Basic Android APK Modding - Learn APK Modding For Free

[Droid]

It appears you're interested in learning modding, and I'm here to assist you in navigating through the tutorials. Allow me to break down the fundamentals to help you get started

Understanding APKs​

An APK file is akin to an .exe file in Windows and serves as the installation file for Android apps/games. To install an app/game on your Android device, you need the corresponding APK file.

Opening APKs on Your Computer​

To open an APK file on your computer, you can first download the APK of the game of your choice from a reliable source like apkcombo.com.

Then, use file compression tools like WinRAR, WinZIP, or 7zip to view the contents of the APK. Simply rename the file ending from .apk to .zip before opening it.

The Difference Between Signed and Unsigned APKs​

Developers give their apps/games a unique signature to be officially listed on the Google Playstore. A "signed" APK refers to a modded APK that has been re-signed with a new signature to run on non-rooted devices. However, it won't work with Google+ login due to Playstore restrictions. An "unsigned" APK means you've modified the APK but left the original signature open. It can be used on rooted devices with LuckyPatcher patching to allow login with Google+.

Types of File Systems and Modding Techniques​

A. DLL Running Game
If a game runs on DLLs, you'll need to mod these DLLs using tools like .NET Reflector. Games running DLLs will contain DLLs in the \assets\bin\Data\Managed folder.



B. .so File Running Game (IDA):
Games running .so files will require IDA (Interactive Disassembler) for modding. These games will have .so files in the /lib/armeabi-v7a/ folder.



C. .so File Running Game (il2cpp):
il2cpp games resemble DLL running games but use .so file systems to make modding harder. You'll need to dump il2cpp offsets and use HxD editor to mod them. Such games will have libil2cpp.so files in the folder.

Error When Opening DLLs with .NET Reflector​

DLL files can be protected against modding, resulting in errors when opening them with .NET Reflector. For beginners, it's better to start with unprotected games before attempting to bypass protections.

Extra Advice​

Begin by modding games already available on reliable platforms like this one. Avoid starting with VIP games, as they are more challenging. Starting small and achieving modding goals will motivate you to tackle more significant challenges eventually.