[Q] How do i edit XML files in framework-res.apk? - Desire Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting

i could decompile them but always get errors when i tried to compile them,
could i just push them into the phone without compiling them?

Aren't XML files in plain text? U just edit them in notepad or whatever. Or am I crazy?
Sent from my HTC Desire using XDA App

they are encoded when i pull them out from the apk

I have a same question too...
Sent from my HTC Desire using XDA App

I used apk tool to decomplie them, this concerts the binary xml into English. Make your changes then re compile it but undyead of using the complied apk I just swap the new xml with the origindl from the original apk using winzip and resign the apk. Worked fine for me to edit an apk.
What error messages are you getting?

I have the same error as bradputt. I attach log file form decompiling and compiling without any edit.

When you recompile do apktool b -f foldername newapk.apk then like mentioned take recompiled xml from new apk and add to existing working apk.

Related

[How To]: Decompile / Compile .APK

Source Found
Brut.all of XDA has released the program APKtool which make the process of editing any APK file much easier, especially XML editing. Before you had to use a few different programs (Smali, hex editor, etc) to do the same thing. A future release is going to have the decompiler dump into an easy to import into Javabeans/Eclipse format.. so nice
Program and Usage link;
APKTool 1.2
Setup;
Before you start, download from the link above both the apktool-1.2.0.tar.bz2 and apktool-install-windows-2.2_r01-1.tar.bz2 and extract them to your windows folder.
Usage;
Decoding APKs;
Code:
apktool d <file.apk> <directory to output to>
Compiling APKs*;
Code:
apktool b <directory of decoded apk>
*The compiled apk will be saved to the sub directory "dist", which is in what ever directory you choose to compile.
Output structure;
Smali directory - The output of classes.dex, the code to the apk
Res directory - Your resources, the images and layout/structure xmls
Lib directory - Shared library files
Dist directory - The apk output of the "apktool b" command, if you didn't run it you won't have it.
Build directory - The compiled output of the "apktool b" command, like what you would see if you just extracted an apk file with 7zip. If you didn't run it you won't have it.
General info;
Once you have your edited apk from the Dist directory you'll need to sign it. I use Dave Da illest 1 of XDA's modified script for signing. Just place your apk, this should be the only apk in this folder, in the same folder that you extracted the auto-signer to and execute sign.bat. The script will output your_app_signed.apk, which is your signed and ready to load on your phone apk.
If you'd like to decompile/compile an apk file that doesn't have a classes.dex, like framework-res.apk, just place any classes.dex into the apk and it will decompile. If you don't do this apktool will through up an error. Just remember to pull the classes.dex out before you sign it.
Videos;
Editing an Apk file with APKTool;
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XXgYVHTcl6c
Editing a Jar file with APKtool;
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VAekeWiqHcY
Why?;
Localization / Translation
Themeing
Adding in features or taking them out
Impressing friends and family, lol
etc..
Issues;
I noticed that while the new version 1.2 works great on the framework-res.apk file, it seems to have issues with other System/app files like Settings.apk,Phone.apk, etc. For these files use version 1.1.1.
Hopefully this is helpful, I tend to ramble.
-Ften @ sdx-developers.com
http://forum.xda-developers.com/forumdisplay.php?f=613
Post it here too, mate.
shokkapic said:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/forumdisplay.php?f=613
Post it here too, mate.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Will do, not having a good time at the moment as I can't seem to edit launcher.apk with this tool. Not sure why. basically I decompile, edit then compile but having issues when transferring it back to the phone.
EDIT: I just get a black screen when trying the new modified .apk file.
Why to create new threads, if apktool has its official thread here
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=640592
andrewb84uk said:
Will do, not having a good time at the moment as I can't seem to edit launcher.apk with this tool. Not sure why. basically I decompile, edit then compile but having issues when transferring it back to the phone.
EDIT: I just get a black screen when trying the new modified .apk file.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Do you get any errors in logcat?
Brut.all said:
Why to create new threads, if apktool has its official thread here
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=640592
Do you get any errors in logcat?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I could not find it anywhere else and I did do searches for hours Brilliant tool!
See Attachment, I think it's this line
Code:
E/PackageManager( 138): Package com.android.launcher signatures do not match the previously installed version; ignoring!
However, not sure how to fix it.
andrewb84uk said:
I could not find it anywhere else and I did do searches for hours Brilliant tool!
See Attachment, I think it's this line
Code:
E/PackageManager( 138): Package com.android.launcher signatures do not match the previously installed version; ignoring!
