Database Users

[Q] Replacing build.prop?

hi!
in order to test something, i need to replace the build.prop in root/system with a modified one. but trying to delete this file with astro manager displays an error message, and just copying the modified build.prop over the old one doesn't work too (nothing happens).
so my question is: how do you replace such a file?
thanks in advance for your help

are you serious!?!?!?
If the build.prop is located on the Android folder IT HAS TO BE A SYSTEM FILE !!!
if you mod the system files you could break android or the system just won't let you do it, you will need R and W privileges to do that.
edit the system files from your PC or just boot up in to windows mobile.
use some common scene next time.
hope it helps!
Sent from my HTC HD2 using XDA App

Do you use a cyanogen build?

yes and there is already a cyanogen rom posted with the proper build.prop fixed, so you won't have to edit anything, just search for it.
Sent from my HTC HD2 using XDA App

mmmh actually cyanogen made things easy to replace a system file, just copy your file into sdcard/android/root/system and reboot.

thanks for your help / posts. but unfortunately they're not helpful.
yes, i am serious! and yes, of course it's a system file. i know as well that modification might brick android.
there are reasons for modifying this file. some people seem to be able to, e.g. for chaning screen point density or modify the data passthrough.
so, please tell me, how can i edit/modify a system file from pc or windows mobile when its within the data.img-file?
thanks for any tips / hints on this.

use root explorer

Sichroteph said:
mmmh actually cyanogen made things easy to replace a system file, just copy your file into sdcard/android/root/system and reboot.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you VERY much for your help - I finally got it to work by listening your instructions. It is simply different if you have HD2 and plus CM mod. That figures why it was going back all the time to 180 instead of changing it - because it runs from sd card and that's where it needs to be replaced as well ...

Droid Explorer

[Q] Help understanding to make Themes

ok so i've read several, several threads on making themes, metamorph files, and what not and just wanted to ask a couple of questions since i'm going to try to start my own theme for my fascinate.
i know i need to be in the framework-res.apk and twframework-res.apk files. Is the twframwork-res.apk only needed if i'm themeing for tw or can i just work in the framework-res.apk? also i've read somewhere not to mess with the .9.png files is this true here or is it ok to change these? also i'm not 100% on how to zip for a clockwork flash. do i just do a normal .zip file or is there something else thats has to be done to be flashable thru clockwork. o and is there anyhting else in the drawable folder i shouldnt touch? thanks for the help in advance

I am a little curious myself, but I haven't taken the time to look into it. You might check out this wonderful pdf:
http://tinyurl.com/2dnt4lv
I hope you get a more proper answer. Bump.
Swyped w/ XDA App. System: http://tinyurl.com/26tmcr9

Best way to learn how to build something is to take it apart. There are many valuable resources on line about android themeing. Knowledge of performing xml edits for font color and graphic placement. And using 7zip to be able to open an apk using the open archive feature and being able to extract and add image files from the drawable-hdpi folder. Make a back up of you phone and utilize some reverse engineering and experiment with some image replacement and give it a flash. Coming from windows mobile and no android knowledge I had things figured with about 3 hours of reading and experimenting.
good day.

You will need both framework files if you intend on getting it fully themed. It all depends on what you want to change. You can mess with the .9's, assuming you know how to do it properly. IE: modify your .9, edit your .9 in draw9patch, then compile in eclipse.
To sign a zip ---> java -jar signapk.jar testkey.x509.pem testkey.pk8 zip-name.zip new-zip-name.zip.zip

ty for the pdf that explains a lot in simple terms, and maybe I'll dive in on my eris first just in case lol, and thanks for the zip signing
Sent from my SCH-I500 using XDA App

Also look up apk manager in search (don't have the link handy)

on the .9.png files do I just open them in gimp/photoshop and then open it again in draw9patch to resave it? lol lil confused on these particular files
Sent from my SCH-I500 using XDA App

Reflash a theme already installed

I was just wondering if there are a clever trick to reflash a theme already installed on the device.
In this particular situation I have changed some of the icons in the framwork-res.apk. I then copied them to the theme, wich is BrightSilence, and tried to flash it all over again. Result - bootloop.
So, is there any step you could do to circumvent this, or is the only option to reflash the ROM. and then the theme?
Thanks

Yes, just reflash a unmodified version of, in your case, BrightSilence or am i missing something?
Or revert to the nandroid you made before messing with the system partition.

