[TOOL] Remote Theme Injector - theme your favorite paid apk

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Diamondback

Retired Dev Committee Lead / Retired Senior Mod
Jan 17, 2010
4,476
6,631
virtuous-ten-studio.com
Themers on XDA face a huge problem when it comes to paid apks. They can't theme apks and distribute their work since that would be considered warez.

Since we - the moderators - spend a lot of time closing threads where someone accidentially published such a theme, Forum Moderator Whiskey103 came up with an idea.
What if the themer doesn't distribute the entire apk, but only his themed parts? This would be totally allowed on XDA.

So Whiskey asked me if I can come up with a solution to this problem. And today we announce RTI - The remote theme injector!

Note: while this project is intended for paid apks, it still works with free apks too of course. This app might help you migrating themes to a new version of the apks too.


RTI basically consists of two parts:
  • The patcher (or themer)
  • And the editor which is needed to create themes


Patcher

This is a little windows app which takes the target apk and a theme file (more on that later) and automatically injects the theme into the desired apk.
Todo this, the apk gets decompiled, patched, recompiled, signed and zipaligned. All this happens automatically and requires no input from the user (which is in this case the user who wants to USE the theme)
The user has to provide the target apk on his own, this ensures no apks are distributed as part of the theme.
It can be pulled via ADB or Rootexplorer from the phone for example.



Editor

The first app was for applying a theme, the editor is for creating such themes.
It's a simple wizard style app which guides the themer through the required steps to create a theme file.
Each theme file contains not only the actually themed files but also its own version of apktool to ensure maximum compatibility and a set of settings specifically for the target apk
The settings include:
  • Package name of the target apk
  • Version number of the target apk
  • Which sign method to use (keep old signature, sign with a default key, sign with own key)
  • Whether the apk gets zipaligned or not


The workflow for the user is very easy:
  • Download theme (it contains the patcher and the theme file (or even multiple themes)
  • Fetch target apk from phone and copy it in the same directory as the patcher
  • Start patcher and wait until it's done
  • Install themed apk on device


The workflow for the themer isn't much harder:
  • Theme your apk just as you are used to it
  • provide TWO folders to the Editor, both folders need to contain the decompiled output of apktool
  • The first folder contains the unthemed, decompiled apk, the second one contains the themed and decompiled apk
  • Set the required settings in the editor and wait until generating the theme is done
  • Provide the user a download which contains the patcher and your created theme file


Screenshots:

Editor:
RTI_E_1.PNG

RTI_E_2.PNG

Patcher:
RTI_1.png



Changelog

2.12.1.5665
  • Added support for smali modification for advanced themes
  • Some bug fixes and UI improvements

1.9.5.191
  • Important: This version brings some breaking changes, so please do not mix an old rti file with the new patcher. It won't work. You have to recreate your theme files if you want to use the new patcher.
  • Changed signing options. Removed java jarsign and added signapk.jar instead. This has a far better compatibility and doesn't require an installed Visual C++ runtime.
  • Possible signing options now:
    • Use 'test keys': Use a pre defined set of keys from me to sign the apk
    • Use 'own keys': you have to provide your own set of keys (key.pk8 and certificate.pem) to sign the apk
    • Keep old signature: NOT recommend, this has a few use cases, but usually won't work. Use one of the other two options if you are not sure.
  • Improved error detection on the folder selection page. It can tell you some common errors now if you make them.

1.7.6.113
  • Initial release



Example themes

Tapatalk Pro/Free by Whiskey103
XDA Premium Red and Blue by Whiskey103



Requirements (this is both for Editor and Patcher)
  • Windows XP SP3 or newer (excluding all Windows 8 versions)
  • Microsoft .NET framework 4.0 FULL
  • Oracle JRE (Java) (Always try to use the latest Java version)


Download

RTI 2.12.1.5665

Old versions:
RTI 1.9.5.191
RTI 1.7.6.113




Credits
  • Whiskey103 for the excellent idea
  • brut.all for apktool
  • Google for Android
  • My girlfriend for tolerating my work on XDA :D
  • My dog for keeping me happy :p
 
Last edited:

Whiskey103

Member Advocate Admin / Developer Committee
Staff member
I will write a guide here, for now just screenshots and a little explanation on how to use the "Patcher"
We will do our best to answer the questions about how to use and all that ;)

