General Queries - Android Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting

Hello Friends, I have a basic general query.
Can .apk files saved on a computer be installed without the absolute necessity of a file management app/file manager?
I ask this because a friend of mine, believe it or not, has no form of internet access! She has Temple Run on her computer which she intends on installing on her Samsung Galaxy Ace GT-S5830.
I suggested her to get ES File Explorer and that is when she informed me, she has no internet access. Yesterday, on 13 July 2012, she informed me that she has the .apk file of ES File Explorer as well but she has no clue how to install it on her device.
She has enabled Unknown sources to allow installation of non-Market applications.
Is there a way she can atleast install ES File Explorer, which will take care of her follow-up app installations? Will Samsung Kies to the job?
Thanking you all in advance and anticipating your responses.

She just needs to move the .apk from her computer (assuming she has one?) to the root of her sdcard. Then install like any other .apk file through file manager. Simple!
Sent from my MB865 using xda's premium carrier pigeon service

Apex_Strider said:
She just needs to move the .apk from her computer (assuming she has one?) to the root of her sdcard. Then install like any other .apk file through file manager. Simple!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you Apex_Strider.
But does she need to have a file management app (such as ES File Explorer or ASTRO File Manager) installed on her device?

YLNdroid said:
Thank you Apex_Strider.
But does she need to have a file management app (such as ES File Explorer or ASTRO File Manager) installed on her device?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No, just simply plug in the phone and select "USB Mass Storage" option, locate the .apk file on the computer, copy to root of sdcard, eject the phone or select "Charge Only" and then use the built-in file manager to locate and install the .apk (or any .apk file for that matter) and install... easy as pie!
Sent from my MB865 using xda's premium carrier pigeon service

Apex_Strider said:
copy to root of sdcard
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Apex_Strider, you mean /sdcard, right? The .apk file must not be placed in a folder.
Thank you for being patient with my naive behaviour.

YLNdroid said:
Apex_Strider, you mean /sdcard, right? The .apk file must not be placed in a folder.
Thank you for being patient with my naive behaviour.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You are correct, sir. Don't place in any of the folders within the sd card, but at the root of the /sdcard and you're all set!

Hello Friends, I am back with another general query.
How can I download a .apk file from the Google Play Store and save it on my computer? There are situations when I have no internet access and thus I intend on keeping basic apps such as HC-kTool, Temple Run, ES File Explorer, etc., ready at hand if and when I require them.
:silly:
Thanking you in advance and awaiting your replies.

YLNdroid said:
Hello Friends, I am back with another general query.
How can I download a .apk file from the Google Play Store and save it on my computer? There are situations when I have no internet access and thus I intend on keeping basic apps such as HC-kTool, Temple Run, ES File Explorer, etc., ready at hand if and when I require them.
:silly:
Thanking you in advance and awaiting your replies.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You will need to install them to your device from the market, and then either use another app to backup the apk files to your sdcard, or if your rooted you can simply navigate to the /system/app folder and copy the apk files to the sdcard yourself

zacthespack said:
You will need to install them to your device from the market, and then either use another app to backup the apk files to your sdcard, or if your rooted you can simply navigate to the /system/app folder and copy the apk files to the sdcard yourself
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you zacthespack, I was unaware Android apps could be "re-used" if needed, after installation. All this while I was under the self-created foolish presumption that an "installed" application cannot be copied and saved.
Thank you once again for educating me. I love this community.

YLNdroid said:
Thank you zacthespack, I was unaware Android apps could be "re-used" if needed, after installation. All this while I was under the self-created foolish presumption that an "installed" application cannot be copied and saved.
Thank you once again for educating me. I love this community.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Your welcome, yes the apps are stored in there apk form and just run (much like a java program is compiled to a .jar and run)

A humble enquiry directed at the Superiors of the community. Can a forum for the Samsung Galaxy Ace Plus GT-S7500 be considered?
:fingers-crossed:
Thank you.

YLNdroid said:
A humble enquiry directed at the Superiors of the community. Can a forum for the Samsung Galaxy Ace Plus GT-S7500 be considered?
:fingers-crossed:
Thank you.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That request should go in this thread
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1660354
Sent from my M886 using Tapatalk 2

Hello Friends, I have another query.
Am I correct to presume the user installed apps are stored under /data/app? If so, using Root Explorer I can copy the apps and save them wherever I desire, right?
Also, can I rename these apps after I copy and save them to another location? For example, the HC-kTool app I downloaded from the Google Play Store, is stored as net.hellcat.droiddev.ktool-1.apk under /data/app. Can I rename it to whatever I desire, as long as it ends as .apk, after I save it to a different location?
:silly:
Thank you for bearing my stupidity. I look forward to your replies.

