Database Info

Themeing and CWM FLashable File

Hey guys/girls. I'm creating a theme for Andromeda 3 and one thing I cannot fifure out is how to make my theme CWM flashable to test it.
I opened the zip from a different flashable theme, replaced the framework-res.apk and twframework-res.apk with the modified ones from Andromeda and repackaged them using Winrar. I have followed the guides to resign the APK's and ZIP but no mater what I do, after a reboot I get a solid black screen and the phone vibrates.
Im not sure what I am doing wrong because I thought that was all that went into creating a CWM file.
Thanks in advance......

7 posts under this one
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1037842
the meta info is alot more specific than just swap any other files...

Thanks, I found that one about 5 mins ago but couldn't seem to find it when I searched the forum before posting. Must have missed it

Should also point out that if you're decompiling the framework apks with apktool, modifying any of the xml's or code, and recompiling, you'll need to sign the resulting apk or you'll end up with a boot loop.

modest_mandroid said:
Should also point out that if you're decompiling the framework apks with apktool, modifying any of the xml's or code, and recompiling, you'll need to sign the resulting apk or you'll end up with a boot loop.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Actually, I'm just opening the apk's with winrar. I make the changes to the folders/files and rezip them with Winrar with Store mode (no compression?) Then I resign them with testsign.jar.
I have read the themeing guides but they are really lacking in the small details dept.

modest_mandroid said:
Should also point out that if you're decompiling the framework apks with apktool, modifying any of the xml's or code, and recompiling, you'll need to sign the resulting apk or you'll end up with a boot loop.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Wrong.
Never resign system apks such as framework-res or twframework-res. His problem has nothing to do with the signature.
If you are simply copying over files inside the apk and getting this error, then you are adding more files than was originally inside the apk. I repeat, DO NOT ADD FILES THAT ARE NOT ALREADY INSIDE UNLESS YOU KNOW HOW TO RE-COMPILE THE RESOURCES.ASRC!
Also, use 7-zip to edit apks when you just want to overwrite files. Never unzip, or re-zip. Just right-click > 7-zip > Open Archive > Drag and drop files > close the window > you're done
Edit: Also, this goes in Q&A not General.

ryude said:
Wrong.
Never resign system apks such as framework-res or twframework-res. His problem has nothing to do with the signature.
If you are simply copying over files inside the apk and getting this error, then you are adding more files than was originally inside the apk. I repeat, DO NOT ADD FILES THAT ARE NOT ALREADY INSIDE UNLESS YOU KNOW HOW TO RE-COMPILE THE RESOURCES.ASRC!
Also, use 7-zip to edit apks when you just want to overwrite files. Never unzip, or re-zip. Just right-click > 7-zip > Open Archive > Drag and drop files > close the window > you're done
Edit: Also, this goes in Q&A not General.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ok, thanks man.
Will I need to resign the final theme.zip before flashing it?
Also, can't I just grab the updater-script from another theme.zip and us it in my mine?

ryude said:
Wrong.
Never resign system apks such as framework-res or twframework-res. His problem has nothing to do with the signature.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I didn't say anything about resigning? Apktool creates an entirely new, unsigned apk, which unless I'm extremely mistaken you'll need to use if you intend to modify certain resources.

modest_mandroid said:
I didn't say anything about resigning? Apktool creates an entirely new, unsigned apk, which unless I'm extremely mistaken you'll need to use if you intend to modify certain resources.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
He doesn't need to use apktool, because he isn't edited any code.

timbrendelaz said:
Ok, thanks man.
Will I need to resign the final theme.zip before flashing it?
Also, can't I just grab the updater-script from another theme.zip and us it in my mine?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No, you don't have to sign CWM zips because Clockwork doesn't check for a signature.
You could use another updater-script, but the problem with that is if it tries to perform an action on a file or folder that isn't inside your zip it will crash while flashing. You'll be left with a bricked phone and have to ODIN back to restore.

ryude said:
He doesn't need to use apktool, because he isn't edited any code.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
But what if he is lol? Cause that's what im trying to do and having some issues. Know of a good thread on this? Editing xml that is
Sent from my SGH-T959 using XDA Premium App

