Database Info

How-to Theme Development

To create themes, or to edit themes to your liking, you will need a working knowledge of android, adb, how to resign apk's, knowledge of your own O/S.
Before you start be aware that you will probably end up wiping your phone once, if not more. So lets go over the things that you will need.
You will need JF's RC30, RC8, or ADP1 V1.3, depending on what version you intend to create for.
Here is the link to these: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=466174
You will also want to get the dev bootloader installed on your phone and to HIGHLY suggest everyone trying your theme to install it as well.
Link to dev bootloader: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=455860
You will also need to resign all the apks located in /system/app and framework-res.apk located in /system/framework. When you push all of these to your phone, you will need to do a wipe.
JesusFreke was kind enough to build a custom signing tool for me that would allow me to right click on an apk and resign it from there. I am posting it here for others to use as well. Note that this is a courtesy of JF, so thank him for it. I cannot stress how much time this has saved me and will save you.
Here is the link: Http://www.FightForthePits.com/testsign(2).zip
Before using this you need to know how to set this up:
I will assume that you have the sdk downloaded and extracted somewhere(if not, do that now), extract both files to the tools directory of your sdk.
Now you will need to add the tools dir of your sdk to the environment variable CLASSPATH.
To do this, right click on My Computer click properties, then choose the tab that says advanced. Click the button that says environmental variables. Go to system variables find the one that says CLASSPATH, double click it, go to the end of variable value. There should be a semicolon ; at the end. type in the path to the testsign.jar located in the tools directory of your SDK, for example the path to my testsign.jar was c:\sdk\android-sdk-windows-1.0_r1\tools\testsign.jar If CLASSPATH is not in your system variables then create it.
If you find the right click menu not working for some reason you can type the following in cmd to sign your files: java testsign whateverfiletosign
Now right click the reg file that you extracted and choose to install it, or merge.
Now, right click an apk, do you see an option that says ResignApk? If not hit the windows key and R at the same time. Type in regedit. go to HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT and expand it. Now find .apk and click it. Double click on (Default) and erase apk_auto_file. Hit ok and close the Reg editor. Now right click an apk and the option ResignApk should be there.
Now through doing this you have done two things, first off you have made the resigning process extremely easy, secondly you will not have to cd to the tools dir of the sdk to use adb or any other tool in the sdk.
You will also need a version of linux installed or running vmware with linux, so that you can create an update file which will install the theme onto the users phone.
You need to make sure that you do this correctly, because if you don't then you will have the potential to create problems for people trying to install your theme. You also need to be specific in addressing what version your theme is for, RC8, RC30, or ADP1. Make sure every file gets signed. Make sure you test the update.zip before you release it.
Every .apk contains the images relating to itself. However, every apk has the ability to use the images in framework-res.apk. The images for every apk is located inside of res and more specifically in folders that are named Drawable, drawable-land, drawable-port, etc. Some things you cannot edit unless you rebuild the entire apk from source, which we will not go into here.(another tutorial, another time) Just know that at this time you SHOULD NOT edit, or even open images with the extension .9.png. If you do you will have problems...Trust me. These are special images called ninepatch images and android resizes these images to fit wherever android, or any other apk, needs it to. if you do open them or edit them they will no longer render correctly when resized. I believe that in order to edit these you must do so and then put them into the source and rebuild the entire apk.
Before getting started you must also realize that you cannot simply resign one or two apk's and stick them in your phone and expect them to work. You must resign every apk inside of /system/app and framework-res.apk and put them on your phone at the same time.
To simplify this process for you though, I have provided an update which will do all of this for you. Note that these updates will not completely wipe your phone, your apps will be retained, however, they will require you to re-enter your Google info, and you will lose you call history.
Links down
Just put the correct update.zip, depending on what version you are running, onto your sd card, boot into recovery and hit alt + s.
Now you can push your own apk's one at a time without re-wiping your phone.
Now, your ready to start changing things up.
You will now need to open the apk, which you can do by adding .zip after .apk, effectively changing it to a zip. Note that if you are using windows you will need to unhide known file extension types.
See here to unhide known file extension types for Xp: http://www.mediacollege.com/microsoft/windows/extension-change.html
See here to unhide file extension types for Vista: http://maximumpcguides.com/windows-vista/how-to-change-a-file-extension/
After changing the apk to a zip open it go to res and copy the folders that have drawable in their name. Go to your desktop, or wherever, create a new folder called Images, or whatever. Open the folder, paste the drawable folders in there. Now you can see what the files look like without opening them. Btw, you may also want to add -frame, or -launcher, to the end of the folders you cope over to keep them separated from others.
Finally, you've edited the images put them all in the apk renamed it back to an apk and resigned it. Now it's time to push it to your phone and see the changes you've made.
Important! : Whenever pushing files to the phone NEVER do it while the phone is running. Do this in recovery mode! If you do this while the phone is running normally you will begin to lose space in /system.
So, boot into recovery plug your phone in and open a cmd prompt. From the cmd prompt type adb shell mount /system then type the following: adb push c:\whereveryourfileis\whateveryourpushing.apk /system/app (system/framework if your pushing framework-res.apk)
Now reboot your phone. If it doesn't boot, try doing a wipe, if that doesn't work reinstall an update and try again. There are alot of things people can do wrong, I can't explain them all here. If you get real stuck, you can ask for help here or contact me on Gtalk [email protected].
So now your theme is done and your ready to make an update.zip for others to install your theme.
This must be done in LINUX! Not WINDOWS! Yes it may work for you if you do it in windows but other people's phones will enter an indefinite loop! Just do it from Linux! If you absolutely cannot make your own update.zip, contact me and we'll see if I can make one up for ya.
I have created a template for you to make your own update.zip. Just download, open in Linux, and add the system apps to app, and framework to framework. Zip it up, SIGN IT, TEST IT YOURSELF, and then distribute it!
Empty update.zip template: Http://www.FightForthePits.com/Androidstuff/update_empty.zip
If anyone has any questions please try asking for help in this thread before emailing me for help Usually I will respond to questions in this forum.
I hope this Tutorial has been helpful. I will add on to it as needed.
Stericson
Links of interest:
Downloading SDK: http://code.google.com/android/intro/installing.html
Using ADB: http://code.google.com/android/reference/adb.html

