NikGapps.config is a configuration file which allows you to configure your installation the way you like. You can skip any Package that you don't want to be part of your installation. More on that here
How does nikgapps config work if I am sideloading gapps or my device storage is encrypted?
If internal storage of your device is not encrypted, the recovery can read the files from your storage and thus, nikgapps.config will be read by default from /sdcard/NikGapps folder
If internal storage of your device is encrypted, the recovery cannot read the files from your storage and thus, you need to place nikgapps.config in the same folder as the gapps zip file and the recovery will read it from there
If you are sideloading gapps, you can place the nikgapps.config in /tmp folder and the recovery will read it from there
Alternatively, you can also edit the nikgapps.config file in the gapps zip file and then flash it only this time, you need to set use_zip_config=1 in nikgapps.config file to instruct the installer to use the config file placed in the gapps zip you are flashing
What is the difference between a user build and an elite build?
User builds are manually requested and tailored for individual needs, available in a shared SourceForge folder, unsigned, unvalidated, and less compressed. Elite builds, on the other hand, are automatically created with each release, designed for broader use, available in a dedicated Elite page on nikgapps.com, signed, validated, and more compressed for faster downloads and less storage use.
Is this a paid feature?
No, it's not a paid feature, but a way to honor valuable contributions to the NikGapps project. Donations are welcomed as a form of recognition and appreciation for the NikGapps team's work.
Why aren't all exclusives available to everyone?
We would love to bring all these exclusives to everyone but at the same time we want to reward and honor the invaluable contributions made to the NikGapps project. A lot of people have made monetary contribution/donation and never came forward. We believe that this is the best way to do it.
What if I don't want to be an elite?
You can still create user builds and receive NikGapps updates and bug fixes. However, elite exclusives will not be available.
What if I no longer wish to be an elite?
After you have been added to the NikGapps Elites list, you can request to be removed from the list by creating an issue here.
What if I want to add another folder or change my folder name?
You can request folder modifications here, subject to NikGapps team's approval for genuineness.
Will there be more elite exclusives in the future?
Yes, more exclusives will be added for NikGapps Elites.
What if there is a bug in the elite build?
Report any bugs in the elite build here for the NikGapps team to address.
FAQs related to Debloater
What is debloater.config?
Debloater config is a configuration that allows you to remove files/folders from system. You can place a file named debloater.config in /sdcard/NikGapps folder and add the folder name/file path that you want to remove and flash latest version of Debloater Zip.
How to use debloater.config?
Find the package name of the apk (MixPlorer is easy to use)
Find the install location of the app (run 'pm path packagename' in terminal app)
Note the Folder name (usually found in app or priv-app folder inside /system or /system/product folder)
Open debloater.config and enter the Folder name (it is case sensitive)
Is there any video tutorial on how to use debloater.config?
Watch below video to see how to use debloater.config
Can I delete a specific file from system?
Yes, you can delete a specific file from system by adding the file path in debloater.config file.
For example, if you want to delete /system/app/GoogleTTS/GoogleTTS.apk file, you can add /system/app/GoogleTTS/GoogleTTS.apk in debloater.config file and flash the Debloater Zip
Can I delete a specific folder from system?
Yes, you can delete a specific folder from system by adding the folder path in debloater.config file.
For example, if you want to delete /system/app/GoogleTTS or /system/product/app/GoogleTTS folder, you can add GoogleTTS in debloater.config file and flash the Debloater Zip
The debloater will find the folder in /system, /product and /system_ext and delete it
My Device has super partitions, how can I delete /system/addon.d folder?
You can add /system/addon.d in debloater.config file and flash the Debloater Zip
The debloater will find the folder in /system, /product and /system_ext and delete it
FAQs related to Installing or Uninstalling NikGapps
Can I install NikGapps systemlessly via Magisk?
No, You cannot install NikGapps systemlessly via Magisk. NikGapps is a full fledged Gapps package and it is not designed to be installed systemlessly.
How to install/update/upgrade/dirty flash NikGapps?
Check this guide to install/update/upgrade/dirty flash NikGapps
How to downgrade from one version of NikGapps to another?
Downgrading NikGapps is not recommended as it may cause issues, if you must downgrade, please clean flash the rom and gapps by wiping /data
Can I install NikGapps over other gapps package or over stock ROM?
No, you cannot install NikGapps over other gapps package or over stock ROM. You need to clean flash the rom and gapps by wiping /data.
Where is runtime_permissions.xml located?
runtime_permissions.xml is located at /data/system/users/0/runtime_permissions.xml if you're on Android 10
runtime_permissions.xml is located at /data/misc_de/*/apexdata/com.android.permission/runtime_permissions.xml if you're on Android 11 and above
What are the guidelines for dirty flash?
Follow the Note: section of the changelog on the NikGapps Release channel to find the recommendations on clean/dirty flash
If you don't see any instructions on Note: section, follow below guidelines
Dirty flashing gapps aren't really necessary! If your current setup is in working state, you have no reason to dirty flash. The apps will automatically update from Playstore.
You can choose to flash a newer update when you are clean flashing your Rom
If you are facing some issues with your current setup and you find a fix to the issue in the changelog of the gapps update, clean flash! This ensures that any residue factor is not impacting the actual fix
If you can risk your system get into unstable state (with the flexibility of clean flashing at will) then dirty flash!
