Database Info

How to make a ROM

Hey XDA
This might be a dumb question, but i dont know where else to ask
I would like to try and make my own ROM for my magic, but i have no idea about where to start, so i was wondering if someone knew of a guide, or some other form of "getting startet" thingy?
And what about apps, how do you make them?
Does it require a Linux machine, or can it be done in windows?
Per

I'm interested in this as well , guys nobody wants to share with us your knowledge??

I too would like to know.

bump
I would like to know also. A quick guide or write-up would be supper nice.

Not to burst anyone's bubble but I seriously doubt a quick write-up would explain the steps on to creating your own ROM or how to write apps. If you really want to learn, I would suggest you take some programing classes at your local community college.

cptandroid said:
Not to burst anyone's bubble but I seriously doubt a quick write-up would explain the steps on to creating your own ROM or how to write apps. If you really want to learn, I would suggest you take some programing classes at your local community college.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
A quick write up doesn't explain it, but equally going to college isn't applicable to rom cooking either.
All the information you need is on the Internet, have a look in this link where the basics are explained, and use google to fill in the blanks ...
http://www.johandekoning.nl/index.php/2009/06/07/building-android-15-build-environment/
The documentation in ASOP recommends Ubuntu for your dev machine (http://source.android.com/download) so familiarity with Linux is essential, also knowing how to use git will save you some time.
Also use the resources in the Dream section in this site. It's been around much longer than the Magic and most dev topics are already covered in a lot more detail than in Sapphire rom development. Above all I think you need a lot of time on your hands and understanding wifes/girlfriends etc as a lot of reading is necessary!

You basically need a Linux distro to be able to do the most modding. Here are the port tools:
http://www.4shared.com/file/122118622/fd190fe1/PortTools.html
Here's a nice quide that you can use as reference:
1. Download the original Nandroid backup of the Rogers-Wiped from Skittleguy (http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=4029461&postcount=4).
2. Unzip Rogers-Wiped.zip and move boot.img to a directory called "Org".
3. Download nk02ion_r4_LITE-signed.zip and upzip it to a directory called "nk02".
4. Move boot.img out of the nk02ion_r4_LITE-signed directory into a directory called "temp".
5. Open your Terminal window and navigate to your "temp" directory.
6. Unpack the boot image inside the "temp" directory :
Execute : $unpack-H.pl boot.img
This should give you 2 new files : boot.img-kernel and boot-img-ramdisk.gz
7. Remove boot.img and boot.img-kernel from the "temp" directory by doing :
Execute : $rm boot.img
Execute : $rm boot.img-kernel
You should now have only one file called boot.img-ramdisk.gz in your temp directory.
8. Navigate to the "org" directory.
9. Unpack the boot image inside the "org" folder :
Execute : $unpack-H.pl boot.img
This should give you 2 new files : boot.img-kernel and boot-img-ramdisk.gz
10. Move the boot.img-kernel file from the "org" directory to the "temp" directory.
Execute : $mv boot.img-kernel ../temp/
11. Remove the "org" directory
12. Navigate to the "temp" direcory
You should now have 2 files inside the "temp" directory, boot.img-kernel and boot.img-ramdisk.gz
13. Create a directory called boot.img-ramdisk inside the "temp" directory :
Execute : $mkdir boot.img-ramdisk
14. Move inside the newly created boot.img-ramdisk directory :
Execute : $cd boot.img-ramdisk
14. Unzip the boot.img-ramdisk.gz file :
Execute : $gunzip -c ../boot.img-ramdisk.gz | cpio -i
15. Check that the ramdisk is unpacked :
Execute : $ls -l
You should now see a bunch of files
16. Remove the boot.img-ramdisk.gz file inside the boot.img-ramdisk directory :
Execute : $rm boot.img-ramdisk.gz
17. Navigate to the temp folder and also delete the boot.img-ramdisk.gz file :
Execute : $rm boot.img-ramdisk.gz
You should now have 1 file called boot.img-kernel and 1 directory called boot.img-ramdisk inside the "temp" folder
18. Repack the kernel and ramdisk to a boot.img file :
Execute : $repack-H.pl boot.img-kernel boot.img-ramdisk boot.img
You should now have a new boot.img inside the "temp" directory.
19. Move the boot.img file to the nk02 directory :
Execute : $mv boot.img ../nk02/
20. Remove the "temp" folder.
21. Navigate to the nk02 folder and check that you have 1 boot.img file and 2 directories (META-INF and system)
22. Zip the boot.img and the 2 directories into an nk02.zip file
Execute : $zip -r nk02.zip *
23. Sign the nk02.zip file :
Execute : $java -jar signapk.jar testkey.x509.pem testkey.pk8 nk02.zip update.zip
24. Push update.zip to your SDcard :
Execute : adb push update.zip /sdcard/update.zip
25. Boot the device in fastboot mode.
27. $fastboot boot recovery-RAv1.0H.img
28. Select "Wipe data/factory reset"
29. Select "Apply sdcard:update.zip"
30. Select "Reboot system now"
31. Enjoy nk02ion_r4_LITE on your HTC branded Magic.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The above guide shows you how to modify the boot.img and how to sign the updates. That's a good start...

