Build an Android app (APK/AAB)

Start a build

Open a project → New build → choose Android, then:

• Variant — debug (signed with a debug key, for testing) or release

(signed with your keystore, for distribution).

• Format — APK (direct install / sideload) or AAB (required to publish

on Google Play).

BuildStack runs it on a managed Linux runner — no Android SDK to install.

Expo / React Native

Expo projects are handled: BuildStack runs expo prebuild as needed before the native Android build, so managed and bare workflows both build without extra setup.

Get the artifact

When the build finishes, download the APK/AAB from the build's page, share an install link/QR with testers, or publish an AAB to Google Play.

Signing

Release builds need a keystore — upload one or use managed signing. See Android signing & keystores.

If a build fails

Open the build to read its logs. Common causes are dependency/install errors, Gradle config issues, or a missing keystore for a release build. See Troubleshooting.