So here's the thing. I can make themes but I've had some requests for only the battery in my theme. So my question is if I have only the battery icons saved in a framework-res.apk what do I need to do to make that flashable, if someone doesn't want to explain and just do it for me that'd be great . I have three different designs but if you do one I can just put the others into a new one, but I would like to know what command to put into the script and if there's anything else I need to do. I'm on my phone so I can upload one later
Sent from my T-Mobile G2 using XDA App
Bump
Sent from my T-Mobile G2 using XDA App
I'm not positive, but I don't think it's possible to do what you are talking about. My understanding is that the framework-res.apk must be complete if doing the update.zip method (because it's simply going to overwrite what is there). Users will have to extract their own framework, replace with your images/xml and then replace their framework.
Otherwise, maybe they could use something like MetaMorph or NinjaMorph. I don't have much experience with those though.
ianmcquinn said:
I'm not positive, but I don't think it's possible to do what you are talking about. My understanding is that the framework-res.apk must be complete if doing the update.zip method (because it's simply going to overwrite what is there). Users will have to extract their own framework, replace with your images/xml and then replace their framework.
Otherwise, maybe they could use something like MetaMorph or NinjaMorph. I don't have much experience with those though.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think they are right,... I don't think it is possible to only update select images from within framework-res.apk. All or nowt.
Yeah I gave up and did a metamorph file lol thanks
Sent from my T-Mobile G2 using XDA App
I have been theming on the x2 for awhile now building custom themes .. I just got my nexus yesterday so I downloaded the gummy rom and tried to theme first with apktool and also with apk manager.. I see there have been themes made.. I have yet to be able to decompile any system apks successfully.. are there any new tools I'm missing or steps... would love to start theming again if I can get things to work
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Kevin3328 said:
I have been theming on the x2 for awhile now building custom themes .. I just got my nexus yesterday so I downloaded the gummy rom and tried to theme first with apktool and also with apk manager.. I see there have been themes made.. I have yet to be able to decompile any system apks successfully.. are there any new tools I'm missing or steps... would love to start theming again if I can get things to work
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
yep, you need to update apktool for use with Android 4.0
edit: more specifically...
-Wrong version of apktool (get the latest)
-Wrong verison of apktool dependancies files (same site)
-Wrong version of aapt.exe in Android SDK (get latest SDK)
Alright awesome I'll look into it tonight after work
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using xda premium
I have the latest version of all of that and can decompile with apktool. The problem is when I build the new apk and copy over the edited files and push back to the phone the app won't work.
A run down of everything I did is here: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1452530
Did u try putting it back in the flash able zip with 7 zip? I never use adb push.... in theory if u are able to compile the apk without errors it should work
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using xda premium
Kevin3328 said:
Did u try putting it back in the flash able zip with 7 zip? I never use adb push.... in theory if u are able to compile the apk without errors it should work
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I pulled the music apk, edited it, rebuilt it, and put the edited files back in the original apk. I did that because I don't know how to sign my own apk so I just used the already signed one with some edited png and xml files. The thing I don't understand is that I pulled an apk once and opened it via 7zip and edited some things, pushed it back and everything was fine (changed out some icons on the contacts.apk)
Do you know where an up-to-date theming guide can be found? I'm very interested in making my own themes instead of requesting themers to make one. Learning experience and all that jazz.
Thanks.
coverton341 said:
I pulled the music apk, edited it, rebuilt it, and put the edited files back in the original apk. I did that because I don't know how to sign my own apk so I just used the already signed one with some edited png and xml files. The thing I don't understand is that I pulled an apk once and opened it via 7zip and edited some things, pushed it back and everything was fine (changed out some icons on the contacts.apk)
Do you know where an up-to-date theming guide can be found? I'm very interested in making my own themes instead of requesting themers to make one. Learning experience and all that jazz.
