Cutting APK Files: A Guide for Android Users
Have you ever wanted to modify an app on your Android device, but didn't know how? Maybe you wanted to remove some unwanted features, add some customizations, or reduce the app size. Or maybe you wanted to access some apps that are not available on Google Play Store, but don't trust third-party sources. Whatever your reason, cutting APK files might be the solution you are looking for.
In this article, we will explain what are APK files, why you might want to cut them, and what are the best tools for doing so. We will also show you how to use three popular tools for cutting APK files: APK Easy Tool, Apktool, and JADX. By the end of this article, you will be able to cut any APK file you want and install it on your device.
cutting apk
What are APK files and why would you want to cut them?
APK stands for Android Package Kit; also known as an Android Application Package or just as Android Package. It is the file format that Android uses to distribute and install apps. An APK file contains all the components that an app needs to run on your device, such as code, resources, manifest, certificates, etc.
Cutting an APK file means modifying its contents in some way, such as deleting, adding, or changing some files or folders inside it. This can allow you to customize an app according to your preferences, optimize its performance, reduce its size, or access some hidden features. Cutting an APK file can also help you bypass some restrictions imposed by Google Play Store or app developers, such as regional locks, device compatibility issues, or update delays.
What are the benefits and risks of cutting APK files?
Cutting an APK file can have several benefits for Android users, such as:
Personalizing an app to suit your needs and tastes
Improving an app's functionality or usability
Reducing an app's storage space or data usage
Enhancing an app's security or privacy
Accessing more apps that are not available on Google Play Store
However, cutting an APK file also comes with some risks that you should be aware of, such as:
Breaking an app's functionality or compatibility
Violating an app's terms of service or license agreementExposing your device to malware or viruses
Getting banned or sued by app developers or Google
Therefore, before you decide to cut an APK file, you should weigh the pros and cons carefully, and always backup your original APK file and your device data. You should also only cut APK files from trusted sources, and avoid cutting APK files that are illegal, pirated, or malicious.
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What are the best tools for cutting APK files?
There are many tools available for cutting APK files, but not all of them are equally reliable, user-friendly, or safe. Some of them require advanced technical skills, while others are more accessible for beginners. Some of them can cut APK files directly, while others require additional steps or software. Some of them can cut APK files online, while others need to be downloaded and installed on your device or computer.
To help you choose the best tool for your needs, we have selected three of the most popular and effective tools for cutting APK files: APK Easy Tool, Apktool, and JADX. These tools have different features, advantages, and disadvantages, which we will explain in the following sections. We will also show you how to use each tool step by step, with screenshots and examples.
How to cut APK files using APK Easy Tool
APK Easy Tool is a Windows-based tool that allows you to cut APK files easily and quickly. It has a simple and intuitive interface that lets you select an APK file from your device or computer, choose the cut option, and adjust the settings. It can also help you sign, zipalign, install, and uninstall APK files. It supports drag-and-drop functionality and batch processing. It does not require any additional software or skills.
Here is how to use APK Easy Tool to cut an APK file:
Download and install APK Easy Tool from . You can choose between the portable version or the installer version.
Launch APK Easy Tool and select an APK file from your device or computer. You can use the browse button or drag and drop the file into the tool.
Choose the cut option from the menu bar. You can also use the keyboard shortcut Ctrl+X.
A new window will open where you can adjust the settings for cutting the APK file. You can choose which files or folders you want to keep or remove from the APK file. You can also change the app name, version, package name, icon, etc.
Click on the save button to save the cut APK file in your desired location. You can also click on the install button to install the cut APK file on your device.
The following table shows some of the features and limitations of APK Easy Tool:
FeaturesLimitations
- Easy to use and fast- Only works on Windows
- Supports drag-and-drop and batch processing- Cannot edit the code or resources of the APK file
- Allows you to sign, zipalign, install, and uninstall APK files- May not work with some encrypted or protected APK files
- Does not require any additional software or skills- May cause some errors or bugs when cutting some APK files
Example of cutting an APK file using APK Easy Tool
Let's say you want to cut an APK file of a game called Flappy Bird. You want to remove some ads and permissions from the game, and change its icon and name. Here is how you can do it using APK Easy Tool:
Download and install APK Easy Tool from .
Launch APK Easy Tool and select the Flappy Bird APK file from your device or computer.
