Database Users

[FONTS] Changing System Fonts on All Builds

I started this thread as a reference to everyone on how to change the system fonts for Android builds (both Sense and Cynogenmod based).
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These are methods that I know of :
1. Via Recovery Console which is not yet possible on present Android builds as we are running this off SD Cards and not NAND.
2. Via copying to specific directory on the SD Card and then booting Android. I found this the simplest and using this method.
3. While running Android, unmounting system, replacing font files and remounting /system. This method almost always gives me a error during remount of /system...dont know why
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I have attached 2 fonts and how to convert your own is simple as illustrated below.
Android Font Folder :
(Your Android Folder on SD Card)\root\system\fonts
e.g. SDCARD\Android\root\system\fonts
Android System Font Names :
DroidSans.ttf
DroidSans-Bold.ttf
DroidSansFallback.ttf
DroidSansMono.ttf
DroidSerif-Bold.ttf
DroidSerif-BoldItalic.ttf
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So all that is required is copy your favorite fonts to a temporary location on your PC and rename/make copies according to the above names (self- explanatory).
Copy these files to the font folder as illustrated above. Create the folder if it doesn't exist (like Sense builds).
Boot away Android !!
PS : I have tested both Calibri and Nokia font on the Desire HD build and it looks sweet

Nice. Thanks for the easy tutorial. You do not happen to have any screenshots of the fonts in action do you?

Thanks for a very simple easy to use tutorial
P.S.: Just tried it and it works great
'Thanks

trilogy069 said:
Nice. Thanks for the easy tutorial. You do not happen to have any screenshots of the fonts in action do you?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I will add more fonts here with screenshot to make it more simpler for everyone

Thanks for the fonts, tutorial and screenies (when available)

is there any way you can add Century Gothic font bro?

d.signs said:
is there any way you can add Century Gothic font bro?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Added to first post
PS : The fontbase is larger than other fonts so may not look good on 240 dpi (Sense dpi)

v-b-n said:
Added to first post
PS : The fontbase is larger than other fonts so may not look good on 240 dpi (Sense dpi)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
thanks man that was quick! appreciate it bro

Not sure if it will work on these builds given that they are booting from WinMo but it would be worth a try. Download Typefresh, and Andexplorer from market. Open type fresh, grant superuser permission, make backup of current fonts, then click on font that you want to change from list. Andexplorer will open, navigate to folder that you have placed new fonts in and check appropriate font. Click apply fonts, reboot when prompted (this is where there could be a problem i think) and once rebooted your new fonts are installed. Works like a charm on Android phones ive had in past, including this current phone.
Sent from my X10a using XDA App

Hi, I copied the folder fonts to root/system via usb in windows mode.
After that I ran the Android as usual. But I didn't find any difference in font.

DroidSans.ttf
DroidSans-Bold.ttf
DroidSansFallback.ttf
DroidSansMono.ttf
DroidSerif-Bold.ttf
DroidSerif-BoldItalic.ttf
Any one of the above or all i the fonts folder

All the font files to Android/root/system/fonts

brunswick000 said:
Not sure if it will work on these builds given that they are booting from WinMo but it would be worth a try. Download Typefresh, and Andexplorer from market. Open type fresh, grant superuser permission, make backup of current fonts, then click on font that you want to change from list. Andexplorer will open, navigate to folder that you have placed new fonts in and check appropriate font. Click apply fonts, reboot when prompted (this is where there could be a problem i think) and once rebooted your new fonts are installed. Works like a charm on Android phones ive had in past, including this current phone.
Sent from my X10a using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Very useful information. This worked like a charm. Anyway, does anyone know where to find collections of fonts for this?

Sansation
This is what Sansation looks like on the Nexus One build. It's excellent!

font request
Can we get a script font.

brunswick000 said:
Not sure if it will work on these builds given that they are booting from WinMo but it would be worth a try. Download Typefresh, and Andexplorer from market. Open type fresh, grant superuser permission, make backup of current fonts, then click on font that you want to change from list. Andexplorer will open, navigate to folder that you have placed new fonts in and check appropriate font. Click apply fonts, reboot when prompted (this is where there could be a problem i think) and once rebooted your new fonts are installed. Works like a charm on Android phones ive had in past, including this current phone.
Sent from my X10a using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Mind sharing this font?

brunswick000 said:
Not sure if it will work on these builds given that they are booting from WinMo but it would be worth a try. Download Typefresh, and Andexplorer from market. Open type fresh, grant superuser permission, make backup of current fonts, then click on font that you want to change from list. Andexplorer will open, navigate to folder that you have placed new fonts in and check appropriate font. Click apply fonts, reboot when prompted (this is where there could be a problem i think) and once rebooted your new fonts are installed. Works like a charm on Android phones ive had in past, including this current phone.
Sent from my X10a using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It does work as I tried it after reading another thread about fonts in Android here http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=717548 and here http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=797533. My question is, in one of those threads and mentions only needing to change the DroidSans-Bold.ttf and DroidSans.ttf. But, VBN says to change all listed in the first post. I guess my question is which one ensures all fonts are changed??

