybe a certain build I have to be on or what. I followed the instructions to a t. Now stuck on endless boot loop. Only bad part is I'm on as hotel room working out of town without a laptop Or pc to fix it. I used a one click root just today and didn't install a proper recovery. Any thoughts
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I had a problem with this also twice cause I'm always doing stupid things to my phone my guess is you didn't change the system to r/w but modified it anyway or you used a editor that would let you input the correct values I used s manager I think. As far as getting your phone working you could try safe mode or maybe a factory reset if you can hold power and the volume button down and enter recovery.
Tigerhoods said:
I had a problem with this also twice cause I'm always doing stupid things to my phone my guess is you didn't change the system to r/w but modified it anyway or you used a editor that would let you input the correct values I used s manager I think. As far as getting your phone working you could try safe mode or maybe a factory reset if you can hold power and the volume button down and enter recovery.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I believe the mistake was made when i changed the permissions per instructions. I finially got to my house and im using adb to freeze the loop then going to push a script over to fix the permissions. I will update when i get it done and I will post my fix. Also I used ES file explorer, which i have already used it for years now. Never had anything like this happen before. it just baffles me. I have never got any instructions off of XDA that led to any malfuntion of my phone. But oh well, sh!+ happens.
rpelljr said:
I believe the mistake was made when i changed the permissions per instructions. I finially got to my house and im using adb to freeze the loop then going to push a script over to fix the permissions. I will update when i get it done and I will post my fix. Also I used ES file explorer, which i have already used it for years now. Never had anything like this happen before. it just baffles me. I have never got any instructions off of XDA that led to any malfuntion of my phone. But oh well, sh!+ happens.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hey! I'm so sorry! I got a couple of new phones (Droid Maxx 2 and LG G4) and have been using those phones so I haven't been checking these forums like I was when I just had the Z3v. Really sorry to hear that you ran into that kind of trouble . Thing is, the instructions above are culled from 4 or 5 different sets of instructions for various devices that I found across the web. I performed them step by step myself while cross referencing them to each other and combined them all to the instruction set above as I did it. Did you ever fix it with the method you mentioned? I'm curious if it was the permissions thing (odd, because it worked for me).
Jurassic Pork Fried Rice said:
Hey! I'm so sorry! I got a couple of new phones (Droid Maxx 2 and LG G4) and have been using those phones so I haven't been checking these forums like I was when I just had the Z3v. Really sorry to hear that you ran into that kind of trouble . Thing is, the instructions above are culled from 4 or 5 different sets of instructions for various devices that I found across the web. I performed them step by step myself while cross referencing them to each other and combined them all to the instruction set above as I did it. Did you ever fix it with the method you mentioned? I'm curious if it was the permissions thing (odd, because it worked for me).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
it is guys if done right your system needs to be switched to r/w then go back to r/o after modifying the build prop if you modify in r/o you will get bootloop to a hard brick it depends.
Jurassic Pork Fried Rice said:
Hey! I'm so sorry! I got a couple of new phones (Droid Maxx 2 and LG G4) and have been using those phones so I haven't been checking these forums like I was when I just had the Z3v. Really sorry to hear that you ran into that kind of trouble . Thing is, the instructions above are culled from 4 or 5 different sets of instructions for various devices that I found across the web. I performed them step by step myself while cross referencing them to each other and combined them all to the instruction set above as I did it. Did you ever fix it with the method you mentioned? I'm curious if it was the permissions thing (odd, because it worked for me).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well I kinda fixed it. I went and bought a HTC M9. Lol but not yet, I'm still working on it. I have found scripts to run, even a specific build.prop fix to push, but I have windows 10 and couldn't get adb to find the device. Plus I'm a little rusty. So I broke out my old windows 7 laptop I have used just for rooting an modding phones and tablets. I did get adb and fastboot to find it once. Then some reason lost it. I didn't have it ready to go. But I'm almost 100 percent sure I can get it. Just need to play around with it a little bit more. Having trouble with drivers etc. I will let you know when I have it.
And didn't really hurt my feelings getting the phone I truly want. I never had problems with HTC since I was flashing roms on my old window phones. I just want my pictures I cannot replace.
"Run it and enable Root Explorer setting. (You may be able to use any file explorer and editor with root access but this is used most in the instructions and works.)"
Alas- I am not rooted, and therefore can not enable "Root Explorer" option. Unless someone has some other suggestions- I think I can't do this unless I'm rooted.
Well this is probably what I did to brick my first z3v.
I don't suggest anyone do this at all. There does seem to be an issue with the permission setting on the build.prop file. If it's not reset correctly after editing, you'll get stuck in a loop or worse. I'm stuck in bootloop, but can get into recovery. I made a backup hoping to learn how to edit the build.prop (delete it and rename the copied original to set it back as it was). But I can't even run the original zip that GigaSPX made up for us. (I don't have a backup like I hought I did.)
Anytime I try to install the flashable prerooted zip it tells me it's done after 2 seconds and says;
set_perm: some changes failed
I'm typing this on my z2 tablet, which has the multi user feature enabled. I'm going to see if RootExplorer will give me some clues as to why this doesn't work.
In the mean time I'm hoping someone can help me out?
If love to get this feature to work, but it has to be safe.
Just checked the build.prop on my tablet and got no clue.
AddictedToGlass said:
Well this is probably what I did to brick my first z3v.
I don't suggest anyone do this at all. There does seem to be an issue with the permission setting on the build.prop file. If it's not reset correctly after editing, you'll get stuck in a loop or worse. I'm stuck in bootloop, but can get into recovery. I made a backup hoping to learn how to edit the build.prop (delete it and rename the copied original to set it back as it was). But I can't even run the original zip that GigaSPX made up for us. (I don't have a backup like I hought I did.)
Anytime I try to install the flashable prerooted zip it tells me it's done after 2 seconds and says;
set_perm: some changes failed
I'm typing this on my z2 tablet, which has the multi user feature enabled. I'm going to see if RootExplorer will give me some clues as to why this doesn't work.
In the mean time I'm hoping someone can help me out?
If love to get this feature to work, but it has to be safe.
Just checked the build.prop on my tablet and got no clue.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
a backup usually means going into your twrp and hit the back up button and make a copy of your system including data and all that. This is mandatory before messing with the build prop. If you want Pm me your build prop and I will send it back to you. With multi user enabled.
Yup, I know what a back-up is and how to do it, and I know it's a must before messing with the build.prop. I just really thought I had done it recently...
-and I had! But I forgot that a few days ago I bought myself a Christmas present; a 200 Gb micro SD, and copied most of the contents to the new card from my old one. I chose not to copy the backup because I had planned to make some changes and create a more recent backup. Never happened though because I got side tracked loading music and such. Lol!
So I'm all back together, but would still like to play with this feature. So I'm going to give it another shot.
A guest user does not have access to the original user's files on the internal drive - the guest user has their own file directory. The guest CAN access the External SD Card, though.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Perhaps the wrong thread but: enabled multi user on a Cube T8 only to find that guest and other user can access INTERNAL sd but not external sd. I'd rather have it the other way round. So the kids (other users) can use the whole of 32 GB sd card rather than me having to share the small internal sd with them.
Any ideas how to fix this? Phablet is not rooted btw.
got bootloop..... but i'm safe as i've backup.... through recovery..
I've inserted two lines and fell in bootloop
Thanks bro.. working....!!!! but second step is not needed...

