Android How can I prevent a user to extract APK of my application?

Question

I know that there is a way to prevent a user to extract APK of our applications, but I don't know how to do this.

Do you know how?

For example, if I use Astro File Manager to extract the APK of an app, for some apps it works, but for other apps I can't use it.How can I protect my applications?

Please show me the code.

Have a look at this question: http://stackoverflow.com/questions/8143688/android-app-licensing-copy-protection — Aleks G, Sep 04 '12 at 06:54

score 1 · Answer 1 · answered Sep 04 '12 at 07:27

There's no actual way to do so. When you upload your app to the 'Play' store (bad name...) Google ask you for the app to be only on phone or on SD. this is a very lousy protection.

You need to write your app's code in a way that no one will understand.(if you afraid of stealing your app idea) this is the only way... no 100% protection.. there's lots of disadvantages in a way like this, for example: upgrading your app will be a tough mission... this is not worth it ! The money (time) you'll lose on your efforts of protection and security, will cost you more than the 'damage' that can be made by stealing your code...

score 1 · Accepted Answer · answered Sep 04 '12 at 07:37

1

I agree with @Meirav about that there is not 100% protection, and it is hard to protect you code with high level of security. But there is a very fast way to obfuscate you code. This means that only you can see a clean code, the others who will decompile your apk will see an obfuscated code very hard to read an understand what is doing

you can do this by adding

proguard.config=proguard.cfg

in /project.properties

if you want to read more (here)

answered Sep 04 '12 at 07:37

Lukap

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NOTE: you also must have the proguard.cfg file in the root of your project – Lukap Sep 04 '12 at 07:38
Oh..many thanks...but where I can get a valid proguard.cfg file for my app? – Meroelyth Sep 04 '12 at 07:41
http://stackoverflow.com/questions/4903364/android-can-anyone-send-link-or-file-proguard-cfg-for-download – Lukap Sep 04 '12 at 07:48
It works but there is 100% protection, this is something that makes harder to read your code, but they still can have your code... – Lukap Sep 04 '12 at 08:03
would pro gaurd help against apps such as apk extractor and lucky patcher? – markharrop Feb 15 '18 at 12:54

Android How can I prevent a user to extract APK of my application?

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