Database Develop

How to change icon apps on the app drawer? (rooted)

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.

Rotating Anroid boot animation

This was created in Flash MX 2004 (Old, I know, but my chosen program for doing silly animations).
Its basically just an image from Google, pasted on a black background, and made to rotate upwards, while honeycomb bee's fly by. Its all zipped and set to go, I'm sure I don't need to tell you that if you add it to a ROM .zip, choose "store" as your compression, otherwise they don't work

silegeek said:
This was created in Flash MX 2004 (Old, I know, but my chosen program for doing silly animations).
Its basically just an image from Google, pasted on a black background, and made to rotate upwards, while honeycomb bee's fly by. Its all zipped and set to go, I'm sure I don't need to tell you that if you add it to a ROM .zip, choose "store" as your compression, otherwise they don't work
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you so much for this. I'm quite new to these so.. my question : How can I just flash an audio and keep the boot image that came installed with the rom?
Thank you for your time ;o)

u have to find your bootanimation.zip that came installed with your rom.
e.g. system/customize/resource oder data/local
in this folder copy the "android_audio.mp3".
use RootExplorer or flash with CWM

Kiray1982 said:
u have to find your bootanimation.zip that came installed with your rom.
e.g. system/customize/resource oder data/local
in this folder copy the "android_audio.mp3".
use RootExplorer or flash with CWM
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I really appreciate your help. I got stuck when flashing the zip. I copied the bootanimation.zip onto the sd card via file expert but I pushed the mp3 file into the zip folder using my computer.
I couldn't copy the mp3 file into the zip using file expert. I gave it permissions and all of that.. GRRRRRR !!
Please help once again ;o)

Assuming you are using a ROM like LeeDroid, make sure (when you save your audio file) that you save it as .OGG
Once you've done that, rename it to .mp3.
I tend to install boot animations (and the audio) in a way that most would consider awkward or pain-in-the-backside. Basically I will add the bootanimation.zip to the current ROM.zip that I'm using, and reinstall it, without formatting data, system, or anything like that. I still keep my phone the way it was, all of my apps are still there, I just have a different bootanimation
I gave up with copying the bootanimation with file managers and stuff, because it requires digging to find the original bootanimation and I never could (and I've been though all the system, data folders and so on, nothing was there) so I just do the reinstall. I guess its essentially like performing an update to the system.

This very good, quite the style change.

silegeek said:
Assuming you are using a ROM like LeeDroid, make sure (when you save your audio file) that you save it as .OGG
Once you've done that, rename it to .mp3.
I tend to install boot animations (and the audio) in a way that most would consider awkward or pain-in-the-backside. Basically I will add the bootanimation.zip to the current ROM.zip that I'm using, and reinstall it, without formatting data, system, or anything like that. I still keep my phone the way it was, all of my apps are still there, I just have a different bootanimation
I gave up with copying the bootanimation with file managers and stuff, because it requires digging to find the original bootanimation and I never could (and I've been though all the system, data folders and so on, nothing was there) so I just do the reinstall. I guess its essentially like performing an update to the system.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hey there! Guess what? Your method didn't work..lol. DAMMIT!! I'm using RXMixHD v1 rom.. I wish someone can put up a flashable bootanimation and make my life easier..hahaha!
Thanks soooooo much for your help though. Greatly appreciate it. I used LeeDroid's rom and that worked flawlessly. I was able to flash the audio and life was great back then ;o)
Maybe I should consider going back to his rom? Hahaha!
THANX ONCE AGAIN ;o)

Showtek1980 said:
Hey there! Guess what? Your method didn't work..lol. DAMMIT!! I'm using RXMixHD v1 rom.. I wish someone can put up a flashable bootanimation and make my life easier..hahaha!
Thanks soooooo much for your help though. Greatly appreciate it. I used LeeDroid's rom and that worked flawlessly. I was able to flash the audio and life was great back then ;o)
Maybe I should consider going back to his rom? Hahaha!
THANX ONCE AGAIN ;o)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi
The only thing that I can think of as to why it wouldnt have worked, is because when you added it to your ROM file, you didnt choose "store" as your compression method.
If you are using winRAR (if not, i do recommend it) drag the bootanimation.zip to directory in your LeeDroid rom.zip (usually data/local/). You will get a pop up screen and there will be a choice to choose your compression method. Use "store" and you should be set to go. try re-installing the ROM and it should work. Again, dont format any of the system or the data (you dont want to loose your apps and so on), just choose to install it.

silegeek said:
Hi
The only thing that I can think of as to why it wouldnt have worked, is because when you added it to your ROM file, you didnt choose "store" as your compression method.
If you are using winRAR (if not, i do recommend it) drag the bootanimation.zip to directory in your LeeDroid rom.zip (usually data/local/). You will get a pop up screen and there will be a choice to choose your compression method. Use "store" and you should be set to go. try re-installing the ROM and it should work. Again, dont format any of the system or the data (you dont want to loose your apps and so on), just choose to install it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
OK.. I'll try it again ( before having a few glasses of beer..lol ) and i'll get back to you.
I'm using RcMix's V1 rom.. Will your method work with this rom? Only time will tell!!! Hehhee!
THANKS AGAIN ;o)))

Showtek1980 said:
OK.. I'll try it again ( before having a few glasses of beer..lol ) and i'll get back to you.
I'm using RcMix's V1 rom.. Will your method work with this rom? Only time will tell!!! Hehhee!
THANKS AGAIN ;o)))
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I managed it on RCMix Kingdom v1.0 and LeeDroid 3.0.3.

silegeek said:
I managed it on RCMix Kingdom v1.0 and LeeDroid 3.0.3.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This is really a stab in the brain ;o(((
Could you PLEASE tell me how you were successful on RCMix Kingdom v1.0? Step by step.... PLEEEEEEESE ;o))

Showtek1980 said:
This is really a stab in the brain ;o(((
Could you PLEASE tell me how you were successful on RCMixKingdom v1.0? Step by step.... PLEEEEEEESE ;o))
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
OK, and I'm sorry you are having some difficulty
they way I do it is:
step 1)=
double click RCMixKingdom v1.0.zip and it should open winRAR and show you a list of the files in the archive:
data
META-INF
sdcard
system
boot.img
virtuous-setup_rom
double click "data" and you should see the following files:
app
etc
local
sd
dtinstall.launch
From here, double click "local" and you will see "bootanimation.zip" and so on, I imagine you got this far.
Step 2
Find the "bootanimation.zip" that you downloaded and drag it into winRAR, in the same place as you are, with the original bootanimation.zip
You will see a pop up which says "Archive name and parameters". On the left hand side of this pop up, you will see "Archive Format" which you will be unable to select (because the file your adding is already a ".zip") and underneath that you will see "compression method". By default is says "Normal" so we need to change it to "Store".
Depending on the speed of you CPU, and whether your "RCMixKingdom v1.0.zip" is on your hard drive, or your sd card, this can take anywhere from a few seconds to around about a minute.
Once that has finished, copy the file to your sd card (if it isn't already) and reboot your phone into the bootloader (holding the power button and down on the volume button) so you can access the Recovery (clockwordmod)
Step 3
Once you're in the recovery, select "instal zip from sd card" and it should take you to a menu that says "choose zip from sd card". Find "RCMixKingdom v.10.zip" and select it, it will say "this cannot be undone", that's fine, move the selector down to "install RCMixKingdom.zip" and it will start installing.
During this process you might see a few worrying things, such as "formatting system", but don't worry, this process doesn't remove you apps, etc.
Once that has completed, reboot system (there should be an option in the menu) and the boot animation SHOULD work. It works for me all the time, so if it doesn't work for you, I cannot explain why not.
The other method is (which I gave up on originally) was to use a file manager such as Astro, ES File Manager, but as hard as I looked I could never find the "data/local/" folders. Well I could, but they were empty. What I wasn't told is that, in the settings of the file manager, you need to enable "root access" for the files and folders in "/data/local/" to show up.

silegeek said:
OK, and I'm sorry you are having some difficulty
they way I do it is:
step 1)=
double click RCMixKingdom v1.0.zip and it should open winRAR and show you a list of the files in the archive:
data
META-INF
sdcard
system
boot.img
virtuous-setup_rom
double click "data" and you should see the following files:
app
etc
local
sd
dtinstall.launch
From here, double click "local" and you will see "bootanimation.zip" and so on, I imagine you got this far.
Step 2
Find the "bootanimation.zip" that you downloaded and drag it into winRAR, in the same place as you are, with the original bootanimation.zip
You will see a pop up which says "Archive name and parameters". On the left hand side of this pop up, you will see "Archive Format" which you will be unable to select (because the file your adding is already a ".zip") and underneath that you will see "compression method". By default is says "Normal" so we need to change it to "Store".
Depending on the speed of you CPU, and whether your "RCMixKingdom v1.0.zip" is on your hard drive, or your sd card, this can take anywhere from a few seconds to around about a minute.
Once that has finished, copy the file to your sd card (if it isn't already) and reboot your phone into the bootloader (holding the power button and down on the volume button) so you can access the Recovery (clockwordmod)
Step 3
Once you're in the recovery, select "instal zip from sd card" and it should take you to a menu that says "choose zip from sd card". Find "RCMixKingdom v.10.zip" and select it, it will say "this cannot be undone", that's fine, move the selector down to "install RCMixKingdom.zip" and it will start installing.
During this process you might see a few worrying things, such as "formatting system", but don't worry, this process doesn't remove you apps, etc.
Once that has completed, reboot system (there should be an option in the menu) and the boot animation SHOULD work. It works for me all the time, so if it doesn't work for you, I cannot explain why not.
The other method is (which I gave up on originally) was to use a file manager such as Astro, ES File Manager, but as hard as I looked I could never find the "data/local/" folders. Well I could, but they were empty. What I wasn't told is that, in the settings of the file manager, you need to enable "root access" for the files and folders in "/data/local/" to show up.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you so much for your time and effort in posting this up for me! BUT where can I download the bootanimation? LOL !!
Do I have to copy and paste the bootanimation using root explorer and then add the audio file?
I really do apologize if this question sounds silly.

Showtek1980 said:
Thank you so much for your time and effort in posting this up for me! BUT where can I download the bootanimation? LOL !!
Do I have to copy and paste the bootanimation using root explorer and then add the audio file?
I really do apologize if this question sounds silly.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Also.. can you please advise me on which path I should copy bootanimation.zip from?
I think I have 2 bootanimation.zip files.
THANK YOU IMMENSELY !!!!!!

You can download my bootanimation from the very first post on this topic.
If you have your own boot animation, paste it on the root of your sdcard.
I will attach some screen shots to this, hopefully it will help you
If you are using RCMixKingdom v1.0 you will find that it comes with a program called ES File Explorer
{
"lightbox_close": "Close",
"lightbox_next": "Next",
"lightbox_previous": "Previous",
"lightbox_error": "The requested content cannot be loaded. Please try again later.",
"lightbox_start_slideshow": "Start slideshow",
"lightbox_stop_slideshow": "Stop slideshow",
"lightbox_full_screen": "Full screen",
"lightbox_thumbnails": "Thumbnails",
"lightbox_download": "Download",
"lightbox_share": "Share",
"lightbox_zoom": "Zoom",
"lightbox_new_window": "New window",
"lightbox_toggle_sidebar": "Toggle sidebar"
}
Open this and hit menu and then settings. scroll down to "Root Options" and tick both the boxes. Exit ES File Explorer and open it up again
You should be in your sdcard directory
Navigate (scroll) to your bootanimation.zip and, as it shows in the picture, hold down on the "bootanimation.zip" and a new screen will come up:
Press copy to copy the bootanimation.zip
Next you will need to press the sdcard icon in the top left to change from sdcard to the system directory:
Then navigate to the "data" folder
once in the "data" folder navigate to the "local" folder:
Once in the local folder you will see this:
at the bottom of the screen you will see a tab that contains your copied file. Drag this tab upwards so you see this:
Press and hold the "bootanimation.zip" so this screen appears:
It will say "Warning, are you sure you want to overwrite?"
Select "OK" and it will paste "bootanimation" from your sdcard.
Restart you phone and your selected boot animation should be working.

Also, I'm not entirely sure that the RCMixKingdom ROM supports audio during boot animation, or if it does, it needs to be in a different format/directory.

silegeek said:
You can download my bootanimation from the very first post on this topic.
If you have your own boot animation, paste it on the root of your sdcard.
I will attach some screen shots to this, hopefully it will help you
If you are using RCMixKingdom v1.0 you will find that it comes with a program called ES File Explorer
View attachment 607963
Open this and hit menu and then settings. scroll down to "Root Options" and tick both the boxes. Exit ES File Explorer and open it up again
You should be in your sdcard directory
View attachment 607964
Navigate (scroll) to your bootanimation.zip and, as it shows in the picture, hold down on the "bootanimation.zip" and a new screen will come up:
View attachment 607965
Press copy to copy the bootanimation.zip
Next you will need to press the sdcard icon in the top left to change from sdcard to the system directory:
View attachment 607993
Then navigate to the "data" folder
once in the "data" folder navigate to the "local" folder:
View attachment 608012
Once in the local folder you will see this:
View attachment 608013
at the bottom of the screen you will see a tab that contains your copied file. Drag this tab upwards so you see this:
View attachment 608018
Press and hold the "bootanimation.zip" so this screen appears:
View attachment 608017
It will say "Warning, are you sure you want to overwrite?"
Select "OK" and it will paste "bootanimation" from your sdcard.
Restart you phone and your selected boot animation should be working.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I GREATLY appreciate your time and effort in composing in post with the visuals to help me get the bootanimation working. ;o)
I don't think that the sound works on bootanimation with RCMix Kingdom rom. I did however get the bootanimation working.
I think I will stick to LeeDroid's version update a few days ago as this works with sound and I think runs much faster on my HTC Desire HD.
Once again, THANK YOU !!!!

[TUTORIAL]How to fix weather force close issues when theming

Ok A fellow XDA member showed me this trick (thanks to killathenoob for this)
so i'm going to show you how to fix weather wallpaper force close issues when the sound option is turned on for sense 3.0 roms. The problem lies in: com.htc.resourses.apk inside the res folder there is a raw folder, inside of the raw folder is the weather mp3 files. so heres what happens after you mod your apk like always you recompile it and put your file in the zip and it compresses these mp3's.
This is what causes the force closes.
Here's the fix: get a clean unmodded com.htc.resourses.apk from your rom, open it with winrar and copy the raw folder to your desktop. Once again this is located in:res/raw once its copied to your desktop take your modded com.htc.resourses.apk and open it with winrar(DO NOT EXTRACT) delete the raw folder out of the file and drag the raw folder you saved on your desktop into the file. Now when winrar asks you to confirm the instillation of this folder be sure to select to store only(DO NOT COMPRESS). Once this is done close it back up and drag it back into your zip file.When winrar asks you to confirm the move, again select to store only.
Now flash your zip and enjoy your weather wallpaper with sound effects

Very much needed. Thanks for sharing this to community.

no prob. bro..

Very nice fixed bro.... good job...

no probem man my theme has been updated with the fix and Iapaquette420's theme is fixed now as well. so glad this info surfaced and helped us all out.

thanks for this buddy, your a lifesaver thought it may have been one of the 'weather' png's causing the problem once compressed, didnt think that it could be the audio files , thanks again mate, i owe ya both

Glad I could help
Sent from my Inspire 4G using XDA App

Modify SGS3 Photowall Livewall paper to add own pictures

Hi Devs,
I was wondering if there is a way to modify the photowall live wallpaper and add your own pictures, I tried to look for a guide & modified app, however no luck.
Found 1 modified apk with batman pics but that didnt work.
Please let me know if anyone has been able to modify or is working on this.
Regards,
[email protected]

If at beginning of your title you put " (REQUEST) "then you might get better and faster answer.
Sent from my SGH-I897 using xda premium

Steps To Modify SGS3 Photowall Live Wallpaper
Hi All,
I had tried multiple roms and when used the Photowall Live Wallpaper, I could not point it to the photo gallery to use my own pics. The gallery would never open and I had to do with the default pics which came with the SGS3. (Not sure if anyone has faced this issue).
After playing around with the apk files I did find a way to use my own pics in the PhotoWall Live Wallpaper. I hope you would like this.
A: Uploading your pictures in the Photowall.apk file.
1. Select a maximum of 8 pictures that you wish to use in the Photowall and move them to a folder on your desktop.
2. Rename the 8 pictures as follows: g1p1.jpg / g1p2.jpg / g1p3.jpg / g1p4.jpg / g1p5.jpg / g1p6.jpg / g2p1.jpg / g2p2.jpg
3. Extract the Photowall.apk from ICS ROM onto a folder on your desktop. (I used RemICS v1.3, haven’t tried this is on any other ROM).
4. Open the apk file using winrar. (Do not extract, just open)…. Navigate to the PhotoWall.apk\res\raw folder.
5. You should be able to see the files as shown in the screenshot 1.jpg
6. Click on “Add” and navigate to the folder where you have stored the pictures (remember to rename them as mentioned in step 2).
7. Select the files and click “OK”. This will replace the original files in the Photowall.apk.
8. Once this is done, exit/close the apk file opened in winrar.
You can try installing this file directly by copying it to your phone, however that didn’t work on my phone.
B: Uploading your customized Photowall.apk file in your ROM. (Tested on RemICS v1.3).
1.Open the Rom that you wish to flash (I used RemICS UX v1.3) using winrar (do not extract)
2.Navigate to \data\app folder.
3.Click on “Add” and navigate to the folder where you have saved your customized Photowall.apk. (Make sure that the name is “Photowall.apk”).
4.This will replace the original Photowall.apk with your customized file.
5.Exit and save the zip file.
6.Use the new edited Rom and copy it to the root of your “Internal SD” card.
7.Reboot the phone to “Recovery” and flash the new Rom. (I did not lose my data & settings as I did not wipe cache partition or Data/Factory, however this may or may not work for you. To be on a safer side please backup your data and applications. I will not be responsible for any data loss or bricked devices while trying this procedure. Try at your own risk.).
You can watch the video on the link below (sorry for the poor quality)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yd2VCzvphu8&feature=youtu.be
Special thanks toTeam RemICS for the beautiful Rom.
If you liked my work, please use the thanks meter.
- Disclaimer -
This product/steps is/are free to use at your own risk. I take no
responsibility for any conflict, fault, data loss or damage caused by this procedure.
No warranties, implied or otherwise, are given if you agree to use this product.
No problems were found while testing this on my Samsung Captivate device. your experience may vary.

maqbulsayed said:
B: Uploading your customized Photowall.apk file in your ROM. (Tested on RemICS v1.3).
1.Open the Rom that you wish to flash (I used RemICS UX v1.3) using winrar (do not extract)
2.Navigate to \data\app folder.
3.Click on “Add” and navigate to the folder where you have saved your customized Photowall.apk. (Make sure that the name is “Photowall.apk”).
4.This will replace the original Photowall.apk with your customized file.
5.Exit and save the zip file.
6.Use the new edited Rom and copy it to the root of your “Internal SD” card.
7.Reboot the phone to “Recovery” and flash the new Rom.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think you over complicated the install process by a bit...
Why not just use a file explorer with root permissions and place the new Photowall.apk back to /system/app where it actually belongs, reboot the phone and be done with it? (/system/app is where live wallpapers that come with the phone are located by default, not /data/app)
As you can see here on my GS3, two of the several live wallpapers (phase beam and photo wall) are in /system/app
And these are the proper permissions for the apk

I tried that, but that wont work..... that the reason i mentioned
" You can try installing this file directly by copying it to your phone, however that didn’t work on my phone. "
Unfortunately wht u menitioned didnt work for me...
correct me if I am wrong... did u mention SG3... for SG3, you dont need to modify the photowall.apk, if you go to the wallpaper settings you can select pics from your gallery..

maqbulsayed said:
I tried that, but that wont work..... that the reason i mentioned
" You can try installing this file directly by copying it to your phone, however that didn’t work on my phone. "
Unfortunately wht u menitioned didnt work for me...
correct me if I am wrong... did u mention SG3... for SG3, you dont need to modify the photowall.apk, if you go to the wallpaper settings you can select pics from your gallery..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, I understand that on the SG3 you don't need to do this, but on a Captivate, I don't see why you wouldn't be able to place it in /system/app and still have it work.

[GUIDE]MAKE APK'S ON YOUR PHONE-for kustom live w'paper app ONLY- inc playstore ready

This tutorial is for lollipop & marshmallow rom users only !​​
Works with or without Root !​​For making apk's for kustom live wallpaper app only !​​​
The apk's should run on any ROM 4.4 upwards​
Newbie Friendly !​​​
DISCLAIMER ​
I, in no way take responsibility for any damage you may cause to your phone by following this tutorial as ApKTOOL app is capable of accessing your system folders and thereby you changing or deleting something you shouldn't,
That said the instructions I give do not use any system locations, so if you follow them properly you will be OK!​
Welcome to my tutorial for making apk's for kustom live wallpaper ( klwp ) on your PHONE.
Please don't be put off by the length of the tutorial, its IMHO very easy to follow and I have tried to write it in such a way that anybody can follow and understand it and have an end result without too much head scratching.:fingers-crossed:
No major knowledge needed, just the skill of being able to navigate around your phone files and being able to follow instructions as is, and finally, the ability to revel in your own glory for making your first pc-less apk. :victory:​
Top tip, (as if you didn't know this already)
Have this tutorial up on your PC whilst following it, no keep swapping between recents on your phone then.:good:
I would like to thank @plegdroid AKA Pete Nolan for introducing me too and walking me through the stages needed to use ApkTOOL :good:
If your making apk's for personal use to share from a cloud I.e. dropbox etc, you do not need to use zipsigner as the ApKTOOL app can sign for this kind of sharing.​
Apps and stuff you will need to download for this 'magic' to take place are...
ApkTOOL, download here (github link here).
Klwp sample apk, download here
Komp sample apk, download here
Android asset studio (launcher icon generator) link here (bookmark this !)
Droid edit, play store link here
Zipsigner (only if you want to publish to play store), play store link here
Photo Editor (if you don't already have one), play store link here
!!Do not install ApKTOOL or klwp/komp sample apk's yet, please wait for instruction to tell you to do so!!​​​​
Sounds like a lot to do, right?....
Setting up everything up the first time takes a bit of time, But once you've done it, and got used to the fairly simple instructions, you'll be making apk's in MINUTES on your phone....
FYI.
I deleted and uninstalled all associated with this tutorial so that I could write the instructions as a person following this tutorial I.e. installing the apps first then writing the instructions step by step as I went through each stage, thereby hopefully getting them as clear and succinct as possible :good:
There is a thread for ApkTOOL here for kitkat, although it is a general thread as ApKTOOL can do much more than just make apk's for kustom, but please don't post on this thread about it as I don't use it on kitkat and only use it for kustom, so if this interest's you please post your queries there.:good:
Also as this is my first "proper" tutorial, I would really appreciate any feedback...
How easy it was to follow.
Any problems you had.
Conformation that it worked for you
Suggestions
Etc.​
CREDITS
@plegdroid - for all your help(and contiued help):good:
@rkucheran - for also helping out (and continued help):good:
@Brut.all - original creator of ApkTOOL
@iBotPeaches - current maintainer of ApkTOOL
@frankmonza - for klwp app and sample apk's
Roman Nurik - for android asset studio
André Restivo - for droid edit
Ken Ellinwood - for zipsigner
Dev.macgyver - for photo editor
@browcantor - for confirming, working without root .:victory::good:
@TheKrates - for confirming working on marshmallow ROM :good:
If you find this tutorial helpful then please take the time out to subscribe and rate thread, oh and press thanks if you feel like it :good:​
Let's get started, move on to post 2.​

Installing ApKTOOL
And getting things ready​
Using your file explorer for steps 1, 2 and 3..
1, Make a folder on your sd card (internal memory, not on micro SD) and call it [highlight]Apktool[/highlight].
2, Move [highlight]ApKTOOL.apk[/highlight] to the folder you just created and install [highlight]ApKTOOL.apk[/highlight], (If you can't install the ApKTOOL.apk, then goto your phone settings select security then check allow unknown sources, then install ApKTOOL.apk again.) when its finished installing press open, it will then ask you to install an update, install the update and when its finished press done.
3, Also move [highlight]klwp.sample.apk[/highlight] and [highlight]komp.sample.apk[/highlight] to the Apktool folder you created in step 1, [highlight]BUT DO NOT INSTALL THEM[/highlight].
4, Go into your app drawer and open [highlight]ApKTOOL[/highlight] app.
(If you are rooted open the three dot menu top right of the screen, press settings, scroll to the bottom and check the root option, there's no need to really do this, I do just because I can :laugh
5, Navigate to [highlight]sdcard[/highlight] then the [highlight]Apktool[/highlight] folder you made earlier,select it, now your screen should now look like this...
{
"lightbox_close": "Close",
"lightbox_next": "Next",
"lightbox_previous": "Previous",
"lightbox_error": "The requested content cannot be loaded. Please try again later.",
"lightbox_start_slideshow": "Start slideshow",
"lightbox_stop_slideshow": "Stop slideshow",
"lightbox_full_screen": "Full screen",
"lightbox_thumbnails": "Thumbnails",
"lightbox_download": "Download",
"lightbox_share": "Share",
"lightbox_zoom": "Zoom",
"lightbox_new_window": "New window",
"lightbox_toggle_sidebar": "Toggle sidebar"
}
6, Click on the [highlight]klwp.sample.apk[/highlight] and pick [highlight]decompile resources[/highlight], leave it to do its thing for some moments (sometimes up to 40 seconds), once complete you should get this on your screen...
Press OK.
7, Your Apktool folder should now have the decompiled apk called [highlight]klwp.sample_src[/highlight] in it and should look like this...
Now thats all set up, lets move onto next post​

Making your asset (launcher) icons
These are the small pictures that show on people's phone's when they use klwp app.​
You can skip this post if you want to use Andi as your asset launcher icon..
he comes as default.​
Note..
Also if you already have a ic_launcher.zip from previous apk's you have made then you can skip straight to step 5.
1, Firstly using a photo editor, make, crop or resize a picture to a size of [highlight]256x256[/highlight], it can be whatever you like a photo, an image you've made or just text on a background, remember it will end up small though so too much detail may be hard to see and if making an app for playsore be considerate of copyright laws etc..then save it.
2, Goto Android asset studio (that I asked you to bookmark in post 1) In your browser, and click the word 'image' near the top of the page, this will then give you the option of choosing an action . Navigate to the image you made in step 1 and pick it..
3, The Android asset studio page should now look like this, but obviously with your picture .
You can play about with the settings on the page if you like, but I just leave them the way they are.
4, Press the download zip button, this will then put the zip in your downloads folder, it will be called [highlight]ic_launcher.zip[/highlight].
For steps 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9, use your file explorer.
5, Go into your download folder and extract the [highlight]ic_launcher.zip[/highlight], once extracted open the folder which will be called [highlight]ic_launcher[/highlight] and then open the res folder and delete the [highlight]mipmap-xxxhdpi[/highlight] folder as this is not needed. Copy the other 4 '[highlight]mipmap[/highlight]' folders.
6, Navigate to your [highlight]sdcard[/highlight] then open your [highlight]Apktool[/highlight] folder, click on the [highlight]klwp.sample_SRC[/highlight] folder, select [highlight]res[/highlight] folder and paste the 4 '[highlight]mipmap[/highlight]' folders you copied, in there.
7, click on [highlight]mipmap-hdpi[/highlight] and copy [highlight]ic.launcher.png[/highlight], then go back into the [highlight]res[/highlight] folder and click on [highlight]drawable-hdpi[/highlight] folder then paste the image you just copied, you should get a prompt with options , choose overwrite.
8, Copy step 7 for the remaining 3 [highlight]mipmap[/highlight] folders, taking care to make sure you copy and paste/overwrite from and into the correct folders
9, Now delete the four [highlight]mipmap[/highlight] folders (not the drawable folders, which I did once and had to do the whole procedure over again ) and exit your file explorer..
Suggestion.
If you are planning to make ultra fast apk's as detailed in post#7, then use a default ic_launcher pic I.e.your avatar that way you can use the same launcher pics for all your apk's and can skip this post
Right, that's the boring bit over, Let's get to the cool geeky bit and start building ..​

