Develop Bugs

Unzipping and zipping apk files?

I unzipped a apk file to change some of the images in the drawable-hdpi folder, how do I zip it back into an apk file to reinstall it on my phone. Or can I flash the zip file? I dunno how that would work...
Sent from my HTC Vision using XDA App

Can you get another copy of the apk?
If you can then the best thing to do is use winRAR or 7zip to open/explore the apk just like with a .zip file. That way you never unzip it and don't run into that issue. Using those allows you to delete and add files. You can also do the same thing on your phone using root explorer or something similar.
As far as correcting what you've done already (assuming you can't get a copy of that apk) I've completely forgotten since I never have to do it. I know if you look on the android sdk's site you can find the answer though.

adamtheindien said:
I unzipped a apk file to change some of the images in the drawable-hdpi folder, how do I zip it back into an apk file to reinstall it on my phone. Or can I flash the zip file? I dunno how that would work...
Sent from my HTC Vision using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
An apk is just a zip file with the apk extension, once you zip it up change it from a .zip to a .apk
Sent from my T-Mobile G2 using XDA App

i changed what i wanted and rezipped, changed the extension, tried to install it, says problem parsing the package?

adamtheindien said:
i changed what i wanted and rezipped, changed the extension, tried to install it, says problem parsing the package?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It can also depend on which APK (system vs non-system) and which images (.9 images can be tricky to replace if you don't know what you are doing). Sometimes, you also need to re-sign the APK, depending on what you modified (there are tools to re-sign in the SDK or you can use something like APK Manager).
You should try the opening the APK directly in WinRAR/7-zip and replacing the images method. In my experience, if you are just replacing simple images, you usually don't have to re-sign when doing this (it leaves the existing signature intact).

ok i mainly just replaced images and and edited a couple. i dont know how to use all that adbsdkwhatever stuff.... -_- i know i should but im too lazy. so i dunno how to re sign it...

all im trying to do is edit the quick search bar images. maybe i dont have to do this if there is somewhere to find themed search bars?

If you can then the best thing to do is use winRAR or 7zip to open/explore the apk just like with a .zip file.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If your using winRAR click and drag stuff works if its one or two files.
If its a lot of images or a large file like framework-res.apk (I'm thinking your search bar might be in there if I'm not mistaken) then you'll want to make a new ZIP archive with "store" compression (uncompressed pretty much).
(also you shouldn't need to resign the framework-res.apk)
I haven't tested 7zips click and drag but the same principals apply. If its bigger files being recompiled Winrar tends to compress it a bit and sometimes it causes bootloops.
That being said, don't forget to nandroid

82_Z28 said:
If your using winRAR click and drag stuff works if its one or two files.
If its a lot of images or a large file like framework-res.apk (I'm thinking your search bar might be in there if I'm not mistaken) then you'll want to make a new ZIP archive with "store" compression (uncompressed pretty much).
(also you shouldn't need to resign the framework-res.apk)
I haven't tested 7zips click and drag but the same principals apply. If its bigger files being recompiled Winrar tends to compress it a bit and sometimes it causes bootloops.
That being said, don't forget to nandroid
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well from my experience, 7zip handles the task like a champ. I've taken every image out and put others back in with no issues. The downside is that some apps set certain dependencies in the .xml files so if you delete the wrong things it won't install and if it does, all you get is a fc all day. In that case it helps to know how to convert the xml binary to something readable (unless you're a king a hex editing).

[Q] Problems with theming Framework

Hi everyone,
I'm having a few questions regarding the theming of framework-res.apk on Android Revolution (No-Sense/Sense)..
After I pull the .apk, and decompile it, I edit the images so that the .9.png files stay intact. Then after that I compile the entire .apk and use WinRar to only push the images to the origional framework-res.apk..
But everytime I flash it I get bootloops and it won't boot into Android, any idea what I do wrong in the proces?
Thanks in advance!

if your using apk manager when you recompile the framework-res.apk it will ask you if its system app click yes then it will ask if you want to keep signature also click yes then you will have to delete the icons you changed in the keep folder then press enter in cmd window
it will compile and be called unsignedframework-res.apk rename to framework-.apk then open the rom using winrar (DO NOT EXTRACT) then just drag and drop the new framework-res.apk into the framework folder click ok let it do its thing then close winrar drop it on sd card and flash

leith51 said:
if your using apk manager when you recompile the framework-res.apk it will ask you if its system app click yes then it will ask if you want to keep signature also click yes then you will have to delete the icons you changed in the keep folder then press enter in cmd window
it will compile and be called unsignedframework-res.apk rename to framework-.apk then open the rom using winrar (DO NOT EXTRACT) then just drag and drop the new framework-res.apk into the framework folder click ok let it do its thing then close winrar drop it on sd card and flash
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Or do what i do, make a copy of the zip file then extract the files you want to view, put them in a folder, then the icons you wanna swap put straight into the orig zip folder in there place, this method works for me fine & without any bootloops

deanr1977 said:
Or do what i do, make a copy of the zip file then extract the files you want to view, put them in a folder, then the icons you wanna swap put straight into the orig zip folder in there place, this method works for me fine & without any bootloops
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I too do all my mods this way.. I find apk manager way to complicated to use lol when its so much easier to just swap the icons back into the original apk using 7zip...

