Hey everybody!
Today I'm gonna share something interesting I learned modding the Pixel Launcher Icons which is preloaded on the Pixel devices and has a few rounded icons applied to the Pixel Launcher.
For long the only solution for applying custom icons to a stock launcher, usually Google Launchers was Xposed. But all of that is over with the Pixel Launcher. See the launcher, when it sets up its SQLite databases, looks for icons that the OEM, in this case Google, wants to override. How does it do that? Well, Pixel Launcher Icons has a list of apps and drawables or icons assigned to them, and it sort of lets Pixel Launcher use them as icons for the apps. We're gonna do some modding and change it up a little. What you're gonna need is simple:
REQUIREMENTS:
1- A valid version of the Pixel Launcher Icons(com.google.android.nexusicons), since it supports android 7.1(API 25) only, but some devs managed to port it for android 5.0+, so please google that first
2- APKTOOL and its requirements
3- A set of icons, or in this case an icon pack which contains icons for all of your apps(There are a bunch of those online, doesn't matter which launcher or system it is for)
Now this can be done two ways, I'm gonna show you the best one, but a tricky one first, and then I'll post the second tutorial which is easier to do, but a bit unstable:
Tutorial 1:
First what you're gonna do is decompile the Pixel Launcher Icons apk you downloaded
Code:
apktool d PixelLauncherIcons.apk
Then navigate to PixelLauncherIcons folder which was generated afterwards and go to res
Delete all the mipmap-**** folders except for mipmap-xxxhdpi-v4 and then rename it to mipmap-nodpi, this essentially makes it way easier for you to add icons.
Then open the icon pack you downloaded with 7-Zip or any other archive viewer and go to res and find the directory with the largest size, which obviously is the only with the icons. Extract that directory and find the suitable icons you want for your apps and rename them to ic_*appname* , like ic_adm, or ic_facebook
The name of the icon file can be anything you want it to be, but it's neater to rename them this way. Then just copy the icons you found and renamed to mipmap-nodpi.
Then comes the tricky part.
You want to go to res/xml/ and open icons.xml
Then you see just a few lines of xml tags. Each tag represents an app which is shown by it's package name and launch-able activity name and it's drawable icon which is the same as the icon files.
You just have to write each line exactly like it is written for the rest of the apps and just replace the package name and drawable with the suitable ones. Like here's how I gave Greenify and IMDB each a good round icon:
Code:
<item component="com.oasisfeng.greenify/com.oasisfeng.greenify.GreenifyActivity" drawable="@mipmap/ic_greenify" />
<item component="com.imdb.mobile/com.imdb.mobile.HomeActivity" drawable="@mipmap/ic_imdb" />
The Package name is easy to figure out, just google them and if they're on play store, open up their play store page on your pc and you can see the Package Name in the url, or you could use quickshortcutmaker or MyAppSharer and some other Backup apps. The tricky part is finding the LAUNCHABLE activity name or the main activity from the package name. Like whichever way you go you can find out in seconds that IMDB's package name is com.imdb.mobile, but how do you figure out what imdb's Main activity name is? Use this command with ADB:
Code:
adb shell "cmd package resolve-activity --brief packagename | tail -n 1"
For example:
Code:
adb shell "cmd package resolve-activity --brief com.imdb.mobile | tail -n 1"
and it will show you:
Code:
.HomeActivity
which if like in this case, it types a dot first, and doesn't start with the package name, you should add the package name before the dot yourself and then place it in the zip.
After you do this, and I know, it can be really hard especially if you have a lot of apps installed and they're all "out of shape" , but if you want a kick-ass icon pack for your phone, or maybe even custom rom, this is the way.
After adding those stuff and saving icons.xml, you need to recompile
Code:
apktool b PixelLauncheIcons
BUT sign it yourself, and not with its original signature. So go ahead and google on how to manually sign an APK after recomipling it with APKTOOL.
Then just push it to /system/app/PixelLauncherIcons/PixelLauncherIcons.apk and set the correct permissions if you do it manually.
Reboot and then go to Settings and clear the app data for Pixel Launcher, and ENJOY!
NOTE that apps that target android 7.1 or higher meaning they are compiled with API 25 or more, if they're not round, they will never be, which means that in order to change them, you need to modify the pixel launcher. Check this article for more details:
https://sirhydarnes.com/projects/10-my-version-of-the-pixel-launcher
Screenshots are attached below.
Tutorial 2:
The first tutorial works for almost every app, but in my experience, it doesn't apply the new icons to some apps, like VNC Viewer, Google Allo, Snapseed, etc. That is because the Launcher fails to load those icons, but no matter how hard I tried, it always fails. So the key here is to change them in another way which requires ROOT and access to /data.
So first, go to the following path
Code:
/data/data/com.google.android.apps.nexuslauncher/databases/
and pull the file "app_icons.db"
copy it to your PC and install the application "DB Browser for SQLite"
Open DB Browser and use it to open app_icons.db and browse the table "icons".
There you can not only change the app icons, but the app names as well!!
First things first, sort the table by app name(label).
Then for each app that you need the icon changed, just click on its row, and then icon cell(value is BLOB) and on the right side, you can import a new icon(click apply each time you import).
And then just Write Changes to the file.
After that, copy the app_icon.db to your device(if it fails, use adb push) and then replace it with the one in
Code:
/data/data/com.google.android.apps.nexuslauncher/databases/
and set the permissions to rw-rw---- and go to settings, apps and force stop Pixel Launcher. Then just tap home and enjoy!
Edit- Procedure 2 Works fine. Thanks!!!!
Edit 3: ScreenShots Attached!! Perfect. You completed my last remaining wish :highfive::good::victory:
d3xt3r said:
Edit- Procedure 2 Works fine. Thanks!!!!
