From Newsgroup: alt.comp.os.windows-11

Keith Thompson wrote:

Lawrence DÿOliveiro <ldo@nz.invalid> writes:

On Wed, 19 Aug 2026 22:33:27 -0800, Maria Sophia wrote:

CUSTOM_ADB_PATH = r"C:\app\editor\android\scrcpy\adb.exe"

By the way, I think Python lets you write ´/¡ instead of ´\¡, which
saves trouble with r-strings.

File paths are interpreted by the OS. If an open() call succeeds
with "C:/app/editor/android/scrcpy/adb.exe", I don't think that has
anything to do with Python (other than Python not going out of its
way to make it fail).

See also the pathlib module.

Thank you for both those suggestions, each of which impacts portability
since the goal is that anyone on any desktop platform should be able to exactly backup and restore their phone apps down to the exact location
on the homescreen panes and the exact subversions without the Internet.

Taking the pathlib module suggestion separately, below is Keith's
suggestion taken into account for the path-direction separator.

This is more portable (or less non-portable, as the case may be).
Thanks for improving the script so more people can leverage it!

Note the adb.exe is hard coded in this example, but that's because
it's not in my path since I don't modify the path on Windows.

# -------------------------------------------------------------------
# apkhome.py
# Creates a perfect app archive replica from the phone to the desktop
# a. Exactly replicates Android homescreen panes/folders/apps/apk(s)
# b. Into a replicated desktop-folder hierarchy, including apk(s)
# c. And to a batch file (to install onto another phone that archive)
# d. Replicating the exact icon names, locations and app subversions
# e. Over Wi-Fi or USB on the LAN (without any account or Internet use)
# f. Designed to be easily ported to macOS and/or Linux when needed.
# -------------------------------------------------------------------
# Usage: python apkhome.py
# -------------------------------------------------------------------
# v2p3 20260823 Changed backslash to forwardslash for improved portability
# v2p2 20260820 Added strict return-code validation for adb pull transfers
# v2p1 20260819 Added automated batch-restoration-script generator
# v2p0 20260819 Added re-installation reference guide & ADB syntax options
# v1p9 20260819 Added missing/uninstalled app tracking list and report
# v1p8 20260819 Added _versio_ naming convention for package versioning
# v1p7 20260819 Added end-of-run execution summary and tracking metrics
# v1p6 20260819 Added cleanup prompt for existing ./apkhome directory
# v1p5 20260819 Added custom fallback path for scrcpy's bundled adb.exe
# v1p4 20260819 Added log file output (apkhome.log) alongside console
# v1p3 20260819 Added Ctrl+C (KeyboardInterrupt) handling & cleanup
# v1p2 20260819 Added interactive debug mode toggle for dry runs
# v1p1 20260819 Added automated ADB split/monolithic APK pulling
# v1p0 20260819 Combined SQL parsing and direct directory tree generation
# -------------------------------------------------------------------
# Creates a duplicate inventory of Android homescreen panels, folders,
# app icons, loose desktop shortcuts and Android application packages
# extracted from the Nova Launcher internal databases (nova.db).
#
# Reads nova.db, re-creates the homescreen folder and package hierarchy,
# checks for a connected ADB device, runs adb shell pm path <package>
# to dynamically locate and pull component files (base.apk plus splits)
# feeding results into the newly created matching homescreen hierarchy.
# -------------------------------------------------------------------
# Prerequisite: "nova.db" SQL database file created using the
# last-known-good-version of the Tesla Coil Nova Launcher 7.0.57
# <https://mobile.softpedia.com/apk/nova-launcher/7.0.57/>
#
# A. On Android, Nova Settings > Backup & restore > Backup > Save
# /storage/emulated/0/0000/bck/nova_backup/2026-08-19_11-31.novabackup
# B. Copy the nova backup to the desktop & rename it to a zip extension
# adb pull 2026-08-19_11-31.novabackup 2026-08-19_11-31.novabackup.zip
# C. Unzip using 7-zip (or equivalent)
# 08/19/2026 11:31 AM 7,430,144 nova.db
# 08/19/2026 11:31 AM 6,455 nova.xml
# 08/19/2026 11:31 AM 4,818 supportDetails.txt
#
# Tested on Android 13 USA-spec Samsung Galaxy A32-5G (locked bootloader)
# Tested on Windows 10, Python 3.14.1, with the phone on the Wi-Fi LAN
# -------------------------------------------------------------------
# Sample output (note that system apps may have defined APK names)
#
# com.android.systemui_versio_13
# 08/19/2026 09:14 PM 38,323,407 SystemUI.apk
# 1 File(s) 38,323,407 bytes
#
# com.simplemobiletools.clock_versio_5.11.2
# 08/19/2026 09:04 PM 10,004,630 base.apk
# 1 File(s) 10,004,630 bytes
#
# com.trianguloy.instantintent_versio_0.1
# 08/19/2026 09:06 PM 47,835 base.apk
# 08/19/2026 09:06 PM 10,221 split_config.xhdpi.apk
# 2 File(s) 58,056 bytes
#
# com.chibatching.worldclockwidget_versio_20260316.0
# 08/19/2026 09:04 PM 12,027,785 base.apk
# 08/19/2026 09:04 PM 57,672 split_config.arm64_v8a.apk
# 08/19/2026 09:04 PM 58,511 split_config.xhdpi.apk
# 3 File(s) 12,143,968 bytes
#
# com.neuracle.zulutime_versio_1.5
# 08/19/2026 09:03 PM 21,619,972 base.apk
# 08/19/2026 09:03 PM 25,650,697 split_config.arm64_v8a.apk
# 08/19/2026 09:03 PM 45,465 split_config.en.apk
# 08/19/2026 09:03 PM 67,159 split_config.xhdpi.apk
# 4 File(s) 47,383,293 bytes
#
# pixer.worldclock_versio_1.0.29
# 08/19/2026 09:03 PM 6,161,133 base.apk
# 08/19/2026 09:03 PM 14,546,665 split_config.arm64_v8a.apk
# 08/19/2026 09:03 PM 29,018 split_config.en.apk
# 08/19/2026 09:03 PM 16,730 split_config.es.apk
# 08/19/2026 09:03 PM 68,714 split_config.xhdpi.apk
# 5 File(s) 20,822,260 bytes
# -------------------------------------------------------------------
# To re-install the exact package subversion using adb over Wi-Fi,
# navigate into any specific app folder containing your pulled APKs,
# and then run the appropriate "adb install" command as shown below.
#
# For a single APK such as com.simplemobiletools.gallery.pro:
# adb install -r -d -i "com.android.vending" base.apk
#
# For multi-split install files:
# adb install-multiple base.apk split_config.arm64_v8a.apk split_config.en.apk
#
# Advanced flags for system migration / restores:
# -r : Replace existing application (updates/overwrites cleanly)
# -d : Allow version code downgrade (if the current device has a newer app)
# -i : Specify any desired custom installer package identifier tag
#
# Combined Example:
# adb install-multiple -r -d -i "adb" base.apk split_config.arm64_v8a.apk
# -------------------------------------------------------------------

