[Linux][UTILITY][TOOL] APK Multi-Tool

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raziel23x

Senior Member
Sep 19, 2010
996
1,022
45
Novi
apkmultitool.com
GgI am currently working on a major update to the apk manager application as well and changing the name to APK Multi-Tool with some new added features and also to fix some issues with some code errors.

I am also changing a lot of the features as well since a lot of the code has been outdated for a while.
I have updated all the files and modified Apk manager's Scripts to fix many user reported bugs from Daneshm90 apk manager which he had written a simple script to ease the process of editing apks. Got a lot of downloads so thought its in demand
Whether you're doing basic image editing or editing the smali or xml files, on average u have to use (Brut.all or JF's smali/baksmali) awesome tool to extract the apk, edit it, then sign the apk and then adb push/install it. This process is quite tiresome if you are testing a method that needs fine tweaking.
This script should make the process a LOT smoother.
Theres an option of compiling/signing/installing all in one step
Thanks:
Goes to Daneshm90 the Original Writer of APK Manager
Goes to Brut.all for his awesome tool.
Goes to JF for ofcourse, smali/baksmali


Features:
- Added framework dependent decompiling (For non propietary rom apks). (Option 10). Checks whether the dependee apk u selected is correct.
- Allows multiple projects to be modified, switch to and from.
- Allows to modify system apk's using apktool but ensures maximum compatibility in terms of signature / manifest.xml
- Batch optimize apk (Zipalign,optipng,or both)
- Batch Ogg optimization
- Batch install apk from script (option 19)
- Batch Theme Image Transfer TOOL
- Batch Theme optipng TOOL
- Batch Theme Zipalign APK TOOL
- Compression level selector (monitor status above menu)
- Error detection. Checks if error occurred anytime u perform a task, and reports it
- Extract, Zip apk's.
- Incorporates brut.all's apktool
- Improved syntax of questions/answers
- Logging on/off has been removed. Instead a log.txt is created which logs the activities of the script organized using time/date headers
- Optimize pngs (ignores .9.pngs)
- Pull apk from phone into modding environment.
- Push to specific location on phone
- Quick sign an apk (Batch mode supported)
- Read log (Option 24)
- Sign apks
- Supports batch installation, so if u drag multiple apks into the script (not while its running) it will install them all for u. U can ofcourse drag a single apk as well
- User can change the max java heap size (only use if certain large apks get stuck when decompiling/compiling apks) (Option 19)
- U can now set this script as ur default application for apks. When u do, if u double click any apk it will install it for u.
- Zipalign apks
- Much Much More
Instructions:
- Place apk in appropriate folder (Any filename will work, if running for first time folders will not be there, you must run and then the folders will be created)
- Run script
- Minimize the script
- Edit files inside the project folder
- Maximize the script

Requirements:
Java 1.7
Android SDK


FAQ

Resulting apk file is much smaller than original! Is there something missing?

First: compression of resources.arsc file. Sometimes this file is compressed in original apk, sometimes not and apktool always compress it. Second: lack of META-INF dir. Apktool builds unsigned apks, so they lack signatures stored in this dir. Third: apktool uses newest Android SDK, so it could optimize files better, especially if original app is old. So: unpack both original and resulting apk, remove META-INF from original and then compare sizes. If they're still much different, then you could report on XDA or somewhere.

There is no META-INF dir in resulting apk. Is this ok?

Yes. META-INF contains apk signatures mostly and after modifying apk in no longer signed, so there are no signatures in it. You have to sign resulting apk and then META-INF dir will be created.

What do you call "magic apks"?
Sometimes there are some apks which (for my current knowledge) are invalid, broken, theoretically they shouldn't exist. There may be many reasons of their existence: my lack of understanding of Android resources; some non-public, maybe future SDK tools or custom modifications of these; manual hacking of binaries, etc. Usually I can't do anything about it, but you could at least try to replace broken parts by something valid. Actually it's quite likely that they aren't even used, because if they would, then application would crash.

