yashsingh1/xdaforums huggingface dataset:
[Android Themes] IRIE4IPIER:
Like the guys on ESPN say, C'MON MAANNNN!!!!!! If you are gonna even think of learning this stuff, you should come in with the problem solver mind set IMO. Especially if you have no education in this field like me. GOOGLE SEARCH will be your best friend along the way. I plan to be a software engineer, and I figure teaching myself a little before I get there will be helpful.
[Android Themes] simple80:
Nice guide..Readable, even for walls of texts!
[Android Themes] JulienD33:
Great

Nice HowTo-Tutorial.

I think it is almost the only one out there explaining the Methods so easy. :good:
[Android Themes] :
@op Tks man! Found you by way of TUN_SD link on his theme forum. Best tutorial ive seen yet! Will study this over the next few months..Appreciate you putting all this together!:thumbup:
[Android Themes] Syco2oo5:
big thanks,helps me alot!
[Android Themes] Turbotab:
Thanks for the detailed guide, now I can let my inner artist out:p
[Android Themes] nagorimayank:
Is there any Metro style theme for CM10??? I really wish someone experienced would make a Metro inspired CM10 theme!
[Android Themes] im.nick.hello:
There's some cool metro icons for nova/apex/go etc.. search 'minimal miui go apex theme' on Google play.

I don't know of any theme chooser themes...
[Android Themes] nagorimayank:
I'm using it currently! But it would awesome if there will be one for theme chooser!
[Android Themes] mibmobile:
Thanks

Really appreciate all the post and hard work that went into compiling all this.
[Android Themes] hypnos17:
Yourzua links are died...
[Android Themes] thlong93:
thank you, it's useful
[Android Themes] hypnos17:
how to change cm9 black default wallpaper in drawer?
[Android Themes] AzulCz:
Nice guide, didn't know all of that :p
[Android Themes] JehC:
update.zip link is dead, can someone repost :3.

im starting learning now, thanks!
[Android Themes] fun12892:
Okay. So far that I know before reading this guide about theming only systemUI.apk and framework-res.apk:

1. I can just take systemui.apk or framework-res.apk and put it on my computer.

2. Open the apk using 7-zip.

3. Replace the .png files as I wish by dragging and dropping my own png files (not extracting the apk file at all) that I have gathered previously from various resources.

4. Put the apk back to my phone using Root explorer, and mount RW, then set the correct permissions and reboot.

5. Done.

So, did I miss anything important?

I mean I read the guide but I dont know whether those are really needed for basic replacing png files like i know or not.

Thanks. Awesome Guide!
[Android Themes] icedventimocha:
For theming just using pngs that should work. If you wanna open the can of worms and do xml or smali you need to decompile.
[Android Themes] fun12892:
Thanks for the information.

But I heard about zip aligning, do I really need to do that? I heard that it affects RAM or something.
[Android Themes] kantbstopped519:
So I made my first CM10 theme, called Torrid Teal, you can see some screenshots in my thread, but it seems some people are experiencing force close issues from random apps. The only thing I've seen in common with the people who are getting FC problems seem to speak anything other than English as their first language, which would most likely mean their phone isn't set to English. Although it could be something entirely different.

Anyone have any suggestions? Or know which direction in which to point me to? I'm willing to give out my theme to anyone who can help
[Android Themes] icedventimocha:
I've never made a theme chooser theme, but I do know that some apps have multiple layout and values folders, usually some that looks like values-fr or layout-fr. The initials part I do believe references different languages, and a lot of times they have separate styles.xml and other xml's that need edited as well. Hope that helps.
[Android Themes] Ghostfreak NB:
Really a nice guide!

Will try to start theming

Thanks to you @ theimpaler!

I am sure I would need some help though!

:p
[Android Themes] flastnoles11:
Ask and ye shall receive... ;)

___________________________________

My muffin is blueberry, what flavor is yours?

