Android market reverse engineering. - Android Software/Hacking General [Developers Only]

I am trying to reverse engineer the android market back to java code.
The new one.
So far I found all the helper library it uses and only have the vending packages left.
However, there are tons of vending files to reverse.
So anyone want to help me reverse engineer the files back to java code?

may i ask why you would like to do such a thing?
Sadly i cant help you with it though
Good luck with it

so what do we need to to exactly to help you?

well, there are tons of source files. it would be great if we reverse different parts.
so it can be done quicker.

joshman99 said:
may i ask why you would like to do such a thing?
Sadly i cant help you with it though
Good luck with it
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I am doing this because that way we can see exactly how google coded the market. People can prob use some of google's unique layout code for their apps.

@TheBuzzer
This may be useful for you: http://code.google.com/p/android-market-api/

that is to parse an app page.
That can't dl apps and stuff.

TheBuzzer said:
I am trying to reverse engineer the android market back to java code.
The new one.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Are you successful in your effort? I also want to decompile the latest Android Market and strip out any "remote control" code. I am just not comfortable that Google can install(!!!) or remove any application on the next market update check cycle without any authorization from a user's part. This has already happened in the past!

try dex2jar
and then JD-GUI
enjoy

Related

Need a super simple app/ like 5 mins to make

I did the Hello, Android tut, and am clueless. java is like Klingon to me lol.
On to the point. All i need is a simple app that has 2 buttons, that will run 2 shell scripts. Thats it!
I can probably even tweak the ui myself if its done in xml. Just need the java code done.
Anyone who can help me out with this would be great.
If anyone want to help me out with the learning part, even better. I'd love to code my own apps. Just utterly lost in java.
cheers
Perhaps try out GScript:
http://www.cyrket.com/p/android/nl.rogro.GScriptLite/
And it's open source! http://code.google.com/p/gscript-android/
When I was learning design, I often found it easier to learn by 'reverse engineering' the art work. Basically picking apart and seeing how that was done.
Paul22000 said:
Perhaps try out GScript:
http://www.cyrket.com/p/android/nl.rogro.GScriptLite/
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Click to collapse
evilkorn said:
And it's open source! http://code.google.com/p/gscript-android/
When I was learning design, I often found it easier to learn by 'reverse engineering' the art work. Basically picking apart and seeing how that was done.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What they said.
It sounds like GScript will do exactly what you need. And once you get the basics of a programming language down, it's a lot easier to learn more by picking apart existing programs to see how they work. Change a few lines, see what impact it has on the program's function. Break it, fix it. Best way to learn is by doing.
But if you just want to be able to run two quick shell scripts, GScript is your answer.
Good luck!
Thought about Gscript last night actually after I made this post. And I agree, i deff learn better by hacking up already completed stuff.
I do have one question though.
I figured out one additional step I need done. I don't care if the app does it or if I can implement it into my script. Just needs to be done.
I need to for the market to re-checkin. I know this can be done via the dialer, but i'm sure there is a simpler way to do this. Anyone know?
followinginsanity said:
I need to for the market to re-checkin.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What?
you can dial
*#*#CHECKIN#*#*
and it will checkin with the google servers again.
I'm sure there is another way to do this though. A command or something..

[Q] Is it bad to post an apk?

If I've already uploaded an app to the Market, is it alright to post the apk here and not have to worry about people stealing it or ripping the code and making their own version of it?
Even your market version can be ripped and stolen. Its best to upload to mrket first. That way u have the name preserved.
Sent from my Epix 4G using XDA
rpimps said:
If I've already uploaded an app to the Market, is it alright to post the apk here and not have to worry about people stealing it or ripping the code and making their own version of it?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It can happen. I don't know of any ways to prevent it, but here's a thread for reference with some tips:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=900923
^ Yeah I saw the Davinci thread, that's what made me worried about posting it. I already published it and it's already on Androlib etc so they can't steal the package name, but I spent a lot of time on the code and don't want someone to be able to extract it and create a ripoff version of my game.
If someone downloads it from the Market, can they extract the code and edit it to create their own version of the app, or is it locked somehow?
bumpppppppp
If you post it on the market, here, or anywhere else your code is out in the open. But android is supposed to be open source anyway.
BenKranged said:
If you post it on the market, here, or anywhere else your code is out in the open. But android is supposed to be open source anyway.
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Click to collapse
That's android. Not his app.
Any android APK can decompiled easyly smali or Java code but so is any application on internet, there's a way you can make it hard to decompile, like use ".so" library file for all the code u wanna hide.
Sent from my LG-P500 using XDA Premium App
Hmm, so if I've already posted it in the Market, would posting the apk here basically be the same thing, and I wouldn't be hurting myself? I just want to make sure I'm not making it any easier for thieves/scammers.
In all honesty you're not gonna make it easier or harder for theives. If they want it they will do what they can to get it. Unfortunately most creations have been thought of before and made before. Even if things are slightly changed.
You got your app out there man. Just see how well it does and maybe implement the hints given
Yip, if people want to get to your code, they will, its pretty easy to nab the apk from a device once installed.

