What is Apktool and why you should use it
Apktool is a popular tool for reverse engineering Android applications. It allows you to disassemble, modify, and reassemble APK files without needing the source code. You can use Apktool to customize, analyze, or debug Android apps. You can also use it to learn how Android apps work or to create your own modded versions of them.
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Apktool is especially useful for developers and themers who want to change the appearance or functionality of Android apps. You can use Apktool to change app icons, colors, layouts, strings, images, sounds, and more. You can also use it to change app code, such as smali or dex files, to add new features or fix bugs.
Apktool is an open source tool that is maintained by Connor Tumbleson AKA XDA Recognized Developer iBotPeaches. It is available for Windows, Linux, and Mac OS. There is also an Android port of Apktool that you can use on your device.
How Apktool works
Apktool works by decoding the APK file into its components, such as resources, manifest, smali, dex, etc. You can then edit these components using any text editor or image editor of your choice. After you make your changes, you can use Apktool to rebuild the APK file with your modifications.
Apktool uses two tools to decode and encode APK files: aapt and smali/baksmali. Aapt is the Android Asset Packaging Tool that handles resources, such as images, strings, layouts, etc. Smali/baksmali is a tool that converts dex files (the executable code of Android apps) into human-readable smali files and vice versa.
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Apktool also uses framework files to decode and encode APK files. Framework files are system files that contain information about the Android version and device model that the APK file was built for. You need to install the correct framework files for your device and Android version before using Apktool.
How to install Apktool on your device
If you want to use Apktool on your device, you need to download the APKTool for Android app from XDA Developers. This app is an Android port of Apktool that allows you to decompile and recompile APK files on your device.
To install APKTool for Android, follow these steps:
Download the latest version of APKTool for Android from .
Enable Unknown Sources in your device settings if you haven't already.
Install the APK file on your device.
Launch the app and grant it root access if prompted.
Tap on Install Frameworks and select your device model and Android version from the list.
Wait for the app to download and install the framework files.
You are now ready to use Apktool on your device.
How to decompile and recompile APK files using Apktool
Decompiling APK files
To decompile an APK file using Apktool, follow these steps:
Copy the APK file that you want to decompile to your device storage.
Launch the APKTool for Android app and tap on Select an apk file.
Browse to the location of the APK file and select it.
Tap on Decompile.The app will start decompiling the APK file and show you the progress.
When the decompilation is done, you will see a message saying "Decompiled successfully".
You can now find the decompiled APK file in the /sdcard/Apktool folder on your device.
The decompiled APK file will have a folder name that matches the package name of the app, such as com.example.app.
Inside the folder, you will see the components of the APK file, such as AndroidManifest.xml, res, smali, etc.
You can now edit these components using any text editor or image editor of your choice.
Recompiling APK files
To recompile an APK file using Apktool, follow these steps:
Make sure you have edited the components of the decompiled APK file that you want to change.
Launch the APKTool for Android app and tap on Select an apk folder.
Browse to the location of the decompiled APK folder and select it.
Tap on Recompile.
The app will start recompiling the APK file and show you the progress.
When the recompilation is done, you will see a message saying "Recompiled successfully".
You can now find the recompiled APK file in the /sdcard/Apktool folder on your device.
The recompiled APK file will have a name that matches the package name of the app, such as com.example.app.apk.
You can now install or share the recompiled APK file as you wish.
How to modify APK files using Apktool
Changing app resources
One of the most common uses of Apktool is to change app resources, such as images, strings, layouts, colors, etc. You can use Apktool to customize the look and feel of any Android app to your liking.
To change app resources using Apktool, follow these steps:
Decompile the APK file that you want to modify using Apktool as described above.
Open the decompiled APK folder and navigate to the res folder. This folder contains all the resources of the app, such as drawables, values, xml, etc.