apaquette420 said:
I too do all my mods this way.. I find apk manager way to complicated to use lol when its so much easier to just swap the icons back into the original apk using 7zip...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I find it much easyer this way. Can i ask you a question if you know abit about framework modding can you see were i have gone wrong here - http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1195549
I can live with it but i would rather change it to a light gray or a different color? Any help would be very nice & not had a reply about this yet? Can you help?

i had the same issue and i found it easier to update the old framework and overwrite existing files. once you have completed compiling your new framework APK extract the contents and copy into the old framework... and that seems to work fine

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

save as apk?

hi not sure if this is the right place for this or not but i've got a question on apk files
I've made some changes to an apk file but not sure how to compress it back to an apk file.
is it as simple as compressing as a zip then renaming it to apk?
take care

denti said:
hi not sure if this is the right place for this or not but i've got a question on apk files
I've made some changes to an apk file but not sure how to compress it back to an apk file.
is it as simple as compressing as a zip then renaming it to apk?
take care
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Use 7zip (7z.exe to be exact)
Copy it to a folder make a subfolder inside,
Put ur apk contents in subfolder
Open notepad, copy and paste these 3 lines
Save as script.bat in folder with 7z.exe
cd subfoldername
..\7z.exe -tzip archivename.apk "*" -mx0
Exit
Change subfoldername to name of subfolder to the name of subfolder u created ofc lmao
And archive name to sign.. mx0 is best for loadin, mx9 is compression, use signapk to sign if its not a system file
If the "..\7z" don't wotk 4 u use full path in quotes, example
"%userprofile%\desktop\foldername"
Is the same as: (vista)
"C:\users\username\desktop\foldername"
And: (xp)
C:\documents and settings\username\desktop\foldername"
Or use apk manager lol I prefermymethod personally, n fyi, googles ur friend
Should get to know it

thank you doug.
i did google it but found bunch of different programs and thought that there might be a simpler way of doing it rather than getting a program just to compress

denti said:
thank you doug.
i did google it but found bunch of different programs and thought that there might be a simpler way of doing it rather than getting a program just to compress
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ye no worries just hope it helped sorry if the post seemed rushed had like 5min left 2 my break when I origionally replyed lmao n this methods rather simple cuz when used correct its more or less drag n drop n run, zip is generated in folder with 7z.exe n 7z performs flawlessly

APKs are basically a zip file with an MD5 signature embedded in them. There are apk generators on market if you copy directory to sdcard is prolly easiest to start with specially with the processing power of this phone.
In Windows compressed folders work fine if you just enable viewing file extensions and change between zip and apk
or hold left shift key as you right click apk file in windows.
Now click open with...
and choose browse for application
Choose your favorite zip app or windows compressed folders
Next to last check always use box so checkmark is visible
Finally click OK
Now no need to modify extensions
Sent from my SGH-T989 using Xparent Green Tapatalk

[FONTS] Android (APK Files)

Hey Guys! This thread is actually a question of me finding APK fonts for android. And now, I found a thread which offer a lot fonts to choose and I want it to share with you all. So here it is.
It usually for Stock ROMs (and for Fellas who love customizing) .
Just download the attached file, extract it and you will find APKs.
Put it on your SD card and install it like a normal APK file. Then Navigate your Settings>Display>Fonts. From there,you can apply and see Fonts you just installed.
Credits to the original thread and the OP > http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1544428

Apk i dont know but if u want to install font use font changer from market...
regards,
•ƒγяύs ργяσ™• eBuddy XMS pin: A24D43B9
[menulis dari xda app yg cilabi pakop]

I means those APK files which you can install. It's usually for stock roms. Thanks anyways dude.

Use font changer. It's free on the market.
Sent from my GT-S5830 using xda premium

Super useful, thanks!

There is an app called fontomizer SP.. it also has all fomnts. But nice one..:thumbup::thumbup:
from XDA app
Press THANKS if I helped

Wat r de instructions fo cm7?
Sent from my GT-S5830 using xda premium

Well, I use Absolute System for changing the fonts, boot animations, build.prop editing etc. And so far, its the best.
TheSG said:
Wat r de instructions fo cm7?
Sent from my GT-S5830 using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Try Absolute system.

Rushyang said:
Well, I use Absolute System for changing the fonts, boot animations, build.prop editing etc. And so far, its the best.
Try Absolute system.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
yeah....Absolute system is like a charm

TheSG said:
Wat r de instructions fo cm7?
Sent from my GT-S5830 using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This one is basically for Stock ROMs only.

sir may i try your fonts. im using galaxy pocket.. thank you. more power!

