Related
Hello,
I had asked how to make the background of System App transparent a couple of weeks ago here.
But Nobody can answer the way what exactly I want to do so I finally figure out how to make the background of System App transparent~~
This is including for Phone, Contacts, Messaging, Settings, Music, Alarms, Email, Calendar, Calculator, Sync, Media Server, Clock, Media Discovery, Setup Guide.
This is not including for Timescape, TrackID, Support.. I'm still investigating and will update for this...
It's actually not make the background of System app transparent.... show the wallpaper in the background of System app.
So if you change wallpaper, the background of System app also can be changed to your wallpaper~~~
When I modified style.xml just for the transparency, it's so confusing because the other app behind of System app.
This is based on Rooted LT15i 3.0.1.A.0.145 O2 so working for 145 based Rom. But I'm not sure it's working for LT15i_3.0.A.2.181 Rom.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[GUIDE HOW TO]
I add the guide which xml and png is modified so it will be helpful for someone who use the other version ROM.
It's so simple if you already know how to inherit from the other in android.
For framework-res.apk, first of all decompile framework-res.apk
Step 1 : In \res\values\style.xml
Change this :
Code:
<style name="SEMCTheme" parent="@style/Theme">
to
Code:
<style name="SEMCTheme" parent="@style/Theme.Wallpaper">
Save and close
Step 2 : In \res\drawable-hdpi-v4\semc_bg.png
Open with photoshop and make semc_bg.png transparent
Step 3 : Compile framework-res.apk
For SemcGenericUxpRes.apk, first of all decompile SemcGenericUxpRes.apk
Step 1 : In \res\values\style.xml
Change this :
Code:
<style name="SEMCTheme" parent="@android:style/Theme">
to
Code:
<style name="SEMCTheme" parent="@android:style/Theme.Wallpaper">
Save and close
Step 2 : In \res\drawable-hdpi-v4\semc_bg.png and \res\drawable-land-hdpi-v4\semc_bg.png
Open with photoshop and make semc_bg.png transparent
Step 3 : Compile SemcGenericUxpRes.apk
For FBMediaDiscovery.apk, first of all decompile FBMediaDiscovery.apk
Step 1 : In \res\values\style.xml
Change this :
Code:
<style name="MediaUpdatesTheme" parent="@android:style/Theme">
to
Code:
<style name="MediaUpdatesTheme" parent="@android:style/Theme.Wallpaper">
Save and close
Step 2 : In \res\drawable-hdpi-v4\semc_bg.png
Open with photoshop and make semc_bg.png transparent
Step 3 : Compile FBMediaDiscovery.apk
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Please see the attached apk files.
Framework-res.apk and SemcGenericUxpRes.apk is for System Apps and should push under /system/framework/
FBMediaDiscovery.apk is for Media Discovery in 145 based rom and should push under /system/app
Looks good, I'll test it out when I get home.
hi rleon...
...thank you so much dude, i've been waiting for this mod everything works perfectly fine....i have just one small request: could you possibly include the CRT screen off animation, or the reboot options mod?
That's what has just come to my mind, it'd be great if you could include those....if not, it's actually awesome anyway
Great~ everything works fine for you...
As I know, CRT Screen off animation and reboot option already exists in the other thread...
If you wanna just one framework-res.apk file including all things, I will try but I'm not sure~~
Please give me a time~~
Hi rleon,
Could you please give a detailed list of items / files / folders you changed or altered?
I'm trying to make the system backgrounds invisible aswell however it seems folders have different names in .181
Thanks for the hard work tho!
For framework-res.apk and SemcGenericUxpRes.apk, 181 Rom is same.
framework-res.apk and SemcGenericUxpRes.apk should be located in the same folder which is under /system/framework/ so you can push these files under /system/framework/
And FBMediaDiscovery.apk is just for 145 based Rom so it may not be there in 181 Rom.
Please check whether there is FBMediaDiscovery.apk under /system/app ro not.
If not, you cannot push this file.
Hmm just tried to install them.. however I got a bootloop.
Anything special I should do while copying the files?
I think your 181 rom is different so it cannot be applied this apks.
I just compiled for 145 based rom...
I will update how to modify style.xml later so you can modify and compile for your 181 based rom by yourself....
That would be awesome, looking forward to it
I did a noob mistake and put it on my phone (3.0.1 UK) and now i can't change my wallpaper at all =\
can anybody upload me the original files for my firmware please???
This is good! My homedock, status bar and notification is already transparent and now I just added this too. Cool!
Sent from my LT15i using XDA Premium App
Is it Build 3.0.1.A.0.145 UK?? It should be working...
Currently my rom also Build 3.0.1.A.0.145 UK......
Thanks a lot for the guide! :-D
// Edit
However there doesnt seem to be a style.xml in my version hmmm interesting ;p!
meidan95 said:
I did a noob mistake and put it on my phone (3.0.1 UK) and now i can't change my wallpaper at all =\
can anybody upload me the original files for my firmware please???
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1052067
Damorisio said:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1052067
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
sorry if it's a stupid question but what am I need to do with this link?
where did you find the "value" folder inside the res folder, i cant find it anywhere..Trying to edit it myself so that i can retain the crt sreen off as well as the reboot option.
Can't even find the value folder much less the style.xml
Sent from my LT15i using XDA Premium App
Since I changed my rom to HK 145 rom, I applied your work to my arc. It looked good and nice and worked very well. Great job. Thank you very much.
