Database Info

[Q] Reverse Enginner and edit Manifest problem!

Hello wazzup!
Ive try this but still dont acomplish this:
Ive got a APK which i want to edit the manifest(like package, label name, such stuff)
if i open the APK with WINRAR the manifest is decoded so ive moved on:
Ive downloaded the APKTool to reverse the application to smali or what it is called and get the real AndroidManifest.XML
I open the reversed Manifest.XML with notepad and have edit the things i want.
Now i am not sure how to decode the manifest. Because it wont work if i put the manifest.XML and use the AUTOSign tool because it expect the manifest to be decoded.
So what do i do? or is there another way to edit the manifest?
Thank you!
Your Mate!

Idon't think it's that simple, I tried and it doesn't work, you need something like apktool to do this for you
http://code.google.com/p/android-apktool/ (with or without the easier to use shell apkmanager)

@wixi909
You have to build XML file back to binary format using apktool or similar tool.

Brut.all said:
@wixi909
You have to build XML file back to binary format using apktool or similar tool.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
hmm...ihave apktool. but could you explain more please

wixi909 said:
hmm...ihave apktool. but could you explain more please
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't understand: you know, how to decode apk using apktool, but you don't know, how to build it back? This is almost the same, but "apktool b" instead of "apktool d". Everything is in apktool's usage help.

Brut.all said:
I don't understand: you know, how to decode apk using apktool, but you don't know, how to build it back? This is almost the same, but "apktool b" instead of "apktool d". Everything is in apktool's usage help.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I know but how do i edit the manifest. im just able do edit the drawables.
Do you understand now?

wixi909 said:
Do you understand now?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No, I don't.
wixi909 said:
I open the reversed Manifest.XML with notepad and have edit the things i want.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
wixi909 said:
I know but how do i edit the manifest. im just able do edit the drawables.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You have written in your first post that you have edited manifest, but don't know, how to put it back to apk file. Now you say you can't edit manifest.
Whole process is:
Decode apk using apktool.
Edit AndroidManifest.xml using any text editor.
Build apk using apktool.
Nothing less, nothing more.

I'm having a related issue..
I'm using apktool to decode my apk. I then edit my AndroidManifest.xml, and repack it using
apktool b name_of_folder
For some reason though, the Manifest isn't being saved with my edits. I'm using Text Editor on Windows to edit the Manifest.
I know that it is saved before running "apktool b" so it seems to be reverting to the original during the repacking script.
Any ideas?

phiredrop said:
I'm having a related issue..
I'm using apktool to decode my apk. I then edit my AndroidManifest.xml, and repack it using
apktool b name_of_folder
For some reason though, the Manifest isn't being saved with my edits. I'm using Text Editor on Windows to edit the Manifest.
I know that it is saved before running "apktool b" so it seems to be reverting to the original during the repacking script.
Any ideas?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
How do you know your modifications aren't saved to manifest? Did you tried to decode new apk back and see whether your changes are really there? Or you just don't see changes on a device? What did you changed?

Brut.all said:
How do you know your modifications aren't saved to manifest? Did you tried to decode new apk back and see whether your changes are really there? Or you just don't see changes on a device? What did you changed?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, I decode the modified apk and can see my changes aren't there.
Its worked for me before, so it's strange that it's not working now. Primarily I'm adding version:Code and version:Name so I can upload to the market. Would changing the package name and/or label cause this issue?
Sent from my SGH-T959 using XDA App