My favorite one
http://www.mediafire.com/?f26basjeic0agbx

Already Posted
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1821534
Sent from my GT-S5830 using xda premium

If anybody is still refering to this thread.. the fonts that droidtwoseven has provided are super easy to install on any android device.
So instructions here are very straightforward actually
1. All you need to do is simply tap the .zip folder at the top of the feed here, labeled "FlipFontsALL.zip" This will initiate it's download.
2. a) Once downloaded, either press the "download complete" notification you would receive as a pop up located at the top of your screen or you'll find it in your pull-down notification task bar.
2. b) Or if you accidentally swipe the notification away, you can open your devices files manager, and navigate to your phone's "internal storage". Inside your devices Internal storage you should see a folder labeled as "Downloads", go a head and tap on it, to proceed inside the folder to view it's contents.
3. Once inside your "Downloads" folder, depending on how organised you keep your internal files, there may be a list of files and/or folders you need to scroll past, but somewhere inside this folder you should find (hopefully with not much difficulties) the very .zip folder you had just download here. (Remember it will be labeled as "FlipFontsALL.zip")
4. a) Now, long press on (tap & hold) this folder to bring up the extra options available for the particular folder. Or another method to bring up the extra available options for that .zip folder, simply just press it once to highlight it, and as it's highlighted, the press the "more" button, which will be shown either as a 3 horizontal/ hamburger looking menu or possibly a 3 vertical dot menu.
4. b) Upon opening the extra options menu, If you do not see any option that says "extract", then possibly you will need to install another files manager from the Galaxy store or the play store. One that has the option to extract or compress files into .zip folders.
4. B) i)) The files manager I personally use, is not the default application that comes pre installed on my samsung, but I actually prefer to use "File Manager" by "File Manager Plus/Aphainventor". It is easy to install and is available via the Google PlayStore. Other recommended files manager apps are: CX File Explorer, RS File Manager and Simple File Manager Explorer.
5. Once you proceed to tap "extract" in the .zip folder, your phone should then prompt you and ask where you wish the files to be extracted to. Usually you can chose to just "extract here", in which it should create a folder of the same name inside the current Downloads folder you are currently in, and extract the contents inside of it. (So in our case it would create a regular folder labeled FlipFontsALL. Or you can chose the option to extract the files elsewhere I'm your internal storage.
6. a) Once these files are finally extracted, navigate your way inside the new folder that was created, and you will find there to be a bunch of files, all using the ".apk" file extension. (The file extension is the part of the title for a file that is after the "."/"dot".
6. a) i)) An example for an image file would be "exampleimage.jpg" or maybe even as "exampleimage.png". An example video file would be ~ examplevideo.mp4 or examplevideo.webm.
6. a) i)) So, in our case, these particular fonts have actually been compiled individually as executable android packages. This is actually what APK stands for (android package) So all of our fonts that you extracted from the FlipFontsALL.zip folder, all use the ".apk" file extension. This is similar to a .iso file you may find using an apple device, or a .exe file that is used by Windows computers. These are all known as executable files, and each are recognized only by their particularly owned operating system, and cannot be read by another (android cannot read or install .exe files or .iso files, neither can an iPhone/apple device read a .apk or .exe file, same with windows, it will not recognize .iso or .apk files, as they are unsupported.
7. a) So now that you have access to the .APK don't files, this is the easiest step. All you have to do is pick whichever one you want, and simply double press the file. Your android device will automatically initiate to install it, and if the files have been coded accordingly to your devices OS, and is written for your devices type processors. You'll be asked if you would like to proceed with installing the files, simply just chose yes and sit back as you let your phone do the rest of the work.
7. b) One thing you may have to do in order to authenticate your device to install the APK, is give the files manager you are using the permissions to install. You can easily do this by navigating into your device settings, scroll to your phone's options for "security/biometrics", them find the option labeled as "install from unknown sources" or "install unknown apps". Once in this menu, scroll until you find your devices files manager, or the files manager you chose to install from the PlayStore, and just tap on the toggle to enable it.
8. After the installation has completed and it comes up saying "success", you should then be able to navigate into your devices display settings, where you'll find a heading labeled "fonts" or "fonts sizes and style". In this menu go into fonts style, and amongst the list of default fonts that came ore installed with your device, you should now see the font you chose to install from the .apk file.
And that's all. I know it seems like I wrote a lot, but I just was making sure I covered everything, as detailed as I could, in the case that someone who may be unfamiliar with the layout of an android, needs the thorough direction. I'm always happy to help another android user. As I believe in order to take better care of your own safety and privacy, it is very important to understand your device and it's available options and accessibilities of ensuring so.
These .apk fonts are absolutely great. Especially because they get around the Samsung block. For example, I have a Galaxy S8, and seemingly, the only available methods to download custom fonts are to either install the few mediocre fonts available to the Galaxy store, or to spend money and purchase some of the other custom fonts via the Galaxy store. So if you own a Samsung, running Android 9 or above, unfortunately you cannot install your own custom fonts using any of the font installers obtainable through the play store. You simply just cannot. Samsung will not allow it. Since the update of android 9, they've implemented various blockades to prevent any 3rd party installation of .ttf or .otf fonts. Where as these .apks use a direct installation method as if they are an application of their own.