Database Users

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

[GUIDE] How to easily edit/modify .apk files! (Simple, Noob Friendly)

Hey Guys an' Girls!
Anyway, so when I first learnt how to decompile, modify then recompile .apks I found it was a rather slow process and figured out a far faster way.I searched google and xda many times and couldn't find my method anywhere. So without further ado, let's go through an easy, simple, step by step guide on how to modify .apk files!
Step 1 - Getting the .apk
Firstly, of course, you will need to obtain the .apk file that you want to edit. There are two methods to do this:
a) If you have the recovery flashable zip for the rom you are currently on, simply open it up, navigate to the file you want to edit (in my case system -> app -> settings.apk) and drag the .apk file onto your desktop.
b) Using root browser or a similar app on your device, navigate to the .apk you wish to edit and copy it onto your sdcard. Then connect to your computer and copy the file from your phone to the computer.
Step 2 - Editing/Modifying your .apk
Now is the important part. Install Winrar by clicking the link. http://www.win-rar.com/download.html?&L=0 Then open the .apk by right clicking the file -> open with -> WinRar. Now you can look around the .apk file. Find a file inside the .apk you wish to edit. (In my case I'm going to navigate to res -> mipmap-hdpi -> ic_launcher_settings.png). Just drag the file from the .apk and edit to your liking.
NOTE: It is recommended never to completely take everything out of the .apk and then put it all back in. Just do one file at a time.
Then when your finished, select the old file in the .apk and press the delete button. Now drag in the new edited file into where you found it. Easy!
Step 3 - Putting the new .apk back where it belongs
Now of course, your going to have to put it back on your device to see the changes in effect, there's no point having it on your computer! There are two ways to go about this:
a) Open up your rom and navigate to the place where you took your .apk file from. Click on the old .apk file and press the delete button. Now drag your new edited .apk file into the zip. Then connect your device to your computer and drag the rom onto the sdcard and flash it via recovery. Now reboot the system and see your change/s in effect!
b) Copy your new .apk file from your computer to your device. Then, using Root browser or a similar app, navigate to the old .apk file and look at the permisions. (eg. RW--r--) Now delete the old file and replace with the new, but make sure to set the permissions the same as they were before. Now Simply reboot and see your change/s in effect!
NOTE: For some .apk files (eg. Framework-res.apk) there might be missing folders inside the .apk (eg. Values).

Just hit the thanks button, he doesn't bite your finger!

This is an easy way to edit the images only(icons,wallpaper,etc),not XML files,Smali's and such.I do this using the kitchen,easy way if you theme alot.

Diablo67 said:
This is an easy way to edit the images only(icons,wallpaper,etc),not XML files,Smali's and such.I do this using the kitchen,easy way if you theme alot.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You don't have to use this guide just for images. That was just the example. You can use it for almost any file inside an .apk. I was just saying that SOME folders aren't there.

Can you guide me to how do i keep same apps of diff versions.

i tried to modify a 3rd party app e.g whatsapp and when i tried installing i got an error which said "the app is not signed", may u kindly assist!

tendyfish said:
i tried to modify a 3rd party app e.g whatsapp and when i tried installing i got an error which said "the app is not signed", may u kindly assist!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You also have this tool
Easy Apk Dissassembler
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=14049173

How do I use a flashable to get rid of .apks??? ₩

On the app I have here it returns 20 results that it scrapes from a website. I only want it to return 3 or 4. How do I get in there and change that value?

I want to change values on touchwiz launcher on my note 3, to use it in 440 dpi. When I use it there is so much margin on all sides, and I need to reduce. I need to add a new icon row as well. Can I do that just by modifying the app?
Sent from my GT-I9505 using Tapatalk

are the .xml files encrypted or something? when i try to edit them, it is a bunch of strange characters

Hi,
I would like to modify the tinychat.apk so that i can find how to change my device info/platform from android to something else, like pc or whatever. I dont want to be identified as using an android device. Is this possible?
Regards.

ksaul said:
are the .xml files encrypted or something? when i try to edit them, it is a bunch of strange characters
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, depending on what tool you use to decompile the apk files it may or may not decrypt them. I use apktool and it decrypts them just fine.

