Unveiling the Mystery: Where APK Files Get Stored in Android Studio

When you build an Android app in Android Studio, you may be curious to know where the APK file gets stored. Understanding the storage location of these files is crucial for debugging, testing, and deployment. This article provides an in-depth guide on the typical locations of APK files in Android Studio and how to locate them.

1. Default Storage Locations for APK Files

By default, Android Studio stores APK files in the project's directory structure. The exact path depends on whether you're building a debug or release version of your app and the specific build variant.

1.1 Debug APKs

When you build your project in debug mode (e.g., by clicking the “Run” button in Android Studio), the APK file is typically stored in the following location:

app/build/outputs/apk/debug/app-debug.apk

1.2 Release APKs

When you build your project in release mode, typically for publishing to the Google Play Store, the APK file is stored in the following location:

app/build/outputs/apk/release/app-release.apk

While these are the default locations, they may vary based on your project configuration or customizations.

2. Customizing APK Output Path

You can customize the output path for APK files in your file. This allows you to specify different locations for debug and release APKs, making it easier to organize your build outputs or integrate with continuous integration (CI) systems.

Here's an example of how to customize the output path:

android {  buildTypes {    debug {      versionNameSuffix "-debug"      outputDirectory custom/debug    }    release {      outputDirectory custom/release    }  }}

3. Locating APK Files

If you're having trouble finding the APK file, you can use Android Studio's built-in "Build Variants" tool to view and open the APK file directly from the IDE.

Steps to Find APK Files:

Navigate to the "Build" menu in Android Studio. Select "Build Variants" to open the Build Variants pane. In the Build Variants pane, you can view a list of build versions in your project (e.g., debug, release). Select the version (e.g., debug) to see options for that version, including the location of the APK file. Click the file link to open the directory containing the APK file in your file explorer.

4. Important Notes

The actual location of APK files may vary based on your project configuration, Android Studio version, and any customizations you have made to the build process. If you're unsure where to find the APK file, you can perform a search within your project directory for files with the .apk extension.

Understanding the APK file storage location can save you time and frustration, especially when it comes to debugging, testing, and deployment. By following the steps outlined in this guide, you can easily locate and manage your APK files in Android Studio.