[TUTORIAL]How to reinstall user apps (Quickly/Safely) topic

This was created in response to several people asking the safest way to reinstall user apps after flashing a ROM. Titanium Backup is a great tool, but not everyone uses/likes it.

As the title implies, this will show you an easy and safe way to reinstall your apps after a clean ROM flash. I made this easy to do and easy to understand, so experts and new users can figure it out.

YOU WILL OBVIOUSLY NEED TO BE ROOTED FOR THIS.

To do this you will need 3 or 4 things things on your phone.

1. Download the attached file below named "AppBackup.zip". This is the file structure to correctly flash user apps. I built it to only install apps in /data/app. More advanced users may edit it to include system files, but that is beyond the scope of this tutorial (for now).

2. From the Play Store, install a file explorer with root access capability. For this tutorial, I will be using ES File Explorer. (ROOT REQUIRED)

3. From the Play Store, install ZArchiver. this app creates zip and other format archive files.

4. (Optional) From the Play Store, install ZipSigner. This app signs the zip file.

Attachment 2547107

>>ES File Explorer

To enable ES File Explorer's root functions:

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Open the app and press the menu key. Select tools, and Root Explorer Attachment 2547108 Your super User app will request permissions for ES File Explorer. Allow it, then choose "Mount R/W" Attachment 2547109 Make sure that "/" and "/system" is chosen as r/w. Attachment 2547110 ES File Explorer is now able to r/w your /data folders

----continued

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In the file explorer app, navigate to where "AppBackup.zip" is located and decompress (upzip) it. In the file explorer app, navigate to /data/app, and select all the apps you want to copy. Attachment 2547137 Then navigate to the "AppBackup" file and past them into data/app. Attachment 2547138

>>ZArchiver

**Note: ZArchiver's default location for completed zip files is in /storage/emulated/0/archives. You may change the destination in settings.

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Using ZArchiver, navigate to INSIDE the "AppBackup" file! If you navigate only to the folder that "AppBackup" is inside, the zip will not work. Choose the multi-select button. Attachment 2547146 Select data and META-INF folders, then press the checkmark Attachment 2547147 Press the tools button and select compress Attachment 2547148 In the resulting pop up menu, ensure the highlighted values are selected. Press OK. Attachment 2547149 This will take a minute or two, depending on how many apps you chose. When finished you will have a zip file! Attachment 2547182

>>Optional ZipSigner

I list this as optional, because the "AppBackup" file should flash fine without being re-signed. But, I will show it to you, nonetheless!

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Open ZipSigner and select "Choose in/out" Attachment 2547191 Navigate to the new zip file you created. Attachment 2547192 Select Sign the file. It will take a minute or two depending on how big the zip file size is. Attachment 2547193 When it is done, close the app and navigate to where the original new zip file was. You will see one with the same name + "-signed". Attachment 2547194 This is your new zip, and you may delete the old one and delete the "AppBackup" file if you wish to free up space.

YOU ARE DONE!

If you have questions or suggestions on how to make this tutorial better, please let me know!!

Attachment 2547232

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Attached Files

AppBackup.zip - [Click for QR Code] (156.6 KB)