[HowTo]Decompile/Compile APKS on Windows

[Chris_84]

Hey Guys ,

I am writing this small guide for people who have just started off with Android Development recently..
as am not a great developer at my end so any corrections and suggestions are always welcome

Credits : To Vegeta1. He give me the idea and helped me patiently with every question i got to finish this!
To my great Omega Team Mates! You guys and girl know my feelings.



So here we gonna learn how to decompile/recompile/ sign Apks

Things needed :

1. jdk/java Get It from here--> http://www.java.com/en/

2. Apktool: Using any according to your liking is ok or you can get all the Stuff needed In this Link

http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1755243

Thanks To iBotPeaches For The Superb Tool...

3. Notepad++ to make changes in Xmls

4: winrar/7zip


So first up we are gonna set up the Framework for the current Firmware we are using.

For that get framework-res.apk, twframework-res.apk from your rom. You can always find that in the root location

/system/framework/

So lets say you have placed your apktool in your C:\ drive

now open click on start > run > type cmd ( this is for command prompt )

for example you are on C:\>User. Click in the command line cd.. and hit enter.

You should see now C:\>, as next step you type cd apktool and click enter. Here you see how it should look:

C:\apktool>


Now first up installing framework-res.apk and twframework-res.apk.

Place both these Files in your apktool folder that you have placed in C Drive or any drive you are comfortable with.

Code for Installing frameworks :

C:\apktool>apktool if framework-res.apk
C:\apktool>apktool if twframework-res.apk

this will get both your frameworks installed .

Now decompiling the Apk ...

Lets say you want to decompile SecMms.apk / or any Apk you like

place the Apk in the apktool folder.

Code to decompile the apk:

C:\ apktool > apktool d SecMms.apk

If you done and set up things accordingly your Apks will be decompiled properly

in the apktool folder you have placed in C:\ apktool

you will get the decompiled SecMms folder... so you can now make changes to it

Now the Recompiling Part:

If you have made correct changes it won´t give you any issues :

To recompile the apk the code needed in the command prompt :

c:\ apktool>apktool b SecMms ( its the decompiled Folder , now the original apk )

when you are done with recompiling in the SecMms folder you will get these :

assets
build
dist
res
smali
AndroidManifest.xml
apktool.yml

Now again , if the changes you made are correct the recompiling wont give any issues

Now its still not over we need to sign the apk:

So in your apktool folder you have your Original SecMms.apk file open that with winrar/7zip
and extract

META-INF
AndroidManifest.xml

in the apktool folder and move them to

( Decompiled )SecMms > build > apk >

then again start cmd and again run the recompiling code again one more time

c:\ apktool > apktool b SecMms

this should sign your apk

and the final apk , you will find it in c:\apktool\SecMms\Dist\

.

So Guys that's about it , for decompiling/recompiling/signing your Apks , hope you have no issues and find my post helpful

 

[Ninolina]

Hey Guys ,

I am writing this small guide for people who have just started off with Android Development recently..
as am not a great developer at my end so any corrections and suggestions are always welcome

Credits : To Vegeta1. He give me the idea and helped me patiently with every question i got to finish this!
To my great Omega Team Mates! You guys and girl know my feelings.



So here we gonna learn how to decompile/recompile/ sign Apks

Things needed :

1. jdk/java Get It from here--> http://www.java.com/en/

2. Apktool: Using any according to your liking is ok or you can get all the Stuff needed In this Link

http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1755243

Thanks To iBotPeaches For The Superb Tool...

3. Notepad++ to make changes in Xmls

4: winrar/7zip


So first up we are gonna set up the Framework for the current Firmware we are using.

For that get framework-res.apk, twframework-res.apk from your rom. You can always find that in the root location

/system/framework/

So lets say you have placed your apktool in your C:\ drive

now open click on start > run > type cmd ( this is for command prompt )

for example you are on C:\>User. Click in the command line cd.. and hit enter.

You should see now C:\>, as next step you type cd apktool and click enter. Here you see how it should look:

C:\apktool>


Now first up installing framework-res.apk and twframework-res.apk.

Place both these Files in your apktool folder that you have placed in C Drive or any drive you are comfortable with.

Code for Installing frameworks :

C:\apktool>apktool if framework-res.apk
C:\apktool>apktool if twframework-res.apk

this will get both your frameworks installed .

Now decompiling the Apk ...

Lets say you want to decompile SecMms.apk / or any Apk you like

place the Apk in the apktool folder.