However, not sure how to fix it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not an expert. But try to uninstall the previous launcher, before installing that one.
shokkapic said:
Not an expert. But try to uninstall the previous launcher, before installing that one.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Will try it.
EDIT: Nope, uninstalled re-installed, still black screen.
andrewb84uk said:
I could not find it anywhere else and I did do searches for hours Brilliant tool!
See Attachment, I think it's this line
Code:
E/PackageManager( 138): Package com.android.launcher signatures do not match the previously installed version; ignoring!
However, not sure how to fix it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think you can't install Launcher just like that, because it's system app. You should do it through update.zip file.
Try to not use apktool, but just unpack Launcher.apk, remove META-INF dir, zip it back, sign and install. If you will get similar problems, then they can't be related to apktool (because you didn't even use it), but to something else.
Brut.all said:
I think you can't install Launcher just like that, because it's system app. You should do it through update.zip file.
Try to not use apktool, but just unpack Launcher.apk, remove META-INF dir, zip it back, sign and install. If you will get similar problems, then they can't be related to apktool (because you didn't even use it), but to something else.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If I unzip it, remove META-INF dir, zip it back, sign + install and it works fine. It doesn't work when I edit 1 file by decompiling and compiling, sign, upload it fails but it also fails using APKManager.
EDIT: I have also tried using notepad++ / notepad to edit the xml both to the same issue.
Err... you know, your problem is for sure related to signing/installation and not to apktool. Key error line is here:
E/PackageManager( 138): Package com.android.launcher signatures do not match the previously installed version; ignoring!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
andrewb84uk said:
If I unzip it, remove META-INF dir, zip it back, sign + install and it works fine. It doesn't work when I edit 1 file by decompiling and compiling, sign, upload it fails but it also fails using APKManager.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Could you explain, how is it possible, that you can properly sign rezipped apk, but you can't reapktoold' one? If you get signing issues, then this is totally irrelevant what apktool does. All files could be random binary strings as well cause they aren't even read.
This thread can be deleted or moved to the bin or where ever it needs to go!
idroid84 said:
Usage;
Decoding APKs;
Code:
apktool d <file.apk> <directory to output to>
Compiling APKs*;
Code:
apktool b <directory of decoded apk>
*The compiled apk will be saved to the sub directory "dist", which is in what ever directory you choose to compile.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you soooo much!!! It took me hours of searching to find this post and once I did, I had my apk decompressed in under a minute!!! You da man
If your running windows XP here's a right click reg edit I made for making decompiling/compiling quicker-
forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=935967
Hey guys... really trying to theme for the first time with xml files.
I have done modifying of png which are easy, but just lenghty and detailed.
So now that Gingerbread is out, some of the items have been moved to the xml files.
indeterminate was from 4 and now down to 3. but I want to increase to 8 to mimic honeycomb. Also the progress horizontal was once a png reference file now its in the systemui.apk xml too.
Anyhow short version.... anytime i edit more then 1 line at a time after decompiling, when trying to say it will ask to save as text.
Whats the best file editor for xml? or recommendations.
I use notepad++ on windows, you can also import your decompiled apk into eclipse and use that, it'll also report any errors or mistakes you might make.
Hope this helps.
Yeah I have been using that do and any time I compile and flash it just gives me boot loop.
Question about proper importing to eclips.
Whenever I just flat out decompile ... do my modification, go to recompile, it get errors. In apktool and apkmanager.
Should I extract the resource file and class dex out and then decompile. Cus when I have the resource file in the same directory....at least last nights attempt, apktool finale didn't give me an error and compiled.
I've done a decompile just from apk and imported to eclips and when I try to run, gives error.... "no style availiable" or something like that
Sent from my Droid using XDA App
Thank you!!!
Greetings.
fixing a broken abondon market apk
Could someone fix this app VirginmobileMinuitechecker . I think i found the problem . Virgin Mobile updated there site from logon www1 to www2 . I edited it from the open source and zipped it back up but i cannot get this compile program to run at all . here is the zip master . I made several attempts emailing jay goel but he his MIA .. the app will no longer log in because of the VM website recent changes . TIA
EDIT ,, NEVER MIND . i got it working and fixed that app . works like a charm now pretty good being i don't code for a living.. if you don't mind i posted the fixed app . you may move or delete if it is not proper . thank you for the tutorial .

[Q] Is there a way to edit "styles.xml" in the values folder and recompile it?

