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
Related
**UPDATE** This project maybe abandoned, after using Stericson's method i found signing to be much easier. You can find his method here. There has been 26 people who downloaded my tool and if those users want me to continue on this project, i will. but i recommend giving Stericson's method a try. You will still need to make sure both Jave JRE and Java JDK are installed with Stericson's Method and also with his script make sure to type in yes or no, not y or n =).
I would appreciate if anyone using my tool would post here if they want me to continue with this project or not.
Right now it will only sign update.zip,framework-res.apk and Launcher.apk. I am working on adding all of the other apks to this app.
This app was built in Visual Studio 2008, you may need .Net3.5 Framework installed to run it.
To use this app just extract it to a folder.
It includes:
update
-update\app
-update\framework
Auto-Sign.exe
signapk.jar
testkey.pk8
testkey.x509.pem
This app works the same as Dave Da illest 1's autosign.bat. If you have signed themes with dave's method you will be able to use this.
You will need to make sure that Java is installed for this to work, make sure to install JRE and JDK here.
Once you extract the files into a folder, copy a theme's update.zip into the root folder. Extract the the files you will be editing, edit your files, drag them back into the apk use this program to sign the apk, drag the apk back into update.zip and use this program to sign the update.zip.
When signing Launcher.apk or any other app's apk the program will look in:
"whatever folder you extracted to"\update\app.
Please leave me any comments or questions i will try to respond to them. If you have any other ideas or plain think this app sucks and i should delete immediately let me know =)
I will add the updates and some screen shots in the next few days.
::UPDATE:: 01/17/09
I made a few changes to the app, I also added the folders that the program is expecting to be there. Now when you load the app it tells you if the files are found or not. Also I added framework-res.apk to the list to be signed.
I am working on a part of the app that will allow it to check if the original file was signed or not. This way it will not create a _signed.apk or zip.
::UPDATE::: 01/18/09
I have added some labels to the GUI that will tell you if the files are found or not. I changed around the buttons and gave a little bit better description under the read me button. I got rid of the message boxes when you started the app. Comment here and let me know what you think.
Sucks.
Just kiddin works fine thank ya. =D
I just think you guys are making more work for yourselves by using this version of the signing tool that still creates a double. Why not use the version that overwrites the file with the signed apk, so you will do less work?
Stericson
Stericson said:
I just think you guys are making more work for yourselves by using this version of the signing tool that still creates a double. Why not use the version that overwrites the file with the signed apk, so you will do less work?
Stericson
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hey Stericson, I changed the code in that app so it doesn't write the new signed file. But i noticed the original file didnt change either. Should signing the file change the modified time when you look at the properties? if not there is there another confirmation, to tell the file has been signed?
yes it should show a modified time.
stericson
Does this work on all apks or just Launcher?
broopa said:
Does this work on all apks or just Launcher?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I am running tests on update.zip, Launcher.apk and framework-res.apk. In the next few days i will release a full blown app that will sign all of the apks that people will be editing.
Thanks. I am looking forward to that release. I tried to use the app to resign Launcher.apk and I can't find the Launcher_signed in the app folder.
broopa said:
Thanks. I am looking forward to that release. I tried to use the app to resign Launcher.apk and I can't find the Launcher_signed in the app folder.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Give this new version a try and let know how you like it.
Stericson said:
I just think you guys are making more work for yourselves by using this version of the signing tool that still creates a double. Why not use the version that overwrites the file with the signed apk, so you will do less work?
Stericson
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The way the program is now it is a little more work, but a lot of people don't know anything about system variables and eventually i would like to make the program import the files directly into the correct apks and then push them into the update.zip after they are signed and then sign the update.zip itself.
I am still not getting any new files or folders that say ...._signed. I am now using v.65.
broopa said:
I am still not getting any new files or folders that say ...._signed. I am now using v.65.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Do you have JRE and JDK installed? If not then go here to download and install the first 2 files.
ahhh i can't wait to use this lol
why do we have to sign these ?
namsir said:
why do we have to sign these ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
We have to sign the files because Google setup Android so not just anyone could install anything they wanted. They wanted to have control of what was installed. Which was flubbed by JesusFreke and the other XDA hackers.
Short answer...it is a security measure set by Google.
more proof the universe is against me.
so... i tried using koush's steps to install auto-rotate browser. i first had to download the android sdk, however i cannot get it to install correctly and have never seen the tools folder. then i find out that there is a way that is easier (for me). downloaded the auto-sign app. then, found out i had to download 2 java apps, so i tried. the installation was unsuccessful. this is odd because with all the steps it took to get root, it was actually quite easy. but auto-rotate browser just does not want to be on my G1.
ok, i tried downloading the java apps again, this time, instead of downloading with the sun download manager, i double clicked on the file name to download with my firefox browser and it worked just fine. fyi.
