Okay I'm sure some ppl still run Android 2.1 so I hope this isn't a complete waste of time. I did post this on VR ages ago before their site went tits up and lost everything.
"How to perform "simple" theme changes in 2.1 based roms (tested on VR12).
Firstly, if I can do this, you can.
The only tool (apart from winrar and some photo editing software) you'll really need is AndroidSDK because you need to push/pull things using ADB (android debugging bridge) ->
http://developer.android.com/sdk/index.html
Download and follow setting up instructions.
So now we have to "pull" the files from the phone we want to change.
1) Load command prompt and change the directory to "androidsdk\tools" eg:
C:\Documents and Settings\user>
C:\Documents and Settings\user>cd c:\androidsdk\tools <hit enter>
C:\AndroidSDK\tools>
(If you cannot find command prompt, type into search "cmd" and it should come up.)
2) Ensure your phone is connected via usb and select "charge only".
You can type "adb devices" into the command prompt to check that your phone is connected tho this isn't necessary...useful to check if you're having issues tho.
3) Now to pull the files we want. In this example we are only going to look at pulling "framework-res.apk" as this is the file that contains the images for the status bar, it's icons and the background of the status bar...amongst other things.
Type the following into ADB: adb pull <location of file you want to pull (+ file name)> <location you want the file to be pulled to (+ file name)>
So in the case of pulling framework-res.apk we type:
adb pull /system/framework/framework-res.apk c:\androidapps\framework-res.apk
"/system/framework/framework-res.apk" is the location of the file on the phone and "c:\androidapps\framework-res.apk" is the location the file will be placed on your computer. c:\androidapps is the folder on my c drive where I pull .apk's to (you'll need to make your own folder like this).
4) Locate the file framework-res.apk on your computer (in c:\androidapps if you're using the same folder name as myself) and open it with winrar. Do not extract anything we just want to have a look for some .png's. (.png is a type of image compression that preserves transparency)
Now that you've opened framework-res.apk open the folder named "res" then open the folder named "drawable-mdpi". In here you can find all the .png images I've previously mentioned. Do not close winrar as you will need it.
The .png for the status bar is named "statusbar_background.png" you can drag and drop this to you computer and open it with some image editing software.
I personally recommend GIMP as it is free and very good (http://www.gimp.org/). If you are not confident with image editors you can use http://fotoflexer.com/ for basic editing (clicking on the layers tab on fotoflexer allows you to edit the transparency of the image...remember to save images as .png)
5) Now that you have edited your .png you can drag and drop it back to the res\drawable-mdpi folder hopefully still open in winrar. Close winrar now...it's time to push the edited framework-res.apk back to your phone!
6) Go back to command prompt, if you have removed the usb from your phone at any time, plug it back in and type "adb remount" into command prompt. This remounts the phone for editing.
Now type the following into ADB: adb push <location of file on computer> <location of file on phone>
In this case:
adb push c:\androidapps\framework-res.apk /system/framework/framework-res.apk
and hit enter! This is how it should appear in command promt:
C:\AndroidSDK\tools>adb push c:\androidapps\framework-res.apk /system/framework/framework-res.apk
You phone should restart sense but if it freezes/gets a bit schizy type "adb reboot" into the command prompt to manually reboot the phone.
And it's as simple as that.
You can look through the .png's in res\drawable-mdpi to find more images you might want to edit. The background of the status bar drop down is called "status_bar_background.png" and actual drag down bar is named "status_bar_close_on.9.png".
I think I'll save the explaination of how to edit the bar at the bottom of the screen with the app drawer, phone and + for another time as it requires the knowledge of how to sign .apk's which tho isn't hard is probably quite time consuming for me to explain (due to my very limited knowledge)."
Hope this attempt at 'giving something back' helps someone.
Mark
thanks alot .. Really like it
Related
Im trying to root my hero but im stuck =/
How can i "make your way to the Android SDK tools folder where the file adb is located " im so lost I save the folder on my desktop.
Can someone help me please and thank you.
go to Start->Run and type in "cmd" and hit enter. It should default you into your user's folder so...
