[GUIDE] How to easily edit/modify .apk files! (Simple, Noob Friendly) - Android Software Development

Hey Guys an' Girls!
Anyway, so when I first learnt how to decompile, modify then recompile .apks I found it was a rather slow process and figured out a far faster way.I searched google and xda many times and couldn't find my method anywhere. So without further ado, let's go through an easy, simple, step by step guide on how to modify .apk files!
Step 1 - Getting the .apk
Firstly, of course, you will need to obtain the .apk file that you want to edit. There are two methods to do this:
a) If you have the recovery flashable zip for the rom you are currently on, simply open it up, navigate to the file you want to edit (in my case system -> app -> settings.apk) and drag the .apk file onto your desktop.
b) Using root browser or a similar app on your device, navigate to the .apk you wish to edit and copy it onto your sdcard. Then connect to your computer and copy the file from your phone to the computer.
Step 2 - Editing/Modifying your .apk
Now is the important part. Install Winrar by clicking the link. http://www.win-rar.com/download.html?&L=0 Then open the .apk by right clicking the file -> open with -> WinRar. Now you can look around the .apk file. Find a file inside the .apk you wish to edit. (In my case I'm going to navigate to res -> mipmap-hdpi -> ic_launcher_settings.png). Just drag the file from the .apk and edit to your liking.
NOTE: It is recommended never to completely take everything out of the .apk and then put it all back in. Just do one file at a time.
Then when your finished, select the old file in the .apk and press the delete button. Now drag in the new edited file into where you found it. Easy!
Step 3 - Putting the new .apk back where it belongs
Now of course, your going to have to put it back on your device to see the changes in effect, there's no point having it on your computer! There are two ways to go about this:
a) Open up your rom and navigate to the place where you took your .apk file from. Click on the old .apk file and press the delete button. Now drag your new edited .apk file into the zip. Then connect your device to your computer and drag the rom onto the sdcard and flash it via recovery. Now reboot the system and see your change/s in effect!
b) Copy your new .apk file from your computer to your device. Then, using Root browser or a similar app, navigate to the old .apk file and look at the permisions. (eg. RW--r--) Now delete the old file and replace with the new, but make sure to set the permissions the same as they were before. Now Simply reboot and see your change/s in effect!
NOTE: For some .apk files (eg. Framework-res.apk) there might be missing folders inside the .apk (eg. Values).

Just hit the thanks button, he doesn't bite your finger!

This is an easy way to edit the images only(icons,wallpaper,etc),not XML files,Smali's and such.I do this using the kitchen,easy way if you theme alot.

Diablo67 said:
This is an easy way to edit the images only(icons,wallpaper,etc),not XML files,Smali's and such.I do this using the kitchen,easy way if you theme alot.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You don't have to use this guide just for images. That was just the example. You can use it for almost any file inside an .apk. I was just saying that SOME folders aren't there.

Can you guide me to how do i keep same apps of diff versions.

i tried to modify a 3rd party app e.g whatsapp and when i tried installing i got an error which said "the app is not signed", may u kindly assist!

tendyfish said:
i tried to modify a 3rd party app e.g whatsapp and when i tried installing i got an error which said "the app is not signed", may u kindly assist!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You also have this tool
Easy Apk Dissassembler
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=14049173

How do I use a flashable to get rid of .apks??? ₩

On the app I have here it returns 20 results that it scrapes from a website. I only want it to return 3 or 4. How do I get in there and change that value?

I want to change values on touchwiz launcher on my note 3, to use it in 440 dpi. When I use it there is so much margin on all sides, and I need to reduce. I need to add a new icon row as well. Can I do that just by modifying the app?
Sent from my GT-I9505 using Tapatalk

are the .xml files encrypted or something? when i try to edit them, it is a bunch of strange characters

Hi,
I would like to modify the tinychat.apk so that i can find how to change my device info/platform from android to something else, like pc or whatever. I dont want to be identified as using an android device. Is this possible?
Regards.

ksaul said:
are the .xml files encrypted or something? when i try to edit them, it is a bunch of strange characters
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, depending on what tool you use to decompile the apk files it may or may not decrypt them. I use apktool and it decrypts them just fine.