Edit 3: ScreenShots Attached!! Perfect. You completed my last remaining wish :highfive::good::victory:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Please post moaded apk file
Tutorial 2 Not Work for me
Hello, I've followed tutorial 2 steps but it still not working. I extract the file back and check by extracting the icon shows I changed it. But in launcher the icon remain same. Please help me.
I like the Pixel launcher (I have AmirZ's version running on my LG G6), but I would like icons a bit more unique, given the bigger than normal size of the icons.
Hi everyone one I found "com.google.android.nexusicons"
In data/data
But when I open the folder I can find "com.google.andeoid.nexusicons/databases", all what I found is two empty folders : "cache", "code_cache".
Can anyone one help please, and thanks for help!
mikesherry said:
same issue, please assist
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I found a solution : the right path dude (hopefully) is "/data/data/com.google.android.apps.nexuslauncher"
@op any chance of updating your version of the Pixel Launcher and Round Icons to the newest version from 8.0 Oreo??
Using a moto z play for a while after my 6p battery poop. Looking up mods/Roms for my Pixel XL received as replacement returns a lot of posts about how dev isn't what it once was... This OP has thirty something likes??? The f()ck man. THATs the problem with Dev nowadays. Suppose I'm spoiled having the Dinc as my first Android...
About method 1 why not making an XML each user could download, edit adding its own and so on?
Sent from my OnePlus One using XDA Labs
SirHydarnes said:
and pull the file "app_icons.db"
copy it to your PC and install the application "DB Browser for SQLite"
Open DB Browser and use it to open app_icons.db and browse the table "icons".
There you can not only change the app icons, but the app names as well!!
First things first, sort the table by app name(label).
Then for each app that you need the icon changed, just click on its row, and then icon cell(value is BLOB) and on the right side, you can import a new icon(click apply each time you import).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Now you can edit icons using this new SQLite database editor directly from your phone. Just use SqlitePrime. It supports blob data up to 1 MB. You can view, delete, import and export icons.
vovasoft said:
Now you can edit icons using this new SQLite database editor directly from your phone. Just use SqlitePrime. It supports blob data up to 1 MB. You can view, delete, import and export icons.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
To insert the new icon for the blob, would you click on the three dots and choose insert new blob?
There seems to be no option to import image like the attached picture in the OP.
Thanks
djide said:
To insert the new icon for the blob, would you click on the three dots and choose insert new blob?
There seems to be no option to import image like the attached picture in the OP.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Exactly, You click on the three dots and choose insert new blob. Then you select your icon.
The insert new blob option is generic, you can use it to insert any file. I didn't want to create a menu for every existing file type.
Let me know if it works for icons. I didn't have the chance to try it yet.
Tutoerial 2 Works but with flaws
Thanks for guide, Tutorial 2 is working fine on Xiaomi phones running miui 9 stable, but the problem which i faced was first setting permission to rw-rw---- dosen't change the icons, infact rw-rw-rw dose the trick. so anyone interseted can follow this trick.
The problem is once the app is updated it reverts to original icon. so i will go ahead with tutorial 1.
Anubandh said:
setting permission to rw-rw---- dosen't change the icons, infact rw-rw-rw dose the trick. so anyone interseted can follow this trick.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
100% confirm this.
setting permissions to 666 [rw-rw-rw] does the trick.
own an OP2 with latest Pixel Experience 8.1 based.
(tutorial 1). I think it doesn't work for Pixel 2 launcher (8.1)
although, it's installed well but icon not changing!
is there a way to get it work on pixel 2 launcher??
xehed said:
(tutorial 1). I think it doesn't work for Pixel 2 launcher (8.1)
although, it's installed well but icon not changing!
is there a way to get it work on pixel 2 launcher??
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Same here,Going to try on old pixel launcher.
Edit:
I tried with com.google.android.apps.nexuslauncher_7.1.1-3624681-150_minAPI21(nodpi).apk & com.google.android.apps.nexuslauncher_7.1.1-3862848-151_minAPI21(nodpi).apk and it partially worked. Just 2 icon changed i both cases (camera & inbox).
Related
so this is my first attempt on creating adw theme from the directions given here but here is the problem:
ok so to start off i have downloaded the tools in the android-sdk
set up eclipse and have all the resources the need.
i start a new android project and choose to start from existing source and choose the adw template, but then in the window on the top it says : '! The API level for the selected SDK target does not match the min SDK version'
Ignoring that caution and go ahead starting the project choosing Android 2.2 Build target.
Now the problem starts here, when i go in file explorer and navigate to src/x.x.x to rename the package to what i want it in the anroid manifest, it gives me errors in the main.java (the file inside src/x/x/x)
When i open the java file it has 'x' on some strings in the right area and has errors in Mains/Icon Adapter on 4 strings.
I try to rename the folders the readme tells me to, i right click on x.x.x and refractor>rename, write the name i want it to be but errors errors errors and thats only step 2 of the process! ive been trying for 2 hours now and cant get it to work, ill go insane, im new to developing so help will be appreciated a lot
Here's what I normally do:
1. Import the package from existing source (Ignore the caution, it's not important).
2. Open the Android Manifest.xml and change the package name )In my case I rename it com.jaguirre.blah).
3. Now click the 'src' folder. Right-click > Refractor > Rename > Name it the same thing that you put in the manifest.
4. Now open the main.java. At the top it should say something like:
Code:
package com.jaguirre.blah;
If it doesn't say that, make it say "package <package you put in manifest>;"
And then mine is normally fine after that.
Thanks I'll try that, and I love your sense launcher, using it right now
Might make a theme based on it
EDIT: ok i looked into the strings and all of them had 1 thing in common is that they all had @overide before it started while other strings didnt, so i removed the @overide and voila, no errors!