TXLunchbox said:
But what if he is lol? Cause that's what im trying to do and having some issues. Know of a good thread on this? Editing xml that is
Sent from my SGH-T959 using XDA Premium App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you're editing code, I recommend using apk manager since it will automatically recompile the resources.asrc for you. Just make sure to downgrade the apktool that comes with it to 1.3.1, 1.3.2 is known to cause problems with xml edits.
1. Set new project apk.
2. Decompile apk, if it's a system apk use the option for dependency apk and use twframework-res.apk as the dependency apk.
3. Edit your xml files.
4. Recompile, when asked use yes twice. It will tell you to delete files in the Keep folder.
5. Delete the resources.asrc if you edited any xml/added new files. Delete the files that you added/edited.
6. Once you're done it will automatically copy over the signature and use the compression that you set (default level 9, I recommend level 0).
Don't worry that it says "unsignedFramework-res.apk", it will work since it's a system apk because system apk signatures get copied over to the new file. Just rename it to Framework-res.apk or whatever you need it to be called.

ryude said:
He doesn't need to use apktool, because he isn't edited any code.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hence the 'if' in my original statement, you know, 'if' he ever chose to in the future.

HELP with Decompiling APK (using APKTOOL)

I've looked around for some good tutorials on decompiling APKs using APKTool but haven't been able to get a few questions answered. Hoping someone can guide me with this process a bit since I'm really new at it.
A few things first: I am running CM 7.1 on a Droid Incredible (orig) and I'm also on Windows, not Linux. I'm looking to make some changes to the code of an APK and have APKtool downloaded. Questions I have so far are:
1) Do I need to use the CM 7.1 framework-res.apk file for any decompiling / /recompiling work on this 3rd party APK? Or can I do all the work without it? No one seems to have a clear answer on that and I'm not sure exactly what the framework-res.apk is for exactly.
2) After I decompile an APK and make code changes to a SMALI file, is there anything I need to do special before running the compile command?
3) After I have a newly compiled APK, what do I need to do to make this work on my phone? If I do nothing, the overall file size of the compiled APK seems much smaller than the original one that I decompiled so it seems like something is wrong. Plus it won't install. I saw one video where the newly compiled APK is renamed to .ZIP and the contents are put into the ORIGINAL APK (also renamed to .zip), overwriting all the original contents. Is this required?
4) I've also read that APKs need to be signed to install on Android. Is this correct? I found "SignApk" online which seems like it just asks you to rename your APK to app.apk and it does the signing by running a .BAT file. Is that all I have to do before installing the APK on my phone?
Would really appreciate any help on this. Or if there's a great tutorial out there on doing this, I'd be happy to read through.
Thanks for any help in advance!

I want to know these too! Hope someone helps

APK-Fire - tool to add language from 1 rom's apk files to an other

Hi,
After flashing a custom rom I noticed that rom didn't have my language, so I wanted to add it to this custom rom.
After a great and long journey and thx to the info found on this forum I managed to add the language I wanted.
During the journey I started to write a small tool to make the whole process a bit less painful. The tool has been growing from as simple batch decomiple - recompile apk tool to 1 that adds the value folders and do the resources.arsc switch thing.
This is my 1ste release and is still a beta version so still has some errors, stuff to be added and bad code. But still I hope some of you can use it.
If you got any questions just post or pm
Greetings
Installing the tool.
Just extract all files to your root folder and run the ignite script as root. That's it.
There is a help option that guide you step by step.
EDIT: Small adjustment in the language lists and added the Custom_language_list option
EDIT: Like I said tool is still in beta stage, it seems that yesterday in my hurry to get it ready I screwed up big time (like command to make a cp without telling where to copy to) anyway already beta version 1.1 is out now
UPDATE: 1ste real release out now.
Killed some more bugs
Updated the help page
Added some layout editing
Added or updated the log handeling

how can i insert pt language on last jaggyrom for htc explorer ?