I think this method is no longer working for 4.3+

Modify JAR files
littlejoelgriffo said:
Hey Guys an' Girls!
Anyway, so when I first learnt how to decompile, modify then recompile .apks I found it was a rather slow process and figured out a far faster way.I searched google and xda many times and couldn't find my method anywhere. So without further ado, let's go through an easy, simple, step by step guide on how to modify .apk files!
Step 1 - Getting the .apk
Firstly, of course, you will need to obtain the .apk file that you want to edit. There are two methods to do this:
a) If you have the recovery flashable zip for the rom you are currently on, simply open it up, navigate to the file you want to edit (in my case system -> app -> settings.apk) and drag the .apk file onto your desktop.
b) Using root browser or a similar app on your device, navigate to the .apk you wish to edit and copy it onto your sdcard. Then connect to your computer and copy the file from your phone to the computer.
Step 2 - Editing/Modifying your .apk
Now is the important part. Install Winrar by clicking the link. http://www.win-rar.com/download.html?&L=0 Then open the .apk by right clicking the file -> open with -> WinRar. Now you can look around the .apk file. Find a file inside the .apk you wish to edit. (In my case I'm going to navigate to res -> mipmap-hdpi -> ic_launcher_settings.png). Just drag the file from the .apk and edit to your liking.
NOTE: It is recommended never to completely take everything out of the .apk and then put it all back in. Just do one file at a time.
Then when your finished, select the old file in the .apk and press the delete button. Now drag in the new edited file into where you found it. Easy!
Step 3 - Putting the new .apk back where it belongs
Now of course, your going to have to put it back on your device to see the changes in effect, there's no point having it on your computer! There are two ways to go about this:
a) Open up your rom and navigate to the place where you took your .apk file from. Click on the old .apk file and press the delete button. Now drag your new edited .apk file into the zip. Then connect your device to your computer and drag the rom onto the sdcard and flash it via recovery. Now reboot the system and see your change/s in effect!
b) Copy your new .apk file from your computer to your device. Then, using Root browser or a similar app, navigate to the old .apk file and look at the permisions. (eg. RW--r--) Now delete the old file and replace with the new, but make sure to set the permissions the same as they were before. Now Simply reboot and see your change/s in effect!
NOTE: For some .apk files (eg. Framework-res.apk) there might be missing folders inside the .apk (eg. Values).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's very helpful thank you for sharing. Is there a way to modify JAR files the same way?

gilbertgk said:
That's very helpful thank you for sharing. Is there a way to modify JAR files the same way?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
rename the jar to apk..after done,rename it back to jar

zamzameir said:
rename the jar to apk..after done,rename it back to jar
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Can this work on my note 3 4.3 not rooted?

gilbertgk said:
Can this work on my note 3 4.3 not rooted?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
idk..but you can try n report back

littlejoelgriffo said:
Hey Guys an' Girls!
Anyway, so when I first learnt how to decompile, modify then recompile .apks I found it was a rather slow process and figured out a far faster way.I searched google and xda many times and couldn't find my method anywhere. So without further ado, let's go through an easy, simple, step by step guide on how to modify .apk files!
Step 1 - Getting the .apk
Firstly, of course, you will need to obtain the .apk file that you want to edit. There are two methods to do this:
a) If you have the recovery flashable zip for the rom you are currently on, simply open it up, navigate to the file you want to edit (in my case system -> app -> settings.apk) and drag the .apk file onto your desktop.
b) Using root browser or a similar app on your device, navigate to the .apk you wish to edit and copy it onto your sdcard. Then connect to your computer and copy the file from your phone to the computer.
Step 2 - Editing/Modifying your .apk
Now is the important part. Install Winrar by clicking the link. http://www.win-rar.com/download.html?&L=0 Then open the .apk by right clicking the file -> open with -> WinRar. Now you can look around the .apk file. Find a file inside the .apk you wish to edit. (In my case I'm going to navigate to res -> mipmap-hdpi -> ic_launcher_settings.png). Just drag the file from the .apk and edit to your liking.
NOTE: It is recommended never to completely take everything out of the .apk and then put it all back in. Just do one file at a time.
Then when your finished, select the old file in the .apk and press the delete button. Now drag in the new edited file into where you found it. Easy!
Step 3 - Putting the new .apk back where it belongs
Now of course, your going to have to put it back on your device to see the changes in effect, there's no point having it on your computer! There are two ways to go about this:
a) Open up your rom and navigate to the place where you took your .apk file from. Click on the old .apk file and press the delete button. Now drag your new edited .apk file into the zip. Then connect your device to your computer and drag the rom onto the sdcard and flash it via recovery. Now reboot the system and see your change/s in effect!
b) Copy your new .apk file from your computer to your device. Then, using Root browser or a similar app, navigate to the old .apk file and look at the permisions. (eg. RW--r--) Now delete the old file and replace with the new, but make sure to set the permissions the same as they were before. Now Simply reboot and see your change/s in effect!
NOTE: For some .apk files (eg. Framework-res.apk) there might be missing folders inside the .apk (eg. Values).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thnax for great guide but,my gopro app has a update and I have changed the icon on it but the app store dosent show me the update button. How to fix so I can update?