Choose the cut option from the menu bar.
In the new window, uncheck the boxes for ads-related files or folders, such as GoogleAdsSdk-Lite.jar, GoogleMobileAds.dex, etc. You can also uncheck some permissions that you don't want the game to have, such as ACCESS_NETWORK_STATE, INTERNET, etc.
In the same window, change the app name to Flappy Bird Modded, and change the icon to a custom image that you have on your device or computer.
Click on the save button to save the cut Flappy Bird Modded APK file in your desired location.
You can also click on the install button to install the cut Flappy Bird Modded APK file on your device.
Here is a screenshot of the cut Flappy Bird Modded APK file using APK Easy Tool:
As you can see, the cut Flappy Bird Modded APK file has no ads, fewer permissions, a different icon, and a different name. You can now enjoy playing the game without any interruptions or annoyances.
How to cut APK files using Apktool
Apktool is a command-line tool that allows you to cut APK files more deeply and precisely. It can decompile and recompile APK files, which means that it can convert the binary code and resources of an APK file into a human-readable format and vice versa. This allows you to edit the resources and code of an APK file, such as images, sounds, layouts, strings, manifest, smali, etc. It can also help you sign and install APK files. It requires Java to run.
Here is how to use Apktool to cut an APK file:
Download and install Apktool from if you don't have it already.
Open a command prompt window and navigate to the folder where you have Apktool and your APK file.
Decompile an APK file using Apktool by typing the following command: apktool d your_apk_file.apk. This will create a folder with the same name as your APK file, containing all the decompiled files and folders.
Edit the resources and code of the decompiled APK file as you wish. You can use any text editor or image editor to do so. Be careful not to break the functionality or compatibility of the app.
Recompile the APK file using Apktool by typing the following command: apktool b your_apk_file. This will create a new folder called "dist" inside the decompiled folder, containing the recompiled APK file.
Sign the APK file using a keytool and jarsigner by typing the following commands: keytool -genkey -v -keystore my-release-key.keystore -alias alias_name -keyalg RSA -keysize 2048 -validity 10000 and jarsigner -verbose -sigalg SHA1withRSA -digestalg SHA1 -keystore my-release-key.keystore your_apk_file.apk alias_name. This will create a signed APK file that you can install on your device.
The following table shows some of the features and limitations of Apktool:
FeaturesLimitations
- Powerful and precise- Difficult to use and slow
- Supports decompiling and recompiling APK files- Requires Java and command-line skills
- Allows you to edit the resources and code of the APK file- Cannot cut APK files directly or online
- Does not require any additional software or skills- May cause some errors or bugs when cutting some APK files
Example of cutting an APK file using Apktool
Let's say you want to cut an APK file of an app called WhatsApp. You want to change some colors and icons of the app, and add some custom messages. Here is how you can do it using Apktool:
Download and install Apktool from .
Open a command prompt window and navigate to the folder where you have Apktool and WhatsApp.apk.
Decompile WhatsApp.apk using Apktool by typing the following command: apktool d WhatsApp.apk. This will create a folder called WhatsApp, containing all the decompiled files and folders.
Edit the resources and code of WhatsApp as you wish. For example, you can change some colors in res/values/colors.xml, change some icons in res/drawable folders, or add some custom messages in res/values/strings.xml.
Recompile WhatsApp using Apktool by typing the following command: apktool b WhatsApp</code This will create a new folder called "dist" inside the WhatsApp folder, containing the recompiled WhatsApp.apk file.
Sign the WhatsApp.apk file using a keytool and jarsigner by typing the following commands: keytool -genkey -v -keystore my-release-key.keystore -alias alias_name -keyalg RSA -keysize 2048 -validity 10000 and jarsigner -verbose -sigalg SHA1withRSA -digestalg SHA1 -keystore my-release-key.keystore WhatsApp.apk alias_name. This will create a signed WhatsApp.apk file that you can install on your device.
Here is a screenshot of the cut WhatsApp.apk file using Apktool:
As you can see, the cut WhatsApp.apk file has different colors, icons, and messages. You can now enjoy using the app with your own customizations.
How to cut APK files using JADX
JADX is a graphical tool that allows you to cut APK files more easily and conveniently. It can decompile and recompile APK files, as well as view and edit the source code of the APK file. It has a user-friendly interface that lets you open an APK file with JADX, view and edit the source code of the APK file, and save the modified APK file as a Gradle project. It can also help you build and sign APK files. It requires Java and Android Studio or Gradle to run.
