Does Android keep the .apk files? if so where? - HD2 Android Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting and Genera

" After android installs an application from the Marketplace, does it keep the .apk file?
Is there a standard location where Android would keep such files?
The location is "/system/app" "
First i would like to explain this is taken from a thread from some other forum so is not mine...
Just want to know if there is another answer as this does not work for me ...desire v5 build

Well I dont know the answer to your question, But if you just want *.apk files you can download OnTheFly Backup and let it export all installed apk to your SD card =)

and here
/data/app
/data/app-private

XenSA said:
" After android installs an application from the Marketplace, does it keep the .apk file?
Is there a standard location where Android would keep such files?
The location is "/system/app" "
First i would like to explain this is taken from a thread from some other forum so is not mine...
Just want to know if there is another answer as this does not work for me ...desire v5 build
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
/system/app for the most part.. if there is a /system/data file, there may be some in there. Also apps downloaded from the market are stored directly in /data/app or data/app-private
KowboyBebop said:
Well I dont know the answer to your question, But if you just want *.apk files you can download OnTheFly Backup and let it export all installed apk to your SD card =)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
this is an easy way, but if you wanna browse your system files directly search around for Android Commander

KowboyBebop said:
Well I dont know the answer to your question, But if you just want *.apk files you can download OnTheFly Backup and let it export all installed apk to your SD card =)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you so much. But for froyo you'll have to download Flii Backup. It's free and it saves all app in a folder called Onthefly. Aewsome!!!

Related

[Q] How do I install HTC IME keyboard?

I'm running Hyperdroid V1.2 on my hd2 and I really miss the HTC_IME keyboard from my last rom. Thanks guys!
You need to find the apk file for it, just Google HTC_ime orGoogle mobilism you'll find it on there, then install it, go to keyboard settings activate it, go to new message press and hold in text box select input method and select HTC_ime
Sent from my HTC HD2 using Tapatalk
So how would I install the apk file? Is there a certain spot in the SD card I need to leave it? Thanks for your help!
THEhomelessONE said:
So how would I install the apk file? Is there a certain spot in the SD card I need to leave it? Thanks for your help!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Doesn't need to be in a special place on the card, but Its helps to keep all your apk's in a folder for easy finding. Once you've copied the file to your card, you can use any file manager from the market to locate and install the apk. Don't know how much you know but .apk files are to Android what .cab files are to Windows mobile and .ipa files are to Iphone OS. Cheers.
Sounds simple enough thanks guys appreciate it!
reocej said:
Doesn't need to be in a special place on the card, but Its helps to keep all your apk's in a folder for easy finding. Once you've copied the file to your card, you can use any file manager from the market to locate and install the apk. Don't know how much you know but .apk files are to Android what .cab files are to Windows mobile and .ipa files are to Iphone OS. Cheers.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What if you want to install it to /system/app? If you simply use a file manager to open the apk file won't it install to /cache?
To install to system do I simply adb push it or adb install it?
You can grab the keyboard you want out of/system/app from your old build and then put it into the androidapps folder of your new build and then reboot. Should work, please let me know though
Sent from my HTC HD2 using XDA App

[Q] apk file issue!!