Thanks.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You can't replace xml's in that way.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using XDA App
If u properly recompile the apk then yes u can .. u edit it all the XML s and pngs in the apk then recompile.. then drop the recompiled apk into the system app section of the rom u r using unless its the framework Res apk or other framework apk.. once u do this put the new rom zip back into your phone and flash in recovery ... bottom line I'm not the most experienced themer in the forums I just got the phone yesterday so its gonna take time for me to begin theming anything.. that being said perhaps if this thread stays open and more experienced themers can chime in with some tips and advice
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using xda premium
coverton341 said:
I pulled the music apk, edited it, rebuilt it, and put the edited files back in the original apk. I did that because I don't know how to sign my own apk so I just used the already signed one with some edited png and xml files. The thing I don't understand is that I pulled an apk once and opened it via 7zip and edited some things, pushed it back and everything was fine (changed out some icons on the contacts.apk)
Do you know where an up-to-date theming guide can be found? I'm very interested in making my own themes instead of requesting themers to make one. Learning experience and all that jazz.
Thanks.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Also in my short experience theming u should not have to sign a system app... u should recompile then rename it.. then reinsert into the rom you are using.. reflash the rom without any wiping and u should be good try it that way
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Kevin3328 said:
Also in my short experience theming u should not have to sign a system app... u should recompile then rename it.. then reinsert into the rom you are using.. reflash the rom without any wiping and u should be good try it that way
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Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hey Kev did u figured it out yet? I replied to ur PM...
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using XDA App
Kevin3328 said:
Also in my short experience theming u should not have to sign a system app... u should recompile then rename it.. then reinsert into the rom you are using.. reflash the rom without any wiping and u should be good try it that way
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Actually, GoogleMusic.apk is found in data/app not in system, at least in the ROM I am on. But, am I correct in assuming that I can do the same thing in this instance?
Furthermore, is there no way to theme a single application? Do I need to always theme an app, place it back into the ROM zip, and reflash said ROM?
Can I make my own flashable zip file for a single app?
Sorry to ask so many questions, I just really like tinkering with things and I would really like to get good at theming.
Kevin3328 said:
If u properly recompile the apk then yes u can .. u edit it all the XML s and pngs in the apk then recompile.. then drop the recompiled apk into the system app section of the rom u r using unless its the framework Res apk or other framework apk.. once u do this put the new rom zip back into your phone and flash in recovery ... bottom line I'm not the most experienced themer in the forums I just got the phone yesterday so its gonna take time for me to begin theming anything.. that being said perhaps if this thread stays open and more experienced themers can chime in with some tips and advice
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sorry misread what you were saying then.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using XDA App
I am at work until 1030 then I am gonna set up shop on my CPU first... gotta get the new sdk and apktool then I will gtalk u from there with issues.. all I know is this should be a learning experience lol.. by the looks of this phone it could be awhile b4 I learn what everything "is" framework will be all the apks will be different than what I'm used to
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using xda premium
coverton341 said:
Actually, GoogleMusic.apk is found in data/app not in system, at least in the ROM I am on. But, am I correct in assuming that I can do the same thing in this instance?
Furthermore, is there no way to theme a single application? Do I need to always theme an app, place it back into the ROM zip, and reflash said ROM?
Can I make my own flashable zip file for a single app?
Sorry to ask so many questions, I just really like tinkering with things and I would really like to get good at theming.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
U can make update zips and yes u should b able to do the same.. I usually borrow someone else's at first
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wut? i've never done what you guys have when it comes to compiling/decompiling and replacing stuff. i'm not so sure that works, but i'll take your word for it for now since i've never tried it either. in theory, you can decompile and change xml, recompile and replace that xml, but not if you're dealing with the actual xml folder in apks. your resources change when you mess with that. this is the same for changing smali, except something else changes (it's been a bit since i've dealt with actual dev stuff).
also, it's a big waste (and sometimes troublesome) to flash an entire ROM to update one or a few apks. making one for just testing out things in \system\ will save you time and frustration. you can also make a backup easier for if something bootloops you
Success!!!
All right, first and foremost, thank you immensely for all the suggestions Kevin and others as well.
