It is a tool for reengineering 3rd party, closed, binary Android apps. It can decode resources to nearly original form and rebuild them after making some modifications; it makes possible to debug smali code step by step. Also it makes working with app easier because of project-like files structure and automation of some repetitive tasks like building apk, etc.

It is NOT intended for piracy and other non-legal uses. It could be used for localizing, adding some features or support for custom platforms and other GOOD purposes. Just try to be fair with authors of an app, that you use and probably like.

Features

• decoding resources to nearly original form (including resources.arsc, XMLs and 9.png files) and rebuilding them
• smali debugging: SmaliDebugging
• helping with some repetitive tasks

Requirements

• JRE 1.6 (Java Runtime Environment)
• aapt command in a PATH
• basic knowledge of what is SDK, aapt, PATH, smali and Google search engine may be useful

Installation for noobs

• Windows:
1. Download apktool-install-windows-* file
2. Download apktool-* file
3. Unpack both to your Windows directory
• Linux:
1. Download apktool-install-linux-* file
2. Download apktool-* file
3. Unpack both to /usr/local/bin directory (you must have root permissions)
• Mac OS X:
1. Download apktool-install-macos-* file
2. Download apktool-* file
3. Unpack both to /usr/local/bin directory (you must have root permissions)

Installation of framework files

• See FrameworkFiles

Usage

• Open terminal/command line and type "apktool <enter>". Then you should see usage help.

Discuss it: Google Groups or XDA

News

• 2011.12.08: apktool v1.4.3 has been released! It's a bugfix for "Multiple substitutions" error. Download Changes
• 2011.12.07: apktool project was starred by 1000 users!
• 2011.12.02: apktool v1.4.2 has been released! Download Changes
• 2011.05.15: apktool v1.4.1 has been released! It's a quick fix for v1.4.0. Download Changes
• 2011.05.15: apktool v1.4.0 has been released! Download Changes Migration instructions
• 2010.06.04: updated install packages to r04-brut1 version.
• 2011.01.19: sources were released! BuildApktool
• 2010.09.03: apktool v1.3.2 has been released! Changes
• 2010.09.03: install-windows-2.2_r01-3
• fixed an issue when path to apktool.bat contains spaces ( Issue 81 )
• 2010.06.14: apktool v1.3.1 has been released! Changes
• 2010.06.12: apktool v1.3.0 has been released! Changes
• 2010.06.04: updated install packages to 2.2r01-1 version
• 2010.06.03: apktool v1.2.0 has been released! Changes
• 2010.04.29: apktool v1.1.1 has been released! Changes
• 2010.04.28: apktool v1.1.0 has been released! Changes
• 2010.04.02: apktool v1.0.0 has been released! Changes
• 2010.03.13: apktool v0.9.2 has been released! Changes
• 2010.03.02: apktool v0.9.1 has been released! Changes
• 2010.03.01: apktool v0.9.0 has been released.