An APK, or Android Application Package, is the native format the Android operating system uses to distribute and install mobile apps and middleware components. Android users can modify APKs using a wide variety of different tools. However, the most popular method of modifying an APK involves using a mobile toolkit called ApkTool. This guide will show you how to use ApkTool to modify an APK file with minimal hassle or frustration.Alternate: If you are unfamiliar with Java or other programming languages needed to modify an APK, you can download modified APKs from websites like APKCue. Their apps are 100% safe to download and install. They offer many apps like Snapchat, GB WhatsApp, Subway Surfer, etc.
Step 1: Uninstall the Original Version
To do this:
Open the Play Store app and search for your application.
When you find it, tap the overflow menu icon in the top-right corner, then tap Uninstall and confirm your action. If there is no Uninstall button in the top-right corner, your device does not have permission to uninstall the original version of that app.
If so, uninstall a different app and try again.
Step 2: Replace APK Files
You can replace the APK files you want to change. You will need a lot of files on your phone. If you're unsure where they are, back up your contacts if anything goes wrong!
Step 3: Create Google Services Project
Go to File > New > Service Project to configure the Google service project. Fill out all the fields in the wizard and select Finish. For this tutorial, a service project with a Package Name of com.example.androidstudiohelp will be created with BlankActivity as its main component.
Step 4: Add Support Library Dependencies
Click Add, and then type support-v4 in the search box. Next, click Add under Android Support Library, select Gradle Dependency, and click OK. Doing this ensures you can access the necessary libraries for modifying your APK.
Step 5: Fix Manifest Permissions
Make the necessary changes to your manifest permissions. In AndroidManifest.xml, find the intent filter with the package name (the long string after @android:) for your first action. Change exported=false in the intent filter's attribute name and also change it in the corresponding attribute value for that element.
Step 6: Run & Test
Once you've compiled the new application with your changes, it's time for testing. You'll want to check for typos or bugs caused by the changes. If everything is good, then you're ready to deploy your modified app!
Further Reference
APK files, the package for Android app installation, are a bit of a black box, but modifying them is surprisingly easy. The process involves making changes to the AndroidManifest.xml file and recompiling it with tools like Eclipse or Gradle. You'll need to have the relevant Java packages installed on your computer if you don't want this to take forever (download from here). If you make changes to AndroidManifest.xml while editing in Eclipse, you can go into File > Export and save your modified manifest as a new file so that you don't overwrite the original one when exporting your project. Once you're done making changes, open up the terminal and navigate to the folder where your build.gradle script lives. Then run gradle assemble, compiling your build for distribution by generating an APK file in the same folder as the build script.
Final Thoughts
Depending on your programming abilities and what you need to modify in the app, modifying a single line of code or modifying you may need the entire application. If you do not know where and what to modify, it may be best to either have someone more familiar with these processes make changes for you or find a reputable developer to help you. Or, if you don't want to hire somebody like this, you can try to download modified versions of original APKs from some websites like APKCue.