[FAQ] Android Customization: Tips and Tricks

[choudang]

mini has 320 MB internal storage, and she is using 8 gb instead of default 2 GB.

[sam]

but that doesn't help. by default Android will install apps to internal memory. and as all apps can't be moved. also even if an app can be moved, a small section is left in internal memory.

[choudang]

can we change that default setting?

[Neo]

^^ Root is required for changing that setting. CyanogenMod has that setting inbuilt.
Apps2sd is the best solution for that.

[sameer.pur]

can we change that default setting?

Yes you can, without root also..
But be warned, that you are warned..

Spoiler:

• Requirements
  
  1. An Android Device (Obviously.. ) (Root not required)
  2. USB Cable
  3. A PC (Any OS will do Windows, Mac or Linux)
  4. Android SDK or replacement for ADB (Install android sdk from official site. Use drivers for your device)
• Steps
  
  1. Run command prompt or terminal
  2. use command 'adb devices' (will show list of connected devices) (you should have android sdk's path/platform-tools in your classpath)
  3. use command 'adb shell' (will open a $ prompt)
  4. use command 'pm setInstallLocation 2' ( will set default install location to sd card ) (0 for auto, 1 for internal, 2 for sd card )

Now whatever new apps you install will be installed to sd card. they will still take space on internal memory though for dalvik cache, app-cache, private-cache etc.

Note-> If you want to revert back to original use option 0 in step 4.
I am not in any way responsible if your phone transforms into a autobot or decepticon..

Serious Note-> I have seen some weird behavior with this, apps which are set to install in sd card by default (i.e. games like angry bird), are installed in internal. You could just move them to external though. My advice would be to use this command to enable moving to sd card and then revert back.

[Neo]

o.O thanks, btw. That sounds risky or is it? I think i used that before, a year or so.

[sameer.pur]

o.O thanks, btw. That sounds risky or is it? I think i used that before, a year or so.

Actually I believe it's still safer than app2sd/data2sd scripts.
You won't lose warranty for this.

[ysmonyog]

My SGS GT I9000 (rooted) has 2.3.3 firmware (baseband I9000ddjv5, Build Gingerbread ddjv9).
Can I update with this NEW Value Pack XXJW4 2.3.6 (I9000XXJW4_I9000OXAJW4_XEU)? Will it work in India?

[theserpent]

Suggest some good roms for galaxy MINI(Pop)

[gcbeldar]

I am new to Android, I bought LG 2x p990. Using from last 2 months.
I am quit happy with my p990 except Battery Life.

After using GO SMS Pro, I want to make default message app. and want to remove default message app.

Can I uninstall some unwanted app like car home, email, google+, music etc

[krishnandu.sarkar]

I'd suggest you not to remove the default messaging app. It may affect the functionality of the device. Though if you want to try it, I'd highly suggest you to take a backup of it using Titanium Backup and then remove it. So that in case of any fault you may restore it.

You can remove apps like Car Home, Email, Google+, Music etc.

use titanium backup for removing those. Ofcourse don't forget to take backup before removing any app.

[sam]

ah, don't remove email. if you ever need to set email again (read hard reset) then you'll be in big trouble. though removing any specific email client like GMail or YahooMail should be safe. Don't simply kick out apps. Google a bit first.

[krishnandu.sarkar]

^^Thanks for the Correction.

[gcbeldar]

Thanks to all, Is rooting necessary to remove default app ?
Because, I am not getting uninstall option for this app.

[Vyom]

Thanks to all, Is rooting necessary to remove default app ?
Because, I am not getting uninstall option for this app.

By default app, I think you mean stock app.
Yes rooting is necessary to remove stock apps. And if after rooting also you don't get uninstall option then you will have to try titanium backup to remove it.

[gcbeldar]

By default app, I think you mean stock app.
Yes rooting is necessary to remove stock apps. And if after rooting also you don't get uninstall option then you will have to try titanium backup to remove it.

Sir, After rooting can remove default "Contact, Dialer & Message App" and replace with Go Contact, Go Dialer and Go Message ?

[Vyom]

Sir, After rooting can remove default "Contact, Dialer & Message App" and replace with Go Contact, Go Dialer and Go Message ?

You can still use Go Contact, Go Dialer and Go Message without removing the stock apps.
Removing those stock apps is not recommended, since it can cause instability to the OS.

