Hey everyone, so I'm just starting to buckle down and learn more about Android Mods. Here's my latest question. I have a few zip files that I always flash on top of a new ROM. These include at the moment, a Rotary Lockscreen and the DroidX boot animation, possibly a circle battery shortly.
My question is, would there be a simple way to merge these zip files so I only have to flash one every time I load a new ROM, or even better, load these into a ROM file before flashing?
Is it as simple as opening the ZIPs, moving the files from one to the other (keeping the directory structure intact) and re-zipping the lot? Or is there something more complicated I need to look at...
Thanks in advance!
Edit: A quick look in one of the files revealed a .xml file with some references to the files to be installed. I assume I would have to edit the .xml to include all the instructions from each mod, but if that's all it takes, that should be easy... Again, I ask all of you... Am I missing something?
PSULightingGuy said:
Hey everyone, so I'm just starting to buckle down and learn more about Android Mods. Here's my latest question. I have a few zip files that I always flash on top of a new ROM. These include at the moment, a Rotary Lockscreen and the DroidX boot animation, possibly a circle battery shortly.
My question is, would there be a simple way to merge these zip files so I only have to flash one every time I load a new ROM, or even better, load these into a ROM file before flashing?
Is it as simple as opening the ZIPs, moving the files from one to the other (keeping the directory structure intact) and re-zipping the lot? Or is there something more complicated I need to look at...
Thanks in advance!
Edit: A quick look in one of the files revealed a .xml file with some references to the files to be installed. I assume I would have to edit the .xml to include all the instructions from each mod, but if that's all it takes, that should be easy... Again, I ask all of you... Am I missing something?
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i think you need to edit the meta file and the xml file, but this can be done though.
PSULightingGuy said:
Hey everyone, so I'm just starting to buckle down and learn more about Android Mods. Here's my latest question. I have a few zip files that I always flash on top of a new ROM. These include at the moment, a Rotary Lockscreen and the DroidX boot animation, possibly a circle battery shortly.
My question is, would there be a simple way to merge these zip files so I only have to flash one every time I load a new ROM, or even better, load these into a ROM file before flashing?
Is it as simple as opening the ZIPs, moving the files from one to the other (keeping the directory structure intact) and re-zipping the lot? Or is there something more complicated I need to look at...
Thanks in advance!
Edit: A quick look in one of the files revealed a .xml file with some references to the files to be installed. I assume I would have to edit the .xml to include all the instructions from each mod, but if that's all it takes, that should be easy... Again, I ask all of you... Am I missing something?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
what is the full name of the .xml file you see?
the recovery reads a file called update-script or updater-script inside the zip file META-INF/com/google/android/ directory. you memorize that directory path after messing with enough zip files!
that file tells the recovery what actions to take with which files. for list of very basic commands for this update-script file, i have a guide - http://forum.sdx-developers.com/android-2-1/creating-an-update-zip-list-of-commands/
it is possible to merge update.zip files but its important to understand their structure and how the commands are executed.
also signing .zip files is a whole different topic...
hopefully this helps get you going in the correct direction!
joeykrim said:
what is the full name of the .xml file you see?
the recovery reads a file called update-script or updater-script inside the zip file META-INF/com/google/android/ directory. you memorize that directory path after messing with enough zip files!
that file tells the recovery what actions to take with which files. for list of very basic commands for this update-script file, i have a guide - http://forum.sdx-developers.com/android-2-1/creating-an-update-zip-list-of-commands/
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Since all the files have this could you copy and paste the codes inside them into one file?
Sent from my PC36100 using XDA App
chandlerw88 said:
Since all the files have this could you copy and paste the codes inside them into one file?
Sent from my PC36100 using XDA App
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You would want to read up a little bit and make sure you understand the commands, but yes. You do not want to copy the entire set of commands, just the particular needed lines. Often you don't need to change anything because the script may just say copy this entire system directory and everything in it will go.
Sent from my PC36100 using XDA App
It's pretty basic.
Move all the files into the same zip delete everything in meta-inf except the update script.
Adjust the script accordingly, pay attention to syntax or better yet just look at all the individual scripts and put them together, then remove dupes
As for zip signing..
This is what you need
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=666441
OK, thanks! This has all helped a lot and I think I nailed the basics that I was shooting for, just haven't been able to test yet since no need to re-flash a working ROM.
My next question is, would there be a way to force files INSIDE an APK? Trying to add a different battery meter (have the images) to framework-res.apk and would love to do that from a boot script... Ideas?
PSULightingGuy said:
OK, thanks! This has all helped a lot and I think I nailed the basics that I was shooting for, just haven't been able to test yet since no need to re-flash a working ROM.
My next question is, would there be a way to force files INSIDE an APK? Trying to add a different battery meter (have the images) to framework-res.apk and would love to do that from a boot script... Ideas?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
yes, its called 7-zip and its your new best friend in this battle. heres how i learned.
i started ripping apart the things that i liked, including roms themselves. now find an update zip that has the files inside the folders that you will need to add, and you can then recycle that update zip. here it is plain and simple:
1.use 7zip to VIEW; NEVER UNZIP the files(forget about windows zips)
2.check what folder the apps you will be putting in belong in
3.put them in their corresponding folders(some apps are tricky when you need to install their libs too and you dont know it)
4.erase the 3 bottom files in your meta-inf folder
5.resign the rom
6.verify the sign(look for the new certs)
7.move to sd
8.flash rom
9.have a pop,beer, or w/e your vice.(my fave is cherry coke)
if you need help getting started feel free to pm. you dont know who i am, but ive been thru this process many times.
