Database Develop

Root access with Astro?

Is there anyway to start Astro as root so you can use it to edit system directories?

I had wished for the same thing.. but i didnt tell nobody.. soo maybe this will be more effective. prevents having to type in the terminal all the time.. not that its bad.. ive learned so much allready since ive had this phone...

I totally agree! That would be perfect! Maybe there a way of editing the code or smth...

If you can't work *MORE EFFICIENTLY* directly from the terminal, then you definitely should NOT have root access via GUI.

lbcoder said:
If you can't work *MORE EFFICIENTLY* directly from the terminal, then you definitely should NOT have root access via GUI.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Pretty much this. It seems like most of the people having problems on this website just want root because it's "kewl" but really have no idea what it is or even have a clue on how Linux works.

I actually Emailed the Dev of Astro about this same question and here was his reply.
Here is the email copied and pasted from gmail.
My question
Are you able to make a version that requests root access to delete chmod rename move etc for the 100,000+ users from xda and other boards with root access?
His Reply
On Jan 21, 2009 10:57 AM, "Kevin Payne" <metago.inc[at]gmail> wrote:
This is a bit outside ASTRO's scope at the moment. Technically, ASTRO should work fine on files owned by root if it were run as a root process, but running applications as root is not advised in general. Someone really needs to create a sudo type command to let an individual application run as root.

lbcoder said:
If you can't work *MORE EFFICIENTLY* directly from the terminal, then you definitely should NOT have root access via GUI.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
d00m said:
Pretty much this. It seems like most of the people having problems on this website just want root because it's "kewl" but really have no idea what it is or even have a clue on how Linux works.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Considering the fact that I'm a Systems Administrator as my profession and work with hundreds of Linux/Unix/Windows servers a day, the whole reason why I bought the G1 was for development and tinkering, the fact that my home PC is running Vista x64 (i haven't gotten around to creating a VM or messing with the drivers), and that I do wipes frequently to test different configurations, I'm pretty sure I'll be ok with root access. I'm just tired of manually doing something on that tiny keyboard that can easily be done with a nice pretty GUI. I stare at consoles all day and thousands of lines of black and white text, when I come home I don't exactly want to be anywhere near a terminal.
Also, why bother doing anything on a phone, other than using it as a phone (or for email, texting, etc.), if you don't do it because it's "kewl". I mess with my phone because it's cool to have a mini-*nix based computer with several fun radios on it. If I do something stupid like type "rm -Rf /*" after logging in as root (never going to happen) then that's my own fault.
I don't care if you're a Unix purist and you write up your office reports, spreadsheets, and diagrams in vi. Good for you, you're wasting time that can be better spent on other things because of your stubborn prejudice against GUI's. I asked a question, because I have a reason for that question. If you don't have any answers to that question, then please don't bother replying.
diabolical28 said:
I actually Emailed the Dev of Astro about this same question and here was his reply.
Here is the email copied and pasted from gmail.
My question
Are you able to make a version that requests root access to delete chmod rename move etc for the 100,000+ users from xda and other boards with root access?
His Reply
On Jan 21, 2009 10:57 AM, "Kevin Payne" <metago.inc[at]gmail> wrote:
This is a bit outside ASTRO's scope at the moment. Technically, ASTRO should work fine on files owned by root if it were run as a root process, but running applications as root is not advised in general. Someone really needs to create a sudo type command to let an individual application run as root.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I looked into the commands to launch an application from the CLI and found that Astro can be started using the following command:
am start -n com.metago.astro/.FileManagerActivity
However, this doesn't do us any good, since the dalvik VM will take that command and create a process as a sandbox user regardless of what user executes that command. There looks like there's a way to tell the VM to fork the process as a specific uid and gid, but that requires editing the AndroidManifest.xml.
I'm not too good with Java, and I don't know how strict Android's API is, so I don't know if running an apk application as root is even possible.
However, I do know that running commands from inside an application, like su, is possible.
~TM
"Wise men speak because they have something to say; Fools because they have to say something." ~Plato