JAguirre1231 said:
Here's what I normally do:
1. Import the package from existing source (Ignore the caution, it's not important).
2. Open the Android Manifest.xml and change the package name )In my case I rename it com.jaguirre.blah).
3. Now click the 'src' folder. Right-click > Refractor > Rename > Name it the same thing that you put in the manifest.
4. Now open the main.java. At the top it should say something like:
Code:
import package com.jaguirre.blah;
If it doesn't say that, make it say "package <package you put in manifest>;"
And then mine is normally fine after that.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
ok just tried, everything is there as it says but is main.java theres a cross by icon adapter under main and has a cross all on the get strings, whats wrong with this crap!
bump. im in the same boat, trying to get any theme example to work, and having same issues.
webstar1 said:
ok just tried, everything is there as it says but is main.java theres a cross by icon adapter under main and has a cross all on the get strings, whats wrong with this crap!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Having the same problems . Can someone please help us, I spent much effort drawing my custom icons, and I'm not going to just give up yet.
All mods are at the bottom of this post.
Here is a simple way to change system icons on your application drawer. I was looking for a guide to do this but I couldn't find any so I gave it a try and it worked. So I decided to post the method here for like minded people who wanted to change the system icons in their app drawer and not only on the homescreen.
I will show an example of changing the contacts icon. To change the icons of some other app you just have to pull the relevant apk. I know this looks long and tiresome but bear with me and the results will amaze you. After a few times it becomes really easyYou have to be rooted to do this
A couple of things to note
a. You can change icons in framework-res.apk, SystemUI.apk or any other apk this way too.
b. Please note that the icons you replace should be of the same dimensions.
c. The specific icons name inside the drawable_hdpi might change. Sometimes its icon.png. Sometimes its ic_launcher_XYZ. Just use your head and replace the correct png.
d. The files are located either in system/app or data/app depending on whether its a system file or a data file. System files have to be pushed. Data files have to be installed.
Changing Icons works for all ROMS
1. Download android-sdk from here http://developer.android.com/sdk/index.html
2. Install all libraries.
3. Install jdk from here http://www.oracle.com/technetwork/java/javase/downloads/index.html
Make sure you download jdk and not just jre.
4. Download apk manager from here http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=695701
5. extract apk manager inside platform-tools inside android-sdk folder. Should be something like this
C:/Android-sdk/windows/platform-tools/("extract apk manager here")
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6. Open cmd
7. Navigate to the platform-tools folder. (Simple DOS commands)
8. Do "adb pull /system/app/HtcContacts.apk" (-Do this without the quotes. If you want to change the icon for, lets say the camera, then instead of HtcContacts.apk, type HTCCamera.apk. To see all the system files just navigate to system/app on your phone using es file explorer or root explorer or any other file explorer you fancy. You can see all the system apks and you can pull anyone you want)
9. Ok so now the HtcContacts.apk should be in the platform-tools folder. Paste it into the folder "place apk here for modding".
10. Start script.bat (apk manager) from the platform-tools folder.
11. Choose option 22 to select a project
12. Choose the number of the project. In this case it would be 1.
13. Choose one again on the next screen. This will extract the apk to the projects folder.
14. Now get to the folder res/drawable-hdpi/ on your windows explorer.
15. Replace people.png with the icon of your choice. Please remember that your new icon has to be of 72x72 dimension and should have the same name. You can also replace other pngs like dialer and stuff.
(Next step is only for system files)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
16. Select option 3 on the apk manager cmd
17. Now select 8. This is a system apk and so we have to retain the system signature.
18. Enter the full path of the file ( system/app/HtcContacts.apk)
Follow these steps for data files
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
19. Select 7.
20. Wait for install.
Here are my mods. Please note that I have not made these icons and tweaks. I have just put them all together in one place. If you want to give any credit then please follow the developers.
These are designed for sense based Roms. Please DO NOT try with any other rom. Just download and push to system/framework/framework-res.apk. Please note : This is for the older sense (sense 2.0) Do not try with newer sense.
To get transparency you have to use this file -- Transparency Hack -- through metamorph. I will make this into a flashable zip once I understand how to do that.
App icons are from Tenuis theme - Images
My framework-res
Screenshot - http://img600.imageshack.us/img600/9167/snap20110125163003.png
Download
System Icons Zip
http://dl.dropbox.com/u/18171691/Mms.apk
Hello,i just use Bettercut.apk available from market .
Marcdu81 said:
Hello,i just use Bettercut.apk available from market .
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi I dont use bettercut but does it let you change the system icons in the app drawer. you know the drawer that comes up when you press the menu on the launcher???
Edit: OK i just tried bettercut. Using this you cannot change system icons in the app drawer. You are only changing icons on the homescreen, basically shortcuts. You could do that with launcherpro, desktop visualizer and 10 other apps.
CREDITS
CREDITS
MultiCulti for giving me the idea to get the services.jar for transparency
Icons from MIUI framework
Icons from Gingerbread aosp ROM
sopL87 for his guide
he_stheone64 for his awesome transparency hack
Ps. tell me if I have forgotten to credit anyone and I will add your name here. Thanks to all of the above for inspiring and helping.
Good work
Check this out too:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=10157000
Simple Java app to edit .apk files with a nice GUI
You're Just Awesome THNX man !
Nice guide
Ninjamorph lets you edit and change out images within apk files right on your phone. Its a free app on the market.
Still a very nice guide though!
thanks .. i was just looking to put up something which you could use to edit any apk on your phone .. the thing with ninjamorph is that it wasn't working for me. And plus I prefer to do it this way. Gives me more area.
EDIT: Anyone wants to see an MIUI framework on your sense?? I am thinking about getting the exact MIUI framework over to our sense based ROMs. As you can see in my framework I have already copied some of the elements. I am thinking about getting the power toggles and removing the current apps from the notification pulldown.
hi could u help me to change the battery icon plzzzz
i know about kitchen. any thing else i have some pic of a battery icon but dont know how to make one..... htc desire hd rom runny 3.37
Can't extract file
I tried to put option 22 where project start. Then I enter the project name as 1 and following another option 1 to extract files. However, the CMD just close by itself and I opened the project file and still empty inside. Please help!!
Let's face it, Swype is ugly and there are not many HVGA themes out there, so I made a Gingerbread-inspired HVGA Swype theme for our Arias.
First off, I am greatly indebted to Marurban, who set me on the right path, as well as provided the inspiration in this thread:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=930306
But I want to emphasize, all images in this theme are 100% created by me.
Installation is a little complicated and is pretty much the same as for Marurban's theme.
Stuff needed:
apk manager (http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=695701)
ADB pull your Swype from /data/app/
HxD if you want to modify the color of the tracer line (http://mh-nexus.de/en/hxd/)
Swype GB theme files (attached -- download and unzip)
How to:
in apk manager, place Swype apk into folder place-apk-here-for-modding
run Script.bat
choose 19 (-Select compression level for apks-)
choose 0 for compression level
choose 22 (-Set current project-)
choose the number corresponding to your Swype file
choose 9 (-Decompile apk-)
go into apkmanager > projects > [app folder name] > assets > keyboards and overwrite Swype keyboard PNGs with themed files.
go into apkmanager > projects > [app folder name] > res > drawable and overwrite Swype horizontal selection highlight files with themed files. (these are for landscape mode word suggestions -- see screenshot#5)
go into apkmanager > projects > [app folder name] > res > drawable-hdpi and overwrite Swype voice input files with themed files. (see screenshot#4)
if you want to change the color of the Swype trail:
go into apkmanager > projects > [app folder name] > lib > armeabi
open libSwypeCore.so in HxD
CTRL+F (search) for DD A2 5B
find a color you want to use and note it's HEX value. (IIRC, I used #ffba00)
switch values around so that it is B-G-R (mine would be 00 BA FF)
replace values and save
a .bak file will be created in the directory -- delete it
when you are finished with all mods, go back to console window and choose 11 (-Compile apk-)
choose Y (-is this a system apk-)
followed by N (-would you like to copy over any additional files-)
choose 12 to sign your apk
signed apk is in place-apk-here-for-modding folder
uninstall your previous version of Swype before installing this one!
License It:
If you just start using Swype, it will only let you tap type and will say "Swype is not configured for this device," IIRC.
License your modded Swype by running the Swype Installer app. It will guide you through the steps and generate a license.
Enjoy!
Dealing with Swype updates
I'm glad so many people are trying out my theme! Apologies to those that are having problems--I have been busy and not been able to update this thread recently.
So, some people are having problems as of the new Swype Installer (1.1.20186) and Swype version (2.29...)
If you have applied my theme to a previous Swype version, and try to license it via the Swype Installer (after flashing a ROM, for instance), you will run into problems when the installer updates itself, and consequently fails to generate a license for your old version of Swype.
To fix this:
uninstall any versions of Swype you may have, themed or not.
download and install the newest official Swype from the installer (installer may want to update itself first)
ADB pull Swype and apply the theme as above
uninstall the official Swype
install the themed Swype (via sideloading, DropBox, or whatever)
license it, as above
Just to clarify, you won't have to do this every time Swype releases a new beta. But you will have to do this workaround whenever you try to theme the lastest Swype. Seems the Swype Installer only recognizes the latest and greatest, and will fail to license prior versions of Swype.
Here is the Swype beta changelog for the recent update:
http://forum.swype.com/showthread.php?2865-Swype-BETA-for-Android-UPDATE-March-2011
this is pretty cool. good jorb!
Can someone just Make an apk and post please?
Sent from my Liberty using XDA App
Javi97100 said:
Can someone just Make an apk and post please?
Sent from my Liberty using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Its not allowed.
Sent from my cm7 Aria using XDA App
Yeah, but if someone wanted to help me make a flashable update.zip, that would be cool.
From the screenies it appears the popup word suggestion box also behaves as it does in the regular GB keyboard (across the top of the keys, rather than the vertical box in regular swype). Is this actually the case, and if so, does it behave like this in portrait as well as landscape?
Either way, excellent work - now I have a little project for tonight
Edit: Tried to work through your steps on my linux machine: The APKManager script I am getting (not sure if this is due to linux vs. windows discrepancy, or being a different version for Linux, or both) only 17 options for selection. This means options 19 and 22 (steps 3 and 5) in your instructions are unavailable to me. Could you please post the text related to those options in the script so I can determine the correct options in linux? Unfortunately I don't have a windows box available to play with right now.
Thanks.
Think I'll take a WAG at it in the meantime though...wish me luck.
Edit 2: I think I have it mostly working - can't figure out how to get APKmanager to find java on my linux machine to get it to sign the zipped apk. Not sure what I need to add to the path for it to be found. Out of time screwing around at work now...will be back at it later maybe.
dandrumheller said:
From the screenies it appears the popup word suggestion box also behaves as it does in the regular GB keyboard (across the top of the keys, rather than the vertical box in regular swype). Is this actually the case, and if so, does it behave like this in portrait as well as landscape?
Either way, excellent work - now I have a little project for tonight
Edit: Tried to work through your steps on my linux machine: The APKManager script I am getting (not sure if this is due to linux vs. windows discrepancy, or being a different version for Linux, or both) only 17 options for selection. This means options 19 and 22 (steps 3 and 5) in your instructions are unavailable to me. Could you please post the text related to those options in the script so I can determine the correct options in linux? Unfortunately I don't have a windows box available to play with right now.
Thanks.
Think I'll take a WAG at it in the meantime though...wish me luck.
