Database Info

How does Android file system work (i want to replace some grahpics of a installed ap)

Hello,
i installed an application that uses png images files...now i want to replace some of them with mine. I can extract thoose pngs from the apk in windows with winrar fine. So i know the file name, but when i search for thoose files in Android they are not there. So where do my installed apps go in the Android file system? Do they stay in the apk? Can i modify them there? I tried modifying the apk before installing it wich resulted in a failed installation

[Q] problem installing a modded rom

I am having hard time to install a ROM after I modded it a bit.
The ROM itself had been installed already and works perfectly.
I was trying to change a few things like icons, bootanimation, default launcher and other stuff but the phone keep giving me an error and fail to install the file.
my phone is HTC HD2 t-mobile version, the ROM is android 2.3.4 with CM7, I am installing ROMs using MAGLDR 1.13 + clk 3.1.0.1.
I modified the zip file using 2 methods - both led to the error
1. unpack the zip file, replace the files, repack the folders back together into zip
2. swapping the files without extracting the folders out of the zip file
in both cases I used winrar (my computer runs 64bit win7).
am I missing something?
any help will be much appreciated

This is strange... I basically use the same method to mod minor stuff (like icons)... And it works for me without problems.
Are you sure your repackaged file has the same structure? Maybe unpack both original package and your modified one and compare folders and files using WinDiff or something?

I ran a check with "Beyond Compare 3" and it appeared to be the same except the files I've replaced.
What archiving software are you using?
There is no need to sign the zip or anything like it, right?

I'm using Total Commander which has zip functionality built-in.
No, I don't need to sign anything either (although I don't know, maybe it requires setting development options in android's settings).

