I just looked at my phone, and saw 'Su File Manager has been removed from your phone. You will receive an email with details.' No email yet, and I'm wondering WTF is up. I bought this app several days ago, checked my bank account and the payment for it has cleared, so it's not an issue of payment bouncing or something. Anyone else have this happen, or know what's up?
heldc said:
I just looked at my phone, and saw 'Su File Manager has been removed from your phone. You will receive an email with details.' No email yet, and I'm wondering WTF is up. I bought this app several days ago, checked my bank account and the payment for it has cleared, so it's not an issue of payment bouncing or something. Anyone else have this happen, or know what's up?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
And this is why it is a good idea to keep a backup.
Seriously... huh?
Can you reinstall from the market?
lbcoder said:
And this is why it is a good idea to keep a backup.
Seriously... huh?
Can you reinstall from the market?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Went to the market, reinstalled with no problem, which makes it seem even more weird, cos presumably if the app was malicious they'd pull it from the market as well as deleting it from phones. None of my backup programs seem to have the capability to backup paid apps (MyBackup, Backup for Root, or Astro).
heldc said:
Went to the market, reinstalled with no problem, which makes it seem even more weird, cos presumably if the app was malicious they'd pull it from the market as well as deleting it from phones. None of my backup programs seem to have the capability to backup paid apps (MyBackup, Backup for Root, or Astro).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you're rooted you can just use ADB pull to back it up over usb, and then use ADB install to re-install it over usb if anything happens.
bahnburner said:
If you're rooted you can just use ADB pull to back it up over usb, and then use ADB install to re-install it over usb if anything happens.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
My cats have chewed through every mini-usb cable I own. Was planning to go to microcenter this weekend to buy more, but in the meantime, no ADB for me. Anyway to backup app-private from in phone, using the terminal? I have root of course.
heldc said:
My cats have chewed through every mini-usb cable I own. Was planning to go to microcenter this weekend to buy more, but in the meantime, no ADB for me. Anyway to backup app-private from in phone, using the terminal? I have root of course.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
EDITED to protect the Devs.
to restore just install via astro.
bahnburner said:
mount -oremount,rw /dev/block/mtdblock3 /system
mkdir /sdcard/backup
busybox cp /system/sd/app-private/NAMEOFAPP /sdcard/backup
to restore just install via astro.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ah, of course. Thanks!
do not abuse that command please. support the devs.
hiroots said:
do not abuse that command please. support the devs.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There was no mention of warez anywhere in the above posts that i noticed. She purchased the applications.
hiroots said:
do not abuse that command please. support the devs.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Warez-hunt and Witch-hunt start the same way. This is actual help, not theft.
sha.goyjo said:
Warez-hunt and Witch-hunt start the same way. This is actual help, not theft.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Exactly. I had every intention of helping someone retain something they have already purchased. I do no steal applications, and refuse to help someone else do the same. I wouldn't want people doing it to me, so I don't want to see it happening to them.
bahnburner said:
mount -oremount,rw /dev/block/mtdblock3 /system
mkdir /sdcard/backup
busybox cp /system/sd/app-private/NAMEOFAPP /sdcard/backup
to restore just install via astro.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You do NOT need to remount the /system partition.
1) You are copying files OFF, not on,
2) Those files are NOT EVEN on the /system partition. They're on the SDCARD (in your example) which is mounted within the /system path (but is not actually part of it), but are more likely in the /data partition (for those not using apps2sd).
*** IN THE EVENT that the apps are installed to SDCARD, you can simply turn off the phone and move the card into your computer to copy them directly to your hard disk for permanent backup.
heldc said:
Went to the market, reinstalled with no problem, which makes it seem even more weird, cos presumably if the app was malicious they'd pull it from the market as well as deleting it from phones. None of my backup programs seem to have the capability to backup paid apps (MyBackup, Backup for Root, or Astro).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The irony in this situation is that SU file browser will back up (copy protected apps) itself just fine.