I think this method is no longer working for 4.3+

Modify JAR files
littlejoelgriffo said:
Hey Guys an' Girls!
Anyway, so when I first learnt how to decompile, modify then recompile .apks I found it was a rather slow process and figured out a far faster way.I searched google and xda many times and couldn't find my method anywhere. So without further ado, let's go through an easy, simple, step by step guide on how to modify .apk files!
Step 1 - Getting the .apk
Firstly, of course, you will need to obtain the .apk file that you want to edit. There are two methods to do this:
a) If you have the recovery flashable zip for the rom you are currently on, simply open it up, navigate to the file you want to edit (in my case system -> app -> settings.apk) and drag the .apk file onto your desktop.
b) Using root browser or a similar app on your device, navigate to the .apk you wish to edit and copy it onto your sdcard. Then connect to your computer and copy the file from your phone to the computer.
Step 2 - Editing/Modifying your .apk
Now is the important part. Install Winrar by clicking the link. http://www.win-rar.com/download.html?&L=0 Then open the .apk by right clicking the file -> open with -> WinRar. Now you can look around the .apk file. Find a file inside the .apk you wish to edit. (In my case I'm going to navigate to res -> mipmap-hdpi -> ic_launcher_settings.png). Just drag the file from the .apk and edit to your liking.
NOTE: It is recommended never to completely take everything out of the .apk and then put it all back in. Just do one file at a time.
Then when your finished, select the old file in the .apk and press the delete button. Now drag in the new edited file into where you found it. Easy!
Step 3 - Putting the new .apk back where it belongs
Now of course, your going to have to put it back on your device to see the changes in effect, there's no point having it on your computer! There are two ways to go about this:
a) Open up your rom and navigate to the place where you took your .apk file from. Click on the old .apk file and press the delete button. Now drag your new edited .apk file into the zip. Then connect your device to your computer and drag the rom onto the sdcard and flash it via recovery. Now reboot the system and see your change/s in effect!
b) Copy your new .apk file from your computer to your device. Then, using Root browser or a similar app, navigate to the old .apk file and look at the permisions. (eg. RW--r--) Now delete the old file and replace with the new, but make sure to set the permissions the same as they were before. Now Simply reboot and see your change/s in effect!
NOTE: For some .apk files (eg. Framework-res.apk) there might be missing folders inside the .apk (eg. Values).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's very helpful thank you for sharing. Is there a way to modify JAR files the same way?

gilbertgk said:
That's very helpful thank you for sharing. Is there a way to modify JAR files the same way?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
rename the jar to apk..after done,rename it back to jar

zamzameir said:
rename the jar to apk..after done,rename it back to jar
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Can this work on my note 3 4.3 not rooted?

gilbertgk said:
Can this work on my note 3 4.3 not rooted?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
idk..but you can try n report back

littlejoelgriffo said:
Hey Guys an' Girls!
Anyway, so when I first learnt how to decompile, modify then recompile .apks I found it was a rather slow process and figured out a far faster way.I searched google and xda many times and couldn't find my method anywhere. So without further ado, let's go through an easy, simple, step by step guide on how to modify .apk files!
Step 1 - Getting the .apk
Firstly, of course, you will need to obtain the .apk file that you want to edit. There are two methods to do this:
a) If you have the recovery flashable zip for the rom you are currently on, simply open it up, navigate to the file you want to edit (in my case system -> app -> settings.apk) and drag the .apk file onto your desktop.
b) Using root browser or a similar app on your device, navigate to the .apk you wish to edit and copy it onto your sdcard. Then connect to your computer and copy the file from your phone to the computer.
Step 2 - Editing/Modifying your .apk
Now is the important part. Install Winrar by clicking the link. http://www.win-rar.com/download.html?&L=0 Then open the .apk by right clicking the file -> open with -> WinRar. Now you can look around the .apk file. Find a file inside the .apk you wish to edit. (In my case I'm going to navigate to res -> mipmap-hdpi -> ic_launcher_settings.png). Just drag the file from the .apk and edit to your liking.
NOTE: It is recommended never to completely take everything out of the .apk and then put it all back in. Just do one file at a time.
Then when your finished, select the old file in the .apk and press the delete button. Now drag in the new edited file into where you found it. Easy!
Step 3 - Putting the new .apk back where it belongs
Now of course, your going to have to put it back on your device to see the changes in effect, there's no point having it on your computer! There are two ways to go about this:
a) Open up your rom and navigate to the place where you took your .apk file from. Click on the old .apk file and press the delete button. Now drag your new edited .apk file into the zip. Then connect your device to your computer and drag the rom onto the sdcard and flash it via recovery. Now reboot the system and see your change/s in effect!
b) Copy your new .apk file from your computer to your device. Then, using Root browser or a similar app, navigate to the old .apk file and look at the permisions. (eg. RW--r--) Now delete the old file and replace with the new, but make sure to set the permissions the same as they were before. Now Simply reboot and see your change/s in effect!
NOTE: For some .apk files (eg. Framework-res.apk) there might be missing folders inside the .apk (eg. Values).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thnax for great guide but,my gopro app has a update and I have changed the icon on it but the app store dosent show me the update button. How to fix so I can update?

