Is there a way to install an Android application by copying files / only modifying the file system?

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I was wondering if there is a way to install an Android application by just copying files and making a few changes on the filesystem?

Let's say we have Rooted Phone 1 and Rooted Phone 2. We control every aspect of them (they are rooted, we control the hardware, ...). We install App X on Rooted Phone 1. What steps do we need to take to get a 1:1 copy of App X on Rooted Phone 2 (without installing the app again e.g., via adb install)?

So far I would:

  • Copy app data from /data/data/<packagename>
  • Copy "installation data" of app from /data/app/<packagename>-<random>

But of course this will not be enough.

What else do we need to do? Do we need to care about /data/dalvik-cache/, /data/system/packages.xml and /data/system/packages.list?

Is this idea I'm having even possible?

Extra question: What things change, when Optimized Dalvik Executable (.odex) files are used?

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