How To Get Source Code (JAVA & XML) From An Android APK File

Did you ever think is it possible to edit an APK file or change the way it works? Or maybe change its design & look? No? The answer is yes, It is possible to break the code. Today I am going to show you some tricks through which you can extract the source code from the exiting Android  APK files.

The Android APK files are compressed files which consist of Java files, Xml file and some other necessary files. So first we need to extract them. The source code will be extracted in two files separately Java & Xml. The procedure for this shown below. This procedure is not so very easy. It is a tricky process, you will need some tools to perform this process. Follow the steps below after successfully installing that tools. You will also need an .apk file which you want to edit or extract. 

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Steps To Extract Source Code (JAVA & XML) From An Android APK File

Pre -Requisites

First of all you need to download the following things as stated under:

• Dex2Jar or from here (For JAVA Code)
• Java Decompiler  or from here (For JAVA Code)
• APK TOOL or from here
• APK Install or from here

Steps to Extract Source Code (Java)

• Extract all the pre - requistics files.
• Download your apk file and paste it on your desktop.
• Rename your application (.apk to .zip) i.e. (ex: techiesnet.apk to techiesnet.zip)
• Now extract the techiesnet.zip file.

• Open the Techies Net folder, there you will find the classes.dex file.

• Copy the classes.dex file and paste it in Dex2jar folder.

• Now open the command prompt (Run -> Cmd -> Enter). There locate the cmd to your folder (ex: cd C:\Users\Shoeb Ahmad Fareed\Desktop\dex2jar-0.0.9.15)
• Enter a command "dex2jar classes.dex"  -> Enter
• Automatically classes_dex2jar.jar file will be created.

• Now to go to Jd-Gui folder (Dex Compiler) -> Open jd-gui.exe
• Go to File -> Open File and Locate the classes_dex2jar.jar file from Dex2jar folder
• All the source will be displayed. Go to File -> Save all sources
• By this you will get the source code of your application

Steps To Extract XML Files

• Create a XML folder on desktop. In that folder paste Apk tool, Apk install and android apk (techiesnet.apk) in that folder. (See the screenshot below)

• Now open command prompt -> Locate your XML folder using the command "cd C:\Users\Shoeb Ahmad Fareed\Desktop\XML" -> Enter
• There write the command "apktool d Techiesnet.apk" -> Enter
• (Note: Replace Techiesnet with your application name)
• Once all the process is completed. A folder with your application name will be created containing All the XML files.

• As now you have got both android source code (java) and (XML). Combine them, and you can easily import the folder in your Android Development Tools using your Android_Manifest.xml file.
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