Last month, we blogged about R8 and Google’s build architecture changes. We hinted at things to come in PreEmptive Protection – DashO, our powerful Java obfuscation and application protection tool that integrates tightly with Android. Today, we’re excited to announce a public beta of our next major release: DashO 10 (Beta 2).
This new version of DashO works with R8 to protect Android apps and libraries. R8 does what it is best at minification (renaming and removal) and performance (build and runtime). At the same time, DashO provides strong protection: Control Flow, String Encryption, and runtime Checks for tampering, Debug, Root, Emulators, and more. Together, you get the best of both worlds.
To accomplish this new integration method, we rethought DashO from the ground up, creating a brand new Android Mode with big changes to UI, build-time behaviors, and the way DashO integrates into a Gradle build. It’s DashO unlike you’ve ever known it: even easier to integrate, understand, configure, and keep up to date as your code and Android evolve.
The new Android Mode also comes with a new DashO Android Gradle Plugin that:
Note that the original DashO Gradle Plugin is still available and works like it always has. This Beta includes a new version (v3.4) of that plugin with support for Android Gradle Plugin v3.4 and a v4.0 version (of the DashO Gradle Plugin) that drops support for Android in favor of the new DashO Android Gradle Plugin. The 4.0 version will continue to be maintained with support for Java projects.
We’ve provided detailed documentation on migrating an existing project to Android Mode for existing users. Don’t be daunted by the size of that page—most of it is “in case you need it.” For most users, the migration will just take a few brief steps.
Please note that this is a true Beta – some features are incomplete, some product parts will be changed, and there are known issues. We will support customers who want to try the Beta, and you are welcome to ship protected software, but you should carefully read the detailed overview of the Beta, first.
We also encourage you to check out the new documentation, which has been rethought from the ground up.
While here, we’d like to draw your attention to another piece of R8-related work we’ve been doing: The Unofficial R8 Documentation. Google’s documentation about R8 has some gaps and undocumented differences between R8 and ProGuard, and that site is our attempt to fill them. If you’re migrating to R8, we hope you find that site useful.
Also, some of us will be at Google I/O next week. If you’ll be there, too, we’d love to meet you! Please reach out to me directly if you’d like to meet.
As always, we encourage you to send us your feedback. We want to hear what works or doesn’t with this release. Please download DashO and let us know what you think! (Don’t forget to read the detailed Beta notes, too!)