Database Users

Need a means to compile apks

OK seeing as my computer currently doesn't work, I need to know if there is an app for my phone that will at least edit the contents of an apk, if not compile one. Anyone?
Also, if this is in the wrong section, feel free to move it, mods.
From my X10a running WB CM 6.1.3 V053

Realorasz said:
OK seeing as my computer currently doesn't work, I need to know if there is an app for my phone that will at least edit the contents of an apk, if not compile one. Anyone?
Also, if this is in the wrong section, feel free to move it, mods.
From my X10a running WB CM 6.1.3 V053
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
apk's are just renamed zip files.

If so, then is there an app that will directly edit zip files? And do they need to be set to store compression level? If so, is there an app that does so?
From my X10a running WB CM 6.1.3 V053

Realorasz said:
If so, then is there an app that will directly edit zip files? And do they need to be set to store compression level? If so, is there an app that does so?
From my X10a running WB CM 6.1.3 V053
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
yes, set to store...all you have to do is long-press the file and select rename...same to change it back afterward. I don't know about what app will allow you to set to store, but there are a TON of free zip apps. Check the market

I need to edit them though, and if I extract it edit it then zip it with an app, it's not set to store.
From my X10a running WB CM 6.1.3 V053

Root explorer can open xml files in apps but I don't think it can edit them.

After modding the contents of a non-system apk file i believe you'll have to re-sign the apk. I dont know of any way to do that on your phone, i am admittedly not an expert though. Ive modded icons and such for apps and the only way I could find out how to get them installed was to re-sign them on my PC and push back to the phone.
Sent from my X10i using XDA App

CMoney87 said:
After modding the contents of a non-system apk file i believe you'll have to re-sign the apk. I dont know of any way to do that on your phone, i am admittedly not an expert though. Ive modded icons and such for apps and the only way I could find out how to get them installed was to re-sign them on my PC and push back to the phone.
Sent from my X10i using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah signapktic can sign on the phone, all I need is an app that either will, zip things set to store like in sundae or one that will directly modify the contents of the zip.
From my X10a running WB CM 6.1.3 V053

The files inside apk is I think encrypted. normal text viewers (ex. notepad) cant see it. and the resource files (styles strings colours ) are archived again. Btw it would be great if we have an app to disassemble them within 4n. Coz copying apk from and to to computer is a pain

akila87 said:
The files inside apk is I think encrypted. normal text viewers (ex. notepad) cant see it. and the resource files (styles strings colours ) are archived again. Btw it would be great if we have an app to disassemble them within 4n. Coz copying apk from and to to computer is a pain
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well making it a zip on my phone didn't screw anything up. I can still browse normally. What I need is a means to edit a zip without compressing it, like you have to for bootanimatjons and everything else.
From my X10a running WB CM 6.1.3 V053

I would suggest having a look through the market....download every free app you can find and see if any help. There are so many out there that I have no idea which would work for exactly what you will want it to do. Really, trial and error is the best way, sometimes lol

eclipse
I'm not sure I understand correctly, some previously mentioned are right on track.
Contents of an APK file are as normal zip files, extract the APK with winrar, 7zip or similar program.. make modifications and re-zip it and change the file name.
Important process called "Zip Align" optimizes the file for the APK format and helps to optimize and align the archive for memory mapping I/O ensuring the payload is delivered correctly, for more info - mmap
If you would like to reverse an APK file, I choose to use APKTOOL a Google hosted project and complete with it's own reverse engineering syntax called "baksmali" - This wraps AAPT - Android Asset Packaging Tool part of the android SDK - need this installed.
An issue exists with obfuscated Java classes. Meaning source code has been scrambled (obfuscation algorithm) enabling it be understood by a compiler but no longer is human readable. Another issue is Signing the APK file as most installers are to authenticate the issuing publisher.
To build an APK anyone only need's have the Eclipse IDE and Android SDK installed and you can do this without even having an Android device by using the emulator to build and test your application.
Happy play!
EDIT: Apk edit and Apk tool are both able to help in this situation also.

How to host an .apk file?

Hi!
I've been trying to upload an .apk to my webhost (through ftp) and when I try to download it through the given url, the file doesn't download. Instead I only get text, just as if my host don't understand the file.
Any idea how I can fix this? Is it though .htaccess or what? /:
(I've tried to search this but with no luck)

