Database Develop

apks, zips, and hdpi - mdpi questions

Ok, just a few questions quick hdpi images for say a theme for bigger phone like the evo can they be tossed into a drawable-mdpi and be fine? Or do you have to go through them and resize them? My second question is regarding signing, I've got the htc kitchen running which seems to do fine so I'm using the AutoSign to sign my res folder which i zip'ed as framework-res.zip then signed using the AutoSign tool and renamed to framework-res.apk which I think is correct, but then I throw that into a presigned zip for a theme that I pulled apart using the htc kitchen and rebuild it and sign it and it should be good to go. It gave me some nonsense about an updater script and it can only make an update script. But when I tried flashing the rom it failed.
Basically I think I'm missing some parts of the puzzle if anyone who knows more about this than me could give me a pointer or two I'd be eternally grateful. Thanks.

I'm not sure if you have to resize the png images. I always do, however it takes a while so you may want to try doing it with the hdpi images. As far as signing goes some extract the apk and then edit the png's and then with 7zip use the open archive option and drop the png's into the zip. And then resign.
Here is what i do..
I extract the apk
Go in and make changes
Go back to the main folder where it has the META-INF, res, AndroidManifest, etc and select all of those and zip them. It should then name it (whatever_app_your changing).zip
I use the Auto-sign from Avabox and sign it. This should also change the extension to apk
When editiing an apk you want to make sure you keep everything as it is when rezipping and signing. Do not delete any folders.
To make a flashable zip you need an update script. If you pull apart a theme and look in it there should these folders META-INF\com\google\android. The update script is located in android. It tells it where to install everything and to show a progress bar. If you look in a theme you can easily see the strcuture and what needs to be zipped.

Thanks. Thats the missing step I think, I'm about to crash as I work nights and probably shouldn't be up yet lol, but when I get up I'm gonna test some more things out but I think thats what I needed to know. I've been trying to rezip everything so it fits back together when i should be pulling them out of the zip changing them and then putting them back in. I'll try it tomorrow lol when my brain works again. Thanks for the reply though.

ok first of all download 7zip
do not unzip the whole app
open the app with 7zip. take out the res file
edit the png files that you want
edit the .9 files that you want
use draw9patch that comes inside of android sdk folder
in draw9patch u put one dot on top one dot on left and full lines on bottom and right. thats the easy way. u can watch the right window to figure out what the results will be. play with it and you will get the hang of it.
download eclipse and set up eclipse and android sdk to work with android. there a number of instructions on how to do this. google in or search in xda
use eclipse to recompile the .9 files
if u r finding files in the hdmi files and want to use them u have to make sure they are the right size for our phones.
best guess is that if its from a different phone they are the wrong size. compare the size of the file to the mdmi folder and resize where needed.
when done editing the res file drag and drop it back into the app that is open in 7zip.
it can then be pushed via adb in the command promt by putting the apk in the tools folder of sdk and typing
make sure your in the directory of ur sdk/tools folder
adb remount
adb push (app name).apk system/app
(app name)=app for example facebook.apk
if u want to make it into a flashable update than you can put into a zipped file that im sure uve downloaded from here before. make sure its the only app in the folder and use avabox as described above.

Awesome thanks papasmurf, I think I figured out the big issue was having before and thats that I have to use 7zip to pull, edit, and replace files I want to change. the .9 stuff I haven't messed with yet but I've always known they are a bit of a pain in the ass. Gotta learn sooner or later lol. Thanks for the responses guys I'm gonna mess with this stuff and see where I get.
What are the rules on signing? Now if I'm in a framework-res.apk and pull and push some files do I need to sign it again?

