Tool
apk.sh
Bash script that automates repetitive Android app analysis chores around apktool: pulling an installed package from a device or emulator, decoding resources and disassembling dex code, and rebuilding the decoded directory into an APK. Split APKs from app bundles are combined into a single APK when pulled, and the script can also prepare a copy for Frida instrumentation.
- Targets
- App
- Category
- Android tools
- Relationship
- Foundation tool
- Sources reviewed
Requirements & limits
- Latest release at review: v1.1.3, published 2026-01-26, which matches the reviewed main commit. It is a single Bash script; the README lists apktool, apksigner, unxz, zipalign, aapt and adb as requirements.
- On first use the script creates a hidden apk.sh folder in the home directory and downloads the tools it needs there, including the latest apktool release and Android build tools, so a network connection and a Java runtime are needed.
- Input is an APK or an installed package the user is authorized to analyze; pulling requires adb access to the device or emulator. Rebuilt APKs are modified copies, not the original package.
- GPL-3.0.
About this entry
The description was reviewed against primary sources.
Primary sources
- README.md GitHub · ax/apk.sh · Revision 2a1ed25
- README.md#L121-L130 GitHub · ax/apk.sh · Revision 2a1ed25
- apk.sh GitHub · ax/apk.sh · Revision 2a1ed25
- LICENSE GitHub · ax/apk.sh · Revision 2a1ed25
- https://github.com/ax/apk.sh/releases/tag/v1.1.3
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