I followed the instructions for framework-res.apk and got a bootloop.
Couldn't even decompile SemcGenericUxpRes.apk, I got error messages.
I don't suppose anyone might have any idea why?
Is it possible to have it as a solid black background?
and does this work on Xperia Play?
[Advice/Reference/Guide] The Definitive APK Modding & Theming Thread... [12/08/13]
{
"lightbox_close": "Close",
"lightbox_next": "Next",
"lightbox_previous": "Previous",
"lightbox_error": "The requested content cannot be loaded. Please try again later.",
"lightbox_start_slideshow": "Start slideshow",
"lightbox_stop_slideshow": "Stop slideshow",
"lightbox_full_screen": "Full screen",
"lightbox_thumbnails": "Thumbnails",
"lightbox_download": "Download",
"lightbox_share": "Share",
"lightbox_zoom": "Zoom",
"lightbox_new_window": "New window",
"lightbox_toggle_sidebar": "Toggle sidebar"
}
XperienceD said:
This is why I love Virtuous Ten, as you can install multiple resources.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
jacknb1ack said:
wow, i didnt know there is tools like that
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
After reading jacknb1ack's comment I felt compelled to re-write this whole thread to accommodate for the various PC Programs that you use to do all of your apk modding which can and do make things a hell of a lot quicker. I've wrote this as something I would have liked to have come across when I first joined because I know there is a lot to take in, and hearing you need to decompile, edit this or that xml, recompile, sign etc etc etc can be off putting for some especially if you struggle to get a program or apktool setup to begin with.
Knowing how to use command prompts will be beneficial in the long run so I've wrote a detailed guide below which covers it from start to finish along with how to Sign and Zipalign your apks, pulling them from the computer and so on. I've also covered some Theming basics with links to everything you're ever going to need, which will be extra handy if you're just getting started.
Minimum Requirements:
A Rooted Phone.
Java SE Runtime Environment
Java SE Development Kit
Any of the apk modifying methods below.
7-Zip or WinRar
Theming Requirements:
Notepad++
Photoshop, GIMP or any other image editing software.
Patience. :silly:
To avoid any java not found issues you need to set up the PATH for it in Environment Variables, you can find a short Guide on how to HERE. This is how mine looks...
Code:
[B]C:\Program Files (x86)\Java\jre6\bin;[/B]
I would advise that you also install the Android SDK but if you don't want to you can download this APK_Mod.zip that you can extract to a folder and place it anywhere you want on your Computer (I recommend C:\APK_Mod) and run any adb, apktool, zipalign or signing command prompts from it. You can find a more detailed guide for this method below.
But first off all here are some of the most common Programs that you can use to modify and theme your apks, and I'll start with one of the best...
Virtuous Ten Studio (VTS)
Virtuous Ten Studio (VTS) is the ultimate solution for the modification of android applications.
This program allows you to manage entire Android projects within an easy to use and familiar environment.
The intended group of users covers anyone from a themer over ROM devs up to the smali gods known for their awesome mods of existing apks.
The modifcation of smali code is one of the biggest features in VTS. You can easily decompile, edit and recompile any apk or jar file.
However, the application is not limited to smali files. You can edit almost any file found inside an apk or jar.
Virtuous Ten Studio is also the official successor to the highly important M10Tools released last year by the Virtuous Team.
You can easily edit any m10 file from Sense apps in order to resize or change them.
Additionally VTS brings support for un- and repacking of boot images (boot.img), a job that previously required a cygwin installation with the dsixda kitchen.
Since VTS' own implementation is a native windows solution, which means you don't need dsixda or cygwin anymore.
VTS has been designed to run on Windows, has been in development for nearly two years and has gone through many stages of testing.
Today VTS is a highly respected full blown Android IDE (Integrated Develoment Environment) suited for all your reverse engineering tasks.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
- www.virtuous-ten-studio.com
AndroidSuite 2013
AndroidSuite 2013 what it does
Decodes and encodes Dex files
Decodes and encodes APK files (Previously bugged in APKManager)
Gives a console output
Flash boot.img (fastboot)
Flash update.zip (fastboot)
reboot/reboot fastboot mode
Sign unsigned apks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
- (App) Androidsuite 2013 v117 (01/04/2013) Jelly Bean Support!
Tickle My Android 5.4
Tickle My Android, or TMA for short, is a command line tool for Windows that uses apktool to help you pull and decompile files from your Android phone or tablet.
But it can also:
change the battery icon,
change the WiFi icon,
change the signal icon,
change the emoticons,
change the notification toggles,
change the transparency of the statusbar (if the rom allows it),
add Ice-Cream Sandwich-style transitions
zipalign apk files,
sign new apk files,
sign recompiled apk files in the same way as the original,
deodex apk and jar files,
backup personal data and transfer to a brand new device,
resize and change boot animations,
change fonts,
add sounds from other devices,
create backup-generating flashable zip files
..and now comes in Portuguese and French!!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
- [TOOL]Tickle My Android 5.4 - DE/RECOMPILE APPS, CHANGE ICONS...AND MORE!!!!