import os
import re
import shutil
import sqlite3
import subprocess

db_file = "nova.db"
base_dir = "./apkhome"
log_filename = "apkhome.log"

# Explicit fallback path for ADB based on a typical scrcpy setup
# CUSTOM_ADB_PATH = r"C:\app\editor\android\scrcpy\adb.exe"

# Modified slash direction for portability to macOS, Linux & Windows
CUSTOM_ADB_PATH = r"C:\app\editor\android\scrcpy\adb.exe"

# Tracking metrics for summary
stats = {
"screens_processed": 0,
"folders_processed": 0,
"loose_apps_processed": 0,
"apps_attempted": 0,
"apps_success": 0,
"apps_failed": 0
}

# List to track missing/uninstalled packages for the final report
missing_apps_list = []

if not os.path.exists(db_file):
print(f"Error: {db_file} not found. Please place it in the working directory.")
exit(1)

# Open log file for writing
log_file = open(log_filename, "w", encoding="utf-8")

def log_print(message):
"""Prints to console and writes to the log file simultaneously."""
print(message)
log_file.write(message + "\n")
log_file.flush()

# Helper to find the correct adb executable command/path
def get_adb_binary():
# 1. Try global 'adb' command first
try:
subprocess.run(["adb", "version"], capture_output=True, text=True, check=True)
return "adb"
except (subprocess.SubprocessError, FileNotFoundError):
pass

# 2. Try the custom scrcpy path fallback
if os.path.exists(CUSTOM_ADB_PATH):
return CUSTOM_ADB_PATH

return None

def get_app_version(binary, pkg):
"""Queries package version name via ADB, returns 'unknown' if it fails."""
try:
res = subprocess.run(
[binary, "shell", "dumpsys", "package", pkg],
capture_output=True, text=True, timeout=5
)
for line in res.stdout.splitlines():
if "versionName=" in line:
parts = line.strip().split("versionName=")
if len(parts) > 1:
raw_ver = parts[1].split()[0]
return re.sub(r'[\\/*?:"<>|]', "", raw_ver)
except Exception:
pass
return "unknown"

# --- Setup & modes prompt ---
log_print("--- Setup Mode ---")
mode_choice = input("Run in [D]ebug mode (mock files, no phone needed) or [L]ive mode (real ADB pull)? [d/l]: ").strip().lower()
log_file.write(f"User selected mode choice: {mode_choice}\n")
DEBUG_MODE = mode_choice.startswith('d')

# --- Existing directory handling ---
if os.path.exists(base_dir):
clean_choice = input(f"Existing '{base_dir}' folder detected. [C]lean/wipe it completely or [K]eep existing files? [c/k]: ").strip().lower()
log_file.write(f"User selected directory cleanup choice: {clean_choice}\n")
if clean_choice.startswith('c'):
try:
shutil.rmtree(base_dir)
log_print(f"[i] Successfully wiped existing '{base_dir}' directory.")
except Exception as e:
log_print(f"[!] Warning: Failed to fully remove '{base_dir}': {e}")
else:
log_print(f"[i] Keeping existing '{base_dir}' directory (merging/updating content).")