From what I have gathered till now....DroidSans.ttf and DroidSans-Bold.ttf are the most used but if others are not changed you may get artifacts in some part of dialogs, etc...
I am not 100% sure but those fonts are definitely there in stock ROMs

Ok, that's kind of what I was figuring. I mean, they wouldn't just be there for nothing. Not to mention, if you use Type Fresh to change fonts, it gives you the option to change the other font names you mentioned. But, you're not forced to. Actually, I loaded a font and it I guess Android didn't like it. So, it wouldn't finish booting. So, I had to copy one of your fonts into system...to get it to boot again. Just a tip for those that one to try Type Fresh and other fonts found around the forum.

Thanks VBN & Kwill for the font tips....

[HOW-TO] Change Galaxy Tab system font without FontFlip

Being one to never stop changing the look of any of my Android devices I wondered how to change the system font on my Tab. First result was the ability right within the system settings app itself, but more clicking on "Get more fonts" ended up with only pay options. My Tab is rooted with z4 so I though why not see if I can just swap out the files. A simple install of Root Explorer and some file renaming later I had a new font installed on my Tab that even sticks through reboot. Here is how I did it (quite simple really):
Requirements:
- A Galaxy Tab of course, rooted
- Root Explorer, paid market app or other means if you are so inclined
- Your new font in TrueType format on your sdcard with the needed ttf's for regular and bold (eg YourFont-R.ttf and YourFont-B.ttf, etc)
Steps:
1 - Using root explorer, navigate to /system/font and rename DroidSans.ttf and DroidSans-Bold.ttf (I just append ORIG to them)
2 - Still in that directory click the button "Mount as r/w" just under the notify bar on your screen
3 - Navigate back to where your new font is and copy the regular and bold ttf files to /system/fonts
4 - Rename each ttf file as DroidSans.ttf for regular fonts and DroidSans-Bold.ttf for bold fonts
5 - Go to Settings > Display > Set Font and set if to Default
NOTE If Default is already your selected font, select another font and apply then reselect Default and apply and your new font should be visible.
Your new font should now be used as the on screen display font. For reference my Tab is a Bell version and I used the attached font (Ubuntu font) as my new font.
Hope this helps some people.
Cheers

Thanks! Will try this out on my Sprint Tab later.

Any luck finding a way to do it without actually replacing the font? Surely if it allows market download of fonts then you can just add new ones and update some list somewhere...
Sent from my GT-P1000 using Tapatalk

alias_neo said:
Any luck finding a way to do it without actually replacing the font? Surely if it allows market download of fonts then you can just add new ones and update some list somewhere...
Sent from my GT-P1000 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I didn't fully replace the original font as I renamed the original files. This is the way I was able to use the built in font switching tool without spending money on font packs. Only drawback for me is that the font list will only ever be 2 fonts for me, Default and Helvetica Neue Something. I originally changed it as I really like the Ubuntu font on my Desire and wanted to sue it on the Tab.

Or just grab any font apk from this thread!

alias_neo said:
Any luck finding a way to do it without actually replacing the font? Surely if it allows market download of fonts then you can just add new ones and update some list somewhere...
Sent from my GT-P1000 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Create a new folder on sdcard (fonts) under that folder create 2 more 1) original 2) custom fonts or (what ever fonts u r using) go back to system/fonts and copy the original and save them on sdcard/original now download the fonts to (custom folder created)
Copy the fonts go to system/fonts and paste (Before you do this write the permissions )
After you paste change the permissions and you are done
Now go to display / fonts and/ change them to default
Happy fonting lol

bluemonde said:
Create a new folder on sdcard (fonts) under that folder create 2 more 1) original 2) custom fonts or (what ever fonts u r using) go back to system/fonts and copy the original and save them on sdcard/original now download the fonts to (custom folder created)
Copy the fonts go to system/fonts and paste (Before you do this write the permissions )
After you paste change the permissions and you are done
Now go to display / fonts and/ change them to default
Happy fonting lol
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm not sure I follow your explanation here. Is there a way to just add fonts to the font folder and they show up?

