Apktool M Tutorial [99% TESTED]

To modify an app, you generally follow a four-step cycle known as the Decompile-Edit-Recompile-Sign cycle:

apktool b app_decoded -o unsigned.apk

adb install -r signed.apk

APKTool M lacks batch search/replace, but you can use its File Manager to copy all XML files to a folder, edit on PC, then replace back. For pure mobile, edit one by one.

| Problem | Solution | |--------|----------| | aapt errors | Install Java 8+ and Android SDK build-tools | | Missing framework files | apktool if framework-res.apk (from device / system) | | App crashes after rebuild | Make sure you signed the APK — unsigned won’t run on most devices | | AndroidManifest.xml not updating | Delete original/ folder before rebuilding | | Smali logic errors | Test small changes first; use logcat for debugging | apktool m tutorial

Apktool M is an advanced APK decompiler, editor, and recompiler for Android. Unlike the PC-based Apktool, this app lets you decompile, modify, and rebuild APKs directly on your phone.

Developer: Maximoff (based on iBotPeaches' Apktool)
Platform: Android 5.0+
Price: Free (open-source)
Latest version: v2.4.0 (as of 2025)

apktool b app -o modified.apk

The b stands for build. Some people alias apktool m for "make" in custom scripts, but officially:

After building, modified.apk is unsigned and won’t install directly.

Let’s say you want to bypass a license check. Find a method returning boolean – e.g., isLicensed() – and change its Smali: To modify an app, you generally follow a

Original:

const/4 v0, 0x0   # false
return v0

Change to:

const/4 v0, 0x1   # true
return v0

Always keep the same number of registers.

Advanced users create "patches." Instead of editing the code manually every time, you write a small script or use a diff tool to apply changes automatically.