Related
But I don't exactly know how to get there.
I'm runing Wolfbreak's CM ROM V055, afraid to go to V06 because it might break my kernel install(still getting info on just what to do)
What I'm wanting is:
The status/pulldown bars(all icons except Wifi, and I want to keep Cyanogen 6's default slidey bar[the thing that ends up at the bottom]), and the animations from the theme used in SEMPITERNAL's Eternity 2 Build 0003a ROM. That will have to be ported to FroYo, I'm afraid(unless my theory at the bottom of this post will work).
I want the menu from LUCID-X10 by SicNside, with the black BG and white elements, but the png forthat i guess I'll have to negative a white hdpi one.
That's about it, the rest i want from arc theme which is default on my current ROM, including tickboxes, those arrows inside circles, the menu icons, etc.
My theory to sort of make this is to get the two involved APK's(default in CM and default in Eternity) onto my computer, and make them ZIP's. Then i can extract the drawable-hdpi folders from each and paste what I want from Eternity into Arc. Then I can replace the drawable-hdpi folder in the Arc framework file, and zip it at store.
That's where I stop knowing what I'm doing. Searching has not found me a guide on just how to make a framework-res.apk, nor even really making a theme altogether. All i can find is about xml files, resources, never anything about actually making the apk correctly.
Help, please?
I am stuck at the same point as you, I have no idea where to go from here :S
Anyone? I'm sure the two of us aren't the only ones...
Here's a zip of what I want. All I did was:
Took the framework-res.apk from the ETERNITY Rom and from the CM ROM, and pasted the png's i wanted from Eternity into drawable-hdpi-v4 in CM framework. Now, can someone make this work, please?
Its quite easy.
Just select the images you want to change.
Then open the framework-res.apk of your ROM with winrar or 7zip your choice.
Without extracting the files drag and drop the files to the winrar window in the right place. If you want to change images in drawable-hdpi migrate to res/drawable-hdpi and drag and drop images there.
Now close the archive and type this:
Code:
adb push <path to modified framework> /sdcard/framework-res.apk
adb shell mount -o remount,rw -t yaffs2 /dev/block/mtdblock2 /system
adb shell dd if=/sdcard/framework-res.apk of=/system/framework/framework-res.apk
Make sure you take a backup with xrecovery before doing this. If you do something wrong you may end up in a bootloop. In that case just restore from backup and try again!
realunited123 said:
Its quite easy.
Just select the images you want to change.
Then open the framework-res.apk of your ROM with winrar or 7zip your choice.
Without extracting the files drag and drop the files to the winrar window in the right place. If you want to change images in drawable-hdpi migrate to res/drawable-hdpi and drag and drop images there.
Now close the archive and type this:
Code:
adb push <path to modified framework> /sdcard/framework-res.apk
adb shell mount -o remount,rw -t yaffs2 /dev/block/mtdblock2 /system
adb shell dd if=/sdcard/framework-res.apk of=/system/framework/framework-res.apk
Make sure you take a backup with xrecovery before doing this. If you do something wrong you may end up in a bootloop. In that case just restore from backup and try again!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Grr, sorry but right now all my failure is just making that less clear. Type that where? Drag the files to the winrar/7zip window? Isn't that where i dont want them?
Ive followed all the different sets of instructions including yours on this forum as closely as i can make sense of them and always end up with a stream of FC's and reboot loops.
EDIT: does it only work on the stock kernel? I'm running Trip's kernel. I just pulled the framework apk then pushed that same apk back and it's still doing it.
EDIT 2: ok no stock kernel and its still doing it WHY THE HELL IS IT DOING THIS?!?!? I FLASHED THE SAME DAMN STOCK FRAMEWORK!
ok if i got the modded framework apk to my sdcard and used root explorer to paste it in, should that work? This laptop might be what's causing it
I have posted few tips here n there when ever people ask about it.
Check this for overall requirements
For your requirement, skip the optimization part out and just do image swap.
Like realunited123 said, dont extract, just open from 7zip, I use Win RAR and drag and drop the new image to the correct folder.
You need to remember few things here, check images name matches against old to new. Other important thing is resolution. you might get in to trouble if you take mpdi and put it to hdpi.
after updating the framwork I made a small template for you guys to play with.
Download attaches zip file open and go to
Framewrok-SJ.zip\system\framework folder and drag and drop the modified framework-res.apk
Dont try to install the attached file. its only a template for you guys to start working on....
After drag and drop you will see zip file size increased.
Simply copy to SD card and install via Xrecovery
You can try any framework to install like this without adb stuff
Remember to make a backup... because you will definitely screwup... we all have...... LOL
Realorasz said:
ok if i got the modded framework apk to my sdcard and used root explorer to paste it in, should that work? This laptop might be what's causing it
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well my friend if you have already did this. it will be your first screwup
Dont use root explorer or titanium for this work. Read this post I mention yesterday.......
