How to Decompile/Recompile APKs using Apktool

What is Decompiling?

Decompiling allows you to edit files from an APK file. It is not easy if you are a noob but if you understand it, it will be easy for you.

Basically Requirements:

• PC
• SGY of course
• USB Connector

Requirements for PC:

• Java Runtime Environment
  32 Bit:
  http://filehippo.com/download_jre_32/
  64 Bit:
  http://filehippo.com/download_jre_64/
• Apktool
  http://www.mediafire.com/?cimvacbitu8tzvn
• WinRAR or 7zip

Requirements for Galaxy Y:

• Root Browsing Tool [e.g Root Explorer,Root Browser Lite]
• You must be Rooted
• The APK you will Decompile

Preparations:

1. Open your Root Browsing Tool
2. Copy the APK you will Decompile
3. Paste it on your SD Card
4. After that, Copy the framework-res.apk and twframework-res.apk from system/framework and paste it on your SD Card
5. Now Connect your Phone's SD Card via USB Connector

Instructions for PC

1. Download and Install Java Runtime Environment
2. After that, Download the Apktool in the Requirements Section
3. Extract the Apktool.zip using WinRAR or 7zip anywhere in your PC
4. Copy the APK you will modify,framework-res.apk and twframework-res.apk
5. Now on the Apktool Folder, Type the Code
   apktool if framework-res.apk [AFTER TYPING, PRESS ENTER]
   apktool if twframework-res.apk [AFTER TYPING, PRESS ENTER]
6. After that type this:
   apktool d The APK you will Decompile.apk [e.g apktool d SystemUI.apk]
7. I hope that no errors will happen when decompiling. 
8. After that start modifying your APK file ^_^

Recompiling APK

1. After modifying the APK, you will now Recompile it to rebuild the apk again.
2. On the Apktool Folder, Open the "Command Prompt"
3. Now type these codes:
   apktool b The APK you will Recompile [e.g "apktool b SystemUI"] (no quotation marks! and no more .apk to write!)
4. After that, the apk that you recompile will appear in the "dist" folder under the Folder of the APK. [e.g I decompile my SystemUI.apk and I recompiled it and a dist folder appeared in my SystemUI Folder]
5. And copy the .apk file under the dist folder and Paste it on your SD Card.
6. Now push it in system/app. You can also put it in a flashable zip file for safe flashing.

Credits:

• XDA Developers



Paolo (Author)
About The Author:

Paolo is another author of GalaxyYArchive Blog. He is a Filipino and loves to install modifications on his phone to share it to other Samsung Galaxy Y Users.
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