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Hi. I'm pretty legit with GIMP and would like to create a MetaMorph that will work on Sense ROMS. Ideally, I'd like to keep Rosie the same (so I'd don't need to re-map) and then theme the rest of Sense out (like Aloysius). I'd also like to modify Sense widgets and Android widgets in general to go with my overall theme.
I've never themed anything before, but my understand is that you just need to DL an appropriate .apk to your desktop, change the filename to .zip, and swap out the relevant .png's in most cases. Then, you'll want to make sure the .png's are optimized then re-sign and zipalign the .apk file.
I want to start with something similar to UltraLinx's Minimal Matte Grey theme for the Desire (http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=745854). I want to make a Sense Rosie that goes with this and then theme the rest of Sense like Konikub did with Aloysius.
Who's got some experience and wants to help me? Any and all help/advice is appreciated!
If you're making MM themes, then you don't have to resign the apks. In fact, you only have to include the pngs that you're replacing, in their respective folders. I suggest that you dl any newer mm theme and unzip it. Then look at the xml file and how the folders are setup, the just reverse engineer it. Let me know if you need any help.
Sent from my Eris using XDA App
So I have been reading a few theming guides but haven't been able to really understand them. It looks like with KB1, there is nothing but .xml files in the drawable folder. Am I only needing to edit these .xml's? Or is there somewhere I am not finding the .png's?
If anyone knows how to create custom themes please let me know, or direct me to a guide that will give me more information specifically for the Vibrant.
Strericsons guide is good, but it is old and outdated.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=667951 this guide is good too but I there aren't any theme files to start off with.
Any help will be appreciated, thanks!
I also plan on sharing the themes I create. They will be good
jzero88 said:
So I have been reading a few theming guides but haven't been able to really understand them. It looks like with KB1, there is nothing but .xml files in the drawable folder. Am I only needing to edit these .xml's? Or is there somewhere I am not finding the .png's?
If anyone knows how to create custom themes please let me know, or direct me to a guide that will give me more information specifically for the Vibrant.
Strericsons guide is good, but it is old and outdated.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=667951 this guide is good too but I there aren't any theme files to start off with.
Any help will be appreciated, thanks!
I also plan on sharing the themes I create. They will be good
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The great majority of the .pngs are in the drawable-hdpi or drawable-hdpi-v4 folders.
As for theming in general, take a look at this: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=916814
Also, I wouldn't call Stericsons guide, or anyone else's for that matter, outdated. There haven't exactly been major changes in the structure of APKs, so any guide that was applicable before should still be applicable.
Ok great thanks for the info. I didn't mean necessarily outdated, but the methods might have a few changes pertaining to them. I will take a look at that link you provided!
uhh.. I'm certain if I understand you correctly. You unzip one of KB1 Roms. Under \system\framework\, some basic files you need to focus is framework-res.apk, twframwork-res.apk, and services.jar. You have to extract these apks to see the corresponding pngs.
Here's an excellent REF from Master himeself:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=940692&highlight=apk+manager
xxxman999 said:
uhh.. I'm certain if I understand you correctly. You unzip one of KB1 Roms. Under \system\framework\, some basic files you need to focus is framework-res.apk, twframwork-res.apk, and services.jar. You have to extract these apks to see the corresponding pngs.
Here's an excellent REF from Master himeself:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=940692&highlight=apk+manager
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Awsome! Thanks for this info, I remember seeing this but don't remember where, it was late at night. This is exactly what I needed!
Thanks
jzero88 said:
Awsome! Thanks for this info, I remember seeing this but don't remember where, it was late at night. This is exactly what I needed!
Thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I just want to mention that, while I don't want to knock his guide, if you have any real interest in theming, it's best to learn how to properly decompile and compile apks, not simply unzip them. His method is fine for changing out a few pngs, though.
