Develop Bugs

A series of questions for the Experts

Hi guys,
first off let me give you props for having such a great site that is much help to newbies such as myself. I have a series of questions (just a few) that might be stupid but i'm curious to know if:
1) Is there any way to change the background of the text messaging screen? (i'm getting sick of looking at the white background)
2) Is it possible to change the default (system) font to something else? something, er... non traditional?
3) How do you set a background picture for the "slide to unlock" iphone simulator app? (the latter is a question from my forum-phobic brother)
I think that pretty much covers it, I hope I can get great minds to think (or at the very least make them chuckle)

1) no. and it is a good thing. i prefer my text readable )
2) it is. i saw cab files for that. search the modding and development forums
3) sure, it even includes a settings app. you have to put a wallpaper.jpg file somewhere in the s2u2 folder. you can also alter the corresponding registry key.

1) try this
2) it is, but I can't remember how...
3) Answered well above. There is a Customize S2U2 thread with lots of wallpapers, and other image files.
You may get better answers using the "Questions and answers" sticky in the development and hacking forum here.

hmm, thanx guys
sorry if i'm such a nuisance by the way. I appreciate the sugestions

2) Try this ;-)

hey SamuelTee, I downloaded your cab but it keeps saying there's an error and it needs to quit any suggestions? sorry if i'm annoying by the way. l3v5y, the program was awesome thanx all you guys your awesome.

[Q] A tudor anyone?

I have a multitude of questions regarding everything from the basic Android OS to themes to programming. I don't want to get into trouble here in this site because, well, to be honest, I've learned a great deal on here and I feel it's the best Android site on the net. I'd also like to take a minute and thank everyone that has taken the time to work or reply to messages not to mention those that are out there working long hours to bring incredible works to my EVO 4G.
Anyway...might be willing to do some donations for time. If I should go to a chatroom to look for this...a point in the right direction would be great. Any help would be great.
Thank you in advance and thank you for the site.

Thread moved to Q&A​

so what exactly are u asking?
apk-mutli tool is pretty useful as well as dsixdas kitchen linux is also helpful since android is kinda like linux since it is based off of it

Well alot of bits can be edited and worked on .. Using Apktool and notepad+++ Use Gimp to do img edits.. Apktool to decompile things then use notepad+++ to edit xml or smali.. Once done recompile with Apktool .. Sometimes you may need to resign a file if you decompiled it other wise it won't install.. Unless you disable sig check...

Perhaps you should ask some specific questions as the original post is extremely vague. And rename the thread while spelling tutor* correctly may draw more positive attention. ;-) Good luck.

masterp_17us said:
Perhaps you should ask some specific questions as the original post is extremely vague. And rename the thread while spelling tutor* correctly may draw more positive attention. ;-) Good luck.
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If there is one thing that I see on here more than anything it's misspelled words...leave it to my typing to cause such a stir!

I guess I can't get to specific. Questions range from the structure of Android (OS), to Java, compiling, and so one. I think I need to find someone willing to do some IM time with me. I went to a few rooms and having multiple people in there throwing questions faster than I can type really isn't going to get it. I did have an offer from someone willing to spend that IM time with me. If that doesn't work out, I'll post that I need additional help.

dfr867 said:
I guess I can't get to specific. Questions range from the structure of Android (OS), to Java, compiling, and so one. I think I need to find someone willing to do some IM time with me. I went to a few rooms and having multiple people in there throwing questions faster than I can type really isn't going to get it. I did have an offer from someone willing to spend that IM time with me. If that doesn't work out, I'll post that I need additional help.
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Hit me up any time on Gtalk [email protected] I'll answer any questions I can.

jamieg71 said:
Hit me up any time on Gtalk [email protected] I'll answer any questions I can.
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Added you this afternoon....thanks in advance!

Rom Development / Modding How to get started?

Hey everybody,
I recently bought the galaxy nexus because I wanted to start getting into Rom Development.
I can programm Java and also programmed some simple apps..
But what I really wanted to do is to modify a Rom.
Can anybody tell me where to start? I read guides on how to compile from source and so on, but I don't know if that's what I need.
I want to add things like Notification bar quick settings to the rom.. Are there tutorials on how to develop these things?
Every help is appreciated, maybe you've got some great links for me, thanks!

