Galaxy Nexus: Change softkeys - how it works

The Galaxy Nexus was one of the first smartphones to offer softkeys as onscreen buttons - we show you how to change them here.

Manual solution: Change softkeys on the Galaxy Nexus

Note: Since the system is deeply interfered with, we assume no liability for the following steps. The intervention is carried out at your own risk.

1. To change the softkeys, it is imperative that the device is rooted. In this practical tip you can read more about the root process.
2. Before making the following changes, you should make a full backup of your device.
3. To change the softkeys manually, you need a file explorer with root rights, with which you have to navigate deep into the system.
4. The files for the new softkeys can be found in this thread at the XDA developers. Find a suitable template and load it onto the device memory of your Galaxy Nexus.
5. Search for "SystemUI.apk" via Root Explorer in "system / app /". You can extract the APK file from the menu that you open with a long press on the file - usually in the "sdcard / speedware / extracted /" folder.
6. In the same way, extract the downloaded file that contains the new softkeys. This should then end up in the same "sdcard / speedware / extracted /" folder.
7. Select all image files in the extracted folder and copy them into the subfolder of the extracted "SystemUI-apk" called "SystemUI / res / drawable-xhdpi". Confirm that you want to replace the existing images.
8. Then compress the extracted SystemUI folder with the new images into a ZIP file and name it "SystemUI.apk". Copy these folders back to "system / app /" and change the permissions via the context menu to "rw-r - r--".
9. A subsequent reboot with the battery removed completes the conversion - now you can enjoy the new look of the softkeys.

Softkey mods via custom ROM and Xposed framework

• If you go even further and install custom ROMs or at least the Xposed framework in addition to root access, there are easier ways to adapt your navigation keys.
• In various ROMs such as CyanogenMod, the extended settings menu already offers the option of changing the assignment of the softkeys. This practical tip shows how you can load such custom ROMs.
• Another option is to extend the stock ROM with the Xposed framework, which allows profound changes in the system without flashing entire ROMs. We also explained how to install Xposed.
• Once set up, you can use the GravityBox module to change the layout of the softkeys as you wish. This little helper is, by the way, one of the top 3 modules for Xposed.