How to extract source code (Java and XML) from Android APK File

Reverse Android App

In this tutorial we will learn how to convert android APK file into source code. Android .apk file is a compressed form of a file which contains Java classes (in .dex form), XML files and all necessary files. So first we will learn how to get Java source File from android apk using dex2jar and Java decompiler tools and then we will learn how to get XML source file using apktool and apkinstall tools.

To get the source code from APK file, we will need these tools:

1. dex2jar 
2. java decompiler 
3. apktool 
4. apkinstall 

Steps to get source: 

Get Java files from apk:

1. Rename the .apk file into .zip file (example SharedPr.apk into SharedPr.zip).
2. Extract SharedPr.zip file and copy SharedPr.apk file from extracted folder.
3. Extract dex2jar and paste SharedPr.apk into dex2jar folder. 
3. Open command prompt and change directory to the dex2jar folder. Then write dex2jar classes.dex and press enter. Now you will get classes.dex.dex2jar file in the same folder.

Convert classes.dex to classes.dex.dex2jar

4. Now double click on jd-gui(Java decompiler) and click on open file. Then openclasses.dex.dex2jar file from that folder. Now you will get class files and save all these class files (click  on file then click “save all sources” in jd-gui) by src name.

classes.dex.dex2jar will be in dex2jar folder

Save All Java Files

Get XML files from apk

1. Extract apktool and apkinstall in a folder(Example : New Folder).
2. Put SharedPr.apk(your apk file) in same folder(i.e New Folder).

Keep Android Apk File with apktool and apkinstall

3. Open the command prompt and go to the root directory(i.e New Folder).
4. Type command on command prompt: apktool d SharedPr.apk

Get All XML Files In Resource Folder

5. This will generate a folder of name SharePr in current directory (here New
    Folder) and all XML files will be in res->layout folder.

See All XML Files in new created Folder

Now you have source code. If you have any doubts please comment. Share and help others.

Here a video that you understand deeply.