PlagaDeRock said:
Awesome thanks papasmurf, I think I figured out the big issue was having before and thats that I have to use 7zip to pull, edit, and replace files I want to change. the .9 stuff I haven't messed with yet but I've always known they are a bit of a pain in the ass. Gotta learn sooner or later lol. Thanks for the responses guys I'm gonna mess with this stuff and see where I get.
What are the rules on signing? Now if I'm in a framework-res.apk and pull and push some files do I need to sign it again?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
While when building a rom it is sometimes but very rare to sign an app...when editing pngs and such there is no need to resign the app. ..also if u do have to resign an app u can't resign the Google ****s. They don't like work if u resign them cause the only way we have to resign with r with test keys. By resigning apps ur r messings with the manifest and there is about a 99.9% chance there is no need for it.
Its different if ur trying to flash an app via recovery. Then it has to be put into a zip file and signed. My suggestion is to find a basic mod that someone else already made a signed zip of and put ur app in it and take out the other mod. Just make sure u put it in the right folders. For example
Most apps go in /system/app
Framework and com.resources go in /system/framework
Uncanny make those folders and drop the app in there then drag to the zip or if those folders exist in the zip just drag the app in.
As long as its a mod zip the update script is prob just very basic and u don't have to mess with it. Just use avabox (search for it on xda) and drag the zip into to autosign folder inside of avabox. Rename it update and click k on the sign icon. After its done signing u delete the update file and can rename the update-signed file to what ever u like. Just remember if renaming that if u r using more than one word the u must add a _ between words rather than a space. For example
Gmail_signed.zip
Hope that helps a little
Sent from my HERO200 using XDA App

Awesome. Just made my first flashable zip that worked. I'm almost finished porting over the sculpted theme from the evo section. Thanks for the help guys, its making way more sense now.

PlagaDeRock said:
Awesome. Just made my first flashable zip that worked. I'm almost finished porting over the sculpted theme from the evo section. Thanks for the help guys, its making way more sense now.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Anytime man. Just remember if ur changing even the size of a .9 file it has to be fixed as explained above. Only saying cause ur porting a theme from the evo and I'm sure there r .9 files in there
Sent from my HERO200 using XDA App

Papa Smurf151 said:
Anytime man. Just remember if ur changing even the size of a .9 file it has to be fixed as explained above. Only saying cause ur porting a theme from the evo and I'm sure there r .9 files in there
Sent from my HERO200 using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Eclipse is intense. I think I downloaded the right one. I'm dead tired though so I'm gonna pick it up again tomorrow. I got enough of it together that it functions so I'm happy for now, but definitely going to have to work on the .9 files tomorrow lol.

PlagaDeRock said:
Eclipse is intense. I think I downloaded the right one. I'm dead tired though so I'm gonna pick it up again tomorrow. I got enough of it together that it functions so I'm happy for now, but definitely going to have to work on the .9 files tomorrow lol.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah eclipse is def overkill at times but when u get it set up its easy to just compile .9 files.
Sent from my HERO200 using XDA App

Please Help...

i have all the apps i want... but i cant fine how to put theme back thru adb push... im sorry but i cant.... can some one please be so kind and show me... again im sorry and thank you in adv advance.....

Big-O-Devil said:
i have all the apps i want... but i cant fine how to put theme back thru adb push... im sorry but i cant.... can some one please be so kind and show me... again im sorry and thank you in adv advance.....
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
hey when you find out can you let me know also please 7604439324 or [email protected] thank you

Big-O-Devil said:
i have all the apps i want... but i cant fine how to put theme back thru adb push... im sorry but i cant.... can some one please be so kind and show me... again im sorry and thank you in adv advance.....
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Most themes involve multiple apps and usually is best to be flash rather than be pushed via Adb. With pushing u would just push the themed apps to ur phone

Here's how to push apps via adb:
Code:
adb remount
adb push BlahBlah.apk /system/app
But as PapaSmurf said above, most Themes involve multiple .apks and even some framework files too, and most devs have created flashable .zips for their themes, so flashing the .zip is the easier and better way to add a theme to your setup.

ok so to make it flashable... all i have to do is convert it into a zip file.?.?

Big-O-Devil said:
ok so to make it flashable... all i have to do is convert it into a zip file.?.?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Best bet is to dl a theme of some sort and replace the apks with the ones u want to flash and then delete the ones u don't want. Then resign the zip with avabox

Here is how to push multiple apps at once.....
create a folder anywhere and name it anything you want. I'll name mine system
inside there make another folder and name it app
put all your apps you want to push in the app folder.
Now go back to your system folder and while holding shift right click on an empty space and select open command windows here.
type in
Code:
adb remount
adb push app /system/app
This will push all apps in the app folder. You can also do with with framework. Just push to /system/framework
After you push apps you will need to wait while they all get loaded and setup even after the push process is done.

