Change Sonyericsson default menu icons

16 Feb, 2008 | Written by shoban | under Mobile Hacks

Many users end up in my blog searching “Sony ericsson themes, Sony ericsson secrets codes ..” etc in search engines but they don’t find exactly what they want. So I thought I will write something which any SE phone user will love.

Firstly let me warn you that playing with your phone settings is not a joke You should take extreme care not to mess up things. you may end up damaging your phone beyond recovery.The tutorial is very simple and the picture below is what I have done to my W580i phone menu.

Did you like it?

OK …before you can start with you work make sure you have/satisfy the following

1. XS++ : This is the tool which will help you to transfer your new menu icons to your phone. If you dont have it download it from here .

2. Menu Icons : You can do a quick google search for SE Menu icons and you will get lot of sites with good menu icons. If you dont find any, download any of the below menu icons pack from my site. These were not designed by me (Oh! yes you can design your own menu icons using another tool which I will mention later). I dont know who the designer is but I must say I love the designs.

menu-1.zip (This is the pack which I have used)
tecnology-menu-icons.zip
mixed-menu-icons.zip
fire-menu-icons.zip

3. 80 - 100 % battery charge : Make sure you battery is fully charged. (This is very important)

4. USB drivers for your phone.

6. Data cable (You cant do anything without this.. bluetooth does not help you in this )

Now here is the step by step procedure.

1. Switch off your phone ( Yes you cannot see a live preview of your new menu… Like DIGG says “Patience My friend is a virtue”)

2. Open “XS++” and you should have something like this

3. Press “Connect” button. Leave the default settings as it is and you will see that XS++ will ask you to connect you phone.

4. Press and hold “c” in your phone and connect your phone to your PC with the USB cable (You have 30 seconds for this).

5. Xs++ will show your phone status (see below screenshot).

6. Now slect the radio button for “FSX” (See below screenshot)

7. Press “Start FSX“. XS++ will start building your phone’s system folders. This may take some time depending on your phone’s model and the amount of data you have in your memory card. Dont worry if XS++ hangs for some time. Wait until all the folders are mapped.

8. Expand “tpa” (Click the + symbol) -> preset -> system -> menu

9. Now you will see a list of files. The PNG files you see are the icons. You will also see a file named menu.ml. This file has all the details about menu icons and their links.

10. Drag and drop the icon files which you have downloaded (Make sure you unzip the contents before uploading). By deafult XS++ replaces all the files but you can delete the existing icons manually.

11. uploading will take some time depending upon the size of your images.

12. Once the upload is complete. Click shutdown and press “Yes” in the confirmation box.

Now disconnect your phone and switch it on.

Does it switch on? NO? OMG what have you done? Did you miss any step?

Yes! dont worry the phone will not switch until you perform the next step.

13. Remove and reinsert the battery. Switch on your phone and have fun with your new menu icons.

Hope you enjoyed this post. If you like more posts like this, why not subscribe to my RSS feeds to keep yourself updated? You can also subscribe via email. Just enter your email ID above.

As I promised earlier here is the tool which can generate menu.ml files for your own icons.

Read my post about Sony ericsson secret codes in mobspice. Check out my photo gallery. Let me know what you did with your SE menu.

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54 Responses so far | Have Your Say!

Mobspice - explore with your mobile( web 2.0 ) » Blog Archive » Change Sonyericsson default menu icons | February 20th, 2008 at 10:50 am #

[...] Change Sonyericsson default menu icons Check out the tutorial here : http://www.crankup.net/?p=141 [...]
eISZ | February 26th, 2008 at 11:41 am #

ERROR COMUNICATION PORT?
WHY?
shoban | February 26th, 2008 at 12:09 pm #

Hi

Did you check whether the USB drivers are installed and also check ur phone and cable connection.. BTW which model r u using?

