Develop Bugs

[Q] How do I edit a widget's background?

Not sure if this belongs in the Dev section or here.
Anyway, attached is a screenshot of my homescreen. I am wondering how to edit the Google+ widget to give it a transparent background instead of the dark bg.
I know how to edit photos and apply a transparent bg, etc., I am just not sure how to edit the widget itself. Is it a matter of getting the .apk and extracting an image to edit? I used to edit icons for my iOS devices, so I assume this might be the same with .apk files ...
Any tips would be helpful!
Thanks!

I'd like to know too. I tried to edit the widget background for the honeycomb music app to be semi-transparent by taking the trans widget background from sense music widget.
Honeycomb music apk had a file called appwidget_bg.9.png so i renamed the one from sense to that name using 7zip, but new apk wouldnt install for me.
Not sure if any of this helps you. But I'd like to know too.
In the apk, there should be a folder called res or resources, i forget. Pretty sure relevant file is in there if I remember correctly. Good luck.
Sent from my PC36100 using XDA App

wryun said:
Not sure if this belongs in the Dev section or here.
Anyway, attached is a screenshot of my homescreen. I am wondering how to edit the Google+ widget to give it a transparent background instead of the dark bg.
I know how to edit photos and apply a transparent bg, etc., I am just not sure how to edit the widget itself. Is it a matter of getting the .apk and extracting an image to edit? I used to edit icons for my iOS devices, so I assume this might be the same with .apk files ...
Any tips would be helpful!
Thanks!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I've modded the app.
instructions:
- install the app from the market (you already have it installed so you may be able to skip this step)
- remove the widget if its on one of the screens
- use root exprlorer to copy the file I posted to the /data/app folder
- set the permissions (rw-r--r--)
- readd the widget
that worked for me.
Download the attachment

Thanks but I get force close when I try.
Sent from my PC36100 using XDA Premium App

I thought I would try the above mod again and it still force closes. Does anyone else know how to get the google+ transparent widget? Martijua's mod is exactly what I am looking for, but for some reason it doesn't work. :-(
Thanks!

[REQ] Transparent GenieWidget.apk for ICS

hi..
wondering if any devs would be keen to make a transparent version of the news & weather widget (GenieWidget.apk)
in addition, if it was possible to make it transparent AND use the HD icons from the Desire it would be the ultimate
see http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=677269 for example
ive tried pushing an old .apk that i'd used on my N1 but it force closes on the SGN

I use an old geni widget apk from N1 placed in system apps with root explorer.
Sent from my SSGN

Lightning N1 said:
I use an old geni widget apk from N1 placed in system apps with root explorer.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
so you have a transparent one that works? can you upload here pls?
like i said, the one that i prev used on my N1 crashes on the GNex

Here is a Dropbox link for the one that I am currently using, give it a shot.
http://dl.dropbox.com/u/12855476/GenieWidget.apk

If you want a proper version from the GNexus making transparent let me know. I'll be more than happy to do it since I plan on theming it next anyway.

NitrozKC said:
If you want a proper version from the GNexus making transparent let me know. I'll be more than happy to do it since I plan on theming it next anyway.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sure, having the proper up to date version for Gnex would be ideal, I was just getting by with working version due to my lack of skills
Anyone have a good clear monthly calendar widget, I am really missing my launcherpro widgets

Lightning N1 said:
Here is a Dropbox link for the one that I am currently using, give it a shot.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for that. Will give it a go!
NitrozKC said:
If you want a proper version from the GNexus making transparent let me know.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That'd be fantastic, thanks!
any chance you can add the desire HD icons?

NitrozKC said:
If you want a proper version from the GNexus making transparent let me know. I'll be more than happy to do it since I plan on theming it next anyway.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This would be awesome, thank you!
Lightning N1 said:
Here is a Dropbox link for the one that I am currently using, give it a shot.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sorry for the dumb question (I tried searching), but do I need to be rooted to install this .apk? I can't seem to install it. Am I missing something completely simple, or do I need to root to be able to completely remove the stock news and weather widget in order to install this one?
Thanks.