[Guide]Create Custom ROMs | Modify Apks

Hello xda.
This is a Guide to help anyone who wishes to create custom ROMs. This Guide aims to be as complete as possible, and will give all information related to creating a custom ROM... editing apks, adding or removing apps, de-odexing apps, and so on.
Al suggestions to improve upon this guide are welcome.
0. Pre-requisites
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Credits to...
1. puppet13th... My mentor, teacher, and a great friend.
2. Wanman... ApkTool for ICS
3. langthang... For a great Guide on Creating Update Script
4. lokeshsaini94... For lots of help
Downloads
You need to Download the following...
1. Apk Tool [link(ICS)|link(GB)]... A tool for De-Compiling apks
2. 7 zip [link]... A tool for un-compressing any sort of compressed file
3. ROM signer [link]... Restores the signing of the ROM zip file, which is messed up while uncompressing
4. Any Image Resizer​
Setting up your PC
You need to do the following...
1. Create a folder (preferably in Desktop, and name it "Android")
2. Create Sub-Folders by the names "Base ROM" and "Custom ROM". Also make Sub Folders by the name...
a. ApkTool... Extract contents of ApkTool Here
b. Signer... Extract Autosigner here​
I. Let's get our Base ROM
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You need to get the base ROM in the ./Desktop/Base ROM folder. It is also recommended that you flash the Base ROM into your phone, as it will help in testing the mods, as you make them.
The process of getting the base ROM will depend on the scenario your situation fits in, from amongst the following...
1. You want an already made Custom ROM as your Base... Download the ROM [willl come in .zip folder], and extract it in /Desktop/Android/Base ROM folder
2. You want to base your ROM on a stock firmware, which came in an ftf package... Use the following tool to extract the files from the ftf file.
3. You want to base your ROM on a stock firmware, which is instaled on your phone...
Take a back up of the ROM using ClockWork Mod, and copy the back up files (from /sdcard/clockworkmod/backup), somewhere to your computer. Then, using this tool, extract the files to /Destktop/Android/Base ROM
Copy the following folders from /system of your phone using Root Browser
/app
/bin
/etc
/fonts
/framework
/lib
/media
/semc
/usr
/xbin
build.prop​
4. You want to base your ROM on a stock firmware, that comes as a ready to flash .zip file on the internet... Download the ROM, and extract it in /Desktop/Android/Base ROM folder
After completion, the Base ROM will have the following Folder Structure
Desktop
Android
Base ROM
META-INF [only if you got your base from another Custom ROM][/INDENT][/INDENT][/INDENT]
system
apps
bin
etc
.
.
.
data [may be]
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
*ScreenShots*
Copy the contents of Base ROM folder to Custom ROM folder.
We now have the foundation of our ROM laid out in front of us, inviting us to show our creativity.
II. Let's work on the Base ROM... Creation of the Custom ROM
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
A. Apks Make up the Android System...
We will now work, only on the /Desktop/Android/Custom ROM Folder
1. Look into the /system/apps...
You will find apk files which will be raninging frm 100 to 200 in number. Err, half or more are known as "Crapware". You need to remove files which are useless, that's a very important step to enhance performance of your final ROM. Look into your device's forums, to get the list of Safe-To-Remove appks from the respective firmware. In case your base is an already built custom ROM, you will have to remove lesser or none of the files.
2. Here, you can add your desired files as well, keeping compaitability in mind.
3 [Optional]. On a .txt file, keep a record of all the apps your removed or added, as it will help in troubleshooting at a later stage.​
B. Implementing Already-Built-MODs in your ROM...
1. Download any Mod you want to keep in your ROM [Make sure your device, and the Base ROM is compaitable]
2. Extract the zip file and you will get a system folder.
3. Copy the files from the system folder to /Custom ROM/sytem, making sure the files go into the folders they came from.
That is, all apk files from /system/apps folder of the Mod should go to /Custom ROM/system/app folder, and so on...​
C. Changing the Interface... Let's Mess with SystemUI[nterface].apk
Go to /system/app and copy SystemUI.apk to
/Desktop/Android/ApkTool/place-apk-here-for-modding
Working with ApkTool
The link provided in this post is of an easy to use software called ApkTool.
1. Double Click on the Script.bat file to open up the software.
*Screenshot*
2. Decompress the SystemUI.apk using option '9'.
Wait for the process to complete
3. Go to /Projects, and you will find a folder called SystemUI.
Open the /SystemUI.apk/res/drawable folders and you will find lots and lots of .png files
*Screenshot*
4. Look into the files carfully.
Bingo, they correspond to the various system elements of the SystemUI of the Base ROM.
5. Open any file you want to edit, edit it, and save in the original location, replacing the original un-edited file. [On a temporary notepad file, note which all files you edit]
Note: You will notce that there are .png files for, say the Battery Icon. You will find that there are files for each state of the Battery Icon. So if you intend to edit the Battery Icon, you need to edit all the files corresonding to each of the states.
5.A. A common exaple of such editing is making the elements of a Gingerbread SystemUI.apk look like ICS SystemUI.apk. For this get hands on any ICS SystemUI.apk and extract both the files in seprate locations, and then copy the files from the ICS SystemUI folder to GB SystemUI folder. However, here you must make sure that the names of the files coming from ICS SystemUI are changed to corresponding values of the GingerBread SystemUI.apk. Here, also ensure that the new files, which replace the original files, have the same dimensions as the original files. If not use any image resizing tool.
*Screenshot*
6. If you want to edit some values in the .xml files, carry on. Edit the files as you wish, and replace the original files. Once you are done with the editing...
7. Open the Script.bat file and run command 11. [Say NO when it asks if the file is a system file]You will have a new SystemUI.apk file called unsignedSystemUI.apk in /place-apk-here-for-modding folder.
Go and fill your pockets with some cookies from the kitchen. Start having them.
8. Keep the temporary notepad file on one side and open the unsignedSystemUI.apk with 7zip, and open the original SystemUI.apk using 7zip besides it.
*Screenshot*
9. Drag and extract the files you edited to a temporary folder.
10. Drag the extracted files to the SystemUI.apk, replacing the older files, making sure all the edited files go to the proper place. [That's why I asked to keep a note of which all files were edited].
*Screenshot*
11. If you edited some .xml files, then you MIGHT need to copy the resources.acrc file at the root of the unsignedSystemUI.apk file to the root of the original SystemUI.apk file.
Once done, the original SystemUI.apk has now become a modded SystemUI.apk, with your creativity embedded into it. Time to test the SystemUI.apk.
12. Using Quick ADB, push the edited SystemUI.apk to your phone.
*Screenshot*
13. Re-boot your phone and you shoud see the changes you made in the UI. .
In case it gives force close message, you messed up somewhere. So you will have to push the original SystemUI.apk [from /Base ROM/system/apps folder], and try to mod the file from scratch again.
14. Copy the sucessfully modded SystemUI.apk from /Apktool/place-apk-here-for-modding folder to /Custom ROM/system/app folder, replacing the older file.​
D. Changing the Interface... Editing other .apks
1. As earlier, copy the apk you want to edit from /Custom ROM/System/app to /Apktool/**** folder, and perform the modification to optain a new modded .apk file.
2. Test this file if you wish, by pushing it using Qucik ADB.
3. If the modded file wrks, copy this new file to /Custom ROM/System/app and replace the original file​
E. Changing the Interface... Editing the font
1. Take your desired font.ttf file and rename it as DroidSans.ttf..
2. Go to the folder system/fonts/
3. Now, replace the file DroidSans.ttf with your desired DoridSans.ttf...
4. To change the lock screen clock font...replace the Clocktopia.ttf with your desired one (rename first)...​
If you did a good job in the above steps, the /Custom ROM folder should be having the contents of a wonderful ROM in making.
Here, I will like to mention that, if you want to upload your custom ROM on the internet and share it, you must ensure that you did lots of hard work in the above steps. There's no point making a custom ROM without modifying lots of files and adding lots of tweaks.
Just make sure that you do so much of modding that, say, your Gingerbread ROM looks like Jellybean, or say, your ROM made for Galaxy Y works as smooth as an SIII.
III. Compiling the Custom ROM
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
A. If you got your base ROM as in [1 or 4] in step I above
1. Copy the META-INF folder from /Base ROM to /Desktop/Android/Custom ROM
2. Rename the Custom ROM folder to whatever-you-want-your-ROM-to-be-called.
3. Add the Folder to a zip file using 7zip.
4. Take this zip file to /Desktop/Android/Signer folder and run sign.bat.​
X. The new zip file called Update.zip is your ROM.
Copy this file to the SD Card of your phone, format /system, /data, /cache using CWM and flash your .zip file. And enjoy your custom ROM.
B. If you got your base ROM as in [2 or 3] in step I above... Creating your own Update script
Read the following Tutorial. [link]
Once you are done, try the ROM on your phone. Share it if you feel it's great. And hit Thanks Button.