——————————————————
[Android Themes] r00t_user:
Thanks alot man, I was thinking of making a custom black/holo theme to fit my liking's :D
[Android Themes] karlallen:
Thanks for this. It's very helpful :)
[Android Themes] fun12892:
[Q] [GB 2.3.4] [THEMING] Icons

So I have been trying to theme my xperia ray, it's running stock GB 2.3.4 (build 62, that latest one).

Unfortunately there's no tutorial specific for xperia ray or at least for xperia 2011 users I found on the net about theming. I only found it on other phone threads and yes this thread. I only want to do the basic theming and thats what I have been following but I think some ways are somehow different in xperia ray's gingerbread.

My goal is to achieve an AOSP blue look by just gathering png icon files from across the net or AOSP rom to replace some icons in the SystemUI.apk and framework-res.apk. But I don't think some pngs are replacable. Like for example the ".9.png" files. Here are the things I want to achieve including the problems/issues that I have.

- I want a pitch black status bar but somehow the status bar background png file in my stock GB isn't editable, I don't know why)

- I want blue AOSP icons. In my xperia ray's GB, the status bar icons for data status are so many that i dont have enough image source to replace them, so i have to do some image editing and unfortunately Photoshop cant do that. I think it doesnt reach pixel-level editing. I tried a free software called "PixelFormer", and it doesn't really support editing using layers because i want to use some layers to combine into one png icon. Any recommendation?

- I can't seem to find the icons in the settings menu to replace. I mean those icons you see when you're in Settings like Wireless and Networks, Sounds, Display, etc etc.. Where are they?

- I'm not really sure which icons are really needed to be replaced to at least achieve and aosp look and doesnt look like gingerbread. Because some icons looks the same, for example the activity title bar icon. There are two icons for that, one is labeled "Semc".

- I tried placing my modded systemui.apk once in my phone, just by using root explorer, mount R/W. I read this method somewhere in xda forum. I got lots of force closes, and the op says it should be fine with the force closes and all i need to set the right permissions and reboot. But i couldnt even get over the force closes, it never ends, but i manage to reboot the phone without setting the right permissions. And suddenly i got a lot of odex files from each system app i have there.

So, maybe anyone here has an xperia 2011? Because i think Sony Ericsson customized it differently in their phones. There maybe other questions I will ask as i progress further. This is just getting me a headache. :(

Thanks in advance. Great guide.
[Android Themes] icedventimocha:
Okay, ill answer most of your questions, but in all honesty I don't think you're ready to be making a theme. Take some time decompiling and just tinkering with stuff to get an idea what does what, what goes where etc....

.9 images are indeed replacable or editable. .9 images have a small border which cannot be changed, you need a special editor to do that or they will draw incorrectly. .9 images are meant to stretch, so if this border is not present the edges will be distorted. The status bar you most likely aren't changing the right file. The settings images are not in framework-res or systemUI, they are located in system/app/settings.apk. your root explorer method of moving is almost correct, but you need to place the file just in the root folder, change the permissions FIRST, then move them to system/app. And you are running a stock odexed ROM which needs to be done with a specific method.

Like I said you might want to just tinker with stuff and familiarize yourself with how everything works before diving in and making a full theme. Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying don't try, making mistakes is the fastest way of learning this stuff, just don't wanna see you get discouraged completly.
[Android Themes] fun12892:
Well, I don't have a choice but to mess with my phone.

But you said specific method, so whats the method? Decompiling first?

Oh, and the special editor to edit it, which program? GIMP?
[Android Themes] Ramazor:
Problems I hae with my theme (CM10, CM9 works fine)

- SystemUI crashes on 180 DPI

- notification_item_background.9.png works on CM9, but it doesn't on CM10

Any suggestions?

Thanks :)
[Android Themes] globetel:
Wow it is really help for newbyes like me. Thanx man for your awesome share
[Android Themes] fun12892:
I have managed to replace pngs I want to replace with my icons. So far looks so good, there are minor problems but I'll get it fixed soon, and will replace more png files. But then I come across these backgrounds and I want to change them. They're in my attachments. They're screenshots of my pop up menu like when you hold the power button and the pop up menu appears (power off, reboot, airplane mode, take screenshot), and the status bar notifications panel.

