If anyone here uses Project themer or Iconify, you probably know by now that each of these adds hundreds of apks to your device. Personally I only use a few specific features in these apps, so why have 100 apks added to your device when you only use 5 or 10? Each of these apps require root, and use magisk to properly theme SystemUi, etc..but there are certain add ONS that require Lsposed, however you are forced to give magisk permission to add all overlays and reboot your device before using just the Lsposed related features, for example the QS headear clock and QS header icon mods.
The stock market opens soon so I'm not going to get crazy here, so please use common sense for some of this because I won't go overly in depth. You will need two additional apps here aside from whichever of these theming mods you may be using. One of these is an amazingly useful app made by one of the kings of theming @DerTyp7214
And @RKBD The app is called Overlayer and can be found in the play store.
[Root] Overlayer - Apps on Google Play
Enable and Disable Android-Overlays
play.google.com
The other is your choice. But it needs to be a root file explorer app. I recommend Root Explorer ( the best file manager of all time IMO) or Material Files, because Android 13 has some strange changes that won't allow access to some files that should be accessible with root. Material Files by @HaiZhang is the only file manager I've found so far that can access all of them.
Well need a starting point for this, so we'll assume that you've installed one of these theming apps and picked your desired addons. That's where the Overlayer app comes in. Overlayer shows all overlays on your device and which ones are active and which are not. So I've used Project Themer and here's an example of what Overlayer looks like for me
{
"lightbox_close": "Close",
"lightbox_next": "Next",
"lightbox_previous": "Previous",
"lightbox_error": "The requested content cannot be loaded. Please try again later.",
"lightbox_start_slideshow": "Start slideshow",
"lightbox_stop_slideshow": "Stop slideshow",
"lightbox_full_screen": "Full screen",
"lightbox_thumbnails": "Thumbnails",
"lightbox_download": "Download",
"lightbox_share": "Share",
"lightbox_zoom": "Zoom",
"lightbox_new_window": "New window",
"lightbox_toggle_sidebar": "Toggle sidebar"
}
Notice what I've circled and that I'm only using one of these, at least under this section of overlays. Now look at Project themer where I've added my items of choice and we can clearly see the correlation
If I want to still be able to choose between a few options here, I'll need to keep the overlay.apk #124 and all of its variants AT, GE and so on. You will also find overlays under SystemUi and Android System, as well as Settings possibly in the Overlayer app. You simply want to take note of which Overlays you're using, which you may use, and the rest we can DESTROY. Using your file manager, we go to the directory Data/ADB/Modules and find either the Project Themer module or Iconify module, open it....then go to System/Product/Overlays and click on select all, and then carefully go through them and unselect the ones you need and delete the rest. Here is what I have remaining.
Maybe 10 out of 100 overlays that were originally added or more. I just wanted some subtle transparency, the QS header clock, my dual sim carrier messages that scrolled over the entire top of my header to go away, and a thinner brightness slider. I didn't need all the unused apks on my phone. Here is my device.
So That's basically it...like i said...just use common sense. This can be used for any overlay related mod. Thanks @DerTyp7214
Yeedatoy said:
If anyone here uses Project themer or Iconify, you probably know by now that each of these adds hundreds of apks to your device. Personally I only use a few specific features in these apps, so why have 100 apks added to your device when you only use 5 or 10? Each of these apps require root, and use magisk to properly theme SystemUi, etc..but there are certain add ONS that require Lsposed, however you are forced to give magisk permission to add all overlays and reboot your device before using just the Lsposed related features, for example the QS headear clock and QS header icon mods.
The stock market opens soon so I'm not going to get crazy here, so please use common sense for some of this because I won't go overly in depth. You will need two additional apps here aside from whichever of these theming mods you may be using. One of these is an amazingly useful app made by one of the kings of theming @DerTyp7214
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You wrote:
One of these is an amazingly useful app made by one of the kings of theming @DerTyp7214
It's joke?