What do I need to change in an app to substitute it for another app?
OK so I've installed a new ROM and it comes with a kernel setting app preinstalled. This app has been integrated into the system settings portion of the ROM. I want to replace this kernel settings app with one of my choice but I want to be able to integrate it into the system settings like the original app is. I tried disguising the new app by changing the name of the app and .apk files but that didn't work. Closest I got was being able to convert my app to system app but even though I changed the name, the app, when installed goes back to it's original name. Or what permissions or files do I need to change to allow the integration of my app into the settings interface. Thanks ahead of time, it's appreciated.

Help android secure folder

Hello guys i have an issue with one app i couldnt install it says "app not installed" I readed i need to delete smdl2tmp1.asec in android secure folder on the SD but i dont have that folder anywhere, i have i9505 with android 5.0.2... so what can i do ?
Thanks.

JezZu said:
Hello guys i have an issue with one app i couldnt install it says "app not installed" I readed i need to delete smdl2tmp1.asec in android secure folder on the SD but i dont have that folder anywhere, i have i9505 with android 5.0.2... so what can i do ?
Thanks.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you're rooted you can force-install the app by moving the apk into the /sytem/app folder or /system/priv-app folder.
Note: System apps are installed in /system/app folder. User apps are installed in the /system/priv-app folder.
Then set the right permissions for the apk, reboot your device and you're done.

JezZu said:
Hello guys i have an issue with one app i couldnt install it says "app not installed" I readed i need to delete smdl2tmp1.asec in android secure folder on the SD but i dont have that folder anywhere, i have i9505 with android 5.0.2... so what can i do ?
Thanks.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You had a similar app already installed and it was moved to sdcard
So now you have to identify which app is this and then uninstall it from your phone
Second option is to insert your sdcard into pc and then you will get /.android_secure folder then just look for the file and delete it
But i will recommend to remove deprecated app first.

GDReaper said:
If you're rooted you can force-install the app by moving the apk into the /sytem/app folder or /system/priv-app folder.
Note: System apps are installed in /system/app folder. User apps are installed in the /system/priv-app folder.
Then set the right permissions for the apk, reboot your device and you're done.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ok i did what u tell me i move the apk to system/app folder, i reboot my device and it appears as icon then when i open it Force close i think is for the permissions but i dont know what permissions i need to set.

Need root to access obb folder?

As title states, to access the obb folder, do I need to be rooted?

no you dont need to be rooted.

I dnt see the obb folder inside the Android folder.. its normally
Android > obb

what file manager are you using? Are you checking for the obb folder on the memory card or internal memory? What game/app are you trying to install that you need the obb folder?