[HOW-TO] Decompile ICS and above apk and jar files MANUALLY

With the number of ICS ROMs that are popping out, I imagine the majority of people are spending their time on ICS rather than Gingerbread or Froyo. With that in mind, here's a little guide on how to decompile ICS .apk and .jar files (such as the troublesome SystemUI.apk) with ease so that you can mod them to your heart's content. I assume this method will work for other versions of Android as well. Just so we understand each other, this just helps you decompile the classes.dex. If you want to decompile an entire app or jar file there are other guides for that.
NOTE: We will NOT be using ApkTool, Apk Manager, or StudioAndroid to do this. Mainly because I have had trouble in the past using those applications to decompile certain files. So, here is an ALL MANUAL way.
What you need:
Deodexed .apk/.jar file
smali.jar
baksmali.jar
7zip or Betterzip (whether you are on Mac, Linux, or Windows)
terminal/cmd (depending on what you're running)
You can get the smali.jar and baksmali.jar files from here: http://code.google.com/p/smali/downloads/list
Download these files:
Code:
baksmali-1.3.3.jar
smali-1.3.3.jar
and rename them to:
Code:
baksmali.jar
smali.jar
Now that you have both files, place them somewhere you'll remember (like a folder on your Desktop). For the purposes of this guide, my files will be in .../Desktop/ICS
Ready? Okay, here we go.​
Open up your desired ICS .apk or .jar file with 7zip or Betterzip and extract the classes.dex and move it into the directory where you have baksmali.jar and smali.jar (For example, I move the classes.dex file to .../Desktop/ICS)
Open up terminal or cmd
cd to your directory
Example:
Code:
cd .../Desktop/ICS
Type the following:
Code:
java -jar baksmali.jar -o classout/ classes.dex
This will decompile the classes.dex file and create a folder inside .../Desktop/ICS called classout where all of your smali files will be located.
Go into the classout folder and make your smali edits
Compile your classout folder into new-classes.dex by typing this into terminal:
Code:
java -Xmx512M -jar smali.jar classout/ -o new-classes.dex
Rename new-classes.dex to classes.dex
Take your newly compiled classes.dex and put it into your ICS .apk or .jar using 7zip or Betterzip
Profit
Have fun :highfive:

Nice to have a write up on this in the Inc forums instead of having to hunt it down all the time. I've found it best to use smali and baksmali too, the apk aps were just too flaky for me.

kzoodroid said:
Nice to have a write up on this in the Inc forums instead of having to hunt it down all the time. I've found it best to use smali and baksmali too, the apk aps were just too flaky for me.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah I've had similar experiences as well. This method was the only one that worked flawlessly for me. Hopefully it works for you and everyone else who needs to modify ICS files.

I've used it in GB to do some of the modifications to the status bar, like hide the clock. Took the better part of a day googling to actually find a write up on how to use baksmali and smali as I couldn't get apkTool or apkManager to decompile or compile classes.dex properly. Now I know where to find the instructions when I need them again.

thank you for this nice write up. It did really help me

Man you are just awesome for posting this, I have been googling how to decompile and recompile .apk's and .jar's for a couple of days and nothing has worked. This worked great the first time around and was very simple to follow. I just hope that once I am done making my editsI do not have any troubles re compiling the .jar I am working with lol.
You know it is so ironic that I found your guide here on XDA. It seems like everytime i want to learn how to do something like this I can google all day without much success on finding something that works. But when I do find something that works around 90% to 95% of the time it is here on XDA. You have got to love XDA...

T-Macgnolia said:
Man you are just awesome for posting this, I have been googling how to decompile and recompile .apk's and .jar's for a couple of days and nothing has worked. This worked great the first time around and was very simple to follow. I just hope that once I am done making my editsI do not have any troubles re compiling the .jar I am working with lol.
You know it is so ironic that I found your guide here on XDA. It seems like everytime i want to learn how to do something like this I can google all day without much success on finding something that works. But when I do find something that works around 90% to 95% of the time it is here on XDA. You have got to love XDA...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah XDA does seem to be the go-to place for everything lol. Glad to know it worked for you

Note that you still need apktool in order to decompile/recompile XMLs and PNGs in apk files.

kong said:
Note that you still need apktool in order to decompile/recompile XMLs and PNGs in apk files.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Are there no other standalone command line tools for those tasks?

SifJar said:
Are there no other standalone command line tools for those tasks?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I would like to know that as well...

Wow, thank you very much. I'm going to have fun with this.
Sent from my Desire HD using xda premium

Thanks for the tutorial, I have successfully extracted the classes.dex but i cant seem to find where to add this code:http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=16485374&postcount=15 in the NotificationManagerService.smali file. I have even opened up a file that supposedly has the patch in it but could not locate it. A point in the right direction would be appreciated.

Great tutorial awesome work
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk 2

i wan to edit samsungcamera.apk...
i can not find classes.dex inside this apk....
only got META_INF,res,AndroidManifes.xml and resources.arsc....

Have you decompiled it first?
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk 2

Hey I made some changes in the AssetManager.smali and now I can't recompile. Getting this error Error: Unable to access jarfile smali.jar
UNEXPECTED TOP-LEVEL EXCEPTION:
java.lang.RuntimeException: Cannot find file or directory "classout/"
at org.jf.smali.main.main(main.java:184)

didi1985 said:
i wan to edit samsungcamera.apk...
i can not find classes.dex inside this apk....
only got META_INF,res,AndroidManifes.xml and resources.arsc....
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Is your rom deodexed?
Sent from my PantechP9070 using xda premium

Great guide easy to understand.
Thank you.

Reply To Thread
This is one of the best tutorial... Keep it up bro!

Help me, i can't edit .smali, because i don't understand smali,.
have any help?
like convet to java or any langgue ?

(GUIDE) How to use Apktool Apk manager Baksmali and Adb

Hello Guys....
Just been watchin around our forum and The Galaxy Fit Development Group in FB and came to know that many are not able to decompile, compile, using apktool and apk manager !!! And few are not able to use the baksmali tool and even Android debugging bridge (ADB) So Decided to make a Guide on How to use all these
The tools required are attached along with this file...
So here we go....
[How To Use APK Tool]
If you're using apktool for the first time thn
Place framework-res.apk and twframework-res.apk from STOCK Firmwares (Do not take it from Custom ROM )
Thn open command prompt in the current window and type the following code
Code:
apktool if framework-res.apk
apktool if twframework-res.apk
The Dependencies would be installed in apktool folder in C:\Users\USER NAME\apktool\framework and also check if u hav 1.apk and 2.apk present inside the folder
Decompile And Compile Apk's Using apktool
Place the apk file that u wish to decompile in the downloaded apktool folder
Open command prompt in the current window and type the following code
Code:
[To Decompile] apktool d "apk name.apk"
[To Recompile] apktool b "apk name"
Example:
Code:
[To Decompile Mms.apk] apktool d Mms.apk
[To Recompile Mms.apk] apktool b Mms
The Compiled apk would be in "dist folder" inside the "decompiled folder"
[How To Use APK Manager]
Always use apktool to install dependencies even if u r gonna use apk manager
Place the apk tat u wish to decompile in "Place here for modding folder"
Open Script.bat in the folder and Press 9 to decompile and 11 to recompile
The decompiled folder would be in "Projects" folder and recompiled apk would be in "place here for modding folder"
[How To Use Baksmali]
Smali/Baksmali is an assembler/disassembler for the dex format used by Dalvik
The names "smali" and "baksmali" are the Icelandic equivalents of "assembler" and "disassembler" respectively
Smali Editting can be done through apk tool as well as apk manager but all those needs experience and practice
Place either the .apk or .jar file who's dex u want to decompile in that baksmali folder
Right click and Edit 1.bat using notepad++
Code:
java -jar baksmali.jar -x "filename"."file extension" -o classout
Example:
Code:
[To Decompile Mms.apk] java -jar baksmali.jar -x [B]Mms.apk[/B] -o classout
[To Decompile android.policy.jar] java -jar baksmali.jar -x [B]android.policy.jar[/B] -o classout
U would get a folder called classout
Make necessary changes and to compile back just press 2.bat
U would get classes.dex in the current folder
Replace this classes.dex with the classes.dex in the unmodded file
[How To Use ADB]
Android Debug Bridge (adb) is a versatile command line tool that lets you communicate with an emulator instance or connected Android-powered device
With this adb u would be able to push pull files from your mobile, Logcat and much more
I would explain only the basic that is used most often that is pullin and pushin of files
Place the file tat u r about to push into the ADB folder
Code:
[To Push system apps] adb push "[B]apk name".apk [/B]/system/[B]app[/B]/[B]"apk name".apk[/B]
[To Push system framework files] adb push [B]"name".jar[/B]/system/[B]framework[/B]/[B]"name".jar[/B]
[To Push files to your SD Card] adb push [B]"filename.extension"[/B] /sdcard/
Example:
Code:
[To Push Mms.apk] adb push Mms.apk /system/app/Mms.apk
[To Push android.policy.jar] adb push android.policy.jar /system/framework/android.policy.jar
[To Push files to your SD Card] adb push Readme.txt /sdcard/
Credits:
Google
And to all those who taught me [How To Use These]
Tools

Reserved

Rooting
Sorry, I know this is not the right thread to post this..
But i need help
I am a newbie and never had rooted my android phone... I know that there had been many threads about rooting this phone..but i am a little afraid about bricking my phone..that's why i am asking again..
The specs of my phone are given in the attachment...Please give a guide on rooting and unrooting my phone..