What do I need to change in an app to substitute it for another app?
OK so I've installed a new ROM and it comes with a kernel setting app preinstalled. This app has been integrated into the system settings portion of the ROM. I want to replace this kernel settings app with one of my choice but I want to be able to integrate it into the system settings like the original app is. I tried disguising the new app by changing the name of the app and .apk files but that didn't work. Closest I got was being able to convert my app to system app but even though I changed the name, the app, when installed goes back to it's original name. Or what permissions or files do I need to change to allow the integration of my app into the settings interface. Thanks ahead of time, it's appreciated.

Related

[Q] Fix DNS Facebook, we need an developer to help

Hi everybody.
I'm come from Vietnam, where the Facebook is now banned.
We need someone to write a program to update the host file in /system/etc/ by just a touch.
Please copy the IP from http://armabloggin.com/2009/07/facebook-dns-block-fix/
to the host file (like AdFree program).
We cannot edit this file by Astro because it read-only. We don't know how to S-OFF our Android.
Thank you so much.
I thought that AdFree is for rooted phones only.
Here's the host file
I've modified the host file for you but I don't think you can get much further until you root your phone, giving yourself access to system/etc/ where the "hosts" file is for replacement.
Remove the .txt extension and replace it with your hosts file in /system/etc/ after rooting.
If your phone cannot be rooted at http://unrevoked.com/ have a look on the sub forum here for your phone.
As previously stated, changing any system file is impossible without root.
Why can't you use a one-click-rooting program? There are plenty around that work for quite a lot of phones. If that doesn't work there will be device specific guides available, unless it's a phone that can't be rooted (is there any?).
Sorry, I've already root the HTC Desire by Unrevoked.com and have RA-recovery.
I mean that I don't have S-OFF in my device.
I also used Astro to copy the host file to SD Card and edited it. But I cannot replace the host file to system/etc/.
So I need you help write a mini-soft like AdFree.
Have you tried using adb to push the hosts file (in recovery) or root explorer? No need to S-OFF.
I think a soft will easy to use for everyone, don't need experiment in adb, root or s-off.
Anyone developer can make it easy?
Sent from my HTC Desire using Tapatalk
I think the problem is that you didn't mounted the system partition. Try ES FileExplorer, it can work as root and can mount partitions
Sent from my GT-I5700 using XDA Premium App
Hi,I am vietnamese too,if you can't root your phone you can follow the full instruction on tinhte.vn forum.
I whipped this up for you.
It doesn't look great but it does the job. Put the 'hosts' file on your sdcard (not in any folder) that you want to move and rename it 'hosts.txt'. Then run the app and press the button. You'll probably need to reboot afterwards.
Enjoy.
This doesn't back up the hosts file on your phone so you may want to do that manually.
[YOU NEED ROOT ACCESS]
Thank you so much.
Meltus said:
I whipped this up for you.
It doesn't look great but it does the job. Put the 'hosts' file on your sdcard (not in any folder) that you want to move and rename it 'hosts.txt'. Then run the app and press the button. You'll probably need to reboot afterwards.
Enjoy.
This doesn't back up the hosts file on your phone so you may want to do that manually.
[YOU NEED ROOT ACCESS]
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Dear Meltus,
Firstly, I thank you very much to write this apk for me. You're so kind.
But it's maybe something wrong!
I install your apk, put the hosts.txt in SDCard (in the root, not in any folder).
Then run the app and press the button, reboot afterwards.
I used Astro to view the hosts file. But this file is error. It has 0 byte and can be read.
Please fix it. Thank you so much, again.
P/S: Maybe you make an options to chose folder of hosts file.
Further, you can develop this apk to change any file of system by chose the source and destiny paths.