I would appreciate if u created a 'How To' for Super Noobs like me ...

a windows version
If there is a windows version,it will be more appreciated.

bascro said:
I would appreciate if u created a 'How To' for Super Noobs like me ...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There is a help function in the tool that guide through most of the steps from the moment you got your hands on tha apk files.
So now the question is how to get those apk files.
Well I like to use Android-Kitchen to unpack rom's, and you'll need that tool anyway to add the new apk files to the rom.
1. Decompile the rom containing the language you want. (Can be stock-rom, your original rom, other custom,...)
2. Copy all the apk files from the systeml/app folder to the stock_APK.
3.Copy the framework-res.apk and com.htc.resources.apk from the system/framework folder to flare/framework and the stock_APK folders
The rest of the how you'll find when you start APK-Fire and use option 'h'
Note: Not all of the apk file will decompile without errors, those that give errors (like market, street, superuser,...) you don't realy need to add language so just delete those apk's from the stock_APK and the decompiled_APK folders.
pedrofidalgo said:
how can i insert pt language on last jaggyrom for htc explorer ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
To add portugees you can choose to add all the languages from the South_West_Europe list.
or
you put pt and pt-rPT (each on a diff line) to the Custom_language_list.
then follow the steps you'll find in help option.
picodaren said:
If there is a windows version,it will be more appreciated.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There is a windows version called APK Edit
Only prob here is that you have to open the apk that has the wanted language, copy those folders, open the apk from the rom where you want to add the language to and repeat this process for all the apk files 1 by 1.
If you take this road plz let me know how long it took yah

i have jaggy rom. and a backup of my stock rom in Portuguese. can i install pt language on jaggy rom ?
Need a little help .. : p

pedrofidalgo said:
i have jaggy rom. and a backup of my stock rom in Portuguese. can i install pt language on jaggy rom ?
Need a little help .. : p
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
sure you can.
Step trough:
1 Set-up Android-kitchen
2 Decompile your stock rom
3 copy the content of the system/apk folder to the APK-Fire/stock_APK
4 copy the 2 apk files from system/framework to APK-Fire/stock_APK AND APK-Fire/flare/framework
5 Start APK-Fire and install the frameworks (option 1)
6 Decompile the apk files (option 2)
7 Add the language code to the Custom_language_list each language code get's it's own line. (you find this file in the APK-Fire/lighter folder) for portugees you add something like this:
pt
pt-rPT
8 Get the value folders containing the portugees language (option 4)
9 Now you can choose to back up the stock_apk and the decompiled_apk folders (option 6 / 1) or delete the content of those 2 folders.
10 Got back to the kitchen and decompile the Jaggyrom and repeat the steps 2 till 6 as before.
11 Now copy the value folders you took from the stock rom to the jaggyrom (option 5)
12 Recompile the apk files (option 3)
(check log for errors, warnings you could ignore but errors need attention, be aware that non stock apps mostly will give errors but those also don't need additional language)
13 Do the resources.arsc switch thing to fool the signature security (option 6)
(for more info what this is all about read the switch_resources script)
14 Copy your upgraded apk files from the APK-Fire/firebox/translated_APK folder to the Android-kitchen/WORKING_****/system/app (don't forget to copy the 2 framework apk files to the Android-kitchen/WORKING_****/system/framework folder and not the app folder)
15 Cook your rom
16 Flash the rom
17 Hold your fingers crossed while booting
18 Hopely enjoy the costum rom in your desired language.
Hope this helps you.