Akshit97 said:
Sorry, I know this is not the right thread to post this..
But i need help
I am a newbie and never had rooted my android phone... I know that there had been many threads about rooting this phone..but i am a little afraid about bricking my phone..that's why i am asking again..
The specs of my phone are given in the attachment...Please give a guide on rooting and unrooting my phone..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
May be u should try using the search option next time...
but since u asked for it
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1606380

Really good guide mr.wilfred...
Want to ask something about compile and decompile apk from ICS version... what tool I need to compile and decompile it? And which version?
Thank you....
Sent from my GT-S5670 using Tapatalk 2

AldoSebastian said:
Really good guide mr.wilfred...
Want to ask something about compile and decompile apk from ICS version... what tool I need to compile and decompile it? And which version?
Thank you....
Sent from my GT-S5670 using Tapatalk 2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
A seperate version of Apk tool has been made and i saw it few days back in xda only.... I would let u know if i get that link... ^_^

http://www.xda-developers.com/android/modified-apktool-for-android-4-0-4/
this is the one for ics apks

unable to compile using your method

Avilove.Cullen said:
unable to compile using your method
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
which are u talking abt.......apks dexes or jar files........

Avilove.Cullen said:
unable to compile using your method
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thn u would hav done any error....
btw... wat was the error u got...

Avilove.Cullen said:
unable to compile using your method
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hey Avi from personal experience,.. I found out something none of these guides tell us !
U need to put a file called aapt in apkmultitools/platformtools/ for u to compile properly in some computers,..!
I had an error which read as
java.io.exception : cannot run command [aapt ....blah blah blah]
if this is the same error,.. just put the right aapt file,..
also,.. to mod JELLY BEAN apks,.. all u gotto do is put the latest aapt that u can download using Android SDK,..
Havent tested whether it works .. but saw that some did succesfylly decompile using this method (no not in xda,.. in some other forum,.. )

I did all this and I get a folder with all the this stuff in it with smali extentions. I was wondering how do you actually look at the code of the apk and program it self. The reason why I want to look at the code is to see apps are written; the best way I know how to is by looking at code and figuring it out.

brievolz84 said:
I did all this and I get a folder with all the this stuff in it with smali extentions. I was wondering how do you actually look at the code of the apk and program it self. The reason why I want to look at the code is to see apps are written; the best way I know how to is by looking at code and figuring it out.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
FYI smali's are dalvik opcodes... u can use dex2jar to view the smali in java language which is easier wen compared to smali... and to under these languages u would hav to learn java or hav xperience and interest too

need a recommendation for APK Tool
Hi, I have a i9305 SG3 using a custom ROM Jellybean Ver 4.1. I want to learn how to decompile, edit, and recompile code in my SystemUI.apk file. I know I need an APK tool/manager of some sort. However, after looking through your thread (and looking into other research on google) I wasn't able to find conclusive evidence on WHAT the name of a stable APK Program is and WHERE to get it.
*
I am using Windows 7 64x PC and want to learn how to edit APKs. I have appreciated reading your threads and hope to learn more. I need to find the right APK software to start with. Suggestions please....

droido123 said:
Hi, I have a i9305 SG3 using a custom ROM Jellybean Ver 4.1. I want to learn how to decompile, edit, and recompile code in my SystemUI.apk file. I know I need an APK tool/manager of some sort. However, after looking through your thread (and looking into other research on google) I wasn't able to find conclusive evidence on WHAT the name of a stable APK Program is and WHERE to get it.
*
I am using Windows 7 64x PC and want to learn how to edit APKs. I have appreciated reading your threads and hope to learn more. I need to find the right APK software to start with. Suggestions please....
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hey there..... Hello..... U can either use apk manager or apk tool to decompile nd recompile apk's ... But as far as i know ICS rom's had different dependencies hence a diff version of apktool wer required .... since your rom being jelly bean ,As a wild guess, it MAY hav certain problems as such in ICS's ROM's ..... The best solution is either ask a fellow dev from your community who has been decompilin/recompilin apps or else there's always a better partner ( google ) .....
Sent from my GT-S5670 using XDA

Hey wilfred for decompiling app from custom rom like cm7 should we still use stock framework first??

MajinSaiyan4 said:
Hey wilfred for decompiling app from custom rom like cm7 should we still use stock framework first??
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
nop.... use CM7 framework-res.apk !!!

wilfredcool007 said:
nop.... use CM7 framework-res.apk !!!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ok thnx but i had problems recompiling systemUI.apk with apktool even without any modifications sry cant post error right now im on phone..