Edit the resources that you want to change using any text editor or image editor of your choice. For example, you can change app icons by replacing the images in the drawable folders with your own images. You can also change app strings by editing the strings.xml files in the values folders. You can also change app colors by editing the colors.xml files in the values folders. You can also change app layouts by editing the xml files in the layout folders. And so on.
Save your changes and recompile the APK file using Apktool as described above.
You have now changed app resources using Apktool.
Changing app code
Another common use of Apktool is to change app code, such as smali or dex files. You can use Apktool to modify the functionality or behavior of any Android app to your liking.
To change app code using Apktool, follow these steps:
Decompile the APK file that you want to modify using Apktool as described above.
Open the decompiled APK folder and navigate to the smali folder. This folder contains all the smali files of the app, which are human-readable representations of dex files. Dex files are executable code files of Android apps.
Edit the smali files that you want to change using any text editor of your choice. For example, you can add new features or fix bugs by changing or adding smali code. You can also remove unwanted features or ads by deleting or commenting out smali code. You can also change app permissions or activities by editing AndroidManifest.xml file in smali folder. And so on.
Save your changes and recompile the APK file using Apktool as described above.You have now changed app code using Apktool.
How to troubleshoot common errors with Apktool
Sometimes, you may encounter some errors or issues when using Apktool. Here are some of the most common errors and how to fix them.
Framework errors
Framework errors occur when Apktool cannot decode or encode an APK file because of missing or incompatible framework files. Framework files are system files that contain information about the Android version and device model that the APK file was built for. You need to install the correct framework files for your device and Android version before using Apktool.
To fix framework errors, follow these steps:
Make sure you have installed the correct framework files for your device and Android version using APKTool for Android app as described above.
If you still get framework errors, try to download the framework files from . This thread contains a collection of framework files for various devices and Android versions.
Copy the framework files that match your device and Android version to the /sdcard/Apktool/framework folder on your device.
Try to decompile or recompile the APK file again using Apktool.
If you still get framework errors, you may need to extract the framework files from your device manually. To do this, you need to have a custom recovery installed on your device, such as TWRP or CWM. Then, follow these steps:
Boot your device into recovery mode.
Mount the /system partition of your device.
Copy the /system/framework folder from your device to your PC using adb pull command or a file manager app.
Copy the framework files from the /system/framework folder to the /sdcard/Apktool/framework folder on your device.
Try to decompile or recompile the APK file again using Apktool.
Signature errors
Signature errors occur when you try to install a recompiled APK file that has a different signature than the original APK file. Signature is a security feature that verifies the authenticity and integrity of an APK file. If you modify an APK file using Apktool, you will change its signature and make it incompatible with the original APK file.
To fix signature errors, follow these steps:
Uninstall the original APK file from your device if you have it installed.
Disable signature verification on your device if you have it enabled. You can do this by using a modded version of Lucky Patcher app or by flashing a zip file that disables signature verification from .
Install the recompiled APK file on your device as usual.
You have now fixed signature errors.
Android 11 errors
Android 11 errors occur when you try to decompile or recompile an APK file that was built for Android 11 or higher. Android 11 introduced some changes in the way APK files are structured and encoded, which makes them incompatible with Apktool. Apktool has not been updated yet to support Android 11 or higher.
To fix Android 11 errors, follow these steps:
Wait for Apktool to be updated to support Android 11 or higher. You can check the official website of Apktool or the XDA thread of Apktool for any updates.
If you cannot wait for Apktool to be updated, you can try to use another tool that supports Android 11 or higher, such as MT Manager app or JEB Decompiler software. However, these tools may not have all the features or functionality of Apktool and may require more technical skills to use.
You have now fixed Android 11 errors.
Benefits and drawbacks of using Apktool
Benefits of using Apktool
Apktool has many benefits for anyone who wants to reverse engineer or modify Android apps. Some of the benefits are:
Apktool is easy to use and does not require any coding skills. You can decompile and recompile APK files with just a few taps on your device.