Shiwantha said:
I have posted few tips here n there when ever people ask about it.
Check this for overall requirements
For your requirement, skip the optimization part out and just do image swap.
Like realunited123 said, dont extract, just open from 7zip, I use Win RAR and drag and drop the new image to the correct folder.
You need to remember few things here, check images name matches against old to new. Other impotent thing is resolution. you might get in to trouble if you take mpdi and put it to hdpi.
after updating the framwork I made a small template for you guys to play with.
Download attaches zip file open and go to
Framewrok-SJ.zip\system\framework folder and drag and drop the modified framework-res.apk
Dont try to install the attached file. its only a template for you guys to start working on....
After drag and drop you will see zip file size increased.
Simply copy to SD card and install via Xrecovery
You can try any framework to install like this without adb stuff
Remember to make a backup... because you will definitely screwup... we all have...... LOL
Well my friend if you have already did this. it will be your first screwup
Dont use root explorer or titanium for this work. Read this post I mention yesterday.......
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well i did try swapping mine with the framework apk in the froshed zip. I'll try it with yours though.
Shiwantha said:
I have posted few tips here n there when ever people ask about it.
Check this for overall requirements
For your requirement, skip the optimization part out and just do image swap.
Like realunited123 said, dont extract, just open from 7zip, I use Win RAR and drag and drop the new image to the correct folder.
You need to remember few things here, check images name matches against old to new. Other impotent thing is resolution. you might get in to trouble if you take mpdi and put it to hdpi.
after updating the framwork I made a small template for you guys to play with.
Download attaches zip file open and go to
Framewrok-SJ.zip\system\framework folder and drag and drop the modified framework-res.apk
Dont try to install the attached file. its only a template for you guys to start working on....
After drag and drop you will see zip file size increased.
Simply copy to SD card and install via Xrecovery
You can try any framework to install like this without adb stuff
Remember to make a backup... because you will definitely screwup... we all have...... LOL
Well my friend if you have already did this. it will be your first screwup
Dont use root explorer or titanium for this work. Read this post I mention yesterday.......
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Is it just me is are you a savior!! Thanks, it's working now!!!!
Hey, by the way, can you teach me how i can make an xrec zip of a dialer mod I made? I want to post it on the CM 6 thread so people can like actualy install it but the only way i currently have for that is adb(which works on apps, but not themes...)
And one more thing, Is any sort of file transfer possible with ADB, or will i have to stick with WiFi File Explorer?
Realorasz said:
Is it just me is are you a savior!! Thanks, it's working now!!!!
Hey, by the way, can you teach me how i can make an xrec zip of a dialer mod I made? I want to post it on the CM 6 thread so people can like actualy install it but the only way i currently have for that is adb(which works on apps, but not themes...)
And one more thing, Is any sort of file transfer possible with ADB, or will i have to stick with WiFi File Explorer?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thats good news.. one less problem to deal with....
create a folder call app on your pc and drag it to system folder in the zip file.
So you should have framework and app folders inside of it.
then copy Phone.apk & Contacts.apk and try to install via xrecovery.
there is a chance you might not be able to install as my initial signing of Zip file dosent included app folder and so MANIFEST.MF & CERT.SF dont have reference. on the other hand during installation Xrecovery dont check
key signature.
I didnt test this way so try, no harm will come to your phone.
Dont know about wifi explorer much. Im testing with adb generally. only final version im publishing in xrec.
Can you teach me how to make that meta inf stuff?
Sent from my X10a using XDA Premium App
Realorasz said:
Can you teach me how to make that meta inf stuff?
Sent from my X10a using XDA Premium App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You cannot, after putting stuff, need to sign by app sign tool or there are alternative called APK manager... search its on XDA i think........
I'm not getting it. The update script ange all that forxrecovery...?
Sent from my X10a using XDA Premium App
Realorasz said:
Can you teach me how to make that meta inf stuff?
Sent from my X10a using XDA Premium App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
In META-INF create \com\google\android folders for update-script file.
Make update-script a text file containing the following
Code:
show_progress 0.1 0
copy_dir PACKAGE:system SYSTEM:
show_progress 0.1 10
Be sure to add an extra blank line after "show_progress 0.1 10"
Compress META-INF and system folders to a zip, then move to your sd and sign with signAPKtic which is a free app in the market. Use "test keys" to sign. (signAPKtic is easiest to me,or you can use 1 of the methods Shiwantha suggested to sign)
I would also suggest zipaligning your apks before adding them to optimize your phone's performance when accessing them. Search zipalign on XDA and you'll find what you need...
