Develop Bugs

Ubuntu / Linux auto sign tool?

I have been toying with the idea of making a theme. Sounds like fun and the How To's here are really thorough (by the way, I appreciate that, those things must have been quite the labors of love).
As you can tell from the thread title, my OS of choice is obviously Ubuntu. The autosign tool sounds pretty convenient, but I notice it is for Windows. I've searched a bit, but honestly I am getting tired of thumbing through thread after thread looking for the answer and was hoping for a friendly nudge in the right direction.
Anyway, long way around to these questions:
1, when I re-sign an apk, do I use test-keys, do I create my own key, or do is that something JDK will create for me to use?
2, I don't want to create a theme that makes people need to wipe before switching, the template is up to date on the How To thread? Are there templates for JF ADP1.1, and maybe even RC8 as well? Or was there a thread I could read about taking the necessary parts of JF's update and building a template of mine own from that?
3, To actually resign an apk, you have to edit some hex code right? If there truly is NO tool for Linux, I could use some directions on where to find how to manually sign a file. Then hopefully I can find / convert / create a tool in Linux to handle the dirty work for me.
I guess this is what I get for coming in so late into the game.
Also, I am curious if anyone else creates themes in anything other than Windows... any *nix creators out there?

ok, first off to resign an apk or a zip you dont have to do any hex editing at all, in fact, to make a theme you dont have to do any hex editng.
2nd, use my default themes as in the stickies as a template to build your theme, it will not wipe.
3rd to resign in linux, which I haven't done, you will probably need the original signing tool which can be found in jf's recovery.img .zip[ he provided a while ago. I believe it is stickied on android development.
This is the command to resign them
java -jar testsign.jar >inputfile> <outputfile>
Hope this helps
Stericson

Thanks for the super quick reply
Ok, I'll give a search for "testsign.jar", that should get me in the right direction. Once I have that I guess it is time for some experimenting. It shouldn't be hard to develop a shell script that takes every file of xxx type, from a directory and then pass them as values to the testsign.jar app one by one. I had a shell script do something like this to rename all of my photos.
I resign the apk and zip files then.
Thanks Stericson, now I am off to find that testsign.jar, make sure I have the up-to-date default themes, and play around a bit.
EDIT:
SignApk.jar is a tool included with the Android platform source bundle.
testkey.pk8 is the private key that is compatible with the recovery image included in this zip file
testkey.x509.pem is the corresponding certificate/public key
Usage:
java -jar signapk.jar testkey.x509.pem testkey.pk8 <update.zip> <update_signed.zip>
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This is what I need isn't it? I thought that sounded familiar, I had this downloaded from the whole "let's explore how to root my phone" process.

oh yea, ooops, that is right...sorry I have a custom version of the tool I use. Sowwy.
But that is right.
that cmd line will sign both apks and zips
Stericson

[ROM][2/12/11][CHINESE] MIUI for G2 (v1.2.11)

http://bbs.gfan.com/android-575451-1-1.html
ignore the link at the top that one is mostly chinese the english version is provided hear thanks to da900
DOWNLOAD LINK: http://www.multiupload.com/PVZRB1NRHK
P.P.S. All you do with this pack is on your own risk. I am not responsable for any damages of your phone.[/QUOTE]

please aware that this rom is only contain about 20% english , most of words are chinese

u should be able to change it to english in the language and input settings

Is this newer than the QnD 1.2.4 rom?

Look at the number lol. 1.2.11 > 1.2.4

no that one has chinese this one does to thou dnt flash nevermind

dictionary said:
Look at the number lol. 1.2.11 > 1.2.4
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
XD I was thinking 4 > 1.
here's the changelog:
MIUI 1.2.11 version update:
Phone:
Add in the phone settings to add "call from the sensors used in the process" of setting
Fix the call log to the Canadian people through IP numbers to send SMS / MMS will bring IP prefix, resulting in the issue could not be sent
Theme:
Add support for setting alarm
Ringing in the new system comes with the option "mute"
Optimize the system comes with the choice of ring tones
Repair some of the theme of the correct format does not show the problem package
System Update:
Add WIFI connection can support the Ad-Hoc (peer to peer) network
Press the Backspace key fixed the problem miscarriage of justice
Local Backup:
Installed on the sd card repair program can not be the problem with the backup and recovery
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

terrelltp said:
no that one has chinese this one does to thou dnt flash nevermind
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What? Slow down and make sense lol. Are you saying that you screwed up, and there is next to no English in the build?

terrelltp said:
u should be able to change it to english in the language and input settings
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i repeat :
this rom does contain 20% of english translation only !
Even you change to english language :
your 80% of menu still display "Chinese".