YLNdroid said:
Hello Friends, I have another query.
Am I correct to presume the user installed apps are stored under /data/app? If so, using Root Explorer I can copy the apps and save them wherever I desire, right?
Also, can I rename these apps after I copy and save them to another location? For example, the HC-kTool app I downloaded from the Google Play Store, is stored as net.hellcat.droiddev.ktool-1.apk under /data/app. Can I rename it to whatever I desire, as long as it ends as .apk, after I save it to a different location?
:silly:
Thank you for bearing my stupidity. I look forward to your replies.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
YES for all questions

Cannot locate an app
Hello Friends, I downloaded the npower app, https://play.google.com/store/apps/...wsMSwxLDMsImNvbXBzb2Z0LmFuZHJvaWQubnBvd2VyIl0. from the Google Play Store, but it is not visible under /data/app.
Is there another location where apps get stored after installation?

YLNdroid said:
Hello Friends, I downloaded the npower app, https://play.google.com/store/apps/...wsMSwxLDMsImNvbXBzb2Z0LmFuZHJvaWQubnBvd2VyIl0. from the Google Play Store, but it is not visible under /data/app.
Is there another location where apps get stored after installation?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Cannot install this app in my country to tell you the exact location of file. If you are using root explorer then use the inbuilt search fuction, root explorer will find it for you.
Sent from my GT-N7000

Hello all, I have another general query.
Is there a repository/database of stock firmwares for Sony mobile devices similar to Sam Mobile?
I will soon have a plethora of Sony mobile phones to fiddle around with!
:silly:

YLNdroid said:
Hello all, I have another general query.
Is there a repository/database of stock firmwares for Sony mobile devices similar to Sam Mobile?
I will soon have a plethora of Sony mobile phones to fiddle around with!
:silly:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Friends, any suggestions?

Related

[Q] looking for the apk files that was downloaded from playstore

Hi
I'm getting the new s 3 and I want to install all the same software I currently have on my s 2. Some of the software is no longer available in the play store so I'm trying to find out where the apk files that you download from the play store are downloaded to. So does anybody know the file path... Oh i'm running OS 4 ice cream
If you phone is rooted then you can go into root\data\app and find the apks. And again, if you're rooted then a better way is to just use Titanium Backup. If not rooted then redownload the apps.
Play store will display all the apps you have downloaded, if u r going to use the same Google id. This has helped a lot while changing roms.
Go backup is available in the market, it doesn't require root for backing up apks.
I can't see them in this directory
ninjasstolemytv said:
If you phone is rooted then you can go into root\data\app and find the apks. And again, if you're rooted then a better way is to just use Titanium Backup. If not rooted then redownload the apps.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I can't see them in this directory
tommyga said:
I can't see them in this directory
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The folder is actually /data/app. Not root/data/app.
And if you don't have root, I don't think you'll be able to see anything in the folder. (or in the data folder at all, for that matter)
Under /data/app you'll find a few hundred folders, one for each app you have installed. They also may have been moved to the external sdcard if you chose to do so.
The best option, IMO, to have the APK files readily available is to install ES Explorer (free, available at the Play Store), and use to backup all the applications to the external sdcard. This way you can simply get all the ready-to-be-installed APK files from a single location, instead of having to iterate through each of the directories in /data/app (which is a PITA).
I use ES Explorer not only to backup all the APKs to a single location, but also to backup different versions of the same app, because ES Explorer suffixes the name of the APK with its version number.
A lot easier and quite more practical.
BTW, you don't need root to use that feature of ES Explorer.
Simonetti2011 said:
Under /data/app you'll find a few hundred folders, one for each app you have installed. They also may have been moved to the external sdcard if you chose to do so.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There shouldn't be any folders in /data/app
pspec1 said:
Hi
I'm getting the new s 3 and I want to install all the same software I currently have on my s 2. Some of the software is no longer available in the play store so I'm trying to find out where the apk files that you download from the play store are downloaded to. So does anybody know the file path... Oh i'm running OS 4 ice cream
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Try this: Install "Wondershare MobileGo" to PC,after you have installed, connect your SGS2 with WiFi or USB cable to PC and export app. to PC. Then Connect SGS3 with WiFi or USB cable to PC and install the same app from PC to your phone...It is easy to do...
Simonetti2011 said:
Under /data/app you'll find a few hundred folders, one for each app you have installed. They also may have been moved to the external sdcard if you chose to do so.
The best option, IMO, to have the APK files readily available is to install ES Explorer (free, available at the Play Store), and use to backup all the applications to the external sdcard. This way you can simply get all the ready-to-be-installed APK files from a single location, instead of having to iterate through each of the directories in /data/app (which is a PITA).
I use ES Explorer not only to backup all the APKs to a single location, but also to backup different versions of the same app, because ES Explorer suffixes the name of the APK with its version number.
A lot easier and quite more practical.
BTW, you don't need root to use that feature of ES Explorer.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for all the different methods I ended up use the explorer one.
Didn’t use ES Explorer as I had astro already installed so I used that.
One more function I didn’t know it had
Thanks again

Remote app removed, please help

Hey guys, I'm new to the forum so flame away if I'm screwing up right off the bat...
I have a Sony Table S Model SGBT112US/S. I just did the latest Android OS update (4.0.0 (release5a)) and the remote app was completely removed. Calls and chats with Sony resulted in doing 2 factory resets, no dice. Does anyone have a DL file for the app? I tried Touchsquid as an alternative and it didn't work at all. Many thanks in advance.
doctorpunch said:
Hey guys, I'm new to the forum so flame away if I'm screwing up right off the bat...
I have a Sony Table S Model SGBT112US/S. I just did the latest Android OS update (4.0.0 (release5a)) and the remote app was completely removed. Calls and chats with Sony resulted in doing 2 factory resets, no dice. Does anyone have a DL file for the app? I tried Touchsquid as an alternative and it didn't work at all. Many thanks in advance.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Remote Control apk files from /vendor/app/ folder. Download irremote.zip from 4shared HERE. If you do not have a 4shared account, create one, it is free. The irremote.zip file contains irremote.apk, irremoteapiservice.apk, and irremoteservice.apk.
Thanks, but when I downloaded, unzipped(w/AndroZip) and installed it just freezes. Should I DL to my computer first then transfer via USB?
When I plugged it into my computer via USB I couldn't even find the /vendor/app/ folder, am I screwing something up?
doctorpunch said:
Thanks, but when I downloaded, unzipped(w/AndroZip) and installed it just freezes. Should I DL to my computer first then transfer via USB?
When I plugged it into my computer via USB I couldn't even find the /vendor/app/ folder, am I screwing something up?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Before I go into too much detail, tell me: Do you have root access on your tablet? Also, have you installed an app like ES File Manager or Root Explorer?
Yes, I have ES File Explorer.
bump
Bump bump
doctorpunch said:
Bump bump
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I apologize for taking so long to get back with you. Truth be told, I forgot. Anyway...
The three apk files for the Remote Control app should be located the following directories.
/vendor/app/
/datapp/vendor/vendor0/app/
/datapp/vendor/vendor1/app/
Extract the files from irremote.zip, copy them into each directory, and reboot your tablet. After reboot, the Remote Control app should be installed.
Cat McGowan said:
I apologize for taking so long to get back with you. Truth be told, I forgot. Anyway...
The three apk files for the Remote Control app should be located the following directories.
/vendor/app/
/datapp/vendor/vendor0/app/
/datapp/vendor/vendor1/app/
Extract the files from irremote.zip, copy them into each directory, and reboot your tablet. After reboot, the Remote Control app should be installed.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No dice, it just says "file cannot be moved"
doctorpunch said:
No dice, it just says "file cannot be moved"
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That is probably because the directories are mounted as r/o and ES File Explorer cannot get past that. So, instead of using ES File Explorer, use Root Explorer to first mount the directories as r/w (via button in upper left corner of Root Explorer's screen) and then copy the files to the directories. After copying the files to the directories, re-mount the directories as r/o (again via button in upper left corner of Root Explorer's screen).
Do you know where to put files for Xperia Tablet S, because i also want back the IR Remote Control, and do the same files work with XTS?
I don't have the same folder directories as Sony Tablet S
Thanks in advance!
birdy_mladostcity said:
Do you know where to put files for Xperia Tablet S, because i also want back the IR Remote Control, and do the same files work with XTS?
I don't have the same folder directories as Sony Tablet S
Thanks in advance!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you have root access, find the apk, put it under /system/app directory, and give 655 permission then reboot.
Sent from my Sony Tablet S using xda app-developers app
Edit: Oh dude, i thought it is first page, you got the problem already. Sorry.
Sony Tablet S IRRemote files
Hallo, I know I'm quite late with this thread, however I still need these 3 files
irremote.apk, irremoteapiservice.apk, and irremoteservice.apk
for recovering my infrared connection. I got a link from this thread, but it is not usable anymore.
Can somebody tell me where I can get them from ?
Thank you in advance !
Aronne
Sony Tablet S IR control
All right,
I found all three files, put all of them in the right directories and restarted the tablet.
Result: operating the remote control app I have absolutely no signal coming out from the LED (flashing light checked with digital camera).
Am i missing some other files or signal code ??
Thanks, cheers
Aronne