Edit 2: I think I have it mostly working - can't figure out how to get APKmanager to find java on my linux machine to get it to sign the zipped apk. Not sure what I need to add to the path for it to be found. Out of time screwing around at work now...will be back at it later maybe.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Glad you're trying it out.
#19 is set compression level for .zips and you want it to be 0. #22 is choose current project, and you just want to navigate to the Swype file (in case you have a bunch of other APKs you are working on. Later, when I am on my PC, I will transcribe the more detailed text choices and edit first post.
Also, I should have put in a screenshot of the word choice window. Swype functionality is 100% the same as normal. In landscape you get the bar atop the keyboard, and in portrait, you get the squareish pop-up. I made the pop-up grey so it looks good with the theme, but it's still there.
stone_ship said:
Glad you're trying it out.
#19 is set compression level for .zips and you want it to be 0. #22 is choose current project, and you just want to navigate to the Swype file (in case you have a bunch of other APKs you are working on. Later, when I am on my PC, I will transcribe the more detailed text choices and edit first post.
Also, I should have put in a screenshot of the word choice window. Swype functionality is 100% the same as normal. In landscape you get the bar atop the keyboard, and in portrait, you get the squareish pop-up. I made the pop-up grey so it looks good with the theme, but it's still there.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for getting back to me. Neither of those options exist in the linux version of apk manager (or I don't know how to find them if they do). I'm going to guess I'll be ok once I figure out the java/path issue.
Thanks.
Sent from my Liberty using Tapatalk
Thanks
stone_ship said:
Let's face it, Swype is ugly and there are not many HVGA themes out there, so I made a Gingerbread-inspired HVGA Swype theme for our Arias.
First off, I am greatly indebted to Marurban, who set me on the right path, as well as provided the inspiration in this thread:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=930306
But I want to emphasize, all images in this theme are 100% created by me.
Installation is a little complicated and is pretty much the same as for Marurban's theme.
Stuff needed:
1. apk manager (http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=695701)
2. ADB pull your Swype from data/app
3. HxD if you want to modify the color of the tracer line (http://mh-nexus.de/en/hxd/)
4. Swype GB theme files (attached -- download and unzip)
How to:
1. in apk manager, place Swype apk into folder place-apk-here-for-modding
2. run Script.bat
3. choose 19
4. choose 0 for compression level
5. choose 22
6. choose your apk for current project
7. choose 9 to decompile
8. go into apkmanager > projects > [app folder name] > assets > keyboards and overwrite Swype keyboard PNGs with themed files.
9. go into apkmanager > projects > [app folder name] > res > drawable and overwrite Swype horizontal selection highlight files with themed files. (these are for landscape mode word suggestions -- see screenshot#4)
10. if you want to change the color of the Swype trail:
a. go into apkmanager > projects > [app folder name] > lib > armeabi
b. open libSwypeCore.so in HxD
c. CTRL+F (search) for DD A2 5B
d. find a color you want to use and note it's HEX value. (IIRC, I used #ffba00)
e. switch values around so that it is B-G-R (mine would be 00 BA FF)
f. replace values and save
g. a .bak file will be created in the directory -- delete it
11. when you are finished with all mods, go back to console window and choose 11 (compile)
12. choose Y, followed by N
13. choose 12 to sign your apk
14. signed apk is in place-apk-here-for-modding folder
15. uninstall your previous version of Swype before installing this one!
License It:
1. If you just start using Swype, it will only let you tap type and will say "Swype is not configured for this device," IIRC.
2. License your modded Swype by running the Swype Installer app. It will guide you through the steps and generate a license.
3. Enjoy!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have never used ANY of these programs, and was able to follow this tut 100%. Thanks
This is gorgeous! Can you build a WVGA version? Would love it for my DInc.
Love swype and now even more so, thanks.....
nerdBrain said:
This is gorgeous! Can you build a WVGA version? Would love it for my DInc.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
this one by Marurban is pretty similar and has a WVGA. For now, it's just going to be HVGA. You big screened people get all the good themes and such anyway
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=930306
Thanks. I actually knew about that one...I just think yours looks better . Let me know if you change your mind.
I used Root Explorer to find the name of the Swype app to pull in ADB (com.swype.android.inputmethod-1.apk). However, when I issue the adb pull command, it can't find it.
This is what I get:
C:\android>adb pull data/app/com.swype.android.inputmethod-1.apk c:\android\
remote object 'data/app/com.swype.android.inputmethod-1.apk' does not exist
What am I doing wrong?
I ended up using Root Explorer to copy the APK to the SD card, then followed all the steps from there. However, after compiling the new signed APK, the file size is way off - does that matter? Original file is 2,266KB, New file is 1,911KB. When I try to license the new one it says Registration of Swype failed. Rebooted and tried again with same result.
No help? Anyone...?
911jason said:
No help? Anyone...?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I haven't had a chance to get back to troubleshooting my linux issues with getting this done, but wanted to mention there is a new version of swype installer available through the beta program - you might want to give that a shot for licensing if you haven't yet...
Sent from my Liberty using Tapatalk
(then)
i believe it should start out "C:/Android/tools>adb pull. . .after that im confused on where to have it pulled to, since it keeps giving me the "it does not exist crap"
No, I've added adb to my environmental variables so I don't have to be in the tools folder to use the adb command. It works from any location.
Hello A little while ago I managed to learn how to theme totally from scratch. I knew nothing of anything before I started, but now I know how to port themes As I still see myself as a n00b there may be some weird things I've done, but at least I manage to create the themes This might not be the best way to theme, or the easiest, but it works
Overview PNGS
1) Getting the files
2) Getting the images
3) Port
4) Package and Sign
The only programs I've used is 7zip and autosigner download them and install 7zip and extract autosigner to a nice location for example your desktop
Getting the files
The first you need to do (after getting the programs) is to find the file you will mod (edit). This will mostly be the framework-res.apk because this decides most of looks of phone (for example the statusbar). Download the .zip of the rom your going to theme. Open it up (shouldn't require any programs, if does, use 7zip: either drag it onto the 7zip icon or right click and choose open with). Open system -> app and copy the framework-res.apk (or any other apk you would like to theme, for example the settings). Now paste it into an appropriate folder.