Working with ninepatch should be straightforward if you use the draw9patch tool included in the SDK. Documentation on usage here:
http://code.google.com/android/reference/draw9patch.html
JF could also save theme users a wipe by resigning /system/app/* and /system/framework/framework-res.apk in his builds with the test keys. Nice tutorial, btw.

However it doesn't. I have used that to no avail. I believe you need to edit the images, put them in the source then rebuild the apks from the source.
As for JF's update, it does not currently wipe your phone after install. So, for him to do this he would have to have his update do a wipe. So technically, they would still have to do this initial wipe.
Stericson

Stericson said:
However it doesn't. I have used that to no avail. I believe you need to edit the images, put them in the source then rebuild the apks from the source.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Good point. I thought you could simply drop a similarly dimensioned PNG in but apparently there is some metadata that only the android tool can create.
As for JF's update, it does not currently wipe your phone after install. So, for him to do this he would have to have his update do a wipe. So technically, they would still have to do this initial wipe.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
True, but a user who is upgrading to a JF update after having put in customized (and test-key signed) system apps will have to wipe again anyway =) Anyone using custom themes will have to wipe every time a JF update (or any update) comes out. However if JF resigns, custom theme users would not have to wipe and stock theme users only have to wipe once. (Nevermind the fact I think everyone should wipe when updating...)

thx stericson this will help big time how long before I can get resigned rc30 last night when you said all the apk. need to be resigned I was like this is going to be a long night but I see jf hooked you up save some big time with his resigning tool

jashsu said:
Good point. I thought you could simply drop a similarly dimensioned PNG in but apparently there is some metadata that only the android tool can create.
True, but a user who is upgrading to a JF update after having put in customized (and test-key signed) system apps will have to wipe again anyway =) Anyone using custom themes will have to wipe every time a JF update (or any update) comes out. However if JF resigns, custom theme users would not have to wipe and stock theme users only have to wipe once. (Nevermind the fact I think everyone should wipe when updating...)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ah, good point
The resigned apps will be released maybye sometime tonight...I had them done but ran into a script problem on adp1 and I have yet to try the rc30 and rc8 ones yet. so I won't release those until I've tested them. If you want to be a Guinea pig however, just let me know
Stericson

Stericson said:
Ah, good point
The resigned apps will be released maybye sometime tonight...I had them done but ran into a script problem on adp1 and I have yet to try the rc30 and rc8 ones yet. so I won't release those until I've tested them. If you want to be a Guinea pig however, just let me know
Stericson
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The resigned apps have been released, each update file will resign all of apps in /system/app and framework-res.apk. However, these updates make no changes to them whatsoever...Meaning your phone will look just like a brand new phone without any modifications.

rc30 works thx Stericson made it easy for use

Issues with using the update.zip above
Hi all,
I just wanted to point out that after I applied the update.zip above and rebooted applications kept force closing randomly and constantly even through the initial setup (where you have to click the green android to start).
Prior to this, I had JF's RC30 1.3, and the engineering bootloader V2 no sigcheck.
First I did just a alt+s then a alt-w and alt+s. And still nothing.
I'm new to all this so I'm not even sure where to begin troubleshooting. Should I be using the HardSPL?
Thanks in advance and I appologize if this isn't the right place for this post.
Update:
After reflashing with JF's 1.3 RC30 and the problem persisted I noticed that there was a new release 1.31 and this has fixed the problem. I hope this helps anyone else who runs into the same problem.
I still don't know what went wrong though, can anyone shed some light on this? thanks.

