Develop Bugs

[Updated] - How-to Theme Development

To create themes, or to edit themes to your liking, you will need a working knowledge of android, adb, how to resign apk's, knowledge of your own O/S.
Before you start be aware that you will may end up wiping your phone once, if not more. So lets go over the things that you will need.
You will need JF's RC30, RC8, or ADP1 V1.3, depending on what version you intend to create for.
Here is the link to these: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=466174
You will also want to get the dev bootloader installed on your phone and to HIGHLY suggest everyone trying your theme to install it as well.
Link to dev bootloader: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=455860
You will also need to resign all the apks located in /system/app and framework-res.apk located in /system/framework. When you push all of these to your phone.
JesusFreke was kind enough to build a custom signing tool for me that would allow me to right click on an apk and resign it from there. I am posting it here for others to use as well. Note that this is a courtesy of JF, so thank him for it. I cannot stress how much time this has saved me and will save you.
Here is the link: Http://www.FightForthePits.com/testsign(2).zip
Before using this you need to know how to set this up:
I will assume that you have the sdk downloaded and extracted somewhere(if not, do that now), extract both files to the tools directory of your sdk.
Now you will need to add the tools dir of your sdk to the environment variable CLASSPATH.(This is for XP, Vista coming soon)
To do this, right click on My Computer click properties, then choose the tab that says advanced. Click the button that says environmental variables. Go to system variables find the one that says CLASSPATH, double click it, go to the end of variable value. There should be a semicolon ; at the end. type in the path to the testsign.jar located in the tools directory of your SDK, for example the path to my testsign.jar was c:\sdk\android-sdk-windows-1.0_r1\tools\testsign.jar If CLASSPATH is not in your system variables then create it. Secondly, Find the system variable called PATH and add to the end of it, the full path to your sdk directory. For example, mine was c:\sdk\android-sdk-windows-1.0_r2\tools
Now right click the reg file that you extracted and choose to install it, or merge.
Now, right click an apk, do you see an option that says ResignApk? That's how you will resign your .apks and .zips.
If you find the right click menu not working for some reason you can type the following in cmd to sign your files: java testsign whateverfiletosign
Now through doing this you have done two things, first off you have made the resigning process extremely easy, secondly you will not have to cd to the tools dir of the sdk to use adb or any other tool in the sdk.
You will also need a version of linux installed or running vmware with linux, if you want to create, or edit, an update script, which will install the theme onto the users phone.
You will need to be specific in addressing what version your theme is for, RC8, RC30, or ADP1. Make sure every file gets signed. Make sure you test the update.zip before you release it.
Every .apk contains the images relating to itself. However, every apk has the ability to use the images in framework-res.apk. The images for every apk is located inside of itself. To find these images open up the apk, you can rename it to .zip or open it with an archiver of your choice, winrar, winace, etc. Then after opening the apk open the folder called res and inside of that there are folders that are named Drawable, drawable-land, drawable-port, etc. This is where the images are stored.
Ther are some things you cannot edit unless you rebuild the entire apk from source, which we will not go into here.(another tutorial, another time) Just know that at this time you SHOULD NOT edit, or even open images with the extension .9.png. If you do you will have problems...Trust me. These are special images called ninepatch images and android resizes these images to fit wherever android, or any other apk, needs it to. if you do open them or edit them they will no longer render correctly when resized. I believe that in order to edit these you must do so and then put them into the source and rebuild the entire apk.
Before getting started you must also realize that you cannot simply resign one or two apk's and stick them in your phone and expect them to work. You must resign every apk inside of /system/app and framework-res.apk and put them on your phone at the same time.
To simplify this process for you though, I have provided an empty update.zip which you can place all of your resigned apps into and use to update your phone to your custom theme. You can also download someonelses theme and use there files, since they are resigned already. It may also be easier to see what files do what and go where since they have already been edited and are easy to point out.
Now, your ready to start changing things up.
You will now need to open the apk, which you can do by adding .zip after .apk, effectively changing it to a zip. Note that if you are using windows you will need to unhide known file extension types. you can also use your favorite archiver such as winrar, winzip, etc.
See here to unhide known file extension types for Xp: http://www.mediacollege.com/microsoft/windows/extension-change.html
See here to unhide file extension types for Vista: http://maximumpcguides.com/windows-vista/how-to-change-a-file-extension/
After opening the apk go to res and copy the folders that have drawable in their name. Go to your desktop, or wherever, create a new folder called Images, or whatever. Open the folder, paste the drawable folders in there. Now you can see what the files look like without opening them. Btw, you may also want to add -frame, or -launcher, to the end of the folders you cope over to keep them separated from others.
Finally, you've edited the images put them all in the apk renamed it back to an apk and resigned it. Now it's time to push it to your phone and see the changes you've made.
Important! : Whenever pushing files to the phone NEVER do it while the phone is running. Do this in recovery mode! If you do this while the phone is running normally you will begin to lose space in /system.
So, boot into recovery plug your phone in and open a cmd prompt. From the cmd prompt type adb shell mount /system then type the following: adb push c:\whereveryourfileis\whateveryourpushing.apk /system/app (system/framework if your pushing framework-res.apk)
Now reboot your phone. If it doesn't boot, try doing a wipe, if that doesn't work reinstall an update and try again. There are alot of things people can do wrong, I can't explain them all here. If you get real stuck, you can ask for help here or contact me on Gtalk [email protected].
So now your theme is done and your ready to make an update.zip for others to install your theme.
I have created a template for you to make your own update.zip. Just download, add the system apps to app, and framework to framework. Zip it up, SIGN IT, TEST IT YOURSELF, and then distribute it!
Empty update.zip template: Http://www.FightForthePits.com/Androidstuff/update_empty.zip
If anyone has any questions please try asking for help in this thread before emailing me for help Usually I will respond to questions in this forum.
I hope this Tutorial has been helpful. I will add on to it as needed.
Stericson
Links of interest:
Downloading SDK: http://code.google.com/android/intro/installing.html
Using ADB: http://code.google.com/android/reference/adb.html