adb_binary = None
adb_active = False

if DEBUG_MODE:
log_print("\n[!] Running in DEBUG mode. ADB will be bypassed, and dummy APKs will be created.")
else:
log_print("\n[i] Running in LIVE mode. Locating ADB binary...")
adb_binary = get_adb_binary()

if not adb_binary:
log_print(f"Warning: 'adb' not found in PATH or at custom path ({CUSTOM_ADB_PATH}). Skipping APK pulling.")
adb_active = False
else:
log_print(f"Using ADB binary at: {adb_binary}")
try:
adb_check = subprocess.run([adb_binary, "devices"], capture_output=True, text=True, check=True)
devices = [line for line in adb_check.stdout.splitlines() if "\tdevice" in line]
if not devices:
log_print("Warning: No active ADB devices found. Directory skeleton will be built, but APK pulling will be skipped.")
adb_active = False
else:
log_print(f"ADB device detected: {devices[0].split()[0]}")
adb_active = True
except (subprocess.SubprocessError, FileNotFoundError):
log_print("Warning: Failed to execute ADB. Skipping APK pulling.")
adb_active = False

log_print(f"\nConnecting to {db_file} and processing layout...")

conn = sqlite3.connect(db_file)
cursor = conn.cursor()

try:
# 1. Fetch distinct screen indices associated with desktop items
cursor.execute(
"SELECT DISTINCT screen FROM favorites WHERE container = -100 ORDER BY screen ASC;"
)
screens = cursor.fetchall()

for (screen_num,) in screens:
stats["screens_processed"] += 1
current_panel = f"panel_{screen_num}"
log_print(f"\n--- Processing: {current_panel} ---")

# 2. Find folders located directly on this specific screen (ignoring blank titles)
cursor.execute(
"SELECT _id, title FROM favorites WHERE container = -100 AND screen = ?"
" AND intent IS NULL AND title IS NOT NULL AND TRIM(title) != '';",
(screen_num,),
)
folders = cursor.fetchall()

for folder_id, folder_name in folders:
stats["folders_processed"] += 1
clean_folder_name = re.sub(r'[\\/*?:"<>|]', "", folder_name).strip()
if not clean_folder_name:
clean_folder_name = "unnamed_folder"

cursor.execute(
"SELECT title, intent FROM favorites WHERE container = ?;",
(folder_id,),
)
items = cursor.fetchall()

if items:
for app_title, intent in items:
stats["apps_attempted"] += 1
pkg = "Unknown"
if intent and "component=" in intent:
try:
part = intent.split("component=")[1]
pkg = part.split("/")[0]
except IndexError:
pkg = intent

# Fetch version if possible to build _versio_ suffix
version_str = "unknown"
if pkg != "Unknown":
if DEBUG_MODE:
version_str = "1.0.0-debug"
elif adb_active:
version_str = get_app_version(adb_binary, pkg)

pkg_folder_name = f"{pkg}_versio_{version_str}" if pkg != "Unknown" else pkg

target_path = os.path.join(
base_dir, current_panel, clean_folder_name, pkg_folder_name
)
os.makedirs(target_path, exist_ok=True)
log_print(f" [Folder] {clean_folder_name} -> App: {pkg} (v:{version_str})")

# Pull APK or generate mock file depending on mode
if DEBUG_MODE and pkg != "Unknown":
dummy_apk_path = os.path.join(target_path, "base.apk")
with open(dummy_apk_path, "w") as f:
f.write("mock apk content")
log_print(f" [Mock ADB] Created test file at {dummy_apk_path}")
stats["apps_success"] += 1
elif adb_active and pkg != "Unknown":
path_cmd = subprocess.run(
[adb_binary, "shell", "pm", "path", pkg],
capture_output=True, text=True
)
paths_found = 0
pull_success_count = 0

for line in path_cmd.stdout.splitlines():
if line.startswith("package:"):
remote_path = line.replace("package:", "").strip()
if remote_path:
paths_found += 1
pull_result = subprocess.run(
[adb_binary, "pull", remote_path, target_path],
stdout=subprocess.DEVNULL, stderr=subprocess.DEVNULL
)
if pull_result.returncode == 0:
pull_success_count += 1

if paths_found > 0 and pull_success_count == paths_found:
stats["apps_success"] += 1
else:
stats["apps_failed"] += 1
missing_apps_list.append(f"{current_panel} / {clean_folder_name} / {pkg}")
log_print(f" [ADB] Warning: Failed to fully pull APK(s) for package: {pkg}")
else:
stats["apps_failed"] += 1
else:
target_path = os.path.join(base_dir, current_panel, clean_folder_name)
os.makedirs(target_path, exist_ok=True)

# 3. Find loose/top-level apps sitting directly on this screen
cursor.execute(
"SELECT title, intent FROM favorites WHERE container = -100 AND screen = ?"
" AND intent IS NOT NULL;",
(screen_num,),
)
loose_apps = cursor.fetchall()

if loose_apps:
for app_title, intent in loose_apps:
stats["loose_apps_processed"] += 1
stats["apps_attempted"] += 1
pkg = "Unknown"
if intent and "component=" in intent:
try:
part = intent.split("component=")[1]
pkg = part.split("/")[0]
except IndexError:
pkg = intent

version_str = "unknown"
if pkg != "Unknown":
if DEBUG_MODE:
version_str = "1.0.0-debug"
elif adb_active:
version_str = get_app_version(adb_binary, pkg)

pkg_folder_name = f"{pkg}_versio_{version_str}" if pkg != "Unknown" else pkg

target_path = os.path.join(
base_dir, current_panel, "loose_apps", pkg_folder_name
)
os.makedirs(target_path, exist_ok=True)
log_print(f" [Loose App] {pkg} (v:{version_str})")

