Android APK Security Review: From Flags to Runtime Evidence
An Android APK security review should establish what actually shipped, then identify which observations need runtime or backend testing. A source-code.
Security & malware
APK Security Scanner
Statically scan an APK for security weaknesses: insecure flags, exposed surfaces, and configuration risks.
APK Security Scanner is part of APKLint, an online toolkit for inspecting Android APK files. Statically scan an APK for security weaknesses: insecure flags, exposed surfaces, and configuration risks. Upload an APK in your browser to view the relevant details; results reflect what the file itself exposes.
Drop your file here
or click to choose from your device
Accepts: .APK · up to 1 GB
Deleted after your scan. Files you upload are processed on our servers over an encrypted connection, then removed by the next hourly cleanup after analysis finishes (long scans are protected while they run). We never share them, and need no account.
About APK Security Scanner
Statically scan an APK for security weaknesses: insecure flags, exposed surfaces, and configuration risks.
APK Security Scanner is part of APKLint’s security & malware toolkit — Find risky behavior, trackers, and suspicious patterns. It’s free to use and needs no account.
Your privacy is the default: files you upload are processed on our servers over an encrypted connection and permanently deleted by a scheduled hourly cleanup after analysis finishes, and never shared.
What APK Security Scanner checks
- Manifest security flags (debuggable, cleartext, exported)
- Hard-coded secrets and API keys in the code
- Privacy-sensitive API references
- Third-party SDKs and YARA indicators
Good to know: Static analysis of a single APK — strong for configuration and secrets, but not a dynamic/runtime test.
When to use APK Security Scanner
- Best for
- A static security-configuration scan of an APK: insecure flags (debuggable, allowBackup), exported surfaces, cleartext traffic, and obvious hard-coded secrets.
- Not the right tool for
- Not signature malware matching (use the Malware Scanner) and not a manual penetration test.
- What you get back
- A list of security weaknesses grouped by type, each with why it matters and the direction of a fix.
- How it differs from related APKLint tools
- It focuses on configuration and exposure; APK Vulnerability Scanner frames the same family as app-owned weaknesses, and the Malware Scanner looks for known-bad signatures instead.
- Limitations
- Static analysis catches misconfiguration and patterns, not every exploitable bug or runtime-only issue.
How to use APK Security Scanner
- Choose your APK file — Drop an .apk file onto the page, or click to select it from your device.
- Send securely — The file is uploaded over an encrypted connection to our analysis servers.
- Read your report — APKLint unpacks and inspects the package and lays out the results on screen.
- Your file is removed — It's deleted by an hourly cleanup job after analysis finishes.
Why use APKLint
Always free
Every tool is free with no login and no paywall. Reasonable file and input limits keep the free service stable.
No on-page ad banners
A clean, focused interface with no third-party ad banners cluttering your results.
Privacy-first
Files you upload are deleted by a scheduled hourly cleanup after analysis finishes, and never shared.
Open-source engines
Uses androguard manifest and DEX analysis plus YARA heuristic indicators.
No sign-up
Start immediately — no account, login, or email required.
Works anywhere
Runs in any modern browser, on desktop or mobile.
Frequently asked questions
What does APK Security Scanner do?
Statically scan an APK for security weaknesses: insecure flags, exposed surfaces, and configuration risks.
What classes of issues does it find?
Insecure configuration, exposed components, exposed secrets, risky permissions, and suspicious code patterns — the static security surface of the APK.
Is it free to use?
Yes. Every tool on APKLint is completely free, with no sign-up and no account.
How is my data handled?
Your uploaded file and its result are processed on our servers over an encrypted connection, then removed by the next hourly cleanup after analysis finishes. We never share them.
What files can I send?
An Android APK — a .apk file — up to 1 GB.
Related tools
All product names, logos, and trademarks are property of their respective owners. APKLint is an independent toolset and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by Google, Android, or any other party.