I recently uploaded my first Kotlin-Android app to a closed testing (alpha) track in Google Play Console. The review was complete and I shared my link to some testers. Unfortunately the release bundle has major bugs that are not present in the debug APK! (the one that generates automatically when I hit "Run" in Android Studio). I checked both bundles on my device and the debug version works perfectly fine while the release is unusable. Is there anyway to debug a release version??? Or maybe create a debuggable build that mimics it's behaviour (as a release build is set to be undebugable for safety reasons...). Is there a way to see the app logs? (or are they removed in the release build?)
I think it's important to mention that all bugs are related to Firebase actions. My Firebase project have all the needed "SHA certificate fingerprints" (SAH-1 & SHA-256 for the debug, upload & app-signing keys). Maybe another thing is missing?
Maybe the specific bugs can point to the root of the difference, so these are my 2 biggest bugs:
Each user document holds a list of items which is shown in a recyclerView in one of his screens. In the release version no item is shown. I checked the Firestore console and the items are added successfully (from any version) and they show when I sign in the same user with the debug version.
Can't sign in via phone number (in Firebase auth pre-built UI). The other methods work fine. I can even link a phone to an existing account, but the pre-built sign-in flow stops after I enter a phone number and resets to the initial screen. In the debug version that works fine.
Did someone encounter anything like that?
Any help would be appreciated.
I found the way to debug the release bundle. The problem was that the "release" build variant used the default signing key - the debug key. I had to Configure the build process to automatically sign my app with a secured key. At the end, I have the following code in my "build.gradle (:app)" file:
...
def keystorePropertiesFile = rootProject.file(<keystore.properties file location>)
def keystoreProperties = new Properties()
keystoreProperties.load(new FileInputStream(keystorePropertiesFile))
android {
signingConfigs {
ionce {
keyAlias keystoreProperties['keyAlias']
keyPassword keystoreProperties['keyPassword']
storeFile file(keystoreProperties['storeFile'])
storePassword keystoreProperties['storePassword']
}
}
...
buildTypes {
release {
...
signingConfig signingConfigs.ionce
}
}
...
}
...
(I choose to Remove signing information from my build files. If you do, pay attention to the "\" orientation in the storeFile field as the error is not very informative. This answer helped me)
If anyone also encounter one of the two issues I mentioned, here are the solutions:
The difference between the build variants was that in my "release" variant I use minifyEnabled true, which changes the attributes' names to minify the code. When getting the document from Firestore it did not match the object structure and failed to load the list. The solution is in this answer.
This one was not related to the difference in build types - seems I didn't check the feature after upgrading firebase-auth library in my gradle. Upgrading the firebase-ui-auth library, like in this answer, did the trick :)
you can add this debuggable true in your gradle file
release {
debuggable true
minifyEnabled false
shrinkResources false
}
this will help you debug the release version, make sure that minifyEnabled and shrinkResources are false
to run the Release version of the app with the Release Keystore use this
signingConfigs {
release {
storeFile file('file location')
storePassword 'your store password'
keyAlias 'your key alias'
keyPassword 'your key password'
}
}
and then add in the variant of release this
release{
signingConfig singingConfigs.release
}
Debug builds work fine for me. When I choose Active Build Variant = release, and try to run Build -> Generate Bundle(s) / APK(s) -> Build APK, the build runs for a while, then I get the following error:
Unexpected attempt to get register for a value without a register in method java.util.List com.chrynan.chords.parser.AsciiChordParser.parseLineAsString(java.lang.String, int, java.util.Set).
That is referencing an external library I'm pulling in. Source code for that function is available here.
What does that error mean? My searches returned nothing remotely like it.
I solved it! I have no idea why, but I set minifyEnabled = true in my build.gradle (:app):
buildTypes {
release {
minifyEnabled true
proguardFiles getDefaultProguardFile('proguard-android.txt'), 'proguard-rules.pro'
}
}
This gave me instant crashing on app start due to this problem, although I think that's unrelated. I fixed that, and now my build works.
I still have no idea why that error came up though.
For some one else having the same problem, I solved it by changing
getDefaultProguardFile( 'proguard-android-optimize.txt') to
getDefaultProguardFile( 'proguard-android.txt') in build.gradle
I have trouble with updating the debug version of the app's apk:
Installation failed with message Failed to finalize session : INSTALL_FAILED_UPDATE_INCOMPATIBLE: Package [here our package] signatures do not match the previously installed version; ignoring
Two developers. Two PC's with same Android Studio versions (3.2.1). But when I try to install - have this, when the second developer make a debug apk with the same code (with git) it installs normally.
If I make an apk - it's an error occurred via an update of a version of the second developer on a different device (tester).
What I've tried already:
Restart Android Studio.
Clean and Rebuild.
Invalidate Caches and Restart.
Build apk and installed from the device. ("Application doesn't install" error occurred during update)
Increase versionCode.
The device is a Lenovo TB-X103F tablet on Android 6.0.1.
