Getting Started on Theming - Desire Themes and Apps

Ok i've Rooted the Desire,
and I tried Metamorph, however it needed Busybox, but that won't install, does anyone know a fix for this?
I'm also wanting to be able to get into the file system on the device, how do i do this?
I'm trying to get skinning the UI for my own amusement, but also to release to the community, so where would i find the stock theme on the file system, or where can i download it?
and how do i impliment it?
TIA
Luke.

Metamorph won't work on Desire because there is no write access to /system.

thanks for the heads up the personal who suggested this, never pointed that out.
so is the Desire Semi rooted then?

I think not fully rooted fits better. In custom recovery there is a access to system but not while the desire is running the os itself.
To theme you have to edit the apks in framework-res and so on. Here is a short tutorial for editing the apks without metamorph.
forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=3175518&postcount=2
sry for bad english and i can't post links^^
Benee

Related

Is it possible to move/install any .apk to /system/app

sorry for the double post
Curious..........when we install .apks do they alreadly know where to install its self. some apks i can completely move to the /system/app/ and others go straight to /data/app where most apks go and cannot be moved without FCing
IS there a way to force all data that i want to system/app/
just wanted to know if this is possible...would be sweet
TIA
As far as I know if you install them manually you can install them wherever you want. System or data.
While rom building I've put non-standard apps into the system/app folder with no problem.
If you put them in the system/app folder you might need to make sure the permissions are set right.
bp328i said:
If you put them in the system/app folder you might need to make sure the permissions are set right.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well here is my situation.........
i want to use the HTC_IME_lo.apk mod found here http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=624416
then I would like to Remove the stock HTC_IME.apk im sure everyone does this...
then i cook
bake and
flash but it doesnt install
how do i edit the permissions or maybe there is another solution ???????
TIA fellow chefs
DS36 said:
Well here is my situation.........
i want to use the HTC_IME_lo.apk mod found here http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=624416
then I would like to Remove the stock HTC_IME.apk im sure everyone does this...
then i cook
bake and
flash but it doesnt install
how do i edit the permissions or maybe there is another solution ???????
TIA fellow chefs
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm probably out of my league here, but I would guess that you should be able to add in the new keyboard (to the SYSTEM folder), select the new keyboard as your default keyboard (using an SMS app or something), then once it's selected you're good to go. You may be able to even delete the old one at that point without any errors?
However, you mentioned cooking and baking so this is what's over my head. Sorry if this doesn't help you.
Also, like that other dude said... "other" apps like the ones installed from the Market usually go in DATA. I noticed that when some ROMs have Maps installed in SYSTEM and you go to update it, it will install the newer version in DATA. I remember seeing in the logcat during boot that the phone detects both versions and just ignores the older version in the SYSTEM folder.
DS36 said:
Well here is my situation.........
i want to use the HTC_IME_lo.apk mod found here http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=624416
then I would like to Remove the stock HTC_IME.apk im sure everyone does this...
then i cook
bake and
flash but it doesnt install
how do i edit the permissions or maybe there is another solution ???????
TIA fellow chefs
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have used that exact keyboard on ROMs in the past. I did a straight install from the SD card using a file explorer, Astro to be exact.
Maybe I'm missing what you are trying to accomplish, but that's how I installed it. I'm not up on the cooking and baking, but maybe it's different if you are trying to add it to the ROM prior to flashing?
To remove the standard HTC_IME.apk, I would install the new one first then go into adb shell and remove it that route.
The only way I know how to change permissions is by using the Root Explorer app. If you have that you mount r/w and navigate to the apk you wanna change. Then you long press it and go to permissions. It looks like all the ones in /system/app are "User: Read, Write; Group: Read; Others: Read". Hope this helped!
zwade01 said:
The only way I know how to change permissions is by using the Root Explorer app. If you have that you mount r/w and navigate to the apk you wanna change. Then you long press it and go to permissions. It looks like all the ones in /system/app are "User: Read, Write; Group: Read; Others: Read". Hope this helped!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Great info guys but actually im trying to build a Rom from scratch in the Rom Kitchen.......
when i flash the Rom to my Phone i want the keyboard i want and not the stock one built in at all....i actually remove it while in the kitchen....
so basically if you were to flash this rom to you phone the stock is gone and the custom will be there.....
P.S. I already know about removing the htc ime_mod via ADB after i flash but i want it gone before
TIA everyone great info
ANYBODY ??????

