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I know most of you on here know how to change an icon if you don't like it but for my fellow newbs here you go. I hate the icon for the dialer in the HtcDialer.apk you know the white phone with hot pink on the mouth and ear piece. I don't know anything about signing an app or which ones do and don't need to be resigned so if one of you genious could chime in on that it would be great. Here is how I changed the icon for the HtcDialer.apk.
1. copy app from system/app to your sd card
2. copy app from the sd card to your computer
3. open (do not extract) the apk with winrar
4. find the icon you want to change in the res folder. It will be in one of the drawable sub folders and delete it
5. find an icon you like with the same dimensions
6. name your new icon with the same name as the original and add it to the archive
7. boot your phone into recovery
8. adb push (modified apk) /system/app/
In case you are wondering I am using the Zeam launcher. I like it a lot.
Customizing an app with icons of choice:
App considered in example: Settings.apk
Archive software: winrar
Image editor: GIMP Portable
Download and install software needed, if not already present:
An image editor that lets you work on images, a little advanced preferred so the transparency of icons is not lost. I used GIMP portable version since this won't create any registry entries and would be un-intrusive on my system.
Winrar to extract files from the app.
Copy the Settings.apk from /system/app folder to some temp folder, say /sdcard/temp using an app like Root Explorer
Connect the phone to computer and copy this app from temp folder to computer
Download and install winrar on computer
Note: I used winrar, you can use any archive manager of your choice as long as you can open the apk file with it
Open Settings.apk with winrar
Enter the folder "res"
You will find a few folders here. Copy the folder "drawable-hdpi" to desktop.
Open this folder and turn on image previews.
This folder contains the icons used in the app. Select the icons you want to update.
Creative part here: Search for icons that appeal to you, or you feel would appeal to public if you plan to release it public. Don't worry abt the size, but ensure they are atleast 96x96.
Sizes as per my preference:
App icon as seen in app drawer: 96x96
Internal icons in settings: 64x64
The (b) above may not always hold good. You could try with one size, and then try resizing to best fit the app you are working on.
Open the icon you downloaded in GIMP and resize it.
On toolbar: Image --> Scale Image --> Type in the width and height you want (pref in pixels to be accurate) and click "Scale"
Save the file.
Give this file the same name as the icon you want to replace.
Repeat steps 11 through 13 to resize all the icons you want to replace.
Please make sure the icon that is visible in app drawer is atleast 96x96.
Copy these new icons into the "drawable-hdpi" folder overwriting the existing files.
Open Settings.apk with winrar
Enter the folder "res"
Enter the folder "drawable-hdpi"
Drag and drop all the icons in our "drawable-hdpi" on desktop into this folder in winrar
Close winrar (it is auto saved).
Move the "drawable-hdpi" to recycle bin (do not delete it at this point)
Open Settings.apk again in winrar, and extract the "drawable-hdpi" folder to desktop.
Open this folder and make sure all the icons are present in it as per the updating you just did.
Move this file to phone to some location say /sdcard/temp
Open root explorer and move this file to /system/app
You might consider backing up the current Settings.apk file to Settings.bak before copying the new file there (it is always recommended to backup the existing app in case you wanted to revert)
Thats' it. You now have a new look settings app.
*** All standard 'messing with system outcomes' disclaimers apply ***
Word of caution. Non stock apps may not update correctly in the market after doing this.
whiteguypl said:
Word of caution. Non stock apps may not update correctly in the market after doing this.
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Click to collapse
I don't think this could cause an issue 'cos all I am updating here are some images, not any XML or anything.
Edit: I haven't so far tried it on any apps I bought from market so far.
Great write up...
Thanks for doing this...It takes the mystery out of changing things around some.
Mac
I was actually looking into this and am very glad you put up a tutorial. Thanks a lot!
If you simply want to change the app icon on the homescreen as opposed to the app drawer, download Desktop VisualizeR. Great and simple app that allows you to pick and choose icons for different apps. Really fast to do if all you want is home screen and don't care about app drawer.
danrubi said:
I was actually looking into this and am very glad you put up a tutorial. Thanks a lot!
