KhmerCheayDen: a short intro to apktool 1.5.2 + windows ibot.tar

a short intro to apktool 1.5.2 + windows ibot.tar

when you will hear the word apktool simply remember two things: decompile and recompile

REQUIREMENT:
extract and get the following apk and save to your computer or usb drive

framework-res.apk (HOW TO GET? CLICK HERE)-located in your android /system/framework/
SystemUI.apk (HOW TO GET? CLICK HERE)-located in your android /system/app/
Apk to be decompiled like Launcher2.apk,Mms.apk etc (HOW TO GET? CLICK HERE)-located in your android /system/app/
Apktools 1.5.2 + ibot.tar (install this to your pc)
Java (install this to your pc)

DOWNLOAD THE FF: (make sure you have the java installed if you don't have it yet download here)

Apktools 1.5.2

Apktool_install_windows r05 ibot.tar

HOW TO INSTALL:

Unpack or extract both pakages you will get three files below:

apktool =executable jar
aapt =application
apktool =windows batchfile

copy these files to your Windows directory i.e.C:\WINDOWS\

HOW TO USE:

1. open cmd
now to check first if you have your java installed since apktool will not run without it
type:
java -version (hit enter)

if successfully installed proceed
type:
cd c:\windows (to change directory)
apktool (hit enter)

if you have the same screenshot as above then you have successfully installed the apktool

Let's start to decompile your chosen apk but you need to do the following as shown:

now from cmd install the ff: that you saved in your computer

framework-res.apk
SystemUI.apk

crom cmd:
apktool if {framework's folder/location}

samples only: depending on what drive you saved your framework and systemui
apktool if I:\framework-res.apk (hit enter) or

apktool if C:\framework-res.apk (hit enter)

do the same with SystemUI.apk

apktool if I:\SystemUI.apk (hit enter)

These will be saved here - C:\Users\your_user_name\apktool\"HERE"

now we can decompile any apk for this demo I use Mms.apk

from cmd
type:
  apktool d C:\filename.apk C:\folder_of_the_decompiled_files

sample:
  apktool d I:\mms.apk I:\mmsmod.apk

if your apk located in other drive say d: and you want to save the decompile file in d: instead of c:

use this:
  apktool d d:\mms.apk d:\mmsmod

mmsmod is the name of the folder you want your decompiled files stored, no need to create a folder from selected drive just directly input it in your command line and place whatever name you want and it will automatically create the folder for you

Done!

location of my decompiled Mms.apk as shown. now you can navigate to res/drawables mdpi to make changes to your mms bubbles, values directory to change the text color and so on

Recompiling
code:
apktool b C:\folder_of_the_decompiled_files C:\newfilename.apk

sample:
apktool b I:\mmsmod I:\mmsmodfinal.apk

Done!

option 2: DEcompile & recompile via apktool

1. Create a folder in your desktop, usb or any where you want to place and name it as apktool folder (for this tutorial, I saved it in a flash drive or usb storage device) and make sure it contains the following:

aapt (application)
apktool (batch file)
apktool (jar file)

2. Paste inside the folder your framework-res.apk then install (simply change directory to the drive where you saved your apktool)

3. After installing the framework-res.apk you may now start to decompile your apk (for this tutorial I used Launcher2.apk)

code:
apktool d nameofapk.apk

4. A new folder will be created inside your apktool folder (for this tutorial a folder named launcher2 is created) now you may start to modify or edit your desired icons, xml etc.

5. A very simple editing I made for the Launcher2.apk by replacing some icon images with the same name and size and format as shown from their designated folders

6. Now i can recompile my work when I'm done with the modifications I needed

code:
apktool b nameofapkfoldercreatedfromdecompile

7. A dist folder will be created inside the launcher2folder with the recompiled (unsigned) launcher2.apk as shown below

8. You may sign your work or do the transplant method using winrar or 7-zip programs to open the archive both for unsigned and original apk and "drag and drop" the res folder & resources to the original apk.

Almost same step with the apktool, you need to create another folder and name it as SignApk with the following contents:

certificate.pem
key.pk8
signapk

and typing in the code: (depending on the apk you are modifiying for this sample is launcher2-simply replace the highlighted redmarks to respective apk you are editing like mms, systemui etc)

code:
java -jar signapk.jar certificate.pem key.pk8launcher2.apk launcher2-signed.apk

Sample of transplant method, taking the recompiled apk from the dist folder and using the original apkand making use of the "drag & drop" method (sample from a Mms.apk)