Database Develop

Is there an app or script could just scan the apps......

when switching back and forth between roms or just keeping up with Cyanogen's speedy update schedule, I always have problems with the market knowing which apps I have and which I don't, so I was wondering if an app or script could just scan the apps on the device internal & apps2sd them remake the marketdb to reflect what is truly on the phone??
I may be wrong but it seems as its the marketdb that keeps this info, not the market "server" so it sounds easy, but since I couldn't code my way out of a paperbag how would I know if its easy or not...
it's no big deal but it would be nice, im sure im not the only cat who has thought of this so there must be sumthing more complex than I can understand that keeps it from happening...
just an idea,
bhang

the marketdb sucks for that kind of thing. use atrackdog. it creates its own db and updates it every time you run it to show exactly what you have on the phone and scans the market for updates on request.

Backup for root users allows you to backup and restore your market database.

bengrulz said:
Backup for root users allows you to backup and restore your market database.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That option has never worked for me...as with some of the other options in that program. The only ones that seem to work properly for me is backing up SMS and bookmarks. Sometimes backups of alarms work, sometimes not.

[Q] Harmful .apk file

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

Manage apps on device with Market.

I never knew this and just maybe you all would find this kinda maybe interesting as well.
You can manage your apps on your device, including update, uninstall or even install apps on your device via. (you don't even have to touch your device.)
https://play.google.com/apps
You have to be signed in with your Google account that you use on your Device
I left one example of how i made use of the Managing apps on the desktop via Market.
This gave me a interesting idea actually after learning about this. I tested and this worked.
You can setup a little system to where Tasker can initiate a command to ask Titanium backup to restore data,wipe data, or even launch say a "Find lost phone app." (used a random find phone app)
I used the web based app market to install "Find my phone." When it gets installed(whenever it does), Tasker initiates a setup to restore the data using Titanium backup, and launch the app. Thus allowing my phone to be traced.
Reason this is a great combo in my opinion is because Titanium backup allows u to store its default setting and load them up even if TB isn't installed.
you could even have ONLY tasker on the device then allow tasker to initiate BOTH apps instead of just the one. Although i will admit this does require some knowledge of how Tasker works and how to setup circumstances =/
However ina real world circumstance, i highly doubt this little discovery would matter since everyone knows if u find a phone turn it off asap. unless hopefully u leave it accidentally at a restaurant with good people or some other good place like family. =/
Just thought id leave a possible combination i found using the desktop based android market. =)
of course you could always just leave a "find phone app" installed at all times, however im very OCD about whats on my phone as I am sure a lot of flashaholics are also (least i think they are =P )

Automate copying/back up all video and pictures taken

I have a Moto X with Republic Wireless 4.2.2 and am wondering how I automate the following...
Anytime I shoot a video or take a picture on the phone I would like to have the phone automatically make a copy of the file to a different (specific) directory on the phone for backup purposes. I would also like to know if I can do this without rooting. I'm pretty sure I can make a script or something to do it, I just don't know how I would have it act upon seeing a new file created. Also I would prefer it operate in the background without any notifications.
Thanks

EntityPacket said:
I have a Moto X with Republic Wireless 4.2.2 and am wondering how I automate the following...
Anytime I shoot a video or take a picture on the phone I would like to have the phone automatically make a copy of the file to a different (specific) directory on the phone for backup purposes. I would also like to know if I can do this without rooting. I'm pretty sure I can make a script or something to do it, I just don't know how I would have it act upon seeing a new file created. Also I would prefer it operate in the background without any notifications.
Thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm not sure how to do that but you can always backup to google +. It won't share the images unless you ask it to. I've found it quite useful for a phone that only has 16gb of storage.

brian Marshall said:
I'm not sure how to do that but you can always backup to google +. It won't share the images unless you ask it to. I've found it quite useful for a phone that only has 16gb of storage.
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Click to collapse
This. I'm not sure having two copies of an image or video on the same device gives you any real redundancy. However letting them sync with G+ gives you a reliable backup.

Why would you backup the same image or video onto the same device? All you're doing is using more storage, of which is limited.

Thanks guys but I want to do what I said specifically. Nothing more, nothing less. The automated part is optional. I would be fine with having to hit an icon to kick off the process.