Moving anything onto a fat partition that is protected is a grey area. If a mod comes across this post it will be edited. I know its only help, but xda has to cover their ass. This topic should be helped through PM's instead of being public broadcasted. The poster that helped with the commands and the person who quoted them should edit their posts now that the OP fixed their issue, the mods already got their hands full, we should help when we can.
if the devil was on earth he would wear all white and work for unicef!
Too many people allow the information of copying protected apps, so therefore people abuse this info anyone with a simple curiosity could find the info on there phone without people having to teach them like myself, but once I found the information I shared it with nobody and assume they could figure it out themselves!!! So please do not PLEASE DO NOT! Inform people how to backup paid apps! I don't know how many people read the comments in the marketplace but its full of people who steal and trade these apps blatently without regard for repercutions, leaving there email addresses and everything! So believe me intelligent people will figure this out themselves this is not information that should be googled I am personly trying to pass this information around to all moderators to ban this information so please help me in stopping this, root is a gift for people who understand not thos who follow the bandwagon to just steal apps (most of which don't cost more then 5$), strangley the people who need the help only have one thing in mind.
So please treust me if we don't stop this the idiots will win and the marketplace will crumble only the honest people keep it afloat only the intelligent should be able to obtain this precious info and they won't have to ask for the process they are smarter then that! They will find they file and already know the commands to do what they see fit for the application. This should not be easy! It should be protected by devs and moderators for the sake of the community knowledge is power unless you give a simple walkthrough to a thief or idiot or power hungry moron with no respect for others or creative artists and they use it for there personal benefit not the furthering of progress infact just the opposite!
It's only fair (as described in fair use) that users have the ability to backup their own purchases and downloads. As far as what they do with them, that's up to their own conscience. It's not ours to judge.
If they decide to illegally share it, then report them and be done with it.
The discussion on piracy is taking this thread off topic; please cease immediately.
I'd like to know more about the circumstances in which this app was removed, specifically whether it was "kill-switched" by Android Market or something else entirely.
jashsu said:
The discussion on piracy is taking this thread off topic; please cease immediately.
I'd like to know more about the circumstances in which this app was removed, specifically whether it was "kill-switched" by Android Market or something else entirely.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I doubt that it was kill-switched. If it was, then it would have coincided with the app being pulled from the market and it is unlikely that it would allow such simple reinstall. This is, of course, assuming that they even *can* kill-switch an app like that. I have heard discussion about it, but nobody has offered even a shred of proof, so I really doubt it.
jashsu said:
I'd like to know more about the circumstances in which this app was removed, specifically whether it was "kill-switched" by Android Market or something else entirely.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It seems pretty clear it wasn't kill-switched, since I was able to re-download it right away, and it's still available. I wish I'd thought to screenshot the alert that it had been removed, but I was so surprised to see such a thing I just didn't think about a screenshot until after I'd tapped ok.
The only explanation I can imagine, and this is purely hypothetical I've got no evidence for it, I'm just guessing, is that there was a server hiccup someplace when google went to actually collect the payment for the app. (The pre-auth for buying apps always hits my account immediately, but the money doesn't actually get taken from my account for 2-5 days.) So, google got told 'no moniez for you', and told my phone 'no app for you!', but then the server hiccup resolved itself, google got the payment for the app and I was able to re-download the app.
Since there wasn't a rash of people posting saying this happened to them, it seems clear this issue was somehow specific to me and my phone, and since I had bought the app a few days prior (well over 24 hours before the incident tho), the only explanation I can think of is the above. I wish I had some way to know what it was, but since I never did get an email about it, I'm stuck guessing.
anybody else???
has anybody heard of an instance of this happening since this original post?? anybody? or does it seem she is the only person to experience this? just for my curiosity and interests...
"fair use" huh, i wonder if that has a 24hr return policy on it?
Related
So, as we generally disscussed google is blocking downloading of paid apps from market.
1) It is NOT related to your firmware version (JF\Stock\ADP etc.).
2) It is related to your IP. Means, if you're not a US T-mo resident, you can't see any of those marvelous apps.
So, The Test:
1) Can we copy\upload some of the "closed" apps?? ( Could be done through the Terminal Emulator
2) Try to run them.
To clarify the spirit of experiment, I'll suggest the cheapest apps to be tested, though they are hidden from us to. Any contributors ready to hit the new Scene?)
