Help a beginner. please - Android Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting

I have downloaded APKTool and can decompile an .apk. All I see after decompiling the apk is a folder called samli. Now I have used 7zip to unzip the same apk, and now I see all the files. META-INF, system, boot.img, file_contexts. When I go into the system file I see all the other files/apk etc... Now the problem. the res\xml files are not readable with notepad++. How do I decompile or unzip to readable files??

I just saw a new program in developing section, they said that is 100 times better than apktool, it's without cmd if i understood correctly, i didn't try it yet.
U can give a shot with it.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2493107
Sent from my WT19i It's show time

FireDoger said:
I just saw a new program in developing section, they said that is 100 times better than apktool, it's without cmd if i understood correctly, i didn't try it yet.
U can give a shot with it.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2493107
Sent from my WT19i It's show time
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm having all kinds of problems. I can unzip and make changes to my apk's using 7zip. One big problem is I can not get anything recompiled. I have downloaded 3 or 4 different apk tools. and none of them will recompile to a apk. If I 7zip them back and change the ending to .apk it's not a working apk. Please will someone that has worked with 4.4.x custom roms please help me. I'm having no luck. I would like to now the tools and how to's to get this done.

Related

Need Help

Posted it here because i need a dev.
I pulled my Framework-res.apk and modified all the icons for everything. I decompiled using apktool.
My question is what steps do i take now (do i need to sign it, what a good tool to recompile it as apktool does and gives me a framework-res.apk but caused my phone not to boot up)..also someone said seomthing about resources.arsc or something..not sure where to go...thanks for your help.
Open ur new apk using 7zip (righr click>7zip>open archive) and do the same with ur old one. Delete the resources.xxxx(i dont know the name by heart lol) and drag and drop the one (by one i meant the resources.xxxx file) from the new zip to the old zip and adb push ur old frameworkres apk and reboot
Sent from my PG86100 using XDA App
kpkimmel said:
Posted it here because i need a dev.
I pulled my Framework-res.apk and modified all the icons for everything. I decompiled using apktool.
My question is what steps do i take now (do i need to sign it, what a good tool to recompile it as apktool does and gives me a framework-res.apk but caused my phone not to boot up)..also someone said seomthing about resources.arsc or something..not sure where to go...thanks for your help.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
sounds more like a question. Use apk manager and or 7zip
how does just that one file carry over all the new pics and stuff i changed...
edited......
What exactly have you edited? If you just change non patch9 images... then you can just drag and drop the new images into the apk (may have to rename apk to zip).
If they are patch9's... you need to..
decompile framework-res.apk (apktool d framework-res.apk)
swap out images
recompile (apktool b framework-res)
Now take the newly compiled apk (in the /dist folder). Open it up and take the edited images (only the ones you need changed) and put them into your original apk.
No need to resign just push it to your phone and verify that it works
If you are editing xml files in /values* or /layout..
do the same as above, except after re-compiling, you're going to swap over the resources.arsc file to the original apk.
This is using apktool... in my experience apk manager doesn't do the job to my expectations... so i just do it manually with apktool.
Lemme know if u need anything more, or if i didnt touch on a specific situation.
Btw, maybe to combat the retarded comments about q&a and being in the right section... maybe turn the OP into a How-To?
preludedrew said:
What exactly have you edited? If you just change non patch9 images... then you can just drag and drop the new images into the apk (may have to rename apk to zip).
If they are patch9's... you need to..
decompile framework-res.apk (apktool d framework-res.apk)
swap out images
recompile (apktool b framework-res)
Now take the newly compiled apk (in the /dist folder). Open it up and take the edited images (only the ones you need changed) and put them into your original apk.
No need to resign just push it to your phone and verify that it works
If you are editing xml files in /values* or /layout..
do the same as above, except after re-compiling, you're going to swap over the resources.arsc file to the original apk.
This is using apktool... in my experience apk manager doesn't do the job to my expectations... so i just do it manually with apktool.
Lemme know if u need anything more, or if i didnt touch on a specific situation.
Btw, maybe to combat the retarded comments about q&a and being in the right section... maybe turn the OP into a How-To?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you very much..finally...one last question, where do i put the wallpaper so when the system is fully booted it shows the wallpaper i want? Thanks.
kpkimmel said:
Thank you very much..finally...one last question, where do i put the wallpaper so when the system is fully booted it shows the wallpaper i want? Thanks.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There's an xml edit for it... but forgot it off the top of my head... quickest way is to replace system/customize/resource/shows_over.jpg with your image.
preludedrew said:
There's an xml edit for it... but forgot it off the top of my head... quickest way is to replace system/customize/resource/shows_over.jpg with your image.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks you, sorry about the stupid framework-res question...i knew the answer but had been so long forget the simplest of steps....instead of normal compression i was using store instead.....duh.......thank you though for the reminder because 7zip will automatically restore the same it was decompressed with, unlike that crap winrar. Have a good one man and thank you again.