ApkManager V6.1
1. Based on ApkManager 4.9 by Daneshm90 (Big thanks to him)
2. Updated Apktool V1.5.2 by iBotPeaches & Brut.Alll
3. Updated Aapt v0.2
4. Default compression level set to “0?
5. 512Mo as default allowed heap size
6. 3 ready for use fake frameworks : “other\wanam1.apk”… (for Lidroid framework editing)
7. Add a “Decompile all files” feature (option 25)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
- wanamlite.com
Command Prompt Editing
Basically this is just manually doing what all of the programs above need to do in order to decompile, recompile, sign and zipalign apks so it's worth knowing how to modify apks this way for occasions when the above programs for whatever reason gives you issues.
Use Linux or a Mac?
See the following threads for more information on using apktool on other Operating Systems...
APK Manager for Mac OS X
[Linux][UTILITY][TOOL] APK Multi-Tool
[tutorial] decompiling,recompiling and signing in linux (27-01-2013)
How to install and use Apktool with Ubuntu
Getting APKs To Your PC
You have two options here...
1. Use a file manager on your Phone to copy and paste files to your SD, then connect to your PC and use Windows Explorer to copy and paste to your desired location.
2. ADB. Open a command prompt window in the ADB folder (see below) and type/copy the following command...
Code:
adb pull /system/app/ Original_apps
...which will pull the whole app folder to your computer and create a new folder called Original_apps, which you can then simply copy apps to the main folder ready to be modified (keep the Original_apps folder as a backup). Then do the same for your framework folder...
Code:
adb pull /system/framework/ Original_framework
...want to pull your Phones whole system...
Code:
adb pull /system/ Xperia_Z_System
...you can rename "Xperia_Z_System" to whatever you want.
Further Information: [WINDOWS][TUT]ADB tutorial, setting up ADB, usefull commands, collecting debug info.
This is a zip of the apktool folder I currently use - APK_Mod.zip - which as said above also contains the ADB files needed to pull and push apps from your Phone, or you can check out the following links...
[Tool] ADB Fileexplorer
[TOOL][WINDOWS] Android Apktool
Installing Resources
For apktool to work you need to install the resources needed by your apks for de and recompiling, and those resources are other apks, the first apk regardless of your Phones manufacturer is going to be your framework-res.apk. The second apk you need is dependent on the manufacturer so you need to check your framework folder for another apk such as twframework.apk or SemcGenericUXpres.apk, in some cases it might even be the SystemUI.apk but you would need to check if you have issues with the other two. Put those two apks in the APK_Mod folder to begin with then open a command prompt window. The easiest way for me is holding the shift key then right clicking the mouse and selecting Open command window here, but if you're not able to do that then click your Start button and search for Command Prompt, then open it. You then need to point it to the relevant folder, so type cd then copy and paste the location of the folder (cd C:\APK_Mod) and hit enter.
The install commands are...
Code:
[B]apktool if[/B] framework-res.apk
...and for the second...
Code:
[B]apktool if[/B] SemcGenericUXpres.apk
Decompiling
The command for decompiling is...
Code:
[B]apktool d[/B] framework-res.apk
...and so on for each individual apk you want to modify. A new folder will be created that is named after the apk you are modding, then you can edit xmls, smali files and .9png images. You'll notice that there are a lot more folders when you decompile an apk, that's normal as those folders are from the resources.arsc and where you'll find the xml files you may need to edit to make the changes you want.
Recompiling
When you've done editing it's time to recompile, using the command...
Code:
[B]apktool b[/B] -insert folder name-
...and if you've edited your files correctly then it should compile with no errors and create a folder named dist in the decompiled folder along with a new apk.
Signing
Before using the new apk you will need to sign it, to do this you need to extract (open the apk and simply drag and drop them to the dist folder) from the original apk the resources.arsc (only if you haven't changed anything in the values folder, the AndroidManifest.xml and META-INF folder (if it exists), then copy them into the new apk. In WinRar it will give you the option to choose the compression method, and it's vital that you choose Store as the compression method because if you don't then you WILL BOOT LOOP after restarting your Phone!
NOTE: If you have edited anything in the values folder then extract the resources.arsc from the new apk and copy (drag and drop) it back in the same manner described above.
Alternatively you can use the following command...
Code:
[B]java -jar signapk.jar testkey.x509.pem testkey.pk8[/B] framework-res.apk.apk framework-resS.apk
...notice the extra "S", the output name has to differ from the input name otherwise it will give an error, if done right it will create a new apk called framework-resS.apk, just remember to rename it back to the original before using it on your Phone.
Signing For The Play Store
If you plan on Publishing a Theme or any other app/apk to the Play Store then using the above method to sign your apks just wont work because you need to give it an individual signature that is unique to you, thankfully @AndroidGraphix has written a great guide that will show you how, it's a bit more fidgety than the above method but simple enough to follow...
AndroidGraphix said:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
- Noobs guide to signing an APK with a Private Key
Zipaligning
DISADVANTAGES OF UNALIGNED APKs
Quite understandably, situation would be reserved for unaligned application packages. Resource reading would be slow and memory usage would be on the higher end of the spectrum. It would also depend on how many unaligned applications are present. For example, if less number of applications with an unaligned home application, you’d see slower application launch times. This is the best case scenario. For a worst case scenario, having a number of unaligned applications will result in the system repeatedly starting and killing processes, struggling with lags and huge battery drain.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
- SOURCE
The command for zipaligning is...