The thing is that BrightSilence is already installed on the device, but now I want another set of icons. Flashing the theme again with the modified framework-res just result in a bootloop.
It seems there really is no shortcut, than to reflash ROM, then new theme.
Thanks anyway.

hallydamaster said:
The thing is that BrightSilence is already installed on the device, but now I want another set of icons. Flashing the theme again with the modified framework-res just result in a bootloop.
It seems there really is no shortcut, than to reflash ROM, then new theme.
Thanks anyway.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
U are wrong.
Installing theme - means overwriting some files into new ones, not adding or removing some.
So if u changed framework file, flashed and got bootloop - u can flash theme again (overwrite bad file) and boot correctly.
Sent from my pocket using pen

mendozinas said:
U are wrong.
Installing theme - means overwriting some files into new ones, not adding or removing some.
So if u changed framework file, flashed and got bootloop - u can flash theme again (overwrite bad file) and boot correctly.
Sent from my pocket using pen
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I do get that really. But what now if I want to apply a new framework-res? I know I can always nandroid my self out of a bootloop.

hallydamaster said:
I do get that really. But what now if I want to apply a new framework-res? I know I can always nandroid my self out of a bootloop.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
U have to mod framework correctly and will not end in booloops.
Use Apk Manager to decompile, change, compile and sign framework-res.apk.
Do not push file via adb - use flashable zip.
Sent from my pocket using pen

mendozinas said:
U have to mod framework correctly and will not end in booloops.
Use Apk Manager to decompile, change, compile and sign framework-res.apk.
Do not push file via adb - use flashable zip.
Sent from my pocket using pen
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
But the framework-res is from the UOT, shouldn't that be packed/signed properly?
Well, I am going to try anyway, thanks!
EDIT: Tried to cook a new file, with the exact same framework-res I used earlier. Used UOT to cook, and worked perfectly. Thanks to mendozinas! ;-)

Battery mod links

Ok, So after copying 200 or so png's in the Drawable_xlarge_mdpi and the drawable_mdpi folder, I get my image mods after flashing.
But, they still only show the stock number of images, 9 or 10. Charging works ok.
So somewhere, there are some xml files I need to edit to reflect the filename additions?
Or am I missing something else?
A501 HC 3.2
Thanks guys and girls!

Battery_Charge.xml & Battery_Discharge.xml should be what your looking for.
Sent from my DROIDX using Xparent Red Tapatalk

DRTMI said:
Battery_Charge.xml & Battery_Discharge.xml should be what your looking for.
Sent from my DROIDX using Xparent Red Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks. I kind of figgured those were the xml files I was looking for. Problem is, I'm playing hell with de-compiling my framework-res to be able to edit the xml files.
Can't make much progress with the apktools available, even when including the dependancy apk's. So clearly I am a noob with decompiling framework-res
So my next question, is there any difference between a com gen 1 stat_battery_charge.xml; for the a500 and 501? If not, is it feasible to switch the modified xml to replace the current stock one?

here is how i mod those files as well as the icons and so on
i copy the system ui.apk to a folder on my desktop
i open it with winrar.. DO NOT EXTRACT IT.. pull out the folder containing the png files or xms you want to edit.. Just drag and drop them to another folder..
edit them to your hearts desire.
open the system.ui apk again in win rar.. drag the edited folder back into the system.ui.. push it to your tablet.. to say download folder..
then copy it to the original place it will ask you to replace say yes.. your tablet will CRASH .. REBOOT then if you edited the files corectly it will boot and show your changes.
i dont know if this is the correct way easiest way .. but IT DID WORK FOR ME.. USE AT YOUR OWN DESCRESSION..

I could send you the apktool I am using. Its the only one I have found that works worth honeycomb.
Sent from a phone.

NunHugger said:
I could send you the apktool I am using. Its the only one I have found that works worth honeycomb.
Sent from a phone.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Would be much appreciated Just send a link, and thanks!

erica_renee said:
USE AT YOUR OWN DESCRESSION..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks Erica! That's what I've been doing Actually, wanted to do some editing to the xml files itself. It's easy for png's, at they don't get compiled.
Anytime we take the first step, and install iconiaroot, we do so at our own discretion

Here's an updated apk_manager if you prefer that method.
I normally use a CWM zip since I have to reboot anyway. You can usually start with any theme zip and just make sure their updater-script copies /system to /system and just look through the zip to see what it copies, and if it looks normal, you can make the directory structure the same but copy your own over the old ones (and delete any orginal files that you won't be overwriting). i.e. it should look like:
system/app/SystemUI.apk
system/framework/framework-res.apk
system/fonts/blah.ttf
Just drag your files into the zip in the same place and use it.
And then as a precautionary measure, just do this once or any time you mess with more files (for inexperienced modders): Make a 2nd copy of that zip and call it blah-revert.zip then copy the orginal files over those modified files. Once you have both zips on the device, if anything goes wrong you can flash the revert to get back quick.

