How to build an APK file in Eclipse?

Asked 5/1, 2011 at 4:44 Answered 4/12, 2014 at 16:37

Solved android eclipse android-emulator apk android-install-apk

429

When I develop the project using Eclipse, the APK file goes on the emulator. But I want to upload my application to a real device. Is there a tool to build an APK file?

What is the process? Or is it possible to pull the APK file from the emulator?

Predacious answered 5/1, 2011 at 4:44 Comment(4)

Too many answers are about how to install the generated apk file or are answers that takes other concerns (key signing) into consideration. What if all I want is to generate the apk (in bin directory) as if I had clicked the "Run" button without any further questions or decisions? – Jibheaded 14/12, 2012 at 6:55

I am looking for exactly the same thing. BTW, using "export unsigned application package" in the Android tools is immensely slow and I have to specify the location each time, so not really suitable. – Mandimandible 14/12, 2012 at 10:54

Below, Salil Pandit suggested to "set run to Manual and when you hit play it'll list applicable devices / AVDs as soon as you have done this, the APK is created - you don't actually have to fire up the emulator." That was what I needed. (Could warrant a separate question if it does not exist already?) – Mandimandible 14/12, 2012 at 11:0

Sarwar Erfan's answer is much better. Why not changing the accepted answer? – Weed 15/3, 2013 at 13:19

401

When you run the project on the emulator, the APK file is generated in the bin directory. Keep in mind that just building the project (and not running it) will not output the APK file into the bin directory.

Alithea answered 5/1, 2011 at 4:47 Comment(5)

Remember that that APK is not signed with your developer private key, so you shouldn't distribute or or upload it to the market. – Pliocene 5/1, 2011 at 18:28

So, and if we only would like to build it but not to start a noisy emulator? – Lathi 22/1, 2012 at 20:54

An anonymous user attempted to edit this post to include a note that this mechanism of getting an .apk file will get a debug build. If you want a release build, follow Sarwar's answer instead. – Convulsant 16/2, 2012 at 22:45

and where is that bin's location ? – Gilberto 16/3, 2012 at 12:33

@Lathi set run to Manual and when you hit play it'll list applicable devices / AVDs as soon as you have done this, the APK is created - you don't actually have to fire up the emulator. That said, sarnold is right Sanwar's answer is better for releasing the app. – Technology 29/3, 2012 at 7:35

316

For testing on a device, you can connect the device using USB and run from Eclipse just as an emulator.

If you need to distribute the app, then use the export feature:

alt text

Then follow instructions. You will have to create a key in the process.

Tether answered 5/1, 2011 at 4:52 Comment(3)

What if you want to distribute to beta testers? – Nellynelms 19/12, 2012 at 19:15

@shim: just give the apk files to beta testers. Or, host the apk files somewhere and give the url to the testers. – Tether 20/12, 2012 at 6:25

to test this file, connect your Android device and type in commandline: "adb install ./myApp.apk" – Bustos 30/8, 2013 at 13:37

173

There is no need to create a key and so forth if you just want to play around with it on your device.

With Eclipse:

To export an unsigned .apk from Eclipse, right-click the project in the Package Explorer and select Android Tools -> Export Unsigned Application Package. Then specify the file location for the unsigned .apk.

Derrek answered 12/2, 2012 at 22:32 Comment(4)

This seems like a good answer. However android lint errors prevent this from working... The standard "Run" action somehow succeeds in generating the apk file even with android lint errors. – Jibheaded 14/12, 2012 at 6:52

Works, although it make the .apk even if there are errors (compilation, ...) which could be a bad or a good thing. – Gyration 15/4, 2014 at 15:52

Thanks for sharing. this is good enough for initial testing of the shared apk. – Eddi 21/3, 2015 at 19:23

this solution makes eclipse collapse too often,is there a script approach ? – Harpy 11/1, 2017 at 9:32

The APK file is in the /workspace/PROJECT_FOLDER/bin directory. To install the APK file in a real device:

Connect your real device with a PC/laptop.
Go to sdk/tools/ using a terminal or command prompt.
adb install <FILE PATH OF .APK FILE>

That's it...

