from androguard.core.androguard import APK a = APK("app.apk") for pkg in a.get_packages(): print(pkg.get_name()) for res in pkg.get_resources(): print(res.get_key(), res.get_value()) Security researchers writing automated scanners. 4. jadx (with resource decoding) Jadx focuses on DEX decompilation, but its resource decoder can output resources.arsc as res/values/strings.xml .
Start with Apktool for quick, reliable results. If you need programmatic access, use ARSCLib (Java) or Androguard (Python). Avoid online tools for proprietary code. arsc decompiler
| Chunk Type | Purpose | |------------|---------| | RES_TABLE_TYPE | Header; contains package ID (usually 0x7f for app, 0x01 for Android framework). | | RES_STRING_POOL_TYPE | A pool of all UTF-16 strings used in resources (keys and values). | | RES_TABLE_PACKAGE_TYPE | Defines a package (e.g., your app’s package name). | | RES_TABLE_TYPE_SPEC | Specifies the types of resources (layout, drawable, string, etc.). | | RES_TABLE_TYPE_ENTRY | Actual key-value pairs: resource ID to value. | | RES_TABLE_TYPE_CONFIG | Configuration variation (e.g., values-en-rUS-land ). | from androguard
Introduction: What is an ARSC File? If you have ever peeked inside an Android APK file (by renaming it to .zip and unzipping it), you have likely encountered a file named resources.arsc . While classes.dex contains the app’s code and AndroidManifest.xml declares its structure, the resources.arsc file is the silent backbone of every Android application. Start with Apktool for quick, reliable results
It handles complex configurations, framework resources, and even reconstructs Android 14’s new resource features.
Build your own decompiler or resource analyzer.
Can be slow on huge APKs (500MB+). 2. ARSCLib (Java/Kotlin Library) A dedicated library for parsing resources.arsc programmatically.