Transparent statusbar...!!! Guide needed!!!

I'm [12.Aug.2012] NexusHD2-ICS-4.0.4-CM9-HWA V2.6 (Kernel: tytung_HWA_r3.4) And tried hard for a mod to make its statusbar transparent...!!!:fingers-crossed::fingers-crossed::fingers-crossed:
Followed this guide but failed as it resulting no statusbar at the end.
Please can anybody guide us(noobs) with a proper tutorial for systemUI.apk mods for our leo???

Been looking for one as well, always end up stuffing mine up.

I'm not sure which guide you followed but you can try this one - http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=20654552&postcount=3
And if you are looking for different mods in general check out the SGN Themes&Apps section http://forum.xda-developers.com/forumdisplay.php?f=1340
It's way more active when it comes to mods&themes compared to the HD2 section (Which consists mostly of Questions and Disscusions anyway )

gogodu5sU said:
I'm not sure which guide you followed but you can try this one - http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=20654552&postcount=3
And if you are looking for different mods in general check out the SGN Themes&Apps section http://forum.xda-developers.com/forumdisplay.php?f=1340
It's way more active when it comes to mods&themes compared to the HD2 section (Which consists mostly of Questions and Disscusions anyway )
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sorry this is the guide I followed!!!!
http://forum.xda-developers.com/show....php?t=1523703

jhha said:
Sorry this is the guide I followed!!!!
http://forum.xda-developers.com/show....php?t=1523703
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You were right, this guide - http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1523703 works well.
I actually never sign SystemUI.apk nor framework-res.apk, never had a problem with that, so you can skip that part.
Try APK Multi-Tool - http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1310151
and don't forget to drop framework-res.apk into Apk_Multi-Tool\other
next open Command prompt and navigate to that folder
type
Code:
apktool if framework-res.apk
and you should be ready to de- and recompile.
Attached is 100% transparent and 50% transparent. (have not tested 50% though)
Flash in recovery.

grumbles
im trying to figure this out for the rom in my sig which is a jb rom
but that guide did help me at all lol
none of the code matched up

Thanks those two mods worked, thanks.
Kameirus said:
grumbles
im trying to figure this out for the rom in my sig which is a jb rom
but that guide did help me at all lol
none of the code matched up
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Probably because it's a different version of Android

Permissions???
gogodu5sU said:
You were right, this guide - http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1523703 works well.
I actually never sign SystemUI.apk nor framework-res.apk, never had a problem with that, so you can skip that part.
Try APK Multi-Tool - http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1310151
and don't forget to drop framework-res.apk into Apk_Multi-Tool\other
next open Command prompt and navigate to that folder
type
Code:
apktool if framework-res.apk
and you should be ready to de- and recompile.
Attached is 100% transparent and 50% transparent. (have not tested 50% though)
Flash in recovery.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks man I'll definitely try with this & let you know & many thanks for the modded zips(till I learn how to manipulate SystemUI.apk successfully my leo can enjoy it!:highfive::highfive::highfive! Thanks again.!
I found this guide too...!!! :fingers-crossed::fingers-crossed::fingers-crossed:
http://rootzwiki.com/topic/31785-co...ng-and-recompiling-jb-systemuiapk-jelly-bean/
& managed to compile the SystemUI.apk but still it results in absent status bar in either way of following
1. Replacing the original SystemUI.apk in the ROM with the modded one & installing the ROM(Tried both signed & unsigned versions)
2. After installing the original ROM & later replace the SystemUI.apk with the modded one with root explorer (Tried signed version)
But when I Edit the permission(with root explorer) of the modded SystemUI.apk copied to the system folder (As in 2nd method), as for other system apps it worked. :cyclops::laugh::laugh::laugh:
I cant understand in which step I made things wrong! In which step we manage permissions of an app while decompiling, compiling or modding.!
It'd be nice if somebody can direct me right.! Love to learn from XDA...!!!
Kameirus said:
grumbles
im trying to figure this out for the rom in my sig which is a jb rom
but that guide did help me at all lol
none of the code matched up
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Try above link...!!! Its originally for JB...!!!:laugh:

jhha said:
Thanks man I'll definitely try with this & let you know & many thanks for the modded zips(till I learn how to manipulate SystemUI.apk successfully my leo can enjoy it!:highfive::highfive::highfive! Thanks again.!
I found this guide too...!!! :fingers-crossed::fingers-crossed::fingers-crossed:
http://rootzwiki.com/topic/31785-co...ng-and-recompiling-jb-systemuiapk-jelly-bean/
& managed to compile the SystemUI.apk but still it results in absent status bar in either way of following
1. Replacing the original SystemUI.apk in the ROM with the modded one & installing the ROM(Tried both signed & unsigned versions)
2. After installing the original ROM & later replace the SystemUI.apk with the modded one with root explorer (Tried signed version)
But when I Edit the permission(with root explorer) of the modded SystemUI.apk copied to the system folder (As in 2nd method), as for other system apps it worked. :cyclops::laugh::laugh::laugh:
I cant understand in which step I made things wrong! In which step we manage permissions of an app while decompiling, compiling or modding.!
It'd be nice if somebody can direct me right.! Love to learn from XDA...!!!
Try above link...!!! Its originally for JB...!!!:laugh:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
yes ive seen that thanks
found out last night that the status bar transparency on jb cant be done yet
pier10 said:
Unfortunately, there's still no hack on CM10 ...the .smali files (that need to modify) isn't exist in JB.
It's rather easy on CM9. Here's the guide http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1523703
btw, the notification is transparent on this theme
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
im gonna try and figure out the notification pull down later today

jhha said:
Thanks man I'll definitely try with this & let you know & many thanks for the modded zips(till I learn how to manipulate SystemUI.apk successfully my leo can enjoy it!:highfive::highfive::highfive! Thanks again.!
I found this guide too...!!! :fingers-crossed::fingers-crossed::fingers-crossed:
http://rootzwiki.com/topic/31785-co...ng-and-recompiling-jb-systemuiapk-jelly-bean/
& managed to compile the SystemUI.apk but still it results in absent status bar in either way of following
1. Replacing the original SystemUI.apk in the ROM with the modded one & installing the ROM(Tried both signed & unsigned versions)
2. After installing the original ROM & later replace the SystemUI.apk with the modded one with root explorer (Tried signed version)
But when I Edit the permission(with root explorer) of the modded SystemUI.apk copied to the system folder (As in 2nd method), as for other system apps it worked. :cyclops::laugh::laugh::laugh:
I cant understand in which step I made things wrong! In which step we manage permissions of an app while decompiling, compiling or modding.!
It'd be nice if somebody can direct me right.! Love to learn from XDA...!!!
Try above link...!!! Its originally for JB...!!!:laugh:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Permissions are set in the AndroidManifest.xml. (in the root folder of the decompiled apk)
Sometimes, if an app is asking for "wierd" permissions which i/it doesn't need i just delete those lines from that file.
But in your case, i don't know what happend.
Kameirus said:
yes ive seen that thanks
found out last night that the status bar transparency on jb cant be done yet
im gonna try and figure out the notification pull down later today
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sorry Kameirus
but i can't help you with that either, i guess you would be better off downloading the jellybean source
and try to mod it that way or wait until somebody else does.
I don't think that those "smalis" don't exist, they are just named differently
and overall just different since it's a new android version.
My guess would be, if you want to add transparency you might want to look at:
SystemUI.apk\smali\com\android\systemui\statusbar\BaseStatusBar.smali
If you are going to learn a bit about smali, you could try Virtuous Ten Studio - http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1619473
It makes smali's a bit easier on the eye and has a nice smali-guide within.

gogodu5sU said:
Permissions are set in the AndroidManifest.xml. (in the root folder of the decompiled apk)
Sometimes, if an app is asking for "wierd" permissions which i/it doesn't need i just delete those lines from that file.
But in your case, i don't know what happend.
Sorry Kameirus
but i can't help you with that either, i guess you would be better off downloading the jellybean source
and try to mod it that way or wait until somebody else does.
I don't think that those "smalis" don't exist, they are just named differently
and overall just different since it's a new android version.
My guess would be, if you want to add transparency you might want to look at:
SystemUI.apk\smali\com\android\systemui\statusbar\BaseStatusBar.smali
If you are going to learn a bit about smali, you could try Virtuous Ten Studio - http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1619473
It makes smali's a bit easier on the eye and has a nice smali-guide within.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
thanks
i saw that smali a little while ago when i was going thru the folders
ill look at it later after i get home
thanks for the tip

well no luck lol
but i did learn how to flash a backup blindfolded lmao

Ok I think I figured out whats the problem is with my compiling...!!!
When you run the compile it ask to replace every thing that not modified from the original. I chose "yes" earlier all the time! But when I select "no"
I could get a working SystemUI.apk even without zipaligning or signing.! :cyclops::cyclops::cyclops:
Learning something everyday!