*Edit- Also, X10 Mod Tool is great for pushing/pulling apks via adb without all the typing. I use it a LOT when testing different pieces of themes.
AyDee said:
In META-INF create \com\google\android folders for update-script file.
Make update-script a text file containing the following
Code:
show_progress 0.1 0
copy_dir PACKAGE:system SYSTEM:
show_progress 0.1 10
Be sure to add an extra blank line after "show_progress 0.1 10"
Compress META-INF and system folders to a zip, then move to your sd and sign with signAPKtic which is a free app in the market. Use "test keys" to sign. (signAPKtic is easiest to me,or you can use 1 of the methods Shiwantha suggested to sign)
I would also suggest zipaligning your apks before adding them to optimize your phone's performance when accessing them. Search zipalign on XDA and you'll find what you need...
*Edit- Also, X10 Mod Tool is great for pushing/pulling apks via adb without all the typing. I use it a LOT when testing different pieces of themes.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think adb mask controller can do it in the zipalign tab> zipalign /system/app button.
And what format does the text file need to be in?
Signapktic is either telling me the zip doesnt exist or gives me an unzp error... and I supposed to me signing the apk's or the zip?
EDIT: I think I got it. Zip signer instead of signapktic. Let's see what my phone does.
Ok it looks like it worked.
Make sure there are no spaces in the zip's name. Looks like you got it!
Sent from my X10a using XDA App
AyDee said:
Make sure there are no spaces in the zip's name. Looks like you got it!
Sent from my X10a using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So does that mean it worked for you?
EDIT: Oh, I'm stupid, I didn't even post it. Can you test it please?
It looks like it's signed already. Are you asking me to test the app or signature?
Sent from my X10a using XDA App
Hey guys! Someone recently posted that they wanted to start to making their own themes and I posted a very long reply and figured, might as well post a "somewhat easy to understand" tutorial here for everyone.
So you want to make your own themes?
First off, it is important to know that if you plan on porting any themes over and releasing it to the masses, that you get permission from the theme owner first!!
DISCLAIMER: I AM NOT RESPONSIBLE IF YOUR PHONE EXPLODES OR MELT! lol
NOTE: IF YOU'RE A NOOB (you know if you are) DO NOT MESS WITH ANY IMAGE THAT ENDS IN ".9" UNTIL YOU READ UP ON THEM.......A LOT! IF YOU'RE JUST REPLACING AN IMAGE, THEN READ ON.
A good write up on .9 (9 patch) images can be found here:
http://developer.android.com/guide/developing/tools/draw9patch.html
What you will need:
Apkmanager: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=695701
7zip: http://www.7-zip.org/download.html
An empty flashable zip: http://www.multiupload.com/DBEMBUOCND
Lot's of time on your hands!
GETTING STARTED:
Apkmanager is going to be your "all-in-one" tool for making a theme in Windows.
(I'll go into all the options of apkmanager a little later)
The process you need to follow is actually kind of simple. It's just very time consuming.
First you will need to make the images that you want (unless you are porting a theme).
Now what you need to do is one way or another, get the framework-res.apk and the SystemUI.apk from your phone, if you want to theme the launcher then you need to get the TouchWiz30Launcher.apk as well. (If you don't want to mess with using adb, use Root Explorer, just copy the apk then paste on your sdcard, then copy and paste from your sdcard onto your pc.)
Extract apkmanager to somewhere easy like the desktop and you should end up with a folder named "apkmanager" or whatever.
Inside that folder, you should have the following folders:
Other
place-apk-here-for-modding
place-apk-here-for-signing
place-apk-here-to-batch-optimize
place-ogg-here
projects
Then the following files:
log
Script
DO NOT MODIFY THE NAMES OF ANY OF THESE FILES OR FOLDERS OR NOTHING WILL WORK!
Take the 3 files that you got from your phone and place them in the "place apk here for modding" folder.
Double click to open the "Script" file
Press "22" and hit enter to set your current job
Select either 1,2 or 3 for whichever apk you want to start on first
Select "9" to decompile
Once decompile is done, go inside the "projects" folder and now you have a folder inside there with whatever the name is of the apk you just decompiled.
Inside that folder are the images and XML files you need to replace (you might not have to edit any of the XML files, that's a little more advanced unless you already know how to.)
Most of the images you will need to edit will be in the following folders of each apk:
res>drawable
res>drawable-hdpi
You can look around in there and see what all needs to be done. I will get into themeing the contacts and phone and all that a little later.
Once you get everything done and you're ready to test it out, you need to go back to that "Script" file in apkmanager and open it back up. Now you're going to do pretty much the same stuff you did when you were decompiling the apk, in order to compile the apk.