Not at all, I'm not sure I'm understanding correctly...but these guys are the developers and designers of Rboard theme manager, Rboard patcher, the Mixplorer theme creator and more, and RKBD does some designing for LibreMobileOS, or LMODroid...a pretty bad ass LineageOS fork with a wireless desktop mode
Related
Forgive me if this is the wrong forum but I wouldn't mind a dev's insight...
How does one go about setting the option to remove the launcher icon when developing an app and what is changed at runtime to add/remove the icon?
For example, Pure Music Widget has an option to remove its own icon from the launcher (and obviously the app still works). You can add it or remove it at will.
I would like to design an app that performs this function (add/remove) for any app launcher icon and imagine that it must be possible. 15 font pack icons in my launcher are redundant as are many other entries... I anticipate this might be a useful function for many people.
But I don't know where to start looking... any pointers? Then I can disappear into a hole and start reading.
TIA
I believe it's a string/setting in the manifest.xml. This is where it is determined if your application is a regular app, or a service, input, &c. That would be the first place to look (especially since that is where the name and icon assigned to your application in the Launcher are referenced).
djmcnz said:
Forgive me if this is the wrong forum but I wouldn't mind a dev's insight...
How does one go about setting the option to remove the launcher icon when developing an app and what is changed at runtime to add/remove the icon?
For example, Pure Music Widget has an option to remove its own icon from the launcher (and obviously the app still works). You can add it or remove it at will.
I would like to design an app that performs this function (add/remove) for any app launcher icon and imagine that it must be possible. 15 font pack icons in my launcher are redundant as are many other entries... I anticipate this might be a useful function for many people.
But I don't know where to start looking... any pointers? Then I can disappear into a hole and start reading.
TIA
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Try taking out the line in the manifest that is highlighted in the sample below.
{
"lightbox_close": "Close",
"lightbox_next": "Next",
"lightbox_previous": "Previous",
"lightbox_error": "The requested content cannot be loaded. Please try again later.",
"lightbox_start_slideshow": "Start slideshow",
"lightbox_stop_slideshow": "Stop slideshow",
"lightbox_full_screen": "Full screen",
"lightbox_thumbnails": "Thumbnails",
"lightbox_download": "Download",
"lightbox_share": "Share",
"lightbox_zoom": "Zoom",
"lightbox_new_window": "New window",
"lightbox_toggle_sidebar": "Toggle sidebar"
}
from Beginning Android 2 by Mark Murphy (c) 2010 Apress
Thanks guys for the info.
As I understood it manifest was used for establishing the app, or at least the label in the launcher but I'm not sure that launcher parses each manifest file for the info after an app is installed.
Wouldn't the launcher use its own database (that was populated during an apps installation) to determine what to display? If my thinking is correct it's this database I want to edit. If it exists it must already be r/w.
Or does the launcher really read each manifest file each time it needs to? Ergo one would have to manipulate these to manipulate the launcher?
djmcnz said:
Thanks guys for the info.
As I understood it manifest was used for establishing the app, or at least the label in the launcher but I'm not sure that launcher parses each manifest file for the info after an app is installed.
Wouldn't the launcher use its own database (that was populated during an apps installation) to determine what to display? If my thinking is correct it's this database I want to edit. If it exists it must already be r/w.
Or does the launcher really read each manifest file each time it needs to? Ergo one would have to manipulate these to manipulate the launcher?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Actually, the Launcher does indeed parse the apps to determine what to display. If you've ever installed a third-party ROM and ran A2SD, and opened the app drawer right after reboot (especially on a G1 or slower device), then you probably saw the drawer populating itself in real-time as Launcher parsed each apk in /[system|data]/app[-s].
However, I am curious why this was moved to themes and apps. This was clearly a development question, and was asked in the development forum. Or is development now only used to indicate kernels, ROM-cooking (which is barely development at all), and hardware hacking?
Regarding the move; it's pretty much arbitrary when it comes to application development questions. Some stay, some go.