Reserved

Reserved2

nice guide!

thanks for the tutorial.

Nice guide, continue finish it.:good:

Awesome
Adds some more tutorial please:thumbup:
Thanks for your work
Inviato dal mio GT-N7000 con Tapatalk 2

Please also add link to original thread....
Btw .. Nice guide....
In 1. Looking into system apps... you should delete .apk as well as .odex files when you want to remove an app... Like browser.apk and browser.odex... Many peoples won't delete them....
Sent from my GT-S7500 using xda premium

Thanks for this nice guide. :highfive:
Please add the placeholder *Screenshot* s :good:

beautiful
Thanks a lot for this beautiful guide. Loved it

i tried it ............
i followed the guide n tried editin my custom rom technoduos on sgy duos GT-s6102
all i did was extract the rom using CWM and then added removed some apps at /system/apps
no other tweaks just addin n removin apps dats all then compressed it n signed it
then wen i flashed it on my set it worked (yayyyyyyy)
but there were some problems the apps which i del were gone but the ones i added were not there ..........
also wen i flashed the rom again the apps which were del were back how is it possible i made sure i had del em
plz help

thank you very much for your tutorials are very helpful to me

nice guide! thx

Nice Guide...
Thanks for the hard work to track down all this information and publish for us.
Thanks

Thanks... im gonna give this a whirl
Sent from my SGH-T999 using Tapatalk 2

R: [Guide]Create Custom ROMs | Modify Apks
Very useful giude thanks ; )
Inviato dal mio GT-N7100 con Tapatalk 2

:Good:
Sent from my potato oO

thanks

help with addind apk in data/app folder, not working

Hope some can help me out. I'm trying to add app to ROM zip so I don't need to install it manually. Have the ROM install itself when flashing it. I open the ROM zip with winRar and create a folder "data/app." I use Real APK Leecher app to download free app. I place apk in "data/app" folder. Flash the ROM w/TWRP v2.2.2.0 and none of the app got installed.
However, if i put all apk in "system/app" folder, it installed when flashing the ROM.
This is the ROM i use [ROM][S4] Virtuous Ville+ RC-1 | Sense 4+ | JB 4.1.1
Am i doing something wrong that's y "data/app" not install any apk?
thx

cat2115 said:
Hope some can help me out. I'm trying to add app to ROM zip so I don't need to install it manually. Have the ROM install itself when flashing it. I open the ROM zip with winRar and create a folder "data/app." I use Real APK Leecher app to download free app. I place apk in "data/app" folder. Flash the ROM w/TWRP v2.2.2.0 and none of the app got installed.
However, if i put all apk in "system/app" folder, it installed when flashing the ROM.
This is the ROM i use [ROM][S4] Virtuous Ville+ RC-1 | Sense 4+ | JB 4.1.1
Am i doing something wrong that's y "data/app" not install any apk?
thx
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have found adding a folder like that is not that easy which is a shame, think you have to edit something in the META-INF to get it to work but you could just put the apk in the system/app.