Truly there's no telling, sounds like J'f's update fixed it. Can I ask what version you tested?
I would also like to announce that now, thanks to JF, again, you do not have to wipe your phone completely to apply the resigned app updates. However, you will have to re-enter your google info and your call history and other minor things will be gone, but all of your apps will be retained.
Stericson

Stericson said:
Truly there's no telling, sounds like J'f's update fixed it. Can I ask what version you tested?
I would also like to announce that now, thanks to JF, again, you do not have to wipe your phone completely to apply the resigned app updates. However, you will have to re-enter your google info and your call history and other minor things will be gone, but all of your apps will be retained.
Stericson
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hey, I tested it with this one:
Rc30 resigned: http://www.fightforthepits.com/Andro...pdate_Rc30.zip
Update went fine, until I booted back up then the applications kept force quitting, without me even doing anything.
Thanks,
Limitlis

yes there is a temp problem with those right this moment I am on the problem as we speak, expect a fix tonight...
Stericson

Can we get the fix cuz it bricking fone I had to flash rc29 nbh
Edit: I forgot please.... feel kinda rude when ur helping me out lol but it bricking some phones and for our less experince members we don't global meltdown lol

These files have been fixed and uploaded.
Stericson

I found the cyclon boot effect images in in framework-res/assets/images,
is there any way to replace the android boot image with those images?

Is there anyway to make the theme with a custom boot screen? Also is there a way to change the second boot screen(The one that says Android and has the little robot)

i tried using the testkeys from JF to resign my apks, but the update still says there is not signature =[

hello, I used the tutorial and everything worked great. I'm trying to change the background to the notification section but I can't find that file. Could you tell me where it is? Thank you.

hey stericson, how do u create a theme for rc33?

Auto-Deodexer 2.3 [SCRIPT] [FROYO SUPPORT] [Devs Only]

Hey guys, so this script de-odexe's a rom's apks and jar's.
Many thanks to ofcourse JesusFreke who created this method and the way to do it. Also to coolbho for his apkopt script from which i learnt certain techniques of batch programming. This is crzyruski script updated with jesus freke's latest smali/baksmali update ver 1.2.3
It incorporates detecting the bootclasspath of the odex instead of the user specifying it. For non standard odex however a specific bootclass path must be defined. For example:
According to Jr33 for rosie deodexing u have to add class paths com.htc.framework.jar. Thank him for the new Sense bootclasspaths
For those who dont know, this essentially uses jf's method of baksmali'ing the odex file into smali files, and then recreating the classes.dex file and packaging it into the apk hence disregarding the need for the odex.
*New Menu added
*Ability to specify custom bootclasspath (eg for sense ui)
*Added a java check at the beginning
*Added 1.2.3 smali/baksmali with froyo support(thank jf ofcourse )
*Modified it so if an error is encountered during deodexing, it leaves that file behind so once done you know what files encountered errors
*Added Ignore Mode
*Removed zipalign
*If apk doesnt have corresponding odex, it moves it to deodexed_APK instead of user manually moving it
*Added compression level option
*You can monitor the status of ignore mode / compression level right above the main menu
DISCLAIMER:
Its a batch file so it'll only work on windows.
Convince farmatito to bring this to linux
Thanks

So I checked this out and all ...
It's only apk's, right?
I only glanced but I didn't see anything in there for framework, etc.
If I'm right, then perhaps .. you should just say it de-odex's a ROM's apk's instead of the entire ROM.
~enom~

enomther said:
So I checked this out and all ...
It's only apk's, right?
I only glanced but I didn't see anything in there for framework, etc.
If I'm right, then perhaps .. you should just say it de-odex's a ROM's apk's instead of the entire ROM.
~enom~
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Oh, yea so it takes the apk and odex and creates the classes.dex and repackages into the apk so u only need the apk. Ok, ill change the post a bit also yes, it doesnt do frameworks cuz i dont think they have odex's and the jar's do but i dunno of a method to do tht

