Deleting and copying apk in /system/app

[Guest frenchdroid]

Hello all fellow San Fran/Blade owners.

I am wondering if I should have posted in here or in the Absolute Beginners. I'm not a total noob though (I did manage to install FLB r8a using Clockwork after all) and it doesn't seem too busy over in Absolute Beginners either. Plus the ZTE Blade forum is such a friendly and helpful place, I thought I'd come and grovel for some help here.

I am trying to install a modded Google Maps 5.1 which is meant to enable navigation without data, with maps being loaded on the SD card (http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=630887&page=235).

My problem is that I cannot install or move this mod to the system/apps folder. I read that I should delete the original gmaps apk from system/apps and any maps stuff from /data. I tried to delete and uninstall the maps app using ES File Explorer and Astro but they wouldn't let me do this. I then managed to uninstall using Titanium Backup. The data folder was empty (is this normal) so there is nothing to delete there.

Next, I am meant to install the modded maps apk by "ownhere" (page 235 of the XDA thread) which I have put on my SD card. Astro and ES File Explorer can see it and gives me a chance to install it but each time I try, the install fails.

I also read that I could try and copy the apk file in to the system/apps folder but each time I try that, ES or Astro won't let me move the file in to system/apps.

By using "properties" function in ES File Explorer I can see that the system/apps folder is just readable so I'm wondering if I should be making it writeable. However, here is where I am clueless, and think I probably need to learn more about all of this voodoo like adb, root explorer, shell commands and other malarkey.

I did search (a lot) for more info but couldn't find the answer.

I would be extremely grateful if anyone could help. AND, I'd love some links to some tutorials about how to understand and mess with the Android system (just for administration like this, not for development).

Thanks in advance

[Guest 900i]

You need a file manager that can make the system and data folders read/write enabled, something like SUFBS which is what I use. Stupid TalkTalk broadband, 3 posts cause the router keeps throwing a wobbler.

Edited February 20, 2011 by 900i

[Guest 900i]

You need a file manager that can make the system and data folders read/write enabled, something like SUFBS which is what I use.

PLEASE DELETE

Edited February 20, 2011 by 900i

[Guest 900i]

You need a file manager that can make the system and data folders read/write enabled, something like SUFBS which is what I use.

PLEASE DELETE

Edited February 20, 2011 by 900i

[Guest Phoenix Silver]

you can use adb

adb remount

adb shell rm /system/app/the_file.apk

adb push new_app.apk /system/app

adb reboot

[Guest targetbsp]

Just a headsup - last time I tried that app it crashed all over the place. This was before Christmas though but it looks like it's not been updated since. Which brings me to another point... it appears to be a modified 4.6 rather than 5.1?

I personally found it fairly hard to get maps zoomed in to any kind of detail level. The pre-made maps were at a fairly high level of zoom and the app to make them yourself was estimating days to download the data from google. I just found the whole thing fairly disappointing compared to the real google navigation or proper satnav software.

[edit]

Oh I see, it's not the Brut version you're trying - they just dumped it in the same thread. :D Hopefully that one is better. :D

Edited February 20, 2011 by targetbsp

[Guest frenchdroid]

Thanks very much for the replies - I'll try the suggestions.

Would anyone have any links to where I can learn about delving a bit deeper in to the Android root.

For instance, when I read in Flibblesans FLB rom thread "To overclock edit script in system/etc/init.d or install setcpu" I know what hes saying but I don't know how I go about doing it.

I can see the guides and glossary written very well by Steven Harper but I'm really looking for something to guide me how to use adb, etc.

I have searched the web but just get stuff back about development, which is a bit too advanced for what I need.

Thanks again

[Guest Lew247]

Try this http://androidcommander.com/

Its a windows program that lets you read and write to your phone and it's dead simple to use

drag and crop or click etc simples :D

Only of use to those who have windows of course - but it does make life SO much simpler

How it looks

For instance, when I read in Flibblesans FLB rom thread "To overclock edit script in system/etc/init.d or install setcpu" I know what hes saying but I don't know how I go about doing it.

The "simple way" to do this is using Adnroid commander drag the file to your desktop, edit the file and then drag it back again and then reboot the phone

you can even reboot the phone from the program by clicking phone then reboot

[Guest frenchdroid]

Try this http://androidcommander.com/

Its a windows program that lets you read and write to your phone and it's dead simple to use

drag and crop or click etc simples :D

Only of use to those who have windows of course - but it does make life SO much simpler

How it looks

The "simple way" to do this is using Adnroid commander drag the file to your desktop, edit the file and then drag it back again and then reboot the phone

you can even reboot the phone from the program by clicking phone then reboot

Thanks for the suggestion and Android Commander is something I'd like to look in to (but as I'm not on my PC at the moment it will have to wait a few days).

At the moment I am more interested in either using ADB or working through the phone (perhaps using the SUFBS suggestion above).

I tried to enter the ADB commands given above by Phoenix Silver by using Terminal Emulator that I found on my phone but it replied 2adb: permission denied :D I don't understand !!

Cheers

[Guest IronDoc]

Adb runs on your computer, not your phone. If you looked at Steven's glossary you should have found this link.

I also found this as the 3rd result after googling 'adb android'.

I'm afraid when you were 'searching a lot', you didn't seem to be doing so very effectively :D

Edit: The first one's a little technical, but if you know you way around a PC it should be understandable enough to be helpful. Juts ignore the stuff about emulators as you're using a device.

Edited February 20, 2011 by IronDoc

[Guest frenchdroid]

Adb runs on your computer, not your phone. If you looked at Steven's glossary you should have found this link.

I also found this as the 3rd result after googling 'adb android'.

I'm afraid when you were 'searching a lot', you didn't seem to be doing so very effectively :D

Edit: The first one's a little technical, but if you know you way around a PC it should be understandable enough to be helpful. Juts ignore the stuff about emulators as you're using a device.

You are right. I did a crap job of searching. I did find the link in Stevens guide but after following it for a while I didn't feel it was written with me in mind.

The other link you provided is great thanks.

Just need to figure out why I got "permission denied " message.

[Guest IronDoc]

Because adb is not a command you run from a terminal on your phone. It's a command line application (there might be a more correct term) for your PC. You plug your phone in and you can transfer files, open a remote shell etc.

Edited February 21, 2011 by IronDoc