In the Script for apkmanager, you're going to press "22" and hit enter, then select which file you want to compile first by either pressing 1,2 or 3.
Select the file and hit enter, then press "11" and press enter to compile the apk. As long as you didn't mess anything up during the process of changing stuff, you shouldn't receive any errors. If you do, you need to figure out what it was you messed up on and fix it.
Go through and compile the apks that you edited. Once that is done, you will go to your "place apk here for modding" folder again and you will notice that you have 3 new files in there:
unsignedframework-res.apk
unsignedSystemUI.apk
unsignedTouchWiz30Launcher.apk
Remember that empty flashable zip you downloaded earlier? Now you need it.
Right click on the flashable zip and mouse over "7zip" and click on "Open Archive"
Take the unsignedSystemUI.apk and the unsignedTouchWiz30Launcher.apk and place them in the "app" folder. Now rename those to their original names:
SystemUI.apk
TouchWiz30Launcher.apk
Now take that unsignedframework-res.apk and place it in the "framework" folder of the flashable zip. Rename that one to "framework-res.apk."
Now you can close out of the flashable zip file and place it on your sdcard.
Reboot into recovery, wipe cache partition, wipe dalvik, now go to "mounts and storage" and mount /system.
Now go back and flash the zip file you just put on your sdcard.
Since you wiped your cache and your dalvik, the reboot will take a little while. You should now be good to go!
NOTE: Since I did not create apkmanager, I will not be able to answer many questions about it but feel free to ask. If I don't have an answer for you, Just go back to the post above where you downloaded it, and post your question there.
As stated earlier in my post, I will get more in depth about all this stuff as soon as I have a little more time to post everything.
Please enjoy and happy themeing!!!!!!
Thank you for this spc.
wampuscat said:
Thank you for this spc.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not a problem! I'm going to add more stuff as soon as I get more time. Also, if there are any other themers that want to contribute like ForeverSupra or Endless or Stranula. Please send me a PM and I'll add your stuff to the OP as well!
spc_hicks09 said:
Not a problem! I'm going to add more stuff as soon as I get more time. Also, if there are any other themers that want to contribute like ForeverSupra or Endless or Stranula. Please send me a PM and I'll add your stuff to the OP as well!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ima be all over this. 12 hr nightshift coupled with a mild case of OCD=awesome sauce ....you da man
In ApkManager you don't need to decompile the apk's. You just need to extract them because all you're doing is messing with the images.
wyllic said:
In ApkManager you don't need to decompile the apk's. You just need to extract them because all you're doing is messing with the images.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
True but might as well get people used to it.
Sent from my SCH-I510 using Tapatalk
Spc. There is an ultimate draw 9 patch out that makes editing the .9's so much easier once you have patched them. You may want to add that to the op, Stoney from BadSeed showed it to me and its so easy now, no need for eclipse.
Sent from my SCH-I510 using xda premium
thanks for this man i have been wanting to get intto developing but i figure i would stick with something a bit more simplier... plus once i learn i can develop a theme for my wifes epic not many options for g.b. overthere glad this got stickied or at least it seems that way.... hit the thanks button on my o.p in general thanks...
Wow is it seriously that easy???? Well I guess I'm starting to theme then. I'm going to start asap. I can't thank you enough btw this is really a good thing here.
Cool! I didn't even know about that. Is there any way you could possibly find a link so I can add it?
cbrown245 said:
Spc. There is an ultimate draw 9 patch out that makes editing the .9's so much easier once you have patched them. You may want to add that to the op, Stoney from BadSeed showed it to me and its so easy now, no need for eclipse.
Sent from my SCH-I510 using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Going to look for it now!
bfitzpatrickd2d said:
thanks for this man i have been wanting to get intto developing but i figure i would stick with something a bit more simplier... plus once i learn i can develop a theme for my wifes epic not many options for g.b. overthere glad this got stickied or at least it seems that way.... hit the thanks button on my o.p in general thanks...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just so everyone knows, here soon I'm also going to be posting a tutorial on how to center the clock and move around your icons and stuff in the statusbar!
I had all the knowledge in the OP and decided I was going to start theming. Then I saw the literally hundreds of PNG's i would have to edit and decided it isn't for me lol. I get bored too easily to spend that much time in photoshop/gimp haha.
That said, I really appreciate what themers do.
skydeaner said:
I had all the knowledge in the OP and decided I was going to start theming. Then I saw the literally hundreds of PNG's i would have to edit and decided it isn't for me lol. I get bored too easily to spend that much time in photoshop/gimp haha.
