[Q] How to modify a deodexed .zip ROM file? - Verizon Droid Charge

I wanted to get some insight, direction and perhaps guidance on how to take the existing Deodexed ED2 ROM and get inside and make some edits, remove bloatware, replace Touchwiz with a different launcher etc. I am not looking to build a full blown custom ROM, I am just looking to edit a stock (yet deodexed) ROM to meet my needs.
Any help would be greatly appreciated so I can learn more about this process.

There are two ways you can do it. First way, that is usually a little easier to work with, is to extract the zip file, make the changes you want, and re-zip the whole thing. The other method is to just open the zip file (7zip or similar will make this a little easier) and add/delete stuff as you want. It eliminates the decompress/recompress part, but is a little harder to work with unless you know exactly what you want to do.
As far as figuring out what to remove and such, some files are named in a manner that they are easy to figure out (Mms.apk for example) and other files are not (Dlna.apk is AllShare). If you want to figure out what an APK file is, a good indication is sometimes opening it with say 7zip (they are essentially zip files) and extracting res/drawable-hdpi/icon.png and you can see what the icon is. Astro File Manager can also give you some info on the specific Apks, as can Titanium Backup I believe.
As for replacing things (like the launcher) it is as simple as taking one out and putting another in for most stuff. I will let you know that I had battery drain issues when I removed the stock TWLauncher, but I believe I know how to fix it then. A lot of stuff though, if you are replacing things, you'll want to do 1 or 2 things at a time and also be familiar with logcat as it is an invaluable tool when testing out ROM changes and problems.

Thanks imnuts, I will start to play with a zip file and go from there. As you mentioned the bloatware is in the system folder and not the data folder so perhaps I will just delete the bloat, and install GB Launcher on my phone and make it default so that TW is still there just not in use.

Hi,
a little late, but...
did you actually make this work? I'm trying the exact same thing, but my 4ext recovery always aborts the installation. Do I need to sign it or what is wrong?
Thanks a lot...

Please use the Q&A Forum for questions Thanks
Moving to Q&A

Related

Having trouble theming Rosie.

ok, so I am working on reskinning sense, I'm using DamageControl 2.1 right now and I was able to edit some of the files used in com.htc.resources.apk without problem.
The problem I am having right now is whenever I try and modify a file in rosie, repack and resign and adb push it back to the phone, sense force closes until I revert back to the orginial file, has anyone run into the same issue?
I am going to download the latest framework to see if there might be an issue with signing caused by not having the latest one. I really can't remember which version I'm running.
i give you credit, i wouldn't even attempt to try this on my phone.
Quick question, is there a reason why you're resigning the .apk? There is no need too.
I was under the impression, perhaps uneccesarily, that whenever you modify an apk it needs to be resigned to prevent problems.
I've always done this, I have never had a problem with that practice in the past which is why it perplexed me now. As I already stated, there was no problems when I modified com.HTC.resources.apk
I'm drunk
obelisk79 said:
ok, so I am working on reskinning sense, I'm using DamageControl 2.1 right now and I was able to edit some of the files used in com.htc.resources.apk without problem.
The problem I am having right now is whenever I try and modify a file in rosie, repack and resign and adb push it back to the phone, sense force closes until I revert back to the orginial file, has anyone run into the same issue?
I am going to download the latest framework to see if there might be an issue with signing caused by not having the latest one. I really can't remember which version I'm running.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There is images where the name is yadayad08.png, well the number might not be 08 it might be another number and i really dont feel like diggin into it right now, but the images with that number in the end have scripts attatched to the or it written into the image. Have you looked into that. Sorry if I have been %100 clear but ther is images with scripts actually written inside of them......... if you can follow what i'm sayin...:\ I'm drunk......... anyway i'll look into it right now and be back so I dont look like a complete douchebag
So some images have a script stored in the same file? I have never heard of that before. I'd like to see some examples if possible, and how exactly do you modify them?
Time to put my Google-fu to good use.
Edit: whatcha drinking?
The file I am trying to modify is common_mainnav_scroller3.png. maybe that will help. I'm not at my laptop right now, so I am not able to try modifying it without resigning.
I also found some info about the images with scripts attached to them. I have a utility now to modify that stuff, however looking around some more I also think the files with a filename.9.png are the applicable files. I'm not modifying them right now.
obelisk79 said:
The file I am trying to modify is common_mainnav_scroller3.png. maybe that will help. I'm not at my laptop right now, so I am not able to try modifying it without resigning.
I also found some info about the images with scripts attached to them. I have a utility now to modify that stuff, however looking around some more I also think the files with a filename.9.png are the applicable files. I'm not modifying them right now.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
yea i know forsure the.9 files have scripts attached however if your just changing something as small as an icon I don't think it should matter. Not sure though, i was trying to port a theme and i ran into this situation im not a linux guru so I kind of gave it up
I do not resign the .apk after modifying them If you are only changing images just make sure the new image has the same name and just open the .apk and drag n drop the image into the folder where it needs to be it will over write the old image and store the new one.
I have modified the Rosie.apk and com.htc.resources.apk many times to change things in the taskbar change over to Espresso etc
if you are only changing .png files just drag and drop.
Also like cheyne1 said files or .png's with xxxx.9.png etc in them are more than just .png files and replacing them will cause all sorts of issues if the new file is not made correctly
well, lesson learned... drag-n-drop worked. didn't think rosie apk was going to be so testy. thanks for the help.