So, this is useless unless you understand simplified Chinese. I'll wait on g4rb4g3 to release a port.
Sent from my htc.desireZED

Weren't there language packs you could install
Sent from my HTC Vision

Device Specific Language Packs
I think that language packs are device specific.. I haven't been able to find a language pack on the net for the G2.. though I did manage to a how to guide but I'm green to this stuff..
If somebody out here is familiar with how to do this guide and create a language pack for the G2 for us.. that would be helpful.
djmcnz said:
Okay guys, there's a lot of demand for this rom and for language packs but not yet a lot of people who know how to make the packs. Whilst I set up the crowdin translation project I can not create or maintain language packs.
So, here's a summary of the instructions required to create a language pack for MIUI (indeed for any app/rom). You need a collection of tools and a little patience but the process isn't too difficult so do give it a go.
Also note that this summary includes generalisations for brevity. These instructions assume you have a deodexed rom.
Introduction
For the purposes of this post language information is stored in XML strings in files on the Android system. In the case of MIUI and these instructions we will be dealing with .apk files (applications).
Within the apk files is a resources directory (/res) and within this are various values directories, there is a default values directory (/res/values) and alternative language values directories (e.g. /res/values-DE and /res/values-IT).
If the rom is set to use it's default language it will read values from /res/values although these may NOT be in English. In MIUI, all of the common Android ASOP values in /res/values are English but the (additional) custom MIUI strings are in Simplified Chinese.
If you select a different language in the ROM than the default then the appropriate values directory will be searched. If a suitable string that matches your language selection is found in the alternative /res/values-xx directory then that string will be used instead. If an alternative does not exist then the default will be used.
Example:
Code:
/res/[COLOR="red"]values[/COLOR]/strings.xml
<stop_button_text>[COLOR="Red"]Stop[/COLOR]</stop_button_text>
/res/[COLOR="red"]values-DE[/COLOR]/strings.xml
<stop_button_text>[COLOR="red"]Halt[/COLOR]</stop_button_text>
/res/[COLOR="red"]values-IT[/COLOR]/strings.xml
<stop_button_text>[COLOR="red"]Basta[/COLOR]</stop_button_text>
In this example, if the language is set to the default the word "Stop" will be used, if it is set to German the word "Halt" will be substituted in, likewise "Basta" for Italian.
So, to add languages to a rom (or app) or to make an app multi-lingual you need to either change the default strings in /res/values/strings.xml to the ones you want to use or, and this is the preferable approach, add a /res/values-xx/strings.xml with the translations you want. The first approach will work (changing the default strings) but is not recommended because the Android Open Source Project and Android development in general, defaults to English. It's best to use the built in language substitution capabilities of Android rather than to work around them. Indeed, if the MIUI devs actually added their strings in English to /res/values/strings.xml and the Chinese equivalents in the appropriate directory this rom would already be in English!
Adding Languages
To add a translation file (strings.xml) to an apk you need to:
decode the apk
create a language directory
add the translation files
recompile the strings
add the new strings to the apk
Which all sounds a little daunting but it's really quite straight-forward, rewarding when you see the result and a good way to understand how parts of Android work. Here's how you can do it.
1. decode the apk
You will need the excellent apktool from brut.all which you can get from the link below. apktool is relatively easy to use but includes some little tricks so you will need to read the wiki and thread about it.
Do NOT just post problems about apktool if you can't get it to work. The tool DOES work so if it's not decoding (or encoding) your apps correctly then you're probably doing something wrong. If you start with this understand BEFORE you ask for support you'll get a lot more help...
apktool: http://code.google.com/p/android-apktool/
wiki: http://code.google.com/p/android-apktool/w/list
thread: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=640592
