Related
Hello, I am a little new here. I am kind of a newb with a lot of things. I did root my device and replaced the boot images.. but i do not know how to make themes. I was wondering if anyone would be willing to help by making a theme for me?
I added some images as to what i am looking to have done, that is of course anyone is willing to help. it is fairly simple i am looking to get the color scheme and kids icons if possible... maybe have a little fun with the clock or not if its too much work.
If anyone could help me out I would appreciate it... i am a graphic designer more than a programmer.. a lot of this is confusing to me.
I really like this site and hopefully i can be of some help at some point. This is my first post but i plan on posting a lot more.
Nice concept...but I`m not sure if you have looked at this topic http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=467639 It describe how to make a theme and stuff, good starting point anyways. Hope it helps!
Yeah ive seen that thread but it scares me...lol
I really dont know what I am doing with all that stuff. I dont really know if I understood everything in it either :-\
thanx though I will try to follow it and make a theme myself but it might take me a while...lol
RandumAccess said:
Yeah ive seen that thread but it scares me...lol
I really dont know what I am doing with all that stuff. I dont really know if I understood everything in it either :-\
thanx though I will try to follow it and make a theme myself but it might take me a while...lol
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
hahaha I would offer help but unfortunately I am no programmer
Im teaching myself how to make themes as well. I have found it best to read through that walkthrough a million times and then PM a couple of the dev guys to answer specific questions.
Basically this is the process:
- Take a theme that you like for RC30 or ADP1 or whatever you wanna make it in
- Extract 2 folders inside, app, and framework into a new folder on your computer
- Rename add a .zip to the end of the apk files and extract them all so you have a bunch of folders with your app names
- Go into res and find any folder that says drawable and inside of there are the files to edit for your theme. Make sure not to edit the .9.png files.
- Once all your editing is done get into linux and turn all the folders back into zip files, then turn them back into apk files.
- Then take your app folder and framework folder that contain the new files and in linux create it into one zip file.
- Then you send the file back to windows, get the SignAPK files, put your zip in the folder with the SignAPK files and run some commands in the CMD to resign the file.
- Then rename that file update.zip and put it on the SDcard and give it a whirl.
This is how I understand the process after talking to a couple people for the last few days. I am hoping to release my own theme soon and if it works you will know that these steps are right. LOL And dont follow those directions, they are just to give you an idea of the steps involved.
Agusta - haha s ok thanks anyway :-D
@brandenk
why do we need to zip the files in linux? By the way thanks for the theming for dummies guide.
trying it out
brandenk said:
Im teaching myself how to make themes as well. I have found it best to read through that walkthrough a million times and then PM a couple of the dev guys to answer specific questions.
Basically this is the process:
- Take a theme that you like for RC30 or ADP1 or whatever you wanna make it in
- Extract 2 folders inside, app, and framework into a new folder on your computer
- Rename add a .zip to the end of the apk files and extract them all so you have a bunch of folders with your app names
- Go into res and find any folder that says drawable and inside of there are the files to edit for your theme. Make sure not to edit the .9.png files.
- Once all your editing is done get into linux and turn all the folders back into zip files, then turn them back into apk files.
- Then take your app folder and framework folder that contain the new files and in linux create it into one zip file.
- Then you send the file back to windows, get the SignAPK files, put your zip in the folder with the SignAPK files and run some commands in the CMD to resign the file.
- Then rename that file update.zip and put it on the SDcard and give it a whirl.
This is how I understand the process after talking to a couple people for the last few days. I am hoping to release my own theme soon and if it works you will know that these steps are right. LOL And dont follow those directions, they are just to give you an idea of the steps involved.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
hey thanks... i am gonna try it now
Geo411m said:
@brandenk
why do we need to zip the files in linux? By the way thanks for the theming for dummies guide.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't know why, something about how linux packages zip files opposed to windows, and yes once I figure it out and find all the problems people can have I am going to make up a nice walkthrough on making themes. But I wouldn't be surprised if there were already some theme manager apps in the works to make this whole process easier.
to tell everybody the truth i do all my themes in windows lol and only windows and it has worked on other peoples devices but shhhh thats out lil secret
package it for me?
