[Nook Touch Android Development] nmyshkin:
XDA member @jeff_kz released NookManager back in 2012 and many grateful people have used it to root their devices and make backups. It's still a great piece of software but a little dust has settled on it and the NST/G has moved on to FW 1.2.2 which NookManager can't handle in its default condition.

I have updated NookManager so that it will work with FW 1.2.2 and have also made a few other updates and changes, hopefully resulting in a slightly better experience. This update also works for FW 1.2.1 if you have some reason to retain it.

Changes in NookManager

Changes in apps

"Classic" version

-updated the old ReLaunch 1.3.8 to ReLaunchX 2.1.5 from F-Droid

-removed the defunct Amazon App Store

-added Opera Mini 7.6.40125

"Traditional" version

-removed ReLaunch 1.3.8

-removed defunct Amazon App Store

-added Opera Mini 7.6.40125

-added ADW Launcher 1.3.3.9

-added ES File Explorer 1.6.2.3

"Stealth" version

-updated the old ReLaunch 1.3.8 to ReLaunchX 2.1.5 from F-Droid (this is a temporary app which you will uninstall eventually)

-removed the defunct Amazon App Store

-added Opera Mini 7.6.40125

-added ES File Explorer 1.6.2.3

-added MIUI App Drawer 1.5.1

Changes in rooting process

-updates the file /system/etc/security/cacerts.bks with a more current version

-removes the three junk apps: Browser, Gallery, Music (they don't work)

Changes in function

"Disable B&N apps" has been reworked. In the original version this option essentially gutted /system/app but it did not address the residual B&N jar files which continue to stir up activity in the system and lower battery charge life. Meanwhile some standard Android stuff in /system/app was thrown out as well. Some of those files are needed for other things people might want to do. So I have scaled back the purge to only the B&N apps

and

jars. This option is for people who want to build their own interface and completely abandon the stock home, reader, library, dictionary, etc. Surprisingly the Quicknav button system survives this exorcism, although their target functions have been removed. They can be assigned other functions with NTMM.

The change is non-destructive as the apps and jars are simply moved into "disabled" folders. So if you get buyers remorse the option to "Enable B&N apps" moves everything back where it belongs and deletes the "disabled" folders.

Other changes

-replaced the patched 1.2.1 jars with patched 1.2.2 jars (required for Nook Touch Mod Manager app)

Note: if you're working with an old device (US or UK) that is not registered, you will want to have a registered device if you intend to use the B&N reader. Since it is no longer possible to register an NST/G with B&N as of June 2024, see The Phoenix Project for alternatives.

Getting it done!

Follow the directions in the original NookManager thread, substituting one of the three images I have provided below.

NookManager Classic

(download) MD5: d3a90a8a473d635f93f3b7d2feb9b177

This is the closest to the original version, with an updated ReLaunchX (a combination launcher and file manager expressly made for e-ink readers) and the added Opera Mini. Note that ReLaunchX does

not

offer root access so any manipulation of files at the system level must be done via ADB or with yet another file manager app.

NookManager Traditional

(download) MD5: 71722794f4186be7769b74f1d70ae194

This offers a more typical Android experience with a regular launcher and a separate file manager (with root access). Both ADW Launcher and ES File Explorer are less than ideal visually for the NST out-of-the-box. For that reason the zip includes basic configuration files for both apps as well as instructions for applying them.

NookManager Stealth

(download) MD5: 23371cad76ec8b05a1e0c0b7c8754720

This combination is for the person who really is content with the B&N overlay but wants to run "just a few" apps occasionally. ReLaunchX is installed initially only to allow manipulation of apps while configuration is done. Then it is to be uninstalled. The MIUI App Drawer is

only

an app drawer, not a launcher. Nook Touch Mod Manager is used to assign the App Drawer to a hardware button press or long-press. ES File Explorer is also installed to allow easy file manipulation (and root access). To the casual observer, this configuration looks and behaves like a stock NST--until the secret button is pressed. The zip contains a configuration file for ES File Explorer as well as instructions for setting up the App Drawer.

I have tested these image files repeatedly on a device running

registered FW 1.2.2

.

If you would like to further customize NookManager to meet your personal requirements there are instructions for changing the app complement in post #2 below.

As always, Make A Backup before you try anything with your NookManager card.

"I don't need no stinkin' backup". Au contraire. No one has a device with hard-baked FW 1.2.2. If you have to go back....you'll end up back at 1.2.1 or 1.1.5 or.... If you have a non-US device it will be even worse. So a backup of non-rooted and registered FW 1.2.2 will save you time and trouble in the end. NookManager makes it so easy. Did you know that if you connect your NST/G to your PC via USB while NookManager is running, the invisible NookBackup partition becomes visible and you can copy any backups to your PC? I keep a few with notes so I can return to a working configuration if I mess things up (or just change my mind). Backup, Backup, Backup.

Tips:

1. Superuser is a small nuisance because it wants to tell you each time an app accesses root. You can stop this alert by going into its Settings and unchecking Notifications. You'll still get a first-time permission prompt, but not the "there s/he goes again" one.

If

SU is being a super pain and refuses to even open when you tap on the app icon, navigate to /data/data/com.noshufou.android.su/shared_prefs and delete the xml file inside. Then try accessing the app again. That generally frightens it into submission.

2. If you use the B&N system but don't use "Nook Community" you can stop this nagware from spitting out little notifications all the time. Using a file manager with root access, go to /system/app and locate NookCommunity.apk. Rename it NookCommunity.apk.bak. Voila! This doesn't seem to upset the rest of the B&N system at all.