Volume Slider Color

I'm wanting to change the color of the slider when you turn your volume up and down from yellow to another color. I'm running CM7 fascinatemtd ROM by JT, I know which folder it's in and how to do it. My question is, I use Apk Manager to decomplie my framework-res.apk which was pulled from the ROM using 7zip, I've decompiled the apk, edited the XML file, when I went to recompile the framework-res apk using option 11, a error pop up and told me to read the log, I hit enter, answered yes to system question, then went to keep folder and deleted the resources file as instructed, and hit enter, I was left with an unsigned framework-res.apk file, renamed it to framework-res.apk, and pushed it back into ROM with 7zip, rebooted recovery, cleared caches, and installed ROM, but phone wouldn't boot up. So what am I doing wrong...
Obviously not
Sent from my SCH-I500 using XDA App
What color do you want the slider man
Sent from my SCH-I500 using XDA App
Blue would match my theme the HEX code is 11114b...
Sent from my SCH-I500 using XDA Premium App
If apkmanager errors common logic would dictate to read the log and see what is going wrong
Trying to flash a broken apk won't work obviously
I've gotten it to decompile and recompile bit the problem now os the changes I've made don't show up I'm not getting any errors before I was ising a ROM that I themed so I went back and used the original ROM how do I get the changes to stay...
Sent from my SCH-I500 using XDA Premium App
And you're trying to edit progress_horizontal.xml? And changing code to ff11114b leaving the "f's" in?
good day.
Yes
Sent from my SCH-I500 using XDA Premium App
I should rename unsigned framework.res to framework.res right...
Sent from my SCH-I500 using XDA Premium App
And during the compile process, you hit y for "system apk" and hit y for "would you like to copy over any files..............." and from the keep folder delete resources.arsc and continue to compile. And yes rename back to framework-res.apk.
good day.
Answered yes to system app and no to copy over files, didn't delete arsc and changes stayed, but if I install will I get boot loop since I didn't delete arsc....
Sent from my SCH-I500 using XDA Premium App
If I hit y to copy over files the changes don't stay only if I hit n
Sent from my SCH-I500 using XDA Premium App
it worked, by not copying over the files and not deleting the resources arsc file, does anyone know what the XML file name is for the download progress bar color is...and thanks for your help guys...
Here's what I would do if I was on Windows!
Download apktool & dependencies:
http://android-apktool.googlecode.com/files/apktool1.4.1.tar.bz2
http://android-apktool.googlecode.com/files/apktool-install-windows-r04-brut1.tar.bz2
Unpack both archives to your Windows folder. This will make apktool accessible through cmd anywhere.
CD in cmd window to the location of your apk, If you haven't already done so and install the resources by copying or pulling (framework-res.apk, twframework-res.apk for touchwiz) or (framework-res.apk, SystemUI.apk for GB). Once copied to the folder you are cd'd too...
Install the resources
apktool if framework-res.apk
apktool if twframework-res.apk
apktool if SystemUI.apk
Decompile and make your changes..
apktool d framework-res.apk
Recompile when done
apktool b framework-res
If it built succesfully, then make a copy of your framework-res.apk. Then navigate to framework-res/build/apk! Open your copied apk with 7zip and drag n drop res & resources.arsc from framework-res/build/apk inside! Close it up..
Push and test.. On windows you may need to navigate to your sdk directory if not properly setup!
adb push "your_copied_file"/system/framework/framework-res.apk
If you get a failed to write to system, run this first.
adb shell su -c rw
YES got all progress bar colors changed to blue now my CM7 Fascinatemdt ROM is themed all of my drawable hdpi and XML files are complete I might post this as a theme, thank you for your help...
Sent from my SCH-I500 using XDA Premium App
notta said:
Here's what I would do if I was on Windows!
Download apktool & dependencies:
http://android-apktool.googlecode.com/files/apktool1.4.1.tar.bz2
http://android-apktool.googlecode.com/files/apktool-install-windows-r04-brut1.tar.bz2
Unpack both archives to your Windows folder. This will make apktool accessible through cmd anywhere.
CD in cmd window to the location of your apk, If you haven't already done so and install the resources by copying or pulling (framework-res.apk, twframework-res.apk for touchwiz) or (framework-res.apk, SystemUI.apk for GB). Once copied to the folder you are cd'd too...
Install the resources
apktool if framework-res.apk
apktool if twframework-res.apk
apktool if SystemUI.apk
Decompile and make your changes..
apktool d framework-res.apk
Recompile when done
apktool b framework-res
If it built succesfully, then make a copy of your framework-res.apk. Then navigate to framework-res/build/apk! Open your copied apk with 7zip and drag n drop res & resources.arsc from framework-res/build/apk inside! Close it up..
Push and test.. On windows you may need to navigate to your sdk directory if not properly setup!
adb push "your_copied_file"/system/framework/framework-res.apk
If you get a failed to write to system, run this first.
adb shell su -c rw
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
will this work also when trying to decompile/recompile a non system app, like one from the market, that has dependencies
adude247 said:
will this work also when trying to decompile/recompile a non system app, like one from the market, that has dependencies
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It will work with anything provided you have the resources. Some apk's are picky by means of what you can replace.
The method above is using apktool the way it is supposed to be used. That apkmanager thing sounded crazy with the delete this after that, hit y or n before this. Seems like alot of un-needed steps and confusion!
On linux it's even easier, pretty much fully auto!
notta said:
It will work with anything provided you have the resources. Some apk's are picky by means of what you can replace.
The method above is using apktool the way it is supposed to be used. That apkmanager thing sounded crazy with the delete this after that, hit y or n before this. Seems like alot of un-needed steps and confusion!
On linux it's even easier, pretty much fully auto!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
yeah, I didn't delete anything just decompiled, edited the XML, and recompiled, that was the only way I could get the changes to stay. Any suggestions on what to use if the above resources don't work to get the apk to decompile, an example of an apk that I want to edit but cant get it to recompile after decompiling and editing the XMLs is....
adude247 said:
yeah, I didn't delete anything just decompiled, edited the XML, and recompiled, that was the only way I could get the changes to stay. Any suggestions on what to use if the above resources don't work to get the apk to decompile, an example of an apk that I want to edit but cant get it to recompile after decompiling and editing the XMLs is....
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I can't and won't explain getting resources for market apps or generally someone else's work. However there are several ways to approach non-building apk's.
For example aapt has the capability to recompile standalone 9's as well as xml's, which can then be injected into the apk with the 7zip method. Especially useful for minor changes.
Another example for stubborn apk's would be the Eclipse or similar project. This is where you would partially build the files you wanted to change.
Thanks for the advice...
Sent from my SCH-I500 using XDA Premium App