Code to decompile the apk:

C:\ apktool > apktool d SecMms.apk

If you done and set up things accordingly your Apks will be decompiled properly

in the apktool folder you have placed in C:\ apktool

you will get the decompiled SecMms folder... so you can now make changes to it

Now the Recompiling Part:

If you have made correct changes it won´t give you any issues :

To recompile the apk the code needed in the command prompt :

c:\ apktool>apktool b SecMms ( its the decompiled Folder , now the original apk )

when you are done with recompiling in the SecMms folder you will get these :

assets
build
dist
res
smali
AndroidManifest.xml
apktool.yml

Now again , if the changes you made are correct the recompiling wont give any issues

Now its still not over we need to sign the apk:

So in your apktool folder you have your Original SecMms.apk file open that with winrar/7zip
and extract

META-INF
AndroidManifest.xml

in the apktool folder and move them to

( Decompiled )SecMms > build > apk >

then again start cmd and again run the recompiling code again one more time

c:\ apktool > apktool b SecMms

this should sign your apk

and the final apk , you will find it in c:\apktool\SecMms\Dist\

.

So Guys that's about it , for decompiling/recompiling/signing your Apks , hope you have no issues and find my post helpful

Great guide Chris... I will try it tomorrow... Thanks for all you do for S3 and Omega community...

 

[Chris_84]

Great guide Chris... I will try it tomorrow... Thanks for all you do for S3 and Omega community...

Thanks Nina! If you got question you know where I am.

Throwing out of the window from my flying Ferrari killer S3 driven by a proud omega team member

 

[wiecho65]

Thanks Chris84. I need this. This guide its wery good. Regards.

Wysłane z mojego GT-I9300 za pomocą Tapatalk 2

 

[Chris_84]

Thanks Chris84. I need this. This guide its wery good. Regards.

Wysłane z mojego GT-I9300 za pomocą Tapatalk 2

Glade you like it. If you got questions just ask.

Throwing out of the window from my flying Ferrari killer S3 driven by a proud omega team member

 

[bala_gamer]

nice one chris

 

[Chris_84]

nice one chris

Thank you very much mate! You now it's a honor for me to get such a good feedback from you! Really appreciate that!

Throwing out of the window from my flying Ferrari killer S3 driven by a proud omega team member

 

[vegeta1]

Really glad to be a part of a great team and great team members ....

Good luck my friend

Sent from my GT-I9300 using Tapatalk 2

 

[KeesStolk]

This is great, you are bringing noobs like me to the next level.

Sent from my GT-I9300 using Tapatalk 2

 

[Ninolina]

Thanks Nina! If you got question you know where I am.

Throwing out of the window from my flying Ferrari killer S3 driven by a proud omega team member

I assume it works on Windows? Maybe it will be good to add that to the Title of the Tread. Just a suggestion...

 

[Chris_84]

I assume it works on Windows? Maybe it will be good to add that to the Title of the Tread. Just a suggestion...

Yes it does. Thanks Nina for your suggestion!

Throwing out of the window from my flying Ferrari killer S3 driven by a proud omega team member

 

[coolhof]

Thnx.
Always welcome a HowTo of this kind...

Verzonden door mijn GT-I9300 met xda premium

 

[Chris_84]

Really glad to be a part of a great team and great team members ....

Good luck my friend

Sent from my GT-I9300 using Tapatalk 2

Without you my friend I never had come this far!

This is great, you are bringing noobs like me to the next level.

Sent from my GT-I9300 using Tapatalk 2

So you're now a advanced noob.

Throwing out of the window from my flying Ferrari killer S3 driven by a proud omega team member

 

[MMWolverine]

Hey Chris! Really nice guide you have here, quick & simple. Decompiling worked for me, however, when I try to compile back I get this:

D:\apktool1.5.0>java -jar apktool.jar d BW.apk
I: Baksmaling...
I: Loading resource table...
I: Loaded.
I: Decoding AndroidManifest.xml with resources...
I: Loading resource table from file: C:\Users\MM\apktool\framework\1.apk
I: Loaded.
I: Decoding file-resources...
W: Cant find 9patch chunk in file: "drawable-hdpi/forecast_fly_child_bg_pressed.
9.png". Renaming it to *.png.
I: Decoding values */* XMLs...
I: Done.
I: Copying assets and libs...

