Develop Reference

Will Google be replacing apks? [duplicate]

I built my project using the new Android App Bundle format. With APK files, I can download the APK to my device, open it, and immediately install the app. I downloaded my app as a bundle (.aab format) and my Nexus 5X running Android 8.1 can't open the file. Is there any way to install AABs on devices in the same convenient manner as APKs?

Short answer:
Not directly.
Longer answer:
Android App Bundles is the default publishing format for apps on the Google Play Store. But Android devices require .apk files to install applications.
The Play Store or any other source that you're installing from will extract apks from the bundle, sign each one and then install them specific to the target device.
The conversion from .aab to .apk is done via bundletool.
You can use Internal App Sharing to upload a debuggable build of your app to the Play Store and share it with testers.

For MAC:
brew install bundletool
bundletool build-apks --bundle=app-release.aab --output=app-release.apks
bundletool install-apks --apks=app-release.apks

Installing the aab directly from the device, I couldn't find a way for that.
But there is a way to install it through your command line using the following documentation You can install apk to a device through BundleTool
According to "#Albert Vila Calvo" comment he noted that to install bundletools using HomeBrew use brew install bundletool
You can now install extract apks from aab file and install it to a device
Extracting apk files from through the next command
java -jar bundletool-all-0.3.3.jar build-apks --bundle=bundle.aab --output=app.apks --ks=my-release-key.keystore --ks-key-alias=alias --ks-pass=pass:password
Arguments:
--bundle -> Android Bundle .aab file
--output -> Destination and file name for the generated apk file
--ks -> Keystore file used to generate the Android Bundle
--ks-key-alias -> Alias for keystore file
--ks-pass -> Password for Alias file (Please note the 'pass' prefix before password value)
Then you will have a file with extension .apks
So now you need to install it to a device
java -jar bundletool-all-0.6.0.jar install-apks --adb=/android-sdk/platform-tools/adb --apks=app.apks
Arguments:
--adb -> Path to adb file
--apks -> Apks file need to be installed

If you want to install apk from your aab to your device for testing purpose then you need to edit the configuration before running it on the connected device.
Go to Edit Configurations
Select the Deploy dropdown and change it from "Default apk" to "APK from app bundle".
Apply the changes and then run it on the device connected. Build time will increase after making this change.
This will install an apk directly on the device connected from the aab.

You cannot install app bundle [NAME].aab directly to android device because it is publishing format, but there is way to extract the required apk from bundle and install it to you device, the process is as follow
Download bundletool from here
run this in your terminal,
java -jar bundletool.jar build-apks --bundle=bundleapp.aab --output=out_bundle_archive_set.apks
Last step will generate a file named as out_bundle_archive_set.apks, just rename it to out_bundle_archive_set.zip and extract the zip file, jump into the folder out_bundle_archive_set > standalones, where you will seee a list of all the apks
There goes the reference from android developers for bundle tools link

For those, who want single universal.apk that can run on every android device:
brew install bundletool
bundletool build-apks --mode universal --bundle ./app-release.aab --output ./app.apks
mv app.apks app.zip
unzip app.zip
Now, you can get your universal.apk

This worked for me on a mac.
You need to use a tool called bundletool You can install it incase if not already installed using brew
brew install bundletool
Run this command to extract and store the apks file at the desired location
bundletool build-apks --bundle=path/to/app-release.aab --output=/path/to/output/app.apks --local-testing
Install on a connected Android device
bundletool install-apks --apks=/path/to/output/app.apks
I have noted the complete command with output in a gist here https://gist.github.com/maheshmnj/6f5debbfae2b8183d94ca789d081f026

If you're using Maui at this point Visual Studio 2022 only creates AAB files; however, you can create an APK from a command line.
Change directory to where your project is located and run this:
dotnet publish -f:net6.0-android -c:Release /p:AndroidSigningKeyPass=blah

If you want to install the APP bundle without using PLAY STORE, You need to change your build variant to "release" at Android studio.
If you cannot build App yourself but have a release bundle, then refer to the most popular answer.
Go to Android Studio > Build > Select Build Variant..
Once you do this your build configuration may start showing errors.
This is because you now need to provide signing details in this configuration as well (this refers signing details from build.gradle)
you may either Edit the configuration and go to the Fix button at the bottom which will ask you to fill in signing details.
Or you may edit the build.gradle
Make sure you provide buildTypes {} and signingConfigs {}
android {
signingConfigs {
release {
storeFile file('<Your PATH>\\keystore.jks')
storePassword 'XXXXX
keyAlias 'XXXXX'
keyPassword 'xxxxx'
}
debug {
storeFile file('<Your PATH>\\keystore.jks')
storePassword 'XXXXX
keyAlias 'XXXXX'
keyPassword 'xxxxx'
}
}
compileSdkVersion 32
defaultConfig {
....
}
buildTypes {
release {
minifyEnabled false
proguardFiles getDefaultProguardFile('proguard-android-optimize.txt'), 'proguard-rules.pro'
signingConfig signingConfigs.release
}
debug
{
signingConfig signingConfigs.debug
}
}
...
}
dependencies {
...
}
There is one or two minutes of delay before Android Studio starts reflecting correctly. Otherwise, you may do a clean rebuild and then run the app.
When you run the app this time it will be installed in release mode on the target device.
You may need a way to identify the Build Variant of the installed app. You may show the build name and variant somewhere in your app. Or if you have a button somewhere which shows only in debug mode you can check that.

