Database Users

Non-root users How to move apps to sd

Hey this took me a few hours but its relatively simple. you'll need a little knowledge of DOS or maybe i'll just spell out everything for the noobs being that i'm one. IF YOU HAVE MANUALLY INSTALLED FROYO AND THE OPTION TO MOVE APPS TO SD IS STILL GREYED AND CAN'T BE SELECTED JUST DO THIS.(i'm running windows vista)
1. download and install the android sdk (unzip folder on desktop for easy access)
2. go to my computer then click on C:\ create a new folder here called android
3. go back to the sdk folder on the desktop then open it and go to tools
4. copy the contents of the tools folder to the android folder u just created
5. connect your phone in debug mode if u don't know how to do this go to settings then applications then developement then enable the usb debugging.
6. after doing that you should be prompted to install the drivers 3 will install automatically and one will fail once that one fails select "I DON'T HAVE DISC" then browse for drivers go back to the desktop where u have the android-sdk-windows folder, then go to the usb drivers folder and press ok the adb utility driver should now install. you will also be prompted to reboot the computer in order to access it do so.
7. once rebooted connect ur phone in debug mode again. it should connect smoothly. Now open up a command prompt.
8. From here you'll need to set the path to the android folder to get access to the adb commands do this by typing "path=c:\android" to test it just type adb and you should see all sorts of crap comming up in dos if that happens ur golden.
9. Now all u do is type adb shell you should now see this sign "$" if that happens ur golden now just give the command "pm setInstallLocation 2"
10. you should see the message pm setInstallLocation 2 after which the dollar sign will appear again.
11. exit then reboot you phone and UR GOOOOOD
7

Has anyone else tried this? I assumed that the apps had to support copying to SD in order to work, but Last.FM and a few other apps I have updated to 2.2 support today, and yet I still can't copy them to SD.

xSiraris said:
Has anyone else tried this? I assumed that the apps had to support copying to SD in order to work, but Last.FM and a few other apps I have updated to 2.2 support today, and yet I still can't copy them to SD.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i updated to froyo last night and i have been trying to move the apps to sd but it was all greyed and couldn't be selected. i finally figured it out about an hour and a half ago after reading up on adb and stuff i decided to give it a test run cuz what ppl were saying about the apps didn't make any sense. so i tried that and VOILA worked like a charm let me know if it works for u. it did just fine for me

Apps to SD works fine with stock Froyo. The developer just has to support it. One app that does support it that I have found so far is "Armadillo Roll".
After you install, go to manage applications and you will see that the "move to SD" is not grayed out and you can in fact move it over with stock froyo.

thats a way around it man screw the developers

lordvikon said:
thats a way around it man screw the developers
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
have you rebooted your phone yet?

Well, this has been discussed in a couple of threads before, and yeah, it's a working workaround...
pm is the the package manager application which install apks.
installLocation is a parameter which has 3 values...
0 - auto (phone or app decides where to install)
1 - force internal (forces apps to install in the internal memory)
2 - force external (forces apps to install on the sd card)
So, in short, in adb shell or a terminal enumlator, if you type
> pm setInstallLocation 2
all apps will be forcefully installed on the sd card, and you can move them to the phone.
But be careful, if you install widgets and some other aps which run as background processes, they will be killed if you mount ur sd card.
Also, if you have an apk file, u can force install that to the sd card via the adb install command without performing any of the above steps.
> adb install -s AppName.apk
-s forces the app to be installed on the sd card, without that flag, the phone or app will decide where to the app will be installed...

craigacgomez said:
Well, this has been discussed in a couple of threads before, and yeah, it's a working workaround...
pm is the the package manager application which install apks.
installLocation is a parameter which has 3 values...
0 - auto (phone or app decides where to install)
1 - force internal (forces apps to install in the internal memory)
2 - force external (forces apps to install on the sd card)
So, in short, in adb shell or a terminal enumlator, if you type
> pm setInstallLocation 2
all apps will be forcefully installed on the sd card, and you can move them to the phone.
But be careful, if you install widgets and some other aps which run as background processes, they will be killed if you mount ur sd card.
Also, if you have an apk file, u can force install that to the sd card via the adb install command without performing any of the above steps.
> adb install -s AppName.apk
-s forces the app to be installed on the sd card, without that flag, the phone or app will decide where to the app will be installed...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
so far so good! Thanks for the tip!
Used with adb but I understand you to mean this command will work using terminal emulator app? this would be an easy way to control which apps go to the sd card.
Thanks again for the original post and the clarification. I do love Android and Froyo is rockin' more every day!

help
I downloaded a terminal app and typed
pm setInstallLocation 2
And the dialog gives me an explanation of what the 0 1 2 is and dosen't move the apps. What am I doing wrong?