Cosmoon said:
sure you can.
Step trough:
1 Set-up Android-kitchen
2 Decompile your stock rom
3 copy the content of the system/apk folder to the APK-Fire/stock_APK
4 copy the 2 apk files from system/framework to APK-Fire/stock_APK AND APK-Fire/flare/framework
5 Start APK-Fire and install the frameworks (option 1)
6 Decompile the apk files (option 2)
7 Add the language code to the Custom_language_list each language code get's it's own line. (you find this file in the APK-Fire/lighter folder) for portugees you add something like this:
pt
pt-rPT
8 Get the value folders containing the portugees language (option 4)
9 Now you can choose to back up the stock_apk and the decompiled_apk folders (option 6 / 1) or delete the content of those 2 folders.
10 Got back to the kitchen and decompile the Jaggyrom and repeat the steps 2 till 6 as before.
11 Now copy the value folders you took from the stock rom to the jaggyrom (option 5)
12 Recompile the apk files (option 3)
(check log for errors, warnings you could ignore but errors need attention, be aware that non stock apps mostly will give errors but those also don't need additional language)
13 Do the resources.arsc switch thing to fool the signature security (option 6)
(for more info what this is all about read the switch_resources script)
14 Copy your upgraded apk files from the APK-Fire/firebox/translated_APK folder to the Android-kitchen/WORKING_****/system/app (don't forget to copy the 2 framework apk files to the Android-kitchen/WORKING_****/system/framework folder and not the app folder)
15 Cook your rom
16 Flash the rom
17 Hold your fingers crossed while booting
18 Hopely enjoy the costum rom in your desired language.
Hope this helps you.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i dont know how to do it :/
if i give you my backup can you add pt language for the last jaggyrom ?
cumps

really??
I've already robbed the experience from you of wandering through the jungle of this mystic entity called Android by making the wandering seem nothing more then a walk through the park.
And now you tell me you don't want to know this mystic entity?
Nah I don't buy that, you almost got me there.
I'm willing to guide you through every step but I refuse to carry you.
If you'r on IRC or msn or I can meet you there to start your journey.
Btw at the current rate Jaggyjags is spitting out rom's I can't keep up adding stuff for everyone so I go by the rule:
You translate 1 version of a rom for a man and you made him happy till the release of the next version. You teach a man how to translate a rom and you made him happy for many versions

pedrofidalgo said:
i dont know how to do it :/
if i give you my backup can you add pt language for the last jaggyrom ?
cumps
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
seriously, I know you like your phone and want get the best out of it but your maximum effort is installing .zip roms or .zip updates?
you've got 2 options.
1. Stick with whatever you have right now: your Portuguese backup or any available custom rom.
2. research, research again, try things out and learn. Try to stop asking people to do things for you. It's difficult, I know, specially when you are used to it, but don´t worry, it always is.
Believe me, it is a really nice feeling when you get things done on your own.
good luck

Would you teach us HOT TO DO IT MANUALLY (without using APK Fire)

pmeler said:
Would you teach us HOT TO DO IT MANUALLY (without using APK Fire)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well.... all right then
I've explained most of how to add language already, k most of it in close relation with the use of APK-Fire. Anyway I'll try to explain the whole process starting from the base rom till the modified one.
Step 1
Check if your (custom) rom really really doesn't have your language. Try also 'morelocal' app. This simple step can save you lot's of time
Step 2
Now that you't sure that the (custom) rom doesn't have your language or you just want to add more languages to the rom you build your self you have to go and look for roms that do have the language(s) your want to add.
Possible finding places:
- different versions of the leaked stock rom
- Others people custom rom's
- Rom's for other devices. ! Won't work for the 2 framework apk files, but has good chances to work with the other apk files !
Step 3
Question now probably is how can I find out what languages a rom contains (specialy those for other devices). Well easy, you just have to dismantle the rom's and to be sure a few apk files.
The easyest way to dismantle a rom is to use Android-Kitchen. This tool doesn't need alot of installing or modification but I do recommend you read the how to etc.
So now you have easy access to all the content files of the rom.
Take a few apk files from the system/app folder and dismantle them with 'Apk Tool' or if you realy want to go hardcore 'aapt'. And check the 'app-name'/res for 'values-*' folders that you need.
Step 4
Now that you've found the folders containing the translation (those values-* folders) you've got to copy them to to 'app-name'/res of the afk file from the rom you want to add language to.
dismantled app from copy value folders dismantled app from
rom with language -----------------> rom without language
Step 5
recompile the dismantled app where you just added the value folders to
Step 6
You thought you where allmost done didn't you??? Now the real fun part just starts.
In order to bypass the security that check for the integity of the apk file we need to cheat abit.
You need the new apk file and the original apk (the one without the language)
*rename the 'app-name'.apk file (from both version) to 'app-name'.zip
*delete the resources.arsc file from the original 'app-name'.apk (now temporaly 'app-name'.zip)
*take that same file from the new apk file and copy it to the original apk
* rename the original back from 'app-name'.zip to 'app-name'.apk
* Copy that apk file back into the rom (Android-Kitchen remember)
Step7
Now you repeat this proces for ALL apk files you find in the rom.
Yup all +100 apk files from 1 rom + the same +100 apk files from the other rom need to get this treatment.
Step 8
Cook rom
So you see 8 simple step is more or less what it takes.
Same tutorial but better here
Even more resources here and here

