[Q] Changing Icon in apk file - Droid Incredible Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting

Hey guys,
So I'm trying to change some of my icons on my homescreen and I can't seem to locate the icon.png files. I have downloaded WinRaR and open the apk file with that. I navigate to filename.apk/res/drawable and cannot find the icon.png file. I navigate to filename.apk/res/drawable-hdpi and cannot find the icon.png file that I would like to change... ?
Am I looking in the wrong place to change the icon? Any help?
Thaks.

It's going to be within the apk itself.

Yea, I found the icon.png and changed it to the icon I wanted. I then compressed the files and then resigned the apk. Then I put it back on my phone and try to install it. When I click on install it it says installing and then prompts me "Application not installed"..
It doesn't give me a reason as to why it couldn't install it, ideas??
EDIT: I had to uninstall the other application for it to work. For some reason it wouldn't let me replace the existing app.
Thanks!

I use 7zip to swap icons, I don't resign it. Shouldn't have to if you're just replacing png files.
Sent from my HTC Incredible using XDA App

RMarkwald said:
I use 7zip to swap icons, I don't resign it. Shouldn't have to if you're just replacing png files.
Sent from my HTC Incredible using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't have a computer at my house running windows, and couldn't find 7zip for mac. I downloaded an application called 7zX, but it didn't work.

I see, my girl friend has a mac too, and that didn't work either when I tried it.
Sent from my HTC Incredible using XDA App

dclay89 said:
I don't have a computer at my house running windows, and couldn't find 7zip for mac. I downloaded an application called 7zX, but it didn't work.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Use ninja morph. Its free and you can do it on your phone.
Sent from my sexy assistant. (HTC Incredible)

synisterwolf said:
Use ninja morph. Its free and you can do it on your phone.
Sent from my sexy assistant. (HTC Incredible)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ninja morph is awesome.. Only problem is after I change the icon.png and uninstall the original app, I try to install the new app it prompts me saying "application not installed"
What do you do after you replace the icon.png and finish the project?

dclay89 said:
Ninja morph is awesome.. Only problem is after I change the icon.png and uninstall the original app, I try to install the new app it prompts me saying "application not installed"
What do you do after you replace the icon.png and finish the project?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just restart the phone. No need to install.
Are you doing system apk or downloaded apps
Sent from my sexy assistant. (HTC Incredible)

synisterwolf said:
Just restart the phone. No need to install.
Are you doing system apk or downloaded apps
Sent from my sexy assistant. (HTC Incredible)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Downloaded apps..
For instance I'm trying to change the stock icon for opera mobile and replace it with the attached image. I open the com.opera.android.apk in ninja morph, replace the stock icon.png with the one I want, and finish the project.. I restart my phone and the application icon is white and when I click it, it says "Application is not installed on your phone".. Can you only modify system apk's or am I missing something?

I have had this same problem with ninja morph. I tried changing png's on handcent finish project and it will work but when I reboot my phone app will not work. I can find the apk file with root explorer but it does not work. Any suggestions? I have never had that problem with other apps or framework. Would appreciate the help.
Sent from my ADR6300 using XDA App

dclay89 said:
Downloaded apps..
For instance I'm trying to change the stock icon for opera mobile and replace it with the attached image. I open the com.opera.android.apk in ninja morph, replace the stock icon.png with the one I want, and finish the project.. I restart my phone and the application icon is white and when I click it, it says "Application is not installed on your phone".. Can you only modify system apk's or am I missing something?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ill do it for you. Hold up
edit:
Your png is way to big for the app. 100px the max is 48px for the icon.
anyways here it is. please do a nandroid and flash and report back.
if the app gets updated you will need to do it again. i can try to make a metamorph theme so you can just run it every time it gets updated.
http://db.tt/1mOVPnc
Sent from my sexy assistant. (HTC Incredible)

fundio said:
I have had this same problem with ninja morph. I tried changing png's on handcent finish project and it will work but when I reboot my phone app will not work. I can find the apk file with root explorer but it does not work. Any suggestions? I have never had that problem with other apps or framework. Would appreciate the help.
Sent from my ADR6300 using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have had this problem with market apps and changing png. Only system apps work for me so I don't try them anymore
Sent from my sexy assistant. (HTC Incredible)