Here's what I did. I searched the ROM zip to no avail, but then found the apk in the gapps zip. I took it out of there, decompiled, messed around with just a few png files, recompiled and put it back into the gapps zip. Flashed it and it worked. Problem is, only a couple of the edits I made showed up which brings me to my next issue, ICS optimised apps have a tonne of "drawable-***" folders. Drawable, drawable-hdpi, drawable-hdpi-v8,v9,v11, drawable-xdpi, etc....ad nauseum.
I am not messing with any smali code, xml files, or .9.png files yet as I don't know what smali does, xml is a headache, and I have heard horror stories about .9.png files.
I'm going to dink around and see if I can sort out what items need to be changed for my current dpi setting (241) and will report back any findings, but probably not tonight as I have an early course in the morning followed by work.
coverton341 said:
Success!!!
All right, first and foremost, thank you immensely for all the suggestions Kevin and others as well.
Here's what I did. I searched the ROM zip to no avail, but then found the apk in the gapps zip. I took it out of there, decompiled, messed around with just a few png files, recompiled and put it back into the gapps zip. Flashed it and it worked. Problem is, only a couple of the edits I made showed up which brings me to my next issue, ICS optimised apps have a tonne of "drawable-***" folders. Drawable, drawable-hdpi, drawable-hdpi-v8,v9,v11, drawable-xdpi, etc....ad nauseum.
I am not messing with any smali code, xml files, or .9.png files yet as I don't know what smali does, xml is a headache, and I have heard horror stories about .9.png files.
I'm going to dink around and see if I can sort out what items need to be changed for my current dpi setting (241) and will report back any findings, but probably not tonight as I have an early course in the morning followed by work.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Let us know how you (hopefully) succeed. Im a bit tempted to try theming myself but ive cant seem to find a guide that is up-to-date - and im learning somthing with every question you are asking - and with every answer the other nice fellows are providing.
:thumbs up!:
I am still trying to figure out how to setup everything.. I know I need newest sdk and newest apk multi tool which I didn't get yet.. I'm gonna tinker around today/tonite and see what I'm doing wrong
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using xda premium
mrvirginia said:
wut? i've never done what you guys have when it comes to compiling/decompiling and replacing stuff. i'm not so sure that works, but i'll take your word for it for now since i've never tried it either. in theory, you can decompile and change xml, recompile and replace that xml, but not if you're dealing with the actual xml folder in apks. your resources change when you mess with that. this is the same for changing smali, except something else changes (it's been a bit since i've dealt with actual dev stuff).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
See this is how I read it too. I believe the OP means that he's making changes and then replacing the apk in the flashable zip. Not actually replacing the edited xmls in the original apk. Glad I'm not the only one that read it that way though
coverton341 said:
Success!!!
All right, first and foremost, thank you immensely for all the suggestions Kevin and others as well.
Here's what I did. I searched the ROM zip to no avail, but then found the apk in the gapps zip. I took it out of there, decompiled, messed around with just a few png files, recompiled and put it back into the gapps zip. Flashed it and it worked. Problem is, only a couple of the edits I made showed up which brings me to my next issue, ICS optimised apps have a tonne of "drawable-***" folders. Drawable, drawable-hdpi, drawable-hdpi-v8,v9,v11, drawable-xdpi, etc....ad nauseum.
I am not messing with any smali code, xml files, or .9.png files yet as I don't know what smali does, xml is a headache, and I have heard horror stories about .9.png files.
I'm going to dink around and see if I can sort out what items need to be changed for my current dpi setting (241) and will report back any findings, but probably not tonight as I have an early course in the morning followed by work.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
no decompiling is necessary for tweaking pngs.
smali code is for messing with policies, etc.
.9.png files can be a pain if you don't recompile the apk correctly.
and this should help with your dpi as far as what to edit so you can see it...
http://developer.android.com/guide/practices/screens_support.html
to create an android apk or to edit an XML...does it take a lot of programming experience or just to know basic XML codes and how android apks work?cause i do not want to wast time on something i can't even accomplish
You definitely need to have a certain mindset even if you don't currently have the programming experience, you'd have to be prepared to put a lot of time into it, accept there will be a lot of frustration and you will more than likely not achieve what you want to accomplish...