From there type in "cd Desktop"
and then "cd [whatever the folder is called where you unzipped the sdk]"
Navigating file structures via command line is a good thing to know when messing around in your Phone's OS. It might be wise to google around and brush up on this (Esspecially navigating linux command lines) before attempting too much on the phone.
Thanks but I figured it out lmao =]]
Ok, I must have posted this question somewhere but I would like to know the answer cause no one has answered it. "how do I get the stock phone app to modify?. How would I get it and put it back into my phone? please I would like to know.
38 views and no response?
the .png files for the phone are actually in the contacts.apk.
Are you asking how to modify the apk, or just specifically where are the phone images?
To copy the app from your phone just do: adb pull /system/app/Phone.apk
That will put a copy of the file in your "tools" directory in the android sdk folder
Then when you want to put it back on you should be able to overwrite it with: adb push /system/app/Phone.apk
What exactly are you planning on doing with this file?
Thank you. I want to create my own images to make it look different then the stock colors.
There are 2 apks that contain dialers, one is the Contacts.apk as stated bfore that brings up the phone when the phone icon is pressed the second is in the Phone.apk appears once a call is placed, and the persons picture appears of the person you are calling.
I don't know how to do a adb pull. can you explain?
johnny quest said:
I don't know how to do a adb pull. can you explain?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
In terminal or command prompt, navigate to the tools directory in the android SDK and run the following commands:
Code:
adb remount
adb pull /system/app/Phone.apk
That will dump the file in you tools directory.
If you are having trouble with this, let me know what operating system you are using and if you have the android SDK installed.
synesthete said:
In terminal or command prompt, navigate to the tools directory in the android SDK and run the following commands:
Code:
adb remount
adb pull /system/app/Phone.apk
That will dump the file in you tools directory.
If you are having trouble with this, let me know what operating system you are using and if you have the android SDK installed.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This is confusing. I didn't think it would be so hard. I do UI's for iphone and ipod touch and this is way different. There are so many different things. Its discouraging in some ways. Sorry. I would love to create an app but of course its different. So, I stick to creating themes.
I would love to take a ROM and mod it myself or even modifying Launcher pro but it has that 9.pngs which makes it hard.
Ok, I have the Eris 2.1 rooted with Tenzo Rcmix2.0 installed. I have the SDK installed but don't know what to do with it. I appreciate you taking the time to help me out. I really want to create and mod lots of apps.
this is what I've done to a phone app I downloaded from the market:
-I created my images through Photoshop and saved them to a folder with its correct name used.
-I opened draw9patch and saved the images with the correct name again to a folder.
-I named the folder drawable-hdpi that belongs in the Res folder
-took the files and folder and created a zip out of it.
-opened the AvaboxV2 and signed it.
-loaded to my phone and changed the name to the correct name and installed it
but it keeps saying application not install, I just don't get it. What step did I messed up on?
Anybody? anybody?...............................
This is what you need to do:
1. Open Contacts.apk in 7-zip
2. Copy the images over top of the original images in drawable, drawable-mdpi, and drawable-mdpi-finger (notice I didn't say anything about hdpi)
3. Close the archive.
4. Copy it back onto the device with:
Code:
adb remount
adb push Contacts.apk /system/app
Your phone may not appreciate you pushing Contacts.apk while it is running, so it may become unstable at this point. I would recommend restarting.
icbeer said:
This is what you need to do:
1. Open Contacts.apk in 7-zip
2. Copy the images over top of the original images in drawable, drawable-mdpi, and drawable-mdpi-finger (notice I didn't say anything about hdpi)
3. Close the archive.
4. Copy it back onto the device with:
Code:
adb remount
adb push Contacts.apk /system/app
Your phone may not appreciate you pushing Contacts.apk while it is running, so it may become unstable at this point. I would recommend restarting.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
thank you but I'm trying to understand what you mean by push ADB. is that the one in the sdk folder? if so, I open it and it just flashes for a few seconds then closes.