ok this is a dumb question i imagine but how to i sign a zip file? i have already made my rom but it wont work because it says its not signed

thejesster said:
ok this is a dumb question i imagine but how to i sign a zip file? i have already made my rom but it wont work because it says its not signed
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Here is the thread where signing is explained.
I am no expert, but I managed to use this to modify other ROM's (Adding wallpaper, ringtones and removing apps etc.)
Signing made easy thread

[GUIDE] How to create a your own ROM

How to create your own ROM update.zip for the T-Mobile MyTouch 3G
Things you will need to perform this:
Java SE Dev Kit from Sun. java.sun.com
May need Cygwin with zlib0 package, from cygwin.com
This will give you Android 1.6 with all the Google applications, Root access.
I never found one place where all this information is all together, so that is why I compiled this together.
Now anyone can do this themselves.
Thanks to all the hard work others have done before this.
1.
First Root your phone and install a new Recovery image, either Amon Ra or Cyanogens Recovery image.
Instructions for one-click root: http://theunlockr.com/2009/08/22/how-to-root-the-mytouch-3g-or-g1-in-one-click/
2.
Download the Android 1.6 System image from
http://developer.htc.com/google-io-device.html
extract the contents of signed-google_ion-img-14721.zip.
3.
You now need to extract the contents of system.img using a tool called unyaffs. The source code is here:
http://code.google.com/p/unyaffs/downloads/list
Or download a prebuilt win32 version here.
http://jiggawatt.org/badc0de/android/index.html
Note you may also need cygwin1.dll and cygz.dll (zlib0 package). Found at cygwin.com
Of course if you already have Cygwin installed with the GCC packages, you can just compile it yourself. Then also
if you comment out the line 67 to "// symlink(oh->alias, full_path_name);"
then it will not create the copies of the symbolic link file, and you will not have to worry about deleting duplicate
symbolic link files later.
Now in the directory where system.img exists, create a new directory called "system"
go into the "system" directory.
type the following command:
unyaffs ..\system.img
That should extract all the files from the system.img file into the system directory.
4.
Now we just need to clean up some items. Since the system.img is a linux file system, it has symbolic
links built into it, but when we extracted it, it just created duplicate files, if you used the prebuilt unyaffs.exe.
So we can just delete the duplicates and have a script recreate the symlink on install.
So we need to delete some extra files from the system\bin directory.
Run the attached DeleteExtras.bat file from the same directory where system.img is in.
If you notice, all the files it deletes are 28 byte files, and if you open them in notepad only contain:
"!<symlink>toolbox..."
And we will remake the symbolic link when it is installed.
5.
Now from the directory where the system.img is, enter the following commands
mkdir META-INF
mkdir META-INF\com
mkdir META-INF\com\google
mkdir META-INF\com\google\android
Now copy the included file "update-script.txt" into the "META-INF\com\google\android" directory
and RENAME it to just "update-script".
This update-script gets run to recreate the symbolic links.
Not sure if these two are needed but they are in some custom ROMs here:
Copy the two files "fix_permissions" and "flash_image" to the "system\bin" directory.
6.
-- Optional --
These add root and Superuser access to the ROM, plus the Terminal Emulator application.
Copy the file "su" from Cyanogen's rom to the folder "system\bin"
Copy the file "Superuser.apk" to the folder "system\app"
Copy the file "Term.apk" to the folder "system\app"
You can also replace the "system\etc\apns-conf.xml" with a more complete one from here:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=547718
or here
http://docs.google.com/Doc?docid=0AZNbAmKkmakoZGZxZHNwMnpfMjJkaHg3ejN3eg&hl=en
Turn data roaming off by default by editing line in the build.prop file:
ro.com.android.dataroaming=false
Also to fix the Market program to show "Protected" applications change the ro.build.fingerprint line to the following:
ro.build.fingerprint=tmobile/opal/sapphire/sapphire:1.5/COC10/150449:user/ota-rel-keys,release-keys
Only phones with a fingerprint of a "released" device can access some market applications.
--------------
7.
Now we just need to create a ZIP file for the final ROM
Zip up the following file and two folders:
boot.img
META-INF
system
8.
Now sign the zip file.
See here how to sign a ZIP file for flashing it.
http://androidforums.com/developer-101/8665-how-signing-roms.html
9.
Copy it to your SD card, boot into recovery, wipe, apply the update, Reboot.
You are now running Android 1.6!