[Q] Re-compile framework-res.apk

I am trying to make some minor changes to framework-res.apk in /res/values/bools.xml
I used apktool to decompile and make my changes but I am not sure how to properly re-compile.
Just "apktool b framework-res" errors out with invalid resource names.
Finally got it to re-compile by pasting the resource.arsc. from original apk(Dunno if this is correct way)
Then, after re-compile I paste the META-INF from the original apk.
I am hesitant to push this onto my phone now because to file sizes of the modified and original .apk differ by like 2mb. And theres 100 more files in /res of the modified .apk. (Now shows file I was trying to access by decompiling before)
Can I safely push the .apk? or am I doing it completly wrong?
Thanks!
( I did search forums and web before, but did not find anyone having to copy resource.arsc before re-compiling)
trailblazerz11 said:
I am trying to make some minor changes to framework-res.apk in /res/values/bools.xml
I used apktool to decompile and make my changes but I am not sure how to properly re-compile.
Just "apktool b framework-res" errors out with invalid resource names.
Finally got it to re-compile by pasting the resource.arsc. from original apk(Dunno if this is correct way)
Then, after re-compile I paste the META-INF from the original apk.
I am hesitant to push this onto my phone now because to file sizes of the modified and original .apk differ by like 2mb. And theres 100 more files in /res of the modified .apk. (Now shows file I was trying to access by decompiling before)
Can I safely push the .apk? or am I doing it completly wrong?
Thanks!
( I did search forums and web before, but did not find anyone having to copy resource.arsc before re-compiling)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
FOr me, APKtool works as ****...
What you can do: pull /system/framework/framework-res.apk ~/backup
and then you can push. If it doesn't work, then boot into recovery, select mount system and push back the old one.
OT: I don't get why you should use original resources.arsc...
offtopic: when I decompile framework-res using apktool, I get other file structure then normal extract. example: my framework-res doenst have a raw-folder, but apktool decompiled has...
mDroidd said:
FOr me, APKtool works as ****...
What you can do: pull /system/framework/framework-res.apk ~/backup
and then you can push. If it doesn't work, then boot into recovery, select mount system and push back the old one.
OT: I don't get why you should use original resources.arsc...
offtopic: when I decompile framework-res using apktool, I get other file structure then normal extract. example: my framework-res doenst have a raw-folder, but apktool decompiled has...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This is due to the raw folder being combined into the resources file. Search for apkmultitool it is a far easier tool to use and will do everything you need. That goes for both posts
Before doing that, create a flashable zip containing the framework-res.apk file which you can use in case you get a black screen or something.
So that you don't have to restore.
You do realize that resources.arsc, aka resources directory is the collection of xml and other data. You take it from another ROM, how on earth will your xml edits be preserved?
Sent from my HTC Desire using Tapatalk
I need to edit the bools.xml file in framework-res.apk and an a bit stuck on the apktool. I used the APK Multitool to decompile the framework-res.apk file. I then used notepad++ to edit the bools.xml file. I then recompiled it using the APK Multitool and pushed it to /system/framework overwriting the original (after first making a copy of the original). On reboot the phone is stuck in a boot loop.
I managed to use ADB shell to restore the original file and it now boots (I lost all the synchronise stuff but not a big deal). So I have been searching and have found various posts about the later versions of apktool not working very well.
I have a fairly clean Windows 7 x86 installation with Java 1.6 and am using this to do the work on. Can someone point me in the right direction as to how to edit/recompile the framework-res.apk file?
Andy
I actually also trying to edit bools.xml located in framework-res.apk
I'm using Apk Changer it may be easier.
after some tries (and bootloops) I've managed to do some changes in framework-res : replacing pictures -> It works
after decompiling the apk, when I edit values within bools.xml , & then choose to compile, it creates a folder called "keep" and i have to delete edited files in that folder so as to replace them by my customized files.
BUT I don't find the folder "values" that contains bools.xml . Therefore, the generated apk will not make changes done in bools.xml .
Does anyone has any idea about Editing that xml ?
More details & Tuto :
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=916814
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=9066440&postcount=1
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=9978779&postcount=62
@ADB100
Advanced Decompiling
Sometimes, you have that pesky app that just won't decompile correctly. Usually, it's an app related to others, like a proprietary system app based off framework-res.apks.
When this happens, you need to ensure that the frameworks are there to have the app's recourse tables properly compile.
For either apktool or apk manager, find a folder on your computer called "apktool."
The should be a folder in here called "framework," and inside that, a 1.apk.
For an app that is dependent on the framework-res.apk in a specific phone/rom, take the framework-res.apk for that rom and rename it 1.apk.
Replace the default one in the folder with yours.
If there's a second one, like the twframework-res.apk for Samsung phones, rename it 2.apk and place it in the "framework" folder.