Thank you.

EDITED: I found the way to change the pop up background. They're png files too. But now still confuse on how to change the notification panel background.
[Android Themes] BohArie:
help me..

please help me... I dont know how to do it..
[Android Themes] Ramazor:
Remove public.xml from values. Do it always before you compile new version of your theme.
[Android Themes] fatchance1:
That is also a .png. Look in System UI apk. It's a small tile called...tw_quickpanel_bg.
[Android Themes] fun12892:
there's no png called "tw_quickpanel.bg" in my systemui.apk. If you're talking about the quickpanel widget, I dont have the quickpanel widget yet, it's not installed. I just want to mod the notification panel.

thanks for the reply.
[Android Themes] icedventimocha:
Try res/ drawable status_bar_item_background.xml

Sent from my Galaxy Note II
[Android Themes] fatchance1:
I guess it's different in my rom. It's in System Ui apk. Res Drawable HDPI
[Android Themes] EnterTHEvoiD:
thx for the detailed tuto!
[Android Themes] d3cka:
Or shade_bg
[Android Themes] V!KR@M:
Sorry for asking. But the download link of the zip provided in smali tutorial doesn't work. Can someone please upload?

Thanks
[Android Themes] OwlShield:
Thank you :)
[Android Themes] mEmoZz:
helpful thread ;)
[Android Themes] SXUsr:
I just did - transform icon zip files to a mtz file
[Android Themes] gravitysheep:
This is really helpful to everyone, thank you so much
[Android Themes] kantbstopped519:
I've been getting users reporting System UI FCs for my Torrid Teal CM10 theme from people who have set their DPI below 200, so mainly Paranoid Android users. Anyone know what could be the issue? Could be that I have some images in the wrong folder, but I'm not too sure
[Android Themes] flastnoles11:
The images may not be sized correctly for that dpi... I'm not an expert themer by any means though, so take that with a grain of salt...
[Android Themes] Neefy:
Ok so I ran into two problems..

First of all, when I try to recompile I get this error

Second, when I edit the .PNGs in photoshop they get... Well ugly and black

However it's only some of them, the 2 for example works fine

Any help would be GREATLY appreciated, also welcome to PM me!
[Android Themes] SXUsr:
Have you installed the correct resource apk?

Those are index images which Photoshop doesn't handle too well, so you can either convert the image to rgb mode and edit it, use another program like Paint.net for your index images, or the simplest solution is to install SuperPNG which is a plugin for PS which means you can just open and edit them as normal.

That's where it's installed the framework and any other resource apks. See the second link in my sig, might offer some help.
[Android Themes] Infinite96:
Wishing Everyone a Great New Year =) Best Wishes ! Good Luck in this year ! Enjoy Theming =P
[Android Themes] Martovitz:
This guide is amazing, thank you for this much simpler method and tips. Greatly help me.

Remember to give THANKS when THANKS are due.
[Android Themes] aeppacher:
Failure in recompiling

Okay, so now I have tried both apktool and apkmanager/apkmultitool. I can get my apks to decompile without an issue. the reason is I am trying to test my hand at themeing. First what I did was edit a png file with photoshop. The recompile failed. I read that it gets iffy if you edit pngs so I tried going back to the stock apk decompiling it and recompiling it without changing a thing. It still fails. Would love if someone could tell me what could be going wrong. Below is the error that shows up in both apktool and apkmultitool