Hey I was wondering if anyone could package my files for me?
I don't know linux commands at all and am lost... I did manage to edit the files but I can't put them back together.
If anyone could help with my New problem I would be very grateful!
randumaccess.com/r.a%20rc30.zip
That is the zip with the folders I edited.
Thanks
RandumAccess
Dave Da illest 1 said:
to tell everybody the truth i do all my themes in windows lol and only windows and it has worked on other peoples devices but shhhh thats out lil secret
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, you can make the update.zip in Windows as long as you have the update script I wrote in linux and you do not edit, or open it in Windows. If you do it will get corrupted.
Stericson
Stericson said:
Yes, you can make the update.zip in Windows as long as you have the update script I wrote in linux and you do not edit, or open it in Windows. If you do it will get corrupted.
Stericson
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So as long as we take that empty update.zip and just throw the apk's in their respective folders and resign the zip when we are done it should be good to go?
brandenk said:
So as long as we take that empty update.zip and just throw the apk's in their respective folders and resign the zip when we are done it should be good to go?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's correct it should be good to go.
Stericson
I guess I need to start learning how to create some themes
I did something wrong (theme newb)
Dave Da illest 1 said:
to tell everybody the truth i do all my themes in windows lol and only windows and it has worked on other peoples devices but shhhh thats out lil secret
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
how do you do the themes in windows?
heres what i did:
1. I unzipped a theme
2. renamed apk's to zip's
3. unzipped each folder
4. edited the drawable files
5. zipped the folders with winrar
6. renamed them back to apk's
7. then i took the update script from Stericson and opened it with winrar and threw them in the app/framework folders
it didnt work for me.
I dont know linux and use windows, i am a newb with a lot of this stuff. I would like to know so i can create themes to my liking.
any help you could give me would be great!
i have all the files edited i just need to package them now.
thanks,
RandumAccess
make sure you zip the folders inside the main folder. If you're working on launch folder, zip the folder inside the folder named launch not the launch folder itself.
Dave Da illest 1 said:
to tell everybody the truth i do all my themes in windows lol and only windows and it has worked on other peoples devices but shhhh thats out lil secret
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
How about a how-to using the Windows only method??
Geo411m said:
make sure you zip the folders inside the main folder. If you're working on launch folder, zip the folder inside the folder named launch not the launch folder itself.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
yeah that didnt work either :-(
I would like to see a "Windows Only Theme Tutorial: Super-Newb Edition" ...lol
did you sign each of the edited apk's? and your update.zip file?
my question is this, say for example I have my phone setup just as I like with the theme of my choosing, htc music app instead of the stock android app in the cyanogen mod. i would like to be able to create a rom from this setup that I could then just load on my phone as oppsed to loading a cm mod, then installing music player, then installing the theme. before the flaming begins, i tried the search to no avail. i am aware of how to sign the zip and all of that. just a point in the right direction would be MUCH appreciated.
Its something I would like to be able to do as well. According to Haykuros twitter hes going to be making a video about android rom cooking soon so that should help
jholt0130 said:
my question is this, say for example I have my phone setup just as I like with the theme of my choosing, htc music app instead of the stock android app in the cyanogen mod. i would like to be able to create a rom from this setup that I could then just load on my phone as oppsed to loading a cm mod, then installing music player, then installing the theme. before the flaming begins, i tried the search to no avail. i am aware of how to sign the zip and all of that. just a point in the right direction would be MUCH appreciated.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This should've gone in the Q&A section. Will probably get locked soon.