EntityPacket said:
Thanks guys but I want to do what I said specifically. Nothing more, nothing less. The automated part is optional. I would be fine with having to hit an icon to kick off the process.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
you can use rsync to do this. Android doesn't come with it, but you can install it by following instructions here: http://linux.wxs.ro/2011/08/05/rsync-your-android/. There's probably also apps in the play store that provide rsync.
'rsync -a --delete /src/ /dest/' will keep the directory /dest/ in sync with /src/
create a shell script with that in it, and you should be able to schedule it using tasker, or there are apps out there to create icons for shell scripts.

Thanks that's more what I'm looking for. Would that require rooting the phone?

Yeah....I don't get it. 2 sets of the same pics on the same drive is no fail safe at all. If you have a problem where you can't access the regular gallery stored pics, I doubt you'll be accessing the other folder either. Seems pointless?
Are you sure what you want to do is really what your trying to do?
Flashing roms or whatever won't wipe your pics by accident. And if for some strange reason your pics get wiped, chances are your backup pics will get wiped at the same time, since they are both on sd card.
Plus you'll have 2 sets in your gallery. Unless they are put in a backup apps file....which again...will be wiped along with your pics if something happens to your sd card folder.
Makes no sense.
Sent from my XT1058 using Tapatalk

EntityPacket said:
Thanks that's more what I'm looking for. Would that require rooting the phone?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The instructions indicate that you should copy it to /system/xbin/ and set the permissions to allow execute access. In order to be able to write to that directory you will need root.
In order to execute the command, you will not need root access. Assuming you're copying to someplace you have write access to.
I haven't tried this, but there's a "busybox non-root app" in the play store that contains rsync. You should be able to install that, and then you'll have access to rsync.

Look at bittorrent sync. You set it up to back up a specific folder or folders on your phone and using torrent technology, you can have it back up to your PC. I use it for exactly this purpose. All my photos of my kids and videos are automatically backed up to an external hard drive.

Backup the phone

Hi,
I like to know if there's a way to back up the phone without root, if something went wrong, like errors and so. By backup I mean back up all the settings, wallpapers, themes, like the backup we can make with recovery.
Thank you for the help.

soilentgreen said:
Hi,
I like to know if there's a way to back up the phone without root, if something went wrong, like errors and so. By backup I mean back up all the settings, wallpapers, themes, like the backup we can make with recovery.
Thank you for the help.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah comes with samsung backup.

Nick216ohio said:
Yeah comes with samsung backup.
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Click to collapse
And this is the only way?

soilentgreen said:
And this is the only way?
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Click to collapse
There is but this seems like the best so far. This is coming from a person who was die hard titanium backup fan. Actually surprised how well it works.

Nick216ohio said:
There is but this seems like the best so far. This is coming from a person who was die hard titanium backup fan. Actually surprised how well it works.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Can you share the second best backup?
Thank you.

Also, what is the best order to use Google restore and / or Samsung restore? I used the Samsung cloud Backup for a restore and was rather disappointed ?
So, what is best practice to prepare for a hard reset and restore? I do it this way:
- make backups in all apps that support it, like nova launcher prime, nine email and so on
- do a Samsung Backup
After hard reset, I follow the process and restore when offered, Google and Samsung. However, afaics, no app data is coming back.
Am I holding it wrong? ?

soilentgreen said:
Can you share the second best backup?
Thank you.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The 2nd options being other apps from play store. I haven't tried those on this phone. If you're rooted definitely titanium backup.
corwin_amber said:
Also, what is the best order to use Google restore and / or Samsung restore? I used the Samsung cloud Backup for a restore and was rather disappointed ?
So, what is best practice to prepare for a hard reset and restore? I do it this way:
- make backups in all apps that support it, like nova launcher prime, nine email and so on
- do a Samsung Backup
After hard reset, I follow the process and restore when offered, Google and Samsung. However, afaics, no app data is coming back.
Am I holding it wrong? ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What disappointed you? No app data coming back is normal. Just like when you do a titanium backup restore. It's adviced to restore with no app data. Because when you do tend to get a lot of issues. Your just getting apps back.

Nick216ohio said:
The 2nd options being other apps from play store. I haven't tried those on this phone. If you're rooted definitely titanium backup.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm not rooted and looking apps from play store.
I would appreciate it if someone could recommend good apps.

