Database Develop

How to theme android

I'm trying to theme android.
I know that I can extract the APK's and edit the images, but what do I do after that?
how do I pack them back into APK files?

Learn to use either metamorph or ninjamorph. Their both apps by stereicson that let you change every image from an apk from within the phone.

what I meant was how would I create my own theme.
I'm not trying to apply themes that were already made, I'm trying to create a new theme.
but I've found that ubuntu lets me edit the images without extracting the apk

swee08315 said:
what I meant was how would I create my own theme.
I'm not trying to apply themes that were already made, I'm trying to create a new theme.
but I've found that ubuntu lets me edit the images without extracting the apk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
creating your own theme is very really easy. but it can be very time consuming depending on what you are trying to accomplish and edit.
After you edited your .png file (NOT .9.ping because that requires a much more advance and complicated method) simply sign the apk file, create the update-script to place in the /META-INF/com/google/android directory and then sign the update.zip file. You will need to use the search feature to lookup.
"update-script"
"signing tool"
Good luck

mejorguille said:
Learn to use either metamorph or ninjamorph. Their both apps by stereicson that let you change every image from an apk from within the phone.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I would suggest the metamorph as well instead of flashing. Flashing seems like it would just take too much time.
Also, Android Commander and Droid Explorer (maybe a few others) offer easy signing tools/transferring the apk without the need of any metamorph or flashing.

Thank you Binary100100
that's exactly what I needed
and also to r3s-rt:
I need to create an update .zip for this task.

swee08315 said:
Thank you Binary100100
that's exactly what I needed
and also to r3s-rt:
I need to create an update .zip for this task.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
For ANY themeing, you don't need an update.zip. I'm just saying look into metamorph a bit; it really is easier than flashing and reflashing if it doesn't come out right. If updates are easier for you, though, go for it. =]

thanks again.
but where exactly would I look to modify the widgets?
specifically the music and clock widgets?

swee08315 said:
thanks again.
but where exactly would I look to modify the widgets?
specifically the music and clock widgets?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Music widget is in Music.apk. Clock widget is in DeskClock.apk.
Though metamorph is convenient, in my opinion it is a better tool to test parts of a theme. Learn how to sign update.zip files (with ubuntu it is as simple as a right click), there will be less errors this way (and you can theme the market,....).
p.s. Do learn metamorph also, it is great.

thanks, but where is the search widget?
and yes, I will learn

swee08315 said:
thanks, but where is the search widget?
and yes, I will learn
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
launcher.apk

creating a black softkey menu pop up with white text.
Hello everyone! I posted something like this and got no real answers. I'm not trying to create a full theme just edit what I already have. I'm trying to change the stock cyanogenmod softkey menu pop up. If gotten my images in place and got the background and icons the way I want them but I don't know which values XML file I need to edit in order to change the text color. Does anyone have any insight on which file I need in order to edit the menus text to white? Already decompiled the framework-res.apk.

Thanks
This is awesome, I'm just trying to get started with customizing android and theming seemed like the logical starting point. Thanks for the input guys/gals.

Round Battery Meter from BakedSnack in Other ROMs?

So I'm finally settling down on a ROM configuration I like. I'm currently using the following:
DamageControl 3.2.3
DroidX Boot Screen
Rotary Lockscreen
ADW Launcher
It's a great combination, but the one thing I miss right now came from the BakedSnack 9.6 ROM and that's the 6 segmented round battery meter in the status bar. Anyone know how to get that or at least something better than the default battery icon?
Thanks!
PSULightingGuy
Total Geek/Nerd, Proud EVO 4G owner, Android n00b.
P.S. This is a duplicate thread from androidforums.com, just figured it might help to ask here as well...

Theme the battery yourself, the icons you need to change are located in the framework-res.apk file, or wait a day or two whilst im making a video tutorial on how to change the battery

Here's a morph of it
download metamorph from market(free)
drop zip in AndroidThemes folder on sdcard
i take no credit for this i only created the morph the actual icons were created by brandenk
http://www.mediafire.com/file/uwz0k1mwtzm/Circle_Batt.zip <<download

icegad said:
Here's a morph of it
download metamorph from market(free)
drop zip in AndroidThemes folder on sdcard
i take no credit for this i only created the morph the actual icons were created by brandenk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks! Works Beautifully! This makes my dream theme almost complete! Next step, is there a way to bundle a set of updates (I have the zip files) into one zip I can flash over any ROM? Anyone point me to a link about building flashable zips? Time to learn to do these on my own...

So Bump... This isn't working as well as I thought... I ran it all day and it worked fine for the first half of the battery life, but it then went all the way down to 22% while still showing half battery (3 of 6 bars)... Sigh... Anyone else?

PSULightingGuy said:
Next step, is there a way to bundle a set of updates (I have the zip files) into one zip I can flash over any ROM? Anyone point me to a link about building flashable zips? Time to learn to do these on my own...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
yes you can its really simple!!
if you have more than one zip to flash, you have to extract all the apks keeping the exact position of them
(if app apk -> system/app or framework apk -> system/framework)
try to download any rom or theme, open the zip and you will see how it works!!
keep in mind that you need the updater-script --> (download any theme and copy the whole directory "meta inf" in your new flashable zip.
once you have meta inf and system/app system/framework (or anything else) into your zip, Sign it!!!
signing is really simple too!
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=473580
read all!!!!!!!
then..
i've downloaded this battery stats themed (thank to icegad who made the metamorph) but, android 2.1 has the icons located in a new directory, not drawable-hdpi but drawable-mdpi. so, that archive posted by him doesnt work!
you have need to change that letter if you are using 2.1.
right now im on 75% so i dont know if i've got your problem too.. hope no
I dont speak english very well, but I hope you understand anyway ^^

icegad said:
Here's a morph of it
download metamorph from market(free)
drop zip in AndroidThemes folder on sdcard
i take no credit for this i only created the morph the actual icons were created by brandenk :c<<download
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
meta-morph doesn't work on 2.2

One Click Theme Injector (Updated 11/15) With HDPI to MDPI resizing!! RE-READ THE OP