Shoban
tony G | March 2nd, 2008 at 5:13 am #

SWEET! Worked a treat. Thanks for the XS++ download, I think I had an older version which didnt bring up the file system interface. Thanks for the easy to follow tutorial it worked first time.
shoban | March 2nd, 2008 at 10:53 pm #

Thanks Tony, Comments like these encourage me to write more
Nirmal | March 6th, 2008 at 3:46 am #

Great tutorial. There was another software which did this job, but that was risky one. This looks better one, I’m gonna try my W700i today. BTW can we back up the existing menu?
shoban | March 8th, 2008 at 11:00 am #

Thanks Nirmal….. tell me what u did with your fone…. I think there is no way to backup menus but dont worry.. there are sites which can give you original menus..
Tomas Hübelbauer | March 13th, 2008 at 5:45 am #

Hello, everybody….

I’m trying to get icons from my w810i to my computer. I spend a lot of time in seraching internet results and asking on phorums. Your article looked like solution, but… I can’t connect my phone. I don’t know why. I started XS++ and connected my phone by cable, clicked Connect, holded C and waited, 30seconds passed and nothing happened, only XS++ wrote error message to log: Can’t detect mobile phone. (USB drivers are already installed and works correctly!)

If anybody want to help me, please, open your SE and download folder “tpa” or where icons are stored, pack it to .zip or .rar and send my. Please! I will be thankful. I don’t know if “tpa” folder contains some personal info, naturally, if it’s true, delete your information. Please please help my, I love these icons and too much want to open my phone but it’s not possible. Thank for everbody who will help!

My mail: tomas.hubelbauer (at) gmail (dot) com

Thanks!!
Tomas Hübelbauer | March 13th, 2008 at 5:47 am #

PS: I’m not interested only in menu icons, but all of phone graphic and system. Thanks again.
danni | March 18th, 2008 at 7:58 am #

im using windows vista, and i cant select FSX when connected, it also says ‘Did not recieve 0×5a. Continuing’ and does nothing. help me please…. x x
seyha.sam | May 4th, 2008 at 2:07 am #

I want to ask you for get Ubutu Transformation pack of linux.thank you.
sunny | May 14th, 2008 at 8:24 am #

i am unable to connect….i am using..w580i……..tellingconnection failed…wat to do……
shoban | May 14th, 2008 at 8:29 am #

Hi Sunny

Please make sure your USB drivers are installed! It should work

Shoban
sunny | May 15th, 2008 at 9:25 am #

heyy………for me icon9 is missing wat shuld i do to get back original……sony icons……..itried many times….but 9th icon i still missing……
sunny | May 15th, 2008 at 9:30 am #

maM I AM USING…W580i….ilost my fitbess icon..can u pls upload original menu.ml.plssssssssss
wingrider | May 16th, 2008 at 12:26 pm #

hi..

I used your tutorial and it worked the first time. It is better if after switching off the phone one removes and re-inserts the battery, then change the menu icons. Thanks a lot - I spent a lot of time searching for this, thanks a lot.I looked at your photo gallery too. Are you from Kerala? I’m at Trivandrum currently. Keep up the good work. Also take a look at akshayy.com where he does SE mods.

cheers !!
shoban | May 17th, 2008 at 12:24 pm #

HI wingrider,
Thanks I am from Trvandrum too!
martin | June 11th, 2008 at 10:35 am #

Cannot open phone communication port i have got a SE K810i
shoban | June 11th, 2008 at 8:11 pm #

Hi Martin,

Please make sure your USB drivers are installed.
Rgds
Shoban
rinkey | June 16th, 2008 at 6:18 pm #

he doesn’t connet because i have to install a USB flash device
?? :S, what does that mean en what do i have to download exactlly
Giulia | June 27th, 2008 at 5:43 am #

HI! Your tutorial is great!
I’m tryng to substitute the icons on my P1i using XS++ on windows xp. Connection works fine but when I press “Start FSX” The program just shut down/crushes before colpleting the task.
thank you for any help!
Giulia
ryoku | July 7th, 2008 at 3:11 am #

how to get back the original default menu icon ??
shoban | July 7th, 2008 at 9:46 am #

@giulia … Based on your phone model, you will get orginal icons.. You can choose the same method and replace you icons with the original ones.
~$IDATH~ | July 18th, 2008 at 3:44 am #

hey thanks for the instructions,
but the xs ++ doesn’t run in my com. i tried other coms but it is not working
Pls tell me what to do or an onother place where i can download it ?

pls……….