[Q] [request] LiveWallpaper Picker

I have a flipside that I rooted and removed the bloat on. I installed thed Xperia Arc launcher and it is awesome. I removed the Live Wallpaper picker and at some point I acidentally deleted the backup to it I made with Titanium Backup. Can anyone back this up and upload the file so I can restore it to my flipside? There are some Xperia live wallpapers I would like to try that use the XMB wave (I love my PSP and PS3 and It would be cool to have on my phone) Thanks
Ok, i'll try to remember. When you're down go post these instructions on my thread so that everyone else can see it too!
Ok wow about 25 minutes later I figured it out again.....
You need this.
1. moto android depacker
2. unyaffs for windows
Step 1. - launch moto android depacker
2. Menu > Open From File > choose your .SBF rom file
3. Menu > Split to Folder
4. Put unyaffs and cygwin1.dll in the Folder that has now been created in windows explorer by the last Split to Folder action
5. Also inside that new folder (named like your SBF file automatically) you will see a bunch of .SMG files.
6. Take note of the .SMG filename with the largest amount of data. One will be significantly bigger than the others. This is where all your .apk's are stored.
7. Open command prompt
8. navigate to the location of this Folder with unyaffs, cygwin1.dll, and the other .smg files
9. Once you command prompt is inside that folder type: unyaffs <filename.smg>
10. For me the .SMG file that was the biggest was CG39.smg
11. You will then see that folder filling up with a bunch more folders as it extracts
12. One of the Folders will be "app"
12. Go into that folder and you will see all of you ROM .apk's Each apk is an app, that you can now manually install or remove to rebuild a customized image, etc.
Good Luck!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Found this on another thread so I'm trying this now. Might work. Not sure yet
devi59 said:
Found this on another thread so I'm trying this now. Might work. Not sure yet
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
And it did so this thread can be closed.

Tutorial: How to use 7zip to Theme your favorite ROM: Updated how to mod market app.