ADB is a command line program that allows you to debug and move/edit files on your phone. You need to run those commands from a command prompt (should be a link in the Accessories folder on the Start menu if you can't right-click on the sdk folder and open one). Navigate to the tools folder, then run the remount and push commands like icbeer said to get your modified .apk on your phone:
Code:
C:\users\brtnbrdr> cd c:\android-sdk-windows\tools
C:\android-sdk-windows\tools> adb remount
C:\android-sdk-windows\tools> adb push Contacts.apk /system/app
I got my NC rooted (I think LOL) I went through the root process and everything looks fine but now i'm trying to install some apk's and I cant get it to work. I want to install root explorer so I pulled the apk from my Htc Evo and put it in a folder on my desktop. Then in cmd I type
cd\
cd android-sdk-windows\platform-tools
adb kill-server
adb devices
I get my device listed so then I type (before the cursor it says C:\android-sdk-windows\platform-tools>)
adb install C:\documents and settings\owner\desktop\apks\root explorer 2.12.4.apk"
and I get a message that says "can't find 'explorer 2.12.4.apk' to install
I am stuck I don't know what to do. Please help me!!
I have tried the name root explorer 2.12.4.apk with and without spaces
Novarider said:
adb install C:\documents and settings\owner\desktop\apks\root explorer 2.12.4.apk"
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If cmd is like Linux you have to put \ before spaces like root\ explorer\ 2.12.4.apk
its definitely related to where the apk is located or the file name.
Try putting quotes around the path such as....
adb install "c:\docume...."
If that doesn't work then create a folder on your c:\ called apk then move the file over to that folder and rename the .apk file to something without spaces.
Good luck!
So I am at the correct path? What EXACTLY do you type after you open the cmd? Can you just open the cmd and start installing apps or do you have to navigate to android-sdk-windows...
What do I need to type from the time I open cmd?
rob04 said:
its definitely related to where the apk is located or the file name.
Try putting quotes around the path such as....
adb install "c:\docume...."
If that doesn't work then create a folder on your c:\ called apk then move the file over to that folder and rename the .apk file to something without spaces.
Good luck!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The " around the path worked. Thanks!
Now that I have root explorer installed how do I use it? Can I put it on my home screen?
###OK I haven't really written a tutorial before so if you catch a mistake please let me know so I can make the changes###
In my method we will be using Android Commander on a PC
Note: This does work on Win7
Android Commander is a free program that allows you to see the root and sd locations of your phone without having to type codes through adb. With this you can drag and drop anything anywhere onto or off of your phone.
Lets begin!
1: Ensure your phone drivers are installed and updated. Also that your phone is plugged in
2: Ensure you have the latest sdk downloaded and installed. You need this for adb. You'll see why in a minute
3. Download and install the attached file at the bottom. This is the Android Commander program.
4. On the first run of Android Commander if you don't know what the options that are shown meen then select the I don't know/ autodetect option.
5. When AC finally opens you will see two windows. On mine the left is Windows Files and the right is Android Files
Personally I don't use the Windows Files side for anything. Its all about your preferance because AC allows you to drag directly from your desktop to the Android Files window.
You should notice on the Android files side all your android "system" folders. locate your original bootanimation like this: Double click "data" then double click "local" Once inside the local folder you will actually be able to see the original bootanimation.zip file. From here select the check box next to it and hit the copy button. By default AC will "copy" the selected file to whatever window is open on the Windows side but you can choose to copy it to your choice. If you don't want to copy it AC allows you to right click it and simply delete it. Your choice. I won't be held responsible if you do delete it and later you decide you want it back!!!
Moving on, once you've done what you want to the original bootanimation.zip you need to locate the new bootanimation of your choice and simply click and drag it to the AC window. When you drop it a window will pop up asking where to put it. Obviously you will want to push it to the android side so if android is on the right then select right window and select ok. Another window will pop up showing the push in progress. I have mine set to close on finish so that window goes away once the file is moved.
Done!
After this you can restart your phone to watch the animation on start up or you can cmd into your phone and actually play the bootanimation to see it working on your phone without restarting!
To use adb to see it without restarting your phone open cmd by winkey+r then type cmd and then hit enter. in cmd navigate to your adb tools like this:
NOTE: I'll use mine as an example.