[gcbeldar]

With Go Luncher Ex I am able to make "Go Contact/Message" as default. But my P990 starts lagging by 50%

[var_vajpayee]

hey bro,
i m new to android phns just 1.5 yrs......I have read all the forums about rooting!!
I have a Lg Optimus me P350 & i want to root my phone!
I have used the apps z4root, gingerbreak, superoneclick but it did'nt work.In gingerbreak & z4root it just goes on but nthin happens and also no bysybox or superuser is installed .

Pls help me with this.

Thnx.

[gcbeldar]

How to root My Friends HTC Wildfire running 2.2.1?

[cybersa]

How to root My Friends HTC Wildfire running 2.2.1?

You can root it via Unrevoked.
unrevoked

[Mr. Officer]

LG Optimus P500

Android OS 2.2.2
Kernel Version 2.6.32.9 [Mar 29 2011]
Build No. FRG83
Software version V10e-MAR-28-2011

I have rooted the phone with Gingerbreak.
I've also followed the instructions listed here

Can I now install ROM's like these Dynamite or G-T-R V7.8 ?

PS: I already have the zip file for Dynamite ROM

Since I already had the above mentioned files so decided of giving the Dynamite ROM a try and followed these steps below:

Spoiler:

4. INSTALLING CUSTOM ROMs

BEFORE FLASHING ANY ROM, DO A NANDROID BACKUP FROM CUSTOM RECOVERY

Since all the ROMs have their own kinds of partitions to be created and other requirements, you can check them at the ROM specific pages.

General procedure to follow for installing a Custom ROM
Boot into Custom Recovery
Wipe your cache, dalvik cache, SD card
Make partitions according to the ROM requirement
Wipe cache again.
Connect Phone to PC
Toggle USB MS and paste the ROM zip file to a folder called AAA in the root of the SD card
Disable USB MS.
Detach phone from PC.
Select 'Flash from zip' option in Custom Recovery menu
Select the ROM file
Flash the ROM file
After flashing is finished, Reboot the phone.
Note: It will take some time to flash and reboot into your new Custom ROM. The phone may stay with the boot logo displayed for a number of minutes. Do not switch off phone during this period.

Once the flashing starts I get this error immediately

E:Wrong digest:system/app/Mms.apk
E:Verification failed

Installation aborted




Any help is highly appreciated.

[krishnandu.sarkar]

Probably corrupted .zip. Download the ROM again and try to flash it. If it still produces the same error, report it on XDA at respective Development Thread.

[Mr. Officer]

I'll download ROM.zip again but any where else you think I would've goofed up ?

[Vyom]

I'll download ROM.zip again but any where else you think I would've goofed up ?

Have you flashed the custom recovery Amon.Ra properly. Are you able to go into the recovery (which probably would have an interface with green colour)?

Also, the error you mentioned (Wrong digest:system/app/Mms.apk) clearly states it has something to do with the .apk file. So, a corrupt apk is probably the only safe assumption.

Try another ROM. There is no shortage of choices if you are on the new baseband. Even on old baseband there are lot of good choices.

Good luck.

PS: There's a special thread for LG P500. Just FYI!

[sam]

turn signature verification off and try again. or AmonRa recovery is old build or lastly corrupte download. you can check if corrupted zip by manually extracting the .apk file. BTW why don't you try Oxygen rom?

[Mr. Officer]

^^thanks for your replies

This's what I did:

a) Rooted phone with gingerbreak [success]
b) installed "terminal emulator" from android market [success]
c) d/l amonra recovery and extract files in SD card root folder [success]
d) open terminal emulator - type SU (enter) and then SH (enter) and then sh /sdcard/rf.sh -- this takes me to recovery [success]

Once in recovery :

I took complete NAND backup.
Wipe cache/dalvik-cache/sd card
Make partition sd-ext
wipe cache again
connect phone to PC
Enable USB-MS toggle
Create a folder AAA in SD card root and paste ROM.zip in it.
Disable USB-MS toggle
Disconnect phone from PC
select flash from zip → SD card → AAA → ROM.zip
Start flashing - after few seconds

E:Wrong digest:system/app/Mms.apk
E:Verification failed

Installation aborted



currently my phone's - Kernel Version 2.6.32.9 is this compatible with the ROM I've been trying to flash ? I feel the ROM in question is based on [KERNEL] 2.6.35.13

[sam]

^^ rom is corrupted for sure. it doesn't matter what is in your mobile. Android 1.0 or 4.0. 2.6.32 or 2.6.35 kernel. you can flash a new rom.

[Mr. Officer]

^^ rom is corrupted for sure.

Office colleagues are of the same opinion as well !!

[sam]

why not upgrade the mobile to 2.3 by visiting a service center then try rom for new baseband. you get better battery life also.