Asking guidance to make an app from scratch -will donate

I want to make an Android App and publish it to the market.
The project is very simple but since I've never made an app from scratch I am asking for tutorial/guidance from any experienced developer who has already published an app to the android market.
Of course I am willing to make a donation for your time and help
Anybody wants to please help me out ??
anybody with some experience?
"up"
PS: The app I want to create is very simple
Hey this is gonna be an annoying answer but try to google it. I'm sure you will get a bunch of links.
Good luck
wayneb02 said:
Hey this is gonna be an annoying answer but try to google it. I'm sure you will get a bunch of links.
Good luck
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I know, I've been reading a lot
I just want some guidance, someone to ask in case of need
Maybe I just need to get rid of my fears and go on and publish it anyway
I have no experience whatsoever but the best I can offer is try with something extremely simple, maybe like a NotePad or something similar
It might help if you explain what you want your app to do.
shpen said:
It might help if you explain what you want your app to do.
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Click to collapse
Sending PM
Have you tried reading through a decent android book? They generally walk you through making a basic app.
http://commonsware.com/Android/
http://www.amazon.com/Beginning-Android-Games-Mario-Zechner/dp/1430230428/
Neither is a replacement for knowing Java fairly decent beforehand (which is kind of a requirement to creatively develop on android), but it will give you an idea of how an app works on android.
I would also reccomend checking out youtube or google videos in general for app walkthroughs.
Having someone screencast and walk you through making an app even as basic as notepad (if they're doing it awfully verbose and depending on how quickly you pick up on things) would still take some considerable hours.
yareally said:
Have you tried reading through a decent android book? They generally walk you through making a basic app.
http://commonsware.com/Android/
http://www.amazon.com/Beginning-Android-Games-Mario-Zechner/dp/1430230428/
Neither is a replacement for knowing Java fairly decent beforehand (which is kind of a requirement to creatively develop on android), but it will give you an idea of how an app works on android.
I would also reccomend checking out youtube or google videos in general for app walkthroughs.
Having someone screencast and walk you through making an app even as basic as notepad (if they're doing it awfully verbose and depending on how quickly you pick up on things) would still take some considerable hours.
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Thank you for the links.
I know nothing about Java. Since the app inventor is dead, I was thinking of using some online app-making websites like buzztouch

[Q] Locally-Stored Android App

I am new to the app scene. I was curious if there was a way to store apps locally, without the need of sales/Play Store/Amazon Store/etc.
I am just looking at storing it locally on a phone, or possibly a tablet, to show to potential clients. And also for portfolio purposes, down the road.
Again, I am a self-professed "noob", so all help is appreciated.
Thank you.
rkariff said:
I am new to the app scene. I was curious if there was a way to store apps locally, without the need of sales/Play Store/Amazon Store/etc.
I am just looking at storing it locally on a phone, or possibly a tablet, to show to potential clients. And also for portfolio purposes, down the road.
Again, I am a self-professed "noob", so all help is appreciated.
Thank you.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
unless it is your personal app, you will need to get it from one of the stores at some point.
some apps can be downloaded by other means, but that is highly frowned upon, and against the rules to even discuss here (so please dont comment back on it).
if your device is rooted, you could use an app like titanium to make a backup of all the apps. then they would be saved locally, but i dont know how compatible that backup would be if you tried to restore it on other devices.
i would think if its a paid app, there is likely some entitlement verification coded into the app. so if it cant verify through one of the stores, it likely wont work properly if at all.
It would be apps that I build. So it would be for my own personal use. Like I said, it's to show potential clients. I would be using it to show how an app works, as a display to the client.
It will be my work. And it will be strictly for my clients.
All help is appreciated.
Thanks.
rkariff said:
It would be apps that I build. So it would be for my own personal use. Like I said, it's to show potential clients. I would be using it to show how an app works, as a display to the client.
It will be my work. And it will be strictly for my clients.
All help is appreciated.
Thanks.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
once you install an app on any device, from any source, you can use
1.apk extractor
2.es file explorer
to have the apk file, which can then be run on other devices as an installer.
or, you could dowbnload the apk straight from google play, search how with the search button.
Ok help me understand this.
It will be your app. One you make for your clients. which would mean your doing all the coding and building of the app, But you dont know how to store a simple apk on your device?
zelendel said:
Ok help me understand this.
It will be your app. One you make for your clients. which would mean your doing all the coding and building of the app, But you dont know how to store a simple apk on your device?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yea, that was kind of confusing me too.
If you build the app, you can store and show it on any device its compatible.
I must be missing the issue here.
Sent from my LG-VS980 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
Yeah, like I said, I am completely new to this. I haven't even developed an app yet. I just wanted to visually, in my head, figure out how to display it to clients. I have clients. It's just a matter of developing apps, as far as coding.
I'm sorry if my questions are either dumb or easily answered. Thanks for all the help, though.
Regards.
rkariff said:
Yeah, like I said, I am completely new to this. I haven't even developed an app yet. I just wanted to visually, in my head, figure out how to display it to clients. I have clients. It's just a matter of developing apps, as far as coding.
I'm sorry if my questions are either dumb or easily answered. Thanks for all the help, though.
Regards.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
OK man then you are getting way ahead of yourself. First your gonna need to learn a few programing languages. Like Java and C+. Hell I would even start by reading these forums for a while as you seem like you really have no idea what your getting into.
zelendel said:
OK man then you are getting way ahead of yourself. First your gonna need to learn a few programing languages. Like Java and C+. Hell I would even start by reading these forums for a while as you seem like you really have no idea what your getting into.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah, that's what I thought. Thanks for all your help, guys.

Edit APP and Re-publish to play store

Hello,
I import product from China, they have their own APP.
I rebrand their product and sell.
How can I edit their app with my brand name and change appearance and upload back to play store to be able to install by my clients ?
Looking forward for kind help.
Thanks & Warm Regards
saurabhvasa said:
Hello,
I import product from China, they have their own APP.
I rebrand their product and sell.
How can I edit their app with my brand name and change appearance and upload back to play store to be able to install by my clients ?
Looking forward for kind help.
Thanks & Warm Regards
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You're literally asking for help on how to steal someone else's property?
No, I have got approval from factory itself, they have Chinese manual, which i dont know .. so they said you can do it yourself and they have already given permission agreement for that.
CosmicDan said:
You're literally asking for help on how to steal someone else's property?
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Click to collapse
saurabhvasa said:
No, I have got approval from factory itself, they have Chinese manual, which i dont know .. so they said you can do it yourself and they have already given permission agreement for that.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Alright, fair enough. I've done this work myself before.
This should be relatively easy, most of the resources will be in the res folder. You'll need to use APKTool and decompile the APK, edit XML's and replace png's and such.
Sometimes they hard-code strings though and it might be in the smali files.
You will also need to change the package name though. This involves a mass find-and-replace in smali, the Android Manifest XML, and renaming the packages (folders).
You can re-sign the APK yourself with zipsigner once recompiled, that's all you need for Google Play distribution. Apart from a developer account of course.
Appreciate your reply.
But im not technically well versed with this ... any website or video tutorial where step step process is mentioned will be good for me ...
CosmicDan said:
Alright, fair enough. I've done this work myself before.
This should be relatively easy, most of the resources will be in the res folder. You'll need to use APKTool and decompile the APK, edit XML's and replace png's and such.
Sometimes they hard-code strings though and it might be in the smali files.
You will also need to change the package name though. This involves a mass find-and-replace in smali, the Android Manifest XML, and renaming the packages (folders).
You can re-sign the APK yourself with zipsigner once recompiled, that's all you need for Google Play distribution. Apart from a developer account of course.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
saurabhvasa said:
Appreciate your reply.
But im not technically well versed with this ... any website or video tutorial where step step process is mentioned will be good for me ...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There are plenty out there. The key tool is called "APKTool", try googling for something like "modding resources with APKTool". You will have to learn, there is no shortcut I'm afraid!
Super .. Thanks a lot ..
CosmicDan said:
There are plenty out there. The key tool is called "APKTool", try googling for something like "modding resources with APKTool". You will have to learn, there is no shortcut I'm afraid!
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