[GUIDE] Changing your bootanimation and delete those ugly sound

*EDITED*
This is very easy now after having the permanent ROOT -- thanks to PAUL for wonderful Visionary+, Evostance for brilliant guide, and those geniuses who make this happened (you know who )
First you need to get permanent root. Here is the link to the guide:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=834427
(If you read till page 10, you will definitely know how to do it and what to expect).
Second, go buy ROOT EXPLORER from the market. (Best explorer for rooted phone period).
Go to /system/customize/resource
Make sure you enable the r/w (read write option), other wise you cant do modification.
You will see both the audio and bootanimation there.
If you hated that sound (just like me), just delete the audio.mp3. If you want to change the bootanimation, just copy your bootnimation.zip to overwrite the default one.
That's all....reboot the phone....and you will have your peace...and enjoy the new bootanimation.
kuailan said:
I am just wondering is the good old way of adb pushing the bootanimation.zip work for HD? I do noticed the stock animation are located in /customize/resource folder in the system ROM. Has anyone try changing the bootanimation? Just hated those sound in bootup (prefer no sound).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
firstly i'd like to state, this is development and not Q & A not being mean just stating.
secondly if you had read the ref guide which is pinned to the top you might have got your answer.
finally your answer...
NO
you can not write on the nand with the temp root. no can you adb push.
permanent root is on its way and i believe the nand will be unlocked on that so you may have write permissions. once this has been obtained then you can push a custom boot animation if required.
El_Nino9 said:
firstly i'd like to state, this is development and not Q & A not being mean just stating.
secondly if you had read the ref guide which is pinned to the top you might have got your answer.
finally your answer...
NO
you can not write on the nand with the temp root. no can you adb push.
permanent root is on its way and i believe the nand will be unlocked on that so you may have write permissions. once this has been obtained then you can push a custom boot animation if required.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
First of all thank you for the answer (actually I also thought so, and your answer just confirmed that)
And as for posting in develeopment, I DO believe that changing bootanimation is part of Android development (anything that involved creating/modifying and changing of the default system files). Just like recovery or flashing tools, people also develop bootanimation changer application to make life easier for others.
Also I did some search, and this is the first post for any bootanimation for Desire HD. I hope once "root" has been accomplished. People can just use this thread to put the guide to changing those animation.
Therefore I do read and follow the guidelines.
-----------------edited---------------------
kuailan said:
First of all thank you for the answer (actually I also thought so, and your answer just confirmed that)
And as for posting in develeopment, I DO believe that changing bootanimation is part of Android development (anything that involved creating/modifying and changing of the default system files). Just like recovery or flashing tools, people also develop bootanimation changer application to make life easier for others.
Also I did some search, and this is the first post for any bootanimation for Desire HD. I hope once "root" has been accomplished. People can just use this thread to put the guide to changing those animation.
Therefore I do read and follow the guidelines.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
well glad you're a happy bunny
but several things,it isn't development as you were asking a question at time of writing.
secondly themes section deals with bootanimation and things like that. sound can be disabled by just renaming the file i.e. add a .bak after mp3 just for back up purpose or you can delete the file entirely up to the user.
with customs roms, they may be in a different location. i do believe that AOSP builds are located in media where as in sense builds /customize/resource
it can change depending on the developers choice really. thats why when a person releases a theme, it states what rom the user must be using to avoid problems.
anyways there's no need to carry on with that as you have got what you wanted, full root so you can do w.e. you like know
my personal favourite boot animation was the original hero one, but since that doesnt work anymore/havent found 1 that has been converted to work with the new roms, i like "making fro-yo" it just draws a pic of a frozen yoghert and colours it in.
I purchased Bootanimation changer by Andres Schomis a while back when I was still using the original Desire. There are quite a few nice and interesting ones there. My fav so far is the pissing droid (to piss off some of my iphone mate ) and the alienware. I am sure they are also available in this forum (just do a search). There is no option for desire HD yet, but seem like the one that work for Desire also work just fine in HD. To make the app work, you will need to set the custom path. I highly recommend that app for bootanimation.
Somehow I feel this thread should be in the Themes/Apps subforum instead Since it basically has to do with customization. Anyway, thanks a lot for the instructions.
phunkycow said:
Somehow I feel this thread should be in the Themes/Apps subforum instead Since it basically has to do with customization. Anyway, thanks a lot for the instructions.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Agreed with you there mate
I do like the instructions, always helpful for those not browsing the development threads (which do take up a lot of reading time )
Ok can some one tell me what i'm i doing wrong?? it's been more then 6 hours since I started working on this.
Here is my anamtion
Download me please
I cant figure out whats wrong with it....
I even saved it as store with winrar even tried copying the files inside the HTC stock zip and still same problem
can someone help me please?
Bump any one can help?
Just delete the bootanimation.zip inside the /system/customize/resource
Then just copy your animation to the same path /system/customize/resource.
Make sure your animation is also named bootanimation.zip
For some reason I'm not able to enable the r/w function in the resource folder. The only place I can do it is in the root directory (with system, sdcard etc). Any idea of why this is happening? (my phone is perma-rooted and I have granted Super user permissions).
kuailan said:
Just delete the bootanimation.zip inside the /system/customize/resource
Then just copy your animation to the same path /system/customize/resource.
Make sure your animation is also named bootanimation.zip
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I did my animation that made with Photoshop dont work any idea why? any other animation works fine
Sylpher said:
For some reason I'm not able to enable the r/w function in the resource folder. The only place I can do it is in the root directory (with system, sdcard etc). Any idea of why this is happening? (my phone is perma-rooted and I have granted Super user permissions).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This drove me mad for a while too.
I uninstalled root explorer then re-installed and I could the select r/w for all folders.
hi
do i need s-off for this or is just permanent root enough??
thnx
anyone got any good animation zips and sounds?
combat goofwing said:
anyone got any good animation zips and sounds?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
yeah, thats what i wanna know too
Does anyone know what would happen if you removed the boot animation entirely? Will the phone still boot ok?
I'm happy not to have one at all if it speeds things up
Guys
first I didn't find the bootanimation in system ressource i found it in data/local/
along with the android-audio.mp3
second I tried to change these file it worked but the animation doesn't show up and I have just a small android when I boot up
What can I do ?
PS : my file may be too big 27 megabite for the bootanimation.zip
I tried already, but why whenever I reboot, the bootanimation.zip would revert to the original one?

