[Q] how to modd .xml files of a theme ? - Galaxy 3 Themes and Apps

Hi all,
I'd like to modify some .xml files in the Gingerbread Theme that are in the resources.arsc file. I'm using Apk Manager 4.9 and I'm unable to compile twframework-res and framework-res: a lot of errors appears and resources.arsc isn't rebuild. It seems that it's a problem of dependencies. What file(s) I need ? Is there a way ?
I have a lot of errors like this :
"......\public.xml:172: error: Public symbol drawable/ic_menu_account_list declared here is not defined."
I tried with all the 38 themes and it's the same thing.
Note: When i use apk manager with an app it works and resources.arsc is rebuild.
Thanks in advance

clarkkov said:
You should discuss this with the app developer, this is obviously app specific issue - and who is most likely to know this app the best(?). I think that framework.apk(s) depend on more .apk(s) inside the OS, i.e. they are not independent like the 3rd party apps.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes. It's strange because when I use apk manager with a stock framework apk (JPM for example) there are no errors and resources.arsc is rebuild. So there is no dependencies with the OS...
And all the modded themes are uncompilable ...
thx !

I found the reason :
The framework-res.apk contains corrupted .9.png's images files ...
And every theme posted around there were modified with the sames .9.png's corrupted files ! Someone forgot to use the tools to mod this king of files or forgot to compile them ...
So, to solve this and to be able to compile all the framework-res.apk you have to get back the non corrupted .9.png's files from stock ROM.
I think the same problem is also present in twframework-res.apk; I will see later.
cheers.

Related

[Q] apk decompiled, recompiled, signed won't install

Hello,
I'm trying to hack an apk.
My first step was to use apk multi tool, and to just decompile and recompile it.
This is what i've done:
decompiling
recompiling (without any mod)
signing
No error appears during those steps.
But this new apk won't install on my phone !
If I check difference between the two apk:
all xml files are differents
.RSA and .SF have not the same name
classes.dex, resources.arsc and manifest.mf are differents
I don't understand those difference. can somebody help me to understand that and how to recomile a proper version ?
PS: This app is a french app that shows speed cameras on the road. However this app is now only showing a big zone and not the exact location for france. But it stills show precise location for other countries, so obfuscation is done at the apk level, and I already found where it is in the code, so i'd like to bypass it and recompile a "special' version
Thanx
Just a few quick questions. Is you phone set to install from sources than Droid market? You do know the newly compiled and signed project will be located in the "place_package _here_ for_Modding" folder and is named "Signed(yourappnamehere).apk?
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I727 using xda premium
Hi,
yes, i took the newly compiled apk in this directory, and yes my phone is set accept unknown sources.
When i install the apk, i first have the
- liste of phones serviesc that will be used
- then the install progress bar
- then the message "application not installed"
I guess there is some kind of protection in the sources...
I also noticed that the two apk - original, and resigned one - don't have same size.
The only difference is actually in the META-INF directory : the .RSA and the .SF files.
In the original application they are:
- IFOX_.RSA
- IFOX_.SF
But when recompiling, those files are:
- CERT.RSA
- CERT.SF
I'm shure the problem comes from here, but i'm too noob to analyse that...
So my proble can be sum-up by:
Why the recompilation doesn not give me the same RSA and SF file ??
Beware there are some modifications that you cant do on decs, expecially the packagename.
also beware to disable the "non-market" tag on the phone.
Yes, but for the moment i didn't make any modification:
Just decompiling, recompiling and resigning.
Maybe you want to tell that the apk name must stay the same ? (sorry my english is not perfect )
GOT IT WORKED !!!
You must first uninstall the previous application !
I was trying to install my new one over the old one, but the signatures are not the same !!!
Thanx everybody, and hope this will help somebody !
APK edit error 103
Ok im having a similar issue.
I know the file size is mismatched but ive never had this issue
as a test i only modded 1 thing but 4 files
changed a link in an html / changed an image and its name and the html included the link to the new name
when this failed i changed the manifest and the .sf to match the change i made with name but not the sha :"no clue here"
Tried...
APK multi tool ... and 7zip to make the mods
Tried... Bothsigned and unsigned.
Tried copying the sig from old apk to new with names corrected "notsha" fail still
Tried....
Origional APK installs no issue
Uninstall orig apk rebooted
Allow out side apps yes and no.both
using file manager explorer and root browser and es file manager
Copying directly to /system/app fail
copying to data/data/app/copy fail " yes it wont even copy to there"
Tried.. Multiple phones
I then tried a hex editor on the apk. And after changes install still fail.
I modded several other apk's even my framework but this is the first app that ha given me so many issues
This is an app to help elderly users access internet and the devs are AWOL and the project abandoned
Code:
https drive google com/folderview?id=0B5PggxVy7c8meDhrcjNJOGs5cFk&usp=sharing
Code:
www eldy eu/en/software/eldy-tablet/‎
"edited for posting "
The goal here is to make it more U.S. friendly its English base is geared to English UK and this does not help my family as we are in the U.S.
All i can get from logcat is error 103
Logcat shows package it.vegans.eldy has no certificate at entry AndroidManifest.xml ignoring
Knstallation error code 103
I tried apk multitool certify thing
i tried copying the certs from old to new apk
i tried modding the cert to correct names
So maybe im mentally challenged but i just cant figure this one out
---
Edit .
I attached a zip with original and modified apk's
All i want to do is simple html edits xml link edits and img changes since mostly the app is a series of pages.