I have a confusion regarding android. this is very general query.
In Computer, first we have to have exe file to install anything and then we click on it to install the app on windows computer generally. when the app is installed on computer, we have installed app files in program files and then a dump (that is exe file) which we keep to install this app on any other computer.
Now, please let me know if this is applicable in android phones also?
I know that in android, there is .apk file instead of .exe file in computer. I observed that after installation apk file disappears. Is this true?
Not sure if in understood well, did you mean if instal anything from SD card? If you are asking that the answer is yes, i install everything from SD card and the apk file stay there after installation.
What if u install any app from Market?
vijay.gupta said:
I have a confusion regarding android. this is very general query.
In Computer, first we have to have exe file to install anything and then we click on it to install the app on windows computer generally. when the app is installed on computer, we have installed app files in program files and then a dump (that is exe file) which we keep to install this app on any other computer.
Now, please let me know if this is applicable in android phones also?
I know that in android, there is .apk file instead of .exe file in computer. I observed that after installation apk file disappears. Is this true?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Even in Android you can see the .apk files under /system/app. Also applications installed by you can be backed up & later restored using software available on market.
"Normally" these apks dissapear when you download from.market, but all of.your apks are stored in your phone, the thing is that you have to hav permission to do that, when you download an apk (the single file) and store it in sd card to install it, the apk is copied to the phone.
Sent from my GT-I5801 using XDA App
But if u back up ur apps as .apk and install them later using softwares (with exception of Titanium backup) u will loose connection between the app and android market (that means no updates)
the best option is to backup ur apps with titanium backup along with user data and restore it using the same
how do i access /system/app? Do I need to root the phone in order to see this directory?
vijay.gupta said:
how do i access /system/app? Do I need to root the phone in order to see this directory?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Download Terminal emulator from market & you are ready to go to /system/app !!!!
You can also download Root Explorer and so the same
Thank all. Can you please confirm what I am writing below:
Suppose I buy a android phone (with android 2.1 so you cannot install apps from SD card) in which I installed an application named XYZ from Market. Now, there is a apk file for XYZ which gets downloaded somewhere in the phone memory and then it gets installed automatically.
Now, I just want to know, where does this apk file go after XYZ is installed? Does it stay in phone memory with the installed files of XYZ.
If it goes to phone memory and not deleted from there, then phone memory
if u install .apk from market it will be stored and installed in /data/app in phone memory. i do not think it is stored twice in the phone.
Do u mean to say that only the installed file gets stored and. apk. File got deleted automatically after getting installed?
vijay.gupta said:
Do u mean to say that only the installed file gets stored and. apk. File got deleted automatically after getting installed?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Remember that an .apk file its a variant of the .jar files when you install an .apk this file gets stored inside the phone along with its necesary dependencies when the app starts, the os reads this file line by line while the app is executed.
In short terms the .apk file its the application itself that need a proper interpreter to run, in that way when you install and app to the phone, it copies this file and links the dependencies, so the .apks downloaded from makret are stored directly inside the app folder, in that way you can extract them from this folder and use it in another android phone.
You are relying too much on the windows ways of things. You see an exe file installion in windows essentially unpacking everything (other things aside) where it is needed and you then often see a bunch of files and folders. This is not what happens in android, the apk file is conserved when installed and can be found in the root part of your phone. Its data/app/ if installed on your phone, mnt/asec. (or something like asec) if installed on your sd card. You can copy that file to your sd card or send it to another device and install it again. I did just that today (I sent an apk to a friend)
anyway i dont think its same if i delete .apk + odex files from /data/app as i uninstall it with titanium backup. i think TB will be delete also data stored by the app inside the database (its the place where the apps are saving data, settings, etc...)
In case you are installing from Android Market:
1. When you are at market, it doesn't ask you to download. You will only get option either to install or update the existing app.
2. If you are a normal user, after installing, you won't be able to see the apk file anywhere on your memory card. But if you are a root user or with the help of special file managers and specific apps like root explorer and terminal emulators, you can locate those spk files in the phone's hidden memory.
3. If you are a root user, or with the help above mentioned type of apps, you can locate the apk files in phone memory and copy it on your memory card and distribute it to your wish.
4. If you are worried for paid apps and losing your phone or apps because of resetting or any other reason then stop worrying. A record of your paid apps is stored in google servers. So, even if you reset your phone or lose your phone, once you log in to a your new android device with the same google account, it will automatically show your paid apps. You don't have to pay for it again. Just need to install it again. This is applicable only if you are paying for the app through android market and you are logging into your android device with the same google account you had before losing your apps.
In case of installing via your SD card:
1. apk files are just like java files (.jad or .jar). You can download it on your PC from various sources and transfer it to your SD card or any of your friends' via USB, bluetooth or any other way.
2. After transfering the apk file to your SD card, it doesn't get automatically installed. You have to click it or open it to install, just like how we double click the exe file in windows.
3. Whether installed or not installed, the apk file you transfer to your SD card will always remain there unless and untill you or someone else delete it or you format your memory card.
4. Once installed, a copy of the same apk file would also be there in your phone's hidden memory, which you can access using special apps.
If you worried about losing your apps, try searching for other apps which backups apk... you can do so at android market. Moreover, also search on the net about having root access on your android device.. it'll let you access files in your phone's memory.
I hope, this would solve down all your queries !!!
Thanks next2 devil. Very gud explanation. It cleared almost all confusions. I have some more confusions that i want to clear out.
1) just a general query that just like exe file got unpacked after double clicking on it and install its files in c: genrally, does the same happen with apk, jad and jar files?
2) just want to clear out that phone memory which is hidden for normal users contains the copy of only those apk files that are currently installed on the phone and not the ones that are uninstalled or not installed at all?
vijay.gupta said:
Thanks next2 devil. Very gud explanation. It cleared almost all confusions. I have some more confusions that i want to clear out.
1) just a general query that just like exe file got unpacked after double clicking on it and install its files in c: genrally, does the same happen with apk, jad and jar files?
2) just want to clear out that phone memory which is hidden for normal users contains the copy of only those apk files that are currently installed on the phone and not the ones that are uninstalled or not installed at all?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
1. I am not sure about JAD and JAR files, but yes, APK files unpack itself to get installed. You can come to know the exact size/space that would be taken by the app directly from the android market. Details would be given there.
2. Yes, the phone memory would be having copy of files only which is installed. There would be no copy of any apk file which in not installed.
Thanks next2devil. Your response give rise to one more query.
if i compare unpacking logic from windows, there is no need for original exe file to remain in existence after it has been installed and user can delete exe file after installing it. Deleting exe file has no negative impact on the working of installed app. Please let me know if this is also the case with apk files? If yes, then what is the need of apk file to remain in phone memory after it has been installed?
vijay.gupta said:
Thanks next2devil. Your response give rise to one more query.
if i compare unpacking logic from windows, there is no need for original exe file to remain in existence after it has been installed and user can delete exe file after installing it. Deleting exe file has no negative impact on the working of installed app. Please let me know if this is also the case with apk files? If yes, then what is the need of apk file to remain in phone memory after it has been installed?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Short and simple. Deleting the apk file from /data/app removes the app.
Sent from my Lestatious v1.4.5.5 Galaxy 3 FROYO