But in response to your question, I guess you could grab the CM rom, then grab the theme you use and overwrite the files in the rom, and then overwrite the music app with the HTC music. Resign and you got your update.zip customized how you want it.
xidominicanoix said:
This should've gone in the Q&A section. Will probably get locked soon.
But in response to your question, I guess you could grab the CM rom, then grab the theme you use and overwrite the files in the rom, and then overwrite the music app with the HTC music. Resign and you got your update.zip customized how you want it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the help and my apologies for the wrong section
how do you resign it?
joey3002 said:
how do you resign it?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
by searching.
Stericson said:
Automatic version!
Do not use this to sign APK files in Vista or windows 7! It will cause your theme to loop phones when placed on a device. Only use this to sign update files if your using those O/S's
Note, this will not work if your SDK or the path that you place this in has any spaces in the dir name!
An Example of this is c:\users\Nikki and Stephen\sdk\tools
Try to put the SDK and the contents of the zip in a dir where the names are all together and not like the one above.
I have made a batch file that will automate the entire process of setting up to use the signing tool made by JF. This batch file will set the CLASSPATH, set the PATH, install the registries, and will even allow you to sign files manually if you wish. I plan on building onto this batch file to include other things. However, for the moment, it will only include what you see here.
In order to use this you should have downloaded the sdk already. Simply extract all of the files into the tools dir of your sdk, and run autosign.bat follow the instructions and go through the options one by one, starting with 1 working through 4. You can however, put the contents of this zip anywhere on your computer and it will work. It is just better to put them into the tools dir of your SDK. Especially for the consideration of future versions.
Autosign .zip: http://www.fightforthepits.com/Androidstuff/signing.zip
Want to set up the signing tool manually?
Here is the link for the signing tool: Http://www.FightForthePits.com/testsign(2).zip
Before using this you need to know how to set this up:
Now you will need to add the tools dir of your sdk to the environment variable CLASSPATH.
FOR XP:
Right click on My Computer click properties, then choose the tab that says advanced.
Click the button that says environmental variables.
Go to system variables find the one that says CLASSPATH
double click it
go to the end of variable value.
There should be a semicolon ; at the end, type in the path to the testsign.jar located in the tools directory of your SDK
for example the path to my testsign.jar was c:\sdk\android-sdk-windows-1.0_r1\tools\testsign.jar
If CLASSPATH is not in your system variables then create it.
Secondly, Find the system variable called PATH and add to the end of it, the full path to your sdk directory.
For example, mine was c:\sdk\android-sdk-windows-1.0_r2\tools
FOR VISTA:
Open a cmd prompt.
Replace THEEXACTPATHTO-TESTSIGN with the path to the dir that holds the file testsign.jar.
Type:
echo %CLASSPATH%
If it is returns %CLASSPATH%
Type the following:
set CLASSPATH=THEXACTPATHTO-TESTSIGN\testsign.jar
If it comes back with something else then
Type the following:
set CLASSPATH=%CLASSPATH%;.;THEXACTPATHTO-TESTSIGN\testsign.jar
For Example, when I type this it looks like:
set CLASSPATH=%CLASSPATH%;.;c:\Android\SDK\tools\tests ign.jar
To set the PATH
Replace THEEXACTPATHTO-SDK with the path to the tools dir of your SDK.
Now type:
set PATH=%PATH%;.;THEXACTPATHTO-SDK\tools
For example, when I type this out it looks like this:
path-%PATH%;.;c:\Android\SDK\tools
Now through doing this you have done two things, first off you have made the resigning process extremely easy, secondly you will not have to cd to the tools dir of the sdk to use adb or any other tool in the sdk.
Signing the Files:
Now right click the reg file that you extracted and choose to install it, or merge.
Now, right click an apk, do you see an option that says ResignApk? That's how you will resign your .apks and .zips.
When you choose it a cmd window should open for a few seconds and then close. the file you signed will be overwritten with the new resigned file.