Please make sure you run the following command to include the MIUI framework in apktool. You only need to do this once for each framework. If apktool works with one rom and not the next then (re)install the framework for that rom.
Code:
apktool if framework-res.apk
Where framework-res.apk is the one from the rom you are working with. Make sure apktool can find (the correct) framework-res.apk before you run this command.
This thread is not for apktool support.
Now, before you proceed, decode a simple app from MIUI (such as updater.apk) using apktool, do not make ANY changes, then re-encode it using apktool. For example:
Code:
apktool d Updater.apk ./decoded/
apktool b ./decoded/ new_updater.apk
Use the -v (verbose) flag in apktool if you have problems and need to diagnose further.
Remember, Android uses a case-sensitive file system, make sure your capitalisation is correct.
Typically you will not be able to install this apk because it is not signed so if you want to test the process further you can now just try step 5 below using the two apks you have.​
2. create a language directory
Assuming you can decode/encode now, this is the easy bit. For your decoded app, navigate to the directory it was decoded in, then to the /res/ directory and simply create an empty directory for your language (e.g. /values-FR/) - use international naming conventions.​
3. add the translation files
Again, not too difficult this. Download the appropriate language file for your apk from the crowdin project linked below and, using the same structure as exists in /res/values/strings.xml create a new file called strings.xml in your alternative language directory (e.g. /res/values-ES/strings.xml).
The news strings.xml may contain as many or as few translations as you like. Remember, if a translation does not exist the default value from /res/values/strings.xml will be used.
Crowdin: http://crowdin.net/project/miui-rom-translation/invite
The xml formatting and tag names need to match exactly with the default strings.xml in /res/values although the translated file does NOT need to be complete.
It is worth remembering here that unless your source apk is already translated to English then some of the default values in /res/values/strings.xml will still be in Chinese, it would pay to check these.​
4. recompile the strings
Now, if you've done everything carefully and correctly this step is really easy, all you need to do is recompile the apk with apktool using the b (for Build) switch.
Code:
apktool b ./<decoded_apk_dir>/ <output_apk_name>.apk
If this throws errors or does not work then use the -v switch to turn on verbose mode and diagnose your problem. If you did the test in step #1 and it worked then any problem at this step is likely related to your news strings.xml. Back out the changes one by one until you have found the problem and try again.
If you simply can't get it to compile with your changes then try just making a single change to the default strings.xml file in /res/values and see if that works for you.
Do NOT sign the apk!​
5. add the new strings to the apk
Easy. Open your new apk with a zip program (like 7Zip for Windows) and copy out the resources.arsc file in the root directory of the apk. Now take that file and copy it into the source apk from the rom overwriting the existing one. This process replaces the strings but keeps the integrity of the signatures on the files.
You can now push the modified file to your phone, replacing the stock one, reboot and you're translated. Push the file using "adb push" or copy it into place using a root file manager, do not "install" the new apk. Make sure you put it in the correct place (replace the original) and reboot.​
Conclusion
This process will help you add languages to any app including those in the MIUI rom. Because it's a rom the strings are contained in many different apps as well as framework-res.apk. To completely translate the rom you will need to edit every apk that has strings in it.
You will need to do this every time an apk in the rom changes. If a new version is released and say launcher2.apk is changed but updater.apk is not, then you can retain your updater.apk but you'll need to re-edit your launcher2.apk.
When an app changes the default strings.xml may also change. In this case you will need to make corresponding changes to your translations.
Good luck and if you get really stuck there's lots of people in this that have achieved success and may be willing to help!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=789566