Uprightmusic said:
I'm not sure I follow your explanation here. Is there a way to just add fonts to the font folder and they show up?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi the option to paste the font folder seems lost when I am opening the sd card ? Which program are you using to paste it into? Also I tried the first suggestion, renaming the fonts, but it says ...system file is read only? Your help is much appreciated.
Many thanks Devarsi

Hi the option to paste the font folder seems lost when I am opening the sd card ? Which program are you using to paste it into? Also I tried the first suggestion, renaming the fonts, but it says ...system file is read only? Your help is much appreciated.
Many thanks Devarsi
[/B]
bluemonde said:
Create a new folder on sdcard (fonts) under that folder create 2 more 1) original 2) custom fonts or (what ever fonts u r using) go back to system/fonts and copy the original and save them on sdcard/original now download the fonts to (custom folder created)
Copy the fonts go to system/fonts and paste (Before you do this write the permissions )
After you paste change the permissions and you are done
Now go to display / fonts and/ change them to default
Happy fonting lol
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

DAMN I forgot to change back the permission and now my Tab is looping boot.. AARRGGHHH

heavylildude said:
DAMN I forgot to change back the permission and now my Tab is looping boot.. AARRGGHHH
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Boot into recovery and reflash your rom/kernel.

Tray this one, it's simple
using apk font
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=12927086&postcount=6

[Q] How to instal fonts on Samsung Galaxy Tap GT-P1000

any one can help me.
i need to install farsi fonts on my samsung Galaxy Tap Gt-P1000
i get fasri fonts and i put them in samsung's root directory, but it does not see them.
i dont find fonts directory to copy them.
can any one help?

download font changer from the market, its free, and i use it, works perfect.

yes man but you dont understand.
i dont need to change my screen fonts. i need to add some fonts to my android. i dont need to change my screen fonts.
i want to see arabic web sites.

In settings what locale/language did you select? Is the language you want available? You will have to flash a rom with that language in it.
Anyone know what rom has farsi? I have seen discussions about arabic language roms.

If you just want to use arabic font (.ttf) installed on your tab do the following
1. Install Type Fresh and AndExplorer from Market
2. Backup your font (using Type Fresh) to /sdcard/Fonts
3. Copy your arabic font to /sdcard/Fonts
4. Launch Type Fresh, select the arabic font, select OK.
5. Click on Menu (you're still in Type Fresh), click Apply Fonts. Enjoy

ok just realized the above might not work as the tab will use the selected font and the display might mess up.
Not sure if this will help http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=826615&highlight=Check

[Q] add font to system folder

how do I add fonts to the system folder?
Tried to paste century Gothic in there so my website displays properly on icinia tab a500
But file HD wouldn't let me

You need to be rooted first, then use some file manager that allows you to change the folder permission to R/W.

mgatrn said:
how do I add fonts to the system folder?
Tried to paste century Gothic in there so my website displays properly on icinia tab a500
But file HD wouldn't let me
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Theres an easier way to change the system font,download "absolute system root tools" and yes you need to be rooted first.

Diablo67 said:
Theres an easier way to change the system font,download "absolute system root tools" and yes you need to be rooted first.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think he wants to paste the font so he can view his website, not change the OS fonts.

yes that's right
keep system font as is
load missing font that my website needs to display correctly

Did the root and installed font to system folder
website still defaults to wrong font
any ideas?

Change Stock Arabic Font

Hello guys
As we all know, Samsung uses the FlipFont library in system fonts, which provides a new way of font customizations. But in the same time, this library does not give us the benefit of having two desired fonts together (unless we build our custom font). Samsung has also replaced the stock Android ICS Arabic font with an ugly looking font type.
Samsung uses a system Arabic font stored within "/system/fonts" folder under the name of "GS45_Arab_AndroidOS" as their stock Arabic font, which is the classical font in even older Samsung phones.
Here, I am posting this thread to those people who would like to install their custom "English FlipFont" whether from the market or internet and in the same time want a permanent good Arabic font. This procedure needs root!
1- Choose a TTF font that you would like to use as Arabic font. In this tutorial, I have used the "Adobe Arabic" font. You can find it in the attachments.
2- Rename this file into "GS45_Arab_AndroidOS.ttf".
3- Copy this font into your mobile SD Card (whether internal or external).
4- Using a root explorer on the device, navigate to the font. Copy the font.
5- Navigate now to "/system/fonts" and paste the font there.
6- Fix file permissions into "rw-r--r--".
7- Reboot your device.
8- Enjoy!
Some TTF fonts may fail. If you have an Open-Type Font (OTF), you may use an online font converter to convert it to TTF.
Screenshots are provided.
I hope I could help

tried this without succes and then i tried to include the fonts before flashing the rom that works well.

