Files with dex extension is related to Google Android operating system and used for its compiled executable files.

There are 3 other file types using
the DEX file extension!

dex icon.dex - Microsoft Excel spreadsheet

empty icon.dex - DEXIS dental radiograph data

empty icon.dex - Disketch project

Detailed description

Software that open dex file

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DEX file extension - Google Android compiled executable

What is dex file? How to open dex files?

File type specification:

Program executable file type icon Program executable file type

dex file icon: dex filetype icon

File extension dex is related to the Dalvik Virtual Machine system.

Dalvik is a core part of Google Android operating system and used to run applications written for Android.

A .dex file contains compiled JAVA source code to Dalvik Executable format.

Compiled dex file included as part of apk archives with other resources, such as settings, graphics, sounds etc. which are needed by Dalvik to run the application.

Updated: November 13, 2023

The default software associated to open dex file:

Google Android SDK icon

Google Inc. logoGoogle Android SDK  Microsoft Windows software

Company or developer:
Google Inc.

Android SDK provides the tools and libraries necessary to begin developing applications that run on Android-powered devices (mobile phones, tablets etc.).

Android SDK was replaced by Android Studio development tool.

Google Android SDK Tools icon

Google Inc. logoGoogle Android SDK Tools  Microsoft Windows software

Company or developer:
Google Inc.

SDK Tools is a downloadable component for the Android SDK. It includes the complete set of development and debugging tools for the Android SDK.

SDK Tools contains

  • Android SDK Tools
  • Android SDK Platform-tools
  • Android SDK Build-tools

Eclipse with ADT Plugin icon

Google Inc. logoEclipse with ADT Plugin  Microsoft Windows software

Company or developer:
Google Inc.

Eclipse with ADT (Android Development Tools) Plugin is officially  supported integrated development environment (IDE) for creating of new applications for Google Android operating system. Eclipse is also used to develop applications in JAVA, C/C++, PHP, COBOL, Perl, Python etc. Eclipse is distributed as free and open source software.

Eclipse with ADT Plugin for Mac icon

Google Inc. logoEclipse with ADT Plugin for Mac  Apple macOS / Mac OS X software

Company or developer:
Google Inc.

Eclipse with ADT (Android Development Tools) Plugin is officially  supported integrated development environment (IDE) for creating of new applications for Google Android operating system.

Google Android SDK Tools for Mac icon

Google Inc. logoGoogle Android SDK Tools for Mac  Apple macOS / Mac OS X software

Company or developer:
Google Inc.

SDK Tools for Mac is a downloadable component for the Android SDK. It includes the complete set of development and debugging tools for the Android SDK.

Eclipse with ADT Plugin for Linux icon

Google Inc. logoEclipse with ADT Plugin for Linux  Linux/Unix software

Company or developer:
Google Inc.

Eclipse with ADT Plugin for Linux is official IDE that allows programmers to develop applications for Google Android operating system.

Google Android SDK Tools for Linux icon

Google Inc. logoGoogle Android SDK Tools for Linux  Linux/Unix software

Company or developer:
Google Inc.

SDK Tools for Linux is a downloadable component for the Android SDK. It includes the complete set of development and debugging tools for the Android SDK.

Google Android SDK for Linux icon

Google Inc. logoGoogle Android SDK for Linux  Linux/Unix software

Company or developer:
Google Inc.

Android SDK provides the tools and libraries necessary to begin developing applications that run on Android-powered devices (mobile phones, tablets etc.).

Android SDK for Linux was replaced by Android Studio development tool.

Android Studio icon

Google Inc. logoAndroid Studio  Multiplatform software

Company or developer:
Google Inc.

Android Studio is the official IDE for Android application development, based on IntelliJ IDEA.

Google Android icon

Google Inc. logoGoogle Android  Google Android software

Company or developer:
Google Inc.

A popular operating system for smart phones and tablet computers developed by the Google. Android is based on the Linux kernel. Basic Android's applications are closely related to Google account and services such as Gmail, Calendar, Maps, YouTube, etc.

Applications for Android are written in Java source code but finally compiled for Android Dalvik virtual machine. In Android 4.4 and later is used new runtime environment called Android Runtime (ART) with JIT compiler.

New applications for Android are available on the Google Play a one of the basic applications in clean Android installation.

Google Android operating system versions:

  • Android 9 Pie
  • Android 8 O (Oreo)
  • Android 7 Nougat
  • Android 6 Marshmallow
  • Android 5 Lollipop
  • 4.4.x KitKat
  • 4.3.x Jellybean
  • 4.2.x Jellybean
  • 4.1.x Jellybean
  • 4.0.x Ice Cream Sandwich
  • 3.x.x Honeycomb
  • 2.3.x Gingerbread
  • 2.2 Froyo
  • 2.1 Eclair
  • 1.6 Donut
  • 1.5 Cupcake

Related articles:

Android APK file format description

Help how to open:

DEX file is in binary file format, which is not readable. There are utilities such as Dedexer that can disassemble the DEX files, but these ways how to read source code from DEX files are only for skilled programmers.

How to convert:

DEX file can not be converted to any other file format, DEX file can be only disassemble in to assembly-like format.

Find conversions from dex file:

dex to accdb

dex to csv

dex to dif

dex to jar

dex to pdf

dex to xls

dex to xlsx

Find converter to dex file type:

apk to dex

ipr to dex

File identification strings:

HEX code: 64 65 78 0A
ASCII code: dex.

Related links:

Dex File Format

List of software applications associated to the .dex file extension

Recommended software programs are sorted by OS platform (Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android etc.)
and possible program actions that can be done with the file: like open dex file, edit dex file, convert dex file, view dex file, play dex file etc. (if exist software for corresponding action in File-Extensions.org's database).

Hint:
Click on the tab below to simply browse between the application actions, to quickly get a list of recommended software, which is able to perform the specified software action, such as opening, editing or converting dex files.

Software that open dex file - Google Android compiled executable

Programs supporting the exension dex on the main platforms Windows, Mac, Linux or mobile. Click on the link to get more information about listed programs for open dex file action.

Microsoft Windows:

Google Android:

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