Code:
C:\Users\Name>cd C:\Android\platform-tools
NOTE: I typed "cd" then my tools location. Important.
Press Enter
Code:
adb remount
Press Enter
Code:
adb shell
Press Enter
Code:
bootanimation
Press Enter. Once you press enter this time the animation will play instantlly on your phone if all has went well. Also if it plays then the install has worked obviously...
To stop the animation press ctrl+c
I know this tut may seem a bit long, but once you do it a couple times I believe you will see this is the easiest and quickest way to change your bootanimation.
If your still confused, watch my Instruction Video file at youtube:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LIeia2HAXXk
Will this work with the Samsung Fascinate? Thank you
i found bootanimation in data\media folder not data\local
Hey people, I've just found it at O3D forums and I think I should share the information, as I don't have time for creating a good tutorial myself.
This way you can change colors for your own likes and make a lot kind of themes.
Before starting you should have your Apktool environment set up.
1. (only if you never saw APKTOOL in your life, otherwise, just jump it)
1· Download and install latest version of Java JDK
2· Download latest version of APK Multi-Tool as we'll be using it for un/packing APKs and push/pull them from/to our device.
3· Extract it anywhere you may like. If posible, in C:/ to avoid any kind of problems. Be sure to read README file before asking something about it.
4· Run Setup.bat, type 3 and press Enter. Close it.
5· Run Script.bat, type 0 and press Enter. Now let's type our framework's path.
6· /system/framework/framework-res.apk for basic framework file. This will be pulling it out from our phones.
7· Repeating Number 5, type /system/framework/lge-res.apk for LG's framework file.
8· Now move to X:\...\APK-Multi-Tool\place-apk-here-for-modding\ and copy both apks (framework-res + lge-res) and paste it at X:\...\APK-Multi-Tool\other\
9· Run Setup.bat again, type 2 and press Enter. Now both frameworks should be installed and we are ready to un/pack APKs from the version we're actually using (v30A/B/C/D...). Close it.
10· Back in Script.bat, type 0 again followed by Enter, then type the path of your desired APK. (/system/framework/xxxxxx.apk for frameworks & /system/app/xxxxxx.apk for apps). After pushing it, select it as your actual project.
11· Now type 9 followed by Enter. This will unpack our APK.
12· Now is the time for tunning anything you want to. Go to X:\...|APK-Multi-Tool\projects\xxxxxx.apk\ and you'll find there everything.
13· When it's done, let's re-pack it typing the option 11 followed by Enter. When repacking gets done, it will ask if you want to use any files from your original APK. Tell it Yes, otherwise your apk won't get signed.
14· When the extracting is done, move to X:\...|APK-Multi-Tool\keep\ and erase everything there BUT META-INF folder + AndroidManifest.xml. Now press anything at APK Multi-tool window and you'll get your APK ready to go.
15· Now type 8 to push it back to your phone and type the desired path. If it cames from /system/app/xxxxx.apk or /system/framework/xxxxx.apk.
If you get any error recompiling it, you should take a look at the log, typing 23 and fix it at the projects folder.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
2.
potaturrias said:
When i maked this theme (my first theme) y used trial and error procedure.
The first step is replace or edit 9.png. pictures in drawable-hdpi folder located in framework-res.apk and lge-res.apk, you can do this quickly using this tools:
http://jgilfelt.github.com/android-actionbarstylegenerator (Check that the names of new pictures match with the old pictures)
http://android-holo-colors.com/
Many images have to edit them by hand
If you put more files than originally,for example switches in lge-res drawable-hdpi, you will get an error when try to compile.
The second step is replace xml files in drawable folder using xml files from zip file that you downloaded in the previous step.
If you don't get the desire result you have to edit styles.xml or drawable folder files or layout files to change backgrounds colors, text color,etc.
Remember there applications with lines in XML files that reference to framework or lge-res, for example:
android:textColor="@*android:color/transparent makes reference to transparent color defined in framework-res and
android:textColor="@com.lge.internal:color/transparent makes reference to transparent color defined in lge-res.
I hope that this mini guide help you, remember that you can make your theme based on this theme, will be easier i think.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks to @potaturrias!