Database Users

'Push' Wallpaper Into Device

Hey guys,
I'm looking for the proper directory to push wallpapers into my device, so I won't have to load it off the SD Card. Especially interested to inject the default Desire wallpapers.
Thanks,
Evan

The wallpapers are usually part of an apk. Usually it is Launcher.apk
If you know how to edit the files within an apk, that is one way, if not, its pretty simple, just find the wallpaper you want. Find the one you want to replace. Rename the wanted wallpaper to the same as the wallpaper you will be replacing. Copy it over and do the same for the wallpaper_small.png file that corresponds. Then either adb push or use an adb GUI to get the launcher.apk back over to the phone.
This is in no way, a detailed description, just the jist of how to do things.

launcher2.apk if you're running Android 2.0 or higher.
But otherwise, above is correct.

Cheers guys,
Can I just keep adding files? Or do I have to rename files?

hidea said:
Cheers guys,
Can I just keep adding files? Or do I have to rename files?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No, you can't just add... there are a pre-defined and finite number of "slots" - you can't include more than the application currently supports. Files need to be exactly the correct names.
Also, if the files are different sizes, or you change too many, you'll upset the digital signature on the launcher2.apk you'll need to resign the launcher2.apk file before pushing it back.
If that all sound too hard let me know...

djmcnz said:
No, you can't just add... there are a pre-defined and finite number of "slots" - you can't include more than the application currently supports. Files need to be exactly the correct names.
Also, if the files are different sizes, or you change too many, you'll upset the digital signature on the launcher2.apk you'll need to resign the launcher2.apk file before pushing it back.
If that all sound too hard let me know...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That does sound a bit 'hard'. But nothing I can't tackle with a bit of reading.
So, how do re-sign the launcher2.apk file?

hidea said:
That does sound a bit 'hard'. But nothing I can't tackle with a bit of reading.
So, how do re-sign the launcher2.apk file?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Here you go: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=5856509&#post5856509
Let me know how you get on.

That doesn't sound overly complicated, but it's too much work for a single wallpaper from the HTC Desire. As of right now, it resides in the SDCard. And I do use HelixLauncher2. I wish there's a simpler way… let's say, like an app that can inject files directly into HelixLauncher2.
Thanks for your help, though!

Fair enough.
You may be interested in keeping an eye on Kang-o-rama, that uses HelixLauncher2 and I'll be adding some static wallpapers back in in version 0.6.
If you are interested, let me know which wallpaper you want and I'll put it in there for you...

[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.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
yeah that's what I did. just copy / replace.

DGalt11 said:
yeah that's what I did. just copy / replace.
Click to expand...
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.

[Q] A500 status bar icons/clock/buttons change?

Hi to all...
after seraching and reading a looong time now, i am stucked, the only thing i found was this: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1033366
But i own a A500 not a Xoom... so what to do?
Wishlist:
- White Home/Backbuttons (have some, from Dexters Rom)
- white clock
- white Wifi/Battery Icon (at least not this &%$(/& stock blue)
dreaming:
when you scroll through your homescreens, a blue frame appears, how can i change those color into black? would be awesome, let it completly disappear, so transparent maybe?
I know many of you like the Blue Theme from honeycomb, but... i really hat it!!!
So, if anyone could help me... please feel free.
I am using Dexters Iconia P2-2, and dont want to use another. So maybe someone can post a modified systemui.apk ?
I have no idea if such a apk is always compatible to all ROMs from 3.1, so i dont want to test the Xoom one, and in this apk are things i dont want to have (like green google search bar, green glow and so on) modding,opening apk files by myself... i think its easier for me went back in time and kill hitler...
I wonder why there is no real theme mod around here for the Acer A500.
Hope some knowing guys can help, or want the same... let's see
Thank you anyway

Derrico said:
modding,opening apk files by myself... i think its easier for me went back in time and kill hitler...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
thats easy....I can tell you how to do it yourself..
NOTE: an apk is just a zip file, do not decompress these, rather double click them and open them in winrar and you can see the contents.
Download the xoom theme, and there is a folder called "System App" this has the apk you want to play with. inside each apk there is a file called "res" inside this there are a few folders, the ones you are interested in are any named "drawable..." this is where all of the graphics are held.
then open the zip the rom comes in, i.e double click and winrar will open, go to system\app and find the same apk that are contained in the theme, then it is a process of swapping the files from one to the other.
when you are finished making changes, copy your edited apk back into your rom and flash it without wiping data, because it is the same rom nothing will happen apart from th4e new apk will be installed!!
Hope that helps...
MG

Wow, great insight! Thanks MysticGenius. I had no idea the .apk's were just archives and could be opened up

gammaRascal said:
Wow, great insight! Thanks MysticGenius. I had no idea the .apk's were just archives and could be opened up
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
yeah, this is what I love about android, you can take someone elses rom, skin the apk to your liking, even add missing applications you use regularly and just flash.
as long as you dont decompress, the signature usually stays intact.
if you need further assistance, pm me
edit : most imagery is in the drawable-mdpi folder

I just skinned the systemui.apk is 10 minutes just so you have an idea of how easy this is!!!!

Theme color question.

Hey just wondering if anyone might know as to where I would be able to change the hue color that is around the recent apps when opened on left side of screen. Would like to change it from being black in ICS, I'm sure that honey comb had pretty much the same setting for this. ANy help is appreciated.

This is in the system UI.APK.. there are lots of icons .png files in there in different folders.. There is a Thread i read here on xda.. I do not think it was in this forum .it was a thread about honeycomb.
I do know you need to be rooted or BE Fairly skilled with adb. I did a search with luck on finding the thread i read. There are also in the themes and apps thread on here some stuff about doing this.
Sorry I am not much help.. Google search is your Best bet.

As Erica said, these options are in the SystemUI.apk
You can unzip the apk, to a folder on your hard drive, and modify the images as you desire (provided you keep the original file-name and PNG format)
Normally, you can change the colors in photoshop or Gimp.
If you wish to modify the xml files, then you will need to de-compile the apk. The good thing, is that PNG's are not really compiled, which makes them relatively easy to alter. After changing the images, just re-zip the entire directory structure, keeping the original file-name, and rename to SystemUI.apk (not systemUI.apk.zip)

Yeah I have gone through and change what I thought was the hue color image in both systemui/res/drawable-mdpi and systemui/res/drawable-sw600dp-mdpi. But the changing the color of that icon had no effect on the hue. Also I would think that it must be a .9.png image but those are not really panning out atm. I have got a dev of themes to get me his apktool he has been using for ICS framework and am going through the .xml files. But I don't have my tab with me a work today so will have to test more when I get home.

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.