Daneshm90 said:
Oh, yea so it takes the apk and odex and creates the classes.dex and repackages into the apk so u only need the apk. Ok, ill change the post a bit also yes, it doesnt do frameworks cuz i dont think they have odex's and the jar's do but i dunno of a method to do tht
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yea ... the jar's have dex's too and can be odex-d and can also be un-odex-d. I personally have never been able to successfully de-odex a fully odex'd framework (but I haven't tried hard enough either ). The main difference is once they are de-odex'd ... you insert the classes.dex into the jar and no re-signing required (as they aren't signed).
Either way, nice script mate. Good Job!
~enom~

enomther said:
Yea ... the jar's have dex's too and can be odex-d and can also be un-odex-d. I personally have never been able to successfully de-odex a fully odex'd framework (but I haven't tried hard enough either ). The main difference is once they are de-odex'd ... you insert the classes.dex into the jar and no re-signing required (as they aren't signed).
Either way, nice script mate. Good Job!
~enom~
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ah sweet, something i shall incorporate in the script later on. thanx

so will this script allow you to take an app from say a cliq dump and allow it to run on any android device?

Will this allow you to grab the MyFaves from a TMO rom and de-odex it and install?

Joe333x said:
so will this script allow you to take an app from say a cliq dump and allow it to run on any android device?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Emm...no im 99.99% sure it doesnt help tht way. I know that odex's cause customization problems in roms....there are other factors im sure

mrandroid said:
Will this allow you to grab the MyFaves from a TMO rom and de-odex it and install?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
MyFaves == No Go ... it requires some other form of trickery ... I'm not sure what exactly ... as I did de-odex it and it would not work properly on test-key ROM's like CM, etc.
... So it requires more than a simple de-odex.
~enom~

does your phone need to be connected? I noticed some ADB commands in the script

Daneshm90 said:
Hey guys, so this script de-odexe's a rom's apks.
Many thanks to ofcourse JesusFreke who created this method and the way to do it. Also to coolbho for his apkopt script from which i learnt certain techniques of batch programming
For those who dont know, this essentially uses jf's method of baksmali'ing the odex file into smali files, and then recreating the classes.dex file and packaging it into the apk hence disregarding the need for the odex.
Oh also make sure to place only apk's that have their corresponding odex's. Dont place only apk's !!!!!
Instructions:[WINDOWS ONLY & Phone Must stay connected with adb WORKING]
1. Download http://www.mediafire.com/?mwownkhzm4m
2. Extract to a folder
3. Place all your rom's apk's which have odex's attached to them into that folder
4. Run deoall
5. Copy all the apk's from the deodexed folder into ur corresponding rom app folder
Thanks
Upcoming:
Seperate Framework & apps folder
De-odex framework apk's and jar's (thanx for the tip enomther )
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So the apk after that has the DEX built in or is dexopt still needed?

wesgarner said:
So the apk after that has the DEX built in or is dexopt still needed?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
>.<.......................

kingklick said:
>.<.......................
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hey I am just double checking

If you're having problems de-odexing the framework is because there's a particular order to it.
If you look at your bootclasspath you'll see the framework files necessary to boot the android system, the rest (whatever's not in there) can be dexopted in any order.
If you're trying to de-odex the framework, you're going to have to backtrace yourself.
Personally, I do:
for i in /system/app/*.apk
unodex
for j in /system/framework/nonCoreJar1.jar /system/framework/nonCoreJar2.jar /system/framework/...nonCoreJarN.jar
unodex
for k in /system/framework/bootClassPathJarN.jar /system/framework/bootClassPathJarN-1.jar /system/framework/...bootClassPathJarN-y.jar
unodex
it requires a couple of reboots along the way to deal with any created dalvik-cache so that it doesn't interfere with the next needed classes.dex
the only turn-off was that it requires a running system to do it (it's not that big of a problem, but porting and then flashing starts getting old after a while).
Has that changed?
Does OP mean you can take the apks, toss them into a folder, and then do it from the computer without the phone?
---edit---
shoot me for not reading.
Daneshm90 said:
Instructions:[WINDOWS ONLY & Phone Must stay connected with adb WORKING]
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

jubeh said:
If you're having problems de-odexing the framework is because there's a particular order to it.
If you look at your bootclasspath you'll see the framework files necessary to boot the android system, the rest (whatever's not in there) can be dexopted in any order.
If you're trying to de-odex the framework, you're going to have to backtrace yourself.
Personally, I do:
for i in /system/app/*.apk
unodex
for j in /system/framework/nonCoreJar1.jar /system/framework/nonCoreJar2.jar /system/framework/...nonCoreJarN.jar
unodex
for k in /system/framework/bootClassPathJarN.jar /system/framework/bootClassPathJarN-1.jar /system/framework/...bootClassPathJarN-y.jar
unodex
it requires a couple of reboots along the way to deal with any created dalvik-cache so that it doesn't interfere with the next needed classes.dex
the only turn-off was that it requires a running system to do it (it's not that big of a problem, but porting and then flashing starts getting old after a while).
Has that changed?
Does OP mean you can take the apks, toss them into a folder, and then do it from the computer without the phone?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yea I would figure as much ... simply b/c one must follow the BOOTCLASSPATH order when odex'ing ...
So Jubeh .. you're saying you've personally de-odex'd an fully odex'd framework b4?
Just looking for confirmation from someone who has personally ... since I'm too lazy to go through that hectik crappy process
~enom~