Custom clockworkmod compatible update.zip

Hello, I would like to create my own update.zip that would be compatible with clockwork mod. I have several files in several locations that I manually copy over after new installs like multicolored bash nano iwconfig iwlist etc. And I think it would be much easier to create a installable package for that, I also delete a number of built I. Apps like tweeter amazon etc. And I have seen the scripts inside oyhers update.zip's that I could add the bash commands to remove those things as well.unfortunately I know nothing about what clockworkmod wants and I see binarys inside these zips dont know if those are customized for each zip or the same in all of them, I dont know what files or information is absolutely required. The best possible solution is if I had a blank update.zip that held all of the required files settings and all I needed to do was add my files and asd a few lines to a preexisting script to remove sum stock apps.thinking back I might have seen a file containing all the files names and md5 chucksums for each as well which if necessary I can do. Is there something like this available for download sumwhere? If not ajy resources to learn the required information and find the required binarys.thank you in advance.
Sent from my Droid using Tapatalk
Hi,
I've been trying to learn the same thing. I'm curious if you found anything useful since posting this.
Of course, if I find anything, i'll post back here too.
Thanks.
Same problem here
Good to hear someone with same problems. I want to create a generic ROM for myself and I want to use ClockworkMod to help flash it instead of using fastboot.
Well, I have found no documentation about what ClockworkMod may need for a zip file.
But I guess it could be possible to just replace them with your own by downloading an existing zip file created by someone else.
I'll try it to see if that works or not. Of course, a documentation would be better.
I regularly flash a new CM7 Nightly as they are released and I have to manually modify some things each time a new rom is flashed. I change screen density and add a notification ringtone that CM7 does not have. I wanted to automate that. Since I have to reflash the Google Apps each time anyway, I thought why not modify the gapps zip to include my changes. After searching the web I found a little info about how to do it. I just modify the zip on my computer using WinRar, copy the file to my device and re-sign the package using signapktic which is free on the market. Then flash using CWM. It worked great. No more manual adjustments. There are some instructions here which helped me:
http://forum.cyanogenmod.com/topic/15030-moving-apps-to-system/
I been getting into the kitchen
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=633246
So far i`ve managed to integrate a few apps , ringtone should be easy
next the fonts from utmost rom
thanks to the kitchen, Im now running at script kiddie level