Now, decompile like normal, and everything should be good
//By theimpaler747
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
-Yasser-
-yasser- said:
I actually also trying to edit bools.xml located in framework-res.apk
I'm using Apk Changer it may be easier.
after some tries (and bootloops) I've managed to do some changes in framework-res : replacing pictures -> It works
after decompiling the apk, when I edit values within bools.xml , & then choose to compile, it creates a folder called "keep" and i have to delete edited files in that folder so as to replace them by my customized files.
BUT I don't find the folder "values" that contains bools.xml . Therefore, the generated apk will not make changes done in bools.xml .
Does anyone has any idea about Editing that xml ?
More details & Tuto :
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=916814
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=9066440&postcount=1
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=9978779&postcount=62
@ADB100
-Yasser-
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The values folders get compressed into the resources.arsc file so in the keep folder delete this file and your changes will stick
not sure if you got this figured out yet but if not heres how the whole process should go.
Code:
apktool if framework-res.apk
if on a sense based rom do this too
Code:
apktool if com.htc.resources.apk
change to the directory where your framework-res.apk is
Code:
apktool d -f framework-res.apk out
or something like this if apktool is not in your path
Code:
apktool d -f ~/Desktop/framework-res.apk ~/Desktop/out
easy way to build is to cd to out folder
Code:
cd ~/Desktop/out
to build apk
Code:
apktool b
then just sign apk if needed
if you are on linux you can try this:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1446233
wes342 said:
not sure if you got this figured out yet but if not heres how the whole process should go.
Code:
apktool if framework-res.apk
if on a sense based rom do this too
Code:
apktool if com.htc.resources.apk
change to the directory where your framework-res.apk is
Code:
apktool d -f framework-res.apk out
or something like this if apktool is not in your path
Code:
apktool d -f ~/Desktop/framework-res.apk ~/Desktop/out
easy way to build is to cd to out folder
Code:
cd ~/Desktop/out
to build apk
Code:
apktool b
then just sign apk if needed
if you are on linux you can try this:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1446233
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for this. This is what I have done but it hasn't worked for me so far. I am not sure whether I need to sign the file or not - I suspect I do?
Apart from the boot-loop another thing that worries me is the file sizes - the original framework-res.apk is 6,135,120-bytes whilst the new one is 3,319,608-bytes.
My ROM is based on the stock rooted 3.12.405.1 by nitro. The framework-res.apk already had a modification (the default wallpaper was changed) and I changed this back by just replacing the image in the .apk from WinRar and this worked fine. I want to edit the bools.xml file and get it back into the resources.arsc file.
Andy
ADB100 said:
Thanks for this. This is what I have done but it hasn't worked for me so far. I am not sure whether I need to sign the file or not - I suspect I do?
Apart from the boot-loop another thing that worries me is the file sizes - the original framework-res.apk is 6,135,120-bytes whilst the new one is 3,319,608-bytes.
My ROM is based on the stock rooted 3.12.405.1 by nitro. The framework-res.apk already had a modification (the default wallpaper was changed) and I changed this back by just replacing the image in the .apk from WinRar and this worked fine. I want to edit the bools.xml file and get it back into the resources.arsc file.
Andy
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No you don't have to sign the framework API. System apks are signed. What edits are you trying to do?
zelendel said:
No you don't have to sign the framework API. System apks are signed. What edits are you trying to do?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
All I want to edit is the bools.xml file so I can enable the SIP client to work over 3G: i.e. change this line in the file and re-cook it
Code:
<bool name="config_sip_wifi_only">true</bool>
This is potentially the 1st step though. If I can sucessfully edit this then I will probably try other things.
Andy
ADB100 said:
All I want to edit is the bools.xml file so I can enable the SIP client to work over 3G: i.e. change this line in the file and re-cook it
Code:
<bool name="config_sip_wifi_only">true</bool>
This is potentially the 1st step though. If I can sucessfully edit this then I will probably try other things.
Andy
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ok so here is a step by step that I have used to make just this edit.
Apkmultitool is the one I use.
1. Decompile the apk
2. Change the false to true
3. Compile with option 11
4. In the keep folder delete the resource.asc file and then finish compiling.
5. Put New apk in zip removing the unsigned so it is named properly
6. Flash
zelendel said:
Ok so here is a step by step that I have used to make just this edit.
Apkmultitool is the one I use.
1. Decompile the apk
2. Change the false to true
3. Compile with option 11
4. In the keep folder delete the resource.asc file and then finish compiling.
5. Put New apk in zip removing the unsigned so it is named properly
6. Flash
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
OK - just removed and reinstalled APK Multitool, verified the path environment variable and followed these steps - Step 3 where it asks whether this is a system apk I said yes and when it asks about copying files I said yes. The resulting file is now 5,653KB compared to the original that is 5,992KB. I assume the difference is the lack of signing?
