Android Question Obfuscator - does it randomize?

73Challenger said:

If we create a build with the obfuscator(Ver 1), then make a tiny change to the code like refactor a variable name. Will the next obfuscated build (Ver 2) be materially the same?

The practical reason for asking is this. Lets say someone cracks the obfuscation on Version 1 of an app. If the version 2 app code base is basically the same, would the obfuscation be mostly the same, making it very easy to re-crack version 2?

If so, would is it possible to randomize the obfuscation when an build is created? At least make them "re-crack" it every time a new version comes out.
In theory, a new version of an app, with a new obfuscation pattern, could be released monthly, weekly, daily ?? if someone were so inclined. Obviously, it wouldn't "prevent" cracking the code, but it could slow them down a bit.


I don't know much about this obfuscation "dark art" so this may already be the way it works. In that case, I might learn something LOL.
Thanks much!

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HZZ said:

Obfuscation only replaces variable names with strings like vvvvv0 which makes it confusing and difficult for anyone to know what does the variable do.
So if you just change the name of variable in code, obfuscation will have no change.
It will only change if you change the order of variables or add new ones randomly (even if new ones do nothing)

Check ObfuscatorMap.txt file which is created when you choose to compile with obfuscation option.

Cheers!

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             Original Name    Obfuscated name in Version 1    Version 2                         Version 3     

Function     Add              vvv0                            vvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvv0            vvvvvvvvv0
Function     Subtract         vvvvvvvvvvvvvvv0                vv0                               vvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvv0