Database Users

Editing system files in Android

I have to do all editing from my phone, no laptop anymore. Any suggestions on a great app to edit system files, and something to repackage apks?
RIP Cotton Eye Jim

/b/rotherJudas said:
I have to do all editing from my phone, no laptop anymore. Any suggestions on a great app to edit system files, and something to repackage apks?
RIP Cotton Eye Jim
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Root Explorers My Favorite,
But ES Explorer Is Pretty Good Also,
And That Ones Free!!
Sent from my HERO200 using XDA App

I've been using root explorer, but a lot of files show up as nonsense and symbols.
RIP Cotton Eye Jim

Any other suggestions guys?

/b/rotherJudas said:
Any other suggestions guys?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Try NinjaMorph!!
Sent from my HERO200 using XDA App

if you are okay with shell interface, Terminal Emulator is what I would recommend.

sorry guys, I'm trying to overwrite this file
\system\media\audio\notifications\22_on_time.ogg
but ES explorer say it cannot do it. I chose properties and see that the file is read only.
How can I do it ??
Ser

ginosergio said:
sorry guys, I'm trying to overwrite this file
\system\media\audio\notifications\22_on_time.ogg
but ES explorer say it cannot do it. I chose properties and see that the file is read only.
How can I do it ??
Ser
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Are you rooted? If not, you cannot do it, because you need root access to do changes in /system directory. If, you can do it with e.g. one of the following apps:
Root explorer (paid)
Super Manager (free)
File Expert (free)
After starting, you need to mount (switch) r/w. Additionally, in both free apps, you need to enable root option in their settings before. Now can you can overwrite.

Yessss !! it works (yes, I'm rooted)
Thank you, MatDrOiD ! I used File Expert. Just 2 questions:
in file expert, when i go into options - mount - and choose "read and write" should I be already positioned browsing the "system" folder ??
I've done this way, but I suspect that "mount read and write" is a global option referring to system folders and can be enabled just when entering File expert ?

ginosergio said:
Yessss !! it works (yes, I'm rooted)
Thank you, MatDrOiD ! I used File Expert. Just 2 questions:
in file expert, when i go into options - mount - and choose "read and write" should I be already positioned browsing the "system" folder ??
I've done this way, but I suspect that "mount read and write" is a global option referring to system folders and can be enabled just when entering File expert ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Only System files have to be Mounted as Read/Write to Edit them, other than that they can't be Modified!
*Sent on My*
Fast as its Ever Been....
"Sprint" Hero.... Running My, *ExEnHeroC* Rom, w/Kifno's Twist, Also The XDA-BLUE.apk!! "Page 10" of My Thread!!
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=957867
http://www.megaupload.com/?d=WTMLMK6M
http://www.mediafire.com/?bb1axugm0bw7oro
http://m.youtube.com/index?desktop_uri=/&gl=US#/profile?user=PMGRANDS

ginosergio said:
Yessss !! it works (yes, I'm rooted)
Thank you, MatDrOiD ! I used File Expert. Just 2 questions:
in file expert, when i go into options - mount - and choose "read and write" should I be already positioned browsing the "system" folder ??
I've done this way, but I suspect that "mount read and write" is a global option referring to system folders and can be enabled just when entering File expert ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't like to say it, but pressing thanks-button would be awesome!
You can also mount r/w while in root folder, does not matter. After closing file expert, you always have to enable root explorer function and mounting r/w again, when you start file expert the next time. At least i cannot find an option to enable it permantly. Which is understandable for me, because superuser rights can damage your phone (so this enable action works metaphorically as a little warning, imho).

Hi, I have a rooted an android tablet (Chuwi Hi12) and find the lowest brightness way too bright. Now I found the settings of brightness and want to lower the settings but the system won't save the file with the new settings. What am I doing wrong? Please help. Many thanks.
Jeanpierre

thanks

i think
/b/rotherJudas said:
I have to do all editing from my phone, no laptop anymore. Any suggestions on a great app to edit system files, and something to repackage apks?
RIP Cotton Eye Jim
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
root browser is the best one!:

I have question. With any root Explorer I can't overwrite ANY file on ANY app. Always pop up something like "can't overwrite" I'm rooted with Magisk, Pocophone F1 MIUI 10.3 by xiaomi.eu 9.1.17 (dev.)
Any solution?