Basically i came up with the idea because of the fact we have to delete a lot of themed paid apps.
Thats not nice since i know there is much time spend on it.
So now we have a solution for all the themed Swype apk,s etc etc ;)

I really felt sorry sometimes after i had to remove some masterpiece because it was "warez"
If we start to use this, its all fine ;)

BIG Thanks to Diamond who really liked the project from the beginning, without him this wasn't even possible.
He really was enthusiast from the moment i contacted him till where we are now.
Once again, thanks Diamond ;)



The patcher:

You have to download a patcher theme (XDA Premium App example) my thread for screenshots
Extract that folder and grab the installed apk from your phone with Rootexplorer or ES File Explorer.
Place that apk in the extracted theme folder and run the RemoteThemeInjector.exe
In this case the RTI (Remote Theme Injector) will give you a list since i placed two themes in one folder. Just make your choice.
The patcher will do his job and spit out a Themed APK.
Copy that Themed APK to your phone (SD-Card) and install it after you removed your previous installed version of the App.
Once the apk is installed , goto menu / more / settings / Display Style / and select XDA Free.

PatcherFolder.png


ThemeSelector.png


RTI_in_%20action.png


RTI_Done.png



The Editor

Editer1.png


Editer2.png


Editer3.png


Editer4.png


Editer5.png


Editer6.png
 
Last edited:

bearw815

Senior Member
Aug 8, 2010
368
182
AZ
What am i missing?

edit: fixed -java issue

Thanks for the tools.
 

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pFo-Mac

Senior Member
Jan 29, 2012
147
91
Seoul
This is an outstanding idea. Many thanks to Whiskey and Diamondback for the hard work, and for finding a creative solution to further customize our experiences without risking warez.

It's great to see xda members and mods maintaining such a balance and protecting the interests of both the devs and users simultaneously. Well done.
 

Diamondback

Retired Dev Committee Lead / Retired Senior Mod
Jan 17, 2010
4,476
6,631
virtuous-ten-studio.com
Thanks for the great feedback :)
One thing I'd like to ask for: If you are a themer and created a theme with this app, can you please post a link here so we can see waht awesome work done? :)
If you want I can also add you to the "example themes" section in the OP.
 

mierkat09

Senior Member
Mar 25, 2012
575
51
Do the apps HAVE to be paid?

Sent from my SGH-T959V using xda app-developers app
 

Orical

Senior Member
May 22, 2011
2,211
731
Boston
This is awesome to say the least, it looks like I'm going to have a new 3am addition to fight off . Works gonna need to pony up some serious red bull.
 

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  • 117
    Themers on XDA face a huge problem when it comes to paid apks. They can't theme apks and distribute their work since that would be considered warez.

    Since we - the moderators - spend a lot of time closing threads where someone accidentially published such a theme, Forum Moderator Whiskey103 came up with an idea.
    What if the themer doesn't distribute the entire apk, but only his themed parts? This would be totally allowed on XDA.

    So Whiskey asked me if I can come up with a solution to this problem. And today we announce RTI - The remote theme injector!

    Note: while this project is intended for paid apks, it still works with free apks too of course. This app might help you migrating themes to a new version of the apks too.


    RTI basically consists of two parts:
    • The patcher (or themer)
    • And the editor which is needed to create themes


    Patcher

    This is a little windows app which takes the target apk and a theme file (more on that later) and automatically injects the theme into the desired apk.
    Todo this, the apk gets decompiled, patched, recompiled, signed and zipaligned. All this happens automatically and requires no input from the user (which is in this case the user who wants to USE the theme)
    The user has to provide the target apk on his own, this ensures no apks are distributed as part of the theme.
    It can be pulled via ADB or Rootexplorer from the phone for example.



    Editor

    The first app was for applying a theme, the editor is for creating such themes.
    It's a simple wizard style app which guides the themer through the required steps to create a theme file.
    Each theme file contains not only the actually themed files but also its own version of apktool to ensure maximum compatibility and a set of settings specifically for the target apk
    The settings include:
    • Package name of the target apk
    • Version number of the target apk
    • Which sign method to use (keep old signature, sign with a default key, sign with own key)
    • Whether the apk gets zipaligned or not


    The workflow for the user is very easy:
    • Download theme (it contains the patcher and the theme file (or even multiple themes)
    • Fetch target apk from phone and copy it in the same directory as the patcher
    • Start patcher and wait until it's done
    • Install themed apk on device


