[Guide][DDKQ8] Remove "Swipe screen to unlock" | Center lockscreen Clock | more...

[Guide][DDKQ8] Remove "Swipe screen to unlock" | Center lockscreen Clock | more...

No guide can explain every bit of information a beginner needs to know to achieve the wanted results. You need to make an effort and have patience to learn what you need.
This guide assumes that you have some basic knowledge like managing files on your phone, setting permissions, using command prompt on your computer. I will not explain what is ADB or Root Explorer or how to use them. google can help with that.
The steps described here are the steps i did on my computer (windows) and my rom (rooted, deodexed). i cannot promise to offer support, i'm a semi-noob myself.

standard disclaimer applies: Do it at your own risk & Backup your system before trying any of this.


What you will need:
• apk file compiler/decompiler: i will use apktool
• archive manager: winrar, 7zip
• Text editor : Notepad++ is recommended
• A way to manage files on the phone: ADB, Android Commander, Root Explorer
• an image editor (for some parts): Photoshop, Gimp, Paint.NET...


Part I. Decompiling

1. First you need to download and install apktool which allows you to decompile apk files and rebuild them. some people prefer APK Manager but i find apktool simpler to use.
Download these two files and export them to your Windows directory.
apktool-install-windows-r04-brut1.tar.bz2
apktool1.4.3.tar.bz2

2. Pull the file framework-res.apk from /system/framework/ on your phone and place it on your computer. for exemple under C:\lockscreen\

3. Now open a command prompt window and change the current directory to C:\lockscreen\ by entering the command
Then decompile your apk file by entering the following command
This will create a new folder named framework-res within it are the decompiled contents of framework-res.apk

Part II. Editing files

Remove "Swipe screen to unlock"
1. Open \framework-res\res\values\strings.xml
2. Find lockscreen_unlock_guide_text
3. In that line, delete Swipe screen to unlock

Note: \res\values\strings.xml is for English language. if you're using a differnet language on your phone then you have to edit the corresponding strings.xml file in the proper values directory. for exemple if you're using French then you'll have to edit the strings.xml file under values-fr

Change the date format on the lock screen

1. Open \framework-res\res\values\strings.xml
2. Find mid_month_day_mid_wday_no_year
3. Replace E. d MMM. with the format you want.

Reference:

d numeric Day of the Month (1)
dd numeric Day of the Month (01)
EEE short Day of the week (Mon)
EEEE long Day of the week (Monday)
M numeric Month (1)
MM numeric Month (01)
MMM short Month (Jan)
MMMM long Month (January)
yy short year (09)
yyyy long year (2009)
exemple: yyyy MMMM d, EEEE to display 2012 March 12, Monday


Center the lockscreen clock and date

Explaining this mod step by step would take too long. All the editing is done in a single file \res\layout\zzz_keyguard_screen_clockwidget.xml
I uploaded the edited file (not compiled). All you have to do is replace you original file under framework-res\res\layout\ with this one before you compile. Advanced users can take a look at it, compare it with the original and edit it if they want/can.
I also replaced the charging icon that appears on the lockscreen. The png file is inluded with the xml file. To apply it, after you're done with Part III of this guide, open your modded apk file with winrar/7zip, browse to \res\drawable-mdpi\ then drag the png and drop it in the apk.


Part III. Creating the modded file
After we're done editing the xml files, we will recompile them and update the original apk with the modded ones.

1. Go back to that command prompt window and enter the following command to recompile the files
(no .apk at the end)
when it's done, you will find a new folder under framework-res named build where the compiled files are placed.
2. Go to framework-res\build\apk\ copy the resources.arsc file
3. Open your original framework-res.apk file with an archive manager like winrar or 7zip (do not extratct, open with) and paste resources.arsc inside it.
4. If you used the edited zzz_keyguard_screen_clockwidget.xml file, then you have also to copy the compiled version from \buid\apk\layout\ and paste it under the same path inside your apk file.
Now your framework-res.apk is modded and ready to be installed.
5. Place the apk in your phone under /system/framework/ and set its permissions to rw-r--r--
Note: Some may prefer to copy the file to /system/ first, set the permissions and then move it to /system/framework
6. Reboot


Changing the font of the clock:
For some reason, this clock is not actual text, it does not use a font. Instead, the numbers are png files placed under /res/drawable-mdpi/
So to change the font, you will have to make new png files for each number, plus one for the column )
I uploaded the ones i made. you can take a look at them to note the dimensions and names of the files. you have to use those same names. also notice that there are two different files for the number one.
After you're done modding your framework-res.apk and just before you send it your phone, open it with winrar and browse to /res/drawable-mdpi/ then drag the png files you made and drop them inside the apk.


Flashable zips:
lockscreen_text_patch_DDKQ8.zip => remove "Swipe screen to unlock" text
LockscreenMod_Stock_DDKQ8.zip => Centered clock and mod with replaced clock font for stock DDKQ8

kmarci said:

Maybe you know how to make the date display more "acceptable"? I hate how it looks in stock...
I would really appreciate a flashable zip to solve this problem.

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how do you mean acceptable?
i can only make a flashable zip for specific roms and themes. maybe i will see what roms out there are based on DDKQ8 and make a couple of zips.
i usually prefer making guides than making falashable zips so anyone can apply the mod on it's own specific system.

wassupadi said:

Hey Can u tell the way by wich i can use this lockscreen in lewa rom....

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the lockscreen it hard coded un the framework, maybe also some other files. i personally cnt do it. if you want to try to port it i can provide you with any files you need from stock DDKQ8

hanaxxaru said:

if i want to replace stock rom lockscreen, i need to replace framework-res.apk only, right?

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not really. not all frameworks are compatible with all roms. it probably will not work. it needs to be ported. but you can try of you want. just make a backup of your system before.

iSxy said:

1 Question..
Can we just replace that Swipe to unlock text to our own custom one?

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sure you can. just replace "swipe screen to unlock" with whatever you want. there might be some limitations for how much text you can fit. i didnt try it.

kmarci said:

Something in this format: year. month day., name of the day. For today: 2012. march 12., monday
I'm on same rom as you are (stocklite v5). Would you please help me how to change the date display?

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ok, i figured it out

open \res\values\strings.xml
find mid_month_day_mid_wday_no_year
in that line, change E. d MMM. into yyyy. MMMM d., EEEEE
re-build and replace resources.arsc in original apk

torchwolfery said:

is it possible to move the framework thing to another stock rom using maybe titanium back up?

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not sure what "thing" you mean. but no. Titanium Backup backs up apps and settings. the lockscreen is neither an app nor a setting.

kmarci said:

Hey dude, you're unbeleivable! Thanks a lot! (Unfortunatelly I can only hit once the thanks button... )

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glad to help