How to make Android application system (Android OS)

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Hello, Geekzz,

 In this guide you will find one very simple way how to install your Pixel Launcher as a system app. This guide will serve not only for the Pixel launcher app, but for all apps that you want to make system.



  • A simple way to make your android application system.
  • Step by step instructions with pictures and video clips.

**System apps vs Non-System apps**
  • A System application is merely an application which is placed under /system/app folder in an Android device.The benefit of a System application is that the application cannot be removed from the device (cannot be uninstalled by the user). 
  • A non-System application is an ordinary application, which will be installed under /data/app folder.A user can uninstall such applications normally from the Settings application
There's no difference in terms of app performance when it comes to having the apps as a system or non-system apps. As stated, non-system apps allow the user to delete apps.System apps usually are apps and services that may affect device performance or services if removed or modified. Google services is one such example. If deleted, you'll likely have problems connecting to the various services offered by Google.

**Requirements**
  • Your Android device must be rooted.
  • A root access file manager of your choice - I'm using Solid Explorer, but you can use ES File Explorer with the same success.
  • The APK file for the app you want to install as a system app.Please use this web-site APKmirror to find your application and to download a needed .apk file.


**The step by step guide:**
Before starting with the guide, I want to mention that there are other methods to perform this procedure, but I found out that this is the easiest and the fastest way.
  • For this guide, I'm using LG Nexus 5x as this is daily driver smartphone.
    •
  • The app that I will install as System app will be Pixel Launcher 7.1.1
  • So if you want to change your Google Now launcher with the new Google Pixel launcher wich was presented with the new Pixel phones you can read below guide.
Step1
Download needed application files(.apk file) You can do that from APKmirror web-site. Save this file on your desktop/Laptop or directly download it to your smartphone.
 *If you save your app in your desktop, you will need to transfer to your phone.



 Step 2 
Open your File explorer, give him root access (if you are using es explorer you need to give /System additional Read/Write Access ). In Solid Explorer, this is not needed.
Check in SuperSU if your file explorer is listed.



Step 3 
Go to the folder where you apk. file is stored and copy this file. Then move it to the root directory - system (Root Folder >System>App) and past it there.




Step 4
Go to the apk file and select it, then go to the 3 dots in the upper right corner of the app and select Properties



 Step 5 
In order to make Google Pixel luncher system app, we need to give it proper rights. So go to Properties>Attributes, and give Owner-rw, Group -r Global -r permissions.




 Step 6
Reboot your phone.When your phone boot back to your ROM, you will be asked to set your default Android launcher, select Google Pixel and select Always

Have in mind that you can install Google Pixel Launcher normally without following these steps, but you will miss the slide right option from the Google NOW. Your app will be installed in /data/app folder.


Good luck!



Copyrights&Disclamer
  • *I do not own any of the pictures/video clips in this post. They are used only for educational/informational purposes.

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