READ THIS FIRST:
The original post is here alot of questions have been answered, here browse around there first.
UPDATE 9 PATCH TWEAKS:
This new version will port your favorite hdpi theme to an mdpi rom... yes 9 patch resizing. I want to be the first to say this is not 100% and it probably never will be, and over the next couple of days we can discuss this.
What it will do is resize every 9 patch in a rom and move it over to the mdpi theme. Yes this is the same method I used for all my hdpi ports.
What it might not get is the 9 patching data correctly, which means that it might get stretched incorrectly, most times you won't noticed but others it will be obvious. This will happen anywhere from 1% to 30% of the 9 patch pngs in a port, but all you will need to do is redraw them using the 9 patch draw tool in the adb folder.
My next version will have this included along with some instructions, along with font and boot animation porting.
Please respect other peoples work. If you port a theme using this and repost it don't just link back to the op... mention the author and give them props.
Also want to say I spent a looooong time trying to figure this out, and I tried many different ways, and I'm open to others suggestion on making this better
Oh and don't forget to to install Image Magick, its included and the HDPI to MDPI will not work without this.
This tool will take your favorite theme and inject it into your favorite rom... provided they are compatible with each other (might work if they aren't but thats for later). I did this cause alot of themers and people who like themes are always waiting for the nightly theme to get applied, well this will do it for you.
You can think of this as almost a theme installer.
INSTRUCTIONS by Norm12:
1. Download and extract.
1.5 Install image magick from the image magick folder... just run the installer and its ready to go. This is important the hdpi to mdpi will not work without it.
2. Copy both the theme and rom into the 1 click folder---the extracted one.
3. Open the 1-click folder and you should see your theme, rom, lib folder, and the injector script.
4. Doubleclick on the injector script----if you did everything correct it will open a cmd prompt
5. Enter the names of the rom and theme when asked...I did use the exact names and added ".zip" to the end.
5.5 Answer y if this is an hdpi to mdpi port otherwise n.
6. Hit enter and wait. When it is really done it will auto-close the cmd prompt. This may take 15 minutes.
7. Your newly themed rom will be in the same folder as the unthemed rom and theme zips. If it worked it should be slightly larger than the original rom. Enjoy
!!!IMPORTANT... BECAUSE 7ZIP SHOWS OUTPUT IGNORE THE "EVERYTHING IS OK" LET THE SCRIPT FINISH WHEN ITS DONE IT WILL CLOSE ITSELF IF YOU DOUBLE CLICKED IT OR IT WILL RETURN TO COMMAND PROMPT!!!
Ignore any errors your seeing while it runs, this is normal like before let it run completely through till it closes out.
Run time could be up too 20 minutes (60 with HDPI to MDPI) on a big theme/rom, but faster that waiting!
You must now install Image Magick if you would like to use the hdpi to mdpi resizing!
ISSUES:
There also seems to be an issue with the gallery3d.apk and the differences in the mdpi and hdpi version. For now remove this from the theme your porting otherwise it won't come out right.
Update 4:
HDPI to MDPI porting!!!!!
Update 3:
Removed verbose but added optopng verbose just let it run. It works but you have to let it finish, the cmd window will close it self.
Update 2:
Added verbose output so that you guys will know to close it out before its done...even tho 7zip says everything is ok... just let it do its thing.
Update 1:
Had the optimization stuff commented out... sorry its back on.
Script will clean up now after it finishes.
JAVA CLASSPATH:
Its needed for the signer to work properly goto a command prompt and type in java -version. if you get and error back java is not in your classpath and needs to be.
just right click on my computer, then goto properties, then click on the advanced tab, at the bottom click on the "Environment Variable" button.
Now click on the new button... the one on the bottom for system variable and put in this
variable name: JAVA_HOME
variable value: C:\<path-to-where-java-is>
Now click ok and select the path system variable and then click edit. IMPORTANT only append to the end of the value this... ;%JAVA_HOME%\bin
then click ok and ok out of all those windows and open a new command prompt and type java -version you should get no error if you do your path to java was wrong follow the steps above again and make sure the path is correct.
WHAT THIS WON'T DO:
It won't port over xml or smali edits.
It wont port over what it can't find... so if your theme has a facebook widget or something but the rom does not then it will ignore that.
It will not port over fonts or anything other than the framework-res.apk and all the themes apks in the system/app folder. If this is popular Maybe other stuff can get included.
WHAT THIS WILL DO:
Shrink a 9 patch from HDPI size to MDPI size.
Push over all the themes pngs from the apk with it to the roms matching apk.
Optimize every png in the theme you are porting over.
Zip align all the apks in your newly themed rom.
Sign the newly themed rom.
Give me feed back.
I might make this easier and make the injector steal the apks for injection right from your phone and then inject and make a flashable to put right back on... tell me what you think.
New HDPI to MDPI version with 9 patch porting download

reserved 10char..

Nice work
Sent from my HTC Desire using XDA App

TheRedDrake said:
Nice work
Sent from my HTC Desire using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you. hasn't caught on in this forum yet i guess.

I'll try this out now, this seems easier than the theme porter that's already on the forum.

