How to Download Apktool
Apktool is a tool for reverse engineering Android applications. It can decode resources to nearly original form and rebuild them after making some modifications. It also allows you to debug smali code step by step. Apktool is useful for developers, themers, and security researchers who want to modify, analyze, or port Android apps.
In this article, you will learn how to download apktool for different platforms, how to use it to decompile and recompile APK files, what are the advantages and disadvantages of apktool, and what are some alternatives to apktool.
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How to Download Apktool for Different Platforms
Apktool is available for Windows, Linux, Mac, and Android. Here are the steps to download apktool for each platform:
Windows
Install Java Development Kit (JDK) from .
Install Android Software Development Kit (SDK) from .
Create a new folder on your desktop and name it "APK".
Download the Windows wrapper script (apktool.bat) from and save it in the APK folder.
Download the latest version of apktool.jar file from and save it in the APK folder. Rename it as "apktool.jar".
Optionally, you can set the environment variable "PATH" to access apktool from anywhere.
Linux
Install Java Development Kit (JDK) from .
Install Android Software Development Kit (SDK) from .
Create a new folder in your home directory and name it "APK".
Download the Linux wrapper script (apktool) from and save it in the APK folder. Make it executable by running chmod +x apktool.
Download the latest version of apktool.jar file from and save it in the APK folder. Rename it as "apktool.jar".
Optionally, you can set the environment variable "PATH" to access apktool from anywhere.
Mac
Install Java Development Kit (JDK) from .
Install Android Software Development Kit (SDK) from .
Create a new folder in your home directory and name it "APK".
Download the Mac wrapper script (apktool) from and save it in the APK folder. Make it executable by running chmod +x apktool.
Download the latest version of apktool.jar file from and save it in the APK folder. Rename it as "apktool.jar".
Optionally, you can set the environment variable "PATH" to access apktool from anywhere.
Android
Your device must be rooted to use apktool on Android.
Download APKTool for Android app from and install it on your device.
The app will automatically download the latest version of apktool.jar file and install it on your device.
You can use the app to decompile and recompile APK files on your device.
How to Use Apktool to Decompile and Recompile APK Files
Apktool can be used to decompile and recompile APK files using some basic commands and options. Here are some examples of how to use apktool:
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Basic Commands and Options
To decompile an APK file, use the command apktool d [options] . This will create a folder with the same name as the APK file in the current directory.
To recompile an APK file, use the command apktool b [options] . This will create a new APK file in the folder /dist.
To sign an APK file, use the command jarsigner -verbose -sigalg SHA1withRSA -digestalg SHA1 -keystore . You need to have a keystore file and an alias to sign an APK file.
To install an APK file on your device, use the command adb install . You need to have Android Debug Bridge (ADB) installed and your device connected to your computer.
To see the full list of options and usage, use the command apktool -h.
Examples of Decompiling and Recompiling an APK File
Let's say you want to decompile an APK file called "example.apk" and change its icon. Here are the steps you need to follow:
Decompile the APK file using the command apktool d example.apk. This will create a folder called "example" in the current directory.
Navigate to the folder "example/res/mipmap-xxxhdpi" and replace the file "ic_launcher.png" with your desired icon. Make sure the icon has the same name, size, and format as the original one.
Recompile the APK file using the command apktool b example. This will create a new APK file called "example.apk" in the folder "example/dist".
Sign the APK file using the command jarsigner -verbose -sigalg SHA1withRSA -digestalg SHA1 -keystore mykeystore.jks example/dist/example.apk myalias. You need to have a keystore file called "mykeystore.jks" and an alias called "myalias" to sign the APK file.
Install the APK file on your device using the command adb install example/dist/example.apk. You need to have ADB installed and your device connected to your computer.
You can now see that your app has a new icon on your device.
Advantages and Disadvantages of Apktool
Apktool is a powerful tool for reverse engineering Android applications, but it also has some advantages and disadvantages. Here are some of them:
Pros
It can decode resources to nearly original form and rebuild them after making some modifications.
It can debug smali code step by step.
It can handle complex APK files with multiple dex files, obfuscated code, encrypted resources, etc.
It is open source and free to use.
It is updated regularly and has a large community of users and developers.
Cons
It requires Java Development Kit (JDK) and Android Software Development Kit (SDK) to run.
It may not work with some APK files that have custom features or protections.
It may not preserve the original signature of the APK file after recompiling it.
It may not be able to handle some native libraries or assets that are not in standard formats.
It may have some bugs or errors that need to be fixed or reported.
Alternatives to Apktool
If you are looking for some alternatives to apktool, here are some of them:
NameDescriptionWebsite
APK Editor StudioA cross-platform GUI application that allows you to edit APK files without any coding skills. You can change the app icon, name, version, permissions, resources, code, etc.
APK StudioAn open source IDE for decompiling and editing APK files. You can edit the manifest, resources, smali, assets, etc. It also has a built-in code editor and debugger.
JADXA command line and GUI tool that can decompile Android APK files to Java source code. It can also convert dex files to jar files and smali files to Java files.
Conclusion
Apktool is a tool for reverse engineering Android applications. It can decode resources to nearly original form and rebuild them after making some modifications. It also allows you to debug smali code step by step. Apktool is useful for developers, themers, and security researchers who want to modify, analyze, or port Android apps.
In this article, you learned how to download apktool for different platforms, how to use it to decompile and recompile APK files, what are the advantages and disadvantages of apktool, and what are some alternatives to apktool. We hope you found this article helpful and informative.
If you want to learn more about apktool, you can visit its official website to chat with other users and developers.
Thank you for reading this article. If you liked it, please share it with your friends and colleagues. If you have any questions or feedback, please leave a comment below. We would love to hear from you.
FAQs
What is the difference between apktool and apktool.jar?
Apktool is a wrapper script that invokes the apktool.jar file with some arguments. Apktool.jar is the actual executable file that contains the core functionality of apktool.
How can I update apktool to the latest version?
You can update apktool by downloading the latest version of apktool.jar file from and replacing the old one in your APK folder. You can also use the option -u or --update with the apktool command to check for updates and download them automatically.
How can I report a bug or request a feature for apktool?
You can report a bug or request a feature for apktool by creating an issue on its GitHub repository . Please follow the issue template and provide as much information as possible.
How can I contribute to the development of apktool?
You can contribute to the development of apktool by cloning its GitHub repository .
How can I learn more about Android reverse engineering?
You can learn more about Android reverse engineering by reading some books, blogs, tutorials, or courses on the topic. Some examples are:
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