Working with ninepatch should be straightforward if you use the draw9patch tool included in the SDK. Documentation on usage here:
http://code.google.com/android/reference/draw9patch.html
JF could also save theme users a wipe by resigning /system/app/* and /system/framework/framework-res.apk in his builds with the test keys. Nice tutorial, btw.

However it doesn't. I have used that to no avail. I believe you need to edit the images, put them in the source then rebuild the apks from the source.
As for JF's update, it does not currently wipe your phone after install. So, for him to do this he would have to have his update do a wipe. So technically, they would still have to do this initial wipe.
Stericson

Stericson said:
However it doesn't. I have used that to no avail. I believe you need to edit the images, put them in the source then rebuild the apks from the source.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Good point. I thought you could simply drop a similarly dimensioned PNG in but apparently there is some metadata that only the android tool can create.
As for JF's update, it does not currently wipe your phone after install. So, for him to do this he would have to have his update do a wipe. So technically, they would still have to do this initial wipe.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
True, but a user who is upgrading to a JF update after having put in customized (and test-key signed) system apps will have to wipe again anyway =) Anyone using custom themes will have to wipe every time a JF update (or any update) comes out. However if JF resigns, custom theme users would not have to wipe and stock theme users only have to wipe once. (Nevermind the fact I think everyone should wipe when updating...)

thx stericson this will help big time how long before I can get resigned rc30 last night when you said all the apk. need to be resigned I was like this is going to be a long night but I see jf hooked you up save some big time with his resigning tool

jashsu said:
Good point. I thought you could simply drop a similarly dimensioned PNG in but apparently there is some metadata that only the android tool can create.
True, but a user who is upgrading to a JF update after having put in customized (and test-key signed) system apps will have to wipe again anyway =) Anyone using custom themes will have to wipe every time a JF update (or any update) comes out. However if JF resigns, custom theme users would not have to wipe and stock theme users only have to wipe once. (Nevermind the fact I think everyone should wipe when updating...)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ah, good point
The resigned apps will be released maybye sometime tonight...I had them done but ran into a script problem on adp1 and I have yet to try the rc30 and rc8 ones yet. so I won't release those until I've tested them. If you want to be a Guinea pig however, just let me know
Stericson

Stericson said:
Ah, good point
The resigned apps will be released maybye sometime tonight...I had them done but ran into a script problem on adp1 and I have yet to try the rc30 and rc8 ones yet. so I won't release those until I've tested them. If you want to be a Guinea pig however, just let me know
Stericson
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The resigned apps have been released, each update file will resign all of apps in /system/app and framework-res.apk. However, these updates make no changes to them whatsoever...Meaning your phone will look just like a brand new phone without any modifications.

rc30 works thx Stericson made it easy for use

Issues with using the update.zip above
Hi all,
I just wanted to point out that after I applied the update.zip above and rebooted applications kept force closing randomly and constantly even through the initial setup (where you have to click the green android to start).
Prior to this, I had JF's RC30 1.3, and the engineering bootloader V2 no sigcheck.
First I did just a alt+s then a alt-w and alt+s. And still nothing.
I'm new to all this so I'm not even sure where to begin troubleshooting. Should I be using the HardSPL?
Thanks in advance and I appologize if this isn't the right place for this post.
Update:
After reflashing with JF's 1.3 RC30 and the problem persisted I noticed that there was a new release 1.31 and this has fixed the problem. I hope this helps anyone else who runs into the same problem.
I still don't know what went wrong though, can anyone shed some light on this? thanks.

Truly there's no telling, sounds like J'f's update fixed it. Can I ask what version you tested?
I would also like to announce that now, thanks to JF, again, you do not have to wipe your phone completely to apply the resigned app updates. However, you will have to re-enter your google info and your call history and other minor things will be gone, but all of your apps will be retained.
Stericson

Alright, I am a little confused........
So I downloaded testsign.zip and extracted it to the tools folder. Then I went into environmental variables and added CLASSPATH with the value D:\Android\tools\testsign.jar and now I am not sure what to do next. Can someone give me some clarification. And btw I am on XP but I can get on linux at home if I need it, but I am a total noob to all this stuff so be gentle.