S7 built-in file manager... and of course internal memory...

hmm it should be available by default try creating the folder and placing whatever game/app you want in side it.

doesnt seem to work... tried a few times with different app... just FCs

Out of interest, If you do not see it, You may not have an application thats created Obb.
This folder is not created unless a package is stored in here.
you can create it manually via file manager / file browser
(If you create it manually, there is every chance you need to set the permissions and assign it a group)
obb is owned by media_rw (Group id 1023)
The permissions on this folder are:
rwxrwx--- OR 0770 (Owner and Group Full read Write Execute)
If the folder exists and is hidden, the application will not allow you to create the folder.
Delete the folder and download one of the following from the store:
This should create the OBB folder
StarKnight
Brain it on
The Room 3
Thumb drift
Ilttle Drew
Odyssey
(Just some packages i have in Obb)

dave7802 said:
Out of interest, If you do not see it, You may not have an application thats created Obb.
This folder is not created unless a package is stored in here.
you can create it manually via file manager / file browser
(If you create it manually, there is every chance you need to set the permissions and assign it a group)
obb is owned by media_rw (Group id 1023)
The permissions on this folder are:
rwxrwx--- OR 0770 (Owner and Group Full read Write Execute)
If the folder exists and is hidden, the application will not allow you to create the folder.
Delete the folder and download one of the following from the store:
This should create the OBB folder
StarKnight
Brain it on
The Room 3
Thumb drift
Ilttle Drew
Odyssey
(Just some packages i have in Obb)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Im not rooted so I cant check/change permissions.. But I did install the thumb drift game and the OBB file showed up.. still just getting FCs

I'm using an s5 on RR 7.1.2 and I can't access obb. It's there but the folders inside are empty. And I can not move files into the directory.... I don't know why.

How to correctly move app into /system/priv-app

I'm trying to find a way to move an app from /data/app to /system/priv-app correctly. I'm on Oreo 8.1.0 with January 5, 2018 security patches. I'm rooted with Magisk v16.0.
I've tried using ES File Explorer to move it manually and apply correct permissions. I've tried using Lucky Patcher and Titanium Backup Pro to move it. With the manual move and Lucky Patcher, the app disappears (icon/shortcut is shaded out and doesn't work). With Titanium Backup, it starts the processing and sits with "Processing" forever.
Does anyone know of a way to move the app to system correctly?

What app are you trying to do it for? The most efficient way that I've found is to...
1. Install the app normally.
2. Find the app within /data/app/ and copy the folder to your internal storage
3. Uninstall the app
4. Copy and paste the folder either into /system/app/ or /system/priv-app/
5. Reboot and see if it works
---------- Post added at 05:32 PM ---------- Previous post was at 05:32 PM ----------
What app are you trying to do it for? The most efficient way that I've found is to...
1. Install the app normally.
2. Find the app within /data/app/ and copy the folder to your internal storage
3. Uninstall the app
4. Copy and paste the folder either into /system/app/ or /system/priv-app/
5. Reboot and see if it works
Edit: It would seem that XDA is lagging for me. Excuse the double post, lol.

jvnat said:
I'm trying to find a way to move an app from /data/app to /system/priv-app correctly. I'm on Oreo 8.1.0 with January 5, 2018 security patches. I'm rooted with Magisk v16.0.
I've tried using ES File Explorer to move it manually and apply correct permissions. I've tried using Lucky Patcher and Titanium Backup Pro to move it. With the manual move and Lucky Patcher, the app disappears (icon/shortcut is shaded out and doesn't work). With Titanium Backup, it starts the processing and sits with "Processing" forever.
Does anyone know of a way to move the app to system correctly?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you mount system in TWRP, you can use file explorer in advance setting to move any file anywhere. No need to set any permissions. Just reboot. Been doing that for while now. No problems at all.

I use root explorer,install app normal .got to data/app.copy to system/privapp.then go back to data/app delete the app,then reboot.

Thanks for all the suggestions. I'll give those methods a go.

