Database Develop

[Q] How to download apk files directly to your phone

I have searched the forums and Googled it but can not find an answer our a way to do it. I can install non market apps with my computer but was just wondering if there was a way to do or directly from the phone.
Sent from my Samsung Captivate

rtgould said:
I have searched the forums and Googled it but can not find an answer our a way to do it. I can install non market apps with my computer but was just wondering if there was a way to do or directly from the phone.
Sent from my Samsung Captivate
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Use a file manager like Root explorer. It is a paid app but really great. There are some free ones as well like Astro but I personally don't like how the UI looks.

You can download them to your SD card and install with Astro (free). Browse your SD card with Astro, click on the file and it asks you to either browse or install.

Thanks I meant if you can download the file not install them. I assume that its just not possible and you have to use your computer then.
Sent from my Samsung Captivate

Does anyone have any input on this? When I browse the forums on my phone and click on an apk, I get an "Unknown - Cannot download. The content is not supported on the phone" message.
Are there any possibilities installing an apk using only the phone?
on Cognition 3.04

rtgould said:
Thanks I meant if you can download the file not install them. I assume that its just not possible and you have to use your computer then.
Sent from my Samsung Captivate
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Download Astro File Manager. Open it up and then use the menu button and go to Preferences. At the bottom of the list you'll see "Enable Browser Downloads". Tick that box and now you can download files in your phone's browser.
Don't uninstall astro, or you won't be able to dl anymore.

I just used Dropbox. Files go in on my PC, and are available on my phone with the Dropbox app.
DB offers 2GB storage for free and, so far, it's worked from all my PC's and works well with my phone. I just open the .apk and install.

umm... same way you download on a computer...
google.com search > "" Some Dumb app pro v9.9 .apk download ""
download. install. duh
use google to rip off google...

ryude said:
Download Astro File Manager. Open it up and then use the menu button and go to Preferences. At the bottom of the list you'll see "Enable Browser Downloads". Tick that box and now you can download files in your phone's browser.
Don't uninstall astro, or you won't be able to dl anymore.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks. I had tried with explorer, which is the free version of root explorer, but it didn't work. I'll try astro.

rtgould said:
I have searched the forums and Googled it but can not find an answer our a way to do it. I can install non market apps with my computer but was just wondering if there was a way to do or directly from the phone.
Sent from my Samsung Captivate
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There's an app on the market called "Download All Files ". It has allowed me to download several different files that I was not able to before. Downloaded files get put into a folder called "download" on the sd card. Use your file explorer, you can install .apks from there.

Original Browser hangs up...

Hi,
i got my Optimux 2x speed yesterday.
While playing suddenly my browser is not starting up. it crashes as soon as i press the icon.
see youtube movie for similar problem:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a-jCHPJpTiE
I tried a factory reset, cleared the cache. but still is crashing.
anybody an idea how to fix it?

Maybe the original LG Rom wasnt flashed properly.
If even with factory reset it's still there, its supporting this theory.
The only solution I see is replacing for new one or wait for Gingerbread/Custom ROMs here on XDA.

Gratje said:
Hi,
i got my Optimux 2x speed yesterday.
While playing suddenly my browser is not starting up. it crashes as soon as i press the icon.
see youtube movie for similar problem:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a-jCHPJpTiE
I tried a factory reset, cleared the cache. but still is crashing.
anybody an idea how to fix it?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
5 crashes of the 'lgHome app' ??
it's so poor @[email protected]
have you try to replace the LG Laucher with LauncherPro ??
and ~~~ as i see in taiwan forum ~~ none of this problem have been found in the try function ~~~
(sorry for my poor english)

I tried the LauncherPro, and also here it is crashing. same message like before.
Is there no option to completely overwrite the firmware? just like a HTC telephone?

