Android builds
Build an APK to install on phones, or an App Bundle for Google Play, then send the bundle to Play from Publish.
Updated Oct 11, 2026
APK or App Bundle?
| Installable APK | Play Store AAB | |
|---|---|---|
| Install on a phone | Yes, by QR code or download | No |
| Upload to Google Play | No | Yes, required |
| Use it for | Your own testing, demos | Internal testing, then production |
Steps
- Click Build, choose Android, then the output and CPU architectures.
- Check Signing key. Already on Google Play with your own key? Register it first. See Android signing keys.
- Fix anything red in the checks above the build button.
- Start the build and wait for Ready.
- Scan the QR code for an APK, or click Open in Publish for an App Bundle.
CPU architectures
Phones and tablets (recommended) covers real devices (arm64-v8a, armeabi-v7a). 64-bit phones only is smallest; 32-bit phones cannot install it. All, including emulators adds x86 and x86_64. All cost the same.
Good to know
- The package name, such as
com.acme.habits, is set in App settings › Store identifiers. It locks after the first Play upload, and Play refusescom.examplenames. - A new app's first bundle goes to Play Console by hand, once; the upload step guides you. Later ones go to internal testing in one click. See Google Play testing.
- The build number becomes Play's
versionCode. See Versions and build numbers.
Related
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