Looks promising! I will try it out right now!

dl and try after work

will this work for porting themes to the HTC Tattoo?? does it rescale the theme to suite the phone?

vura said:
will this work for porting themes to the HTC Tattoo?? does it rescale the theme to suite the phone?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This will port any theme to any rom... provided they are compatible. So while you can go from a sense theme and inject it into a AOSP rom, it probably won't catch everything since it works off of matches. It also does not have any scaling included.
The biggest thing with this is that the theme and rom have to have a same file structure so all rom come and the have the system/app folder and the system/framework/framework-res.apk, this is what the injector looks for. So honestly you could build a theme from a buncha different apks from other themes it will inject that into your rom and give you back a flashable zip. So a good theme structure example would be Gommarah's Black Mod in the HERO CDMA forum.
I do however have a way to port HDPI theme to and MDPI ROM but its not 100%... if I get enough request I'll put it in its just the process I use to accomplish this is very complicated and requires some extra software, its also adds a significant overhead to the script run time (and 3x longer to run) It works in the since the it will shrink the HDPI 9patch png but the 9 patch data is wrong about 10-20% of the time. This won't cause the roms to force close but will just make some of the 9patch pngs to stretch wrong and would require a simple edit in the 9patch draw to fix it.

+1 for hdpi to mdpi scaling!

Any others want the hdpi to mdpi scaling? I've considered releasing it.
Sent from my PC36100 using XDA App

Just curious if I did this right as I am still fairly new to this whole scene and this whole process seemed to work way to easy. But basically I got both the rom and theme converted and then signed both zips. Does that mean that I can now successfully flash the new theme? Thanks in advance!

theu2621 said:
Just curious if I did this right as I am still fairly new to this whole scene and this whole process seemed to work way to easy. But basically I got both the rom and theme converted and then signed both zips. Does that mean that I can now successfully flash the new theme? Thanks in advance!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There is no need to sign anything, the injector will sign the final output zip. Take your theme zip and your rom zip and place it in the folder next to the script. Then just run the script when its finished you will get a a new zip called themed-<roms-name>.zip.... this is ready to flash (optoed, align and signed).

ASimmons said:
Any others want the hdpi to mdpi scaling? I've considered releasing it.
Sent from my PC36100 using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Can I vote multiple times?

Ill try and get it ready for this weekend and see what you think.
Sent from my PC36100 using XDA App

First of all,great software worked as a charm...
I subscribe to the resizing,all the best themes are for HDPI...would make this the best theming tool out there for android

thanks that did it!

what if the rom needs has a seperate gapps.zip with it? thanks!

theu2621 said:
what if the rom needs has a seperate gapps.zip with it? thanks!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just put the gapps system/app files into your ROM's system/app files. Then inject your theme, the tool does the rest

thanks again for the help! yall really helped, and rather quickly too!

[Q] [HELP]-MetamorphingGingerbread. REWARDS!

Ok guys, I am totally new to theming and what not, and akoe101 and I are deciding to release a theme under metamorph, called MinimalMechanics, this is what the status bar looks like
So far, everytime i try to create a morph, it gets rejected. Heres the steps i have taken
1. Downloaded a template morph
2. extracted the .zip
3. Opened the .xml with notepad, edited the path like so...
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<themename>MinimalMechanics</themename>
<themeversion>1.0</themeversion>
<author>mkcm97 and akoe101</author>
<phone>Motorola Droid</phone>
<rom>?</rom>
<themedescription>Changes status icons</themedescription>
<item>SystemUI.apk</item>
<path>/system/app/</path>
<description></description>
4. I then saved the .xml
5. I added the icons in the correct folder.
6. renamed the .xml to MinimalMechanics- SystemUI
*side not, in reality, i'd prefer to add other paths, to framework-res.apk, gmail.apk, and vending .apk. If this is possible let me know, or do I have to make a seperate .zip?
7. I renamed the zip to MinimalMechanics- SystemUI
But as I said earlier, when I try to apply it, it gives an error. Could anybody give an insight on this, if you have any you get an early theme release and some extra GOODIES!. If you need the actual .xml, i can upload it for you.
Thanks for taking the time for reading and answering
- Matt.

You want Notepad++ on a windows machine. Windows notepad screws up the EOL sequence.