Try to clear data and cache for the browser via settings > applications and see if that helps.

clubtech said:
Try to clear data and cache for the browser via settings > applications and see if that helps.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I already tried that? its not helping.
can somebody make a backup with titan backup tool or something? or a complete dump of the image

Gratje said:
I already tried that? its not helping.
can somebody make a backup with titan backup tool or something? or a complete dump of the image
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Done
browser.apk
system dump and Fast mirror

Give Dolphin Browser Mini a go? i find it really fast and i like the gesture shortcuts

I downloaded the browser.apk. but its a zip file. do i have to rename it?
I know dolphin or opera mini is working, but i also want to have a fully functioning phone.

Gratje said:
I downloaded the browser.apk. but its a zip file. do i have to rename it?
I know dolphin or opera mini is working, but i also want to have a fully functioning phone.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Read here about apk. You have to copy apk file to /system/app with rootexplorer

I downloaded the browser.apk. just renamed the zip file to apk.
with super manager and root I copied the browser.apk file into the system/app folder.
and everything is working like a charm!
now quickly make a backup before it is not working again.
thanks!!!
edit:
found a small problem.
The icon of the browser is now located at the downloaded apps in the programs menu. and has the blue (N) in the icon. how can i remove the blue (N) from the (N)ew program.

Not really sure,
But when you use titanium backup you can freeze and defreeze a program after that he'll put it back in the orginal folder (system tools). That worked for me at least

it fixed the problem with the browser icon!
now only the superuser icon has a blue N. but this one is not in the titanium backup list.

hi,
i can't remove the original Browser Bookmarks, vodafone, chat .... I don't know , please help me!

[Q] Fixing the "process.com.google.process.gapp" error message

After TRYING all kinds of suggestions, none of which work, I found one that says:
- copy all google talk service and google talk app to system/app folder
- Grant all possible privilages to them
- Restart the phone.
In what folder is google talk service and google talk app located?
How do you grant them "all privledges'?
Seems to me the last time I attempted to CUT AND PASTE a file to the system/app folder, it wouldn't let me.
This message has come up EVEN AFTER I have installed numerous ROMs.
I appreciate any help!

Did you flash stock in between flashes?. To move a file rlto system/app use adb or super manager
If I have helped press thanks.

Clean install of ROMs
Every time I flash, I go back to stock and do a Master Clear, so my flashes are clean. I use Titanium BU Pro to reinstall apps, BUT do NOT restore system data, just app data.
I'm thinking that the problem MIGHT be related to the syncing of my calendar with the google calendar I have online. Triied doing the data clear, etc....
Like I said, I've tried everything except what I posted in my first post. Problem is, I don't know where the files are located so that I can transfer them to the system folder. This seems like the only other "solution" I haven't tried at this point.
Hate to do it, but I'm thinking about going back to stock 2.2 and see if that makes a difference.

[How to]Install Google Play on chinese ROM Galaxy S2 i9100G

Hi all,
When buying your S2 in China, you while probably have the bad surprise to discover Google Play is not installed on the device.
Even by installing some .apk downloaded from the web doesn't solve the issue.
I managed to got mine working. Here's how i did.
I find the hint here
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1351283
You'll need to Root your device first
Here's how it goes:
1) Install GoogleServicesFramework.apk
This seems to be the issue, as when you install it you can see the permissions Google requires, and pretty much says it can access ALL the data in your phone, even the private stuff. You've been warned. (what did you expect? it's still Google after all)
2) Install Google Play with any .apk you can find, as system app (see bellow):
Instructions (Thanks to Bandage)
-1. Transfer the .apk files to your Kindle Fire via PC / Mac (remember where you put them)
- 2. Open Root Explorer App, and navigate to the transferred .apk files
- 3. Select the GoogleServiceFramework.apk and install
- 4. When complete, click "Done" and return to the file location for Vending.apk
- 5. Long-press Vending.apk and select the "Move" option on pop-up menu
Navigate to /system/app folder
- 6. Change mount option from RO to RW (read-only to read-write)
Paste Vending.apk into the /system/app folder
- 7. Long-press Vending.apk and select "Permissions" from pop-up menu
Change permissions to match all other apps in this folder (rw-r--r--)
- 8. Install Vending.apk
- 9. Reboot device
3) Launch Google Play
You should now be able to input your account and login.
For the first login, you will probably need to turn on both Wifi and APN (also can try turning off Wifi and only use APN).
You can now browse the market, but still can not install any apps.
Final step: You'll need to send some e-mail to Google (go to google play web site -> help). Explain the problem, they need to allow Play to be used by your device.
Took me a couple e-mail to get it right. The google team was very kind open to help (unlike samsung).
Go ahead and install any app you want
I recommend starting by installing Market Unlocker (especially for those in China). It lets you get the market as if you where in another country.
Hope this has been useful.
And don't forget to press the Thanks button
I actually did this a while ago (I wanted to try it out first before sharing). So i may be forgetting some specific points. Let me know how it turns out for you so i can update this How To.
Cheers
Chewee
May the force be with you

