[Tutorials][2014-06-01] How to tweak your Ubuntu Touch installation

TobiH8 · Aug 10, 2013

Many things have changed within Ubuntu Touch. All of the tips and tweaks mentioned here have not been tested with newer Ubuntu Touch builds and many links are broken (and I can't fix them because I don't have all the files). If you do still want to try them proceed with caution!

Everyone is encouraged to share new tweaks in this thread. If you want I can add you to the first post so you can get the "Thank you" and all Ubuntu Touch users can easily find tweaks.

TobiH8 · Aug 10, 2013

Old posts:

I want to explain you how to do simple UI changes (installing apps...) in Ubuntu Touch and do some other things under the hood.
First: Check out the Release notes. A lot of tweaking is explained there (changing language or keyboard layout).

I want to start with changing the system time zone:
Connect your device via SSH to your computer (explained in the release notes).
The type into a terminal:

sudo dpkg-reconfigure tzdata

root password is phablet

1. Change the system time zone
2. How to change the wallpaper.
3. How to update Ubuntu Touch without a PC
4. Create a simple web app
5. Installing Core Apps

If you see this smiley:

You should type in the Terminal this: : p without the space.

How do I change my Ubuntu Touch Wallpaper?

This is really simple! Thanks to blmvxer showing us the path where all those wallpapers are! He made a really nice script for changing it. Check it out here: http://xdaforums.com/showthread.php?t=2387117

First of all upload the script to a cloud storage (Google Drive does not work; I use Ubuntu One).
Optional: Create a goo.gl link out of this (easier; otherwise you might not know the filename).

I will post the script first:

wget http://goo.gl/{ID} && mv {ID} /usr/share/unity8/graphics/tablet_background.jpg && wget http://goo.gl/{ID} && mv {ID} /usr/share/unity8/graphics/phone_background.jpg

The first wget downloads the script. After that we move it to the right path (thanks again to blmvxer to show us the path). Then it downloads it again and replaces the second wallpaper. After a reboot you will have a new background.

TobiH8 · Aug 10, 2013

How do I update the whole Ubuntu Touch without a PC?

Note: You can't update everything in the current builds but you can update a lot!

The first thing you have to do is adding a new repository to your Ubuntu Touch device. Open a Terminal and type:

sudo add-apt-repository ppahablet-team/ppa

After that hit

sudo apt-get update && sudo apt-get upgrade -y

. This updates your system. You can do this as often as you want.
I have created a simple script so I do not have to type in so much:

sudo apt-get update -y && sudo apt-get upgrade -y && sudo bash {myWallpaperchangescript} && sudo reboot

I have added the wallpaper change script because if unity gets updated you have to run it again because you have the purple wallpaper back again.

TobiH8 · Aug 10, 2013

How to create a web app?

Create a *.desktop file with a text editor (I used gedit because it just works

).
Copy the following into the file:

[Desktop Entry]
Type=Application
Terminal=false
Exec=webbrowser-app --chromeless https://{put_URL_in_here}
Name={put_application_name_here]
Icon=/usr/share/{application_name}/{picturename}.png
X-Ubuntu-Touch=true
X-Ubuntu-StageHint=SideStage
Name[en_GB]=

Replace the text in “{}” with the variables of your choice.
Save the file.
Search for an icon which represents your web application. (You can find these icons on Google Play or anywhere else)

How do install my new web app?

Upload the file to a cloud storage of your choice (Google Drive does not work; I use http://one.ubuntu.com/) and create a public link. Copy the link.

Now we are going to create a script with a text editor:
{put_a_name_in_here}.sh

Now we are going to put content in:

wget http://{cloudservicelink}/{filename_or_ID}

This line downloads the *.desktop file onto your Ubuntu Touch device into the current folder. For my test app it would be: “wget http://ubuntuone.com/337i5uukUMjH4gtPehpdXq ”.

Second line:

mv {fileID} /usr/share/applications/{applicationname}.desktop

This moves the app into the directory where all the other apps are located. For my test-app it would be: “mv 337i5uukUMjH4gtPehpdXq /usr/share/applications/stadtbremerhaven.desktop”

In the third line we have to create a new directory for the icon:

mkdir /usr/share/{applicationname}

Important: You have to use the same path like in the *.desktop file!

In the fourth line we have to download the icon (I use the one from the Google Play Store):

wget http://goo.gl/{ID}

It is important to use http://goo.gl/ because other shorteners do not work!