Building your APK​
[highlight] Due to changes in the way that klwp saves your wallpapers or komponent you now need to rename your klwp/komp file with a .zip at the end either before or when you place them in the assets folder [/highlight]
Use your file explorer for step 1
1, Decide which [highlight]klwp zip/s[/highlight] (yes you can add more than one) you want to make into an apk, you can find these in your kustom/wallpaper folder, copy the one/s you want and navigate back to your [highlight]Apktool[/highlight] folder and select it, then click on [highlight]klwp.sample_src[/highlight] and then select the [highlight]assets[/highlight] folder, then select [highlight]wallpapers[/highlight] folder , paste the [highlight]klwp zip/s[/highlight] you copied here, (you will see a [highlight]read me[/highlight] file here also, it just tells you to put your wallpaper zips in this folder, [highlight]delete[/highlight] it), exit your file explorer.
2, Open [highlight]ApKTOOL[/highlight] app from your app drawer and navigate to [highlight]Apktool[/highlight] folder and click on it then click on [highlight]klwp.sample_src[/highlight] folder select [highlight]browse[/highlight]
your screen should now look like this.
3, Just to check you zip is in there click on [highlight] assets[/highlight], then click on [highlight]wallpapers[/highlight]
And your screen should look like this, with one or more zips (obviously your zip name will be different)
4, Navigate back to your [highlight]klwp.sample_src[/highlight] folder, then select [highlight]res[/highlight] folder then click on [highlight]values[/highlight] folder then click [highlight]strings.xml[/highlight], you will then be prompted to open with, pick the [highlight]droid edit[/highlight] app you downloaded from post#1.
Your screen should now look like this.
On this screen only edit (with your app name and description )what is written in WHITE, Using only text and numbers you may also use capital letters and spaces...like so..
If you delete anything else by accident, unless you know what your doing I suggest you exit droid editor and start from step 4 again.
Once edited press the little icon I've arrowed on the left of the option ribbon.
And press [highlight]save[/highlight]
5, Navigate back to your [highlight]klwp.sample_src[/highlight] folder, then click on [highlight]AndroidManifest.XML[/highlight], again you will receive a promt and again open with [highlight]droid edit[/highlight] and edit (with your app name ) ONLY what I've highlighted in next pic.Use lowercase text only and no spaces.
So it looks like this
Click on the little icon I arrowed earlier and press [highlight]save[/highlight]
6, Navigate back to your [highlight]Apktool[/highlight] folder and click on [highlight]klwp.sample_src[/highlight] folder, select [highlight]recompile[/highlight] if you have done everything correctly you should get a pop up that looks like this..:fingers-crossed:
Click OK.
7, you should now have an extra apk in your [highlight]Apktool[/highlight] folder called [highlight]klwp.sample_src.apk[/highlight] with ( if you have made one) your own launcher icon..
Click on your new [highlight]klwp.sample_src.apk[/highlight] and pick [highlight]sign[/highlight] you should then get a pop up like this..
Press OK
Then you will notice another apk in your [highlight]Apktool[/highlight] folder called [highlight]klwp.sample_src_sign.apk[/highlight] if you long press on this apk and select [highlight]rename[/highlight] you can then name it the name of your app but don't forget to leave the [highlight].apk[/highlight] on the end..(if you are using the apk for the play store, don't rename it yet this will happen in following posts). Like so..
if you want to go onto the next stage and make the apk play store ready, then keep the [highlight]klwp.sample_src.apk[/highlight] otherwise you can delete it.
8, you can now test your newly built apk by installing it, either by clicking on it now and selecting [highlight] install[/highlight] or installing it the usual way you install apk's, its also ready for you to share via your favorite cloud etc..
Note....
To make a komponent/s apk follow the same instructions from post#2 step 6 but instead use the [highlight]komp.sample.apk[/highlight]. (But obviously copy your komponent zip/s into the komponent folder in post#4 'building your apk, step 1.
Suggestions...
Do not delete the decompiled [highlight] klwp.sample_src[/highlight] folder as this can be used for making ultra fast apk's as detailed in post#7.
If you are planning to update your app then leave the finished apk in the [highlight]Apktool[/highlight] folder for ease of update (copy it somewhere else for backup if you want, though).