I decided to detail and share how I used 7zip to Theme my favorite ROM. Im doing this because I found it a bit tough to find a detailed guide that contained all the steps. Hope this will help some people who would just simply like to change a battery or signal icon, or whatever.
Have you ever seen a ROM that you really liked the icons but it was not for your phone. Well I did so heres what I did.
1. Download 7zip.
2. Download your current ROM, and the ROM which contains icons you like.
3. Right Click on your current ROM, choose 7zip and choose" extract to "what ever your rom is called"". This will create a folder with contents of your ROM.
4. Do the same for the ROM that you may want to take icons from.
5. Now start opening up the folders. I like to keep one ROM on one side of the screen and the other on the other side. Depending on whether the two roms are for the same phone will determine whether similar files will be in the same location. For the most part you will be opening framework_res.apk and systemui.apk.
6. Opening these apk's is as simple as following step 3 again. Right click apk, choose 7zip, extract to whatever apk is called.
7. Go into the folder of the apk, go to res, go to different hdpi folders, there may be a few. I found it helpful to have both roms open at the same time. Looking for icons of the same name.
8. So you've found the icons you want to change. Once you are ready to copy them from one rom to the other, you must be certain they have the same name, if they dont, then you must change the name of your new icons to match the ones you plan on replacing. Do this before copying them. When you copy them over its important that your computer ask you if you want to replace the file of the same name. That means it does in fact have the correct name.
9.This is where I got confused, putting it back together again. So here is what you do. Back out of the folder that you just changed all the pngs in. Lets say its drawable hdpi. Keep this drawable hdpi folder handy cause you will need it in a moment. Now open up the folder which contains your ROM in a seperate window. Lets say we are changing stuff in the systemui.apk. Navigate to the original apk for systemui, not the new folder of the same name.
10. Right click it, Choose 7zip. But this time select open archive. Now in archive navigate into the res folder and you will see drawable hdpi.
11. Right click it. and delete it. Now remember I said to keep the other drawable hdpi folder handy....drag and drop it into the archive to replace the one you just deleted. Now close the window. Do this for as many system apks you choose, most common are like I mentioned earlier framework-res and systemui, but you may want to change things in settings, dialertabactivity, contacts....etc.
12. Now you want to put these newly themed apks back into the original rom. Its easy. Keep the newly themed apks handy.
13. Right click on the original rom zip, choose 7zip, choose open archive. Navigate to the apk you want to replace. Delete it. Now drag and drop the newly themed one into the archive. Repeat this process for all the apks you may have changed.
14. Close the archive window and install the newly themed zip in cwm. You may want to add something like a V1 onto the end of the newly themed rom, that way when you copy it onto your sd, you can keep the original on there as well.
Hope this will help someone get there rom exactly how the like it...and if it did...hit thanks.
Lets say you are running cm9 with theme Chooser but you don't like some of the icons but more less like the theme.
Copy the apk from your data app folder using root explorer or whatever you are using...paste to your SD....copy it too your computer.
Use 7zip the same way you do with a system app. But this time at the point where you are in the archives delete the Meta folder also. Don't replace, just delete it. Now close 7zip.
Next you will need a tool called autosign, just Google it. With this tool you will drag and drop your newely themed apk into it and run it. Its very easy you will see, the result be an new signed apk being produced. Rename it back to original and move your modded apk back to your SD. By now you should have uninstalled the original from your phone so that you can install this one.
Remember if this apk ever has an update on the market it will revert back and you would need to mod the new version.
Hope this helps. If it does hit thanks.
vanisleryan said:
I decided to detail and share how I used 7zip to Theme my favorite ROM. Im doing this because I found it a bit tough to find a detailed guide that contained all the steps. Hope this will help some people who would just simply like to change a battery or signal icon, or whatever.
Have you ever seen a ROM that you really liked the icons but it was not for your phone. Well I did so heres what I did.
1. Download 7zip.
2. Download your current ROM, and the ROM which contains icons you like.
3. Right Click on your current ROM, choose 7zip and choose" extract to "what ever your rom is called"". This will create a folder with contents of your ROM.
4. Do the same for the ROM that you may want to take icons from.
5. Now start opening up the folders. I like to keep one ROM on one side of the screen and the other on the other side. Depending on whether the two roms are for the same phone will determine whether similar files will be in the same location. For the most part you will be opening framework_res.apk and systemui.apk.
6. Opening these apk's is as simple as following step 3 again. Right click apk, choose 7zip, extract to whatever apk is called.
7. Go into the folder of the apk, go to res, go to different hdpi folders, there may be a few. I found it helpful to have both roms open at the same time. Looking for icons of the same name.
8. So you've found the icons you want to change. Once you are ready to copy them from one rom to the other, you must be certain they have the same name, if they dont, then you must change the name of your new icons to match the ones you plan on replacing. Do this before copying them. When you copy them over its important that your computer ask you if you want to replace the file of the same name. That means it does in fact have the correct name.
9.This is where I got confused, putting it back together again. So here is what you do. Back out of the folder that you just changed all the pngs in. Lets say its drawable hdpi. Keep this drawable hdpi folder handy cause you will need it in a moment. Now open up the folder which contains your ROM in a seperate window. Lets say we are changing stuff in the systemui.apk. Navigate to the original apk for systemui, not the new folder of the same name.
10. Right click it, Choose 7zip. But this time select open archive. Now in archive navigate into the res folder and you will see drawable hdpi.
11. Right click it. and delete it. Now remember I said to keep the other drawable hdpi folder handy....drag and drop it into the archive to replace the one you just deleted. Now close the window. Do this for as many system apks you choose, most common are like I mentioned earlier framework-res and systemui, but you may want to change things in settings, dialertabactivity, contacts....etc.
12. Now you want to put these newly themed apks back into the original rom. Its easy. Keep the newly themed apks handy.
13. Right click on the original rom zip, choose 7zip, choose open archive. Navigate to the apk you want to replace. Delete it. Now drag and drop the newly themed one into the archive. Repeat this process for all the apks you may have changed.
14. Close the archive window and install the newly themed zip in cwm. You may want to add something like a V1 onto the end of the newly themed rom, that way when you copy it onto your sd, you can keep the original on there as well.
Hope this will help someone get there rom exactly how the like it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks Vanisleryan for this. I always wondered exactly how to do this!
Subscribed to it and looking for more guides...
-----------------
I9000 powered by RemICS-JB
If I understand your tutorial, we modify the ROM apks/theme before flashing the whole ROM on phone ?
But what if we just want to adjust some icones without re-flashing the complete ROM ?
I may not have really understood tour tutorial I try to do my best with english language lol, anyway thanks for it
That's how I do it, but yes you could just theme one system app like say contacts. Delete it using root explore and then reinstall it after. You may have a few force closes but everything should be fine after you do a reboot.
Personally I like having the whole rom themed so its easy to get back to reinstall if go and try some other rom. To each there own..there is always more than one way to do just about anything.
JW1 with Dmore 3.1, personally themed to look like Omega black and blue.
Updated second post how to change a market app and reinstall on phone.
JW1 with Dmore 3.1, personally themed to look like Omega black and blue.