Thanks!
I tried many other ways, but they just would not work on my I9100G!
Just now I have tried this simple method and it works perfectly.
For me the final step is not necessary.
Thanks again!

Thanks for the reply. I really appreciate.
Glad i could be of any help

I did add all google services on my chinese G in november, i basically have all google services working, including calendar sync, and still on stock GB.
What i did was to take all the google apps from CM and put them in the system app folder with correct permissions.
But i remember i did setup gmail sync before getting google market (now play store) to work correctly.
For the calendar, only the sync adapter is needed, do not replace other apps, it's not needed.

chewee133 said:
Hi all,
When buying your S2 in China, you while probably have the bad surprise to discover Google Play is not installed on the device.
Even by installing some .apk downloaded from the web doesn't solve the issue.
I managed to got mine working. Here's how i did.
I find the hint here
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1351283
You'll need to Root your device first
Here's how it goes:
1) Install GoogleServicesFramework.apk
This seems to be the issue, as when you install it you can see the permissions Google requires, and pretty much says it can access ALL the data in your phone, even the private stuff. You've been warned. (what did you expect? it's still Google after all)
2) Install Google Play with any .apk you can find, as system app (see bellow):
Instructions (Thanks to Bandage)
-1. Transfer the .apk files to your Kindle Fire via PC / Mac (remember where you put them)
- 2. Open Root Explorer App, and navigate to the transferred .apk files
- 3. Select the GoogleServiceFramework.apk and install
- 4. When complete, click "Done" and return to the file location for Vending.apk
- 5. Long-press Vending.apk and select the "Move" option on pop-up menu
Navigate to /system/app folder
- 6. Change mount option from RO to RW (read-only to read-write)
Paste Vending.apk into the /system/app folder
- 7. Long-press Vending.apk and select "Permissions" from pop-up menu
Change permissions to match all other apps in this folder (rw-r--r--)
- 8. Install Vending.apk
- 9. Reboot device
3) Launch Google Play
You should now be able to input your account and login.
For the first login, you will probably need to turn on both Wifi and APN (also can try turning off Wifi and only use APN).
You can now browse the market, but still can not install any apps.
Final step: You'll need to send some e-mail to Google (go to google play web site -> help). Explain the problem, they need to allow Play to be used by your device.
Took me a couple e-mail to get it right. The google team was very kind open to help (unlike samsung).
Go ahead and install any app you want
I recommend starting by installing Market Unlocker (especially for those in China). It lets you get the market as if you where in another country.
Hope this has been useful.
And don't forget to press the Thanks button
I actually did this a while ago (I wanted to try it out first before sharing). So i may be forgetting some specific points. Let me know how it turns out for you so i can update this How To.
Cheers
Chewee
May the force be with you
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
HI I followed the steps but at stage 3 after reboot I open google play it 'force closes' automatically. I cannot open play app. What may be the issue. This is Chinese phone, i also tried one of the market unlcker.. is there any specific version you can suggest ?
Ok now it opens google play and displays 'loading' but nothing appears. Funny that when I try to install it from website it says 'app will be sent/installed on your phone shortly' but nothing happens
I installed a market unlocker (some random one which configured my China phone for USA T-mobile - there are other countries i can configure for too)
Any guess what could be problem ?