Don_Zakaria said:
tried this without succes and then i tried to include the fonts before flashing the rom that works well.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Have you tried the font included herein?
Some TTF fonts do not work. You should follow exactly the aforementioned steps.
What have you exactly done?

tweetatoo said:
Have you tried the font included herein?
Some TTF fonts do not work. You should follow exactly the aforementioned steps.
What have you exactly done?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i followed all the steps with the included font but the Original file seems to be read only so it can't be replaced. What i did is:
1. unpack the rom.zip
2. put the ttf in the fonts folder (system - fonts) -as you mentioned it has to be renamed into "GS45_Arab_AndroidOS.ttf"-
3. zipped it again.
4. flashed the rom

Don_Zakaria said:
i followed all the steps with the included font but the Original file seems to be read only so it can't be replaced. What i did is:
1. unpack the rom.zip
2. put the ttf in the fonts folder (system - fonts) -as you mentioned it has to be renamed into "GS45_Arab_AndroidOS.ttf"-
3. zipped it again.
4. flashed the rom
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Why don't you just use Root Explorer? Just navigate to / System / fonts folder. Mount the folder as R/W and paste the file there. As simple as that!

tweetatoo said:
Why don't you just use Root Explorer? Just navigate to / System / fonts folder. Mount the folder as R/W and paste the file there. As simple as that!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's an easier way that's true but had to flash a new rom anyway.

Some fonts
tweetatoo if you don't mind here are some fonts already renamed. Those are much better than the default (ugly) one.

Don_Zakaria said:
tweetatoo if you don't mind here are some fonts already renamed. Those are much better than the default (ugly) one.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Wonderful collection
Thank you very much

tweetatoo said:
Wonderful collection
Thank you very much
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have actually applied all the steps mentioned by tweetatoo to install a new font instead of the default one shipped on Samsung Galaxy Note 2. In fact I couldn't paste the new font in /fonts/ directory since it is a system file that cannot be changed. I tried to change permissions of font directory, but still in vain. Therefore, pasting the new font which has the same name of the old one, could not be completed and no replacement of the old font with the new one has taken place.
Do you have any idea how I can allow pasting the new font in /fonts/ directory?
Many thanks.
T.

terryhenderson said:
I have actually applied all the steps mentioned by tweetatoo to install a new font instead of the default one shipped on Samsung Galaxy Note 2. In fact I couldn't paste the new font in /fonts/ directory since it is a system file that cannot be changed. I tried to change permissions of font directory, but still in vain. Therefore, pasting the new font which has the same name of the old one, could not be completed and no replacement of the old font with the new one has taken place.
Do you have any idea how I can allow pasting the new font in /fonts/ directory?
Many thanks.
T.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Do you have root? Did you use root-mode in file explorer?

Chief_Death said:
Do you have root? Did you use root-mode in file explorer?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes of course, I use root explorer, otherwise how would I be able to get to /fonts/ directory?

It's very good ! Thanks very much !
i'll do it soon

terryhenderson said:
Yes of course, I use root explorer, otherwise how would I be able to get to /fonts/ directory?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Getting into a protected system folder does not need root actually. Any folder explorer can reach the topmost folder in the system. But writing to a system folder requires root permissions.
Use this root explorer: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.speedsoftware.rootexplorer&hl=en
Google for downloadable versions
Open this program, copy the font file, then navigate to /system/fonts/ folder. After that, you will find on the top side of the screen "Mount R/W". Click on it and paste now.
After that, reboot and enjoy