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

update zip

i just want to make update.zip of any application so that it becomes part of the system application so no one can uninstall it
it can uninstall with rootexplorer but not with the application manager pls someone help me
some apps u can do that simply by moving the respective .apk file from the /data/app directory to the /system/app directory.
for those that can't, u can use TiBackup and convert them to system app
go here m8 it good for what your looking
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=717437
hope it help you out
Have you also had a look on this:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=678133?????
I´m sure I just HAVE TO play around with it, and it should even workj because he syas ALL recoveries are supported!
chewdaniel said:
some apps u can do that simply by moving the respective .apk file from the /data/app directory to the /system/app directory.
for those that can't, u can use TiBackup and convert them to system app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
how to use ti backup to make it as system apps
i tried to move installed apps from data folder to system folder but still not sucesss pls help me guys i need this so that no one can uninstall my apps

Get .apk file of installed apps

Guys is it possible to get the .apk files of apps downloaded from google play.....
As i need such thing damn seriously....
So frnds plz rep as soon as possible....
Download "App Backup & Restore App" From Google Play And Backup All Apps To Your Sdcard And Check The Backup Folder ..All Installed Apk Files Will Be Seen..Or
Check /data/app For Apps Installed In Internal Memory And
check /mnt/asec For Apps That Are Installed In SD Card..
Easy Way To Check These Folders Is To Download "Root Explorer" From Google Play..
thnks for the rep frnd.....
So did i need to root my device to have such thing?????
To Use Root Explorer You Need To Root Your Device..But Rooting Is Not Required For "App Backup & Restore" App...Hit Thanx
ok ok....
Thanks a lot lot lot dude....
try this Save Master
no root required!
You can also use apk extractor. It's in the play store. No need to root.
Tapatalked.
Silvane said:
You can also use apk extractor. It's in the play store. No need to root.
Tapatalked.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
try super toolbox it is really a great app... its not only backup your app but also optimize the ram uninstaller installer battery saver... totally 10+ process you can do with this app... here is the link to diwnload from store... https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=net.lepeng.superboxss&hl=en
Thanks a lot lot lot lot to all friends who just helped me their way by replying....
Once again thanks a lot lot lot...
kunalkakkad said:
Guys is it possible to get the .apk files of apps downloaded from google play.....
As i need such thing damn seriously....
So frnds plz rep as soon as possible....
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
U can use astro file manager it will bakup the apk in bakup foler in your sdcard try it
MyAppSharer
MyAppSharer is also one the useful application for the same..
You can send the.apk file or the link of the application directly to the other person..
Also you can get the .apk file on the sdcard in the folder MyAppSharer.
yup bro i ll try that too....
Thnx for the help dude......
Dude you can even use ES explorer to backup the apps..... Its quite easy...!!!
I vil try dat too...
Thnks dude 4 rep....
dparikh said:
MyAppSharer is also one the useful application for the same..
You can send the.apk file or the link of the application directly to the other person..
Also you can get the .apk file on the sdcard in the folder MyAppSharer.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
MyAppSharer - great! worked excellent! Thanks!
File Expert is also a good alternative to make apks out of installed apps and games.
http://www.xageek.com/software/FileExpertLatest.apk
mrkoko said:
File Expert is also a good alternative to make apks out of installed apps and games.
http://www.xageek.com/software/FileExpertLatest.apk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hey thanks for the rep...
I will try it too...
Thanks once again....
no need to back up dude.jst move the app to phone memory and use root explorer and go to system/sd/app
goodluck
jhapz said:
no need to back up dude.jst move the app to phone memory and use root explorer and go to system/sd/app
goodluck
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Oh thats cool friend......
I will try this too....
Thanks for the help pal....
try appinstaller.
sellect the application,long press,then choose export.
you'll see the apk at the root of sd card,just open with my files
no root needed
Sent from my GT-S5360 using XDA

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