yashsingh1/xdaforums huggingface dataset:
[Other Tools & General Discussion] pnsdhrn:
Anybody have used Andromizer by J.Y.Daady for backing up and restore EFS in Note2 N7100?Or whether there is any other more effective apk or tool for this purpose?If yes, please furnish the details with guidlines how to use it.Waiting with thanks...
[Java for Android App Development] taomorpheus:
Hello guys,

are you one of the android developers pissed off by piracy?

I have about 4000 active illegal users (70%), but my app is without any security checks.

Have you found a solution? I gave up on google security checks, it was too easy to hack. There is something more secure?

I've done a lot of research, but I am searching also for some real experience by xda users.

Thank you!
[Java for Android App Development] octobclrnts:
Well, if you chose to implement in-app purchasing, then I suppose that might solve your problem.
[Java for Android App Development] superkoal:
If you have your own server you could crosscheck the user's google account with your purchase list.

Do it hidden, in multiple places and act delayed if you find out about a pirated version, then it's really hard to crack.

If you talk about your facebook app you could be kinda bad mannered and post that they are using an illegal app on their wall :D

Of course you'd have to be absolutely sure then ;)
[Java for Android App Development] taomorpheus:
I can't because a lot of people have already purchased the app in the classic way!

Actually this is a really cool idea, can I access to my google account using google api?
[Java for Android App Development] nikwen:
I like this. :D
[Java for Android App Development] superkoal:
Have a look at this:

http://stackoverflow.com/questions/2245545/accessing-google-account-id-username-via-android
[Java for Android App Development] nikwen:
My Kaspersky Anti-Virus programm says that it is a fishing site. :(

However, it is STACKOVERFLOW!!!
[Java for Android App Development] superkoal:
Kaspersky :silly:
[Java for Android App Development] v3nturetheworld:
Sent

In my opinion, create some sort of pop up that says "Attention pirated user, I'm glad you love my app as much as I loved making it, but I need to make money off of it. Please officially purchase this app :)"

Then have an In app purchase option in the pop up. This would make me want to purchase the app if I pirated it. I don't really believe that fighting piracy with DRM does anything but cause harm. You should just try and make the pirated users feel bad and encourage them to buy the app.
[Java for Android App Development] taomorpheus:
Ahah yeah that's a good solution!

I've noticed that most of the pirated users come from Burma, where google play doesn't work. So I think that I will leave the app in this way and create another pro version for the nations that have google play issues!
[Java for Android App Development] tiwiz:
But... how about implementing a solution like ROM Manager does? I mean, with a separate app and a pirate popup as suggested above? I'm clueless on what technology use to create a licensing APK, but it would be easier even for those people that haven't got Play Store, maybe :)

Tiwiz
[Java for Android App Development] sak-venom1997:
I guess the main app checks if the Lisence app is installed and if installed it checks the key from a database of the license app and checks for the validity of Lisence on the cloud

Hit Thanx Button if i helped you!
[Java for Android App Development] mikereidis:
Piracy is a "fact of life" for software. And most anti-piracy measures tend to hurt legitimate paid customers (and the dev) more than the pirates.

If you have a good, useful app, those guys in China can hack almost anything. (No offense to China; no Play there, lower income and an anti-IP culture.)

There are a FEW successful devs who have gone to extra-ordinary lengths at the JNI level. I tested, but never turned any JNI anti-hacking code on, because with thousands of paid users on many weird phones and ROMs, I felt it would break for enough people to not be worth it.

If you have an app that needs a server connection, or data updates, and you have some kind of independent registration system, you have a chance too. But that can be a lot of work.

I'd rather spend my time making my app better and supporting customers. My app price is higher than many would like (but I have virtually no paid competition). And because my app is support intensive, I've taken the view that I'm selling support and convenient updates, not an app, so much.

I mostly verify people are customers before supporting them, do as good a job as I can, get good reviews, and people see there is value there for their money. And yes, I get tons of support requests from pirates. Some of them I've converted to customers. :)

And... regular updates to an app provides value. If pirates want the latest, they keep having to go look for it. (Or do I recall some pirate update service ?) Updates via Play are easy and that ease has value.

