[HOW-TO][APP][ROOT] Install Lollipop AOSP Browser (and sync Google Account Bookmarks)

[bamsbamx]

Hey people,

I realized the Google Chrome browser demands lots of battery, so I wanted to change to another browser. There is nothing better than the AOSP one. But while installing it there seems to be a lil´ problem:

There is an app called com.android.browser.provider which comes preinstalled with stock ROM, probably to make Google Chrome work. So this app, has a ContentProvider declared with a specific authority name. The AOSP Browser app has another ContentProvider which its authority name IS THE SAME as the "com.android.browser.provider"´s one. This makes the Android package manager complain at AOSP Browser app install time.

So in order to be able to get AOSP Browser installed and running some steps must be previously executed. There are two ways:

A.-THE MANUAL WAY

1.- Settings -> Apps -> com.android.browser.provider -> Clear data
2.- File Manager -> Delete /system/app/com.android.browser.provider" folder
3.- File Manager -> Delete /data/data/com.android.browser.provider" folder
4.- Reboot
5.- Install attached Browser.apk

B.-THE COMMANDO WAY

1.-Terminal Emulator -> Execute the following commands:

su
rm /system/app/com.android.browser.provider (Removes apk folder from /system/app/ location)
pm clear com.yourapp.packagename (Removes application data)​

2.- Reboot
3.- Install attached Browser.apk

Then, AOSP Browser should be running :highfive::highfive::highfive:


Please comment if there are any problems :good:

If anyone gets an up-to-date APK post here and I will update the OP.


EXTRA: SYNC BOOKMARKS WITH YOUR GOOGLE ACCOUNT:

The following steps show how to make AOSP BROWSER have the bookmarks saved in your Google account:

1.- Install attached BookmarksSyncAdapter.apk
2.- Settings -> Accounts -> Google -> /** Wanted Google Account */ -> Switch on Sync Browser
3.- A notification (exclamation sign) should be shown. Click it. (In order to authorize the app to sync bookmarks with your account)
4.- Settings -> Apps -> Browser -> Force Close
5.- Done

For up-to-date-is-a-must obsessed people:

-Browser.apk targetSdkVersion is 22. So its the last one (Official Stable Android 6.0 has not been released yet)
-BookmarksSyncAdapter.apk targets 16 SDK version. It seems to be discontinued as is not preinstalled in latest AOSP Roms
​

 

[rich2007]

Can't install Booksmarkssync app. What is another way?

 

[bamsbamx]

Can't install Booksmarkssync app. What is another way?

Really dont know. First, I should check the logcat to find the cause so, could you post thee logcat?

Also, you can try installing it as a system app:

1.-Create /system/app/BookmarksSyncAdapter/ folder
2.-Copy BookmarksSyncAdapter.apk into the previously created folder
3.-Set permissions -rw-r--r-- to the apk
4.-Reboot
5.-Goto Settings -> Accounts -> Google -> Your Google account and check if "Browser" item is listed

 

[FcukBloat]

there was already a fully working solution in the forum.. just search "material design aosp browser". just need to delete BrowserProviderProxy if present in system/app first

 

[_ck_]

isn't it dangerous to delete the existing file which may be more up to date with security?

is it not possible to simply rename internally the Browser.apk so it does not conflict?