You need to use the same debug keystore. Your colleagues' keystore will be at:
Windows: C:\Users\USERNAME\.android\debug.keystore
Linux / Mac: ~/.android/debug.keystore
3 solutions are below in descending order of correctness:
In the long term, this should be configured inside your project, so that anyone with the project can sign the debug builds. This is done by configuring your build.gradle like so.
You can also set your signing config inside Android Studio, so you are not reliant on copying his file in the future. Here is how to set it.
You could also just replace your debug keystore in that location with your colleagues, so you are using the same config.
Different keystore files cause this warning. For the exact solution;
-Create your own keystore files for each build types.
-Define buildTypes and SigningConfigs in app level gradle file
like this:
signingConfigs {
release {
keyAlias '******'
keyPassword '******'
storeFile file('...\\release.jks')
storePassword '******'
}
debug {
keyAlias 'alias'
keyPassword '******'
storeFile file('...\\debug.jks')
storePassword '******'
}
}
buildTypes {
release {
lintOptions {
}
debuggable false
minifyEnabled true
proguardFiles getDefaultProguardFile('proguard-android.txt'), 'proguard-rules.pro'
signingConfig signingConfigs.release
}
debug {
debuggable true
minifyEnabled false
signingConfig signingConfigs.debug
}
}
NOTE!!! You can move debug keystore file into project folder(app folder will be a good choice). So both developers have the same keystore easily.
I downloaded the zip file of an Android app on github and I'm trying to run it, but I get a dialog with this message
app-release-unsigned.apk is not signed. Please configure the signing information for the selected flavor using the Project Structure dialog.
I'm using Android Studio.
What am I supposed to do?
If anyone wants to debug release build using Android Studio, follow these steps:
Set build variant to release mode.
Right click on app in left navigation pane, click Open Module Settings.
Go to Signing Tab. Add a signing config and fill in information. Select your keychain as well.
Go to Build Type tab. Select release mode and set:
-Debuggable to true.
-Signing Config to the config. (The one you just created).
Sync your gradle. Enjoy!
Make sure the build variant is set to debug (and not release) in Android Studio (check the build variants panel).
If set to debug, it should automatically sign the app with the auto-generated debug keystore, without editing the build scripts.
However you will need to create and configure a specific keystore for release.
Official documentation, covering debug and release modes: https://developer.android.com/tools/publishing/app-signing.html
Always sign your build using your build.gradle DSL script like this:
android {
signingConfigs {
debug {
storeFile file("debug.keystore")
}
myConfig {
storeFile file("other.keystore")
storePassword "android"
keyAlias "androidotherkey"
keyPassword "android"
}
}
buildTypes {
bar {
debuggable true
jniDebugBuild true
signingConfig signingConfigs.debug
}
foo {
debuggable false
jniDebugBuild false
signingConfig signingConfigs.myConfig
}
}
}
If you want to understand a little more of the Gradle build system associated to Android Studio just pay a visit to:
Gradle Plugin User Guide
If anyone wants to debug and release separate build variant using Android Studio 3.5, follow the below steps:
1. Set build variant to release mode.
Go to File >> Project Structure
Select Modules, then Signing Config
Click in the Plus icon under Signing Config
Select release section and Provide your release App Information then Apply and OK.
Go to your app level build.gradle and change your buildTypes > "release" section like below Screenshot.
Then Run your Project. Happy Coding.
I was successfully able to debug signed APK , Follow this procedure:-
Choose "release" version in "Build Variant" ToolBar
In the Build.gradle for the module set debuggable true for release build type
Go to File->Project Structure->under signing tab fill all info->Under Flavours
tab->Choose signing Config You just created
Set the breakpoints
Run the application in the debug mode
For gradle Kotlin dsl
signingConfigs {
create("releaseConfig") {
storeFile = file("your keystore file path")
storePassword = "storePassword"
keyAlias = "keyAlias"
keyPassword = "keyPassword"
}
}
buildTypes {
getByName("release") {
signingConfig = signingConfigs.getByName("releaseConfig")
isMinifyEnabled = true
isShrinkResources = true
proguardFiles(getDefaultProguardFile("proguard-android.txt"), "proguard-rules.pro")
}
}
signingConfigs should be before buildTypes
signingConfigs {
debug {
storeFile file("debug.keystore")
}
myConfig {
storeFile file("other.keystore")
storePassword "android"
keyAlias "androidotherkey"
keyPassword "android"
}
}
buildTypes {
bar {
debuggable true
jniDebugBuild true
signingConfig signingConfigs.debug
}
foo {
debuggable false
jniDebugBuild false
signingConfig signingConfigs.myConfig
}
}
if you want to run app in debug mode
1) Look at Left Side bottom, above Favorites there is Build Variants
2) Click on Build Variants. Click on release and choose debug
it works perfect !!!
The app project you downloaded may include a signed info in the file of build.gradle. If you saw codes like these:
buildTypes {
debug {
signingConfig signingConfigs.release
}
release {
signingConfig signingConfigs.release
}
}
you could delete them and try again.