If you simply want to change the app icon on the homescreen as opposed to the app drawer, download Desktop VisualizeR. Great and simple app that allows you to pick and choose icons for different apps. Really fast to do if all you want is home screen and don't care about app drawer.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yea. Changing just the home screen icon can be done even through Launcher Pro shortcuts. This changes the icon whole. This way it gets changed with the new one in the drawer, and retains the new one even when u create a shortcut wherever u want.
nice write up diablo.
this will help people who might want to make a theme, or customize their phone or whatever, but have no idea where to start.
di11igaf said:
nice write up diablo.
this will help people who might want to make a theme, or customize their phone or whatever, but have no idea where to start.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks dilli.
Did u like my settings app customizations? Would it be worth considering to put them into our green and blue themes?
Nice write up but for making only minor changes, such as with swapping out a few images, isn't it much easier and faster to just use ninjamorph?
newter55 said:
Nice write up but for making only minor changes, such as with swapping out a few images, isn't it much easier and faster to just use ninjamorph?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This is assuming with no tools. Just the basic editors. And like I said, this is my first step, and I don't even know any tools.
im trying to install these signal bars.
ive tried following these steps but going into framework-res instead of apps for the signal bars, but when i went to paste the folder back into the framework-res / res folder it just made a copy outside of the framework-res and nothing has changed
bignate78 said:
ive tried following these steps but going into framework-res instead of apps for the signal bars, but when i went to paste the folder back into the framework-res / res folder it just made a copy outside of the framework-res and nothing has changed
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Open framework-res.apk in winrar. Browse to the folder u want within winrar. Drag and drop the files there.
If u can wait abt an hour, I can upload my version of customized 3.0 FF ROM. Incidentally I have customized a couple icons in framework-res.apk, and happen to include the same signal icons. U could use my framework apk if u wanted to.
Will this change anything on my phone besides the signal bars?
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I897 using XDA App
bignate78 said:
Will this change anything on my phone besides the signal bars?
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I897 using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Nope. Only a few more icons here n there like changing some icons to green that were initially with no color. Changed the sync icon. Rest all the same.
Unrar the file and u will get an apk file. Copy this into /system/framework folder on ur phone using an app like root explorer, and reboot immediately (ignore any FCs).
Cause I dnt want to change what's done to my phone besides the signal bars.
And thanks a ton for the help!!
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I897 using XDA App
bignate78 said:
Cause I dnt want to change what's done to my phone besides the signal bars.
And thanks a ton for the help!!
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I897 using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
U can extract the files from the apk and compare the images between existing and this one. Hardly any changes.
Let me recall:
1. Sync icons
2. Wifi icons
3. Some icons color changed to green, and some error icons to orange (these were colorless earlier)
diablo009 said:
U can extract the files from the apk and compare the images between existing and this one. Hardly any changes.
Let me recall:
1. Sync icons
2. Wifi icons
3. Some icons color changed to green, and some error icons to orange (these were colorless earlier)
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Click to collapse
ok cool let me look at them and if i like them could you possably change the colors?
bignate78 said:
ok cool let me look at them and if i like them could you possably change the colors?
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Click to collapse
10char
diablo009 said:
10char
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is there anyway i can send my framework and have you change the bars and basically change what would be green in yours to blue in mine?
I have been searching for ages for a solution to this but couldn't find one so I am starting a thread.
Im running adw launcher with the minimalist theme. I've installed sms unread count and got custom icons to work by placing in the folder. I cant however find the icons from the minimalist theme anywhere. I've looked on-line and on my phone and even considered using a screen capture and cropping the icon again but just wondering if anyone can point me to the directory on the phone where the icons are and if they aren't available this way can I get the SMS, Gmail and call icons anywhere on-line.
Thanks
Simon
94 views and no ideas?Should be so easy in theory
What about some software on my pc to look into the minimalist theme and extract the icons?
Ok,
1) using root explorer or similar navigate to /data/app/"whatever the theme is called.apk/
2) with root explorer you then press and hold, select extract all.
3) Then navigate to where the file was extracted, for me its /sdcard/extracted/ you will see the folder for you theme.
4) open folder and navigate to /res/drawable-hdpi/ in this file you will find lots of .png files some of these will be the icons you are looking for.