~$IDATH~
shoban | July 18th, 2008 at 7:07 am #

Hi
Do u mean computers (com)?? Are you using Vista? I havent tried it with Vista yet.

Shoban
~$IDATH~ | July 19th, 2008 at 8:23 pm #

thanks for da reply.

yup. it is computers

i use xp.
when i started to install it, a box appears saying xs++ has encountered a problem and offer to close. i tried in so many coms but the same thing happens. pls tell me what can be done.

~$IDATH~
.
shoban | July 19th, 2008 at 9:50 pm #

I am ont sure what is the problem sidath! .. Have you installed windows xp service pack 3? If you use yahoo messanger add me shoban_kumar2002 and we can talk about this issue.

Shoban
~$IDATH~ | July 20th, 2008 at 10:47 am #

i tried yahoo!
but it doesn’t work and i dunno how to use it either. could you PLEASE come via MSN ?
I’ll be there on sidath@live.com

so PLS….
I’ll be there after 11 hrs. it means tomorrow morning (9) for us
if you’re busy @ that time, let me know a time to come.

i’m really upset..
dunno what to do….

pls…
~$IDATH~ | July 22nd, 2008 at 2:47 am #

it still doesn’t work. what can i do…?
Hoggie | July 25th, 2008 at 2:18 am #

“Press and hold “c” in your phone and connect your phone to your PC with the USB cable (You have 30 seconds for this).”

I am using SE P1i and i cant find the “c” key. Do u mean the letter “c” or the cancel “c” key?
shoban | July 25th, 2008 at 3:52 am #

Its the “Cance” c button Hoggie…
~$IDATH~ | July 25th, 2008 at 6:52 pm #

hey shoban
pls tell me what can be done?

~$IDATH~
shoban | July 25th, 2008 at 9:24 pm #

I have added you to my gmail contact. We can work it out together when you come online!
Andreas LM | July 27th, 2008 at 7:32 pm #

did this step work on w700 and w660?
how can i prepare for the backup for my phone?
shoban | July 27th, 2008 at 10:14 pm #

@andreas,
I haven’t tried this with w700 and w660i. Worth giving a try!
The back procedure is same for all phones as shown in my post.

Shoban
BeckyRivera | August 3rd, 2008 at 2:55 pm #

good job,
Free domain names give away » www.crankup.net | August 28th, 2008 at 6:20 am #

[...] Change Sonyericsson default menu icons [...]
Bob | August 28th, 2008 at 6:26 am #

I’ve been trying to design my own logos! Thanks!
ahmad | September 29th, 2008 at 5:09 am #

can you please help me i know now how to put another icons they are okay but when i save them they saved in (( .ml )) how can i run them then ??

Thanks and Best Regards..
Happy B’day crankup | November 17th, 2008 at 11:31 pm #

[...] Change Sonyericsson default menu icons [...]
Mandy | December 11th, 2008 at 1:36 am #

hi there after quite long i found something after which i said to myself that i can do this urs is the best tutorial i have come across for changing phone icons but alas i cant use it i tried it i have a se w380i and the xs++ utility says my phone is not supported…..?????? is there any other way i can do this or can u help me out
Mandy | December 11th, 2008 at 1:37 am #

also one more thing i wud like to ask that in the icons folder i downloaded from above there are 2 png file for each menu one says “selected” other says “unselected” wat is that….????
shoban | December 11th, 2008 at 7:50 pm #

Hi Mandy,

Thank you very much for your comment.

Reag your questions!. I have tried it with my friends 380i and it worked fine. May be you have an ole version of s/w.

Also sometimes there will be 2 set of icons. One for normal bahavior and other(selected) will be shown wheh we move the pointer to the icon using joystick.