If you find the right click menu not working for some reason you can type the following in cmd to sign your files: java testsign whateverfiletosign
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
.apk's not showing up after flash in resigned .zip
Ok, so I've created a ROM to my liking. All the .apk's I normally use and got rid of the ones I don't. My problem is after I customized the ROM and flashed it none of the .apk's I added showed up. The only ones that showed up were the paid apps. I never opened the .apk's and made changes. I assume I don't need to change them to .zip resign and back to apk. Do I? I am using Windows 7 though and am able to resign no problem. Thanks to anyone who replies.
As the title says can someone show me how to do this strictly on a mac!
I have failed miserably at it!
All the tools are for windows..
I have the sdk for mac all set up and I can push an pull files!
but everything I edit on the mac and push to the phone crashes the phone with force closes and stuff...
-kitt050383
I came across this in a google search for the same thing. Can someone post a how-to step by step for modding .apk files with adb commands to push to the phone? Thanks in Advance.
Me as well please, been searching for a good 30 minutes now and cant find any tools to do this on a MAC, especially to edit the .9.png's
I just pull the apk and open it with BetterZip. APKs are pretty much like zip files. Then after I'm done, I sign it and push it back to the phone.
ajones7279 said:
I just pull the apk and open it with BetterZip. APKs are pretty much like zip files. Then after I'm done, I sign it and push it back to the phone.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So, i change the extension to .zip double click and it unzips it. Open the folder, edit the files... and then i just switch the extension back to .apk?
I dont get what you are saying.
If you're using the default archiver, you may have to change it to .zip. Since I use betterzip, I just associated the .apk extension with BetterZip so it automatically opens it like an archive. Now, extract the contents of the apk, make whatever changes you please, put the contents back into the archive, sign the apk, then push it back to the phone. I'm typing this from my Hero so I'll try to make a more detailed post when I get off.
ajones7279 said:
If you're using the default archiver, you may have to change it to .zip. Since I use betterzip, I just associated the .apk extension with BetterZip so it automatically opens it like an archive. Now, extract the contents of the apk, make whatever changes you please, put the contents back into the archive, sign the apk, then push it back to the phone. I'm typing this from my Hero so I'll try to make a more detailed post when I get off.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the tip! I'll give it a shot tomorrow.
Didn't know Betterzip was out there. I'll give it a try later tonight as well.
almost there...
ok i can transform an apk to a zip and unzip for editing, but how do i change it back? i just did a bunch of editing work, and now i am stuck. please help me....
So pretty much we all want to know the same thing...
Once we get the apk open... and we change files around how do we get it back to an apk file.
anyone gonna help?
ipeench said:
So pretty much we all want to know the same thing...
Once we get the apk open... and we change files around how do we get it back to an apk file.
anyone gonna help?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
someone did.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=5849463&postcount=6
Better Zip works great for this. Now, if there was a way to do zero compression like the APK Manager. Without that, the sounds for lock/unlock won't work.
Me too have the same problem. I think installing windows on your mac will work fine with all .exe tools. if you don't wanna do anything o your osx then you can run a virtualbox and run windows without affecting os x.
NO WAY
ajones7279 said:
I just pull the apk and open it with BetterZip. APKs are pretty much like zip files. Then after I'm done, I sign it and push it back to the phone.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi, I have tried to extract the APK with BetterZip.
I can extract files. But, XML file are like unable to open.
The image files are quite OK.
My purpose is to check out Manifest File and other XML Files.
So, if you can actually do those things after extracting with BetterZip, do let me know.
Thanks in advance.
The most useful way is install Windows via Bootcamp or Virtual Machine...
While I don't have a Mac, I should be able to help. First, rename the extension from .apk to .zip so it can be viewed and extracted from whatever archive manager you use. Doing this won't decompile the apk but it will at least let you modify the images. If you want to modify the xml's in the apk file. You can use Apktool which will decompile and recompile apk's, and sign the apk if it's a non-system app. You will also need to have JDK installed to do this.