00hero00 said:
Hey everybody,
I recently bought the galaxy nexus because I wanted to start getting into Rom Development.
I can programm Java and also programmed some simple apps..
But what I really wanted to do is to modify a Rom.
Can anybody tell me where to start? I read guides on how to compile from source and so on, but I don't know if that's what I need.
I want to add things like Notification bar quick settings to the rom.. Are there tutorials on how to develop these things?
Every help is appreciated, maybe you've got some great links for me, thanks!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
start with decompiling apks (SystemUI.apk and framework-res.apk for example) , if u've wrote android apps before (and u said u did), then it shouldn't be that hard to look into the .xml and .jar files. when u finish, compile the .apk back. if u've worked with Eclipse then u probably know the android structure.
Edit: Here is an example of a "ROM modification" - just posting it to give u an example..

Well first thing is first. You need to have the bare basics of Android thoroughly understood obviously. Often overlooked as a first step in this process, just learning about(different than knowing about)the Android Open Source Project first will give you a specific sense of direction, purpose, as well as an identity in the community..
So again- I don't just mean knowing about it- I mean knowing exactlyhow the whole project is structured. Read about all the different types of contributions you/anyone can make to the Android ecosystem. Are you an aesthetics kind of person who would excel at UI designs for apps or whatever; Are you a person who has a good eye for problem solving? Maybe you should be scouring source code, trying to fix little-noticed "bugs" that "bug" the hell out of you. Once you know what you want to do, make sure you find out exactly how much Google provides for you, and what your own roles/responsibilities would be in the whole scheme of things.) This should give you a good idea of where you might fit in (with your current skill-set)and hopefully, it gives you some inspiration about the direction you might want to take it in the future.
Once you do this and "find your calling", post back here, and I'm sure that others qualified in that field will be more than happy to share how they got started.
There is no substitute to just jumping in and trying things though. Everybody makes their own journey differently, so do what comes naturally, and you can't go wrong.

Here ya go
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1661770
and maybe this as well?
http://www.xda-developers.com/andro...rs/ShsH+(xda-developers)&utm_content=FaceBook

Wow thank you every body for these great comments! I think I'll compile a Rom from source first and look through all the files..
Decompiling apks looks interesting too.
Thanks for the fast responses & links, you're awesome!

Okay so I've got another question..
One thing I always liked on some custom roms was the lockscreen flashlight..
If I would hold power for 3 seconds, the flashlight would turn on until I let go the power button.
I decompiled the framework-res.apk but didn't find anything there, just .xml files.
Where are the files where I can actually code / programm something for the lockscreen?

Try android.policy.jar
Usually the jar files contain the code, xml are for visual stuff.
But my question is, are u sure it is a lockscreen feature? (I mean the torch option) . Tbh this is the first time i hear of such a mod and i've been using android devices for over 2 yrs
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using xda premium

[Q] Adding phone functionality to "inactive phone rom"

Hey everyone, I have a couple of questions. First off as you can see from my post count I'm a lurker. I can remove/install ROMs, the basics, but never have I tried to add/remove apps or functions to one. So I've found a ROM I love, but it was designed with inactive phones in mind, to make them into second life usable music/video players. It has no phone functionality because of this. The one I'm interested in is by frickinjerms - Ubersonic - I hope I can modify others work for my personal use. Guess that should be a question too.
Would it be ok to add in phone functionality or would it be easier to find one with that already and just remove the fluff I don't want and add what I do?
As I understand it, I can just add it back in, but I'm unsure what files go back in. Is there a resource that outlines that anywhere, or can anyone throw me a bone?
Is it ok to modify the work of others for your personal use without asking, or should you seek approval first out of proper etiquette?
I've been searching through XDA and other sites looking for some basic beginners stuff for cooking up ROMs, but have only come across limited collections. I'm toying with dsixda's Android Kitchen right now, but would love to find other resources. So any pointers to learning resources would be great too.
Thanks!

For the last one, I personally believe that its not necessary to ask before modifying a rom thats for your personal use because only you will know about it anyway, and people do it all the time
You only need to ask for permission if you're reposting your personal version of someone elses rom
Sent from my PG06100

CNexus said:
For the last one, I personally believe that its not necessary to ask before modifying a rom thats for your personal use because only you will know about it anyway, and people do it all the time
You only need to ask for permission if you're reposting your personal version of someone elses rom
Sent from my PG06100
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I figured that was likely the case I just wanted to clarify it for myself. I know people put in a lot of work on some of their ROMs and don't want to step on toes.
Thanks for the response.

