[TUT/English Version] How to make app on Android 4.1.x + run on Android 4.0.4 or lower (4.0.4 or 2.3.6)

1.Need :

 (We get this from XDA for a long time and can’t remember exactly who post this)
- JDK : Here (Download 32bit(x86) or 64bit(x64) depend on your Windows)
- 7z or Winrar (recommended 7z): Link 7z Link winrar
- Notepad ++ : Here
- Android SDK : Here
- Apktool & baksmali/smali + Signer for all GB/ICS/JB/KK ROM v3 : Here

2.Here we go:
- Step 1 :  Extract Apktool to:
+ Window XP: "C:\Document and Settings\your computer name\*here*"
+ Window 7,8: "C:\User\your computer name\*here*"
- Step 2 : Decompile your apk (In this tut, we just show you how to decompile 3rd app, for system app, visit this tut http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2251719 )
+ Copy your apk file to Apktool folder
+ Run Open Command Prompt.bat
+ Type this command: apktool d filename.apk with filename is your apk file and hit Enter (see example below)

Example apkfile is GreenRockers.apk

+ Wait for a second, after apktool
decompile apk file, we will have a folder with the name same as apk file:


                  Sau khi đã hoàn thành quá trình decompile

- Step 3 : Now we will edit apk file
+ Minimize your
apktool and open the folder contain decompiled apk file above 

+ Open AndroidManifest.xml with Notepad ++
+ Add this code: <uses-sdk
android:minSdkVersion="integer"          
android:targetSdkVersion="integer"
android:maxSdkVersion="integer" /> 

After this line: <manifest…

(see example below)



+ After add code :



+ Focus on values integer in the code, we will raplace it with another values depend on API Level

Android version, see below table:



+ Explain:

* android:minSdkVersion : Min API Level you add to apk and corresponds
with that android version
* android:targetSdkVersion : The API Level which your android is running
* android:maxSdkVersion: Max API Level you add to

+ Example for LG L3: <uses-sdk 
android:minSdkVersion="10"
android:targetSdkVersion="15"
android:maxSdkVersion="16"
/>



- Step 4 : Save your edited  AndroidManifest.xml file

- Step 5 : Recompile

+Type apktool b -f -d filename (this one do not have the extension *.apk, see example):



- Step 6 :

+ Open dist folder in the folder contain decompiled apk file, get
the apk file in this

- Step 7 : Signzip

+ Copy that file to your phone memory
+ Download Zipsigner : Here and install on your phone

+ Run Zipsinger app:



* Input : your edited apk file.

* Output : directory which will contain your signed apk file

* Accept all another default setting.

+ After sign, in Output folder will have a file filename.zip, rename it to filename.apk and then install normally.



Thanks to VănTâm Đặng translated english version for this TUT