ADB help...

OK, I know how to use ADB to reboot and get into download mode on my phone, but I have a kind of emergency. I was attempting to replace a framework-res.apk file on my phone to change the battery icon, and now I am stuck FCing all over the place. So much that I can't put my backed up framework-res.apk file back in /system/framework via Root Explorer like I normally do.
I am connected to my phone, can list directories, but cannot seem to push the framework-res.apk file.
Can someone give me a step by step on how to do this and soon please...
EDIT: I think I got it. I needed to be in Recovery Mode, and then it seemed to copy fine.
While I do have someone's attention (hopefully), how do you change directories if the directory you want to change to is two names, IE 'Battery Mod'?

Demented71 said:
OK, I know how to use ADB to reboot and get into download mode on my phone, but I have a kind of emergency. I was attempting to replace a framework-res.apk file on my phone to change the battery icon, and now I am stuck FCing all over the place. So much that I can't put my backed up framework-res.apk file back in /system/framework via Root Explorer like I normally do.
I am connected to my phone, can list directories, but cannot seem to push the framework-res.apk file.
Can someone give me a step by step on how to do this and soon please...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Is your backed up framework on your sdcard? You could try adb shell.
from pc,
adb shell
su
cp XXXX/framework-res.apk system/framework <<<may need to use busybox cp
exit
exit
adb reboot

bobbylx said:
Is your backed up framework on your sdcard? You could try adb shell.
from pc,
adb shell
su
cp XXXX/framework-res.apk system/framework <<<may need to use busybox cp
exit
exit
adb reboot
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
My backed up framework file was on my PC. The first one I was trying to get to was on my phone, in a folder called Battery Mod, which I could not get into because ADB kept saying wrong substitution or something?
Either way, I was able to get it done, so I learned something new again.

EDIT: I think I got it. I needed to be in Recovery Mode, and then it seemed to copy fine.
While I do have someone's attention (hopefully), how do you change directories if the directory you want to change to is two names, IE 'Battery Mod'?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That makes sense, it may not let you Push to the file system while it's in use.
As for 2 names, do you mean from a windows command box or in the android command line. Windows you just type it as is. Linux is a little more picky, I usually try to remove spaces from directory names so I don't run into any problems with that. In linux a backslash works, ie, cd /sdcard/Battery\ Mod
Not sure if it will work on our phones.

[Q] Pushing Framework-res.apk

I have been trying to edit my framework-res.apk file to change some icons but I keep running into problems. Without even editing framework-res.apk, just pulling it down to my computer then pushing it back up is causing me to go into a boot loop. I assume I am missing something simple but all the guides I have found say to do pretty much the same thing. Here is what I am doing
boot to clockwork recovery
mount system from recovery
adb remount
adb pull /system/framework/framework-res.apk
adb push framework-res.apk /system/framework
reboot
I don't edit the file at all, just getting it on my windows 7 machine and then pushing it back to the phone and that is causing it to boot loop. Any idea what I am doing wrong? oh I am using CM6 rc1

I pushed yesterday successfully just like that:
- boot to recovery
- mount system
adb push framework-res.apk /system/framework/framework-res.apk
adb reboot

You can't push framework-res while the system is working.
That's why you have to do it like rori~ posted above me.

Jack_R1 said:
You can't push framework-res while the system is working.
That's why you have to do it like rori~ posted above me.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I was doing it all from recovery, but it doesn't seem to make a difference.

Did you check the file you're getting with pull, before pushing it back?
Is it the correct size?

Yea, I checked the md5 as well as the size and it matches the original even after I have pushed it back up.