Hope this helps
Sent from my HTC Vision using XDA App
Hello - trying to search, but only getting search down error. I have the captivate with root and am trying to locate where the icons are kept. I would like to keep the 4 programs on the bottom dock, but want to change the icon. I wanted to go into Photoshop, but I can't find where the icons are kept. Any help or advice would be great. I prefer not to use another launcher to change icons as I like the screen the way it is.
vtmorp said:
Hello - trying to search, but only getting search down error. I have the captivate with root and am trying to locate where the icons are kept. I would like to keep the 4 programs on the bottom dock, but want to change the icon. I wanted to go into Photoshop, but I can't find where the icons are kept. Any help or advice would be great. I prefer not to use another launcher to change icons as I like the screen the way it is.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There's an app called apk editor. Its on the i9000 themes and apps forum I believe.
Sent from my GT-I9000 using Tapatalk
Thanks! Going to check it out now.
OK, I'll admit it - I have no idea what I am doing. I do not know how to use the edit apk or apk manager. Is there any way to mount my phone, open photoshop, find an icon and edit it? I really am most wanting to edit the app icon on the dock. Does any one know where to find this icon? Also, where are the other icons - are they in each individual program? Thanks. Peace. Michele
vtmorp said:
OK, I'll admit it - I have no idea what I am doing. I do not know how to use the edit apk or apk manager. Is there any way to mount my phone, open photoshop, find an icon and edit it? I really am most wanting to edit the app icon on the dock. Does any one know where to find this icon? Also, where are the other icons - are they in each individual program? Thanks. Peace. Michele
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
1. extract the app with root explorer to the sd card,
2. put it on your computer and change it to a .zip file
3. extract the res folder and go into the drawable-hdpi
4. replace the current icon with the icon that you want (should be named something similar to "homescreen_icon_musicplayer.png" which is the stock music player icon) it shouldnt be to hard to figure out which one it is. just make sure the names are the same when you replace it.
5. replace the original res folder inside the zip file with the modified version
6. cange the zip back into a .apk and put it back onto the sd card
7. Finally using root explorer replace the old apk with the new one from the sd card.
vtmorp said:
OK, I'll admit it - I have no idea what I am doing. I do not know how to use the edit apk or apk manager. Is there any way to mount my phone, open photoshop, find an icon and edit it? I really am most wanting to edit the app icon on the dock. Does any one know where to find this icon? Also, where are the other icons - are they in each individual program? Thanks. Peace. Michele
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes each app icon is built into the app. If all you really want to do is change the bar icon on your main screen then I would grab Launcher pro or another launcher that allows for custom Icons and use that or you will be editing each app one by one
Hi,
Can anyone explain how one changes the icons in the notification bar?
More specifically, the 3G icon, Signal Strength, and the notification for a new text message?
Also, I know you can change the carrier name to whatever you like with apps like "CCname" and etc. but I've also seen that people have changed it into actual pictures or .png. Any help?
Thanks
I'd like to know more about this too!
The icons are usually found in framework-res.apk/res/drawable*** and begin with "stat". The email notification depends on what app your using but is also found in res/drawable***. You can change them using metamorph.
Hope this helps.
So do you mean I should use a program like APK Manager, and open up the framework apk? What does metamorph have to do with it? Sorry, don't know anything about this.
Unzip the theme you're using, and navigate your way through the SystemUI folder.
If your theme doesn't come with custom icons, download a theme that does (I use Buuf as a base, because it effectively themes /everything/) and see what naming scheme you require for your custom icons.
Replace the icons in the theme you're using, in the correct folder, and rezip as an .mtz.
Not sure if it's the /best/ way to be doing things, but is working well enough for me. I'm finding it rather easy to create a whole custom theme by simply replacing elements from buuf, with my own, and removing those I want as default.
Edit: I too would like to know about carrier icons, however! haha.
Antennas said:
Unzip the theme you're using, and navigate your way through the SystemUI folder.
If your theme doesn't come with custom icons, download a theme that does (I use Buuf as a base, because it effectively themes /everything/) and see what naming scheme you require for your custom icons.
Replace the icons in the theme you're using, in the correct folder, and rezip as an .mtz.
Not sure if it's the /best/ way to be doing things, but is working well enough for me. I'm finding it rather easy to create a whole custom theme by simply replacing elements from buuf, with my own, and removing those I want as default.
Edit: I too would like to know about carrier icons, however! haha.