You know you could use a rom that does have phone functionality. Just throwing that out there.

PlatinumPenguin said:
You know you could use a rom that does have phone functionality. Just throwing that out there.
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Whats the point of flavors if you're forced to pick the one you don't like? Just throwing that out there.
I don't think my questions were unreasonable either. I'm not asking for someone to build me something, I'm asking for the fishing pole, not the fish.

Learning ROM Development - Where to even begin??

So I’ve been a member here since the Droid X days and I’ve learned a lot over the years with each device I’ve had but I never really looked into creating ROMs (I always wanted to learn but never got to it).
I know it’s going to be a learning process that takes some time but I’m looking for help on where I should start. Before anyone posts a whole bunch of random looks I’ll say right now that I am a complete beginner when it comes to this stuff. I’ve looked at a bunch on threads and it’s so overwhelming being completely new so I don’t know what’s relevant and what’s not.
From the research I’ve done today I learned about a program called Android Kitchen which from my understanding was used to create and compile ROMs. From what I found it looks like the original dev stopped updating it back in 2013. In the ChefCentral>Android forum it looks like someone else took over and maintains it for Linux. I also came across a variant there called “Assayyed_Kitchen”. Is this the same program just made by someone else? I don’t know you tell me? lol
I also plan to learn some Java in the coming months and Android App development. I don’t have a huge interest in making apps right now but who knows maybe I will down the road. I just figured learning Java can only help with learning to make ROMs? Do I even need to know any of it for this kind of stuff?
So basically I’m looking for some guidance on where to start as a complete beginner in learning ROM development. Even someone taking the time to type out a few basic steps explains what the whole process even involves from start to finish would help a lot. For example..
1. Download source
2. Open in this program and blah blah
3. Do your magic and customize this and that
4. Do some more magic and pack it back up and flash
Just understanding the steps would make a huge difference because then I know what to research and what to learn. Hoping this thread gets some good info in it and maybe at some point I can create a complete noob friendly guide in the OP to help others like me who don’t know where to begin. To anyone that takes the time to reply and help out.. THANK YOU!

aholeinthewor1d said:
So I’ve been a member here since the Droid X days and I’ve learned a lot over the years with each device I’ve had but I never really looked into creating ROMs (I always wanted to learn but never got to it).
I know it’s going to be a learning process that takes some time but I’m looking for help on where I should start. Before anyone posts a whole bunch of random looks I’ll say right now that I am a complete beginner when it comes to this stuff. I’ve looked at a bunch on threads and it’s so overwhelming being completely new so I don’t know what’s relevant and what’s not.
From the research I’ve done today I learned about a program called Android Kitchen which from my understanding was used to create and compile ROMs. From what I found it looks like the original dev stopped updating it back in 2013. In the ChefCentral>Android forum it looks like someone else took over and maintains it for Linux. I also came across a variant there called “Assayyed_Kitchen”. Is this the same program just made by someone else? I don’t know you tell me? lol
I also plan to learn some Java in the coming months and Android App development. I don’t have a huge interest in making apps right now but who knows maybe I will down the road. I just figured learning Java can only help with learning to make ROMs? Do I even need to know any of it for this kind of stuff?
So basically I’m looking for some guidance on where to start as a complete beginner in learning ROM development. Even someone taking the time to type out a few basic steps explains what the whole process even involves from start to finish would help a lot. For example..
1. Download source
2. Open in this program and blah blah
3. Do your magic and customize this and that
4. Do some more magic and pack it back up and flash
Just understanding the steps would make a huge difference because then I know what to research and what to learn. Hoping this thread gets some good info in it and maybe at some point I can create a complete noob friendly guide in the OP to help others like me who don’t know where to begin. To anyone that takes the time to reply and help out.. THANK YOU!
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Here is my blog on the topic. I've also got some interesting* Android Security Research on there that acts as a good Segway into reverse engineering, etc.
The one I am linking is for 6.0.x, and I'll be updating it to 7.x soon, though, the only real difference is the branch you checkout (you should understand what this means after reading my guide), and you'll need to install OpenJDK8 instead of the linked 7 (as 7.x requires this).
http://odste.blogspot.com/2016/04/guide-to-compiling-android-on-ubuntu.html