Code:
[B]zipalign -v 4[/B] framework-res.apk ZAframework-res.apk
...notice the "ZA", again that can be anything you want so long as it differs from the original name, I use ZA for an obvious reason, and again don't forget to rename it before using on your Phone.
Getting apks back to your Phone
It's just a reversal of how you got them off your Phone to begin with, use a file explorer and put your apk on your SD Card, then move it to the Phones System folder and change it's permissions to rw-rw-r, then move and replace it with the original. Most apps should continue to work but if you change your framework-res or SystemUI you will most likely need to reboot. Or you can use adb to push and install them. Check the previous link for the commands.
If all the above has worked correctly you should now have your modified apk installed with the changes you've made displayed on your Phone.
Theming & Modifying
This is where the fun begins, once you've got setup to decompile your apks then obviously you're going to want to mod them, so here's a few pointers to clear up what seems like a daunting process to new comers...
To start with you'll probably just want to start with replacing images, so if that's all you want to do for now then here's a quick tip, you DON'T need to decompile or sign your apks!, simply edit and rename your replacment images on you computer, preferably using the same or similar dimensions then drag and drop them back into the right folders in the apk, always using Store as the compression method, but PLEASE NOTE; .9 pngs can be replaced in the same way, but if you want to edit them in Photoshop for example then you need DO need to decompile them.
A few things to note...
Smali code is real Developer territory, it's Matrix code to me , thankfully there's usually a guide to follow so you can simply copy and paste code without having to fully understand how it works, so don't fret about this.
.9pngs are simply png images with a 1 pixel border. You can edit anything within that border but anything on or over will give errors when building. Unless you're creating an image from scratch then you can leave the border as it is, it's that simple! Sure there's a bit more to .9png editing but you can find a few links below that go into more detail about .9s and how they work.
xmls are relatively simple and edited with Notepad++, much simpler to understand than smali and again, there's usually a guide to be found for most mods you may want to make yourself, but if you're feeling brave you can experiment with it when you have a basic understanding of how it works.
Restoring modified files if you mess up is easier and quicker with a CWM.zip, especially if you're modifying any framework apks! Just because an apk might build with no errors doesn't mean it won't give you any when installed to the Phone.
.9png Editing
I hope after reading this explanation you're left wondering what all the fuss is about, as it really is quite simple. I'll use the following two images, btn_default_pressed_holo.9 & status_bar_close_off.9 to illustrate the basic point of the borders...
Decompiled .9pngs:
Recompiled .9pngs:
Those borders control which part of the image is stretched, and we'll use Draw 9-patch which is for editing the borders of decompiled .9pngs and lets you see how the image, when stretched, will be displayed on the Phone. Notice that the borders are different sizes, well that's because I only want/need a certain part of the image to stretch to get the desired look on the Phone.
...in the image below the left side shows the stretched image and desired effect should look on the Phone and the right side shows how it would look if I had edited the borders incorrectly or used none at all...
You can get away by not using a border but you would need to edit your image to specific dimensions to accommodate for the stretching, for example it might look fine for a simple OK button but it might not look right if you used the same .9png for a screen press which stretches the whole length of the screen, so you're better off just using them to begin with, plus you'll more than likely get errors down the line while decompiling or recompiling your apk.
The use of the border is made even more clear when you add text to an image. For my status_bar_close_off.9 I've filled all four sides of the image (except for an empty pixel in all four corners as that is the max amount of border you can use) as I need it to stretch the image just how I've edited it...
...but if I used the same sized left side border as the btn_default_pressed_holo.9 then this is how it would look on the Phone...
...which is obviously not the look I'm trying to achieve, as the left side border is causing the image to stretch incorrectly.
So that's basically it, depending on the image you're editing you can usually leave the borders alone but if you create one from scratch then you might need to play about with them if your images doesn't look quite right when used on the Phone. Here's a few links that will assist you further, especially the batch editing...
How to edit .9.pngs
[TUTO] Create your 9.png !
[UTILITY][TOOL] 9patchPngSuite [Windows&Linux]
How to draw NinePatch images with Photoshop - .9.PNG
[TOOL][Multi-Platform][.9.png][ALL DPIs] Android Resizer Tool
[Tutorial][Commentary] How To Batch Edit .9PNG/PNG Images
Xposed Framework
rovo89 said:
In this thread, I'm presenting a framework which gives you the possibility to modify your ROM - without modifying any APK (developers) or flashing (users)!
...
Advantages:
No need to modify any APKs. This means:
No need to decompile, change things in smali, compile, sign, ...
It will work for odexed and deodexed ROMs.
Your mod is not bound to a specific version of the ROM. Unless there is a major change in the methods called for a certain functionality, your mod will continue to work even when you upgrade your ROM. Hell, it will probably even work with different ROMs.
Multiple mods can be installed at the same time, even if they change the same package. So you can use these battery icons and those quick toggles. Even hooking the same method twice is possible. Of course, this only works properly if the mods are not trying to do incompatible things.
It does its magic at runtime. That means you can implement options to let the user decide if they prefer the bikeshed to be painted in red or blue. Or you can have some extra logic for certain ROMs without building different mod versions.
It can be disabled easily without having to reflash.