[MOD] Add top number row to Swype

Hello guys,
Since I use a Samsung device, I'm used to the extra number row on top of the keyboard so I modded Swype to have that extra row. However since Swype is to be purchased and not distributed, I'll only tell here how to do it for your legally purchased copy. And this is a bit complicated and for advanced users and you need to be rooted. You also need Root Explorer. Here we go:
1- First buy/download Swype from Google Play.
2- Go to /mnt/asec/com.nuance.swype.dtc-1 folder, copy pkg.apk to your sdcard, rename it to com.nuance.swype.dtc-1.apk.(keep a backup of this file at all times)
3- Go to /mnt/asec/com.nuance.swype.dtc-1/lib folder copy the files (libnmsp_speex.so and libswypecore.so) to your sdcard.
4- Using apktool (I used version 1.52) decompile com.nuance.swype.dtc-1.apk.,
5- Go to decompiled folder\res\xml folder. kbd file pertaining to your language is to be edited, I edit kbd_qwerty.xml for English using Notepad++.
6- Check the attached kbd_qwerty.xml in portrait folder and notice the extra row section I added to the top. You can in fact add secondary characters to numbers or customize the keyboard completely, rearrange letters, add symbols etc.
7- Once done, save the file and go to decompiled folder\res\xml-land folder and edit the landscape for the layout, kbd_qwerty.xml file, notice the attached file in landscape folder.
8- Once done, save the file and go to decompiled folder\res\values folder and edit the dimens.xml file. Here I raise the height of the keyboard and height of the key to 270dip and 54dip respectively, check the top rows of the attached dimens.xml. Also increase the keyboard height for landscape (if you want) by changing the dimens.xml under res\values-land folder.
9- Once done, recompile the folder with apktool, go to decompiled folder\dist folder and copy the apk here to a different folder and rename it to temp.apk.zip
10- Open temp.apk.zip with 7z/winrar and copy the resources.arsc and kbd_qwerty.xml files from res\xml and res\xml-land folders to your PC(obviously keep the 2 files in seperate folders not to overwrite)
11- Then, rename the original apk from step 2 to com.nuance.swype.dtc-1.apk.zip , open with winrar and first delete resources.arsc file, then drag the resources.arsc file from step 10 to the archive, it will be added. Staying in winrar, go to res\xml folder and replace the file with kbd_qwerty.xml from step 10 (the portrait version). Do the same with res\xml-land folder and the landcape file.
12- Once finished rename the file back to com.nuance.swype.dtc-1.apk, don't sign it, don't delete META-INF folder, leave it as it is.
13- Now, on your phone, uninstall Swype. Reinstall it from the apk file on Step 2. Go to /data/app-lib/com.nuance.swype.dtc-1 folder and move the 2 files (libnmsp_speex.so and libswypecore.so) to system/lib folder. You have to mount the System R/W from Root Explorer on this step. Fix the permissions so these 2 files have the same permissions with other files there. If you can't find these files just use the ones from Step 3.
14- Once done, copy com.nuance.swype.dtc-1.apk from Step 12 to /system/app and fix the permissions so that it has the same permissions as other files there.
15- Then delete the com.nuance.swype.dtc-1.apk from /data/app/ folder. Restart your phone.
This should be it if you followed it exactly, tracing and Dragon voice dictation also works. While you're doing all this work (takes 10 minutes by the way), you might also consider changing how Swype looks (theming) and changing many other things like swype thickness, colors etc. Please note that this is for advanced and rooted users and please don't ask me to give you the modded apk, you have to do it on your legally bought version. You might consider doing backups just in case anything goes wrong. Have fun.
And a quick tip: if you swype from swype icon to symbol key(123), arrow keyboard opens up.
You can also add arrow keys by copying arrow keys from kbd_edit.xml, check the 2nd screenshot.
Please hit the thanks button if you think this is useful.
Nice how to. But may u should tell that the latest Android versions store purchased apps in data/app-asec as asec version, this need special procedure to get a apk from the asec format.
Can you please update this tutorial to 4.3 ? I couldn't find the files in the mentioned paths. . I'm on stock rooted 4.3 on gt9500
Sent from my GT-I9500 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
lesalloum said:
Can you please update this tutorial to 4.3 ? I couldn't find the files in the mentioned paths. . I'm on stock rooted 4.3 on gt9500
Sent from my GT-I9500 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It works same for me on 4.3 stock rooted i9500, maybe you could do a file search to find the necessary folder. Here is another screenshot with the updated Swype(1.6.2.22328), where I made number buttons smaller like original Samsung Keyboard and hide the suggestions bar to save space.
ozkaya said:
Hello guys...
9- Once done, recompile the folder with apktool, go to decompiled folder\dist folder and copy the apk here to a different folder and rename it to temp.apk.zip
....
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
using the current play store version (1.6.3.22544), i decompiled com.nuance.swype.dtc-1.apk (/mnt/asec/com.nuance.swype.dtc-1/pkg.apk) using APKTool 1.52. i made no changes and attempted to recompile without success.
the first error displayed by apktool is:
"C:\Users\Phil\apktool\com.nuance.swype.dtc-1\res\values\arrays.xml:545: error: Found tag dimen-array where item is expected"
i do use APKTool successfully to mod other apps so i am familiar with the process.
QUESTION: what frameworks file are you using when making your mods? are you using a TW ROM frameworks? that's the only other variable i can think of...
EDIT: well, i just tried using TW framework too without success
PhilDX said:
using the current play store version (1.6.3.22544), i decompiled com.nuance.swype.dtc-1.apk (/mnt/asec/com.nuance.swype.dtc-1/pkg.apk) using APKTool 1.52. i made no changes and attempted to recompile without success.
the first error displayed by apktool is:
"C:\Users\Phil\apktool\com.nuance.swype.dtc-1\res\values\arrays.xml:545: error: Found tag dimen-array where item is expected"
i do use APKTool successfully to mod other apps so i am familiar with the process.
QUESTION: what frameworks file are you using when making your mods? are you using a TW ROM frameworks? that's the only other variable i can think of...
EXIT: well, i just tried using TW framework too without success
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Latest version of Swype has incompatible tags with Apktool. What you do is go to all the lines that give error and change them to <string-array>. Then it compiles.
ozkaya said:
Latest version of Skype has incompatible tags with Apktool. What you do is go to all the lines that give error and change them to <string-array>. Then it compiles.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i'll give this a shot tomorrow, thanks a lot!
ozkaya said:
Latest version of Swype has incompatible tags with Apktool. What you do is go to all the lines that give error and change them to <string-array>. Then it compiles.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
it works!!!
thanks man, appreciate the help and info!
I've been going nuts trying to edit swype for a week now and still can't seem to get it to work. All I want to do is change the suggested word color and maybe a few other minor color related things. I assumed just changing the color codes in /res/values/styles.xml that seemed to pertain to the holo theme would work but I can't ever get the app to install. Not even sure where to begin to ask for help on this one but if anyone has any advice I'd greatly appreciate it.
Ok I've tried this a hundred times following all the steps completely and it just wont work.
Once I go to install the final apk it always tries to install then sais App Not Installed.
TeknoGodz said:
Ok I've tried this a hundred times following all the steps completely and it just wont work.
Once I go to install the final apk it always tries to install then sais App Not Installed.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You don't install the final apk, in fact you can't since the certificate is no longer valid. You copy the final apk in place as in Step 14.
I would love this! I have used Swype for years but I would love a number row. To be honest I have no idea how to follow those instructions! I have a rooted phone - what can I do?
Am I right in concluding that you can't use TB to backup and restore the finished product and this will have to be done manually? I did this on my rooted Note 3 and I keep going back to my stock image because I don't want to have to keep doing the steps when I flash a new ROM or ROM update.
Would I maybe just have to do steps 12 onward every time?
mr.BeBoT said:
Am I right in concluding that you can't use TB to backup and restore the finished product and this will have to be done manually? I did this on my rooted Note 3 and I keep going back to my stock image because I don't want to have to keep doing the steps when I flash a new ROM or ROM update.
Would I maybe just have to do steps 12 onward every time?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
When you install a new ROM, you install original Swype from apk file then you move the lib files to /system/lib, copy the modded apk to /system/app and delete original apk from /data/app folder. So it is 4 steps once you have the modded apk ready, should take no more than 5 minutes.
thumm138 said:
I've been going nuts trying to edit swype for a week now and still can't seem to get it to work. All I want to do is change the suggested word color and maybe a few other minor color related things. I assumed just changing the color codes in /res/values/styles.xml that seemed to pertain to the holo theme would work but I can't ever get the app to install. Not even sure where to begin to ask for help on this one but if anyone has any advice I'd greatly appreciate it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This is similar. Please go through the steps, you don't (can't) install the modded apk, you move it in place.
ozkaya said:
This is similar. Please go through the steps, you don't (can't) install the modded apk, you move it in place.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah I realized that after I posted and still nothing. I'm no programmer but I've never NOT been able to change a few things and recompile. Not sure how just changing a few color codes is causing such a problem. Shame such a nice keyboard has such little customization and few themes. Don't get me wrong I like orange but it really doesn't mesh at all with the rest of the UI. Thanks for the reply though.
ozkaya said:
This is similar. Please go through the steps, you don't (can't) install the modded apk, you move it in place.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I did all that and it changed the height of the keyboard, but didn't add any additional number row.
kdb_qwerty or whatever it's called is the default that comes up when you install it, right? Becuase I tried again and specifically made sure to use this one and it just wont give me the extra row, just the height.
TeknoGodz said:
I did all that and it changed the height of the keyboard, but didn't add any additional number row.
kdb_qwerty or whatever it's called is the default that comes up when you install it, right? Becuase I tried again and specifically made sure to use this one and it just wont give me the extra row, just the height.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It depends on your system language. Try kbd_qwerty_panlatin.xml.
ozkaya said:
Latest version of Swype has incompatible tags with Apktool. What you do is go to all the lines that give error and change them to <string-array>. Then it compiles.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you for this change, this is exactly what I was looking for to compile.
Once again my Swype is blue!!! :victory:
here's my creation, what do you guys think?
the theme is "Lucid" from the pay store: https://play.google.com/store/apps/...lucid&pcampaignid=APPU_8szYUoedK9PNsAThnoDQDQ