That said, I really appreciate what themers do.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
same here, wish I had the time lol and that's why I try and do what I can i.e. donating, testing, helping out here...
doesn't mean I don't know my way around in the internals of roms/themes though haha
sent from my Acer Iconia A500 tablet via XDA app
spc_hicks09 said:
Cool! I didn't even know about that. Is there any way you could possibly find a link so I can add it?
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=19215317&postcount=595
Here is the link to the op Papa Smurf151 so all thanks to him.
Sent from my SCH-I510 using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
cbrown245 said:
spc_hicks09 said:
Cool! I didn't even know about that. Is there any way you could possibly find a link so I can add it?
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=19215317&postcount=595
Here is the link to the op Papa Smurf151 so all thanks to him.
Sent from my SCH-I510 using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks man!
P.S.
I got a really good theme coming up very soon that will flash over Stock EP4D....stay tuned kids!!!
Once I get the main stuff done (framework, systemUI, settings.apk) I will release it then will add more stuff as I go.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
spc_hicks09 said:
cbrown245 said:
Thanks man!
P.S.
I got a really good theme coming up very soon that will flash over Stock EP4D....stay tuned kids!!!
Once I get the main stuff done (framework, systemUI, settings.apk) I will release it then will add more stuff as I go.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Lol so do I. I have been testing on my phone for about 2 weeks just adding as I go along.
Sent from my SCH-I510 using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I might give it a shot but yeah just for the battery there is like, umm never mind alot of files. I sure I will have alot of questions and ask people to use stuff of course with credit due to them.
blueis300 said:
I might give it a shot but yeah just for the battery there is like, umm never mind alot of files. I sure I will have alot of questions and ask people to use stuff of course with credit due to them.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just now kind of finished one for EP4D, getting ready to post it soon.
When flashing with the zip you provide it says place your txt here. How do you find where to place my txt? I would like to add my txt.
Sent from my SCH-I510 using xda premium
cbrown245 said:
When flashing with the zip you provide it says place your txt here. How do you find where to place my txt? I would like to add my txt.
Sent from my SCH-I510 using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's the "updater-script"
To get to the updater script, of the zip file. Open the zip file with 7zip and go to:
META-INF>com>google>android
Open the updater script with Notepad++ or whatever text editor you use. Only the edit the text that says "place your text here" or you can mess up the entire zip file and it won't flash.
spc_hicks09 said:
It's the "updater-script"
To get to the updater script, of the zip file. Open the zip file with 7zip and go to:
META-INF>com>google>android
Open the updater script with Notepad++ or whatever text editor you use. Only the edit the text that says "place your text here" or you can mess up the entire zip file and it won't flash.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Once I open it with ++ it will not slow to edit anything. ???
Sent from my SCH-I510 using xda premium
Hello so what I've got is this. I've modified some of the system .apks and the framework on my current rom well an update has rolled out and i was wondering how do i take those modded apps with me I've used zipthemer and cwm but i get a bootloop using zipthemer i had wrote my xml to install the entire .apk is this wrong any help would be greatly appreciated thanks
Use Super Manager to make a backup of all your .APK's on the device it will be under the .APK section in Super Manager around tab 4 or 5 i believe! Mount your SD card in your PC after the backup and push the backup .APK's to a new folder on your PC and do a fresh clean flash of the new ROM then push the .APK's back onto the device after you reboot! If this is not exactly what you are looking for feel free to elaborate a bit more im pretty sure i understand the concept you are going for!
