How To Install Swype on AT&T HTC Android Phones
My New AT&T HTC Aria
I just purchased the AT&T Aria the day it came out. My initial thoughts were good. I liked the smaller size and found switching from a Blackberry to an Android device easy. I quickly setup the Aria to sync with my Google for domains account. Instantly I had contacts, calendar and email running. Sweet.
Then I tried to uninstall a bunch of the AT&T applications. They just clutter it up and make it crappy. No luck, the best I could do is remove them from the main views.
Next, I tried to install Swype. I downloaded the file for the beta and tried to install it, but got this error. For security, your phone is set to block installation of applications not sourced in Android Market. So I clicked settings to change the security option, but guess what. AT&T doesn't allow you to change the security settings for applications on the Andriod.
So, now that I'm super annoyed and considering returning the phone. I'm figuring out how to install applications via the Android developer tools to get around AT&T blocking me from installing applications that I want to use.
Installing Out of Market Android Applications
The Swype application is out of market. The security settings need to be bypassed to install the app.
Perform these steps on a Windows Machine
The first thing I learned is this will only work on a Windows machine. I tried first on my mac and the HTC sync software isn't supported.
#1 Download the Android SDK
Download the Android SDK from http://developer.android.com/sdk/index.html
You'll need to extract the files and I suggest moving them to the C:\ directory so it's easier to run the commands in later steps.
#2 Download and install the HTC Sync
Download and install the HTC Sync from http://www.htc.com/www/SupportViewNews.aspx?dl_id=933&news_id=631 This is going to let you move files to your Android device.
#3 Connect Phone to Computer
Connect your phone to the computer and select HTC Sync as the connection type on your phone. It may give you an error. Just ignore the error for now. Click OK.
#4 Copy the .apk Files to the Install Directory
Copy the files for the application you want to install to your C:\sdk\tools directory. The entire reason I started this is because I wanted to install Swype on my phone. You'll need to search for a recent .apk file for swype. The comments below have recent ones linked.
#5 Open Command Prompt
Open a command prompt by clicking start -> run. Then type cmd in the box.
#6 Enter Commands at the Prompt
In the command window, type
- cd\
- cd sdk
- cd platform-tools
After you changed the directories, your prompt should say C:\sdk\tools>
#7 Make Sure Your Phone is Connected to the Computer
Make sure your phone is connected by typing adb devices in the command prompt. Then you should see List of devices attached. There should by a long list of letters and numbers and then device. If you see this, you are good to go.
#8 adb install and Set Phone Settings
At the same prompt, type adb install <name of file.apk> If installed successfully, you will see a success message. I ran adb install swype-hvga-1.56-htc_ime-en-hacked.adp
Now, to finish the installation of swype on the phone, go to settings -> Language & Keyboard and selected swype.
#9 Set Swype as the Keyboard
To get swype working you have to go to a text input box on the phone and push down on it until a dialogue box appears to select your input. Select Swype and this will then work for all your application keyboards. Sweet!