Root [Guide] How to use HDPI themes on your MDPI device!

TweeksRevenge · Nov 15, 2011

THIS IS FOR CYANOGENMOD ROMS ONLY!!!

Here's an easy way to trick your Optimus M or other MDPI based device into using those nice HDPI themes found on the Android Market and all across the web!!!! I have tested this on over ten themes from the market including Epic Blue, Stygian Blue Fade, ICS for CM7, and many more.

The File Manager Way:

1. Navigate to /system/ and find your build properties
2. Copy them to your sd card and name the ones on /system/ build.prop.bak
3. From your SD card, using a text editior of choice look for the following value:
qemu.sf.lcd_density=160
You may notice TWO lcd lines in there but we only need to change the one mentioned!
4. Change the value to 140
5. Copy the new build.prop to /system/ and reboot.
6. Apply the new HDPI theme.
7. Now delete the build.prop and change the origionals back to build.prop
8. Reboot and enjoy your new HDPI theme

The FIRST time you do this MAKE SURE YOU MAKE A BACKUP!

Note: It will make the process easier if you keep the modded build properties you've made with reduced LCD for future use. This will save you lots of time when changing themes as you already have a set of properties with the LCD modded.

ENJOY!!

BrandonOptimus · Nov 15, 2011

Wait hold on, I edit the qemu.sf.lcd_density=160 to qemu.sf.lcd_density=160 and save as a new build.prop? Or do i overwrite the build.prop? If I have to save as a new build.prop do I have to save the original file as like build.prop.bak just in case something goes wrong?

TweeksRevenge · Nov 15, 2011

BrandonOptimus said:
Wait hold on, I edit the qemu.sf.lcd_density=160 to qemu.sf.lcd_density=160 and save as a new build.prop? Or do i overwrite the build.prop? If I have to save as a new build.prop do I have to save the original file as like build.prop.bak just in case something goes wrong?

Keep your original properties cause you'll be reapplying them when you finish. Basically you wanna change the qemu.sf.lcd_density to 140, reboot, apply the theme, copy your old props over the new ones you just edited, reboot again, and the system will have been tricked into applying the theme anyway.

This would all be easier if LCD Changer app changed the right line in the build properties instead of us having to do it manually...

twistedriku · Nov 15, 2011

Why not just keep the value at 140 instead of doing this over and over everytime u change a theme? (Reason I ask is cause I'm one to change it every week)

Aplus · Nov 15, 2011

twistedriku said:
Why not just keep the value at 140 instead of doing this over and over everytime u change a theme? (Reason I ask is cause I'm one to change it every week)

Technically, you could leave it but, certain things don't scale properly.

Litscript · Nov 15, 2011

I just use lcd resolution changer it works for me and its a little less intrusive

Edit:
"LCD Density" seems to be the most consistent. I use the "kill all" method while the phone is off the charger.

koolad4m · Nov 17, 2011

TweeksRevenge said:
THIS IS FOR CYANOGENMOD ROMS ONLY!!!

Here's an easy way to trick your Optimus M or other MDPI based device into using those nice HDPI themes found on the Android Market and all across the web!!!! I have tested this on over ten themes from the market including Epic Blue, Stygian Blue Fade, ICS for CM7, and many more.

The File Manager Way:

1. Navigate to /system/ and find your build properties
2. Copy them to your sd card and name the ones on /system/ build.prop.bak
3. From your SD card, using a text editior of choice look for the following value:
qemu.sf.lcd_density=160
You may notice TWO lcd lines in there but we only need to change the one mentioned!
4. Change the value to 140
5. Copy the new build.prop to /system/ and reboot.
6. Apply the new HDPI theme.
7. Now delete the build.prop and change the origionals back to build.prop
8. Reboot and enjoy your new HDPI theme

The FIRST time you do this MAKE SURE YOU MAKE A BACKUP!

Note: It will make the process easier if you keep the modded build properties you've made with reduced LCD for future use. This will save you lots of time when changing themes as you already have a set of properties with the LCD modded. ENJOY!!

there is 2 line which contain qemu.sf.lcd_density=160....which of those i have to change?the first one,the second,or both??

TweeksRevenge · Nov 17, 2011

koolad4m said:
there is 2 line which contain qemu.sf.lcd_density=160....which of those i have to change?the first one,the second,or both??

If they match up to a tee...change em both. Not sure why there would be two matching LCD_density lines though. They should be different. The qemu.sf line is the one that works on cyanogenmod.

koolad4m · Nov 17, 2011

i've changed them both and reboot.instal hdpi theme and when i apply it,said that it doesnt fit to my device but i apply it anyway....the icons dont change...

BrandonOptimus · Nov 17, 2011

koolad4m said:
i've changed them both and reboot.instal hdpi theme and when i apply it,said that it doesnt fit to my device but i apply it anyway....the icons dont change...

Have you tried rebooting your phone after you apply it?

vigos · Nov 18, 2011

this worked great for me, thanks a lot! one question though, when you applied these thems (I applied ICS) does the phone options menu changes (the one that appears when pressing the power on/off button)?
by the way I used root explorer to edit it, automatically creates a backup file in the same directory. then i removed the one i edited and renamed the other one, easy as pie!

TweeksRevenge · Nov 18, 2011

vigos said:
this worked great for me, thanks a lot! one question though, when you applied these thems (I applied ICS) does the phone options menu changes (the one that appears when pressing the power on/off button)?
by the way I used root explorer to edit it, automatically creates a backup file in the same directory. then i removed the one i edited and renamed the other one, easy as pie!

I don't recall ICS Theme changing my power menus...i believe that's one of those things you gotta metamotph

koolad4m · Nov 18, 2011

BrandonOptimus said:
Have you tried rebooting your phone after you apply it?

yes i reboot...still icon dont change...my device is galaxy gio cm7

starstress · Nov 19, 2011

great tutorial but like one guy said if you can get lcd resolution working on ya phone its the best method

Root [Guide] How to use HDPI themes on your MDPI device!

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