If you have the project you can just build an app with android studio or push it directly to the device if you run a debug or release config with the device connected and selected as the target so long as you enable adb in developer mode on the device and tap trust this computer when you connect it to your machine.
But if you have the bundle because you're trying to install an app pulled from one phone onto another, there are free online services that convert play store links into a direct download of the apk. Just turn on add debugging on the device and adb install <path-to-apk> from the terminal.
If you have more than one device connected with adb enabled you can adb devices to get a list of their identifiers and adb install <path-to-apk> <device-id> will work as well. Or you can use adb to your advantage and do many things on multiple devices at once depending on your needs. There's even ways to adb over wifi.
You will need adb from the android-sdk tools to do any of this though, with Android Studio installed you would have a local installation already but it may not be in your path. However studios terminal likely has access to it since it would be the sdk path your IDE has saved in preferences.. If not you can download a standalone sdk/find out which one studio is using from it's preferences and either
Add adb from the platform-tools directory of said sdk it to your path (best)
Invoke adb from it's absolute path you just located and just keep hitting up to re-use your last command, swapping out the apk/device
cd to the adb directory and just use it with the full path to each of your apks (easiest)

For Windows 11:
PS C:/folder-with-aab-file> java -jar C:\dev\bundletool-all-1.9.1\bundletool.jar build-apks --bundle=app-release.aab --output=app-release.aab.apks --mode=universal
PS C:/folder-with-aab-file> ren app-release.aab.apks app-release.aab.apks.zip
After descompact zip file, the apk file'll with the name: universal.apk

Is there any way to install AABs on devices in the same convenient manner as APKs?
As installing is done by third party apps or mobile company file manager like apps.
The upcoming file managers versions, hence forth, will come with "aab" managing tools.
I searched "android aab installer" on playstore and found one.
deliberately not naming it.
The one I installed, extracted the bundle online,
But after that this app wasn't able to install this extracted app by itself (on my mi [miui] device ).
But this application saved the online extracted apk on phone memory, from where I was able to install it.
remember:
Google's "files" application wasn't able to install this apkbutmy system (in built) filer manager was able to.

Use (on Linux):
cd android
./gradlew assemblyRelease|assemblyDebug
An unsigned APK is generated for each case (for debug or testing)
NOTE: On Windows, replace gradle executable for gradlew.bat

Certificate for Android application

Trying to install application with ADB on physical device connected via USB:
adb -s ce06160684b99a0902 install E:\D\android\MQTT\app\debug\app-debug.apk
Got error:
E:\D\android\MQTT\app\debug\app-debug.apk: 1 file pushed. 4.0 MB/s (3747450 bytes in 0.903s)
pkg: /data/local/tmp/app-debug.apk
Failure [INSTALL_PARSE_FAILED_NO_CERTIFICATES]
I was generated application via Build->Generate Signed Bundle/APK -> APK and entered key data:
I suppose this procedure generates certificate? How to fix this problem?

It is trying to install app-debug.apk whereas the signed apk name is app-release.apk . What code are you using to install the apk to your device? Also try adding this certificate through
Project Structure -> Default Config -> Signing Config
For both debug and release if required.

According to documentation (Sign your debug build), you don't have to explicitly sign your app-debug.apk, it's done automatically. It uses a specific keystore, generated for you, under $HOME/.android/debug.keystore.
So you only need to click the play button, with your device selected in the drop-down list, as described here.
You could also click on Rebuild Project instead of Generate Signed Bundle / APK, and manually upload it to device with your adb command.

Install Android App Bundle on device

I built my project using the new Android App Bundle format. With APK files, I can download the APK to my device, open it, and immediately install the app. I downloaded my app as a bundle (.aab format) and my Nexus 5X running Android 8.1 can't open the file. Is there any way to install AABs on devices in the same convenient manner as APKs?

Short answer:
Not directly.
Longer answer:
Android App Bundles is the default publishing format for apps on the Google Play Store. But Android devices require .apk files to install applications.
The Play Store or any other source that you're installing from will extract apks from the bundle, sign each one and then install them specific to the target device.
The conversion from .aab to .apk is done via bundletool.
You can use Internal App Sharing to upload a debuggable build of your app to the Play Store and share it with testers.

