Modifying .xml's that are encoded into resources.arsc

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Ok this is a quick little guide. Decided not to put this in the notification text thread as that needs to be cleaned up anyway.

This is for modifying .xml's in say /values or wherever you want. This particular example is going to use /values/styles.xml

First up, decode your framework using apktool
** Make a backup! **

: adb pull /system/framework/framework-res.apk /sdcard/mytheme/backup.apk
: adb pull /system/framework/framework-res.apk C:\themes\mytheme.apk
: apktool d -f C:\themes\mytheme.apk C:\themes\mytheme\decoded\

Then open up the /res/values/styles.xml.
Find "<style name="Widget.Button" parent="@style/Widget">
Change the textcolor to #FFFF0000
This will make all buttons have a RED text color.

Now re-encode the file

:apktool b C:\themes\mytheme\decoded C:\themes\mytheme\encoded\mytheme-new.apk

Now, the simplest thing to do is to do the following:
- Open the original C:\themes\mytheme.apk with 7-zip
- Drag and drop the META-INF and AndroidManifest.xml File into a folder, like C:\themes\mytheme\signed
* Now you have a copy you can always use, and skip the above steps after doing it once *
- Open the new encoded mytheme-new.apk with 7-zip
- Drag and drop the META-INF and AndroidManifest.xml from the \signed directory

: adb push C:\themes\mytheme\encoded\mytheme-new.apk /sdcard/mytheme/framework-res.apk
: adb remount (if available for you!)
: adb shell
**Only if remount doesn't work.**
: mount -o rw,remount -t ext3 /dev/block/mmcblk1p21 /system 
: cp /sdcard/mytheme/framework-res.apk /system/framework/framework-res.apk

**Wait for the theme to apply, no need to reboot**
**If you Bootloop and stay in shell (which you should if you don't reboot)**

: cp /sdcard/mytheme/backup.apk /system/framework/framework-res.apk

**After this the bootloops should stop as your last stable framework is loaded**

That's it!

Questions? Comments? Leave em!

So, for instance, in the Vanilla Froyo theme for 2.1, where all of the text elements that should be a dark grey or black are white, this would allow me to change them?

Yep. Just a matter of figuring out which style controls what...that's next on my list to document lol. It's a LOT easier than trying to Hex Edit everything.

I'm really surprised this thread isn't exploding with questions, but I have to say great work, man!

I'm gonna wait it out until I know my way around the SDK a little more, but I really wanna dig through this and finish the Vanilla theme I'm using.

Thanks! I should make one big guide get it stickied and be fine with it lol. You can check out my vanilla theme fire an idea of what I've done.

Sent from my DROIDX using XDA App

Great tutorial man. I especially appreciate the part about not having to reboot. I wonder why everyone always says to do that for installing themes.

If you use apkmanager (which is a frontend for apktool) -- it automates some of the steps mentioned here. Its in the G1 development section as well as apktool.

Not work...
Very sad
After complete all steps, device not boot after LG lable longer.
Any ideas?
log cmd in process:

D:\Android\SDKTools\tools>apktool d -f C:\themes\mytheme.apk C:\themes\mytheme\decoded\
I: Loading resource table...
I: Decoding resources...
I: Copying assets and libs...

D:\Android\SDKTools\tools>apktool b C:\themes\mytheme\decoded C:\themes\mytheme\encoded\mytheme-new.apk
W: Could not find sources
I: Checking whether resources has changed...
I: Building resources...
I: Building apk file...

Originally Posted by phimuskapsi

Thanks! I should make one big guide get it stickied and be fine with it lol. You can check out my vanilla theme fire an idea of what I've done.

Sent from my DROIDX using XDA App

Phim, you're the best! I have been searching for a simple guide like this, as I found one a while ago when theming, but lost the link. Thanks for all your contributions on here, they are greatly appreciated! If I have some questions on editing some xml files, can I shoot you a PM or two?

Sent from my DROIDX using XDA App

I am trying to edit the color of the text in the drop down notification bar for the text such as USB Connection.

Can someone please tell me which xml file and which portion needs to be edited?