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?
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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
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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).

(Theming Question) Regarding Root Explorer

So, I'd like to make a few changes to the app icons...for example...browser, tw launcher, email, etc.
On my previous phones, I've always just flashed them thru recovery...but with the problems some users are having after flashing custom kernels (with cwm), I would prefer to stay on the stock kernel for right now.
Could I just use root explorer to drop the replacement pngs in the apk files in system/app?
Any info would be helpful....
Thanks

Try to pull the apk to your computer, use something like 7zip to open, edit your images, update the archive, copy to your SD card, sign using zipsigner 2 and install.
Let me know how it works out

Just drop the apps
First move the app into comp
Extract with 7zip
Change the pngs (theyre in res foulder)
Unextract your files by opening file archive and dragging and dropping res folder
Use root explorer to replace app
Sent from my SPH-D710 using xda premium

[Q] Can you install mods without CWM?

Basically I want to install these mods: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1287810
I have the stock rooted kernel (found here http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1282415) which doesn't include CWM. Is there a way to install these mods without flashing through CWM?
Thanks.

I heard that rom manager now support our phone, it installs latest CWM version 5.0.2.7
I usually use adb push

Looks like you need a custom kernel for Rom Manager to work right now.
Can I just replace the files on my phone with these files and reboot?

use Odin to flash custom kernel with cwm compiled. lostkernel or zedomax's kernel both got cwm.
Sent from my SPH-D710 using xda premium

Yes but can I install these WITHOUT CWM?

romanodog said:
Yes but can I install these WITHOUT CWM?
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Click to collapse
No without custom recovery which is what cwm is you can not flash anything that is not signed by samsung .....you could flash an update through the samsung recovery but everything else will fail signature check .....that is why we use odin and clockwork mod
Sent from my SPH-D710 using xda premium

Technically yes you can. You would have to know how and where to push everything via adb but if you don't know or are uncomfortable I would definitely avoid it.

Hey romanodog you get CWM with stock rooted kernal without having to odin anything. All you have to do is do the following:
1. Go to the thread called " Lets Get Rid of that Yellow Triangle" (http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1297999)
Note: with the root method you used you wont have the yellow triangle but this is necessary to get cwm on stock kernal.
2. Download and extract the the zip called "chris41g.devphone.org/LoStKernel/FlashzImage.zip" to your desktop or directory of choice
3. now open this folder and delete the file called zImage
4. go to this thread called "Stock Pulled Repacked with CWM5" (http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1305099)
4. download the StockCWM5.zip file and extract this new zImage to the folder FlashzImage
5. run the bat file
Note: after you replace the zImage you can pretty much follow the how to video done by QbKing77 (thank him) in this thread: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1297999

cool thanks man, I will have to try that out

you can do all the mods without cwm quite easily.
just take the files from inside the zip and use a file browser to copy them to the phone.
i use es file explorer mostly, its free and lets you access the root partition.
available in the market.
(you can also use the adb push command if comfortable with a command line from the pc or a terminal emulator such as connectbot from the phone)
the trick is just figuring out where the files go. luckily when you unzip the mod you'll get folders such as
meta-inf
system
ignore the meta-inf
its the system folder you want
system> which will usually contain something like app and framework folders
just copy those files to /system/app and /system/framework viola! either overwriting the files already there or better yet backup those files or rename them first.
no cwm needed but you do need root
p.s. also you may need to reboot for changes to take effect

mjcollum said:
you can do all the mods without cwm quite easily.
just take the files from inside the zip and use a file browser to copy them to the phone.
i use es file explorer mostly, its free and lets you access the root partition.
available in the market.
(you can also use the adb push command if comfortable with a command line from the pc or a terminal emulator such as connectbot from the phone)
the trick is just figuring out where the files go. luckily when you unzip the mod you'll get folders such as
meta-inf
system
ignore the meta-inf
its the system folder you want
system> which will usually contain something like app and framework folders
just copy those files to /system/app and /system/framework viola! either overwriting the files already there or better yet backup those files or rename them first.
no cwm needed but you do need root
p.s. also you may need to reboot for changes to take effect
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Click to collapse
Cool! I thought I could do something like that but I wanted someone to confirm, thanks!
I'm pretty familiar with linux but these phones are a whole new world to me.

Framework-res.apk into flashable zip

I made some mods in my framework-res.apk using apk-manager.
now I have the framework-res.apk file on my PC, and I'd like to know how can I turn it into a .zip file which I could flash using CWM.
Thanks in advance!

L1VE said:
I made some mods in my framework-res.apk using apk-manager.
now I have the framework-res.apk file on my PC, and I'd like to know how can I turn it into a .zip file which I could flash using CWM.
Thanks in advance!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ummmm....you don't have to.
Just make a backup of your phone with CWM and then use something like Root Explorer and then go to the system folder, scroll down to the framework folder and paste your new framework-res there and wait for your phone to auto reboot. Then your done.

Rom toolbox pro

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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Click to collapse
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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Click to collapse
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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Click to collapse
Glad I helped if I did, I owe you that lol!