For MAC:
brew install bundletool
bundletool build-apks --bundle=app-release.aab --output=app-release.apks
bundletool install-apks --apks=app-release.apks

Installing the aab directly from the device, I couldn't find a way for that.
But there is a way to install it through your command line using the following documentation You can install apk to a device through BundleTool
According to "#Albert Vila Calvo" comment he noted that to install bundletools using HomeBrew use brew install bundletool
You can now install extract apks from aab file and install it to a device
Extracting apk files from through the next command
java -jar bundletool-all-0.3.3.jar build-apks --bundle=bundle.aab --output=app.apks --ks=my-release-key.keystore --ks-key-alias=alias --ks-pass=pass:password
Arguments:
--bundle -> Android Bundle .aab file
--output -> Destination and file name for the generated apk file
--ks -> Keystore file used to generate the Android Bundle
--ks-key-alias -> Alias for keystore file
--ks-pass -> Password for Alias file (Please note the 'pass' prefix before password value)
Then you will have a file with extension .apks
So now you need to install it to a device
java -jar bundletool-all-0.6.0.jar install-apks --adb=/android-sdk/platform-tools/adb --apks=app.apks
Arguments:
--adb -> Path to adb file
--apks -> Apks file need to be installed

If you want to install apk from your aab to your device for testing purpose then you need to edit the configuration before running it on the connected device.
Go to Edit Configurations
Select the Deploy dropdown and change it from "Default apk" to "APK from app bundle".
Apply the changes and then run it on the device connected. Build time will increase after making this change.
This will install an apk directly on the device connected from the aab.

You cannot install app bundle [NAME].aab directly to android device because it is publishing format, but there is way to extract the required apk from bundle and install it to you device, the process is as follow
Download bundletool from here
run this in your terminal,
java -jar bundletool.jar build-apks --bundle=bundleapp.aab --output=out_bundle_archive_set.apks
Last step will generate a file named as out_bundle_archive_set.apks, just rename it to out_bundle_archive_set.zip and extract the zip file, jump into the folder out_bundle_archive_set > standalones, where you will seee a list of all the apks
There goes the reference from android developers for bundle tools link

For those, who want single universal.apk that can run on every android device:
brew install bundletool
bundletool build-apks --mode universal --bundle ./app-release.aab --output ./app.apks
mv app.apks app.zip
unzip app.zip
Now, you can get your universal.apk

This worked for me on a mac.
You need to use a tool called bundletool You can install it incase if not already installed using brew
brew install bundletool
Run this command to extract and store the apks file at the desired location
bundletool build-apks --bundle=path/to/app-release.aab --output=/path/to/output/app.apks --local-testing
Install on a connected Android device
bundletool install-apks --apks=/path/to/output/app.apks
I have noted the complete command with output in a gist here https://gist.github.com/maheshmnj/6f5debbfae2b8183d94ca789d081f026

If you're using Maui at this point Visual Studio 2022 only creates AAB files; however, you can create an APK from a command line.
Change directory to where your project is located and run this:
dotnet publish -f:net6.0-android -c:Release /p:AndroidSigningKeyPass=blah

If you want to install the APP bundle without using PLAY STORE, You need to change your build variant to "release" at Android studio.
If you cannot build App yourself but have a release bundle, then refer to the most popular answer.
Go to Android Studio > Build > Select Build Variant..
Once you do this your build configuration may start showing errors.
This is because you now need to provide signing details in this configuration as well (this refers signing details from build.gradle)
you may either Edit the configuration and go to the Fix button at the bottom which will ask you to fill in signing details.
Or you may edit the build.gradle
Make sure you provide buildTypes {} and signingConfigs {}
android {
signingConfigs {
release {
storeFile file('<Your PATH>\\keystore.jks')
storePassword 'XXXXX
keyAlias 'XXXXX'
keyPassword 'xxxxx'
}
debug {
storeFile file('<Your PATH>\\keystore.jks')
storePassword 'XXXXX
keyAlias 'XXXXX'
keyPassword 'xxxxx'
}
}
compileSdkVersion 32
defaultConfig {
....
}
buildTypes {
release {
minifyEnabled false
proguardFiles getDefaultProguardFile('proguard-android-optimize.txt'), 'proguard-rules.pro'
signingConfig signingConfigs.release
}
debug
{
signingConfig signingConfigs.debug
}
}
...
}
dependencies {
...
}
There is one or two minutes of delay before Android Studio starts reflecting correctly. Otherwise, you may do a clean rebuild and then run the app.
When you run the app this time it will be installed in release mode on the target device.
You may need a way to identify the Build Variant of the installed app. You may show the build name and variant somewhere in your app. Or if you have a button somewhere which shows only in debug mode you can check that.