It's open source.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
- [FRAMEWORK ONLY!] Xposed - ROM modding without modifying APKs
[Guide] Porting XTheme themes
[Guide] Xposed Framework/TabletUI (Noob-Friendly)
[INDEX][WiP] List of APPs & MODs that use XPOSED Module
[MOD][XPOSED][4.0+] XThemeEngine beta5 - Theme engine for any rooted phone
CyanogenMod Theme Chooser
Annex1 said:
CM10.1-THEME_BOOK
Theme book was created by Annex and Ebs512. I've been asked alot of questions from how to get started? what do I need to get started? to What Graphics program do I use? etc. We made a real simple theme guide to help get you started. This is in Layman Terms.. Nothing fancy.
ONLY THING FANCY IS MY FLASH BOOK
YOU MUST HAVE A FLASH PLAYER INSTALLED TO VIEW THIS!!!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
- [GUIDE] HOW TO THEME CM10.1 - Animated Book
[Tool] [Theme Creator] [CM/Avatar] Theme creator tool
[Tool] nhnt11's XML Generator Revived V2+Extended UPDATED!
[DEV/GUIDE]Creating APKs for use with TMobile Theme engine
[GUIDE] T-mobile theme engine for the faint at heart (non-linux users)
[1/30/2013] Mega 4.2.1 BlackBean Theme Template [XXHDPI/XHDPI/HDPI/TVDPI]
-·=»‡«=·-[JB][CM10] Theme Engine Template Updated To V4 [8-7-12][XHDPI/HDPI]-·=»‡«=·-
See a few post below for more...
thnaks
thank you so much
very hepful guide
looking for dis
Thank you so much,
This should be sticky!
Make a noob, into a senior user.
Sent from my Anzu using xda premium
Flashable Clockwork Mod (CWM) zip
ClockworkMod Recovery zips are used for flashing individual files to whole ROMS and can be a life saver if you push a badly edited apk to your Phone that results in a bootloop. There's also a few programs that can assist you with that too, but if all you're doing is replacing a few files all you really need is a template, then it's just a matter of creating the Phones folder setup in the zip which is simply creating folders: system\app - system\media\audio etc then dragging and dropping your files into it. A basic understanding of the updater script is essential, a ROM.zip will more than likely wipe your Phone whereas a Theme.zip may just replace files but it might delete some also.
See below for a CWM.zip Template but first some helpful links...
ERRORS encountered in CWM Recovery
[Tool]easy flasher v4 (ur own update.zip)
[TUT] [for NOOB] editing updater-script for noobs!
[TUTORIAL] Making Flashable ZIPs, EDIFY Script, ZIP Signing & Key Creation
[Utility-Tool][DEVandThemers]CWMflashpack.zipCreatorV1{TheCollective}w/EdifyScripting
This is my Theme_CMW_Template.zip which is set up so you can add your own files to the framework and apps folders in the main system location, but you can easily add other folders to it if you want to add things like fonts, tones or anything else, just remember to add folders within folders if that's where the files you want to include are such as tones, media\audio\alarms for example.
If you navigate to META-INF\com\google\android you will find the updater-script which controls how the zip works and the text you see when you run it in CWM. As this zip is just for basically over writing files you don't need to edit anything except for a few lines...
...this is how I've edited it for my Ice Green ResMods theme...
...so just edit it using Notepad++ to your liking.
When adding files to your zip add them using Normal as the Compression Method...
...and that's pretty much it. Remember to remove the text files I've added otherwise they will be flashed to your folders too.
Deodexing
The first thing I do when installing the latest firmware is Deodex it, mainly because having a deodexed ROM is easier to modify and you'll find a lot of the modifications that are are in the Themes And Apps sections require you to have a deodexed ROM. I use the dsixda's Android Kitchen to deodex and @pankaj88 has written a great guide here - [GUIDE] How to DEODEX stock ODEXED ROM using dsixda's kitchen - so you can do it yourself, or you can give the following tools a try.
philos64 said:
The differences between Odex and Deodex Files...
In Android file system, applications come in packages with the extension .apk. These application packages, or APKs contain certain .odex files whose supposed function is to save space The odexed file structure works well as an optimization tool. Since these .odex files contain preliminary load information about each system app, the OS knows what to expect when it’s booting up, and consequently, loads all these apps faster.
On the other hand, it also makes hacking those applications difficult because a part of the coding has already been extracted to another location before execution.
For instance, on a non-rooted device you’ll find
system/app/Phone.apk ===> as well as ===> system/app/Phone.odex
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
- [GUIDE] - The differences between Odex and Deodex Files
[TOOL][WINDOWS]Universal Deodexer[ALL DEVICES!!]
abcdjdj said:
Hi everyone,
Alokbina and I have created a tool which allows users to very easily deodex apks from a rom. This tool is very useful for Rom developers too. For now only windows is supported but we will try our best to make the same tool for linux too and make the tool as user friendly as possible. And, please don't forget to thank alokbina too.
NOW EVEN ON XDA PORTAL - http://www.xda-developers.com/android/deodex-all-the-things-with-universal-deodexer/
Requirements:-
--->Java installed on your PC
--->system/framework folder from your rom
--->apks from that SAME ROM with the respective .odex file
--->Patience and a calm head (common sense included)
You can watch this video for setting up and using the tool -
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
[FIXED][UPDATE - V3][TOOL][WINDOWS]Universal Deodexer[ALL DEVICES!!]
adityaf said:
CARBONITE TOOL
Features
1)Deodex your stock ROM (android 2.x 3.x 4.x)
2)This tool automatically pull your apps from phone to PC
3)One click deodexer,
4)Just click Deodexer_from_phone
5)All apps and framework will be deodexed.