MWBehr said:
I just want to mention that, while I don't want to knock his guide, if you have any real interest in theming, it's best to learn how to properly decompile and compile apks, not simply unzip them. His method is fine for changing out a few pngs, though.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah definitely. I am just looking on getting my feet wet for now, edit a few simple things to get an idea of how its done. If I want to fully edit a ROM I'm definitely going to get under the hood and take a look
So being able to change colors of some status bar .png's has been successful. What I did was basically simple. I took an already modified battery stat update theme since I wanted to keep the settings from it (KA7-KB1-circ-ab-col-pm.zip) and modified the .png's from that. Added them back to the zip, and flashed. Did not need to resign at all. Took two minutes
Was able to edit the status bar color, but couldn't find the .png's for the pull down background color.
jzero88 said:
So being able to change colors of some status bar .png's has been successful. What I did was basically simple. I took an already modified battery stat update theme since I wanted to keep the settings from it (KA7-KB1-circ-ab-col-pm.zip) and modified the .png's from that. Added them back to the zip, and flashed. Did not need to resign at all. Took two minutes
Was able to edit the status bar color, but couldn't find the .png's for the pull down background color.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You'll never resign a framework no matter what you do. The background is actually in twframework-res.apk
Sooooo basically I've never actually gotten all technical with the the theming on android. Nothing legit like you guys. But isn't it just a series of file replacements? Im an artist and have spent all my life drawing n such, and if someone would show me what to replace and how to safely do it I would give then whatever they need to release a flashable theme if anyone likes It. Im a very picky person. I like change on my phone baaddddd. If shown how; expect to see new themes like every other week if possible (depending on how difficult it is). Along with wallpapers that I usually spend hours trying to find.
Any takers?
Use search. I found some great links in this forum alone on theme creation.
Sent from my DROID X2 using xda premium
I'm new to theming, but for my theme, UOT Kitchen helped me out! The only downside is that you can't do status bar, boot animation, or lock screen. There's a thread for UOT Kitchen some where around this forum. But your right, just file replacements. Look under the systemUI.apk and framework-res drawable-hdpi files with 7zip (or something similar). You can edit the images without unzipping the file!
I started with a UOT Kitchen file and added/changed stuff in the file. If you can't find an image or need help with changing something, try asking the ROM creator, the would probably know where the stuff is in the ROM.
If you fail, try and try again! I epically failed my first time and SBF a couple times because I was an idiot. Then I asked some questions and got started the right way. But make sure you do a back up before you flash a new file. I learned the hard way. A file can look fine to the phone at first, then it deletes everything it should, and then starts to copy files over like normal until a part of the file is bad. Then you have to SBF or restore.
Backing up is easy, just go into recovery and go to advanced, then back up, and choose to put the back up file under internal or external SD card. I do external, just my preference.
Sent from my DROID X2 using XDA App
A lot of it is file replacement. However to change some of the colors such as text and the color of the volume indicator (those are the only ones that I can think of right now) will involve replacing the color hex values in XML files. In order to get the xml files in a readable/editable format you'll need to use apkmanager or apktool. Those are used to decompile the apk packages. You can then edit what you need to (including images) then re-compile the package. Search around in this themes forum for Navenedrobs post about android tools. He includes a download for apkmanager, apktool and some other necessary tools. I use apkmanager myself.
I also use 7zip for some small edits as mentioned in the last post but I prefer to decompile then edit. Apkmanager makes it easy to then optimize the images prior to recompile.
Oh another that required xml edits for colors is AOSP calendar. Not too many images in there but lots of colors are defined.
Here's a link to naven's android tools post.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1261198
Theming is time consuming... its not quite as easy as simple image replacement especially on stretchable images also known as 9 pngs ... also if u want to start creating your own images that too could get tricky as u will need to use a program like gimp or another photo editing program.. gimp is the best in my opinion... sometimes it is necessary to add layers when creating your own images.... Hedwig... do use draw 9 patch for your. 9 pngs.... if not how do u edit those... I use apk manager to decompile and recompile each apk.. just curious if u know of a better tool for editing the. 9 pngs .. neways the way I started theming is with 7 zip... I went in and changed the images regular pngs and then tested it out uot kitchen is a good start but u r limited as far as how much u can theme
Sent from my DROID X2 using XDA App
Kevin3328 said:
Hedwig... do use draw 9 patch for your. 9 pngs.... if not how do u edit those... I use apk manager to decompile and recompile each apk.. just curious if u know of a better tool for editing the. 9 pngs ..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you decompile the apk the 9.png images gain the one pixel border where the patch is drawn. I'm just careful not to edit any of the black pixels around the edges. When you re-compile the border is lost (values of those are stored). So, no, I don't use draw 9 patch at all. If you're making new images that you plan to compile into the apk the you can just draw the patches in gimp, photoshop, or whatever you use. Just remember to add a one pixel border all around to the size of your new image.