If you have the project you can just build an app with android studio or push it directly to the device if you run a debug or release config with the device connected and selected as the target so long as you enable adb in developer mode on the device and tap trust this computer when you connect it to your machine.
But if you have the bundle because you're trying to install an app pulled from one phone onto another, there are free online services that convert play store links into a direct download of the apk. Just turn on add debugging on the device and adb install <path-to-apk> from the terminal.
If you have more than one device connected with adb enabled you can adb devices to get a list of their identifiers and adb install <path-to-apk> <device-id> will work as well. Or you can use adb to your advantage and do many things on multiple devices at once depending on your needs. There's even ways to adb over wifi.
You will need adb from the android-sdk tools to do any of this though, with Android Studio installed you would have a local installation already but it may not be in your path. However studios terminal likely has access to it since it would be the sdk path your IDE has saved in preferences.. If not you can download a standalone sdk/find out which one studio is using from it's preferences and either
Add adb from the platform-tools directory of said sdk it to your path (best)
Invoke adb from it's absolute path you just located and just keep hitting up to re-use your last command, swapping out the apk/device
cd to the adb directory and just use it with the full path to each of your apks (easiest)

For Windows 11:
PS C:/folder-with-aab-file> java -jar C:\dev\bundletool-all-1.9.1\bundletool.jar build-apks --bundle=app-release.aab --output=app-release.aab.apks --mode=universal
PS C:/folder-with-aab-file> ren app-release.aab.apks app-release.aab.apks.zip
After descompact zip file, the apk file'll with the name: universal.apk

Is there any way to install AABs on devices in the same convenient manner as APKs?
As installing is done by third party apps or mobile company file manager like apps.
The upcoming file managers versions, hence forth, will come with "aab" managing tools.
I searched "android aab installer" on playstore and found one.
deliberately not naming it.
The one I installed, extracted the bundle online,
But after that this app wasn't able to install this extracted app by itself (on my mi [miui] device ).
But this application saved the online extracted apk on phone memory, from where I was able to install it.
remember:
Google's "files" application wasn't able to install this apkbutmy system (in built) filer manager was able to.

Use (on Linux):
cd android
./gradlew assemblyRelease|assemblyDebug
An unsigned APK is generated for each case (for debug or testing)
NOTE: On Windows, replace gradle executable for gradlew.bat

How to correctly sign apps in CyanogenMod?

I compiled CyanogenMod 7 from source code, then tried to install ADWLauncher on my device:
$ adb install -r ./out/target/product/crespo/system/app/ADWLauncher.apk
4147 KB/s (1060312 bytes in 0.249s)
pkg: /data/local/tmp/ADWLauncher.apk
Failure [INSTALL_PARSE_FAILED_INCONSISTENT_CERTIFICATES]
Related question's answer says, that this means that package was not properly signed. But when I try to sign it - it fails, because the package is already signed.
How can I sign it correctly?
There is line
LOCAL_CERTIFICATE := shared
in Android.mk. How can I override it with my own certificate?

This may be because you're trying to install a version of an app on top of another version that has a different signature. Try completely uninstalling the already installed apk first, either via Android's UI or from adb:
adb uninstall org.adw.launcher
Then try installing fresh again. The same error can occur even if you've built both versions yourself- say first having installed a version signed with a release key, and then installing the same app again using test/debug keys.

How to compile Android Application with system permissions

I need to compile an application with system permissions in order to use target application com.android.settings. For now while I try to run my apk I get the error message
Test run failed: Permission Denial:
starting instrumentation
ComponentInfo{com.jayway.test/android.test.InstrumentationTestRunner}
from pid=354, uid=354 not allowed
because package com.jayway.test does
not have a signature matching the
target com.android.settings
How can I compile my application with system permissions?

After having some search I found how to sign my application with system (platform) key.
System signatures are located in directory <root-of-android-source-tree>/build/target/product/security. You can use them to sign your application with system privileges.

Add to manifest android:sharedUserId="android.uid.system"
Download System signatures files:
platform.x509.pem
platform.pk8
link:
https://android.googlesource.com/platform/build/+/android-8.0.0_r17/target/product/security/
Sign app through terminal (java -jar signapk.jar platform.x509.pem platform.pk8 unsigned.apk signed.apk) (first you must put all files to one folder), or make certificate with keytool-importkeypair to make google_certificate.keystore and then
link for keytool-importkeypair download and explanation:
https://github.com/getfatday/keytool-importkeypair
After that steps install your signed system app to your device. Good luck!!!

The anser for me was simply delete the debug.keystore file. The default storage location for AVDs is in ~/.android/ on OS X and Linux, in C:\Documents and Settings\.android\ on Windows XP, and in C:\Users\.android\ on Windows Vista.
In Eclipse I "cleaned" the project, uninstalled the App and the TestApp from the emulator and - voila everything ran fine again.