As far as directly modifying the Launcher db--that would be a no-go. Your application can't access it as it would not have the correct permission (running as a different user than the Launcher). Plus it wouldn't do what you want for reasons already explained.
olearyp said:
As far as directly modifying the Launcher db--that would be a no-go. Your application can't access it as it would not have the correct permission (running as a different user than the Launcher). Plus it wouldn't do what you want for reasons already explained.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Okay then... can I run an app in a context that allows me to modify other apps or is my idea dead in the water...?
djmcnz said:
Okay then... can I run an app in a context that allows me to modify other apps or is my idea dead in the water...?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not unless the Launcher DB allows global read/write. Read up on the app security model. I'm pretty sure that Pure Music Widget is doing the dynamic launcher icon another way, unless it requires root, which I do not believe it does.
honestly, even i am wondering how those apps does it. if you managed to develop this, then i wouldnt need to develop a hide icon method in my launcher because that seems to be a dirty hack. :/
Didnt advanced launcher on donut had the ability to hide apps..one my favorite missed features :/
have a look on setComponent method, it will allow you to hide launcher icon...
Updated and nicer
I once had an idea for this app, so i started learning Java to make it happen.
I had a need to keep important information from my clipboard at the front of my attention (e.g text message,email etc) so I added some features and the result is NClip
-----
{
"lightbox_close": "Close",
"lightbox_next": "Next",
"lightbox_previous": "Previous",
"lightbox_error": "The requested content cannot be loaded. Please try again later.",
"lightbox_start_slideshow": "Start slideshow",
"lightbox_stop_slideshow": "Stop slideshow",
"lightbox_full_screen": "Full screen",
"lightbox_thumbnails": "Thumbnails",
"lightbox_download": "Download",
"lightbox_share": "Share",
"lightbox_zoom": "Zoom",
"lightbox_new_window": "New window",
"lightbox_toggle_sidebar": "Toggle sidebar"
}
Create custom notifications using the clipboard contents or a custom message. Ongoing notifications and customizable icons.
•Fast and efficient
•Clipboard integration
•Over 25 icons
•Ongoing notifications
•Compatible with all resolution screens
•and more coming soon!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Search nclip in market
Desktop market - https://market.android.com/details?id=com.havmedia.nclip
AppBrain - http://www.appbrain.com/app/nclip-clipboard-notifications/com.havmedia.nclip
Updated to 2.0 (sorry for the massive images)
Changelog:
What's in this version:
Updated interface
Updated icon
Speed increase
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'll be reviewing this app on the BoB Only show for XDATV. Look forward to it for Tuesday or Thursday!
xoxo
OMG, this is exactly the app i was looking for.
I had the idea of such an app for months!
Thanks for it!
the cat ran across the road?!
wow! m already starting to like this app,
xD
pretty cool,i've been looking for somthing like this.
Suggestions
This is a great great app and a really good idea.. but I wanna give you some suggestions. The GUI is messy and doesn't properly use space.
On the very top is the Clipboard entry area (this should be at the bottom as its not usually used) it occupies immediately 1/2 of the screen with a large area that is totally wasted. Then, if there are contents on the clipboard they are not displayed nicely in the window (really ugly).
Then because of large unused area for the clipboard, now the Custom entry are is hidden when the keyboard is pulled-up (which by the way should pop-up immediately and it doesn't). Then if I want to add an icon, that menu selection is at the very bottom, so I have to close the keyboard to get there and, that menu doesn't have icon previews, just bullets (it needs icon previews as like the PICK ICON menu item). Finally the NOTE CUSTOM MESSAGE is at the very bottom (worse place), needs to be at the top.
All this makes a single entry an endless effort of way too many clicks to get anything done. I'm on a 7" Galaxy Tab. Look at the screenshots and get inspired
Finally, for this app to make ANY SENSE, it needs to be AS EASY TO ACCESS AS THE NOTES IT CREATES!!!!!!!!!! So, make it run as a hidden notification so it can be pulled down from the taskbar and activated (like the app Clipper - Clipboard manager for example.. you can check it out on the market if you are not sure what I mean)
Really nice app though. I want to love it.. you just need to make it right now
I've already added some features to the program, including the short cut you suggested, just my keystore is 100+ miles away on my desktop so I cant yet publish the update (its been sitting around for over a month).