First off I don't know too much about ftp but from what I do know I would imagine what you want to do would involve the .htaccess file in the apk's directory
My guess would be in the .htaccess file you'd have to edit/add the FilesMatch line
(if that doesn't work it may me just "Files" instead of "FilesMatch" - not sure)
Code:
<FilesMatch "\.(apk)$">
ForceType application/octet-stream
Header set Content-Disposition attachment
</FilesMatch>
Other alternatives I can think of are either:
Change the link from [B]ftp[/B]://your.ftp.org/blah/android.apk to [B]http[/B]://your.ftp.org/blah/android.apk when you give it out - but I realize this kinda defeats the purpose of using a FTP in the first place
Upload the .apk into a zip. That should force the 'save as' dialog
Hopefully this does the trick for you
**I hope this post looks correct - adding the html myself I may have messed up somewhere along the line, if it you see /LIST] or anything like that I'll fix it when I have access to a computer **
Sent from my Android using Tapatalk

kyouko said:
First off I don't know too much about ftp but from what I do know I would imagine what you want to do would involve the .htaccess file in the apk's directory
My guess would be in the .htaccess file you'd have to edit/add the FilesMatch line
(if that doesn't work it may me just "Files" instead of "FilesMatch" - not sure)
Code:
<FilesMatch "\.(apk)$">
ForceType application/octet-stream
Header set Content-Disposition attachment
</FilesMatch>
Other alternatives I can think of are either:
Change the link from [B]ftp[/B]://your.ftp.org/blah/android.apk to [B]http[/B]://your.ftp.org/blah/android.apk when you give it out - but I realize this kinda defeats the purpose of using a FTP in the first place
Upload the .apk into a zip. That should force the 'save as' dialog
Hopefully this does the trick for you
**I hope this post looks correct - adding the html myself I may have messed up somewhere along the line, if it you see /LIST] or anything like that I'll fix it when I have access to a computer **
Sent from my Android using Tapatalk
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Click to collapse
Geniuous! Worked like clockwork!
(I used the http://-link from the start, that's where it failed.. but the .htaccess content did it's job!)
1+Thanks! ^^

Problem with apk certificate

This is what a friend asked me to post here as he had no account
Let’s see… I was cleaning a bit and I accidentally deleted the certifficate of my .apk without noticing it and it is already in the market. What do I need it for? To upload an update.
This is the error that comes up when trying to upload the new .apk
“The apk must be signed with the same certificates as the previous version.”
I have tried this:
- http://www.google.com/support/forum/p/A ... b586&hl=en
- copying the old META-INF folder into the new .apk
- restoring the deleted files, but all the ones that are 2KB big have strange names and I don’t think any one of those is the one
- I have created a new certificate with the same data (even time and date of creation) and nothing…
Nothing of this works and, sincerely, I wouldn’t like to upload it and deactivate the other one (it has nearly 2000 downloads)
Any ideas? What I want is to extract my certificate from my .apk
PS: In case anyone asks, this is the application: https://market.android.com/details?id=c ... rch_result
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Click to collapse

It's not possible, sorry. Your friend will have to add it as a new application.

removed

[Q] getting Application Name from APK file

Hi
I have a folder with +2000 apk files and they named like 'app.apk' , 'app1.apk' , and many more like this. so I want to make a software that rename these files like this
app.apk ---> <ApplicationName> <version> .apk
so I need a way to get the application name from the package
I already tried decompiling xml file but there is only package name
I searched xda and google for this matter and no luck....
can you help me to get the application name?

Run "aapt d badging some.apk" and search for "application: label=". aapt is a part of SDK.

Brut.all said:
Run "aapt d badging some.apk"
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanx for this very useful.

There is a script by phsorx that automates this

If you're really in a pickle you can put the apk on your device's sd card and run it. It will show you the app name and permissions before actually installing.
This method would be tedious and painful, but effective.
Comin' at you from Dead Space. 2, that is.

apkspy
or run this:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=14523375
it does exactly what you want.
I'm the author btw.

I use aapt.exe from latest SDK. Some apk doesn't show a label or a valid english label.
(Android Asset Packaging Tool, v0.2-3303571)
Your have to use the old version of aapt.exe that work great!
(Android Asset Packaging Tool, v0.2)

[Q] Modify ogg file in apk (NfcNci)

Hello,
I'm trying to modify the sound played when a NFC tag has been read/detected.
I've already updated my NfcNci apk using the one found on this thread http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2026439&page=15 (I do want NFC polling on while screen is on but unlocked). NFC app works like a charm with this mod!
What I tried:
- Unpack apk manually, extract ogg, modify it (basically just a negative gain on it), repack apk, push back to phone. Didn't work (NFC app keeps crashing)
- Use NinjaMorph to change the ogg file. Didn't work (NFC app keeps crashing)
- Use apkmultitool : extract apk, optimize my modified ogg, repack apk (without re-signing it), push back to phone. Didn't work (NFC app keeps crashing)
Any hint on what I'm doing wrong and what I should rather do?
Thanks!

