How to sign Android app with system signature?
android
Solution
Finally I managed to discover a way to sign my application with the platform signature. You need to use keys located in `<root-of-android-source-tree>/build/target/product/security/` and add `android:sharedUserId="android.uid.system"` in your AndroidManifest.xml file.
Details from this google groups thread:
On top of signing Android 1.6 for Dream with certificates generated by myself, I've also managed to sign my app with the platform certificate and run it with the system sharedUserId. These are the steps I took:
- Build and flash to your Dream your own Android using https://web.archive.org/web/20081211205758/http://source.android.com:80/documentation/building-for-dream. Use the mkkey.sh script on https://web.archive.org/web/20091213215940/http://pdk.android.com/online-pdk/guide/release_keys.html to create new certificates, including x509 certificates before you do 'make'.
- In the `AndroidManifest.xml` of your application: under the `<manifest>` element, add the attribute `android:sharedUserId="android.uid.system"`.
- Export an unsigned version of your Android application using Eclipse: right-click on the project >> Android Tools >> Export Unsigned Application Package.
Use `<root-of-android-source-tree>/out/host/<your-host>/framework/signapk.jar` to sign your app using `platform.x509.pem` and `platform.pk8` in `<root-of-android-source-tree>/build/target/product/security` generated earlier:
java -jar signapk.jar platform.x509.pem platform.pk8 YourApp-unsigned.apk YourApp-signed.apk.
Install the app to your device:
adb install YourApp-signed.apk
- Run your app
- Use `adb shell ps` to confirm that your app is running as system.
Problem
I've downloaded and compiled Android 2.1 version with `signed-google_ion-ota-14721.zip` image for my HTC phone. The compile completed successfully and so the system image flash. How can I sign my own Android application with the system signature? Can someone describe the whole process for signing a user application with system signature as I am completely new to the signing process.