So, XGrinder911. Any of this discussion helping out or are we all just blah, blah, blah?
Well I was considering Adobe Illustrator? Might that program work to create images? And so I get this apk manager, it decompiles and whatnot then I edit the files. Recompiles and voila theme? I get using apk manager on like the calendar cause its an actuall app but what about things like the status bar n notification pull down? they are in serious need of a make over.
And I tried using the kitchen. Didn't work out for me. Got my loving boot loops. Even when replacing the framework res apk.
Ooohhhh! Is It that? That's the apk?
PS- Hedwig your my new best friend.
IDMA.DROID.X2 said:
I'm new to theming, but for my theme, UOT Kitchen helped me out! The only downside is that you can't do status bar, boot animation, or lock screen. There's a thread for UOT Kitchen some where around this forum. But your right, just file replacements. Look under the systemUI.apk and framework-res drawable-hdpi files with 7zip (or something similar). You can edit the images without unzipping the file!
I started with a UOT Kitchen file and added/changed stuff in the file. If you can't find an image or need help with changing something, try asking the ROM creator, the would probably know where the stuff is in the ROM.
If you fail, try and try again! I epically failed my first time and SBF a couple times because I was an idiot. Then I asked some questions and got started the right way. But make sure you do a back up before you flash a new file. I learned the hard way. A file can look fine to the phone at first, then it deletes everything it should, and then starts to copy files over like normal until a part of the file is bad. Then you have to SBF or restore.
Backing up is easy, just go into recovery and go to advanced, then back up, and choose to put the back up file under internal or external SD card. I do external, just my preference.
Sent from my DROID X2 using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just want to say you DO NOT go to advanced for backup(nandroid)
You go to backup/restore
just clarifying
Good luck OP....hope to see some awesome theme soon....don't give up PLEASE! !!
ashclepdia said:
Just want to say you DO NOT go to advanced for backup(nandroid)
You go to backup/restore
just clarifying
Good luck OP....hope to see some awesome theme soon....don't give up PLEASE! !!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Oh yeah! Your right! Sorry about that!
Sent from my DROID X2 using XDA App
Wasn't trying to "get on your case"
just wanted to clarify
Haha didn't even notice it. I make a backup everydayyyy (flashaholic).
Question: is there anything I can do about those lil lines that separate lists like in messaging and settings? I hate them and we all know on this phone's screen they basically become invisible while scrolling anyway. Get them out of here.
DX2 Eclipse 1.3
I used UOT Kitchen to color. Not sure what file you would change to take them away. Ain't no shame in being a flashaholic! I bootlooped my phone on purpose when I for bored
Ash, no worries. Glad you clarified. Don't know what I was thinking with the advanced haha
Sent from my DROID X2 using XDA App
To "take them away" can't u just make em the same color as the menu
XGrinder911 said:
Haha didn't even notice it. I make a backup everydayyyy (flashaholic).
Question: is there anything I can do about those lil lines that separate lists like in messaging and settings? I hate them and we all know on this phone's screen they basically become invisible while scrolling anyway. Get them out of here.
DX2 Eclipse 1.3
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The file is in framework-res.apk
framework-res.apk\res\drawable-hdpi\dark_header.9.png
Do what ashclepdia said and change the color in the bottom of that image to match the top. You'll see what I mean when you look at the image.
(Or light_header.9.png if you're working with a light framework.)
hedwig34 said:
The file is in framework-res.apk
framework-res.apk\res\drawable-hdpi\dark_header.9.png
Do what ashclepdia said and change the color in the bottom of that image to match the top. You'll see what I mean when you look at the image.
(Or light_header.9.png if you're working with a light framework.)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What is this exactly? All I see is a long rectangle with a hint of blue at the bottom.
DX2 Eclipse 1.3
XGrinder911 said:
What is this exactly? All I see is a long rectangle with a hint of blue at the bottom.
DX2 Eclipse 1.3
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That image is streatched across the width of the screen. Creating the menu item that has the blue line at the bottom.
Think of it as that image repeating over and over again side by side.
Sent from my DROID X2 using XDA App
hedwig34 said:
That image is streatched across the width of the screen. Creating the menu item that has the blue line at the bottom.
Think of it as that image repeating over and over again side by side.
Sent from my DROID X2 using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Wait so where exactly is this rectangle?