JDK: http://www.oracle.com/technetwork/java/javase/downloads/jdk8-downloads-2133151.html
Apktool: https://code.google.com/p/android-apktool/downloads/list
Is there a way i can change png files on my phone from my phone? I want to change the calling icon in the framework-res.apk. i found out a way to change it with an app in the market. But i dont know how to put it back in the apk. Help please.
find the picture --> backup it --> put in your picture with the same name and exactly the same bigness (pixels) --> bingo
cheers, stephan1
its not that easy. any other ideas anybody please.
Well if the file is a .9.png then it won't be that easy because these files are compiled to binary. (correct me if I'm wrong devs) You will need to do a little more reading to figure this one out. Also, you can't just "unzip" an apk and mess around with the pics and think that it's going to work when you zip it backup. My understanding is that you have to place the file that you are replacing into the compressed(i.e. zipped) apk.
Once again, Devs, correct me if I am wrong but all my info comes straight from using the search button...Try it out
jballz0682 said:
Well if the file is a .9.png then it won't be that easy because these files are compiled to binary. (correct me if I'm wrong devs) You will need to do a little more reading to figure this one out. Also, you can't just "unzip" an apk and mess around with the pics and think that it's going to work when you zip it backup. My understanding is that you have to place the file that you are replacing into the compressed(i.e. zipped) apk.
Once again, Devs, correct me if I am wrong but all my info comes straight from using the search button...Try it out
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You're right, and wrong. You can unzip an .apk and mess with the images, then rezip it back up and rename it to (yourapk).apk from (yourapk).zip, you just need to sign it when you're done.
I haven't messed with anything entitled ".9.png", but if it's binary then hex editing it is probably the quickest way to edit it, otherwise there is a program called 'apktool' that can decompile apk's and is pretty effective, I've used it a few times
dmullins80 said:
its not that easy. any other ideas anybody please.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Pull framework-res.apk from your phone, to your computer's desktop. Use Winrar, or a similar archive extracting program, to open the file, then click Extract -> (some folder on your desktop that has nothing else in it)
Find the picture you want to change, make sure your new picture is the same dimensions (e.g; 320x480) and is the same type of file (e.g; .png) and replace the stock image with your custom image.
Once that's done, highlight all files and folders in the root of the folder you extracted framework-res.apk to -> (if using Winrar) Right-Click -> Add to archive -> Change archive type to .zip and click OK -> Right click on your newly created framework-res.zip and change the extension to .apk (you might need to open a windows explorer window and select tools->folder options->view tab->uncheck 'hide extensions for known filetypes).
Once that's done, you'll need to sign your new framework-res.apk. You can do that with EasySign. Download EasySign to your desktop, extract the archive and open a Windows Command Prompt (Start->All Programs->Accessories->Command Prompt). You'll need the Java JDK installed.
Drag your newly created framework-res.apk file into your EasySign folder on your desktop and down the following;
Type the following, assuming you have Windows 7 or Vista:
Code:
cd C:\Users\(your username on your PC)\Desktop\EasySign
You should now see the following;
Code:
C:\Users\(your username on your PC)\Desktop\EasySign>
You should now type the following;
Code:
java -jar signapk.jar testkey.x509.pem testkey.pk8 framework-res.apk framework-res_signed.apk
It'll take a moment, then you'll see;
Code:
C:\Users\(your username on your PC)\Desktop\EasySign>java -jar signapk.jar testkey.x509.pem testkey.pk8 framework-res.apk framework-res_signed.apk
C:\Users\(your username on your PC)\Desktop\EasySign>
...and you should now have framework-res_signed.apk in your EasySign folder on your desktop.
Pull it to your desktop and rename it framework-res.apk and put it back where you got it, most likely using adb (if using adb, put it in C:\(your androidsdk folder)\tools and type the following;
Code:
adb remount
adb push framework-res.apk /system/framework
adb reboot
Alternatively, you can place it on your sdcard and use a program like Astro to move it to /system/framework and immediately reboot your phone for the changes to take effect.
