Generating APK / Signed APK
To test your app, you can plug-in you android device to your computer via USB and run the app directly on it. Or you can generate an APK and install it manually to test it.
Generating Debug APK (Usually for testing)
Open your project in Android Studio.
Go to Build > Build Bundle(s)/APK(s) > Build APK.
It will start the APK build process. Once its completed, a popup message will be shown (bottom right corner of the android studio) with two buttons on it. Click on Locate and it will show the APK in the File Explorer (Windows) / Finder(Mac).
The APK will be generated into the app > build > outputs > apk > debug you will see an apk file named app-debug.apk
Generating Signed APK (For PlayStore)
Before Generating Signed APK make sure you change the app's Version Code and Version Name (This is visible to users on play store).
Open your project in Android Studio.
Go to Build > Generate Signed Bundle / APK
3. Choose APK (You can also generate the Android App Bundle. Process is almost same) and click Next.
4. You will this screen. You might see the empty form here. If you have an existing key file then click on Choose existing... and choose the existing key file (This is mandatory if you want to update your app on play store). If you don't have any key then click on Create new... and fill in the form that appear next. It will generate a key file that you will be using to sign your app in order to update the app on play store. Otherwise you will loose all your existing user.
Fill in the Key Store password, Key alias and Key password and click Next
5. Click on the release and make sure you check both the V1 (Jar Signature) and V2 (Full APK Signature) and click on Finish. Your APK will be generated and a confirmation PopUp message will be shown. You can upload that APK to playstore.
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