Got problems ?
1. Make sure your path has no spaces
2. Your filename has no wierd characters
3. Java/adb are in your path
4. It's not a proprietary rom's apk (aka Sense,Motorola,Samsung) (If u are, then use option 11 and drag the required framework, eg com.htc.resources, twframework-res...etc)
5. It's not a themed apk (if it is, expect .9 png errors, use as close to stock as possible)
6. Look at the log to know whats happening
7. If all else fails, post as much info as possible and we will try to assist you.

TO DO LIST
Add new feature to Randomly Generate a new Key File for signing the apk files after modifying and recompiling of the apk files this will also allow of uploading to the android market as this added feature will allow you to sign apk files that you may of compiled without signing beforehand.

Modify the Signapk script to be compatible with the Randomly Generation feature in the works

and a few other added features are in the works as I am redesigning the application and rewriting a lot of the code to fix issues as well as some of the new features have broken parts as some features have been moved and broken some command line prompts.

Installing APK Multi-Tool Itself
Instructions (Linux):
1-Download, create a folder in your sdk called "APK-Multi-Tool" and extract into it.
2-Goto the the "sdk/APK-Multi-Tool" folder and rename "Script.sh" to "script.sh".
3-Go into the "other" folder, right click on one file at a time, goto "permissions" in the new window and check the execute box.(do this with all the files)
4-To add the path to your folder open up a terminal and type in -
sudo su
PATH=$PATH:/THE PATH TO YOUR "SCRIPT.SH"
(for me this looks like the following)
PATH=$PATH:/sdk/APK-Multi-Tool/other/
5-export PATH
6-install "sox"
7-Type into the terminal "cd PATH TO YOUR SCRIPT.SH"
7.5 export PATH={PATH}:/PATH TO Your SDK/sdk/platform-tools/adb
8-Type "./script.sh"
9-You should have a running APK-Multi-Tool.

how to install sox:
Open the software center of the linux service and searched for sox. Installed it and it there you will have SOX working.

- Place apk in appropriate folder (Any filename will work, if running for first time folders will not be there, you must run and then the folders will be created)
- Open terminal and change-directory to APK-Multi-Tool(Easiest way is to type "cd ")
- Chmod 755 Script.sh
- Chmod 755 all files apps inside other folder
- Run script by typing ./Script.sh
- Minimize the script
- Edit files inside the out folder
- Maximize the script

Downloads:
https://github.com/APK-Multi-Tool/APK-Multi-Tool-Linux/archive/master.zip
Please check back daily or weekly as this project is under active Development and I am releasing Alpha releases on the website for Testing and bug reports.
 
Last edited:

natezire71

Senior Member
Mar 24, 2010
1,489
339
Lol, why has nobody commented on this?

You're a savior. This is awesome. Can't wait for the rewrite. :D
 

Dirk64

Senior Member
Nov 25, 2011
207
94
Kiel
AW: [Linux][UTILITY][TOOL] APK Multi-Tool

+1
Haven't seen this also available for Linux, so this is great.

Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using xda premium
 

raziel23x

Senior Member
Sep 19, 2010
996
1,022
45
Novi
apkmultitool.com
Binary updates

UPDATED to apktool-cli-1.5.3-SNAPSHOT
-Updated to smali/baksmali to v1.4.2
-Fixed (issue #396) - Correctly handle android:debuggable while in debug
mode.
-Fixed (issue #340) - Fixed superclass errors on debug mode.
-Updated to Gradle 1.4
-Updated known bytes for configurations to 38 (from addition of layout
direction)
-Fixed NPE when handling odex apks even with --no-src specified. (Thanks
Rodrigo Chiossi)
-Fixed (issue #427) - Correctly handles `--frame-path` on uild
 

raziel23x

Senior Member
Sep 19, 2010
996
1,022
45
Novi
apkmultitool.com
I merged a few projects together instead of having multiple Android developer projects. I did some spring cleaning and deleted a few projects that was not useful and served no purposes. Also renamed the project organization which broke the link forgot to update lol.

