Database Develop

How to edit data within apk files?

Well I got an app from the market and some of the info in the app are completely wrong. I messaged the dev but no response. So how can I edit the text myself?

Rename the .apk file extension to .zip and then view the files within using a hex editor. Make your changes and then use the market app to resign your apk.

There are a number of zip apps on the market that will let you extract as a normal zip, also...
Sent from my Nexus One using XDA App

using this app here which is great but cant seem to locate the files needed to edit
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=890199

ermacwins said:
using this app here which is great but cant seem to locate the files needed to edit
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=890199
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just figured out some strange behaviour while saving in APK Edit.
Looks like aatp (wich I use in the background) can't handle external resources that well.
No real solution yet, just a pointer...

Try APK Manager instead?

i've never considered this, but can we really just rename an apk to zip and view its contents?
i just tried this with the gmail app (bad example to use?) and i can see the manifest file and res folder, but i cannot see any of the activity java classes or anything. i'll look into the apk manager thread.
what are some of the market apps called for this?
i didnt think it would be so easy to edit any apk once compiled. otherwise wouldnt it be so easy to make gmail apk black background, etc?

I use Androzip from the market...
Sent from my Nexus One using XDA App

RogerPodacter said:
i've never considered this, but can we really just rename an apk to zip and view its contents?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, although you don't get absolutely everything, as some xml is compiled into resources.arsc

Framework-res where?

hello
I just installed froyo 2.2 and I want to do some mod for framework and twframework. However, all I can find in root dir is twframework-res.apk but I don't see any Framework-res.apk
Any idea where I can find it?
thanks

They should be in /system/framework I believe..
a) open the files with WinRAR (don't extract them, just drop new files in the right places and then close, it will automatically save)
or
b) extract the files with WinRar or something similar, modify what you need, then find a program that will repackage apk's for you, I know theres one floating around on the forums somewhere but not sure where to be honest.

hey thanks for helping. I found it using the Root Manager but I don't why I can't find it using Droid Explorer. The Program I will use is call APK manager.

framwork-res.apk modifying

Hi,
i'am searching for a guide how to manipulate correctly the framework-res.apk.
All ways i have tested fails.
I would modify some symbols in Notification bar (battery 1%) but all Time the my Phone run into bootloop or all Application Crashes after Startup.
I've tryed Apk Manager 4.9 / and Manualy with apktool.
Help plz .....

what i did :
1-extract apk (i use 7zip/WinRAR)
2-edit/replace image file(s)
3-repack with zero compression level ('store' level)
4-sign the apk
5-replace file using apk or create flashable recovery zip.
regards.

signing the framework-res.apk will not work.. will make the device go into bootloop
what you need is extract the framework-res.apk using apktool and edit the things you want and then compile it again using apktool .... now open the original framework-res.apk and replace the file resources.arsc with the edited compiled one..
this way you will retain the signature of the original framework-res.apk

PapaDocta said:
signing the framework-res.apk will not work.. will make the device go into bootloop
what you need is extract the framework-res.apk using apktool and edit the things you want and then compile it again using apktool .... now open the original framework-res.apk and replace the file resources.arsc with the edited compiled one..
this way you will retain the signature of the original framework-res.apk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
But when i add some new Files and Edit some XML the Sign will be Corrupted ?

no it won't...
You need to do two copies.. the original file and the moded one...
1. make a backup of the original file
2. extract the original file using apktool
3. edit and modify anything you like
4. compile the edited file
5. rename the compiled file to framework-res.zip and take the modified resources.arsc
6. using winrar or 7zip open (to view not extract) the backed up framework-res.apk
7. place the moded resources.arsc into the backed up framework-res.apk
by doing this you retain the original signature of the backed up file and not breaking it..

Thx, will test it ;-)

kowalski99 said:
But when i add some new Files and Edit some XML the Sign will be Corrupted ?
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Click to collapse
Android system, signs system apk's on boot, you shouldnt sign them
Sent from my Desire HD using Tapatalk

My signed apk just work well.
AFAIK, we only cant re-sign htc's apk.

