Database Users

[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.

[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

Request Pls.... Touchwiz 4x5

Hey guys and developrs I'm looking for Touchwiz 4x5 anyone can help or modify that

I got a 5x6 working at one point. Had to wipe my phone for some reasons and now I can't get it working again ?.
You have to decompile the SecLauncher4.apk in your system folder. Edit the values in some files. Recompile and throw it back into the system folder.
Make a copy of your original SecLauncher4.apk first!!
I'll see if I can post a helpful link later as I'm getting ready to head out for work
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-N900A using Tapatalk

If you want to try and tackle it yourself, take a look at this link, its from the Note 2 forums...
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1990801
For the Note 3, you'd need SecLauncher4.apk in the system/app folder.
(easiest way to get/replace the files is with root explorer)
I used "Tickle My Android" http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1633333 (use the theming menu)
Decompile
Edit the values you want in res/values-sw359dp-xxhdpi
(I just "stole" my values from a flashable, premodded 5x6 one in the T-mobile forums)
Recomplile
Backup your original and replace with your newly recompiled one (reboot, if it doesnt change automatically).
Thats what I did at least
If anything goes wrong, the phone will boot into "easy mode". Just replace the (failed) modded one with the original, and reboot.
(I'm not responsible if you eff up your phone )

Can you post here for us yours SecLauncher4.apk if you manage it to work again?

Experience flow 2 live wallpaper

Hi,
I'm wondering if anyone has made a swipe sensitive wallpaper like the one on Xperia z5 for redmi 2? I've been searching the whole Internet and all I can find is the Xperia z2 wallpaper. I'm surprised no one has even made anything close to the Xperia live wallpapers, cos I really like the experience flow or cosmic flow wallpapers. The only ones I can find are wallpapers that sparkle on touch but they don't move when swiped(by "move when swiped" I don't mean scrolling wallpapers). I hope someone will bring the z5 wallpaper to other phones soon

Si

@Newbdroidd So, first things first - Wallpapers dont need to be custom made for all devices. If you can fool the original apk into believing it's installed exactly 'where it should be', then it should be no problem getting it to work normally.
Now, the drill
Q1. Are you rooted, buddy?
If yes, Q2. Are you on Stock MIUI ROM, CM or which one?
If AOSP-based (CM/Bliss/AICP etc.), proceed further and follow these steps --
(You can try them on MIUI as well, I'm not sure if they'll work or corrupt your MIUI installation (So make sure to make a Recovery backup if doing this on stock ROM.) )
now the steps --
00. Download the file: http://d-h.st/zUJR
0. Inside you'll find the apk.
1. Try installing normally, then reboot. If it works, great,, and if doesn't proceed as below -
2. Install 'Root Explorer' from play store. Open it, grant root permission when asked, and then go to the folder '/system/priv-app/' .... create a folder named 'Experience Flow 2 Live Wallpaper' ... long press the folder, and set permissions as 'rwxr-xr-x' (0755).
3. Inside, copy paste that apk file from the link, rename it to 'Experience Flow 2 Live Wallpaper.apk' (as inside quotes, no changes) ... set permission to 'rw-r--r--' (0644) and reboot.
4. Try setting it as Live Wallpaper now. It should work.
5. DO make sure to revert here if it worked or not!
All the best!
Link for wallpaper apk taken from : http://forum.xda-developers.com/cro...apps/apk-sony-xperia-z5-premium-root-t3244233
Credit - @Beton Style

shanx_verma said:
@Newbdroidd So, first things first - Wallpapers dont need to be custom made for all devices. If you can fool the original apk into believing it's installed exactly 'where it should be', then it should be no problem getting it to work normally.
Now, the drill
Q1. Are you rooted, buddy?
If yes, Q2. Are you on Stock MIUI ROM, CM or which one?
If AOSP-based (CM/Bliss/AICP etc.), proceed further and follow these steps --
(You can try them on MIUI as well, I'm not sure if they'll work or corrupt your MIUI installation (So make sure to make a Recovery backup if doing this on stock ROM.) )
now the steps --
00. Download the file: http://d-h.st/zUJR
0. Inside you'll find the apk.
1. Try installing normally, then reboot. If it works, great,, and if doesn't proceed as below -
2. Install 'Root Explorer' from play store. Open it, grant root permission when asked, and then go to the folder '/system/priv-app/' .... create a folder named 'Experience Flow 2 Live Wallpaper' ... long press the folder, and set permissions as 'rwxr-xr-x' (0755).
3. Inside, copy paste that apk file from the link, rename it to 'Experience Flow 2 Live Wallpaper.apk' (as inside quotes, no changes) ... set permission to 'rw-r--r--' (0644) and reboot.
4. Try setting it as Live Wallpaper now. It should work.
5. DO make sure to revert here if it worked or not!
All the best!
Link for wallpaper apk taken from : http://forum.xda-developers.com/cro...apps/apk-sony-xperia-z5-premium-root-t3244233
Credit - @Beton Style
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi thanks for replying... I'm rooted and i'm using Temasek CM13 on my redmi 2. First i tried installing the apk normally but it says problem parsing the package. Then I followed all the steps you listed except that i used root browser instead of root explorer cos root explorer isn't free. Rebooted but it doesn't show up on the list of live wallpapers

OH waiit i forgot to rename the apk.. Trying again now hopefully it works

Renamed it but it still doesn't work D:

Shocking
Newbdroidd said:
Renamed it but it still doesn't work D:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well... I've used both Kumajaya CM13 and am currently on Blisspop ROM CM13. I've used this method successfully on both these ROMs. I'm currently having it set as my wallpaper as well.
P.S: But I suppose the source of the file I've used in my case is different from this.
Okay, just wait till morning, I might be able to upload that file here if the internet speed favors me.
Then you just have to repeat the procedure with the new apk.
Please make sure to restore from the backup you created, or fully remove and uninstall the apk used earlier for this method to work.

@shanx_verma
Here's a vid of my phones folders just in case i did something wrong. How do u like the blisspop rom? I like res remix the best but it had a few bugs so i switch to my current one

Editing theme data using apktool?

Hi, I've been trying to edit some themes data from the ones you can get from the store for personal use, but failed.
I use the latest Tickle My Android as my apktool and successfully decompile and recompile the base.apk's of the theme which can be found on / > data > app > (themes data folder) > base.apk
I carefully tried every options from signing it with and w/o system app signature, and copy and replace the base.apk, changing permissions to rw-r-r but when I reboot the phone, theme's lost from the choices.
It only happens when I edit the base.apk from the "..common.." data folder of the theme, every other data folder like for example the "home" and "wallpaper" folder can be modified but not with this "common" folder.
I wonder why, is there some security process Samsung have made to protect its themes? any tips or maybe I'm doing something wrong? any help will be greatly appreciated.

envy~ said:
Hi, I've been trying to edit some themes data from the ones you can get from the store for personal use, but failed.
I use the latest Tickle My Android as my apktool and successfully decompile and recompile the base.apk's of the theme which can be found on / > data > app > (themes data folder) > base.apk
I carefully tried every options from signing it with and w/o system app signature, and copy and replace the base.apk, changing permissions to rw-r-r but when I reboot the phone, theme's lost from the choices.
It only happens when I edit the base.apk from the "..common.." data folder of the theme, every other data folder like for example the "home" and "wallpaper" folder can be modified but not with this "common" folder.
I wonder why, is there some security process Samsung have made to protect its themes? any tips or maybe I'm doing something wrong? any help will be greatly appreciated.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hello Bro, I can do that using Apktool only, I've done that so many times and succeeded too. Tell me which theme u want me to edit, I'll do it and send u bro

Nikki17282991 said:
Hello Bro, I can do that using Apktool only, I've done that so many times and succeeded too. Tell me which theme u want me to edit, I'll do it and send u bro
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
thanks bro, but i manage to overcome this, and somehow made an impact with my theme development now. my thread

Yes Bro No one can Replace u when it comes to theming and Ux design ??