If that doesn't put you off go for it!
This would be a good place to start http://developer.android.com/index.html
gs2rom said:
to create an android apk or to edit an XML...does it take a lot of programming experience or just to know basic XML codes and how android apks work?cause i do not want to wast time on something i can't even accomplish
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
editing xml file using notepad++ is probably the easy part. compiling the apk is the crap part, in my experience.
It's just when i decompile the apk edit it and recompile it... i open the apk with 7zip i can't see the new files added...and when i decompile the systemui.apk
I can't seem to find the drawable-xhdpi..only the drawable-hdpi
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gs2rom said:
It's just when i decompile the apk edit it and recompile it... i open the apk with 7zip i can't see the new files added...and when i decompile the systemui.apk
I can't seem to find the drawable-xhdpi..only the drawable-hdpi
Sent from my GT-I9100 using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i believe drawable-xhdpi is for the SGS3. Drawable-hdpi is for the SGS2.
Can anyone fill me in on details of how to edit java executable files? I would like to remove the GPS icon from the notification bar in the ROM I am using and the best I could come up with is this: The file I need to change is in system/framework/services.jar
Better yet, does anyone have a flashable zip with an edited services file that has no GPS icon? I would like one that works with Sense 3.0 ROMs.
If you use gimp or photoshop its pretty easy just make the GPS.png file or what ever its named in the framework-res.apk and make it transparent.
Then zip the app and sign it with a META-INF signer.
Sent from my EVO using xda premium
Or you could replace the picture itself with an empty picture so that when GPS is on and so are other radios, there won't be a random empty space there. Also, to explain how to edit the "java executable", let me explain how java works
So the reason that java is great is that its cross platform. But how? So when a .jar file is created, that's actually not 100% compiled itself, its more like 60/70% of the way there. And that's where the JRE comes in. When you open a .jar file, the code is compiled the rest of the way into bytecode that the specific OS its running on can interpret.
So there is really no such thing as a "java executable". The "jar" format is basically just a ZIP file with partially compiled code, so what you need to do is extract all the files from it (use 7Zip or something) and then get a .class decompiler (I recommend JD-GUI, its free and one of the best out there. It also has an option to decompile all the files into .java files and packages it into a .zip) and then just look at the source code. The problem is to find where exactly the GPS icon is set up, because when you decompile it, its going to be a huge mass of folders and folders and folders of files
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lreyes said:
If you use gimp or photoshop its pretty easy just make the GPS.png file or what ever its named in the framework-res.apk and make it transparent.
Then zip the app and sign it with a META-INF signer.
Sent from my EVO using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you very much for your reply. The information I originally found pointed me in the wrong direction. I found the images I want to edit in the data\sysapp\SystemUI.apk\res\drawable-hdpi. There are five .png files all starting with names like sym_gpsone_0_sprint.png. I've included some below.
All of the other modifications I have made to the ROM I am running involved using m10 and the fusion.apk or the Idlescreen_Base.apk. I know how to make those changes work on my phone. If I alter the .png images in the SystemUI.apk, I know how to zip it again, but I could use some instructions on how to sign it with a META-INF signer.
HopHead68 said:
Thank you very much for your reply. The information I originally found pointed me in the wrong direction. I found the images I want to edit in the data\sysapp\SystemUI.apk\res\drawable-hdpi. There are five .png files all starting with names like sym_gpsone_0_sprint.png. I've included some below.
All of the other modifications I have made to the ROM I am running involved using m10 and the fusion.apk or the Idlescreen_Base.apk. I know how to make those changes work on my phone. If I alter the .png images in the SystemUI.apk, I know how to zip it again, but I could use some instructions on how to sign it with a META-INF signer.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Let me get on my comp and I'll link you
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Task Accomplished
CNexus said:
Let me get on my comp and I'll link you
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Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you everyone who replied and tried to help me out. After searching around some more, I managed to make the modifications work.