I'm using http://www.fightforthepits.com/Androidstuff/update_Rc30.zip and have been encountering issues when the phone boots up. As soon as the initial phone setup comes up I get process force close errors, I extracted launcher.apk, edited the files I wanted, repacked it, signed it and then resigned the update.zip. Any ideas what I'm doing wrong? I'm already running JF's RC30 1.31

Did you repack it in linux? Did you resign Launcher.apk? Also, that update file was never meant to be used as a template for an update since it kind of wipes your phone. You should be using update_empy, to push your own theme.
If you want to do only one file at a time, flash that update(update_rc30) then adb push your file into system/app. There are lots of things that you can mess up, most of them are hard to catch too. At any rate, everyone who has made a theme can tell you it's not just a straight forward process, expect errors. I've had more than I count I know....
Trial and error is your best teacher
Stericson

Stericson said:
Did you repack it in linux? Did you resign Launcher.apk? Also, that update file was never meant to be used as a template for an update since it kind of wipes your phone. You should be using update_empy, to push your own theme.
If you want to do only one file at a time, flash that update(update_rc30) then adb push your file into system/app. There are lots of things that you can mess up, most of them are hard to catch too. At any rate, everyone who has made a theme can tell you it's not just a straight forward process, expect errors. I've had more than I count I know....
Trial and error is your best teacher
Stericson
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Must .apk's be signed if they're pushed over ADB? I'm not running Linux, I'm repacking/signing in windows.

I also had the issue with force close when installing the resigned update from the first post, apps that shouldn't even run on start up were force closing.
Also the IM application was gone, had to do a wipe and go back to jf 1.31 to correct it

I will take another look at the update I provided...
Stericson

did you ever figure out how to change the text on the status bar from black to white?

to do that you have to rebuiuld the entire apk from source and edit an xml document
Stericson

has anyone tried making the icons bigger? I noticed they are 48x48 if we go bigger will that affect anything? Also has anyone been able to remove the text below the icons on the home screen? Oh and where is the tab located that has been made invisible?
*edit
well I tried making the icons bigger and it doesn't really do anything, they don't show up bigger on the screen. Might have something to do with the text underneath, not sure.

Kyeld said:
Must .apk's be signed if they're pushed over ADB? I'm not running Linux, I'm repacking/signing in windows.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
yes they must be signed.

[Q!]Bootloop after changing framework-res.apk

Ok, so i modded about 6 png's that are for the notification bar.
However, when i add them to my used framework-res (no problems at all) my phone get's stuck in a bootloop.
After a quick question in the ROM threat, brady1uk mentioned the file size.
so i checked them, and before i modded them they were a total of 43kb, but now they are 143kb!
Could this be the problem of my bootloop, and if yes, how do i reduce the file size?
*added the status_bar png's*

I don't think it's the file size. Let me ask, when you "add them to your used framework-res" how do you do it? Did you extract the .apk then re-archive?

ephumuris said:
I don't think it's the file size. Let me ask, when you "add them to your used framework-res" how do you do it? Did you extract the .apk then re-archive?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I open the framework-res whit winrar, and i just drag and drop my custom files in there with out extracting it.

ok, so i replaced my new png's whit the old ones in the hope my phone would work again, but it didn't
Now i'm totaly clueless...
If someone could take a look at what i have combined and why it doesn't work it would love it (using lee droid 1.9A)
*sleeping*

dragonithe said:
ok, so i replaced my new png's whit the old ones in the hope my phone would work again, but it didn't
Now i'm totaly clueless...
If someone could take a look at what i have combined and why it doesn't work it would love it (using lee droid 1.9A)
*sleeping*
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
as all is failing i would suggest getting the original framework-res.apk - before u ever touched it (download leedroid rom again if you didnt back it up). And then use either APK Manager or Theme Pro to decompile the apk, then mod away and change everything you want then use APK Manager or Theme Pro to compile it back up. Thats how I do it. I think there is a chance using Winrar to just pull out the files and add them back in has currupted it somehow

brady1uk said:
as all is failing i would suggest getting the original framework-res.apk - before u ever touched it (download leedroid rom again if you didnt back it up). And then use either APK Manager or Theme Pro to decompile the apk, then mod away and change everything you want then use APK Manager or Theme Pro to compile it back up. Thats how I do it. I think there is a chance using Winrar to just pull out the files and add them back in has currupted it somehow
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
ok, so i did this, but now when i flash the .zip i get a error [ E:Failure at line 9: run_program PACKAGE:check_data_app instalation aborted.]

Ok, so after failing to create my own apk file i pulled it from my desire and added the 6 files to it.
adb push, reboot.
And it gets stuck in a bootloop...
So ok, that failed, but i had the pulled framework still on my computer, so i decided to push this file back to make it work again.
But now it's still stuck in a bootloop....
seems like my adb corupts the .apk or what could be the problem?

You shouldnt need to decompile it if your only making a few changes to the framework.
I use 7-zip to open the rom, navigate to the required apk, and open that archive then swap the images over, no need to delete the original, they will just get over written. Then press up or back within 7-zip. when you navigate out of the apk you were in 7-zip will say it has been changed, carry on, pressing back untill you are all the way out of the rom. Then resign the rom and flash it.
Ive never used apk tool to change images in the htc resources or the framework res and never had a problem.

dragonithe said:
ok, so i replaced my new png's whit the old ones in the hope my phone would work again, but it didn't
Now i'm totaly clueless...
If someone could take a look at what i have combined and why it doesn't work it would love it (using lee droid 1.9A)
*sleeping*
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I pretty sure the framework in the zip you posted is not from Leedroid so theres your 1st problem. Unless you made more than just 6 png changes.