Enjoy, it took me like 10 minutes to type this
-mak
Thanks for the wirte up, (i've been try to do something simaler to this for a while). I got to the end but then I get this error in the cmd window. Any thoughts?
'java' is not recognized as an internal or external command,
operable program or batch file.
jadesdan said:
Thanks for the wirte up, (i've been try to do something simaler to this for a while). I got to the end but then I get this error in the cmd window. Any thoughts?
'java' is not recognized as an internal or external command,
operable program or batch file.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sorry, I should have mentioned you'll need the Java JDK installed.
.mak is that the same one by Stericson?
here
sorry if that is slightly OT, just rebuilding the PC setup and need the files, so not sure which one I want to use - his worked last time for me well.
thanks~
dianeofarcadia said:
.mak is that the same one by Stericson?
here
sorry if that is slightly OT, just rebuilding the PC setup and need the files, so not sure which one I want to use - his worked last time for me well.
thanks~
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
EasySign? I'm not sure, I've only downloaded it from grdlock's site. The one you linked to actually looks easier to use..
when you re-zip the file after editing do you use normal compression or store?
Magnum72 said:
when you re-zip the file after editing do you use normal compression or store?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Normal if you're in Windows, otherwise .gz (most compatible) under linux.
.mak said:
Sorry, I should have mentioned you'll need the Java JDK installed.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I've installed it, but I still get the same error. Do I need to set a system path within java?
If I get this working it will solve many of my 'problems' Thank you!
I used ubuntu... what I did was change the default unknown call icon... I opened the Phone.apk in ubuntu and replaced the pic with another icon from another rom of my choice making sure it had the exact same name.. then went back to windows, pushed phone.apk and got it no problem... ubuntu opens the apk's without having to unzip them...
droidfreak said:
I used ubuntu... what I did was change the default unknown call icon... I opened the Phone.apk in ubuntu and replaced the pic with another icon from another rom of my choice making sure it had the exact same name.. then went back to windows, pushed phone.apk and got it no problem... ubuntu opens the apk's without having to unzip them...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I did that with the numbers on the dialer and the home launcher icon in the Tainted Vanilla thread. But there are other apk's that are a bit touchy. Once I learn how to sign them, I think it might open up a whole new world of skinning for me.
Yeh it would be good to get that down... it would open a huge door.. make things easier..
Question; in order for the above process to work, must you be rooted? I would love to change icons...unfortunately my naive-impatient self flashed the leak when it was first brought public.
Ngmanis said:
Question; in order for the above process to work, must you be rooted? I would love to change icons...unfortunately my naive-impatient self flashed the leak when it was first brought public.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Unfortunately you do need to be rooted for these changes to occur, however you can still do some customization with apps like Bettercut or ones similar.
jadesdan said:
I've installed it, but I still get the same error. Do I need to set a system path within java?
If I get this working it will solve many of my 'problems' Thank you!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I didn't, and it works for me. Are you using the proper commands, exactly as shown in my tutorial?
.mak said:
I didn't, and it works for me. Are you using the proper commands, exactly as shown in my tutorial?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes! Even coy and paste (except for changing the name of the apk I'm trying to sign).
I've downloaded the java link that you provided and installed, redownloaded and installed the JRE, rebooted. THe java site tells me I have the latest and greatest of everything.
I know it's got to be something I'm doing wrong, I get the same error with Autosign and other batch signing tools. I just don't know what my problem is.
jadesdan said:
I've installed it, but I still get the same error. Do I need to set a system path within java?
If I get this working it will solve many of my 'problems' Thank you!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
jadesdan said:
Yes! Even coy and paste (except for changing the name of the apk I'm trying to sign).
I've downloaded the java link that you provided and installed, redownloaded and installed the JRE, rebooted. THe java site tells me I have the latest and greatest of everything.
I know it's got to be something I'm doing wrong, I get the same error with Autosign and other batch signing tools. I just don't know what my problem is.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Did you make sure to cd into the proper folder from command prompt? I've made this mistake a time or two;
Code:
cd C:\Users\(your username on your PC)\Desktop\EasySign>
^^ assuming you have EasySign in a folder called EasySign on your desktop, and that you change (your username on your PC) to your actual username.
Well I haven't had much time lately to make themes but I figured i got enough time to explain how. This is how i do it in windows 7.
1) First thing i assume that you already have androidsdk on the root of your C drive. Lets go ahead and add it to your system path. If it's not called androidsdk go ahead and change it to that. Now open up your startmenu, right click computer, click properties, then click advanced system settings, in the advance system settings select environment variables. In the second box down look for path select it and choose edit. copy and paste this
Code:
;C:\androidsdk\tools
in there. Click okay.
2) download the jre and jdk from here and install them. Now you need to add them to your system path so copy paste this
Code:
;C:\Program Files (x86)\Java\jre6\bin;C:\Program Files (x86)\Java\jdk1.6.0_20\bin
to your system path just like you did in the first step.
3) Download apk manager from here. Now run it and when it says clean out all current projects click yes. Now thats ready to go.
4) Download an image editing program. I use gimp. Also if you don't have it 7-zip
your all set to go now so lets start over with the numbers
1) choose a mymode apk and extract it with 7-zip. Open up the res folder select a png that you want to change and change it with the image editor you chose.
2) when you've changed the images you want open up the original apk as an archive with 7zip. Then place the res folder of the modified unzipped apk into the archive and close the archive.
3) Now open up apk manager and place the mymode apk into the place here for signing folder click script batch choose no then type 15.
4) Now put the newly signed apk into your androidsdk/tools folder and close apk manager.
5) open command prompt and type this
Code:
cd\
cd androidsdk/tools
adb install whatever.apk
I'll update this with pics a more thorough guide.
Thanks to everyone that made this easy
reserved for themes to come
Thanks been waiting for a thread like this.
thanks, if i ever get any free-time between jobs and kid and fiancee i will look into this a little more
This is an awesome guide! I messed around with theming mytouch/g1 back when I had one.. so this will be great to make some themes for the slide..
One question though.. let's say you pull the nest theme.. theme it and re install it.. will it just override the nest theme or in the theme listing will it appear as a new theme and still allow you to have the original theme?
Sent from my T-Mobile myTouch 3G Slide using XDA App
ryanolson7 said:
One question though.. let's say you pull the nest theme.. theme it and re install it.. will it just override the nest theme or in the theme listing will it appear as a new theme and still allow you to have the original theme?
Sent from my T-Mobile myTouch 3G Slide using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The nest theme is in the framework, its not an .apk like the rest, its built into the system. The rest of the mymodes themes are .apks and if you edit those they will override the stock "nest" theme. The only way it will show up different in the theme chooser is if you edit the preview snapshot to be a preview of your theme. If you wanna keep the original theme, the nest theme is it and you should edit a different theme .apk...
-BMFC
Sent from my ROOTED MyTouch3G Slide
Okay so I got the next three days off and I already got two mymode themes pretty much done well their done but I just learned of a way to change the name so they are there own standalone apk instead of using another apk name. I've been using puppypride (which by the way isn't puppies those are full grown dogs) and switching out the pngs and you couldn't have the regular puppypride now you can have both
hope you don't mind but I did a mod of your themes and took out the bubbles since some people always create threads about it
Help with following guide
I am a newb at this so please don't attack me if I am doing something wrong. I have been struggling with following the guide posted to make mymode themes. I have successfully got up to the step of signing the apk file. I modified the files in the free_kick.apk. When I try to use APK Manager 4.8 and using the directions given the file just gets erased and nothing happens. My log file just shows errors. Any help with a more detailed directions one what to do in APK manager as I am trying different things and not getting anywhere. I use the option 15 like told in the guide. I can send my modified apk file to anyone if they can get this to work and get it installed that would be appreciated so much. I hope I can figure this out my own but thought I would try get help from the forums. Thanks in advance.
