How Does classes.dex Get Updated

[justinagain]

I have this code running - and I set my list of obfuscation tasks - and it runs. I am doing Reflection, Reordering, Renaming, and Indirection. So, some fairly sizable changes to the bytecode.

When it completes it goes, signs the jar file, and I have a new APK. But ... when I open up the APK the classes.dex file is the same size as the original. When I open and view both dex in a tool like JADX they are identical.

Am I missing something? Should not classes.dex be different? If so, why would it not update the file w/in the APK.

Very frustrating :(

[roninhack]

i think you tried manuel obfuscation and it is success but;

1- JADX making auto deobfuscation to final version that why you seen same original version and obfuscation apks. Try other viewers ; byte code viewer etc.

2 - Or try manuel convert dex to apk

[justinagain]

Thanks for this! I know what the problem was. Here goes:

1. I was using the tool and it failed to process a lot of APKs
2. I read forums and they indicated the following - update the apktool
3. I did that and it fixed the issue BUT
4. The apktool changes the syntax for both backsmali and smali - you need to set a flag for the output files of each

So - to those who use a more recent apktool - make sure to go into obfuscators.py and update the backsmali and smali commands accordingly!

[justinagain]

Closing issue

[ismaelsilver]

Good evening, my friends, sorry to comment on this question, but it was the only pulse that I found it, I can not in any way overshadow my apk, I did everything in the script but it did not work. They could donate me, present the script of yours that is working or fix me to solve, excuse the writing