How to create .aab file for uploading on play console using vsocde

Google Play Console only accepts .aab files now. This is a very common typo 🙂

Below is a VS Code–friendly way to create an .aab using Gradle (no Android Studio required).

Prerequisites

Make sure you have:

1. Android project (with build.gradle files)
2. JDK 11 or 17 installed
3. Android SDK installed
4. Gradle Wrapper (gradlew file in project root)

If your project already builds APKs, you’re good to go.

Step 1: Open Project in VS Code

• Open VS Code
• Open your Android project root folder
• Open the Terminal in VS Code
  (Ctrl + ~ or View → Terminal)

Step 2: Create the AAB File

Run this command from the project root:

Windows

gradlew bundleRelease

macOS / Linux

./gradlew bundleRelease

Step 3: Locate the .aab File

After the build finishes successfully, your .aab file will be here:

app/build/outputs/bundle/release/app-release.aab

This is the file you upload to Google Play Console.

Step 4: (Optional) Sign the App Bundle

If your app is not already signed, configure signing in:

app/build.gradle

android {
    signingConfigs {
        release {
            storeFile file("your-keystore.jks")
            storePassword "storePassword"
            keyAlias "keyAlias"
            keyPassword "keyPassword"
        }
    }

    buildTypes {
        release {
            signingConfig signingConfigs.release
        }
    }
}

Then rebuild:

gradlew bundleRelease

Google Play also supports Play App Signing, so you usually only need to sign once.

Step 5: Upload to Play Console

1. Go to Google Play Console
2. Select your app
3. Go to Production / Testing
4. Upload app-release.aab

Common Errors & Fixes

❌ SDK location not found
➡️ Set ANDROID_HOME or local.properties

❌ Execution failed for BundleTask
➡️ Run:

gradlew clean
gradlew bundleRelease

Summary

✔ .aab is the correct format
✔ VS Code + Gradle is enough
✔ Command: gradlew bundleRelease
✔ Upload app-release.aab to Play Console