Door answered 5/1, 2011 at 7:22 Comment(1)

adb has moved to the directory "platform-tools". Not sure from which version of the SDK – Hierodule 12/5, 2013 at 2:12

Just right click on your project and then go to

*Export -> Android -> Export Android Application -> YOUR_PROJECT_NAME -> Create new key store path -> Fill the detail -> Set the .apk location -> Now you can get your .apk file*

Install it in your mobile.

Peppel answered 29/3, 2012 at 7:11 Comment(0)

We can a make a signed and unsigned APK file. A signed APK file can install in your device.

For creating a signed APK file:

Right-click the project in the Package Explorer
Select Android Tools -> Export Signed Application Package.
Then specify the file location for the signed .apk.

For creating an unsigned APK file:

Right-click the project in the Package Explorer
Select Android Tools -> Export Unsigned Application Package.
Then specify the file location for the unsigned APK file.

Jarl answered 12/3, 2013 at 11:6 Comment(1)

I think you swaped the methods by mistake. – Bedel 12/6, 2013 at 12:5

When you run your application, your phone should be detected and you should be given the option to run on your phone instead of on the emulator.

More instructions on getting your phone recognized: http://developer.android.com/guide/developing/device.html

When you want to export a signed version of the APK file (for uploading to the market or putting on a website), right-click on the project in Eclipse, choose export, and then choose "Export Android Application".

More details: http://developer.android.com/guide/publishing/app-signing.html#ExportWizard

Pliocene answered 5/1, 2011 at 4:52 Comment(0)

The bin/XXX.apk file can be built automatically as soon as you save any source file:

Window/Preferences, Android/Build, uncheck "skip packaging and indexing..."

Rising answered 31/3, 2013 at 6:35 Comment(0)

Eclipse 3.7 (Indigo): Go to Windows -> Preferences -> Android -> Build and uncheck "Skip packaging and dexing until export or launch"

Also, you can build it manually via Menu -> Project -> **Uncheck "Build automatically"**.

Kittenish answered 13/9, 2014 at 20:28 Comment(1)

Thank you! That was driving me crazy – Articular 11/1, 2016 at 17:25

The simplest way to create signed/unsigned APKs using Eclipse and ADT is as follows:

Right click your project in the "Project Explorer"
Hover over "Android Tools"
Select either "Export Signed Application Package" or "Export Unsigned Application Package"
Select the location for the new APK file and click "Save".
- NOTE: If you're trying to build a APK for beta distribution, you'll probably need to create a signed package, which requires a keystore. If you follow the "Signed Application" process in Eclipse ADT it will guide you through the process of creating a new keystore.

Hope this helps.

Bushmaster answered 4/12, 2014 at 16:37 Comment(0)

Right click on the project in Eclipse -> Android tools -> Export without signed key. Connect your device. Mount it by sdk/tools.

Cd answered 22/3, 2012 at 18:27 Comment(0)

No one mentioned this, but in conjunction to the other responses, you can also get the apk file from your bin directory to your phone or tablet by putting it on a web site and just downloading it.

Your device will complain about installing it after you download it. Your device will advise you or a risk of installing programs from unknown sources and give you the option to bypass the advice.

Your question is very specific. You don't have to pull it from your emulator, just grab the apk file from the bin folder in your project and place it on your real device.

Most people are giving you valuable information for the next step (signing and publishing your apk), you are not required to do that step to get it on your real device.

Downloading it to your real device is a simple method.

Dub answered 30/7, 2012 at 6:6 Comment(2)

-1, reason: Yeah, but this question was about 'building an .apk from Eclipse', not how to test an .apk app – Gyration 15/4, 2014 at 15:49

The question was very clear of how to get the apk that he already has into a "real device". While all the other building, signing, and publishing suggestions are good suggestions, he can very easily get his apk that he already has in his emulator by downloading the current "apk" from his project sub-folder. – Dub 18/4, 2014 at 9:48

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