Hi guys, I'm trying to edit some .apk files.
I first extract the png file that I want to edit using 7zip.
I open up the file in photoshop, edit it, then save it as a file (interlaced and non interlaced.. i tried both).
I then dump the .png back into the apk.
When I try to install the file back onto my phone, I get "*Apk file* could not be installed on this phone"
Anyone want to help me out?
How do I edit the file without it giving me this error.
Ok based on ur status im assuming ur still new to the concept of apk editing.
Theres 2 types of apks.
1. System apks (/system/app) where once u edit them u dont have to resign them. You just PUSH it back to ur phone.
2. Data apks, (/data/app) where once u edit them u have to resign the apk and install them to ur phone.
If ur on a windows machine, download apk manager from my signature and it'll guide u through the process.
Daneshm90 said:
Ok based on ur status im assuming ur still new to the concept of apk editing.
Theres 2 types of apks.
1. System apks (/system/app) where once u edit them u dont have to resign them. You just PUSH it back to ur phone.
2. Data apks, (/data/app) where once u edit them u have to resign the apk and install them to ur phone.
If ur on a windows machine, download apk manager from my signature and it'll guide u through the process.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you SOOOOOO much. Yes I'm pretty new.. I'm good at graphic designing but I have no clue about these apk files
Once again thank you
Related
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
I'm trying to change the icons on the app drawer with Root Explorer but I can't find the correct PNG to replace that on the system/app/"application.apk"/res/drawable/_____.png
Anyone knows the right name of the icon?
Thanks!
res/drawable-hdpi/file_manager_r.png ypu will have to turn the apk into a zip then put your new file into the hdpi folder and change the zip back to an apk then re install
Can I follow this steps with the Captivate or I need to do this on the computer?
Any easy way?
Thanks for the tip!
hi, i changed an image in drawable-hdpi in "phone.apk" (ic_jog_dial_unlock.png) like aceman said, but if i try to install new phone.apk it says "application not installed" (or something similar, my language phone is not english). how can i install new phone.apk??
I tried to istall it from recovery and there is the same result
thanks
You have to push the phone.apk file into /system/app with a root explorer or adb. Just installing it won't work like most other apks.
i have "root browser", can i use it? can u say to me all the steps i have to do with it or adb? i'm not an android expert user...
up...anyone ca help me?
install a different launcher app that lets you customize it. try launcherpro from the android market.
you wont understand the mod instructions.
screw it here they are...
mod instructions... basic if you need more info. learn to search there are 4000 guides on how to change an app image.
you need winrar on windows. if you arent running windows you should know better.
use root level file manager to go to 'system/app' folder and copy your launcher.apk to sdcard.
copy to PC
right click .apk > open with... > choose program > WinRar
look through folders inside APK and copy all folders with .PNG images to desktop (or work folder)
look through the images in the folders (change veiw to thumbnails) and find the name of the image you want to change and the name of the folder it was in.
Go get, or create your custom image, and name it that name. **Close to original shape size.
Use winRar to open the .APK again and naviage to the place where your image goes and drop the new one into that folder.
A window with options will come up and select Compression Profile : STORE
Click ok
Close winrar.
Copy .apk to SDcard
Use root file manager to rename original /system/app/launcher.apk to launcher.apk.bak (backup)
Then copy your modded .apk to /system/app.
Reboot (pull battery)
DONT MESS WITH ANY IMAGE ENDING IN .9.PNG only regular .pngs
for more on .9.pngs... search google.. what is ....
i*have*to*modify*phone.apk,*no*launcher.apk..*i*just*did*steps*you*sayd,*but*if*i*try*to*rename*phone.apk,*my*nexus*goes*in*full*crash
fist off this is the Captivate forums. not nexus.
and i was giving help to OP question not yours. either way the *stars*and*sp ac*es are friggin annoying. use your computer if your phone is messed up.
if you "tried" to modify the name... DID IT? try doesnt tell me much.
if it wouldnt let you, then nothing changed and your phone is screwed up from something else.
if it DID rename, then CHANGE IT BACK.. duh.
sorry for space and *, i wrote it with the mouse using google translate keybord and i saw them when i cut/past the text
i "tried" to rename phone.apk, so the phone went in a full crash and i had to restore system using an old backup in recovery
paino85 said:
sorry for space and *, i wrote it with the mouse using google translate keybord and i saw them when i cut/past the text
i "tried" to rename phone.apk, so the phone went in a full crash and i had to restore system using an old backup in recovery
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Try apktool to extract all replace wteva ocon u want to and rebuild apk using the same tool and u need to sign the apk usin signapk tool so that device can recognise the.apk file for installation. I have done this and everything went fine in galaxy note. But i couldn't locate the file to rename the icon. Icon changing was not a prob.
Hi, How can I change the default Blue BG Image in stock rom's framework for x8 ? I tried copying the res apk file to pc and extracted it with winrar changed and replaced the image using photoshop then again compressed it using winrar "Normal" compression but renamed the extension to .apk instead of .rar... copied the apk to the phone but I was stuck on the 3 Logo Then I had to use xrecovery to get back..
what am I doing wrong here ? I just want to change the BG Image?