Sent from my DROID RAZR CDMA XT912 using Tapatalk 2
 
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xcly

Senior Member
Oct 22, 2011
872
155
London
I ran the script but I can't see any folders being created.. Trying to sign an apk. Looked up on google and all I can find is your instructions to put apk in appropriate folder (which I can't see..)

Thanks in advance
 

civato

Inactive Recognized Contributor
Apr 20, 2011
4,296
19,224
I got

The program sox is missing or is not in your PATH,
please install it or fix your PATH variable


If I go to the other folder there is no sox like in the windows version.
 

xcly

Senior Member
Oct 22, 2011
872
155
London
I got

The program sox is missing or is not in your PATH,
please install it or fix your PATH variable


If I go to the other folder there is no sox like in the windows version.

I had the same problem but it was fixed once I installed sox. There was a tutorial on google search for setting up apk manager you might wanna have a look at.

Sent from my GT-I9300 using xda premium
 
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civato

Inactive Recognized Contributor
Apr 20, 2011
4,296
19,224
I will look into this asap once I get some free time

Sent from my DROID RAZR CDMA XT912 using Tapatalk 2

I had the same problem but it was fixed once I installed sox. There was a tutorial on google search for setting up apk manager you might wanna have a look at.

Sent from my GT-I9300 using xda premium
I got it solved , I just entered the Ubuntu software center and searched for sox. Installed it and it works.
Maybe good to add this in OP when using linux. It is stupid of me thinking it was something harder so thank you for your help and fast response.

A other methode I found here

PS:
You don't need to type in ./Script.sh in teminal in linux , just clicking on it (Script.sh) and select "run in terminal" does the trick without typing anything.
 
Last edited:

AndyOpie150

Senior Member
May 8, 2011
107
18
Florida
pushed your changed to github all code changes are welcome even forking the repo on github and making changes and doing pull request are welcome

Just uploaded changed attachment. Fixed minor typos in Installation Instructions. Sorry I didn't get it straight before you pushed to github.
I deleted the info for Windows in previous attachments as well due to this being for the Linux version. Didn't know if you caught that.

PS: Thought I would let you decide if you liked my hair brained ideas first.
Is there any way to have a .jar file work without having to rename to .apk, or is that a mind bogling code rewrite. I'm all for learning.
 
Last edited:

clmowers

Senior Member
Dec 24, 2012
483
502
Syracuse, NY
Hey, I made some changes to the script to act more like the windows version of this tool. I added a setup.sh which will create all the folders and set permissions to everything. i also the ability to have multiple projects going at the same time, and also added a separate jar/dex folder so there is no need to rename the jar files to .apk to edit it. and other updates as well. its not 100% up to par with the windows one, but these few changes make a huge difference. Would you be interested in this?

---------- Post added at 11:38 AM ---------- Previous post was at 11:36 AM ----------

Just uploaded changed attachment. Fixed minor typos in Installation Instructions. Sorry I didn't get it straight before you pushed to github.
I deleted the info for Windows in previous attachments as well due to this being for the Linux version. Didn't know if you caught that.

PS: Thought I would let you decide if you liked my hair brained ideas first.
Is there any way to have a .jar file work without having to rename to .apk, or is that a mind bogling code rewrite. I'm all for learning.

actually yes there is..i made an updated version of the script which has those features :)
 
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Reactions: AndyOpie150

raziel23x

Senior Member
Sep 19, 2010
996
1,022
45
Novi
apkmultitool.com
Hey, I made some changes to the script to act more like the windows version of this tool. I added a setup.sh which will create all the folders and set permissions to everything. i also the ability to have multiple projects going at the same time, and also added a separate jar/dex folder so there is no need to rename the jar files to .apk to edit it. and other updates as well. its not 100% up to par with the windows one, but these few changes make a huge difference. Would you be interested in this?