<themename>MinimalMechanics</themename>
MinimalMechanics- SystemUI
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you rename the zip, you must change the <themename> too.
As 3rdstring says, I use Notepad++ to edit.

Dont Panic said:
If you rename the zip, you must change the <themename> too.
As 3rdstring says, I use Notepad++ to edit.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ok. wow i didn't release that a version of notepad would make a difference. I'll give it a shot and get back to you guys.
thanks a bunch.

ok i owe you guys big time! notepad ++ did the trick. so now for the next question, can i add a path to framework-res and system ui in the same .xml?

mkcm97 said:
ok i owe you guys big time! notepad ++ did the trick. so now for the next question, can i add a path to framework-res and system ui in the same .xml?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You can, but you will get FC loops that are a pain with metamorph. If you do it, use ZipThemer to install instead, great program. Myself, I don't put SystemUI.apk or Phone.apk in the same morphs as framework-res.apk.

Dont Panic said:
You can, but you will get FC loops that are a pain with metamorph. If you do it, use ZipThemer to install instead, great program. Myself, I don't put SystemUI.apk or Phone.apk in the same morphs as framework-res.apk.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
ok. so i will just release the theme in seperate morphs. but when i applied just the systemui.apk, i got fc loops anyway, but a battery pull fixed it and it was all okay.

I agree with Dont Panic, ZipThemer is an excellent tool. It will take your morph(s) and build a flashable update & as a super cool added bonus an undo file so when things go wrong you have an easy road back.
The XDA thread.

3rdstring said:
I agree with Dont Panic, ZipThemer is an excellent tool. It will take your morph(s) and build a flashable update & as a super cool added bonus an undo file so when things go wrong you have an easy road back.
The XDA thread.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
so could i build a morph and put it in zip themer, and release it as a .zip? and it will still have the same concept as a morph. ie only change the icons that you want..?

mkcm97 said:
so could i build a morph and put it in zip themer, and release it as a .zip? and it will still have the same concept as a morph. ie only change the icons that you want..?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes but it will be device/ROM specific.

3rdstring said:
Yes but it will be device/ROM specific.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
ok thanks for the help guys. feel free to pm me if you would like anything.

cant wait for you to drop this, ive been eying it since you first started posted screens with it. i check customandroid all the time in hopes its been released lol.

mbh87 said:
cant wait for you to drop this, ive been eying it since you first started posted screens with it. i check customandroid all the time in hopes its been released lol.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
haha thanks. almost done

mkcm97 said:
haha thanks. almost done
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If for some reason you are feeling generous or need someone to test on a Thunderbolt, shoot me a pm

Unleash your Creativity, Download Samsung Theme Editor Here! Updated to v3.00.21

NOTE: Samsung has blocked the way i used to download the theme editor so i will now have to search for another method. till then no update
Hey guys,
Below are the links to download the Samsung Theme Editor. All credits goes to @adfree for finding the secret method
Unleash your creativity.
PS: it does not need anything like samsung account etc. for making the themes
Windows edition (Updated):
Changelog v3.00.21
Minor Bugs Fixed
Code:
http://www47.zippyshare.com/v/tyi376MU/file.html
Mac Edition:
Code:
http://www47.zippyshare.com/v/UsBdgScE/file.html

@wajiman
thank you. installed on windows without any problem..
just an info.. is possible to use a theme taken from samsung store as base?
if yes, how? XD
thanks ^^

erghetto said:
@wajiman
thank you. installed on windows without any problem..
just an info.. is possible to use a theme taken from samsung store as base?
if yes, how? XD
thanks ^^
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Unfortunately no, but there is a long method by which you can use some stuff from the theme you want to use as base. The steps are:
1) Extract every qmg file from each apk within a theme and rename the extracted apks to zip.
2) using command prompt run the following command:
Code:
ren *.qmg *.png
it will auto change the extension from qmg to png.
3) Transfer the pngs to mobile phone and look at the images you want to use
4) create your theme and individually replace the qmg which you identified from pngs with the base themes qmg. That's it.
I know its a tiresome task

nice:good: i made my first theme

Thanks, this is something..