I have also updated the gui, it shows only what is relevant at a given moment and keyboard no longer poses an issue on my nexus s, literally the app has everything you want (its just not published), i'm working on it
havok123 said:
I've already added some features to the program, including the short cut you suggested, just my keystore is 100+ miles away on my desktop so I cant yet publish the update (its been sitting around for over a month).
I have also updated the gui, it shows only what is relevant at a given moment and keyboard no longer poses an issue on my nexus s, literally the app has everything you want (its just not published), i'm working on it
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
havok123, thanks for the feedback, this is great news! I didn't mean at all to be harsh or overly criticizing.. think your app is truly fantastic and therefor I just would like it you to get it perfect! I'm happy you decided to learn Java just to program this... totally worth it!
When you have an update for the or if you want me to help you beta test/trouble shoot an updated version, post the info here on the thread or PM me. Id love to help you if I can.
Keep up the great work and when its perfect make a paid version. It will be worth it and I think many people would buy it. You can definitely count me in and your work should be rewarded!
Just uploaded update finally.
Updated to 3.0
Changelog:
What's in this version:
N Clip Shortcut
Edit notifications on click
Updated GUI
Bug fixes
Great update, interface much more workable & cleaner.
One suggestion that immediately comes 2mind is, get rid of the sticky app icon that shows up on taskbar when selecting the enable shortcut option. No ned & cluttery. IfU add a note without chooding custom icon, now there are DOUBLE app icons on the taskbar being displayed one of which is NOT a note.. very confusing and unecessary.
If the enable shortcut opion is chosen, we know its there in the pulldown menu already, thats enough &keeps taskbar cleaner for actual notifications only
going to get on it over christmas break xD
Okay so some of us at The Evervolv Project have been working on an app that will take care of your bloat issues with sense roms, no matter the rom. This tool has been designed from the ground up to be geared towards sense rom developers & power users to be able to customize the app easily and fit their needs and roms.
Currently this is in preview "deep alpha". What does this mean? Well, we wanted to release a preview to users and rom developers so they could get a feel for where the app is going. This is going to be an ongoing work for quite some time, depending on interest generated. With that being said let list some of the key features, and go over what we're currently working on.
Rom developers seeking to include this in their rom, please PM me and we can talk things over and explain how to customize the app to your rom/users. This application will be open sourced, free to use by anyone and everyone. Take the code and make your own app. Decompile the app and change all the information to suit you (actually this is preferred). We'd also love input for the application from rom dev's and power users. Downloading previewers, feedback is definitely requested... but please hold off on post's referring to bugs right now. This is currently being worked on, and many of the issues will be taken care of shortly. With that said, if there is any java developers/programmers that would like to join the effort, feel free to PM me also.
{
"lightbox_close": "Close",
"lightbox_next": "Next",
"lightbox_previous": "Previous",
"lightbox_error": "The requested content cannot be loaded. Please try again later.",
"lightbox_start_slideshow": "Start slideshow",
"lightbox_stop_slideshow": "Stop slideshow",
"lightbox_full_screen": "Full screen",
"lightbox_thumbnails": "Thumbnails",
"lightbox_download": "Download",
"lightbox_share": "Share",
"lightbox_zoom": "Zoom",
"lightbox_new_window": "New window",
"lightbox_toggle_sidebar": "Toggle sidebar"
}
Current features:
Bloat manager
Load a list of apk's from an xml file into a listview(example below)
Code:
<bloatentry>
<bloatitem>HtcLockScreen.apk</bloatitem>
<bloatitem>Idlescreen_Base.apk</bloatitem>
<bloatitem>idlescreen_photo.apk</bloatitem>
<bloatitem>idlescreen_shortcut.apk</bloatitem>
<bloatitem>IdleScreen_Stock.apk</bloatitem>
<bloatitem>IdleScreen_Weather.apk</bloatitem>
<bloatitem>com.htc.idlescreen_SN.apk</bloatitem>
</bloatentry>
Option to select one or multiple apk's to delete(Checking individual items, then click "Remove select")
Option to delete all apk's listed (Clicking "Remove all" Button)
Option to select one or multiple apk's to delete
All listed apk's are definable by the rom developer or power user.