I would suggest making a metamorph. Thats what i did for icon editing. It works great.
Check here for info. http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=654858

I finally got it. Not entirely sure why the framework-res.apk I had didn't work but I do know it was one I generated from the UOT kitchen. I went back to the one that was included in the original rom zip, and that one I can upload, edit and do whatever with.
Anyways thanks for the replys.
I would suggest making a metamorph. Thats what i did for icon editing. It works great.
Check here for info.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I plan on doing that eventually but this seems like a lot less work for just replacing some notification icons, and at this point I am still just getting my feet wet in this whole customizing my phone process.

[MOD] Lower Auto-Brightness levels to save battery

This is best done after you flash a ROM as you might lose some settings.
(I noticed my wall paper changed and i had to sign back into Google account)
---This framework-res.apk file is different for every ROM---
Hi,
I wanted to share a little mod that could help in extending battery life - lowering default auto-brightness levels. As all of You know our big, bright SuperLCD is an excelent display but for that it uses most of our battery:/
I like the idea of auto-brightness but I find it too bright for most of the time. Setting brightness manualy to one level makes it either too dim or it uses too much battery and switching it all the time that You go outside or turn on the light is a little bit inconvenient.
In order to lower auto-brightness levels You have to change values in framework-res.apk/res/values/arrays.xml and here is how (read whole post first )
These are stock HTC Raider values:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Code:
<integer-array name="config_autoBrightnessLcdBacklightValues">
<item>75</item>
<item>75</item>
<item>75</item>
<item>97</item>
<item>120</item>
<item>142</item>
<item>170</item>
<item>198</item>
<item>227</item>
<item>255</item>
</integer-array>
These are values that I use and found best for me:
Code:
<integer-array name="config_autoBrightnessLcdBacklightValues">
<item>20</item>
<item>40</item>
<item>50</item>
<item>70</item>
<item>90</item>
<item>100</item>
<item>130</item>
<item>155</item>
<item>180</item>
<item>225</item>
</integer-array>
These brightness levels are corresponding to the amount of light that light sensor is getting - the lowest value is while in the low light the highest when for example your phone is in direct sunlight. Brightness values are defined by numbers 1 is the lowest possible setting and 255 is the maximum brightness that can be set.
As You can see I was pretty aggressive with lowering these values and yet the screen is still bright in every situation. You can set them a little bit higher or lower in order to suit your preferences.
Here is a guide on how to perform this mod on any framework-res.apk using apk manager (thanks for the guide goes to desean):
1. Download APK manager and unpack somewhere
2. Grab framework-res.apk from your phone under \system\framework\ (e.g. adb pull) and place it in the "place-apk-here-for-modding" folder
3. Run Script.bat and select option 9
4. Once done, go to projects\framework-res.apk\res\values\arrays.xml and edit your values as per first post.
5. Once edited, compile the apk using option 11
6. Qn: Is this a system apk. Ans: y
7. Qn: Aside from the signatures, would .... least. Ans: y
8. Prompt: In the apk manager folder u'll find a keep folder..... done then press enter on this script. Press any key to continue . . . You have to go to "keep" folder and delete resources.arsc because arrays.xml have been changed. After this You can press any key in apk manager window.
9. Once done, input 25 in apk manager and select "unsignedframework-res.apk" by entering the number that stands for it. After selecting it You should see in apk main window in the top right corner "Current-App: unsignedframework-res.apk".
10. Now press 5 to zipalign apk. You will find your completed, zipaligned apk under place-apk-here-for-modding\unsignedframework-res.apk.
11.Rename it back to framework-res.apk and adb push the file back to your phone
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
To send it back to your phone
Prerequisites have...
The file you are pushing must be placed in the platform-tools folder of adb so if you are pushing file "framework-res.apk" this needs to be downloaded/copy and pasted in C:\android-sdk-windows\platform-tools
1: go to run and type cmd (or just open your command prompt)
2: cd C:\android-sdk-windows\platform-tools
3: adb remount
4: adb devices *if everything is set up right this should output a serial number*
5: adb push FFFFFFF.FFF /#####/###### *i hope my notes help here you need to put the file name in for the F(s) and in the pound signs you put the destination on the devices:
Code:
adb push framework-res.apk /system/framework
7. adb reboot this is how you finish
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You have to copy the file to your phone with ADB or you will get a boot loop and have to re install your ROM.
Link for APK Manager HERE
If you have problems with apk manager showing java error (like it did) this post helped me fix that
Sources:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1235212
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=695701
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=642437
APK Manager 4.9 download link (currently original thread link down)
http://www.zshare.net/download/99034654c32618ba/