MIUI 1.2.11 for Vision ENG
Hi, all. I like the MIUI ROM and as most of you want to have latest version as soon as posible. But I am not a dev and my skills in android development are very very poor. So, i followed the versions of MIUI by g4rb4g3. They all are very stable and fast. And i want to say once more HUGE THANX to him for his work.
But when i found this thread today in the morning i decide to make it in english. So, putting together the ROM from 1st post and ENG pack for N1 from MIUI-DEV.COM with some additional editing of built.prop and adding some apps. I made a pack. Flashed it and it is working fine.
P.S. The only chinese words that i found are in MIUI account registration in Accounts&sync.
Adding: Facebook, Twitter, VoiceSearch, Google Search, gMaps, Street, GMail etc. (all apks are up to date).
DOWNLOAD LINK: http://www.multiupload.com/PVZRB1NRHK
P.P.S. All you do with this pack is on your own risk. I am not responsable for any damages of your phone.

ok cool so basically u made a english version for that latest update cool cool

terrelltp said:
ok cool so basically u made a english version for that latest update cool cool
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Maybe, you could add the link to ENG version to 1st post of this thread. Could you?

da900 said:
Maybe, you could add the link to ENG version to 1st post of this thread. Could you?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i thought thats what u did isint that link u posted the english version

terrelltp said:
i thought thats what u did isint that link u posted the english version
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think he means add the link that HE provided to your first post, so that users will actually have an ENG version, instead of the one you posted.

dictionary said:
I think he means add the link that HE provided to your first post, so that users will actually have an ENG version, instead of the one you posted.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's what i mean. Thanx.

lol yes i did that now

da900 said:
Hi, all. I like the MIUI ROM and as most of you want to have latest version as soon as posible. But I am not a dev and my skills in android development are very very poor. So, i followed the versions of MIUI by g4rb4g3. They all are very stable and fast. And i want to say once more HUGE THANX to him for his work.
But when i found this thread today in the morning i decide to make it in english. So, putting together the ROM from 1st post and ENG pack for N1 from MIUI-DEV.COM with some additional editing of built.prop and adding some apps. I made a pack. Flashed it and it is working fine.
P.S. The only chinese words that i found are in MIUI account registration in Accounts&sync.
Adding: Facebook, Twitter, VoiceSearch, Google Search, gMaps, Street, GMail etc. (all apks are up to date).
DOWNLOAD LINK: http://www.multiupload.com/PVZRB1NRHK
P.P.S. All you do with this pack is on your own risk. I am not responsable for any damages of your phone.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
WOOOO..good job . it's perfect !!!!!!!! work very well ~!! thanks a lot

[Q] Inquiring about HTC Sense UI skinning

Hello everyone, I am indeed new to these forums and the android development scene as a whole. I would have posted this in the development forum but since I have less than 10 posts....
Anyway, I've got an HTC Desire Z on the Bell network. Completely standard phone, no majors modifications done to it. What I would like to know is if it is possible to rip the skins that HTC includes with its Sense UI onto a computer to partake in graphical modifications, then put them back onto the phone under a different name/title (from Slate, for example, to Slate 2.0).
I would love a customized skin, but I'm a little reluctant in attempting a complete modification (Cyanogen Mod for example).

Welcome, can't help with your question. But wanted to let you know that this is the correct section for your question. Post this type of stuff in the development thread and you would of got flamed.
Sent from my HTC Vision using XDA Premium App

