Apps Viewing AndroidManifest.xml in an existing APK

[DaveInNYC]

I was curious to look at the AndroidMaifest.xml in the stock apps on my Droid, so I used a simple zip program to open up the APK. This gave me no problems, but when I viewed the manifest; it was garbled, as it if it were a binary file. When an APK is created, is the manifest converted to some type of binary file, even though it still has the "xml" suffix?

 

[sixpack]

I tried to view one as well but couldn't get anything except giberish. But from looking around I think that you might need a java developer software of some kind. Try Eclipse, looks like it might be able to read the files. Post back what you figure out, you have me curious now too. Eclipse.org home

 

[DaveInNYC]

Yeah, I have the developer tools (Eclipse, ADT, etc). Didn't see anything in there that would help. The APK file is just a ZIP/JAR, so the unpacking was no problem; it is just that the individual "XML" file seems like a binary of some sort.

 

[sixpack]

Found this get version from apk - Android Developers | Google Groups
The xml file gets "destructed" when packaging.

 

[DaveInNYC]

Also take a look at https://www.isecpartners.com/manifest_explorer.html. Looks like the manifest itself is indeed compressed.

 

[DaveInNYC]

Also take a look at https://www.isecpartners.com/manifest_explorer.html. Looks like the manifest itself is indeed compressed.

FWIW, built this and it works PERFECTLY. Just runs on the handset, but you can save to the SD card. I'm going to modify it to allow you to send it via email a an exercise (I am just starting Android development, and find altering existing programs a great way to learn new platforms).


Related tools can be found at https://www.isecpartners.com/mobile_application_tools.html.

 

[sixpack]

Good luck with the developing, thanks for the info will try this out to play around.