---------- Post added at 11:38 AM ---------- Previous post was at 11:36 AM ----------



actually yes there is..i made an updated version of the script which has those features :)

Make a pull request on github and in will merge it

Sent from my Xoom using Tapatalk HD
 

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  • 51
    GgI am currently working on a major update to the apk manager application as well and changing the name to APK Multi-Tool with some new added features and also to fix some issues with some code errors.

    I am also changing a lot of the features as well since a lot of the code has been outdated for a while.
    I have updated all the files and modified Apk manager's Scripts to fix many user reported bugs from Daneshm90 apk manager which he had written a simple script to ease the process of editing apks. Got a lot of downloads so thought its in demand
    Whether you're doing basic image editing or editing the smali or xml files, on average u have to use (Brut.all or JF's smali/baksmali) awesome tool to extract the apk, edit it, then sign the apk and then adb push/install it. This process is quite tiresome if you are testing a method that needs fine tweaking.
    This script should make the process a LOT smoother.
    Theres an option of compiling/signing/installing all in one step
    Thanks:
    Goes to Daneshm90 the Original Writer of APK Manager
    Goes to Brut.all for his awesome tool.
    Goes to JF for ofcourse, smali/baksmali


    Features:
    - Added framework dependent decompiling (For non propietary rom apks). (Option 10). Checks whether the dependee apk u selected is correct.
    - Allows multiple projects to be modified, switch to and from.
    - Allows to modify system apk's using apktool but ensures maximum compatibility in terms of signature / manifest.xml
    - Batch optimize apk (Zipalign,optipng,or both)
    - Batch Ogg optimization
    - Batch install apk from script (option 19)
    - Batch Theme Image Transfer TOOL
    - Batch Theme optipng TOOL
    - Batch Theme Zipalign APK TOOL
    - Compression level selector (monitor status above menu)
    - Error detection. Checks if error occurred anytime u perform a task, and reports it
    - Extract, Zip apk's.
    - Incorporates brut.all's apktool
    - Improved syntax of questions/answers
    - Logging on/off has been removed. Instead a log.txt is created which logs the activities of the script organized using time/date headers
    - Optimize pngs (ignores .9.pngs)
    - Pull apk from phone into modding environment.
    - Push to specific location on phone
    - Quick sign an apk (Batch mode supported)
    - Read log (Option 24)
    - Sign apks
    - Supports batch installation, so if u drag multiple apks into the script (not while its running) it will install them all for u. U can ofcourse drag a single apk as well
    - User can change the max java heap size (only use if certain large apks get stuck when decompiling/compiling apks) (Option 19)
    - U can now set this script as ur default application for apks. When u do, if u double click any apk it will install it for u.
    - Zipalign apks
    - Much Much More
    Instructions:
    - Place apk in appropriate folder (Any filename will work, if running for first time folders will not be there, you must run and then the folders will be created)
    - Run script
    - Minimize the script
    - Edit files inside the project folder
    - Maximize the script

    Requirements:
    Java 1.7
    Android SDK


    FAQ

    Resulting apk file is much smaller than original! Is there something missing?

    First: compression of resources.arsc file. Sometimes this file is compressed in original apk, sometimes not and apktool always compress it. Second: lack of META-INF dir. Apktool builds unsigned apks, so they lack signatures stored in this dir. Third: apktool uses newest Android SDK, so it could optimize files better, especially if original app is old. So: unpack both original and resulting apk, remove META-INF from original and then compare sizes. If they're still much different, then you could report on XDA or somewhere.

    There is no META-INF dir in resulting apk. Is this ok?

    Yes. META-INF contains apk signatures mostly and after modifying apk in no longer signed, so there are no signatures in it. You have to sign resulting apk and then META-INF dir will be created.