djmace said:
You shouldnt need to decompile it if your only making a few changes to the framework.
I use 7-zip to open the rom, navigate to the required apk, and open that archive then swap the images over, no need to delete the original, they will just get over written. Then press up or back within 7-zip. when you navigate out of the apk you were in 7-zip will say it has been changed, carry on, pressing back untill you are all the way out of the rom. Then resign the rom and flash it.
Ive never used apk tool to change images in the htc resources or the framework res and never had a problem.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I also sort of use your described methode, but istead of using 7-zip, i use winzip.
djmace said:
I pretty sure the framework in the zip you posted is not from Leedroid so theres your 1st problem. Unless you made more than just 6 png changes.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It could be that the base of the framework is from leedroid, but i added a theme to it (think it is NexTang-DJDroid).
used it for about a month w/o problems, then i changed 6 files in the framework. And nothing works anymore ._.

can you try flashing the stock leedroid fw-res.apk to see if you get out of the bootloop? if you can do that, then at least you have a fallback plan.
and instead of flashing it, try using:
Code:
adb mount
adb push framework-res.apk /system/framework/framework-res.apk
I have never had any problems doing it that way.

I had the same problems. But i tried to make a flashable zip file and this work very fine..
And remeber you can not just replace a 9.png file maybe this is your fault?

mista1982 said:
I had the same problems. But i tried to make a flashable zip file and this work very fine..
And remeber you can not just replace a 9.png file maybe this is your fault?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
hmm,
could you tell me a bit more about that?

[GUIDE] how to make a flashable package (update.zip)
How to edit .9.pngs

nzdcoy said:
can you try flashing the stock leedroid fw-res.apk to see if you get out of the bootloop? if you can do that, then at least you have a fallback plan.
and instead of flashing it, try using:
Code:
adb mount
adb push framework-res.apk /system/framework/framework-res.apk
I have never had any problems doing it that way.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have the same problem, could you tell me how to push the framework-res.apk step by step ( just press the power button --> ) . Sorry ....

dragonithe said:
Ok, so i modded about 6 png's that are for the notification bar.
However, when i add them to my used framework-res (no problems at all) my phone get's stuck in a bootloop.
After a quick question in the ROM threat, brady1uk mentioned the file size.
so i checked them, and before i modded them they were a total of 43kb, but now they are 143kb!
Could this be the problem of my bootloop, and if yes, how do i reduce the file size?
*added the status_bar png's*
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Same thing happened to me!
I Wiped Cache, Dalvik Cache, but nothing happened!
I had to flash 2.3.6 Stock ROM via Odin, to make my phone work!

[Q] How to modify and replace framework-res.apk

Hello
I changed some png images with 7zip and copied back to system/framework/ but i got boot loop.
I would like to know how to modify and replace .apk that will work normal?
Thanks

How exactly did you replace the png's? Because the 'normal' proces of unzip-replace-rezip doesn't work.
The most easy way to changes png's:
1. Open framework-res.apk in 7-zip
2. Search for the files you want to change and copy them to your hard disk (do not unzip!!)
3. change the files. Make sure the name stays EXACT the same.
4. Open framework-res.apk and copy your new files in the desired place. By doing so, the original files will be replaced by your files. DO NOT USE ANY COMPRESSION (if asked select 'store').
5. Go into recovery, mount /system and replace the framework-res.apk by the new one. Reboot phone.
Take home message: never unzip
Hope it works now!
Erwin

i went to recovery and hit mount/system. But how can i replace it?
Thanks

urkotheone said:
i went to recovery and hit mount/system. But how can i replace it?
Thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You have to use adb to do is. I assume you know how to work with it. If not, you have to search for a little tutorial (can't link you right now because I'm using the xda app)
Put the new framework-res.apk in the same folder as adb.exe. Open the command prompt and brows to that same folder. Type in your command prompt:
Code:
adb shell mv system/framework/framework-res.apk system/framework/framework-res.old
adb push framework-res.apk system/framework
adb reboot
Due to the first command, you have a backup of your original framework-res.apk. To restore it, you have to boot in recovery, mount /system and again by the use of the command prompt, type:
Code:
adb shell rm system/framework/framework-res.apk
adb shell mv system/framework/framework-res.old system/framework/framework-res.apk
adb reboot
Erwin

Yeeeeey i did it
Thank you

One more problem
When discharging it's working, but when I charge phone i don't get no battery icon. I believe it's because in original framework i had 100 png animations for charging and now i have only 20. Is there a way to fix this?

urkotheone said:
One more problem
When discharging it's working, but when I charge phone i don't get no battery icon. I believe it's because in original framework i had 100 png animations for charging and now i have only 20. Is there a way to fix this?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Then it is going to be much more complicated than that. Perhaps I can explain you in more detail tomorrow, but you will have to look up some things for yourself.
First, you should decompile the framework-res.apk first using apktool. You will notice that it almost looks like it just dezips your apk, but when you look closely, you will see now that you can open and read the xml files.
Second, you have to open res\drawable\stat_sys_battery.xml (or something similar, perhaps it depends on your ROM). Try to understand what is written and make some changes (it is really not that hard) so that your system shows only 20 different images, in stead of 100.
Third, you have to recompile your modified framework-res.apk. Then pull stat_sys_battery.xml out of "your" framework-res.apk into the original framework-res.apk, but again, without unzipping one of them. Do, of course, the same thing with your images.
I must admit, I've been busy with the battery icons myself. It was my plan to do something similar like you did, but I didn't do it yet. So all the things I've written above where the things I was planing to do, but I don't know if it will work, as I never tried it myself. So please, keep me/us informed ;-)
Good luck!
EDIT: I used this site to know how to decompile apk's.