D:\apktool1.5.0>java -jar apktool.jar b BW
I: Checking whether sources has changed...
I: Smaling...
I: Checking whether resources has changed...
I: Building resources...
invalid resource directory name: D:\apktool1.5.0\BW\res/drawable-land-xhdpi
invalid resource directory name: D:\apktool1.5.0\BW\res/drawable-xhdpi
invalid resource directory name: D:\apktool1.5.0\BW\res/drawable-xhdpi-v11
invalid resource directory name: D:\apktool1.5.0\BW\res/drawable-xxhdpi
invalid resource directory name: D:\apktool1.5.0\BW\res/layout-xlarge
invalid resource directory name: D:\apktool1.5.0\BW\res/layout-xlarge-land
invalid resource directory name: D:\apktool1.5.0\BW\res/values-sw600dp
invalid resource directory name: D:\apktool1.5.0\BW\res/values-w360dp
invalid resource directory name: D:\apktool1.5.0\BW\res/values-w480dp
invalid resource directory name: D:\apktool1.5.0\BW\res/values-w500dp
invalid resource directory name: D:\apktool1.5.0\BW\res/values-w600dp
invalid resource directory name: D:\apktool1.5.0\BW\res/values-xlarge
invalid resource directory name: D:\apktool1.5.0\BW\res/values-xlarge-land
Exception in thread "main" brut.androlib.AndrolibException: brut.common.BrutExce
ption: could not exec command: [aapt, p, --min-sdk-version, 8, --target-sdk-vers
ion, 17, -F, C:\Users\MM\AppData\Local\Temp\APKTOOL3965827226790767193.tmp, -I,
C:\Users\MM\apktool\framework\1.apk, -S, D:\apktool1.5.0\BW\res, -M, D:\apktool1
.5.0\BW\AndroidManifest.xml]
at brut.androlib.res.AndrolibResources.aaptPackage(AndrolibResources.jav
a:255)
at brut.androlib.Androlib.buildResourcesFull(Androlib.java:324)
at brut.androlib.Androlib.buildResources(Androlib.java:269)
at brut.androlib.Androlib.build(Androlib.java:192)
at brut.androlib.Androlib.build(Androlib.java:174)
at brut.apktool.Main.cmdBuild(Main.java:188)
at brut.apktool.Main.main(Main.java:70)
Caused by: brut.common.BrutException: could not exec command: [aapt, p, --min-sd
k-version, 8, --target-sdk-version, 17, -F, C:\Users\MM\AppData\Local\Temp\APKTO
OL3965827226790767193.tmp, -I, C:\Users\MM\apktool\framework\1.apk, -S, D:\apkto
ol1.5.0\BW\res, -M, D:\apktool1.5.0\BW\AndroidManifest.xml]
at brut.util.OS.exec(OS.java:83)
at brut.androlib.res.AndrolibResources.aaptPackage(AndrolibResources.jav
a:253)
... 6 more

I installed both frameworks & updated java, tried from both hdd partitions. Then I tried a different apktool version, happens again. Do you have any idea what could be the reason for this? Maybe the fact I have 2 java versions installed (v5.0 update 12 & v7 update 10).

 

[Chris_84]

Hey Chris! Really nice guide you have here, quick & simple. Decompiling worked for me, however, when I try to compile back I get this:

I installed both frameworks & updated java, tried from both hdd partitions. Then I tried a different apktool version, happens again. Do you have any idea what could be the reason for this? Maybe the fact I have 2 java versions installed (v5.0 update 12 & v7 update 10).

I could only imagine that is not compatible this the framework you use. I get the same yesterday then I was trying recompile again Google plus. Decompile no problem but recompile give me error. Sounds a little bit crazy but what you can try is decompile with stock framework and recompile it with the one from omega or try it the other way decompile with omegas framework and recompile with stock framework. But between the steps you got install the framework new.

Throwing out of the window from my flying Ferrari killer S3 driven by a proud omega team member

 

[MMWolverine]

Thanks, I'll test it & report back.

 

[Chris_84]

Thanks, I'll test it & report back.

Your feedback is much appreciated! Thanks my friend!

Throwing out of the window from my flying Ferrari killer S3 driven by a proud omega team member

 

[MMWolverine]

Ok, tried with XXELL5 stock framework and tested some others as well, but no luck I'm afraid. The app is BeautifulWidgets, which I'm trying to translate into Slovenian language. The problem is I cannot even recompile unchanged folders/files, let alone changing strings.xml. So the pursue for a solution continues.

 

[Chris_84]

Ok, tried with XXELL5 stock framework and tested some others as well, but no luck I'm afraid. The app is BeautifulWidgets, which I'm trying to translate into Slovenian language. The problem is I cannot even recompile unchanged folders/files, let alone changing strings.xml. So the pursue for a solution continues.

That's very strange. I will take look at that cause I even turned on my laptop. Will keep you informed.

Edit: Mate I checked it. And I also fail. The strange thing is I got also an older apk from version 4 of beautiful widgets and had no problem with it. Then I checked the newer version 5 and then the failure set in. I tried to take the files like android manifest from the older apk but still fail.

Throwing out of the window from my flying Ferrari killer S3 driven by a proud omega team member

 

[vegeta1]

Guys can you post the apk here ?? Il try it out tomorrow... as im gonna fall asleep any moment...


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