Android Release Builds: Check the Final Artifact
A debug build works but the store build fails after shrinking or signing. This guide gives you a small, testable way to approach the issue before changing a live system.
A practical workflow
- Generate the release variant and run it on a clean device before submission.
- Test deep links, network configuration and serialization paths under minification.
What to check
Keep signing keys secure and backed up; a debug APK is not a release test. Compare the result with the original problem and record what changed. If a measurement or test does not support the change, revisit the assumption rather than adding more complexity.
Keep the experiment small enough to reverse. Document the starting state, the change and the result so another person can repeat the process. Product menus and versions can change, so check the current documentation for your environment.
Official reference: Read the documentation.