Possible root direction.

First off, before I get into it; nay sayers and trolls please keep the thread clear. Hopefully we can figure something and more minds together normally equal victory.
Last night an idea hit me, I use a hack with Windows that allows admin permissions and I don't have enough info about android apks to say that it wont work.
In Windows (yes I know they are way different) if you can figure a way to temp change one sys program to be command prompt, you can add users, change admin passwords, delete logs and the such. Basically you own the box at that point. Im not going to go into the details cause as far as I know M $ hasnt fixed it and I dont want them to.
So if we can find an apk with root writing permissions and can change it to be a term emulator we should be able to chmod root.
I have made some attempts, using the hidden menu apk. I figure it can change the prop file it should have root privileges; with no luck. Maybe I am not repackaging the apk correctly or something?
If someone that knows more about apks thinks it may be a possibility lets get to cooking!
The Command Prompt trick you're talking about is very well known. It's been around since Vista and has yet to be patched and unlikely to be due to the nature of how it works.
Thanks Pirate, I know what versions it works with. But I guess no one knows how we can possibly accomplish the same in android.
Zer0C0oL said:
Thanks Pirate, I know what versions it works with. But I guess no one knows how we can possibly accomplish the same in android.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you did, wouldn't you end up in a bootloop due to dm-verity, or is this not modifying /system?
Lifehags said:
If you did, wouldn't you end up in a bootloop due to dm-verity, or is this not modifying /system?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The way I understand the DMVerity mechanism is it rebuilds its trust chain every time a legitimate system change is made. When you perform a PRL update, the app makes a change to the system. This does not equal bootloops and I believe we can accomplish the same via this hack, if apk permissions can be loaned.
In the M$ hack you can't leave the change in place as it messes up other processes. Basically you use it to add a user with admin permissions/ open a backdoor and then cover your tracks: which one step is reverting the swap so there are no system issues for the users to find.
Alas, I fear the people this post should be reaching are the ones working towards claiming the bounty and for that reason collaboration will be non-existent.
@Zer0C0oL, please note that unless you are a developer working on a recovery, ROM or a Kernel, you should not be posting the development section. Please refer to this announcement if you have any questions.
I've moved this thread to the How-To section where it belongs.
Cheers :good:
Zer0C0oL said:
First off, before I get into it; nay sayers and trolls please keep the thread clear. Hopefully we can figure something and more minds together normally equal victory.
Last night an idea hit me, I use a hack with Windows that allows admin permissions and I don't have enough info about android apks to say that it wont work.
In Windows (yes I know they are way different) if you can figure a way to temp change one sys program to be command prompt, you can add users, change admin passwords, delete logs and the such. Basically you own the box at that point. Im not going to go into the details cause as far as I know M $ hasnt fixed it and I dont want them to.
So if we can find an apk with root writing permissions and can change it to be a term emulator we should be able to chmod root.
I have made some attempts, using the hidden menu apk. I figure it can change the prop file it should have root privileges; with no luck. Maybe I am not repackaging the apk correctly or something?
If someone that knows more about apks thinks it may be a possibility lets get to cooking!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm pretty sure it may be possible however impossible to avoid tripping knox.

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