the finger print is found in build.prop is this correct and what app do you use to edit your build.prop

Yes the fingerprint is in build.prop
Make sure to use an advanced text editor like TextPad, UltraEdit, or EditPlus. It has to handle UNIX text files.
Also use this for the update_script.

how abt kernel parameters?

How would one go about customizing this with Hero? Or is that not possible at this point?

detox702 said:
How would one go about customizing this with Hero? Or is that not possible at this point?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Would like more info on hot to incorporate senseui

Thanks for sharing... Got nothing to do today, so I experimented on my phone... I gotta say, I'm pretty amazed w/ this feature. Was able to sort out and organize my files.
Kudos!

How does one create the system.img file once one has the system files...
What I want to do is use some of the custom roms here and put it on an AVD emulator system.
Can someone help with this please.
NOTE: I dont have linux. So if there is an alternative to mkbootimg, it will be excellent.

the ion is the 32b if I'm not mistaken?
Is there an image for the 32a or do we always have to use the ion and throw a patch over it?
Sorry if this is a stupid question

in step 5. it says
Not sure if these two are needed but they are in some custom ROMs here:
Copy the two files "fix_permissions" and "flash_image" to the "system\bin" directory.
Where do i copy the files from or download please?
thanks in advance
P.S. any tips on changing the splash screen would be much appreciated.

DeleteExtras.txt or DeleteExtras.bat doesn't work. I have to delete the extra files by myself - one by one.

codysoloman said:
DeleteExtras.txt or DeleteExtras.bat doesn't work. I have to delete the extra files by myself - one by one.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
check this: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=633246

Perhaps someone here knows or could point me to the right resources, but if the phone isn't supported by Cyanogen, how would a custom rom be made in that case?
How is a custom rom made from scratch? Since android is just linux, is it simply a matter of building it with the right drivers for the phone and installing it? How can an image be manually copied to the phone if it isn't supported by Clockwork recovery? How can it's steps be manually done?

ping pong...

Can i install my own rom on samsung ace?????

anybody knows how to make a ROM customized and make a "update.img" to run on a un-rootable device? I know when you backup a linux image for example ubuntu, this image will run on all other PCs, the image will automatically knows the new PC's drivers and adapt everything with that, is it what happening to an android too ?
---------- Post added at 08:36 AM ---------- Previous post was at 08:33 AM ----------
and pls let me know how to open/edit a "update.img" file, thnx