thanks Darknites.
Any different by putting in data/app or system/app?
Maybe this is old when i google. I also try to edit something so that "Unknown Source" enable itself when flashing. I google and saw somewhere in xda to edit xml which was locate inside SettingProvider.apk -->res-->values-->bools.xml
lol unfortunately there's no "value" folder in it...

cat2115 said:
thanks Darknites.
Any different by putting in data/app or system/app?
Maybe this is old when i google. I also try to edit something so that "Unknown Source" enable itself when flashing. I google and saw somewhere in xda to edit xml which was locate inside SettingProvider.apk -->res-->values-->bools.xml
lol unfortunately there's no "value" folder in it...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Some apps don't like it for some reason so does need testing. Don't think its that I sure its in the folder I said. Its something I never looked in to because I use Titanium Backup for apps that don't work and/or have settings backed up with it.

[SOLVED]deodex zip D6603_Customized US_1288-7827_23.4.A.1.232_R6C

Wondering if anybody around here has some experience on using SVADeodexerForArt?
Trying to deodex D6603_Customized US_1288-7827_23.4.A.1.232_R6C and from what I gathered this is the tool to use, but been bouncing from thread to thread trying to understand how to make use of it and the more I read the more confusing it has become and I'm still at square one...
Anybody willing to shade to light and give direction on how to proceed?
Thanks

-Deodex-
Ok, so after a few days of reading I figured how to deodex my rom, took the long way since I didn't have the rom on my phone, just started from the xperifirm file...
Want to give a big THANKS @serajr for answering my questions and letting me use his zip to add my files for flashing!
This deodex zip is only for the D6603_Customized US_1288-7827_23.4.A.1.232_R6C firmware with root and recovery so be sure you're on that exact firmware before flashing!
-BACK UP before you even think of flashing this-
there is no debloat in the zip , you'll end up with a full stock D6603_Customized US_1288-7827_23.4.A.1.232_R6C deodexed, rooted and dualrecovery firmware
just flash the zip through recovery, wipe cache and dalvik and then boot...
get the deodex zip to flash here

-DM- said:
Ok, so after a few days of reading I figured how to deodex my rom, took the long way since I didn't have the rom on my phone, just started from the xperifirm file...
Want to give a big THANKS @serajr for answering my questions and letting me use his zip to add my files for flashing!
This deodex zip is only for the D6603_Customized US_1288-7827_23.4.A.1.232_R6C firmware with root and recovery so be sure you're on that exact firmware before flashing!
-BACK UP before you even think of flashing this-
there is no debloat in the zip , you'll end up with a full stock D6603_Customized US_1288-7827_23.4.A.1.232_R6C deodexed, rooted and dualrecovery firmware
just flash the zip through recovery, wipe cache and dalvik and then boot...
get the deodex zip to flash here
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hello there,
Can you please share how you did that? I am not able to find any way.
I wanna deodex D6653 firmware 23.4.A.1.232 Customized IN
I have .ftf, PRF Creator and SVA Deodexer
Thanks in advance

Mohitash said:
Hello there,
Can you please share how you did that? I am not able to find any way.
I wanna deodex D6653 firmware 23.4.A.1.232 Customized IN
I have .ftf, PRF Creator and SVA Deodexer
Thanks in advance
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
First make sure that you have the firmware you want to deodex, rooted with recovery and installed on your phone already so in your case D6653 firmware 23.4.A.1.232 Customized IN , if not then create a prerooted zip with that ftf file, SuperSu and latest dual recovery with PRFcreator then flash it and boot....Once that exact firmware is on your phone, you can follow those steps below to create a deodex zip.
Here is the process:
-download the zip that I provided in this thread (you'll need it later to swap my files with yours)
-open the ftf with 7-Zip to copy the system.sin file
-then use Flashtool Sin Editor to extract data to get System.ext4
-from there, use ext2explore (download it here) to open the system.ext4
-Once you opened system.ext4, locate those 3 folders (app, framework and priv-app) and build.prop
-create a folder called deodex on your C drive (so C:\deodex) and copy those 3 folders mentioned above and the build.prop file to it
-then move SemcGenericUxpRes folder from framework folder to app folder and take the 2 containing folders from vendor\app and move them to the app folder as well
- then run SVADeoderForArt.exe and selected the path to C:\deodex folder, check deodexing framework, app and private-app, let the tool run (it should tell you if it ran without errors when done)
-now you should have app, dex, framework, odex and priv-app folders (inside the SVADeodexerforart folder) after the tools finished the deodexing process (you can delete the dex and odex as they're not needed anymore)...now move SemcGenericUxpRes folder back to framework folder...also move back the 2 folders that you took from vendor\app, just put them anywhere on your desktop you're going to need them in a minute
-now when you open the deodex zip that you first downloaded, go into the system folder and you'll see 4 folders, app, framework, priv-app and vendor....delete the 3 folders app (but before, move the supersu folder from my app folder to your app folder, otherwise you'll end up without supersu) , framework and priv-app folders and move your 3 corresponding folders in there...now open vendor\app and delete the 2 folders and put yours instead
-your deodex zip should be good to flash now, put it on your sdcard...reboot to recovery, choose your zip to flash , then clear cache and dalvik cache and then boot....now you should have a full stock deodexed D6653 firmware 23.4.A.1.232 Customized IN (if you want to debloat, remove what you don't want from the app and private app folder in the zip before flashing, but you're on your own for that)
And as always make a backup before you start all this
Also, you should thank @serajr, as he's the one that wrote the script to clean and replace the system odexed folders, he nicely let me use it as a base to make my changes