Apktool is powerful and versatile. You can change almost any aspect of an Android app using Apktool, such as resources, code, manifest, etc.Apktool is open source and free. You can use Apktool without any limitations or costs. You can also contribute to the development of Apktool or report any bugs or issues that you find.
Apktool is compatible with most Android apps and devices. You can use Apktool to decompile and recompile APK files from various sources and platforms, such as Google Play, third-party app stores, websites, etc. You can also use Apktool on various devices and Android versions, as long as you have the correct framework files installed.
Drawbacks of using Apktool
Apktool also has some drawbacks that you should be aware of before using it. Some of the drawbacks are:
Apktool may not work with some APK files that have advanced encryption or protection mechanisms. Some app developers may use techniques such as obfuscation, anti-tampering, anti-debugging, etc. to prevent reverse engineering or modification of their apps. Apktool may not be able to decode or encode such APK files properly.
Apktool may cause some errors or issues when decompiling or recompiling APK files. As mentioned above, you may encounter some errors such as framework errors, signature errors, Android 11 errors, etc. when using Apktool. You may need to fix these errors manually or use another tool to decompile or recompile the APK files.
Apktool may violate some app licenses or terms of service. Some app developers may not allow reverse engineering or modification of their apps for legal or ethical reasons. By using Apktool, you may be breaking the app license or terms of service and risk getting banned or sued by the app developer. You should always respect the app developer's rights and permissions before using Apktool.
Conclusion
Apktool is a great tool for reverse engineering or modifying Android apps. It allows you to decompile, edit, and recompile APK files without needing the source code. You can use Apktool to customize, analyze, or debug Android apps. You can also use it to learn how Android apps work or to create your own modded versions of them.
However, Apktool also has some limitations and risks that you should be aware of before using it. Apktool may not work with some APK files that have advanced encryption or protection mechanisms. Apktool may also cause some errors or issues when decompiling or recompiling APK files. Apktool may also violate some app licenses or terms of service.
Therefore, you should always use Apktool with caution and responsibility. You should always backup your original APK files before modifying them with Apktool. You should also always test your modified APK files before installing them on your device or sharing them with others. You should also always respect the app developer's rights and permissions before using Apktool.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some of the frequently asked questions about Apktool and their answers.
Q: What is the difference between Apktool and APK Editor?
A: APK Editor is another tool for editing Android apps that is available on Google Play. However, APK Editor is not as powerful or versatile as Apktool. APK Editor can only edit some basic aspects of an app, such as app name, icon, version, etc. It cannot edit app resources or code like Apktool can. APK Editor also has more ads and limitations than Apktool.
Q: Can I use Apktool to hack online games or apps?
A: No, you cannot use Apktool to hack online games or apps. Online games or apps store most of their data and logic on their servers, not on their clients (the APK files). Therefore, modifying the APK files will not affect the online games or apps in any way. You will need to hack the servers of the online games or apps to cheat them, which is illegal and impossible for most people.
Q: Can I use Apktool to remove ads from apps?
A: Yes, you can use Apktool to remove ads from apps. However, this is not recommended for several reasons. First, removing ads from apps may violate the app license or terms of service and risk getting banned or sued by the app developer. Second, removing ads from apps may harm the app developer's income and motivation to create more quality apps. Third, removing ads from apps may affect the app functionality or performance in some cases.
Q: Can I use Apktool to create my own apps?
A: No, you cannot use Apktool to create your own apps using Apktool. Apktool is a tool for reverse engineering or modifying existing apps, not for creating new apps. To create your own apps, you need to use a proper app development tool, such as Android Studio, Eclipse, etc. You also need to learn how to code in Java, Kotlin, or other programming languages that are supported by Android.
Q: Can I use Apktool to update apps?
A: No, you cannot use Apktool to update apps. Updating apps requires downloading the latest version of the app from the official source, such as Google Play, and installing it on your device. Apktool cannot download or install apps for you. It can only decompile and recompile APK files that you already have on your device or PC.
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