[HOW-TO] Create an update.zip

[phoenixsong6]

So, if you want to create a .zip with something to add to your phone, there are a few tools to automate their creation, but restricted to Windows. Here I will explain the mechanics of their creation (applicable in all OSs).

Things you need:

1. Item to be added (example, Calculator.apk)
2. Testsign.jar: Get it here

1) Decide where the item to be added goes (/system/app)

2) Create the folders appropriate to the location from step 1
For me, this would mean I create a folder, 'app', inside a folder 'system'
For Windows Command Line:

mkdir systemapp

For Unix Command Line:

mkdir -p system/app

3) Move the item into the correct location
For me, Calculator.apk is located at system/app/Calculator.apk

4) Create the following file tree: META-INF/com/google/android
Use the appropriate code from above.

5) create a file called update-script in META-INF/com/google/android
Note the lack of an extension, to achieve this effect, Windows users should include quotation marks around the name in the Save As dialog box.( Save As: "update-script")

6) update-script:

show_progress 0.1 0
copy_dir PACKAGE:system SYSTEM:
show_progress 0.1 10

Please add an empty line at the end!!

The code above is pretty easy to understand The thing to note is the line with copy_dir:
Syntax: copy_dir <src-dir> <dst-dir> [<timestamp>]
Copy the contents of <src-dir> to <dst-dir>. The original contents of <dst-dir> are preserved unless something in <src-dir> overwrote them.

<src-dir> and <dst-dir> options:
ROOT: Root FileSystem ('/')
BOOT: Boot ('/dev/block/mtdblock0')
DATA: Data ('/data' or '/dev/block/mtdblock2')
CACHE: Cache ('/cache' or '/dev/block/mtdblock5')
MISC: ('/dev/block/mtdblock3')
PACKAGE: update.zip
RECOVERY: Recovery ('/dev/block/mtdblock4')
SDCARD: SDCard ('/sdcard')
SYSTEM: System ('/system' or '/dev/block/mtdblock1')
TMP: (RAM, cleared on reboot)

Example: If you wanted to copy 'somefolder' from your update.zip to your SDCard's 'Music' folder...

copy_dir PACKAGE:somefolder SDCARD:Music

7) Zip up the folders you created (For me, I zipped up META-INF and system into Calculator.zip).

8) Sign the update:

java -classpath <path to testsign.jar> testsign Calculator.zip Calculator-signed.zip

The classpath is the path to the folder containing testsign.jar. If it is in the same folder, the classpath is just './testsign.jar'

You are all set!

Note for Mac users:
OSX creates hidden files in all directories called '.DS_Store'. Please remember to remove them!

Note for Windows users:
I tend to use the Unix file separator ('/'), so please remember to switch it to '\' when using commands on your computer. On the other hand, Android is a Unix system, so android commands use '/'

[DJGHOSTS3V3N]

Awesome guide man. Once I get home ill thanks it.

Sent from my Nexus S using Tapatalk

[Pzyduck]

Thanks you so much, beautifull guide

Moved to correct area and sticky

[DJGHOSTS3V3N]

So, if you want to create a .zip with something to add to your phone, there are a few tools to automate their creation, but restricted to Windows. Here I will explain the mechanics of their creation (applicable in all OSs).

Things you need:

1. Item to be added (example, Calculator.apk)
2. Testsign.jar: Get it here

1) Decide where the item to be added goes (/system/app)

2) Create the folders appropriate to the location from step 1
For me, this would mean I create a folder, 'app', inside a folder 'system'
For Windows Command Line:

mkdir systemapp

For Unix Command Line:

mkdir -p system/app

3) Move the item into the correct location
For me, Calculator.apk is located at system/app/Calculator.apk

4) Create the following file tree: META-INF/com/google/android
Use the appropriate code from above.

5) create a file called update-script in META-INF/com/google/android
Note the lack of an extension, to achieve this effect, Windows users should include quotation marks around the name in the Save As dialog box.( Save As: "update-script")

6) update-script:

show_progress 0.1 0
copy_dir PACKAGE:system SYSTEM:
show_progress 0.1 10

Please add an empty line at the end!!

The code above is pretty easy to understand The thing to note is the line with copy_dir:
Syntax: copy_dir <src-dir> <dst-dir> [<timestamp>]
Copy the contents of <src-dir> to <dst-dir>. The original contents of <dst-dir> are preserved unless something in <src-dir> overwrote them.