[Q] Is there a way to edit "styles.xml" in the values folder and recompile it?
Hello all.
Im trying to recompile the Settings.apk and I have made edits to the styles.xml file. Only problem is in the "keep" folder there is no "values" folder, and the recompiled app does not have the edits I made in stlyes.xml
Anyone know how to recompile the Settings.apk and have the "values" folder show up in the recompile "keep" folder?
Delete resources.arsc or something in the keep folder ; if your using apk manager it should tell you this already
Nabeel_Nabs said:
Delete resources.arsc or something in the keep folder ; if your using apk manager it should tell you this already
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks a lot for that. It worked and I now have timescape settings background look on stock Verizon rom!
Sent from my R800x using xda premium

[Q] suggest the tool for apk edition

I have tried apktool and i have edited whole theme apk by decompiling it...then it is unable to recompile and my rhr work is now pending for test...
So suggest here ,i m stucked....
I HAVE TRIED APKTOOL B CODE SO MANY WAYS AND SO MANY TIMRS FROM DIFFERENT THREADs...
So it is better to suggest me other tools..
Using win 7 home edition.
Thanx
Sent from my HTC Wildfire S A510e using XDA
smartboy0668 said:
I have tried apktool and i have edited whole theme apk by decompiling it...then it is unable to recompile and my rhr work is now pending for test...
So suggest here ,i m stucked....
I HAVE TRIED APKTOOL B CODE SO MANY WAYS AND SO MANY TIMRS FROM DIFFERENT THREADs...
So it is better to suggest me other tools..
Using win 7 home edition.
Thanx
Sent from my HTC Wildfire S A510e using XDA
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
1)
you know what? if you have just edited the *.png and *.9.png files.. then you just use Winrar or 7zip (7zip i recomend)
first decompile with apktool .. then edit the .png n .9.png and then open the apk file with 7zip n just drag the files you edited.. n you done .. now just flash the file (hope you know how to make a flashable zip , if you dont then go to the index by VBHTT in general section n search there ) but do not try to edit xml files with this method.. it may end up messing your rom..
OR
2)​if you wanna edit xml file then install all resources to your computer..
lets take an example..
you wanna edit framewor-res.apk
then you will need com.htc.resources.apk(from /system/framework) n systemui.apk(from /system/app)
n then install all three of them with apktool on pc with these commands
Code:
apktool if framework-res.apk
apktool if com.htc.resources.apk
apktoo if systemui.apk
then decompile the framework-res.apk with this code
Code:
apktool d framework-res.apk framework
it will create a new folder named framework n decompile it inside it..
after done editing the xml files n pngs you can compile it with this code
Code:
apktool b framework framework-res(new).apk
now copy this new framework apk file to desktop .. rename it to framework-res n then flash it .. hope i helped.
NOTE:
do not write apktool b framework-res.apk framework
here 'b' means BUILD .. the parameters are wrong. you cant build the apk framework like this.. instead it should be like this..
apktool b framework framework-res(new).apk
here frame work is the folder that is to be built as an apk with file name framework-res(new).apk this is the thing that might be causing you error.. hope i helped
mhrsolanki2020 said:
1)
you know what? if you have just edited the *.png and *.9.png files.. then you just use Winrar or 7zip (7zip i recomend)
first decompile with apktool .. then edit the .png n .9.png and then open the apk file with 7zip n just drag the files you edited.. n you done .. now just flash the file (hope you know how to make a flashable zip , if you dont then go to the index by VBHTT in general section n search there ) but do not try to edit xml files with this method.. it may end up messing your rom..
OR​if you wanna edit xml file then install all resources to your computer..
lets take an example..
you wanna edit framewor-res.apk
then you will need com.htc.resources.apk(from /system/framework) n systemui.apk(from /system/app)
n then install all three of them with apktool on pc with these commands
Code:
apktool if framework-res.apk
apktool if com.htc.resources.apk
apktoo if systemui.apk
then decompile the framework-res.apk with this code
Code:
apktool d framework-res.apk framework
it will create a new folder named framework n decompile it inside it..
after done editing the xml files n pngs you can compile it with this code
Code:
apktool b framework framework-res(new).apk
now copy this new framework apk file to desktop .. rename it to framework-res n then flash it .. hope i helped.
NOTE:
do not write apktool b framework-res.apk framework
here 'b' means BUILD .. the parameters are wrong. you cant build the apk framework like this.. instead it should be like this..
apktool b framework framework-res(new).apk
here frame work is the folder that is to be built as an apk with file name framework-res(new).apk this is the thing that might be causing you error.. hope i helped
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi mhrsolanki2020
I am agree with your tut, but one thing, are you sure we have to type " apktool If systemui.apk " to edit .xml files ?
Because when i edit .xml in systemui.apk , i always only typed "apktool if framework-res.apk " with "apktool if com.htc.resources.apk" and everything works fine .
Sorry for my english
Mazer.one said:
Hi mhrsolanki2020
I am agree with your tut, but one thing, are you sure we have to type " apktool If systemui.apk " to edit .xml files ?
Because when i edit .xml in systemui.apk , i always only typed "apktool if framework-res.apk " with "apktool if com.htc.resources.apk" and everything works fine .
Sorry for my english
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
no its not neccecasry.. but then its better to install it .. no harm in using 2mb from your harddisk is it
You're right
Sent from my HTC Wildfire S A510e using XDA
I am getting fc of systemui app...status bar gone...ishould look in to deeeeeply......
Sent from my HTC Wildfire S A510e using XDA

[Q] Able to de and re compile framework-res.apk?