Senseless manager
Option to make the current running rom "senseless" removing most of unnecessary applications and replacing them with AOSP or AOSP-like apps.
User can download and install applications from a list also specified in an xml document.
Multiple options on applications can be given to the user by adding links and the apk names in the xml file.
Code:
<applist>
<item>
<name>Launcher2.apk</name>
<website>http://evervolv.turnertechrepair.info/Absurd/Senseless/Launcher2.apk</website>
</item>
<item>
<name>Music.apk</name>
<website>http://evervolv.turnertechrepair.info/Absurd/Senseless/Music.apk</website>
</item>
<item>
<name>Latin_IME.apk</name>
<website>http://evervolv.turnertechrepair.info/Absurd/Senseless/Latin_IME.apk</website>
</item>
<item>
<name>Not_exist.apk</name>
<website>http://evervolv.turnertechrepair.info/Absurd/Senseless/not_extist.apk</website>
</item>
</applist>
Much more...
Rom developer/power user can have a remote xml file downloaded by the app and used to populate the senseless apps, and removable apk's.
Manifest xml url is definable via settings (menu > Settings)
Download folder is definable via settings. (requires app restart if folder is not already made, will be fixed next release)
Currently planned features:
Rom developer/power user can have a remote xml file downloaded by the app and used to populate the senseless apps, and removable apk's.
Currently only apps on the /system partition are support, apps in /data/apps is planned.
Currently only the apk for the desired app is removed from the device, removal of the app's data folder is not touched, leaving behind the app's userdata. Removing this data is planned and in the works.
Refined GUI, currently this is more of a mockup than a final product. (monochrome yuck)
Currently only qHD devices are supported, wvga device layouts will be taken care of shortly.
Custom tab design (currently using the android supplied example).
More options available to be user-definable
Much more...
Download Preview 2
App team:
milesje - java
preludedrew - java & layout
Adhvanit - graphics
Hey, this is great! Awesome job
Sent from my PC36100 using XDA App
This looks really cool great idea.
Sent from my PC36100 using XDA App
I believe this app has a lot of potential and will help a lot of people out. I wish I knew more java so I could help out with this program but I am really new to it still.
hi,
I just tried this on HTC Sensation and i get FC.
4D3
Okay so some of us at The Evervolv Project have been working on an app that will take care of your bloat issues with sense roms, no matter the rom. This tool has been designed from the ground up to be geared towards sense rom developers & power users to be able to customize the app easily and fit their needs and roms.
Currently this is in preview "deep alpha". What does this mean? Well, we wanted to release a preview to users and rom developers so they could get a feel for where the app is going. This is going to be an ongoing work for quite some time, depending on interest generated. With that being said let list some of the key features, and go over what we're currently working on.
Rom developers seeking to include this in their rom, please PM me and we can talk things over and explain how to customize the app to your rom/users. This application will be open sourced, free to use by anyone and everyone. Take the code and make your own app. Decompile the app and change all the information to suit you (actually this is preferred). We'd also love input for the application from rom dev's and power users. Downloading previewers, feedback is definitely requested... but please hold off on post's referring to bugs right now. This is currently being worked on, and many of the issues will be taken care of shortly. With that said, if there is any java developers/programmers that would like to join the effort, feel free to PM me also.