Ah, this actually works. You have no idea how it feels to move those space hungry navigation apps to the sd card. Perfect!
Thanks!

Awesome! It works, now I can install more games that take up way too much space
Thanks!!

How did you guys do it, I tried with a terminal on the phone but no dice. Did I do something wrong?

glwinkler said:
How did you guys do it, I tried with a terminal on the phone but no dice. Did I do something wrong?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Erm, I just followed instructions. I'm on unrooted N1 with Froyo.
Remember to reboot your phone for it to take effect. As Froyo categorizes apps in the application manager, you can tell which apps are installed on sdcard straightaway.
Only downside is once this takes effect, all future apps that you install will immediately be installed to your sdcard. May screw up apps that have background tasks or widgets.

lordvikon said:
thats a way around it man screw the developers
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
disgusting comment.
Without the developers you would have nothing. NOTHING.

Don't do this, you're gonna end up with malfunction applications and then you're gonna get pissed at the developers for your own stupidity.

As i have written on my blog, you need to be aware of a few things:
"Don’t move apps that require a background service running all the time. Things like twitter, widgets, streaming apps (internet radio) and IM apps (you need the notifications even if you use the SD card for something else) should stay on the internal storage because they will break when you’ll use your sd card as a mass storage on your PC.
All the apps you’re going to install from now on will default to the SD card. In case you know for sure that the app uses a background service we advise moving it to the phone’s internal storage."
What you can do is to enable this trick, move all the apps you want to the sd card and reverse the trick so all your future apps will default to whatever setting they have.

lordvikon said:
Hey this took me a few hours but its relatively simple. you'll need a little knowledge of DOS or maybe i'll just spell out everything for the noobs being that i'm one. IF YOU HAVE MANUALLY INSTALLED FROYO AND THE OPTION TO MOVE APPS TO SD IS STILL GREYED AND CAN'T BE SELECTED JUST DO THIS.(i'm running windows vista)
1. download and install the android sdk (unzip folder on desktop for easy access)
2. go to my computer then click on C:\ create a new folder here called android
3. go back to the sdk folder on the desktop then open it and go to tools
4. copy the contents of the tools folder to the android folder u just created
5. connect your phone in debug mode if u don't know how to do this go to settings then applications then developement then enable the usb debugging.
6. after doing that you should be prompted to install the drivers
7
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Done step 1-5 and when i connect phone i dont get prompt to install drivers???
Please help

This worked like a charm, just gotta remember it when I install new apps (or revert it)

glwinkler said:
How did you guys do it, I tried with a terminal on the phone but no dice. Did I do something wrong?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you want done from terminal, you need root(su). or use ADB save you from trouble.

The only issue with this method is market lost most of downloaded apps link after reboot the phone. Untill you install or upgrade any apps, then the link will refresh.
Use AppBrain check for any update first, then only need install one update. Go back to stock market, everything come back.
BTW: leave phone idle for 1 min after start the phone, otherwise some apps(home screen or app draw) will show default Icon. Phone need time to refresh the apps from SD.Hope next android release can mount SD before phone try to search for Apps(Like the APP2SD on root).

Cannot for the life of me get system r/w permissions

I've been running cm7 nightlies and now stable 7.0 for some time now. I have the new radio, ladios' kernel, and the sdcard read fix flashed.
I installed super manager and successfully deleted some of the stock cm7 media off my phone last week. Today, I came across the new GPS.conf files and wanted to try them.
Super manager couldn't switch the system to r/w despite saying "ok"
When I try to delete or write in the system with EStrongs file explorer, ghost commander, or android mate, they all give strange errors. The deleted files disappear but reappear after reboot. If I try to paste a file in system/etc I only get an error.
Superuser is successfully allowing permissions. I have the latest busybox. I have r/w enabled in each file manager.
I even tried an adb push test which first said "system is r/o only". The next try was "successful" but didn't do anything.
I'm still new with adb so I probably did something wrong. I typed in that r/w command, mount now shows: /dev/block/mtdblock3 on /system type yaffs2 (rw,relatime)
I can't figure out what changed and what I need to do to get r/w permissions. My only theory is that i had uninstalled and reinstalled super manager earlier and that somehow messed with my permissions.