synisterwolf said:
Ill do it for you. Hold up
edit:
Your png is way to big for the app. 100px the max is 48px for the icon.
anyways here it is. please do a nandroid and flash and report back.
if the app gets updated you will need to do it again. i can try to make a metamorph theme so you can just run it every time it gets updated.
http://db.tt/1mOVPnc
Sent from my sexy assistant. (HTC Incredible)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks man!
Did you resize the png with ninja morph or did you use photoshop? I would like to learn how to do it so I could do it for the rest of the icons I would like to change and I'm sure my icons are all too big.

dclay89 said:
Thanks man!
Did you resize the png with ninja morph or did you use photoshop? I would like to learn how to do it so I could do it for the rest of the icons I would like to change and I'm sure my icons are all too big.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I used gimp. Its a free photo shop. Did it work?
Sent from my sexy assistant. (HTC Incredible)

7zip is the key. Might want to ask around and see if there is anything like it for mac. With 7zip you can swap out png's without hurting the apk. 7zip will replace a png in an archive without un compressing it.
Sent from my sexy assistant. (HTC Incredible)

synisterwolf said:
I used gimp. Its a free photo shop. Did it work?
Sent from my sexy assistant. (HTC Incredible)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well I thought it was going to, but I get the same problem..
I tried flashing it through recovery, no luck..
I put the actual apk on my sd card and tried to install it and I get the same message as always. I will attach the screen that I get.

sorry it did not work . I never had luck with apps from the market.
Sent from my sexy assistant. (HTC Incredible)
you can go this route
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=9016579&postcount=1498

Well here's an update:
-I resized the Pandora icon that I want to 48x48 and named it "icon.png"
-Opened ninja morph and navigated to data/app/com.pandora.apk
-Navigated to res/drawable and clicked on icon.png
-Found the "icon.png" that I wanted to replace it with and finished the project
-I then rebooted my phone and the Pandora icon is not what shows up
-I click Pandora and it says "Application is not installed on your phone."
Am I missing a step/steps?
I will attach my homescreen and show you what the Pandora icon looks like after I do a restart and I'll also attach the icon.png that I'm trying to use.

dclay89 said:
Well here's an update:
-I resized the Pandora icon that I want to 48x48 and named it "icon.png"
-Opened ninja morph and navigated to data/app/com.pandora.apk
-Navigated to res/drawable and clicked on icon.png
-Found the "icon.png" that I wanted to replace it with and finished the project
-I then rebooted my phone and the Pandora icon is not what shows up
-I click Pandora and it says "Application is not installed on your phone."
Am I missing a step/steps?
I will attach my homescreen and show you what the Pandora icon looks like after I do a restart and I'll also attach the icon.png that I'm trying to use.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No it should work. If you do something like framework it sticks but with apps downloaded it never stays. Try my last post. Its easy and you don't have to do anything if the app updates.
Sent from my sexy assistant. (HTC Incredible)

Related

[Q] How to Convert Zip to apk file? is this possible?