Recompiling LatinIME.apk...
I: Smaling...
I: Building resources...
invalid resource directory name: C:\xdaAutoTool_V4.0.3\_INPUT_APK\LatinIME\res/drawable-xhdpi
invalid resource directory name: C:\xdaAutoTool_V4.0.3\_INPUT_APK\LatinIME\res/mipmap-480dpi
invalid resource directory name: C:\xdaAutoTool_V4.0.3\_INPUT_APK\LatinIME\res/mipmap-hdpi
invalid resource directory name: C:\xdaAutoTool_V4.0.3\_INPUT_APK\LatinIME\res/mipmap-mdpi
invalid resource directory name: C:\xdaAutoTool_V4.0.3\_INPUT_APK\LatinIME\res/mipmap-xhdpi
invalid resource directory name: C:\xdaAutoTool_V4.0.3\_INPUT_APK\LatinIME\res/values-sw600dp
invalid resource directory name: C:\xdaAutoTool_V4.0.3\_INPUT_APK\LatinIME\res/values-sw600dp-land
invalid resource directory name: C:\xdaAutoTool_V4.0.3\_INPUT_APK\LatinIME\res/values-sw768dp
invalid resource directory name: C:\xdaAutoTool_V4.0.3\_INPUT_APK\LatinIME\res/values-sw768dp-land
invalid resource directory name: C:\xdaAutoTool_V4.0.3\_INPUT_APK\LatinIME\res/xml-sw600dp
invalid resource directory name: C:\xdaAutoTool_V4.0.3\_INPUT_APK\LatinIME\res/xml-sw600dp-land
invalid resource directory name: C:\xdaAutoTool_V4.0.3\_INPUT_APK\LatinIME\res/xml-sw768dp
invalid resource directory name: C:\xdaAutoTool_V4.0.3\_INPUT_APK\LatinIME\res/xml-sw768dp-land
Exception in thread "main" brut.androlib.AndrolibException: brut.common.BrutException: could not exec command: [aapt, p, -F, C:\Users\ALESSA~1\AppData\Local\Temp\APKTOOL2478323126765651282.tmp, -I, C:\Users\Alessandro Eppacher\apktool\framework\1.apk, -S, C:\xdaAutoTool_V4.0.3\_INPUT_APK\LatinIME\res, -M, C:\xdaAutoTool_V4.0.3\_INPUT_APK\LatinIME\AndroidManifest.xml]
at brut.androlib.res.AndrolibResources.aaptPackage(AndrolibResources.java:193)
at brut.androlib.Androlib.buildResourcesFull(Androlib.java:301)
at brut.androlib.Androlib.buildResources(Androlib.java:248)
at brut.androlib.Androlib.build(Androlib.java:171)
at brut.androlib.Androlib.build(Androlib.java:154)
at brut.apktool.Main.cmdBuild(Main.java:182)
at brut.apktool.Main.main(Main.java:67)
Caused by: brut.common.BrutException: could not exec command: [aapt, p, -F, C:\Users\ALESSA~1\AppData\Local\Temp\APKTOOL2478323126765651282.tmp, -I, C:\Users\Alessandro Eppacher\apktool\framework\1.apk, -S, C:\xdaAutoTool_V4.0.3\_INPUT_APK\LatinIME\res, -M, C:\xdaAutoTool_V4.0.3\_INPUT_APK\LatinIME\AndroidManifest.xml]
at brut.util.OS.exec(OS.java:83)
at brut.androlib.res.AndrolibResources.aaptPackage(AndrolibResources.java:191)
... 6 more
DONE!
[Android Themes] SXUsr:
Give the second link in my sig a read.
[Android Themes] aeppacher:
After a long hard look, I am doing everything detailed in your guide. Still can't recompile my stuff :/

EDIT: for some reason, it works now, could be one of a multitude of things, but your theming zip may have done it. THANKS
[Android Themes] hisee:
noob qus

from where i can get...

""Now take a theme .zip file from a ROM maker or you can use another theme as your starting point""
[Android Themes] Madaditya:
Buddy search for themes in the theme section...you'll get the zip

Else modify the app and use App2zip from the market to creat a flashable zip

Hit thanx if you see help coming your way:thumbup:
[Android Themes] hisee:
Most of the zip don't have framework folder only res and met...? Am i doing wrong?
[Android Themes] Madaditya:
Right!