DX2 Eclipse 1.3
Its a vertical rectangle repeated over and over again to make a skinny little horizontal line?? Wow, that's deep.
DX2 Eclipse 1.3
I have a question too. How do you devs mod the build.prop? Is that mostly the difference between ROMs?
(Thought it would be better here instead if a new thread. Don't mean to thread jack)
Sent from my DROID X2 using XDA App
IDMA.DROID.X2 said:
I have a question too. How do you devs mod the build.prop? Is that mostly the difference between ROMs?
(Thought it would be better here instead if a new thread. Don't mean to thread jack)
Sent from my DROID X2 using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No the differences between roms isn't mostly the build.prop
the build.prop can easily(usually) be modified using root explorer or similar.(I am having trouble editing the additions that kejar has made to build.prop tho. Never had this problem before. But its just the extra entries at bottom I can't change.
The biggest differences in roms come from the UI and system frameworks and scripts inside init.d
There are a few performance tweaks and edits u can make inside build.prop but ur.choices are kinda limited in what can be.done. even the line in eclipse build.prop that mentions raising the touch points recognized by the screen to 5 requires changes elsewhere in the "framework" to allow it to actually recognize that amount.
I have tried UOT Kitchen before, always was unlucky at having flashing errors.
My question is this... If I take a flashable theme, with permission from the creator, I should be able to use the scripts that they include for flashing? I am savvy with un-APKing zipping, signing and what not, is that all I would have to do to recreate a theme using my own images?
Thanks to everyone here!
Yes, the script you see other themes using can be changed out with your own, as well as the content. You can also just use the UOT Kitchen script. Credit given where credit is due, of course, but the script itself (IMHO) is not something you really need permission for.
Another tip, this from firsthand experience, when you're zipping everything up getting ready to flash, make sure you're zipping the contents of the theme folder (/META-INF/ & /system/) vs zipping the theme folder.
It sounds really stupid, but it took me forever to figure out why everything I did in UOT Kitchen perfectly but everything I did, using the same damn script, just froze. But ya gotta learn somewhere, right?
Remember when using the kitchen make sure u click amend scripting in the area where u load the apks... x2 uses 2. Something recovery.. if u don't click that there will be errors everytime
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using xda premium
Thank you, I think I've tried UOT 5 times but never had success.
Kevin, I tried the amend scripting, it solo didn't work.
I would much rather use my own images then those offered in uot kitchen.
I'm going to try to put a theme together this weekend, I haven't modded anything since BF2 wake island air show
Dee Ex Two - See Em Seven
Ok, how much do you know about themeing? Because if you are wanting to edit just the images(.pngs) you will need some info first...
You can "simply" take the framework-res.apk and systemUI.apk and go to the HDPI folder(or wherever the images are) and "drag n drop" to your desktop and edit those... OR you can take a .png that you wanna use(say one from another theme) and just drag n drop in the HDPI folder. And then, simply make a flashable .zip and your good to go.
.9s !!!
These are a PAIN if you dont know what you are doing.
If you are going to try and get into themeing, download APKManager and decompile the framework-res.apk ... go to a .9 image(i think its .png.9 or something of the like). When you load the image(say in GIMP) you will see black squares on the OUTSIDE of the image(like near the edges of the ACTUAL picture edge)... DONT TOUCH THOSE!!!! leave them there and make edits how you choose to the rest of the image. Once you are finished, just recompile(DONT SIGN AND YES! THESE ARE SYSTEM APPS!). Put in a flashable .zip and your set.
NOW Please note:
When you are doing the drag and drop method, make sure you are REPLACING an image and not ADDING more images.. catch the drift?
this is quick how to, hope it helps and good luck. let me know if you need anything else.
All the themes rock! I have poor eye sight (far sight) so my main concern always is status bar and the battery icon. I love being able to see the percentage, but some themes use smaller battery percentage text.
.9 seem like the stretchable area I'm beautiful widget... I understand that
Thanks Peperm1nt
Dee Ex Two - See Em Seven
I was thinking of trying out theming. That is until I looked at the crap load of images just thrown into one directory. lol. It may not be as hard as it looks but I havent looked any further than that yet. I still want to try something out though. Is there an easy way of figuring out what image does what on the phone? Like if I want to change some things, I have to know the name of the image. Well, to me, it looks like they aren't named plain and simple. Plus when they are just thrown into one directory its kinda hard to distinguish what is what. It was so much easier theming for webOS. lol
Js if u really look at the framework u will see all the images in the drawable hdpi folder are really a lot of the presses..tabs. status bar icons... over scroll glow theming takes a lot of time to build straight from scratch... any .9 PNG can be edited when it is decompiled in apk manager or apk multi tool just don't edit the black patch as peppermint said or u will not compile...