Here's what going on.
If you're IP is not from the US you will not see paid apps.
If your running ADP or have a ADP phone you will not see protected apps.
If you moved your app-private folder to sd you will also not see protected apps.
"So, The Test:
1) Can we copy\upload some of the "closed" apps?? ( Could be done through the Terminal Emulator
2) Try to run them."
No, that's stealing.
im.l0ltn said:
If you moved your app-private folder to sd you will also not see protected apps.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Unfortunately, I have pretty much proven to myself that this is not the case. Yesterday I moved app-private to my SD's ext2 partition and subsequently lost access to paid apps so I thought moving them caused the the loss of access. I ran some experiments (detailed over around post272 in LucidREM's modded image sticky) and finally, after 3 or 4 experiments, gave up trying to pin down the cause. I moved app-private back to SD yesterday afternoon and have generally continued to have access to paid apps, both new ones and updates to ones I've already bought. They still disappear and, while I still have a hunch or two, I'm not yet ready to blame any action in particular.
Just my $.02
my app-private is on the ext2 sd and NO PROBLLEMm
short/y said:
Unfortunately, I have pretty much proven to myself that this is not the case. Yesterday I moved app-private to my SD's ext2 partition and subsequently lost access to paid apps so I thought moving them caused the the loss of access. I ran some experiments (detailed over around post272 in LucidREM's modded image sticky) and finally, after 3 or 4 experiments, gave up trying to pin down the cause. I moved app-private back to SD yesterday afternoon and have generally continued to have access to paid apps, both new ones and updates to ones I've already bought. They still disappear and, while I still have a hunch or two, I'm not yet ready to blame any action in particular.
Just my $.02
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's strange. The moment I deleted the link and remade the /data/app-private folder then rebooted, I could see protected paid apps again. I did this at least 3 times.
Smokuevo said:
my app-private is on the ext2 sd and NO PROBLLEMm
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Can you see protected apps such as bettercut and guitar hero on the market ?
I can't seem to figure this out. Sometimes apps are there, sometimes the ones that were there aren't anymore and its not developer pulling or any change on my phone. I'm unlocked on a dev phone on AT&T. I can see many paid apps (Task Manager, HelloIM) and the like, but I can't see things like the office one. One thing I've noticed is I have no app-private directory in /system. Just my $.02 but google you've shot yourself and developers in the foot here by basically making piracy a necessity unless we find away around it or you fix it.
im.l0ltn said:
Can you see protected apps such as bettercut and guitar hero on the market ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have mine moved to the sdcard, and I can see, install, and use BetterCut just fine. Even moved it, and all apps, back and forth from the sdcard just fine, with no problems.
Phromik said:
I have mine moved to the sdcard, and I can see, install, and use BetterCut just fine. Even moved it, and all apps, back and forth from the sdcard just fine, with no problems.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Weird, for some reason its working for me again. I guess it was just my phone.
I have an ADP1 phone, and I'm quite irritated that I can't access copy-protected apps on it
Google's reasoning is to fight piracy, but there's more rooted G1s than there are ADP1s, and in my personal opinion, since most of the ADP1s in the wild are Google's own employees, I think their fear of "piracy" from ADP1 users is *seriously* overstated, compared to the regular G1s that have been rooted. I'd be far less upset if they just blocked all rooted phones, but singling out their own employees and their devs, and accusing them of being potential software pirates, while normal end users who have hacked their phones aren't even considered, well, I find it *quite* offensive.
rc33 1.42 app & app-private on sdcard.. no credit card so havent bought any
im.l0ltn said:
That's strange. The moment I deleted the link and remade the /data/app-private folder then rebooted, I could see protected paid apps again. I did this at least 3 times.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yup, same thing happened to me. Other things I did made paid apps disappear too (like turning off my GSM radio and only using WiFi to access the Market), After spending most of an afternoon trying various scenarios to see which caused the apps to disappear, I gave up, moved apps back to my SD card and left them there. They still go missing every so often and I still can't figure out why or what causes them to disappear but I reboot and, generally, full access is restored.
why dont somebody just make a mod version of the app market or make another redesigned app market. im no expert btw.
sensimila said:
why dont somebody just make a mod version of the app market or make another redesigned app market. im no expert btw.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think this is because the market.apk is a close source program. I'm still a noob myself and I'm trying to learn a lot of new information.