If you just modifying the (system/app).apks their zip won't contain framework
[Android Themes] hisee:
Hw to get that.. We have to start fresh?
[Android Themes] hisee:
how to slv this ..
[Android Themes] SXUsr:
Those kinds of themes are for the ThemeChooser, if you're wanting to make a theme/changes for the ROM you're using then you need to pull the files from your Phone or the ROM.zip.

Remove the top white box please, it's the first part that will let People know.
[Android Themes] hisee:
Ok will do it once i get back home... I am getting this error for almost all xml
[Android Themes] BK201EKY:
Awesome thread all very useful
[Android Themes] lolonne:
nice thread. will try to do it :laugh::laugh::D
[Android Themes] princeferoz:
Hi, I'm trying to change the text color when composing a new sms message. I greatly appreciate if someone can help me. Thank you.

I'm currently using XXLSJ (i9100)
[Android Themes] Rio97:
Awesome tutorial:good::good::good:
[Android Themes] Fugitive05:
Can somebody help me please?! I want to make my own theme, but in the Theme Chooser don't show the preview picture.

I can't link the file, because i'm newbie here, but if somebody write a pm, and can help me, than I add a link to the file in private. It's a CM7 Theme.

I checked the folder "drawable", the preview.png file is exist, and in the AndroidManifest.xml look correct. I don't know, what's wrong with that... :(
[Android Themes] plegdroid:
afternoon mate, can you please dropbox a copy of the messaging app you want to change, and I'll gladly have a look to what needs to be changed. :)

edit: and not forgetting your framework apk's also please.

ⓐⓝⓓⓡⓞⓢⓘⓓⓔ ⓘⓢ ⓝⓞⓣ ⓐ ⓢⓘⓝ
[Android Themes] P0kerFace86:
Thx

Thx very thx
[Android Themes] theimpaler747:
Cool, I'll take a look at it asap :)
[Android Themes] theimpaler747:
What phone is that apk for? Because I'm getting the same thing :confused:
[Android Themes] bioan:
Strange isn't it ? I just pulled it from my phone...
[Android Themes] theimpaler747:
LG Optimus? Yeah that is very odd, I'm not really sure if that's an LG thing or what
[Android Themes] bioan:
I have a custom ROM installed. I'll try to get the apk from the zip to see if it is the same.
[Android Themes] theimpaler747:
Ok, try to get the original from a non custom rom (some stock rom, doesn't really matter which one to me :))
[Android Themes] XdaLive:
hi all just wondering if u now how to create a launcher
[Android Themes] theimpaler747:
A launcher? This is not in the context of this guide. I'll help you theme a launcher, but I'm not going to make an app from scratch with you
[Android Themes] todd3835:
/slap self

Sorry, I didn't rtfm...... =]
[Android Themes] theimpaler747:
Lol, that's ok :) did you end up getting it readable ok?

Sent from a truly Epic phone and a transparent XDA app ;)
[Android Themes] Weasel00:
Here is my problem. I am trying to Theme vending.apk. I am using APK manager to decompile and compile. I am in the windows OS.

Decompile Vending.apk

Edit an XML using wordpad or notepad > Save

Compile Vending.apk (tried as system app, as well as non system app signed)

Insert into a ROM and load the ROM

Market shows as an app, but Forcecloses when I open.

What am I missing? Is this apk dependant on something else?

Jared
[Android Themes] theimpaler747:
It is not a dependent apk, so that's not the issue. What XML are you editing and how are you editing it? Also, sometimes you actually need to sign modified system apps, they can be weird like that :D
[Android Themes] Weasel00:
res>values>colors.xml

I am trying to change the background color. I have also tried to sign as a system app as well.