6)Automatically makes .zip file flash from CWM.
BUGS
Sometimes it does not deodex androidpolicy.jar just run script once again!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
- [TOOL]CARBONITE TOOL [Dedeoxder tool][All devices]
And that's pretty much it, the only way you're really going to learn is by reading then putting into practice what you've read and picking stuff up along the way, fortunately this far into the history of Android there are numerous guides for numerous mods and tools to help with a variety of tasks and the following links are going to be a big help...
U.I Modding
Tutorial :- Changing App Icons
[TUTORIAL]How to Theme Your MMS
[How-to] Edit the "About Phone" display
How To Colorize Lock Screen Clock in Jellybean
[TUTORIAL] How to add various framework/Settings mods
[TUTORIAL] Where to find the colors for making a theme
[TUT][JB] HOW TO THEME SystemUI.apk for TOTALLY newbie!
[TUTORIAL][ICS][GB][JB]How to change Android's black background
Text...
Text Color Guide
[GUIDE][REF]Changing System Text Settings
Statusbar...
[MOD][TUT] Merge The WiFi And Signal Icons
[GUIDE][MOD][SYSTEMUI] How to add 0.0K/s meter on statusbar ICS/JB
[TUT] How To Center The Clock On The Statusbar..And Move Other Icons As Well!
[How-To]Removing Battery Percentage, Adding Toggles,Battery Circles to Statusbar
Misc...
Some Extra Theming and Moving the Power Widget Down
[HOWTO] Integrating/Adding applications to the settings menu
[GUIDE] How to get Transparent App Drawer [Launcher2.apk or Trebuchet.apk]
[GUIDE][Mods][All Devices]How to add/ Change Clocks to Analog/ Digital with Seconds
Various Tools...
[TOOL][BETA]Miui Theme Converter/Convert apk Themes!!!
[TOOL][JAVA]"The Rom Fumbler" aka "The Battery Icon Creator"[V29.0]
[TOOL]Boot Animation Factory-Create,Preview and Manage Boot Animations
Useful Links
findicons.com
colorschemer.com
[GUIDE] Tips for themers
Ultimate Online Theme Kitchen
[GUIDE] Want to learn how to theme?
[GUIDE] Smali coding guide for beginners
General Questions about Themes GO HERE!!!!!
[Guide] How to port themes to T-Mobile Theme Chooser
[Collection] ICON SETS | Over *750* different Icon Packs
[TOOL] Remote Theme Injector - theme your favorite paid apk
[TEMPLATE] Icon Packs/Themes for Apex, Nova, Holo, ADW, and more!!
[INFO] Custom framework-res.apk resources.arsc using vendor overlays
If you feel something more should be added to this thread please feel free to suggest it.
Credits & Thanks:
@_calum_
@Diamondback
@ebs512
@Rizal Lovins
@Ticklefish
@wanam
@rovo89
@Annex1
@ebs12
And not forgetting @iBotPeaches and @Brut.all for making it possible with - [UTIL][Feb 02 2013] Apktool v1.5.2 - a tool for reverse engineering apk files
one query
after i decompile the apk,i edit the my xmls in project folder....then what to do next?
EDIT:- I figured it out
abhisheak.bansal said:
one query
after i decompile the apk,i edit the my xmls in project folder....then what to do next?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Continue editing or recompile and test your changes.
Wow!! It should be sticky. Really usefull guide, it explain so much things... thanks again
Useful Guide, Thanks
soooo happy u came out with this
will u add how to make it a theme that someone else can flash?
keep up the good work
zainthesnipe said:
soooo happy u came out with this
will u add how to make it a theme that someone else can flash?
keep up the good work
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks, glad to see it's helping some People, and I will add that yes.
zainthesnipe said:
will u add how to make it a theme that someone else can flash?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Done.
Could you make a short guide to show
how to zipalign using dsixda's Android Kitchen
When I select zipalign all...
It says no working folder found...
what does it mean...?
Kajendran said:
When I select zipalign all...
It says no working folder found...
what does it mean...?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You haven't set up the folder. http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=5626300&postcount=3
Updated.
Thx For Guide:laugh:
when i try to install the resources i get this error:
Code:
'java' is not recognized as an internal or external command,
operable program or batch file.
i have java installed, what am i doing wrong?
Setup the path for it. See an "adb for noobs" guide for setting the path up.
Sent from my CM9'd Arc
XperienceD said:
Setup the path for it. See an "adb for noobs" guide for setting the path up.
Sent from my CM9'd Arc
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i already did that, maybe i did it wrong, ill check again.
---------- Post added at 09:55 AM ---------- Previous post was at 09:51 AM ----------
ok i did it wrong, now i fixed it and it still doesn't work
any ideas?
i just need to sign a zip
OverLo4d said:
any ideas?
i just need to sign a zip
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'd remove Java then reinstall it, add your path then try again.