[How To] Basic Themeing

This is a very basic guide to beginning themeing. It is not meant to be all-inclusive, just some simple steps that can be taken to make your own custom theme fairly easily. This guide should allow anyone to be able to grab images they like from any ROM and incorporate them into their own.
I SUGGEST YOU ALWAYS MAKE A BACKUP OF ANY FILE BEFORE YOU THEME IT AND NANDROID FIRST BEFORE FLASHING
Here is a basic overview of changing images in an apk:
1. Get your base file to theme – framework-res.apk, com.htc.resources.apk, phone.apk ect.
2. “Open” apk archive with 7-zip (don’t unzip!) and drag and drop the new images into the appropriate folder.
3. Flash new file.
Now some details:
1. The first step is to obtain the file you are going to theme. The file you are themeing ( i.e. going to flash to your phone) must come from the ROM you are currently running. Always use files from your current ROM as a base, however the images you want to change can come from other ROMs, or you can edit existing ones or make your own from scratch. You can obtain your theme base through an ADB pull of the files from your phone, or simply downloading the ROM zip file and extracting the files you need.
2. Now that you have the file to theme, don’t touch it! OK, more specifically, you won’t unzip or do anything to this file except “open” it with 7-zip (unless this is a market app, but more on that later). You are going to drag and drop the new icons into this file by “opening” it and navigating to the appropriate folder. The images you want to change are stored in the apk under /res/drawable-hdpi. Once you have your new icons from other sources, open your base file and navigate to this folder and drop them in.
3. Now you can flash this new file. I have provided empty zip files that you can place your themed files into and flash in recovery. Place your framework-res.apk and/or com.htc.resources.apk into the /system/framework folder located in the zip file provided. Now highlight the META-INF and system folders and zip them up. You can now place this file on the root of your SD card and flash. System apps can be placed under /system/app in the zip file.
Some more info on common themeable files:
Framework-res.apk – this is the meat and potatoes of a theme. On an AOSP ROM it will contain almost everything you want to theme aside from individual apps themselves. Sense ROMs have another file com.htc.resources.apk, as well as framework-res.apk. Both of these files are located in a ROM under /system/framework.
System apps: These apps come packaged in a ROM under /system/apps. They can be themed in the same manner as a framework apk. Some of these apps include Gmail, browser, camera, ect. Place them in your flashable zip under the folder /system/app.
Market apps: These apps are downloaded from the market and are can be pulled from your phone from /data/app. These files require a bit more to theme. They don’t share the same signature as the system apps and you must resign them using a program such as apkmanger. Place them in your flashable zip under /data/app.
If there are any errors, or if anyone has suggestions please let me know. I may have over looked some details, ect.
Thanks to everyone on XDA who has shared their knowledge and made this a great community!
Thanks that will be helpful
Sent from my PC36100 using XDA App
so using this guide we can pull parts and what not from other elements of themes we like and create our own framework to push back? Also, based on what you have, shouldn't it be easy to put this up on bid for hire (?) website to create a program to automate that?
xlGmanlx said:
so using this guide we can pull parts and what not from other elements of themes we like and create our own framework to push back? Also, based on what you have, shouldn't it be easy to put this up on bid for hire (?) website to create a program to automate that?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes the idea of this guide was to help people pick and choose icons they like in other ROMs and add it to their own. I'm not sure what bid for hire is?
its a website where you can load your requirements and folks can bid to do your work
linky
nukedukem said:
Yes the idea of this guide was to help people pick and choose icons they like in other ROMs and add it to their own. I'm not sure what bid for hire is?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
xlGmanlx said:
its a website where you can load your requirements and folks can bid to do your work
linky
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Interesting. Didn't know anything like this existed.
Sent from my EVO (CM6.1) using XDA App