This is an old thread but I wanted to edit my systemUI.apk file with changing out a couple images... if I was to upload the file I edited (by just swapping out the images) to the UOT kitchen and use a mod, say the battery mod, would it make the file usable on my phone or would I get a bootloop or worse?
Basically what I did was opened up the SystemUI.apk file using 7zip and just swapped out the images I wanted (making sure I saved the original ones of course). I didn't unzip/zip anything.. I just opened it using 7zip and then closed it. It didn't ask me if I wanted to save anything though??
Sorry for the stupid question... but I thought it would be an idea as I want to use the UOT to make a mod to the theme I have anyways.

crazy_dragonlady said:
This is an old thread but I wanted to edit my systemUI.apk file with changing out a couple images... if I was to upload the file I edited (by just swapping out the images) to the UOT kitchen and use a mod, say the battery mod, would it make the file usable on my phone or would I get a bootloop or worse?
Basically what I did was opened up the SystemUI.apk file using 7zip and just swapped out the images I wanted (making sure I saved the original ones of course). I didn't unzip/zip anything.. I just opened it using 7zip and then closed it. It didn't ask me if I wanted to save anything though??
Sorry for the stupid question... but I thought it would be an idea as I want to use the UOT to make a mod to the theme I have anyways.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't know if I understand you fully, but I believe it would: only if the UOT changed the images that you have changed, you will not see the things you have changed.
What I did some time ago was upload my framework en systemui to the UOT, apply the battery mod and than change the battery images with my own. I did that just by opening the apk in WinRAR and adding my images, just like you did.
But if you only want to swapp some images, there is no need for uploading it to the UTO. Just continue as you did. Just make sure that you keep the original systemui.apk on your hdd. In case of a bootloop, you can easely revert.
Is that een answer to your question?
Erwin

Yes, it does.. and thanks. I ended up following the instructions on another thread I found on here... don't remember exactly which one but it basically omitted uploading the files to the UOT. It was a guide on how to theme your phone... sorry but I didn't save the link.
thanks again!
CDL.

urkotheone said:
Hello
I changed some png images with 7zip and copied back to system/framework/ but i got boot loop.
I would like to know how to modify and replace .apk that will work normal?
Thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Same thing happened to me!
I Wiped Cache, Dalvik Cache, but nothing happened!
I had to flash 2.3.6 Stock ROM via Odin, to make my phone work!

I always work with Winrar, and in there you have the option for compression, which is selected at "medium compression" by default, and that causes bootloops.
So make sure that you don't compress your apk when adding your new png, or it will not work.
Erwin

I change my framework-res.apk from another rom. the problem is when I push long power button, my device going to BOOTANIMATION with out I choose shutdown, restart n etc.. what's wrong with my device??
sorry for my bad eng..

The problem is its another roms framework so things are in different places and some things will be missing, put the framework-res.apk from your rom back and things should go back to normal, mind me asking what tweak or mod you are after using?
Sent from my HTC Wildfire using xda premium

first time I must say sorry, I know this not my device place on XDA, I use MB525.. but I see the same problem here..
I use Ms3ginger mod rom by walter, n I take framework-res.apk from 2.3.6_4.5.2-109 DHT25_themed MultiLanguage, I try to change battery sys-stat but I get bootloop..
once again sorry for my bad eng

If not possible try
Adb remount
First

[Mod] Using the Optimus V on Verizon

Do not ask me or anyone else on these forums about how to change your ESN! It is highly illegal! Don't do it! I will not discuss that at all in this thread.
If you have activated your Optimus V on Verizon's network, and you have any of the Optimus V Froyo roms installed, the following will show you how to mod the rom to run on Verizon smoothly. Otherwise, you won't be able to send and receive sms/mms messages, and the phone will constantly complain that it is roaming. The scope of this thread is how to mod the rom once you have already activated your phone.
Always do a backup before doing anything on this page. You will need to use root explorer or adb to install these files onto the system partition. Or you can build/mod your own rom and install it.
Using adb, you would first mount system as write-able:
Code:
adb remount
Then you would push the files to the phones with the push command:
Code:
adb push file.ext /path/file.ext
Step 1: download this file pack
Step 2: Extract the files into the same folder as adb or onto your sdcard if you are using root explorer.
Step 3:
Place apns-conf.xml inside /system/etc/
Place Phone.apk inside /system/app/
Place telephony.db inside /data/data/com.android.providers.telephony/databases/
Step 4: I've included a modded framework-res.apk from the reborn rom. If you use a different rom or if the included one does not work for you, extract the original framework-res.apk from your rom located in /system/framework/. Using winrar or 7zip, add the included eri.xml to /res/xml/. Replace the original framework-res.apk on your rom.
Step 5: Using QPST, flash the included PRL file, 52299.prl
I've been using this setup for a week now without problems. I thought I would share. I tried using the LG Vortex rom on the Optimus V, but the hardware was too different. This method should also work on the Optimus S, M, and C, but I have not confirmed.
For the CM7 roms, check here: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=19992286&postcount=11