It's not the right way!!!
It seems to work properly, but it may cause some problem, frequent FC for example. And some apps even can't work, such as Foursquare, which you can have a try.It's not only the Google Play but also the whole gapps that are not included in the Chinese ROM. The GoogleServicesFramework.apk and GooglePlay.apk are just part of it, so this problem can't be solved by simply installing some apks.
The right way is to download the right gapps from this page: goo.im/gapps and flash it from CMW.To do that, you must flash a kernel first, such as superatoms, lucir.
Or, you can simply root your phone and decompress that zip file and move it to your phone to the right folder.Never forget to fix the permission. You'd better do that through adb.

I can't agree with what you're saying. I have a chinese G and installed all google apps from Cyanogen wiki, with the exception of goggles, everything else work perfect ! Including Gmail with full sync, contacts with full sync,calendar with full sync, music working, books working etc ... Stock zcki1 rooted.
Sent from my GT-I9100G using XDA

Edit

Ta
Thanx for the walkthrough. I got the market working but can't download. Will be contacting Google help soon.

ICS 4.0.4
They just released the ICS 4.0.4 ROM for China, that one also does not have any of the GAPPS, in addition some
service providers actively block Google services so installing GAPPS will do no good unless you set up a VPN
chewee133 said:
Hi all,
When buying your S2 in China, you while probably have the bad surprise to discover Google Play is not installed on the device.
Even by installing some .apk downloaded from the web doesn't solve the issue.
I managed to got mine working. Here's how i did.
I find the hint here
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1351283
You'll need to Root your device first
Here's how it goes:
1) Install GoogleServicesFramework.apk
This seems to be the issue, as when you install it you can see the permissions Google requires, and pretty much says it can access ALL the data in your phone, even the private stuff. You've been warned. (what did you expect? it's still Google after all)
2) Install Google Play with any .apk you can find, as system app (see bellow):
Instructions (Thanks to Bandage)
-1. Transfer the .apk files to your Kindle Fire via PC / Mac (remember where you put them)
- 2. Open Root Explorer App, and navigate to the transferred .apk files
- 3. Select the GoogleServiceFramework.apk and install
- 4. When complete, click "Done" and return to the file location for Vending.apk
- 5. Long-press Vending.apk and select the "Move" option on pop-up menu
Navigate to /system/app folder
- 6. Change mount option from RO to RW (read-only to read-write)
Paste Vending.apk into the /system/app folder
- 7. Long-press Vending.apk and select "Permissions" from pop-up menu
Change permissions to match all other apps in this folder (rw-r--r--)
- 8. Install Vending.apk
- 9. Reboot device
3) Launch Google Play
You should now be able to input your account and login.
For the first login, you will probably need to turn on both Wifi and APN (also can try turning off Wifi and only use APN).
You can now browse the market, but still can not install any apps.
Final step: You'll need to send some e-mail to Google (go to google play web site -> help). Explain the problem, they need to allow Play to be used by your device.
Took me a couple e-mail to get it right. The google team was very kind open to help (unlike samsung).
Go ahead and install any app you want
I recommend starting by installing Market Unlocker (especially for those in China). It lets you get the market as if you where in another country.
Hope this has been useful.
And don't forget to press the Thanks button
I actually did this a while ago (I wanted to try it out first before sharing). So i may be forgetting some specific points. Let me know how it turns out for you so i can update this How To.
Cheers
Chewee
May the force be with you
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

Can someone please explain where and how to change permissions!