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using xda premium
Kevin3328 said:
Js if u really look at the framework u will see all the images in the drawable hdpi folder are really a lot of the presses..tabs. status bar icons... over scroll glow theming takes a lot of time to build straight from scratch... any .9 PNG can be edited when it is decompiled in apk manager or apk multi tool just don't edit the black patch as peppermint said or u will not compile...
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah, one of these days ill download the tools and play with it. I've always enjoyed theming.
Sent from my MB870 using Tapatalk
I'm just trying to figure out the script to flash, is it the one in the google folder?
Dee Ex Two - See Em Seven
@js I know what you are saying about the desire to do it but the system isn't really what I would say themer friendly! Admittedly I am not the sharpest tool in the shade when it comes to some things (like the Android OS), so I would imagine that plays a big role in my intimidation of the whole thing.
What got me was the De-Compiling and Recompiling of everything just to change something. Not to mention the signatures and etc... perhaps one day someone will write a piece of software (be it windows based or Android in a shell on a PC) that will make it all pretty simple on that part. Till then I will prob. just enjoy and appreciate the work of others.
GL, Slim!
SlimMan said:
@js I know what you are saying about the desire to do it but the system isn't really what I would say themer friendly! Admittedly I am not the sharpest tool in the shade when it comes to some things (like the Android OS), so I would imagine that plays a big role in my intimidation of the whole thing.
What got me was the De-Compiling and Recompiling of everything just to change something. Not to mention the signatures and etc... perhaps one day someone will write a piece of software (be it windows based or Android in a shell on a PC) that will make it all pretty simple on that part. Till then I will prob. just enjoy and appreciate the work of others.
GL, Slim!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah, I agree about the decompiling and recompiling thing. When I had a webOS phone I created my own theme just by simply replacing the images and restarting the phone. With android, it seems you have to take the whole framework out, theme it and recompile the package file and flash it to the phone. Just seems a bit overwhelming.
Sent from my MB870 using Tapatalk
It's not that bad if you are just changing the images... Just timely. I suggest gimp to do the work. Another tip, some of the images are indexed. In gimp change from indexed to rgb...back to indexed, then rgb. Reason being that you are now able to add any color and doing it twice clears the pixelation...
What gets hard is smali editing and .xml editing. Let me know if you need help there.
Tapin' the Talk on the xSquared
Send a PM to "KTT16" on the Motorola Photon Forums, he is a great themer, let him know what you need help with, tell him you are running stock on the X2, he'll ask you for whatever files he needs, and he will help out.
By the way, if you are at all interested in a signature image, I can create one for you, just PM me, and I'll get on it.
Peperm1nt said:
It's not that bad if you are just changing the images... Just timely. I suggest gimp to do the work. Another tip, some of the images are indexed. In gimp change from indexed to rgb...back to indexed, then rgb. Reason being that you are now able to add any color and doing it twice clears the pixelation...
What gets hard is smali editing and .xml editing. Let me know if you need help there.
Tapin' the Talk on the xSquared
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I can batch process in PS.....and what is this bout clearing the pixelation...lol
Thanks I'll check it out
Dee Ex Two - See Em Seven
When you find a indexed image going to rgb pixelates the image...going back to indexed and then to rgb fixes this.
Tapin' the Talk on the xSquared
Peperm1nt said:
When you find a indexed image going to rgb pixelates the image...going back to indexed and then to rgb fixes this.
Tapin' the Talk on the xSquared
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I was p playing with you, all my online gaming and forum names have always had pixel, pixelated, pixelation, pixelized or any variety of pixel
Edit: swyponese
Dee Ex Two - See Em Seven
I am trying this out for the 1st time. My main goal is to create a transparent status bar for CM7. Will this make that "patch" I need for this?
Kevin3328 said:
Js if u really look at the framework u will see all the images in the drawable hdpi folder are really a lot of the presses..tabs. status bar icons... over scroll glow theming takes a lot of time to build straight from scratch... any .9 PNG can be edited when it is decompiled in apk manager or apk multi tool just don't edit the black patch as peppermint said or u will not compile...