Question
androidcustomrom said:
How to create your own ROM update.zip for the T-Mobile MyTouch 3G
Things you will need to perform this:
Java SE Dev Kit from Sun. java.sun.com
May need Cygwin with zlib0 package, from cygwin.com
This will give you Android 1.6 with all the Google applications, Root access.
I never found one place where all this information is all together, so that is why I compiled this together.
Now anyone can do this themselves.
Thanks to all the hard work others have done before this.
1.
First Root your phone and install a new Recovery image, either Amon Ra or Cyanogens Recovery image.
Instructions for one-click root: http://theunlockr.com/2009/08/22/how-to-root-the-mytouch-3g-or-g1-in-one-click/
2.
Download the Android 1.6 System image from
http://developer.htc.com/google-io-device.html
extract the contents of signed-google_ion-img-14721.zip.
3.
You now need to extract the contents of system.img using a tool called unyaffs. The source code is here:
http://code.google.com/p/unyaffs/downloads/list
Or download a prebuilt win32 version here.
http://jiggawatt.org/badc0de/android/index.html
Note you may also need cygwin1.dll and cygz.dll (zlib0 package). Found at cygwin.com
Of course if you already have Cygwin installed with the GCC packages, you can just compile it yourself. Then also
if you comment out the line 67 to "// symlink(oh->alias, full_path_name);"
then it will not create the copies of the symbolic link file, and you will not have to worry about deleting duplicate
symbolic link files later.
Now in the directory where system.img exists, create a new directory called "system"
go into the "system" directory.
type the following command:
unyaffs ..\system.img
That should extract all the files from the system.img file into the system directory.
4.
Now we just need to clean up some items. Since the system.img is a linux file system, it has symbolic
links built into it, but when we extracted it, it just created duplicate files, if you used the prebuilt unyaffs.exe.
So we can just delete the duplicates and have a script recreate the symlink on install.
So we need to delete some extra files from the system\bin directory.
Run the attached DeleteExtras.bat file from the same directory where system.img is in.
If you notice, all the files it deletes are 28 byte files, and if you open them in notepad only contain:
"!<symlink>toolbox..."
And we will remake the symbolic link when it is installed.
5.
Now from the directory where the system.img is, enter the following commands
mkdir META-INF
mkdir META-INF\com
mkdir META-INF\com\google
mkdir META-INF\com\google\android
Now copy the included file "update-script.txt" into the "META-INF\com\google\android" directory
and RENAME it to just "update-script".
This update-script gets run to recreate the symbolic links.
Not sure if these two are needed but they are in some custom ROMs here:
Copy the two files "fix_permissions" and "flash_image" to the "system\bin" directory.
6.
-- Optional --
These add root and Superuser access to the ROM, plus the Terminal Emulator application.
Copy the file "su" from Cyanogen's rom to the folder "system\bin"
Copy the file "Superuser.apk" to the folder "system\app"
Copy the file "Term.apk" to the folder "system\app"
You can also replace the "system\etc\apns-conf.xml" with a more complete one from here:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=547718
or here
http://docs.google.com/Doc?docid=0AZNbAmKkmakoZGZxZHNwMnpfMjJkaHg3ejN3eg&hl=en
Turn data roaming off by default by editing line in the build.prop file:
ro.com.android.dataroaming=false
Also to fix the Market program to show "Protected" applications change the ro.build.fingerprint line to the following:
ro.build.fingerprint=tmobile/opal/sapphire/sapphire:1.5/COC10/150449:user/ota-rel-keys,release-keys
Only phones with a fingerprint of a "released" device can access some market applications.
--------------
7.
Now we just need to create a ZIP file for the final ROM
Zip up the following file and two folders:
boot.img
META-INF
system
8.
Now sign the zip file.
See here how to sign a ZIP file for flashing it.
http://androidforums.com/developer-101/8665-how-signing-roms.html
9.
Copy it to your SD card, boot into recovery, wipe, apply the update, Reboot.
You are now running Android 1.6!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Could you tell me where I can correct the fake data in the phone like the real RAM is 512 MB but it say 1GB ,can you tell me how to
correct it thanks in advance:good:

[MOD][ATT][4.4] Remove unsafe volume warning

I did this for myself, and thought I would share. I got tired of the "Raise volume above safe level?" warning, and I removed it. I like to learn, so rather than use the existing xposed framework mod, I built a flashable zip to make the change via framework-res.apk.
WARNING: I AM NOT RESPONSIBLE IF YOU MESS UP YOUR PHONE
Prerequisite:
ATT Moto X running stock official 4.4 kitkat (140.44.5)
TWRP or CWM (safestrap for those who don't have an unlocked bootloader, thanks Hashcode)
backup all of your data in case something goes horribly wrong
Instructions:
using your choice of file manager, backup /system/framework/framework-res.apk
Download or copy flashable zip (below) to sdcard
Reboot to [safestrap] TWRP recovery
flash zip file
Below are the 'broad strokes' of how I did this in linux: (Each of these steps below require various skills, and my intent is not to do too much 'hand holding.')
DUMP AND DECOMPILE framework-res.apk
make sure java 7 is installed
download/extract apktool_2.0.0b7.jar (thanks brut.all)
move /system/framework/framework-res.apk to apktool directory
install framework: java -jar apktool_2.0.0b7.jar if framework-res.apk
dump framework-res.apk: java -jar apktool_2.0.0b7.jar d framework-res.apk
--
CHANGE SETTING IN TWO FILES:
edit this file: framework-res/res/values/bools.xml
search for the line with this info: config_safe_media_volume_enabled
change the value to: false
repeat with framework-res/res/values-mcc310/bools.xml
--
DELETE DIRECTORY STRUCTURE (not sure why framework wouldn't compile with this, but it is unused on AT&T phones)
delete this directory: framework-res/values-mcc310-1
--
RECOMPILE AND COPY EXISTING SIGNATURE:
recompile: java -jar apktool_2.0.0b7.jar b framework-res -o framework-res-new.apk
move META-INF structure from inside the original framework-res.apk to the new framework-res-new.apk (I used 7z)
--
ZIPALIGN NEW FILE:
zipalign -f -v 4 framework-res-new.apk framework-res.apk
--
CREATE FLASHABLE ZIP WITH NEW framework-res.apk
you can use mine as a template and just replace my framework-res.apk under /system/framework
TWRP/CWM flashable zip: http://www.androidfilehost.com/?fid=23252070760973197
(Replaces /system/framework/framework-res.apk with my modified version.)

Trying this now on my Rogers ATT KK based Moto X. Ill update soon.

Updated script brakes at device check.
Sent from my XT1058 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app

slimdizzy said:
Updated script brakes at device check.
Sent from my XT1058 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Do you mean the updater-script in the flashable zip? If so, you can modify those checks for your phone if you can see the error. I used twrp->advanced->copy logs to /sdcard to see the error messages.

Ctrl-Freak said:
Do you mean the updater-script in the flashable zip? If so, you can modify those checks for your phone if you can see the error. I used twrp->advanced->copy logs to /sdcard to see the error messages.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Will do. Ill post shortly.
Update:
Installing '/sdcard/motox-att-140.44.5-framework-res-1.zip'...
Checking for MD5 file...
I:Cannot find file /sdcard/motox-att-140.44.5-framework-res-1.zip.md5
Skipping MD5 check: no MD5 file found.
I:Zip does not contain SELinux file_contexts file in its root.
script aborted: This package is for "ghost" devices; this is a "xt1060".
This package is for "ghost" devices; this is a "xt1060".
E:Error executing updater binary in zip '/sdcard/motox-att-140.44.5-framework-res-1.zip'
My build.prop shows 1058 for the record.

slimdizzy said:
Will do. Ill post shortly.
Update:
Installing '/sdcard/motox-att-140.44.5-framework-res-1.zip'...
Checking for MD5 file...
I:Cannot find file /sdcard/motox-att-140.44.5-framework-res-1.zip.md5
Skipping MD5 check: no MD5 file found.
I:Zip does not contain SELinux file_contexts file in its root.
script aborted: This package is for "ghost" devices; this is a "xt1060".
This package is for "ghost" devices; this is a "xt1060".
E:Error executing updater binary in zip '/sdcard/motox-att-140.44.5-framework-res-1.zip'
My build.prop shows 1058 for the record.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Did you build this from your Rogers framework? (If not, keep in mind my framework-res if from an AT&T phone. I have no idea if there are any differences.)
To continue, you can edit the updater-script and make the change from "ghost to "xt1060".

I have a rogers phone but ATT firmware. This is just what happens when I flash your zip. Your updated script asks for a 1058, which is my model but breaks and says my device is a 1060. That is nowhere in my prop. This should flash no problem and it doesn't. I even tried to manually overwrite using root explorer and my phone wouldn't boot after. I replaced original file and all is well.
Sent from my XT1058 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app

Thanks, this worked like a charm for my Moto G.
I used Advanced ApkTool v2.0.0 to decompile 'framework-res.apk',
I used Notepad++ to set all 'config_safe_media_volume_enabled' entries to false,
After the recompilation, I extracted the content of the original 'framework-res.apk' with 7-zip, and just replaced 'resources.arsc' with the modified one. (can be found in the '\build\apk' directory)
Recompressed again with 7-zip (compression level: store) and used adb to replace the file:
adb push framework-res.apk /sdcard/Download/framework-res.apk
adb shell
Code:
su
mount -o remount,rw -t ext4 /dev/block/platform/msm_sdcc.1/by-name/system /system
mv /system/framework/framework-res.apk /system/framework/framework-res.apk.bak
cat /sdcard/Download/framework-res.apk > /system/framework/framework-res.apk
chmod 644 /system/framework/framework-res.apk
sync
reboot

How can I look at the code that is running an app?

I have built a few web sites but now I'm learning how to build apps. Is there a way to look at the code that is running a particular app on my phone so I can get an idea of how it is put together?

Can I open an app from my phone with Android Studio?

Follow the steps given below.
Procedure to open the source code:
Step 1:
Make a new folder and copy over the .apk file that you want to decode.
Now rename the extension of this .apk file to .zip (e.g. rename from filename.apk to filename.zip) and save it. Now you can access the classes.dex files, etc. At this stage you are able to see drawables but not xml and java files, so continue.
Step 2:
Now extract this .zip file in the same folder (or NEW FOLDER).
Download dex2jar and extract it to the same folder (or NEW FOLDER).
Move the classes.dex file into the dex2jar folder.
Now open command prompt and change directory to that folder (or NEW FOLDER). Then write d2j-dex2jar classes.dex (for mac terminal or ubuntu write ./d2j-dex2jar.sh classes.dex) and press enter. You now have the classes.dex.dex2jar file in the same folder.
Download java decompiler, double click on jd-gui, click on open file, and open classes.dex.dex2jar file from that folder: now you get class files.
Save all of these class files (In jd-gui, click File -> Save All Sources) by src name. At this stage you get the java source but the .xml files are still unreadable, so continue.
Step 3:
Now open another new folder
Put in the .apk file which you want to decode
Download the latest version of apktool AND apktool install window (both can be downloaded from the same link) and place them in the same folder
Download framework-res.apk and put it in the same folder (Not all apk file need this file, but it doesn't hurt)
Open a command window
Navigate to the root directory of APKtool and type the following command: apktool if framework-res.apk
apktool d myApp.apk (where myApp.apk denotes the filename that you want to decode)
now you get a file folder in that folder and can easily read the apk's xml files.

[Tutorial] NOOB-Friendly Instructions on Packing and Repacking system.new.dat file