[Q] Help Me Modify Some Framework Files Please

I definitely wouldn't call my self a noob but also would never call myself a programmer or a pro by any means. I can change the framework-res.apk with out any problems and am getting the hang of different theming from messing around with that. I have read just about every tutorial that I can get my hands on too but haven't found anything regarding com.htc.resources.apk. The are files in that apk that I want to change but every time I even change the smallest png in there when I push with adb or droid explorer or simply copy and paste with root exp I get bootloops no matter what. I've tried signed unsigned nothing seems to work. If it matters Im running CMYLXGO's HD build on NAND. And I've been told that com.htc.resources.apk is a "sensitive" file but based on others themes and build I imagine that there has to be a way to modify it. So please any advice or ideas are very welcome...thanks so much in advance.
+1
I can replace com.htc.resources, BUT millions of FCs
Even if I replace it with the original file!!
Can somebody help us?
I think you need to set permissions

[Q] 2.1 System/app dump from Bravo?

A while back when I didn't know what I was doing, I downloaded Root Explorer and went into /system/app to delete some At&t bloatware. I was dumb not to rename the extension or 'freeze' them, so now when I update it gets stuck on error AttMusic40.apk (which is one of several At&t apps I removed). So anyways, I need the original Bravo apps so I can move them back over to /system/app, that way the update can complete it's self.
Thanks in advanced
NVM. Found HERE: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=955075&page=13
That BDX is already on it (thanks)
Sorry for the n00b behavior.
I also did something quite stupid. I changed my boot animation without saving a back up. If someone can give me the original to animation. Or just the sound file that goes with it? I would really appreciate it. thanks
Ok guys here you go. This is from a system dump someone linked me to a while back of 2.1. It looks good and legit so I am posting it up on a server and giving you the ability to grab whatever you need AND see how it supposed to be stock.
enjoy.
http://46.4.232.120/bravo/
(if you find this useful consider buying my donation version of my app
Any chance you could zip the apps, taking forever to download them one at a time
this is where I am stuck, I went and looked at that guys linked dump, but can't find attmusic40.apk or any of the other bloatware apps that I deleted.
I tried the factory reinstall, but it didnt restore the att bloatware I deleted, how can I get a hold of those files?
is there an image of the 2.1, or a work around the file check to install 2.2
edit: nm, I used the 2.2 stock sbf.