if DEBUG_MODE and pkg != "Unknown":
dummy_apk_path = os.path.join(target_path, "base.apk")
with open(dummy_apk_path, "w") as f:
f.write("mock apk content")
log_print(f" [Mock ADB] Created test file at {dummy_apk_path}")
stats["apps_success"] += 1
elif adb_active and pkg != "Unknown":
path_cmd = subprocess.run(
[adb_binary, "shell", "pm", "path", pkg],
capture_output=True, text=True
)
paths_found = 0
pull_success_count = 0

for line in path_cmd.stdout.splitlines():
if line.startswith("package:"):
remote_path = line.replace("package:", "").strip()
if remote_path:
paths_found += 1
pull_result = subprocess.run(
[adb_binary, "pull", remote_path, target_path],
stdout=subprocess.DEVNULL, stderr=subprocess.DEVNULL
)
if pull_result.returncode == 0:
pull_success_count += 1

if paths_found > 0 and pull_success_count == paths_found:
stats["apps_success"] += 1
else:
stats["apps_failed"] += 1
missing_apps_list.append(f"{current_panel} / loose_apps / {pkg}")
log_print(f" [ADB] Warning: Failed to fully pull APK(s) for package: {pkg}")
else:
stats["apps_failed"] += 1

# --- Execution summary block ---
summary_text = (
"\n"
"========================================\n"
" Execution summary\n"
"========================================\n"
f"Panels/Screens Processed: {stats['screens_processed']}\n"
f"Folders Discovered: {stats['folders_processed']}\n"
f"Loose Apps Discovered: {stats['loose_apps_processed']}\n"
f"----------------------------------------\n"
f"Total App References: {stats['apps_attempted']}\n"
f"Successfully Pulled APKs: {stats['apps_success']}\n"
f"Missing / Uninstalled: {stats['apps_failed']}\n"
"========================================\n"
)
log_print(summary_text)

# --- Missing apps detailed report ---
if missing_apps_list:
missing_report = "Missing / Uninstalled Apps Breakdown:\n"
for item in missing_apps_list:
missing_report += f" - {item}\n"
missing_report += "========================================\n"
log_print(missing_report)

# --- Optional Restoration Script Generation ---
gen_script_choice = input("Would you like to generate an ADB batch restoration script for these pulled apps? [y/n]: ").strip().lower()
log_file.write(f"User selected restoration script generation choice: {gen_script_choice}\n")

if gen_script_choice.startswith('y'):
restore_script_filename = "restore_apps.bat"
commands = []

if os.path.exists(base_dir):
for root, dirs, files in os.walk(base_dir):
apks = [f for f in files if f.endswith(".apk")]
if apks:
# Sort so base.apk always comes first
apks.sort(key=lambda x: 0 if x == "base.apk" else 1)
apk_paths = [os.path.join(root, apk) for apk in apks]

binary_to_use = adb_binary if adb_binary else "adb"

if len(apk_paths) == 1:
cmd = f'"{binary_to_use}" install -r -d -i "com.android.vending" "{apk_paths[0]}"'
else:
joined_apks = '" "'.join(apk_paths)
cmd = f'"{binary_to_use}" install-multiple -r -d -i "com.android.vending" "{joined_apks}"'

commands.append(cmd)

with open(restore_script_filename, "w", encoding="utf-8") as r_file:
r_file.write("@echo off\n")
r_file.write(":: Generated by apkhome.py Restoration Script Generator\n")
r_file.write("echo Starting batch app restoration...\n\n")
for cmd in commands:
r_file.write(cmd + "\n")
r_file.write("\necho Restoration script completed.\n")
r_file.write("pause\n")

log_print(f"[i] Successfully generated restoration script: {restore_script_filename} ({len(commands)} apps targeted).")

except KeyboardInterrupt:
log_print("\n\n[!] Operation cancelled by user (Ctrl+C). Exiting safely...")

finally:
# Ensure database connection and log file are cleanly closed
conn.close()
log_file.close()

# end of apkhome.py
--
The great thing about Usenet is people work together to help everyone learn. --- Synchronet 3.21d-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: alt.comp.os.windows-11

Keith Thompson wrote:

Lawrence D'Oliveiro <ldo@nz.invalid> writes:

On Wed, 19 Aug 2026 22:33:27 -0800, Maria Sophia wrote:

CUSTOM_ADB_PATH = r"C:\app\editor\android\scrcpy\adb.exe"

By the way, I think Python lets you write "/" instead of "\", which
saves trouble with r-strings.

File paths are interpreted by the OS. If an open() call succeeds
with "C:/app/editor/android/scrcpy/adb.exe", I don't think that has
anything to do with Python (other than Python not going out of its
way to make it fail).

See also the pathlib module.

Thank you for making both suggestions above, which have been incorporated
into the latest two versions, which each further improve the eventual portability to the other desktop platforms (namely macOS & Linux).

v2p4 20260823 Adopted pathlib module for cross-platform path handling
v2p3 20260823 Changed backslash to forwardslash for improved portability

As an unrelated aside, the common Apple trolls who infested this thread
clearly didn't read the script (nor understand it) so they weren't aware
it creates a batch file (which handles the desktop-to-device restoration).

Back to improving the script for portability, it's a worthwhile endeavor
as I'm not aware this functionality exists anywhere else on the Internet.

Currently, restore_apps.bat relies on Windows syntax (@echo off, pause, backslashes/quotes), but if we ever decide to port the entire workflow
to macOS or Linux in the future, we could expand version v2p4 to generate
an additional companion shell script (e.g., restore_apps.sh using chmod +x) alongside the batch file which the script outputs for replication.