Does this sound right?
Andy
ADB100 said:
OK - just removed and reinstalled APK Multitool, verified the path environment variable and followed these steps - Step 3 where it asks whether this is a system apk I said yes and when it asks about copying files I said yes. The resulting file is now 5,653KB compared to the original that is 5,992KB. I assume the difference is the lack of signing?
Does this sound right?
Andy
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That and the compression level that is used. It will also change if you optimize the pngs. Nothing to really worry about
I am obviously doing something fundamentally wrong
I followed the instructions to the letter, created the unsignedframework-res.apk, renamed it, pushed it to to my device (adb remount, adb push framework-res.apk system/framework/framework-res.apk) and rebooted - boot loop. Tried signing it with APK Multitool and then pushing this file. This time it booted but I had forced close on all sorts of things. Restored the original file and it is working again but all the sync stuff has screwed up meaning I need to re-flash as my ROM has stuff in /data that will get wiped if I do a factory reset.
Any other pointers or do you want to try editing the file for me and I'll see if yours works? I have attached the original file.
Andy
ADB100 said:
I am obviously doing something fundamentally wrong
I followed the instructions to the letter, created the unsignedframework-res.apk, renamed it, pushed it to to my device (adb remount, adb push framework-res.apk system/framework/framework-res.apk) and rebooted - boot loop. Tried signing it with APK Multitool and then pushing this file. This time it booted but I had forced close on all sorts of things. Restored the original file and it is working again but all the sync stuff has screwed up meaning I need to re-flash as my ROM has stuff in /data that will get wiped if I do a factory reset.
Any other pointers or do you want to try editing the file for me and I'll see if yours works? I have attached the original file.
Andy
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I've tried to change it for you,
Code:
<bool name="config_sip_wifi_only">false</bool>
The file size is reduced to 3.23 Mb maybe it's bcz of optimizing effect..
check if it works .
-Yasser-
-yasser- said:
I've tried to change it for you,
Code:
<bool name="config_sip_wifi_only">false</bool>
The file size is reduced to 3.23 Mb maybe it's bcz of optimizing effect..
check if it works .
-Yasser-
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi
Thanks for this. Just renamed this and pushed it to my DHD, rebooted and yep it works. I haven't built a ROM with it yet but this tells me something is wrong at my end....
I have a fairly vanilla Dell PC with Windows 7 Ultimate x86 OEM. I have installed the DSIXDA kitchen and have been building ROMs for my DHD for a while. I have some of the Android SDK installed but maybe not all or updated (not sure if this is a problem?) but enough for adb.exe to work? I have installed the APK Multitool (obviously) and some other utilities (Ultimate Multi Tool, HTC Sync)
Other than that its a pretty clean machine - Microsoft Security Essentials and WinRar is all that's installed. This is a spare PC that I wiped recently and installed Windows 7 on and all I am really using it for is making android ROMs.
EDIT: Just built a ROM with this framework-res.apk as swapping this after I have configured account sync seems to screw the accounts up (they sync but aren't displayed in Settings, Accounts & Sync). Anyway the ROM built OK and its all working. I'd really like to know what I am doing wrong with editing the APK?
Andy
OK.
I don't really know what's wrong with your PC, or procedure ..
I'll tell you what I am doing, that may helps.
I'm using apk changer . download it from here
I think It's nearly the same as other tools, although you can try it.
For editing framework-res.apk,
first open cmd : cd <..>\apk_changer\other (folder containing apktool.jar)
then type : java -jar apktool.jar if <PATH To>\framework-res.apk
It should tell you that "framework installed to ..."
Now put your framework-res.apk in "place-files-here-for-modding"
and run apkchanger.bat choose 1 (decompile) and 3 (for sources & resources)
Do your modifications.
then return to bat, type 3 (compile). yes for system apk & yes for replacing original files.
a 'keep' folder will be created, delete resources.asc inside it.
type enter within cmd & you're done . check the new file in "place-files-here-for-modding" (unsignedframework-res.apk)
Yasser
-yasser- said:
OK.
I don't really know what's wrong with your PC, or procedure ..
I'll tell you what I am doing, that may helps.
I'm using apk changer . download it from here
I think It's nearly the same as other tools, although you can try it.
For editing framework-res.apk,
first open cmd : cd <..>\apk_changer\other (folder containing apktool.jar)
then type : java -jar apktool.jar if <PATH To>\framework-res.apk
It should tell you that "framework installed to ..."
Now put your framework-res.apk in "place-files-here-for-modding"
and run apkchanger.bat choose 1 (decompile) and 3 (for sources & resources)
Do your modifications.
then return to bat, type 3 (compile). yes for system apk & yes for replacing original files.
a 'keep' folder will be created, delete resources.asc inside it.
type enter within cmd & you're done . check the new file in "place-files-here-for-modding" (unsignedframework-res.apk)
Yasser
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi
Thanks for replying. I am going to wipe and reinstall Windows 7. I know it seems a bit drastic but its the only way I can eliminate it - plus its just a PC in the corner that has no important stuff (apart from the android stuff) on it.
Andy