Transparent ICS Genie Widget
I didn't see the transparent widget from ICS ever get posted, so I fumbled around and created one. The version is 1.3.04(PROD). The background is 70% visible. FYI, the apk is zipaligned.
Install:
1. Download GenieWidget_trans_zipaligned.apk and rename to GenieWidget.apk.
2. Preferably using Root Explorer (you must be rooted of course):
a. Mount your drive as R/W.
b. Backup your current widget in /system/app/GenieWidget.apk
c. Copy the new GenieWidget.apk to /system/app/​3. Reboot your device

Nice, I like the semi transparent version best, its not totally clear which looks bad on light wallpapers but not full black either. This looks good.
Sent from my SPH-D710 using xda premium

Denverg across on the Nexus S boards has also made a transparent genie widget, which I am using on my Galaxy Nexus. You should be able to find it here - http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1307646
They have also made transparent power control and music widgets to match.

If youre using AOKP rom you can get my theme which does this here

Lightning N1 said:
Sure, having the proper up to date version for Gnex would be ideal, I was just getting by with working version due to my lack of skills
Anyone have a good clear monthly calendar widget, I am really missing my launcherpro widgets
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Download Android Pro Widgets- this is all of launcher pro's widgets

Don't know if anyone wants, but here's the latest version of Genie Widget (1.3.04 PROD - from ICS 4.0.4).
I've included a 50% transparent widget, and original stock. Install either of these zips in CWM to load.

Fahrenheit said:
I didn't see the transparent widget from ICS ever get posted, so I fumbled around and created one. The version is 1.3.04(PROD). The background is 70% visible. FYI, the apk is zipaligned.
Install:
1. Download GenieWidget_trans_zipaligned.apk and rename to GenieWidget.apk.
2. Preferably using Root Explorer (you must be rooted of course):
a. Mount your drive as R/W.
b. Backup your current widget in /system/app/GenieWidget.apk
c. Copy the new GenieWidget.apk to /system/app/​3. Reboot your device
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks, I appreciate it. Worked out perfectly.
---------- Post added at 04:10 AM ---------- Previous post was at 04:09 AM ----------
Fahrenheit said:
Don't know if anyone wants, but here's the latest version of Genie Widget (1.3.04 PROD - from ICS 4.0.4).
I've included a 50% transparent widget, and original stock. Install either of these zips in CWM to load.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks, always good to have a link to apps we all use regularly

Where can I find a completely transparent version of Genie Widget that will operate on ICS? The one I'm using will operate fine until I try to open a headline.
Thanks in advance

Nailerdog said:
Where can I find a completely transparent version of Genie Widget that will operate on ICS? The one I'm using will operate fine until I try to open a headline.
Thanks in advance
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I could probably make one. I'll work on it.

sorry to revive an old thread...
jst wanted to post a transparent GenieWidget.apk with HD Desire icons (see pic)
use Root Explorer to paste it into \system\app
*rename the existing GenieWidget.apk to something else for backup puposes*
set permissions to READ for Owner/Group/Others
set permission to WRITE for Owner
all other checkboxes should be blank
working fine for me on AKOP Milestone 5

Here is mine:
See attached apk. Just ask if you are going to use it in a ROM build or what ever. It needs to be installed to /system/app to work.
All images were re-created by me in photoshop from an old HTC apk, but some images are custom made by me because I didn't like the HTC versions of them.
Has Ice Cream Sandwich styled background for the menus, and uses the ICS Roboto text

Nailerdog said:
Where can I find a completely transparent version of Genie Widget that will operate on ICS? The one I'm using will operate fine until I try to open a headline.
Thanks in advance
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Dunno if you found one, but this one works for me: http://forum.xda-developers.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=791835&d=1321998257
Anyone know of a 50% transparent ICS Genie widget?

TW 4.0 dock icons

Is there not a way to change the color of the dock icons in tw 4.0? I can't seem to find it if there is.