{
"lightbox_close": "Close",
"lightbox_next": "Next",
"lightbox_previous": "Previous",
"lightbox_error": "The requested content cannot be loaded. Please try again later.",
"lightbox_start_slideshow": "Start slideshow",
"lightbox_stop_slideshow": "Stop slideshow",
"lightbox_full_screen": "Full screen",
"lightbox_thumbnails": "Thumbnails",
"lightbox_download": "Download",
"lightbox_share": "Share",
"lightbox_zoom": "Zoom",
"lightbox_new_window": "New window",
"lightbox_toggle_sidebar": "Toggle sidebar"
}
Current features:
Bloat manager
Load a list of apk's from an xml file into a listview(example below)
Code:
<bloatentry>
<bloatitem>HtcLockScreen.apk</bloatitem>
<bloatitem>Idlescreen_Base.apk</bloatitem>
<bloatitem>idlescreen_photo.apk</bloatitem>
<bloatitem>idlescreen_shortcut.apk</bloatitem>
<bloatitem>IdleScreen_Stock.apk</bloatitem>
<bloatitem>IdleScreen_Weather.apk</bloatitem>
<bloatitem>com.htc.idlescreen_SN.apk</bloatitem>
</bloatentry>
Option to select one or multiple apk's to delete(Checking individual items, then click "Remove select")
Option to delete all apk's listed (Clicking "Remove all" Button)
Option to select one or multiple apk's to delete
All listed apk's are definable by the rom developer or power user.
Senseless manager
Option to make the current running rom "senseless" removing most of unnecessary applications and replacing them with AOSP or AOSP-like apps.
User can download and install applications from a list also specified in an xml document.
Multiple options on applications can be given to the user by adding links and the apk names in the xml file.
Code:
<applist>
<item>
<name>Launcher2.apk</name>
<website>http://evervolv.turnertechrepair.info/Absurd/Senseless/Launcher2.apk</website>
</item>
<item>
<name>Music.apk</name>
<website>http://evervolv.turnertechrepair.info/Absurd/Senseless/Music.apk</website>
</item>
<item>
<name>Latin_IME.apk</name>
<website>http://evervolv.turnertechrepair.info/Absurd/Senseless/Latin_IME.apk</website>
</item>
<item>
<name>Not_exist.apk</name>
<website>http://evervolv.turnertechrepair.info/Absurd/Senseless/not_extist.apk</website>
</item>
</applist>
Much more...
Rom developer/power user can have a remote xml file downloaded by the app and used to populate the senseless apps, and removable apk's.
Manifest xml url is definable via settings (menu > Settings)
Download folder is definable via settings. (requires app restart if folder is not already made, will be fixed next release)
Currently planned features:
Rom developer/power user can have a remote xml file downloaded by the app and used to populate the senseless apps, and removable apk's.
Currently only apps on the /system partition are support, apps in /data/apps is planned.
Currently only the apk for the desired app is removed from the device, removal of the app's data folder is not touched, leaving behind the app's userdata. Removing this data is planned and in the works.
Refined GUI, currently this is more of a mockup than a final product. (monochrome yuck)
Currently only qHD devices are supported, wvga device layouts will be taken care of shortly.
Custom tab design (currently using the android supplied example).
More options available to be user-definable
Much more...
Download Preview 2
App team:
milesje - java
preludedrew - java & layout
Adhvanit - graphics
Oh well, if you're like me that loves to do the things I could do the hardcore geeky way without the help of apps and tools, unless obviously using an app will save you a lot of time, then you're on the right thread.
Anyway this will be my first howto guide on xda-dev, please be nice . This will be a noob to noob guide, taking every step into consideration. If you've got any issues getting it done, please don't hesitate to leave a comment, so let's have a ride to geekville.
As you'd know, changing app icons is something every lover of awesome interface and design can't do without, and we've got Android Launchers that will do this for you on the go, but really, they just change the icons of the apps in the drawer and not globally, for example, Whatsapp's icon changed with a launcher only changes in the app drawer and not the entire whatsapp ecosystem, even worse, the minute you revert back to your stock launcher, it changes to the original icon.