All the above said, I do get angry from time to time, mostly at people stealing my time IE support. And the idea of finding a highly effective anti-piracy measure is fascinating.

But almost none of us is without some sin in our life regarding music, movies or software downloading... So I think it's good to consider the pirates' perspectives. Effective antipiracy definitely drastically reduces the user base and the Internet knowledge base and familiarity, and its' questionable as to how much revenue might increase, if at all.

IE, piracy can be seen as free advertising, and an opportunity to show some pirates there are valid reasons why going legitimate might benefit them, or even reduce their guilt level. I've had a few people buy my app and apologize... :)
[Java for Android App Development] taomorpheus:
Well, this is my philosophy. I usually reply to all emails, build the app around the feedback from the community and try to fix all the issues. This permits to create a loyal group of users, and it's the reason why apps like Facebook Home are hated so much: they talk about building apps around people, but for them people is the product, so it's a fail from the beginning :D

After some considerations I have abandoned the idea to build an antipiracy system, the reason is in part related to your thoughts but also because the 60-70% of pirated versions come from nations like Burma, indonesia, etc etc. So I don't feel that someone is stealing, google play can't provide a service, so people react. The good thing is that despite the lack of a service, they try to use my apps, so that's good, right? :)

So, at the conclusion, the best antipiracy system is to not use an antipiracy system. Clearly it will be hard to be supported only by paying customers, but the majority accepts some ads if the product is good ( the important thing is to not include spammy and intrusive services, one banner or a full screen on time a day is sufficient).

Thank you for this reply, it's really important to know that there are good developers around! :highfive:
[Java for Android App Development] dbroid:
Have you tried google licensing?

Hi,

I am new to android development but I've read about google licensing services which checks for user account whether the app is actually purchased from that particular account associated with the user. If authentication fails then user gets a blocking dialog to either exit the app or purchase it from play store.
[Java for Android App Development] GR0S:
Cracker can easily remove IF and your won't ask to buy it.

There should be VMProtect or Themida like tool for android
[Java for Android App Development] nikwen:
It was hacked not long after its launch. :D

http://www.androidpolice.com/2010/0...on-easily-circumvented-will-not-stop-pirates/
[Java for Android App Development] mikereidis:
Yes. Most pirates can't afford the app or wouldn't buy it anyway. I also think that many pirates and those who felt "forced" to buy a protected app are bad customers. They will spread their bad feelings about the app and the "greedy dev".

And many have a sense of entitlement, so they make demands, expect lots of support, complain and write bad reviews. They project their own faults on others, and always assume others are trying to rip THEM off. Some have told me they were "testing" my app, because they were worried about getting ripped off if it didn't work (despite my free version and anytime cancel policy).

Better not to have such customers. These are the same people who think they are more important than everybody else and cheat in traffic and lineups etc.

For most of us small devs, yes. Things may be different for certain apps, such as those that need a backend server, and for multi-person companies.

You can also promote that your app is "DRM free". That's definitely a plus, especially to custom ROM users who may avoid using Google Play.

I tried ads for a few months in 2011. The "CPM" rates started good, but quickly dropped to almost nothing. I think it's very hard to make money from ads, unless your app has a million users, and they are more "average" people who might click on the ads, accidentally or not.

I think it's usually better to raise app price as high as you can. I experimented a lot for many months between $1 and $10, usually keeping price constant for at least 2-3 weeks. I, and some others, have found that total income remains somewhat constant no matter what the price, LOL.

Now I've left price at the high end, so I can provide the best support possible, by limiting sales quantity. Some people think we should "make it up in volume", but that's a self-serving wish of the person who wants it cheaper. High volume might be viable if you provide zero technical support though.
[Java for Android App Development] Quinny899:
What I'd say in terms of pirate stuff is to not try too hard on the software level (though I might write a guide on a few useful methods and pieces of code to prevent the usual circumvention methods) but on the upload level. When you release a new version, wait a couple of days and then search for a pirate version of your app. If you find one, report it, they're usually down in about 5 minutes. The more often you do this, the more likely people are to search, find all the links are "dead" and then just think "stuff it, I'll just buy it". However, this will only work on people who can buy it and are using pirate versions because they wish to, not because they have to
[Java for Android App Development] mikereidis:
Because they'd PREFER not to spend money, if possible. In most areas of life, that's what most of us do. :)

Last I looked, this was the best Android cracking site: http://androidcracking.blogspot.ca/ . I read everything there twice before I started experimenting with protection code. If nothing else, it gives a glimpse of how hard it is to protect a popular app well.