Solved--Astro with root...(workaround)
kinda late, but in case anyone wants to know this is what I did.
This way technically doesnt allow astro to run with root, but its just as good.
I originally did this a few months back for my G1, and just mod it a little to work on my nexus
- created a script to mount system as rw
- created a script that gives r/w permission to all app directories (/data, /data/app, /data/app-private, /system, /system/app, /system/sd, ...) and all apps inside those directories
-then merged the 2 scripts and named it astro_root_perm
-installed GScript from the market
-created another script that
-first changes all permissions on apps back to what they started as(644, 640...)​-then changes permissions of directories back to what they were​-and finally remounts system back to ro, and named this script to astro_basic_perm​
-used Gscript to create shortcuts of the 2 scripts to my home screen.
-then with bettercut, I changed the scripts' icons to the astro icon. I just colored the astro stock icons "A" green for one script and red for the other
So anytime I want to use astro as root, I just click the shortcut I made with gscript off my home screen, open astro,
Then when Im done with astro, I just run the other script
I know its not the same as running astro AS root, but it works for me.
Im not really a linux guy......I'd really appreciate if someone could help me with this next step
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Does anyone know what I need to include in a script to have it call/open a program automatic?
My ultimate goal is to create one script that will
Mount system rw
Change needed permissions to rw
Automatically open up Astro
Then change all permissions back when astro is terminated
Possibly create a keyboard shortcut for the G1
What do ya think?? is it possible??

Estrongs has limited root file browsing on some ROMs and SU File Manager or Root File Manager will let you browse as root for a small price.

+1 recommendation on Estrongs File Explorer's root option if you want it for free, includes Windows shares browsing over lan.
Otherwise try SUFBS, also has built-in terminal.
Sent from my HTC Hero using Tapatalk

louieG1 said:
My ultimate goal is to create one script that will
Mount system rw
Change needed permissions to rw
Automatically open up Astro
Then change all permissions back when astro is terminated
Possibly create a keyboard shortcut for the G1
What do ya think?? is it possible??
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm not sure exactly how gscript handles things, but with a normal bash (shell) script, the lines are run sequentially. That is, the next line isn't run until the previous line is done. It would seem that you could put all that in one script, and the still-running script wouldn't change the permissions back until astro has ended. But then again, java adds complexity to it and I'm not sure if it works the same.

louieG1 said:
kinda late, but in case anyone wants to know this is what I did.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Does anyone know what I need to include in a script to have it call/open a program automatic?
My ultimate goal is to create one script that will
Mount system rw
Change needed permissions to rw
Automatically open up Astro
Then change all permissions back when astro is terminated
Possibly create a keyboard shortcut for the G1
What do ya think?? is it possible??
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Love this idea! Unfortunatly I'm no coder but would love to see something like this created.

I created a "GodMode" script that does exactly this, email me if you want it, I can edit it to work for the G1.

Totally forgot I started this thread, then happened to find it on Google when looking for the same thing, again.
Went back to Windows Mobile for a little bit, missed Android, and now have a Samsung Vibrant.
Still want a way to use ASTRO with root priviledges, especially since I don't have a tactile keyboard anymore.

phaelox said:
+1 recommendation on Estrongs File Explorer's root option if you want it for free, includes Windows shares browsing over lan.
Otherwise try SUFBS, also has built-in terminal.
Sent from my HTC Hero using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you.
Estrongs File Explorer enabled me to flash Tamil font in my Rooted T-Mobile G2X mobile phone.

I know i am not answering the question directly. But, i use Linda Manager it gets the job done.
---------- Post added at 08:17 PM ---------- Previous post was at 08:14 PM ----------
raddy said:
Thank you.
Estrongs File Explorer enabled me to flash Tamil font in my Rooted T-Mobile G2X mobile phone.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi raddy,
I'm also from TN as well, i would love to get the Tamil fonts. Can you please guide me?
Not having tamil fonts on the browser is simply annoying

Hi
If your mobile is rooted, then follow this link.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=798380
Sent from my LG-P999 using XDA App

raddy said:
Hi
If your mobile is rooted, then follow this link.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=798380
Sent from my LG-P999 using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Cool, i got the tamil fonts on my G1, thanks for the help.