enomther said:
Yea I would figure as much ... simply b/c one must follow the BOOTCLASSPATH order when odex'ing ...
So Jubeh .. you're saying you've personally de-odex'd an fully odex'd framework b4?
Just looking for confirmation from someone who has personally ... since I'm too lazy to go through that hectik crappy process
~enom~
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I did it with the tattoo build, but upon boot I would get all sorts of fc's, but I think that was due more to a bad, hasty port than the deodexing. It was also a long time ago when the tool first came out, dont know if there's been newer revisions, so I'll try it again on that funky tattoo rom.

K guys one problem i found after doing multiple apk's is that i need to give the listening dex command a bit delay so its ready for baksmali. I was doing it right after which it misses for some conversions. I'll upload with delay between the two commands. Hmm framework i gotta give a shot :/ Sounds interesting ...

Solid script! Should make deodexing A LOT easier

Ok so i uploaded with delay between, seems to work fine, tested a LOT of times

thanks for this! can't wait for frameworks to be de-odexed.
jubeh: Thanks for the info. I had no idea and have informed JF previously here: http://jf.andblogs.net/2009/11/08/smalibaksmali-v1-0/ (see comments)

Need someone to compile an APK for me

Alright, so I decompiled the apk, edited the XML files I needed to. And now it won't compile. Keeps throwing java errors. Would someone be so kind to compile this for me?
This is a System APK so it needs to be compiled and signed. If you're curious or it needs extra files pulled from somewhere, it's the SystemUI.apk in the CM7 Droid nightly build 88.
Thanks!!
Here's what I need compiled:
http://mikelierman.com/SystemUI.apk.zip

0vermind said:
Alright, so I decompiled the apk, edited the XML files I needed to. And now it won't compile. Keeps throwing java errors. Would someone be so kind to compile this for me?
This is a System APK so it needs to be compiled and signed. If you're curious or it needs extra files pulled from somewhere, it's the SystemUI.apk in the CM7 Droid nightly build 88.
Thanks!!
Here's what I need compiled:
http://mikelierman.com/SystemUI.apk.zip
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What did you use to decompile it? APK Manager from this thread?
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=695701
Oh and once you compile it, you don't have to sign it because is a system app and not a regular app.

0vermind said:
Alright, so I decompiled the apk, edited the XML files I needed to. And now it won't compile. Keeps throwing java errors. Would someone be so kind to compile this for me?
This is a System APK so it needs to be compiled and signed. If you're curious or it needs extra files pulled from somewhere, it's the SystemUI.apk in the CM7 Droid nightly build 88.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What errors are you getting from apktool? It's going to be hard for someone else to compile an apk that has not been decoded by them and not knowing what files have been changed. Letting us know at least what .png or .xml files were modified would be a start but will work best if we could just figure out why you aren't able to build with your modifications.
The first thing I noticed from the zip you attached is that it's missing the apktool.yml file that should get created a package is decoded. Second, make sure to pull /system/framework/framework-res.apk so resources can be decoded/built properly. If you are using APK Manager, use option 10 to decode with framework-res.apk. If you are just using apktool run the command "apktool if framework-res.apk" before decoding.
mazdarider23 said:
Oh and once you compile it, you don't have to sign it because is a system app and not a regular app.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
SystemUI.apk actually does get signed using the platform key. The easiest way to do so in my opinion is to use ZipSigner 2 on your phone. Also, once you've placed the modified SystemUI.apk into /system/app make sure it's permissions are rw-r--r--(chmod 644 /system/app/SystemUI.apk) and it's owner:group is root:root(chown 0:0 /system/app/SystemUI.apk). Next reboot to recovery, wipe dalvik-cache and cache, then reboot.