I sent DMCA takedown requests to a few sites some time ago, but it's an endless task, and IMO not worth it, unless your app is VERY niche/has relatively few users. I've been "honored" to have my app included in several Torrents full of Android apps. Some of those Torrents are updated regularly.

I will still notify XDA admins if there's a link or offending ROM on XDA. XDA mods take it seriously.

Some companies will put out their own "pirate" fake or crippled versions of movies, and app devs could do the same. Perhaps have endless popups offering to buy the app legitimately. I personally wouldn't bother (at this time) but it could work. I agree that making piracy a hassle may improve sales a bit.

LOL, I just re-looked and see 3 on isohunt that are my app alone, but they are older. If I have time for "fun" later this year I should (1) start my own torrents, (2) collect IP addresses, and... I dunno; don't seriously want to be a copyright troll; rather design & develop.
[Java for Android App Development] Jonny:
The thing with anti piracy protection code is that they will almost certainly include a final comparison statement to decide whether the app is legit or not, even if there is a back end server operation, it will still return something and what it returns will almost certainly be incorporated into a method that returns a value (could be true/false, could be an integer or a string of charators)... It will literally take a smali hacker 3 minutes to reverse engineer a crack for it (hardest part is finding which smali file contains the license code).

Personally I don't see the point in wasting time and effort in making an advanced anti piracy method only to have it beaten in 3 mins.

I'd rather spend that time improving the apps I have out there, learning more about android app development and making more apps to help improve my knowledge.

Just my 2 cents fo what its worth ;)
[Java for Android App Development] mikereidis:
Yes.

But there ARE a few apps that have been successful in frustrating the hackers.

The "trick" is to spread unique and tricky tests throughout the app, that are difficult to decipher in their entirety.

For example, in JNI, add some code that does a CRC type function on parts of the APK and/or SO library file or whatever files. Do strange things with the results and put them in various memory locations.

Elsewhere in the code (like a polling function), do more unusual things with the results and put them somewhere else. Then do strange tests in a 3rd part of the code.

For extra trickiness, put some bugs in the code, go past the end of buffers (in C/C++ of course), and make the code fail in subtle ways. For example, I have a polling function that returns an event code. I made it so that a "do nothing" event code was always returned. Generally, the app "works", but functions that rely on polling just magically stop working.

If strange things using encryption functions can be used, all the better.

--------

So yes, it can be done, to make an app very difficult to crack. It will never be impossible to crack though.

And for most of us small devs, we're better off just putting all the time and effort into the app, marketing the app better or whatever increases sales.

Re: marketing, one thing I've done (but never initially intended as marketing) is to use Google to find people discussing my app. I register if need be, and offer whatever help & info I can. People appreciate seeing a dev out there, not just "hiding" in our own world of coding.

I think stuff like this may have a better return than time spent on copy protection.
[Java for Android App Development] Jonny:
Interesting... you are of course right (and I had not thought of those particular ways of doing it) but to me that seems like a lot of effort to go to and a lot of time to invest in incorporating all this into an app... I'm not saying that for some it won't be worth doing (eg large scale developers or corporate companies) but for me its only something I'd look into as a way of broadening knowledge...

Another thing I've pretty much just thought about is there are programs like dex2jar and jd-gui that help potential hackers see (to a certain extent - I know it doesn't yield great results but for a basic understanding of which parts of the code do what it's sufficient) what the programmer has done in terms of anti piracy.