How to make any gingerbread or cm7/cm9 status bar transparent
Check my signature for all my statusbars including pre-made stock cm7/cm9 and Aosp statusbars and guides
There's three ways to make the statusbar bar Transparent and I'll post them all
One way works with any gingerbread rom (deodex & rooted) and one with cyanogen 7
I have not tried it on ics or jelly bean but you can try (for people who stumble across this thread who are not galaxy y users)
Please dont ask for support unless you are using a custom rom on galaxy y
Any other phones please goto your own phone forum for support
You also need a launcher that is capable of transparency
Adw works but you need to disable wallpaper hack in settings
holo launcher works
any other launcher if it doesn't work look in it's settings & try & disable wallpaper hack or manage internally
Method one for non cm (Stock Deodex Rom)
You need apk tool installed - if you don't know how to use it see my guide here
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2206938
Once you have decompiled SystemUI.apk using apk tool goto res/layout Open status_bar.xml in notepad
Find the following line
Code:
<com.android.systemui.statusbar.StatusBarView android:orientation="vertical" [COLOR="Red"]android:background="#ff000000"[/COLOR] android:focusable="true" android:descendantFocusability="afterDescendants"
Notice the part highlighted in red android:background is normally a hexadecimal value or it could be a drawable value
either way change the red part to the following
Code:
<com.android.systemui.statusbar.StatusBarView android:orientation="vertical" [COLOR="Red"]android:background="@drawable/nameofpng" [/COLOR]android:focusable="true" android:descendantFocusability="afterDescendants"
Notice that android:background is now a drawable value
Change nameofpng to the name of your transparent background image (just the name - do not include the file extension .png)
place this image with the same name as the drawable value in res/drawable-ldpi
(of course other devices might be in mdpi or hdpi)
Recompile and sign apk
Put in a flashable zip and flash with system mounted
You can download and use the pngs in the attachment (for ldpi like galaxy y) or create your own
To create a transparent status bar image just take a non Transparent one and edit it in a photo application to make it Transparent (make sure image dimensions stay the same and is for your phone resolution)
Method two for cm7
Note you will need apk tool installed and notepad++ installed
Download the patcher tool by Z25 in attachment
Unzip the contents to a folder
Place your SystemUI.apk and framework-res.apk in files_to_patch
Run patcher.bat
Select status bar tweaks and enable only transparent status bar
Edit the smali file as described in the text file that pops up
Select option build and sign
Select option to create zip files
You now have a zip file called patch.zip
unzip this and take out the SystemUI.apk - we will save this for later
Now we have to either make our own transparent theme or you can download a theme from the playstore for theme chooser that already contains status bar transparency
If you are downloading a theme from the playstore skip the part "To create your own theme" and go straight to the part "final steps"
To create your own theme
Goto uot kitchen http://uot.dakra.lt/kitchen
Take cyanbread.apk from the app folder of your cm7 rom & place on pc (or any other Theme Chooser Theme you wish to make transparent)
Rename it to what you want to call theme
Upload it to kitchen (under cm7 theme in file upload)
In status bar tweaks set background transparency to around 70% Transparent and any other settings you need like carrier or footer - don't forget to generate preview once done
Make sure you have selected ldpi in statusbar tweak settings and ldpi/mdpi for theme chooser preview in file upload (other devices may vary) and in file upload change update binary to galaxy
Then goto summary section
If everything is green create the theme
If not make sure you have clicked generate preview on status bar tweaks
Kitchen will then create theme for you
Download the zip file from kitchen and unzip it
Take out your theme apk
Final Steps
Sign both your theme apk and SystemUI.apk that you saved from earlier with a platform key using zipsigner (playstore)
Put both apks in a flashable zip and flash in cwm with system mounted
(note if you are using a theme from the playstore just do this for SystemUI.apk)
Once the phone has booted goto
ADWLauncher
System Preference
Disable Wallpaper Hack (untick the box)
Your status bar is now transparent
Method three for cm9
Once you have decompiled SystemUI.apk with apktool
Goto smali/com/android/systemui/statusbar/StatusBar.smali
Find the following line
Code:
invoke-direct/range {v11 .. v16}, Landroid/view/WindowManager$LayoutParams;-><init>(IIIII)V
Above this line change
Code:
const/16 v16, 0x4
To the following
Code:
const/16 v16, -0x3
Now in notepad++ open the following
res/values/drawables.xml
Find the following line
Code:
<item type="drawable" name="status_bar_background">#ff000000</item>
Change the hex value to the hex value of the colour/transparency you want
For example
Completely transparent:
Code:
<item type="drawable" name="status_bar_background">#00FFFFFF</item>
70% transparent
Code:
<item type="drawable" name="status_bar_background">#b3000000</item>
50% transparent:
Code:
<item type="drawable" name="status_bar_background">#7f000000</item>
Recompile
Sign with a platform key using zipsigner (playstore)
Put in a flashable zip and flash in cwm with system mounted
What is the name for the png to put in drawable-ldpi?