If you guys want protected apps on your ADP just flash an RC build on it.
maxdamage2122 said:
If you guys want protected apps on your ADP just flash an RC build on it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's a really piss poor solution, FYI. The whole point of ADP is having an unlocked and unbranded OS.
uberingram said:
That's a really piss poor solution, FYI. The whole point of ADP is having an unlocked and unbranded OS.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
flash the RC version, download your app, place it on your SD card, flash back to ADP, and re-create links for apps on SD, your app will still be there
uberingram said:
That's a really piss poor solution, FYI. The whole point of ADP is having an unlocked and unbranded OS.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Could you please elaborate? Last time I checked T-mobile isn't branded ANYWHERE in the OS. Your "whole point" of having an ADP is slightly flawed.
maxdamage2122 said:
Could you please elaborate? Last time I checked T-mobile isn't branded ANYWHERE in the OS. Your "whole point" of having an ADP is slightly flawed.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
*cough* myFavs *cough*
haitiankid4lyf said:
rc33 1.42 app & app-private on sdcard.. no credit card so havent bought any
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Looking at the screen shots you have a lot of apps us uk users don't.
I've even put my phone back to standard just to see if having a rooted phone was stoping
Me from getting paid apps. Where left with all the crap ones now lol.
i have read in a few spots that system apps are actually on a separate partition than the market apps. is this correct? if so how could you tell how much space is actually left in the system apps partition?
ive been thinking i could push some of my apps that i have no intention at all of getting rid of into the system/apps/ folder and open more space for market apps that im not so sure im going to keep. apps such as tmobile my account, myspace, facebook, connect bot, dual mount sd, visual voicemail, handcent sms, estrongs file explorer...
also if i did so would the market still recognize they are there for updates? could i remove the default sms app and replace it with handcent?
tia for any help on this
to see how much space you have in the system partition you can (from terminal)
Code:
su
busybox df-h
My partition is over 90% used and it will be the same for majority of roms so yes, you can throw couple of apps in there but not too many. Not sure if they will work or if they will be recognized by market.
Good luck.
borodin1 said:
to see how much space you have in the system partition you can (from terminal)
Code:
su
busybox df-h
My partition is over 90% used and it will be the same for majority of roms so yes, you can throw couple of apps in there but not too many. Not sure if they will work or if they will be recognized by market.
Good luck.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
df-h: applet not found
but thanks for the help
You should try to use your brain before complaining.
df -h
There is a SPACE between the command and the parameter.
This is totally standard, and absolutely OBVIOUS to ANYONE who actually thinks about it for a second!
thanks for the rude ass reply, though it worked. not everyones a linux whiz kid like you, im still learning. linux is not someones going to master in 2 months, especially when its got a gui, like android. oh but again thanks, that worked
system: 61.6m used of 67.5m
data: 61.6m used of 74.8m
kinda strange i have the same used on each partition.. and not much left on either
SmokeyJBluntz said:
thanks for the rude ass reply, though it worked. not everyones a linux whiz kid like you, im still learning. linux is not someones going to master in 2 months, especially when its got a gui, like android. oh but again thanks, that worked
system: 61.6m used of 67.5m
data: 61.6m used of 74.8m
kinda strange i have the same used on each partition.. and not much left on either
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Pay no attention. It is only common sense if you know linux syntax. Keep on learning and do not let rude responses get to you, that is what they are hoping for.
yeah i know, i read enough on here to know that theres a few senior members that get most of their post from flaming people. but i still thanked the guy lol
i must also add, every time im stuck and need help quick, the people over at cyanogens irc are very helpful and dont flame people trying to learn. dont just tell people to google, to get an iphone... they will point you to a good wiki or link or help you figure out a problem. i had big problems trying to flash RAs recovery on my newly rooted g1 with the latest ota update installed. they helped me figure out the problem, which stumped some of them, and then helped me work around it. it seems the ota update did away with the flash command i think it was.