[Q] Noob - accidentally removed DownloadProvider.apk

Hello all,
I'm a complete noob in Android and programing, and accidentaly deleted DownloadProvider.apk (using root unninstaller), and trying to remove another app that came installed in my Samsung Galaxy Y Pro Duos...
Can anybody help me with a solution that doesn't need programing and/or advanced knowledge of Android? All works fine, except I cant install any apps, from Google Play or other source...
Help needed really really bad...
Thanks to you all
Find a stock Rom and download
Extract it
Find the apk
Put it back
『Moved by touch™』 ?
LâTêS†↭ⓛⓘⓝⓚⓢ™CM10 HTC A310E
Seems You are rooted, on what Rom you are just download it, extract it, go into system->app find DownloadProvider.apk Fix permission to rw-r-r, reboot, done..:thumbup:
Yap, I'm rooted (that was hard for me but managed it lol).
So, I don't know what ROM i'm using (and even were to find it or one to my mobile).
To extract it, what program should I use? because I can't install anything without the app I've deleted by accident...
To go to System->app, I must use an app to do hat, right?... same problem, can't install...
Damn, i'm stupid to have deleted it...
_hito_ said:
Seems You are rooted, on what Rom you are just download it, extract it, go into system->app find DownloadProvider.apk Fix permission to rw-r-r, reboot, done..:thumbup:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't really know hot to do that... really a noob in this matters
I cant download anything...
Where do I find a stock ROM to my Samsung galaxy y pro duos?
How should I download and extract it?
Even if I can do that, how do I put the app back?
ptcpayme said:
Find a stock Rom and download
Extract it
Find the apk
Put it back
『Moved by touch™』 ?
LâTêS†↭ⓛⓘⓝⓚⓢ™CM10 HTC A310E
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Btxeize said:
I don't really know hot to do that... really a noob in this matters
I cant download anything...
Where do I find a stock ROM to my Samsung galaxy y pro duos?
How should I download and extract it?
Even if I can do that, how do I put the app back?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Your respected thread is here.
Which region you belong select and download that through your computer, after downloading is finished, you'll find a zip file, open it by double cliking, go into system, then go into app, find DownloadProvider in app folder, drag directly it to your desktop, connect your mobile to computer, put DownloadProvider.apk in your SD card, detach from computer, if you have root explorer or efs file explorer, move this DownloadProvider.apk from SD card to System->app, fix permission to rw-r-r-, reboot, you are done:victory:
_hito_ said:
Your respected thread is here.
Which region you belong select and download that through your computer, after downloading is finished, you'll find a zip file, open it by double cliking, go into system, then go into app, find DownloadProvider in app folder, drag directly it to your desktop, connect your mobile to computer, put DownloadProvider.apk in your SD card, detach from computer, if you have root explorer or efs file explorer, move this DownloadProvider.apk from SD card to System->app, fix permission to rw-r-r-, reboot, you are done:victory:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you very very much _hito_
Just two more questions:
1) i'm in Portugal (Europe), what ROM should I choose?
2) I don't have root explorer or efs file explorer. would ZDBox do it? or how can I move it? with the built in explorer that came with the phone?
Thanks again
_hito_ said:
Your respected thread is here.
Which region you belong select and download that through your computer, after downloading is finished, you'll find a zip file, open it by double cliking, go into system, then go into app, find DownloadProvider in app folder, drag directly it to your desktop, connect your mobile to computer, put DownloadProvider.apk in your SD card, detach from computer, if you have root explorer or efs file explorer, move this DownloadProvider.apk from SD card to System->app, fix permission to rw-r-r-, reboot, you are done:victory:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
_hito_ (and all other that can help):
After downloading the ROM, I try to open it on my pc and can't (after unziping or before)... Can't find a "system" to go to, so I can find the app...
Any ideas?
Thanks
Btxeize said:
_hito_ (and all other that can help):
After downloading the ROM, I try to open it on my pc and can't (after unziping or before)... Can't find a "system" to go to, so I can find the app...
Any ideas?
Thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
PM me!

[Q] How to access the whole file system?