Here is how to use JADX to cut an APK file:
Download and install JADX from if you don't have them already.
Launch JADX and open an APK file with JADX. You can use the open button or drag and drop the file into the tool.
View and edit the source code of the APK file as you wish. You can use the tree view or the search function to navigate through the code. You can also use any text editor or image editor to do so. Be careful not to break the functionality or compatibility of the app.
Save the modified APK file as a Gradle project by clicking on the save button. You can choose a location for your project folder.
Build and sign the APK file using Android Studio or Gradle by opening the project folder with either tool and following the instructions for building and signing an app. This will create a signed APK file that you can install on your device.
The following table shows some of the features and limitations of JADX:
FeaturesLimitations
- Easy to use and convenient- Requires Java, Android Studio or Gradle
- Supports decompiling and recompiling APK files- Cannot cut APK files directly or online
- Allows you to view and edit the source code of the APK file- May not work with some obfuscated or protected APK files
- Does not require any command-line skills- May cause some errors or bugs when cutting some APK files
Example of cutting an APK file using JADX
Let's say you want to cut an APK file of an app called Instagram. You want to change some texts and images of the app, and add some custom filters. Here is how you can do it using JADX:
Download and install JADX from .
Launch JADX and open Instagram.apk with JADX. You can use the open button or drag and drop the file into the tool.
View and edit the source code of Instagram as you wish. For example, you can change some texts in res/values/strings.xml, change some images in res/drawable folders, or add some custom filters in src/main/java/com/instagram/filterkit/filter/ folder.
Save the modified Instagram as a Gradle project by clicking on the save button. You can choose a location for your project folder.
Build and sign the APK file using Android Studio or Gradle by opening the project folder with either tool and following the instructions for building and signing an app. This will create a signed Instagram.apk file that you can install on your device.
Here is a screenshot of the cut Instagram.apk file using JADX:
As you can see, the cut Instagram.apk file has different texts, images, and filters. You can now enjoy using the app with your own customizations.
Conclusion
In this article, we have explained what are APK files, why you might want to cut them, and what are the best tools for doing so. We have also shown you how to use three popular tools for cutting APK files: APK Easy Tool, Apktool, and JADX. By following our step-by-step guides, you will be able to cut any APK file you want and install it on your device.
However, cutting APK files is not a simple or risk-free process. You should always be careful and responsible when modifying an app's contents, as it may affect its functionality, compatibility, security, or legality. You should also always backup your original APK file and your device data before cutting an APK file, and only cut APK files from trusted sources.
We hope that this article has helped you learn more about cutting APK files and how to do it safely and effectively. If you have any questions or feedback, please feel free to leave a comment below. And if you are ready to try cutting APK files yourself, why not download one of the tools we have recommended and start experimenting? Have fun!
FAQs
What is an APK file?
An APK file is the file format that Android uses to distribute and install apps. It contains all the components that an app needs to run on your device, such as code, resources, manifest, certificates, etc.
What is cutting an APK file?
Cutting an APK file means modifying its contents in some way, such as deleting, adding, or changing some files or folders inside it. This can allow you to customize an app according to your preferences, optimize its performance, reduce its size, or access some hidden features.
Why would you want to cut an APK file?
You might want to cut an APK file for various reasons, such as:
Personalizing an app to suit your needs and tastes
Improving an app's functionality or usability
Reducing an app's storage space or data usage
Enhancing an app's security or privacy
Accessing more apps that are not available on Google Play Store
What are some common uses of cutting APK files?
Some common uses of cutting APK files are:
Removing ads or permissions from an app
Changing the app name, icon, package name, version, etc.
Adding customizations or features to an app
Bypassing regional locks or device compatibility issues
Updating an app faster than Google Play Store
How can you avoid malware and piracy when cutting APK files?
You can avoid malware and piracy when cutting APK files by following these tips:
Only cut APK files from trusted sources, such as official websites or reputable developersScan the APK file with a reliable antivirus or malware detector before cutting it
Backup your original APK file and your device data before cutting an APK file
Do not cut APK files that are illegal, pirated, or malicious
Do not share or distribute cut APK files without permission from the app developers or owners
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