WOW! I was just about to ask if anyone knew how to accomplish this! Thanks dude!
Edit: Er..phone just went into a bootloop. Lemme try again..
Edit2: I first replaced the framework-res.apk using root explorer...big mistake, phone went into a bootloop and I couldnt adb to it to push the apk correctly, whoops. Just reinstalled the ROM I was using and pushed the apk using adb and all is well.
I noticed two other very similar looking values: config_autoBrightnessLcdBacklightValuesUp and config_autoBrightnessLcdBacklightValuesDown. Is it necessary to change these as well?

m0biusace said:
WOW! I was just about to ask if anyone knew how to accomplish this! Thanks dude!
Edit: Er..phone just went into a bootloop. Lemme try again..
Edit2: I first replaced the framework-res.apk using root explorer...big mistake, phone went into a bootloop and I couldnt adb to it to push the apk correctly, whoops. Just reinstalled the ROM I was using and pushed the apk using adb and all is well.
I noticed two other very similar looking values: config_autoBrightnessLcdBacklightValuesUp and config_autoBrightnessLcdBacklightValuesDown. Is it necessary to change these as well?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes you have to use adb ill put that in the first post,
to be honest i am not entirely sure what that is for i assume, that it is when you move the slider what values it displays when you slide it, i noticed a change without changing those values.
also i changed the button back lights to 200, i find it more than enough for me.

Is there a working mirror to APK manager? The link in the thread is down.

uploaded
sbddude said:
Is there a working mirror to APK manager? The link in the thread is down.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
uploaded here
http://www.zshare.net/download/99034654c32618ba/

Serious props to you jul644 for detailing this process! I've always hated how the Hero, Evo, & now Vivid I've had never got dark enough in pitch black rooms, and now I'm excited to fix that problem. I was curious though since I just modded my battery meter using UOT Kitchen, if I could drop in the backlight-modded framework-res.apk via 7-zip replacing the UOT framework-res.apk file then flash it via recovery. I wonder if that would make me sign into Google and mess with settings like you mentioned. Thanks.

How-To with UOT
jul644 said:
You have to copy the file to your phone with ADB or you will get a boot loop and have to re install your ROM.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
How, if it's possible, do we integrate this modded framework-res.apk into a UOT Kitchen zip flash file? I want to mod my battery icons and would like to install at the same time so one doesn't interfere with the other. Should I upload the framework-res.apk from this to UOT Kitchen (with my original SystemUI.apk) and then change the battery icons, then download and flash?
Thanks for your help!
*****EDIT - 2/15/2011*****
Ok so I did the framework-res.apk edits by decompiling/recompiling per jul644, uploaded that into UOT Kitchen along with original SystemUI.apk and com.htc.resources.apk. I chose my battery icon mod, downloaded, cleared all the caches and flashed in recovery with no problems ) Just wanted to let you guys know how to make it a recovery flashable zip instead of pushing via ADB.

ICS?
So can anyone confirm or deny if this still works wit ICS will be trying it myself, when I get a chance, but would rather not waste time if it wont work!

It does work, I have done it. ICS it's just more difficult to decompile & recompile. I added it & 1% stock-style battery icons into Pirateghost's CWM .56 flashable ROM.

Keep getting errors when recompiling using stock telstra ICS+ root
error on 1st line after selecting option 11 ie. step 5 above
could not find sources????
Any suggestions what I am doing wrong????
---------- Post added at 09:37 PM ---------- Previous post was at 09:24 PM ----------
okay also getting this error twice before it de-compiles
the system cannot find the path specified
then seems to decompile happily???????????
Any suggestions?