wajiman said:
Unfortunately no, but there is a long method by which you can use some stuff from the theme you want to use as base. The steps are:
1) Extract every qmg file from each apk within a theme and rename the extracted apks to zip.
2) using command prompt run the following command:
Code:
ren *.qmg *.png
it will auto change the extension from qmg to png.
3) Transfer the pngs to mobile phone and look at the images you want to use
4) create your theme and individually replace the qmg which you identified from pngs with the base themes qmg. That's it.
I know its a tiresome task
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
First, thank you for posting this tool.
I'm still old skool in terms of theming, hard coding the system and adding/changing images to my preference.
It seems the the overlay themes are the direction it been headed for sometime so if the tool is easy enough and less time consuming, I suppose I could switch, plus the compatibility for many more devices and users is quite nice!
As far as converting/viewing qmg images install this to your phone and within the app select the apk of which you wish to view the qmg images and bam! It's all done, converted to png's viewable on pc and everything!
Anyways, thanks again!

stangdriver44 said:
First, thank you for posting this tool.
I'm still old skool in terms of theming, hard coding the system and adding/changing images to my preference.
It seems the the overlay themes are the direction it been headed for sometime so if the tool is easy enough and less time consuming, I suppose I could switch, plus the compatibility for many more devices and users is quite nice!
As far as converting/viewing qmg images install this to your phone and within the app select the apk of which you wish to view the qmg images and bam! It's all done, converted to png's viewable on pc and everything!
Anyways, thanks again!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I also found out one more way as this alp was not working for me on s7. Further, the above mentioned method is not working as the tool requires you to sign the apk with a certificate which you create with this tool itself and changing the files i think damages the signature. Nevertheless the 2nd way is to rename the qmg files to png. Transfer them to phone and then through the phone edit them. Add a small difference so that you can save it. Once you do, it will save it in png format.
Sent from my SM-G935F using Tapatalk

I am making a theme, but the APK it creates si a paid theme, and when i choose my theme, i can only choose the trial option. Is there a way to make the APK free? I cant found it.
Greetings

carasd said:
I am making a theme, but the APK it creates si a paid theme, and when i choose my theme, i can only choose the trial option. Is there a way to make the APK free? I cant found it.
Greetings
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No install a package disabler and then disable theme service and center and then clear its data
Sent from my SM-G935F using Tapatalk

but this has no sense xD there has to be a way to make free themes.

erghetto said:
but this has no sense xD there has to be a way to make free themes.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes there is that is by uploading it to samsung thene store and then downloading it frm theme store
Sent from my SM-G935F using Tapatalk

there is a new version out please upload the version 4.0.11. ;P

Can't do anything bc I keep getting prompted upon opening the app to update to v4, but can't -_- Please upload v4 asap, thanks!

JoeFCaputo113 said:
Can't do anything bc I keep getting prompted upon opening the app to update to v4, but can't -_- Please upload v4 asap, thanks!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Same for me here!

acristescu said:
Same for me here!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
you can still use it . disable network connection before opnening the editor, and after that you can enable it back

can I apply for partnership request by uploading a theme created using this software in the partnership request form ?If not can you please suggest me what should I do to apply for the partnership? I don't have any previous designs.

Hi... Guys Theme editor 5.0.20 is released, somebody please provide download link for it... Thank You..

sadanandk said:
Hi... Guys Theme editor 5.0.20 is released, somebody please provide download link for it... Thank You..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you find it let me know lol . Thx

hi))I made a theme, and it's in the status of "only for developers", what should I do?sorry of bad english,im russian))

sadanandk said:
Hi... Guys Theme editor 5.0.20 is released, somebody please provide download link for it... Thank You..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
hi have you found it ?
regards