Getting the images
Now you need to find the images you want to use in your new theme. Find either an update.zip with a theme or an .apk with a theme chooser theme (if there is both a version for Froyo and GB, use the Froyo version as this will make it easier ) Open it up with 7zip (drag it into the 7zip icon). Now you can do either of two options:
1) You can take the whole drawable-mdpi folder and copy it out. You should probably don’t do this with a Themechooser apk, as they usually don’t have all icons in this folder, as they often lend a few from HDPI.
2) Take only the images you want and copy them to a folder. For example if you want the signal icons, copy the “stat_sys_signal_0” (-4 of course) and copy them out. If you want the statusbar background, copy “statusbar_background”. This way you can mix several themes, take the best of several themes and make your personal theme
When you’re done getting your icons, close the window.
Porting
Now open the Rom’s default framework-res.apk with 7-zip. If you’re going to port a whole theme, delete the /res/drawable-mdpi folder and copy in your own. If you’re going to port just a few icons, open the /res/drawable-mdpi folder and paste your icons. You might want to check if the icons have the same names in the different framework. For example the headset icons can be both “stat_sys_headset” and “stat_notify_headset”. Also if you port from a theme chooser theme, you will have to rename every single .png you port. This is really boring, but necessary. You need to remove the “framework_res” and the “android_systemui” from the beginning of all the names. So “framework_res_activity_title_bar.9.png” needs to be changed to “activity_title_bar.9.png”. Because this is so boring you better keep your renamed icons, so it’s easier to port it to another rom
This is kind of off-topic: my carrier lends network of another carrier. Therefor my phone is allways roaming. This puts a stupid “r” with my signal icons. To avoid this I allways take normal signal icons, copy them, and rename one of the two .pngs from for example “stat_sys_signal_1” to “stat_sys_r_signal_1”. This way I get rid of this stupid “r” and it will always show the normal icons
Packing and signing
Now the porting is done and the next job is to push the new framework to your phone. If you are familiar with adb, you can push it to system/framework on your phone. You don’t need to anything more with the apk before pushing it. Else you can create a flashable .zip for your theme. I’ve attached a .zip with update script (I haven’t created it. Just stole it from one of Elelinux’ add-ons ). Download the zip. Create a folder named system and a folder named framework. First drag the new, modded framework_res.apk to the framework folder, then drag the framework folder into the system folder, before you drag the system folder into the attached zip. If you use Clockworkmod recovery, you can just flash the zip right as it is, but if you use Amon_Ra or want it to be compatible with every recovery because you want to post it, you need to do something.
Unpack autosigner and launch the exe file inside. Drag the .zip into the new window and press sign. It will now appear a new file in the same folder as the file you wanted to sign. Its name is the same, but with “_signed” at the end. You can rename the file as you wish both before and after the signing.
XML Editing:
I decided to add a little section about XML editing as well I really don't know all about this myself, but i can tell how to set it up and some examples to what you can do Even though this may seem really complicated, it's not written in a completely different language, like Java in the smali files, so often it is possible to use logic to get what you want
Tools needed: APK Multi-tool. as well as Java, if you don't have it installed.
Overview:
1) Setting up
2) Examples
3) Finish
Settings up
Download APK Multi-tool and extract/ unzip it to wherever you want ( I have it on my desktop). Now you can place the apk you want to modify (usually the framework_res.apk) in the "Place_apk_for_modding" folder. Then you open the script. If you don't get an error, proceed to b), if you do get an error proceed to a)
a)) If you do get an error where it says something like "java not found" you need to correct the Java path (or install Java if you haven't done that, which you should have) . I had to do this to get it working. First open my computer and click disk C, or D if you have installed Java there. Open programfiles (or whatever it's called in your language) and scroll to the Java folder. Now open the folder there jdk folder or whatever you have there and open the "bin" folder. Look at the top of your window, where it says where on you're computer you are (like Windows: C to the left, and then Programfiles and so on). Right click it and click copy address. Mine is "C:\Program Files\Java\jdk1.7.0_01\bin . Now you can close the window.
Open "My computer" again. On the top bar below the navigationbar, click Sytemoptions (sorry, not really sure what it's called in Englsih, as my computer is Norwegian, please correct me if I'm wrong). On the left click the "advanced" link and in the popup that appears click "environment variables". Scroll down to the "path" variable and edit it. Paste the address you copied and click OK. You should now be able to proceed to b). If you still get an error, please tell me and I'll try to help
b) type 25 and press enter to select current project. Here you will see all the apks in the "Place_apk_for_modding" folder. Select the appropriate number (in this case probably 1) and press enter to continue. Then you hit 9 and enter to decompile it. I cannot really explain it, but it enables you to edit the xmls in the apk. If you try to edit them by using 7Zip, the xmls will be just messed up. When it's done decompiling, you have gotten a new folder in the "projects" folder. In this case it is probably named framework_res.apk. Minimize the script (DON'T CLOSE IT) and you're ready to edit the xmls
Examples on edits:
COMING SOON
Finish:
When you're done editing, open the script again (remember what I said about not closing it? ). Click 11, unless you are editing a non system apk. If you are editing the framework or settings or such, use 11. If you get an error now, you have probably done something wrong, try to see in the log what you have done wrong. Every time I've had an error, I've ended up in bootloop when I've flashed, so it is probably better to just start over. Another tip is to do one thing at the time. For example: you decompile, edit the notification color in pulldown, compile. Take the compiled apk, decompile edit another thing and so on, this makes it easier to not mess up and it also shows what you are doing wrong.