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

[Q] How to create theme for custom rom ?

After reading from articles , now more or less I got some idea on how to create a theme for a custom rom , but still there's something I don't know .
1) First , I extract files from a rom using 7zip . Then , I extract out the content of framework-res.apk and make some modifies / changes to those .png files . So , after completed those modifies , I just open archieve on the original framework-res.apk , drag and drop the one I modified to replace the original one ? After that , how do I pack it in .zip file that can be updated in open recovery ? .xml file shouldn't be modified right ?
2) What if I do this , I get a theme.zip made for the rom , and then I extract the contents of the theme.zip using 7zip , then again I modify the .png files and after completed , I packed it again by open archieve on the original theme.zip , drag and drop the one I modified to replace the original one ? Does this works ?
3) What if I modify other system apps such as calender.apk ? Using the same method , extract , modify , drag and drop , replace , then again how do I pack it in .zip file that can be updated in open recovery ? Is there any "bond" between those system apps and framework-res.apk ? Can I just modify anyone of both ? Or I have to modify both system apps and framework-res.apk to get it works ?
Thanks
nikctsh said:
After reading from articles , now more or less I got some idea on how to create a theme for a custom rom , but still there's something I don't know .
1) First , I extract files from a rom using 7zip . Then , I extract out the content of framework-res.apk and make some modifies / changes to those .png files . So , after completed those modifies , I just open archieve on the original framework-res.apk , drag and drop the one I modified to replace the original one ? After that , how do I pack it in .zip file that can be updated in open recovery ? .xml file shouldn't be modified right ?
2) What if I do this , I get a theme.zip made for the rom , and then I extract the contents of the theme.zip using 7zip , then again I modify the .png files and after completed , I packed it again by open archieve on the original theme.zip , drag and drop the one I modified to replace the original one ? Does this works ?
3) What if I modify other system apps such as calender.apk ? Using the same method , extract , modify , drag and drop , replace , then again how do I pack it in .zip file that can be updated in open recovery ? Is there any "bond" between those system apps and framework-res.apk ? Can I just modify anyone of both ? Or I have to modify both system apps and framework-res.apk to get it works ?
Thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Here's what I know so far. I'm still trying to learn as much as I can:
1) If you are making a theme by trying to replace pngs in an existing framework-res.apk file, you can do this: open the apk file within your zip program, and edit the apk there (so you'll have two zip windows open. Once the apk is updated, close the most recent zip window. The first zip window should recognize that you've updated the apk file, and ask you to update the first zip window.
I've been playing around with this: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1432152
What it allows you to do is modify the files in Windows Explorer (or whatever file explorer you're using), and then let the script do the rest of the work for you. The actions it can do are: decompile apk, recompile apk, sign apk, created update.zip.
The xml files need to be edited if you want to achieve certain effects. For example, in the Gingerbread theme there are some edits that have to be made to a few xml files in order to achieve white text on black backgrounds on the popup menus. The nice thing about the framework flasher link from above is that it 'compiles' the files (meaning it will check if the .9.pngs are correct, and if your xml files point to correct assets), so you can go about doing xml edits and stuff without fear of bootlooping.
2) Yes, this should work.
3) If the updater script is a generic script (that is, it moves everything from the /system folder to /system, and /data to /data), then you can create directories in the update.zip that refer to whatever apk you want to replace, with the same structure as in Android. The cool thing about Metamorph, from what I gather, is that you can create folder structures with just the assets you want to replace, rather than the entire apk. This means that if you want to replace just a few images in Phone.apk, for example, you create a directory in the Metamorph script under /system/app/Phone/res/drawable-hdpi and add the images you want to replace in there. I think that's the way I want to create my themes from now on, I just need to figure out how to do it correctly
I tried the framework flasher , after located the framework-res.apk and run RunMe , it shows echo is off , the log process shows 'java' is not recognized as an internal or external command,