Making your apk play store ready.​
1, Using [highlight]ApKTOOL[/highlight] app, navigate to your [highlight]Apktool[/highlight] folder, click on it then select [highlight]klwp.sample_src.apk[/highlight] then from the menu list select [highlight]zipalign[/highlight]. You should get a pop up like this.
Click OK.
You should now have a [highlight]klwp.sample_src_zipalign.apk[/highlight] in your [highlight] Apktool[/highlight] folder, as below..
Exit [highlight]ApKTOOL[/highlight] app.
2, Open [highlight]zipsigner[/highlight] app from your app drawer, press the 3dot menu on top right of screen, select [highlight]my keys[/highlight] from the menu list then press the 3dot menu again and select [highlight]new keystore[/highlight] scroll to the bottom of the new page and click [highlight]continue[/highlight] and fill in the form like so..
Note.You can change the directory if you want but I use my internal storage (sdcard0) then after I have finished all the steps to register my keystore I find the keystore file on my sdcard0 and copy it to my sdcard1 (external storage/micro sd card) as a backup.
Click [highlight]continue[/highlight] then fill out the next page like so..
Obviously I have blacked out my key name/alias, it is 'cert' by default but you can change it if you like and for the key/verify passwords make sure you use the same one that you entered on the previous page, don't change anything else on this page unless you understand what it means. Press [highlight]continue[/highlight].
On the next page leave the defaults as they are (unless you know what your doing) and fill out the form as per the instructions (I just put my name and country code I.e.GB (GreatBritain). Close [highlight]zipsigner[/highlight] app.
3, Now we can sign your new apk...
Open [highlight]zipsigner[/highlight] app again, and press underneath the [highlight]key/mode[/highlight] option which will bring up a menu and amongst the options will be either [highlight]cert[/highlight] (if you didn't change your key name/alias) or your new key [highlight]name/alias[/highlight] (you may have to scroll the menu to find it. Then select it.
Next click [highlight]choose in/out[/highlight] this will bring up a page of folders select [highlight]Apktool/[/highlight] then select [highlight]klwp.sample_src_zipalign.apk[/highlight], your screen should now look something like this..
(I have blacked out the key/mode as its my alias and you may not have the word 'emulated' in your file names that's just a quirk of my old galaxy s3 i9300 I think )
Click [highlight]sign the file[/highlight], you will then get a pop up screen asking you to enter your keystore password, enter it and press OK. You should then get a toast message saying [highlight]file signing operation succeeded![/highlight]
Note...
For future apk's that you make you now have you keystore and can skip steps 1 and 2. :good:
4, last bit ......
Open [highlight]ApKTOOL[/highlight] app from your app drawer and navigate to your [highlight]Apktool[/highlight] folder and open it, you should now have an apk called [highlight]klwp.sample_src_zipalign_signed.apk[/highlight], like so...
Long press on the [highlight]klwp.sample_src_zipalign_signed.apk[/highlight] and select rename from the menu, then rename it the name of your apk remembering to leave the [highlight].apk[/highlight] on the end (and you can delete the other stage apk's now if you want, just long press on them and select [highlight]delete[/highlight])
like so...
[highlight] Your APK is now ready to publish to the Play Store.[/highlight]
[highlight]Voilà [/highlight]
Suggestion...
If you are planning to update your play store app then leave the finished apk in the [highlight]Apktool[/highlight] folder for ease of update (copy it somewhere else for backup if you want, though).
Important notice
If you are publishing to the play store and you are using other people's klwp or komponent ,as is or altered,
Please ask for thier consent first ....
Especially if you are publishing it as a PAID app.​

How to update app version for Play store.​
1, Using [highlight]ApKTOOL[/highlight] app, navigate to your [highlight]Apktool[/highlight] folder, click on it then select the 'play store'.apk you wish to update, mines called taxi (obviously yours will be different so from now on certain folders I reference I will write 'your app name') click on it and select [highlight]decompile resources[/highlight] and wait for it to do its thing...you then should get a pop up like this...
Click OK.
You should now have a new folder called [highlight]'your app name'_src[/highlight] like so...
Use your file explorer for step 2.
2, Depending on what you are updating....
If you're adding a [highlight]klwp.Zip/s[/highlight] to a collection then copy the extra [highlight]klwp.Zip/s[/highlight] you want to add from [highlight]kustom/wallpaper folder[/highlight] then goto [highlight]Apktool[/highlight] folder then click on [highlight]'your app name'_src[/highlight] then [highlight]assets[/highlight] select [highlight]wallpapers[/highlight] and paste the [highlight]klwp.zip/s[/highlight] here.
If you are updating an existing [highlight]klwp.zip[/highlight], then firstly goto [highlight]Apktool[/highlight] folder then click on [highlight]'your app name'_src[/highlight] then [highlight]assets[/highlight] select [highlight]wallpapers[/highlight] and delete the [highlight]klwp.zip[/highlight] already there, then copy your updated zip from [highlight]kustom/wallpaper folder[/highlight], navigate back to [highlight]Apktool[/highlight] folder then click on [highlight]'your app name'_src[/highlight] then [highlight]assets[/highlight] select [highlight]wallpapers[/highlight] and paste the updated [highlight]klwp.zip[/highlight] here.
Exit file explorer.
3, Open [highlight]ApKTOOL[/highlight] app again from your app drawer and navigate to [highlight]Apktool[/highlight] folder and click on it, then select [highlight]'your app name'_src[/highlight] folder and from the pop up select [highlight]browse [/highlight].
(You can check if your zips are in the assets/wallpapers folder if you want)
Click on [highlight]apktool.yml[/highlight] file. Open with [highlight]droid edit[/highlight] app, then this should be on your screen.
4, Edit the [highlight]version code[/highlight] to [highlight]2[/highlight] and edit the [highlight]version name[/highlight] to [highlight]1.1[/highlight] as highlighted below.
Any further versions will be increments of 1 also I.e. 3 & 1.2 etc
Now press the little icon arrowed in post#4 and press [highlight]save[/highlight]. Exit [highlight]droid edit[/highlight] app.
5, Open [highlight]ApKTOOL[/highlight] app again from your app drawer and navigate to [highlight]Apktool[/highlight] folder then click on [highlight]'your app name'_src[/highlight] then click [highlight]recompile[/highlight]. You will now have a folder called [highlight]'your app name_src.apk[/highlight], click on this folder and select [highlight]zipalign[/highlight], you will now have a folder called [highlight]'your app name'_src_zipalign.apk[/highlight]
6, now open [highlight]zipsigner[/highlight] app and press the [highlight]choose in/out [/highlight] button and select the [highlight]'your app name'_src_zipalign.apk[/highlight] then press [highlight]sign the file[/highlight] (your key mode should still be the same as previously used I.e cert or your own alias) and enter your keystore password.
Exit [highlight]zipsigner [/highlight] app.
7, Open [highlight]ApKTOOL[/highlight] app again from your app drawer and navigate to [highlight]Apktool[/highlight] folder then click on it.
You should now have a [highlight]'your app name'_src_zipalign-signed.apk[/highlight], like so.
Now you can delete [highlight]'your app name'_src.apk[/highlight] and [highlight]'your app name'_src_zipalign.apk[/highlight], and also the [highlight]'your app name'_src[/highlight] folder, by long pressing on them and selecting delete.
Lastly long press on the [highlight]'your app name'_src_zipalign-signed.apk[/highlight] select [highlight]rename[/highlight] and rename it [highlight]'your app name' V1.1.apk[/highlight]
[highlight] Your updated APK is now ready to publish to the Play Store.[/highlight]
And Hey-presto..