Removing an app...
How can I remove an app that came with a ROM (ie. facebook)?
There is not an option to uninstall it from Market.
mount -o,rw /system...etc
Then just delete it from /system/apps?
Thanks
In the process of migrating to a new gmail account and would like to retain my purchases. Has anyone figured out how to do this?
I figured I could retain a nandroid of this account, but that is beyond inconvenient.
bubonik said:
In the process of migrating to a new gmail account and would like to retain my purchases. Has anyone figured out how to do this?
I figured I could retain a nandroid of this account, but that is beyond inconvenient.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Why dont you just back up your paid apps?
That isnt the issue specifically, because I have already done that and installed it on the new account. The issue is arrives when updates come along and I cant download them via the account I am logged in under. Hence why I have retained a nandroid of my previous log in so I can update the paid apps.
As anyone who is imagining the process can see that it is inconvenient to do it in this fashion.
bubonik said:
That isnt the issue specifically, because I have already done that and installed it on the new account. The issue is arrives when updates come along and I cant download them via the account I am logged in under. Hence why I have retained a nandroid of my previous log in so I can update the paid apps.
As anyone who is imagining the process can see that it is inconvenient to do it in this fashion.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ah I see. Well im not sure if youre gunna be able to do that or not but you could always just search up the apps on the internet to see if you can download them for free.
thats just an alternative though until you actually do find a way to retain your purchases.
Sorry I couldnt be of more help but im sure someone else can
SwitchRom
I dont think a nandroid backup saves your apps... maybe if you dont have an ext* partition... Im not sure... You want to use the switchrom script to really back up everything... It backs up data and all
to backup your apps.. find out where they are in your phone..
/system/sd/app and system/sd/app-private is where mine are..
go to terminal and type: hit enter after every line--
mkdir /sdcard/backups
cp /system/sd/app/* /sdcard/backups
cp /system/sd/app-private/* sdcard/backups
then just use linda file manager to install them
Mods I dont think its against the rules to tell someone how to back up thier own stuff but if this borders piracy let me know..
junkdruggler said:
I dont think a nandroid backup saves your apps... maybe if you dont have an ext* partition... Im not sure... You want to use the switchrom script to really back up everything... It backs up data and all
to backup your apps.. find out where they are in your phone..
/system/sd/app and system/sd/app-private is where mine are..
go to terminal and type: hit enter after every line--
mkdir /sdcard/backups
cp /system/sd/app/* /sdcard/backups
cp /system/sd/app-private/* sdcard/backups
then just use linda file manager to install them
Mods I dont think its against the rules to tell someone how to back up thier own stuff but if this borders piracy let me know..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think what he wants to do is keep the purchase information that he has on his old gmail account and move it to his new one.
Thats exactly what im searching for. The rest of the discussion I have already taken care of. Nandroid does the same as switchrom, if your using RAs newest recovery. It handles ext as well.
why dont you try using your new Gmail and connect to the old one via the email app?
Maybe google has some sort of instructions on how to redirect all your purchases to your new Gmail account?
Yea I've been browsing Googles "support" forums, but failing miserably. If there is a method, its not well known.
bubonik said:
Yea I've been browsing Googles "support" forums, but failing miserably. If there is a method, its not well known.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
agreed. Im looking as well but cant find anything. I'll keep searching and let you know if I find anything about it.
This might help.
http://knol.google.com/k/changing-your-gmail-username-or-email-address#
Thanks for the link. I have taken care of all that already. Last thing I need to take care of is GV balance and Checkout history over. GV is easy, but checkout is turning out to be a chore.
Well im sure you'll figure it out dude =)
and no problem
Say I download an *.apk file from some site or I get one from a friend, could it potentially harm my phone, cost me money etc.? Basically what I'm wondering is, when I install an app it generally says what the app has/wants access to, is this "warning" coded by the programmer to tell the user what it's accessing or is it determined automatically by built in functions? I don't want to install and app that has access to stuff that I'm not aware of.