operable program or batch file.
Do you have Java installed?
Mioze7Ae said:
Do you have Java installed?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No , I have no Java installed . Tried to install before but couldn't get the right version .
Java
I've yet to find one all inclusive theming reference. Just a lot of searching & reading & trial & error. This might be a good place to get started.
Edit: You'll also want to get the Android SDK
3rdstring said:
Java
I've yet to find one all inclusive theming reference. Just a lot of searching & reading & trial & error. This might be a good place to get started.
Edit: You'll also want to get the Android SDK
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
BTW , since I'm still too new to theming , I'm thinking of making my first step by changing the colour of a completed theme . This is what I'm currently doing : I extracted the files content of your DarkFroyo.zip and then extracted it's framework-res.apk . ( IT'S YOUR THEME , CAN YOU GIVE ME THE PERMISSION TO DO THIS ? ) I'm changing the original orange colour of all those icon to light pink using photoshop , then replace the original one . The files type are .png . Also , I changed the battery status icon and status bar background . However , I haven't touch those .xml files , I just leave it there . So after I complete , do I just flash it right away in my phone or I need to doing something like "sign" ? As for now , I don't have any idea about "sign" .
nikctsh said:
BTW , since I'm still too new to theming , I'm thinking of making my first step by changing the colour of a completed theme . This is what I'm currently doing : I extracted the files content of your DarkFroyo.zip and then extracted it's framework-res.apk . ( IT'S YOUR THEME , CAN YOU GIVE ME THE PERMISSION TO DO THIS ? ) I'm changing the original orange colour of all those icon to light pink using photoshop , then replace the original one . The files type are .png . Also , I changed the battery status icon and status bar background . However , I haven't touch those .xml files , I just leave it there . So after I complete , do I just flash it right away in my phone or I need to doing something like "sign" ? As for now , I don't have any idea about "sign" .
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Changing the color in Photoshop is fine for normal ".png"s but ".9.png"s are special, they have a 1 pixel border with guides that define how they are stretched to fill a space (& are only visible is a decompiled state). Just editing a .9.png in Photoshop might break the .9 patch. Since you are trying to modify my theme it might also be wise to grab the "undo.zip" so if (when) something you try bootloops the phone you can flash the undo to get back to stock. I know had numerous bootloops when I was first starting out (still do occasionally).
3rdstring said:
Changing the color in Photoshop is fine for normal ".png"s but ".9.png"s are special, they have a 1 pixel border with guides that define how they are stretched to fill a space (& are only visible is a decompiled state). Just editing a .9.png in Photoshop might break the .9 patch. Since you are trying to modify my theme it might also be wise to grab the "undo.zip" so if (when) something you try bootloops the phone you can flash the undo to get back to stock. I know had numerous bootloops when I was first starting out (still do occasionally).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hey 3rdstring. I noticed you release a new version of your theme for the ODEXED version of CM6. For APKs that have ODEX files (such as Phone), are you deodexing them using apktool, then reodexing them? A brief pointer would be nice!
molohov said:
Hey 3rdstring. I noticed you release a new version of your theme for the ODEXED version of CM6. For APKs that have ODEX files (such as Phone), are you deodexing them using apktool, then reodexing them? A brief pointer would be nice!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No the only thing I'm changing in any of the odexed apks are images. I use a Metamorph file with ZipThemer to build the update.zip (& undo) after I've decompiled / recomfiled framework-res for the white menu text & 10% battery increments.
3rdstring said:
No the only thing I'm changing in any of the odexed apks are images. I use a Metamorph file with ZipThemer to build the update.zip (& undo) after I've decompiled / recomfiled framework-res for the white menu text & 10% battery increments.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The reason I ask is b/c I tried pushing a modified Phone.apk to CM6, but it didn't pick up any of the changes I added (images only). It made me think that the assets were already prebuilt in the odex file, so changing the apk wouldn't do anything unless the odex file was changed too.
I also tried applying a metamorph script on top of the odex ROM, but it caused a lot of fcs. I think it's b/c of the ODEXing too.
EDIT: My bad. Phone.apk is the calling screen, Contacts.apk is the dialer + contacts. DOH!!!
My edits are pushed correctly