Thank you, thank you!!!! I've been looking for something like this for a while.
evolishesh said:
Thank you, thank you!!!! I've been looking for something like this for a while.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No prob. Let me know if it works for you.
I couldn't get the auto signing to work, but the manual way of doing it worked.
Hmm, I got a boot loop on first try and doing this. Does that mean something went wrong with the signing, or that what I created for the theme was wrong? I used the empty .zip folder and re-zipped it, so I don't think that is the issue.
JasonK75 said:
Hmm, I got a boot loop on first try and doing this. Does that mean something went wrong with the signing, or that what I created for the theme was wrong? I used the empty .zip folder and re-zipped it, so I don't think that is the issue.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The signing should be ok. If you are using Amon_ra recovery it wont let you flash an unsigned zip I believe. Are you on sense or AOSP? Are you editing images or just copying from other ROMs?
What you might want to do is just create a simple test file. Change just one image and then flash that. That should let you know that your process is correct.
I using Amon Ra and using AOSP. I was moving some items out of a sense ROM so I guess that is where I might have went wrong. I think I'll take your advice and move just a single image and see how that works for me. Thanks!
I tried again this time I ended up stuck at the EVO white screen. I'm guessing it doesn't like the sense part I'm trying to throw in there. I'll have to try again with a AOSP theme instead.
Sent from my EVO (CM6.1.1) using XDA App
A couple things to look out for when swapping sense/CM icons - some file names are slightly different between sense and AOSP. Rename any sense icons to their AOSP counterparts and vice versa. Also, double check the image size of the icon is the same in both, i.e. 70x70 pixels, ect. and make sure you are not adding images that don't exist normally in the framework. For example there wont be any 4G icons in CM framework.
Also, make sure you aren't unzipping the new framework-res.apk you want to theme and flash, or trying to resign it. Only sign the flashable zip, not the individual files inside. The only thing you want to do with the framework-res.apk you will package and flash is open (not unzip) with 7-zip and navigate to the res/drawable-hdpi folder so you can drag and drop the new icons into it, overwriting the old.
I hope that helps!
How important is it to re-sign? I have modified the Framework and Resources apks with 7zip by switching images out. I have also modified the Rosie.apk. I put everything back where it was supposed to go, backed out of 7-zip and flashed. I have never had an issue with it, nor have I re-signed it. Just wondering.
spence341 said:
How important is it to re-sign? I have modified the Framework and Resources apks with 7zip by switching images out. I have also modified the Rosie.apk. I put everything back where it was supposed to go, backed out of 7-zip and flashed. I have never had an issue with it, nor have I re-signed it. Just wondering.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
AFAIK if you are on clockwork recovery, I don't think it checks for signatures. I think Amon_ra requires a signed file to flash. I think it's just added protection against flashing any old junk. If you can flash in amon_ra without a signature and you don't have problems then I wouldn't worry about it. It's the signature of the framework-res.apk ( or com.htc.resources.apk) that's important. That's why you don't unzip it.
I think that
1.7.0.2 = yes
1.8 = no
nukedukem said:
AFAIK if you are on clockwork recovery, I don't think it checks for signatures. I think Amon_ra requires a signed file to flash. I think it's just added protection against flashing any old junk. If you can flash in amon_ra without a signature and you don't have problems then I wouldn't worry about it. It's the signature of the framework-res.apk ( or com.htc.resources.apk) that's important. That's why you don't unzip it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
nukedukem said:
A couple things to look out for when swapping sense/CM icons - some file names are slightly different between sense and AOSP. Rename any sense icons to their AOSP counterparts and vice versa. Also, double check the image size of the icon is the same in both, i.e. 70x70 pixels, ect. and make sure you are not adding images that don't exist normally in the framework. For example there wont be any 4G icons in CM framework.