Possible to change leanback home background from the green blood cell wallpaper?

Hi, I recently bought a 2017 shield and Im now running the latest Android TV but to my dismay I haven't been able to figure out how to change the background from the, in my opinion, tacky wallpaper of the green blood cells? Is this possible at this time?
uratrtl said:
Hi, I recently bought a 2017 shield and Im now running the latest Android TV but to my dismay I haven't been able to figure out how to change the background from the, in my opinion, tacky wallpaper of the green blood cells? Is this possible at this time?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This is not my work but here you go:
Anyone interested in a tutorial on how to change the default wallpaper on your Nvidia Shield TV? (And possibly Android TV in general, have to figure that out first)
Root required..
Step 1: Edit your own wallpaper image so that it is named nv_wallpaper.png with dimensions of 1920x1080. Don't just rename a jpg to png, convert it.
Step 2: Back-up the NvCustomize.apk file in the /system/priv-app/NvCustomize/ folder to a secure location. Or use a backup tool.
(Note that when you copy the file back, the permissions have changed and you need to change them back to chmod 644 (for the apk) and chmod 755 (for the folders, which you don't need to backup per se)
Step 3: Copy a second version of the NvCustmize.apk to a location you can access on your PC or an easy to remember location you can access with a file explorer. Not all file explorers let you write to the apk when it's still in the system folder. So copy it anywhere else.
Step 4: Somehow merge the new PNG you made with the NvCustomize.apk, without decompiling or extracting the apk. You can use Winrar, but DON'T extract it. leave the file intact and just copy the nv_wallpaper.png to the location of the same png in the file and overwrite it. Done.
You can also do this on the device itself, with some effort. I use X-Plore for that (in the ATV Play store). To open the file as a zip and copy the png inside that apk.
the correct folder inside the APK is: NvCustomize.apk/res/drawable-xhdpi-v4/
put the file there (within winrar or the file explorer on the device) and overwrite.
Step 5: Copy the modified NvCustomize.apk back to the /system/priv-app/NvCustomize/ folder and overwrite it.
Step 6: Check the permissions of that file. In X-plore you can long press the apk, scroll down and select permissions. There you must see 644 in the bottom right. Or all Read checked and one write (owner) checked. Owner should be root.
Step 7: Reboot!
Done.
Hope that helps!
Thanks, that certainly does help, but heavens is that convoluted for such a seemingly simple request.
http://freaktab.com/forum/tv-player...3728-tool-windows-androidtv-wallpaper-changer

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