Rule: Now remember: if you want post result of your work (modified skin) you MUST have permission to use .png's from person who originally created them or also from me (if you are using png's from one of my skins in this thread). If you are only modifying skins for personal use, you can use what you want without asking anybody.
Note1: I'm using Windows 7 32 Bit PC, so tutorial is written for this platform. In "[]" are my comments. If you seeing "" you're not writing it, only sentence between them.
Note2: If you want relese skin, post it, and I will create link to your post in my second post, over tutorial.
Note3: If anybody would have any problems or will find any bug in my tutorial - post it.
So, you have awesome idea for a skin for Desire HD, but you don't know how to build it? Here is your answer:
Download & install 7zip.
Download & install Java Development Kit (JDK) & Java Runtime Environment (JRE): http://www.oracle.com/technetwork/ja...ads/index.html
Download & install Android Software Development Kit (SDK): http://developer.android.com/sdk/index.html
Download Auto-sign.zip by Dave Da illest 1: http://www.mediafire.com/download.php?uwzjjydnm2r
Download Apktool by Brut.alll: http://code.google.com/p/android-apktool/downloads/list
I. Installation of Auto-sign:
1. Unpack Auto-sign.zip to any folder and you're done.
II. Installation of Apktool:
1. Unpack: "apktool-install-windows-2.2_r01-3.tar.bz2" and "apktool1.3.2.tar.bz2" to "C:/Windows" directory.
2. Pull from your Desire HD: framework-res.apk and com.htc.resources.apk. They are in "root/system/framework" directory. Save them on your PC.
3. Place com.htc.resources.apk in "C:/Users/'your name'/" directory.
4. Open terminal/command line [Start->Run->type "cmd"->press <enter>] and type "apktool", press <enter>. Then you should see usage help.
5. Write: "apktool if com.htc.resources.apk DesireHD" [There should be created directory "C:/Users/"your name"/apktool/framework" and 2 apk files in it].
III. We will start with modifying standard, HTC made Slate skin. First, we must pull Slate.apk from "root/system/app" folder. In this directry there are also skis: Metal.apk, Wood.apk, Blackboard.apk.
1. Extract pulled Slate.apk with 7zip. [Right mouse button click on skin .apk, from menu choose: 7zip->Extract to "Slate\"]. Now you can edit/replace all .png's stored in "Slate/res/drawable-hdpi; drawable-port-hdpi; drawable-land-hdpi".
2. Place pulled original Slate.apk in "C:/" directory.
3. In command line write: "apktool d -f -t DesireHD C:/Slate.apk".
4. There should be created directory "C:/Users/"your name"/Slate".
5. Editing name of skin, colors, and other miscellaneous things [in decompiled .xml files]:
a. Name of skin: with notepad we are editing AndroidManifest.xml in "C:/Users/"your name"/Slate" folder.
-line: <manifest android:hasCode="false" android:versionCode="8" android:versionName="2.2" package="com.htc.skin.Slate"
change to: <manifest android:hasCode="false" android:versionCode="8" android:versionName="2.2" package="com.htc.skin."your name of skin without spacebar""
with notepad we are editing strings.xml in "C:/Users/"your name"/Slate/res/values" folder.
-line: <string name="skin_name">Slate</string>
change to: <string name="skin_name">"your name of skin"</string>
b. Colors: with notepad we are editing colors.xml in "C:/Users/"your name"/Slate/res/values" folder. [Colors of specified areas of Sense UI are in HTML code. You can check and edit them with help of some sites].
c. Flipping of clock and screen indicator courve line: with notepad we are editing integers.xml in "C:/Users/"your name"/Slate/res/values" folder.
-line: <integer name="clockwidget_flip">1</integer> means that clock will flip. If "1" changed to "0", clock will not flip.
-line: <integer name="rosie_scrollbar_curve">0</integer> means that screen indicator will move in curve line. If "0" changed to "1", indicator will move in strait line [there is no mistake here!].
6. Now if you edited .xml's in the way you want, you must compile .apk of skin. In command line write: "apktool b -f C:/Users/"your name"/Slate "your name of skin without spacebar".apk" [for example: apktool b -f C:/Users/****/Slate Dick_Slate.apk].
7. In "C:/Users/"your name"/" directory will appear compiled skin .apk.
8. Open it with 7zip. [Right mouse button click on skin .apk, from menu choose: 7zip->Open archive]. You will see in this directory 2 folders: assets & res, and 2 files: AndroidManifest.xml [which is edited already] & resources.arsc.
a. In "assets/image" directory there are stored preview.png [which you see when you choosing skin in Skin Picker, on your phone] and wallpaper.jpg.
b. In "res" directory there are folders: drawable [which contains .xml's], drawable-hdpi, drawable-land-hdpi & drawable-port-hdpi [containing .png's which you will replace]. Now you can drag'n'drop previously prepared
[in point III.1.] .png's [or whole folders], so your new files replace those in opened .apk. Close 7zip window.
9. Now take edited "your name of skin without spacebar".apk to Auto-sign root directory [see point I.]. Change it's name to update.zip. Drag'n'drop update.zip at Sign.bat file and in command window press <enter> when signing will be finished. There should appear new file called update_signed.zip. Now you can change it's name to "name of you skin".apk and youre done. This file is installable on your Desire HD.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Please. Use google search first. I just searched "Modify HTC Skins Android Sense" and that was the 3rd or 4th hit.
Here's the link for the entire thread.

