How to extract system apps from an Android device - Pull APK files via ADB

System apps, sometimes misinterpreted asย stock apps, come with theย Android system which cannot be manipulated or uninstalled. These are deeply integrated into the Android operating system. The system apps include the Settings, Contacts, Download manager, Package installer, etc.

Stock apps, on the other hand come as a part of the stock firmware developed by theย manufacturer. For instance, the stock Oxygen OS apps from OnePlus like the OnePlus Gallery, OnePlus Camera or File manager.ย Similarly, the TouchWiz Samsungย stock apps includeย SPanel, Samsung Gallery, etc. Stock apps are developed by the manufacturers and integrated into their respective ROMS.

The stock apps or system APK filesย are not easily downloadable or accessible for them to extract. Howeevr, there are a couple of ways you can export the system or stock apps.

The ADB pull methodย can work for non-rooted as well as rooted Android devices. If the Android is already rooted, then you can simply access the system apps by visitingย the location of the APK file using a root explorer.

How to pullย system or stock apps from Android systemย using ADB?

Step 1.ย Make sure USB Debugging is turned on. Enable USB Debugging on your device from Developer Options. To enable it, go to Settings>About Phone> Tap on the Build Number several times until you get a newย Developer Options in theย Settings.

Step 2.ย Make sure you have ADB and Fastboot environmentย setup on Windows, Mac OS, Linux or Chrome OSย and also have latest device drivers setup on your PC.

Step 3.ย Connect your Android device to the PC and trust the connection- tap Yes on โ€œAlways allow from this computerโ€ when you plug in the device into PC for the first time.

Step 4:ย Launch a command prompt or terminal window anywhere.

Step 5: Now, the first thing required is the name of the system app thatย needs to be extracted.ย In order to determine the package name of the APK file, issue the following command via terminal:

adb shell pm list packages

You will see a list of all packages named similar to โ€“ย โ€˜com.oneplus.filemanagerโ€™. If you already know the package name, the move ahead.

Command Prompt how to extract APK file from Android system

Step 6: Now, all we need to do is get the location of the APK file. Issue the following command to get the full path name of the APK file fromย the package.

adb shell pm path com.oneplus.filemanager

You will see theย full path of the APK file. Like this:ย package:/system/reserve/OPFilemanager/OPFilemanager.apk

Step 7: Itโ€™s time to pull the APK file from the location. Copy the file path and paste it in front of the adb pull command. Issue the following code:

adb pull /system/reserve/OPFilemanager/OPFilemanager.apk

Command Prompt adb pull apk file from Android

If the destination path is absent, the APK will beย downloaded into the default directory where the Command prompt or terminal is open. As in the image. You can also put the desired path in front of the file like:ย path/location name

How to extract APK files from Android device on rooted and non-rooted devices โ€“ย The easy way

  • Install and open a file manager like ES File Explorer.
  • On the home page, tap on the Apps icons.

Screenshot 20170207 185110

  • On the upper left corner you will find a drop down list for apps.

Screenshot 20170207 185127

  • Chooseย system apps. Select the apps you want and create Backups to SDcard. You can also share or send it directly to your PC.

Screenshot 20170207 185157

For rooted Android device, use a Root explorer and visit the location of the APK file. Locate a particular package using the ADB method listed above. Like, share, and follow us on social media. For queries, comment down below.


Sarang Avatar

One response


  1. ortodata Avatar
    ortodata

    Can I export the “SMusic” system App from my Galaxy S5, then install it again on a new ROM?

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