Hi everyone
is this possible zip file convert to apk?
its very important cause i try to instal any zip file but my rom is not rooted!!
please if this possible tell me
Thanks
change file from zip to apk
to change file type from zip to apk on windows 7
1- open computer in start menu
2- press alt
3- select tools and choose folder options
4- go to view and uncheck hide extentions for known file types
5- finally go to the file you want to change and change its name (ex: .apk)
It depends if you downloaded a file which was a zip file but was packed as an apk then yes changing the extension of .zip to .apk would be fine if you know what I mean.
Sent from my HTC Desire HD using XDA Premium App
Use zip2apk v1.0 to convert zip to apk
There is an application known as Zip2apk v1.0 that you can use to convert your zip to apk. unlike all other replies here where you have to interfere with your system settings, zip2apk v1.0 is a portable program built to convert zip to apks and does not alter system settings. link: f1compsolutions.kbo.co.ke/Zip2apk
thanks bro
ali magdy said:
to change file type from zip to apk on windows 7
1- open computer in start menu
2- press alt
3- select tools and choose folder options
4- go to view and uncheck hide extentions for known file types
5- finally go to the file you want to change and change its name (ex: .apk)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
thanks bro, this little help really help me so much, good job
Both methods work like a charm. :highfive:
ali magdy said:
to change file type from zip to apk on windows 7
1- open computer in start menu
2- press alt
3- select tools and choose folder options
4- go to view and uncheck hide extentions for known file types
5- finally go to the file you want to change and change its name (ex: .apk)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This is really work Nice tip !
Thank you. I'm also searching for this info
No. Android binaries are located in a apk, you just can't turn a mod into a apk, the only way to build an apk is from Android SDK. Its not possible.
I recently made an android game, just for fun, and for some reason the site i was on changed it to a zip file instead of an apk file. I used a script to make this app. So it works, but i cant play it on my phone because it is in the zip format and whenever i rename it to .apk on my phone, it doesnt work. Any help wold be appreciated.
Sent from my LG-D415 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
Maurice5813 said:
No. Android binaries are located in a apk, you just can't turn a mod into a apk, the only way to build an apk is from Android SDK. Its not possible.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Oh, how would i put my script into Android SDK?
Sent from my LG-D415 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
Hi,
I'm trying to do something along these lines.
I have a keyboard skin that I want to change it's theme from blue to green. I unpacked it several months ago with EasyApk and attempted this but eventually gave up.
I've done all of the color editing to the .png files but after zipping and changing the ext to apk, it won't install. I get this message... "There was a problem parsing the package."
Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
RuLEoF2 said:
Hi,
I'm trying to do something along these lines.
I have a keyboard skin that I want to change it's theme from blue to green. I unpacked it several months ago with EasyApk and attempted this but eventually gave up.
I've done all of the color editing to the .png files but after zipping and changing the ext to apk, it won't install. I get this message... "There was a problem parsing the package."
Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
RuLEoF2, have you found a solution. I'm getting the same problem.
dabadoo said:
RuLEoF2, have you found a solution. I'm getting the same problem.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Nope. The XDA well of good will towards those in need has apparently dried up. Either that or I'm on the do-do list for something.
I haven't gotten responses to any of my last several posts for quite a while now.
Good luck!
RuLEoF2 said:
Nope. The XDA well of good will towards those in need has apparently dried up. Either that or I'm on the do-do list for something.
I haven't gotten responses to any of my last several posts for quite a while now.
Good luck!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I found a work around. I used 7zip in windows and made all of the edits (adding files, removing files, editing contents of files) I needed in the zip file WITHOUT unzipping it (7zip and winrar allow this). Once I did that I changed the extension back to apk and the app installed.
Hope this helps some people.
dabadoo said:
I found a work around. I used 7zip in windows and made all of the edits (adding files, removing files, editing contents of files) I needed in the zip file WITHOUT unzipping it (7zip and winrar allow this). Once I did that I changed the extension back to apk and the app installed.
Hope this helps some people.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not working for me. What editing program are you using for graphics?
For graphics, let's say images. I would work on whatever it is you need to add, outside of the zip, and then just add that file by replacing it with whatever it is you wanted to edit. Do you get what I'm saying?
I used 7zip on windows to do this.
REVIVE!!
Its like this for me, I got an apk of Loco Craft (Android Game) extracted it into a folder with winrar, then I modified a bunch of things in there, then I compressed it to a .rar file with WinRAR, then I renamed it from application.rar to application.apk. then when I sent it to my phone (Acer B1-730, Android 4.4.2) and opened the apk file, it said: "There was a problem parsing the package"! So what do I do? Please!!! I really want to try my new game! And pls help me I am only 9!!!
How I make a gems generator?
ali magdy said:
to change file type from zip to apk on windows 7
1- open computer in start menu
2- press alt
3- select tools and choose folder options
4- go to view and uncheck hide extentions for known file types
5- finally go to the file you want to change and change its name (ex: .apk)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I want to create a gems generator for an outstanding game. Can anybody help me to create a gems generator like this