I am trying to install an app in /system/priv-app and the app is not showing up in Settings -> Apps even with "Show system" selected.
This is on Google HTC Nexus 9 (flounder) Android 7.1.1 Security patch level October 5, 2017. I used TWRP to remount the root filesytem rw and move the app. I am trying to install com.incorporateapp.fakegps_route-1.
I installed the app from the Google Play store and copied it from
/data/app/com.incorporateapp.fakegps_route-1
to
/system/priv-app/com.incorporateapp.fakegps_route-1
The directory and all files and subdirectories are owner and group root.root. The permissions on the directory and files and subdirectories look correct. The com.incorporateapp.fakegps_route-1 directory is 755.
The directory and files are look to be correctly placed on the file system under /system/app-priv. I've checked multiple times. The app does not show up in System -> Apps even if "Show system" is selected. I understand that Android is supposed to find the new app in priv-app on boot and install it. That does not seem to be happening. Any other suggestions? Are there log files on boot I can check for error messages? Any help is appreciated.
TIA.

I have the same issue. When I move the fakegps app from data/app to system/priv-app then I have no icon to select the application from the home screen.
even after a reboot.
anybody knows how to get back the fakegps icon to be able to start the application?

If you guys are using Magisk root, I've found a module called App Systemizer which through a simple command line interface is able to convert apps you pick and choose from a list of installed ones on your phone to convert into system apps. Then when updates occur I use titanium backup's "integrate system dalvik into app" feature (it hangs so you have to force close it but it does the job) reboot and it's done.
The raw copy/paste way which has been described here has messed up my phone once or twice, and gave me a message on boot that "My phone has been corrupted or something along those lines and to contact the manufacturer".

TaZeR369 said:
If you guys are using Magisk root, I've found a module called App Systemizer which through a simple command line interface is able to convert apps you pick and choose from a list of installed ones on your phone to convert into system apps. Then when updates occur I use titanium backup's "integrate system dalvik into app" feature (it hangs so you have to force close it but it does the job) reboot and it's done.
The raw copy/paste way which has been described here has messed up my phone once or twice, and gave me a message on boot that "My phone has been corrupted or something along those lines and to contact the manufacturer".
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
App systemizer just grants the app the status "system app"(likely through linking and granting permissions). It in no way moves it to the system partition.

Ive come to the same realization after running into some questionable free space on my /system Hehe. I copy the APK using TWRP now seems to do the trick.

TaZeR369 said:
Ive come to the same realization after running into some questionable free space on my /system Hehe. I copy the APK using TWRP now seems to do the trick.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
what version of android can you get, I'm not getting on android 10 can you help me?

Above method didn't worked for me. Below worked perfectly and is safe:
1. Install the app as usual.
2. Copy the app folder from /data/app to internal storage
3. Uninstall the app and reboot to recovery
4. Copy the app folder from internal storage to /system/priv-app folder (If you don't see system folder then you need to mount "system" partition in recovery first)
5. Give permissions to app folder (for all 9 checkboxes), reboot. Enjoy

Anyone else unable to see the folder with the app they moved after a reboot? I want to de-systemize, but I can't now.
I took the folder for the app I want to systemize and moved it from data/app to system/priv-app. Then rebooted. The app is now systemized (can't uninstall it, only disable) But the folder no longer exists under PRIV-APP.
I've done this many times with other apps and I've never seen this problem. Is it because I moved the entire folder and didn't rename it?
After reboot the folder can no longer be found under system/priv-app OR data/app. The app is still installed as a system app. Where is the folder with the app?
Running Android 9. Pixel 3.

I have come across a very strange phenomena on Galaxy M12. When I install an app as user it exists in /data/app forder in a weird way. The folders in /data/app are like ~~h8DR1aXXIZfV_DXfqwYf3g== (see attachment) and in these folders there is another folder with the app package name. On regular devices I hvae seen app package folder in /data/app itself.
When I copy the app package folder from /data/app/~~h8DR1aXXIZfV_DXfqwYf3g== to /system/app it does not work. I can see the app folder after reboot or even reset but app in not installed on the system. I have confirmed by running the activity using 'am' and tried listing with 'pm'. I have also given same permissions as other app folders in /system/app. I have also tried /system/app~~h8DR1aXXIZfV_DXfqwYf3g==.
Edit: As it turns out when I am copying to /system/app the base.apk is not copied properly. I have tried it multiple time, the system is mounted. Whatever I do it is either 0 kb or 100 kb exactl and the file is ~6mb. Still strange behaviour.