    What do you call "magic apks"?
    Sometimes there are some apks which (for my current knowledge) are invalid, broken, theoretically they shouldn't exist. There may be many reasons of their existence: my lack of understanding of Android resources; some non-public, maybe future SDK tools or custom modifications of these; manual hacking of binaries, etc. Usually I can't do anything about it, but you could at least try to replace broken parts by something valid. Actually it's quite likely that they aren't even used, because if they would, then application would crash.

    Got problems ?
    1. Make sure your path has no spaces
    2. Your filename has no wierd characters
    3. Java/adb are in your path
    4. It's not a proprietary rom's apk (aka Sense,Motorola,Samsung) (If u are, then use option 11 and drag the required framework, eg com.htc.resources, twframework-res...etc)
    5. It's not a themed apk (if it is, expect .9 png errors, use as close to stock as possible)
    6. Look at the log to know whats happening
    7. If all else fails, post as much info as possible and we will try to assist you.

    TO DO LIST
    Add new feature to Randomly Generate a new Key File for signing the apk files after modifying and recompiling of the apk files this will also allow of uploading to the android market as this added feature will allow you to sign apk files that you may of compiled without signing beforehand.

    Modify the Signapk script to be compatible with the Randomly Generation feature in the works

    and a few other added features are in the works as I am redesigning the application and rewriting a lot of the code to fix issues as well as some of the new features have broken parts as some features have been moved and broken some command line prompts.

    Installing APK Multi-Tool Itself
    Instructions (Linux):
    1-Download, create a folder in your sdk called "APK-Multi-Tool" and extract into it.
    2-Goto the the "sdk/APK-Multi-Tool" folder and rename "Script.sh" to "script.sh".
    3-Go into the "other" folder, right click on one file at a time, goto "permissions" in the new window and check the execute box.(do this with all the files)
    4-To add the path to your folder open up a terminal and type in -
    sudo su
    PATH=$PATH:/THE PATH TO YOUR "SCRIPT.SH"
    (for me this looks like the following)
    PATH=$PATH:/sdk/APK-Multi-Tool/other/
    5-export PATH
    6-install "sox"
    7-Type into the terminal "cd PATH TO YOUR SCRIPT.SH"
    7.5 export PATH={PATH}:/PATH TO Your SDK/sdk/platform-tools/adb
    8-Type "./script.sh"
    9-You should have a running APK-Multi-Tool.

    how to install sox:
    Open the software center of the linux service and searched for sox. Installed it and it there you will have SOX working.

    - Place apk in appropriate folder (Any filename will work, if running for first time folders will not be there, you must run and then the folders will be created)
    - Open terminal and change-directory to APK-Multi-Tool(Easiest way is to type "cd ")
    - Chmod 755 Script.sh
    - Chmod 755 all files apps inside other folder
    - Run script by typing ./Script.sh
    - Minimize the script
    - Edit files inside the out folder
    - Maximize the script

    Downloads:
    https://github.com/APK-Multi-Tool/APK-Multi-Tool-Linux/archive/master.zip
    Please check back daily or weekly as this project is under active Development and I am releasing Alpha releases on the website for Testing and bug reports.
    4
    Just updated to the Apktool 2.0.0 Beta 9 update and also updated smali.jar and baksmali.jar to version 2.0.3
    updated the script to the correct syntax to use the new apktool.jar changes
    3
    Binary updates

    UPDATED to apktool-cli-1.5.3-SNAPSHOT
    -Updated to smali/baksmali to v1.4.2
    -Fixed (issue #396) - Correctly handle android:debuggable while in debug
    mode.
    -Fixed (issue #340) - Fixed superclass errors on debug mode.
    -Updated to Gradle 1.4
    -Updated known bytes for configurations to 38 (from addition of layout
    direction)
    -Fixed NPE when handling odex apks even with --no-src specified. (Thanks
    Rodrigo Chiossi)
    -Fixed (issue #427) - Correctly handles `--frame-path` on uild
    3
    added lollipop support
    2
    There will be a update in the next few days to update the binaries to the application and mostly likes leave experimental releases