Hi,
I wanted to see the whole file system of my phone. I have already rooted it.
This is what I want to do :
I have installed an app. by the name "Printershare". It is, as the name says, for printing. When I connect a printer to the phone, it downloads some driver pack from the internet. I want to check what it downloaded (All the files everything in the 'Driver Pack'). But when I connect my phone to my system, using samsung kies, I can only access the phone data and not the data internal to the apps.
Is there any way of accessing everything on the phone?
NOTE: Phone is already rooted.
Thanks
-Sahil
Download a file manager on your phone like ES File Explorer or something similar. Those usually allow you to browse to root directory after gaining superuser privileges.
Or if you want to just view them you can install terminal emulator and do a
Code:
cd /
Well via a pc I dont think there is a method to access system partitions...but if you use ES file explorer ..you will be able to access all your system files through your phone itself....but be careful not to delete any important files in the system good luck
hope this helped
use adb shell
sadeshmagic said:
Well via a pc I dont think there is a method to access system partitions...but if you use ES file explorer ..you will be able to access all your system files through your phone itself....but be careful not to delete any important files in the system good luck
hope this helped
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for ur reply
That really helped..
One more question...Where would the application data be stored, I mean in which folder??
I explained the problem in more detail in my first post on this thread.
Thanx
sahilh14 said:
Thanks for ur reply
That really helped..
One more question...Where would the application data be stored, I mean in which folder??
I explained the problem in more detail in my first post on this thread.
Thanx
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If the app you installed is a normal apk file....and I mean if you installed it like normal....some of the app data will be in the data folder of your root ....that means you need to go back up to the root folder...then you will see a folder called data....go into that folder and you will see many folders....there are two important folders....one again is named data...the other is named app....but please if you dont know what you are you better not go in...as there maybe risks to the system....
/data/app
/data/data
these are the two pathways of the folders
good luck...hope this helps
SIII data folder
SIII application data folders are here
/sdcard/Android/data
and
/sdcard/Android/obb
obb is common used by large HD games like those from gameloft.
tigerporc said:
SIII application data folders are here
/sdcard/Android/data
and
/sdcard/Android/obb
obb is common used by large HD games like those from gameloft.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
no. that's external data. app data is in /data/data

[Q] what is android apk?

Hey all,
Can anybody tell me what is android apk and how can i install it in my phone [samsung galaxy lite (GT-3302)]?
lason0 said:
Hey all,
Can anybody tell me what is android apk and how can i install it in my phone [samsung galaxy lite (GT-3302)]?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Android application package file (APK) is the file format used to distribute and install application software(wiki)
setup same setup on PC windows. Download it to your phone and open setup..
phatoa said:
Android application package file (APK) is the file format used to distribute and install application software(wiki)
setup same setup on PC windows. Download it to your phone and open setup..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
how can i install it in android phone?
lason0 said:
how can i install it in android phone?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Any .apk will do? .apk is just the extension that apps are in, essentially your asking how to install an app to your android phone.
Just open the play store and download is the most common way, you can side load with adb, if you have an app on SD you can use a file explorer to open it then choose install (must have unknown sources checked)
I guess you may want to be a bit more specific for further help
Sent from my Nexus 4 using Tapatalk 2
demkantor said:
Any .apk will do? .apk is just the extension that apps are in, essentially your asking how to install an app to your android phone.
Just open the play store and download is the most common way, you can side load with adb, if you have an app on SD you can use a file explorer to open it then choose install (must have unknown sources checked)
I guess you may want to be a bit more specific for further help
Sent from my Nexus 4 using Tapatalk 2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You're taking it a bit far with adb there don't u think?
It's too much for his brain to process, slowly ease into it.
lason0 said:
Hey all,
Can anybody tell me what is android apk and how can i install it in my phone [samsung galaxy lite (GT-3302)]?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
simply saying it is an extension like .exe on windows programmes or .jar on java apps just like that android apps have .apk
demkantor said:
Any .apk will do? .apk is just the extension that apps are in, essentially your asking how to install an app to your android phone.
Just open the play store and download is the most common way, you can side load with adb, if you have an app on SD you can use a file explorer to open it then choose install (must have unknown sources checked)
I guess you may want to be a bit more specific for further help
Sent from my Nexus 4 using Tapatalk 2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
ok thanks for your help but yeah i need some more help.
Let me explain in post reply!!
sangalaxy said:
simply saying it is an extension like .exe on windows programmes or .jar on java apps just like that android apps have .apk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
yup, got it.
Thanks for your time.

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