Good topic .
For some reason my restoring process is always messed up when I use the Samsung smart switch. Since it restores via smartswitch and then Google restores also.
Moving forward should one have Google back restore enabled and also use smartswitch as well or is it safe to assume smartswitch on its own is adequate?
Sent from my SM-N950U using Tapatalk

@Nick216ohio Ok, I see. I am just comparing to iOS and even Windows phone / mobile restore. iOS / iCloud restore is brilliant, WP / WM restore depended on App support.
What is the situation like with Android, can apps support app data restore via Google restore?
This whole topic is a little unclear to me, is there a resource where it is explained?
Thanks ?

corwin_amber said:
@Nick216ohio Ok, I see. I am just comparing to iOS and even Windows phone / mobile restore. iOS / iCloud restore is brilliant, WP / WM restore depended on App support.
What is the situation like with Android, can apps support app data restore via Google restore?
This whole topic is a little unclear to me, is there a resource where it is explained?
Thanks ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You can restore data, but like I said before causes issues. Like force closes, apps not working right, etc. Wish we could restore data without issues. Just google and you will get clear answer. I am to lazy to explain. Apple does some things better and same with android. They both got +/- overall.
But here's some good news for all of us>
http://www.androidpolice.com/2017/1...ow-restore-backed-data-initial-setup-process/

corwin_amber said:
@Nick216ohio Ok, I see. I am just comparing to iOS and even Windows phone / mobile restore. iOS / iCloud restore is brilliant, WP / WM restore depended on App support.
What is the situation like with Android, can apps support app data restore via Google restore?
This whole topic is a little unclear to me, is there a resource where it is explained?
Thanks [emoji847]
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Apple backup and restore is eons ahead of Android backup and restore.
I'm an Android fanboi BTW.
Sent from my SM-N950U using Tapatalk

I rooted last week and so tried to prepare as much as I could for the factory reset step. I don't use Google or Samsung backup for apps, I prefer things local to me (I am too used to TiBu coming from a rooted Note 3).
I backed up the apps that allow an export of setting/content as previously mentioned in this thread (so like Nine email, Signal Messenger etc), I also used Helium backup which stated it backed up most of my apps & data and then I copied all of internal SD to an external one.
I was disappointed with Helium, it restored all apps and data "successfully" however it didn't actually appear to have done anything. After some googling I manually installed the apps it backed up and then proceeded to restore the data...this actually works for some of the apps but I was left with quite a lot that it did not. I ended up cutting my losses and starting fresh with those apps.
I am now rooted and back onto TiBu which is fine until I need to change to a phone that isn't rooted. I have limited experience with anything Apple but from the sounds of it they do a pretty good job at restoring apps and data but I wouldn't be able to cope with how tight the control is on their devices (which is one element that I expect helps with having a more reliable backup solution).

kaos_king said:
I rooted last week and so tried to prepare as much as I could for the factory reset step. I don't use Google or Samsung backup for apps, I prefer things local to me (I am too used to TiBu coming from a rooted Note 3).
I backed up the apps that allow an export of setting/content as previously mentioned in this thread (so like Nine email, Signal Messenger etc), I also used Helium backup which stated it backed up most of my apps & data and then I copied all of internal SD to an external one.
I was disappointed with Helium, it restored all apps and data "successfully" however it didn't actually appear to have done anything. After some googling I manually installed the apps it backed up and then proceeded to restore the data...this actually works for some of the apps but I was left with quite a lot that it did not. I ended up cutting my losses and starting fresh with those apps.
I am now rooted and back onto TiBu which is fine until I need to change to a phone that isn't rooted. I have limited experience with anything Apple but from the sounds of it they do a pretty good job at restoring apps and data but I wouldn't be able to cope with how tight the control is on their devices (which is one element that I expect helps with having a more reliable backup solution).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This story reminds me a bit of my own.
I'm an Apple AND Android user and just recently got a lot more into using both for the given areas where they excel...
Well, fun fact is that I'm considering going with a Note 9 when it launches and I want to try my luck in staying unrooted there, certainly staying on stock ROM (because I would like to use the SPen to its full extent and many things that Samsung does incorporate into their ROM attract me... Please don't shoot. )
Either way, upon researching backing up Android rooted or not rooted I found out it's an absolute crap shoot on this side of the fence and it'd be incredibly hilarious if it wasn't so sad.
I also doubt Google has any big incentive to fix it, they'd much rather fix cloud backups gluing you to their ecosystem. Pulling a good old Apple. :silly:
The fact is, as far as I found out, please correct me if I'm wrong, the issue is mostly that app developers must flag their apps as allowing to be backed up/not flag it's disallowed. (I read that not setting the flag is treated like a default no, but that's up to the version of the ROM/base Android, this may differ. I do not know)
Apparently, plenty enough apps use that liberty and whilst there is such a flag in iOS as well it's limited to stuff like login credentials afaik.
The general problem here I think is that the history of personal computers and smartphones is not only diagonally aligned chronologically, but also many technologies in smartphones matured as they had become a mass medium for practically the - excuse the blunt wording - dumbest of users. That and the general philosophy of SMART phones (read: it does a lot, but it's easy, it does things for you) and the approachability aspect.
My personal opinion is that this whole mess complicated backups needlessly and could be solved, but I don't want to get overly technical right now at 10pm.