Audio Manager ICS theme

Ok themers, I tried to do this myself but I really wasn't as simple as I thought but then again it never is lol. I have audio manager pro and I got the flat white skin for the widget here:
https://market.android.com/details?...mF1ZGlvd2lkZ2V0cHJvLnRoZW1lcy5mbGF0d2hpdGUiXQ..
What I tried to do was change the color to ICS blue with plain old photoshop but my modified apk was unsigned so if anybody can take this skin and replace the white images and text with ICS blue from this example I would be most thankful
Cool hope it happens.
don't extract the apk/zip file just open it using winrar the files your moving should also be compressed in a zip this way you don't have to mess around with resigning apk files.
if the images are .png9 that's a different story
Yes that's what I did but I still got the message. I'll try again!
If it doesnt install regularly move it to system/app with root explorer and reboot
Sent from my SPH-D710 using xda premium
Use apk_manager - put the apk in "place-app-here-for-signing" run the script and sign it. You shouldnt have a problem.

Customizing graphics (maybe noobish question)

Less than an hour ago I decided to skin my statusbar. What I do is open SystemUI.apk with 7zip, extract everything from drawable folders and modify them. Now, I've got a question. Is it enough to replace png files in apk with modded ones, or I should somehow sign the apk file?
Thanks in advance.
Sent from nowhere
tajimura said:
Less than an hour ago I decided to skin my statusbar. What I do is open SystemUI.apk with 7zip, extract everything from drawable folders and modify them. Now, I've got a question. Is it enough to replace png files in apk with modded ones, or I should somehow sign the apk file?
Thanks in advance.
Sent from nowhere
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Good question! I'm also interested in this.
Can't remember well whether it will work without resigning but I always sign the system apk / user apk after doing any modification.
Unsign apk normally get installed when it is placed at system/app but will not work when put it at sd-ext/app_s.
ckpv5 said:
Can't remember well whether it will work without resigning but I always sign the system apk / user apk after doing any modification.
Unsign apk normally get installed when it is placed at system/app but will not work when put it at sd-ext/app_s.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Got it. One more question - which tool do you use for signing?
Sent from nowhere
tajimura said:
Got it. One more question - which tool do you use for signing?
Sent from nowhere
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Auto-sign for signing on PC and Signapktic (from Market) for signing on the phone.
ckpv5 said:
Auto-sign for signing on PC and Signapktic (from Market) for signing on the phone.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the answers, now going to try that all
Sent from nowhere
Search for "apk tool" here on xda and you'll have what you need for theming and signing and more.
via xda app
System apps are NEVER signed.
If you don't extract (just open in 7zip or winrar) you can just drag new images in. If prompted for compression level, Choose "store". When finished, simply close the file with the x.
Only if you want to change xml files, need you decompile
Sent from my HTC Desire using Tapatalk
rootSU said:
System apps are NEVER signed.
If you don't extract (just open in 7zip or winrar) you can just drag new images in. If prompted for compression level, Choose "store". When finished, simply close the file with the x.
Only if you want to change xml files, need you decompile
Sent from my HTC Desire using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Umm, I thought that I have to sign it with "platform" key...
BTW, which PNG is responsible for statusbar background? The closest one I found is "statusbar_bg_tile", 1x1 black image. I want to use gradient background, and have created one full background image and one 9-patch, but dunno what to do - simply replace statusbar_bg_tile with statusbar_bg/statusbar_bg.9 or also modify some xml? In statusbar.xml I can't find any reference to statusbar_bg_tile PNG.
Sent from nowhere