I was just wondering if anyone with the UAMDL software has been able to decompile and recompile the framework on here yet.
I have tried with the APK multi tool and the decompile works fine but when I try to recompile it errors our right away.
Anyone have any luck with this?
If so what tool did you use?
Yes I have.
Sent from my SGH-M919 using Tapatalk 2
I'd like to know this as well, and how people have been successful. I haven't had any luck installing framework-res.apk or recompiling a modified app. From my understanding, it's an issue with apktool and aapt that needs to be updated.
TheArtiszan said:
I was just wondering if anyone with the UAMDL software has been able to decompile and recompile the framework on here yet.
I have tried with the APK multi tool and the decompile works fine but when I try to recompile it errors our right away.
Anyone have any luck with this?
If so what tool did you use?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That and SystemUI.apk are both missing files needed for them to decompile and recompile right
evil..............out
elesbb said:
Yes I have.
Sent from my SGH-M919 using Tapatalk 2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Can you elaborate on what tools you used and how to set it up please?
I have been stuck trying to get this to work for over a week now.
Sent using xda premium.
evil1art said:
That and SystemUI.apk are both missing files needed for them to decompile and recompile right
evil..............out
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There are ways for making it work though
TheArtiszan said:
Can you elaborate on what tools you used and how to set it up please?
I have been stuck trying to get this to work for over a week now.
Sent using xda premium.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I used the tool in my signature and you have to remove some layout paramaters in the xml files then recompile and copy the originals over to the newly compiled apk.
elesbb said:
There are ways for making it work though
I used the tool in my signature and you have to remove some layout paramaters in the xml files then recompile and copy the originals over to the newly compiled apk.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Im the one who figured out the missing style for the systemui
evil..............out
evil1art said:
Im the one who figured out the missing style for the systemui
evil..............out
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah so did I lol. Ive ran into that issue before and thats all you have to do to get around it.
elesbb said:
There are ways for making it work though
I used the tool in my signature and you have to remove some layout paramaters in the xml files then recompile and copy the originals over to the newly compiled apk.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
We have our own modified apk manger works good
evil..............out
evil1art said:
We have our own modified apk manger works good
evil..............out
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ahhh. That makes life a lot easier lol. How did you modify it? Build it from source or edit the jar file?
elesbb said:
Ahhh. That makes life a lot easier lol. How did you modify it? Build it from source or edit the jar file?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Modified the original files and changed memory heap etc
evil..............out
Oh okay that makes sense.
I am editing the framework res apk
Making changes only to the arrays.xml file in the values folder.
Which styles should I be commenting out and then which file should I copy to the original?
I tried putting a + in front of a few lines based on the errors I was getting but that seemed to make it worse.
Sent using xda premium.
I think the arrays and other values xml get compiled into the resources file no?
Sent using xda premium.
TheArtiszan said:
I think the arrays and other values xml get compiled into the resources file no?
Sent using xda premium.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Everything in the values directory is found in your resources.arsc file in the apk.
Sent from my SGH-M919 using Tapatalk 2
Ah that makes sense.
The changes made for layouts, does that go into the same area though?
Just wondering if that might cause a problem since that is what I would want to move over.
Sent from my HTC VLE_U using xda premium
That is odd.
I can get this to decompile in apk multi tool but not Elesbb's GUI
I get the following error:
Tue 06/25/2013
0:46:56.39
Decompiling.. "C:\Users\Bill\APK GUI\framework-res.apk"
I: Loading resource table...
Exception in thread "main" brut.androlib.AndrolibException: Multiple resources: spec=0x010802f4 drawable/ic_ab_back_holo_dark, config=-hdpi
at brut.androlib.res.data.ResConfig.addResource(ResConfig.java:65)
at brut.androlib.res.data.ResConfig.addResource(ResConfig.java:58)
at brut.androlib.res.decoder.ARSCDecoder.readEntry(ARSCDecoder.java:197)
at brut.androlib.res.decoder.ARSCDecoder.readConfig(ARSCDecoder.java:166)
at brut.androlib.res.decoder.ARSCDecoder.readType(ARSCDecoder.java:131)
at brut.androlib.res.decoder.ARSCDecoder.readPackage(ARSCDecoder.java:106)
at brut.androlib.res.decoder.ARSCDecoder.readTable(ARSCDecoder.java:83)
at brut.androlib.res.decoder.ARSCDecoder.decode(ARSCDecoder.java:49)
at brut.androlib.res.AndrolibResources.getResPackagesFromApk(AndrolibResources.java:390)
at brut.androlib.res.AndrolibResources.loadMainPkg(AndrolibResources.java:56)
at brut.androlib.res.AndrolibResources.getResTable(AndrolibResources.java:48)
at brut.androlib.Androlib.getResTable(Androlib.java:48)
at brut.androlib.ApkDecoder.getResTable(ApkDecoder.java:166)
at brut.androlib.ApkDecoder.decode(ApkDecoder.java:99)
at brut.apktool.Main.cmdDecode(Main.java:131)
at brut.apktool.Main.main(Main.java:68)
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Did I miss something.
Made some progress and decompiling ok now on a different computer.
If I add the + before the layouts would that cause operation issues?
I would like to know too.
Still having trouble.
What did you do too decompile?
Okay I can now get it to recompile adding the +layout to the xml files that were erroring in the compile log and only other change was made was to the arrays.xml file to enable bluetooth tethering like on the GS3 did.
however when I push it to the phone and chmod and try it I get a boot loop.
Did I do something wrong?
Am I supposed to copy out the resource.asrc from the file I compiled like a zip then add it to the original that I pulled using 7zip or something?
Any input would be greatly appreciated.
TheArtiszan said:
Okay I can now get it to recompile adding the +layout to the xml files that were erroring in the compile log and only other change was made was to the arrays.xml file to enable bluetooth tethering like on the GS3 did.
however when I push it to the phone and chmod and try it I get a boot loop.
Did I do something wrong?
Am I supposed to copy out the resource.asrc from the file I compiled like a zip then add it to the original that I pulled using 7zip or something?
Any input would be greatly appreciated.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Move the AndroidManifest.xml and Meta-INF folder from the original apk to the modified one.
Sent from my SGH-M919 using xda premium