Also, make sure you aren't unzipping the new framework-res.apk you want to theme and flash, or trying to resign it. Only sign the flashable zip, not the individual files inside. The only thing you want to do with the framework-res.apk you will package and flash is open (not unzip) with 7-zip and navigate to the res/drawable-hdpi folder so you can drag and drop the new icons into it, overwriting the old.
I hope that helps!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks, any advice does help.
I did make sure the the icons I was swapping out were named the same thing in the CM ROM, but I didn't check the size of it at all.
I didn't unzip the famework-res.apk but instead just went into it with 7-Zip and dragged the icons into that. Then I backed out of 7-Zip so that it would save and close everything properly - know that does work because that is how I add the Fold transistions to the ROM - and then I put the famework-res.apk into the folder and zip it up per your instructions above. Then I manually sign it (still haven't been able to get the auto-signing to work) and then flash.
I'll have to try again moving a CM theme to the CM framework-res.apk and see if it is working. What I was attempting to do was take, from the Batman Theme for sense, the drop down notification shade with the Bat Icon and put it into the CM ROM. I don't know if you have time to try it yourself to see if it works, or if you get the same issues that I had.
Either way, thanks for the help! I know I'll get this theming down at some point!
nukedukem said:
No prob. Let me know if it works for you.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hey buddy.
I’m stuck. I had to download and install Eclipse with the sdk plus java. I don’t know where to go from there. Every time I open the rom that I want to theme and get the framework.apk and edit the PNG’s , how do I go about saving them? Do I just used the same name as the old ones or I have to save them with a new name.
Or pm Me.
xlGmanlx said:
I think that
1.7.0.2 = yes
1.8 = no
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So the new amon_ra doesn't require a signed file to flash? I'll make a note off that. Thanks.
JasonK75 said:
Thanks, any advice does help.
I did make sure the the icons I was swapping out were named the same thing in the CM ROM, but I didn't check the size of it at all.
I didn't unzip the famework-res.apk but instead just went into it with 7-Zip and dragged the icons into that. Then I backed out of 7-Zip so that it would save and close everything properly - know that does work because that is how I add the Fold transistions to the ROM - and then I put the famework-res.apk into the folder and zip it up per your instructions above. Then I manually sign it (still haven't been able to get the auto-signing to work) and then flash.
I'll have to try again moving a CM theme to the CM framework-res.apk and see if it is working. What I was attempting to do was take, from the Batman Theme for sense, the drop down notification shade with the Bat Icon and put it into the CM ROM. I don't know if you have time to try it yourself to see if it works, or if you get the same issues that I had.
Either way, thanks for the help! I know I'll get this theming down at some point!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
OK I'll try and do what you are trying to do and see if it works...
evolishesh said:
Hey buddy.
I’m stuck. I had to download and install Eclipse with the sdk plus java. I don’t know where to go from there. Every time I open the rom that I want to theme and get the framework.apk and edit the PNG’s , how do I go about saving them? Do I just used the same name as the old ones or I have to save them with a new name.
Or pm Me.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So now you have an unzipped framewor-res.apk with a bunch of images. This framework should be the one that you want to take icons from. If not, start over with the ROM you want to copy images from. You will want to copy the images you want to put into another ROM so that you can dump them into the new framework-res.apk. After you figure out what icons you want to bring to your new framework, get a clean version of framework/com.htc from the ROM you are actually running - i.e. if you are running myn ROM on your phone, download the myn ROM and pull out the framework-res.apk or com.resources.apk that you are going to theme.
Now with this fresh clean framework you will "open" it with 7-zip to navigate to the /res/drawable-hdpi folder so you can now drag and drop the images you want to copy over into it. Then the close the 7zip window and your framework-res.apk is all set to flash. You don't need to rename if the file names are the same, you can just drag and drop and the files will be overwritten in the new framework.

