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JADX

github.com

Free plan WindowsmacOSLinux
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Spec score 7.6 #29 of 73 in Reverse Engineering Tools

What it is

JADX is a free Apache 2.0 project that turns Android Dex and APK files into Java source code through command-line and graphical tools. It also decompiles AAR, AAB, and ZIP files and decodes AndroidManifest.xml and resources.arsc. An included deobfuscator supports mappings and identifier renaming. The GUI offers syntax highlighting, declaration navigation, usage lookup, and full-text search. Its debugger can step through code, set breakpoints, and modify register values or object fields; this requires adb plus a debuggable app or a rooted device or emulator. JADX can be used as a library in Java projects, and its CLI manages plugins from the marketplace. Downloaded releases require 64-bit Java 11 or later. It runs on Linux, macOS, and Windows. The project warns that decompilation may not recover all code, so errors can occur.

Spec sheet

Purpose
JADX provides command-line and GUI tools for producing Java source code from Android Dex and APK files.Read 4 Oct 2026 · github.com
Platforms
The project documents Windows batch files, macOS Homebrew installation, Arch Linux packages, and Flathub installation.Read 4 Oct 2026 · github.com
Support
The project directs users to its troubleshooting wiki and invites issue reports and pull requests through GitHub.Read 4 Oct 2026 · github.com
License
The project is licensed under Apache 2.0.Read 4 Oct 2026 · github.com
Deobfuscation
A deobfuscator is included, with options for mappings and identifier renaming.Read 4 Oct 2026 · github.com
GUI navigation
The GUI supports syntax highlighting, jump to declaration, find usage, and full-text search.Read 4 Oct 2026 · github.com
Input formats
It decompiles APK, DEX, AAR, AAB, and ZIP files and can decode AndroidManifest.xml and resources.arsc.Read 4 Oct 2026 · github.com
Library use
JADX can be used as a library in Java projects.Read 4 Oct 2026 · github.com
Limitation
JADX warns that it cannot decompile all code in most cases, so errors can occur.Read 4 Oct 2026 · github.com
Plugins
The CLI can list, install, update, disable, enable, and uninstall plugins, including plugins from the JADX plugin marketplace.Read 4 Oct 2026 · github.com
Runtime requirement
Running downloaded releases requires Java 11 or later in a 64-bit version.Read 4 Oct 2026 · github.com
Security reporting
The security policy asks users to report issues through a new security advisory and says maintainers will respond within three working days.Read 4 Oct 2026 · github.com
Smali debugger
The GUI debugger supports stepping, breakpoints, and modifying register values and object fields; it requires adb and a debuggable app or rooted device/emulator.Read 4 Oct 2026 · github.com

Plans and prices

JADX Free Apache 2.0 licensed · decompilation may not recover 100% of code Read 4 Oct 2026 · github.com

Every JADX plan and price →

Strong points and limits

Strong points

  • Free and Apache 2.0 licensed
  • Handles APK, DEX, AAR, AAB, and ZIP
  • GUI includes search and code navigation
  • Debugger supports stepping and breakpoints
  • CLI and plugin marketplace support

Limits

  • Decompilation may not recover all code
  • Downloaded releases require 64-bit Java 11 or later
  • Debugger requires adb and a debuggable or rooted target

Who it suits

It suits developers and analysts inspecting Android packages who need GUI or command-line decompilation across desktop platforms.

Verdict

JADX provides broad Android package inspection with both graphical and command-line workflows. Results may contain errors because complete code recovery is not guaranteed.

Where Specifiction places it

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