Glassed Silver said:
This story reminds me a bit of my own.
I'm an Apple AND Android user and just recently got a lot more into using both for the given areas where they excel...
Well, fun fact is that I'm considering going with a Note 9 when it launches and I want to try my luck in staying unrooted there, certainly staying on stock ROM (because I would like to use the SPen to its full extent and many things that Samsung does incorporate into their ROM attract me... Please don't shoot. )
Either way, upon researching backing up Android rooted or not rooted I found out it's an absolute crap shoot on this side of the fence and it'd be incredibly hilarious if it wasn't so sad.
I also doubt Google has any big incentive to fix it, they'd much rather fix cloud backups gluing you to their ecosystem. Pulling a good old Apple. :silly:
The fact is, as far as I found out, please correct me if I'm wrong, the issue is mostly that app developers must flag their apps as allowing to be backed up/not flag it's disallowed. (I read that not setting the flag is treated like a default no, but that's up to the version of the ROM/base Android, this may differ. I do not know)
Apparently, plenty enough apps use that liberty and whilst there is such a flag in iOS as well it's limited to stuff like login credentials afaik.
The general problem here I think is that the history of personal computers and smartphones is not only diagonally aligned chronologically, but also many technologies in smartphones matured as they had become a mass medium for practically the - excuse the blunt wording - dumbest of users. That and the general philosophy of SMART phones (read: it does a lot, but it's easy, it does things for you) and the approachability aspect.
My personal opinion is that this whole mess complicated backups needlessly and could be solved, but I don't want to get overly technical right now at 22pm.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yep , just thank God for smartswitch. Before that it was even worse!
Sent from my SM-N950U using Tapatalk

there could be possibly another way, try the cloning apps, like App Cloner, they modify apps before cloning them, and one option is to make the app store its data outside the system directories, in the internal storage, thus your able to save the apps data easily, but i have not fully tired and there are other limitations and enabling too many clone options = random crashes and bugs.
it depends on how important app data backup is for you.
limitations are, every time app updates versions, you must reclone if you need the updates, apps may not work properly.
there are heaps of cool tweaks you can do and i always clone apps that i know I won't need to update much.

Limeybastard said:
Yep , just thank God for smartswitch. Before that it was even worse!
Sent from my SM-N950U using Tapatalk
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Click to collapse
Worse? Didn't Kies backup apps at all?
Also, is Smart Switch at least better than any other solution that isn't Titanium Backup? I guess another way to wird this question is:
How is Smart Switch different than other solutions? (also, does it use adb or is it proprietary Samsung technology because Samsung customized the ROM to begin with)
COULD it become better?
I'm really interested in getting the next Note phone, but damn having to root just to get proper backups irks me.
Afaik Samsung doesn't like to service rooted devices, pulling an Apple here, but that may be wrong or outdated info?
Also you apparently lose Knox/Secure Folder?
Does rooting on Samsung's flagships require a custom kernel like you need with Sony's Xperia (currently rocking an Xperia X and the rooting procedure is a joke)
sonhy said:
there could be possibly another way, try the cloning apps, like App Cloner, they modify apps before cloning them, and one option is to make the app store its data outside the system directories, in the internal storage, thus your able to save the apps data easily, but i have not fully tired and there are other limitations and enabling too many clone options = random crashes and bugs.
it depends on how important app data backup is for you.
limitations are, every time app updates versions, you must reclone if you need the updates, apps may not work properly.
there are heaps of cool tweaks you can do and i always clone apps that i know I won't need to update much.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Way too much fussing about.
Guess the ball is in Samsung's court, but they seem to agree with the stance that a developer should be able to disallow me to rule against my freedom to do with my personal data as I please. Boo...