modifying setting.apk and framework or any apk - Android Software/Hacking General [Developers Only]

HI folks i was just playing with rom tools and stuff i have found we can modify icons and layout stuff which apear on screen very easy way so here what i found just rename any apk to *.zip and open it in 7z zip or winrar and go to res and find drawablemdpi or drawablehdpi whatever in your case open it and you will find all the display icons or separators etc etc so change the icon with the one you want but remember the format,size,name should be same otherwise it will make a mess careful with it and rename it back to *.apk and sign it with any apk signer and simply replace your stock apk with your modified one and you will get the icons you want it works with farmework.apk,settings.apk,mms.apk maybe works with all other apks but did,nt tried it so try and post result

sohailrabani said:
HI folks i was just playing with rom tools and stuff i have found we can modify icons and layout stuff which apear on screen very easy way so here what i found just rename any apk to *.zip and open it in 7z zip or winrar and go to res and find drawablemdpi or drawablehdpi whatever in your case open it and you will find all the display icons or separators etc etc so change the icon with the one you want but remember the format,size,name should be same otherwise it will make a mess careful with it and rename it back to *.apk and sign it with any apk signer and simply replace your stock apk with your modified one and you will get the icons you want it works with farmework.apk,settings.apk,mms.apk maybe works with all other apks but did,nt tried it so try and post result
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i think you should read up on vrtheme
this kind of thing is very old news
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1207017

DSA said:
this kind of thing is very old news
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Ancient more like.

Related

replacing framework-res.apk?

(basically im tryna put villians themed framework-res into sanpeis latest rom)
ok i found this ROM with a modded taskbar thing... the battery icon, 3g icon, etc were different.
i took the framework-res.apk from that rom and replaced it with the one already in my phone but now my phone wont pass the second flashscreen even if i leave it for half an hour.
wtf i checked the permissions of the new framework-res and made it to match the rest of the files in the system/framework folder but nothing changed
is it just not compatible?
if you change it it has to be from same style rom, if it's a legend rom you need one from legend rom, you cannot mix that easy hero and legend framework files
If the only thing you wish to change is those icons, then take both apk files apart with some compression tool(I know 7zip works), find the files that you wanna take from villains that are in res folder and copy them to res folder from sanpeis rom(ofc you need to put them in right folders, but when you open up res folder you'll know what to do. After you replaced those files, take all the files that were from start in sanpeis framework and the edited res folder and create a .zip file. Rename the file to framework-res.apk(no, the name shouldn't be xxxx.apk.zip, but you need to change the extension from zip to apk) and push it like you would normally do. Also you should probably want to know that the more compression, the more likely that the apk will fail So your best bet is to go with store. Good luck
Sent from my HTCMagic using the XDA mobile application powered by Tapatalk
You will have to sign your framework-res.apk using testsign.jar if you have made any changes to it.
Why would he need to do that if he's just going to push it?
klothius said:
Why would he need to do that if he's just going to push it?
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yea i just want to push it from one legend-based rom to another.. it doesnt work but im going to try to tear them open and see what i can do from there..
Thanks
EDIT: NICEEE i got it working.. and i just replaced a few things from one framework-res to the other.. thanks again, i didnt know it could be opened with 7-zip hahah
No prob, glad to see it's working for ya. Enjoy it
png
i edited 166 icons in framework-res.apk
adb pushed it, worked flawlessly.
even on XDAndroid on htc diamond 2
st0kes said:
You will have to sign your framework-res.apk using testsign.jar if you have made any changes to it.
Click to expand...
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Incorrect. /system/app/*.apk's donot require to be re-signed upong modifying them because the core doesnt no check its certs/hash for consistency. So just pull/modify/push. Use apk manager in my signature if ur new to this

problem replacing specifc icon (status bar)

