[Xperia Play General] loismustdie555:
originally posted here http://xdaforums.com/showthread.php?t=1110405&page=3

Ok, here is a step by step guide I have tried to keep it as simple and straight forward as possible…

The good news is you don't even need root, to get your apps in the launcher!

Those with root can keep the save data from edited apps, those without will lose save data.

Every app, I have tried works! The only app, which didn't was ScummVM due to an integrity check! There is alternative version of ScummVM you can use though (which I think is better anywho)!

You need the following installed:

File Expert *

https://market.android.com/details?i...=search_result

Titanium Backup * (required for backing up save data of the app you are editing - root only)

https://market.android.com/details?i...=search_result

QuickSSHd *

https://market.android.com/details?i...=search_result

ZipSigner 2

https://market.android.com/details?i...=search_result

-

Apktool (Mac / Linux)

http://code.google.com/p/android-apktool/

OR

ApkManager (Windows / Linux)

http://xdaforums.com/showthread.php?t=695701

-

Smultron (Mac / Linux) *

http://sourceforge.net/projects/smultron/

OR

Notepad ++ (Windows) *

http://notepad-plus-plus.org/

(* Optional, you can use alternatives)

=================================================

Ok, so here goes the guide if you get stuck or need help just ask….

You could also no doubt skip some steps, or do things differently so feel free to tweak the guide

1. Open File Expert and click on the app tab, backup the apps you wish to edit…. The app files, .apk - will be saved in a folder called backup_apps on your SD card.

2. (ROOT ONLY STEP) Open up Titanium Backup - first backup the apps - (this will allow you to restore the saved data later on)… Then remove the apps…

3. Copy the apps to your computer…. For this I use QuickSSHd

4. Install Apktool (Mac / Linux) or ApkManager (Windows / Linux)

4a) Use Apktool or ApkManager to decompile the app

There is a nice youtube video of ApkManager (Windows / Linux) here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dkQVX...eature=related

Also, here is a great guide to using Apktool (Mac / Linux) here:

http://xdaforums.com/showthread.php?t=916814

5. You should now have a nice decompiled app, go to the folder and open up AndroidManifest.xml - using either Smultron (Mac / Linux) or Notepad ++ (Windows)

6. Edit the manifest…. I found Apktool sometimes didn't like certain changes…. So instead of adding a line I replaced lines which where not needed…. For example in the excellent emulators by Yongzh here is what the manifest looks like:

Code:

</intent-filter>

</activity>

<service android:name="EmulatorService" android:process=":emulator" />

</application>

</manifest>

replace

Code:

<service android:name="EmulatorService" android:process=":emulator" />

with this line

Code:

<meta-data android:name="xperiaplayoptimized_content" android:resource="@drawable/icon" />

so it now looks like

Code:

</intent-filter>

</activity>

<meta-data android:name="xperiaplayoptimized_content" android:resource="@drawable/icon" />

</application>

</manifest>

6. Part of the problem of adding this line however is that you need to add some extra files inside the 'res' folder.

Go to the res folder and create three new folders, called:

drawable-hdpi

drawable-ldpi

drawable-mdpi

7. Go to the drawable folder and copy the app icon, then go to the drawable-hdpi and paste the app icon renaming it icon.png, paste the image once more this time renaming it launchericon.png…. Paste a further copy of icon.png in both drawable-ldpi and drawable-mdpi

8. Recompile the app using Apktool or Apkmanager….

9. Complete steps 4-8 with each apk you wish to show in the launcher….

10. Copy the edited apk files back to your Xperia Play, in a folder called changed… within that folder create another folder called permissions (this just makes it easier to find your correct files)…

11. Open the Zipsigner app, select the input file from the changed folder and select the signed out for the permissions folder. Make sure that under the key/mode auto-testkey is selected and click sign the file.

12. Repeat this process for each app

13. Reboot your Xperia play - this step is needed as android will notice that your are attempting to install an app which is the same as a previous installed app, only that the signatures don't match! By rebooting it will clear the remnants of those old files!

14. Open File Expert and go to the permissions folder and install your newly modified apps! They should now show in the launcher, if it doesn't kill the launcher app and reopen it!

15. (ROOT ONLY STEP) Go back to Titanium Backup and restore your app data only!

That's it, sit back and enjoy your launcher showing the apps you want! Oh, to remove the stock apps, simply back them up with Titanium Backup and then remove them... Open up the launcher and they will now be gone!