How to build an APK file in Eclipse?

Question

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?

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? — Jarl, Dec 14 '12 at 06:55
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. — TommyTh, Dec 14 '12 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?) — TommyTh, Dec 14 '12 at 11:00
Sarwar Erfan's answer is much better. Why not changing the accepted answer? — NLemay, Mar 15 '13 at 13:19

score 400 · Accepted Answer · edited Feb 13 '14 at 09:30

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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.

edited Feb 13 '14 at 09:30

claws

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answered Jan 05 '11 at 04:47

anta40

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Remember that that APK is not signed with your developer private key, so you shouldn't distribute or or upload it to the market. – Computerish Jan 05 '11 at 18:28
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So, and if we only would like to build it but not to start a noisy emulator? – sergzach Jan 22 '12 at 20:54
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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](http://stackoverflow.com/a/4600933/377270) instead. – sarnold Feb 16 '12 at 22:45
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and where is that bin's location ? – Mar 16 '12 at 12:33
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@sergzach 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. – Salil Pandit Mar 29 '12 at 07:35

score 315 · Answer 2 · edited Feb 10 '14 at 03:14

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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.

edited Feb 10 '14 at 03:14

Peter Mortensen

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answered Jan 05 '11 at 04:52

Sarwar Erfan

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What if you want to distribute to beta testers? – shim Dec 19 '12 at 19:15
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@shim: just give the apk files to beta testers. Or, host the apk files somewhere and give the url to the testers. – Sarwar Erfan Dec 20 '12 at 06:25
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to test this file, connect your Android device and type in commandline: "adb install ./myApp.apk" – andy Aug 30 '13 at 13:37

score 173 · Answer 3 · edited Jun 20 '16 at 15:17

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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.

edited Jun 20 '16 at 15:17

Peter Mortensen

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answered Feb 12 '12 at 22:32

thegreyspot

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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. – Jarl Dec 14 '12 at 06:52
Works, although it make the .apk even if there are errors (compilation, ...) which could be a bad or a good thing. – Francisco Corrales Morales Apr 15 '14 at 15:52
Thanks for sharing. this is good enough for initial testing of the shared apk. – webgenius Mar 21 '15 at 19:23
this solution makes eclipse collapse too often,is there a `script` approach ? – zionpi Jan 11 '17 at 09:32

score 33 · Answer 4 · edited Feb 10 '14 at 03:16

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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...

edited Feb 10 '14 at 03:16

Peter Mortensen

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answered Jan 05 '11 at 07:22

Nirav

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adb has moved to the directory "platform-tools". Not sure from which version of the SDK – Rob Von Nesselrode May 12 '13 at 02:12

SAURABH_12 · Answer 5 · 2012-11-05T12:22:34.847

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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.

edited Nov 05 '12 at 12:22

answered Mar 29 '12 at 07:11

SAURABH_12

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score 21 · Answer 6 · edited Feb 10 '14 at 03:24

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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.

edited Feb 10 '14 at 03:24

Peter Mortensen

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answered Mar 12 '13 at 11:06

Ebin Sebastian

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I think you swaped the methods by mistake. – talha2k Jun 12 '13 at 12:05

score 12 · Answer 7 · answered Jan 05 '11 at 04:52

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

score 6 · Answer 8 · edited Feb 10 '14 at 03:19

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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..."

edited Feb 10 '14 at 03:19

Peter Mortensen

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answered Mar 31 '13 at 06:35

Lanchon

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score 6 · Answer 9 · edited Jun 20 '16 at 15:19

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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"**.

edited Jun 20 '16 at 15:19

Peter Mortensen

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answered Sep 13 '14 at 20:28

Yousha Aleayoub

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Thank you! That was driving me crazy – kpninja12 Jan 11 '16 at 17:25

nenchev · Answer 10 · 2014-12-04T16:42:46.343

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.

L. D. James · Answer 11 · 2014-04-20T16:42:01.107

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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.

edited Apr 20 '14 at 16:42

answered Jul 30 '12 at 06:06

L. D. James

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-1, reason: Yeah, but this question was about 'building an .apk from Eclipse', not how to test an .apk app – Francisco Corrales Morales Apr 15 '14 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. – L. D. James Apr 18 '14 at 09:48

score 5 · Answer 12 · edited Feb 10 '14 at 03:18

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

edited Feb 10 '14 at 03:18

Peter Mortensen

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answered Mar 22 '12 at 18:27

Abiram

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How to build an APK file in Eclipse?

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