If you are comfortable with the command line, you can create your own auto tool using Python and existing libraries.
The tools themselves are safe, but user errors can lead to bricked devices. Always test repacked ROMs on secondary devices when possible and keep stock firmware ready for recovery.
Contains core OS files, framework configurations, system applications, and default graphical user interfaces.
Houses the Linux kernel, initial device tree configurations (DTB), and the basic ramdisk environment.
Complete Guide to Android ROM Unpacking and Repacking Tools Modifying an Android ROM allows you to customize system applications, optimize performance, change boot animations, and build custom firmware. The core of this process relies on unpacking a factory ROM image, editing its contents, and repacking it into a flashable format. Understanding Android ROM Structures auto tool unpack repack rom android
To use: Place your boot.img in the same folder and run unpackimg.bat (Windows) or unpackimg.sh (Linux). Modify ramdisk files, then run repackimg.bat . The tool auto-calculates the correct header size.
Tool-Tree supports both root and non-root devices for ARM64 architectures. It places ROM files in /sdcard/TREE and APK files in /sdcard/TREE/APK , with root paths at /data/local/TOOL for APKs and /data/local/TREE for ROMs when rooted. It includes add-ons for ROM and APK editing.
Many tools on platforms like XDA Developers provide automated GUI scripts to unpack sparse system images ( super.img ), allow modification, and repack them.
Here's a list of features you'd expect from a comprehensive tool: If you are comfortable with the command line,
| Tool | Type | Best for | OS | |------|------|----------|----| | | GUI + Script | Full ROM (super, boot, vendor) | Windows / Linux | | SuperR’s Kitchen | CLI / GUI | Advanced users, custom ROM dev | Linux / WSL | | MTK Easy Su | Script | MediaTek devices (scatter + images) | Windows | | Android Image Kitchen | CLI | Boot/recovery only | Windows / Linux / Mac | | UnpackRepackMTK | Batch script | MTK firmware with system.img | Windows |
Repacking improperly can lead to broken permissions, resulting in a bootloop. Always use tools that explicitly state they handle SELinux contexts.
When repacked images are significantly larger than the originals, manually specify the image size during repacking. For super images, provide the exact original size (the long number from file properties) to lpmake rather than letting the tool automatically calculate sizes.
Developed by osm0sis on XDA Developers, this is the gold standard for unpacking and repacking boot.img , recovery.img , and vendor_boot.img . The core of this process relies on unpacking
It supports Android 14 (Upside Down Cake) with the new extf2s format.
Bootly v1.1 provides a modern PyQt6-based graphical interface with glassmorphism design and intelligent context-aware action buttons. To unpack, simply drag and drop your boot.img or recovery.img into the application, and Bootly automatically visualizes kernel and ramdisk sizes, OS versions, and header information in a dynamic bar graph. The one-click repack button reassembles the image, and Bootly can automatically patch VBMeta logic to disable dm-verity and AVB flags during repacks. The AVB Master Tool Suite offers full avbtool.py integration for standalone VBMeta generation and custom RSA signing.
This is where the "essay" of the ROM is written. With the files laid bare, a developer can: : Remove unwanted pre-installed carrier apps. Theming : Swap out system icons and fonts.