[IDEA] app for themeing apps - Android Software Development

I dont know if theres one like this i havent found one if you know of one please tell me
Here it is: the app will open up an apk like ninjamoph does but instead of having to go through manually and select the pngs and change colors in another progam then load them through ninjamorph this app would scan the apk for the png you would nomaly select to theme and present them to you with the option to change the colors, after you set it up the way you want it could replace the png with the ones you changed and put it together for you to install over the original apk
The reason this is just an idea is because i cant make apps ive tried to but the process dosent stick to my brain please if your a developer tell me if this apk is possible
sent from my Awesome MotoMaxx

macroman8807 said:
I dont know if theres one like this i havent found one if you know of one please tell me
Here it is: the app will open up an apk like ninjamoph does but instead of having to go through manually and select the pngs and change colors in another progam then load them through ninjamorph this app would scan the apk for the png you would nomaly select to theme and present them to you with the option to change the colors, after you set it up the way you want it could replace the png with the ones you changed and put it together for you to install over the original apk
The reason this is just an idea is because i cant make apps ive tried to but the process dosent stick to my brain please if your a developer tell me if this apk is possible
sent from my Awesome MotoMaxx
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
While This maybe an option it is not the best option. Trying to edit a system apk while it is being used is asking for it to be corrupted and causing issues. This is the main reason that seemingly random issues popup with CM themes.

Well what if it made a copy of the apk to edit that way the actual app whether it be system or user would not be affected during the editing process that would also make it easier to share the app
sent from my Awesome MotoMaxx

Related

REQUESTING HELP Editing and creating NEW flipfont APKs

I have been working on this issue for most of the day over in the Vibrant forums.
I am posting here in hopes of getting someone who knows more about apk editing and fonts then I do to help out.
Link to the post on the XDA Vibrant forum here
Please post your response there. Once the issue is solved I will repost a walk-through on all Galaxy S forums.
Here is the start of my thread, please read the link to see the progress.
I am aware that there are other ways to edit the fonts on our phone, by replacing renaming the default font. This is NOT what I would like to accomplish.
Since the Galaxy S is the first android phone to use Flipfont, I think we should take advantage of it. It gives us a nice preview of the font in the built in menu option and is thus superior to the other methods.
I originally purchased the Bauhaus font from the market and made a backup of it through ASTRO. After pulling the file from my phone and putting it on the computer I started editing the file with Apk Manager 4.8 found here
Steps preformed
Copied original apk into place-apk-here-for-modding folder
Run script.bat and choose option 9 ***this maybe where the issue is as I may need to choose option 10 and include the dependancy if there is one for the flipfont apk.
replace bauhaus.ttf with a .ttf font of my choosing
edit all XML, yml and smali files to include the font name or font.ttf depending on the entry in the original file *** I did not change any of the other coding so again this maybe where the problem is, as I may need to change something else to have the font act properly.
Edit the last folder name in the smali folder tree from bauhaus to the name of my font
Replace font with custom font and replace the preview image with my own
Compile apk
Sign apk
Rename apk
install apk on my phone
After putting the apk on my phone and installing the file, it shows up as expected in settings>Sound and Display>Font style. The font thumbnail shows up properly as does the font preview. The preview does show up a little larger then the other fonts and may be a sign that the font is not optimized properly or that I missed something in the XML.
After applying the font and restarting, the phone is extremely slow, freezing quite often and the font does not show up, it shows the default font instead.
If anyone that knows more about XML or apk editing/creation can help it would be great.
I have included the edited font apk if you would like to download it and run it through Apk Manager 4.8. If you want to try it with the bauhaus or one of the other fonts you will need to buy it from the market and back it up. (trying not to break any rules here.)
[EDIT][More info] Ok I took a closer look at the font that came with the Bauhaus akp
In the discription of the font it list:
OpenType Layout, Digitally Signed, TrueType Outlines
I know that opentype is a new format and that alot of the fonts for OpenType that I find are made by Monotype, the same people that make the fonts available for download. I think this may have something to do with it or maybe Im just grasping. :ºp
Any font guys out there have any info on this?
CAUTION THE FOLLOWING FILE IS NOT MEANT FOR USE AND WILL CAUSE YOUR PHONE TO RUN SLOW!!!
Download Font APK
You only can use .ttf (true type font) any other type will not work,if you have a font u want to use but is not in .ttf then you need to convert it to .ttf, btw i prefer the Type Fresh app to manage and change my fonts is easier than the method you described.
Also, make sure the font has a full latin library. I learned the hard way from the TypeFresh app (which is a way better solution IMO). In its instructions which I only read the second time, one font (i believe its called DroidSansFallback.ttf) needs to have a COMPLETE set, including latin, I believe for certain coding going on somewhere. I bricked my phone within two hours of rooting it. Took three to get it back. (Backup people!)
Anyways, now I use TypeFresh, it gives you options on which system font to replace, and I never replace that one.
Hope this helps.