On the "Is this a system apk?" you should probably say y, as I said above. I also usually copy over the files I didn't edit, as this seems safer. Follow the instructions and you should be fine. When you're done and the script is done compiling, you will find a unsigned_**** (for example unsigned_framework-res.apk) in the "place_apk_for_modding" folder. This is your modified apk, and you can try to push it to ur device with an update.zip or adb, if you know how to use that
Well this was the end of my guide for now If there's anything which is unclear or you have other suggestions, feel free to post I've probably forgotten something
Finally after all my attemps to modify the android framework before i have do it correctly. I have changed a couple of things, the lock screen and battery icons so far. The framework I'm modifying is the one on Ele's Gingerbread and i wonder how to get the battery icon percentage 1 by 1 as i saw in some other themes. What i mean is that in the original framework there is only battery icons for 15, 20, 25 and so on, and if i push the 16, 17, 18, 19 they won't work. Is Theme Chooser the one on charge of this? how can i get that? some help please?
(Also tryed to theme a sense rom, but everything was messed up, i guess because of sense or maybe I did something wrong)
So thanks for your guide, really helpfull
Yeah, I've never tried to theme Sense so I don't know. It is probably possible to make icons for every %, but then you'll have to decompile using APK tool, and it is harder. I don't know how. If you want to try, you could try asking a question here
thanks
so funny=))
i'm tried
Great guide helped me a lo thx.
Finally, someone who CAN explain it...
I'm now porting ICS to GB (no cm7), cause I think CM sucks.
mDroidd said:
Finally, someone who CAN explain it...
I'm now porting ICS to GB (no cm7), cause I think CM sucks.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hmm, ICS themes can be made really awesome, if you do some more advanced stuff. For example you want to remap the pulldownbar a bit, and change som text colors. But to do this you need to use a tool like APK multi-tool, and it is a bit more advanced. If you want to, I can create a new section where I show how to this
Thank you.
GUIDE UPDATED! Added a section about XML editing really quick, probably forgotten something and such, so just ask if there is something you don't understand This is for those who are getting used to the PNG editing and want to proceed to something slightly more advanced, for example you 7Tosta
Cheers
BTW: I should've reserved the 2nd post, this is getting messy
Edit: If there's anything specific you want me to add to the EXAMPLES section, tell me
Introduction
This is going to be a long post! A few weeks ago I started thinking about making my own themes for my LG G5. I had installed some custom roms previously and used substratum a bit but I have always ended up going back to xpirt's Fulmics rom, which doesn't allow this. I started to think how I could do this and have today got to the first stage of being able to change the colours of my phone to precisely what I want, not only for the settings but in some of the stock apps. I thought I would share this with the community and provide some step by step instructions so you can try it yourself. This should work on LG G6, V10, V20 & V30 if you use an app made for these phones but I have no way of testing this so don't hold me to it. This has taken me about 5 full days to work this out and there is still more that I need to do.
I am not in anyway a developer or coder and have very little knowledge of Java so if anything goes wrong here it is likely that I will not be able to help you. I absolutely am a noob at this and do this only for a hobby, using just my common sense and our friend Google to overcome the problems I have come across. Saying that, I will try to offer assistance if I can.
I managed to make my theme from reverse engineering a free LG theme app that was readily available. If you do this method though please consider getting approval from the app developer first. There is a template on here posted by Raafat here. While this was helpful it was only basic and I could not work out exactly what to do. Reverse engineering an app was much easier. Here is how I did it with step by step instructions:
******DISCLAIMER******
I am in not responsible for what you do to your phone. If you decide to try and theme your phone make a backup first or be prepared to do a full reset if anything goes wrong. You do this at your own risk.
1. Programmes
The programmes/software needed for theming are:
• Notepad++
• Apktool
• Android Studio (I used version 2.3 as I was getting an error on re-signing with 3.0)
2. Installing Frameworks Using Apktool:
• Firstly, delete the files in your local temp directory. To do this open ‘Search’ and type in %temp% and delete all files in this folder. You may not be able to delete some of the files. This does not matter
• Next, extract the framework files from your rom/custom rom. For Fulmics 5.5 this was:
Frameworks-res.apk
lge-res.apk
• At a guess I would say that any rom will have these files named exactly as they are above, but I am not sure if these have been altered by xpirt for his rom so you may not be able to use them across other roms.
• Open a command prompt and navigate to the folder where the framework files are kept. This is easiest in a folder called C:/apktool so create a folder in your C:/ drive and place them there. You can of course name the folder or locate it where you want though.
• Use apktool to install the frameworks using this command in the command prompt in C:\apktool
apktool if framework-res.apk
apktool if lge-res.apk
• Once this is done you should find the following files Installed here: C:\Users\[your username]\AppData\Local\apktool\Framework
1.apk
2.apk
• If, like me, you get an error with apktool that says it cannot write to C:\Users\[your username]\AppData\Local\apktool\Framework and instead has placed them in the temp folder then go into the Local folder using the pathway above and create a folder called 'apktool' and then a subfolder called 'framework'. Try the commands again and it should then work.
• You should also find the following files in the C:\apktool folder (if that is the folder you are using). If they are not here you may have to copy and paste them from the apktool github download.
apktool.jar
apktool.bat
• If you have found these files then you are set to go with decoding the theme/app you have chosen as a basis to amend.