Thanks
copy framework-res.apk from system/sdcard to pc, now using 7zip or winrar extract framework-res.apk, now u should get a folder with similar name, in that folder go to res/drawable-mdpi, here edit the blue background image, now open the file framework-res.apk with 7zip, inside apk go to res/drawable-mdpi, here drag n drop ur edited image, now push the apk into system/framework.
# always make backup of the file u r messing with.
---------- Post added at 05:37 PM ---------- Previous post was at 05:34 PM ----------
btw u need to root your device to mod anything, u wont be able to play with /system untill ur device is rooted.. following the rooting guide to root.
Thanks will try and report back. +1, is it necessary to use 7zip ? can I use winrar ?
No its not necessary, u can use winzip, winrar.
Sent from my E16i using XDA
as soon as I pushed to .apk to my phone using root explorer my phone shutdown and now stuck any SE Logo, how to recover with the original APK :s
okay I'm going to use xrecovery now, will never try this again.
orangzeb said:
as soon as I pushed to .apk to my phone using root explorer my phone shutdown and now stuck any SE Logo, how to recover with the original APK :s
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Click to collapse
U didnt fixed the permission.!!
Do u rooted ur device?
If yes then plug in the cable and connect it to pc , turn on the phone, let it stuck. Now use qtadb to push the original apk, reboot n u r done.
Ah! As u said u'll use xrec, means ur device is already rooted just use qtadb to push apk
Yup thanks mate, but I've already used xrecovery to go back to 13 days earlier state, downloading qtadb looks handy, what did I do wrong anyway ? used root explorer directly while in phone?
no I didn't set any permissions as you didn't mention such thing , sorry
Sorry my fault perhaps. When u copied the framework, long press on copied file, choose permission make it like:
XX
X
X
Yes qtadb is handy instead of using root exp to copy file. u can directly push file from system to phone, through qtadb u, I think dont need to set permissions. I think u should use 7zip.
alright the, but the phone went off as soon as I copied the file, how could I set permissions then ? I will try somedays with this utility, thanks alot
Hmm,, problem seems quit unusual, use 7zip to change edited.png in original apk, n push through qtadb,, may b it'll work, try and then respond, if no success then upload your apk n i"ll do the change...
I wanna make my privat rom. But from begginig it will be based on Ultrasound 3.1. I will not change kernel or any settings. I just wanna add some Apps. So if I unpack this rom and put some my apk's into \system\app\ and pack again. Instalation via CWM will be working ? What I need more to do that corectly ?
If you use dsixda's Android Kitchen you can do this.
But if you "unzip" and then "zip" it you won't be able to do so unless you sign it.
1adamek said:
I wanna make my privat rom. But from begginig it will be based on Ultrasound 3.1. I will not change kernel or any settings. I just wanna add some Apps. So if I unpack this rom and put some my apk's into \system\app\ and pack again. Instalation via CWM will be working ? What I need more to do that corectly ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
As you just want to add a few apps, no need of the kitchen......just use winrar or 7zip to open the archive, Do not extract it. Rename your apk files to anything without spaces and drag into the system/app folder. Close winzip. Done.
ykumar00 said:
As you just want to add a few apps, no need of the kitchen......just use winrar or 7zip to open the archive, Do not extract it. Rename your apk files to anything without spaces and drag into the system/app folder. Close winzip. Done.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That too, i'm a to sleepy to think right haha
I saw this tutorial.
http://www.tasteofandroid.com/how-to/modify-android-rom-zip-file/
That way I am asking. Anyway Thanks!!!
That tut won't work, as you have to sign a zip before installing it.
fail
Hi im a total no0b to android dev and such..
what im trying to do is unzip an icon pack apk, change some pngs (keeping the same file name) and rezipping or pasting the files/folder back into the original zip and renaming file back to apk
i transfer it to my phone, i can see the apk has the official logo but when i try to install it on my phone (oneplus one) it just says "X App not installed."
can someone help me? or show me where i can find a tut to use some of the existing apk/or make my own?
i appreciate any help
romyrider said:
Hi im a total no0b to android dev and such..
what im trying to do is unzip an icon pack apk, change some pngs (keeping the same file name) and rezipping or pasting the files/folder back into the original zip and renaming file back to apk
i transfer it to my phone, i can see the apk has the official logo but when i try to install it on my phone (oneplus one) it just says "X App not installed."
can someone help me? or show me where i can find a tut to use some of the existing apk/or make my own?
i appreciate any help
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You won't be able to do that with a signed apk. It might be possible to replace pngs without unzipping. Try opening the apk as an archive and dragging in the new pngs.
upndwn4par said:
You won't be able to do that with a signed apk. It might be possible to replace pngs without unzipping. Try opening the apk as an archive and dragging in the new pngs.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
already did that and it didnt work aswell...
i dont have the time neither the knowledge to make and icon pack myself from scratch