1--- 2title: Build APKs for Android Emulators and devices 3description: Learn how to configure and install an .apk for Android Emulators and devices when using EAS Build. 4--- 5 6import { Terminal } from '~/ui/components/Snippet'; 7import ImageSpotlight from '~/components/plugins/ImageSpotlight'; 8 9The default file format used when building Android apps with EAS Build is an [Android App Bundle](https://developer.android.com/platform/technology/app-bundle) (AAB/**.aab**). This format is optimized for distribution to the Google Play Store. However, AABs can't be installed directly on your device. To install a build directly to your Android device or emulator, you need to build an [Android Package](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Android_application_package) (APK/**.apk**) instead. 10 11## Configuring a profile to build APKs 12 13To generate an **.apk**, modify the [**eas.json**](/build/eas-json) by adding one of the following properties in a build profile: 14 15- `developmentClient` to `true` (**default**) 16- `android.buildType` to `apk` 17- `android.gradleCommand` to `:app:assembleRelease`, `:app:assembleDebug` or any other gradle command that produces **.apk** 18 19```json eas.json 20{ 21 "build": { 22 "preview": { 23 "android": { 24 "buildType": "apk" 25 } 26 }, 27 "preview2": { 28 "android": { 29 "gradleCommand": ":app:assembleRelease" 30 } 31 }, 32 "preview3": { 33 "developmentClient": true 34 }, 35 "production": {} 36 } 37} 38``` 39 40Now you can run your build with the following command: 41 42<Terminal cmd={['$ eas build -p android --profile preview']} /> 43 44Remember that you can name the profile whatever you like. We named the profile `preview`. However, you can call it `local`, `emulator`, or whatever makes the most sense for you. 45 46## Installing your build 47 48### Emulator (virtual device) 49 50> If you haven't installed or run an Android Emulator before, follow the [Android Studio emulator guide](/workflow/android-studio-emulator) before proceeding. 51 52Once your build is completed, the CLI will prompt you to automatically download and install it on the Android Emulator. When prompted, press <kbd>Y</kbd> to directly install it on the emulator. 53 54In case you have multiple builds, you can also run the `eas build:run` command at any time to download a specific build and automatically install it on the Android Emulator: 55 56<Terminal cmd={['$ eas build:run -p android']} /> 57 58The command also shows a list of available builds of your project. You can select the build to install on the emulator from this list. Each build in the list has a build ID, the time elapsed since the build creation, the build number, the version number, and the git commit information. The list also displays invalid builds if a project has any. 59 60For example, the image below lists the build of a project: 61 62<ImageSpotlight 63 alt="Running eas build:run command shows a list of available builds in a project." 64 src="/static/images/eas-build/eas-build-run-on-android.png" 65/> 66 67When the build's installation is complete, it will appear on the home screen. If it's a development build, open a terminal window and start the development server by running the command `npx expo start`. For SDK 48 and lower, use the `--dev-client` flag with the command. 68 69#### Running the latest build 70 71Pass the `--latest` flag to the `eas build:run` command to download and install the latest build on the Android Emulator: 72 73<Terminal cmd={['$ eas build:run -p android --latest']} /> 74 75### Physical device 76 77#### Download directly to the device 78 79- Once your build is completed, copy the URL to the APK from the build details page or the link provided when `eas build` is done. 80- Send that URL to your device. Maybe by email? Up to you. 81- Open the URL on your device, install the APK and run it. 82 83#### Install with `adb` 84 85- [Install adb](https://developer.android.com/studio/command-line/adb) if you don't have it installed already. 86- Connect your device to your computer and [enable adb debugging on your device](https://developer.android.com/studio/command-line/adb#Enabling) if you haven't already. 87- Once your build is completed, download the APK from the build details page or the link provided when `eas build` is done. 88- Run `adb install path/to/the/file.apk`. 89- Run the app on your device. 90