[Q] fandango apk

does anybody have the Fandango apk? I flashed that new froyo update and now the market doesn't recognize my phone for some apps namely fandango

Try This:
(requires root and busybox and android SDK)
download the build.prop.zip file attached and remove the .zip (file should be named build.prop)
put the build.prop file in the same folder as adb.exe
open cmd and navigate to folder with adb.exe
Code:
adb push build.prop /sdcard/build.prop
adb shell
su
cd system
mv build.prop build.prop.old
busybox cp /sdcard/build.prop /system/build.prop
reboot
This should fix the missing apps market issues for all apps not just fandango ;-)
Let me know if it works or not

hmmm...so I would have to root my phone?...Uh I don't think i want to do that just yet. I think i can wait for official froyo 2.2 to come out then maybe it will be fixed. In the meantime Im using this app called "Date Night" i found in the market place. I uses the Fandango portal to buy movie tickets too, and it shows previews of upcoming movies and a lot more...to be honest it's even faster then that fandango app anyways, but thanks anyway. Upgrading my phone to the 2.2 was a job in itself. I don't want to take a chance and mess it up. I was so glad to see that it didn't root my phone in the process.

For anyone that needs it here it is.

Thank you so much... it worked!!!!! and i didn't have to root my phone! From what im hearing folks shouldn't hold there breath for att to release froyo for the captivate..and when they finally decide to release it they will have stripped the tethering feature from thr firmware, which is predictable. Do you have any other apk's or no where i can get more?

Glad to help. Shoot me a pm and I'll see what I got!

uh....whats a pm?

:facepalm:
Private message

[MOD] Hulu mod and Webtop/Hotspot Tether for 4.1.57

I was able to get the hulu mod to work inside dolphin browser HD, and also the tethering option in the laptop dock to work, I used Ririal's script to root the phone on the latest 4.1.57 and then ran these commands in a adb shell as ROOT :
for hulu please updated flash player to 10.2 first in the market then apply the libflashplayer.so (can be found in the latest gingerblur package) file to lib folder of the flash player ::>
cp -f libflashplayer.so /data/data/com.adobe.flashplayer/lib
then we go on to unlocking the APN's and borrow some of the code from gingerblur mod from the addons batch file ::>
mount -o rw,remount /dev/block/mmcblk0p12 /system
cp -f sqlite3 /system/bin/sqlite3
chmod 755 /system/bin/sqlite3
sqlite3 /data/data/com.android.providers.telephony/databases/telephony.db "UPDATE carriers set preloaded='false';"
/system/bin/sqlite3 /data/data/com.android.providers.telephony/databases/telephony.db "INSERT INTO carriers (name, numeric, mcc, mnc, apn, user, server, password, proxy, port, mmsproxy, mmsport, mmsc, mmsc2, authtype, type, current, preloaded) VALUES ('AT&T (FREE TETHER)','310410','310','410','wap.cingular','[email protected]','','CINGULAR1','','80','wireless.cingular.com ','80','http://mmsc.cingular.com ','','-1','','1','false');"
reboot
and now you are done, next go to the APN's and check they are unlocked then change the AT$T US tether APN type to nothing, then add the "tether" with a comma at the end of the APN type of AT$T US HSDPA , then reboot the phone, once in webtop you can change from the free tether to hdspa then the verification nag will go away and you will be able use the laptop dock.
If anyone can put all this in a script as i got no brains to do a script right now
DO THIS AT YOUR OWN RISK, I AM NOT RESPONSIBLE IN ANY WAY IF YOU BRICK YOUR PHONE OR ANYTHING THAT RELATES TO THIS POST, THIS IS FOR INFORMATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY !
With that being said have fun
EDIT :
And confirmed sideloading working, issue this command in adb shell as ROOT ::>
sqlite3 /data/data/com.android.providers.settings/databases/settings.db "UPDATE secure SET value=1 WHERE name='install_non_market_apps';"
Then reboot, now you can install apps direct from the sd card.
EDIT 2:
Commands corrected now.