[Q] Signing APKs/Themeing.......

So I'm trying to do a little themeing and I have some questions. For instance, if I modify idlescreen_base.apk, do I have to sign that and then also sign the .zip? I'm trying to do a full on theme, modifying every little part of the ROM. When do you have to sign the .apks and .zips? One thing I don't like is the bubble around the four icons on the lock screen, so I went in to modify that and then found more files to change and so it began. And so while I'm on it, why do some m10s decode and some don't? Gingeritis3D and ShiftS3NS3 v3.0 have a default folder, but others have Blue Sky, etc. The default folder that has sharedm10 will decode but the others don't. Just curious. I'm using ShiftS3NS3 v3.0 as my base ROM to theme, by the way.
TheBeardedMann said:
So I'm trying to do a little themeing and I have some questions. For instance, if I modify idlescreen_base.apk, do I have to sign that and then also sign the .zip? I'm trying to do a full on theme, modifying every little part of the ROM. When do you have to sign the .apks and .zips? One thing I don't like is the bubble around the four icons on the lock screen, so I went in to modify that and then found more files to change and so it began. And so while I'm on it, why do some m10s decode and some don't? Gingeritis3D and ShiftS3NS3 v3.0 have a default folder, but others have Blue Sky, etc. The default folder that has sharedm10 will decode but the others don't. Just curious. I'm using ShiftS3NS3 v3.0 as my base ROM to theme, by the way.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm not much of a themer, but I might be able to help you with the signing.
You have to sign an APK any time you decompile and recompile it. Alternatively, if you use apktool, build the apk, then take the META-INF folder and AndroidManifest.xml from the original apk and copy them to the /build/app folder of the decompiled apk. Rebuild and your apk is signed. Your essentially taking the signature from the original apk and copying it to the one you recompiled.
If you want the zip to flash, you have to sign it. If you remove anything from an already signed zip, you have to resign it.
orkillakilla said:
I'm not much of a themer, but I might be able to help you with the signing.
You have to sign an APK any time you decompile and recompile it. Alternatively, if you use apktool, build the apk, then take the META-INF folder and AndroidManifest.xml from the original apk and copy them to the /build/app folder of the decompiled apk. Rebuild and your apk is signed. Your essentially taking the signature from the original apk and copying it to the one you recompiled.
If you want the zip to flash, you have to sign it. If you remove anything from an already signed zip, you have to resign it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That makes total sense. I get it now. Thanks!
orkillakilla said:
I'm not much of a themer, but I might be able to help you with the signing.
You have to sign an APK any time you decompile and recompile it. Alternatively, if you use apktool, build the apk, then take the META-INF folder and AndroidManifest.xml from the original apk and copy them to the /build/app folder of the decompiled apk. Rebuild and your apk is signed. Your essentially taking the signature from the original apk and copying it to the one you recompiled.
If you want the zip to flash, you have to sign it. If you remove anything from an already signed zip, you have to resign it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sorry I seen this thread, and was wondering if you use metamorph to theme if you add the META-INF folder and the AndroidManifest.xml to the respective theme will the .apk be able to be installed into the data/app folder?
Deftoolfinch said:
Sorry I seen this thread, and was wondering if you use metamorph to theme if you add the META-INF folder and the AndroidManifest.xml to the respective theme will the .apk be able to be installed into the data/app folder?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not sure. I don't use metamorph so I can't help you there. Sorry.
Sent from my ADR6400L using xda premium
I don't use metamorph. I modify the .apk then flash in recovery. Meta and ninja morph aren't necessary once you get the hang of flashing .zips.

Replacing icons in apk

Hi
sorry if for expert devs this is a basic question
I have been looking around but I did not found this explained
HOW TO CHANG THE ICON ASSOCIATED WITH AN APK ????
I know how to open a apk with 7 zip and that I have to change the png file there
but which file ?????
do I need to change just the file associated with the icons or all the others ?
I mean .... inside (for example) mm.apk I found the icons related to contacts.apk to email.apk etc ... do I need to chenge all of them with the new ones ?
decompile and recompile
Decompile the app with apktool and go into the res folder and find the icon u want to replace ,,change it and recompile with apktool.Lastly sign the app and you are good to go
I have never tried change icons but i tried to change the background images for dialer and system menu. I used the same method mentioned above by opening the apk using 7zip and changing the images files with my custom images and rename them exactly the same as old ones.
Then I used CWM to flash the zip which contains the modified apk (i.e. contacts.apk and framework-res.apk)
However, I would recommend that you backup your ROM before flashing the modified zip file just in case something wrong happens.
Good Luck
I remember that there is a tool much faster than apktool ti decompile recompile but ... I have not been on the forum for long and I lost it
Is it also possible to change only theicon by using vrtheme ? if yes can someone explain how ?
Thanks
Give this thread a whirl...should be very useful
Basic theming guide by Dully79
Darkside Agent said:
Give this thread a whirl...should be very useful
Basic theming guide by Dully79
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
All very interesting I am sure I will use it at some point
I installed Java SDK and APKtool ... I remembered what they are for ... but still ...
the only thing I needed to know was if I need to change all the images in res or only that associated to the icon.....
ads7112 said:
All very interesting I am sure I will use it at some point
I installed Java SDK and APKtool ... I remembered what they are for ... but still ...
the only thing I needed to know was if I need to change all the images in res or only that associated to the icon.....
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
fine, whatever, ignore my post
Please .. do not missunderstand me !!!
Your help is very much apreciated
I knew approximately what to do to modify the theme also if in general I preferred kitchen uot
Instead I was hoping in a simple change of icon afetr decompressing/decompiling the apk but apparently it is not so simple ...never mind

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