What permission are you talking about?
If you are talking about the root, their are a lot of threads talking about how to do it on xda, and all over the web.

chewee133 said:
Hi all,
When buying your S2 in China, you while probably have the bad surprise to discover Google Play is not installed on the device.
Even by installing some .apk downloaded from the web doesn't solve the issue.
I managed to got mine working. Here's how i did.
I find the hint here
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1351283
You'll need to Root your device first
Here's how it goes:
1) Install GoogleServicesFramework.apk
This seems to be the issue, as when you install it you can see the permissions Google requires, and pretty much says it can access ALL the data in your phone, even the private stuff. You've been warned. (what did you expect? it's still Google after all)
2) Install Google Play with any .apk you can find, as system app (see bellow):
Instructions (Thanks to Bandage)
-1. Transfer the .apk files to your Kindle Fire via PC / Mac (remember where you put them)
- 2. Open Root Explorer App, and navigate to the transferred .apk files
- 3. Select the GoogleServiceFramework.apk and install
- 4. When complete, click "Done" and return to the file location for Vending.apk
- 5. Long-press Vending.apk and select the "Move" option on pop-up menu
Navigate to /system/app folder
- 6. Change mount option from RO to RW (read-only to read-write)
Paste Vending.apk into the /system/app folder
- 7. Long-press Vending.apk and select "Permissions" from pop-up menu
Change permissions to match all other apps in this folder (rw-r--r--)
- 8. Install Vending.apk
- 9. Reboot device
3) Launch Google Play
You should now be able to input your account and login.
For the first login, you will probably need to turn on both Wifi and APN (also can try turning off Wifi and only use APN).
You can now browse the market, but still can not install any apps.
Final step: You'll need to send some e-mail to Google (go to google play web site -> help). Explain the problem, they need to allow Play to be used by your device.
Took me a couple e-mail to get it right. The google team was very kind open to help (unlike samsung).
Go ahead and install any app you want
I recommend starting by installing Market Unlocker (especially for those in China). It lets you get the market as if you where in another country.
Hope this has been useful.
And don't forget to press the Thanks button
I actually did this a while ago (I wanted to try it out first before sharing). So i may be forgetting some specific points. Let me know how it turns out for you so i can update this How To.
Cheers
Chewee
May the force be with you
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think I may need an 'idiots guide' to all this because I have no clue and no idea what flash and all thats means.... I brought my S2 online and had no idea it was coming from China and that it won't have Google Play on there.
I have tried the above steps but can't even get the 1st one right.. :/
I have tried downloading 'Google Service Framework.apk' from my phone and computer but everytime it tries to install it, it finishes by saying 'Application Not Installed'. Really getting very confused and need urgent help. Please can you let me know where I am going wrong? Many thanks.

Seems you didn't root your phone.
But before doing anything, you should learn a little bit what you are about to do. There are several threads on root issues, or guides for begginers.
Also, double check if you have the i9100 or i9100G version. It's important when you root.
Sent from my GT-I9100G using XDA

chewee133 said:
Seems you didn't root your phone.
But before doing anything, you should learn a little bit what you are about to do. There are several threads on root issues, or guides for begginers.
Also, double check if you have the i9100 or i9100G version. It's important when you root.
Sent from my GT-I9100G using XDA
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks very much. Its the i9100. I'll try that. I used to think I was good with phones but after reading all this, I don't actually know jack all about them, lol!

chewee133 said:
Seems you didn't root your phone.
But before doing anything, you should learn a little bit what you are about to do. There are several threads on root issues, or guides for begginers.
Also, double check if you have the i9100 or i9100G version. It's important when you root.
Sent from my GT-I9100G using XDA
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just wondering about kernel version number too. Mine says '2.6.35.7-I9100'. Does this seem right? Thanks

You are checking the android version. That's not what's important. What you need to check is to take the same kernel version and rom version called basedband version (may be the similar with the build number). For example i have the i9100gzcle2 version. There are some threads about this around here.
Sent from my GT-I9100G using XDA

chewee133 said:
You are checking the android version. That's not what's important. What you need to check is to take the same kernel version and rom version called basedband version (may be the similar with the build number). For example i have the i9100gzcle2 version. There are some threads about this around here.
Sent from my GT-I9100G using XDA
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You have been a great help. Thank you SO much!