MongooseHelix said:
What errors are you getting from apktool? It's going to be hard for someone else to compile an apk that has not been decoded by them and not knowing what files have been changed. Letting us know at least what .png or .xml files were modified would be a start but will work best if we could just figure out why you aren't able to build with your modifications.
The first thing I noticed from the zip you attached is that it's missing the apktool.yml file that should get created a package is decoded. Second, make sure to pull /system/framework/framework-res.apk so resources can be decoded/built properly. If you are using APK Manager, use option 10 to decode with framework-res.apk. If you are just using apktool run the command "apktool if framework-res.apk" before decoding.
SystemUI.apk actually does get signed using the platform key. The easiest way to do so in my opinion is to use ZipSigner 2 on your phone. Also, once you've placed the modified SystemUI.apk into /system/app make sure it's permissions are rw-r--r--(chmod 644 /system/app/SystemUI.apk) and it's owner:group is root:root(chown 0:0 /system/app/SystemUI.apk). Next reboot to recovery, wipe dalvik-cache and cache, then reboot.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well I'm glad you told me because little old me has been modifying system apps since the days of the nexus one and I've yet to sign one....I think is all depends on who's doing the modification...hahahaha....Good luck 0vermind on finding someone to compiling your systemui.apk!

mazdarider23 said:
Well I'm glad you told me because little old me has been modifying system apps since the days of the nexus one and I've yet to sign one....I think is all depends on who's doing the modification...hahahaha....Good luck 0vermind on finding someone to compiling your systemui.apk!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm not quite sure what to make of that comment...I certainly wasn't trying to step on your toes so I apologize if it came across that way. Just wanted to help avoid and rule out any issues that might come up. With APK Manager or by using 7zip, you can move the manifest and/or META-INF folder containing the signature from the original but to imply that system apps are not signed is incorrect.
I also think it is important that those messing with system apps understand that there are different keys used to sign apps. For anybody reading this that wants to figure out how certain packages are signed, here's a bit of an explanation. If we extract SystemUI.apk, we see a directory called META-INF. This holds the key/signature info. The key's serial number can be determined with the following command:
Code:
keytool -printcert -v -file SystemUI/META-INF/CERT.RSA | grep SerialNumber
You can check other apks/jars and noticing which have matching serial numbers, meaning they are signed with the same key...
platform key - SystemUI.apk, Settings.apk, Phone.apk, etc
shared key - Contacts.apk, UserDictionaryProvider.apk, etc
test key - Calendar.apk, DeskClock.apk, etc
google proprietary key - Vending.apk, Talk.apk, etc (including some market user apps like Maps, VoiceSearch, Docs)

MongooseHelix said:
I'm not quite sure what to make of that comment...I certainly wasn't trying to step on your toes so I apologize if it came across that way. Just wanted to help avoid and rule out any issues that might come up. With APK Manager or by using 7zip, you can move the manifest and/or META-INF folder containing the signature from the original but to imply that system apps are not signed is incorrect.
I also think it is important that those messing with system apps understand that there are different keys used to sign apps. For anybody reading this that wants to figure out how certain packages are signed, here's a bit of an explanation. If we extract SystemUI.apk, we see a directory called META-INF. This holds the key/signature info. The key's serial number can be determined with the following command:
Code:
keytool -printcert -v -file SystemUI/META-INF/CERT.RSA | grep SerialNumber
You can check other apks/jars and noticing which have matching serial numbers, meaning they are signed with the same key...
platform key - SystemUI.apk, Settings.apk, Phone.apk, etc
shared key - Contacts.apk, UserDictionaryProvider.apk, etc
test key - Calendar.apk, DeskClock.apk, etc
google proprietary key - Vending.apk, Talk.apk, etc (including some market user apps like Maps, VoiceSearch, Docs)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks, I didn't know this! I'm glad there's people like you and mazdarider23 on this forum that know **** like this!!!

[TUTO] Add Arabic And Hebrew Support For Android Devices (Step By Step)

Some Rom doesn't support full arabic language, for exmaple the last "Runnymede v6 sense 3.5 rom" so here's the simpliest TUTO of "How To Make Your Device Support Arabic Language:
Patch Features :
-Arabic support in gmail.
-Arabic support in the browser.
-Arabic support in messaging app.
-And More...
___________________________________________________________________​
So Here's The TUTO:
1) Download the patch below and extract it to a folder on your computer.
2) Pull /system/framework/framework.jar from your phone and place it in the subfolder input that you extracted in step 1.
3) If you’re not using a CyanogenMod ROM, then you’ll also need to pull /system/lib/libandroid_runtime.so from your phone and place it in subfolder input that you extracted in step 1.
4) If you’re interested in getting arabic shaping in the Browser, pull file /system/lib/libwebcore.so from your phone and place it in subfolder input as well.
5) Double click on commands.exe. Do not close the black cmd screens that will pop up. Once the patch is done, you should get a patched framework.jar in the subfolder output.
6) Version 0.800 provides a recovery flashable file in folder output. Place that on your sdcard, reboot into recovery and flash it. If the flashing through recovery didn’t work for some reason, you’ll need to do the following manually:
-Put file output/framework.jar in your phone at /system/framework/
-Put file output/libandroid_runtime.so in your phone at /system/lib/ (if this file exists, it shouldn’t if you’re arabizing CM6).
-Put file output/libicuuc-arabic.so in your phone at /system/lib/ This is extremely important, failing to place this file will result in a boot loop of your deivce.
-If file exists: Place file output/libwebcore.so in your phone at /system/lib/
-If file exists: Place file output/lib__bcore.so in your phone at /system/lib/
7) You'll find also included the Aljazeera fonts in fonts. You can place these in /system/fonts and reboot.
8) Sometimes permissions and xml data doesn’t get updated correctly resulting in corrupted data entries. If you receive a bunch of Force Closes after a reboot, you’ll need to Factory Reset.
- Rey
All credits g'too the real maker of tuto: madmack's

