Tools for Editing APK Files?

I’ve been exploring ways to edit and customize APK files (mainly for learning purposes like modifying resources, layouts, and understanding how apps are structured). I know there are tools out there such as APKTool, MT Manager, and JADX, but I’d love to hear from the community:

Which APK editing tools do you find most reliable?

Do you prefer GUI-based editors or command-line utilities?

Any recommendations for beginners who want to start with safe and simple edits (like changing icons or strings)?

Also, what common pitfalls should one avoid when working with APKs?

Looking forward to your insights and tool suggestions!

Find more posts tagged with

App

Accepted answers

All comments

JOEi

I found mt-manager.net as reliable one

Flexx

https://community.bitdefender.com/en/discussion/104951/tools-for-editing-apk-files

https://community.bitdefender.com/en/discussion/comment/356849#Comment_356849

Below are the tools for editing APK files that I found on the internet, based on commonly recommended options in developer communities (almost the same as what you wrote).

APKTool: A robust command-line tool for decompiling APKs into readable resources (like XML layouts and manifests) and recompiling them. It's widely trusted for its accuracy in handling binary resources and is often used in security research.
JADX: Great for decompiling APKs to view Java/Kotlin source code. It has both command-line and GUI versions, making it reliable for code analysis without much hassle.
APK Editor Studio: A GUI-based editor that's dependable for visual modifications, supporting features like resource editing, signing, and optimization.
MT Manager: A mobile-friendly app (runs on Android devices) that's reliable for on-the-go edits, including file management and basic APK tweaks.

These are considered reliable due to their active maintenance and widespread use, but reliability can vary based on the APK complexity—always test on non-critical files.

Regards

JOEi

Flexx

Since the issue has been resolved, this post is now closed to further comments.

Regards