Does the mod retain the tegra specific version of flashplayer?

Well I used the .so file from the gingerblur 7.7 package and the flash player 10.2 from the android market, so does this make it non specific to the tegra chip?
Sent from my MB860 using XDA App

molotof said:
Well I used the .so file from the gingerblur 7.7 package and the flash player 10.2 from the android market, so does this make it non specific to the tegra chip?
Sent from my MB860 using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I used the Market Flash 10.2 and Gungerblur RC1 .so,
Hulu works in Dolphin HD, had to set the user agent to desktop and plugins to always on.
Going to try the webtop over cellular.

How to enable The Hotspot Tether for 4.1.57？

joojle said:
How to enable The Hotspot Tether for 4.1.57？
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just follow the tethering steps and you are set to turn on hotspot from the settings under wifi.
Sent from my MB860 using XDA App

molotof said:
Just follow the tethering steps and you are set to turn on hotspot from the settings under wifi.
Sent from my MB860 using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I get a syntax error on your first sqlite3 command, something along the lines that it's expecting a ")" ??

http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1017373
Not to detract from the thread, but this enabler is a simpler way of getting sideloading/tethering APNs installed. No need for manual commands assuming you used the correct tools to root in the first place (i.e. sqlite3 is installed.).

Yeah better off using the scripts now as all is well in gingerblur land

molotof said:
Yeah better off using the scripts now as all is well in gingerblur land
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the effort though!

All the thanks go to you and other devs here in xda for such a great job in working on these things and making our lives easier
Sent from my MB860 using XDA App

Will THis Mod Work without Gingerblur
I've been too lazy to install Gingerblur but wanted to see if this mod will work without it. Thanks!

Couldn't you just use the zip files
(hulu,webtop,hdmi etc) included separately in the kennethpenns gingerblur thread? Wouldnt that work through tenfars cwm without actually installing gingerblur itself or are those specific to gingerblur only?
Edit: Actually I just answered my own question! lol the zips all install fine on stock 4.1.57 with root but do they work? I'll find out soon enough...

Gutterball said:
Couldn't you just use the zip files
(hulu,webtop,hdmi etc) included separately in the kennethpenns gingerblur thread? Wouldnt that work through tenfars cwm without actually installing gingerblur itself or are those specific to gingerblur only?
Edit: Actually I just answered my own question! lol the zips all install fine on stock 4.1.57 with root but do they work? I'll find out soon enough...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That i have no idea if it is possible or not, as these commands are for the purists that want CrapyBlur on and the original look without doing anything else to the file system.
I think it is in gingerblur add on packages BUT you would need the sqlite from the main package, so i guess this is the best bet for now !

molotof said:
That i have no idea if it is possible or not, as these commands are for the purists that want CrapyBlur on and the original look without doing anything else to the file system.
I think it is in gingerblur add on packages BUT you would need the sqlite from the main package, so i guess this is the best bet for now !
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Actually installing those zips on stock work through cwm! So thats good enough for me! Thats cool! Because I like gingerblur but for some damn reason whenever I install it? my wifi is weak and disconnects alot... I have no idea why??

Indeed got it working
Although, what have you guys seen in terms of how well HULU works? For me it's a little buggy. The video has issues with commercials not loading properly. I assume this is normal.
But all the other video controls seem to be fickle

mattyv said:
Although, what have you guys seen in terms of how well HULU works? For me it's a little buggy. The video has issues with commercials not loading properly. I assume this is normal.
But all the other video controls seem to be fickle
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The reason ads wont play is probably because you have ad blocking setup on your phone. What rom and root did you use? The regular vids will still play but commercials wont come through. LOL big loss!

thanks
you are right. it does work without the ads working. one thing i noticed is that the speed is a little slow on hulu using the webtop. i.e. the video is choppy. has anyone had any experiemce with that? is it something that can be sped up?

