[Guide/Tutorial][JB 4.3+]Create Your Own Xperia Theme

At the time of writing this guide I assume that you have a basic knowledge of Android Developers Tool[ADT]. I also assume that you are familiar with Android apps and their development process.

• A computer / laptop [seriously speaking it's one of the most important thing lol. ]
• Java installed and added to environment path[if you are windows user like me]
• ADT + Eclipse [I recommend ADT bundle]
• Theme files [check attachment for these]
• My guide for sure.
• Time and Brain.

• Start/open ADT
• Go to File > New > Android Application Project

• Give your desired name to the Theme, The Android Application Project.
• Give your desired package name to the app.
• Set Minimum Android Requirement to Android Jelly Bean 4.3 and Maximum to Android Kitkat 4.4/4.4.2

• In the next screen un-tick the option to add app icon and Activity
• Choose the workspace folder else tick to set the default one.

• Now open AndroidManifest.xml and add this Permission :

<uses-permission android:name="com.sonymobile.permission.RUNTIME_SKIN" />

• Now replace the <Application ...></application> Node with this code :

<application 
        android:label="@string/semc_theme_title" 
        android:icon="@drawable/semc_theme_lockscreen_wallpaper" 
        android:allowBackup="false">
        
        <uses-library android:name="com.sonymobile.runtimeskinning" />
        
        <meta-data 
            android:name="com.sonymobile.runtimeskinning.core.image_wallpaper" 
            android:resource="@drawable/semc_theme_wallpaper" />
        
        <meta-data 
            android:name="com.sonymobile.runtimeskinning.core.lockscreen_background" 
            android:resource="@drawable/semc_theme_lockscreen_wallpaper" />
        
    </application>

• Now just after

<uses-permission android:name="com.sonymobile.permission.RUNTIME_SKIN" />

• Add this block of code :

<runtime-skin version="1">
        <asset path="android.zip" target="android">
            <laf-version-filter from="1" to="1" />
        </asset>
        <asset path="com.sonyericsson.uxp.zip" target="com.sonyericsson.uxp">
            <laf-version-filter from="1" to="1" />
        </asset>
    </runtime-skin>

<asset path="com.android.systemui.zip" target="com.android.systemui">
            <laf-version-filter from="1" to="1" />
        </asset>

• Now save AndroidManifest.xml
• You will get errors. Nothing to worry. Its known and easy to fix.
• Open themeProject > values > strings.xml
• Change

<string name="[COLOR=Red]app_name[/COLOR]">Pink</string>

• To

<string name="[COLOR=Red]semc_theme_title[/COLOR]">Pink</string>

• Save and close the file.
• Now Reopen AndroidManifest.xml
• Left Click in between the texts underlined with red, then Right Click and press "Quick Fix" in the pop-up menu. Then You will see a new pop-up menu as in the pic below. Then click on "Disable Check in This Project"

• To correct the errors in Application node move Wallpaper and icon pictures to drawable-xxdpi according to your need.

• Now download "XperiaThemesApktoolbySArnab©®" zip file from the attachments below and extract it at your desired location.
• I specially made this Apktool set folder for Xperia™ Themes.
• Inside the extracted folder you will find Apktool files for Windows OS[Linux and MAC users you need to replace Windows specific files with your OS's files.] along with Xperia™ Apps specific folders for making Xperia™ Themes.
• All you need to do is add assets to this folders and use provided Apktool to recompile them. They will be automatically get compiled as .zip file instead of .apk file as .zip file is needed for Xperia™ Themes.
• In android folder :
  • You need move theme png resources if you want to change the look, into respective drawable folders.
    • FOR THIS FOLLOW THE PART TWO OF THE GUIDE IN POST #2
      
• In com.sonyericsson.uxp folder :
  • You need to edit res > values > colors.xml as per your theme colour preference.
• Now when you think you are ready to create the theme use Apktool[Or your desired tool] to recompile android, com.sonyericsson.uxp and all other app specific folders from "XperiaThemesApktoolbySArnab©®".

• When everything is set your theme project tree should be like this to great extent.

• Test the theme through Eclipse else export by signing and share your masterpiece with others.

• De-compile "framework-res.apk"
• Open up framework-res/res/drawable-hdpi/ [Or whatever dpi your device supports]

• NOTE : HERE I WILL SHOW YOU HOW TO CHANGE :
  • APPS BACKGROUND
  • VOLUME BAR SCRUBBER

• Now download/create/paint or do whatever you want and get hands on two different pngs, one for Dark Theme [ Like Settings in Android 4.1.x/4.2.x in Sony ] and another for Light Theme [ Like Settings in Android 4.3 in Sony ] and rename them to "semc_bg" & "semc_bg_light" respectively.

• Move the two newly renamed pngs to the respective drawable-xxdpi folder of the android folder that you had previously downloaded from the above post : apktool/android/drawable-hdpi/here

• NOTE : YOU NEED TO PLACE ALL YOUR DESIRED IMAGES INTO RESPECTIVE DRAWABLE-FOLDERS.
• Now you need to do the same thing to theme Scrubbers.

• Once you are ready with all the pngs continue with rest of the guide in post #1.

dipesh1502 said:

Well done bro
Going to try it asap

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Sahaab said:

nice guide
btw to be able to install theme do we still need root (superuser mod etc???)????

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Sahaab said:

whats theme fixer??

Edit: oh ok found it, sorry

Edit 2: it looks like it needs root?

Edit 3: haha too many edits, and yep a post says root needed so still to no help :-/

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SpaceCaker said:

This didnt really worked.
i used you're Pink theme source but when i only edited the colors from Pink to red nothing changed after applying the theme.

ofcourse i used a NON rooted Xperia phone so i couldnt logcat that .
the Android version used was 4.4.2 on a xperia z1.

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