This is a dupe if the HebScript by Ron Regev (classicaldude) of the iAndroid Community - but with allmost all credits stripped (and surly without any in the pst itself!).
http://iandroid.co.il/forum/post306633.html
the developres of this patch (same as the guys who fixed all RTL issues in CM7):
Erasmux, Mena and Classicaldude.
from the files he posted:
"# MortScript Adaptation of hebfix bash script
# Initial hebrew fix installation script by Nadav Halwany
# Updated for global hebfix and adapted for MortScript by Ron Regev"
there are some post here in XDA with the same patch - but with all the credits.

Helpin' people is not a crime.
IpDo said:
This is a dupe if the HebScript by Ron Regev (classicaldude) of the iAndroid Community - but with allmost all credits stripped (and surly without any in the pst itself!).
http://iandroid.co.il/forum/post306633.html
the developres of this patch (same as the guys who fixed all RTL issues in CM7):
Erasmux, Mena and Classicaldude.
from the files he posted:
"# MortScript Adaptation of hebfix bash script
# Initial hebrew fix installation script by Nadav Halwany
# Updated for global hebfix and adapted for MortScript by Ron Regev"
there are some post here in XDA with the same patch - but with all the credits.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hey Yo' Wait ! I've Post this **** to help people i know it's not mine but i've post it here cause i know that there's alot of people who have that issue
-So Plz Don't Be That Hero Who Everyone Talks About --' لا حول ولا قوة الا بالله
HELPIN' PEOPLE IS NOT A CRIME.

l3az wald lablad

Helping people is not a crime, yes, but stealing the works of other people and not giving them credit is. Please credit the person you copied this information from and link to his/her website.

YoUnEs DeX said:
l3az wald lablad
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Nadé khouya

Alaa said:
Helping people is not a crime, yes, but stealing the works of other people and not giving them credit is. Please credit the person you copied this information from and link to his/her website.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm not stealing here dude! I'm new here and it's easy to put copyrights so DONE

cannot copy to lib folder
thanks for sharing really appreciating, i have a bigger problem, after i did all your instruction the android won't allow me to paste into the lib folder and i got a msg "access denied"
i tried to make another scenario which is adding these files to the original zip build and to make another installation but also i got abort
any idea how can i sort this out
thanks
Nabil

Modyfying existing ROM

Hi,
I decided to try to make a modification of an existing ROM which would suit me better right after flashing. Nothing large, only adding some apps and stuff. But Ive got a couple of questions:
1) Ive read some apps cant run from /system partition. Looks like that (at least) one of mine is one of them - it FCs when in /system/apps or /system/priv-apps. Is there any workaround to make this work? I dont want to lose it when doing factory reset (or to flash the ROM again after every factory reset).
2) I wanted to add langunages (http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2602704) but according to forums those files are odexed. How could I deodex them to make them run on an deodexed ROM?
3) I want to include the faux kernel but Im not sure if simply copying those files into the ROM would do ... in the other cases it went ok but Im not sure about the kernel - Im afraid I could break something.
4) Can I also use the ROM file to store other files? I mean - if I put files into the ROM in /data/media/0/ would it simply appear in my home directory or could this break anything - by which I mean to destroy my existing files?
Thanks for any leads!

michalurban said:
Hi,
I decided to try to make a modification of an existing ROM which would suit me better right after flashing. Nothing large, only adding some apps and stuff. But Ive got a couple of questions:
1) Ive read some apps cant run from /system partition. Looks like that (at least) one of mine is one of them - it FCs when in /system/apps or /system/priv-apps. Is there any workaround to make this work? I dont want to lose it when doing factory reset (or to flash the ROM again after every factory reset).
2) I wanted to add langunages (http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2602704) but according to forums those files are odexed. How could I deodex them to make them run on an deodexed ROM?
3) I want to include the faux kernel but Im not sure if simply copying those files into the ROM would do ... in the other cases it went ok but Im not sure about the kernel - Im afraid I could break something.
4) Can I also use the ROM file to store other files? I mean - if I put files into the ROM in /data/media/0/ would it simply appear in my home directory or could this break anything - by which I mean to destroy my existing files?
Thanks for any leads!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
1) What is the app? on system/app they should work fine since kitkat update, i think
2) To deodex i used a kitchen i got out of foro nexus (cant get the link atm) that only worked on linux. If you want to translate things in your rom, i think it can be done without deodexing, im not sure.
3) Copy paste should work fine but if you take a look at faux's meta inf, see what's there, merge it with your rom's meta inf. But it should work with cp
4) You can use the meta inf to link files to storage like your sdcard, yes. However, if you try to put a wallpaper somewhere inside the rom it wont show up