[Q] Guide Request-- How to Implement Krylon's CIQ Removal

Hello. I would like to know if anyone has an actual beginner's guide to CIQ removal. For a minute, there was a guide that didn't quite have all the bugs worked out of it, but it was removed. I've been trying to follow Krylon's thread on rootzwiki, but it seems to stop short of telling people how to actually recompile everything and push it back to the phone. It would be helpful and informative to be walked through this process once the CIQ files have been deleted from the decompressed classes.dex files and .xml manifest.
Thanks
Note: So far, I have figured out that autosmali can be used to smali the files back into a classes.dex file, which can be reincorporated into the associated .jar files using 7zip. Seems simple enough. However, the process of getting framework-res updated seems to be more complicated, and requires answering some questions about. Specifically: 1. Option 11 asks (a) Is this a system apk? (b) Aside from the signature, would you like to copy over any additional files that you didn't modify from the original apk in order to ensure least # of errors? I have answered "yes" to 1.(a) and "yes" to 1.(b), which told me to delete the .xml and the resources.arcs file from a temp directory before completing the compile. This whole process has left me with three modified files (framework.jar, android.policy.jar, and framework-res.apk (unsigned)). Now what do I do with them?
Note 2: Looks like I can sign the framework-res.apk file using option 12.
Once you are done modifying the files you need to either put them in an update.zip and flash or push them with adb to their respective folders.
As for someone giving a step by step I doubt that will happen. It seems like the ones that do know how to do alot of the modifications to roms, are pretty vague when they post how to's. Most of the time it seems like they just don't want to share the information. Why I don't know, but that is just my opinion. I am sure I will probably get flamed for saying this but again this is just my opinion.
You can search the forums and find most of the information here and there. Then you need to put it all together and hope it works.
My thought's would be to have a seperate area in the forum to post just Tips, Techniques and How To's. Then alot of the people that want to learn how to theme and build roms would have an better source to find their answers than having to search all the forums. Again just my .02 cents worth...
Hope no one is offended by this as that is not my intention.... XDA is a great source for information...
quick steps..
Decompile Framework.jar, delete the entire carrieriq dir and all it's contents, recompile.
delete /system/xbin/iqbridger
DONE
Makes the rest dead code.
tablador said:
Hello. I would like to know if anyone has an actual beginner's guide to CIQ removal. For a minute, there was a guide that didn't quite have all the bugs worked out of it, but it was removed. I've been trying to follow Krylon's thread on rootzwiki, but it seems to stop short of telling people how to actually recompile everything and push it back to the phone. It would be helpful and informative to be walked through this process once the CIQ files have been deleted from the decompressed classes.dex files and .xml manifest.
Thanks
Note: So far, I have figured out that autosmali can be used to smali the files back into a classes.dex file, which can be reincorporated into the associated .jar files using 7zip. Seems simple enough. However, the process of getting framework-res updated seems to be more complicated, and requires answering some questions about. Specifically: 1. Option 11 asks (a) Is this a system apk? (b) Aside from the signature, would you like to copy over any additional files that you didn't modify from the original apk in order to ensure least # of errors? I have answered "yes" to 1.(a) and "yes" to 1.(b), which told me to delete the .xml and the resources.arcs file from a temp directory before completing the compile. This whole process has left me with three modified files (framework.jar, android.policy.jar, and framework-res.apk (unsigned)). Now what do I do with them?
Note 2: Looks like I can sign the framework-res.apk file using option 12.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Don't use option 12.
NEVER SIGN A SYSTEM APK
krylon360 said:
Don't use option 12.
NEVER SIGN A SYSTEM APK
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks krylon for the quick fix.
If, for completeness, I wanted to put all of these modified files on my phone (unsigned), how would I do it? Last time I tried, I used a root file explorer and my phone started bootlooping immediately after placing framework-res.apk on the phone. Adb was not available, so I had to reflash in order to put the file back the way it was. I was thinking maybe to adp push the file instead of copying it with the explorer.
adb push then reboot.
but, it's best to do it as a fresh install.
Thanks, I will give that a try.
Followed these directions 3x, but when I boot up my phone with these changes, the Android System process stops responding every time i boot my phone. I can bypass the error message fine, though.
edit: Well, after reflashing it 2 more times with the exact same rom, it doesn't happen anymore. MEH, who knows?
One of Raver's ROMs did that too. I think it is a dependency to something you removed. It was fine on the ROM. One FC when you boot ROM and that was it.

Removing the .APKs

(Always make up back ups before flashing)When flashing a rom some of you may remove some .apk files that you just want gone to free up some space. This is just a tip for some of you like me that remove .apk files like htcfacebook,FB chat, radio widget,scribble,twitter,street viewer,my reader,some of the widgets that etc or w.e files you dont like..I use the app called super manager and have to go through the steps.
So,when you down load your rom make sure you have programs like winrar,winzip or 7zip to be able to open the rom up NO need to extract the rom just use one of the programs like winrar to go to the rom and sub floder system>app and then you can remove the .apk files you do not want or add the .apks files you want before flashing. I found this is a little easier rather then having to D|L super manager then select root enable and file manager then remove then add other .apks then reboot.
*****But please make sure you know which ones to remove if not ask the dev of that rom because some of the .apks are very important to the rom it self.
This is just some info that I thought I would share if some members already knew this or something different please share. Or any other related tips & tricks? that would be great.
Take cautions if you decide to try this is out
Very good method, this is how I alter my ROM before flashing them. But I also delete and add the internal audio files as well like internal ringtones, alarms and tones. Thumbs up !!!
Ok closing this now as it really is pointless.

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