Here’s a simple, step-by-step guide to create an APK file in Android Studio (works for Flutter apps, native Android apps, Jetpack Compose, etc.):

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How to Create APK in Android Studio

Follow these steps:

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🔹 Step 1: Open Your Project

Launch Android Studio and open your Android or Flutter project.

For Flutter: open the android/ folder or the whole project.

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🔹 Step 2: Switch to “App” Module

On the left side (Project window):
Select Project View → Android
And make sure the module app is selected.

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🔹 Step 3: Go to Build Menu

On the top toolbar:

Build → Build Bundle(s) / APK(s) → Build APK(s)

Android Studio will start building the APK.

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🔹 Step 4: Wait for Build Completion

Once the build completes, you’ll see a popup:

APK(s) generated successfully

Click “locate”.

This opens the folder:

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

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Where the APK will be generated

Debug APK:

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

Automatically signed with debug key.

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How to Generate Signed APK (Release APK)

Use this when uploading to Play Store.

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🔹 Step 1: Build → Generate Signed App Bundle / APK

Top menu:

Build → Generate Signed App Bundle / APK…

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🔹 Step 2: Choose APK

Select:

✔ APK
❌ (Not Android App Bundle for now)

Click Next

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🔹 Step 3: Create or Choose a Keystore

If first time:

Click Create New…

Fill out:

• Keystore location
• Password
• Alias
• Key password
• Validity (Use 25+ years)

Save the keystore file securely.

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🔹 Step 4: Select Build Variant

Choose:

✔ release

Click Finish

Android Studio will build the signed release APK.

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📍 Release APK Path

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

This file is ready for publishing.

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🎉 Done!

You now have your debug and signed release APK.