Apktool 2.11.1 Latest Version Complete Installation Guide On Linux

Whether you're an ethical hacker, a cybersecurity enthusiast, or a developer looking to modify an APK, Apktool is your first essential tool for quickly decompiling and rebuilding Android applications on your command line interface.

The Linux default package manager (APT) can install Apktool's older version (2.6.0) and using an outdated version can lead to errors, missing features, and security risks. In this guide, I'll teach you the latest and most foolproof method to install Apktool on Kali Linux, ensuring you have the most up-to-date version for seamless APK decompilation and rebuilding.

Prerequisites:

Before proceeding with the installation, ensure the following:

Java Development Kit (JDK): Apktool requires Java 8 or higher versions that you can simply install using the APT package manager. Verify your Java installation by running:

java --version

Download the Apktool Executable

Begin by downloading the latest Apktool JAR file:

wget https://bitbucket.org/iBotPeaches/apktool/downloads/apktool_2.11.1.jar

This command fetches the apktool version 2.11.1 JAR file from the official repository.

Rename and Move the Executable

For consistency and ease of use, rename the downloaded JAR file to apktool.jar:

mv apktool_2.11.1.jar apktool.jar

Next, move the jar file to /usr/local/bin, a directory included in the system's PATH:

sudo mv apktool.jar /usr/local/bin/

Download the Apktool Wrapper Script

The wrapper script simplifies the execution of Apktool commands. Download it using:

wget https://raw.githubusercontent.com/iBotPeaches/Apktool/master/scripts/linux/apktool

This script ensures you can run apktool without specifying java -jar each time.

Set permissions and move the wrapper script

Make the wrapper script executable:

chmod +x apktool

Then, move it to /usr/local/bin

sudo mv apktool /usr/local/bin/

Verify the Installation

Confirm that Apktool is correctly installed by checking its version:

apktool --version

A successful installation will display the Apktol version, such as 2.11.1 .

Now you can use the latest apktool version for decompiling and rebuilding android applications without facing any errors but make sure apktool is not enough for making an apk ready to use on Android.

You need some additional packages like Apksigner and Zipalign on your Linux system for signing and making ready-to-use Android applications.