3. Decoding APKs Using Apktool
• Download the apk/app you want to use. I used Backup and Restore app from Play to get the app I wanted to use onto my PC. Once you have this on your PC place the main APK/app in the same folder as the apktool.bat and the apktool.jar (for me this this was C:\apktool)
• Point the command prompt at this place and type the following:
apktool d [app name]
• A folder with the name of the app you just decoded will appear in the directory that you use (in this case C:\apktool)
• In this folder you should find another folder called assets. There may be more sub APKs here in subfolders. This subfolder will likely be assets>overlays
• All the sub APKs in here will have to be decoded otherwise you will have different signing keys and the app, once compiled again, will not work. Decode all the sub APKs in this same folder. You will have to copy the following files to the folder you are decoding the sub APKs in. These are:
apktool.jar
apktool.bat
• Decode every sub apk using the command apktool d [sub_apkname]
• You should now have the same number of folders in the drive as the number of sub APKs, if you decoded them all.
4. Changing the Colours and other Themes from the Decoded APKs Using Notepad++
• Many theme APKs will have internal APKs, such as common, settings, phone, systemui, calendar etc, etc. This is what I have worked out so far:
Common: Changes the switches, brightness bar and the text headings in settings, changes swipe left panels in apps such as gallery, changes background, message icon & phone icon colour in contact/phone app, statusbar background, separating lines in settings (some themes do not have these), background bar of setting title (i.e. wireless network, device etc), settings text colour, secondary text (i.e. the text you see under Wifi and Bluetooth which shows you what you are connected to), the headings in apps such as clock where it shows 'Alarm' 'World Clock' 'Timer' etc
System UI: Changes the quick settings tiles & text and the non-heading text in settings
• To change the colour of these you have to amend the colors.xml located in one of the folders in the assets>overlays and then the folder of the overlay you want to change. I used Notepad++ to do this. Navigate to 'res' folder and then usually something like 'values-xxxhdpi-v4'. There is sometimes more than one color.xml file so you may need to look in more than one folder and amend all the color.xml files. The colours are at the end of the lines of text and will be standard Android colour coding, such as ffffffff (white) or 00000000 (black) or any other colours.
5. Building APKs & Signing with Android Studio
• If you are building the sub APKs from an app (these are the ones inside an APK such as common, systemui, phone etc) I found it best to use a different folder. For this I used C:\apktool builder
• Copy and paste the folder from the decoded APK (e.g. the [appname].LGE.common folder) that is in the asset>overlays folder to the apktool builder folder above
• Once you have made the colour amendments it is time to build the amended themes. To do this you will need Android Studio
• Open the splash screen of Android Studio and instead of the 'Open' command use the 'Import Project' command and navigate to the folder you want to import
• When opening Android Studio you have to configure the frameworks otherwise you will not be able to sign the app. This warning should come up automatically. THIS MUST BE DONE FOR IT TO WORK
• Navigate and find your APK in apktool builder and import it. If you do this more than once you will be prompted to overwrite the settings a few times.
• Go to ‘Build’ along the top and choose ‘Generate Signed APK’. If this is the first time it will ask for the Key Store Path. You will need to choose ‘Create New’. Select a place to store this key (I chose C:\apktool Builder) and input the passwords and the other data in the boxes. You must put a two-digit country code in the last box, for example US, UK etc). For ease I kept most of these very simple. For example, password was 'asdfgh'
• Once this has been completed and if there are no errors (warnings are ok) then it will generate a signed sub APK and save it to the location you are in (in this case C:\apktool builder). Copy and paste that sub APK over the one in the C:\apktool folder where the original sub APK was kept.
• Once you have done this then you need to sign the main app APK. Do the same as above and build in Android Studio. If there are no errors it will save it to your directory (in my case C:\apktool\[app name].
• Copy and paste this APK into your phone, apply the theme and it should work.
Everytime you amend a sub apk you will have to re-sign it through Android studio and then re-sign the main app apk. Once you get the hang of it though it is fairly straight forward.
6. Other Things
Nothing else in the app will change at this point. The name, wallpaper jpegs, screenshots and icons will all be the same. I am working on this at the moment but they don't actually need changing that much. The difficult thing for me is how to change the 9.png icon files and still get them to work. Once I have worked this out I will be able to finish it off.
7. Screenshots
Attached are some screenshots of how my phone now looks. I have made a few different apk's with different colours so I can now change this daily if I want a change (see post 2 for updated screenshots).
8. Thanks/Credits
@xpirt - Made it easy to get the framework files I needed for apktool and for a great custom rom!
@Raafat - for giving me the idea and the initial information
@iBotPeaches - for developing apktool.
.
Building Your Own LG Theme
I've been able to fine tune the themes over the past few weeks and have been able to colour the settings icons on the main settings page as well as putting a background behind it. I've also been able to theme the switches initially getting over a problem of the 'off' switch not showing. Here is some updated screenshots of a green/grey&blue theme.
I've also attached the updated blue & red theme from the initial post. I've not fully completed this yet though as I started to concentrate on the green/grey&blue theme as I preferred that.
Could someone make a stock theme just dark? I found one on play store but is not the best thing (it changes system sounds and other things that i don't like) I'd like a full stock theme but dark. Thanks in advance
Help
Can you help me? I tried changing package names in .json file and added new icons in the theme. I don't understand why it is failing on apply. It was running properly with only color change before doing this.
[email protected] said:
Can you help me? I tried changing package names in .json file and added new icons in the theme. I don't understand why it is failing on apply. It was running properly with only color change before doing this.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Here is the apk.
I probably won't be able to get round to this until the weekend due to work commitments but will have a look and let you know.
strikerman10 said:
I probably won't be able to get round to this until the weekend due to work commitments but will have a look and let you know.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Take your time, and thanks. ?
[email protected] said:
Take your time, and thanks. ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
In case you haven't checked the apk I provided earlier, I have found and fixed some package name errors but the result is still same. It get stuck at 90% and then fails. I have changed icons too, is there anything needed to do in public.xml ? New apk is attached below.
strikerman10 said:
I probably won't be able to get round to this until the weekend due to work commitments but will have a look and let you know.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Did you took a look at it?