Is this applicable for Samsung only?
Sent from my LG-E975 using Tapatalk 2

Hi,
I followed your steps and used the file you attached and now all the arabic shows as rectangles. Any ideas? Also, could I have the original font back for now until I sort this out, its my mums phone and shes upset lol.
tweetatoo said:
Hello guys
As we all know, Samsung uses the FlipFont library in system fonts, which provides a new way of font customizations. But in the same time, this library does not give us the benefit of having two desired fonts together (unless we build our custom font). Samsung has also replaced the stock Android ICS Arabic font with an ugly looking font type.
Samsung uses a system Arabic font stored within "/system/fonts" folder under the name of "GS45_Arab_AndroidOS" as their stock Arabic font, which is the classical font in even older Samsung phones.
Here, I am posting this thread to those people who would like to install their custom "English FlipFont" whether from the market or internet and in the same time want a permanent good Arabic font. This procedure needs root!
1- Choose a TTF font that you would like to use as Arabic font. In this tutorial, I have used the "Adobe Arabic" font. You can find it in the attachments.
2- Rename this file into "GS45_Arab_AndroidOS.ttf".
3- Copy this font into your mobile SD Card (whether internal or external).
4- Using a root explorer on the device, navigate to the font. Copy the font.
5- Navigate now to "/system/fonts" and paste the font there.
6- Reboot your device.
7- Enjoy!
Some TTF fonts may fail. If you have an Open-Type Font (OTF), you may use an online font converter to convert it to TTF.
Screenshots are provided.
I hope I could help
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
---------- Post added at 04:21 PM ---------- Previous post was at 04:18 PM ----------
Oh crap, I thought this was the s4 section. I have an international s4 gt-i9500 and I just replaced the font with the adobe arabic font. What should I do now?
3alaawi said:
Hi,
I followed your steps and used the file you attached and now all the arabic shows as rectangles. Any ideas? Also, could I have the original font back for now until I sort this out, its my mums phone and shes upset lol.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

keikai25 said:
Is this applicable for Samsung only?
Sent from my LG-E975 using Tapatalk 2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This is supposed to work on your device, since it supports Arabic natively. Just locate the Arabic font used by your LG device. Personally, I am a Samsung professional, and not an LG professional. Sorry
3alaawi said:
Hi,
I followed your steps and used the file you attached and now all the arabic shows as rectangles. Any ideas? Also, could I have the original font back for now until I sort this out, its my mums phone and shes upset lol.
---------- Post added at 04:21 PM ---------- Previous post was at 04:18 PM ----------
Oh crap, I thought this was the s4 section. I have an international s4 gt-i9500 and I just replaced the font with the adobe arabic font. What should I do now?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
After replacing the font, it is better to fix permissions back into rw-r--r-- instead of the rw-rw-rw. Then, reboot your phone
The rectangles should now appear good. In case the problem persists:
1- Try to make your phone language "English".
2- Reboot the phone.
3- Replace the font again and fix permissions.
4- Reboot again.
Arabic should now work perfectly.
Logically, even if you use Galaxy S 4, this method shall work perfectly, since the method uses a universal Android trick instead of the FlipFont library.

tweetatoo said:
This is supposed to work on your device, since it supports Arabic natively. Just locate the Arabic font used by your LG device. Personally, I am a Samsung professional, and not an LG professional. Sorry
After replacing the font, it is better to fix permissions back into rw-r--r-- instead of the rw-rw-rw. Then, reboot your phone
The rectangles should now appear good. In case the problem persists:
1- Try to make your phone language "English".
2- Reboot the phone.
3- Replace the font again and fix permissions.
4- Reboot again.
Arabic should now work perfectly.
Logically, even if you use Galaxy S 4, this method shall work perfectly, since the method uses a universal Android trick instead of the FlipFont library.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi, Will this solution work with the galaxy tab 3.8.0 ?

i followed your steps exactly. Arabic is still showing on my device but the problem is not in the font, it's in the size of the font.
is this supposed to be solved with the replacement of the font? or the size has nothing to do with the font?

Characters disconnected in the stock browser
Hi,
Thank you for the tip.
The characters appear disconnected in the stock browser Jb 4.3.
In Chrome everything is fine. Did not test other browsers.

tweetatoo said:
Hello guys
As we all know, Samsung uses the FlipFont library in system fonts, which provides a new way of font customizations. But in the same time, this library does not give us the benefit of having two desired fonts together (unless we build our custom font). Samsung has also replaced the stock Android ICS Arabic font with an ugly looking font type.
Samsung uses a system Arabic font stored within "/system/fonts" folder under the name of "GS45_Arab_AndroidOS" as their stock Arabic font, which is the classical font in even older Samsung phones.
Here, I am posting this thread to those people who would like to install their custom "English FlipFont" whether from the market or internet and in the same time want a permanent good Arabic font. This procedure needs root!
1- Choose a TTF font that you would like to use as Arabic font. In this tutorial, I have used the "Adobe Arabic" font. You can find it in the attachments.
2- Rename this file into "GS45_Arab_AndroidOS.ttf".
3- Copy this font into your mobile SD Card (whether internal or external).
4- Using a root explorer on the device, navigate to the font. Copy the font.
5- Navigate now to "/system/fonts" and paste the font there.
6- Reboot your device.
7- Enjoy!
Some TTF fonts may fail. If you have an Open-Type Font (OTF), you may use an online font converter to convert it to TTF.
Screenshots are provided.
I hope I could help
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for this excellent job.
However, I did everything by the book on my gnote3,but I keep getting error message:
"copy action error". Can you help, please?