Building first ROM for G900V

Good day, all!
I've been working on [my first] ROM for Verizon S5 and everything seems to be going great! I've cleaned out as much Samsung/Verizon/Google trash as I can, applied some tweaks to build.prop, changed some default apps to (IMHO) better replacements, and anything that is left (functions correctly) has been moved to /data/app so they can be Uninstalled fully (not just Turned Off). Just a few quick questions:
1) How can I "bake-in" app data? I have replaced the normal, crap launcher with Holo Launcher and cannot seem to get correct permissions when the ROM is installed thru SS. I believe the issue is permissions for /data/data/ get screwed up or not set correctly. I have looked and looked and tried to determine the correct permissions, but still no joy. I've tried to fix /data/data permissions in the updater-script, but it seems like each subfolder/file has different permissions making me think I'll have to go thru them one-by-one.
I have a work-around in place using a OneTimeInit script that does work, but it seems like that's not really the best approach?
2) Kind of ties into question number 1, I patched the framework-res.apk in to allow WiFiHotspot, but without being able to install the system settings data properly, there is not a "Quick Shortcut". Again, I've resolved the problem using the OneTimeInit to update Sqlite DBs after the system is up.
3) How do I de-odex the stock ROM? Using Android Kitchen doesn't seem to do it right. It works mostly but I still seem to get various FCs. I tend to believe that some things just cannot (should not) be De-Odex'd?
I've also discontinued Zip-Aligning because it sometimes produces errors on my ROM. Is it not advised to use Android Kitchen to do these tasks or is there some trick to getting it to work just right?
Bonus Question) I was going to share my ROM on XDA but it says I'm not allowed to post in Development. I assume because of my low post count. Any way I can get an over-ride or should I just make a few more posts and then do it?
Thanks again guys!
I appreciate all the help as always!
Jake
jake5253 said:
Good day, all!
I've been working on [my first] ROM for Verizon S5 and everything seems to be going great! I've cleaned out as much Samsung/Verizon/Google trash as I can, applied some tweaks to build.prop, changed some default apps to (IMHO) better replacements, and anything that is left (functions correctly) has been moved to /data/app so they can be Uninstalled fully (not just Turned Off). Just a few quick questions:
1) How can I "bake-in" app data? I have replaced the normal, crap launcher with Holo Launcher and cannot seem to get correct permissions when the ROM is installed thru SS. I believe the issue is permissions for /data/data/ get screwed up or not set correctly. I have looked and looked and tried to determine the correct permissions, but still no joy. I've tried to fix /data/data permissions in the updater-script, but it seems like each subfolder/file has different permissions making me think I'll have to go thru them one-by-one.
I have a work-around in place using a OneTimeInit script that does work, but it seems like that's not really the best approach?
2) Kind of ties into question number 1, I patched the framework-res.apk in to allow WiFiHotspot, but without being able to install the system settings data properly, there is not a "Quick Shortcut". Again, I've resolved the problem using the OneTimeInit to update Sqlite DBs after the system is up.
3) How do I de-odex the stock ROM? Using Android Kitchen doesn't seem to do it right. It works mostly but I still seem to get various FCs. I tend to believe that some things just cannot (should not) be De-Odex'd?
I've also discontinued Zip-Aligning because it sometimes produces errors on my ROM. Is it not advised to use Android Kitchen to do these tasks or is there some trick to getting it to work just right?
Bonus Question) I was going to share my ROM on XDA but it says I'm not allowed to post in Development. I assume because of my low post count. Any way I can get an over-ride or should I just make a few more posts and then do it?
Thanks again guys!
I appreciate all the help as always!
Jake
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
1: All I had to do was place apk in /system/app or /system/priv-app and thats it. Make sure when you add your apks you dont unzip the archive. basically use kitchen and build your base rom then simply open the archive and make your edits. I also used the updater script from beans base build and only edited the ui print.. Messing with the updater script i wouldnt recommend as it could be causing some of your issues.
2: If using beans base theres no reason for you to edit anything as the hotspot is already baked in.. you must have borked it.. If you are not using beans base then maybe you should copy his files for the native hotspot as its already done properly. I wouldnt mess with framework or settings apks unless you know what your doing. Id work on gettin the fcs n other issues sorted first as you might b doin too much too fast.. work on learning how to make your apks work first before making edits to framework n settings apks.