That's pretty much what I'm aiming at only im talking about modified /system apks I usually wind up pulling the apps and framework and replacing the image files inside the new ones with the ones ive edited using 7.zip and pushing them back to /system/app or framework with adb but man that takes forever lol I guess what ive done here is created a system wide theme including system apps and framework but i dont know how to write the xml to push the images into the framework and apks through a cwm flashable
I guess im kinda looking for building a flashable theme something i can just flash after installing the rom update but I''m not really sure if what I've done is or could be considered a theme i guess it would be seeing as how it changes the look of the apps and framework its seems like I'm themeing the hard way
(btw typing while i think sorry if it doesn't make sense)
edit - but it seems like ive tried pushing the actual "old" apk from an older version to a new version of the same rom and it force closes
Sent from my Incredible 2 using xda premium
AHH yea now i fully understand what you are getting at... props br0... i for one have never used ABD to push system modified values back to the droid but i completely get what your doing. I assume the "old.apk" force closes because your modified values collide with the default values resulting in a source error, are you using some sort of hex editor to modify anything? or just extracting .png's and swapping? if swapping .png's only you should be able to extract swap and rebuild with success but im sure there will be bugs as this is open source of sorts! I'll take a look around and see if i can find anything structured towards this because i gotta tell you man that is something i have thought about taking on myself for a little bit now just haven't gotten around to it. Sounds easy enough to do what you are going for as does most things... until you put it into practice lol i'll have a look around br0
No I'm not using an editor just 7zip to open the apk and pulling pngs from old and placing them in the "new" apk and pushing it back to the system folder if you can download something like this from the market surely I can build one I think I'm just missing something
That would be awesome man any help further into this would be greatly appreciated and Ill do the same and post here
Sent from my Incredible 2 using xda premium
Nevaloud said:
No I'm not using an editor just pulling pngs from old and placing them in the "new" apk and pushing it back to the system folder
That would be awesome man any help further into this would be greatly appreciated and Ill do the same and post here
Sent from my Incredible 2 using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Download a apk editor just Google how to edit apk and you should find a nice set of script put together as a cmd promt.There extract the apk both old and new then replace the PNG files.After that repackage them using the script and also sign them as a system apk (there is a script for this too).After that just copy it to the folder you took it from or via ADB.I edited mine SystemUI.apk like this and now my status bar is exactly like the one in ICS
Sent from my LG-P350 using xda premium
This sounds like what I do with with 7zip i keep the drawable files ive edited on my cpu after a rom update i pull the new apk and open with seven zip and just drag and drop what I've edited to the open res
push back reboot success
Sent from my Incredible 2 using xda premium
Nevaloud said:
This sounds like what I do with with 7zip i keep the drawable files ive edited on my cpu after a rom update i pull the new apk and open with seven zip and just drag and drop what I've edited to the open res
push back reboot success
Sent from my Incredible 2 using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah but i think you need to sign them too in order for them not to FC and yeah rebooting after you pushet them is a must
Sent from my LG-P350 using xda premium
O no no they don't force close doing this at all
they only force close when I tried pushing an "old" apk to the "new" rom
If you pull the new ones and change with 7zip and push back they're money
I really just want to build a flashable theme zip so I don't have to pull all kinds of stuff after an update
Just a simple flash maybe even something i could deploy onto another inc2 but I'm really not sure if that's possible because of the amount of changes done to multiple apks and framework
If you guys would like to see screen shots ill post some just for fun I've done alot of work
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http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1111476
you can have a look at this
Thank you for the link but I'm not using apktool to decompile apps I'm just editing .Png images and putting what I pull from the phone back on the phone like a theme would but I'm not just editing the framework-Res I've "themed" 6 or 7 system apks aswell but I have done zero XML editing to anything
From my Inc2 Nevaloud V2.6
So as in my earlier thread I have moved back to eagles blood 4.0.4 AOSP rom. One of the drawbacks is that the hdpi drawable folder in my systemui does not have 1% icons. I've read a few tuts on how to make my own....or add them from a downloadable zip.
My question to those who are more knowledgeable about development is this: will opening the drawable hdpi folder from my systemui.apk with 7-zip and replacing all my stock sys_batt PNG images with the custom 1% images and then saving those to the folder and pushing the systemui.apk back to my phone do the trick?
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Pain-N-Panic said:
So as in my earlier thread I have moved back to eagles blood 4.0.4 AOSP rom. One of the drawbacks is that the hdpi drawable folder in my systemui does not have 1% icons. I've read a few tuts on how to make my own....or add them from a downloadable zip.
My question to those who are more knowledgeable about development is this: will opening the drawable hdpi folder from my systemui.apk with 7-zip and replacing all my stock sys_batt PNG images with the custom 1% images and then saving those to the folder and pushing the systemui.apk back to my phone do the trick?
Sent from my LG-P999 using xda premium
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Should add long as those are referenced (I think in the xml, but then, I have never done this myself). Would need a nandroid for sure .
-- The noob says:
From first-hand experience, a smartphone is incapable of making you smarter!
Nope, they're not. I have to manually reference them in the sys_bat icon XML file located in drawable folder. Then I have to swap in the images in the drawable hdpi folder once they're referenced. However, I'm having issues. Once I extract the files from the apk with 7zip, specifically the drawable folder to get to the sys_bat icon XML file, I cannot open it in notepad++ to edit it. I'm getting an error. Any ideas mansa?
Edit- LOL nandroid was the first thing I did!
Now I have to crank out this stupid paper for class so I can continue tinkering with my Android lol
Sent from my LG-P999 using xda premium
Ok, So I've come to learn that in order to edit XML files within the APK, that the APK needs to be decompiled with APK Tool, not simply extracted using 7zip. I downloaded APK tool and set everything up according to this tut----> http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1989533
I have the APKTOOL folder placed on the root of my C:/ drive. Inside that folder I have placed the following aapt (the apktool exe or application file), apktool (batch file), apktool.jar, and my framework-res.apk (I know I need to use systemui.apk, I'm just using this as I follow the tutorial on how to get this program working before I try anything on my own files). When I get to the command c:\apktool>apktool if system.apk to install the APK on my system so I can decompile I get an error saying it's not a recognized command. Any ideas dev-friendly users?
