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JADX

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JADX's own site

What JADX is

JADX is a free command-line and GUI tool for turning Android Dex and APK files into Java source code. It also handles AAR, AAB, and ZIP inputs and can decode AndroidManifest.xml and resources.arsc. Its included deobfuscator offers mapping and identifier-renaming options. The GUI provides syntax highlighting, navigation to declarations, usage lookup, and full-text search. Its Smali debugger supports stepping, breakpoints, and changing register values and object fields, but requires adb and a debuggable app or a rooted device or emulator. Developers can use JADX as a library in Java projects, and the command-line interface can manage plugins, including marketplace plugins. Downloaded releases require 64-bit Java 11 or later. JADX warns that it may not recover all code, so decompilation errors can occur. It runs on Linux, macOS, and Windows and is licensed under Apache 2.0.

Who it suits

JADX suits developers and analysts inspecting Android application packages and related files. Its GUI, CLI, library use, and debugger support different code-inspection workflows, provided the Java runtime requirement is met.

What it does well

  • Handles APK, DEX, AAR, AAB, and ZIP files.
  • GUI includes full-text search and usage lookup.
  • Plugin management is available through the CLI.
  • Free under Apache 2.0.

What to know first

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

Limits

The free JADX plan is listed as free. Decompilation may not recover all code, and errors can occur.

Plans

PlanBilled and limitsPrice
JADXApache 2.0 licensed · decompilation may not recover 100% of codeFree

As github.com lists them, read 4 Oct 2026. The maker's own page has the final word.

Getting started

  1. Open the JADX GitHub website.
  2. Choose a release for Linux, macOS, or Windows.
  3. Make sure 64-bit Java 11 or later is available to run a downloaded release.
  4. Use the command-line or graphical tools with an APK, DEX, AAR, AAB, or ZIP file.

Verdict

JADX provides several ways to inspect Android application code, from GUI navigation to command-line plugin management. Treat its output as an imperfect decompilation, since errors can occur and not all code may be recovered.

Questions

How much does JADX cost?

The JADX plan is free.

Which operating systems does JADX support?

JADX is available for Linux, macOS, and Windows.

What file types can it decompile?

It handles APK, DEX, AAR, AAB, and ZIP files, and can decode AndroidManifest.xml and resources.arsc.

Is JADX open source?

The project is licensed under Apache 2.0.

Does JADX include a debugger?

Yes. Its GUI debugger supports stepping, breakpoints, and changing register values and object fields; it requires adb and a debuggable app or a rooted device or emulator.

Can JADX recover all code from a file?

No. JADX warns that it may not decompile all code, and errors can occur.

Facts from JADX's own pages

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

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