Here's the latest version taking into account both of Keith's suggestions!
# -------------------------------------------------------------------
# apkhome.py
# Creates a perfect app archive replica of the phone to the desktop
# 1. Exactly replicates Android homescreen panes/folders/apps/apk(s)
# 2. Into a perfect duplicate on the desktop
# 3. And also to a batch file
# 4. Which can be used to restore that perfect archive to any phone
# Note that
# A. The exact homescreen panes are replicated in the same order
# B. Using the exact folder names replicated in the same locations
# C. And using the exact icon launcher names and exact placement
# D. Along with each icon calling the exact same actionable intent
# E. Which launches the exact same app versions as the original
# Also note
# a. This works without the cloud, any accounts or the Internet
# b. As it works over Wi-Fi on the LAN or with the phone on USB
# c. Built using pathlib for native macOS, Linux and Windows support
# WIP: Perhaps add a companion macOS/Linux script to the Windows batch
# -------------------------------------------------------------------
# Usage: python apkhome.py
# -------------------------------------------------------------------
# v2p4 20260823 Adopted pathlib module for cross-platform path handling
# v2p3 20260823 Changed backslash to forwardslash for improved portability
# v2p2 20260820 Added strict return-code validation for adb pull transfers
# v2p1 20260819 Added automated batch-restoration-script generator
# v2p0 20260819 Added re-installation reference guide & ADB syntax options
# v1p9 20260819 Added missing/uninstalled app tracking list and report
# v1p8 20260819 Added _versio_ naming convention for package versioning
# v1p7 20260819 Added end-of-run execution summary and tracking metrics
# v1p6 20260819 Added cleanup prompt for existing ./apkhome directory
# v1p5 20260819 Added custom fallback path for scrcpy's bundled adb.exe
# v1p4 20260819 Added log file output (apkhome.log) alongside console
# v1p3 20260819 Added Ctrl+C (KeyboardInterrupt) handling & cleanup
# v1p2 20260819 Added interactive debug mode toggle for dry runs
# v1p1 20260819 Added automated ADB split/monolithic APK pulling
# v1p0 20260819 Combined SQL parsing and direct directory tree generation
# -------------------------------------------------------------------
# Creates a duplicate inventory of Android homescreen panels, folders,
# app icons, loose desktop shortcuts and Android application packages
# extracted from the Nova Launcher internal databases (nova.db).
#
# Reads nova.db, re-creates the homescreen folder and package hierarchy,
# checks for a connected ADB device, runs adb shell pm path <package>
# to dynamically locate and pull component files (base.apk plus splits)
# feeding results into the newly created matching homescreen hierarchy.
# -------------------------------------------------------------------
# Prerequisite: "nova.db" SQL database file created using the
# last-known-good-version of the Tesla Coil Nova Launcher 7.0.57
# <https://mobile.softpedia.com/apk/nova-launcher/7.0.57/>
#
# A. On Android, Nova Settings > Backup & restore > Backup > Save
# /storage/emulated/0/0000/bck/nova_backup/2026-08-19_11-31.novabackup
# B. Copy the nova backup to the desktop & rename it to a zip extension
# adb pull 2026-08-19_11-31.novabackup 2026-08-19_11-31.novabackup.zip
# C. Unzip using 7-zip (or equivalent)
# 08/19/2026 11:31 AM 7,430,144 nova.db
# 08/19/2026 11:31 AM 6,455 nova.xml
# 08/19/2026 11:31 AM 4,818 supportDetails.txt
#
# Tested on Android 13 USA-spec Samsung Galaxy A32-5G (locked bootloader)
# Tested on Windows 10, Python 3.14.1, with the phone on the Wi-Fi LAN
# -------------------------------------------------------------------
# Sample output (note that system apps may have defined APK names)
#
# com.android.systemui_versio_13
# 08/19/2026 09:14 PM 38,323,407 SystemUI.apk
# 1 File(s) 38,323,407 bytes
#
# com.simplemobiletools.clock_versio_5.11.2
# 08/19/2026 09:04 PM 10,004,630 base.apk
# 1 File(s) 10,004,630 bytes
#
# com.trianguloy.instantintent_versio_0.1
# 08/19/2026 09:06 PM 47,835 base.apk
# 08/19/2026 09:06 PM 10,221 split_config.xhdpi.apk
# 2 File(s) 58,056 bytes
#
# com.chibatching.worldclockwidget_versio_20260316.0
# 08/19/2026 09:04 PM 12,027,785 base.apk
# 08/19/2026 09:04 PM 57,672 split_config.arm64_v8a.apk
# 08/19/2026 09:04 PM 58,511 split_config.xhdpi.apk
# 3 File(s) 12,143,968 bytes
#
# com.neuracle.zulutime_versio_1.5
# 08/19/2026 09:03 PM 21,619,972 base.apk
# 08/19/2026 09:03 PM 25,650,697 split_config.arm64_v8a.apk
# 08/19/2026 09:03 PM 45,465 split_config.en.apk
# 08/19/2026 09:03 PM 67,159 split_config.xhdpi.apk
# 4 File(s) 47,383,293 bytes
#
# pixer.worldclock_versio_1.0.29
# 08/19/2026 09:03 PM 6,161,133 base.apk
# 08/19/2026 09:03 PM 14,546,665 split_config.arm64_v8a.apk
# 08/19/2026 09:03 PM 29,018 split_config.en.apk
# 08/19/2026 09:03 PM 16,730 split_config.es.apk
# 08/19/2026 09:03 PM 68,714 split_config.xhdpi.apk
# 5 File(s) 20,822,260 bytes
# -------------------------------------------------------------------
# To re-install the exact package subversion using adb over Wi-Fi,
# navigate into any specific app folder containing your pulled APKs,
# and then run the appropriate "adb install" command as shown below.
#
# For a single APK such as com.simplemobiletools.gallery.pro:
# adb install -r -d -i "com.android.vending" base.apk
#
# For multi-split install files:
# adb install-multiple base.apk split_config.arm64_v8a.apk split_config.en.apk
#
# Advanced flags for system migration / restores:
# -r : Replace existing application (updates/overwrites cleanly)
# -d : Allow version code downgrade (if the current device has a newer app)
# -i : Specify any desired custom installer package identifier tag
#
# Combined Example:
# adb install-multiple -r -d -i "adb" base.apk split_config.arm64_v8a.apk
# -------------------------------------------------------------------

