[Q] Customizing CyanogenMod 10.2 prior to installing

[ksaul]

As the topic states, there are a bunch of prebundled apps that come with cyanogen I'd like to remove & replace (listed below); is it as simple as removing them from the .zip and adding the ones I want? Or is there more to it?
Also the apps I want to add, can I also include their backup data from the /data folder or does that have to be done after?
I think its just as simple as, extracting the zip files, removing the apks, and adding the ones I want, then repacking the zip?


Replace:
- Apollo with Poweramp
- Trebeck (or w/e it is) with Nova Prime
- AOSP Keyboard with SwiftKeyboard
- a custom kernel (just copy/replace the kernel zips files with whatever comes in cyanogens zip?)
- some others, but you get the gist

Remove:
- DSP Manager
- Exchange Services
- Email
- News & Weather
- some others (I know about the list(s) of safe apps to delete [1][2])

Add:
- Fonts
- Apps that I always install on a fresh install (Titanium Backup, Busybox, ROM Toolbox, etc)

I know about This Thread explaining how to build your own ROM, but I feel like that is more complicated process for (what seems simple) what I want to do.

 

[ksaul]

BUMP

Bumping this question

 

[razen_kain]

I have done this with mr-cook's cooked ROM but have never tried it on a cm one. Sammy roms you just cut and paste the apk into the preload folder. I don't see why couldn't do that with the gapps zip. If it doesn't work you can just wipe and start over.
Also you can use titanium back up pro to do the same thing within the ROM

 

[ksaul]

I have done this with mr-cook's cooked ROM but have never tried it on a cm one. Sammy roms you just cut and paste the apk into the preload folder. I don't see why couldn't do that with the gapps zip. If it doesn't work you can just wipe and start over.
Also you can use titanium back up pro to do the same thing within the ROM

i would put them in the /preload folder? i thought i would put them with the other .apks (/system/app/)?

 

[razen_kain]

i would put them in the /preload folder? i thought i would put them with the other .apks (/system/app/)?

That is if you were using a Samsung based ROM. I don't think cm will be the same but like i said you can try it.
On a Samsung ROM it would need to be placed in preload/symlink/system/app in the zip file before you flash it. I don't think cm has this file.
You could try putting it in the system app file But like i said if it doesn't work, the worst thing that could happen is the ROM doesn't flash, doesn't boot, or it boots and you get a bunch of fc of apps. All you have to do is wipe and start over.

 

[mr-cook]

is it as simple as removing them from the .zip and adding the ones I want?

Yes.

Also the apps I want to add, can I also include their backup data from the /data folder or does that have to be done after?

Not as easy as the apps as it would require changes to the updater script. Plus it could cause issues.

I think its just as simple as, extracting the zip files, removing the apks, and adding the ones I want, then repacking the zip?

Actually your better off if you just use 7zip or WinRAR and open the zip instead of extract it. Navigate to the system apps folder and delete or add what your need to. It's as simple as drag and drop.

Add:
- Fonts
- Apps that I always install on a fresh install (Titanium Backup, Busybox, ROM Toolbox, etc)

The fonts I have no clue. These apps would require changes to the updater script to put them in data where they belong.




Sent from my SGH-S959G

 

[ksaul]

Yes.

Not as easy as the apps as it would require changes to the updater script. Plus it could cause issues.

Actually your better off if you just use 7zip or WinRAR and open the zip instead of extract it. Navigate to the system apps folder and delete or add what your need to. It's as simple as drag and drop.

The fonts I have no clue. These apps would require changes to the updater script to put them in data where they belong.
Sent from my SGH-S959G

great thank you mr-cook!
and the .apks that i put in the system/app folder, (specifically Nova launcher), i put the install .apk correct, as thats the only .apk i have for it.
And I also want to replace Browser.apk with Chrome; same procedure as the rest?

I guess its really just a trial-and-run scenario instead of asking questions... best way to learn

 

[ksaul]

for those curious, or come across the same question: it worked out perfectly.
As far as the fonts go, I just added them to the system/fonts folder- worked as planned!