-DM- said:
First make sure that you have the firmware you want to deodex rooted with recovery installed on your phone..............Also, you should thank @serajr, as he's the one that wrote the script to clean and replace the system odexed folders, he nicely let me use it as a base to make my changes
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks a lot for taking your time to write this and to give me good guide. This will help others too.
Ok i will follow the guide and now i am good to go. In case, any help needed, i will post here
And i think you saying to download your deodexed.zip only for meta inf and SuperSU, so i am not going to download that because i can do it myself so why to download ~800mb zip
And ya, Big thanks to @serajr. I dont know where to post exactly. So i am thanking you @serajr here.
Thanks and Regards
Mohitash

Mohitash said:
And i think you saying to download your deodexed.zip only for meta inf and SuperSU, so i am not going to download that because i can do it myself so why to download ~800mb zip
Thanks and Regards
Mohitash
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
yes, but looks like that you know what you're doing so you should be good to go

-DM- said:
yes, but looks like that you know what you're doing so you should be good to go
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ya, you got me right. May be you checked my profile or you can check now my history on XDA
I am just very very new to Sony and lollipop
Sent you pm.....
Regards
Mohitash

-DM- said:
First make sure that you have the firmware you want to deodex, rooted with recovery and installed on your phone already so in your case D6653 firmware 23.4.A.1.232 Customized IN , if not then create a prerooted zip with that ftf file, SuperSu and latest dual recovery with PRFcreator then flash it and boot....Once that exact firmware is on your phone, you can follow those steps below to create a deodex zip.
Here is the process:
-download the zip that I provided in this thread (you'll need it later to swap my files with yours)
-open the ftf with 7-Zip to copy the system.sin file
-then use Flashtool Sin Editor to extract data to get System.ext4
-from there, use ext2explore (download it here) to open the system.ext4
-Once you opened system.ext4, locate those 3 folders (app, framework and priv-app) and build.prop
-create a folder called deodex on your C drive (so C:\deodex) and copy those 3 folders mentioned above and the build.prop file to it
-then move SemcGenericUxpRes folder from framework folder to app folder and take the 2 containing folders from vendor\app and move them to the app folder as well
- then run SVADeoderForArt.exe and selected the path to C:\deodex folder, check deodexing framework, app and private-app, let the tool run (it should tell you if it ran without errors when done)
-now you should have app, dex, framework, odex and priv-app folders (inside the SVADeodexerforart folder) after the tools finished the deodexing process (you can delete the dex and odex as they're not needed anymore)...now move SemcGenericUxpRes folder back to framework folder...also move back the 2 folders that you took from vendor\app, just put them anywhere on your desktop you're going to need them in a minute
-now when you open the deodex zip that you first downloaded, go into the system folder and you'll see 4 folders, app, framework, priv-app and vendor....delete the 3 folders app (but before, move the supersu folder from my app folder to your app folder, otherwise you'll end up without supersu) , framework and priv-app folders and move your 3 corresponding folders in there...now open vendor\app and delete the 2 folders and put yours instead
-your deodex zip should be good to flash now, put it on your sdcard...reboot to recovery, choose your zip to flash , then clear cache and dalvik cache and then boot....now you should have a full stock deodexed D6653 firmware 23.4.A.1.232 Customized IN (if you want to debloat, remove what you don't want from the app and private app folder in the zip before flashing, but you're on your own for that)
And as always make a backup before you start all this
Also, you should thank @serajr, as he's the one that wrote the script to clean and replace the system odexed folders, he nicely let me use it as a base to make my changes
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I understand the problem but somehow I do follow instructions whose results have been bootloop

đạt gao ô said:
I understand the problem but somehow I do follow instructions whose results have been bootloop
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sent you a pm