nice <3 it looks awesome

I really need to find a way to repair my esn. it reads all zeros .. please help

if it truely is all zeros,then it would not be illegal to write the phone's own esn/meid back in,but it MUST be the one on the sticker of the phone. the way to do that would be to flash a rom that lets the phone show up in diag mode. I know aospCMOD does,I don't think IHO does though. experiment and you should end up with the phone showing up as a modem. then install qxdm,if you google for it its easy to find. you need qpst also,they are both on the same page if you google for them together. once you have all that,launch qxdm,go through the menus and find communication,pick the lge diag port,then in the command box,type "spc ______"<enter>where the ______ is your SPC/MSL. you can get these using cdma workshop 2.7 which is also illegal to link here,but is easy to find,just pick the diag port,click connect,then go to the security tab and pick lg method and hit read. now back in qxdm,type "RequestNVItemWrite meid 0x_______________"<enter> where the ____ is your meid from the phone's sticker. DO NOT USE THE MEID FROM ANY OTHER PHONE OR THIS IS ILLEGAL.once that is done,which should be instant,then type "mode reset"<enter> the phone should now reboot.
Message to mods: Please do not remove this post as it does not show anyone how to change an esn/meid,it only allows them to write one in if the phone does not already have one. If the phone does already have one,this method will not work to change it,it will stay at its original.

msnuser111 said:
if it truely is all zeros,then it would not be illegal to write the phone's own esn/meid back in,but it MUST be the one on the sticker of the phone. the way to do that would be to flash a rom that lets the phone show up in diag mode. I know aospCMOD does,I don't think IHO does though. experiment and you should end up with the phone showing up as a modem. then install qxdm,if you google for it its easy to find. you need qpst also,they are both on the same page if you google for them together. once you have all that,launch qxdm,go through the menus and find communication,pick the lge diag port,then in the command box,type "spc ______"<enter>where the ______ is your SPC/MSL. you can get these using cdma workshop 2.7 which is also illegal to link here,but is easy to find,just pick the diag port,click connect,then go to the security tab and pick lg method and hit read. now back in qxdm,type "RequestNVItemWrite meid 0x_______________"<enter> where the ____ is your meid from the phone's sticker. DO NOT USE THE MEID FROM ANY OTHER PHONE OR THIS IS ILLEGAL.once that is done,which should be instant,then type "mode reset"<enter> the phone should now reboot.
Message to mods: Please do not remove this post as it does not show anyone how to change an esn/meid,it only allows them to write one in if the phone does not already have one. If the phone does already have one,this method will not work to change it,it will stay at its original.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
thanks I will try this on my brick phone as soon as I get home.

thanks it work. thanks a billion.

how do I get M.Ip settings in QPST Service programming to stick. they always revert back to original.

not working on bumblebee rom

mereed1977 said:
not working on bumblebee rom
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
if you're having problems connecting with qxdm/qpst, try booting into recovery first.
you can also restore your first stock backup and the pst's can talk while it's turned off but still plugged into the pc.

freddysam has been a God-send..He has helped me with SOOO much pertaining to all of this..I just wanted to publicly let it be known that this guy is AWESOME and SUCH A HUGE HELP!!! Thanks again bro!!!

Thanks to freddysam, I found that this was possible and I now have another Optimus V but it is on the Verizon network via Page Plus Cellular. However, instead of using the package freddysam posted here, I have built an up-to-date ROM from the IHO/CM repo hybridized for OV on the Verizon network. It is working fine for me without any issues. Instead of going through steps 1-4, you can just flash the following ROM (updated 02/22/2012)
http://www.mediafire.com/?emblkx8bb2bcoc1
MD5sum: ab4290cdccc249a5766458841d6e2565
You can check the MiRaGe build at IHO Wiki. This is the same build with VZW mods. If you also want the theme for MiRaGe ROM for VZW, it is here. Don't use the theme on the Wiki.
You still need step 5 to flash the PRL using QPST. But after that, you can update to the latest PRL by dialing to *228 and choosing option 2.
Thanks especially to Blarf and BobZhome for creating the IHO repo and VM670, VS660 ROMs.

I am attempting to get an Optimus V on Page Plus but am having trouble with Step 4.
I keep getting a boot loop or frozen flash screen after I repack and load framework-res.apk
Here is where I am at:
1)Rooted stock ROM using Gingerbreak
2)Flashed Xionia Recovery
3)Made backup of stock ROM
4)Flashed the Mirage ROM posted above after clearing caches and formatting the appropriate partitions
5)Get stuck at splash screen during boot. Sometimes it goes into a loop if I wait long enough
6)Tried using Xionia to fix boot loop, does not work
7)Tried installing the Mirage ROM in this thread using IHO_Recovery (BobZHome update for new Optimus V), still loops.
Alternatives I have tried:
1)Flashed IHO_Recovery
2)Installed BobZHome CM7 ROM. It works fine.
3)Replaced files in BobZHome CM7 ROM with the files in this thread. Everything went fine until step 4, then I would freeze at splash screen on boot.
4)Attempted to unpack/replace eri.xml/repack framework-res.apk from BobZHome CM7 ROM. Again freezes/loops at splash screen.
Any suggestions?