You cannot permanently modify the system partition while the phone is booted into Android. The only way is to use adb while the phone is in recovery mode. Any changes you make while the phone is booted will be lost after a reboot.
Go check on those media files you thought you deleted. I bet you'll find they are still there.

Yes that worked. Thank you.
I thought I had read somewhere that you had to be booted to adb push.
I also thought that root managers advertising r/w capability would make permanent changes.
Next question:
Can I add and remove files from the cm7 zip before flashing it? Do I have to rezip it in any special or can windows 7 manage it fine?
EDIT: Ok I guess i need to sign it... lets see...

jamus28 said:
Yes that worked. Thank you.
I thought I had read somewhere that you had to be booted to adb push.
I also thought that root managers advertising r/w capability would make permanent changes.
Next question:
Can I add and remove files from the cm7 zip before flashing it? Do I have to rezip it in any special or can windows 7 manage it fine?
EDIT: Ok I guess i need to sign it... lets see...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You don't need to sign them on the aria
Sent from my Liberty using XDA App

jamus28 said:
Yes that worked. Thank you.
I thought I had read somewhere that you had to be booted to adb push.
I also thought that root managers advertising r/w capability would make permanent changes.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Those programs will work on some phones but not the Aria.
Next question:
Can I add and remove files from the cm7 zip before flashing it? Do I have to rezip it in any special or can windows 7 manage it fine?
EDIT: Ok I guess i need to sign it... lets see...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It really is as simple as adding or removing a few files from the zip file if you want to modify it.

Google play force close help!

Hi, i have rooted my kindle fire recently ( i had to do it manually because the KFU failed to root it) and installed the google framework and google play APK's manually.
but whenever i try to purchase an app, it force closes. and then it force closes every time after that when i try to open it again. when i go to clear the app data for it it will open again, but will still force close when i try to download an app
i also tried to install the app market version 3.4.4, but that always force closed as soon as i tried to open it
maybe i didnt root it right or maybe its not even rooted? how can you tell if its rooted properly. it als wont let me push anything to /system/. it says its read only or something
Edit: nevermind, i solved it. i had to put the kindle into recovery mode, mount /system/ using clockwork recovery, and then push the vendor.apk and install it while still in clockwork recovery

A little more detail please
robotnikman said:
Edit: nevermind, i solved it. i had to put the kindle into recovery mode, mount /system/ using clockwork recovery, and then push the vendor.apk and install it while still in clockwork recovery
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have the same thing going on. Can you elaborate a little more. How did you push it while in recovery? Did you have to make it a zip? I can only find zip files to open and since it isn't a zip I can't find another way to open the file.
Thanks in advance.

guitarwizard89 said:
I have the same thing going on. Can you elaborate a little more. How did you push it while in recovery? Did you have to make it a zip? I can only find zip files to open and since it isn't a zip I can't find another way to open the file.
Thanks in advance.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
what rom are you using stock rooted
EDIT:Try this thread

DJLamontagneIII said:
what rom are you using stock rooted
EDIT:Try this thread
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I was using the Stock rooted. I followed the first part of the thread and it didn't work for me so I followed the second part and this is were I get lost:
8 - Under "Path settings" Check the box "Up to Root"
9 - Under "Root settings" Check the box "Root Explorer" Tap "yes" on the popup and tap "allow" on the super user window.
10 - Under "Root settings" check "Mount File System"
11 - now your ready to copy the files. Tap back to go back to the sdcard. Tap "Select" on the top toolbar. Select by taping the three .apks you copied over. Once all three are selected Tap "Copy" on the top toolbar
12 - Tap "Up" on top toolbar. Tap "system". Tap "app" and Finally tap "Paste" on top toolbar.
13 - Reboot your kindle and you should now have the Market working on your kindle.
Root Explorer is not there? hmmm, I must be missing something.

in es file explorer -> settings -> scroll down to the section root options ->
first point is root-explorer -> second point is something with file system -> check both

guitarwizard89 said:
Root Explorer is not there? hmmm, I must be missing something.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Assuming you have es file explorer installed just do what b63 said so file explorer will have write permissions on the kindle and drag and drop those 3 apks that were in that link 2nd page into the system/app folder and than reboot.... dont try to install them or anything like that just drop them in the app folder and reboot

Thanks guys I got it. I should have made my name NoobCake. What I was missing was....
I didn't understand that I needed to hit the little system folder next to the back arrow at the bottom of the Kindle to check the Root boxes. Once I found that it went great and Market is working good.
I really appreciate your help and to have it so fast is awesome. You guys ROCK!