Damn, ain't things easy once you know what you're doing? Anyhow, the results are below. No more GPS icon whether the GPS is on or off now.
Thanks again.
If anyone wants a brief tutorial just ask and I'll be glad to help.
HopHead68 said:
Thank you everyone who replied and tried to help me out. After searching around some more, I managed to make the modifications work.
Damn, ain't things easy once you know what you're doing? Anyhow, the results are below. No more GPS icon whether the GPS is on or off now.
Thanks again.
If anyone wants a brief tutorial just ask and I'll be glad to help.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Dude. So sorry, completely forget to post after telling you
But anyway, the process is explained in the following thread, as well as how to make a flashable zip in case anyone else is interested
Link: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1611615
But again, so sorry about that
Sent from my PG06100 using xda premium
CNexus said:
Dude. So sorry, completely forget to post after telling you
But anyway, the process is explained in the following thread, as well as how to make a flashable zip in case anyone else is interested
Link: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1611615
But again, so sorry about that
Sent from my PG06100 using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No worries at all. Before you put this up, I figured it out. Part guidance, part stumbling though the dark and some luck led to success.
Thanks for the help.
Cheers.
I installed all apk found under system/framework with apktool.
*framework-res.apk & another apk
Then decompiled Settings.apk of Xperia pro stock ics Rom.
After that ,without making any change I compiled the apk. Then I surprisingly noticed that the size compiled apk is 1/3 of original stock settings.apk .
Then I flashed the apk using cwm to my phone to test if it work .after flashing, the setting icon is invisible in launcher menu !
Plz anybody tech me how decompile and re compile stock settings.apk of Xperia pro properly..
----------------****---------------
I'm noob. Help me to be great like U
shouvo said:
I installed all apk found under system/framework with apktool.
*framework-res.apk & another apk
Plz anybody tech me how decompile and re compile stock settings.apk of Xperia pro properly..
----------------****---------------
I'm noob. Help me to be great like U
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
take a look here
cosmyndemeter said:
take a look here
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
On that post I found something like this
"2-STEP hope u guys know how to decompile iam not going to explain it so decompile the settings.apk (make sure u set the compression level 128mb)"
Then explain me how set compression level in apktool??
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I know how to decompile and compile. Also know how to mod....but main problem Is ,after re compile, settings.apk's size is decreased...why it's happening !?
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shouvo said:
I know how to decompile and compile. Also know how to mod....but main problem Is ,after re compile, settings.apk's size is decreased...why it's happening !?
Sent from my MK16i using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
size depends on apktool aapt or other files. ıts not so important. if you truly decompiled and recompiled. Be sure on resources.arsc's compression method is STORE. Generally that causes this problem. run 2 apps (original and unsigned) with winrar. move edited xmls from unsigned to signed with normal compression. Move icons(if you added or changed) with STORE method and finally move resources.arsc with STORE method.
Erhany said:
size depends on apktool aapt or other files. ıts not so important. if you truly decompiled and recompiled. Be sure on resources.arsc's compression method is STORE. Generally that causes this problem. run 2 apps (original and unsigned) with winrar. move edited xmls from unsigned to signed with normal compression. Move icons(if you added or changed) with STORE method and finally move resources.arsc with STORE method.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
"Be sure on resources.arsc's compression method is STORE. " how can i set it to STORE ??
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shouvo said:
"Be sure on resources.arsc's compression method is STORE. " how can i set it to STORE ??
Sent from my MK16i using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
as I told you, open 2 apks with winrar. drag& drop resources arsc from unsigned.apk to original.apk, a screen will appear, Check compressin method on left center( generally writes NORMAL) change it to STORE and select OK for copying. thats all
Erhany said:
as I told you, open 2 apks with winrar. drag& drop resources arsc from unsigned.apk to original.apk, a screen will appear, Check compressin method on left center( generally writes NORMAL) change it to STORE and select OK for copying. thats all
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
thanks dude...it worked just like a charm
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shouvo said:
thanks dude...it worked just like a charm
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Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You r welcom. Im glad