An the last line:

mv {goo.glID} /usr/share/{applicationname}/{picturename}.png

This moves the icon into the right directory. It is important to use the picturename used in the *.desktop file.
My line looks like the following: “mv 0wEYju /usr/share/stadtbremerhaven/unnamed.png”

Great! You have now your first Ubuntu Touch web app (it is as REALLY simple one

).
Now we you have to connect the lines. Remove all new lines so it is a really long line and put between the different actions “&&”.
So for my app it looks like this:

wget http://ubuntuone.com/337i5uukUMjH4gtPehpdXq && mv 337i5uukUMjH4gtPehpdXq /usr/share/applications/stadtbremerhaven.desktop && mkdir /usr/share/stadtbremerhaven && wget http://goo.gl/0wEYju && mv 0wEYju /usr/share/stadtbremerhaven/unnamed.png

If you want to add more programms just add them after the last command with “&&”.
So for me it looks like this:

wget http://ubuntuone.com/337i5uukUMjH4gtPehpdXq && mv 337i5uukUMjH4gtPehpdXq /usr/share/applications/stadtbremerhaven.desktop && mkdir /usr/share/stadtbremerhaven && wget http://goo.gl/0wEYju && mv 0wEYju /usr/share/stadtbremerhaven/unnamed.png && wget http://ubuntuone.com/0f2KoDkZnre5lQMWqwsrP6 && mv 0f2KoDkZnre5lQMWqwsrP6 /usr/share/applications/duckduckgo.desktop && mkdir /usr/share/duckduckgo && wget http://goo.gl/Mzklu8 && mv Mzklu8 /usr/share/duckduckgo/unnamed.png

You can write a really large installer script with all of your web apps.

TobiH8 · Aug 10, 2013

I have heard there is a mail client and there are other cool apps, too. Where can I f

To install all those apps you have to add a new repository. So type into a Terminal:

sudo add-apt-repository ppa:ubuntu-touch-coreapps-drivers/daily && sudo apt-get update

Now you have to install the right package:

sudo apt-get install touch-coreapps && sudo reboot

After the reboot you have those apps installed!

TobiH8 · Aug 10, 2013

I hope you can understand everything, because I am not a native English speaker.
If you have any questions feel free to write a comment!
If you have tweaks and tips to share with the community it would be nice to post them in this thread so beginners can find them easily.

davjan · Aug 11, 2013

thx , gone try ubuntu touch later this day and wil use some of you tweaks / tricks

Trevor Chuah · Aug 12, 2013

May I ask a question? Maybe sounds stupid.

Do these all mod applicable to non-nexus Ubuntu touch phone.
I mean the phone not directly supported by Ubuntu.

Sent from my Xperia S using xda app-developers app

TobiH8 · Aug 12, 2013

All mods except this one should work. I don't know if you can update the whole Ubuntu Touch system with a not official supported device and I wouldn't try it.

So juse the other tipps to make Ubuntu Touch your own.

Rasputin007 · Aug 12, 2013

To98 said:
This is really simple! Thanks to blmvxer showing us the path where all those wallpapers are! He made a really nice script for changing it. Check it out here: http://xdaforums.com/showthread.php?t=2387117

First of all upload the script to a cloud storage (Google Drive does not work; I use Ubuntu One).
Optional: Create a goo.gl link out of this (easier; otherwise you might not know the filename).

I will post the script first:

The first wget downloads the script. After that we move it to the right path (thanks again to blmvxer to show us the path). Then it downloads it again and replaces the second wallpaper. After a reboot you will have a new background.

Thanks mate.
I have used a slightly different approach.
Open terminal on phone (Nexus 4 is mine) and enter

Code:

[B][I]sudo passwd root[/I][/B]

You will be prompted to enter a new password for the "root" user and then retype it.
OK that done I used the guide on this page, https://wiki.ubuntu.com/Touch/ReleaseNotes, to use sftp and FileZilla to login as "root". Now I could replace the phone_background.jpg file.
Crude and dirty, but works!
Best thing now is I can use sftp and FileZilla from Linux, Windows and Mac PC's/laptops.

TobiH8 · Aug 12, 2013

Rasputin007 said:
...to use sftp and FileZilla to login as "root". Now I could replace the phone_background.jpg file.
Crude and dirty, but works!
Best thing now is I can use sftp and FileZilla from Linux, Windows and Mac PC's/laptops.