anerik said:
1) What is the app? on system/app they should work fine since kitkat update, i think
2) To deodex i used a kitchen i got out of foro nexus (cant get the link atm) that only worked on linux. If you want to translate things in your rom, i think it can be done without deodexing, im not sure.
3) Copy paste should work fine but if you take a look at faux's meta inf, see what's there, merge it with your rom's meta inf. But it should work with cp
4) You can use the meta inf to link files to storage like your sdcard, yes. However, if you try to put a wallpaper somewhere inside the rom it wont show up
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks very much for your reply! Now:
1) The app is a game, Traffic Racer. When I flash a ROM where this app has been put in /data/app it runs fine. In /system/app or /system/priv-app it FCs. As you say it should work Ill try to do it again - but I tried it twice in /system/priv-app and once in /system/app already so I dont believe it would work. BTW I use APKs from update.zip created by TiBa if it could be relevant.
2) Linux is not a problem so Ill try to find the link here.
3) Ill try only to copy the files first before messing with meta files.
4) I only want to store some apps config backup files (for Apex launcher and Agenda widget mainly).

michalurban said:
Thanks very much for your reply! Now:
1) The app is a game, Traffic Racer. When I flash a ROM where this app has been put in /data/app it runs fine. In /system/app or /system/priv-app it FCs. As you say it should work Ill try to do it again - but I tried it twice in /system/priv-app and once in /system/app already so I dont believe it would work. BTW I use APKs from update.zip created by TiBa if it could be relevant.
2) Linux is not a problem so Ill try to find the link here.
3) Ill try only to copy the files first before messing with meta files.
4) I only want to store some apps config backup files (for Apex launcher and Agenda widget mainly).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Oh, games could cause issues, yes. Better leave it on data app. Messing with meta inf is totally easier than it sounds anyways and could help fixing any possible bugs, you gotta try it. Backup files i dont think they'll work on the rom but you can store them into storage/emulated/legacy which is the storage, though you could do this any other easier way

anerik said:
Oh, games could cause issues, yes. Better leave it on data app. Messing with meta inf is totally easier than it sounds anyways and could help fixing any possible bugs, you gotta try it. Backup files i dont think they'll work on the rom but you can store them into storage/emulated/legacy which is the storage, though you could do this any other easier way
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks again! Ive got one more question about including the faux kernel. The updater-script is supposed to run this command during the installation in CWM:
Code:
package_extract_file("boot.img", "/dev/block/platform/msm_sdcc.1/by-name/boot");
... which I dont know how to implement. If I would only copy all files it would overwrite the original boot.img (Kitkat+ 1.1 original anyway) - which im not sure is the same. So Im not sure if it wont screw something up ...
Or is this extraction the same as copying it? Does the "/dev/block/platform/msm_sdcc.1/by-name/boot" just mean - "its a block device on first SD, partition name boot"?

michalurban said:
Thanks again! Ive got one more question about including the faux kernel. The updater-script is supposed to run this command during the installation in CWM:
Code:
package_extract_file("boot.img", "/dev/block/platform/msm_sdcc.1/by-name/boot");
... which I dont know how to implement. If I would only copy all files it would overwrite the original boot.img (Kitkat+ 1.1 original anyway) - which im not sure is the same. So Im not sure if it wont screw something up ...
Or is this extraction the same as copying it? Does the "/dev/block/platform/msm_sdcc.1/by-name/boot" just mean - "its a block device on first SD, partition name boot"?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Put faux's boot.img on the rom first, then on updater script go to the line that refers to extracting boot.img (should be like the last one) and replace that with the command on faux's updater script. That means it will extract it in that directory, nothing else. Be sure to copy modules aswell and set the perms

Q&A threads should be created in the Q&A forum... not the Development forum.
Thread moved.

One more question - is there a special way how to pack the ZIP file? Cause I unpacked a ROM, added some apks, packed it but it didnt work (no error, just ended at "opening rom" or what the CWM message is) ... but when I modified existing ZIP it went fine ...