Jared
[Android Themes] theimpaler747:
OK, sounds fine so far. What are you changing the value to?
[Android Themes] Weasel00:
I am working on a pink theme (for the ladies) so I am trying to change the background too #ffF514CF

Jared
[Android Themes] theimpaler747:
Well, if that's the only thing you change, it should work ok. XMLs can be picky and weird, try leaving it all lowercase.
[Android Themes] Weasel00:
Would compression level have anything to do with this? ( I have tried a few different ones)

Jared
[Android Themes] theimpaler747:
Yes, but what compression setting are you even able to alter? If you just decompile and then use notepad++ for the edits, save, and recompile, it should be fine.
[Android Themes] Weasel00:
On the windows version of APK Manager there is a compression Level.

I have tried everything I can possibly think of and cannot get anywhere. The Market still force closes.

Jared
[Android Themes] theimpaler747:
Let me take a look at the unedited version of the vending.apk you're using and I'll see if my edits will work :)
[Android Themes] princeferoz:
http://dl.dropbox.com/u/97809020/framework-res.apk

http://dl.dropbox.com/u/97809020/SecMms.apk

The color I'm that I want is #FF00FF00
[Android Themes] plegdroid:
for clarity, the text colour you want to change from is blue? but to green. and can you please post your twframework-res.apk.? its missing resources at decompile :)

ⓐⓝⓓⓡⓞⓢⓘⓓⓔ ⓘⓢ ⓝⓞⓣ ⓐ ⓢⓘⓝ
[Android Themes] princeferoz:
Yes mate true, I want to change from blue to green (#FF00FF00). Here is the twframework

http://dl.dropbox.com/u/97809020/twframework-res.apk
[Android Themes] kantbstopped519:
Anyone know how to change the color of the ON & OFF text on switches? Or remove them?

Edit: Nevermindd, just figured it out.
[Android Themes] cowsquad:
I will like to try this guide and see how theming works. Thank you for findings these resources. Your help is appreciated
[Android Themes] dreamtimduncan:
Very good guide, thanks.
[Android Themes] iraqi92:
thank for you
[Android Themes] reikableu:
Well, I am trying to theme my conversations.apk but i cannot seem to figure out which .9.png file i should change for the background?

and for the text color, can it be done on the apk itself only or would i really need to change the framework as well?

I am running a JS 9.0 on my Neo V

can anybody help me out?

TIA. :)
[Android Themes] _django_:
good guide

:laugh: very nice guide!! thanks :D
[Android Themes] jrbxx7:
Thanks

sent from unlocked beans SeVeN sch-i605
[Android Themes] Droidlovinyogi:
Thanks. I've been using some of your themed apps. You do great work. much appreciated.
[Android Themes] reikableu:
Any help on this? sorry nobody seemed to have answered my question...

TIA!
[Android Themes] supermasi:
awsome guide, helped me alot to understand how things work :laugh:
[Android Themes] LBTaylor1984:
Been trying to extract SystemUI.apk to edit a image, tried doing it in windows and renaming it zip works but then when i use the apk my phone f's up, so tried these tools namely apktool and apk manager neither seem simple, as one is a cmd jobbie which I didn't want, then the other just asks me what project i'm working on, with no instruct on what to do....

I'm a heavy windows user and finding Linux a PITA nothing is simple, all I want is a tool to extract the files let me fiddle and then recompile and format to Linux so I can drop it back in. Does this tool exist>? I'm used to working in graphics on PC games and even thats easier bearing in mind theres texture maps, shader maps etc, this seems far too difficult for it to be right.
[Android Themes] SLP Catalyst:
Try this one... don't remember the thread from which it is from, but the creator is credited on the program so I am sure you can search in xda... so if you just want to do quick image change to apk then try this one.... (drop box link) http://db.tt/csC6Tqan
[Android Themes] SXUsr:
[Guide/Tools] Basic Android Theming - Simple APK Modding
[Android Themes] root-61:
Hi,

I want change my galaxy s2 status bar and notification background color same MIUI.

Jellybean 4.1.2 xXWLS8 on s2.

is it a possible?