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i seem to be a complete idiot lol
im sitting here trying to use apk manager and have no clue how to go about it
i cant get it to friggin pull files, i have no clue what im doing tho lol
i been trying to find info on how to use it with the x2 but cant find jack that is actually useful.
time to go eat, clear my head, and get back to researching, im probably just missing something extremely easy i knoow, but hey, i havent had a working computer in years so yea, im kinda learning on the fly here, lol
Lol @ash
In apkm select the apk you want, then decompile... Make edits, recompile.
Tapin' the Talk on the xSquared
question in title. I mean things like the SMS app, dialer, etc. I love the work people are doing with them (dark themes and whatnot) and was just curious as to how they do it. Can be technical, I feel comfortable with all the "android jargon" lol
You'll need something to decompile your apps. If you are working on odex files you'll need to deodex first. Once you decompile your app it'll be broken into 2 folders project and project-smali. You'll focus on the project folder -or- where the folder "res" is.
In there is drawable folders in various DPIs. Those contain the picture files you can edit. Some of the background colors, text colors, and placement of items will be controlled inside of the various XML files.
While in there you could also look around at potential mods in the bools.xml and you COULD remove some of the extra languages if you want to lean it out.
Sent from my SCH-I545 using xda premium
Dubbsy said:
You'll need something to decompile your apps. If you are working on odex files you'll need to deodex first. Once you decompile your app it'll be broken into 2 folders project and project-smali. You'll focus on the project folder -or- where the folder "res" is.
In there is drawable folders in various DPIs. Those contain the picture files you can edit. Some of the background colors, text colors, and placement of items will be controlled inside of the various XML files.
While in there you could also look around at potential mods in the bools.xml and you COULD remove some of the extra languages if you want to lean it out.
Sent from my SCH-I545 using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have sorta played around with them and whatnot and have seen the res folder. so when you go and replace the images and everything, how do you recompile so that they will install fine? I'm rooted of course so I can put them in system and set permissions
Sent from my SCH-I545 using xda app-developers app
I've found it works best to recompile it using whichever tool you prefer. If it doesn't install nicely you can open the apk with 7zip and pull the compiled images and xml files out to use in either a vrtheme installer or you can open up the stock apk with 7z and copy them in.
There are tons of ways to do things. :good:
sent from my GE gs4
that is what I am starting to realize I may start playing around with it. thank you for the help, really! this is what makes XDA rule so much. :thumbup:
No problem buddy. Everyone has to start somewhere
sent from my GE gs4
Dubbsy said:
No problem buddy. Everyone has to start somewhere
sent from my GE gs4
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
one more question, might not pertain to you...what is the best/easiest way to sign an apk after editting it? i am using a macbook pro by the way
coltonwood said:
one more question, might not pertain to you...what is the best/easiest way to sign an apk after editting it? i am using a macbook pro by the way
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I generally don't sign mine. If i themed something that wasn't mine and it could potentially be updated i would want the update to fail due to mismatching signatures in order to keep my theme.
But a way to keep the same signature is to recompile your work, open the new one with 7zip and copy the compiled pngs, xmls, and arsc file at root from the new one and over write the stock one's files using 7zip again. That'll change everything but leave the signature.
sent from my GE gs4
Dubbsy said:
I generally don't sign mine. If i themed something that wasn't mine and it could potentially be updated i would want the update to fail due to mismatching signatures in order to keep my theme.
But a way to keep the same signature is to recompile your work, open the new one with 7zip and copy the compiled pngs, xmls, and arsc file at root from the new one and over write the stock one's files using 7zip again. That'll change everything but leave the signature.
sent from my GE gs4
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ohhhhhhhh okay that makes sense! okay here is a question that could be getting away from the theming, im not sure:
i was playing around with textra (the sms app) just changing the png's to look like ios 7 (lol just for testing). I decompiled, changed some png's, and then recompiled (using apktool). It created a new textra.apk that i then transferred to my phone. i deleted my current textra and installed my new one (successfully) and i can tell my theming worked from a test sms they send you. but when i try to compose a new message, Textra force closes. I rebooted and everything to make sure. Do you think this would be from my attempt at theming, or would it have to do with signing at all? this is where i am really lost lol, considering it installed and everything fine.