PapaDocta said:
signing the framework-res.apk will not work.. will make the device go into bootloop
what you need is extract the framework-res.apk using apktool and edit the things you want and then compile it again using apktool .... now open the original framework-res.apk and replace the file resources.arsc with the edited compiled one..
this way you will retain the signature of the original framework-res.apk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The right approach always depends, what you want to change. There is no need to decompile, if you only change a few standard png. If you change xml in values folder like color, styles or arrays, you can certainly not delete resources.arsc - resources have nothing to do with the signature anyway. So if you want to play safe, you should insert the original Meta-Inf (signature) and Android Manifest after compile. It is also recommended to zipalign the final apk in order to reduce RAM usage.

thanks he_stheone64 for the clarification.. i reached that conclusion based on my own research on the net and yeah i used to change the XML files to add language support and that the only way that worked with me..

And be sure to have a working and up-to-date sdk before trying to use apktool...
First, using a old sdk release i got a partially working result (few graphics bugs and strange reboots), then with a badly updated sdk on top off the old i got apktool making many errors. Finally, re-installing the last sdk from start i got apktool and my resulting apk working correctly.

Decompile and recompile framework leads to bootloop

Hi all,
Trying to mod the framework for the first time.
I have no problem replacing the png. But when i try to modify the xml, i get bootloop.
I used the apk manager (4.9) to decompile the apk, then edit one xml before i recompile. I did notice that the recompiled apk is at least 2MB smaller than the original.
Am i missing a step here?
Sent from my GT-P1000 using XDA Premium App

Hi
yap ,,,the generated apk is unsigned...and no sign for system apk..so you have to copy by drag & drop the following files from the unsigned apk onto the original apk via WinRar and choosing ZIP archive format, NORMAL compression method.
- resources.arsc file
- res folder
- classes.dex file if exisit in the non-system apks
hope that help
good luck

Galaxyer said:
Hi
yap ,,,the generated apk is unsigned...and no sign for system apk..so you have to copy by drag & drop the following files from the unsigned apk onto the original apk via WinRar and choosing ZIP archive format, NORMAL compression method.
- resources.arsc file
- res folder
- classes.dex file if exisit in the non-system apks
hope that help
good luck
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ah,
I was thinking this as a possible workaround so it looks like it is thr solution?
Just a confirmation, if i change the battery_charging.xml, then i should compile, then extract out the battery_charging.xml from the recompiled framework-res.apk and insert into the original, signed framework-res.apk?
Sent from my GT-P1000 using XDA Premium App

I tried taking the compiled xml ( that defines the animation of battery charging icon on the status bar), put into the original framework-res.apk, and end up with non existent icon for the battery charging. Everything else remains working though.
What could have gone wrong?
Sent from my GT-P1000 using XDA Premium App

[Q] aapt b framework-res.apk got bammi error

Hello All,
I would like to change the onscreen button dpi to get it small
I use apktool 1.5 and latest aapt which come from the android sdk
I can decompile the framwork-res.apk without any error "I use apktool if SemcGenericUxpRes.apk" already
but I got the error on compile "even I haven't modify any files" it's show aapt: warning: string 'BaMmi' has no default translitiration in"
I search from google and some of user got the same problem, however they haven't show any solution
Due to I see there have a user can modify the dpi, so that, would anyone let's me know how to fix this problem???
Many Thanks~~
PS: My firmware is 7.0.A.3.307 "Xperia TX"

That's not an error, that's a warning.
It basically means that a particular string doesn't exist in certain languages. Unless you're planning to set your phone to one of those languages, it's not an issue.
As long as that's the only complaint that's thrown up, you can safely ignore it and just carry on as usual.
Sent from my SK17i using xda premium

