Can you edit already published apps on your phone then install it?

[Matthew Hawley]

So can I extract the apk from an app, rename extract the apk.zip, make some small changes, compile, then install?

I tried this for an app and it said app not installed. I deleted the original app.

 

[gob0]

What do you mean by "extracting apk from app" and "make some small changes"? What's your goal?

You can extract things (like icons) from APK file but, as far as i know, you can't change program (it seems possible for icon, i found a project called apk-icon-editor on GitHub).

 

[Kirksc1]

The apk is signed when it lands on your phone from the Play store. This let's your phone know that it can trust the app. Doing what you suggest is not going to work unless you can turn off those security checks, which is probably not a good idea.

 

[gob0]

unless you can turn off those security checks, which is probably not a good idea.

You mean "authorize app from unknown sources"?
I'm not sure it's enough, i think (to tell the truth, i hope) the "apk signature" contains a CRC code based on original apk content. So changing apk content will modify CRC and "break the signature" (i'm not sure my words are crystal clear)

 

[pdemedina]

I think it is not legal to do that, ... have you heard about intellectual property rights?

 

[wakdev]

Generally, the source codes are obfuscated.
So you can change only the resources like icons, texts, ...

And yes, It's not legal ! ^^