Ttrain721 said:
Is there not a way to change the color of the dock icons in tw 4.0? I can't seem to find it if there is.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Pull the apk. Open it with a file manager. Navigate to res/drawavle-hdpi. Find the icon. Hue it, color it, replace it with whatever you'd like. Push the apk back. (assuming you're rooted).
If you're not, short answer is no. You'd need a launcher that lets you change icons.

With other launchers such as Nova or Apex, you can select a different icon. Just long-press, edit, then click the icon and browse to your new one. I think Nova is far superior to TW launcher anyhow, if that means anything to you.

zx3junglist said:
With other launchers such as Nova or Apex, you can select a different icon. Just long-press, edit, then click the icon and browse to your new one. I think Nova is far superior to TW launcher anyhow, if that means anything to you.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm guessing you have to flash nova?
Sent from my SPH-D710 using XDA

barnacles10 said:
Pull the apk. Open it with a file manager. Navigate to res/drawavle-hdpi. Find the icon. Hue it, color it, replace it with whatever you'd like. Push the apk back. (assuming you're rooted).
If you're not, short answer is no. You'd need a launcher that lets you change icons.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm fairly new to all of this. I'm not sure how to mess with the apk files, haven't even read up on it. Yes, I'm rooted, Blazer 4.1.
Sent from my SPH-D710 using XDA

Ttrain721 said:
I'm fairly new to all of this. I'm not sure how to mess with the apk files, haven't even read up on it. Yes, I'm rooted, Blazer 4.1.
Sent from my SPH-D710 using XDA
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well then your options are either use a different launcher or rip apart the apks.
If you don't have knowledge of adb (which I recommend anyone with a rooted phone should have as it is a great tool to know how to use) and you want to keep the touchwiz launcher you can use an app like es file explorer or root explorer to move them about.
You say youre on blazer 4.1, so for example say you want to change the messaging icon. Open the zip for blazer rom , the one you flashed, and navigate to system/apps through a file explorer like 7zip on your pc
Once you find the apps folder you can scroll through and find the app for the icon you want to change. In this case messaging or Mms.apk.
Drag that apk out to your desktop. Again, open it with 7zip same way you opened the blazer update.zip. Navigate this time to res/drawable-hdpi. Pull the folder drawable hdpi out to your desktop. You now have the drawable folder to work with.
Scroll through the images and find the application icon image. How do you know which one it is? It looks like the one on you're phone for messaging.
Once you find it you can rename any other png to the same file name and drag it into this folder to replace it. You can also edit the image itself in gimp or photoshop and then just save it as a png again.
Once you are done drag the drawable-hdpi folder back into the apk within the res directory. Then put this apk with your change on your sd card.
Open a root explorer. Navigate to your sd card, find the apk, and move it to system/app. Reboot. Done.

Ttrain721 said:
I'm guessing you have to flash nova?
Sent from my SPH-D710 using XDA
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Nope ... it's available in the marke.. oh, I mean the Play Store
Hmm, on second thought, you can only use Nova or Apex with ICS 4.0. I think your tw 4.0 threw me off. I think you'll have to look at ADW or Go launcher. Also another route would be to flash a theme pack for Blazer. It's been a while, so not sure what's available, but hop over and have a look at the Themes & Apps section.

Great information, barnacles10. Thank you. I will definitely give this a try. I have been getting better at using 7zip lately.. swapping out zimages into flashable kernels and things like that. Do you have any suggestions of a good site to find icon png images online. I guess I can pull the images I want to use from other apk files as well.

DataHawg said:
Great information, barnacles10. Thank you. I will definitely give this a try. I have been getting better at using 7zip lately.. swapping out zimages into flashable kernels and things like that. Do you have any suggestions of a good site to find icon png images online. I guess I can pull the images I want to use from other apk files as well.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I usually just stick to aosp icons, or if I'm changing anything I'll just modify those.
If you're looking for icon sets I'm sure you can find some in general xda android theming.
Deviant art is always a great place to find quality work as well. This should pull up my search on deviant art with a bunch of icon packs.
http://browse.deviantart.com/customization/icons/?q=android

Changing background on apps/widgets screens

Let's say I have a theme I really love except that the background for apps/widgets icon screens is plain black and I want background to be the same as the wallpaper. Given that there is no setting for this, I assume I will need to learn how to open theme, replace plain background with wallpaper and reassemble theme. Yes?
What are the likely names of the home screen and app/widget backgrounds and where in res would they be? They're going to be a png file, yes?
I assume with this information and Photoshop I can follow instructions in how to theme thread to actually accomplish this task.
Is there any other way to accomplish this task?