Shoban
cea2xt_adam | December 12th, 2008 at 12:49 am #

what site can give us the original menu? please, im using sony ericsson p1i
Mandy | December 13th, 2008 at 2:24 am #

Thanks shoban for an early reply i was late in reading though well about you reply i just bought my phone yaar as a 2nd phone say month back not more than that and i updated it also with the update tool that comes in the cd but i updated it to some indian version of the firmware i hope it does not have anything to do with that….!!!!!!

And one more thing dear friend i changed the names of the icons the selected one to unselcted and unselected ones to selected, few of them which i like more i thought we have a choice and selected ones will be shown in the menu will that effect the process in any way……????
Mandy | December 13th, 2008 at 2:40 am #

Well i tried again today after reading your post i am posting the log of the even check it and let me know what is wrong

13:23:08| XS++ v3.0 beta (Sinyar) Ready !

13:23:08| Executed on Microsoft Windows XP

13:23:23|

Everything works fine till step 6 and when i start step 7 this is what happenes it fails

13:23:23| Attempting to open the interface…

13:23:23|

13:23:23| TURN OFF PHONE!

13:23:23| Hold ‘C’ button on phone and connect phone NOW.

13:23:23| You have 30 seconds…

13:23:23|

13:23:35| Baseband ID: D000

13:23:35| PNX5230

13:23:35| Protocol Version: 3.1

13:23:35| Warning: IMEI name does not match GDFS name (IMEI:NULL GDFS:W380)

13:23:35| …using GDFS name

13:23:35|

13:23:35| Profiling SEMC phone…

13:23:35| Baseband ID: PNX5230

13:23:35| OTP CID: 52

13:23:35| EROM CID: 53

13:23:35| EROM Color: Red

13:23:35| IMEI: 35502502xxxxxx

13:23:35| Phone ID: W380

13:23:35| Network: INDIA

13:23:35| CDA: 1205-2070 R6A

13:23:35| Firmware Version: R11CA002

13:23:35| EROM: R4A015

13:23:35| Ready for operation!

13:26:08| After making any changes with FSX

13:26:08| you must press the ‘Shutdown’ button

13:26:20| Sorry, your phone is NOT SUPPORTED

13:26:20| Error: FSX failed.

13:26:20| FSX Shutdown!

13:26:22| Disconnected… Unplug the phone

13:26:54| Shutting down…
cea2xt_adam | December 13th, 2008 at 9:04 pm #

help bro, how to get back to original menu icon on p1i
shoban | December 14th, 2008 at 11:43 pm #

@Mandy … hmmm!! not sure why this happens? Wish I could see you in person to sort this out

Also.. I suggest you to check out the mobile section of think digit forum (htttp://www.thinkdigit.com). We might find a solution there.
shoban | December 14th, 2008 at 11:45 pm #

@cea2xt_adam

Sorry for the delay. I did some search and could not find any. Please check the mobile section of http://www.thinkdigit.com forum and post a question there.
Mandy | December 16th, 2008 at 1:21 am #

Well thanks a lot for taking your time out to help me out but i guess i might have to do a bit more tweaking and know sony ericsson phone till i continue he he chal thanks yaar i appreciate will try and let you know if something pops up at my end
Sema | December 19th, 2008 at 3:15 am #

yeah a nice job, but you mentioned a tool for the icon editing, alltrought its not nessesary because the icons are in png format right, so they can be made even in paint?
shoban | December 19th, 2008 at 3:49 am #

@Sema the tool is used to generate menu.ml file
Sema | December 19th, 2008 at 6:09 am #

hey please could you help me, i used the sistem update from the official sonyericsson site, i used my phone k530 with full baterry and completed the update but when i turn it on it says ˝insert correctUSIM˝, please could you help me, i even cannot use the xs++ with my pfone in this condition??
8 MP cameraphone from Sonyericsson - www.crankup.net | January 1st, 2009 at 11:50 am #

[...] I am a great fan of sonyericsson phones. Do you own a sony ericsson phone? Check out the tutorial, I wrote some time back, about changing your default menu icons. [...]

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