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How to view AndroidManifest.xml from APK file?

Is it possible to view Androidmanifest.xml file?

I just changed the extension of the apk file to zip. This zip file contains the Androidmanifest.xml file. But I am unable view the contents of Androidmanifest.xml. It is fully encrypted.

How can I view the Androidmanifest.xml file?

Solution

  • Yes you can view XML files of an Android APK file. There is a tool for this: android-apktool

    It is a tool for reverse engineering 3rd party, closed, binary Android apps

    How to install apktool: see instructions on the apktool website

    Now copy the APK file also in that directory and run the following command in your command prompt:

    apktool d HelloWorld.apk -o ./HelloWorld

    This will create a directory "HelloWorld" in your current directory. Inside it you can find the AndroidManifest.xml file in decrypted format, and you can also find other XML files inside the "HelloWorld/res/layout" directory.

    Here HelloWorld.apk is your Android APK file.

    See the below screen shot for more information: alt text