Release your app’s APK file and deploy it on your device

So you’ve spent countless hours designing, coding, and testing your mobile app, and now it’s time to share it with the world — or at least with a few trusted friends and colleagues for initial testing. In this guide, we’ll walk you through the process of releasing your Android app’s APK (Android Package) file and deploying it on your device for testing. This is a crucial step in the app development journey, and we’ll make it easy for you.

Step 1: Prepare Your Android App for Release

Before we dive into generating the APK file, make sure your Android app is ready for release. This includes:

• Ensuring your app’s code is thoroughly tested and free of critical bugs.
• Double-checking that your app’s user interface looks and behaves as expected.
• Setting up any necessary permissions and configurations, such as internet access or location services.
• Generating any necessary signing keys for your app (if you plan to distribute it publicly, you’ll need a release key).

Step 2: Generate the APK File

To create the APK file, follow these steps:

1. Open Android Studio: Launch Android Studio, and open your Android app project.
2. Build the APK: Go to the “Build” menu and select “Build Bundle(s) / APK(s)” and then “Build APK(s).”
3. Wait for Gradle to Build: Android Studio will take a moment to build the APK file. Once the build process is complete, you’ll see a message indicating the location of the APK file on your computer.
4. Locate the APK: Navigate to the directory to find your newly generated APK file.

For People like me who prefer VS Code

All you need is to run this command from your project’s folder:

cd android
./gradlew assembleRelease

Now navigate to the:

android>app>build>outputs>release folder

there you will find your apk file! Easy right!

You can send it to your mail or simply send via WhatsApp web to your phone and download it to install on your device!

Step 3: Enable Installation from Unknown Sources

Before you can install the APK on your Android device, you need to enable installation from unknown sources:

1. Open your device’s “Settings.”
2. Navigate to “Apps” or “Security,” depending on your device.
3. Look for “Install unknown apps” or “Unknown sources” and select the app you’ll use to install the APK (typically, this is a file manager app or a browser).
4. Toggle on the “Allow from this source” option.

Step 4: Transfer the APK to Your Device

Transfer the APK file to your Android device. You can do this through various methods, such as emailing it to yourself, using cloud storage services like Google Drive, or connecting your device to your computer via USB and copying the file.

Step 5: Install the APK on Your Device

Once the APK is on your device, follow these steps to install it:

1. Open your device’s file manager app.
2. Navigate to the directory where you saved the APK file.
3. Tap on the APK file to start the installation.
4. You may be prompted to confirm the installation. Tap “Install.”
5. Wait for the installation process to complete.

Step 6: Launch Your App

Congratulations! Your app is now installed on your device. You can find it in your app drawer or on your home screen. Launch the app and start testing.

Conclusion

Releasing your Android app’s APK file and deploying it on your device is a crucial step in the app development process. It allows you to test your app on real hardware and share it with others for feedback. By following these steps, you’ll be well on your way to taking your app from development to testing and eventually to the hands of eager users. Happy app testing! 📱🚀

Note: If you are not happy with the icon or your app’s name appearing on your phone, check out my new article on how to change them here.

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