Actually, that's not quite what I'm talking about... I want a flashable zip that will add certain images (the battery meter) to the INSIDE of a .apk file that already exists on the device. Not sure if it's possible, but if so, I'd love to know... If not, I'll try pulling the .apk and using 7-zip...
i want to make a morph and usually i download someone else's zip and just use that. i can make the xml file and what not. but i downloaded a morph thats a zip file and wevery time i try to delete the folders out of the moroph i dont want included, such as browser, it just says winzip is not responding and wont allow me to delete anything from the already zipped file. so how do i take my morph that is just a standard folder and make it a zip so i can use it as a morph. i have winzip. i dont need to sign the zip for a morph do i?
You don't need a zipped folder to use as metamorph. Just place it in AndroidThemes on your sdcard( folder that metamorph makes automatically). After that just chose pick existing theme and apply.
Sent from my HTC Vision using Tapatalk
Second: use 7-zip instead of winzip. Better compression, faster, and most importantly its free.
Sent from my T-Mobile G2 running Cyanogenmod.
xl DIGITAL lx said:
You don't need a zipped folder to use as metamorph. Just place it in AndroidThemes on your sdcard( folder that metamorph makes automatically). After that just chose pick existing theme and apply.
Sent from my HTC Vision using Tapatalk
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(smack my freakin head) i cant believe i didnt think of that thanks man. hey i got another question i cant seem to get my morphs to work on cm. ive only tried to edit the framework-res.apk so far but nothing i try to change works. it just says mm has been granted su and stays at the loading screen. i have noticed all the themes in the vision forum for cm have been flashable zips. is this a better route for cm.
So I have a bunch apks that I add to every rom that I flash.... I was wondering if someone could lend some knowledge. I want to put them together in a flashable zip u can use in recovery, but do I just zip them in winzip and done? Or are there other steps I need to take? Should I use something besides winzip? Thanks in advance.
jwitt418 said:
So I have a bunch apks that I add to every rom that I flash.... I was wondering if someone could lend some knowledge. I want to put them together in a flashable zip u can use in recovery, but do I just zip them in winzip and done? Or are there other steps I need to take? Should I use something besides winzip? Thanks in advance.
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You will need to make a folder called update,inside make a folder called META-INF,in the META make folders called com/google/android,so the structure looks like this... META-INF/com/google/android,this thread will tell you how to make an updater script... http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=641223 ,after you've created an updater and update scripts,after that in the same area you made the META folder,make a folder called system,inside system make one called apps,then put your apps in there and add the symlinks pointing to the apps,which is in the same thread as above.After you have finished that,right click the update folder and add to archive,in compression settings use "store" method and type of compression,use zip,then zip it up and theres your flashable update script.
jwitt418 said:
So I have a bunch apks that I add to every rom that I flash.... I was wondering if someone could lend some knowledge. I want to put them together in a flashable zip u can use in recovery, but do I just zip them in winzip and done? Or are there other steps I need to take? Should I use something besides winzip? Thanks in advance.
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Click to collapse
Or u could just find a flashable zip of a mod or apk in the themes and apk section for evo and then just add ur apps to it. Should work as long as updater script mounts and unmounts /system.
U can use 7zip or winrar to open the zip up. Open up system folder then app folder. Add ur apks and delete the things the script originally added unless u want them. Easy as that.
Name of flashable zip doesn't matter btw
XDA Moderator
I'm trying to compile a flashable zip file with the file manager inside this app. It does not do it correctly it creates a zip folder with the flashable folder inside which does not work I need a direct folder that opens to become flashable... Am I doing something wrong can anyone knows try to create a flashable zip file with this utility. I have root explorer and that works great but I would really like to use this app instead
justin860 said:
I'm trying to compile a flashable zip file with the file manager inside this app. It does not do it correctly it creates a zip folder with the flashable folder inside which does not work I need a direct folder that opens to become flashable... Am I doing something wrong can anyone knows try to create a flashable zip file with this utility. I have root explorer and that works great but I would really like to use this app instead
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I've zipped and flashed whole roms with this app? What is it doing wrong? What type of zip are you using? 7zip?
I zipped JusTunBean and it did this
JusTunBean/JusTunBean/flashable stuff root explorer does JusTunBean/flashable stuff make sense? It's making a folder inside a folder
justin860 said:
I zipped JusTunBean and it did this
JusTunBean/JusTunBean/flashable stuff root explorer does JusTunBean/flashable stuff make sense? It's making a folder inside a folder
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Click to collapse
Gimme a little time to unzip then rezip something and see what it does for me! I'm at work so it won't be right now but soon I just unzipped and zipped a kernel file perfect. Are you trying to rezip a file you unzipped. If so go to the screen that has the Meta info and multiselect all of those then zip. If you want I'll show you screenshots, just let me know
truth77 said:
Gimme a little time to unzip then rezip something and see what it does for me! I'm at work so it won't be right now but soon I just unzipped and zipped a kernel file perfect. Are you trying to rezip a file you unzipped. If so go to the screen that has the Meta info and multiselect all of those then zip. If you want I'll show you screenshots, just let me know
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Thanks I got it the difference is with route explorer you just hold down the folder you want to zip and it doesn't for you but with Rom toolbox you have to multi-select the different ones then zip
justin860 said:
Thanks I got it the difference is with route explorer you just hold down the folder you want to zip and it doesn't for you but with Rom toolbox you have to multi-select the different ones then zip
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Glad I helped if I did, I owe you that lol!
hi,
i want to know how do devs create an apk file that can edit files in system folder. for example sound files etc. generally a flashable zip is created which will replace the stock file with a modified one. The same thing, this time without going into recovery but being able to do it with an app itself.
Yes, ready to learn.