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Root How to install non-Market apps via ADB (solved)

james27007

Look into my Eye
Mar 6, 2010
1,193
471
Riverside, CA
Ok the following steps have been reported and confirmed to cause issues with wifi, you can still see them below, but I do not recommend using them.

For the moment, the best way is using the side load wonder machine.

[EDIT] Ok I have created a step by step to enable sideloading on 2.1. big thank you to Beach_Head for the original post. Also since this requires root, I am moving it to the root section. Normal disclaimer, blah, blah, blah... Use at your own risk...

Step 1: You need to have adb and know basic adb commands.

Step 2: You need to be rooted. Use the VISIONary app found in this thread here. You can use the command adb install the app, or use the sideload wonder mechine. Google it. Note I had to run it 3 times to get root, but it worked and is still there after reboot

Step 3: Download and extract the five files from the zip at the bottom of this post into your folder with adb

Step 4: Open the command prompt and navigate to the folder with adb

Step 5: Type the following:

This will copy the required 5 files to your phone
Code:
adb push settings1.db /data/local/tmp/settings1.db
adb push settings2.db /data/local/tmp/settings2.db
adb push secure.mkitso3 /data/local/tmp/secure.mkitso3
adb push system.mkitso4 /data/local/tmp/system.mkitso4
adb push settings.mkitso5 /data/local/tmp/settings.mkitso5

Now time to enter adb
Code:
adb shell

Time to use su, you will need to accept the superuser prompt on your phone. The $ needs to turn into a #, if it does not, you are not rooted or did not accept the prompt on the phone
Code:
su

Mount the /system folder so you can replace the files
Code:
mount -o rw,remount /dev/block/mtdblock1 /system

Now time to copy the files. The below commands will copy the new files and rename them to the correct names, replacing the old files
Code:
cp /data/local/tmp/settings1.db /data/data/com.android.providers.settings/databases/settings.db
cp /data/local/tmp/settings2.db /data/data/com.motorola.android.providers.settings/databases/settings.db
cp /data/local/tmp/secure.mkitso3 /system/etc/motorola/com.android.providers.settings/secure.mkitso
cp /data/local/tmp/system.mkitso4 /system/etc/motorola/com.android.providers.settings/system.mkitso
cp /data/local/tmp/settings.mkitso5 /system/etc/motorola/com.motorola.android.providers.settings/settings.mkitso

Now that the files are in the correct location, you need to give permission to the phone to use them
Code:
chmod 644 /data/data/com.android.providers.settings/databases/settings.db
chmod 644 /data/data/com.motorola.android.providers.settings/databases/settings.db
chmod 644 /system/etc/motorola/com.android.providers.settings/secure.mkitso
chmod 644 /system/etc/motorola/com.android.providers.settings/system.mkitso
chmod 644 /system/etc/motorola/com.motorola.android.providers.settings/settings.mkitso

Now reboot the phone for good measure
Code:
reboot

Look in settings --> applications to make sure you have Unknown sources checked


If you are on the official 2.1

I posted an easier way of installing apps from Unknown Sources. Post #31 of this thread. I guess nobody bothered to read it.
*
All you have to do is download the zip file and replace two (2) files and you will have the "Unknown Sources" option in Settings->Applications.
*
Instructions:
*
Note: This is only for the official Motorola 2.1 Update. If you're using j_r0dd's Preclair ROM, you already have this.
*
Allow Non-Market Apps for Backflip users with the 2.1 Update: Enable Non-Market Apps 2.1
*
Just replace the files on your phone with the ones in the zip file and set the permissions of the files as stated below.
*
1. Location: data/data/com.android.providers.settings/databases/
- Permissions: settings.db: rw-rw----
*
2. Location: data/data/com.motorola.android.providers.settings/databases/
- Permissions: settings.db: rw-rw----
*
Old Stuff

Start here:
[MOD] Install non-market apps (how to enable installs from SD card)
*
My Method for ADB if you want
1. DOWNLOAD USB DRIVERS*
2. Download THE SDK
*
1. Create a folder called adb on your C drive
*
2. Extract all files to your adb folder
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3. Copy the cmd.exe file (copy the file don't make a shortcut to it or move it) from your "C:\Windows\System32" folder to the adb folder
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4. Install the downloaded USB driver
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4. Once you have the driver installed, on your phone enable debugging mode (Menu --> Settings --> Applications --> Development --> Check USB Debugging)
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5. Copy the apk files you want installed to your "C:\adb\tools" folder. The adb.exe and cmd.exe should be in that tools folder.
*
5. Open the cmd.exe file
*
6.Type the following command:
Code:
*
Code:
adb install application.apk
Where application.apk is the name of the apk to install
*
Your app should now be installed :D
*
 

Attachments

  • Non-Market-Apps-2.1.zip
    13.2 KB · Views: 1,146
I don't have a BackFlip, but do write Android apps and use ADB regularly. So figure'd I throw this out there for Mac/Linux people:

On MacOS, ADB doesn't need a USB driver for your phone. Just download the SDK, and you can execute ADB from a terminal.