[Q] picking and choosing what you want from a theme?

hey guys,
just curious if you could some how choose what you want to have in the theme and if you can mix themes, if so how? for example i installed epic unleashed 2.5 and i loved the battery indicator and i installed the 982dark theme for the droid 2 and it's great with a couple exceptions... personally I think i'm going back to the Kangerade Blue for the Droid2 but i still want the original battery indicator from the epic rom.
thanks
-Jim
As far as I know, we don't have this level of customizability on D2 as of now. However, we are starting to see this. Like this, for example:
http://www.xda-developers.com/forum/showthread.php?t=784855
I used to use a ROM for the old Touch CDMA that did in fact have this level of customizability - there was a thread that had pretty much every individual piece available to customize. But again, I haven't seen this for D2 yet.
damn... ok well hopefully we get there eventually... until then I'll just stick with the theme I overall like the best lol
I have this problem with themes too, and the solution is simple. Take the theme that you are going to install, open the zip, and just remove the apps, fonts, or framework you don't want altered.
For example, I despise the font changes alot of themes force on you. Makes my twitter streams unreadable, so I just open the zip, and delete the fonts folder. That way it won't override the stock fonts. I've never tried deleting individual files, but that method should work for icons as well.
Just open the framework.res (rename the .res to .zip or .rar if you have WINRAR installed, or just use the "open with or choose default program" option) goto the res folder, then drawable-hdpi and just delete the battery images from the folder before you install the theme.
An easy way to do this, is to make a copy of the zip first so you'll have a proper version of the theme to view. Open it up with winzip, WINRAR or whatever archiving tool you use on your computer. Then browse the files in thumbnail view to find the images you want to get rid of. Make a note of their file names, then open up the other zip, locate the files in question, right click, delete em.
I'm not quite understanding what you're saying Natty
For example, right now I'm using the Revolution Remix theme. If I unzip it, there are 2 folders: META-INF and system.
Under system there are 3 folders: app, fonts, and framework. In the framework file there are 2 .apk files (framework-res.apk and blur-res.apk) and the systems.jar file.
In the app folder there are all .apk files, and the font folders are all .ttf
I'm not seeing any pictures to be deleted, unless you mean to actually delete the respective app .apk files (for example, I dislike the Talk app icon and the Market app icon)
Edit:
So I guess you're supposed to just rename the .apk to .zip, but for some reason the files are not allowing me...Could these files be locked? (I don't know if that's a stupid question or not lol)
Edit #2:
So I got 7zip (yay for google), but when I go to open the .png files they don't want to open...an application opens to view them, but it just sits there saying "loading"
Natty_lite said:
I have this problem with themes too, and the solution is simple. Take the theme that you are going to install, open the zip, and just remove the apps, fonts, or framework you don't want altered.
For example, I despise the font changes alot of themes force on you. Makes my twitter streams unreadable, so I just open the zip, and delete the fonts folder. That way it won't override the stock fonts. I've never tried deleting individual files, but that method should work for icons as well.
Just open the framework.res (rename the .res to .zip or .rar if you have WINRAR installed, or just use the "open with or choose default program" option) goto the res folder, then drawable-hdpi and just delete the battery images from the folder before you install the theme.
An easy way to do this, is to make a copy of the zip first so you'll have a proper version of the theme to view. Open it up with winzip, WINRAR or whatever archiving tool you use on your computer. Then browse the files in thumbnail view to find the images you want to get rid of. Make a note of their file names, then open up the other zip, locate the files in question, right click, delete em.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm not sure if that would work for png files inside of framework-res.apk.... I would think that would cause a bootloop
It will work for the fonts folder and for any app you dont want to get altered in /system/app.
So just remove the app from the system/app folder? That's what I'm somewhat confused about.
DGalt11 said:
So just remove the app from the system/app folder? That's what I'm somewhat confused about.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you dont want a themed app to overwrite your current app, then just delete the apk file from /system/app inside of the themed zip file. Or if you dont want a themed font to overwrite ur current font, then just delete the fonts folder inside of the themed zip file.
But deleting files from inside the framework-res.apk... I doubt that would work.
Any idea how to edit the Market? It's not under system/app.
Edit: Never mind, didn't know "market" was actually vending.
removing the png specifically will cause an issue however if you have another png that you would like you use you can just replace this and it will not overwrite then.
theecho said:
removing the png specifically will cause an issue however if you have another png that you would like you use you can just replace this and it will not overwrite then.
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Click to collapse
yeah that's what I did. just copy / replace.
DGalt11 said:
yeah that's what I did. just copy / replace.
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Click to collapse
So did the install go smoothly without the M logo freeze or bootloops? I hope so.
I'm Glad others came to pick up my pieces, lol. That's why this forum is so great. To summarize for those joining the party late, just take the .png's from another theme, and replace the unwanted images with those. Don't just delete them
It's working fine, no reboots or stuck in boot loop or anything. Didn't even need to wipe data / cache.
Now if I could just figure out a way to remove the font they used from just the browser and my apps and nothing else (b/c it looks really nice in the notification bar, the menus, on the widgets, etc. but makes reading email or reading stuff in the browser really difficult) I'd be golden.
So I started removing one font at a time, nothing changed.
So I removed the whole fonts folder, and still didn't get any change in the fonts in the theme.
Ideas?
Thats exactly why I got rid of it. What good is a font that you can't read? I'm not sure if you can just remove it from the statusbar specifically.
Remember, removing them prevents it from changing the fonts that are currently installed. So if they're already different, then they'll just stay that way when you install the edited version of the theme. You're gonna need to flash to the stock theme first, then flash to another theme (like the NexTheme for example) with all the edits that you made.
I see, so those files in the fonts folder aren't actually fonts. They're more like...where the fonts you want get stored. So you need to actually replace the file.
From what I've figured out, the majority of the fonts are derived from DroidSans. If you change that, you change most of the fonts including those in the apps, widgets, etc. So is there no way to specifically change a font in, lets say, apps vs. widgets? And what are all those other files in the fonts folder for
I have no idea. I just deleted the whole folder prior to installing to ensure I kept all stock fonts.