Ticklefish said:
That's not an error, that's a warning.
It basically means that a particular string doesn't exist in certain languages. Unless you're planning to set your phone to one of those languages, it's not an issue.
As long as that's the only complaint that's thrown up, you can safely ignore it and just carry on as usual.
Sent from my SK17i using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you for your reply~~
But my phone got bootloop after replaced the framework-res.apk
And I found that, the compile framework-res on the root explorer is not show the icon of the original
it's show the Android icon
After that, I use FTF to reflash the firmware to recovery my phone = ="
Thanks~~

Did you sign the new apk and fix the compression rate before pushing it to your phone?
Sent from my SK17i using xda premium

Ticklefish said:
Did you sign the new apk and fix the compression rate before pushing it to your phone?
Sent from my SK17i using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hello Ticklefish~~~
@[email protected]" you are so xxxx right~~ I'm stupid on forget to signature the apk
I have modified the apk since X10, it's long long ago..... so I forgot the step already = ="
I will try to search signapk, and see can I sign the apk = ="
Anyway,
Thank you so much~~~
PS: After I sign the apk, and put back to the phone = =" boot loop again
And I found that, the apk still haven't show the icon
I download the modified framework-res is around 16MB and my signed apk is around 15.4
org is 22MB, so I agree with your point is the, even the compile have a error, it should be work fine
but I don't know why I can't make a usable apk = ="
my signapk command is like this
java -jar signapk.jar certificate.pem key.pk8 framework-resnew.apk framework-resnewsigned.apk
And I found that the apk add around 4xxKB size, so that I think the apk is singed
Any idea???
Thank you so much~~

windmoon said:
Hello Ticklefish~~~
@[email protected]" you are so xxxx right~~ I'm stupid on forget to signature the apk
I have modified the apk since X10, it's long long ago..... so I forgot the step already = ="
I will try to search signapk, and see can I sign the apk = ="
Anyway,
Thank you so much~~~
PS: After I sign the apk, and put back to the phone = =" boot loop again
And I found that, the apk still haven't show the icon
I download the modified framework-res is around 16MB and my signed apk is around 15.4
org is 22MB, so I agree with your point is the, even the compile have a error, it should be work fine
but I don't know why I can't make a usable apk = ="
my signapk command is like this
java -jar signapk.jar certificate.pem key.pk8 framework-resnew.apk framework-resnewsigned.apk
And I found that the apk add around 4xxKB size, so that I think the apk is singed
Any idea???
Thank you so much~~
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You do need to sign the apk...but you have to sign it in the same way as the original apk file. If the app is signed in a different way to the others in the system folder it won't work.
The best way to handle this is to use 7zip, which you can download for free. And then:
Make a copy of the original apk file
Use 7zip to open the copy and the recompiled apk
Drag the "res" folder from the recompiled apk into the copy
Close the copy
Extract "resources.arsc" from the recompiled apk
Close the recompiled apk
Use 7zip to add resources.arsc to the copy at STORE compression
Push the copy to your phone
This will ensure the copy has the right signing and that resources.arsc is at the right compression rate.
Not every apk has resources.arsc at store compression so that part isn't required all the time, but it doesn't cause any harm and it's good practise to get into.

Ticklefish said:
You do need to sign the apk...but you have to sign it in the same way as the original apk file. If the app is signed in a different way to the others in the system folder it won't work.
The best way to handle this is to use 7zip, which you can download for free. And then:
Make a copy of the original apk file
Use 7zip to open the copy and the recompiled apk
Drag the "res" folder from the recompiled apk into the copy
Close the copy
Extract "resources.arsc" from the recompiled apk
Close the recompiled apk
Use 7zip to add resources.arsc to the copy at STORE compression
Push the copy to your phone
This will ensure the copy has the right signing and that resources.arsc is at the right compression rate.
Not every apk has resources.arsc at store compression so that part isn't required all the time, but it doesn't cause any harm and it's good practise to get into.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
@[email protected]" Many Thanks~~~
Study a lot from you~~~
Thank you~
I will try this later~~~