3: The kitchen is best to deodex and zipalign.. also these two things should not cause fcs or errors if done properly. zipalign should help more than anything.. i just like workin with deodex bcuz its easier and only one set of files instead of .apk and .odex for just bout everything..
Again, if you are not using beans bases id recommend to do so.. his bases are already deodexed have hotspot zipaligned read/write to ext sd etc.. so you wouldnt have to do all from scratch and have so many issues..
Sent from my SM-G900V using XDA Premium HD app
elliwigy said:
1: All I had to do was place apk in /system/app or /system/priv-app and thats it. Make sure when you add your apks you dont unzip the archive. basically use kitchen and build your base rom then simply open the archive and make your edits. I also used the updater script from beans base build and only edited the ui print.. Messing with the updater script i wouldnt recommend as it could be causing some of your issues.
2: If using beans base theres no reason for you to edit anything as the hotspot is already baked in.. you must have borked it.. If you are not using beans base then maybe you should copy his files for the native hotspot as its already done properly. I wouldnt mess with framework or settings apks unless you know what your doing. Id work on gettin the fcs n other issues sorted first as you might b doin too much too fast.. work on learning how to make your apks work first before making edits to framework n settings apks.
3: The kitchen is best to deodex and zipalign.. also these two things should not cause fcs or errors if done properly. zipalign should help more than anything.. i just like workin with deodex bcuz its easier and only one set of files instead of .apk and .odex for just bout everything..
Again, if you are not using beans bases id recommend to do so.. his bases are already deodexed have hotspot zipaligned read/write to ext sd etc.. so you wouldnt have to do all from scratch and have so many issues..
Sent from my SM-G900V using XDA Premium HD app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you for the response!
It seems perhaps I didn't quite make clear what I've done versus what I'm trying to accomplish.
Firstly, I wouldn't go so far as to say I'm "having so many issues". Everything in my ROM is in perfectly fine working order. I just have these few quirks that I would like to address both so I can learn, and to make this and future projects better.
While I appreciate the recommendation to use bean's base, I have taken a look at his and there seems to be nothing in his which copies data into /data/data/com.whatever.package (or at least there's nothing in his zip in the /data/data folder -- not sure if his ROM has the toggle activated?)
I have the Apps working correctly in my ROM -- they just go in /data/apps, /system/app or /system/priv-app, respectively.
What I need, is to get /data/data/com.whatever.package/ copied With Correct Permissions when the ROM is installed; I do not want a second zip to update things after install, especially for a toggle and a couple shortcuts, seems silly.
For instance, when you boot your phone up with the default [stock] samsung launcher, it has a list of default apps and widgets on the first screen you see such as phone, messages, a clock widget, etc, etc. Since I've replaced the stock launcher with Holo Launcher HD and some other default apps have also been replaced, there's very few shortcuts on the main launcher screen.
** Holo Launcher does have a list of default apps it adds to your main page, but many of those have been removed in my rom.
The solution I've come up with basically waits for the system to boot up to the point that Holo Launcher actually creates the default (mostly blank) /data/data/com.mobint.hololauncher.hd/databases/launcher.db and then my script uses sqlite3 to update the DBs with a list of different shortcuts -- ones to apps that actually exist.
The Hotspot Toggle is the same way as above.. Hotspot works fine in my rom if you go through settings!
I just cannot add the notification panel pull-down toggle to /data/data/com.android.providers.settings/database/settings.db until after the system boots up at least ONE time, and then update the DB to include WiFiHotspot in notification_panel_active_app_list and notification_panel_active_app_list_for_reset
As for the zipalign and deodexing, I will have to try those again now that I have a fairly stable rom.
****EDIT****
I think I figured it out. I can just use busybox to kill the systemui after I update the databases during the first boot. I also figured out how I can add the SetupWizard without it locking up on activation.
Thanks anyways, guys.
Look for my rom, coming soon!
=P
Please add support for more languages
I found a mod for Motorola latest 4.4 please port it
Sent from my SM-G900T using XDA Free mobile app

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