apk CODE editing - Android Software Development

I'm starting to develop new apps and I needed to learn to do a specific thing - and there are apps for the stuff I want..
is it possible to look at the code of an apk file and then write own by using the apk as a guideline? kind of like reverse engineering an application???
thanks in advance.

I don't think u can directly reach to the original java code through the apk.
I've read about "disassembling" though.
Try googling "baksmali" for more info on a pretty disassembler project.
Ofc it would be better if you tried to ask the original creator for some help. Easier for you and better for the "development idea"

Related

Confused about 9.png files

Ok, first sorry for posting this question, and I did search and found that the information is some what broken up and it confused me. Sorry I'm not a developer so the lingo is way far advanced.
But this is what I've gathered and done.
-I took an app that I wanted to edit. I got the images and did my PS CS4 editing to my liking and saved them.
-I did the draw9patch and manage to save them in a folder and then I put the correct names on the pngs with the 9 still at the end of the file name.
-I got lost with step no.6 of one of the threads talks about "eclipse" and thats where I'm lost.
I don't know what the heck its talking about workspace. I don't know what to do from here. Can somebody please explain it to me in laymans term. thank you.
You need to load up the sdk, eclipse is part of that.
evilkorn said:
You need to load up the sdk, eclipse is part of that.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have the SDK installed but do I go to the SDK Manager or to the tools? if I go to the tools which app do I open? this is where I'm stuck at
Did you try this?
http://developer.android.com/sdk/index.html
@johnny quest: forget about that outdated method. Use apktool or ApkManager instead.
Brut.all said:
@johnny quest: forget about that outdated method. Use apktool or ApkManager instead.
Click to expand...
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hey brut is there a video or post relating to the steps on editing .9.png's using apkmanager or apktool? ive been looking into the draw9patch thing but everything i run into is an old post and i guess thats what you saying here. i was a total noob and now ive got down using theme porter, update.zip maker for modding stuff but ive only taken the png plunge seeing that most people are saying you gota be a pro to edit .9's and xml and all that. im fully capable of getting it im just not finding the right tutorial and info. any direction would be much appreciated
also im trying to mod my phone dialer (attached) is that something a semi-new modder can handle. eg-changing the background from black to white...the orange numbers from orange to white? just a shot in the dark you know

[Q] .xml files

Ok I'm posting this in hope that a developer will answer.
I have been trying to edit .xml files on the droid x. I'm running linux (who runs windows anyway) I have experience in c++ and scripting , but non in themeing.
I have download a bunch of xml file editors. The problem is that every time I open one with the editor I get a error saying " coding not supported ". What ia the deal here and why? Does anyone have any suggestions or ideas why?
Thank you xda
The .xml files need to be decompiled first. Otherwise, they are unreadable. The only way I know off is to decompile the entire apk file with apk manager or aapt.
Note that you have to recompile the apk (xml) before putting it back on your phone.
GL
Thank you makes sense.
B-dub25 said:
Ok I'm posting this in hope that a developer will answer.
I have been trying to edit .xml files on the droid x. I'm running linux (who runs windows anyway) I have experience in c++ and scripting , but non in themeing.
I have download a bunch of xml file editors. The problem is that every time I open one with the editor I get a error saying " coding not supported ". What ia the deal here and why? Does anyone have any suggestions or ideas why?
Thank you xda
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Still working with this myself. You need to look on google code for smali/baksmaling, as this is what is used to compress/decompress the xml files.
Thank you systemadmin that's what I thought I had to do, decompile the. Xml file ,but just didn't now how thank you for your reply.
No worries. I have been working on trying to theme and what not myself, and it seems pretty complex at the beginning. Im trying to get some tips from like bignadad, acidbath, and some of the other big developers out here, but they are usually pretty busy and I haven't had much luck. If you start making some progress, send me a PM and share the love =)
Sent from my DROIDX using XDA App

[Q] rebuild .apk after using dex2jar and jd-gui

Hello,
I'm trying to learn how to edit .apk files,
So after a bit of reading I got dex2jar working, and now I can see the actual code with jd-gui.
1. How can I edit the classes that are in jd-gui?
2. How can I repack everything to a .apk file?
Thanks.
I would suggest you learn to do basic stuff with the android ask, any questions pm me and ill be glad to help. Does dex2jar realty work, think I might take a look at that.
leoon said:
Hello,
I'm trying to learn how to edit .apk files,
So after a bit of reading I got dex2jar working, and now I can see the actual code with jd-gui.
1. How can I edit the classes that are in jd-gui?
2. How can I repack everything to a .apk file?
Thanks.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's impossible. Only reading, no reassembling. For editing you need to learn Smali.
Sent from my GT-I9100 using XDA App

Is There Any Windows app to decompile APK files ?

Is There Any Windows app to decompile APK files ?
apktool, apkmanager.
I think just renaming the file extension from .apk to .zip will do it for you.
1. Wrong section to post this. There is a Q/A section for a reason
2. Depends on level of modifying you want done
a) Image editing (unzip/rezip)
b) Xml/smali editing (smali/baksmali/apktool/apkmanager)
c) Read "close to original" java code (dex2jar -> jd-gui)
i need to find ads code from a app and remove it
dadyal said:
i need to find ads code from a app and remove it
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's not really good for the developer considering quite often its his only source of mobile income and only motivation to keep improving the application.
Anyway, there is already an app that does so called Adfree i believe.
app is of my own website news feed but person who made this put a admob ads on the end of it and i need to repalce it with my own as i am going to upload it to market
ur chance do that almost 0%, forget it, get the original source code
ur questions tell us you are not pro coder, only waste ur time
i need a code example of ad mob ads

deodexed for themes

I see all themes ive wanted required "deodexed", but yet I cant find any information on how to "deodexed" lease.link.me.to.solution:
Thanks
allow me to assist you in your search:
http://tinyurl.com/27q5ml8
...wise guy huh
"De-odex: Apk files have respective odexes that devs use to supposedly save space. Deodexing means you convert it back to a .dex file and put it back inside the apk. This allows you to easily replace files (not having to worry about odexes), but the main point was to deodex services.jar so that you can change all text to different colors (such as the clock color to white) and to deodex services.jar, you need to deodex everything. "
I understand this aspect...but is there like a guide for (apparently) noobs? As that is what I can seem to find....
perhaps you should read a little in the dev forum??
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1162764
found it all the way on page 3...and i also found it by.... GOOGLING: deodex atrix
i also found it using the XDA SEARCH feature...remarkable thing it is: deodex atrix
sorry if you find these responses sarcastic, but for pete's sake...i had to do a SEARCH to find it....and find it I did. i cant imagine your search would be that different.
also, this should have been posted in Q&A, and any custom rom you are on is probably ALREADY deodexed...as its basically a standard that everyone does when building a rom.......
...must be my browser results thats failing No worries man, I reply the same way on other msg.brds that I have been on for since 2002 (other topics apparently LOL). Thanks alot.

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