How to Obfuscate Debug Information in Android Apps Using AI

Last updated March 10, 2025 by Appdome

This Knowledge Base article describes how to use Appdome’s AI/ML in your CI/CD pipeline to continuously deliver plugins that Obfuscate Debug Information in Android apps.

What Is Strip Debug Information?

Stripping debug information from Android apps removes developer metadata, such as file names, variable names, and line numbers, which are essential for debugging but pose a security risk in production code. Left exposed, this data can be exploited by attackers using tools like JADX or Ghidra to reverse-engineer the app, steal intellectual property, repackage the code, or inject malicious behavior. Removing debug data reduces the attack surface, safeguards proprietary app logic, and prevents unauthorized access or tampering. This step is critical for ensuring compliance with standards like GDPR and protecting user data and intellectual property.

How Appdome Protects Mobile Apps With Strip Debug Information?

Appdome’s Strip Debug Information plugin for Android removes sensitive developer metadata, such as file names, line numbers, and variable names, from app binaries during the build process. By eliminating debug data, Appdome protects apps from reverse-engineering tools like JADX and Ghidra, mitigating risks of intellectual property theft, code tampering, or injection attacks. This automated process strengthens app security and ensures compliance with GDPR and IP protection requirements without additional development effort.

Prerequisites for Using Appdome's Strip Debug Information Plugins:

To use Appdome’s mobile app security build system to Obfuscate Debug Information , you’ll need:

How to Implement Obfuscate Debug Information in Android Apps Using Appdome

On Appdome, follow these 3 simple steps to create self-defending Android Apps that Obfuscate Debug Information without an SDK or gateway:

  1. Designate the Mobile App to be protected.

    1. Upload an app via the Appdome Mobile Defense platform GUI or via Appdome’s DEV-API or CI/CD Plugins.

    2. Android Formats: .apk or .aab
    3. Strip Debug Information is compatible with: Java, JS, C++, C#, Kotlin, Flutter, React Native, Unity, Xamarin, Cordova and other Android apps.
  2. Select the defense: Strip Debug Information.

      1. Create and name the Fusion Set (security template) that will contain the Strip Debug Information feature as shown below:
        fusion set that contains Strip Debug Information

        Figure 1: Fusion Set that will contain the Strip Debug Information feature

      2. Follow the steps in Sections 2.2-2.2.2 of this article to add the Strip Debug Information feature to your Fusion Set via the Appdome Console.

      3. When you select the Strip Debug Information you'll notice that the Fusion Set you created in step 2.1 now bears the icon of the protection category that contains Strip Debug Information.

        Fusion Set applied Strip Debug Information

        Figure 2: Fusion Set that displays the newly added Strip Debug Information protection
        Note: Annotating the Fusion Set to identify the protection(s) selected is optional only (not mandatory).

      4. Open the Fusion Set Detail Summary by clicking the “...” symbol on the far-right corner of the Fusion Set. Copy the Fusion Set ID from the Fusion Set Detail Summary (as shown below): fusion Set Detail Summary image

        Figure 3: Fusion Set Detail Summary

      5. Follow the instructions below to use the Fusion Set ID inside any standard mobile DevOps or CI/CD toolkit like Bitrise, Jenkins, Travis, Team City, Circle CI or other system:
        1. Refer to the Appdome API Reference Guide for API building instructions.
        2. Look for sample APIs in Appdome’s GitHub Repository.
    1. Add the Strip Debug Information feature to your security template.

      1. Navigate to Build > Security tab > TOTALCode™ Obfuscation section in the Appdome Console.
      2. Toggle On Strip Debug Information.
        Strip Debug Information option

        Figure 4: Selecting Obfuscate Debug Information

        Note: The Appdome Platform displays the Mobile Operation Systems supported by each defense in real-time. For more details, see our OS Support Policy KB.

      3. Configure the User Experience Options for Strip Debug Information:
        With Threat-Events™ OFF, Appdome provides several user experience options for mobile brands and developers.
        1. App Compromise Notification: Customize the pop-up or toast Appdome uses to notify the user when a threat is present while using the protected mobile app.
        2. Short message Option. This is available for mobile devices that allow a banner notification for security events.
        3. Localized Message Option. Allows Appdome users to support global languages in security notifications.

          Localized Message

          Figure 5: Default User Experience Options for Appdome’s Debug Information

        4. Strip Debug Information Threat Code™. Appdome uses AI/ML to generate a unique code each time Strip Debug Information is triggered by an active threat on the mobile device. Use the code in Appdome Threat Resolution Center™ to help end users identify, find and resolve active threats on the personal mobile devices.
      4. Extra Configuration with Strip Debug Information:
        1. Strip Export Names

          Remove the index that associates symbol names with addresses. Note: this feature cannot be used when the application loads its own symbols.

    2. Initiate the build command either by clicking Build My App at the bottom of the Build Workflow (shown in Figure 4) or via your CI/CD as described in Section 2.1.4.
    Congratulations!  The Strip Debug Information protection is now added to the mobile app
  3. Certify the Strip Debug Information feature in Android Apps

    After building Strip Debug Information, Appdome generates a Certified Secure™ certificate to guarantee that the Strip Debug Information protection has been added and is protecting the app. To verify that the Strip Debug Information protection has been added to the mobile app, locate the protection in the Certified Secure™ certificate as shown below: Strip Debug Information shown in Certificate secure

    Figure 6: Certified Secure™ certificate

    Each Certified Secure™ certificate provides DevOps and DevSecOps organizations the entire workflow summary, audit trail of each build, and proof of protection that Strip Debug Information has been added to each Android app. Certified Secure provides instant and in-line DevSecOps compliance certification that Strip Debug Information and other mobile app security features are in each build of the mobile app.


Using Appdome, there are no development or coding prerequisites to build secured Android Apps by using Strip Debug Information. There is no SDK and no library to code or implement in the app and no gateway to deploy in your network. All protections are built into each app and the resulting app is self-defending and self-protecting.

Releasing and Publishing Mobile Apps with Strip Debug Information

After successfully securing your app by using Appdome, there are several available options to complete your project, depending on your app lifecycle or workflow. These include:

Related Articles:

Non-Native Code Obfuscation, Anti-Reversing for Android & iOS Frameworks

iOS SelRef Obfuscation, Anti-Reversing in iOS Apps

iOS Binding Obfuscation, Anti-Reversing in iOS Apps

How Do I Learn More?

If you have any questions, please send them our way at support.appdome.com or via the chat window on the Appdome platform.

Thank you!

Thanks for visiting Appdome! Our mission is to secure every app on the planet by making mobile app security easy. We hope we’re living up to the mission with your project.

Want a Demo?

Mobile Code Obfuscation

AlanWe're here to help
We'll get back to you in 24 hours to schedule your demo.