Regards,
B
Edit: On a second note. Say I do download some harmful application, would uninstalling it solve the problem or could there be remaining harmful files still at work? The whole Android OS is sorta worrying me...bad experiences with Windows is making me cautious.
if you can think of it
there can always be a chance of happening
yes, a malicious hacker could do something like that
yes, a pissed programmer might including something like that into their apps to stop people from sharing their apps without buying it
yes, the apk might be legit but might have been corrupted some how
yes, you might be able to uninstall if lucky
but worse case scenario if i were a malicious hacker i wouldn't code a way to uninstall the app, instead i'll probably code a way to lock the user out of all access forcing you to Flash the phone from scratch
You didn't really answer my one major question, or maybe you did but I didn't understand. Are the services that the app is able to access programmed or are they determined by a function?
Well when installing I've resorted to checking a few things:
1) Make sure the app that I've downloaded is the same size as the one in the market (for equivalent versions...obviously)
2) Compare the system permissions when installing with those found at www.androlib.com
This way seems pretty safe to me. If the size is the same and the permissions are the same...you can be quite (not 100%) certain that they are legit/the same.
Ok heres the deal. Apps have 2 types of access.
1. Standard permissions
So if u don't do adb-install (where u dont see an app's permissions), then market / copy to sdcard and install from there u'll see the permission screen. An app cannot do something w/o permissions. If an uninstaller is askin for email permissions u know somethings wrong.
2. Root
Most dangerous. An app will ask u for 0 standard android api permissions. But when u run it, u will be asked for a superuser allow/deny request. From their its up to you. An app could do anything behind the scenes from tht point.
So read reviews/ user comments before trying root apps. Standard apps, just look over the permissions thts all.
FYI : The permissions are read by android, they're not user defined. Any permissions will always show up when installing it using the native package manager.
To be honest I wouldn't advise downloading an .apk from a non-trusted source. If its on the market, you're near certainly ok, and if its from a trusted developer (say from these boards, or some other similar dev portal) then again, you are likely to be ok. In the second case, you are unlikely to be getting a finished app if you get a straight apk from boards, because when they are finished or at least solid, they go to the app store anyway, so harm in that case is more likely to be of the force close variety rather than bricked variety.
Outside of that, I can't see why you would get an apk from a friend rather than downloading it yourself, simply because that way it makes certain you get a clean, non-corrupted version. If apps don't show up in the market for you, its mostly because your device can't run them, in which case, again, force close.
Uninstalling it is possibly too late. All smartphones suffer this issue though.
As mentioned, if you get the files from market though, you are likely to be safe..
Also, not all melicious programs are obvious..
Daneshm90 said:
Ok heres the deal. Apps have 2 types of access.
1. Standard permissions
So if u don't do adb-install (where u dont see an app's permissions), then market / copy to sdcard and install from there u'll see the permission screen. An app cannot do something w/o permissions. If an uninstaller is askin for email permissions u know somethings wrong.
2. Root
Most dangerous. An app will ask u for 0 standard android api permissions. But when u run it, u will be asked for a superuser allow/deny request. From their its up to you. An app could do anything behind the scenes from tht point.
So read reviews/ user comments before trying root apps. Standard apps, just look over the permissions thts all.
FYI : The permissions are read by android, they're not user defined. Any permissions will always show up when installing it using the native package manager.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
EXACTLY what I was looking for. Thank you.
Btw, just because security on App store says an app can do stuff like make phone calls etc, doesn't mean it's malicious.
A few people were misled by an article that stated that apps with such extreme permissions were malicious, but it's untrue. It isn't always the case, but if an app uses functionality you don't believe it should, it's possible it is dodgy
andrewluecke said:
Btw, just because security on App store says an app can do stuff like make phone calls etc, doesn't mean it's malicious.
A few people were misled by an article that stated that apps with such extreme permissions were malicious, but it's untrue. It isn't always the case, but if an app uses functionality you don't believe it should, it's possible it is dodgy
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Aye, I know. Thanks for the advice. I've actually been comparing any app I download off the internet to the actual ones on the market (size and permissions).
Hi everyone im a noob member to the site but have read some interesting threads before membership but as usual joining when i have a problem that needs some of your help
I have had a .apk file download to my htc desire running 2.2.2. I was browsing pics of the fake kind when it started downloading. i did see some letters and numbers before the file ext. It is not an official .apk that im sure off. I have searched for it on my phone but cannot find it to delete .
can anyone help please
After hooking up htc to my pc by usb lead, I have managed to locate the file by searching. It was in the download folder, I deleted it via the pc and then did a factory reset on htc.
Would this get rid of it safely
Hey,
Has anyone ever looked into how the Whatsapp Backup is stored? It can be used after reinstalling the app, but not after hard resetting/flashing/etc. So it should be stored on the phone, but not the normal isolated storage of the app since I can reinstall it and use the backup then.
Is there special access necessary or could other apps also access (and modify/export) this backup? I'm asking this because I hope to find a way to make a backup that really is useful, I almost only write via whatsapp because SMS cost way more than internet here. Thanks!
why do you think whatsapp isnt useing isolated storage? shure it is, but you still cant access it - unless you have a interopt unlocked device
the reason you can restore, is that the app id stays the same.. you could try to deploy an older (uncrypted) whatsapp xap to your phone, if the app id still stays the same (and im not shure it does! actually i think it doesnt..) you would gain access... again, thats total theory! i havent tryed this, and it has propably the potential to mess up your backup...
maybe GoodDayToDie has some more info about the app-id thing.. i'll also do a quick research
tfBullet said:
why do you think whatsapp isnt useing isolated storage? shure it is, but you still cant access it - unless you have a interopt unlocked device
the reason you can restore, is that the app id stays the same.. you could try to deploy an older (uncrypted) whatsapp xap to your phone, if the app id still stays the same (and im not shure it does! actually i think it doesnt..) you would gain access... again, thats total theory! i havent tryed this, and it has propably the potential to mess up your backup...
maybe GoodDayToDie has some more info about the app-id thing.. i'll also do a quick research
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Click to collapse
Thanks for the reply! I din't know files in the isolated storage keep being there after you uninstall the app..
I tried deploying an old Version (1.4) of Whatsapp and it replaced the current one, so it should use the same app id. I didn't find anything in the isolated storage, but the backup is still there when I reinstall it from the store. I'll try launching the deployed app first now.
have you checked out the IsolatedStorageSettings?
Let me have a quick look where this thing is on my harddrive... when i find it, i'll be able to tell you where / how it saves the backup
tfBullet said:
have you checked out the IsolatedStorageSettings?
Let me have a quick look where this thing is on my harddrive... when i find it, i'll be able to tell you where / how it saves the backup
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Click to collapse
Nope, I have no real clue how to do that, the only thing I can is deploying apps and watching their isolated storage thanks!!
they used "messages.sdf" & "contacts.sdf" before, but then at some version they started to migrate this files into a database.. not shure where it gets stored, or if you can access it with simply browsing the IsoStoreage... ill make a quick test project to test out how or if we could access it..
EDIT: actually i was talking **** the .sdf files are already databases, and the data still resides there... and forgot to mention: even if you couldn't see the database files, you should see the user-picture thumbnails that reside in "cphotos/" + some-sha1-hashed-userinfo...
IsoStore is cleared when an app is uninstalled. So far as I know, this is instant, as part of the app removal process, although I suppose I haven't actually checked that. However, apps can (and many do) implement a backup situation to cover this use case by using a unique identifier that survives a re-install. There are several places such IDs can come from. Since the one you have survives app installs but *not* OS reflashing (even though you presumably sign on with the same Live ID afterward), I'm guessing it's a value that uniquely identifies your OS install and is randomly generated the first time the OS boots. Re-flashing counts as a new install, I guess.
I'd have to investigate further to be sure. There could be other mechanics at play, such as the OS keeping the data around for a short time in case you re-install the app, or the app storing its data in some other (off-phone) location. It's not storing it in some special folder within the phone, though; there's nowhere else it could!