    The workflow for the themer isn't much harder:
    • Theme your apk just as you are used to it
    • provide TWO folders to the Editor, both folders need to contain the decompiled output of apktool
    • The first folder contains the unthemed, decompiled apk, the second one contains the themed and decompiled apk
    • Set the required settings in the editor and wait until generating the theme is done
    • Provide the user a download which contains the patcher and your created theme file


    Screenshots:

    Editor:
    RTI_E_1.PNG

    RTI_E_2.PNG

    Patcher:
    RTI_1.png



    Changelog

    2.12.1.5665
    • Added support for smali modification for advanced themes
    • Some bug fixes and UI improvements

    1.9.5.191
    • Important: This version brings some breaking changes, so please do not mix an old rti file with the new patcher. It won't work. You have to recreate your theme files if you want to use the new patcher.
    • Changed signing options. Removed java jarsign and added signapk.jar instead. This has a far better compatibility and doesn't require an installed Visual C++ runtime.
    • Possible signing options now:
      • Use 'test keys': Use a pre defined set of keys from me to sign the apk
      • Use 'own keys': you have to provide your own set of keys (key.pk8 and certificate.pem) to sign the apk
      • Keep old signature: NOT recommend, this has a few use cases, but usually won't work. Use one of the other two options if you are not sure.
    • Improved error detection on the folder selection page. It can tell you some common errors now if you make them.

    1.7.6.113
    • Initial release



    Example themes

    Tapatalk Pro/Free by Whiskey103
    XDA Premium Red and Blue by Whiskey103



    Requirements (this is both for Editor and Patcher)
    • Windows XP SP3 or newer (excluding all Windows 8 versions)
    • Microsoft .NET framework 4.0 FULL
    • Oracle JRE (Java) (Always try to use the latest Java version)


    Download

    RTI 2.12.1.5665

    Old versions:
    RTI 1.9.5.191
    RTI 1.7.6.113




    Credits
    • Whiskey103 for the excellent idea
    • brut.all for apktool
    • Google for Android
    • My girlfriend for tolerating my work on XDA :D
    • My dog for keeping me happy :p
    45
    I will write a guide here, for now just screenshots and a little explanation on how to use the "Patcher"
    We will do our best to answer the questions about how to use and all that ;)

    Basically i came up with the idea because of the fact we have to delete a lot of themed paid apps.
    Thats not nice since i know there is much time spend on it.
    So now we have a solution for all the themed Swype apk,s etc etc ;)

    I really felt sorry sometimes after i had to remove some masterpiece because it was "warez"
    If we start to use this, its all fine ;)

    BIG Thanks to Diamond who really liked the project from the beginning, without him this wasn't even possible.
    He really was enthusiast from the moment i contacted him till where we are now.
    Once again, thanks Diamond ;)



    The patcher:

    You have to download a patcher theme (XDA Premium App example) my thread for screenshots
    Extract that folder and grab the installed apk from your phone with Rootexplorer or ES File Explorer.
    Place that apk in the extracted theme folder and run the RemoteThemeInjector.exe
    In this case the RTI (Remote Theme Injector) will give you a list since i placed two themes in one folder. Just make your choice.
    The patcher will do his job and spit out a Themed APK.
    Copy that Themed APK to your phone (SD-Card) and install it after you removed your previous installed version of the App.
    Once the apk is installed , goto menu / more / settings / Display Style / and select XDA Free.

    PatcherFolder.png


    ThemeSelector.png


    RTI_in_%20action.png


    RTI_Done.png



    The Editor

    Editer1.png


    Editer2.png


    Editer3.png


    Editer4.png


    Editer5.png


    Editer6.png
    4
    I just bought the xda app and it tells me version does not match is there a new theme version ???

    As stated in my theme thread, xda premium app is totally rebased on the new Tapatalk 4 hence it will take some time to re-theme all elements.
    Iam on it though ;)

    Sent from my HTC One using xda premium
    4
    Okay guys, I made a new version with a few but significant changes.
    Most notable is the new signing system, you won't get these weird dll errors anymore now (I am using signapk.jar instead of that crappy java tool now).

    You can find the details in the OP. Enjoy :)
    3
    I'll post this here too, please excuse this clone post from the xda theme forum. I was having a java signing error MSVCR100.dll error. kept reinstalling java and different versions....kept getting the same error. And you know i did something some people think is weird....i searched, and searched......gave up for a few minutes and searched again and finally found it. Here is the link.. I am on Windows 7 64x and it works great now.