Updated the tool

Cosmoon said:
Updated the tool
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It doesn't seem to do the last step for me. The one that is supposed to copy the resources.arsc. It just creates another copy of the stock, without the new resources.arsc.
Any idea of what's going on? Would be a flavor to not have to do this manually!

Hmm I fully tested the latest update with the 2 rframework apk files and everything worked fine.
Are you sure that it's just a copy of the stock apk folder?
The switch_resources script does all the final steps. renaming, delete file from stock, copy from new to stock and rename back.
As I still have to add loggin to this part you should see an output on screen showing what the script is/was doing.
While that part is running you should see a folder called 'temp' (inside firebox or 1 of the subfolders of firebox).
Inside the firebox/recompiled_APK you should find a folder for each app containing the resources.arsc file.
And as last check you can compair the size of the 3 diff apk files. (stock, recompiled and translated). If I'm not mistaken the translated is the smallest (how strange it may sound)
Also make sure the tool is in your root folder.
If possible send me the output you get during this fase.

Cosmoon said:
Hmm I fully tested the latest update with the 2 rframework apk files and everything worked fine.
Are you sure that it's just a copy of the stock apk folder?
The switch_resources script does all the final steps. renaming, delete file from stock, copy from new to stock and rename back.
As I still have to add loggin to this part you should see an output on screen showing what the script is/was doing.
While that part is running you should see a folder called 'temp' (inside firebox or 1 of the subfolders of firebox).
Inside the firebox/recompiled_APK you should find a folder for each app containing the resources.arsc file.
And as last check you can compair the size of the 3 diff apk files. (stock, recompiled and translated). If I'm not mistaken the translated is the smallest (how strange it may sound)
Also make sure the tool is in your root folder.
If possible send me the output you get during this fase.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
They are identical, not even smaller so Although i was running this in cygwin on windows so it might be that. I'll try to boot it up in ubuntu to see if it's any difference Could be the su that's messing with me in cygwin :S

leolulz said:
They are identical, not even smaller so Although i was running this in cygwin on windows so it might be that. I'll try to boot it up in ubuntu to see if it's any difference Could be the su that's messing with me in cygwin :S
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Never tried it on windows with cygwin, I'm running a debian linux, so that could be the thing that's messing it up.
Still good to know that only that part doesn't work on windows, I'll see if I can modify the script.

THANK YOU Cosmoon !
I asked because I want to remove unsued language from framework-res.apk to make it slimmer

Cosmoon said:
Never tried it on windows with cygwin, I'm running a debian linux, so that could be the thing that's messing it up.
Still good to know that only that part doesn't work on windows, I'll see if I can modify the script.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ye, but it could work although, i never checked the su/root stuff, kinda rushed it yesterday to see how it worked Anyways it's a nice script and ill love to see this project getting further

pmeler said:
THANK YOU Cosmoon !
I asked because I want to remove unsued language from framework-res.apk to make it slimmer
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hmm never thought about that. Only thinking of adding stuff but having a option to remove can be handy to.
I'll add it in the next update.
Thx great idea man