I can't seem to replace an icon in my framework-res.apk and I'm wondering if it's possible to create a flashable .zip file that'll overwrite the icon I want replaced in the file.
Attached is the alarm clock icon (with the proper file name) which I extracted from the Droid 2 framework-res.apk.
I want to replace the CM6 icon I'm using now w/ the Droid 2 icon I'm attaching.
I copy my apk to my computer, unzip it, replace 'stat_notify_alarm.png', zip it back up, rename to apk, use the 'Android-sign' droplet app (I'm on a Mac), push back to the system/framework folder, reboot, nothing... old icon still there.
1. Can someone tell what steps I'm missing?
2. Can someone create a flashable .zip that'll overwrite the icon?
Thanks!
Give me your framework-res.apk and I will do it for you signed and everything
I'd like to know how to do this too.
I also have a question about icons on the homescreen. Is there anyway to get rid of the text right underneath the icon?
ms79723 said:
I also have a question about icons on the homescreen. Is there anyway to get rid of the text right underneath the icon?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Use LauncherPro.......you can hide the text in preferences.
ms79723 said:
I'd like to know how to do this too.
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Click to collapse
i'd like to know too.
As for creating a flashable zip, make your changes and then delete the 2 cert files and the manifest file inside the meta inf folder then sign it. You can use Avabox or the tool regaw just made.
Sent from my SUPERSONIC
bluebeast213 said:
Use LauncherPro.......you can hide the text in preferences.
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Click to collapse
well i want to make new icons for sense that dont have the text on the bottom
xxbabiboi228xx said:
Give me your framework-res.apk and I will do it for you signed and everything
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Click to collapse
Here's my framework-res.apk
*Note* my APK has a modded battery icon (don't know if that matters to you or not but better safe than sorry )

