This is the basic structure I'm using in an app.
getDatabasePath will handle any detail on unzip, copy, etc,
index will do all the usual dirty work, including withDatabase that won't explode if the database is missing
WatermelonProvider to cover original one til the DB is ready
Thanks for your attention, guys @sidferreira @Stophface! I'm going to try to implement it now.
Fala, @sidferreira! Beleza, agradeço pelo rápido retorno!