So I realized I didn't have the JDK installed on my pc since I did a system wipe on it the other day. Reinstalled it but it's still not working. Very frustrating. I'm also using win 8 if that means anything.
Giving up on apktool as I cannot seem to get a way around the error. However, apk manager seems much more user friendly and have seen tuts using the program specifically for ics roms. I've only seen tuts for apktool using jelly bean roms so maybe that's the issue. I won't be home until late tonight as I have class. If anyone has any tips/suggestions please let me know.
Sent from my LG-P999 using xda premium
Not that many people are in here anyway but I figured I'd give it a shot. So I went to use apk manager instead of apk tool which seemed to be a much more "newb friendly" program. I can successfully decompile my framework-res.apk but cannot decompile my systemUI.apk afterward. I get an error....here's my log if anyone can help me with it:
EDIT- deleted log as I was able to decompile systemUI with a different apk program. That was a huge headache getting it to decompile. Now editing the XML should be no problem, along with swapping out the PNG's. Recompiling on the other hand will most likely be another headache!
So i've done a thorough Google search and discovered that im not the only one who hates the smug little Samsung man that appears over all your contacts that don't have pictures, or pops up as caller ID.
I did find a post that was relevant to the old S4 which I think sent me down the right path, but i have limited knowledge in compiling and installing systems apps via adb or however.
I believe I have done the leg work, so if someone has a moment to assist in making a flashable zip or providing clear instructions to install a modified systemUI.apk, it would be greatly appreciated.
The offending picture png is located in the above mentioned SystemUI.apk. According to the post i was reading re the S4 there used to be 2 seperate system apps (Call and MMS) that contained the image, but from what i've read and been able to find in relation to the S6 is only the SystemUI.apk
I copied it out, unzipped it, and then replaced it with a random but more suitable picture. I made sure that the picture was exactly the same dimensions. Does it being a greater size cause an issue?
I then compressed it again using 7zip, set the file permission back to rw-r--r-- and.... thats as far as i got.
Im not sure how to test whether what i did is correct, or to install it via recovery as a flashable or push it through adb (i don't know the linux commands). In frustration i did try just renaming the original apk using Root Explorer, but of course immediately got a SystemUI has stopped unexpectedly (im almost positive the smug little man was laughing at me by this point) and forced reboot. Oddly upon reboot my phone functioned as per normal, with the smug little guy still mocking me, even though the SystemUI.apk had been renamed!? That stumped me. I could only think that its somehow referencing the information from somewhere else???? I dunno.
Can someone have a look at the attached and let me know if it should work and how i can try install it?
For your reference the only matching png i could find is located: SystemUI.apk\res\drawable-xxxhdpi-v4\contacts_default_caller_id_list.png
Im sure this is a MOD that the countless other smug man haters out there would appreciate as well
download the modified apk but cant install it
Sent from my SM-G925F using XDA-Developers mobile app
ruud said:
download the modified apk but cant install it
Sent from my SM-G925F using XDA-Developers mobile app
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No, I believe there's either more to it than just swapping the png out, or the apk needs to be installed via adb seeing it's the stock rom's Ui, but I appreciate your efforts.
The app needs to be signed anyway if you unzip it and zip it again. This can be made with Android Signer or a similar app.
But...for what you want there's no need to uncompress the apk and recompress it afterwards. This procedure is needed if you want to extract or edit certain files (usually .xml files) but not for replacing a resource as a png or image.
First you should have an identically named file and the png should have same resolution (also there are certain specific png's that should be modified only by someone who knows how...so called .9 png's). Considering it's a normal one and it has same resolution (it can be sometimes of different res but phone will resize it and not always the result is what you want), just open the apk with WinRAR for ex (this is what I use) and delete tha original png then add to the archive, in the same place your png.
Should work well, no need for extracting and compressing the files again and so on and I don't advice to do that if you don't know how to sign or deal with apk's
Please note that there could be several folders were the image can be, if the image is a resource that is resolution dependant. So you might find it in hdpi, xhdpi, mdpi, xxhdpi...and similar folders. In this case you should change at least the image in the folder for your specific resolution. But I guess this is not the case since SystemUI is speciffic to a ROM and phone model and should have resources only for it's resolution setup at build time
Good luck
Sent from nowhere over the air...
Hi, thanks for your response. I actually used 7zip to swap the png without extracting it, but my problem is how to replace a system apk from recovery? I have no knowledge of how to do this or make a flashable zip. Thanks in advance
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Just use the same way, replace with 7zip. You only need a template flashable .zip. Ask Google for it.