Recompling an apk questions

Trying to modify contacts.apk to make the dialer multi-dpi compatible. Did that and it works.
My issue is recompiling the apk. Everytime I recompile the apk with apktool it looses over a megabyte in size. In my case went from 4.49MB to 3.19MB after rebuilding. Only file modified was dialer_app.xml and it's size stayed about the same.
I've brought framework-res.apk and twframework.apk into apktool. After copying the resulting contacts.apk back to the device it is not recognized.
I've also tried copying the META-INF directory from the original apk over to the new one. Still no luck. I'm new to this and if anyone has some help for me it would be greatly appreciated!
Did you sign your new apk after recompiling it ?
Do you have classes.dex and resources.arsc files in your new apk ?
since its a system apk I've read it shouldn't be signed. Only thing I did was copy the META-INF folder to the new apk. In the new apk I do see classes.dex and resources.arsc. All the files appear to be there but the apk has shrunken in size.
I'm guessing I'm missing something simple here. But I'm new to this. Been at it for a few hours haven't had any luck.
I am new in development field. I have two questions 1. Is there same meaning for building and recompiling using apk tool? 2. I know framework-res.apk is needed for apktool d com, but where and the what is the use of twframework.apk file. Please explain anyone .
Recompiled apks will be quite a bit smaller as they will have more compression applied, this is normal, just be careful as if the tool compresses it to much you will get fc's. But it should work fine.
idhbar said:
I am new in development field. I have two questions 1. Is there same meaning for building and recompiling using apk tool? 2. I know framework-res.apk is needed for apktool d com, but where and the what is the use of twframework.apk file. Please explain anyone .
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Read the apktool website for info about framework files, as far as which one to use, if you are decompiling a la2 or la4 base use a kl2 or kk5 framework without jkays built in as the laX frameworks are kinda buggy.
Sent from my GT-I9100 using Tapatalk