**UPDATE** This project maybe abandoned, after using Stericson's method i found signing to be much easier. You can find his method here. There has been 26 people who downloaded my tool and if those users want me to continue on this project, i will. but i recommend giving Stericson's method a try. You will still need to make sure both Jave JRE and Java JDK are installed with Stericson's Method and also with his script make sure to type in yes or no, not y or n =).
I would appreciate if anyone using my tool would post here if they want me to continue with this project or not.
BTW.. this auto-sign tool was the only way I could get signing to work.. so THANK YOU and I hope you will continue this project.
I built this tool before i had a full understanding about signing. there is no need to sign the other apks...just the update.zip. It signs all the apks below it. so this tool is fully functional. I just didnt know it at the time heh =)
Glad it helped you out.
vista 64 bit?
hello, i was wandering if this would work with vista 64 bit.. for some odd reason on my old computer i was able to sign the files no problem but now with my new computer after "signing" it gets stuck on the animated screen... Is anyone using this and running Vista 64bit?? Have a good day..
Is there a way that i can go into the application file and change the icon.. I have created a few but i am not sure on how to resign the package.. I have the autosign from JF but i it only resigns the update.zip file... please let me know if you all know of anyway... thanx in advance..
the autosign provided in my tutorial will sign all of them. go read the tutorial on how to use it and to download it.
Stericson
Can I sign an apk & install it on my phone right away or does it have to be in an update.zip for the signing tool to work? I have an app that I just wanna change the icon for...
pull it to your comp. change the icon. sign it. push it back. and ya done never tried installing an apk after editing it.
Is there a Mac OS X app like autosign? I believe what I saw in your tutorial was a bath file and an .EXE.
I don't think so but I could be wrong.
derfolo said:
Is there a Mac OS X app like autosign? I believe what I saw in your tutorial was a bath file and an .EXE.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i could be wrong as well but i believe the signing tool JF made was done in java so it should work on macs.
this thread maybe of some help: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=3271434#post3271434
I've edited images in a "drawable" file folder and wanted to put it back to my sd card but it won't read the file. Should I put it in a zip file and put it in my sd card or does it have to be convert back to apk file? if so, how would I go about doing this?
derfolo said:
Is there a Mac OS X app like autosign? I believe what I saw in your tutorial was a bath file and an .EXE.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
just drop signapk.jar with the certificate and key into terminal and it will sign it for you.
i was looking for this info too! thanks!
You could also try the bettercut application if all you were trying to do was change an icon
Sent from my HTC Dream using XDA App
I have been trying to edit an apk file, basically change some pngs. But after iam done I can't install it anymore. Why is that?
I used 7z to open the apk archive and replaced a few pngs. I put the apk on the sdcard, open to install, goes thru installing then fails. Any help would be appreciated.
Sent from my PC36100 using Tapatalk
dont you have to sign it again or something.. did you keep the same file names for the pngs?
I kept the same file names and sizes. Do I need to sign them?
jasongthang said:
dont you have to sign it again or something.. did you keep the same file names for the pngs?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sent from my PC36100 using Tapatalk
just delete all the stuff in the META-INF folder, make edits, rezip, and resign. easy
What's the easiest way to sign an apk?
dkdude36 said:
just delete all the stuff in the META-INF folder, make edits, rezip, and resign. easy
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sent from my PC36100 using Tapatalk
soulassasin187 said:
What's the easiest way to sign an apk?
Sent from my PC36100 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You need an apk signing tool. Basically, you put the modified apk, in the signer folder, without the meta-inf folder, and run a quick command, your signed apk is then spit out. I'll attach the one I use when I get back to my laptop.
Hey... I think this thing makes phone calls too!
Here is the APK Signing Tool that I use.
Just unzip it somewhere, put the apk in the auto sign folder, open a command prompt to the folder, and run sign.bat, it should run you through it. There's a read me file in there, read it in case I forgot something.
Also, when editing market apps, they need to be resigned, but if ur editing built in app from the system, they do not. The HTC signature needs to remain intact on those.
Worked perfectly. Thank you.
JTNiggle said:
Here is the APK Signing Tool that I use.
Just unzip it somewhere, put the apk in the auto sign folder, open a command prompt to the folder, and run sign.bat, it should run you through it. There's a read me file in there, read it in case I forgot something.
Also, when editing market apps, they need to be resigned, but if ur editing built in app from the system, they do not. The HTC signature needs to remain intact on those.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sent from my PC36100 using Tapatalk
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
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.