[Q] Unrooting a phone without USB?

I rooted my phone with Motochopper.
Since then, the phone has failed to connect to my computers via USB. I'd like to take the phone in and have it looked at, but I'm a bit concerned about what they'll say when they see the "Custom" unlock icon on the boot screen.
Is there a way to un-motochop my phone without using USB?

Yes
Step 1: Download ES File Explorer
Step 2: Open ES and press Menu key on phone (grant root when asked)
Step 3: Click Tools -> Root Explorer
Step 4: Click Mount R/W and select RW for all options and click OK
Step 5: Click / on top
Step 6: Navigate to System -> xbin and delete Busybox and SU
Step 7: Reboot
You are now unrooted:good:

polish_pat said:
Yes
Step 1: Download ES File Explorer
Step 2: Open ES and press Menu key on phone (grant root when asked)
Step 3: Click Tools -> Root Explorer
Step 4: Click Mount R/W and select RW for all options and click OK
Step 5: Click / on top
Step 6: Navigate to System -> xbin and delete Busybox and SU
Step 7: Reboot
You are now unrooted:good:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Should one also uninstall SuperUser (or SuperSU if applicable) also?

Aou said:
Should one also uninstall SuperUser (or SuperSU if applicable) also?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
yes, but through app manager, not through es

Thank you both!
I'm a little worried... I long-clicked on Busybox and selected delete, and it appears that quite a few files were deleted. The only file left in /system/xbin is "dexdump"
Is that correct? I don't want to reboot until I can verify this.

NOOO thats not correct, you deleted all files, you will be bricked for sure, i suggest you backup your stuff a prepare to restore thru odin

Download ES File Explorer from Play, delete the Xbin stuff first and then delete the superuser. Then do a factory reset and you should be all set.
Unless you have a custom recovery, then you'll have to odin your device.

House M.D. said:
Download ES File Explorer from Play, delete the Xbin stuff first and then delete the superuser. Then do a factory reset and you should be all set.
Unless you have a custom recovery, then you'll have to odin your device.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I hate it when people come in a thread and just give a solution that's already been posted and think they got the solution to solve the problem
Sent from my SGH-I337M using Tapatalk 2

polish_pat said:
I hate it when people come in a thread and just give a solution that's already been posted and think they got the solution to solve the problem
Sent from my SGH-I337M using Tapatalk 2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
really? please keep your emotions outside the community.
Without factory reset, the phone will still show as "custom", so please give the complete instructions next time.

Thank you!
Aou said:
Should one also uninstall SuperUser (or SuperSU if applicable) also?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
polish_pat said:
Yes
Step 1: Download ES File Explorer
Step 2: Open ES and press Menu key on phone (grant root when asked)
Step 3: Click Tools -> Root Explorer
Step 4: Click Mount R/W and select RW for all options and click OK
Step 5: Click / on top
Step 6: Navigate to System -> xbin and delete Busybox and SU
Step 7: Reboot
You are now unrooted:good:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you, Pat and Aou. The process worked; after deleting the files and uninstalling the app and performing two reboots my phone no longer shows the open padlock with the "Custom" badge. I did not need to do a 'factory reset' of any kind.
From the little research I did, I'm guessing that all of those files that disappeared when I deleted BusyBox were symlinks to the deleted file.

NogginBoink said:
Thank you, Pat and Aou. The process worked; after deleting the files and uninstalling the app and performing two reboots my phone no longer shows the open padlock with the "Custom" badge. I did not need to do a 'factory reset' of any kind.
From the little research I did, I'm guessing that all of those files that disappeared when I deleted BusyBox were symlinks to the deleted file.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Good, i'm really happy to hear you didnt screw up the phone, i think it's the first time see somebody delete the content of their system folder and get away with it

NogginBoink said:
Thank you, Pat and Aou. The process worked; after deleting the files and uninstalling the app and performing two reboots my phone no longer shows the open padlock with the "Custom" badge. I did not need to do a 'factory reset' of any kind.
From the little research I did, I'm guessing that all of those files that disappeared when I deleted BusyBox were symlinks to the deleted file.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Excellent - happy to help. Best of luck getting the USB issue resolved.