Here's an illustration:
{
"lightbox_close": "Close",
"lightbox_next": "Next",
"lightbox_previous": "Previous",
"lightbox_error": "The requested content cannot be loaded. Please try again later.",
"lightbox_start_slideshow": "Start slideshow",
"lightbox_stop_slideshow": "Stop slideshow",
"lightbox_full_screen": "Full screen",
"lightbox_thumbnails": "Thumbnails",
"lightbox_download": "Download",
"lightbox_share": "Share",
"lightbox_zoom": "Zoom",
"lightbox_new_window": "New window",
"lightbox_toggle_sidebar": "Toggle sidebar"
}
As you can see in the image above, its the same es file explorer app but different icons, that's going to be our goal in this guide, changing the icons globally, if you changed the icon with a launcher, you'll only get your new icon replaced in the app drawer. So let's change our first icon.
Requirements.
A PC.
Apk Icon Editor By kefir500
iConvert Icons for Windows
Java Runtime Environment for signing the resulting apk by Apk Icon Editor. You can get it here.
An icon you'd like to replace for the old one.
Your time.
iConverticons.com actually does have an icon converter for the mac platform but since Apk Icon Editor is written in C++ for the Windows platform , what's the point? . Also the iConverticons utility does have a free version, don't know why they had to hide it on the site, you can just grab the free one from softpedia anyway, only costs you 10 seconds on every startup of the app.
Once you're done downloading the files from the links above, run their respective setups and grab any .apk file you'd like to try out in your android's
Code:
/data/app/
directory, (you're pro'lly going to need root access to mess with this directory, but you can always grab any .apk elsewhere).
1. Copy the .apk file to anywhere on your pc.
2. Now, get the icon you'd like to replace ready, it could be in the same path as your .apk file, doesn't matter, but preferrably go for a 512px icon size, you'll be glad you did. I'll be replacing the stock whatsapp icon with a flatter alternative by DtafAlonso on DeviantArt.
3. Start up the iConverticons app, then wait for its 10 seconds delay thing, before we create the icons, we need to modify the preferences for the conversion output, make yours match the images below.
4. Next, drag and drop the icon you want replaced in the iConverticons app, this will be followed with a dialog of where you want the resulting icons replaced, choose the folder you created earlier as the output folder and in about a second you should see a "Done" message.
5. Now go to that folder where the outputs from the conversion was saved, you should now see a set of icons in different folders namely xxhdpi, xhdpi, hdpi, ldpi and mdpi.
6. Start up apk-icon-editor.exe, then drag and drop your .apk file into the app's workspace, you'll get a progress bar showing that the package is being extracted and the contents of the AndroidManifest.xml file.
7. You will now see the original whatsapp icons in this window, Select the right icon size/dpi on the right, and then Right Click > Replace Icon ..then select the right icon size from the right conversion folder. The icon is replaced immediately, do these for the other sizes of the icons, you can choose to make the icons stay at just one size even on small devices, (just make sure you choose not to resize it if the editor asks if you want the icon resized).
8. Once you're done, Click "Pack Apk" and choose the destination folder you'd want your new apk file saved. You can choose to overwrite the previous one or have a copy of it named anything you like[dot]apk.
9. Then copy the new .apk file to your phone's sdcard and uninstall the app if it was present on your phone already, (installing the same app on your phone will cause the installation to fail), then install it.
Now you have a unique icon for that app.
NOTE: If you're curious as to why the original .apk file and the new one have different sizes, this is caused by the size of the icons you used, so for example, you might have an original size of 15.6MB and a new size of 15.45MB. one more thing, I have noticed apps like BBM misbehave when you touch their app icons something about them having conflicts with how the package was signed, so you can try this out with other apps apart from BBM and please tell me what apps break for you when you try it.
Does this work for the latest version of whatsapp? Version 2.16.259
Does this work for the latest version of whatsapp Version 2.16.259?
I tried to use a couple apk editor apps which have not worked. When you replace the original apk Whatsapp does not let you log in it seems like it checks with their server whether the apk is legitimate or not.