As you are not changing any dependencies or xmls. I would just open up the apk with e.g. 7zip as an archive. Drop and overwrite the ogg
Push back to /system/app/
Sent from my Nexus 4 using xda app-developers app

Just did that, still the same thing (NFC App keeps crashing).
Out of curiosity, I did what you suggested on the original google app, and that time, it did not keep crashing, the phone did not have an NFC service at all...
Are there any specific guidelines for ogg files? I used a pretty standard ogg config (64 kbps, 44 kHz, mono).
I've atatched the two resulting apks just in case that's helpful.
Thanks!

Hmm. I'll have a closer look tomorrow.
If your on stock ROM. Did you remove the odex file after making your changes.
Just for testing purposes could you upload the version of the apk you want to mod and the ogg file you want to put into it
Sent from my Nexus 4 using xda app-developers app

I'm indeed on stock ROM (Franco kernel though, but it shouldn't be a factor, should it?), I did remove the .odex file.
I have attached the apk I'm trying to modify, and the ogg file.
Thanks for taking the time, appreciated

gooopil said:
I'm indeed on stock ROM (Franco kernel though, but it shouldn't be a factor, should it?), I did remove the .odex file.
I have attached the apk I'm trying to modify, and the ogg file.
Thanks for taking the time, appreciated
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
OK the stock is only sampled at 16khz
and also they are not compressed within the archive
i will have a quick test and let you know how i get on
---------- Post added at 01:06 PM ---------- Previous post was at 12:56 PM ----------
OK i think we have results
i tried just dragging and dropping into the archive which resulted in "unfortunately, Nfc Service has stopped"
it is to do with the raw.ogg files getting compressed when you add them to the archive
i tested with my own NfcNci.apk by setting it to store and it worked fine
give me a minute and i will upload your version for you to test
i dont have any NFC tags to test fully however NFC was there and does turn on and off, and also doesnt FC so let me know if it works for you
EDIT:
OK File uploaded
I hope this is the version you wanted modifying
the last apk you posted with the end.ogg inserted into it

Oh OK, didn't think about the ogg being compressed! I'll try it for myself. Thanks for uploading your apk though, and thanks for the explanation

No worries. I could not add a single uncompressed file in 7zip so I had to use winrar
It should work fine if you want to give it a shot yourself though.
From what I tried.
With compression - fc
Without - everything seems to be functional
Sent from my Nexus 4 using xda app-developers app

Well, I did just what you suggested, and it works perfectly. Thanks a lot for the tip :good:
Is that a regular thing that ressources (images, sounds...) should not be compressed in apks?
Oh yeah, and since I can't do it (less than 10 posts), maybe you could post your apk to the thread I mentioned in my first post? There was someone asking for a discrete NFC read event there

To be fair it's been a while since I last made proper modifications to apks
The only other item I know that needs to be uncompressed is the boot animation
Sent from my Nexus 4 using xda app-developers app

A fellow xda member showed me this thread and I'm glad to have read it. This is the exact problem I've been having for a couple weeks and it's been driving me nuts.

I'm having this same problem still
Do you think I could get some help from one of you guys.

metalfan78 said:
I'm having this same problem still
Do you think I could get some help from one of you guys.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah me too!!!

I had this issue, this is what I did to silence NFC sounds on a Nexus 5 running stock Android 5.1.1. (UPDATE: this caused a constant NFC force close after a dalvik cache format and I had to restore both the original .apk and the .odex files to fix it. DO IT AT YOUR OWN RISK)
-Extract NfcNci.apk with adb to a work folder on your PC.
-Make a copy and store it somewhere else (usb drive, cloud drive, whatever)
-Rename the extracted NfcNci.apk to NfcNci.apk.zip
-Create a folder named "res" in the same work folder where the zip file is
-Create a folder named "raw" within the "res" folder you just created.
-Open the zip file with 7zip
-Navigate to res/raw inside the zip
-Extract the 3 .ogg files to the res/raw folder you created earlier
-Open one of the extracted .ogg files with audacity
-Edit->Select->All
-Edit->Remove Audio->Silence Audio
-File->Export
-Make sure to export as "Ogg Vorbis File", Mono, 16000Hz, 16-bit PCM (just like the .ogg file we extracted) and overwrite it
-Repeat for the 2 remaining .ogg files
-At this point we have:
Code:
Work folder
|--NfcNci.apk.zip
|--res
|--raw
|--end.ogg (filled with silence)
|--error.ogg (filled with silence)
|--start.ogg (filled with silence)
-Open a console, navigate to the folder where the .zip file is located.
-Run this from the command line:
Code:
7za -mx=0 u NfcNci.apk.zip res
7za is the command line version of 7zip. -m sets the compression settings, where x=0 means Store.
-Now rename NfcNci.apk.zip back to NfcNci.apk
-Push it to /mnt/sdcard using adb
-Copy it to /system/app/NfcNci/ overwriting the stock one
-Change permissions to rw-r--r--, user root, owner root
-Remove /system/app/NfcNci/arm/NfcNci.odex
-Reboot