Help with editing apk files on MAC osX! - Android Themes

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

Related

Help. Turn Framework Folders into APK Files.

I'd hate to be that guy who starts a whole thread for something...but I've looked everywhere and can't find the answer.
I'm working on my first theme, and I unzipped the framework recourse apk files, made the changes to the files inside, and now I want to turn them back into apk format so I can make everything into a flashable update.
I can't figure out how to turn these framework recourse folders into framework recourse apk files! Can anyone help me!? Thanks! If all goes well, I'll have a new theme out for you guys by tonight.
Thanks in advance!
alexthearmo said:
I'd hate to be that guy who starts a whole thread for something...but I've looked everywhere and can't find the answer.
I'm working on my first theme, and I unzipped the framework recourse apk files, made the changes to the files inside, and now I want to turn them back into apk format so I can make everything into a flashable update.
I can't figure out how to turn these framework recourse folders into framework recourse apk files! Can anyone help me!? Thanks! If all goes well, I'll have a new theme out for you guys by tonight.
Thanks in advance!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
http://www.4shared.com/file/1LIk07D5/Avabox.html
download for windows. it has auto sign. as for changing back to apk just change extension back to .apk
so...do i use that program to zip up the file, then just change the extension?
........................
alexthearmo said:
so...do i use that program to zip up the file, then just change the extension?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes. Zip up file, change .zip to .apk.
What? You dont need to resign .apk's. In fact, you're making too much work for yourself. Im sure you extracted the .apk to a folder. All you need to do is reopen that .apk with 7zip. Drag and drop your changes into the .apk and you're done. No need to resign or anything.
VinceOB said:
What? You dont need to resign .apk's. In fact, you're making too much work for yourself. Im sure you extracted the .apk to a folder. All you need to do is reopen that .apk with 7zip. Drag and drop your changes into the .apk and you're done. No need to resign or anything.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for your help guys. I ran into some trouble with all this, and even realized that I mistakenly used some of the wrong files (from a theme that I actually didn't want to use)...so I'm gonna have to spend more time working on this. Hopefully I can get it finished and uploaded tomorrow. But thank you for your help. Right now I got homework to do. bleh.
Thanks for the post. I've been looking all over for this answer.
sweet...........

I Need Help Themeing on a MAC!!

can anyone sign this for me? i think i zipped everything correctly, but i use a mac so i am not sure, it has the notification bar i want (white with see through background) and a white launcher bar
http://www.zshare.net/download/75495216631b6c2e/
DrededStar87 said:
can anyone sign this for me? i think i zipped everything correctly, but i use a mac so i am not sure, it has the notification bar i want (white with see through background) and a white launcher bar
http://www.zshare.net/download/75495216631b6c2e/
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Try this: http://www.darktremor.com/upload/changes-signed.zip
scratch that, i packaged it wrong, there is the main folder "Changes-signed" and inside of that there is a "changes" folder, then they system folder inside of that and the "framework-res.apk" folder is still a zip and not apk, it just has an alias apk file name fml
DrededStar87 said:
can anyone sign this for me? i think i zipped everything correctly, but i use a mac so i am not sure, it has the notification bar i want (white with see through background) and a white launcher bar
http://www.zshare.net/download/75495216631b6c2e/
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I use mac too. The way you zip it is go into the folder where it is, select the contents, right-click and hit compress. It should save into archive.zip. Now, to sign it, use this amazing tool. http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=573498 Put the testsign.jar in Macintosh HD and put the app in the dock. Just drag the zip you want to sign onto the icon, and wait for the dot to go away under the sign app. Then, go to the folder where the original zip was, and there should be a Myzip-signed.zip. That should be a flashable zip as long as there's an update-script.
HeroMeng said:
I use mac too. The way you zip it is go into the folder where it is, select the contents, right-click and hit compress. It should save into archive.zip. Now, to sign it, use this amazing tool. http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=573498 Put the testsign.jar in Macintosh HD and put the app in the dock. Just drag the zip you want to sign onto the icon, and wait for the dot to go away under the sign app. Then, go to the folder where the original zip was, and there should be a Myzip-signed.zip. That should be a flashable zip as long as there's an update-script.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
so it does not have to be an apk file? im gonna try to sign it myself
DrededStar87 said:
so it does not have to be an apk file? im gonna try to sign it myself
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Uhh... that program is for your mac, not your phone.
HeroMeng said:
Uhh... that program is for your mac, not your phone.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i meant the "framework-res.apk" file because i made it an alias of the original file, but it is still a zip, i have no clue how to make it back into an apk file after unzipping it
and i used the search button but the things i found were not much help....just to let people getting ready to yell at me for not using it
DrededStar87 said:
i meant the "framework-res.apk" file because i made it an alias of the original file, but it is still a zip, i have no clue how to make it back into an apk file after unzipping it
and i used the search button but the things i found were not much help....just to let people getting ready to yell at me for not using it
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ok, you know what... just make a metamorph file. Metamorph is much easier.
Wait, what? You were trying to reinstall framework-res.apk? Nonononono. No. You need to write an update-script. It will put the apk in /data/app (or /sdext/app) if you install it as an apk.
HeroMeng said:
Ok, you know what... just make a metamorph file. Metamorph is much easier.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
ummmmmm...i guess saying that i am extremely new to this is an understatement
the easiest way to do what you are talking about is to use something like 7zip or winzip to open , NOT UNZIP, the apk. Next, open up the zip you made. Now, drag the folder called res from YOUR zip into the open window of the apk. This should replace the old folder with your new one that contains all your edits. Now just close the opened apk, and you are done. Simple.
tejasrichard said:
the easiest way to do what you are talking about is to use something like 7zip or winzip to open , NOT UNZIP, the apk. Next, open up the zip you made. Now, drag the folder called res from YOUR zip into the open window of the apk. This should replace the old folder with your new one that contains all your edits. Now just close the opened apk, and you are done. Simple.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
He has mac, like me. No 7zip.
HeroMeng said:
He has mac, like me. No 7zip.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
But you have some sort of zip program, right?
tejasrichard said:
But you have some sort of zip program, right?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
We have Archive Utility, straight from apple, comes with the mac.
It doesn't allow you to open without unzipping? (obviously I know nothing about macs)
tejasrichard said:
It doesn't allow you to open without unzipping? (obviously I know nothing about macs)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Nope. We can run Windows apps in WINE if we want....
so...what are my options people? cuz im still confused...
Re: i think i did this right...
bump.....anyone know anything?
Sent from my HERO200 using the XDA mobile application powered by Tapatalk
So here's the issue: Drededstar has unzipped the framework apks, and changed the files...now he wants to know how to turn the .zip folder into actual apk files.
Macs don't have 7zip or ANY program that lets you look into apk contents without unzipping them all the way. So, you have to unzip them. Then once you're done making the changes, you need to change them back to apk files. DOES ANYONE KNOW HOW TO CHANGE THEM BACK TO APK FILES?!!!
I have a mac too, but I do all my theming on my wife's computer...and she's probably tired of me kicking her off. If anyone knows how to do this one simple step could you please let us mac users know?!! Thanks!
as long as the file structure is right, you just have to rename the zip file to apk.