How to change generic contact pic

I am on alliance Rom and it is fantastic. Everything is themed just the way I like it. I only need to change one last thing to realize my dream setup. Does anybody have any idea on how to universally change the generic contact pics that shows up in my mms?
cinsity said:
I am on alliance Rom and it is fantastic. Everything is themed just the way I like it. I only need to change one last thing to realize my dream setup. Does anybody have any idea on how to universally change the generic contact pics that shows up in my mms?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes.
If you like, provide a copy of what you want to change it to. I have a copy of Alliance Build1 on my phone and can make you a flashable. When I post it, I will give you some general instructions on how to add to it, if you like.
Edit: And just to be sure, did you flash a theme at all?
That would be awesome. I did flash all backs black theme. I actually just want a totally black bg pic to sub in. I would be ok with a way to completely remove the contact pic at all. Thanks a ton for your help
Sent from my SM-N900V using XDA Free mobile app
Zip attached. Flash in recovery. It does not replace SecMms.apk, it only replaces thise pngs inside it. It wipes dalvik for you. I will add on a short tutorial on how to add onto this yourself shortly.
View attachment 2906973
Ok. This uses the vr-theme script. Most of the a.b.b. theme uses it as well.
If you unzip flash me.zip, and go inside, you'll see this
Drill down into the vr theme folder. . .
You see a folder with the exact same name as what you're modding. Please note that it has the exact spelling, including the .apk. I'll get to how I chose what's inside in a minute. The way I get what's inside was I unzipped thee abb theme, and got to the SecMms.apk app. In abb it is a full app. So to get into it, use a file explorer. I used es file explorer. Long press it and choose to open it. If you just short press like normal, it will try to install it.
When you open it go into the res folder.
Then I chose this folder to extract (because it had the images I wanted)
And when you back out, you get this
Go into that folder, you'll see a bunch of pngs. I delete the ones I don't want to change. I'm left with
For your zip, I made all these images transparent.
I then placed the SecMms folder to the flash me in the correct folder (vr-theme/system/priv-app, for this mod) and renamed it to include tha ".apk".
Then I zipped it up.
A couple of side notes:
Any .9.png files... don't modify those unless you know how. Google it if you really wanna know.
Any .png files... if you replace it rather than edit it, 1. Make sure the name matches exactly. 2. Make sure the dimensions match exactly to ensure it shows correctly. If it isn't the same, crop or resize.

