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[GUIDE] How to extract system files from stock firmware

Ok, so I know many users are looking forward to create a custom rom. Where are you gonna get the system files from? Sure you can get it from a CWM backup. You can also extract the system files and the respective kernel from PDA.tar. Sure everyone knows it's in there but very few exactly know how to extract them. The system files are in the file "system.img".
So the 1st step is to open the PDA.tar using 7-zip and extract the system.img to a particular folder.
Download sgs2toext4.jar from attachment. It's a .jar file created by dphrozen to convert .img files to .ext4.img. Place that file anywhere in C:\ and then open the Command Prompt. In the command prompt, set the directory to the folder where sgs2toext4.jar is placed. Then type this command :-
Code:
java -jar sgs2toext4.jar
A window will open which is gonna ask you to drop the .img file in it. Simply drag the system.img to the window and the process of converting it to system.ext4.img will start. After the process is complete, you'll find system.ext4.img file in the same folder where your system.img file was placed.
Now, download Linux Reader. Install and then open it. At top left, go to Drives -> Mount Image. A window will open up. Browse to system.ext4.img and select it.
That's it! Now you can view all the system files. Export all of them to a particular folder. After exporting, you'll see an extension .efs.ntfs at the end of each file. Just delete that extension and you're good to go!

[GUIDE] [N00B] How to decompile/recompile .apk

GUIDE
What will you Need:
ApkTool
Java JDK/JRE 32 bit
Terminal knowledge
Brain
Instructions
Extract zip folder to anywhere you choose. E.g: C:/android/apktool extracting the files to 'apktool' folder.
3.Now copy the apk to your Apk Tool folder.
2. Open your terminal
Your terminal will look like this...
C:\users\yourname>
Code:
[COLOR="Black"]cd.. → go back
cd.. android → go to this folder[/COLOR]
(Yes, it contains "..")
So you must be in your folder apktool (E.q: C:/android/apktool>)
3. Installing Framework
Code:
apktool if framework-res.apk
(framework-res.apk is only example.. You can type "apktool if SystemUI.apk",...)
4. Decompiling
Code:
apktool d framework-res.apk framework1
(framework-res.apk is apk which you want to decompile and framework1.. You can type "apktool if SystemUI.apk",...)
Now you can enjoy it!
5. Recompiling/Finished Product
Code:
apktool b framework1 framework-res-new.apk
(framework1 is the folder with your edited files and framework-res-new.apk is your new apk file)
You can't use the new apk... You have to take what you did and add it back to the original apk file to proper signature.
Use something like 7zip, take the 'resources.arcs' file and any other xml files you edited out of the "-new" apk and copy them into Original .apk.
Congratulations! You modded .apk!​

you can help i know...
Mlopik said:
GUIDE
What will you Need:
ApkTool
Java JDK/JRE 32 bit
Terminal knowledge
Brain
Instructions
Extract zip folder to anywhere you choose. E.g: C:/android/apktool extracting the files to 'apktool' folder.
3.Now copy the apk to your Apk Tool folder.
2. Open your terminal
Your terminal will look like this...
C:\users\yourname>
Code:
[COLOR="Black"]cd.. → go back
cd.. android → go to this folder[/COLOR]
(Yes, it contains "..")
So you must be in your folder apktool (E.q: C:/android/apktool>)
3. Installing Framework
Code:
apktool if framework-res.apk
(framework-res.apk is only example.. You can type "apktool if SystemUI.apk",...)
4. Decompiling
Code:
apktool d framework-res.apk framework1
(framework-res.apk is apk which you want to decompile and framework1.. You can type "apktool if SystemUI.apk",...)
Now you can enjoy it!
5. Recompiling/Finished Product
Code:
apktool b framework1 framework-res-new.apk
(framework1 is the folder with your edited files and framework-res-new.apk is your new apk file)
You can't use the new apk... You have to take what you did and add it back to the original apk file to proper signature.
Use something like 7zip, take the 'resources.arcs' file and any other xml files you edited out of the "-new" apk and copy them into Original .apk.
Congratulations! You modded .apk!​
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hey boss... can you tell me how to rename a app... i need it badly.. please.and thanks in advance

How to extract source code from apk

Hey guys heres a way to extract source code of an apk
I know many of u may know it but still no thread in this section
If its wrong or right or a question only then reply
NOW WHAT IS SOURCE CODE:
A text listing of commands to be compiled or assembled into an executable program
How to extract source code:
Requirements
1. Android-apktool
2. Dex2jar
3. JD-Gui
Procedure
Rename the .apk file you wish to retrieve and change the extension to .zip. Then extract the file that it creates.
Copy the contents of the dex2jar folder to the extracted folder to make it easier for yourself, and run:
dex2jar classes.dex
and copy the resulting “classes.dex.dex2jar.jar” into a new folder.
Open up the Java Decompiler and drag “classes.dex.dex2jar.jar” into the window and then go to File > Save and save the source in a .zip file.
Extract the saved .zip and copy the contents to a new folder somewhere. This will be where we keep your source code.
Now, copy “framework-res.apk” and “yourapk.apk” to the APKTool folder. Then open a command prompt or Terminal window and type:
apktool if framework-res.apk
apktool d
Now just copy the contents of the resulting folder to the same place you copied the contents of “classes.dex.dex2jar.jar” earlier and you have your source code.
Apk source code files
http://db.tt/oqdrcBpk
Now to import this project into eclipse
Go here
Enjoy modifying
Sent by typing by my fingers

Drop Box Link Not Working...please update it

Thanks for the small guide. I've been wondering if there was a way to do this.
Sent from ALCATEL One Touch Fierce

M not Able to Find dex2jar classes.dex

red de0392 said:
M not Able to Find dex2jar classes.dex
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You have to run it in CMD that "dex2jar classes.dex" is not a file. its a command.