[Q] Folder?

Hello, for some reason when I press on the folder it doesn't show any of my files, only a transparent white window. Any advice?
I'm using a SD card.

bumping this thread

Can you be a little clearer? What folder, and where is it? Is this through a file explorer, or a folder on your home page?
Just give us more to go on

johncmolyneux said:
Can you be a little clearer? What folder, and where is it? Is this through a file explorer, or a folder on your home page?
Just give us more to go on
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't know how to acces the media on my SD.
Pressing on folder shows a white transparent window.

What application are you trying to access it with? Talk me through from the beginning so I can see if I can help.

johncmolyneux said:
What application are you trying to access it with? Talk me through from the beginning so I can see if I can help.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have no idea, I just need to find the media that are on my SD.
Windows mobile had file explorer, does the latest NAND have it?
I've got no idea how to access it..

There are plenty of file explorers available from the market. You just need to search on there.
I personally use Root Explorer as it allows you to modify/copy/paste system files.

The folder you are probably trying to access is simply a virtual folder you have created on your android desktop. To use it you need to drag icons to it to organise stuff into groups etc.
What you should be doing to access your SD card is using an actual file explorer/manager app like the one described above. I personally use ASTRO File Manager though.
PS. Next time you ask for help please be more descriptive of your issue/problem.

[Q] how to update/uninstall pre-installed apps?

Hello!!!
i am another happy owner of the Ideos X5! New to android but i read a lot, before every step.
Here is one problem that i can't find a solution.
My device has preinstalled the app "Documents to go" v 2.5004 (748). I got the "documents to go" v 3.001 but i can't install it. :S
I used Root Uninstaller to uninstall the app, it said that the app is uninstalled, but i still can't install the newer version.
I got a message that says that the app is not installed.
what should i do? :S

with root explorer go into system/app folder and see if there is any trash of this app left... also check into data/data folder...

in the first directory there aren't any leftovers and the second is empty.
any other suggestions?

maybe you can use a new room?

xjabdda said:
maybe you can use a new room?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
that's the most difficult solution, for a simple problem.
finally i switched to OfficeSuite v4.0.351.

the portuguese model have the stock apps in the folowing path:
cust/tmn/pt
The "TMN" is the company name, soo you maybe have some like this.
You can go in this path and delete the apps with Root Explorer, Mount R/W and long press on the app and select Delete.
Sorry about my english

As syckopt says, you can delete the .apk files via Root Explorer, but the directories may vary depending on which carrier you have (and which country).
For example, my directory is: /cust/Dialect/SE/app

@ syckopt , sebgus
The Greek model has most of the stock applications at this directory: system/app/
while at the /cust/wind/gr/app/ there are only three (GreekPack.apk , Layar.apk and TouchPal.apk)
there are some applications, they say that they can "freeze" some stock apps. what exactly is freezing?
please check out and my other active thread: [Q] how to migrate to a new SD card?
thank you all for your help!

sakis_the_fraud said:
@ syckopt , sebgus
The Greek model has most of the stock applications at this directory: system/app/
while at the /cust/wind/gr/app/ there are only three (GreekPack.apk , Layar.apk and TouchPal.apk)
there are some applications, they say that they can "freeze" some stock apps. what exactly is freezing?
please check out and my other active thread: [Q] how to migrate to a new SD card?
thank you all for your help!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Freezing is basically the same as renaming the app or removing it. Its just allows to to unfreeze it (or rename it back to original name again), which is a lot easier than using something like root explorer.

ryronz said:
Freezing is basically the same as renaming the app or removing it. Its just allows to to unfreeze it (or rename it back to original name again), which is a lot easier than using something like root explorer.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
oh, i see!
which is the best app to do this?