Interesting idea using FTP to change the background! Only one problem for me: After every update you have to do it again.
When you write a script you can add it to an updater script and you don't have to do it again.

But really interesting way of changing the wallpaper.

Rasputin007 · Aug 12, 2013

I am so used to use ftp/sftp with FileZilla for years now to mess with the phone file system. It started with the Linux based Motomagx OS from the Motorola V8, then I used it on the iPhones and like to use it on the Nexus 4 as well.

The problem with being logged in as "phablet" user is you can not replace files that belong to "root".
As "root" you can do anything, but then with great power comes great responsibility.

Another alternative could be a symlink. That's the nice thing about Linux, there is always more then one way to achieve the goal.

TobiH8 · Aug 17, 2013

How to change brightness.

With the new Ubuntu Touch updates you can't change the brightness.
I have figured out how can adjust it via Terminal.
Open the Terminal and type

cd /sys/class/backlight

now type

cd

and press [TAB] and press [ENTER].
After that type

sudo nano brightness

and hit [ENTER]. Enter your password and change the value to everything you want. The problem with this is that you have to change it after every reboot.

If you have other tipps, please share them in this thread!

TobiH8 · Aug 17, 2013

How can I block ads with Ubuntu Touch (or other unwanted sites)?

This is really easy.
Open the Terminal (or connect via SSH) and type

sudo nano /etc/hosts

Add you unwanted sites under the lines containing "localhost".

For Adblock search the internet for an adblocking hosts file and add the sites to your /etc/hosts file.

TobiH8 · Aug 17, 2013

How can I change my hostname?

You want to change your Ubuntu Phone's hostname?

Type into a Terminal

sudo nano /etc/hostname && sudo nano /etc/hosts

In the first file change "phablet" (or any other current hostname) to the hostname of your choice. In the second change "phablet" (or any other current hostname) to the hostname you have set in /etc/hostname.

How can I change my password from "phablet" to something more secure to prevent installing of malware?

Type into a Terminal

passwd

enter the current password (phablet) and enter your new secure one. But be aware! You can't change the password back to "phablet" because it is to insecure.

davjan · Aug 18, 2013

To98 said:
With the new Ubuntu Touch updates you can't change the brightness.
I have figured out how can adjust it via Terminal.
Open the Terminal and type

now type and press [TAB] and press [ENTER].
After that type and hit [ENTER]. Enter your password and change the value to everything you want. The problem with this is that you have to change it after every reboot.

If you have other tipps, please share them in this thread!

I got no problem changing brightness , using the battery tab on the status bar
on nexus 4

blmvxer · Aug 18, 2013

davjan said:
I got no problem changing brightness , using the battery tab on the status bar
on nexus 4

With a recent update to unity8 you can't change the brightness.

Sent from my LG-LS970 using xda app-developers app

---------- Post added at 09:45 AM ---------- Previous post was at 09:42 AM ----------

To98 said:
With the new Ubuntu Touch updates you can't change the brightness.
I have figured out how can adjust it via Terminal.
Open the Terminal and type

now type and press [TAB] and press [ENTER].
After that type and hit [ENTER]. Enter your password and change the value to everything you want. The problem with this is that you have to change it after every reboot.

If you have other tipps, please share them in this thread!

Echo the brightness with an init.d script.

Or rename the modified file .bak and at startup have it replace the original.

Sent from my LG-LS970 using xda app-developers app

TobiH8 · Aug 18, 2013

blmvxer said:
Echo the brightness with an init.d script.

Or rename the modified file .bak and at startup have it replace the original.

Sent from my LG-LS970 using xda app-developers app

I thought about that for me but I do not restart my phone often and when we are able to change brightness again, I have to delete the script.
But for other people it is a better workaround than mine.

Rasputin007 · Aug 18, 2013

To98 said:
The problem with this is that you have to change it after every reboot.

What about this command line?

Code:

[B]sudo chmod 0444 brightness[/B]

It would change the file property to read-only, meaning even the "system" user can not change this file.

TobiH8 · Aug 18, 2013

Rasputin007 said:
What about this command line?

Code:

[B]sudo chmod 0444 brightness[/B]

It would change the file property to read-only, meaning even the "system" user can not change this file.

Does not work. It changes the brightness back. I have already tried that.

[Tutorials][2014-06-01] How to tweak your Ubuntu Touch installation

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