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Root System Launcher

Jaay Dogg

Jaay Dogg

Android Expert
How do I get my launcher to install as a system app ? I've put the app into the system app folder before I flash the rom, but it doesn't install with the rom, Do I need to do something to the app ? The launcher is SPB shell 3D
 
that launcher has like a protection thingy if you havent bought it but if you did you just rename it to launcher2 or the default launcher name and replace it that should work thats what i do
 
Delete your stock launcher in the /system/app folder(make sure you have a backup in case you mess up) move your SPB launcher.apk to the system/app folder and rename it Launcher (or whatever your stock launcher was called) then reboot your phone and you should be good to go! :)
 
What is the benefit of placing a launcher in the system folder? Does it make the launcher perform better?
 
it makes it to where you dont have to install it and it makes it in the system folder and the data/app folder which is the app install directory
 
joemossjr said:
makes it to where you cant delete it without having root permission
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No clue what he's talking about, but doing the process which I posted above, will make your phone think that the launcher is your phone's main launcher, so it comes on as that. The permissions aren't really useful for any other reason that that, but if you have a launcher such as Apex Launcher then it gives it the permission to put widgets on the home screen from the app drawer. Hope this helps. :)
 
FrenchToast said:
... [snip] it gives it the permission to put widgets on the home screen from the app drawer. Hope this helps. :)
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That is the only benefit that I know of. In ICS roms the only way to get the widget tab in the app drawer to work is to install it as a system app.

If you have trouble (what French toast said should work fine) Ti Backup will make a system app from any app with 2 clicks... I think it was 2
:D
 
thangfish said:
That is the only benefit that I know of. In ICS roms the only way to get the widget tab in the app drawer to work is to install it as a system app.
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With Nova launcher you just need root access. I have it as a normal app on two different devices running CM9 and have that ability without it being a system app.
I know that wasn't the launcher being discussed, just pointing out that it isn't always the case.
 
agentc13 said:
With Nova launcher you just need root access. I have it as a normal app on two different devices running CM9 and have that ability without it being a system app.
I know that wasn't the launcher being discussed, just pointing out that it isn't always the case.
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Really? Good to know!
 
Jaay Dogg said:
Yes I own SPB, & I've themed it but it needs to install with the rom to work.
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Someone can chime in to do it right, but try to modify the install script to go something like this
Code: 
cp (location of the SPB launcher) /system/app/Launcher

I think you could also just change the name when you put it in the ROM. I think I would leave the old launcher with the name changed from *.apk to *.old and move the SPB in as they have said before.
 
Well I have to put the themed apps (apks) into the rom to be installed because after I theme them they won't install any other way, ergo I'm trying to theme my launcher but it won't install. I did what what was said & changed the name to launcher it installed but kept force closing, probably messed up something when theming I'll go back through it & see. Better yet I'll test run an unthemed version of SPB Shell 3D & see what happens. Also can any app become a system app ?
 
Jaay Dogg said:
Well I have to put the themed apps (apks) into the rom to be installed because after I theme them they won't install any other way, ergo I'm trying to theme my launcher but it won't install. I did what what was said & changed the name to launcher it installed but kept force closing, probably messed up something when theming I'll go back through it & see. Better yet I'll test run an unthemed version of SPB Shell 3D & see what happens. Also can any app become a system app ?
Click to expand...

Try deleting the stock launcher first, reboot, then put the alternate launcher there and rename then reboot. Also, not sure if ALL apps can, but most can.
 
I'm building via my laptop then transfering it to my phone, it didn't work renaming it to launcher & i did make it the only launcher it installed but force closes right out the gate never opens ?
 
It's actually a hell of a lot easier if you use Titanium Backup (premium?). I tried the delete-move approach with GO Launcher EX, but it crashed every time I opened preferences, even after reboot.

When I used Titanium on the other hand, it worked flawlessly.
 
I have titanium backup pro (paid version), How do I use titanium for that ? Just install the app or what ?
 
Open SPB Shell.apk, take the lib(*.so file) out of lib folder, and put that lib in your main folder.
 
Yeah you can place it in /system/app with any name, set the permissions to 0644 i believe, but if the app has a lib file included with it(a .so file located in the apk under the lib folder) you must extract out a copy and copy it over to the system/lib folder like austrie said! I have done it with LauncherPro and I know it works. After you push it to system/app you must reboot for it to show up though!
 
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