I must not have searched for the right thing then. Thanks for your help in finding this for me!

Anytime mate, Good luck with the skinning.
PS: if you skin something nice, post it! xD

[Q] Converting readable .xml to human unreadable android .xml

Hi!
I have not found any answers from Google so I'm going to post it here and those who can answer Thank You!
I can't recompile some apps that is secured or something like that..
I have modified Dolphin browser Beta's xml files to support Flash player on Jelly Bean but I can't make .xml files to human unreadable like how them are in the app packages.
Code:
/res/xml/webcontent_prefences.xml
default value from ON-DEMaND to true
deleted: dolphin:entries="@array/pref_plugin_state_choices" dolphin:entryValues="@array/pref_plugin_state_values"
/res/xml/browser_prefences.xml
added: <mobi.mgeek.preference.FlashPlayerPreference dolphin:key="plugin_state" dolphin:title="@string/pref_content_plugins" dolphin:defaultValue="true" dolphin:background="@drawable/settings_bg_middle_bk" />
Please help me if you know how to do that..
I have tried to compile another apk with those files but then it will fail compiling the APK and I have no idea what to do and how to do!

hmmmm... i am not programmer that makes applications , but as far as i know , XML files in APK is only for layout or resources , am i correct ?
if you wanna make your browser support flash , seems it doesn't have anything to do with XML files.
and usually , shouldn't you decompile the APK files first , and then modify , and recompile after all ???
in any case , it should be APK/XML human unreadable files ----(decompile)---> human readable and modify ---(recompile)---> unreadable again.

I'm not exactly sure what the command is but I believe aapt (from the Android SDK) is your best bet. Either that or something like APKTool or FJ-APKTools so that you can just 'decompile' it and replace whatever files you need (human-readable XML that is) and then repackage/'compile' it all up again.

Unlawful said:
I'm not exactly sure what the command is but I believe aapt (from the Android SDK) is your best bet. Either that or something like APKTool or FJ-APKTools so that you can just 'decompile' it and replace whatever files you need (human-readable XML that is) and then repackage/'compile' it all up again.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have used APKtool and FJ-APKtools and no luck with those, so that's why I need to do it manually somehow..
I read from internet that somehow can do something to .xml file via aapt but I don't think it could be able to convert the .xml to human unreadable .xml

[Q] Question to developers ?

Hi,
I am trying to create a theme for Note 2 with Note 3 mods. I am currently using DN3 v3 rom.
These are my questions :
1. I would like to know where installed apps from play store keeps there icons "I want to change them"
2. Where are all the stock apps "pre installed apps" located ?
3. Do i need to do any xml programming when replacing the app icons ?
Please tell me the path to those locations if you know it :fingers-crossed:

Each app is an apk file, and it contains icon(s). So there is no central place where all icons are stored.
the best you can do is to create an iconpack theme. just download one (it is apk file as well) and see how it's done. apk's are just signed-zip files, so you can open them (unzip) with any app like winzip or total commander (it is harder putting it back together). There are a lot of iconpacks available, just google it.

dalanik said:
Each app is an apk file, and it contains icon(s). So there is no central place where all icons are stored.
the best you can do is to create an iconpack theme. just download one (it is apk file as well) and see how it's done. apk's are just signed-zip files, so you can open them (unzip) with any app like winzip or total commander (it is harder putting it back together). There are a lot of iconpacks available, just google it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks i use "Ninja Morph" on the phone so it should be easy enough to unpack and then repack i hope

I need help i cant find the META-INF folder. Where would i find that folder ?
I got a message as showen in the picture that i need to copy 2 files where to i found the AndroidManifest.xml but i cant find the other one called META-INF and i have looked everywhere in the decompiled folder. What should i do ?