Backup history with Whatapp on Android. Then check the backup file on:
/sdcard/WhatsApp/Databases/msgstore.db.crypt
Or
/data/data/com.whatsapp/databases/msgstore.db and wa.db (root)
Coweri said:
Backup history with Whatapp on Android. Then check the backup file on:
/sdcard/WhatsApp/Databases/msgstore.db.crypt
Or
/data/data/com.whatsapp/databases/msgstore.db and wa.db (root)
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Click to collapse
Sorry, but this is Windows Phone, not android..
@GoodDayToDie so, there is no simple way like deploying an app with the same ID and trying to access the backup with it?
Since the data would have been deleted when the old app was removed (and since you can't sideload an app with the same Product ID as an existing Store app), no, that won't work (well, it didn't in WP7; I guess you could try again here; some things are somewhat less secure now than before).
th0mas96 said:
GoodDayToDie so, there is no simple way like deploying an app with the same ID and trying to access the backup with it?
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Click to collapse
Wait for a interop-unlock... thats the way to go in this case.
Until then, you can send your conversations to yourself by mail (option form the context menue)
GoodDayToDie said:
IsoStore is cleared when an app is uninstalled. So far as I know, this is instant, as part of the app removal process, although I suppose I haven't actually checked that. However, apps can (and many do) implement a backup situation to cover this use case by using a unique identifier that survives a re-install. There are several places such IDs can come from. Since the one you have survives app installs but *not* OS reflashing (even though you presumably sign on with the same Live ID afterward), I'm guessing it's a value that uniquely identifies your OS install and is randomly generated the first time the OS boots. Re-flashing counts as a new install, I guess.
I'd have to investigate further to be sure. There could be other mechanics at play, such as the OS keeping the data around for a short time in case you re-install the app, or the app storing its data in some other (off-phone) location. It's not storing it in some special folder within the phone, though; there's nowhere else it could!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
GoodDayToDie, any news about this Whatsapp backup feature in Windows Phone? Is it possible to utilize this feature as an "ordinary" developer?
I would have to reverse engineer the app to see how its backup feature works. The most likely explanation - that it's storing the backup "in the cloud" using the device ID (which resets when you do a hard reset, I think) - is easily possible for any app so long as you provide the storage space...
GoodDayToDie said:
I would have to reverse engineer the app to see how its backup feature works. The most likely explanation - that it's storing the backup "in the cloud" using the device ID (which resets when you do a hard reset, I think) - is easily possible for any app so long as you provide the storage space...
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Click to collapse
That could be an explanation. But then the Whatsapp developers could easily offer a full backup, as on other platforms, linked to the phone number or something. Then you could restore the messages even after a phone exchange. But who knows what's in their heads ...
GoodDayToDie said:
I would have to reverse engineer the app to see how its backup feature works. The most likely explanation - that it's storing the backup "in the cloud" using the device ID (which resets when you do a hard reset, I think) - is easily possible for any app so long as you provide the storage space...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Nope, it doesn't seem to be online.. it backups pretty big chats extremely fast with 2 bars of GPRS, so it can't be via internet.. it even backups without connection at all. That's the weird thing.. how are apps even allowed to store files that keep being there after an uninstall?
There are a couple really sneaky ways you could do that; one that comes to mind is creating a fake "image" or "ringtone" or similar, serializing the data to it, and then looking for it the "first" time the app is run after installing. However, I'm definitely more curious now. There are folders which apps can request permissions to write to, but usually that's a trick limited to "second-party" apps (OEMs, etc.) and prohibited for third parties.
I've already looked into the code, as far as i can tell there is no online backup feature. it just stores the conversations in a database.
And to answer yout question schluff: no there is absolutley no way the usual developera to utilize this.
btw: @GoodDayToDie could you provide us the newest WhatsApp XAP (2.11.312.0)?
When I get the chance to extract it of my computer, yeah. It's really hard to get full FS access working these days, so I'm looking into other ways to access the install folders and storage of other Apps.
here you go
edit: I've changed nothing, so it's the whole install folder in this zip file
Thanks for the extraction! Obviously, I can't do anything with it
However, if anyone is interested in this too, in the following versions it seems to backup to the SD card, at least @Nazwzil8 reported so at twitter: https://twitter.com/Nawzil8/status/410486248156172288 he reported a lot about whatsapp, he seems a legit beta tester.