depthsounder said:
I am attempting to get an Optimus V on Page Plus but am having trouble with Step 4.
I keep getting a boot loop or frozen flash screen after I repack and load framework-res.apk
Here is where I am at:
1)Rooted stock ROM using Gingerbreak
2)Flashed Xionia Recovery
3)Made backup of stock ROM
4)Flashed the Mirage ROM posted above after clearing caches and formatting the appropriate partitions
5)Get stuck at splash screen during boot. Sometimes it goes into a loop if I wait long enough
6)Tried using Xionia to fix boot loop, does not work
7)Tried installing the Mirage ROM in this thread using IHO_Recovery (BobZHome update for new Optimus V), still loops.
Alternatives I have tried:
1)Flashed IHO_Recovery
2)Installed BobZHome CM7 ROM. It works fine.
3)Replaced files in BobZHome CM7 ROM with the files in this thread. Everything went fine until step 4, then I would freeze at splash screen on boot.
4)Attempted to unpack/replace eri.xml/repack framework-res.apk from BobZHome CM7 ROM. Again freezes/loops at splash screen.
Any suggestions?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Try wiping the partitions several times more and flashing the MiRaGe ROM over again. I had the same trouble with a new OV and it worked after trying three-four times. I have an OV with new screen and used BobZhome's recovery, see under the heading "Alternatives" in the IHO Wiki.

Success! (Sort of )
The files in this thread do work on CM7, I just could not just copy them into the respective folders without errors. Here is how I got them to work.
Warning, it took alot of rebooting and reflashing backups to figure this stuff out, make a nandroid backup before you attempt to replace the system files.
1. Follow steps 1 and 2 in OP
2. Download NinjaMorph or other app that can unpack/repack apk files. These instructions were written for NinjaMorph.
3. Copy files from Step 3 onto phone memory (I used /system), change permissions to rw-r--r--:
- Read:User,Group,Others
- Write:User
- Execute:None
If these files are not set to the correct permissions then apps will start force closing when the files are replaced.
4.MOVE (not copy) files to the folders in OP
- Place apns-conf.xml inside /system/etc/
- Place Phone.apk inside /system/app/
- Place telephony.db inside /data/data/com.android.providers.telephony/databases/
This method would not work for framework-res.apk for me, I had to rebuild the framework-res.apk that came on CM7 with the eri.xml file from the framework-res.apk in the OP. Instructions for doing so follow.
5. Rename the framework-res.apk from the OP to something else, I used VZWframework-res.apk. Open Ninjamorph, start new project and point it to the file you just renamed. It will unpack the apk into a folder on your sdcard called /sdcard/AndroidThemes/workspace. It will ask you to select a file you want to change, back out because we will do that in the next step.
6. Create a new project in Ninjamorph, this time point it to /system/framework/framework-res.apk, it will unpack this apk and ask you to select a file you want to change. Select res/xml/eri.xml, it will then ask you which file to replace it with. Point it to /sdcard/AndroidThemes/workspace/VZWframework-res/res/xml/eri.xml, note that i used VZWframework-res, your folder will be whatever name you chose in Step 5 above.
7. Select finish project, it will repack framework-res.apk and overwrite the existing framework-res.apk in your phone.
8. Reboot Phone. If your phone reboots fine and apps don't start force closing it worked! You should see a change in the taskbar, roaming should not show when the network is Verizon Wireless if you have installed the prl as described by the OP.
I still did not have MMS working at this point and even though my phone didn't say it was roaming, Cell Connectivity Tracker indicated that it was in a roaming state and data would not work without enabling roaming data. The following steps fixed these issues:
9. Move the attached Mms.apk file to /system/app Ensure that the permissions are rw-r--r-- on the file before you move it.
10. Make a copy of your original build.prop and save it on your sdcard (you are making backups this whole time right?) Rename the build.prop.txt in this post to build.prop and move it into /system/ Ensure that permissions are rwxr-xr-x
Both of the files in this post came from the VZW MiRaGe ROM that mrg666 posted above, I did not alter them and full credit goes to him for creating them, I just made them easier to access.
edited out the following due to the help from bigsupersquid and BobZHome (thanks!)
Some Notes:
-While this method got the files onto my Optimus V running CM7.2_RC0 by BobZHome without crashing it, I still do not have mms working.
-I replaced the Mms.apk in my system/app/ directory with the one from the MiRaGe VZW in hopes to fix my mms issues, but no luck.
-Even though the taskbar does not show roaming, if I go into the phone status menu it still says roaming even though I am on the Verizon Wireless network.
-I believe the above issue can be traced to the fact that my phone still thinks it is a Virgin Mobile device. If I run STMurray Cell Connectivity Tracker it gives me "Sim provider name (MCC+MNC): Virgin Mobile" in the log results.
Does anyone know which system file holds the provider information? I never activated this phone on Virgin Mobile, so I can only assume that the setting came from the CM7 ROM I installed.

/system/build.prop
thanks for the pointer to Ninjamorph.

Add/change the following in system/build.prop
ro.cdma.home.operator.alpha=Verizon
ro.cdma.home.operator.numeric=310004
ro.HorizontalVVM=true

Thanks so much for your help guys. I have everything working now including mms and data without roaming.
The tip about build.prop seemed to be the last piece of the puzzle.
I changed the settings above, but still had indications of roaming; I ended up using the entire build.prop from the MiRaGe VZW ROM and it works fine now.
I also noticed that my data usage was dominated by "dialer and dialer storage" before I fixed this roaming issue. Dialer still uses an uncomfortably large amount of data, but it isn't the 20Mb/day that it used yesterday, more like 1Mb/day now. The dialer data usage issue doesn't seem to be fully understood from what I could find; maybe my experience above is a clue.