[How To] Basic Themeing

This is a very basic guide to beginning themeing. It is not meant to be all-inclusive, just some simple steps that can be taken to make your own custom theme fairly easily. This guide should allow anyone to be able to grab images they like from any ROM and incorporate them into their own.
I SUGGEST YOU ALWAYS MAKE A BACKUP OF ANY FILE BEFORE YOU THEME IT AND NANDROID FIRST BEFORE FLASHING
Here is a basic overview of changing images in an apk:
1. Get your base file to theme – framework-res.apk, com.htc.resources.apk, phone.apk ect.
2. “Open” apk archive with 7-zip (don’t unzip!) and drag and drop the new images into the appropriate folder.
3. Flash new file.
Now some details:
1. The first step is to obtain the file you are going to theme. The file you are themeing ( i.e. going to flash to your phone) must come from the ROM you are currently running. Always use files from your current ROM as a base, however the images you want to change can come from other ROMs, or you can edit existing ones or make your own from scratch. You can obtain your theme base through an ADB pull of the files from your phone, or simply downloading the ROM zip file and extracting the files you need.
2. Now that you have the file to theme, don’t touch it! OK, more specifically, you won’t unzip or do anything to this file except “open” it with 7-zip (unless this is a market app, but more on that later). You are going to drag and drop the new icons into this file by “opening” it and navigating to the appropriate folder. The images you want to change are stored in the apk under /res/drawable-hdpi. Once you have your new icons from other sources, open your base file and navigate to this folder and drop them in.
3. Now you can flash this new file. I have provided empty zip files that you can place your themed files into and flash in recovery. Place your framework-res.apk and/or com.htc.resources.apk into the /system/framework folder located in the zip file provided. Now highlight the META-INF and system folders and zip them up. You can now place this file on the root of your SD card and flash. System apps can be placed under /system/app in the zip file.
Some more info on common themeable files:
Framework-res.apk – this is the meat and potatoes of a theme. On an AOSP ROM it will contain almost everything you want to theme aside from individual apps themselves. Sense ROMs have another file com.htc.resources.apk, as well as framework-res.apk. Both of these files are located in a ROM under /system/framework.
System apps: These apps come packaged in a ROM under /system/apps. They can be themed in the same manner as a framework apk. Some of these apps include Gmail, browser, camera, ect. Place them in your flashable zip under the folder /system/app.
Market apps: These apps are downloaded from the market and are can be pulled from your phone from /data/app. These files require a bit more to theme. They don’t share the same signature as the system apps and you must resign them using a program such as apkmanger. Place them in your flashable zip under /data/app.
If there are any errors, or if anyone has suggestions please let me know. I may have over looked some details, ect.
Thanks to everyone on XDA who has shared their knowledge and made this a great community!
Thanks that will be helpful
Sent from my PC36100 using XDA App
so using this guide we can pull parts and what not from other elements of themes we like and create our own framework to push back? Also, based on what you have, shouldn't it be easy to put this up on bid for hire (?) website to create a program to automate that?
xlGmanlx said:
so using this guide we can pull parts and what not from other elements of themes we like and create our own framework to push back? Also, based on what you have, shouldn't it be easy to put this up on bid for hire (?) website to create a program to automate that?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes the idea of this guide was to help people pick and choose icons they like in other ROMs and add it to their own. I'm not sure what bid for hire is?
its a website where you can load your requirements and folks can bid to do your work
linky
nukedukem said:
Yes the idea of this guide was to help people pick and choose icons they like in other ROMs and add it to their own. I'm not sure what bid for hire is?
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Click to collapse
xlGmanlx said:
its a website where you can load your requirements and folks can bid to do your work
linky
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Interesting. Didn't know anything like this existed.
Sent from my EVO (CM6.1) using XDA App
Thank you, thank you!!!! I've been looking for something like this for a while.
evolishesh said:
Thank you, thank you!!!! I've been looking for something like this for a while.
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No prob. Let me know if it works for you.
I couldn't get the auto signing to work, but the manual way of doing it worked.
Hmm, I got a boot loop on first try and doing this. Does that mean something went wrong with the signing, or that what I created for the theme was wrong? I used the empty .zip folder and re-zipped it, so I don't think that is the issue.
JasonK75 said:
Hmm, I got a boot loop on first try and doing this. Does that mean something went wrong with the signing, or that what I created for the theme was wrong? I used the empty .zip folder and re-zipped it, so I don't think that is the issue.
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Click to collapse
The signing should be ok. If you are using Amon_ra recovery it wont let you flash an unsigned zip I believe. Are you on sense or AOSP? Are you editing images or just copying from other ROMs?
What you might want to do is just create a simple test file. Change just one image and then flash that. That should let you know that your process is correct.
I using Amon Ra and using AOSP. I was moving some items out of a sense ROM so I guess that is where I might have went wrong. I think I'll take your advice and move just a single image and see how that works for me. Thanks!
I tried again this time I ended up stuck at the EVO white screen. I'm guessing it doesn't like the sense part I'm trying to throw in there. I'll have to try again with a AOSP theme instead.
Sent from my EVO (CM6.1.1) using XDA App
A couple things to look out for when swapping sense/CM icons - some file names are slightly different between sense and AOSP. Rename any sense icons to their AOSP counterparts and vice versa. Also, double check the image size of the icon is the same in both, i.e. 70x70 pixels, ect. and make sure you are not adding images that don't exist normally in the framework. For example there wont be any 4G icons in CM framework.
Also, make sure you aren't unzipping the new framework-res.apk you want to theme and flash, or trying to resign it. Only sign the flashable zip, not the individual files inside. The only thing you want to do with the framework-res.apk you will package and flash is open (not unzip) with 7-zip and navigate to the res/drawable-hdpi folder so you can drag and drop the new icons into it, overwriting the old.
