Root Fix for status bar battery indicator

bluemax · Mar 3, 2010

Stock battery indicator in the status bar was bugging me, since it was constantly showing more charge than all other battery apps (widgets, Spare Parts...).

After looking in /system/framework/framework-res.apk/res/drawable/stat_sys_battery.xml, I could see that Samsung changed battery level thresholds compared to other Android releases (sources found on net):

I have made a mod which changes the levels to the ones in the right column (source). Tested only on this 1.6 firmware: Baseband version I7500XXJB2, Build number Donut.XXJB6. Do not change /system/framework/framework-res.apk directly, the phone might not boot if it is not signed again after changing! Make all necessary backups!

You will need Metamorph to apply it, but since we have only 1.21 MB available on /system partition with this firmware, we will have to move Maps.apk to /data/app.

The procedure (if you are not sure what each step does, do not proceed):
1. root the phone
2. copy busybox to /data/local/bin and give it execute permissions
3. install Metamorph from the Market
4. mount /system as RW (via "Root explorer", for example)
5. Run Metamorph. It will check for necessary files, and copy zip to /system/bin/zip. You can move it to /data/local/bin/zip to save some space on /system, and create symlink with this: ln -s /data/local/bin/zip /system/bin/zip
6. copy attached Galaxy-BatteryFix-v1.0.zip to /sdcard/AndroidThemes
7. move /system/app/Maps.apk to /data/app. It seems that Maps work fine from that location, after reboot.
8. apply theme from Metamorph
9. reboot

If you have problems with Metamorph and copying zip app, run this command: ln -s /data/local/bin/busybox /system/bin/cp (after renaming /system/bin/cp to cp.old).

To restore the original, use Galaxy-BatteryFixRestore-v1.0.zip.

inFECT · Mar 3, 2010

This is awesome

Well done.

MichaelW · Mar 3, 2010

I thought the Samsung change had been to try and make the battery reading more reliable?

As standard you'd often see the phone say 30% free only to die a few minutes later.

KlaymenDK · Mar 3, 2010

So that's why I always distrusted the battery indicator.
Stupid, stupid Samsung -- again! :mad:

Is there anything they don't make a mess of?

I will try to install this asap (on IL3).
...hmm, can't figure out placing the files, will try later...

michael.nights · Mar 3, 2010

bluemax said:
Stock battery indicator in the status bar was bugging me, since it was constantly showing more charge than all other battery apps (widgets, Spare Parts...).

After looking in /system/framework/framework-res.apk/res/drawable/stat_sys_battery.xml, I could see that Samsung changed battery level thresholds compared to other Android releases (sources found on net):

I have made a mod which changes the levels to the ones in the right column (source). Tested only on this 1.6 firmware: Baseband version I7500XXJB2, Build number Donut.XXJB6. Do not change /system/framework/framework-res.apk directly, the phone might not boot if it is not signed again after changing! Make all necessary backups!

You will need Metamorph to apply it, but since we have only 1.21 MB available on /system partition with this firmware, we will have to move Maps.apk to /data/app.

The procedure (if you are not sure what each step does, do not proceed):
1. root the phone
2. copy busybox to /data/local/bin and give it execute permissions
3. install Metamorph from the Market
4. mount /system as RW (via "Root explorer", for example)
5. Run Metamorph. It will check for necessary files, and copy zip to /system/bin/zip. You can move it to /data/local/bin/zip to save some space on /system, and create symlink with this: ln -s /data/local/bin/zip /system/bin/zip
6. copy attached Galaxy-BatteryFix-v1.0.zip to /sdcard/AndroidThemes
7. move /system/app/Maps.apk to /data/app. It seems that Maps work fine from that location, after reboot.
8. apply theme from Metamorph
9. reboot

If you have problems with Metamorph and copying zip app, run this command: ln -s /data/local/bin/busybox /system/bin/cp (after renaming /system/bin/cp to cp.old).

To restore the original, use Galaxy-BatteryFixRestore-v1.0.zip.

Sounds amazing! That would be really helpful... but isn't there an easier way to do this? I currently use fastboot and adb, I can flash a recovery and a custom Rom, but I don't know what busybox or Metamorph are...
Is there any chance you could have some time for writing a simplier guide?

Thanks, anyway!

Electroz · Mar 3, 2010

michael.nights said:
Sounds amazing! That would be really helpful... but isn't there an easier way to do this? I currently use fastboot and adb, I can flash a recovery and a custom Rom, but I don't know what busybox or Metamorph are...
Is there any chance you could have some time for writing a simplier guide?

Thanks, anyway!

Busybox comes built in with Galaxo 1.6.1. So figure out how to install that if you don't have it installed yet and then you can download Metamorph from the Market. This was the simplest way I could figure. I couldn't find Busybox anywhere for download.

bluemax · Mar 4, 2010

I did download Busybox from somewhere, but can't recall from which site. Try one of these:

Droid Explorer
or
Busybox for android

Rastaman-FB · Mar 4, 2010

taken from this old post, it works
http://androidforums.com/56711-post6.html

To install busybox on a firmware on the phone, there are a few ways. Easiest is to either use the rooted recovery v3 image or a rooted kernel.