Help with some Apps after ICS
lorinkundert said:
They just released the ICS 4.0.4 ROM for China, that one also does not have any of the GAPPS, in addition some
service providers actively block Google services so installing GAPPS will do no good unless you set up a VPN
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Guys help me here plz.. I have a couple of issues,and cant find relevant info.
Background. I am usgin SGS2-I9100G (Chinese) flased with ICS 4.0.4 (baseband-I9100GZCLPG/kernel-3.08 [email protected] #2) (rooted with temp CWM)
1.Followed the above to get Google play working. Installed Market enabler (dint help much, just says market configured to t-mobile USA but still google play website shows China-unicom) I am not able to install many apps because of this
-Google My tracks
-FX currency converter
many others that I would like to use alternative apps are also giving same issue.
2.I am not able to get google account in the contacts. When I go into
Contacts > Properties > accounts> Add accounts I see only skype, tango, whatsapp. The same under "add accounts" It is not listing google. Is it supposed to in first place ?
if yes how can I get it?
3.I am not able to install Viber and Voxer even with Apk. It keeps saying "Application not installed" They both dint work on GB too.
---------- Post added at 04:15 PM ---------- Previous post was at 03:50 PM ----------
toctan said:
It seems to work properly, but it may cause some problem, frequent FC for example. And some apps even can't work, such as Foursquare, which you can have a try.It's not only the Google Play but also the whole gapps that are not included in the Chinese ROM. The GoogleServicesFramework.apk and GooglePlay.apk are just part of it, so this problem can't be solved by simply installing some apks.
The right way is to download the right gapps from this page: goo.im/gapps and flash it from CMW.To do that, you must flash a kernel first, such as superatoms, lucir.
Or, you can simply root your phone and decompress that zip file and move it to your phone to the right folder.Never forget to fix the permission. You'd better do that through adb.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
@toctan can you plz help me with this.. which folder do u mean when you say "the right folder" ?? I am running ICS and my phone is rooted.

shivaraman said:
Guys help me here plz.. I have a couple of issues,and cant find relevant info.
Background. I am usgin SGS2-I9100G (Chinese) flased with ICS 4.0.4 (baseband-I9100GZCLPG/kernel-3.08 [email protected] #2) (rooted with temp CWM)
1.Followed the above to get Google play working. Installed Market enabler (dint help much, just says market configured to t-mobile USA but still google play website shows China-unicom) I am not able to install many apps because of this
-Google My tracks
-FX currency converter
many others that I would like to use alternative apps are also giving same issue.
2.I am not able to get google account in the contacts. When I go into
Contacts > Properties > accounts> Add accounts I see only skype, tango, whatsapp. The same under "add accounts" It is not listing google. Is it supposed to in first place ?
if yes how can I get it?
3.I am not able to install Viber and Voxer even with Apk. It keeps saying "Application not installed" They both dint work on GB too.
---------- Post added at 04:15 PM ---------- Previous post was at 03:50 PM ----------
@toctan can you plz help me with this.. which folder do u mean when you say "the right folder" ?? I am running ICS and my phone is rooted.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi shivaraman.
I'm not sure i understand exactly what is your problem. Do you have Play installed? Can you install some apps with it? If yes, you're all good.
Market enabler is only going to help.you once you get Play working correctly. Market Enabler doesnt fix Play. It only simulate you are from another country, as if you changed your sim card.
I figured out this methode using android 2.3.6. There is no guaranty it works on ICS. I would suggest trying swiching back to 2.3.6 (if possible, it might be the hatdest part) and try the methode again. Play stays installed when upgrading to 4.0.4
A lot of apps are blocked due to the chinese ROM. Seem the bootloader is posing the problem and is locked. I still didnt find any solution for that. A couple month ago Odia started posting he may had a solution. But he never told what it was.
Sent from my GT-I9100G using xda app-developers app