MajinSaiyan4 said:
Ok thnx but i had problems recompiling systemUI.apk with apktool even without any modifications sry cant post error right now im on phone..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Did u delete the public.xml before u could recompile ??? if so u wouldnt hav got any error.... to be on the safer side send me the error tat u get....

wilfredcool007 said:
Did u delete the public.xml before u could recompile ??? if so u wouldnt hav got any error.... to be on the safer side send me the error tat u get....
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Uh is it necessary to del public.xml??ok i wil try when im on pc..actually i was trying jellybean layout mod but i was unsuccesful

errors when recompiling framework-res.apk

I need to edit eri.xml and that is why I am trying to decompile framework-res.apk
I tried decompiling with apktool 1.4.2 and compiling with 1.4.3. I tried extracting androidmanifest and meta-inf from the original apk and adding them to the newly compirled apk and the mobile loops when rebooting.
Also tried with the newest apktool(1.5.2) and still have the same problem.
Has anyone successfully decompiled and rebuilt the framework-res.apk?

xiltepin said:
I need to edit eri.xml and that is why I am trying to decompile framework-res.apk
I tried decompiling with apktool 1.4.2 and compiling with 1.4.3. I tried extracting androidmanifest and meta-inf from the original apk and adding them to the newly compirled apk and the mobile loops when rebooting.
Also tried with the newest apktool(1.5.2) and still have the same problem.
Has anyone successfully decompiled and rebuilt the framework-res.apk?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Try decompiling and recompiling using the same version without modifying it to see if you still get the error. If you don't, make sure your modification isn't affecting other files. I don't have any issues decompiling & recompiling apks including framework-res
Sent from my XT925 using xda app-developers app

Lol zip it up sand rename to. Apk
Sent from my MB886 using xda app-developers app

saloums7 said:
Try decompiling and recompiling using the same version without modifying it to see if you still get the error. If you don't, make sure your modification isn't affecting other files. I don't have any issues decompiling & recompiling apks including framework-res
Sent from my XT925 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Saloums, Have you done that with your XT925? Which version of apktool have you used? I tried decompiling and recompiling with the newest version. 1.5.something. I can't remember because I am not at home but it didn't work with that version.
EcHoFiiVe what do you mean to rename it to apk? it is already an apk. Do you mean to zip the .apk and rename it again to .apk?

xiltepin said:
Saloums, Have you done that with your XT925? Which version of apktool have you used? I tried decompiling and recompiling with the newest version. 1.5.something. I can't remember because I am not at home but it didn't work with that version.
EcHoFiiVe what do you mean to rename it to apk? it is already an apk. Do you mean to zip the .apk and rename it again to .apk?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think it was 1.5 or something I'm not quite sure I'll check once I get home. And yes I've done it with my XT925. This week I don't have much time for messing around with my phone but I'll give it a shot again once I have some time and tell you exactly the steps I do
Sent from my XT925 using xda app-developers app

What I did was
1- decompile
2- edit eri.xml
3- recompile
4- extract androidmanifest and meta-inf from the original apk and add them to the newly recompiled apk
5- extract all files to a new folder from the newly recompiled apk
6- with winrar create a new zip file and add all the files again choosing the option store
7- pushed the new apk to my phone and it worked.
Isn't it weird? I extracted to the apk again and decompiled it to verify the edited file and all was fine...
I am not sure if this process is the correct one which I don't think so but it worked

Porting framework
EcHoFiiVe said:
Lol zip it up and rename to. Apk
Sent from my MB886 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I want to port z3 framework... Zipping it and renaming will work?

[Q] How to edit CM11 Settings.apk after decompiling

Hello,
Today i decompiled Settings.apkof CynogenMod 11 but i was not able to read the XML files, can somebody please tell me on which software should i open them i tried opening them on Notepad++, Adobe dreamweaver amd notepad..
Screenshot of the Files in Attachments.

Rajatk95 said:
Hello,
Today i decompiled Settings.apkof CynogenMod 11 but i was not able to read the XML files, can somebody please tell me on which software should i open them i tried opening them on Notepad++, Adobe dreamweaver amd notepad..
Screenshot of the Files in Attachments.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The best editor is the notepad++. Maybe there was a problem when you decompiled you apk. Or the notpad++ can red because it is corrupted.

Thanks for the reply @root-expert I used apktool to decompile the apk file. Can you please tell me the correct way to decompile it.

Rajatk95 said:
Thanks for the reply @root-expert I used apktool to decompile the apk file. Can you please tell me the correct way to decompile it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
First you have to install framework-res.apk of your rom... Type the command:
Code:
apktool if framework-res.apk
After that you can decompile the apk:
Code:
apktool d Settings.apk
If you get errors post them to me...!

root-expert said:
First you have to install framework-res.apk of your rom... Type the command:
Code:
apktool if framework-res.apk
After that you can decompile the apk:
Code:
apktool d Settings.apk
If you get errors post them to me...!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks a lot man :good:
i didnt installed the framework-res.apk before.