How to use the command jadx (with examples)
The jadx command is a Dex to Java decompiler that is used to produce Java source code from Android Dex and APK files. It can be very helpful when working with Android applications and reverse engineering.
Use case 1: Decompile a Dex file into a directory
Code:
jadx path/to/file
Motivation:
Often, during Android application development, it is necessary to decompile a Dex file to understand how certain features or functionalities work in an application. By decompiling the Dex file, developers can gain insights into the application’s source code and make necessary modifications or improvements.
Explanation:
The jadx command followed by the path to the Dex file will decompile the Dex file and produce the Java source code in the current directory where the command is executed.
Example output:
Decompiling: path/to/file.dex
Done, compiled classes saved to: path/to/file
Use case 2: Decompile a Dex file into a specific directory
Code:
jadx --output-dir path/to/directory path/to/file
Motivation:
In some cases, developers may want to specify a specific directory where the decompiled Java source code should be saved. This can be useful when organizing and managing multiple decompiled files.
Explanation:
The --output-dir flag followed by the desired output directory path allows developers to specify a specific directory where the decompiled Java source code should be saved. The jadx command, when executed with this flag, will save the decompiled Java source code in the specified directory.
Example output:
Decompiling: path/to/file.dex
Done, compiled classes saved to: path/to/directory
Conclusion:
The jadx command is a valuable tool for Android developers for decompiling Dex files into Java source code. By using this command, developers can gain insights into the inner workings of Android applications, enabling them to make necessary modifications or improvements. The ability to specify the output directory provides flexibility in organizing and managing the decompiled Java source code.
