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So you want to edit xml's or more... an ADB. APK Manager How-To (Basics)
- Thread starter xkape
- Start date
You have one hell of an outstanding rep in theming so I don't want this to sound like I'm questioning you, but what are the potential results of NOT signing system.apk's?... I know about data/apps but am curious about system's....
Hmm, interesting... some sign while some do not. I've always signed them (option 12) just because when someone showed me apk manager that's how they told me to do it. 
Now I am curious though, what exactly is happening when you sign it? Because it obviously works either way ...
If only there were an IRC channel we could all discuss this on :biggrin: j/k
Now I am curious though, what exactly is happening when you sign it? Because it obviously works either way ...
If only there were an IRC channel we could all discuss this on :biggrin: j/k
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My understanding is that system apps don't need to be signed since they are from Google, thus don't need the certification or is embedded in, while other APKs need that valid certificate to ensure that the APK can be installed by the system. Google does it to track where and who the aPKs are from.... sound about right?
Great guide. Nice job xkape. I've been trying to learn how to do some minor themeing and such, just trying to go from beginner to intermediate in the android universe you know what I'm saying. Definitely not something you can really halfass trying to learn it, you'll get nowhere it seems. For sure its going to take time to get familiarized with, but so did rooting and all that in the beginning, though this is a little more advanced, still gotta jump in with the same mindset you know. Anyways, thanks again for this excellent right up!! Been looking for somethin like this for a few days, just didn't really explore all the threads and such.dancedroid
no problem man.. just glad to help.. the more people can learn, the more variation that comes... and that benefits everyone. thank Devildog too thoguh.. he contributed a lot to the OP.
I think what thebowers was trying to say regarding signing all APKs, including system ones, was if you want to be able to install them just by launching the APK (even system APKs cannot install by launching the APK if they are not signed).... however even unsigned APKs can install if in an update.zip.... I don't know if that's the case with non-system unsigned APKs in an update.zip...
Also, I'd like to add something more constructive to this thread rather than just constructive whining 
lol...
You can easily pull and push APKs from your phone without the need of ADB...and that'd be with Terminal Emulator... just make a folder on your sdcard called APKs then...
just type the following to pull any apk...
su
sys -rw
cp /system/app/****.apk /sdcard/APKs
then connect your phone to PC and copy over the APK ... then after modding the APK and copying back to sdcard, just type the following to push back...
su
sys -rw
cp /sdcard/APKs/****.apk /system/app
another option besides the mere copy&paste (which can't be done by most with Astro) or ADB
lol...You can easily pull and push APKs from your phone without the need of ADB...and that'd be with Terminal Emulator... just make a folder on your sdcard called APKs then...
just type the following to pull any apk...
su
sys -rw
cp /system/app/****.apk /sdcard/APKs
then connect your phone to PC and copy over the APK ... then after modding the APK and copying back to sdcard, just type the following to push back...
su
sys -rw
cp /sdcard/APKs/****.apk /system/app
another option besides the mere copy&paste (which can't be done by most with Astro) or ADB
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I'll jump in here, too. I don't ever sign system apps either. I've never had a problem, but I probably just jinxed myself.