Status bar background

How to change the status-bar background?
i want to change the transparent black background with the image in attachment so that it match my theme.
So which files i have to replace with this background?
Using xPeria Mini with stock ICS ROM
So no help?:crying:
piousheart said:
So no help?:crying:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Try to post in Themes and Apps section.
Publiuss said:
Try to post in Themes and Apps section.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What is this thread?
mobilephone01 said:
What is this thread?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Actually this thread was in general but i moved it
And guys will you all please stick to the topic..any help?
maybe this ??
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1786889
iiandskater said:
maybe this ??
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1786889
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
See here is my systemUI.apk please add the image at OP (opaque)
piousheart said:
See here is my systemUI.apk please add the image at OP (opaque)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Why not do it yourself? There is plenty of TUT's around that help you decompile and recompile apks.
evilbarcode said:
Why not do it yourself? There is plenty of TUT's around that help you decompile and recompile apks.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I tried but when i recompile it & push it in system\app with proper permission, after rebooting phone it stuck bootlogo..
The same happens when i tried to decompile DefaultThemes.apk & MusicWidget.apk they both were not installed...
then i searched & found that we have to compress the resources.arc blablablaaa... & signing with recompiling system apk..
Still after giving a lot of tries i dont understand how to use signing & compress resources.arc blablaballl idk..
If you know than may be you can teach
Rebooted my phone 100z of time to check every method i found but no success
Now i dont wana harm my phone, rebooting it again & again for the things that isn't working for me...
See this thread, i asked on xda but people aren't explaining properly, they just stop answering after certain question:crying:
piousheart said:
See this thread, i asked on xda but people aren't explaining properly, they just stop answering after certain question:crying:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well, I am a bit on the busy side.... I assume you didn't try my tool then?
To do this manually, you need to first recompile your apk after you've done all your changes. You already know this bit.
Then:
Make a copy of the old apk
Use 7zip to open both the copy and the recompiled apk
Drag the 'res' folder from the recompiled apk to the copy
Close the copy
Extract 'resources.arsc' from the recompiled apk
Add 'resources.arsc' to the copy, selecting 'STORE' compression
Close the recompiled apk
Open the copy and check that resources.arsc has the same size and packed size
Reboot the phone and go into recovery
Mount the /system partition
Push the apk straight to the right folder
Unmount the /system partition
Reboot the phone
Wait for it all to load
Wait a bit longer
Wait a bit longer still
And you're done.
If you've pulled the app from the phone to a Windows PC then you don't need to worry about permissions. That's only when you copy the app to your sdcard or pull the app using Linux.
Going into recovery might not be needed. Pushing system apps while the phone is running can cause some nasty bugs so I always use recovery just to play it safe. You'll need to reboot most of the time anyway to see the changes you've made.
Instead of pushing, you could make a flashable zip. As an amazing coincidence, Tickle My Android can do that too.
Ticklefish said:
Well, I am a bit on the busy side.... I assume you didn't try my tool then?
To do this manually, you need to first recompile your apk after you've done all your changes. You already know this bit.
Then:
Make a copy of the old apk
Use 7zip to open both the copy and the recompiled apk
Drag the 'res' folder from the recompiled apk to the copy
Close the copy
Extract 'resources.arsc' from the recompiled apk
Add 'resources.arsc' to the copy, selecting 'STORE' compression
Close the recompiled apk
Open the copy and check that resources.arsc has the same size and packed size
Reboot the phone and go into recovery
Mount the /system partition
Push the apk straight to the right folder
Unmount the /system partition
Reboot the phone
Wait for it all to load
Wait a bit longer
Wait a bit longer still
And you're done.
If you've pulled the app from the phone to a Windows PC then you don't need to worry about permissions. That's only when you copy the app to your sdcard or pull the app using Linux.
Going into recovery might not be needed. Pushing system apps while the phone is running can cause some nasty bugs so I always use recovery just to play it safe. You'll need to reboot most of the time anyway to see the changes you've made.
Instead of pushing, you could make a flashable zip. As an amazing coincidence, Tickle My Android can do that too.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you brother i will try it
and yes i have your tool too, it helped me to restore system fonts when i messed with it & had a bootloop:victory:
Great tool:good:
BTW can i use winrar instead of 7zip?
Where is 'STORE' compression can be found in winrar?
How to check that resources.arsc has the same size ( same size compared to with file? ) and packed size?