<src-dir> and <dst-dir> options:
ROOT: Root FileSystem ('/')
BOOT: Boot ('/dev/block/mtdblock0')
DATA: Data ('/data' or '/dev/block/mtdblock2')
CACHE: Cache ('/cache' or '/dev/block/mtdblock5')
MISC: ('/dev/block/mtdblock3')
PACKAGE: update.zip
RECOVERY: Recovery ('/dev/block/mtdblock4')
SDCARD: SDCard ('/sdcard')
SYSTEM: System ('/system' or '/dev/block/mtdblock1')
TMP: (RAM, cleared on reboot)

Example: If you wanted to copy 'somefolder' from your update.zip to your SDCard's 'Music' folder...

copy_dir PACKAGE:somefolder SDCARD:Music

7) Zip up the folders you created (For me, I zipped up META-INF and system into Calculator.zip).

8) Sign the update:

java -classpath <path to testsign> testsign.jar Calculator.zip Calculator-signed.zip

The classpath is the path to the folder containing testsign.jar. If it is in the same folder, the classpath is just '.'

You are all set!

Note for Mac users:
OSX creates hidden files in all directories called '.DS_Store'. Please remember to remove them!

show_progress 0.1 0
copy_dir PACKAGE:framework FRAMEWORK:
show_progress 0.1 10

With this UPDATE-SCRIPT will the update.zip modify the framework folder?

[phoenixsong6]

show_progress 0.1 0
copy_dir PACKAGE:framework FRAMEWORK:
show_progress 0.1 10

With this UPDATE-SCRIPT will the update.zip modify the framework folder?

If framework is a directory in the root of your zip, it will work, but as I saw, it was in system/framework so your options are
PACKAGE:system/framework SYSTEM:framework
or the better method:
PACKAGE:system SYSTEM:

[DJGHOSTS3V3N]

Ohh thanks man.

Sent from my Nexus S using Tapatalk

[neo.ank]

Thanks a lot man... Really a useful Guide..

[dlucio]

Good guide. Just some questions:
If i wanto to copy su comand to /system/sbin and give it 4500 attributes how should it be?

[Saurus]

Complete and concise guide by @phoenixsong6 (as usual). One suggestion; if using a mtdblock as <dst_dir> do a 'mount' command to verify the assignment of the partition to /dev/block/mtdblockn before the copy_dir, since n can differ between various devices.

[phoenixsong6]

This is for the older recoveries and uses amend script. Most recoveries don't even support it anymore. I'm going to make a new guide in a few days for the newer edify scripting.

As for your note about mounting the blocks, for amend scripting, it is not necessary since the recovery automatically mounts the blocks and maps them with the appropriate name. For the newer edify script, though, yes, you need to remember to mount them before any manipulation.

[edsonmj]

I got your procedure as a final chance to my case.
Let me explain:
I root my XT531 and start to move some files from /system/app to have more space on the internal memory.
So, I had succes using the follow, I move the file.apk to my sdcard and replace a link to it in the original place.
So far I was feeling good and had 55 MB free.
But, my proud was broken when a I move a file named motoswitch.apk from /system/app to sdcard and forgotten to create a respective link to it on the original place. After reboot I got a blank Screen.
So, to make worst, I had enter in recovery mode and used "wipe data user" this was big mistake, because I lost the profile that could be used for example to receive an email and paste the file again.
So, as I explain, my final change is create a update.zip to restore the file to the correct folder.
When I tried your tip I got the message "E:Signature verification failed" ou "Invalid" I guess.
PS: the USB Debug option is not checked.
Please help me.

Regards.
Edson

[phoenixsong6]

Did you remember to sign the update.zip? (Step 8)

[DJGHOSTS3V3N]

Oh shiet this is an old thread. :O.

There are a lot of ways to sign a file out there, google it.

Sent from my MB501 using Tapatalk

[pwel]

I got your procedure as a final chance to my case.
Let me explain:
I root my XT531 and start to move some files from /system/app to have more space on the internal memory.
So, I had succes using the follow, I move the file.apk to my sdcard and replace a link to it in the original place.
So far I was feeling good and had 55 MB free.
But, my proud was broken when a I move a file named motoswitch.apk from /system/app to sdcard and forgotten to create a respective link to it on the original place. After reboot I got a blank Screen.
So, to make worst, I had enter in recovery mode and used "wipe data user" this was big mistake, because I lost the profile that could be used for example to receive an email and paste the file again.
So, as I explain, my final change is create a update.zip to restore the file to the correct folder.
When I tried your tip I got the message "E:Signature verification failed" ou "Invalid" I guess.
PS: the USB Debug option is not checked.
Please help me.

Regards.
Edson

I did exactly the same with my XT532. Now I try to install again motoswitch via update.zip but I keep on getting the error:
E:signature verification failed
The update package may be not correct or corrupted!

And yes, I signed the zip by executing step 8.

any clues?

[phoenixsong6]

Are you using a custom recovery? If so, which one?