Is it possible to root, install an apk as system then unroot?

[umirza85]

I'm wondering if it's possible to root my phone, install an app that's required to be installed as system then unroot my phone back to normal?

I'm on the latest stable miui 8.5.2.0. I'd like to install the new pixel launcher and have Google now working which requires the APK to be installed as a system app.

Require unrooted phone for work/banking apps.

 

[theOriginalSuperl2]

Easier way: copy the apk to /system/app/ in twrp. When you reboot, it should be installed as a system app.

 

[umirza85]

Easier way: copy the apk to /system/app/ in twrp. When you reboot, it should be installed as a system app.

Oh cool I never knew about that way. But I don't have TWRP installed. It took me forever to get the vendor ROM off my Xiaomi phone and get back to stock.

Are you saying I should install TWRP and then unroot?

 

[theOriginalSuperl2]

Oh cool I never knew about that way. But I don't have TWRP installed. It took me forever to get the vendor ROM off my Xiaomi phone and get back to stock.

Are you saying I should install TWRP and then unroot?

If you install TWRP, and copy the APK, then it won't root your phone at all. You can re-flash the stock recovery after, if you want.

 

[umirza85]

If you install TWRP, and copy the APK, then it won't root your phone at all. You can re-flash the stock recovery after, if you want.

Oh thats so awesome! I believe I read somewhere that you need the stock recovery in order to do OTA updates, so that would definitely be preferable.

Thanks so much for taking the time to reply. One more question, is there a guide anywhere on how to put the stock recovery back onto the Mi 5s Plus?

 

[theOriginalSuperl2]

Oh thats so awesome! I believe I read somewhere that you need the stock recovery in order to do OTA updates, so that would definitely be preferable.

Thanks so much for taking the time to reply. One more question, is there a guide anywhere on how to put the stock recovery back onto the Mi 5s Plus?

I don't think so, but all you need to do is flash a stock recovery image with fastboot. You have to find one online.

---------- Post added at 02:05 PM ---------- Previous post was at 01:57 PM ----------

I don't think so, but all you need to do is flash a stock recovery image with fastboot. You have to find one online.

Hang on. There's a much easier way, and I can't find the images online. I'll post how soon, have to go for now.

 

[umirza85]

I don't think so, but all you need to do is flash a stock recovery image with fastboot. You have to find one online.

---------- Post added at 02:05 PM ---------- Previous post was at 01:57 PM ----------


Hang on. There's a much easier way, and I can't find the images online. I'll post how soon, have to go for now.

Thats great thanks! Appreciate it.

 

[theOriginalSuperl2]

Thats great thanks! Appreciate it.

You actually don't need to flash TWRP at all.

1: Download TWRP on your computer.
2: Make sure you have the APK on your phone.
3: Run the command "fastboot boot twrp.img" in fastboot mode, where twrp.img is the TWRP filename. On Linux, this may need to be run as root. This command will temporarily boot TWRP, without flashing it.
4: Copy your APK to /system/app/
5: Reboot into android. The app should be installed.

I'm curious why you need to install an app as a system app?

 

[umirza85]

You actually don't need to flash TWRP at all.

1: Download TWRP on your computer.
2: Make sure you have the APK on your phone.
3: Run the command "fastboot boot twrp.img" in fastboot mode, where twrp.img is the TWRP filename. On Linux, this may need to be run as root. This command will temporarily boot TWRP, without flashing it.
4: Copy your APK to /system/app/
5: Reboot into android. The app should be installed.

I'm curious why you need to install an app as a system app?

Whoa!! no way! That is so much easier and dont have to mess about with trying to but the phone back to stock after. Youre the best!

I want to use the new pixel 2 launcher, and for all the functionality to work (i.e google now integration) the app needs to be installed as a system app!

This was make it so simple to try it out without making any permanent changes. Thanks again!

 

[theOriginalSuperl2]

Whoa!! no way! That is so much easier and dont have to mess about with trying to but the phone back to stock after. Youre the best!

I want to use the new pixel 2 launcher, and for all the functionality to work (i.e google now integration) the app needs to be installed as a system app!

This was make it so simple to try it out without making any permanent changes. Thanks again!

I guessed it was to use the pixel launcher. You could get a modded version instead of installing in the system, though.

I tried out the launcher too, but it was really buggy and laggy for me.

 

[umirza85]

I guessed it was to use the pixel launcher. You could get a modded version instead of installing in the system, though.

I tried out the launcher too, but it was really buggy and laggy for me.

Yeah I've tried out the modded version and sucks that the google now functionality doesnt work, and as you said its quite buggy. Read in a few places that installing as system really helps, and with your method it seems we can try it out without switching my phone off of being completely stock (also forgot to mention that I need stock recovery to properly use the phone encryption feature as required by my company policy).