Recompile apks

Everywhere i look redirects to apkmanager.. Which is not working for me.. Can someone tell me the manual way to recompile an apk.. Or an alternative to apk manager...
Sent from my SPH-D710 using XDA Premium App
What apps are you trying to mod?
What OS?
agat63 said:
What apps are you trying to mod?
What OS?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I got it figured out, was trying to mod Blend ICS apps.. need de-odexed ones..
Ok new question.. This is obviously my first time figuring out how to put these back together... heres my issue: Im using the multi-tool the app im adjusting is mms.apk.. after I extract and edit the images in the res folder I choose option 3 to zip it up and then 5 to zip align and then it creates the new unsigned apk, which I then rename to Mms.apk ... when I dump it onto my phone it doesnt have the icon in astro, it looks like the white icon with the gear on it.. when i try to install it gives a parsing error... I assume its because its a system file and I need to adb it onto the phone.. but why isnt it showing up with the original mms icon? and then secondly.. I cant get multitool to adb push to my galaxy s2 it just says waiting on device.. is there something I need to do besides usb debugging and connect it to the computer? sorry for all the noobness.. gotta start somewhere right?
Oh also Im using fireworks to edit the png's and exporting them back and i noticed when i sent it back out it was like 29kb so I image export and optimized down to 2kb does that even matter?
You can't dump unsigned app into your phone.
I never workred with tool you mentioned but I think you should have sign option there.
Or you just drug modified images and xml files from that unsigned app into your original one.
It has the option to have signed or unsigned ... both ways result in the same issue...
As I said try to drag modded files and png's into original app and try to flash that.
agat63 said:
As I said try to drag modded files and png's into original app and try to flash that.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ok trying..
Worked like a charm.. Makes me wonder what the point of apk manager is at all? Just 7zip unzip.. Edit and rezip...
Sent from my SPH-D710 using XDA Premium App
You can't edit xml files if you just unzip them. You have to decompile them in order to be able to edit them.

Changing USER APPS ICONS! HELP

Can any experts help me with my little problem on changing icons on user applications, not the system apps icons because i was able to do that manually..
I had successfully changed all the icons of installed user applications on my SGY.
What i did was open it with WinRar and go to res / drawable ldpi (36x36) or mdpi (48x48) or hdpi (72x72) folder & replaced each icons there with proper file name and size..
After i finished it, i copied all modified apps to sd card and tried to install it one by one, but it says "applications not installed"..
And now i wonder what's wrong with what i did? I was able to replace the icons in system apps manually using the method which i used with this one but this one fails!
Any suggestions or instructions?
Any help would be much appreciated! Thank you!!!
After Editing You Have To Sign The App And Then Install It..
Try Zipsigner app... Might help...
Sent from my HTC Sensation 4g with Beats Audio
I've tried that method before too, when I was modding widgets, and it just doesn't work. What worked for me though was same method, but had it signed again with this little tool I found here in xda. I'll link you later when I get on desktop.
Sent from my GT-S5360 using xda premium
Silvane said:
I've tried that method before too, when I was modding widgets, and it just doesn't work. What worked for me though was same method, but had it signed again with this little tool I found here in xda. I'll link you later when I get on desktop.
Sent from my GT-S5360 using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
what is the tool name???
Silvane said:
I've tried that method before too, when I was modding widgets, and it just doesn't work. What worked for me though was same method, but had it signed again with this little tool I found here in xda. I'll link you later when I get on desktop.
Sent from my GT-S5360 using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah, i totally forgot that there was a signing thing when modifying apks..
And Sir, can you please give me the link of that "little tool" you're talking about when you get back in your PC? Thanks so much!
Thank you to all who responded! I appreciate you all! Cheers!
I couldn't find the thread I found it from anymore so I can't link the source. But I attached the sign tool which I still have.
Basically you get the apk right. Rename it to zip, extract, delete META-INF folder and then replace whatever images you wanted. Zip it back up, rename back to apk.
To sign, extract the zip included here to a folder. Copy paste the modified apk to the root directory of the sign tool. Make sure only one apk file is in the folder. Run sign.bat and press any button when prompted.
If it signed successfully just install the apk, making sure you have the original one uninstalled.
On a side note, if you want to update the app to a newer version through the market, it will not work. You will have to uninstall the modded one, install from the market and then do the process above again if you still want to modify it.
There are other signing tools too, ones that could sign multiple apk's simultaneously but for some reason they've never worked for me. But you're free to try. Google for 'em.
I have tried this method manytimes
and it works everytime
are you replacingonly the icon in the app apk or any other files to
you have to sign the apk after modding
use the tool given by silvane
if the 7zip method dont work for you
you can use apktool to decompile and recompile the apk and then sign it
you are ready to go
Thanks @Silvane and @deadlylocker as well as others for helping me..
@Silvane: I already downloaded that "autosign" app this morning but i didn't know (phil. time) that it is necessary to delete the meta-inf folder while modding apks before i saw your post so i appreciate your effort of giving instructions! Thanks so much!
No problem.
Sent from my GT-S5360 using xda premium

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