Make personal apk's ultra fast!​
Now everthings set up we can make personal apk's I.e to share via cloud (not play store) by just changing zips and XML's.
Using your file explorer for step 1.
1, You should already have a decompiled [highlight]klwp.sample_src[/highlight] folder in your Apktool folder as per suggestion at the end of post#4.
Copy which kustom wallpaper you wish to apk next, from kustom/wallpaper folder. Navigate to [highlight]Apktool[/highlight] folder,open it then click on [highlight]klwp.sample_src[/highlight] folder, then [highlight]assets[/highlight], then click on [highlight]wallpapers [/highlight] and paste your copied wallpaper here, then [highlight]delete[/highlight] the previous wall (unless you wish to keep it in the apk)
Exit file explorer.
2, Open [highlight]ApkTOOL[/highlight] app and navigate to [highlight]Apktool[/highlight] folder, open it and click on [highlight]klwp.sample_src[/highlight] folder and select [highlight]browse[/highlight], then click on [highlight]res[/highlight] then [highlight]values[/highlight] then click on [highlight]strings.xml[/highlight] and open with [highlight]droid edit[/highlight].
3, Edit the names you have previously used to your new name, only using upper/lower case letters and also spaces (as per highlighted pic)
Now press the little icon arrowed in post#4 and press [highlight]save[/highlight]. Exit [highlight]droid edit[/highlight] app.
4, Navigate back to [highlight]klwp.sample_src[/highlight] and select [highlight]AndroidManifest.xml[/highlight] and open with [highlight]droid edit[/highlight] app and edit to your new app name, only using lower case letters with no spaces (as per highlighted pic)
Again press the little icon arrowed in post#4 and press [highlight]save[/highlight]. Exit [highlight]droid edit[/highlight] app.
5, Open [highlight]ApkTOOL[/highlight] app and navigate to [highlight]Apktool[/highlight] folder and click on it. Then click on the [highlight]klwp.sample_src[/highlight] folder and select [highlight]recompile[/highlight] from the pop up list, and wait for a few seconds for it to recompile, and if you've done everything correctly you should get a pop up like this..
Press OK.
6, Now you should have an extra apk in your [highlight]Apktool[/highlight] folder called [highlight]klwp.sample_src.apk[/highlight], click on this and select [highlight]sign[/highlight] from the pop up list and click OK on the next pop up .
7, Now you will have another apk in your [highlight]Apktool[/highlight] folder called [highlight]klwp.sample_src_sign.apk[/highlight], long press on it and select [highlight]rename[/highlight], then rename it to your new app name.
You now have your new apk ready for sharing via your favorite cloud etc.
Delete the [highlight]klwp.sample_src.apk[/highlight] now as its no longer needed.
So to summarize your ultra fast apk build
Transfer new klwp zip/s
Edit strings.xml
Edit AndroidManifest.xml
Sign
Rename
Done :victory:

Reserved

Reserved one more

Might as well reserve this one also :laugh:

First! Ha, moved here and if any more assistance is needed, just ping JJD. Thanks and great job here.

Judge Joseph Dredd said:
First! Ha, moved here and if any more assistance is needed, just ping JJD. Thanks and great job here.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
:laugh: Thank you JJD , and be sure I'll take you up on your offer if needed :good:

Awesome! That's some impressive detailed job.. Well done and thanks for sharing it with us.
Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk

BRKotucs said:
Awesome! That's some impressive detailed job.. Well done and thanks for sharing it with us.
Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you , for you great response:highfive: and your very welcome.:good:
And when you've created your first apk using this method please don't forget to report on your success on the thread. :good:

Awesome tut for noobs and pro's. Subscribed to this thread... ?
Gesendet von meinem LG-D802 mit Tapatalk

Awesome!
What a great source for reference this is, as well as one of the best tutorials I have come across! Great job buddy.

Steve, corkin Matey, love your writing style, and thank you for the Playstore signing guide. And yes I will continue to help if needed ?
ⓐⓝⓓⓡⓞⓒⓛⓓⓔ ⓘⓢ ⓝⓞⓣ ⓐ ⓢⓘⓝ

Matze060906 said:
Awesome tut for noobs and pro's. Subscribed to this thread... ?
Gesendet von meinem LG-D802 mit Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
phonefixguy said:
What a great source for reference this is, as well as one of the best tutorials I have come across! Great job buddy.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you both for your great comments , its appreciated :good:

plegdroid said:
Steve, corkin Matey, love your writing style, and thank you for the Playstore signing guide. And yes I will continue to help if needed ?
ⓐⓝⓓⓡⓞⓒⓛⓓⓔ ⓘⓢ ⓝⓞⓣ ⓐ ⓢⓘⓝ
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Cheers Pete, your comments mean a lot..
Your welcome (play store signing)
And I suspect yours and @rkucheran 's tech help is gonna come in useful as you've both been using this method far longer than me.
Thanks again mate :good:

Right, so ive spotted my first (and hopefully only) mistake. I've updated post#4 'building your apk', instruction number 1, where I ask you to paste your copied wallpaper zips into your asset folder , there is an extra step and very important copy the zips into the wallpaper folder within the assets folder....
Sorry about that....