import re
import shutil
import sqlite3
import subprocess
from pathlib import Path

db_file = Path("nova.db")
base_dir = Path("./apkhome")
log_filename = Path("apkhome.log")

# Custom fallback path for ADB using pathlib for universal OS interpretation
CUSTOM_ADB_PATH = Path("C:/app/editor/android/scrcpy/adb.exe")

# Tracking metrics for summary
stats = {
"screens_processed": 0,
"folders_processed": 0,
"loose_apps_processed": 0,
"apps_attempted": 0,
"apps_success": 0,
"apps_failed": 0
}

# List to track missing/uninstalled packages for the final report
missing_apps_list = []

if not db_file.exists():
print(f"Error: {db_file} not found. Please place it in the working directory.")
exit(1)

# Open log file for writing via pathlib
log_file = log_filename.open("w", encoding="utf-8")

def log_print(message):
"""Prints to console and writes to the log file simultaneously."""
print(message)
log_file.write(message + "\n")
log_file.flush()

# Helper to find the correct adb executable command/path using pathlib
def get_adb_binary():
# 1. Try global 'adb' command first
try:
subprocess.run(["adb", "version"], capture_output=True, text=True, check=True)
return "adb"
except (subprocess.SubprocessError, FileNotFoundError):
pass

# 2. Try the custom scrcpy path fallback
if CUSTOM_ADB_PATH.exists():
return str(CUSTOM_ADB_PATH)

return None

def get_app_version(binary, pkg):
"""Queries package version name via ADB, returns 'unknown' if it fails."""
try:
res = subprocess.run(
[binary, "shell", "dumpsys", "package", pkg],
capture_output=True, text=True, timeout=5
)
for line in res.stdout.splitlines():
if "versionName=" in line:
parts = line.strip().split("versionName=")
if len(parts) > 1:
raw_ver = parts[1].split()[0]
return re.sub(r'[\\/*?:"<>|]', "", raw_ver)
except Exception:
pass
return "unknown"

# --- Setup & modes prompt ---
log_print("--- Setup Mode ---")
mode_choice = input("Run in [D]ebug mode (mock files, no phone needed) or [L]ive mode (real ADB pull)? [d/l]: ").strip().lower()
log_file.write(f"User selected mode choice: {mode_choice}\n")
DEBUG_MODE = mode_choice.startswith('d')

# --- Existing directory handling ---
if base_dir.exists():
clean_choice = input(f"Existing '{base_dir}' folder detected. [C]lean/wipe it completely or [K]eep existing files? [c/k]: ").strip().lower()
log_file.write(f"User selected directory cleanup choice: {clean_choice}\n")
if clean_choice.startswith('c'):
try:
shutil.rmtree(base_dir)
log_print(f"[i] Successfully wiped existing '{base_dir}' directory.")
except Exception as e:
log_print(f"[!] Warning: Failed to fully remove '{base_dir}': {e}")
else:
log_print(f"[i] Keeping existing '{base_dir}' directory (merging/updating content).")

adb_binary = None
adb_active = False

if DEBUG_MODE:
log_print("\n[!] Running in DEBUG mode. ADB will be bypassed, and dummy APKs will be created.")
else:
log_print("\n[i] Running in LIVE mode. Locating ADB binary...")
adb_binary = get_adb_binary()

if not adb_binary:
log_print(f"Warning: 'adb' not found in PATH or at custom path ({CUSTOM_ADB_PATH}). Skipping APK pulling.")
adb_active = False
else:
log_print(f"Using ADB binary at: {adb_binary}")
try:
adb_check = subprocess.run([adb_binary, "devices"], capture_output=True, text=True, check=True)
devices = [line for line in adb_check.stdout.splitlines() if "\tdevice" in line]
if not devices:
log_print("Warning: No active ADB devices found. Directory skeleton will be built, but APK pulling will be skipped.")
adb_active = False
else:
log_print(f"ADB device detected: {devices[0].split()[0]}")
adb_active = True
except (subprocess.SubprocessError, FileNotFoundError):
log_print("Warning: Failed to execute ADB. Skipping APK pulling.")
adb_active = False

log_print(f"\nConnecting to {db_file} and processing layout...")

