Cordova: Generate a release APK file instead of an AAB file

Question

I am trying to generate a release apk file using Cordova 11 with the build.json file. Cordova generates an AAB file instead of an APK file. Here is the command I have used:

cordova build android --release

Certificate

What's the problem wit aab? – Ashely

No problem with aab. I need release apk. – Certificate

Did you check this #53040547 ? – Brickey

I am having the same problem. Tried using --packageType=apk with the --release option but didn't work... – Oyster

related cordova issues: #1387, #1369, #1377 – Fredrick

Answer 1

Finally, I have the answer! Use:

cordova build android --release -- --packageType=apk

Got this answer from a youtube user called Harag. Thank you Harag.

Oyster

I executed this command (cordova build android --release -- --packageType=apk) but still got .aab file 😞 – Permute

if you, like me, use cordova through quasar you might have to use -- twice, like npx quasar build -m cordova -T android -- -- --packageType=apk – Fredrick

Answer 2

Build with cordova command:

cordova build android --packageType=apk

It will create .apk in debug mode and depending on cordova version in release. You can also create .aab and use bundletool (see android bundletool) to extract apks like this:

bundletool build-apks --bundle=/MyApp/my_app.aab --output=/MyApp/my_app.apks

Rosenberger

Not sure about the first part... I ran it with the --release flag and it gave me: platforms/android/app/build/outputs/apk/release/app-release-unsigned.apk – Sarette

Probably cordova fixed this. I've changed the answer – Rosenberger

Answer 3

If you're on a Windows machine, the following is what worked for me:

Ionic:

ionic cordova build android --release "--" "--" --packageType=apk

Non-Ionic:

cordova build android --release "--" "--" --packageType=apk

The secret is to escape the --. I got this answer straight from the Cordova Support: Generate .apk instead of .aab file (Ionic Project) #1671

Blanket

What worked for me with my non-Ionic app is: cordova build android --release "--" --packageType=apk (note the single "--" instead of the two suggested in this post). – Mcdougal

Answer 4

Confirming that the command that produced .apk is

cordova build android --release -- --packageType=apk 

Dioscuri

Answer 5

I am using ionic with cordova, I am able to generate apk using -- twice

ionic cordova build android --prod --release -- -- --packageType=apk

Heilbronn

Answer 6

For this issue iam use below command, this was worked for me.

cordova build android --packageType=apk

Thain