So I am going to try and switch my optimus v details over to a samsung epic 4g, which will leave my optimus v useless. I was wondering if I could use an old verizon lg flip phone as a donor to the optimus v just for talk and text no data (i am aware mms wont work..)
My youngest brother is on my parents verizon plan and wants a smartphone but they wont pay for the data. I was thinking I could give my phone to him and make the optimus v appear as a dumbphone on the verizon network with just talk and text w/ wifi for internet. I am not asking help on HOW to do it, just do you guys think it would work?

brooksyx said:
So I am going to try and switch my optimus v details over to a samsung epic 4g, which will leave my optimus v useless. I was wondering if I could use an old verizon lg flip phone as a donor to the optimus v just for talk and text no data (i am aware mms wont work..)
My youngest brother is on my parents verizon plan and wants a smartphone but they wont pay for the data. I was thinking I could give my phone to him and make the optimus v appear as a dumbphone on the verizon network with just talk and text w/ wifi for internet. I am not asking help on HOW to do it, just do you guys think it would work?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I use one OV on Verizon through Page Plus Cellular prepaid plan. Everything works (data, mms ...). I just disable data since it eats all of the money quickly. I went to Canada two weeks ago, it was also roaming there and I could call back US.

mrg666 said:
I use one OV on Verizon through Page Plus Cellular prepaid plan. Everything works (data, mms ...). I just disable data since it eats all of the money quickly. I went to Canada two weeks ago, it was also roaming there and I could call back US.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Good to know that it can work without data. But what I am wondering is if can i switch it with the esn and meid of my old dumbphone and not put in any of the data password/settings. All I want is talk and text on it so my brother won't get charged data and verizon would think he was using the dumbphone not a smartphone. He is part of my parents family plan.

[NST] HELP IN PATCHING framework.jar

HI EVERY BODY, I REALLY NEED HELP IN PATCHING this files to get Arabic support. I am not an expert with patching and code stuffs . Last days i was trying to root my nook. First i rooted with Slasicha but i was not able to run android market,
then restored and rooted again with minimal touch. i was afraid of it because it involves installing cwm which i don't know any thing about it, but with following steps and instructions, It worked . also Google apps and market
files that i need to try patching it
framework.jar
libwebcore.so
framework.jar takes care of shaping texts in android on all texts except Gmail and the browser, while libwebcore.so takes care of shaping texts in the default Browser and Gmail app.
This patcher will attempt to get you Arabic support in both of these files.
This should work with all Android phones sporting Android
these steps taken from here :
http://blog.devasque.com/?page_id=11
by madmack member
http://forum.xda-developers.com/member.php?u=1436971
Requirements:
Your device needs to be rooted.
Your Android version is 2.1 or newer
Your ROM needs to be deodexed. To find out if your installed ROM is deodexed, navigate to /system/framework on your phone. If you see a file called framework.odex then this patch will NOT work for you.
Your rom is not based on MIUI.
Steps to apply the patch:
Download the patch below and extract it to a folder on your computer.
Pull /system/framework/framework.jar from your phone and place it in the subfolder input that you extracted in step 1
If you’re not using a CyanogenMod ROM, then you’ll also need to pull /system/lib/libandroid_runtime.so from your phone and place it in subfolder input that you extracted in step 1
If you’re interested in getting arabic shaping in the Browser, pull file /system/lib/libwebcore.so from your phone and place it in subfolder input as well.
Double click on commands.exe. Do not close the black cmd screens that will pop up. Once the patch is done, you should get a patched framework.jar in the subfolder output
Version 0.800 provides a recovery flashable file in folder output. Place that on your sdcard, reboot into recovery and flash it. If the flashing through recovery didn’t work for some reason, you’ll need to do the following manually:
Put file output/framework.jar in your phone at /system/framework/
Put file output/libandroid_runtime.so in your phone at /system/lib/ (if this file exists, it shouldn’t if you’re arabizing CM6).
Put file output/libicuuc-arabic.so in your phone at /system/lib/ This is extremely important, failing to place this file will result in a boot loop of your deivce
If file exists: Place file output/libwebcore.so in your phone at /system/lib/
If file exists: Place file output/lib__bcore.so in your phone at /system/lib/
I’ve also included the Aljazeera fonts in fonts. You can place these in /system/fonts and reboot
Sometimes permissions and xml data doesn’t get updated correctly resulting in corrupted data entries. If you receive a bunch of Force Closes after a reboot, you’ll need to Factory Reset.
member: dark hawk, on this post
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=22521341&postcount=17
said ,
dark_hawk said:
As for how to add Arabic, I'll add a guide soon, it involves patching the Framework.jar only, as I found that patching the lib files causes crashes in the anything related to the stock browser , like gmail and such. But all in all, You'll have Arabic in everything else.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
but he did not answer, i hope he is ok
can someone help me with that a screenshot with these website :
www.ce4arab.com
www.bbc.co.uk/arabic/
, it would be a great help