On Linux, all you need to do are to follow the instructions here:
Developing on a Device | Android Developers

Specifically the bit about creating and chmod'ing an /etc/udev/rules.d/51-android.rules file.

Hope AT&T fixes this issue soon, it's ridiculously stupid to attempt to disallow non-market apps given that ADB works.
 
Upvote 0
Yes, this is a good workaround. Once you get it all up and running it's not to painful. I did try to install the Amazon MP3 apk file and got a signer error. I even did try to sign it wit jarsigner and got some certificate chaining exception.

I am surprised we can't install the amazon mp3 store though.

I tried to manually installed it from the SD card and got the popup that it comes from a unknown source and only trusted applications can be installed. This gets back to the unknown sources thing we've been complaining about. Perhaps with jarsigner and your own keystore you can resign these apps as trusted to get through the install

Update: I could sign the amazon pkg file with my keystore. I was using jarsigner wrong. Let me try to install now.

Ok, Well, I signed it, but yes, I'm not a trust source on the phone. This is a problem.
 
Upvote 0
I just purchased the backflip yesterday and tried to install some non-market apps but what a big let down. I cant seem to get it to work. Can someone please guide me through the process. I am new to android and I dont understand how everything works. I cant find the adb folder specified in the instructions. If someone could help me, it would be greatly appreciated. thank you.
 
Upvote 0
ok here we go.

if you followed the instructions on the XDA link http://tiny.cc/batch659

you should have several things done including:

moto device drivers
android SDK
USB Debugging mode enabled on your phone
Enviromental variables set(not really needed for this, but it doesnt hurt)
Droid Explorer installed

what I use and I find easier to explain to people for installing *.apk's is Droid Explorer's Batch installer.

so(and this may differ) you will want to start up Droid explorer. On 64-bit win 7 ultimate i have to start it with my phone unplugged so it does not get stuck on starting ADB server protocols.

exstart.jpg


this is the window that will pop up. Connect your phone and hit refresh.

exready.jpg


and then connect. This will put you lookin at the file structure for the phone, all we are concerned with at this time is installing an apk. So look at the upper toolbar icons for batch install.

batchinstall.jpg


once in there it will ask you to select your apk from whatever folder you saved it to on your computer.

install.jpg


After you choose the one you want its pretty easy from there if you have ever installed software before. :)

Hope that helps. Enjoy
 
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Upvote 0
Hey, I followed the directions precisely but for some reason Droid Explorer does not detect my phone. I think maybe I have installed something wrong?

I have the SDK files installed in the C: folder as instructed.

The only other thing is that for some reason the Motorola drivers did not install/detect my phone properly. I use Win 7 home.

I'm usually really good when it comes to tweaking on the computer but this is the first time I want to tweak my phone, lol. Maybe someone can help me out? I am tempted to return the phone and just buy an unlocked Android, but I don't have the money for that. :(
 
Upvote 0
i found an app called apps installer on the market that searches my sd card for apps to install then tells me it doesnt find any. i havent tested i havent found any apps outside the market it but it seems like a third party app installer to me, anyone seen this before?


When you try and install the app that way you get the non-trusted source error :(
 
Upvote 0
this is wat i did!
downloaded the sdk to m download folder (dont know where to extract it too)
downloaded the 32 bit thing (dont know which one i needed so i got 32)
i did the settings applications development and checked the usb debbuging thing
put the armored strike 2.012.apk into the tools file
but i cant figure out wat the command propt thing is?????
and im not even sure if i did the other steps right?....
pm me back someone please!....
 
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also my mom works at at&t and when i was there 1 day i asked the manager (randy) bout this and he said that their upgrading the software on their droids so they can get non market apps like every other freakin droid (by popular demand) so ask ur local at&t about it and see when the upgrade comes out (just in case u cant figure this out [which i cant])
 
Upvote 0
@theguy1995 it is in "C:\Windows\System32"

#1 make sure a rename the apk file to a name without spaces

So armored strike 2.012.apk needs to be renamed to armored_strike_2.012.apk


Another way to get to the command prompt is this:

Press Start -> Run
Then type cmd
Then (assuming you named your folder adb and all the files are in adb)
Code:
cd\
cd adb
adb install armored_strike_2.012.apk

adb will take care of the rest

3. Copy the cmd.exe file (copy the file don't make a shortcut to it or move it) from your "C:\Windows\System32" folder to the adb folder
 
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