.png question

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.

[GUIDE] How to make mymode themes

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.

How to safely modify framework-res.apk?

So I had my first go at playing with frame-work-res.apk -- fortunately I made a backup first!
This is what I did, step-by-step (probably the hard way, but at the time, I didn't have my USB cable, left it at work).
1. Pulled a copy of framework-res.apk off of the phone.
2. Renamed to .zip (Windblows7) and extracted.
3. Modified a few images, just to see if it would work.
4. Re-created a .zip (making sure that it would be the same, structurally, as the first one) then renamed it to .apk
5. Put it onto the phone, replacing/removing existing one
I immediately got an error (expected) but then I rebooted. Wouldn't go past the boot screen.
All I did was open the .apk, modify (not replace, modified) a couple of images, then put it back onto the phone.
What am I missing?
Thanks, in advance.
I think you might need to sign the apk. Try this:
http://www.londatiga.net/it/how-to-sign-apk-zip-files/
I've never did this myself so I could be wrong
nDrg said:
I think you might need to sign the apk. Try this:
http://www.londatiga.net/it/how-to-sign-apk-zip-files/
I've never did this myself so I could be wrong
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for that, nDrg! I'll give it a shot later.
Also, I wonder if my problem was simply that I didn't use adb push to put it back onto the phone. I didn't have my cable with me at the time, so I couldn't... perhaps I'll give it a shot when I get home tonight.
No need to rename it to .zip, just open the .apk with your application of choice and resign.
I edit mine by pulling the framework-res.apk, extract it out and whatever i change, i just drag it back into the apk. I use winrar to open my apk files. I don't even make a new zip and don't resign it either.
If I edited a full rom, lets say CM6. I would extract the framework from his rom, do w/e, put the framework apk back into the rom zip and sign the whole entire thing.
if you edit anything with .9.png and replace it without correctly modifying and recompiling you will get infinite fc's
framework-res.apk
K I've tried replacing the drawables in my framework-res.apk using better zip in Mac and winrar in windows. Then is sign the apk with signapktic on my Droid x. Then I replace it with root explorer to system/framework. I get a boot loop every time? Tried everything. Still get boot loop. What am i doing wrong?
One thing i noticed is I can save as zip in eather better zip or winrar no chances just saving the file and my macbook will no longer recognize the apk as a Unix executable fill.
ANY SUGGESTION?
Make sure you're not compressing the file, in WinRAR, you can pick 'store'

Categories

Resources