conn = sqlite3.connect(db_file)
cursor = conn.cursor()

try:
# 1. Fetch distinct screen indices associated with desktop items
cursor.execute(
"SELECT DISTINCT screen FROM favorites WHERE container = -100 ORDER BY screen ASC;"
)
screens = cursor.fetchall()

for (screen_num,) in screens:
stats["screens_processed"] += 1
current_panel = f"panel_{screen_num}"
log_print(f"\n--- Processing: {current_panel} ---")

# 2. Find folders located directly on this specific screen (ignoring blank titles)
cursor.execute(
"SELECT _id, title FROM favorites WHERE container = -100 AND screen = ?"
" AND intent IS NULL AND title IS NOT NULL AND TRIM(title) != '';",
(screen_num,),
)
folders = cursor.fetchall()

for folder_id, folder_name in folders:
stats["folders_processed"] += 1
clean_folder_name = re.sub(r'[\\/*?:"<>|]', "", folder_name).strip()
if not clean_folder_name:
clean_folder_name = "unnamed_folder"

cursor.execute(
"SELECT title, intent FROM favorites WHERE container = ?;",
(folder_id,),
)
items = cursor.fetchall()

if items:
for app_title, intent in items:
stats["apps_attempted"] += 1
pkg = "Unknown"
if intent and "component=" in intent:
try:
part = intent.split("component=")[1]
pkg = part.split("/")[0]
except IndexError:
pkg = intent

# Fetch version if possible to build _versio_ suffix
version_str = "unknown"
if pkg != "Unknown":
if DEBUG_MODE:
version_str = "1.0.0-debug"
elif adb_active:
version_str = get_app_version(adb_binary, pkg)

pkg_folder_name = f"{pkg}_versio_{version_str}" if pkg != "Unknown" else pkg

target_path = base_dir / current_panel / clean_folder_name / pkg_folder_name
target_path.mkdir(parents=True, exist_ok=True)
log_print(f" [Folder] {clean_folder_name} -> App: {pkg} (v:{version_str})")

# Pull APK or generate mock file depending on mode
if DEBUG_MODE and pkg != "Unknown":
dummy_apk_path = target_path / "base.apk"
dummy_apk_path.write_text("mock apk content")
log_print(f" [Mock ADB] Created test file at {dummy_apk_path}")
stats["apps_success"] += 1
elif adb_active and pkg != "Unknown":
path_cmd = subprocess.run(
[adb_binary, "shell", "pm", "path", pkg],
capture_output=True, text=True
)
paths_found = 0
pull_success_count = 0

for line in path_cmd.stdout.splitlines():
if line.startswith("package:"):
remote_path = line.replace("package:", "").strip()
if remote_path:
paths_found += 1
pull_result = subprocess.run(
[adb_binary, "pull", remote_path, str(target_path)],
stdout=subprocess.DEVNULL, stderr=subprocess.DEVNULL
)
if pull_result.returncode == 0:
pull_success_count += 1

if paths_found > 0 and pull_success_count == paths_found:
stats["apps_success"] += 1
else:
stats["apps_failed"] += 1
missing_apps_list.append(f"{current_panel} / {clean_folder_name} / {pkg}")
log_print(f" [ADB] Warning: Failed to fully pull APK(s) for package: {pkg}")
else:
stats["apps_failed"] += 1
else:
target_path = base_dir / current_panel / clean_folder_name
target_path.mkdir(parents=True, exist_ok=True)

# 3. Find loose/top-level apps sitting directly on this screen
cursor.execute(
"SELECT title, intent FROM favorites WHERE container = -100 AND screen = ?"
" AND intent IS NOT NULL;",
(screen_num,),
)
loose_apps = cursor.fetchall()

if loose_apps:
for app_title, intent in loose_apps:
stats["loose_apps_processed"] += 1
stats["apps_attempted"] += 1
pkg = "Unknown"
if intent and "component=" in intent:
try:
part = intent.split("component=")[1]
pkg = part.split("/")[0]
except IndexError:
pkg = intent

version_str = "unknown"
if pkg != "Unknown":
if DEBUG_MODE:
version_str = "1.0.0-debug"
elif adb_active:
version_str = get_app_version(adb_binary, pkg)

pkg_folder_name = f"{pkg}_versio_{version_str}" if pkg != "Unknown" else pkg

target_path = base_dir / current_panel / "loose_apps" / pkg_folder_name
target_path.mkdir(parents=True, exist_ok=True)
log_print(f" [Loose App] {pkg} (v:{version_str})")

if DEBUG_MODE and pkg != "Unknown":
dummy_apk_path = target_path / "base.apk"
dummy_apk_path.write_text("mock apk content")
log_print(f" [Mock ADB] Created test file at {dummy_apk_path}")
stats["apps_success"] += 1
elif adb_active and pkg != "Unknown":
path_cmd = subprocess.run(
[adb_binary, "shell", "pm", "path", pkg],
capture_output=True, text=True
)
paths_found = 0
pull_success_count = 0

for line in path_cmd.stdout.splitlines():
if line.startswith("package:"):
remote_path = line.replace("package:", "").strip()
if remote_path:
paths_found += 1
pull_result = subprocess.run(
[adb_binary, "pull", remote_path, str(target_path)],
stdout=subprocess.DEVNULL, stderr=subprocess.DEVNULL
)
if pull_result.returncode == 0:
pull_success_count += 1

if paths_found > 0 and pull_success_count == paths_found:
stats["apps_success"] += 1
else:
stats["apps_failed"] += 1
missing_apps_list.append(f"{current_panel} / loose_apps / {pkg}")
log_print(f" [ADB] Warning: Failed to fully pull APK(s) for package: {pkg}")
else:
stats["apps_failed"] += 1