Tweak theme without computer

I don't spend lots of time at the computer, so I like to find ways to do as much as possible on the phone. One thing I've found is that every theme I try has at least one element I wish I could change, as much as I like it overall. I don't know enough to make my own theme, but I found a way to change elements of the theme without using a computer. I'm sure this is not news to many of you, but I figured there might be other non-experts like me out there who might appreciate it.
1. Download Apktool apk file below, install it, open it, {it will automatically update on the first use for some reason}, go to settings and check 'device has root', {leave other settings alone}, then close the app, reopen and grant su access.
2. Make a directory in storage somewhere called 'apktool', {or something}, and copy the following to it: /system/framework/framework-res.apk, /system/framework/SemcGenericUxpRes/SemcGenericUxpRes.apk, and whatever themes you want to mix and match.
3. Open apktool app, navigate to apktool directory, and import the framework files by tapping on each one and selecting 'import as framework'. When done, you can then tap on the theme apk files and select 'decompile all', and they will be decompiled into folders called {appname}-src. Go into the folders with a root explorer and change what you want, then go back to apktool, and tap on the folder you want and choose 'recompile'. When recompile is done you end up with an apk called '{appname}-src.apk'. Tap on that and choose 'sign'. When done you will get an apk called '{appname}-src-sign.apk, which you can install normally.
-Notes, questions-
- I'm currently using Z1c stock .236 deodexed rom. This app should work on other phones, roms, versions, etc, but I can't say for sure. What I know is that there are at least 5 versions of the app out there, {Google search for 'apktool 4.4' or '5.2', etc}, and it seems like each one works better on certain versions of Android. There are also configurable settings. If you have a different phone or rom, etc, you just have to mess around with it.
- This app should work as normal apktool for modding systemUI and framework, but I can't get it to recompile on LP, but only on Kk. Decompile works fine, but on recompile it complains about lacking resources. I don't know what file it wants. If someone can figure it out that would be great.
-If you don't know what files to change, all I can say is that I didn't either. Start with the obvious stuff, like navbar keys, and see how brave you get. Just make sure your file names are changed, since every app doesn't use the same names for the same files. As long as you work with copied files you have nothing to lose. If something is wrong with your modifications, then it won't recompile correctly, and you'll just get an error message, so you can't really install something that's going to mess up your phone.
- This also works for changing appearance of other apps, not just themes. See my recent posts in the Naked Browser thread for examples. However, sometimes it won't be able to decompile an app, and there's probably nothing you can do. I think the way apktool works is based on how the app was created. If something is not compatible, it just won't work.
- You don't have to decompile just to pull files out of an apk, but you do need an app that can do it. I use Rom Toolbox Pro. There may be free ones, {maybe Mixplorer}. I think you can just change the extension to zip and extract normally. However, some files and folders are not the same zipped in the apk as they are when decompiled.
File link - https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B5E7sFT1phjoS003R0tkM21qUlk/view?usp=docslist_api
Nice tutorial bro :good:
Thank you very much!
Sent from my D5503 using XDA Free mobile app
Since sharing themes with others' work is not kosher, (http://forum.xda-developers.com/crossdevice-dev/sony/share-frankentheme-t3282360), I figured I'd add a little more here for anyone's personal use. In general, here's what I've found with these themes:
- Within each apk there is an 'assets' folder, which contains zip files. Each zip file mods a certain aspect of the ui. For example, there will be one for settings, which contains the little pictures next to each settings option, (personalization, with the little rainbow, etc). You can experiment with simply swapping these around with different themes. However, if you want to add a settings zip, for example, to a theme base that does not already have a settings zip in it, you have to mod the main android manifest file in the top level of the apk. If you want to see how it needs to be modded, look at one that has it already. It's pretty obvious, since it's the same entry for each zip, but with the corresponding zip name. You can also extract these zips and replace files in them and rezip. Keep in mind, though, that there are some things that aren't that simple and just won't work.
- There are some things that are coded in, and can't be changed, (as far as I can figure out), like accent color. It seems like accent color just comes with the 'android' zip, and there's nothing you can do about it. As a workaround, you can find an 'android' zip with a color you like, and change out the other files from the zip you wish you could change the accent on. Again, sometimes it just won't work and you won't know why.
- Some themes don't follow this pattern at all. I haven't learned much about them yet.
Screenshots show examples I've used...