Added to this, each method we try that hackers successfully crack, their knowledge of how to defeat such measures also broadens so the anti piracy code would then have to be changed, improved again. Then come along the hackers and crack it and the cycle starts again with the developer having to think of ever more complex ways of doing it... in my eyes this quickly becomes a waste of time :p
[Java for Android App Development] v3nturetheworld:
I like your idea of in a sense 'leaking' your own app, just a more advertisement heavy version. It's a tuff line to walk on though, too many ads and they will be frustrated and not want to use it, just the right amount and you will make some cash but putting a buy button in it wouldn't really be fare. As for IP logging and suing, it's really not worth it and if for reasons they chose not to buy it in the first place, a law suit would probably wreck them. I don't think legal action is really worth the time.
[Java for Android App Development] mikereidis:
It's worse than you imagine. The good hackers have fully and semi-automated tools that make most app protections easy to bypass.

One little defense has been string encryption, especially for strings like "Piracy detected...". Note the most recent Jan 2013 entry here is for string decryption.

I've reversed a bunch of stock FM apps using baksmali for apps, and sometimes jd-gui for framework code. The jd-gui output was effectively full Java which made it easy to analyse.

Baksmali produces a strange "smali" code which takes getting used to. But once you do, especially if you have tools to help, pretty much all the secrets of the Java code can be deciphered, modified, and a hacked APK built.

The way Java works makes it impossible to prevent reverse-engineering. Obfuscation can help to hide internal code (but not API calls), but it kills debuggability and can be a pain sometimes.

So yeah, not worth even bothering for most of us.

It can be an interesting technical exercise to imagine a good scheme. If anyone was ever able to create an easy to use toolkit that made piracy extremely difficult, they might be able to make at least a small fortune selling it to devs and dev cos large and small. But widely used DRM will always fail; it's like trying to create perpetual motion or cold fusion.
[Java for Android App Development] nikwen:
If they sold it, the hackers would be able to hack it again. They could buy it and then hack many apps afterwards.
[Java for Android App Development] superkoal:
I don't think one can do a bulletproof DRM without hardware, but even the usb dongles for pc's have been reversed, so I'm +1 for spending the amount of time this would need elsewhere ;) Maybe I'll implement the google licensing service, just to try.

---------- Post added at 11:11 PM ---------- Previous post was at 10:59 PM ----------

I really love what those guys did, it's amazing :D

http://www.greenheartgames.com/blog/
[Java for Android App Development] nikwen:
Funny. :D
[Nexus 7 General] superuser.pm:
i user cleanrom4.0 i feel audio too small

i can flash kingbeat or xlouder for my nexus7 ?
[HTC One S] KRN03:
Hi Guys,

I tried searching the web for this but just couldn't find a concrete answer.

Do carrier related phones still depend on the carrier for OTA updates when unlocked or they receive timely updates directly from the manufacturer?

I am buying an Unlocked T mobile One S here in India obviously because of the superior S4 processor. I read in the forums that the T Mobile Jelly Bean update really messes up the battery life. Hence I was wondering if even I would have the same problem.

So my question is, will my phone in India also get the T Mobile update or the HTC one. Also in the future, would it be receiving all OTA updates from HTC?

Sent from my Nexus 4
[HTC One S] usaff22:
T-Mobile does not send the file themselves. Your CID, which is probably T-MOB010, is used to decide whether to give you world-wide, unbranded updates or something else. Yours will get the update from T-Mobile, but it will be released from HTC's servers
[HTC One S] dr3amsINdigital:
If you mean a SIM unlocked T-Mobile HTC One S, then yes, it will still receive OTA updates. Mine is SIM unlocked and still got the JB update.
[HTC One S] KRN03:
Yes, would the unlocked T Mobile HTC one S have to wait for T Mobile JB update as per United States or since I am using it on Vodafone and in India, it would get the JB update as and when any other HTC One S in India gets it?

Glad if you could help.

Thanks.

Sent from my Nexus 4
[HTC One S] yatindroid:
Yes you have to wait as T-Mobile modify ota update and test again over there network then release it

It lags 2-3 months

I purchased my s4 HTC One S black

2 month ago from USA but not T-Mobile version it is factory unlocked European version

My opinion try more & you will find same as mine don't buy T-Mobile version when you update them they can be lock again 3g net frequency problem also there

From HTC One S
[HTC Pico (Explorer)] <CyberAnarchy>:
A team LeDerps Production..

Hello guys i present you the UBUNTU TOUCH EXPERIENCE ROM.