[Guide/Tut] G2 DEODEXING APK IN 3 SIMPLE STEPS- ANY ROM- PERFECT DEODEXING

OF LATELY A LOT OF PEOPLE SEEM TO FACE DECOMPILING ISSUES POST DEODEXING, SOME DO NOT KNOW HOW TO DEODEX. SO I MADE THIS VERY SIMPLE YET 100% WORKING GUIDE. FOLLOW IT ANY ONE, I MEAN ANYONE CAN SUCCESSFULLY DEODEX ANY APK IN HIS G2 ROM [THIS METHOD WORKS PERFECTLY FOR OTHER PHONES AS WELL]
WHAT YOU NEED:-
1. TOOLS FOR DEODEXING:- DOWNLOAD HERE
2. FRAMEWORK FOLDER FROM YOUR PHONE [FOUND IN "/system" folder"]
3. APK AND ODEX FILE TO BE DEODEXED [eg. LGSystemUI.apk & LGSystemUI.odex]-Found either in [/system/app OR /system/priv-app]
LETS START:-
PREPARATION-
---Download and unzip the tools folder above to the folder c:\baksmali . Indtall 7zip utility from the tools as made available above.
---Place the entire "framework" folder in the c:\baksmali folder. Also place the apk and odex file to be deodexed in c:\baksmali folder.
---Open up a dos prompt in c:\baksmali folder ...
*STEP 1*
Type the following command:
HTML:
java -jar baksmali.jar -d c:\baksmali\framework -x nameofodexfile.odex
You will see that an out folder is created in the c:\baksmali folder
*STEP 2*
Type the following command:
HTML:
java -jar smali.jar -o classes.dex out
You will see that a file "classes.dex" is created in the c:\baksmali folder
*STEP 3*
-Open your apk file using 7zip utility.
-Simply Drag the classes.dex file and drop in the 7zip open window. Click YES.
-YOU HAVE SUCCESSFULLY CREATED THE DEODEXED APK FILE.
NOTE:
1. If during step 1 you get errors, it is likely that either the framework is different or apk & odex belongs to a different ROM.
2. Use 7zip as it is better and safe than winrar for handling apk files.
3. If above steps are followed, the chances of any errors are "0".
4. While decompiling apks use apktool 1.5.2. This handles smali files much better than 2.0.3 version.
I certainly hope this guide proves helpful to those intending to take up theming/modding... Best of Luck... If you have any concerns get in touch with me- I will gladly help....
Thank you XDA for this wonderful forum
Consider pressing thanks button if you find this tutorial helpful- It promotes development...

Hi, very good tutorial! Just what I needed. Thanks!

rastigo said:
OF LATELY A LOT OF PEOPLE SEEM TO FACE DECOMPILING ISSUES POST DEODEXING, SOME DO NOT KNOW HOW TO DEODEX. SO I MADE THIS VERY SIMPLE YET 100% WORKING GUIDE. FOLLOW IT ANY ONE, I MEAN ANYONE CAN SUCCESSFULLY DEODEX ANY APK IN HIS G2 ROM [THIS METHOD WORKS PERFECTLY FOR OTHER PHONES AS WELL]
WHAT YOU NEED:-
1. TOOLS FOR DEODEXING:- DOWNLOAD HERE
2. FRAMEWORK FOLDER FROM YOUR PHONE [FOUND IN "/system" folder"]
3. APK AND ODEX FILE TO BE DEODEXED [eg. LGSystemUI.apk & LGSystemUI.odex]-Found either in [/system/app OR /system/priv-app]
LETS START:-
PREPARATION-
---Download and unzip the tools folder above to the folder c:\baksmali . Indtall 7zip utility from the tools as made available above.
---Place the entire "framework" folder in the c:\baksmali folder. Also place the apk and odex file to be deodexed in c:\baksmali folder.
---Open up a dos prompt in c:\baksmali folder ...
*STEP 1*
Type the following command:
HTML:
java -jar baksmali.jar -d c:\baksmali\framework -x nameofodexfile.odex
You will see that an out folder is created in the c:\baksmali folder
*STEP 2*
Type the following command:
HTML:
java -jar smali.jar -o classes.dex out
You will see that a file "classes.dex" is created in the c:\baksmali folder
*STEP 3*
-Open your apk file using 7zip utility.
-Simply Drag the classes.dex file and drop in the 7zip open window. Click YES.
-YOU HAVE SUCCESSFULLY CREATED THE DEODEXED APK FILE.
NOTE:
1. If during step 1 you get errors, it is likely that either the framework is different or apk & odex belongs to a different ROM.
2. Use 7zip as it is better and safe than winrar for handling apk files.
3. If above steps are followed, the chances of any errors are "0".
4. While decompiling apks use apktool 1.5.2. This handles smali files much better than 2.0.3 version.
I certainly hope this guide proves helpful to those intending to take up theming/modding... Best of Luck... If you have any concerns get in touch with me- I will gladly help....
Thank you XDA for this wonderful forum
Consider pressing thanks button if you find this tutorial helpful- It promotes development...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
when i unzip the tools zip the baksmali is a file not a folder so i cant add the framework to the file? not sure if you can help me further

jaymazz13 said:
when i unzip the tools zip the baksmali is a file not a folder so i cant add the framework to the file? not sure if you can help me further
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
you've to create a folder in c:\
then you rename this new folder baksmali
in this folder you have to unzip the file downloaded here
after unzipped
now you can put here your framework

It works great!
One question, how to odex again?

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.