[SOLVED]White Neo's CM12.1 - Cannot update Facebook (error 504)

Hello,
My Xperia T has the latest WhiteNeos CM12.1 Homebuild. I have a problem with the Facebook app. Whenever there is an update, it downloads normally , but during installation, a message pop ups "cannot install facebook app uknown error -504". I have searched for solutions and the only one that works for me is to uninstall facebook and messenger, delete the appropriate folders from /data, clear Google play cache, reboot and I can reinstall facebook app (on 2nd try).
As you can imagine it is very annoying to do this on every update. Is there a more permanent solution maybe? - by permanent I don't mean to download facebook app from amazon store
Thank you

I have the same issue, and my bet is that it's related to the massive amount of code that is included in the Facebook app..
You can also grab the latest apk from apkmirror.com and install normally. This will work just fine, even if it takes up to 10 minutes.

Unfortunately your suggestion did not work for me. I rebooted the phone and everything without result. Maybe RAM usage has somehting to do with this? How can I deactivate enough safe-to-close apps and services to free RAM to try reinstallation?

djargad said:
Unfortunately your suggestion did not work for me. I rebooted the phone and everything without result. Maybe RAM usage has somehting to do with this? How can I deactivate enough safe-to-close apps and services to free RAM to try reinstallation?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have to agree. However got it working with another method:
Download the latest apk from apkmirror, then rename the file to base.apk and boot into recovery. Then use the integrated file explorer to move the base.apk file to /data/app/com.facebook.katana and set 644 permissions. Then reboot and after around 2min on the "Optimizing apps" screen you'll have the latest facebook app.

WhiteNeo said:
Download the latest apk from apkmirror, then rename the file to base.apk and boot into recovery. Then use the integrated file explorer to move the base.apk file to /data/app/com.facebook.katana and set 644 permissions. Then reboot and after around 2min on the "Optimizing apps" screen you'll have the latest facebook app.
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It worked just fine. What I did more (just to be sure) was to chown the folder and base.apk to system:system. So now everytime I want to update facebook, I will just update base.apk in /data/app/com.facebook.katana and then reboot??

djargad said:
It worked just fine. What I did more (just to be sure) was to chown the folder and base.apk to system:system. So now everytime I want to update facebook, I will just update base.apk in /data/app/com.facebook.katana and then reboot??
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Yeah, exactly!
It's still quite time-consuming to update that way, but it's the best method we have.

WhiteNeo said:
Yeah, exactly!
It's still quite time-consuming to update that way, but it's the best method we have.
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I know this thread is bit old, but thank you, WhiteNeo!!! Your solution saved me a bunch of grief.
Just a tip, I have auto-updates for Facebook set to off. I do try to install via PlayStore and occasionally succeed. However, it also lets me "capture" the base.apk file, so I know it's the right one for my phone and don't have to sort through the files on apkmirror.com, which aren't always updated as fast as Facebook releases, though it's a phenomenal source.
Follow these steps to "capture" the base.apk, which requires root access and a good file manager (I use the CM13 file manager)
1. Kick off the update in Play Store
2. After the download is complete and its says "Installing", navigate to \data\app\
- You'll see both a com.facebook.katana-1 folder for your existing install, and a com.facebook.katana-2 for your updated install
- Note: It may take a few seconds or minute after installing starts for this folder to show up, and once it does you'll only have a few minutes to capture the base.apk because when the -504 error shows, it wipes out the com.facebook.katana-2 folder and contents leaving you with the old install
3. Navigate to \data\app\com.facebook.katana-2 and copy base.apk to somewhere you'll find it later
4. Wait for the infamous -504 error, then follow WhiteNeo's solution by overwriting the base.apk in \data\app\com.facebook.katana-1 with the one you just saved and reboot