[Q] Modifying Xperia's framework == bootloop

Hi men,
I've searched and looked several threads about recompiling framework but still don't know what I'm doing wrong. I'd be very pleased if you could help me. This is my case:
I use the last one version of apktool and follow this guide (scroll down a little bit to see the tutorial) in order to add Magnifier Glass to my Xperia S framework.
I follow these steps:
1. Install framework-res.apk
2. Decompile it
3. Edit dimens.xml and public.xml and add drawable resources to hdpi folder
4. Recompile it
5. Decompile framework.jar, make changes and recompile it with smali and baksmali.jar
6. Copy META-INF and AndroidManifiest.xml from the original framework to the new one using 7zip
7. Make a flasheable zip and install it via CWM
8. Bootloop
I know it could be a very silly thing I'm doing wrong, in fact, it's the second time I'm trying to edit xml on framework.
I hope your answers guys.
Thanks you very much!!!

bump!

rockernaxo said:
Hi men,
I've searched and looked several threads about recompiling framework but still don't know what I'm doing wrong. I'd be very pleased if you could help me. This is my case:
I use the last one version of apktool and follow this guide (scroll down a little bit to see the tutorial) in order to add Magnifier Glass to my Xperia S framework.
I follow these steps:
1. Install framework-res.apk
2. Decompile it
3. Edit dimens.xml and public.xml and add drawable resources to hdpi folder
4. Recompile it
5. Decompile framework.jar, make changes and recompile it with smali and baksmali.jar
6. Copy META-INF and AndroidManifiest.xml from the original framework to the new one using 7zip
7. Make a flasheable zip and install it via CWM
8. Bootloop
I know it could be a very silly thing I'm doing wrong, in fact, it's the second time I'm trying to edit xml on framework.
I hope your answers guys.
Thanks you very much!!!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Good evening.
Follow the link. I tested and it works.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1943855

Juliano303 said:
Good evening.
Follow the link. I tested and it works.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1943855
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It definitely worked!!! Thanks you very much!!!
I tested this method previously and didn't work, but now goes fine.

Gboard size

Hello,
I find the google keyboard size too small , is there anyway to increase its size beyond the highest setting without root? via ADB perhaps?
Thank you

j1978 said:
Hello,
I find the google keyboard size too small , is there anyway to increase its size beyond the highest setting without root? via ADB perhaps?
Thank you
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You can use Apktool to unsign and decompile your Gboard apk file then edit the size parameters then recompile and re-sign the apk file then install your newly modified apk.

Droidriven said:
You can use Apktool to unsign and decompile your Gboard apk file then edit the size parameters then recompile and re-sign the apk file then install your newly modified apk.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hello,
Thank you for the reply. I have downloaded APKtool and the Gboard APK file.
Could you by any chance point me to a guide on how to do this?
Thank you very much

j1978 said:
Hello,
Thank you for the reply. I have downloaded APKtool and the Gboard APK file.
Could you by any chance point me to a guide on how to do this?
Thank you very much
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Apktool for PC, not the APKtool app for android.
Open APKtool, select your apk file, find the option to un-sign the apk by removing its signature, then fimd the option to decompile/extract the apk file inside Apktool.
Then you are looking for the lines of code that set the parameters for the size of the keyboard. I don't have a clue which lines of code you're looking for or what to edit, you'll have to figure that out for yourself. I'm just giving you a general overview of what you need to do, you'll have to do some research on your own to understand each step I've described and which lines/values to edit.
After you've edited the parameters for its size, recompile the apk and re-sign the apk then install your new app.
You'll have to use trial and error until you figure it out and get it edited/installed correctly.

Droidriven said:
Apktool for PC, not the APKtool app for android.
Open APKtool, select your apk file, find the option to un-sign the apk by removing its signature, then fimd the option to decompile/extract the apk file inside Apktool.
Then you are looking for the lines of code that set the parameters for the size of the keyboard. I don't have a clue which lines of code you're looking for or what to edit, you'll have to figure that out for yourself. I'm just giving you a general overview of what you need to do, you'll have to do some research on your own to understand each step I've described and which lines/values to edit.
After you've edited the parameters for its size, recompile the apk and re-sign the apk then install your new app.
You'll have to use trail and error until you figure it out and get it edited/installed correctly.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ok! thank you very much for all the info i will give it a try.