I hope that helps!
How important is it to re-sign? I have modified the Framework and Resources apks with 7zip by switching images out. I have also modified the Rosie.apk. I put everything back where it was supposed to go, backed out of 7-zip and flashed. I have never had an issue with it, nor have I re-signed it. Just wondering.
spence341 said:
How important is it to re-sign? I have modified the Framework and Resources apks with 7zip by switching images out. I have also modified the Rosie.apk. I put everything back where it was supposed to go, backed out of 7-zip and flashed. I have never had an issue with it, nor have I re-signed it. Just wondering.
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Click to collapse
AFAIK if you are on clockwork recovery, I don't think it checks for signatures. I think Amon_ra requires a signed file to flash. I think it's just added protection against flashing any old junk. If you can flash in amon_ra without a signature and you don't have problems then I wouldn't worry about it. It's the signature of the framework-res.apk ( or com.htc.resources.apk) that's important. That's why you don't unzip it.
I think that
1.7.0.2 = yes
1.8 = no
nukedukem said:
AFAIK if you are on clockwork recovery, I don't think it checks for signatures. I think Amon_ra requires a signed file to flash. I think it's just added protection against flashing any old junk. If you can flash in amon_ra without a signature and you don't have problems then I wouldn't worry about it. It's the signature of the framework-res.apk ( or com.htc.resources.apk) that's important. That's why you don't unzip it.
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Click to collapse
nukedukem said:
A couple things to look out for when swapping sense/CM icons - some file names are slightly different between sense and AOSP. Rename any sense icons to their AOSP counterparts and vice versa. Also, double check the image size of the icon is the same in both, i.e. 70x70 pixels, ect. and make sure you are not adding images that don't exist normally in the framework. For example there wont be any 4G icons in CM framework.
Also, make sure you aren't unzipping the new framework-res.apk you want to theme and flash, or trying to resign it. Only sign the flashable zip, not the individual files inside. The only thing you want to do with the framework-res.apk you will package and flash is open (not unzip) with 7-zip and navigate to the res/drawable-hdpi folder so you can drag and drop the new icons into it, overwriting the old.
I hope that helps!
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Click to collapse
Thanks, any advice does help.
I did make sure the the icons I was swapping out were named the same thing in the CM ROM, but I didn't check the size of it at all.
I didn't unzip the famework-res.apk but instead just went into it with 7-Zip and dragged the icons into that. Then I backed out of 7-Zip so that it would save and close everything properly - know that does work because that is how I add the Fold transistions to the ROM - and then I put the famework-res.apk into the folder and zip it up per your instructions above. Then I manually sign it (still haven't been able to get the auto-signing to work) and then flash.
I'll have to try again moving a CM theme to the CM framework-res.apk and see if it is working. What I was attempting to do was take, from the Batman Theme for sense, the drop down notification shade with the Bat Icon and put it into the CM ROM. I don't know if you have time to try it yourself to see if it works, or if you get the same issues that I had.
Either way, thanks for the help! I know I'll get this theming down at some point!
nukedukem said:
No prob. Let me know if it works for you.
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Click to collapse
Hey buddy.
I’m stuck. I had to download and install Eclipse with the sdk plus java. I don’t know where to go from there. Every time I open the rom that I want to theme and get the framework.apk and edit the PNG’s , how do I go about saving them? Do I just used the same name as the old ones or I have to save them with a new name.
Or pm Me.
xlGmanlx said:
I think that
1.7.0.2 = yes
1.8 = no
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So the new amon_ra doesn't require a signed file to flash? I'll make a note off that. Thanks.
JasonK75 said:
Thanks, any advice does help.
I did make sure the the icons I was swapping out were named the same thing in the CM ROM, but I didn't check the size of it at all.
I didn't unzip the famework-res.apk but instead just went into it with 7-Zip and dragged the icons into that. Then I backed out of 7-Zip so that it would save and close everything properly - know that does work because that is how I add the Fold transistions to the ROM - and then I put the famework-res.apk into the folder and zip it up per your instructions above. Then I manually sign it (still haven't been able to get the auto-signing to work) and then flash.
I'll have to try again moving a CM theme to the CM framework-res.apk and see if it is working. What I was attempting to do was take, from the Batman Theme for sense, the drop down notification shade with the Bat Icon and put it into the CM ROM. I don't know if you have time to try it yourself to see if it works, or if you get the same issues that I had.
Either way, thanks for the help! I know I'll get this theming down at some point!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
OK I'll try and do what you are trying to do and see if it works...
evolishesh said:
Hey buddy.
I’m stuck. I had to download and install Eclipse with the sdk plus java. I don’t know where to go from there. Every time I open the rom that I want to theme and get the framework.apk and edit the PNG’s , how do I go about saving them? Do I just used the same name as the old ones or I have to save them with a new name.
Or pm Me.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So now you have an unzipped framewor-res.apk with a bunch of images. This framework should be the one that you want to take icons from. If not, start over with the ROM you want to copy images from. You will want to copy the images you want to put into another ROM so that you can dump them into the new framework-res.apk. After you figure out what icons you want to bring to your new framework, get a clean version of framework/com.htc from the ROM you are actually running - i.e. if you are running myn ROM on your phone, download the myn ROM and pull out the framework-res.apk or com.resources.apk that you are going to theme.
Now with this fresh clean framework you will "open" it with 7-zip to navigate to the /res/drawable-hdpi folder so you can now drag and drop the images you want to copy over into it. Then the close the 7zip window and your framework-res.apk is all set to flash. You don't need to rename if the file names are the same, you can just drag and drop and the files will be overwritten in the new framework.