Hello,
I've got the same problem. As it is not possible to update the pre-installed Documents to Go via Google Play (I always get error -104) I uninstalled that app using Titanium Backup. But unfortunately, it is still not possible to install ANY version of Documents to Go. If I try to sideload the APK file, I only get "App was not installed". Google Play gives me various errors, mostly -4 or -104, refusing to install the app, either.
In System/apps, there is no remnants of Documents to Go as far as I can see, a directory named cust does not exist.
Please help.
Thank you very much in advance and kind regards,
DAC324

Where are the installed apps stored on the NC running from eMMC?

Does anyone know where those installed-apps getting stored on the Nook?
I thought they stored in /system/app but when browsing there, it only seems having those built-in apps such calendar, email, market, ...., and not those that manually downloaded and installed such google earth, astro, ...
Thanks

votinh said:
Does anyone know where those installed-apps getting stored on the Nook?
I thought they stored in /system/app but when browsing there, it only seems having those built-in apps such calendar, email, market, ...., and not those that manually downloaded and installed such google earth, astro, ...
Thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you have a SD card installed, it depends on the app. There is a setting in CM settings for applications to by default it set to automatic. In that case, the app chooses where it wants to install. You can change it to card or internal. I believe there is also an internal partition that mimics SD so they may be going there. I don't have mine with me to look right now. Perhaps someone can provide more detail.

If you're just looking for the apk, I usually get the path via package manager in terminal.
Open terminal (or adb shell) then enter the following command
pm list packages
This will show a list of packages for the system installed. They are usually named com.android.application.name (that an example) or similar, so its easy to find which one you want. After you find the appropriate package you can use the following command to find where it is location
pm path com.android.application.name
It should spit out the path and you can find it via file manager or anything else.
I'm sure there is an easier way to do it, but that usually works for me.

Big thanks to both patruns and biohazrd for your quick response.
@patruns,
I tend to use my NC w/o an uSD card, so no, I don't have it installed.
Yes, I am aware of the "application" setting and I did set it to "internal" from the default "automatic".
I keep thinking they were stored under /system/app but apparently not.
If you do have time, pls help with the answer. TIA
@bio,
Never think of that way. I'll definitely try it out, hopefully I can learn something new.
Thanks, m8

votinh said:
Does anyone know where those installed-apps getting stored on the Nook?
I thought they stored in /system/app but when browsing there, it only seems having those built-in apps such calendar, email, market, ...., and not those that manually downloaded and installed such google earth, astro, ...
Thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you're looking for the .apk files for stuff for installed apps, they're in /data/app.
Downloaded apps (like a beta linked from a webpage) land in /sdcard/download (at least with the default browser), but the .apk in /data/app gets overwritten when you install.
At least, that's what the sizes and mod times on the files would indicate, and the only obvious jarfiles I can find are from Apparatus (in /sdcard/Apparatus) and in /system/framework.
If you're looking for app config info and minor storage, that's in /data/data, in a stylized tree that (I suspect) lets the app manager find and clear an app's data and cache when you tell it to, and in /sdcard for some apps.
I'm having a hard time making things put their data in /emmc, but the default music player finds .mp3 files in /emmc/My Files/Music automagically.
The app framework hides much of this inside abstracted APIs, so the app itself may not actually know where its files are. Try getting a filename out of the Music app...

stolenmoment said:
If you're looking for the .apk files for stuff for installed apps, they're in /data/app.
Downloaded apps (like a beta linked from a webpage) land in /sdcard/download (at least with the default browser), but the .apk in /data/app gets overwritten when you install.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
.apk files are what I am looking for. I'll look into the /data/app folder.
You meant, I won't be able to get those .apk files from the /data/app folder after installed since they gets over-written?
Thanks stolenmoment

I found .apk files in 2 locations:
mnt/asec & system/app

stolenmoment said:
If you're looking for the .apk files for stuff for installed apps, they're in /data/app.
Downloaded apps (like a beta linked from a webpage) land in /sdcard/download (at least with the default browser), but the .apk in /data/app gets overwritten when you install.
At least, that's what the sizes and mod times on the files would indicate, and the only obvious jarfiles I can find are from Apparatus (in /sdcard/Apparatus) and in /system/framework.
If you're looking for app config info and minor storage, that's in /data/data, in a stylized tree that (I suspect) lets the app manager find and clear an app's data and cache when you tell it to, and in /sdcard for some apps.
I'm having a hard time making things put their data in /emmc, but the default music player finds .mp3 files in /emmc/My Files/Music automagically.
The app framework hides much of this inside abstracted APIs, so the app itself may not actually know where its files are. Try getting a filename out of the Music app...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
/data folder is empty. Nothing in there.
/sdcard/download. I don't have an external uSD installed so /sdcard is empty.
I don't even know where those downloaded apps stored.

patruns said:
I found .apk files in 2 locations:
mnt/asec & system/app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
/mnt/asec is empty and nothing in there.
/system/app has a lot of .apk files but all of them are the built-in apps, not the manually downloaded apps.
Maybe stolen was right as they got over-written after installed.

I did what biohazrd instructed and sure enough, all the .apk files (packages actually) are indicated storing under /data/app, which exactly what stolen has said earlier.
How come I see NOTHING there. I'm sure I am not blind as I tried both Astro Manager and built-in File Manager.

Are you sure you gave the file manager root permissions? You can usually find this in settings.
---
- Sent from my LG Optimus V using Tapatalk

votinh said:
I did what biohazrd instructed and sure enough, all the .apk files (packages actually) are indicated storing under /data/app, which exactly what stolen has said earlier.
How come I see NOTHING there. I'm sure I am not blind as I tried both Astro Manager and built-in File Manager.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Astro doesn't do root access. For the best filesystem digging, buy Root Explorer. Yes, it's a paid app, but it was the first app I bought; this is why.
Astro claims that /data is empty for me too, but Root Explorer shows me everything.
Sent from my NookColor using XDA Premium App

votinh said:
/data folder is empty. Nothing in there.
/sdcard/download. I don't have an external uSD installed so /sdcard is empty.
I don't even know where those downloaded apps stored.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Look in /emmc/download; that's the /media NC partition and is supposed to be treated like an SD card.
If you get Root Explorer, do a find for apk and see what turns up. The .dex files are dalvik "object" files, but they contain the apk filename they were compiled from, so they'll show up in the search results.
Sent from my NookColor using XDA Premium App

stolenmoment said:
Astro doesn't do root access. For the best filesystem digging, buy Root Explorer. Yes, it's a paid app, but it was the first app I bought; this is why.
Astro claims that /data is empty for me too, but Root Explorer shows me everything.
Sent from my NookColor using XDA Premium App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That may be it.
Will do
Thanks m8

stolenmoment said:
Look in /emmc/download; that's the /media NC partition and is supposed to be treated like an SD card.
If you get Root Explorer, do a find for apk and see what turns up. The .dex files are dalvik "object" files, but they contain the apk filename they were compiled from, so they'll show up in the search results.
Sent from my NookColor using XDA Premium App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't have my NC with me now but I swear to Buddha that I don't have "download" folder under eMMC. Only .LOST (directory?) and some of my own self-created folders.
Anyway, will take a look at it again.
Until I get the Root app, I rest my case here.
Big thanks to all

votinh said:
Until I get the Root app, I rest my case here.
Big thanks to all
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm going to assume you want to pull the apks off the device?

biohazrd51 said:
I'm going to assume you want to pull the apks off the device?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, m8, that's what I intend to do.
In some case, when I boot off the uSD (both CM7 and Honeycomb), some apps were not available on Market for some reason, so I try to get those apk files that currently installed on my NC eMMC for sideloading them later on the uSD boot-off.

votinh said:
Yes, m8, that's what I intend to do.
In some case, when I boot off the uSD (both CM7 and Honeycomb), some apps were not available on Market for some reason, so I try to get those apk files that currently installed on my NC eMMC for sideloading them later on the uSD boot-off.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well, there are a few ways to get around that.
1) Use adb to copy the .apk off the device.
adb pull /data/app/nameofapplication.apk c:\locationyouwanttocopyto
Use the push command to send it to it/another device.
http://developer.android.com/guide/developing/tools/adb.html
2) Another way to get around the new market device restrictions is to uninstall the Market updates OR find an old gapps zip file and sideload vending.apk. Either one of these will revert the market back to old where devices restrictions weren't there.
I know either of these methods will work in CM7. I haven't touched HC so I'm not sure.

Thanks again, bio
Will definitely try it out.

votinh said:
I don't have my NC with me now but I swear to Buddha that I don't have "download" folder under eMMC.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I humbly apologize for being wrong. I don't have one, either...
Do you have the Downloads app? Does it show any files? You can download things w/o the SD in, right?
I took out my SD and it remembers the downloads, but can't find them.. I'm gonna reboot and play around.
Sent from my NookColor using XDA Premium App

Android 11: Can't see folders with external file explorer

Hi,
if i try to see a sub-folder of Android, my external file explorer (Solid explorer, Root explorer) only show an empty folder. The folder i try to see is this: Android/data. Are there certain restrictions of Android 11, which external explorer can't deal with? I don't have this problem with the intermal explorer and - surprise, surprise - with Total Commander (which i don't like so much...).
Anybody knows a solution or workaround to let other explorers look into these Folders?
Cheers
Clark

Seems like Google decided to restrict access to the Android/Data folder to "approved" applications.
Some other users said that Google Files (what a surprise) and Samsung Files work properly.
I usually use a root explorer, wich works fine, but otherwise most file managers probably won't be able to access the folder for a while.

Add MiXplorer and SD Maid to the list of working file managers. Hoping Solid Explorer gets updated soon!

I'm using root explorer just fine
I am rooted so if you're not then just root is easy

Clark789 said:
Hi,
if i try to see a sub-folder of Android, my external file explorer (Solid explorer, Root explorer) only show an empty folder. The folder i try to see is this: Android/data. Are there certain restrictions of Android 11, which external explorer can't deal with? I don't have this problem with the intermal explorer and - surprise, surprise - with Total Commander (which i don't like so much...).
Anybody knows a solution or workaround to let other explorers look into these Folders?
Cheers
Clark
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Cx File Explorer is working great!
I'm using it on my Xiaomi Mi 10 xiaomi.eu rom!

dladz said:
I'm using root explorer just fine
I am rooted so if you're not then just root is easy
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Try Solid Explorer and check if you see /sdcard/Android/Data/. Some file managers work and others don't even if you are rooted.

sjamie said:
Try Solid Explorer and check if you see /sdcard/Android/Data/. Some file managers work and others don't even if you are rooted.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'll be honest mate I've never needed anything else since root explorer was released.
Absolutely hate solid lol. Only other one I used to use was called Linda I think, G1 days

Xplore works, Solid Explorer 2.88 works as well

Using some of the recommended file explorers above didn't work for /sdcard/Android/Data/. Most of them were able to see /internal/Android/Data/ though. My Note 10+ wasn't rooted, and I wasn't planning on rooting due to the downfalls. I was able to see the files by mounting the SD card in Windows.

Mixplorer works great for me right now.

FreshlyBaked 420 said:
Mixplorer works great for me right now.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah that's the last one I tried before mounting it to the PC. Now the question is which of these file explorers I should keep and finally replace ES File Explorer.

jpflaw00 said:
Yeah that's the last one I tried before mounting it to the PC. Now the question is which of these file explorers I should keep and finally replace ES File Explorer.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
My vote would be Mixplorer. They have a few different themes, as well as add ons.

qane said:
Seems like Google decided to restrict access to the Android/Data folder to "approved" applications.
Some other users said that Google Files (what a surprise) and Samsung Files work properly.
I usually use a root explorer, wich works fine, but otherwise most file managers probably won't be able to access the folder for a while.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This was extremely helpful in restoring a SMS backup of the database, thank you for recommending it!