Regarding omnistyle theming

Hello I created custom header image to use with omnistyle. But I realised I need a full apk to get it work. There is no option in pure nexus ROM to use custom header image (my own image). So how do I create an app (like this https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.dirtyunicorns.headers&hl=en )for omnistyle? I tried googling but could not find an answer. I am not a developer but some guidance or template would help.
Hello, i don't know if you still need this? I can make a template for Android Studio with a little guide if this is still relevant.
PONYMODZ said:
Hello, i don't know if you still need this? I can make a template for Android Studio with a little guide if this is still relevant.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Do you happen to know where to go to change the OmniStyle QS image collection names? For example, I've replace all of the "Nature" images with pictures of sharks. That was easy enough and the new images show up and work, but the image collection in the list still says "Nature." I would like to change it to say "Sharks." I've dug through the OminStyle.apk up and down, but I can't find where those names are set. I see them in the AndroidManifest.xml, but changing the android:label in the androidmanifest.xml has no effect.
sharkie405 said:
Do you happen to know where to go to change the OmniStyle QS image collection names? For example, I've replace all of the "Nature" images with pictures of sharks. That was easy enough and the new images show up and work, but the image collection in the list still says "Nature." I would like to change it to say "Sharks." I've dug through the OminStyle.apk up and down, but I can't find where those names are set. I see them in the AndroidManifest.xml, but changing the android:label in the androidmanifest.xml has no effect.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The names are set in the androidmanifest.xml i have no clue why it does not work for you. But it would be easier if you just add your images with an apk or add them directly to the Omnistyle.apk if you need help with that just contact me.
PONYMODZ said:
The names are set in the androidmanifest.xml i have no clue why it does not work for you. But it would be easier if you just add your images with an apk or add them directly to the Omnistyle.apk if you need help with that just contact me.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I've already added my images to the OmniStyle.apk, and that works. I just want the image group text to say what the actual images are rather than whatever the text is by default.
I'd rather work it out in the thread, if that's alright. This way others can find it should they need it.
I'm about to go to bed now, but tomorrow I can upload the AndroidManifest.xml, or the APK I'm working with, if you want to have a look. Let me know how to proceed.
Thank you so much for being willing to help me out with this!
Sent from my moto g(6) using XDA Labs
So here's what I have so far:
- You can see in the attached screenshot (AndroidManifext-xml_Changes.png) that I've changed the text in the "android:lable" section of each activity.
- You can see in the attached screenshot (Screenshot_MiXplorer_20190612-122940.png) taken from the OmniStyle.apk on my phone that the AndroidManifest.xml is there on my phone with my new text changes.
- However, you can see in the attached screenshot (HeaderImageCollectionTitle-NoChange.png) that the changed labels did not actually change anything.
More Information:
- This is the OmniStyle.apk from the 6-4-19 release of the Havoc ROM for the Pixel 2 XL. I've also check this ROM's Setting.apk and SystemUI.apk in case the text was set there, but I don't see any reference to those words anywhere in Settings or SystemUI. The link to that ROM is: https://forum.xda-developers.com/pixel-2-xl/development/pie-havoc-os-t3851780
- Here's a link where you can download my already modded apk as well in case you wanted to have a look at it (It's too big to upload directly): https://drive.google.com/open?id=1N-ivQSa3In1LbD8LZ4QrVrzo1HAB0giT
Let me know what else you need, if anything.
@sharkie405
So i have checked the apk and the Androidmanifest.xml is correct but when i tested the apk, for me it wasn't working at all. I use the same ROM as you on my S7(herolte) and when i replace my apk with yours there it cant be loaded at all i just see my custom Headers, maybe it's an issue with your ROM or the apk itself. Try to update your ROM and edit the new apk again, but best would be to restore your Omnistyle.apk and make custom headers with the Android Studio Template from me, if you need help with it just ask

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