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Click to collapse
this is how i was told to do it by another extremely helpful gentleman, the carrier icon i would like to know as well
Does anyone know what a sms notification is called? Can't find it in any of the themes for miui. The closest I find is "chat" and i'm assuming thats for google chat
Easiest thing to do is get your rom zip and unpack all the frameworks and apks in apps using 7zip.
Then do a search for "stat" you'll be presented with the icons that appear in your status bar, then you can highlight them to see what apk they came from and edit as you please.
You don't need to use apk tool/manager as your only doing simple edits.
Metamorph will only replace the images you want so you dont need to flash/push a full apk.
Theres threads how to use metamorph, I think one might be a sticky at the top of this section. Its childs play to use it.
jeffng09 said:
Does anyone know what a sms notification is called? Can't find it in any of the themes for miui. The closest I find is "chat" and i'm assuming thats for google chat
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Click to collapse
It depends what app your using for SMS.
Sent from my GT-I9100 using XDA Premium App
the way i have done it today was to take the theme file and open it with 7zip(i just opened the archive, i didnt extract it) and go to folder systemui>res>drawable hdpi>stat_notify_sms.png or whatever file you want to change, then i would delete the file that i wanted to change and add the renamed file that i wanted to the archive. it has to match the stat_notify_sms.png name, or whatever the image is that your changing, or it will not work. then i just put it into dropbox and dl'd it to my phone and installed it
the only downside for me was that i couldnt change that image to the little ribbon that i wanted to. other than that i was able to change the signal bars, the wifi bars, and the 3g bars, but the sms wouldnt change for me, neither would the gmail.
I'm using the stock sms from miui.
bodybombs said:
the way i have done it today was to take the theme file and open it with 7zip(i just opened the archive, i didnt extract it) and go to folder systemui>res>drawable hdpi>stat_notify_sms.png or whatever file you want to change, then i would delete the file that i wanted to change and add the renamed file that i wanted to the archive. it has to match the stat_notify_sms.png name, or whatever the image is that your changing, or it will not work. then i just put it into dropbox and dl'd it to my phone and installed it
the only downside for me was that i couldnt change that image to the little ribbon that i wanted to. other than that i was able to change the signal bars, the wifi bars, and the 3g bars, but the sms wouldnt change for me, neither would the gmail.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
For Gmail notification you will have to put
stat_notify_email.png here
com.google.android.gm->res->drawable-hdpi
if these folders do not exists create them.
For changing SMS notification icon changing stat_notify_sms.png under
com.android.mms->res->drawable-hdpi
will change SMS notification icon
Hope this helps.
Ok, Just to be clear.
First, I find a pre-made theme, and change the .mtz to .zip so I can open it.
Then I find the icon i want to replace and change it with the exact name.
Then I compress it back to a .zip.
Then I rename the .zip into a .mtz.
Should that work?
jeffng09 said:
Ok, Just to be clear.
First, I find a pre-made theme, and change the .mtz to .zip so I can open it.
Then I find the icon i want to replace and change it with the exact name.
Then I compress it back to a .zip.
Then I rename the .zip into a .mtz.
Should that work?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
no,
find theme
right click>7zip>open archive
find the icon you want to replace and change it with the exact name
i have to delete the icon im replacing from the archive before i put the new icon in its place first
smokin901 said:
For Gmail notification you will have to put
stat_notify_email.png here
com.google.android.gm->res->drawable-hdpi
if these folders do not exists create them.
For changing SMS notification icon changing stat_notify_sms.png under
com.android.mms->res->drawable-hdpi
will change SMS notification icon
Hope this helps.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
the gmail still didnt work for me
jeffng09 said:
I'm using the stock sms from miui.
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Click to collapse
If your on stock odds are its in the framework, never ran miui so I'm not too sure.
Where can I find the battery icons at? I like in the systemui and framework-res folders and I can't find anything
bodybombs said:
the gmail still didnt work for me
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Have you tried "stat_notify_gmail.png" in the framework?
dully79 said:
Have you tried "stat_notify_gmail.png" in the framework?
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Click to collapse
yeah i themed everything i could find relating to gmail lol
SubyWill said:
Where can I find the battery icons at? I like in the systemui and framework-res folders and I can't find anything
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Click to collapse
systemui>res>raw should be it