Re: [Guide] [Mod] How to make any gingerbread or cm7 status bar transparent
remo1995 said:
What is the name for the png to put in drawable-ldpi?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You can rename it to ur own like
Jst open statusbar.xml in layout folder and on 2nd line u will find an attribute android;background change the file u want to add next to drawable/xx folder and put that file in ur drawable ldpi folder
,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
Reporting from incomplete blue theme
Status-paused
framework-working
remo1995 said:
What is the name for the png to put in drawable-ldpi?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Name it the name of the @drawable value
In my example it's nameofpng
Re: [Guide] [Mod] How to make any gingerbread or cm7 status bar transparent
Great guide :thumbup:
Sent from my GT-S5360 using xda app-developers app
Thank you, but when I go to recompile the file gives me error
remo1995 said:
Thank you, but when I go to recompile the file gives me error
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
what rom are you using?
decompile then recompile the apk without making any changes - if it compiles correctly you know you have edited the xml file wrong or not placed the corresponding png in the drawable folder
if it still gives errors without you making changes then either you are using apk tool wrong or the apk has other errors from the orig source
marcussmith2626 said:
what rom are you using?
decompile then recompile the apk without making any changes - if it compiles correctly you know you have edited the xml file wrong or not placed the corresponding png in the drawable folder
if it still gives errors without you making changes then either you are using apk tool wrong or the apk has other errors from the orig source
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I use the cod rom and I'm trying to change the systemUI of marinalin85, the bar s3 style android 4.2.2
remo1995 said:
I use the cod rom and I'm trying to change the systemUI of marinalin85, the bar s3 style android 4.2.2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No reason why it shouldn't work - make sure you have loaded SystemUI.apk and framework-res.apk into apktool using the apktool if command
Make sure all your apk tool commands are correct I'll post a guide on it soon
marcussmith2626 said:
No reason why it shouldn't work - make sure you have loaded SystemUI.apk and framework-res.apk into apktool using the apktool if command
Make sure all your apk tool commands are correct I'll post a guide on it soon
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
to compile and decompile it does! the file does not work gives me forced closure! I made you those passages
Apk tool guide added see http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2206938
remo1995 said:
to compile and decompile it does! the file does not work gives me forced closure! I made you those passages
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Follow my apk tool guide I just posted - I can assure you if you follow all my guides correctly and Fully you will not get force closes - I have made many status bars using this method
Decompile my SystemUI.apk from my status bar thread so you can compare the line for the statusbar background in status_bar.xml with yours
If you get errors when you decompile the apk it means the apk was wrongly compiled to begin with and apk tool can't decompile it correctly - you will need to correct any errors that are in the original apk before you can recompile
how can i make launcher compatible with transparency like TW launcher?
Sent from my GT-S5360 using Tapatalk 2
iMaker said:
how can i make launcher compatible with transparency like TW launcher?
Sent from my GT-S5360 using Tapatalk 2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Some launchers do not support transparency
if it doesn't work and there is no option to disable wallpaper hack or manage internally in the launcher settings or something similar you will need to use a different launcher if you want transparency
even in go launcher it still wont have transparency
Sent from my GT-S5360 using Tapatalk 2
iMaker said:
even in go launcher it still wont have transparency
Sent from my GT-S5360 using Tapatalk 2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't think go launcher supports transparency
launchers that definitely do are
holo launcher
adw launcher (disable wallpaper hack in settings)
Added a zip of the full and semi transparent png images for people to use themselves with the guide
off topic question sir, how did you move the jellybean clock and date above toggle bar?
joelquerty said:
off topic question sir, how did you move the jellybean clock and date above toggle bar?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
By placing <com.android.systemui.statusbar.policy.DigitalClock with the corresponding ids and smali files under the relative layout in status_bar_expanded.xml above the line for toggles
marcussmith2626 said:
By placing <com.android.systemui.statusbar.policy.DigitalClock with the corresponding ids and smali files under the relative layout in status_bar_expanded.xml above the line for toggles
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
can you plzz give me the link of tutorial. i searched in google and xda but i could'nt find it... thank you
Hey Androids,
I started my first Theme for Android. Because the new (CM11) Theme Engine gets more and more popular
I decided to make a Theme for this new Engine by using a Template.apk I found on github. Now I decided to publish my Theme on xda.
And my problem is that I can install my Theme, but
it does not appear on the Designs sections in my Settings and I'm 100% sure that my AndroidManifest.xml has no mistakes and I had no recompile errors.
On the official Cyanogenmod page about the new Theme Engine (http://goo.gl/f40uw2) is written:
A theme APK is identified by meta-value data in AndroidManifest.xml. Here is an example:
Code:
[COLOR="DarkRed"]
[/COLOR]
By using meta-data we do not require special new tools.
[Changes to PackageManagerService]
During install time PackageManagerService will scan meta-data values in the manifest. If it finds
a meta-data name of "org.cyanogenmod.theme.name" then it will assume the APK is a theme and mark it as such.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
And here is my AndroidManifest.xml:
Code:
[COLOR="DarkRed"] [/COLOR]
[COLOR="DarkRed"]
[/COLOR]
What did I wrong? I had no recompile errors and I have absolutly no Idea how to solve this problem.
Maybe you can help me? I would be deeply grateful
- Paul
Where's your AndroidManifest?
After reading those guides:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/android/themes/guide-getting-started-theming-cm12-t3006339
http://forum.xda-developers.com/android/themes/guide-t2978121
i managed to import and .apk theme to virtuous studio,enable java as variable,exported framework from my device to desktop
and finally managed to recompile the .apk
the only thing i managed to do was,to change the wallpaper..
my question is :
how can i change the colors of other app?
lets say systemui.apk to change the color of enabled WIFI
http://prntscr.com/612nui <-- make this green for example
ok i will decompile systemui.apk ,mod it and recompile it but this will work only for me...what about others?
how can i change other's apk colors through my theme apk???