# --- Execution summary block ---
summary_text = (
"\n"
"========================================\n"
" Execution summary\n"
"========================================\n"
f"Panels/Screens Processed: {stats['screens_processed']}\n"
f"Folders Discovered: {stats['folders_processed']}\n"
f"Loose Apps Discovered: {stats['loose_apps_processed']}\n"
f"----------------------------------------\n"
f"Total App References: {stats['apps_attempted']}\n"
f"Successfully Pulled APKs: {stats['apps_success']}\n"
f"Missing / Uninstalled: {stats['apps_failed']}\n"
"========================================\n"
)
log_print(summary_text)

# --- Missing apps detailed report ---
if missing_apps_list:
missing_report = "Missing / Uninstalled Apps Breakdown:\n"
for item in missing_apps_list:
missing_report += f" - {item}\n"
missing_report += "========================================\n"
log_print(missing_report)

# --- Optional Restoration Script Generation ---
gen_script_choice = input("Would you like to generate an ADB batch restoration script for these pulled apps? [y/n]: ").strip().lower()
log_file.write(f"User selected restoration script generation choice: {gen_script_choice}\n")

if gen_script_choice.startswith('y'):
restore_script_filename = Path("restore_apps.bat")
commands = []

if base_dir.exists():
for root, dirs, files in base_dir.walk():
apks = [f for f in files if f.endswith(".apk")]
if apks:
# Sort so base.apk always comes first
apks.sort(key=lambda x: 0 if x == "base.apk" else 1)
apk_paths = [root / apk for apk in apks]

binary_to_use = adb_binary if adb_binary else "adb"

if len(apk_paths) == 1:
cmd = f'"{binary_to_use}" install -r -d -i "com.android.vending" "{apk_paths[0]}"'
else:
joined_apks = '" "'.join([str(p) for p in apk_paths])
cmd = f'"{binary_to_use}" install-multiple -r -d -i "com.android.vending" "{joined_apks}"'

commands.append(cmd)

with restore_script_filename.open("w", encoding="utf-8") as r_file:
r_file.write("@echo off\n")
r_file.write(":: Generated by apkhome.py Restoration Script Generator\n")
r_file.write("echo Starting batch app restoration...\n\n")
for cmd in commands:
r_file.write(cmd + "\n")
r_file.write("\necho Restoration script completed.\n")
r_file.write("pause\n")

log_print(f"[i] Successfully generated restoration script: {restore_script_filename} ({len(commands)} apps targeted).")

except KeyboardInterrupt:
log_print("\n\n[!] Operation cancelled by user (Ctrl+C). Exiting safely...")

finally:
# Ensure database connection and log file are cleanly closed
conn.close()
log_file.close()

# end of apkhome.py
--
Usenet is a team where every player tries to move the ball forward.
--- Synchronet 3.21d-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: alt.comp.os.windows-11

Lawrence D'Oliveiro wrote:

Why not provide your own commands for initializing a new database
if it doesn't already exist? Save the user some work.

Hi Lawrence,

Regarding launcher-agnostic layout replication without root privileges.

I've been thinking about your suggestion, because it would be the holy
grail in an exact perfect replica of any Android phone to another.

Of course, it's trivial to find every user-installed single package...
adb shell pm list packages -f

But replicating the homescreen layout is a non-trivial database problem.
<https://i.postimg.cc/zvKdH4PX/homescreen-intent.jpg>

Q: How do we obtain the homescreen {pane/folder/app/apk} location & order?
A: ???

I punted, as you noted, by using an SQL database output by Nova Launcher.
<https://i.postimg.cc/hvrv2tXL/nova-db.jpg>

But I agree, we'd rather create our own database of the Android homescreen.

The question is how to query Android homescreen pane names, locations, and folder names, locations, and app-icon names locations and action intents...
... without root privileges?

We "might" find that information in a dump of the current activities.
adb shell dumpsys activity activities

But, if we want a layout-aware snapshot (folders, icons, positions) without relying on a launcher database file, maybe, just maybe, an uiautomator
dump via ADB + Python XML parsing might be our best non-root alternative?
<https://help.duoplus.net/docs/uiautomator-dump>

Try this on your desktop with the phone connected over Wi-Fi to adb:
adb shell uiautomator dump /sdcard/window_dump.xml
=> UI hierchary dumped to: /sdcard/window_dump.xml

adb pull /sdcard/window_dump.xml ./window_dump.xml
=> /sdcard/window_dump.xml: 1 file pulled, 0 skipped. 0.1 MB/s (1433 bytes in 0.012s)

However, uiautomator dump only captures what is currently rendered on the screen at that exact millisecond, but maybe we can find the apps and their locastions hidden inside closed folders by programmatically swiping through every single pane and opening every folder via ADB clicks during the dump?

In addition, UI Automator only gives us bounding boxes (pixel coordinates) rather than a clean relational grid or database model, so we'd have to
infer the final layout based on knowledge of the launcher's grid geometry.

In summary, while parsing the launcher's layout database was essentially trivial
<https://i.postimg.cc/28w4VzSk/sql-query.jpg>
rebuilding that layout database from scratch, is not something I know how to do.
--
Sometimes, together, with help from others, we can accomplish the impossible. --- Synchronet 3.21d-Linux NewsLink 1.2