I am a Windows user, and I was having quite the trouble unpacking and repacking system.new.dat files. I tried all sorts of Windows Chinese tools for the job, but no matter what I did, when I put the system.new.dat file and system.transfer.list file back into the flashable zip (even if I made no changes to the system.new.dat file... just unpacked and repacked), I would get an error flashing the file.
I finally got around this by installing Ubuntu 16.04 Xenial Xerus on VirtualBox. You can find a lot of tutorials online about how to do that. I am basing my instructions off of xpirt's tutorial on unpacking and repacking with the tools he provides. But it took me about 2 days to figure it out because I kept running into problems since some of the instructions made assumptions that the user knows how to use Linux. I am very new to Linux. I am not completely sure how to do *everything* from the command line, so if someone wants to add to my instructions to make it easier, please do so. But these are the things I did to figure it out.
So here are the noob-friendly Linux Ubuntu instructions on how to unpack and repack:
Section 1: Getting everything Ready
1. Download your flashable .zip rom. In my case, I downloaded cm-12.1-20150619-UNOFFICIAL-afyonltetmo.zip to my Ubuntu Desktop. You can download it to your Home Directory as well. Doesn't matter.
2. Download sdat2img. I downloaded mine to my Home Directory.
3. Download img2sdat. I also downloaded this to my Home Directory.
4. Extract all 3 zips, by right clicking on them and choosing 'Extract Here.' It will extract them into their own directories. The main directories that you need to pay attention to are /sdat2img-master/ and /img2sdat-master/
5. Download ext4fs either right into the sdat2img-master folder, or anywhere you want and then drag and drop it into the sdat2img-master folder.
6. Open Terminal, and install Python 2.7, if it's not already installed. Put
Code:
sudo apt-get install python-2.7 python-pip
Section 2: Beginning the Unpacking Process
*Note, you can copy and paste the codes; however, you can't use keyboard shortcuts in terminal. You have to right click and choose your option.
*Another note: Where you see "user" in the terminal commands, substitute it with your Linux username.
1. In your extracted folder from your flashable zip, right click on system.new.dat and system.transfer.list and choose 'cut.' Then paste them in the sdat2img-master folder.
2. Back in Terminal put
Code:
cd sdat2img-master
. That will get you into the right directory.
3. Now put
Code:
./sdat2img.py system.transfer.list system.new.dat system.img
. That will create your raw ext4 .img file.
4. You want to create an output directory for all the files that are in system.img. Put
Code:
mkdir output
5. Now you can mount system.img, and it will mount it into that output folder. Put
Code:
sudo mount -t ext4 -o loop system.img output/
6. You might have the problem that you don't have ownership of all the files (they have little "locks" on them). To gain ownership, put
Code:
sudo chown -R user:user /home/user/sdat2img-master/output
. If you still can't get read and write access, just try rebooting your Ubuntu virtual computer. That was the only thing that finally worked for me. You can start modifying stuff as you wish.
Section 3: Compress files back to a raw ext4 image
1. You are now going to need your file_contexts file from your original extract rom zip. COPY (not cut) and paste it into the sdat2img-master folder.
2. You are also going to need your 'make_ext4fs' file. Make sure it is in the sdat2img-master folder. You might have trouble with permissions, so just in case, put
Code:
chmod 777 /home/user/sdat2img-master/make_ext4fs
into terminal.
3. In Files (Ubuntu's "File Manager"), in the sdat2img-master folder, right click on your system.img file and go to 'Properties'. Notice the information in "Size." Ignore the GB, but look at the bytes. Mine is 2,411,724,800. Copy that number, but remove the commas. So mine is 2411724800.
4. Next is the actual compressing part. Put
Code:
./make_ext4fs -T 0 -S file_contexts -l 2411724800 -a system system_new.img output/
into terminal, but substitute '2411724800' with whatever size you got from the Properties in system.img. You will now how a new file called system_new.img.
Section 4: Converting ext4 (raw image) to img (sparse image)
1. Now you will need to install img2simg. In Terminal, put
Code:
sudo apt-get install android-tools-fsutils
2. Now you can put
Code:
img2simg system_new.img system_new_sparse.img
You will now have a file called system_new_sparse.img that is ready to be packed in a new dat file.
Section 5: Converting img (sparse image) to dat (sparse data)
1. Cut and paste your system_new_sparse.img into img2sdat-master folder that you made earlier.
2. Now you need to navigate to that folder in terminal. Put
Code:
cd /home/user/img2sdat-master
3. Now you can put
Code:
./img2sdat.py system_new_sparse.img
to create your new dat file. It will first ask you which Android version it's for. Enter the number corresponding and hit enter.
4. You're now pretty much done. As you'll see, it created 3 files: system.new.dat, system.patch.dat, and system.transfer.list. Just paste these files into your folder where your flashable zip files are, replacing any original ones in there. Make sure you also have your file_contexts file in there as well. Highlight all the files in there, right click, and zip them up. Then name your flashable zip whatever you want and try flashing!