This is based on miuiv5 by Recognized Themer amal das(thanks bro)

I have taken his permission to use it as my base (because of the "orange factor" being common to ubuntu too)

Its not that great i admit, but will give a small taste of ubuntu to the ones trying out along with stability.

NOTE: LOCKSCREEN NOT INCLUDED! GET LOCKSCREEN FROM HERE:http://xdaforums.com/showthread.php?p=41092669#post41092669

What works:

wifi

data

touchscreen

music

camera

video recording

What doesnt work:

side dock

Screenshots:

Link: http://d-h.st/cbB

Note: there was a problem in creating my zip so im providing my backup

HOW TO INSTALL:

Extract the backup folder and place it in sdcard clockworkmod/backup (FOR CWM USERS)

Format data

Make 1gb sd-ext

mount it

restore backup'

and done!

Enjoy guys!

What can you expect in #2

Working side dock

More themeing

Proper zip.

Changed bootanimation

Credits:

amal das

me

navinn(partner in LeDerps)
[HTC Pico (Explorer)] wsdyleon:
How to restore the backup by the ones who use the TWRP?exactly same?
[HTC Pico (Explorer)] <CyberAnarchy>:
No.. i think the name of the folder is different.

I think its TWRP/Backups.

I dont know exactly, never used twrp except in my other device
[HTC Pico (Explorer)] Arjun12357:
Procedure to flash

1 download the rom

2 copy "Clockworkmod" folder to your SD card

3 reboot to your recovery (power + volume key)

4 Create 1gb ext 3/4 partition

5 Go to "Backup and restore" option

6 Select "restore"

7 Reboot system and enjoy
[HTC Pico (Explorer)] wsdyleon:
do you mean that twrp can support the backups from cwm directly?
[HTC Pico (Explorer)] <CyberAnarchy>:
Ooops
[HTC Pico (Explorer)] wsdyleon:
Does the ROM support multilanguage？

and were the issues in MIUI v5 fixed？
[HTC Pico (Explorer)] Red Devil:
Uh. So what is this exactly? A themed rom (miui) ?

I'm on my tab
[HTC Pico (Explorer)] <CyberAnarchy>:
Ummm yeah?I have stated quite clearly in the description that its a themed miui.

So yes its a miuiv5 themed ROM.
[HTC Pico (Explorer)] <CyberAnarchy>:
I thought miui v5 was stable???
[HTC Pico (Explorer)] navinn:
they have named it stable...

no offence to anyone..

but its not for me...

still some bugs bro...
[HTC Pico (Explorer)] <CyberAnarchy>:
Oh! then i shall try to fix as many as i can.
[HTC Pico (Explorer)] Arjun12357:
Buddy your work seems nice,, I have a suggestion for you, regarding New Rom (more of theming) I will pm you,, good work by the way, but buddy miui v5 is not that stable,,,
[HTC Pico (Explorer)] <CyberAnarchy>:
Ive used it for the looks..

the dialer and icon style is similar. It also has that "orange" element present in ubuntu.
[HTC Pico (Explorer)] navinn:
Is this dead derps...???
[HTC Pico (Explorer)] <CyberAnarchy>:
No...was waiting for your exams to finish...i need some help.
[HTC Pico (Explorer)] navinn:
Exams over bro...
[General Questions and Answers] first-mate:
ok .. just to be clear i have read every post on every forum out there .. 7 hours of googling and trying all kind of solutions .. no luck :(

anyways so basically i did a nandroid restore .. and it was all fine .. then i i was doing the OTA update and when it restarted it got into a loop .. so dumb me i did a factory setting reset from the bootloader thing .. now i cant use stock recovery i get the red triangle thing .. and non of the custom recoveries let me mount my sd card .. even when it says sd card mounted and doesnt mention any errors its not showing in windows...

*sigh* also i cant do an ruu because before the nandroid restore i had cyanogenmod 10.1 so now my phone is 3.16 and there is no ruu for that ...

am i stuck for good like this ? can anyone help me please ... im not sure if anyone would even read all of this :( really sad ...

oh and its htc one x cid HTC__ J15
[General Questions and Answers] DannyAb:
Have you tried downloading stock RUU? It should work regardless of wgat you have installed. It saved my ass plenty of time ;)

Sent from my HTC One X+