My problem was solved by changing the build variant as suggested by Stéphane , if anyone was struggling to find the "Build variants" as I did here is a screenshot where you can find it .
For security reasons, you cannot install an unsigned apk on Android. So if you only have the unsigned apk: you must sign it. Here is how to do that : link
Note that you can sign the apk with a self-signed certificate.
An alternative can be either :
to download the signed apk if available.
to download the sources, compile them (with Android-Studio or gradle or ...). It will produce multiple apks and one of them will be signed with your debug-key (and so you will be able to install it)
How i solved this
This error occurs because you have set your build variants to release mode. set it to build mode and run project again.
If you want to run in release mode, just generate a signed apk the way we do it normally when releasing the app
In tool window bar select Build Variants
Change Build Variant from Release to Debug
My solution was to change the name of my signing config from the default "config" to "debug". To verify, I changed it to some other random name and got the error again, and then changed it back to "debug" and the error was gone. So while it seems artificial and I tend to not believe this is the whole story, give this solution a try.
i also appear this problem,and my code below
storeFile file(properties.getProperty("filepath"))
storePassword properties.getProperty("keypassword")
keyAlias properties.getProperty("keyAlias")
keyPassword properties.getProperty("keypassword")
the reason is property name error,it should be keyPassword not keypassword
What finally worked for me, and I have no idea why, is:
Went to LastPass (the service I use to keep all my passwords)
Select my password by putting the cursor on top of the password and double clicking
Once selected I press cmd C to copy
Went to Android study and cmd V to paste
Notice I did try to copy many times by selecting the password by clicking at the end of the password and selecting the password by moving the mouse.
It is strange but it only worked by double clicking on top of the password to copy it.
Also I did use the Open Module Settings > Signing... method explained by #NightFury on this post.
adding below lines of code in build.gradel file worked for me, add them under buildTypes block below release as shown
buildTypes {
release {
minifyEnabled false
proguardFiles getDefaultProguardFile('proguard-android.txt'), 'proguard-rules.pro'
}
debug {
applicationIdSuffix ".debug"
debuggable true
}
I've got a project where I have several device-specific product flavors, and each flavor needs to be signed with a different config:
productFlavors {
nexus7 {
signingConfig signingConfigs.nexus7
}
nexus4 {
signingConfig signingConfigs.nexus4
}
}
This works great when building a 'release' variant. However, when using a 'debug' variant (e.g. when I build Nexus4Debug), Gradle is using the default android debug key. In my case, I'm highly dependent on these builds being signed the right way, and my application is relatively useless if signed with the default debug key. Anyone know if there's a way to specify the signing config for each variant?
I know I can do it per build type, a la:
buildTypes {
debug {
signingConfig signingConfigs.nexus4
}
}
but this limits me to always using the same signing config for debug builds of both flavors.
PS - Understand this is a little bit of an edge use case here. This is for an enterprise project where we're testing custom ROMs and system-signed apps on a number of different Nexus devices.
Try adding this to your build.gradle. It will specify which signingConfig to use for each flavor when building the debug build type:
buildTypes {
debug {
productFlavors.nexus4.signingConfig signingConfigs.nexus4
productFlavors.nexus7.signingConfig signingConfigs.nexus7
}
}
I got another solution after android plugin build. 1.1.3
productFlavors {
nexus7 {
signingConfig signingConfigs.nexus7
}
nexus4 {
signingConfig signingConfigs.nexus4
}
}
buildTypes {
release {
debuggable false
zipAlignEnabled true
}
debug {
initWith release
debuggable true
zipAlignEnabled false
}
}
As build type "release" will use flavor signing config (as there is no specification), after debug init with release build, it will also has the same signing config.
Build type "debug" needs to be init with "release" as if signing config is not provided, it will use Android default debug signing key.
Update
The problem is that android.buildTypes.debug.signingConfig has a default value while release does not.
The solution may be breakage in the future.
Anyway, still work with android plugin build 2.3.2
Works on 2.2.1
buildTypes {
release {
}
debug {
signingConfig android.buildTypes.release.signingConfig
}
}
This may work:
buildTypes {
release {
productFlavors.nexus7.signingConfig signingConfigs.nexus7
productFlavors.nexus4.signingConfig signingConfigs.nexus4
}
debug {
signingConfig android.buildTypes.release.signingConfig
}
}
The answer is:
buildTypes {
debug {
signingConfig null
}
}
It's quitely hidden in #Harvey's comment and it takes me too much time to find it. I think it's better to leave it as an answer.
You can find the comment and give it the thumbs-up if it works for you as well.
Thanks for this. It led to me to figure out this: signingConfig null. The problem is that android.buildTypes.debug.signingConfig has a default value while release does not. If set, buildType configurations override anything you set in a flavor. The real trick is to unset the property in buildTypes.debug so it will act just like release. –
Harvey