mattyv said:
you are right. it does work without the ads working. one thing i noticed is that the speed is a little slow on hulu using the webtop. i.e. the video is choppy. has anyone had any experiemce with that? is it something that can be sped up?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I noticed that too. Honestly gingerblur somehow, someway was having an adverse reaction on my wifi(though I seem to be the only one with this problem) I flashed back to stock, rooted, installed all the seperate zips from gingerblur without installing gingerblur itself using tenfars cwm recovery. Then I flashed gladiatrix rom also and my wifi has been perfect and hulu is running at normal speed with no choppiness.
The only thing with hulu is you gotta uninstall flash player 10.2 and grab the one from the market. Then grab a file called libflashplayer.so and copy it to data/data/com.adobeflashplayer/lib put it inside that folder using root explorer and it should ask you to overwrite click yes. Then open dolphin hd in settings make sure flash plugin is set to always on and that the agent is set as desktop. Then go to hulu.com click a video and it should play fine and with sound cause I was having a problem with no sound but this fixes it!
As far as the webtop is concerned?I think the webtop in general is buggy and laggy but still an awesome feature to have it probably will get better with more updates.

just wanna be sure here the only line i need to enable the hulu mod is this?
cp -f libflashplayer.so /data/data/com.adobe.flashplayer/lib

[ROM][CWM]KhasMek Stock Deodexed plus! For Tab 10.1

As normal, it's not my fault if you fubar your tab by flashing this or if zombies come and speedhump your cat. You've been warned.
Well, hello there, some of you may know me from my vzwtab (7") work, but I'm sure most of you don't.
No matter, I just finished deodexing my framework and app folders, so I decided to share with you.
This isn't anything special, just you're stock system that's been deodexed, I did not remove any programs, there are really only three or so 'bloatware' apps on here, so I didn't bother.
If you would like to, just use root file explorer (or your preferred method) to remove them.
In addition to the stock items I have added pershoot's SU/Busybox/misc package (SOURCE) All credit goes to him for that.
If there's anything else, just let me know. I have tested this on my own rooted tab and everything seems to work fine and be stable.
If you notice any issues, please format/clear both Dalvik & normal Cache. It's probably the cause.
Features
Deodexed flashable system
Pershoot's SU/Busybox/misc pacakage (nano, VIM, all kinds of other goodies)
Changelog
06212011- r1 - Initial Release
Known Issues
You may have to go through and manually delete your odex's in /system/app/ and /system/framework/ but the apk's and jar's no longer call them. (I can't get the amend format command working right. if you want to tell me how, please!)
Installation
Reboot into CWM either via ROM Manager or via power off, volume down + power, volume down to CWM icon and volume up to select.
Select Install Zip from SD Card
Navigate to location of zip and select okay
Clear Cache and Dalvik Cache (in advanced)
Reboot
Make themes for me
Download
HERE
Lastly, if you like my work, donate to me so I can donate money to devs that make my world easier (and therefore yours).

awesome finally someone to break ground for the Samsung Galaxy tab! Thanks will try it out!

Not sure if it matters but is this for retail or I/o version? Does it matter since it is basically the same tab?
For any ideas: maybe you could include a way for hulu to work without any work arounds? And maybe some lag fixes. Although that may be solved with a custom kernel.
Sent from my PC36100 using XDA Premium App

Decided to test this on the retail version.
The only problem is that root is broken because there are two su binaries installed.
/system/bin/su - installed from file Samsung_Galaxy_Tab_10.1_root.zip when you rooted the device.
/system/xbin/su - installed when you added [Tools] – SU/BusyBox/Misc – Galaxy Tab 10.1 (Update: 6/18/11).
To fix:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=14016703&postcount=18
------
the /system/bin/su binary need to be removed.
Su does not work on the tablet with two su binaries installed.
Use adb to remove /system/bin/su
adb remount
adb shell
cd /system/bin
rm su
reboot
I tried running titanium backup prior to a reboot after removing /system/bin/su and it would not work. I uninstalled/reinstalled and it worked, but a reboot may have fixed the problem.
I manually deleted all the odex files - no problems so far. I will provide an update later if I have problems.
------------
You can remove /system/bin/su when you update the image again.
JD

Yeah, I just noticed that myself actually. Don't know why I didn't catch it before.
Anywho, I think I'll prolly push an update to this tomorrow after I write a script to remove the odex's. It was my initial thought, but I thought it would be easier to used the updater-script to do it, but looks like just writing an additional one will be best.
Glad the su thing didn't confuse you too much!