I'm getting an 'Operation not permitted' when I try to remount before pushing the file back. Anyone else having this problem? I'm running a WCX GB ROM (no ICS, I'm on Rogers).

formicae said:
I'm getting an 'Operation not permitted' when I try to remount before pushing the file back. Anyone else having this problem? I'm running a WCX GB ROM (no ICS, I'm on Rogers).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
are you trying to remount your sd card? if so do not, just select charge only

No, just trying to remount as per the instructions in the first post, so /system is R/W. Setting it to charge only. No dice.
I tried doing it in recovery (by mounting /system, then going through the ADB commands, all of which are successful), but the result is a bootloop once I'm done.
Edit: It's also worth noting that newer versions of APK Manager/Multi-tool seem to have different numbering for the operations. In step 9, number 22 sets the compression level, whereas I think it used to set the active APK (which I think is 25 now).

I ended up taking the stock framework-res from the ROM, modifying the arrays.xml values as per the OP instructions, then going through the UOT Kitchen (I had a battery mod anyway). Worked perfectly.
Thanks to pauley for reporting success earlier, which provided me with the workaround.

Has anyone done this that could possibly create a flashable zipped version of it? I tried to do it myself but with the new APK Multi Tool things were different to the instructions of OP and I couldn't get it to work
Edit: Nvm managed to fix it and make my own flashable zip. Thanks for the effort OP

I have tried to do this... And I keep getting an error on the recompile side...
Just wondering... Does apkmanager require windows 7 or something... Or is there some reason it wouldn't work on windows xp?
Sent from my HTC PH39100 using Tapatalk 2

rignfool said:
I have tried to do this... And I keep getting an error on the recompile side...
Just wondering... Does apkmanager require windows 7 or something... Or is there some reason it wouldn't work on windows xp?
Sent from my HTC PH39100 using Tapatalk 2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The errors I encountered when compiling were solved by:
1) Putting Java in the windows path
2) Putting ADB in the windows path
3) Not having any spaces in the APK Manager file path
There are no OS dependencies that I'm aware of. Just open the log from within the APK manager and you should be able to identify the error.

The problem is I don't really speak java all that well...
Could I just move the java executable to the working directory?
Sent from my HTC PH39100 using Tapatalk 2

rignfool said:
The problem is I don't really speak java all that well...
Could I just move the java executable to the working directory?
Sent from my HTC PH39100 using Tapatalk 2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
For java, all you have to do is download the JDK (i got the 32 bit version), and then add 'C:\Program Files (x86)\Java\jdk1.7.0_03\bin' to the windows path so it becomes something like:
%SystemRoot%\system32;%SystemRoot%;%SystemRoot%\System32\Wbem;%SYSTEMROOT%\System32\WindowsPowerShell\v1.0\;C:\Program Files (x86)\ATI Technologies\ATI.ACE\Core-Static;C:\Program Files\MATLAB\R2011a\runtime\win64;C:\Program Files\MATLAB\R2011a\bin;C:\Program Files (x86)\MKVToolNix;C:\Program Files (x86)\Java\jdk1.7.0_03\bin;C:\Android\android-sdk\platform-tools\;C:\Android\APKMultiTools\
For Windows XP, you'd probably be running 32 bit and so it would be installed in the regular program files.

pod0087 said:
For java, all you have to do is download the JDK (i got the 32 bit version), and then add 'C:\Program Files (x86)\Java\jdk1.7.0_03\bin' to the windows path so it becomes something like:
%SystemRoot%\system32;%SystemRoot%;%SystemRoot%\System32\Wbem;%SYSTEMROOT%\System32\WindowsPowerShell\v1.0\;C:\Program Files (x86)\ATI Technologies\ATI.ACE\Core-Static;C:\Program Files\MATLAB\R2011a\runtime\win64;C:\Program Files\MATLAB\R2011a\bin;C:\Program Files (x86)\MKVToolNix;C:\Program Files (x86)\Java\jdk1.7.0_03\bin;C:\Android\android-sdk\platform-tools\;C:\Android\APKMultiTools\
For Windows XP, you'd probably be running 32 bit and so it would be installed in the regular program files.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
thanks for the help! can you tell me the new number system with apk manager?