I edited a programs .apk file now it won't load?

[Branndon]

I'm not a programmer for android, I just opened an apk, edited 3 small PNG files, placed them back in the original apk and now it won't load, or reinstall, any ideas? What's the best program, winrar, or winzip? I'm using winrar. I have opened the apk directly, and tried renaming it .apk.zip and doing it that way, neither worked.

[stanrc]

It would be easiest to use Metamorph to install the files into the apk. Its pretty easy to use.

[tktouch12]

ya metamorph makes it pretty easy.
i'm not sure but if you do it your way, dont you have to re-sign the apk
also, was it a market app? because i'm pretty sure you cant do that with market apps

[Topsy]

Trick is not in the removal, but in the placing them back.

this is how I do it.

say you are changing the music.apk
rename to music.zip
open music.zip with winzip, winrar, etc
extract the res folder to a location of your choice and close the zip
make your changes
drag and drop the res folder with your changes over onto the music.zip
rename to music.apk
push to phone in /system/app
this prevents any issues with compression and such, since the files when dragged and dropped onto the zip are added in automatically with the same settings already in the .zip file.

[Branndon]

Yes it was a market app, sipdroid. I just changed some phone icons to my liking. I know how to pack a theme for metamorph, so I'll try that next. Thanks everyone.

[stanrc]

I don't think it will work with items downloaded from the market.

[Branndon]

no it didn't, the app doesn't launch now. So do I have to deox it or something? Is that easily done, or should I just forget about it? I know people have themed pandora and such, so it's possible.