[Lockscreen] Honeycomb Shaped Lock

Here are the files to add to your framework-res.apk if you have a rooted rom. All you have to do is copy your framework-res.apk from the system and open it up in an apk editor then find the lockscreen files and replace them with these. Works really well. If I could get a screenshot of my lockscreen I would show you but I dont know how to do that.
Hey i was wondering if you could post a video or some screenshot of it in action because 3 white tiles with hexagons in them doesn't really give me a good idea of what it looks like.
Anyways nice work
Here is a link to the youtube video and a fix of the ring, I had my photoshop on the wrong layer. My bad! http://youtu.be/UUc1jVc_rAQ
Looks nice.
I had inverted the colors on mine... but the VR theme template didn't want to work for me and I got too lazy to modify the framework and re-flash it.
Question, were you able to edit the actual lock icon?
Because when I open it in Photoshop CS3 the transparency is messed up.
Also, if you have the Android SDK installed on your computer you can use it to take screen shots (even of the lockscreen), but I think a video is better for this.
Aright thanks for the video it looks sick
bleached45 said:
Question, were you able to edit the actual lock icon?
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Click to collapse
Yes I just thought that the actual lock icon was not bad so I left it.
Mattamac230 said:
Yes I just thought that the actual lock icon was not bad so I left it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ah, what version of Photoshop are you using?
I was able to open it... but it wasn't being displayed correctly.
i used photoshop cs3
Thanks, work great.
can somebody post those images in a zip file?
Zip file but it is not flashable. It is just a zip file of 3 images.
just to say i might be getting a transformer tomorrow and also i used to do lots of themeing so i can tell you that the images are indexed so you need paint.net to open and save then open the new saved file in photoshop and edit.
these will be included in the metrocomb theme
pashinator said:
just to say i might be getting a transformer tomorrow and also i used to do lots of themeing so i can tell you that the images are indexed so you need paint.net to open and save then open the new saved file in photoshop and edit.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I can upload the PSD for anyone who would like to tweak this. Honestly I just did this for myself and thought I would share it.
Looks awesome! Is there any chance it could be made as a flashable zip? I wouldn't want to change framework Res then find I have to do it again when Rom is updated..
Many thanks all!
Sent from my Transformer TF101 using Tapatalk
Great...I download an APK Editor, but is this true, that for every update we need tot change the framework again...
As requested above, a flashable zip would be realy great
I dont know how I would go about doing that.
bloemkool said:
Great...I download an APK Editor, but is this true, that for every update we need tot change the framework again...
As requested above, a flashable zip would be realy great
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You can save a copy of the one you modified, if no major changed in the framework, just push it again.
Actually you don't even need a apk editor. you can just rename the .apk to .zip, unzip it, do your thing, zip it back up and rename .zip to .apk.
Will Android install altered/unsigned .apk files? I'm not sure the unzip/alter/zip to apk method will work.
I used zipthemer from market to apply these and it worked fine. It makes an undo zip for you as well as creates a flashable zip for you to flash. I have attached flashable zip file for prime 1.9.1 rom as well as ziptheme zip file for whoever wants to use that. 152kb one is the zipthemer file. As usual make backups etc just in case.

[ASK][MIRO] Guide on how to decompile system apk file

Hi guys, someday ago i tried to decompile the SystemUI.apk. The modded version is named : SystemUI_mod.apk and the original is SystemUI.apk. I've done the copy procedure of META-INF folder, but every time i tried to push it to my phone, it cause my phone to get a bootlop. Is there any guide on how to decompile, editing, or something that is safe for my phone? And is there any way to mod my font colour to red, blue, or anything? Because my phone background is white, so i cant see anything Thanks for your help :highfive: Sorry if i posted it in the wrong section
FajarMF28 said:
Hi guys, someday ago i tried to decompile the SystemUI.apk. The modded version is named : SystemUI_mod.apk and the original is SystemUI.apk. I've done the copy procedure of META-INF folder, but every time i tried to push it to my phone, it cause my phone to get a bootlop. Is there any guide on how to decompile, editing, or something that is safe for my phone? And is there any way to mod my font colour to red, blue, or anything? Because my phone background is white, so i cant see anything Thanks for your help :highfive: Sorry if i posted it in the wrong section
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
use autoapktool tool to decompile...... or just select the icons that u want to change and juss replace them with the orginal one direcly by opening the apk in winrar and just drag and drop
vsbrt said:
use autoapktool tool to decompile...... or just select the icons that u want to change and juss replace them with the orginal one direcly by opening the apk in winrar and just drag and drop
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Its already fixed. Now i can change everything i want :laugh:

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