A lot of apps don't actually have a plain background. It's written in the code to draw every pixel black. So it mostly really comes down to the app developer. If it's not written in the code, then it certainly would be possible to replace the background
Sent from a galaxy far far away.

luc.highwalker said:
A lot of apps don't actually have a plain background. It's written in the code to draw every pixel black. So it mostly really comes down to the app developer. If it's not written in the code, then it certainly would be possible to replace the background
Sent from a galaxy far far away.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I wasn't being clear. I meant the background on the screens with apps/widgets icons.
Given that wallpaper png is already in apk, I'm thinking changing xml settings for background of apps/widgets screens to wallpaper.png would work...if I knew what these settings were and in which xml file they would be. The other issue is there are several versions of the wallpaper png files in the apk, with different sizes and, I think, resolutions.

It sounds like your talking about the APP DRAWER? If so then you would need to check in the xxxxLauncher.apk (this depends on anything like what firmware/ROM your using. So it could be SecLauncher.apk, ApexLauncher.apk, NovaLauncher.apk, Etc....
So depending on the launcher you would need to see if it has an option already in it or extract the .apk and look for whatever file it uses for the background and replace it with whatever you want to.
For example: Apex Launcher has a setting in Apex Settings/Drawer Settings/Drawer Background Transparency/ popup with moveable bar that will allow it to see through to whichever wallpaper you have on your home screen.
Once you figure out how/where it is located inside the .apk then make sure the wallpaper you want to use is the same pixel size. Now open 7zip and find the launcher.apk and hit OPEN ARCHIVE. Next navigate to where the background.PNG or background.jog file is. Now drag the WALLPAPER you want onto the screen of 7zip. Hit okay when it ask if you want to add it. Now take that .apk and put it back on your phone, use a root explorer and move it to system and paste it there. Now long press on it and choose permissions and set it to rw-r-r. Next long press and hit move. Move to system/app and paste. It should ask to overwrite the .apk so hit yes. Reboot phone and it should be done.
These are just BASIC HOW TOs but should help guide you in the right direction .
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I747 using xda premium

RockRatt said:
It sounds like your talking about the APP DRAWER?
These are just BASIC HOW TOs but should help guide you in the right direction .
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I747 using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, it is the app drawer. I'll go over your reply and parse out the details. I'm running LiquidSmooth on one S3 and Vanilla Rootbox on other one. LS came with Nova, which I disabled and installed Android stock launcher. I don't know what Rootbox is, but it seems like stock. Same theme on both. Thanks for reply.

RockRatt said:
It sounds like your talking about the APP DRAWER? If so then you would need to check in the xxxxLauncher.apk (this depends on anything like what firmware/ROM your using. So it could be SecLauncher.apk, ApexLauncher.apk, NovaLauncher.apk, Etc....
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I checked with several of the launcher devs, and they said that while their app drawer has variably background transparency, they don't support separate wallpaper background. Is that not your experience?

Custom fingerprint icon (discontinued)

I have found this mod to obsolete. With @Zacharee1's custom fingerprint application users can now swap out images for their fingerprint icon on the fly.
It's an absolutely fantastic app and it allows users to customize their icons without decompiling their systemui apk!
Link to thread- https://forum.xda-developers.com/oneplus-6t/themes/app-theme-opfpcontrol-custom-t3899522
Download any icons you want, resize them to 174x174 (the stock icon size). Open the app and select your images from your gallery then reboot!
If you're still a fan, like me, of having NO icon then simply download an image, resize it and make it completely transparent with your favorite Android image modifying application. I personally use background eraser. Select the transparent images and reboot.
Great application @Zacharee1 !