If using the recovery, you'll need to boot up in recovery mode and connect your phone to your computer. For rooted kernel, just connect the phone when it's running normally and make sure adb is enabled in settings.

1. Run "adb remount"
2. Next push busybox with "adb push busybox /system/bin/busybox"
3. Create the symlinks with "adb shell /system/bin/busybox --install -s /system/bin" (you can skip this part if you do not foresee using the rest of the commands that busybox provides)
4. Modify cp's symlink to allow file managers to copy files "adb shell rm /system/bin/cp"
"adb shell ln -s /system/bin/busybox /system/bin/cp"

MichaelW · Mar 4, 2010

The change in the battery indicator was discussed here... http://androidforums.com/samsung-i7500/27275-battery-drains-quickly-under-40-a.html#post188724

And generally seen to be a good thing? Or has this changed again with JB2?

bluemax · Mar 4, 2010

The problem with Samsung's battery icon tresholds (in various firmwares I tested, from H to J) is that it is showing more charge than actually left, especially in the lower range.

The change in ADC reported levels mentioned above was a step in the right direction, but I feel that Samsung's tresholds were still not tweaked correctly.

On JB2/6, my battery still drains much faster in 40-0 % range than in 100-40 one, so ADC levels still need additional tweaking...

Xenon · Mar 4, 2010

The battery indicator is terribly unreliable. Let'me pimp my idea again:
http://androidforums.com/samsung-i7500/17812-better-battery-indicator-idea.html

KlaymenDK · Mar 4, 2010

Xenon said:
The battery indicator is terribly unreliable. Let'me pimp my idea again:
http://androidforums.com/samsung-i7500/17812-better-battery-indicator-idea.html

Yeah yeah yeah, and years ago we had ChaDis for the Psion:

Only problem is -- for that kind of accuracy you need to monitor the amperage, and that's the one battery reading you don't get from Android!

Spinelli · May 18, 2010

Can't install it... I have made all mentionned, but Metamorph tells me about a problem with the theme control file... What to do please ?

Spinelli · May 18, 2010

Problem fixed, after converting .thm in .xtm for the new version of MM

nunocordeiro · May 18, 2010

This is awesome! I vote to have this integrated in the next Galaxo. Hopefully drakaz will find it interesting.

Andronix · May 19, 2010

What Michael said, Samsun is lowering actual readings because they are trying to warn you that the battery is going to die much before than what original readings are. Original readings are suggesting that the battery at 30% will provide more 30% usage time, but it translates to maybe 5%.

I think what Samsung did is fine.

KlaymenDK · May 19, 2010

Andronix, maybe I'm misunderstanding you, but I read it the other way around: that Samsung is displaying a full battery for levels as low as 71%, and a half-full battery when it's actually as low as 30%...?

Frojd · May 19, 2010

Yep, samsung's original values mke the battery appear to have more charge than it actually does. This mod is great!

Xenon · May 19, 2010

Yeah, Samsung are actually playing psychological games with the
battery indicator.

If a user sees orange, he might think "What?? Already? But I charged it yesterday!". If
a user sees green right up to the moment the phone dies, the user is happier about the
battery life.

Andronix · May 20, 2010

hmm, if this mod makes the notification go yellow before samsung settings, i'm fine with it

the graph is confusing a bit.

does this thing change only how icon changes states, or changing values of battery percentage readings? i'm used to ignoring the icon and watching only what is the percentage via "systray monitor" app.

Frojd · May 20, 2010

It only changes at what percentage the icon changes.

Andronix · May 20, 2010

Frojd said:
It only changes at what percentage the icon changes.

fine

damyan5 · May 20, 2010

Hi!

Spinelli said:
Problem fixed, after converting .thm in .xtm for the new version of MM

I've got the same "missing controll file" issue.
Can you please upload the new version somewhere since i have no idea how to convert the .thm myself.

Thanks!

--
Damyan

nuke777 · Aug 22, 2010

nunocordeiro said:
This is awesome! I vote to have this integrated in the next Galaxo. Hopefully drakaz will find it interesting.

I 100% agree with you. it is ****ing annoying as **** seeing your battery meeter at 80% green when in fact it is only about 30-20% :eek:

. I thought it was my phone but it apears it is samsung flaw! now how could you **** this up so badly???

nuke777 · Aug 22, 2010

I am still using 1.5 II5, I need this patch badly because it drives me nuts. will it work with my version? also would you be able to provide a more noob freidnly tutorial?

I already rooted my phone to galaxo many times so I am not a complete noob, I just went back to 1.5 because I feel it is much faster and bug free.

Root Fix for status bar battery indicator

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