[Q] Decompiling and building SystemUI.apk

Okay, so I am trying to get the navbar working on the Samsung Galaxy Note 3. Pretty much, I have a feeling that SystemUI is missing the icons for the navbar, which causes it to crash when the build.prop has the line "qemu.hw.mainkeys=0". The SystemUI has all the other files that were required for the S4 sysui mod, except for the icons. Being a noob at this, I went ahead and tried to add the icons, but my apk resulted in "System UI has stopped.".
So I decided maybe I am doing something wrong. So with Android Multitool for windows, I installed framework-res.apk, SystemUI.apk, and twframework-res.apk. Next I select the SystemUI.apk for decompiling, and decompile it. Then I simply select the decompiled directory (didn't modify anything!), and recompile it. I then open the new SystemUI.apk in 7z and add the META-INF and AndroidManifest.xml from the old SystemUI.apk. I then select the newly compiled SystemUI.apk for signing, then I sign it.
This is just decompiling, then building the same thing without modifications. SystemUI.apk before decompiling is 2.7 MB, the newly compiled one is only 2 MB! Something is missing out of the new one, but when I compare them in 7z, the only thing I can see that is different is the packed size; whereas the old one has files and folders that take up more space packed than the new one.
When I try doing this with just apktool and cmd, I get java errors like crazy, and the whole SystemUI.apk ends up only half decompiling.
Any idea what I am doing wrong?
Your best bet would be to copy the log to pastebin, and post it in the apktool support thread. Get more views there for sure. Which version of apktool are you using? Can you decompile and recompile anything? Also, if you want post your systemui up and i could see if I can get it to work, narrow it down to a problem on your end that way.
Sent from my SM-N900T using Xparent Skyblue Tapatalk 2
This is my first time doing this, so of course I make a noob mistake! I thought I had to sign ALL apks, but this is a SYSTEM app, and I don't sign it. All is well! Thanks for the reply. I also updated my apktool to 1.5.2, so that may have helped too.
all you have to do is add a + before the @ sign in the line that is giving you errors....umm depending if it is xml errors....
post the errors.....
gakio12 said:
This is my first time doing this, so of course I make a noob mistake! I thought I had to sign ALL apks, but this is a SYSTEM app, and I don't sign it. All is well! Thanks for the reply. I also updated my apktool to 1.5.2, so that may have helped too.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You don't need to sign it? I have also this problem. It gives me error that SystemUI has stopped.

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