Sent from my SM-G925F using Tapatalk
You can replace the file using the included file manager in TWRP (if you use this recovery). You just have to mount /system before that in order to access the file. You should find SystemUI.apk in /system/app. Alternatively, you could replace the file even with your phone started and with Android booted. Using a root file explorer like ES File Explorer, navigate to /system/app and replace SystemUI.apk there. Then reboot phone for changes to take effect. I strongly recommend to make a safe copy of the file before overwritting it
Second method is easier than the recovery one. You can also use a flashable zip, you can make one yourself by using a flashable zip 'template', that is an empty zip made for flashing in which you just put the files you need to be copied along with their complete path. A quick search will give you several such zip files,I'm on mobile right now and I can't make the flashable zip for you
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Rapier said:
You can replace the file using the included file manager in TWRP (if you use this recovery). You just have to mount /system before that in order to access the file. You should find SystemUI.apk in /system/app. Alternatively, you could replace the file even with your phone started and with Android booted. Using a root file explorer like ES File Explorer, navigate to /system/app and replace SystemUI.apk there. Then reboot phone for changes to take effect. I strongly recommend to make a safe copy of the file before overwritting it
Second method is easier than the recovery one. You can also use a flashable zip, you can make one yourself by using a flashable zip 'template', that is an empty zip made for flashing in which you just put the files you need to be copied along with their complete path. A quick search will give you several such zip files,I'm on mobile right now and I can't make the flashable zip for you
Sent from nowhere over the air...
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Thanks for the info Rapier. I tried using root explorer to swap it, but as soon as I renamed the original systemui.apk I got a force close error (because the system was obviously running systemui.apk) and I was forced to do a reset to clear the error off the screen.
After rebooting, the apk had be renamed but the system was still chugging along regardless of the fact that this systemui.apk effectively wasn't even there anymore. It was showing as systemui.bak, what I renamed it to. I tried going ahead and putting the modified apk in the directory anyway, rebooted, and nothing. No change to the png whatsoever, even though the png I used was showing in the correct spot and all.
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lonelydra said:
Just use the same way, replace with 7zip. You only need a template flashable .zip. Ask Google for it.
Sent from my SM-G925F using Tapatalk
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Thanks for the tip, I didn't know there were just templates available. I'll give it a shot, but by the way it's behaving when I've just replaced the file using a root explorer, I think there's more to it eg. The apk I modified isn't functional or something
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If you still see the image after replacing the file, it could be that it is not stored only in systemui. It could be in the dialer/phone apk as well or in the framework-res.apk. I saw the little figure you wanna change in several places across the ROM, including in the S-Health app...it is used I think everywhere where there is no picture set for an avatar. It can be that the one you found is for something else
Sent from nowhere over the air...
Rapier said:
If you still see the image after replacing the file, it could be that it is not stored only in systemui. It could be in the dialer/phone apk as well or in the framework-res.apk. I saw the little figure you wanna change in several places across the ROM, including in the S-Health app...it is used I think everywhere where there is no picture set for an avatar. It can be that the one you found is for something else
Sent from nowhere over the air...
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Damn, but you're probably right. If I decide to pursue this annoying smug little man, am I at least doing it right?
I mean in theory; replacing the png with another of the same dimensions (does size matter?) and as long as I've swapped it out of the apk rather than extracting and compressing again, set the permissions the same and replacing any apk I come across with the new image, it should work yes?
Someone suggested using an overlay function? Would that be easier?
I couldn't find the phone apk for the S6, do you know where I should be looking?
Thanks for all your advice with this!
Sent from my SGP611 using XDA-Developers mobile app
Yes, you're right, if you replace the correct png you should get rid of it.
I was involved in several projects in the past, theming as well as building or porting ROMs so I can help with what I know.
You asked about resolution and yes it does matter. In apk's you might find the png stored in folders dependant on display res and named accordingly: LDPI, MDPI, HDPI, XHDPI, XXHDPI and so on. You MUST change the png in the correct folder or else you won't see any change. If for ex you change the png in MDPI folder and our phone is XXXHDPI...you won't see a change. Also the dimension of the png's differs with each res so it is not ok to just put the same resolution file in all folders. There are several guidelines to be followed when dealing with such images and when replacing resources. I think our phone is XXXHDPI or XXHDPI...not really sure cause I never checked but you can find this info easily. After you find out which it is the right res, replace only the png's in that coresponding folder and leave the others alone.
You might want start looking for that image in the phone/people apk and in the framework-res.apk. Be VERY careful what you do with the framework as it's a main component of the ROM...mess with it and you'll have to reflash the ROM
Sent from nowhere over the air...