Sweet thanks for this. Going to give it a whirl!

I flashed the Samsung_Galaxy_Tab_10.1_root.zip after flashing the Rom. Everying is working fine.
I didn't need to remove su from anywhere.
Thanks!
Sent from my GT-P7510 using XDA Premium App

Same here
Sent from my GT-P7510 using XDA Premium App

Any chance you can add a browser.apk that gives access to Google Labs?
Sent from my GT-P7510 using Tapatalk

touchpro247 said:
I flashed the Samsung_Galaxy_Tab_10.1_root.zip after flashing the Rom. Everying is working fine.
I didn't need to remove su from anywhere.
Thanks!
Sent from my GT-P7510 using XDA Premium App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You will only have problems when you try to run an app that requires root (Root Explorer, Titanium backup....).

danielsjam said:
You will only have problems when you try to run an app that requires root (Root Explorer, Titanium backup....).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Nope, not at all. They both run fine. Thanks tho. Others may have that problem, I don't.

touchpro247 said:
Nope, not at all. They both run fine. Thanks tho. Others may have that problem, I don't.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you have both su binaries - and all works - good to hear. I will flash again, but will reboot a second time to see if it matters. Those apps did not run until I remove the su from bin.
Strange how two devices with the same specs operate different on certain software.
JD

shouldn't that have been:
cd /system/bin ?
i didn't try mine w both since i didn't want hassle of find out if it worked or not. no reason for 2 su's.
danielsjam said:
Use adb to remove /system/bin/su
adb remount
adb shell
cd /system/app
rm su
reboot
JD
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

madsquabbles said:
shouldn't that have been:
cd /system/bin ?
i didn't try mine w both since i didn't want hassle of find out if it worked or not. no reason for 2 su's.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes - my bad - should be /system/bin - will correct it.
Thanks
Jd

Its because one su has the correct permissions and the other doesn't.
Sent from my GT-P7510 using XDA Premium App

how about adding some screenshots ??

pflorin said:
how about adding some screenshots ??
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Looks just like stock...

So whats this have that stock doesnt,,,whats the pro's to flashing as opposed to what I already have?
concept0 said:
Looks just like stock...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

camblue said:
So whats this have that stock doesnt,,,whats the pro's to flashing as opposed to what I already have?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
When themes become available you'll be able to flash them. You'll aslo be able to flash a few other mods...
Sent from my GT-P7510 using XDA Premium App

anaphora68 said:
Any chance you can add a browser.apk that gives access to Google Labs?
Sent from my GT-P7510 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No, you're more than welcome to sideload an apk's you wish however.
I'll push out an update today that gets rid of my silly su mistake, gimmie a couple hours.
Glad you people are enjoying it.