impimms said:
I am a newb at this so please don't attack me if I am doing something wrong. I have been struggling with following the guide posted to make mymode themes. I have successfully got up to the step of signing the apk file. I modified the files in the free_kick.apk. When I try to use APK Manager 4.8 and using the directions given the file just gets erased and nothing happens. My log file just shows errors. Any help with a more detailed directions one what to do in APK manager as I am trying different things and not getting anywhere. I use the option 15 like told in the guide. I can send my modified apk file to anyone if they can get this to work and get it installed that would be appreciated so much. I hope I can figure this out my own but thought I would try get help from the forums. Thanks in advance.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Actually the guide needs to be fixed a little because i'm guessing your getting compiling errors when using apk manager? But the best way to do this is to open up the mymode theme (using 7zip) as an archive delete meta-inf folder then replace the pngs with ones of your choice as long as they are the same scale. Then resign. and install
totally lost
I've followed these directions to a T and when it comes to using the apk manager i am getting nothing, please help
You guys that are having trouble with apk manager...its honestly not necessary to use Apk Manager for this. Mymodes themes are system .apks and shouldn't be re-signed. What you need to do is forget about apk manager (for now) and drop the UNsigned .apk into the ROM update you are using, and resign the whole ROM using the autosign tool created by jesusfreke. Or just adbpush the .apk. but don't resign the .apk.
Here's the link for the autosign tool to sign ROM updates. its in the THIRD POST and its auto-sign .zip, NOT the signing.zip in the first post. you can put it anywhere you want and you just drop (a copy of) your ROM update in the autosign folder, rename it update.zip, then run the sign.bat to sign. it will create another file, update-signed.zip. you shouldnt need to wipe when flashing the same ROM over itself, but i cant guarantee this is true for all ROMs.
you can also make an update that will only flash the .apk to /system/app, and nothing else will be changed. basically just make a copy of the update for the ROM youre using, then delete everything but the /system directory from the zip. then go into that /system directory and delete everything but the /app directory, then go into it and delete all the .apks and odex file or whatevers in there. ALL OF IT. when you are finished you should have an update with nothing in it but a /system/app directory. you put your modded .apk in there in /system/app, and thats it for that.
then you must edit the update script and remove MOST of its contents so that it only does what you want it to. THIS IS IMPORTANT! Go here to learn how to create an update script. what youll need is way simpler than the examples, youll want it to look basically like this...
Code:
assert compatible_with("0.2") == "true"
show_progress 0.1 0
copy_dir PACKAGE:system SYSTEM:
show_progress 0.1 10
this update script will copy ANYTHING in the /system directory to /system on your device, regardless of subdirectories. that means anything in /system will go in /system, anything in /system/app will go to /system/app, etc. but since you only have one .apk in there it wont mess with anything but what you put in there. this way, you have a NOWIPE update for...well, whatever you want to put in it.
so you just drop the new shortened update-script in /META-INF/com/google/android/
and then use the autosign tool to resign your new update then flash away! This also takes less time cus its only flashing one file instead of flashing a whole ROM just to replace that one file...
hope this helps...
-BMFC
Sent from my T-Mobile myTouch 3G Slide using XDA App
So you cannot do this on t-mobile's rom which is 2.1 right now? I'm leery of rooting in case they ever release froyo
Tbrewer80 said:
So you cannot do this on t-mobile's rom which is 2.1 right now? I'm leery of rooting in case they ever release froyo
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm having issues with this as well... After I do the whole signing apk thing, it installs fine, but when I go to MyModes, the preview is black and when I select it, the MyModes app force closes. I don't get it.