[Guide] How to have write protection disabled on boot with stock rom

For this to work you will need to be rooted with twrp installed.
This is for people who are on the stock rom or a rom without init.d support.
1. Download the wp_mod.ko file from @flar2's thread http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2701816
and copy it over to your SD card (either internal or external)
2. Boot into twrp
3. Select the "Mount" option on the main menu and tick system
4. Go back to the main menu and then go into the "Advanced" option. There will be a "File Manager" option
5. Navigate to the folder you saved the .ko file in and copy it (just touch the file and it will bring up the menu)
6. now navigate to /system/lib/modules and copy the file there by hitting the "select" button on the bottom right.
7. Navigate to /system/lib/modules and insure the file is there. Now touch it to bring up the menu. select "Chmod" option and enter in 644
8. reboot the device
9. Once booted fully open up Terminal emulator and type:
su
insmod /system/lib/modules/wp_mod.ko
10. Once that's done open up a file manager app with root access and mount as r/w and navigate to /system/etc and look for the file install-recovery.sh
11. edit the file using a text editor, adding the line insmod /system/lib/modules/wp_mod.ko towards the bottom of the file
12. reboot and enjoy r/w on boot without running the command every time
13. profit

I don't have my hands on mine yet (ordered a Dev edition from Amazon), but I greatly appreciate your work here! R/W was a massive pain for me on my M7, and this seems much more simple and easy. Thanks again!

Hi graffixnyc,
Thanks for the explanation, but the link to the file is not working ....

link
flaxjef said:
Hi graffixnyc,
Thanks for the explanation, but the link to the file is not working ....
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
+1
CC

Should be fixed now.. I don't know why it cut off some of it
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2701816

Thanks for the turorial, but this isn't working for me
The file can't be executed (even after chmod) - and if i try to execute this file in an other directory, my terminal says that this file can't be found..
Any ideas?
So my device simply ignores Step 7 .... :crying:

graffixnyc said:
For this to work you will need to be rooted with twrp installed.
7. Navigate to /system/lib/modules and insure the file is there. Now touch it to bring up the menu. select "Chmod" option and enter in 644
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I know I am being a grammar nazi, but I am fairly certain you mean "ensure". I tried to just leave it alone, but I can't not say something. It's a curse.

Fenny said:
I know I am being a grammar nazi, but I am fairly certain you mean "ensure". I tried to just leave it alone, but I can't not say something. It's a curse.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It is ironic that a "grammar nazi" would use a double negative while pointing out a grammatical error...

noimjosh said:
It is ironic that a "grammar nazi" would use a double negative while pointing out a grammatical error...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
lol... yeah, would have been better to say: "but I'm compelled to say something"
Oh well, no biggie though.
Don't know how I missed this thread though, thanks graffixnyc.

noimjosh said:
It is ironic that a "grammar nazi" would use a double negative while pointing out a grammatical error...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Indeed, it is ironic.

thank you

412070391 said:
thank you
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Does this work if the phone is still s-on? (unlocked/rooted but no s-off)

Sorry, but will this fix my little niggling issue with MX player? I keep my Stewart/Colbert files on the extSD card, but I can't delete them when done watching them using MX Player's delete command. I have to remember which files are watched and then use ES File Explorer to delete them. A silly second step in my opinion. Yes I am rooted, s-on, with TWRP.
I'm staying stock hoping a firewater solves my s-on issue, but yes I should probably do a custom ROM to solve this and a few other things.

Will this make SD card writeable to all apps?

Will this make external micro SD card writeable to all apps?

Sn8kbordin said:
Will this make external micro SD card writeable to all apps?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
MAN, NO DOUBLE POSTS. but yea it should do it...if not there is another way

In Terminal Emulator it says "Failed Exec Format Error". Any ideas?

I followed the 1st post directions without errors for Sense 6.0, Andoid 4.4.3. When I tried to:
1. When I tried editing and saving system/customize/ACC/default.xml in ES File Explorer phone rebooted on save and default.xml went back to stock
2. When I copied default.xml to extSD card, edited it, and tried overwriting system/customize/ACC/default.xml with edited default.xml in TWRP recovery phone also rebooted
I want to do this mod http://forum.xda-developers.com/htc-one-m8/general/enable-built-music-channelroot-t2818128