piousheart said:
Thank you brother i will try it
and yes i have your tool too, it helped me to restore system fonts when i messed with it & had a bootloop:victory:
Great tool:good:
BTW can i use winrar instead of 7zip?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Excellent. I'm glad it helped.
Technically, you could use any archival program but it has to be one that lets you add files to an archive without compressing them. I find 7zip to be fairly quick and user-friendly. Plus, it's free which is always a good thing.
Ticklefish said:
Excellent. I'm glad it helped.
Technically, you could use any archival program but it has to be one that lets you add files to an archive without compressing them. I find 7zip to be fairly quick and user-friendly. Plus, it's free which is always a good thing.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Where is 'STORE' compression can be found in winrar?
How to check that resources.arsc has the same size ( same size compared to with file? ) and packed size?
piousheart said:
Where is 'STORE' compression can be found in winrar?
How to check that resources.arsc has the same size ( same size compared to with file? ) and packed size?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't know. I don't even know if winrar can do it. That's why I suggested using 7zip instead.
To check sizes, just open the app (again, this is using 7zip) and look at the numbers to the right of resources.arsc. One is the original size of the file, the other is the size it's been compressed to. These need to be the same.
Ticklefish said:
I don't know. I don't even know if winrar can do it. That's why I suggested using 7zip instead.
To check sizes, just open the app (again, this is using 7zip) and look at the numbers to the right of resources.arsc. One is the original size of the file, the other is the size it's been compressed to. These need to be the same.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Leme have my hands on some app..
Edit : I tried this but when ever i put it back to sdcard and look at it the app loses its icon ( just a green android logo ) and when i put it in syste\app with proper permission & then restart it doesn't install and even i tried to install as normal apk then it says parse problem..
What i am doing wrong i followed the same procedure above & also the size of resources is same.
piousheart said:
Leme have my hands on some app..
Edit : I tried this but when ever i put it back to sdcard and look at it the app loses its icon ( just a green android logo ) and when i put it in syste\app with proper permission & then restart it doesn't install and even i tried to install as normal apk then it says parse problem..
What i am doing wrong i followed the same procedure above & also the size of resources is same.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I got your pm asking me to reply to this. I do most of my android modding stuff during spare moments at work because I don't have the time at home so I'd have gotten round to answering this in time.
I'm not sure what you're doing wrong here. Since you're got my tool installed, try using that first. If that works, then we know that there's something going wrong with the manual procedure and we can fix it.
If it doesn't work, then there's something wrong with the mod you're doing and we need to fix that instead.
Ticklefish said:
I got your pm asking me to reply to this. I do most of my android modding stuff during spare moments at work because I don't have the time at home so I'd have gotten round to answering this in time.
I'm not sure what you're doing wrong here. Since you're got my tool installed, try using that first. If that works, then we know that there's something going wrong with the manual procedure and we can fix it.
If it doesn't work, then there's something wrong with the mod you're doing and we need to fix that instead.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Okay thanks..
So i tried to mod even after knowing that it wont work as before..
So what i did in DefaultThemes.apk is edited the Androidmanifest & string files to change the name & nothing else
is i am doing it editing wrong file and yes how can i use your tool for this?
Originally Posted by Ticklefish<br />
I got your pm asking me to reply to this. I do most of my android modding stuff during spare moments at work because I don't have the time at home so I'd have gotten round to answering this in time.<br />
<br />
I'm not sure what you're doing wrong here. Since you're got my tool installed, try using that first. If that works, then we know that there's something going wrong with the manual procedure and we can fix it.<br />
If it doesn't work, then there's something wrong with the mod you're doing and we need to fix that instead.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
<br />
<br />
Okay thanks..<br />
So i tried to mod even after knowing that it wont work as before..<br />
So what i did in DefaultThemes.apk is edited the Androidmanifest & string files to change the name & nothing else<br />
is i am doing it editing wrong file and yes how can i use your tool for this?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
To be honest, I don't know how to change the name of an app. It's something I've never done before.
I suspect that you've gotten the mod wrong somewhere but unfortunately I can't advise on where that could be.
Sorry, mate.

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