Smali/Baksmali

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What Smali/Baksmali is

Smali/Baksmali is a free tool for assembling and disassembling the dex format used by Dalvik, Android’s Java virtual machine implementation. It supports the complete dex format, including annotations, debug information, and line information. Its assembly syntax is loosely influenced by Jasmin and dedexer. The project is written in Java with source and target compatibility set to Java 8, and publishes smali, baksmali, dexlib2, and util as Maven projects. Version 2.5.2 is identified as released on March 2, 2021. Earlier 2.5.0 notes describe handling Android 11’s test-api hidden restriction flag and dex identifiers containing spaces. Downloads are provided through a Bitbucket page. The README directs bug reports and feature requests to GitHub issues and mentions a Freenode channel for questions. Licensed under BSD 3-Clause, it runs on Linux, macOS, and Windows. The repository was archived on June 19, 2026 and is read-only.

Who it suits

Smali/Baksmali suits developers performing static analysis or working directly with Android dex files. It is available across the three listed desktop operating systems.

What it does well

Supports the full dex format
Provides assembly and disassembly tools
Java 8 build compatibility
Maven projects for core components
BSD 3-Clause license

What to know first

Repository is archived and read-only
Latest listed release dates to 2021
Downloads use a Bitbucket page

Plans

Plan	Billed and limits	Price
smali/baksmali	No paid plans listed	Free

As github.com lists them, read 5 Oct 2026. The maker's own page has the final word.

Getting started

Visit the GitHub project page.
Use the project's Bitbucket downloads page to obtain downloads.
Use Smali/Baksmali on Linux, macOS, or Windows.
Send bug reports, issues, or feature requests through the GitHub issue tracker.

Verdict

Smali/Baksmali provides focused dex assembly and disassembly with broad format support and Java-based components. Its archived, read-only repository is an important maintenance consideration.

Questions

Is Smali/Baksmali free?

Yes. The listed plan is free, and no paid plans are listed.

Which platforms does it support?

It is available for Linux, macOS, and Windows.

Does Smali/Baksmali decompile dex files?

No. Its listed functions are assembling and disassembling dex; it is a static analysis tool, not a decompiler.

What license does the project use?

The build configuration identifies the license as BSD 3-Clause.

Is the project still maintained?

The GitHub repository was archived on June 19, 2026 and is read-only.

Where can users get help?

The README points to the GitHub issue tracker for bug reports, issues, and feature requests. It also mentions the #smali Freenode channel for questions, without an expectation of an instant response.

Facts from Smali/Baksmali's own pages

Android support: The v2.5.0 release notes describe support for Android 11's test-api hidden restriction flag and disassembly of dex identifiers containing spaces. · github.com, 5 Oct 2026
Dex functionality: The project says it supports the full dex format, including annotations, debug information, and line information. · github.com, 5 Oct 2026
Downloads: The README directs users to the project's Bitbucket downloads page. · github.com, 5 Oct 2026
Integrations: The project is built in Java and provides smali, baksmali, dexlib2, and util as Maven publication projects. · github.com, 5 Oct 2026
Java: The project build config sets Java source and target compatibility to Java 8. · github.com, 5 Oct 2026
License: The build configuration identifies the project license as BSD 3-Clause. · github.com, 5 Oct 2026
Maintenance status: GitHub says the repository was archived on June 19, 2026, and is read-only. · github.com, 5 Oct 2026
Maker: The GitHub profile identifies the account as Ben Gruver, with the username JesusFreke. · github.com, 5 Oct 2026
Purpose: smali/baksmali assembles and disassembles the dex format used by Dalvik, Android's Java VM implementation. · github.com, 5 Oct 2026
Release: The project wiki identifies v2.5.2 as released on March 2, 2021. · github.com, 5 Oct 2026
Security: The repository page displays zero security and quality alerts. · github.com, 5 Oct 2026
Support: The README directs bug reports, issues, and feature requests to the GitHub issue tracker and mentions the #smali Freenode channel for questions, with no expectation of an instant response. · github.com, 5 Oct 2026
Syntax: Its syntax is loosely based on Jasmin's and dedexer's syntax. · github.com, 5 Oct 2026

Where Smali/Baksmali stands on Freedom251

Reverse Engineering Tools#38 of 73