Screen

This is the start of something great! Thanks for notifying about the new TWRP I wasn't aware. I don't have much to contribute but Im looking forward to where this is going. Great job

Pain-N-Panic said:
Screen
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Good job pal... Hope to see many more icons for it.

Pain-N-Panic said:
I changed the fingerprint icon last night in the home screen of my 6t. I only swapped out the default icon, the animations are the same and the center is still green. Fingerprint is fully functional. I was wondering if anyone here knows how to make a flashable twrp zip. This way I could easily make multiple different icons that people can flash in recovery.
The below link is to my modded OPSystemUI.apk. I install it the old fashion way...push it to system/priv-app. Then change the app permissions to rw-r-r. Then move it into the OPSystemUI folder and overwrite the current OPSystemUI.apk. Reboot!
**NOW THAT WE HAVE FUNCTIONING TWRP MAKE A BACKUP BEFORE MESSING WITH THE SYSTEM PARTITION**
https://drive.google.com/file/d/15BN0JsJsObdFMEJI5TAuV6NzfU6QIzXA/view?usp=drivesdk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
U can just use any available zip and use it as a template. U'd maybe need to modify it a bit but not too complicated

Wondering if we could use no icon at all, so this would fix the burn in issue with the AOD mod???

Link removed

suzook said:
Wondering if we could use no icon at all, so this would fix the burn in issue with the AOD mod???
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sounds feasible. Either make the icon completely transparent in a photo editor or through XML coding. I'll look at it after I get back from the gym.

Pain-N-Panic said:
Sounds feasible. Either make the icon completely transparent in a photo editor or through XML coding. I'll look at it after I get back from the gym.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Nice!

I noticed the fingerprint animations files are in there. Have you tried changing these? Looks like these could be easily customized, or even removed if someone wanted.

OhioYJ said:
I noticed the fingerprint animations files are in there. Have you tried changing these? Looks like these could be easily customized, or even removed if someone wanted.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yup. I see them in there. I'll eventually mess around with them. I'm not up for making my own animation...too much work lol. But I certainly plan on changing the colors or remove them entirely... although I think they look quite nice.

Pain-N-Panic said:
Yup. I see them in there. I'll eventually mess around with them. I'm not up for making my own animation...too much work lol. But I certainly plan on changing the colors or remove them entirely... although I think they look quite nice.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you could make a no icon, and animation, that would be awesome!

Pain-N-Panic said:
Yup. I see them in there. I'll eventually mess around with them. I'm not up for making my own animation...too much work lol. But I certainly plan on changing the colors or remove them entirely... although I think they look quite nice.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Haha, yeah I don't have graphical skills, and it's composed of soo many images....

Nice job! Can't wait to change the color to white.

sruel3216 said:
Nice job! Can't wait to change the color to white.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What exactly do you want white? The animation?

Pain-N-Panic said:
What exactly do you want white? The animation?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
When the fingerprint location comes on for ambient display and lockscreen, before you put your finger on the screen. The animation in red would be cool to match the ambient display clock.

sruel3216 said:
Nice job! Can't wait to change the color to white.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Pain-N-Panic said:
What exactly do you want white? The animation?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Here is the fingerprint icon in white. Just rename the .apk and remove the word White before pushing to system/priv-app/OPSystemUI folder
https://drive.google.com/open?id=1YBKTMdGCce3DmxBek4fWm1YBcd4CwZp5

bamfsig45 said:
Here is the fingerprint icon in white. Just rename the .apk and remove the word White before pushing to system/priv-app/OPSystemUI folder
https://drive.google.com/open?id=1YBKTMdGCce3DmxBek4fWm1YBcd4CwZp5
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's so sick! Thanks.
Can I do this through root explorer or you recommend using a computer ?

sruel3216 said:
That's so sick! Thanks.
Can I do this through root explorer or you recommend using a computer ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I use Solid Explorer but root explorer works just fine.

bamfsig45 said:
I use Solid Explorer but root explorer works just fine.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
644 permissions?