FAQs related to Runtime Permissions?
What is runtime_permissions.xml?
It is the file which stores the runtime permissions granted to apps by the user, for example, if you grant location permission to Google Maps, it will be stored in runtime_permissions.xml file
Where is runtime_permissions.xml located?
runtime_permissions.xml is located at /data/system/users/0/runtime_permissions.xml if you're on Android 10
runtime_permissions.xml is located at /data/misc_de/*/apexdata/com.android.permission/runtime_permissions.xml if you're on Android 11 and above
How to wipe runtime_permissions.xml?
Using Adb from Computer, you can use adb shell rm -rf "path_to_runtime_permissions" to wipe it
On phone, using root, you can locate the file through any root explorer and delete it
Unable to dirty flash Addons?
What are the list of addons that can't be dirty flashed and why?
The reason why some addons can't be dirty flashed is because they are not designed to be dirty flashed. They are designed to be clean flashed only
Flashing them dirty will cause issues and you will have to clean flash the rom and gapps by wiping /data
The list of addons that can't be dirty flashed are as follows
Velvet (Google app) | Android Auto | Google Clock | Gboard (Google Keyboard) | Google Play Services | Google Sounds
How do I flash the addons dirty despite knowing the risk?
Wipe Runtime Pemissions before flashing the addon/gapps containing the addon
Issues after successful installation?
Facing issues with SetupWizard?
Connect to any wifi
Go to wifi settings and change the wifi type to unmetered
Complete the setup
What to do if my contacts are not syncing?
Go to Settings
Click on Apps & Notification
Check all permissions for GooglePlayServices, whether allowed or not. If all permission denied, Allow them
On upper right corner there is a three dot menu. Click on Show system app
Search for Google Contacts Sync app
Check whether Contacts permission is allowed or not for that app. If disabled, please allow Contacts permission so that it can Sync Google Contacts
A restart maybe required
Google Backup Waiting for backup?
Connect your computer with your device and execute the following command from adb
adb shell
bmgr run
bmgr backupnow --all
if it's shows Transport error, do
bmgr backupnow appdata
and repeat the previous command once more
How to report an issue?
How to report an issue with installation?
If something is wrong with installation, addon.d, debloater, pull the installation logs and share it with us
You will find the installation logs directory on the recovery screen at the end of NikGapps installation
After flashing, read the screen of your device carefully, it will tell you the exact path where the logs are stored
Make sure you have adb setup in your computer and your device is connected to it
If there is a crash, type adb logcat AndroidRuntime:E *:S -v long > crash.txt in your computer, hit enter and try to reproduce the crash
Once the crash is reproduced, type ctrl+c to stop the logcat and share the crash.txt file with us on XDA or Telegram
Method 2 - from device
Pull logcat using matlog app or any other app related to logcat that you prefer and share it with us along with logs generated in /sdcard/NikGapps/logs folder
How to report an issue related to debloater?
For issues related to debloater, grab the debloater.config and share it with us along with the logs from /sdcard/NikGapps/logs folder
How to report an issue with dirty installation and ota survival?
Pull AddonLogs from /sdcard/NikGapps folder, zip them and share it with us
How to take logcat if you face bootloop?
If something is wrong with your device not booting up, try booting it without gapps to ensure the bootloop is sure to gapps
If you narrow the root cause down to gapps, try to get a logcat during bootloop
Steps to get a logcat during bootloop
- boot into the system while flashing only ROM
- enable debugging in Developer settings
- run adb shell and enable connection on the phone
- reboot to recovery
- dirty flash gapps
- boot and try logcat again
Installation Failed, what to do now?
I am facing storage full error, what to do next?
This usually happens when the recovery reports that no storage is left for further installation
If that is actually the case, you need to free up some space by debloating your system and removing any unnecessary apps
If you have enough space, you can try to install NikGapps again by following below steps
You can try setting InstallPartition in nikgapps to /system_root/system and flash the gapps zip again
Sure! :) Just find the Donate button on the top right corner of the page!
What is the difference between OpenGapps and NikGapps?
NikGapps supports Split Apks!
NikGapps packages are created from the apks present in my personal device.
NikGapps offers separate addon.d scripts for each package that it comes with. Easy to control which package you want to backup/restore after dirty flash!
NikGapps follows a different partition mounting mechanism.
NikGapps has it's own set of definition of packages defined keeping users feedback in mind.
NikGapps has it's own implementation of install configuration (defined in NikGapps.config and debloater.config).
NikGapps allows you to choose which partition you want to install the gapps in (/system or /product)
NikGapps offers gms optimization at users choice saving your battery so you don't have to worry about google services draining your battery while you are sleeping.
NikGapps comes with several addon packages for those who only require specific addon and not the whole gapps package.
As with other kind of software releases, basically canary is technically a test, alpha, beta, whatever you call it. Has some improvements with quick fixes for previous issues. Main releases are more stable though it would be releases at a later date than canary. If you want to have a more stable update go for release, if you want bleeding edge, bugs damned, go canary
However, NikGapps now allows configuration try #config to get the configuration file. Push that in /sdcard/NikGapps folder. Instructions are present in config file
