Android Application Development Cookbook: 93 Recipes for Building Winning Apps

Recipe 11.2 Exporting Your Application as an APK File

Android Versions

Level 1 and above

Permissions

None

Source Code to Download from Wrox.com

MyApp.zip

When your application is completed and tested, and therefore ready to hit the market, you need to package it as an APK (Android Package) file. This recipe shows how you can do that in Eclipse.

Solution

To export your application as an APK file, first ensure that the application compiles successfully. Then, right-click on the project name in Eclipse and select Export… (see Figure 11-7).

Figure 11-7

In the Export dialog, expand the Android item and select Export Android Application (see Figure 11-8). Click Next.

Figure 11-8

You are asked to select a project to export. Because you have already selected the project to export, the project name is filled in for you automatically (see Figure 11-9). Click Next.

Figure 11-9

You are now asked for a keystore (certificate) to code-sign the application. You can either use an existing keystore or create a new one. If you do not already have your own self-generated keystore, you can create a new one here. Enter a location to save the new keystore and supply a password ...