Fix camera permissions in the market

So the Nexus 7 does not have a primary camera, so a ton of apps in the market that use a camera show up as Not Compatible. You can sideload them and they may or may not work. However, there's a fix.
I'm on rooted stock, but if your custom ROM is also having this issue in the market you can tell your ROM Chef what file to add.
Caveat: This IS working for me as of right now, but it did not immediately, so there might be some delay or something else needed to do to make it work immediately. I'll update this post based on feedback if it's working immediately for folks or there's some other way to speed things up.
Caveat: Just because you can install an app won't make it work. If an app crashes, you've been warned. All apps might not work, but at least some apps that can use camera and don't need the camera function can be installed (Grocery King works fine, barcode scanning crashes), some will work fine (Camera Zoom FX).
And just to be clear, you are modifying /system. If you do this wrong, you could cause yourself problems. You have been warned.
Pre-reqs
Rooted
Root file explorer app to copy a file into /system (I use Ghost Commander, use your favorite app)
--OR THE FOLLOWING--
ADB working
Busybox (does not need to be installed, but needs to be available for cp, or you can use cat if you know how to do that method instead)
Busybox might be needed to remount /system as read-write, or you can use some other method to do this
Pick the method you want to use, adb, or a file explorer that can mount /system and write files there. Pick one method or the other, I've hidden the content on both by default so fewer people think you need to do everything..
android.hardware.camera.autofocus.xml is a file inside of the zip attached to this post, all references to copying that file imply you open the zip file and extract or copy it directly over. NOT the zip file itself. And no, this is not "cwm flashable". If this is working for folks and someone wants to make a CWM Flashable ZIP file to use, I'll be happy to add it to the post and update instructions.
Instructions for using your favorite root explorer kind of app
Download the file attached to this post to your device
Launch your favorite root explorer type app and remount /system as read/write
Copy android.hardware.camera.autofocus.xml to /system/etc/permissions/
Remount /system as read-only
Now we have to clear market data, do that in Settings->Apps, All tab, find Google Play Store and Clear Data
Reboot
Check the market for Camera related apps. Profit! If still not compatible, just give it a few days.
Instructions for using ADB/Manually copying it
Download the file attached to this post
Connect to your device over adb (I use wifi adb personally)
Do the following commands to launch adb and inside of adb respectively
adb push android.hardware.camera.autofocus.xml /sdcard
adb shell
su
mount -o rw,remount /system
cp android.hardware.camera.autofocus.xml /system/etc/permissions/
mount -o ro,remount /system
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Now we have to clear market data, do that in Settings->Apps, All tab, find Google Play Store and Clear Data
Reboot
Check the market for Camera related apps. Profit! If still not compatible, just give it a few days.
Thanks to bonks in #nexus7 for confirming for me that he cannot access a few Camera apps and validating some permissions files for me to verify my changes had worked on my end.
Works for 4.3 as well, but the same caveat... It took three days to show apps as compatible, so not sure what needs to "clear" for the permissions to be updated, but give it a few days and it'll be fine.

Reserving for any followup info, particularly around if the market permission doesn't clear "immediately".

A partial list of apps that work/don't work, but all will install now and previously would not. If anyone tries another app or has more input I'll update this post.
I've also started a list of apps I know of that have altered their permissions in the market so that they should show up natively on the N7 without the fix.
Work Perfectly (maybe mirrored)
Paper Camera - Mirrored
Google Translate - Mirrored, maybe upside down.. Wonky, but does work.
Work With Caveats
Grocery King - Barcode scanning crashes, otherwise completely usable
Don't Work at All
Google Goggles - Blank image, although you can load images you took with other cameras
Retro Camera - Can't find camera
Fixed market permissions
Camera FX Zoom - Use landscape, or things are mirrored and flippped

This worked great for me...thanks a bunch!
Sent from my Nexus 7 using xda premium

Ima give this a go when I get home, thanks

Nexus 7 camera permissions
Hi,
I have an app on the market that uses the front camera and sadly I cant get it working on the Nexus 7. Could someone please assist me in what permissions I need to change exactly to get it running?
From reading the posts above I now see that it's not the name of the camera (which I believe is 0) but it's permissions around that.
As a noob to the Nexus 7 permissions can anyone step me through it?
Thanks
David

DavidTheBourne said:
Hi,
I have an app on the market that uses the front camera and sadly I cant get it working on the Nexus 7. Could someone please assist me in what permissions I need to change exactly to get it running?
From reading the posts above I now see that it's not the name of the camera (which I believe is 0) but it's permissions around that.
As a noob to the Nexus 7 permissions can anyone step me through it?
Thanks
David
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
http://stackoverflow.com/questions/...ort-for-android-application-manifest-assembly

Just wanted to bump this thread and let everyone know this still works for 4.3. However, I'm not sure what one would need to do to make it work faster.
I installed the XML file on my N7 about three days ago, cleared Market data, rebooted etc, specific apps still showed as not compatible.
Finally today I look, and compatible! Perhaps it's on Google's side, it only updates every so often.. I dunno.
Anyway, so it works, but it might take a few days for it to propagate